SUNDAY 17TH OCTOBER 2021 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

Terror Attacks: UK Warns Citizens against Travelling to 12 Nigerian States Ejiofor Alike The United Kingdom government has warned its citizens in Nigeria against visiting 12 states in the country over possible terror attacks. The advisory from the UK through its Foreign and

Commonwealth Office (FCO) followed concerns on the possibility of terrorists carrying out attacks in Nigeria. In a statement published on its website “still current at October 16, 2021,” it expressed concern over protests and a heightened security presence

in major cities due to the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu. The foreign government also urged its citizens to monitor local media, and avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings.

The UK listed the Nigerian states as: Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara. Other states are: Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. The FCDO also advised against all but essential travel

to: Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto and Kogi aand within 20kilometres of the border with Niger in Kebbi State, and Abia State. It also cautioned UK citizens against travelling to the nonriverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states.

According to the advisory, events to mark the one year anniversary of #EndSARS protests are likely to take place nationally, week commencing October 18. “There may be protests and Continued on page 16

Pressure Mounts on Secondus to Withdraw Court Case over PDP Chairmanship... Page 6 Sunday 17 October, 2021 Vol 26. No 9687

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N400

Crisis Hits APC Congresses in Lagos, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Niger, Enugu, Kwara, Others Scores injured as gunmen attack congress venues in Ogun, Osun Sanwo-Olu, Ambode, Akpabio, Udoedehe’s loyalists hold parallel congresses Keyamo, Ogboru, Okorocha, Ararume boycott exercise in Delta, Imo Our Correspondents The state congresses held across the country yesterday by

the All Progressives Congress (APC) were characterised by crisis and formation of parallel state executives of the party

in several states, THISDAY has learnt. Some of the affected states include Lagos, Ogun, Enugu,

Kwara, Imo, Sokoto, Kano, Niger, Osun, Delta, Abia, and Rivers. In Ogun State, gunmen

numbering about 10 invaded the Ake Palace Ground, Abeokuta, the state capital, which was the venue of the

State Congress of a faction of the party loyal to the former Continued on page 5

In a Dramatic Shift, Kingibe Says Nigeria’s Unity Negotiable Tambuwal: We need a detribalised leader Festus Akanbi and Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto Contrary to the claims by many Nigerian leaders that the unity of the country is non-negotiable, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, has declared that the unity of Nigeria is negotiable. Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State has however stated that what the country needs at this moment is a detribalised leader with a large heart to accommodate the diverse interests of the people. Speaking yesterday at The Sun Newspaper Awards for 2020 held in Lagos, Kingibe however said even the union between a husband and wife

is negotiable. The accomplished diplomat further stated that any part of Nigeria that wants to pull out of the country should be advised to think about the implications of leaving Nigeria and what will happen to its landmass. He reminded separatist agitators that the land they reside would not be carved out and taken to anywhere in the event of their leaving Nigeria, pointing out that the land would remain where it is. Kingibe, who received the newspaper’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award,’ called on Nigerians to learn to respect one another. He pointed out that he recorded all his achievements as a Nigerian. Continued on page 10

500,000 People at Risk of Starvation in North-east, Says UN... Page 5

WE ARE ON GROUND… L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; newly elected state Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi; and Lagos APC State Congress Organising Chairman, Hon. Adeolu Akande Adelabu, during the Lagos APC State Congress, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos…yesterday

SUNDAY OCTOBER 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

͹Ϳ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE FIVE

500,000 People at Risk of Starvation in North-east, Says UN Seeks $55m lifeline Michael Olugbode in Abuja The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that half a million women, men, and children in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states are at risk of starvation as its funding for the region dries up. In a statement yesterday, the global agency, which seeks a $55 million urgent lifeline, said it might soon be forced to cut food rations except it secures urgent funds to continue its life-saving operations in the crisis hotspot. The region has been a mainstay of insurgency attacks for over a decade and the situation has been worsened by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising high food prices, the WFP said. The UN agency also said the number of internally displaced persons surpassed two million in September. “Cutting rations means choosing who gets to eat and who goes to bed hungry. We are seeing funding for our lifesaving humanitarian work dry up just at the time when hunger is at its most severe,” said Chris Nikoi, WFP’s Regional Director for West Africa, following a recent visit to Nigeria. The WFP director said that current food security analyses showed that 4.4 million people in the North-east did not know where their next meal would come from, adding that more than one million children were already malnourished. He cited continued attacks on communities by non-state armed groups, harsh and lean season conditions amid an economy dealing with the fallout from the COVID-19, as portending great danger for the people. Nikoi added that high food prices and a severe reduction in household purchasing power had also contributed to a bleak outlook for the most vulnerable people in the North-east, warning that despite increasing needs, WFP may soon be unable to sustain life-saving operations

in the conflict-riddled region. He stated that the cuts would come just as severe hunger reached a five-year high in the country, in the wake of years of conflict and insecurity, noting that the situation had been worsened by the socio-economic fallout from COVID-19, high food prices, and limited food supply. He added that the number of internally displaced surpassed two million in September 2021, reaching another grim milestone. Nikoi warned that if at least $ 55 million was not received in a matter of weeks, WFP would

have no choice but to cut food rations and reduce the number of people it serves, where assistance is already prioritised for the most vulnerable as early as November. The WFP, which won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2020, said it required at least $55 million in a matter of weeks to avoid cutting food aid. “Our food assistance is a lifeline for millions whose lives have been upended by conflict and have almost nothing to survive on. We must act now to save lives and avoid disruptions to this lifeline,”

Nikoi added. He said that the number of Internally Displaced People (IDP) forced to flee their homes in search of safety in the North-east had been rising steadily, reaching a new all-time high of over two million in September 2021. The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, said cutting food assistance “will be a painful decision for humanitarians as it will negatively affect children, women, and men uprooted from their homes due to continued

violence. “As we call upon our partners to step up their support in response to the growing needs, I would like to say thank you to those who have stood with us over the years in providing the much-needed humanitarian assistance in the country.” According to its statement, the WFP said it has “provided life-saving food and nutrition assistance to severely food insecure people, displaced families in camps, and to vulnerable people living in host communities thanks to generous contributions from

Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, the United States of America, and private donors. “This year, relying on the continued generosity of donor partners, WFP ramped up its response to address rising food insecurity and the impact of COVID-19, targeting 1.9 million displaced people in Nigeria with life-saving food assistance. “To sustain humanitarian operations in the North-east Nigeria until March 2022, WFP urgently requires $197 million.”

SWEET VICTORY… L-R: Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Chairman, State Congress Committee of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Wale Ohu; and the elected chairman of the party in the state, Chief Yemi Sanusi, after Sanusi was declared winner of the APC congress held at MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta…yesterday

CRISIS HITS APC CONGRESSES IN LAGOS, ABIA, AKWA IBOM, NIGER, ENUGU, KWARA, OTHERS governor of the state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. Though, the Chairman of the Congress Committee, Hon. Wale Ohu, had warned that only the result of the Congress held at the MKO Abiola Stadium would be recognised, a faction loyal to Amosun, organised a parallel exercise at the palace. The Ministers of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite; the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Tolu Odebiyi and the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, (APM) in the 2019 election in the state, Adekunle Akinlade were among the dignitaries that fled for their dear lives, when the gunmen struck. The trio however escaped unhurt but many others were unlucky as they sustained different degrees of injuries. Several vehicles parked in front of the Palace were destroyed. It was, however, gathered that supporters of the faction later regrouped and held the congress. In Akwa Ibom State, the loyalists of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio conducted their congress at the Kara Event Centre along Stadium Road, while the Senator Akpan John Udoedehe-led group elected its officials at Sheer Grace Centre, Uyo the state capital.

Speaking during the congress held at Kara Event Centre, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, said, however, that the different congresses were working for the interest of the party. Akpabio, in his remarks, called on the party faithful not to look at the disagreement among the leaders of the party, assuring that such disagreements would be settled at a roundtable. In Kwara State, the faction loyal to the state governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has unanimously affirmed the former chairman of PDP and now a chieftain of APC, Chief Sunday Fagbemi as its state chairman of the party. The loyalists of Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, re-elected Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa as its factional state chairman. The APC in Osun State also held parallel congresses in the state. Two members of the party were shot by thugs believed to be loyal to one of the factions. A faction of the APC, The Osun Progressives (TOP), which is loyal to the Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, held a parallel congress at Ogo Oluwa, Osogbo, while the Ileri Oluwa faction backed by Governor Gboyega Oyetola, also held another state Congress at the stadium.

Hoodlums were said to have invaded the TOP factional congress with about eight vehicles and started shooting from the main road. But operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel. However, the gunmen shot two members of the APC, Adedolapo Atobatele and Ismail Akinyede. The state chairman, the National Congress Committee of the party, Mr. Gbenga Elegbeleye, supervised the congress conducted by the Oyetola faction. The Ilerioluwa Group held its congress at the Osogbo City Stadium, where Mr. Gboyega Famodun was re-elected as the state Chairman of the party. Alhaji Tajudeen Lawal was elected the Deputy Chairman, while Mr. Alao Olabisi was elected the Secretary. In his remarks, Oyetola commended the congress committee for conducting a transparent and successful exercise. Meanwhile, members of TOP, at their parallel congress held at Onward area in Osogbo, elected the immediate past Secretary of the party, Alhaji Rasaq Salinsile, as its new Chairman. Also, a former Commissioner for Information in the state, Mr. Adelani Baderinwa, was elected the Secretary of the party.

In Lagos State, the APC held three parallel congresses across the state. At the main congress of the APC held at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Ground, Onikan which witnessed the presence of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi emerged as the consensus chairman of the APC in the state. The congress saw 35 other executive members elected through voice votes. The election was conducted by the Chairman of Lagos APC Congress Committee, Mr. Bayo Adelabu. Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by Sheu AbdulWahab were on the ground to monitor the election. Lagos State Governor, SanwoOlu, who was on the ground for the congress, said he was not aware of any other congress in the state. According to him, other congresses were “mere naming ceremonies.” While thanking the national leader of APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, the governor said: "Asiwaju has called me twice while the congress is ongoing and I told him all is well. "You can see that females are well represented, almost outstripping the number of men. The team comprises men of timber and calibre. I hope the team will take Lagos to a higher

level," he said. At the Baptist Academy premises, loyalists of the immediate former governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, under the aegis of Akinwunmi Ambode Campaign Organisation (AMCO), conducted their exercise with a former Chairman of the Mushin Local Government Area, Mrs. Beatrice Omotayo Tugbobo, emerging as the state APC chairman. Speaking to journalists, Tugbobo, who admitted that there were factions in Lagos APC, asserted that the exercise by her faction was being conducted in line with the party's constitution, which she said stipulated that the congress could be held by consensus arrangement or election. "According to the constitution of APC, you can conduct your congresses whether by consensus or by voting and the agreement from the National Headquarters of APC constitutionally is that we hold our congresses in a consensus manner. "Other factions can be holding their congresses elsewhere, yet we are holding our own here, which is AMCO, the group belonging to former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode," she said. Also, the Lagos4Lagos group produced its consensus candidates at a congress held at the Airport Hotel in Ikeja. Also, the congress held in Abia State produced two chairmen as

each of the rival camps conducted its congress. Mr. Enyinnaya Harbour was elected Chairman in the congress supervised by the seven-man State Congress Committee for Abia headed by Hon. Kolawole Babatunde, with Hon. Muktar Bajeh as Secretary. The congress was held at the sprawling Chidiebere Motors Arena, Umuahia with two INEC representatives from the Abuja headquarters and Abia State office, present to observe the exercise. The State Congress by loyalists of Chief Ikechi Emenike was organised at the Indoor Sports Hall of Umuahia Township Stadium. In Imo State, the immediate past governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, and the Board Chairman of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, were absent as the APC led by the state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, conducted its state congress. At the congress held in Owerri, the state capital, Uzodimma’s aide and long-time loyalist, Macdonald Ebere emerged as the state chairman. Ebere succeeded Marcon Nlemigbo who was in interim capacity shortly after Uzodimma took over power. But Okorocha, through Continued on page 6

͹Ϳ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

NEWS

Pressure Mounts on Secondus to Withdraw Court Case over PDP Chairmanship

South-west considers Arapaja for deputy national chairman How Wike, Ikpeazu, Ugwuanyi influenced the emergence of consensus national secretary

Chuks Okocha in Abuja Following the emergence of a former President of the Senate, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, as the consensus candidate for the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), pressure is being mounted on the suspended national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, to withdraw the suit seeking the reaffirmation of his four-year tenure of office in line with Section 59 (3) Constitution of the PDP, THISDAY has learnt. Ayu’s emergence is expected to pave the way for a possible southern presidential candidate in the 2023 general election. In a new realignment of political forces in the South-west, the party stakeholders in the region may have dumped the former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and a former National Secretary of the party, Prof. Wale Oladipo, and asked the National Vice Chairman (South-west), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, to seek reelection as the Deputy National Chairman (South). Fresh facts have also emerged on how Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State upstaged the former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, and former governors of Imo State, Achike Udenwa and Emeka Ihedioha to produce a consensus candidate for the National Secretary of the PDP. THISDAY gathered that following the emergence of Ayu as the northern consensus candidate for the National Chairman of the PDP, some selected leaders and stakeholders of the PDP have been reaching out to Secondus to withdraw his court case because of the implications and consequences the Court of Appeal judgment may have on the preparations for the October 31 national convention of the party. Some loyalists of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have also called on the party to resolve all issues relating to Secondus or be ready to lose the 2023

presidential election. The High Court of Rivers State sitting in Degema had suspended Secondus as national chairman, but the suspension was set aside by a Kebbi State High Court. But no sooner had the Kebbi court set the order aside than another High Court in Calabar, Cross River State reinforced the suspension of the embattled national chairman. Secondus has since appealed the orders of the two high courts at the Court of Appeal, where he is asking the court to reaffirm his four years tenure of office in line with Section 59 (3) Constitution of the PDP. In the last sitting of the Court of Appeal, the court in a dramatic manner announced the transfer of the Secondus’ appeal to Port Harcourt, stating that it was where the substantive suit originated. But PDP stakeholders have wondered why the President of the Court of Appeal directed that the appeal between Senator Ugochukwu Uba and Valentine Ozigbo would be heard in Abuja, instead of Enugu. A source close to Secondus told THISDAY that the embattled national chairman has adopted a studied silence and refused to respond to the barrage of requests for him to withdraw the Court of Appeal suit against his suspension. The Court of Appeal is expected to deliver judgment at any moment. As the party continues preparation for the October 31 national convention, Atiku’s former Special Adviser, Dr. Umar Ardo, has called on the party to resolve all issues relating to Secondus or be ready to lose the 2023 presidential election. "It is my assessment of the material politics on the ground that until the Secondus issue is justly and conclusively resolved, it 'll be delusional to think PDP will go into the election cycle of 2023 with the faintest hope of coming out victorious,” Ardo said in a statement. According to him, "the variables don't seem to add up for the simple fact that one cannot hope to win on injustice and illegitimacy

because this is a logical social law! "Still our latter-day PDP stakeholders, the old and new party oligarchs, seem to see that they can, forgetting that they’ve always in the past failed. It's not about the individuals involved, just as of now it's not about Secondus, but that of torching the hardcore principles of justice and rule of law. Yet, they don't learn their lessons and make amends. "As one who went to court 11 times against the sheer acts of impunity of the party, I know PDP lost in 2015 and 2019 presidential elections mainly as consequences of such acts,” he explained.

South-west Considers Arapaja for Deputy National Chairman Meanwhile, in a new realignment of political forces in the Southwest, the party stakeholders in the region may have dumped the former governor of Osun State,

Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and a former National Secretary of the party, Prof. Wale Oladipo, for the position of the Deputy National Chairman of the party for South. The South-west PDP stakeholders have asked the National Vice Chairman, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, to seek re-election as the Deputy National Chairman for the South. THISDAY gathered that the development was due to the crisis in Osun PDP. In compliance, Arapaja, at the weekend resigned as the vice national chairman for South-west and obtained a nomination form to seek election as the consensus deputy national chairman (South). Before then, stakeholders of the PDP had scheduled Oyinlola as the deputy national chairman for South. The most contentious of the positions, which party leaders tried but failed to reach an agreement on, is the seat of

Deputy National Chairman (South), zoned to Osun State and desired by Oyinlola, and Oladipo. The Sunday Bisi-led Osun State chapter of the party, said to be loyal to the PDP governorship candidate in the 2019 elections, Senator Ademola Adeleke, had nominated Oladipo for the position ahead of the convention. But Arapaja, who is said to be loyal to the Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, was told by party leaders in the South-west to resign and obtained a nomination form for the deputy national chairman.

How Wike, Ikpeazu, Ugwuanyi Inﬂuenced Emergence of Consensus National Secretary Meanwhile, fresh facts have also emerged on how Governors Wike of Rivers State; Ugwuanyi of

Enugu State and Ikpeazu of Abia State upstaged the former Senate President, Senator Anyim, and former governors of Imo State, Udenwa and Ihedioha to produce the consensus candidate for the National Secretary of the PDP. The PDP South-east Zonal Caucus of the party had on Thursday in Enugu, adopted Senator Sam Nnaemeka Anyanwu, who was backed by Wike, as the consensus candidate of the zone for the job of PDP National Secretary. Before the adoption, former Minister of Aviation and Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Osita Chidoka believed to be sponsored by a presidential aspirant from the South-east; and the Director-General of the PDP Governors Forum, Hon. Cyril Maduabum, who was perceived to be sponsored by the Chairman of the forum, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State were the front-runners.

DIPLOMATIC VISIT… Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma (left), and the Acting United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Kathleen Fitzgibbon, when the envoy paid a working visit to the state governor in Owerri...recently

CRISIS HITS APC CONGRESSES IN LAGOS, ABIA, AKWA IBOM, NIGER, ENUGU, KWARA, OTHERS his media aide, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said he was not aware APC held any congress in the state. “We are not aware that there was APC congress in Imo State. What they did today was a birthday party. As long as we are concerned, Dan Nwafor is the authentic chairman of APC in Imo State. “There is an APC court judgment to that effect. It has not been vacated. You don’t put something on nothing and expect it to stand.” Also amid protests by many party chieftains, who have called on the national leadership to cancel the state congress and previous congresses, the Senator Ovie Omo-Agege faction of the party in Delta State held a congress and announced a 35-man executive body to oversee the affairs of the state chapter of the party. A former political aide to exgovernor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Mr. Omeni Sobotie, emerged chairman of the new executive committee. The exercise was conducted at the College of Education, Asaba premises by a seven-man Delta State APC Congress Committee, led by its Chairman, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, with officials of the INEC present as observers.

The factional congress was witnessed by the Deputy Senate President, Omo-Agege; Senate Committee Chairman on Niger Delta, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, founding leader of the party in the state, O’tega Emerhor, among others. But in a swift reaction, the Delta State APC Leaders Council and the State Working Committee members have distanced themselves from what they described as a “Kangaroo State Congress organised by Deputy Senate President, Senator Omo-Agege and his cohorts. The APC leaders stated this in a statement issued yesterday and jointly signed by its 19 members, including the Minister of State for Labour and Employment and Chairman of the Council, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN); Co-Chairman, Dr. Alex Ideh; the Secretary of the Council, Hon. Cairo Ojougboh; and 2019 APC governorship candidate in Delta State, Chief Great Ogboru, among others. The council insisted that the national leadership of the party should correct the wrongs and anomalies in the Delta State chapter of the party by ensuring the execution of the recommendations of the John Odigie-Oyegun-led reconciliation committee, which had been

submitted and accepted by the Mai Mala Buni-led caretaker committee. The APC leaders vowed that it would continue to uphold the sanctity of the party's change mantra. The Niger State chapter of the party also split into two yesterday. One of the factions of the party held its congress at a building along Bay Clinic Hospital road in Minna where Alhaji Nasiru Yussuf emerged as the chairman of the group. They were denied the use of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Youth Centre. The second congress attended by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello; his commissioners; and the three senators in the state, threw up a former Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Haliru Zakari Jikantoro as chairman of the group. However, it was observed that the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso, and the member representing Chanchaga Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Umar Mohammed Bago was absent at the congress held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi Centre. In Enugu State, the loyalists of a former Senate President,

Chief Ken Nnamani, and former governor, Sullivan Chime in Enugu State, elected a former commissioner in the state, Chief Ugochukwu Agballah as the chairman of the party in the state. At the congress supervised by the congress committee led by its chairman, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, Agballah defeated a former military governor of Gombe State, Group Captain Joe Orji (rtd), and Chief Paul Omeje to clinch the position. Both Nnamani and Chime were said to have thrown their weight behind Orji, but more than 95 per cent of the delegates queued behind Agballah. However, the faction led by the former Chairman of the party in the state, Mr. Ben Nwoye also held a parallel congress at the state party secretariat. In Kano State, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has declared that only the congress held at Sani Abacha Stadium was legal. Prince Abdullahi Abbas, who is the immediate-past caretaker chairman of the party in the state was elected as the chairman of the party. In Sokoto State, the former acting governor and member representing Illela/ Gwadabawa

Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Balarabe Salame has rejected the outcome of the congress. Salame told THISDAY that there was no congress in the state. Salame, who is of the same faction with the Speaker of Sokoto State House Assembly and other state Assembly members had planned to hold a parallel congress at DanMarna Primary School before his faction was told by the national headquarters of the APC to wait for amicable settlement of the issues. But unknown to them, new executives emerged from the congress held by the other faction, led by the leader of the party in the state, Senator Aliyu Wamakko. In his acceptance speech, the re-elected chairman of the party in the state, Isa Sadiq Acida, promised to return the party to power in the state. In Rivers State, the loyalists of a former Senator representing Rivers East, Senator Magnus Abe, shunned the exercise conducted by the loyalists of the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi. Mr. Emeka Beke emerged as the Chairman of Rivers State APC, according to the results

announced by the Chairman, Rivers APC Congress Screening Committee, Dr. Abubakar Idris. However, a member of the party, Golden Chioma, who made a last-minute pullout from the chairmanship race, described the exercise and the results as a nullity, citing "faulty process".

APC Suspends Oyo Congress Meanwhile, the party has postponed its state congress in Oyo State. THISDAY learnt that the congress was shifted following a directive from the national secretariat of the party. Members of the party and journalists who had thronged the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty Stadium), Ibadan, venue of the congress earlier fixed for yesterday were surprised to learn about the postponement. The Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Dr. Abdulazeez Olatunde, who confirmed the postponement, said the postponement was necessary in order to harmonise the list of candidates for the positions. “It has been postponed. It was postponed to allow us harmonise the list," he added.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

͹Ϳ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

NEWS

Parallel Congresses Rock PDP in Scores of States Former speaker emerges as party chairman in Kwara Segun James in Lagos, Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki, and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Ebonyi and Oyo State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday conducted their congresses amid crisis. An outbreak of violence also forced the Lagos State chapter of the main opposition party to postpone its congress indefinitely. This is coming as a former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Babatunde Muhammed was yesterday elected as the new state chairman of the party. The postponement of the congress by the Lagos State PDP was a result of gunshots inside the Tafawa Balewa Square venue of the congress. Briefing newsmen before the postponement, the Ekiti State leader of the party, Senator Biodun Olujimi, who was sent to supervise the Congress along with Deputy Governor of Benue State, Mr. Benson Abounu, who chaired the committee said, they had tried since Friday to appeal to delegates to agree on consensus candidates, but to no avail, as delegates were adamant that the congress must hold. "Throughout yesterday (Friday), we were trying to see how to resolve it, but we couldn't, that is why we came out, if not we would have read out the names to the acceptance of the party members." The Ebonyi State Congress of the party was conducted amidst crisis. A chairmanship candidate, Mr. Silas Onu described the congress that saw the emergence of Hon Tochukwu Okorie as the state chairman as a charade, stressing that the exercise was null and void. Onu, who was the

immediate past Caretaker Publicity Secretary, expressed sadness over the outcome of the election, adding that a few individuals in the state cannot hijack the party. Onu accused the former Senate President, Senator Anyim Puis Anyim of being behind the charade. Also, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Senator Emmanuel Onwe said the congress was undemocratic and unacceptable. Okorie scored a total of 1,240 votes to defeat Onu, who scored a total vote of 260 votes. Announcing the results, the Chairman of the Ebonyi PDP State Congress Committee, Senator Ben Collins Ndu said that a total of 1510 delegates were accredited, adding that the election was a free and

fair contest. The South-east zonal Chairman of the party, Hon. Ali Odefa commended the panel for a peaceful, free and fair congress, adding that the party will do everything to reposition itself ahead of the 2023 general election. In Oyo State, two parallel state executives emerged yesterday when two factions of the PDP held parallel congresses in Ibadan, the state capital. The faction of the state Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, held its congress at the main bowl of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba in Ibadan. Also, the aggrieved PDP members led by former Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Mrs. Mulikat Adeola-Akande and Chief

Bisi Olopoeniyan, held their congress at Jogor Centre, Liberty Road, off Ring Road, Ibadan. Announcing the congress results held at Lekan Salami Sports Complex, the Congress Chairman, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State declared Mr. Dayo Ogungbenro as the PDP State Chairman. Ugwuanyi said that Ogungbenro scored 3,110 votes out of 3,250 delegates votes that attended the congress from the 33 local government areas of the state. Also, Mr. Wasiu Adeleke emerged as the State Secretary of the party with 3,111 votes. On the other hand, Chief Michael Okunlade emerged as the Chairman of the Adeola-Akande-led faction

with a total vote of 2,712 from delegates across the 33 local government areas of the state. No fewer than 50 vehicles parked around the Jogor Centre, where the AdeolaAkande-led faction held its congress, were vandalised by hoodlums. The hoodlums, in their scores, armed with sticks and cutlasses, were, however, prevented by security operatives from entering the venue of the congress. Meanwhile, a former Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Muhammed has emerged as the new state chairman of PDP. Muhammed alongside other officials of the state executive was elected through affirmation and all the delegates adopted them.

The Chief Returning Officer of the congress, Mr. John Gong who announced the names of the members of the state executive council of the PDP said that all the affected state executive officials were elected by consensus. The congress was attended by the leader of the party and former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki Those in attendance of the congress include Saraki; former national chairman of PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje; former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed; former governorship candidate of PDP during 2019 elections, Hon. Razaq Atunwa; former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon.Ali Ahmad and former minister of Youths and Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.

AWARENESS BRIEFING… L-R: Trustee, Care Organisation Public Enlightenment, Mr. Dapo Abe; Chairman, Board of Trustees, COPE, Emeritus Prof. Frank Osato Giwa-Osagie; CEO, COPE, Mrs. Ebunola Anozie; and Trustee, Dr. Bola Fajemirokun, at a press brieﬁng to mark 26th anniversary of COPE, in Lagos…recently

IN A DRAMATIC SHIFT, KINGIBE SAYS NIGERIA’S UNITY NEGOTIABLE “I was born in Nigeria. I was groomed in Nigeria. I believe in Nigeria. People of my generation believe in Nigeria. We have no doubt about the fact that we have no option, but Nigeria. “However, I think that a few of my colleagues believe that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable. Of course, it is negotiable. Even the unity of a family is negotiable. Even the constitution of husband and wife is negotiable. The moment either parties feels this union is no longer bearable, that he or she will rather go his/her way. You help them to sit down consider their condition after a careful and rational examination of the pros and cons of how to be married that they take the decision which suit them best. “It is enough just to say I do not farewell where I am. So, I am going,” Kingibe explained. He, however, added that any party that wants to pull out from the union should consider the implications. “Are you sure where you are going? Are you sure of the consequence of where you are

going? Do you really feel that the grass is greener on the other side? If you do, sit with your partner in respect, in mutual respect, in love if possible, but without demonising your husband or your wife because you will always remain the ex of the other person. But discuss quietly so that even if you separate in the future you can inter-relate with love and respect,” he added. Speaking specifically on the issue of those agitating to leave the country, Kingibe said: “When we ever say we want to go away, I do not think they realise the going away. It is not that you carve out the piece of land, take it up and put it in other side of Ghana. The piece of land will be here. You will be here. Everybody will be here. And we all want to prosper. My appeal to everyone is, please, let us be respectful of one another. Let us not demonise one another. Let us respect the views of everybody,” he noted. Kingibe hailed a former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for creating a platform that would enable this dialogue.

“The awardees are from everywhere. I listened carefully to the remarks made by the awardees before me. Two of them from the South-east ended their remarks by saying, I ‘believe in one Nigeria.’ I presume, it is a reflection of the fact that they achieved whatever they did because they are Nigerians. We can all achieve our goals in Nigeria. We are only part of a greater entity, be it ECOWAS. ECOWAS is one part of a greater entity called Africa and Africa exists in a globalised world. “Wherever you go, you will remain a Nigeria, an ECOWAS citizen, an African citizen or a global citizen. So, please, let us mind our language as we address national issues. Whatever I achieved, I stood on the shoulders of great people, many of whom have deserted us, but without them, I cannot be what I am today,” Kingibe explained.

Tambuwal: We Need a Detribalised Leader Meanwhile, Governor Tambuwal of Sokoto State has

stated that what Nigeria needs at this moment is a detribalised leader with a large heart to accommodate the diverse interests of the people. Tambuwal stated this when the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Ayokunle Samson Olasupo, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Sokoto. In a statement by Tambuwal’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Muhammad Bello, the governor argued that no one or group of people, no matter their religious affiliation or tribe can arrogate the leadership of Nigeria to themselves to the exclusion of other parts of the country. Tambuwal noted that the leadership of the country is mutually complementary, adding that Nigeria belongs to every Nigerian and that no one will send anyone out of the country hence the need to remain together for the betterment of the country. The Sokoto State governor insisted that the kind of leadership the country needs will understand the issues of

diversities and is inclusive in his approach to governance, without tribal or religious sentiments. Pointing out that both Islam and Christianity have been coexisting even before the union of the country came into existence, Tambuwal also added: “those who know history said Christianity and Islam belong to the same root,” stressing that “Jerusalem and Damascus” were examples of places where the two religions are being practised side by side. ''There is need for us to continue practising the teaching of the two religions as ordained by God,'' he said, emphasising that “if we go by the real teachings of the two religions, there wouldn’t be friction or any reason to fight one another.” He commended the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and the CAN President for their efforts in preaching peace and unity in the country, stressing that Sokoto State is home to every Nigerian, irrespective of religious, tribal, or ethnic differences.

He explained that in pursuance of this objective of unity, children of other Nigerians resident in the state who attend public schools are exempted from paying fees just as the indigenes of the state enjoy free education. Tambuwal also added that in the area of health too, the state government’s Zakkat and Waqaf Commission pays the medical bills of indigent Nigerians resident in the stateside by side those of the less-privileged state indigenes. In his remarks, the CAN President, Olasupo said he was in the state to interact with the Sultanate, the government, and the people of Sokoto State to find ways to overcome the security challenges being faced in the country. Calling on Muslims and Christians to live in harmony, Olasupo condoled the people of the state over the loss of lives occasioned by the unfortunate incident of bandits’ attacks in some communities of the state. He expressed appreciation to the state government for its giant stride in providing security in the state.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 17, 2021

EDITORIAL

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

MUCH ADO ABOUT DIRECT PARTY PRIMARIES Both direct and indirect primaries can be manipulated, but direct primaries are preferable

olitical parties in Nigeria are expected to conduct primaries to nominate candidates for elections based on the Electoral Act, their guidelines and that of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Unfortunately, at a period the nation needs innovative leaders at all levels of government, the process by which these candidates emerge is usually marred by violence and unwholesome practices. Yet, if intraparty primaries are deeply ﬂawed, vicious, chaotic, polarising and bloody as they have been over the years, it is a given that the outcomes of such exercise cannot deliver on good governance. The evidence of that is also glaring today across the country. To the extent that free and fair election is a basic requirement of democratic governance and an antidote to civil disorder, it is important that the nomination of candidates by parties be based on transparent popular participation in which every aspirant is availed a level-playing ﬁeld. Unfortunately, in the past two decades, the primaries of all the political parties, big or small, have been replete with widespread fraud, monetisation, lack of accountability, and cynical hijack of the process by sundry godfathers and overbearing governors. Apparently in response to this anomaly, the Senate on Tuesday voted to amend 87(1) of the 2010 Electoral Act which allows political parties to opt for either direct or indirect primaries to now read, “a political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Bill shall hold direct primaries for aspirants to all elective positions, which shall be monitored by the Commission.” The amendment hearkens to complaints about the overbearing

conduct of parties’ executives during such exercises by prescribing that all members be allowed to vote through a direct process. While the decision has been widely acclaimed, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described it as “a humongous blow to the development of democratic norms and a plot to introduce anarchy during internal party elections as currently obtainable in the APC”. According to the party, direct primaries will increase “the costs of nomination procedures thereby surrendering the processes to money bags against the wishes and aspiration of Nigerians.” We do not share that cynicism. On the contrary, direct primaries will whittle the inﬂuence of money that has turned delegate primaries to mere bazaars, even if we concede that it is also not foolproof. Nothing is, with our politicians.

Direct primaries will whittle the inﬂuence of money that has turned delegate primaries to mere bazaars, even if we concede that it is also not foolproof. Nothing is, with our politicians

Letters to the Editor

S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R 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 MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, 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

irst, we understand the rationale behind the Senate position. The electoral act stipulates that “the aspirant with the highest number of votes at the end of voting shall be declared the winner of the primaries of the party and the aspirant’s name shall be forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission as the candidate of the party.” That presupposes that candidates are to emerge after a process that involves ballot. Over the years, outcomes of party primaries are usually decided by ‘delegates’ in a manner that have been anything but democratic. But the question remains: Will direct primaries make any difference? There are concerns about the ability of the INEC and security agencies to monitor the exercise across the entire country. There are also fears that the old problem of hijacking ballot boxes, violence and deployment of thuggery might surface. These are legitimate concerns in a milieu where elections are contested almost as a do-or-die affair. But if the whole idea is to ensure that the rules and regulations governing the nomination of candidates by political parties are transparent and credible and that critical stakeholders play fair, we subscribe to anything that will create confidence in the system and deepen our democracy. The indirect primaries system, which has now been jettisoned, was defective because it selected candidates through a warehoused surrogacy. Party chiefs and money bags bought and imposed candidates only to require the popular electorate to vote for them on a one man one vote basis. To the extent that the amendment merely synchronises the primaries system with the basic requirement of democratic balloting, that is some progress made.

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

OBASEKI AND FUNDING OF EDO RANCHES

overnor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to provide funds for private business people to set up ranches in his state. The governor spoke recently after meeting with the president. Obaseki, while fielding questions from State House reporters, said Edo was yet to pass the anti-open grazing law as agreed by the governors of southern states because it wanted to be sure it could enforce the law. The governor said he told the president that Edo people had resolved that ranching was a private business but since it is expensive, the federal government should make funds available to interested individuals under the National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP). He said:

“Principally, there were four issues I discussed with him. First has to do with the position of Edo State on the anti-grazing law. As you know, most southern states have passed laws relating to open grazing, but Edo has not, because we want to ensure that whatever laws we pass are laws that we can enforce….” Governor Obaseki has not created ranches but ranches were created in Edo State since 1967, but not developed. Dr Samuel Ogbemudia was former military and civilian governor of the defunct Midwest and Bendel State from September 1967-1975 and 1983. He established Agbede Cattle Ranch (which came even before itinerant Fulani cattle herdsmen began clashing with farmers everywhere), he introduced Bufallo rearing for meat production and Agbede Mechanised Farm and Igarra Cattle ranch. Prof Ambrose

Alli, former governor of defunct Bendel State established a ranch between Ubiaja and Ilushi in Esan South East local between 1979-1983. Edo State ranches are not developed despite the fact that some of them were created more than 50 years ago. Indeed, there are under-developed ranches in Okada junction in Ovia South West, Okada in Ovia North East, Akoko Edo, Esan South East, Etsako West and across the 18 local governments of Edo State, established by prominent Edo people. Modern ranching is supposed to be an improvement over traditional livestock management. Commercial ranching is also supposed to become the focus of agro-pastoral development that would meet the minimum of 25 grams of mutton per cattle a day. When the British introduced commercial ranching in Nigeria, their aim was to boost the supply of milk, meat, butter,

and hides to Europe and Anglophone countries of West Africa. Ranching was also supposed to transform the social and economic life of the Fulani. The policy on ranching continued after independence when the government of Nigeria tried to use ranching to resettle the nomadic Fulani In Edo State, investors own animals. Cattle are the predominant agricultural product. It’s the way prominent Edo people make their money; it's a very important part of our economy. Edo is blessed because we have millions of acres of pasture where the soil is ideal for growing grass. There is no temptation of ceding any land to the federal government for ranching because it started as a business since 1967. Private investors interested in cattle rearing have invested their personal money in ranching. Why are those opposed to ranches silent on those that employed the service of Fulanis as herdsmen? Many Nigerians are not aware that people from Southern Nigeria own cows. I challenge Edo State

indigenes who are cattle owners to speak out. The terrorist Fulani herdsmen do not own cattle, they take care of cattle. Most of them are employed as “security men” whose job is strictly to protect the cattle. They are owned by prominent Fulani leaders in the country. Fulanis own some of the cattle in Edo; but the vast majority are owned by people from Edo State. What seems to be common to all cattle owners in the country is the hiring of Fulani herdsmen to tend their cattle. So far, the people’s anger has been directed at these herdsmen, who are being blamed for the serial conflicts with local farmers, whose farmlands and entire villages are being plundered. It is high time the owners of the cattle were brought into the equation. r Inwalomhe Donald, inwalomhe.donald@yahoo.com

SUNDAY OCTOBER 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 17, 2021

OPINION

POLITICS OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT PRIMARIES Direct and indirect primaries are like six and half a dozen, argues Ayodele Okunfolami

ncluded in the Electoral Reform Bill 2021 passed by the Senate on Tuesday, is the approval that political parties in Nigeria should adopt direct primaries to choose candidates for all elective positions and shall be monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission. For simple definitions, a direct primary is one whereby members of a political party choose their party’s candidates while an indirect primary is one whereby party members elect delegates from amongst themselves who in turn decide the party’s flagbearers for upcoming elections. With the atmosphere already warming up for the 2023 general elections, some have applauded the move while others see it as an infringement on the independence and internal democratic workings of individual political parties. The two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) went poles apart with the mode of primaries used in the election of their candidates for 2019. While the ruling APC went for the US-style direct primaries, the PDP fine-tuned the familiar indirect primaries. Now, no method is better than the other and any method can be skewed to subvert the will of the people. For instance, those that argue that direct primaries give every party member a say and reveals the true will of the people on the choice of candidates waters the representative republic we imbibed from the developed democracies. Saying that a handful of delegates are insufficient to express the true will of all or may incorrectly express it makes our parliament unnecessary. Whenever we exercise our franchise, what we are actually doing is voting for persons within our constituencies to speak for us. We all can’t go to Abuja to agree on every national issue or every national issue brought to our doorsteps before a deal is made. That would be anarchical. It is such delegatory assignment that landlord associations or town meetings are all about where representatives of every home, most often the fathers, come together to make decisions for every member of the society. So also, are delegates elected by party members from the political wards. There is nothing less democratic about indirect primaries. What is undemocratic about indirect primaries is the dubious manner some delegates are chosen. For example, making political appointees, who may not even be politicians and their numbers undefined, of a sitting executive automatic delegates tilts the numbers unduly to the advantage of the governor or president’s political interest. Besides dissimilar delegates’ lists flying during party conventions, congresses and primaries, another thing that blurs the lines in the indirect primary option is the perceived ease to bribe the delegates considering it would cost contestants a lot more to bribe the numerous party members if they were

to go direct. This monetary inducement claim fails when one considers that today’s politics is marred by vote buying. So, if the challenging parties are ready to persuade a larger percentage of the electorate with money, how easier would bribing the much fewer party adherents? In fact, it is a case of either one ship sinks with a large hole while another sinks with several small holes. Both will sink at the same rate. The large hole standing for the huge cache of cash allegedly shared during indirect primaries to bigger party shots and the numerous small holes stand for the little thousands of naira to the numerous starved foot soldiers in the grassroots. Both the direct and indirect primary options are even binned with political parties now opting for “consensus” candidates. I wonder how democratic that is? The 1991 Lagos gubernatorial race of the punctured third republic and the 2016 United States presidential elections showed that party supporters have a way of expressing their displeasure when powerbrokers present candidates against their will. Members of the then Social Democratic Party in Lagos expressed their disgruntlement by withdrawing their support for the party when the Dapo Sarunmi-Femi Agbalajobi pre-election feud couldn’t be resolved amicably. resulting in the unlikely win of the National Republican Convention nominee, Michael Otedola. While across the Atlantic, we saw supporters of Bernie Sanders opting for opposition candidate, Donald Trump, to communicate their dissatisfaction with the way then President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party hierarchy compelled him to step down for Hilary Clinton despite still in good position to clinch the party ticket. These instances tell us the will of the people has a way of smoking itself out, directly or

5IPTF UIBU BSHVF UIBU EJSFDU QSJNBSJFT HJWF FWFSZ QBSUZ NFNCFS B TBZ BOE SFWFBMT UIF USVF XJMM PG UIF QFPQMF PO UIF DIPJDF PG DBOEJEBUFT XBUFST UIF SFQSFTFOUBUJWF SFQVCMJD XF JNCJCFE GSPN UIF EFWFMPQFE EFNPDSBDJFT 4BZJOH UIBU B IBOEGVM PG EFMFHBUFT BSF JOTVGmDJFOU UP FYQSFTT UIF USVF XJMM PG BMM PS NBZ JODPSSFDUMZ FYQSFTT JU NBLFT PVS QBSMJBNFOU VOOFDFTTBSZ

indirectly. The direct primary option is made lame when grassroots party members await signals from their leader on who to vote for which they loyally abide to. So why waste time and resources gathering everybody together when they are practically echoing the voice of one man? Even the aspirants confirm this when they visit one party godfather to another without engaging the party members directly when they are vying for the positions or when aggrieved by their loss. Like delegates’ lists that cause controversies during indirect primaries, direct primaries which involve the participation of every party member, the party register is the main tool for the primaries. In a clime like ours that witnesses frequent cross carpeting from one political party to another, the big shots that lead these defections usually move with hundreds of their loyal supporters into their new political group. This means the party registers of members are altered to either delete departing members or admit new members. These compromise on the party registers, especially when those political moves take place on the eve of primaries, often unfairly sway the ballot in favour of an aspirant. My penny worth advice on this point is that political parties adopt the INEC-style of suspending the registration of potential voters and presenting a clean and agreeable register of authentic members long before the primaries or congresses. Another thing that has been overlooked is the way most direct primaries hold. Option A4, where electors queue behind their preferred aspirant, might have worked in June 12, 1993 when Chief MKO Abiola was the uncontestable favourite. Today’s party member doesn’t want to be seen as being disloyal to his principal and so for fear, votes against his will to be seen to align with his leader. Or is it the act of paying all his expenses by conveying him from his political ward to congregate with others in a central place in the state where his convictions had thawed miles ago? For direct primaries to be indeed direct, primaries should be held in the smallest political unit possible outside the charm offensive of political hawks. Finally, the one-man-one-vote of direct primaries giving every vote the same electoral weight is a subtle form of injustice. That’s like giving every shareholder the same electoral pound irrespective of the volume of shares held by an individual. Even in America, there are super delegates. Placing members that contribute hugely to the party, especially financially, on the same scale with those that never pay party dues or surface only during elections, will definitely displease those financiers when they lose. t 0LVOGPMBNJ XSPUF GSPN 'FTUBD -BHPT

STEERING NIGERIA AWAY FROM THE TEMPEST 'SFESJDL /XBCVGP picks ﬁve Nigerians who could lead the country and make a difference

igeria is not in short supply of true leaders. The country’s diversity and generous human resources offer a limitless pool of talents, skills, abilities and character. Nigeria is blessed with all that a nation needs to be a lodestar in the galaxy of nations. But why do misfits end up in the cockpit here? The recruitment process has a bias for ethnic and religious emotionalism. The enlistment process is the snag -- fundamentally. The political recruitment process at the party level is fatally flawed. Candidates for election are selected not on the content of their character, antecedents, abilities, and verifiable records but on the basis of where they represent, where they worship and how much they have to bribe party officials and delegates – in the case of indirect selection. Our recruitment process at the party level rarely throws up people with discipline and competence for election. In fact, people with some semblance of capacity are rather planted as running mates of very defective standard bearers. Our politics de-emphasises ability, competence, qualifications, integrity, expansiveness, temperance and compassion as primary values for leadership – but accents the geography and religious identity of power instead. We have to make a bold departure from this path. Nigeria needs healing. 2023 should be for national healing; closing the chasm and forging new bonds. As I said in ‘Nigeria needs a Nigerian president in 2023 – not Igbo, Hausa or Yoruba’, the country needs a doctor to heal the country in 2023, and it needs a carpenter. It also needs a builder and an architect to build the country back better. It needs an all-in-one president. Yes, Nigeria needs healing from six years of hate-slinging, recriminations and animosity. We have to get it right in 2023, lest we embark on another tortuous journey through the capricious wilderness. So, I have made my own list of five Nigerians I think can steer Nigeria away from the tempest. These individuals are notable for their integrity, leadership excellence and brilliance. This list is by no means definitive, but it throws up possibilities

of what could be and should be if we must make it out of the doldrums. Enough of the predatory politics and recycling of the same political class. Akinwumi Adesina: Adesina is the president of the African Development of Bank (AfDB). He was first elected as the bank’s president in 2015 and re-elected in 2020. He is an astounding economist. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree (first class) in agricultural economics from the University of Ife in 1981. He went on to earn a PhD in agricultural economics from Purdue University in the US. He has won many awards, and received global recognition and appointments. He also has sterling records on integrity and leadership. He came into the reckoning of most Nigerians when he was appointed as the minister of agriculture in 2011 by former President Goodluck Jonathan. He was named Forbes ‘African Man of the Year’ for his reforms in the agricultural sector. He is widely regarded as one of the best agriculture ministers Nigeria has ever had. No other agriculture minister after him comes close on the performance-meter. I have checked frantically for any dirt on Adesina, but found none. He has no corruption case in Nigeria or anywhere. Adesina is not a politician. The odds may be against him because he is not in the mould of the wheeler-dealer politician. But it is comforting that his excellence has not gone unnoticed. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is reported to be ‘’drumming support’’ for Adesina to enter the 2023 presidential race. Adesina is 61 years old, and by 2023 he will be 63 --- still within a good age bracket. Amina Momammed: Mohammed is the deputy secretary-general of the United Nations. She was appointed minister of environment by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 – but she left the position to take up the UN job. Mohammed is one of Nigeria’s lodestars. If Nigerians are desirous of a break from the quotidian, then Mohammed will be that elixir that will spring life into the nation. She’s notable in international circles and has received global acclaim for her work on the environment, education,

gender inclusion and the SDGs. She has no corruption case and her leadership style is said to be 21st century compliant. She is 60 years old and will be 62 in 2023. Although coming from a conservative and patriarchal society, the odds are stacked against her; she has the refinement and character to lead Nigeria in this age. Can we give women a chance in 2023? Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: Okonjo-Iweala is perhaps the most decorated economist out of Nigeria. Her accomplishments are unmatched by any Nigerian finance minister before and after her. She is the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as directorgeneral. She became the DG of the WTO after a very competitive process. Leadership at the global level is chaotic with a barrage of interests at war. I believe Okonjo-Iweala can manage Nigeria with all its complexities going by her antecedents. She was once the coordinating minister of the economy, and it is obvious with the current parlous state of the economy her time was a golden era. Nigeria needs a good manager of the economy. Okonjo-Iweala is 67 years old and will be 69 in 2023. Although in Nigeria’s very murky politics, the likes of Okonjo-Iweala do not thrive, we can always chart a different path. After all is 2023 not about breaking the cycle and breaking away from the old order? Mohammed Buba Marwa: Buba Marwa, chairman of the NDLEA and retired army general, is an accomplished administrator. He has a master's degree in public policy from Harvard. As governor of old Borno State, he introduced the first joint-military patrol in the country, codenamed ‘Operation Zaki’ to tackle banditry and other forms of criminality in the north. Other states soon followed his novel example. t /XBCVGP JT B KPVSOBMJTU BOE XSJUFS

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 17, 2021

LETTERS

BREAKING THE JINX OF VIOLENT ELECTIONS “Nigerian politicians have over the years become more desperate and daring in taking and retaining power; more reckless and greedy in their use and abuse of power; and more intolerant of opposition, criticism and efforts at replacing them”- (Electoral Reform Committee Report, 2008, Vol. 1: 19).

s the gubernatorial election in Anambra state inches closer by the day, there is growing concern for its conduct; to serve as a litmus test for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all the stakeholders ahead of the much-touted 2023 general elections. This is more so worrisome, amidst youth restiveness, arms proliferation, amnesty for the so-called ‘repentant terrorists’ up north and the killing spree in parts of the South-East geo-political zone. So scary the situation has become with the declaration of sit-at-home by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as well as the killings by ‘unknown gunmen’ that the candidate of Young Progressive Party (YPP), Chief Ifeanyi Ubah recently took his campaign to Lagos State. According to media reports, no fewer than 175 persons, including soldiers, policemen and civilians have been sent to their early graves in the region within the past six months. The value of the life of the average Nigerian keeps depreciating. This critical issue of national significance therefore, takes one back to

the lecture I delivered at the 2018 Independence Anniversary Lecture by Nigeria Peace Group(NPG) at Le Paris Hotel, Lekki, Lagos. The topic was: ‘Panacea for Peaceful Elections in Nigeria- Evaluating the roles of Politicians, Citizens, Security personnel, INEC and the Civil Society'. According to Albert (2007), electoral violence involves all forms of organized acts of threats aimed at intimidating, harming, blackmailing a political stakeholder or opponent before, during and after an election. The intention is to determine, delay or influence a political process. They could occur before, during and after all forms of elections. We are aware that free, fair, credible and peaceful elections remain the solid foundation and bedrock on which to build the house of democracy. According to authors, Anthony Egobueze and Callistus Ojirika, writing on the topic: “Electoral Violence in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: Implications for Political Stability,” ‘Once elections are flawed, it is an invitation to violence in the state which may snowball into political instability’. It is not as if electoral violence in Nigeria began in recent time. No! We recall that Justice George Sowemimo in his judgment in the treasonable felony against Obafemi Awolowo and his ‘accomplices’ on September 11, 1963 observed that: “On the evidence before me, it would appear that politics generally in Nigeria has been conducted with a certain amount of bitterness... Political parties are equivalent to warring camps- elections are conducted with party thugs”.

Between then and now, hundreds of Nigerians have fallen victims of various forms of electoral violence, including those who fell due to politically-motivated assassinations. For instance, at least 58 Nigerians were killed in election-related violence ahead of general polls rescheduled for March 28 and April 11, amidst electoral violence. After the April 2011 presidential voting more than 800 people were killed, according to Human Rights Watch. As one who was fortunate to be an independent observer, indeed the Senior Research Fellow of the INEC-approved Dr. Joe Odumakin-led Women Arise for Change Initiative group, the sudden reversal of fortunes for INEC and security personnel within a week of the governorship election in September 2018 calls for serious concern. Though one was delighted at the massive turn-out of registered voters, pointing to an effective mass enlightenment and the promptitude with which INEC and the police discharged their duties, the rude shock of INEC declaring the election as

‘inconclusive’ still rings in my memory till this day. It claimed that the re-run election, which one refused to observe was because of the difference of votes between the two leading candidates - PDP’s Ademola Adeleke and APC’s Gboyega Oyetola. It reminds one of the 1993 presidential election won by Chief M.K.O.,Abiola and the sudden abortion of that democratic dream. Subsequently, there were allegations of the brazen use of fully armed thugs, to keep some PDP voters at bay, use of cutlasses and gun shots and the brutal killing of an opposition party youth leader. Others included the maiming of some others, as well as the use of more sophisticated vote-buying gimmicks. So, what is the way forward? To move against the insidious culture of violent politicking we have to employ the Root Cause Analytical Approach (RCAA). There are some fundamental issues bedeviling the polity which we must resolve. For instance, our concept of political leadership is that of serving the self instead of the state. Another factor militating against credible polls is mass ignorance on the part of the largely illiterate electorate on their rights and responsibilities. Many of them do not know that power belongs to the people in a democracy. What we need is servant-leadership, as former President Umar Yar,Adua rightly canvassed. Of significance is that we must also de-monitize the polity! The high cost of accessing political power, whereby a candidate pays between N10 million and N45 million for his nomination form is injuri-

ISA YUGUDA AS APC'S BRIDE

he ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is surely anxious about the 2023 general elections as it cannot afford to lose power to anyone. The party, as it appears, is worried about winning future elections as that will translate into the sustainability of its prosperity and therefore its continuous relevance. And with its congresses to elect party leaders across wards, local governments, states and national levels already on course, there is the feeling that it must get it right if the APC is to smoothly sail through the next general elections. This is especially so given that the outcome of the congresses will have unimaginable effects on the party's primary elections that will hold ahead of the 2023 general elections. Impliedly, the upshot of the congresses will go as far as significantly determining the success of the APC at the 2023 polls. Therefore, there is no

gainsaying the fact that the party is at a crossroads and needs not only experienced politicians at the helm of its affairs but also those who are dynamic and can put in their very best in leading it to total and permanent victory. In essence, the party's next crop of leaders across all tiers must not only have cognate leadership experience but must also emerge through a fair and legitimate process. This will essentially facilitate in placing it ahead of its competitors in terms of internal democracy and therefore an unperturbed sail to the coast of electoral victory. And while there are many aspirants to all the party`s elective positions across the country, members of the party ought to appreciate the import of voting for candidates who are dynamic and audacious. And most significantly, party members have to ensure that the next national chairman of the APC is not only an astute and dynamic politician but also someone who has

national outlook and is committed to the cause of the party. By the forthcoming APC conventions, our party should have a national chairman who sees the APC as an institution of democracy that serves as a veritable vehicle that facilitates the delivery of good governance, which is the key objective of democracy. Isa Yuguda, an economist, a successful banker, a former minister of the federal republic and former governor of Bauchi State so much fits the kind of politician the APC needs to be its next national chairman. Over the years, the gentleman politician demonstrated an appreciable level of leadership capability in the private sector, politics and the public service. As a bank chief executive, Yuguda repositioned both the defunct Inland Bank and NAL Bank to greater heights. As minister of transport and later aviation, the political heavyweight left his footprints on the nation`s transport sector in general and its aviation

sub-sector in particular. And as governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda initiated and implemented peopleoriented policies and programs that culminated in both infrastructural and human capital developments. Politically, Isa Yuguda is astute, calculative and a strategist in the truest meaning of the word. He has all it takes to renew the hopes of the APC through resolving all of its internal disputes especially at the states level thereby setting the stage to capture or recapture those that are not in the party`s control. Yuguda does not negotiate out of fear and is never afraid to negotiate. He is a master political planner who can bring everyone along in the APC vehicle as it travels to the land of promise. The political juggernaut has the political wherewithal to lead the APC pass through the storms of the 2023 general elections and come out even stronger.

t .VLIUBS +BSNBKP Bauchi

ous to credible elections. His allegiance will first go to his rotten-rich political godfather rather than the state or country he is angling to serve, if he eventually wins. We must also reduce the pay package of politicians to be in tune with civil service salary structure and law making as part time. We must restructure the current polity to diffuse and devolve power to the federating units and weaken the centre. Furthermore, campaigns by politicians should focus on critical issues and be devoid of character assassination, mud-slinging, muck-raking, innuendoes and insults to people and places. We have to also battle the base sentiments of religion and the NorthSouth divide, do away with hate speeches and the bornto-rule mentality. Much as we pretend to the contrary, the lines that separate us are getting deeper and wider by the day. Since INEC is at the heart of the conduct of elections there should be integrity test for all its members of

staff, so that only those who are patriotic, selfless and live above board are employed there to serve the country. INEC must be an unbiased umpire like a committed, objective and dispassionate referee in a World Cup game. Security personnel must be neutral. Similarly, electronic transfer of results has become a sine qua non to peaceful elections, given the increasing influence of modern technology in our daily dealings. If we, as individuals conduct electronic transfer of money to people even as examination bodies do same with the students’ annual results, what should stop INEC from doing same? Above all, there should be special courts set up on election matters, that will ensure speedy trials for electoral offenders. Such would serve as a strong deterrence to those with the inclination to use force, fiat, violence and might-is-right machinery to brow-beat their opponents.

t "ZP 0ZP[F #BKF Lagos

IN PRAISE OF ABUBAKAR MALAMI

he Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, is living up to the expectations of his employer - President Muhammadu Buhari in discharging his duties. Accordingly, the Attorney General is the legal adviser to the government of the federation. He also advises the government on constitutional and legal issues which arise prior to or at government meetings, including whether proposed legislation complies with the provisions of the constitution, acts and treaties of the African Union, the African Convention on Human Rights or other international treaties to which Nigeria has acceded. The attorney general also advises as to whether the state can ratify international treaties and conventions. The attorney general represents the state in legal proceedings. Going by the aforementioned, Abubakar Malami has never rested on his laurels in making sure he doesn't disappoint. It's in the public knowledge how Malami is treating the most challenging uproar in the P&ID case, which sends Nigerians into legal battle with the connivance of unscrupulous elements within and outside the country. The government is in the proper direction for the disposition set by this workaholic legal adviser and member of the federal executive Council. Malami deserves accolades for the number of executive bills sent to the National As-

sembly for deliberation and passage, many of which are accented to by the president. These tremendous works are for the benefit of all Nigerians. The Kebbi-born legal practitioner is doing all what it takes in promoting the country both home and abroad. The number of cases won by these government in fighting corruption is a fitting tribute to Malami. Setting good pace for others to follow and promoting the image of Nigeria is something that Malami has become good at. The accolades he has earned such as anticorruption crusader of the President Buhari administration by Citizens Participation Against Corruption Initiative, Charted Institute of Forensic Investigative Professionals of Nigeria, Charted Institute of Public Resources Management and Politics, Ghana, Security and Forensic Studies, and others are all good examples. They didn't come to us as surprise, looking at his track record of prudence and pragmatism in all his dealings. Malami has all that it takes to continue with the good work he has started since his appointment as a minister. His performance is excellent, his leadership style is commendable. Malami always stands for justice and equity. This informs President Buhari's confidence and the desire to keep him as the federal attorney general.

t )PO .VIBNNBE Garba Gololo, Bauchi State

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 17, 2021

BUSINESS

Editor: Festus Akanbi 08038588469 Email:festus.akanbi@thisdaylive.com

As Currency Pressure Takes Toll on Commodity Prices $PLGVW WKH ULVH LQ WKH FRVW RI GRLQJ EXVLQHVV DQG WKH DWWHQGDQW XSVXUJH LQ FRPPRGLWLHV SULFHV D UHSRUW E\ WKH )LQDQFLDO 'HULYDWLYHV &RPSDQ\ VD\V WKHUH DUH UHDVRQV IRU 1LJHULDQV WR WLJKWHQ WKHLU EHOWV UHSRUWV Festus Akanbi

XͿ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΀FXOW IRU WKHP WR SDVV GRZQ WKH KLJKHU FRVWV RI SURGXFWLRQ WR WKH FRQVXPHUV ZLWKRXW D VHULRXV EDFNODVK FDC: Naira Plunges by 15.08% $FFRUGLQJ WR DQDO\VWV IURP WKH )LQDQFLDO 'HULYDWLYHV &RPSDQ\ ´VLQFH -XO\ WKLV \HDU ZKHQ WKH IRUH[ PDUNHW ZHQW LQWR VKRFN DIWHU WKH B'&V ZHUH VKXW RXW RI WKH R΀FLDO PDUNHW WKH QDLUD KDV SOXQJHG E\ LQ WKH DXWRQRPRXV PDUNHW GUDJJLQJ GRZQ WKH HͿHFWLYH UDWH RI H[FKDQJH RI PRVW LPSRUWHG UDZ PDWHULDOV DQG PDFKLQHU\ 7KLV WRJHWKHU ZLWK WKH IHDUV RI WKH QRQ-DYDLODELOLW\ RI GROODUV KDV OHG WR VSHFXODWLYH KRDUGLQJ RI SURGXFWV )RU H[DPSOH IURP -DQXDU\ WR GDWH WKH SULFH RI ÁRXU DQG SDVWD KDYH LQFUHDVHG E\ DQG WR 1 EDJ DQG 1 UHVSHFWLYHO\ DQG FRXOG LQFUHDVH IXUWKHU LQ WKH FRPLQJ PRQWKV ´7KH )$2 IRRG SULFH LQGH[ ZDV XS WR SRLQWV LQ 6HSWHPEHU RQ KLJKHU ZKHDW DQG RLO SULFHV GXHWRWLJKWVXSSO\FRQGLWLRQVDPLGVWURQJGHPDQG µ $QDO\VWV IURP )'& LQ WKHLU PRQWKO\ UHSRUW)'& (FRQRPLF BXOOHWLQ-2FWREHU SRLQWHG RXW WKDW WKH ULVLQJ FRVWV RI HQHUJ\ DUH DOVR JLYLQJ PDQXIDFWXUHUV DQG EXVLQHVV RZQHUV D QLJKWPDUH Higher Energy Costs ´$QRWKHU SULQFLSDO GULYHU RI LQÁDWLRQ LV KLJKHU HQHUJ\ FRVWV 7KH SULFH RI GLHVHO ZKLFK LV D PDMRU IXHO XVHG E\ ORJLVWLFV DQG GLVWULEXWLRQ FRPSDQLHV MXPSHG E\ WR 1 OLWUH IURP 1 OLWUH LQ -DQXDU\ 7KHSULFHRIFRRNLQJJDVKDVDOVRVN\URFNHWHG GXH WR VXSSO\ VKRUWDJHV $ NJ FRRNLQJ JDV QRZ FRVWV 1 XS IURP 1 LQ $XJXVW DQG FRXOG LQFUHDVH WR 1 EHIRUH WKH HQG RI WKH \HDU 7KLV LV IRUFLQJ FRQVXPHUV WR VZLWFK WR DOWHUQDWLYH HQHUJ\ VRXUFHV VXFK DV ÀUHZRRG DQG FKDUFRDO FURVV HODVWLFLW\ RI GHPDQG µ WKH UHSRUW VWDWHG ,QDYHLOHGSUHGLFWLRQRIKDUVKHUGD\VDKHDG )'&·V UHSRUW VDLG WKLQJV DUH QRW OLNHO\ WR JHW EHWWHU JLYHQ WKH FXUUHQW ULVH LQ SULFHV RI QDWXUDO JDV DQG RWKHU SHWUROHXP SURGXFWV DW WKH LQWHUQDWLRQDO PDUNHW LQ DGGLWLRQ WR WKH LQHYLWDELOLW\ RI WKH UHPRYDO RI IXHO VXEVLG\ LQ 1LJHULD Fuel Subsidy Removal ´7KH JOREDO SULFH RI QDWXUDO JDV WRXFKHG D VHYHQ\HDU KLJK RI 00BWX VHYHQ-\HDU KLJK RQ 2FWREHU 7KH SULFH RI 306 LV DOVR OLNHO\ WR ULVH LQ WKH FRPLQJ PRQWKV DV WKH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW PXOOV WKH UHPRYDO RI IXHO VXEVLG\ ´:H H[SHFW DOO LQÁDWLRQ VXE-LQGLFHV WR PRYH LQ WKH VDPH GLUHFWLRQ ZLWK WKH KHDGOLQH LQÁDWLRQ LQ 6HSWHPEHU 0RQWK-RQ-PRQWK LQÁDWLRQ LV SURMHFWHG WR LQFUHDVH E\ WR DQQXDOLVHG IRRG LQÁDWLRQ WR ULVH E\ WR DQG FRUH LQÁDWLRQ E\ WR µ WKH UHSRUW DGGHG 2Q FRPPRGLWLHV ZLWK LPSRUW FRQWHQW WKH )'&

FKDQFHV RI D WLJKWHU PRQHWDU\ SROLF\ VWDQFH DW WKH 03& PHHWLQJ LQ 1RYHPEHU

A Lagos market

TABLE 1

TABLE 2

UHSRUW PDLQWDLQHG WKDW D FRPELQDWLRQ RI VXVWDLQHG IDOO LQ QDLUD YDOXHV DQG KLJKHU ORJLVWLFV FRVWV ZLOO PDNH QRQVHQVH RI WKH VXSSRVHG JDLQV RI WKH FXUUHQW KDUYHVW SHULRG 7KHUHSRUWVDLG ´2XUPDUNHWVXUYH\LQ6HSWHPEHU UHYHDOHG WKDW FRPPRGLWLHV ZLWK LPSRUW FRQWHQW VXUJHG E\ DQ DYHUDJH RI LQ WKH ODVW PRQWK DQG DUH OLNHO\ WR LQFUHDVH DJDLQ LQ WKH FRPLQJ PRQWKV ´&RPPRGLW\ SULFHV W\SLFDOO\ IDOO LQ 4 GXH WR WKH LPSDFW RI WKH KDUYHVW +RZHYHU RXU PDUNHW VXUYH\ LQ 6HSWHPEHU VKRZHG D LQFUHDVH LQ WKH DYHUDJH SULFH RI ORFDOO\ SURGXFHG FRPPRGLWLHV 7KLV LV SDUWO\ GXH WR KLJKHU ORJLVWLFV FRVWV DQG KHLJKWHQHG LQVHFXULW\ +RZHYHU WKH SULFH RI \DP PHGLXP VL]H ZDV ÁDW DW 1 ZKLOH WKH SULFH RI SODQWDLQ IHOO E\ WR 1 µ Rise in Misery Level May Worsen Security Situation $V FRVWV RI OLYLQJ FRQWLQXH WR ULVH )'& DQDO\VWV ZDUQHG WKDW WKH SHUYDGLQJ IUXVWUDWLRQ RI RUGLQDU\

FLWL]HQVPD\VQRZEDOOLQWRIXUWKHUFULPLQDODFWLYLWLHV XQOHVV XUJHQW PHDVXUHV DUH SXW LQ SODFH WR UHGXFH WKH PLVHU\ OHYHO ´7KH FRQWLQXHG VSLNH LQ FRPPRGLW\ SULFHV ZLOO IXUWKHU UHGXFH FRQVXPHUV· SXUFKDVLQJ SRZHU DQG LQFUHDVH WKH FRXQWU\·V PLVHU\ OHYHO ZKLFK FRXOG LQFUHDVH FULPH UDWHV µ WKH UHSRUW VWDWHG $QRWKHU KLJKOLJKW RI WKH UHSRUW LV WKH SUHVVXUH RQ FRUSRUDWH RUJDQLVDWLRQV DV FRVWV RI SURGXFWLRQ VRDU $FFRUGLQJ WR )'& ULVLQJ LPSRUW DQG HQHUJ\ FRVWV ZLOO SXVK XS SURGXFWLRQ DQG GLVWULEXWLRQ H[SHQVHV VTXHH]LQJ FRUSRUDWH PDUJLQV 2Q WKH HͿHFW RI WKH XQIROGLQJ VFHQDULR RQ WKH LQYHVWPHQW FOLPDWH LQ WKH FRXQWU\ DQDO\VWV VDLG LQYHVWRUV DUH DOUHDG\ ZHDU\ DQG FDXWLRXV SRLQWLQJ RXW IXUWKHU WKDW KLJKHU LQÁDWLRQ ZLOO ZLGHQ WKH QHJDWLYH UHDO UDWH RI UHWXUQ RQ LQYHVWPHQW 7KH UHSRUW ZKLFK IRUHFDVWHG D KLJKHU LQÁDWLRQ ÀJXUH IRU 6HSWHPEHU VWDWHG WKDW D OLNHO\ UHYHUVDO LQ WKH GRZQZDUG LQÁDWLRQ WUHQG LQFUHDVHV WKH

Osinbajo Makes Case for Realistic Exchange Rate 7KH )'& UHSRUWV FDPH DOPRVW WKH VDPH WLPH ZKHQ 9LFH-SUHVLGHQW <HPL 2VLQEDMR PDGH FDVH IRU QDLUD GHYDOXDWLRQ WR UHÁHFW WKH SUHVHQW UHDOLW\ RI WKH PDUNHW 6SHDNLQJ DW WKH PLGWHUP UHWUHDW RI 3UHVLGHQW 0XKDPPDGX BXKDUL·V VHFRQG WHQXUH WKH YLFHSUHVLGHQW VDLG WKH H[FKDQJH UDWH LV DUWLÀFLDOO\ ORZ DQG WKLV LV GHWHUULQJ LQYHVWRUV IURP EULQJLQJ IRUHLJQ H[FKDQJH LQWR WKH FRXQWU\ ´$V IRU WKH H[FKDQJH UDWH , WKLQN ZH QHHG WR PRYH RXU UDWHV WR EH DV UHÁHFWLYH RI WKH PDUNHW DV SRVVLEOH 7KLV LQ P\ UHVSHFWLYH YLHZ LV WKH RQO\ ZD\ WR LPSURYH VXSSO\ µ 2VLQEDMR VDLG ´:H FDQ·W JHW QHZ GROODUV LQWR WKH V\VWHP ZKHUH WKH H[FKDQJH UDWH LV DUWLÀFLDOO\ ORZ $QG HYHU\RQH NQRZV E\ KRZ PXFK RXU UHVHUYHV FDQ JURZ ,·P FRQYLQFHG WKDW WKH GHPDQG PDQDJHPHQW VWUDWHJ\ FXUUHQWO\EHLQJDGRSWHGE\WKH&B1QHHGVDUHWKLQN DQG WKDW LV MXVW P\ YLHZ ´$Q\ZD\ DOO WKRVH DUH LVVXHV WKDW ZKHQ WKH &B1 JRYHUQRU KDV WLPH WR DGGUHVV KH ZLOO EH DEOH WR DGGUHVV LQ IXOO µ 7KH QDLUD LV FKDQJLQJ IRU D GROODU DW DW WKH R΀FLDO VLGH RI WKH PDUNHW ZKLOH WKH VDPH JRHV IRU WR WKH 86 FXUUHQF\ DW WKH SDUDOOHO PDUNHW Uwaleke: Naira Devaluation will Hurt Budget 2022 7KH 9LFH-SUHVLGHQW SRVLWLRQ GLG QRW JR GRZQ ZHOO ZLWK HFRQRPLF H[SHUW 3URI 8FKH 8ZDOHNH ZKR DUJXHG WKDW WKH ÀUVW FDVXDOW\ LQ HYHQW RI 1DLUD GHYDOXDWLRQ ZLOO EH WKH $SSURSULDWLRQ BLOO DGGLQJ WKDW WKH EXGJHW ZKLFK ZDV SUHGLFDWHG RQ 1 SHU GROODU LV GHDG RQ DUULYDO ,QDVWDWHPHQWUHOHDVHGGXULQJWKHZHHN 8ZDOHNH VDLG ´7KH 9LFH 3UHVLGHQW PHDQV ZHOO BXW WKLV VWDWHPHQW LV FDSDEOH RI WULJJHULQJ SDQLF EX\LQJ DQG VSHFXODWLRQLQWKHIRUH[PDUNHW R΀FLDODQGSDUDOOHO

DQG IXUWKHU FRPSOLFDWLQJ WKLQJV IRU WKH &B1 ´1R GRXEW GHYDOXDWLRQ ZLOO IRUFH GRZQ WKH YROXPH RI LPSRUWV DQG UHGXFH WKH SUHVVXUH LQ WKH IRUH[ PDUNHW WHPSRUDULO\ BXW KDYH ZH WKRXJKW RI WKH LPSDFW LW ZRXOG KDYH RQ WKH SXPS SULFH RI IXHO DQG WKH PXOWLSOLHU HͿHFWV" ´+RZ DERXW WKH NQRFN-RQ DERXW LQÁDWLRQ DQG LQWHUHVW UDWHV HVSHFLDOO\ DW D WLPH ZKHQ LQÁDWLRQ UDWH UHPDLQV HOHYDWHG" ,V D KLJK LQÁDWLRQ UDWH QRW LQLPLFDO WR LQYHVWPHQWV ZKHWKHU ORFDO RU IRUHLJQ" ´7KH DUJXPHQW WKDW QDLUD GHYDOXDWLRQ ZLOO LQFHQWLYLVH IRUHLJQ LQYHVWRUV UHPDLQV WR EH VHHQ DV RWKHU IDFWRUV VXFK DV LQVHFXULW\ HTXDOO\ SOD\ D SDUW ´7R EH VXUH WKH QDLUD KDV VXͿHUHG VHYHUDO GHYDOXDWLRQV LQ WKH UHFHQW SDVW ,W KDV QHLWKHU VROYHG WKHIXQGDPHQWDOSUREOHPRIKHOSLQJWRGLYHUVLI\WKH H[SRUW EDVH QRU FXUEHG XQEULGOHG LPSRUWV 'RLQJ VR \HW DJDLQ ZLOO QRW FKDQJH DQ\WKLQJ 5DWKHU LW·V D UHFLSH IRU KLJK SRYHUW\ DQG XQHPSOR\PHQW OHYHOV ´$JDLQ VXJJHVWLQJ WKDW WKH &B1 VKRXOG GLVFRQWLQXH LWV IRUH[ GHPDQG PDQDJHPHQW VWUDWHJ\ WR WKH HͿHFW WKDW FHUWDLQ LWHPV DUH H[FOXGHG IURP DFFHVVLQJWKHR΀FLDOZLQGRZKDVJUDYHLPSOLFDWLRQV IRU H[FKDQJH UDWH DQG WKH HFRQRP\ ,I DQ\WKLQJ LW QHJDWHV WKH LPSRUW VXEVWLWXWLRQ GULYH RI WKH SUHVHQW DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ ´7KH JRRG QHZV LV WKDW WKH &B1 KDV VX΀FLHQW H[WHUQDO UHVHUYHV WR PHHW JHQXLQH GHPDQGV IRU IRUH[ DW WKH ,QYHVWRUV DQG H[SRUWHUV ZLQGRZ 7KLV PXFK ZH KDYH EHHQ WROG 7KH &B1 VKRXOG FRQWLQXH WR PDQDJH LW ZKLOH MRLQLQJ KDQGV ZLWK WKH ÀVFDO DXWKRULWLHV WR FUHDWH PXOWLSOH VRXUFHV RI IRUH[ EH\RQG RLO µ ,W LVKRSHGWKDW WKH FXUUHQW FRFNWDLO RI HͿRUWV EHLQJ SXW LQ SODFH E\ WKH ÀVFDO DQG PRQHWDU\ DXWKRULWLHV WR VDOYDJH WKH HFRQRP\ ZLOO EHJLQ WR EHDU IUXLWV LQ WKH IDFH RI WKH JURZLQJ IUXVWUDWLRQ RI WKH SHRSOH RI 1LJHULD

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 17, 2021

INDUSTRY

In Nigeria’s Pharmaceutical Sector, Capacity Utilisation’s Still a Big Issue Not a few obserYers are still wondering why the nation·s pharmaceutical industry is performing far below the e[pected capacity despite the humongous potential aYailable within Nigeria and on the African continent, coupled with new opportunities created by the raYaging COVID-1 pandemic. Festus Akanbi delYes into operators· e[planations for the industry·s under-performance

t is a fact that the general economic downturn in the country is rubbing oͿ negatiYely on most of the sectors as the last quarter of the year 2021 nears completion. Economic watchers said although Nigeria has bounced back from the recession howeYer some sectors of the economy are still gasping for breath, notwithstanding harYests of humongous opportunities being created by the unfolding deYelopment at the global space. /ately, there haYe been concerns oYer the failure of the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria to grow in a way that will position Nigeria for the opportunities created by the &oYid-1 pandemic. Humongous Opportunities There are reports that theAfrican pharmaceutical market is projected to grow between $60 billion to $ 0 billion after &29I'-1 . The e[citement that greeted this projection was justiÀed by the realisationthatNigeriahasthemarketandnumber superiority on the African continent. This was conÀrmed by the 'irector-*eneral of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical 5esearch and 'eYelopment, NIP5' , 'r. 2bi Adigwe, who disclosed that out of about si[ or seYen companies that haYe :orld +ealth 2rganisation :+2 certiÀcation in Africa, four were actually in Nigeria, noting that there is no lack as regards the critical basis of manpower in the sector. In his presentation at a Yirtual meeting of researchers under the Pharmaceutical subsector Thematic *roup of the Tertiary Education Trust )und, TET)8N' Adigwe, noted that “the Nigerian pharma market is still estimated at between 1.5 and 2.5 billion dollars despite the potentialforustocapturesomewherearound30to 0 per cent of theAfrican market particularly giYen new policy interYention such as the A&)TA.µ The function of the industry is to research, deYelop, produce and market drugs or pharmaceuticals for use as medications. It aims to produce safe and eͿectiYe medicines with cost e΀ciency and productiYity to the manufacturer. The potential for national or local production of quality-assured, low-cost pharmaceuticals to meet national needs is an issue that has been debated and discussed for seYeral decades Industry aͿairs commentators argued that giYen some interYentions like the &entral Bank of Nigeria &BN·s N100 million Pharmaceutical InterYention )und for the &29I'-1 , there is eYery reason for the pharmaceutical industry to haYe su΀ciently increased its capacity. The &BN fund was part of proactiYe measures to cushion the impact of the &29I'-1 pandemic on the economy. More Interventions To date, support is coming for the pharmaceutical industry. For instance, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund TETFund has promised to proYide ¶mega research support· to four public agencies to produce drugs. It listed the National Institute for Pharmaceutical 5esearch and 'eYelopment NIP5' as one of the agencies that will beneÀt from the support. Although the E[ecutiYe 6ecretary of TETFund, Prof 6uleiman Bogoro, who disclosed the gesture did not proYide details of the identity and speciÀc research actiYities the other agencies are e[pected to undertake. +e, howeYer, noted that the NIP5' would collaborate with the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, to carry out research and production of Phytomedicine. 6ome analysts belieYe the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria has headroom for growth

Some made in Nigeria drugs

and can potentially reach $ billion oYer the ne[t 10 years. This is hoping that economic growth leYels will be such that can propel *ross Domestic Product *DP per capita leYels of close to $ ,000 oYer the ne[t decade. There are a few ¶demons· the industry will haYe to confront to be able to grow and achieYe meaningful leYels of importance. Therefore, as interYentions roll into the sector, analysts wonder why the sector is still Ànding it di΀cult to aYail itself of the abundant potentials with improYed performance. President of the Pharmaceutical 6ociety of Nigeria, 0a]i 6amuel Ohuabunwa, in an interYiew with T+I6DA<, howeYer, e[pressed conÀdence in the performance of the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry, which he described as encouraging considering “where we were coming from,µ +e said, “It is true the pharmaceutical industry, chronically has been underperforming, just like the nation·s economy especially during the COVID period. But there is a strenuous eͿort by operators to rise and they haYe shown some resilience. If not for this, there would haYe been an astronomical rise in the prices of pharmaceutical products. Counting Gains of Interventions AcknowledgingtheCBNinterYention,Ohuanbunwa, who is also a former Director-*eneral of the Nigerian Economic 6ummit *roup, said the eͿorts by the Central Bank of Nigeria through the N100billion +ealth interYention Fund has also contributed to strengthening the industry because the industry is now increasing its capacity, building new plants, e[panding the e[isting ones. According to him, “The proYision of funds for local researches by the CBN for institutions and companies is another stimulus that is also pushing actiYities in the pharmaceutical industry, Things are looking up now, and we haYen·t quite Ànished CoYid-1 . CoYid-1 is still on.µ Calling for the sustenance of the interYentions, the P6N leader said, “:hat we are pushing for is forgoYernmenttosustainthis.Additionalfunding is required, which is also what the president spoke about during the Independence Day broadcast. +e spoke about further inYestment in the pharmaceutical industry, which is a heartwarming thing if the goYernment can fulÀll this desire and put some dedicated funding into the pharmaceutical industry, the industry is ready to rise and it·s really on the threshold, companies

are now trying to establish new factories eYen to produce the Yaccine. “:e are also pleased that additional inYestment is being made in the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and DeYelopment and this will increase the capacity of NIPRD to do research and produce locally fashioned medicine and the use of local raw materials to assist the industry and reduce its dependence on imported inputs.µ %XUGHQ RI 7DUL; One of the obstacles confronting operators, according to him, is the issue of tariͿ. +e belieYed there is a need to reduce the burden of tariͿs on industry operators. +e said, “:e also hope that goYernment will continue to strengthen tariͿ management where the industry is not punished by allowing them to import with ]ero tariͿs. “There was a time imported goods attracted ]ero tariͿs, the raw materials were attracting 10-40 per cent, that is changing now, there has been some reduction but I think it·s not fully because Customs itself is not fully in sync with goYernment policies. :hen the goYernment is making e[ceptions, Customs say they haYe to meet their target, so harmonisation of the total pursuit of the goYernment and their Yision for the industry must be total from NAFDAC, to Customs to cooperate with the goYernment.µ Forex Scarcity Another challenge listed is the scarcity of foreign e[change. +e e[plained that the scarcity of foreign e[change is delaying the projects of many of the operators in the industry especially those that receiYed CBN loans. Ohuanbunwa said it·s getting di΀cult to conYert the naira into the dollar to buy the needed equipment and some of the needed raw materials to boosting capacity.µ +e said the ape[ bank would haYe further helped by conYerting the naira into dollar before releasing the loan to the beneÀciaries since the money is for machinery and raw materials. CBN should haYe proYided the dollar component, so all they would haYe done would be to raise /Ps and this would haYe tackled the issue of delay facing operators now. “:e will continue to speak with the goYernment. :hen policies are made, they should be looked at holistically.µ +e admitted the industry is losing its capacity. “The capacity of the industry was reducing. :e

are recently producing 50 per cent of local essential drugs. Our target is a minimum of 75 per cent so, there was a moYement from where we were a few years ago although capacity utilisation is still below 70 per cent. There are indications that things are looking up for the industry. :hat we are worried about is the sustainability of those measures,µ he stated. For Nigeria·s pharmaceutical industry to meet e[pectations, the NIPRD Director general belieYes the issue of security to liYes and property should be eͿectiYely tackled. According to him, pharmaceuticals are also an issue of national security, adding that unless the country can determine how its medicines are produced and distributed, its population would not be able to guarantee a sustained supply of high quality and aͿordable medicines that will enable it to haYe access to good quality healthcare. “Pharma sector is probably the highest Yalue chain related sector in any part of the world. For eYery job you create in the pharma sector you create close to 10 jobs on ancillary,µ he said, adding that the sector has a high potential to stimulate growth across the entire socio-economic space. The NIPRD boss, therefore, recommended among other things, the proYision of infrastructure and equipment, as well as funding and prioritisation of local companies in the production of pharmaceutical products. Adigwe also called for a legal base and policy framework as well as the institutionalisation of research,toguidetheYariousprocessesofresearch, production, and deliYery of pharmaceutical products, adding that speciÀc focus should be placed on building synergy among stakeholders in the identiÀed areas of research. On his part, Vice Chairman of TETFund RD6C, 0ansur Ahmed, e[pressed worry oYer the gradual disappearance of pharmaceutical plants in Nigeria, while calling on eͿorts from releYant agencies to saYe the plants by conserYing the forests across the country. Ahmed, who called for the deployment a legal framework to guide pharmaceutical rights in the country, noted that intellectual property right, which is currently used by deYeloped countries in the production and distribution of Yaccines was key to the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria. +e also stated that Yaccine production and phytomedicine will not only lead to the deYelopment of needed medicines but also result in the conserYation of forests across Nigeria.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 17, 2021

ECONOMY development; and JM Tech Centre, a research and technology institute recently launched in Ikun Ekiti. All of these are thriving and modern businesses that are functioning here because the environment has been provided for them to succeed. He, however, advised the state government to focus on areas where it has a comparative advantage for it to make a signiÀcant diͿerence. According to Osinbajo, “the surest way forward is to deepen investments in niche areas or the areas of Ekiti’s comparative advantage. We have already noted the tremendous potential in agriculture and dairy, but, the way of the future, especially for the huge population of young men and women seeking good-paying jobs, is technology.

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu; Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai and the host, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, at the Summit..on Thursday

When Ekiti Woos Investors, Development Partners At the Ekiti Investment and Economic Summit held in Ado Ekiti last Thursday, the takeaway included the need to build e΀cient and modern human resources and the creation of opportunities for investment and development partners to thrive, among others, reports Festus Akanbi

hree days after the curtain was drawn over the Ekiti Investment and Economic Summit, named Fountain Summit 2021, which attracted dignitaries from private and public sectors, some salient takeaways from the all-important summit are still dominating discussions in the media. The summit with the theme, ‘Investment Attractiveness and Economic Development: Lessons for Sub-nationals’ had in attendance, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and governors of Lagos, Kaduna states, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Nasir el-Rufai who joined their Ekiti counterpart, Governor Kayode Fayemi, as he presented the state’s blueprint for investment purposes. Speaking on the determination of the current administration to partner with the private sector, Fayemi said he is determined to lead a process that will create the right conditions for investment to thrive in the state. Creating Right Investment Conditions “In Ekiti State, we are in a hurry to develop. We are very intentional about development planning, and at the core of our eͿorts and strategy is a partnership approach that places a premium on creating the right conditions that would attract investors and development partners, to support our aspirations. “We recognise that private investments and development funding go to where they are welcome, and those critical decisions regarding investments and development support are functions of fundamental factors in place in the jurisdiction in consideration. We are therefore working hard to be that destination of choice, and we consistently ensure that on our side of the table in any discussion, we have highly competent, knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate o΀cials, who are eager to walk you through the simpliÀed steps to doing business in Ekiti,” Fayemi stated. &RQÀGHQFH %XLOGLQJ Realising the need to build investors’ conÀdence, the governor declared the state’s commitment to transparency and adherence to the law of the land. He said, “In addition to demonstrating our commitment to transparency,

delivery, and accountability in governance, we have put in place the requisite laws and policies to ensure investor conÀdence and made massive investments in critical infrastructure and security – all geared towards making Destination Ekiti attractive and competitive. “We also established the Ekiti Development and Investment Promotion Agency (EKDIPA), with the mandate to coordinate investment promotion and improve the ease-of-doingbusiness in the state.” The governor, who is also using the occasion to mark his three years in o΀ce, explained, “In the past three years, we committed ourselves to lay the foundations that will create equal economic opportunities, enable the private sector, provide safety nets for the vulnerable and disadvantaged, attract investments, and set the strategy for a knowledge-based innovative economy for the prosperity of Ekitikete.” As if conÀrming the general belief that a good story is better told by a third party, it was Vice-President Osinbajo who did justice to the task of discussing the preparedness of Ekiti State for investment and development partners. %XLOGLQJ )RXQGDWLRQV IRU 0RGHUQ (FRQRP\ According to Osinbajo, there is no question at all that Ekiti has established the foundations for a modern and thriving economy. He listed the fundamentals to include a modern, strong, consistently improving legal and justice sector, with forward-looking laws, which include a contemporary administration of Civil -ustice Law, a Àrst-of-its-kind Sustainable Development Goals law, a Tourism, and Hospitality law. He listed others to include Property Protection law, a 2020 amendment to the Ekiti State Board of Internal Revenue Law, which amongst other provisions, enables the service to collect all taxes due to the state government and all the local government councils in the state under any law through a centralised electronic payment platform. “This is important for two reasons; the Àrst is that it decentralises payment and does so electronically, but also, it takes directly to the question of the bane of multiple revenue collectors and multiple taxations,” Osinbajo noted.

Good Ratings The vice-president also drew attention to a business-friendly environment in the state, with Ekiti ranking 18th overall out of the 36 states and the FCT in the inaugural edition of Nigeria’s own homegrown “Subnational Ease of Doing Business Baseline Survey.” The survey was commissioned to serve as a status report on the current attractiveness of business environments of states for small and medium-sized enterprises. He noted that Ekiti State was strongest in the Skills and Labour and Infrastructure & Security indicators where it had an average score of 5.35 and 5.05, respectively. Also, in the last World Bank Doing Business sub-national survey on Nigeria released in 2018, Ekiti excelled in the area of “Dealing with Construction Permit” ranking 4th in the entire nation. 5HYLYLQJ 0RULERXQG %XVLQHVVHV According to Osinbajo, the decision of the Ekiti State government to revive moribund state-owned businesses, which were handed over to the private sector is a major conÀrmation of the readiness of the state to allow the private sector to run a business while it provides the needed enabling environment and support. “An excellent example is the formerly stateowned, Ikun Dairy Farms at Ikun Ekiti, after 40 years of inactivity, the state government divested 76% of its shareholding to a private dairy company, Promasidor, resulting in a company that is now producing over 80,000 litres of milk per month from a herd of just under 500 cows. “There is also the recent concession of hospitality facilities such as the iconic Ikogosi Warm Springs a΀rming the same principle. This is a very important principle, the idea that it is the private sector that really should lead the economy”, the vice-president stated. He pointed out other investments, especially in the agro-allied value chain to include JMK Foods, an integrated rice mill, FMS Farms, Promise Point, and Arog Limited, all with starch and ethanol production plants using cassava feedstock; and Egbeja farm, an export-focused snail farm. He added, “And there is a growing tech start-up ecosystem with companies like Kinplus Technologies, a software and web development company, building applications and enterprise promotion software, and is also focused on talent

,QYHVWLQJ LQ .QRZOHGJH (FRQRP\ “And I think you are in the Áow of progress with the planned establishment of the Technology Special Economic Zones. The future of fast-growing economies is in the knowledge economy. “Young men and women in Ekiti can work from here and earn world-class wages. This is why the planned investment in the Ekiti Knowledge Zone is strategic.And it’s exciting to see that the plan is to use business process outsourcing as an anchor. It is designed to be a service-led SEZ, a digital technology hub, leveraging its proximity to Àve tertiary institutions. This is if one may borrow the term, the future of jobs and we must commend the farsightedness of the state governor and his team for determining that technology as the knowledge economy is the way to go.” The State Finance Commissioner, Mr. Akintunde Oyebode said the outcomes from the summit, including recommendations from the keynote address, presentations during the sessions, and interventions by participants, will be collated and reviewed by the Ekiti State Economic Council, and subsequently presented to the Ekiti State Executive Council for adoption and implementation. “We are conÀdent that this event would be an important signpost on our journey to drive double-digit economic growth over the next decade; attract increased private sector investment; provide the necessary infrastructure to make the state attractive to investors; generate the required revenue to make the state less dependent on federally distributed revenues; improve the critical human development indicators, and leapfrog from our current position to become a top-Àve sub-national economy in Nigeria,” he said. Endorsement... Perhaps, the best attestation to the readiness of the Ekiti State government to welcome investment and development partners came from the Managing Director, Promasidor, Mr. Bruno Gruwez. He explained that two years ago when the company was considering where to start a dairy business, it had to consider two states. According to him, what attracted the company to Ekiti is the vision and the ambition of the state governor and his administration. “We probably could not have a got a better partner. What we found was an administration that wanted to be successful. We have worked with all the relevant ministries and they are very pragmatic in their approach,” Bruno stated. He explained that eventually, a diary Àrm, Fountain Holdings, started a year ago is producing 80,000 litres of milk every month. The company, according to him, is targeting 10 million per annum. He commended Governor Fayemi for providing the needed infrastructure like good roads to the farm as well as guaranteeing adequate security to the company’s staͿ and property. On his part, Managing Director, Ellah Lakes Plc, Mr. Chuka Mordi, said the greatest asset Ekiti has to oͿer is its enlightened human resources. He said processes can only be made possible by e΀cient human capacity, adding that the quality of human resources in Ekiti is commendable. Ekiti State’s economy is predominantly driven by activities in the crop production (35%) and trading (22%) subsectors. Services and agriculture jointly account for 86% of Ekiti’s economy. Between 2013 and 2017, the service sector experienced a growth of 12.78% while the agriculture sector grew at roughly 6.43%. Trading is the single largest component in services as it accounts for 48% of the services sector. The economy is relatively diversiÀed with substantial contributions from trade, ICT, and manufacturing. The state enjoys a tropical climate with two distinct seasons. Ekiti State is comprised of 16 local government areas, three major hubs and six sub hubs for agricultural products, and three arms of government: the executive, the judiciary, and the legislature.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 17, 2021

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return. An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 14Oct-2021, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors. Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return. NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS

AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 162.72 164.15 0.53% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 7.76% Nigeria International Debt Fund 316.19 316.19 -15.98% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 105.43 106.48 -4.82% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.19% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.39 3.56 -0.18% info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 8.39% Anchoria Equity Fund 140.22 141.99 6.22% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.13 1.13 -14.71% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 20.44 21.05 12.68% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 446.30 459.76 11.47% ARM Ethical Fund 39.49 40.68 17.15% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 -1.25% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.98 0.99 -6.26% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.35% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 106.75 106.75 4.96% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,042.83 1,042.83 4.28% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.07 2.07 -5.15% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.20 2.25 2.82% mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.02 1.02 3.85% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.48% Paramount Equity Fund 17.34 17.66 8.43% Women's Investment Fund 141.61 143.28 6.42% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.07% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 123.61 124.43 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 109.25 109.25 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.81% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.22 1.23 1.48% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.42 1.42 -10.60% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 7.55% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 8.07% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,163.96 1,183.07 1.12% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund 1,429.64 1,429.64 11.53% FBN Balanced Fund 196.17 197.52 4.53% FBN Halal Fund 113.50 113.50 9.28% FBN Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Dollar Fund (Retail) FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

127.25 172.17

127.25 3.99% 174.62 13.89% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.98 1.69 1.19

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 6.49% 3.98 2.85% 1.73 11.18% 1.19 4.95% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price N/A N/A N/A

Offer Price N/A N/A N/A

Yield / T-Rtn N/A N/A N/A

GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.48% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.88 2.94 0.87% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 154.01 154.29 -0.96% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.27 1.32 1.25% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ﬁncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.46 1.48 6.94% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,139.30 1,139.30 6.86% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.94 12.03 14.17% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 10.35% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.56 1.58 13.38% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.21 11.21 -7.82% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 6.46% PACAM Equity Fund 1.46 1.47 -7.91% PACAM EuroBond Fund 111.86 113.89 1.92% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 133.57 136.04 8.83% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.06 1.06 10.11% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,478.82 3,516.37 8.32% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 233.84 233.84 4.00% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.27 1.29 8.47% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 308.96 308.96 4.85% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 235.48 239.03 7.91% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.34% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,842.55 10,997.05 3.32% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.28 1.28 4.27% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 116.01 116.01 4.44% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 104.49 104.49 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.34 1.36 4.39% United Capital Bond Fund 1.93 1.93 5.29% United Capital Equity Fund 0.92 0.94 15.16% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.86% United Capital Eurobond Fund 120.85 120.85 5.57% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.09 1.10 6.40% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.07 1.07 6.54% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 13.15 13.27 10.85% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 14.67 14.82 20.17% Zenith Income Fund 25.55 25.55 6.30% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.66%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.98 53.78

10.62% 6.44%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.91 131.02 101.60 17.83 21.09

14.01 134.27 103.82 17.93 21.19

5.21% 8.96% 2.40%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.92 5.57 17.52 1.00 20.86 156.99

4.02 5.67 17.72 1.00 21.06 158.99

4.45% -1.94% 8.23% 6.62% 1.67% -15.40%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.40

13.11%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

SUNDAY OCTOBER 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 17, 2021

SUNDAY INTERVIEW

ABDULRAHMAN ABDULRAZAQ:

How Lai Mohammed Dehumanised Me

In his first media interview, the usually reticent Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, opens up on the decay he was confronted with when he assumed office, his durable efforts to change the state of affairs that are beginning to yield results as well as the reason he cannot share the same political space with the immediate past Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the humiliation he suffered in the hands of Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed. Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Vanessa Obioha bring the excerpts

rom most of our interactions with some of your aides and ordinary folks around the state, everyone agrees that you are very humble. Some of them are concerned that you may be taken for granted or at worse, come to some harm. Do you share this concern? No. Really, I don’t share the concern. I think we have to go back to the context of the political environment, where we’re all coming from; where we’re going, our perception. In politics, everybody has his personal interest. What is propelling you? That is me. I am not making it up. It is who I am. If it is a veil, it will be removed one day and people will Ànd out the real you.

Those who take me for granted discover late that they made a wrong judgment about me. I have no reason to think I will come to any harm. From who? If your dealings with people are fair and transparent, you have no reason to be afraid. However, it is foolhardy to attempt to please everyone. There will always be those who do not see anything good in you. The important thing is to be true to yourself. As far as the o΀ce I occupy is concerned, I took an oath to serve the people of Kwara State. I am focused on service delivery to the greatest number. To serve well, you have to be a good listener and that is one of my strongest attributes. I talk less and listen more. It takes a humble person to listen, but I am not doing it for the cameras. This is who I am.

What are some of the challenges that FRQIURQWHG \RX RQ DVVXPLQJ RͿFH" I started with the Fourth Republic in 1998. We were in the Peoples Democratic Party then. Everybody else (in Kwara) was in the All Nigeria Peoples Party with Saraki. At that time, nobody would go against him politically. Even as of today in government, those of us that did not play Saraki’s politics are not more than 10. Most of the people that are with us, are persons who have either never been into politics or were on the other side. The interesting thing about this administration is that in our House of Assembly, only one person has been in politics before. In the cabinet, only one person. So, it’s like a new awakening. We have a lot of lapses because we’ve not been

in government. It has been a huge challenge to train civil servants. Yes, they have the zeal to do the work, but there was lack of investment in them. The salaries were not being paid or were paid in percentages and were late. Pensions were not paid, gratuities were not paid, running costs of ministries were not paid. Therefore, morale was totally down. Even if I say it myself, we have tried, but it is politics. We’re not shouting about what we’re doing. So that’s why it’s like we’re not doing anything, but the people are feeling the impact. I started with where we’re coming from. The last administration was very good with the media, exceedingly good, the best in Nigeria. I can tell you that they were the best in Nigeria, when it comes to media, because we did our manifesto and programme, thinking we were

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 17, 2021

SUNDAY INTERVIEW Because I Don’t Talk, People Underestimate My Capacity coming to inherit something good. What they were saying was not what was on ground. We were not allowed into schools and hospitals to campaign or see what was going on, so we really didn’t know the depth of the challenges. It was when we now got in that we found out that the manifesto is useless.

In education, Kwara was blacklisted for six years… Take education, for instance. Since 2013, we were blacklisted by UBEC. Between 2013 and 2019, that’s six years of no investment in education. What is UBEC about? They give us N1billion, we bring N1billion. That means you have N2billion guaranteed in that sector. What happened in 2013? UBEC oͿered us N1billion and said put your N1billion in the bank before we place our own. The previous administration went to the bank, borrowed N1billion and said UBEC, take our money. UBEC dropped their own N1billion. They paid the bank back their own money and they shared UBEC’s money. So UBEC waited for a while and then blacklisted Kwara. They said “you must refund the money before we can move ahead.” When we came in, there was a backlog. I started paying gradually. Because of their political strength, UBEC could not go to EFCC. When we came in, there was N450 million left, we promptly paid it. Between then and now, there is N7billion available to us. But we also have to look for another N7billion to match it. That’s where we are gradually taking it now. If you’ve not invested in education for six years, you will have total collapse. In your own personal house, if you leave the house, the roof will cave in, and it’s just like that. Schools’ infrastructure had collapsed, there was no furniture in schools. Thirty percent of the schools don’t have roofs. With the kind of funding we have available, it will take close to 20 years to bring the schools back, because we have allowed it to go completely bad. Schools in Lagos are doing whiteboard, we were still doing blackboard and chalk. There was nothing to build on in education. We are reinventing, going back to the foundation. Teachers were promoted, but it was not backed with salary; that’s not promotion. We have three colleges of education. When we came in, they were on strike. They were being owed N750 million. We paid it in three months. And not just that, they had lost accreditation. To bring them back up to accreditation, you are talking about N300 million. Our School of Nursing lost accreditation, we had to bring those ones back too and start Àxing those schools. To add insult to injury, we got another letter from WAEC, that some schools cheated in Kwara, that we should pay N30 million, or else we will not do WAEC the following year (2020). So we had to pay quickly. It shows you the depth of the rot in the system. Kwara used to be number one in education in the north, we’re now at the bottom, trying to crawl our way up. You can criticise us about what we found, but what are we doing about it? We started with teacher hiring. They were insulting me from my own ward, Adewole Ward, here in Ilorin, that I’m not employing people from there. I said no. If we want to bring this education on, we have to have the best. Let everybody go online and do this. It was done and we got accolades, even from the opposition. We had at least 50 First Class graduates, who are now teachers, even those that lost out, agreed that it was done properly. Then we started training the teachers, not only training, but we made sure we paid all the salaries they were owed. Their promotions come on time now. Let’s face reality, the salaries we are paying in Nigeria is not a living wage. A teacher earning N50,000; that’s one bag of rice. By the time he buys tomatoes and vegetable oil, it is gone. He has children at home, he has to transport himself to work, he has associates, family and dependents. In education, our focus is to lift the state up. We’ve contacted the Bridge Academy. We’ve been talking to them for one year now. What they have done for Edo is successful to the extent that seven months ago, the World Bank gave Edo $72 million for the programme. They put their weight behind it and put Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on the board of a World Bank committee, based on this programme. We felt that’s the direction we should go. We will start it next year. We brought them in, did some random sampling in some of our schools, in four local governments, and they found out that teachers absenteeism in the four local governments was 40 per cent, student absenteeism 35 per cent;

Take education, for instance. Since 2013, we were blacklisted by UBEC. Between 2013 and 2019, that’s six years of no investment in education. What is UBEC about? They give us N1billion, we bring N1billion. That means you have N2billion guaranteed in that sector. What happened in 2013? UBEC oﬀered us N1billion and said put your N1billion in the bank before we place our own. The previous administration went to the bank, borrowed N1billion and said UBEC, take our money and that is from just sampling. We have a huge deÀcit. We have a lot of work to do. We have to get out-of-school children back to school, get the right teachers to teach, and get the school infrastructure back in place so that students are not sitting on the Áoor in dilapidated classrooms. Education is one of our biggest challenges. With education, it’s not like what we call a low hanging fruit. You do not see the beneÀt of education for 20 years, when the products of those institutions graduate. In Edo, they are beginning to see it, because WAEC is improving for them and WASSCE is improving for them. We can see migration from private schools to public schools. So, it’s working well. That’s the way we are going. Improve content, Àx infrastructure in schools and bring in the right furniture. People don’t really understand that there was a complete collapse of the education system.

7KH HOHFWLRQ ZDV QRW \RXU ÀUVW <RX made a previous attempt to be governor, so, why do people still talk about you as one who has no political structure? I have never granted an interview before. Never. You cannot say you’ve seen me on TV. But what the media people say is that

if you don’t tell your story, somebody else will tell it and you may not even like it. I’m reserved. I keep to myself. People blabber what they want. When this republic started, everybody was with Saraki in theANPP. Just a few of us were in PDP then. We launched the party, very few of us. We knew our goal, to remain in opposition and remove these people from power. That’s our goal from then up till now. If you stick to something you are deliberate, and God knows your conscience, you will succeed. I’m not saying we got here because we were tough, or more intelligent than others. There’s something divine about getting here, because all their institutions; traditional, religious were all stacked against us. Along the way, they started pulling out, because most of them saw that they had a glass ceiling on the Saraki side. They started pulling out. We started in 1998. Where was Lai Mohammed in 1998? He was in Lagos. He came in 2003 to contest and went back. The other guy that was shouting was with Saraki. We remained here deliberately. We did not ask for anybody’s structure. We had people like Gbenga OlawepoHashim, as well. He was with us. He was the Àrst Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP. He has never been with Saraki. There were less than 10 of us. We deliberately

continued to build our structure. In 2015, when Saraki moved to PDP, we left, because we will not be part of it. We left the party for them. I moved out. I never contested for o΀ce, I was sponsoring candidates and building a party. I was even oͿered the position of Board of Trustee of the party. I refused. I said I have my business. Our goal was to change the system in the state. It was not until 2011, that we found ourselves in the ACN, but then ACN belonged to Asiwaju and Lai Mohammed was his front man here so since they had their candidate. We said let’s do free and fair primaries, but they refused. Eventually, they threw us out and picked their own candidate. We moved to CPC. In CPC, we built the party up. We did our best. Those were the days INEC was just nothing. Today, INEC has been cleaned up, it’s di΀cult to just write results anymore. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but very di΀cult. But in those days, they just wrote results and that is it, it stands. They shout the results and everybody goes home. People didn’t understand the appeal process of the INEC; you’ve lost, go home. From CPC, it was still deliberate and we hung in there. We were there for 2015. Saraki left PDP and we moved to PDP. In 2015, I contested for Senate; in 2011 I’ve considered governorship because not that I wanted to contest, the person, Senator Lola Ashiru, the senator now for Kwara South, we moved together from ACN to CPC. And I said he should contest and he agreed to contest but when he looked at it, I believe he saw that it was just impossible for the party to achieve anything, there was no funding fromAbuja. We had to fund it. So Bukola’s father wanted the daughter to be governor. So they found ACPN. Senator Ashiru went to join them and left me alone in the CPC. He joined them because he was promised some funds. I was left to fund the entire CPC, but it was a good experience. It made me understand a lot of things. In 2015 when we now found ourselves in PDP with Jonathan, Saraki had left. I wanted to run for governorship but I looked at it, the number of people contesting, the odds were di΀cult. Nobody wanted to step down. In Kwara South, they had seven local governments, and two candidates. Kwara central had about eight candidates in four local governments. So how can we defeat? I did the calculation. And in politics, people are not realistic. I even went to one professor’s house, just to say hello, and when I was leaving, I saw some people running behind the mosque. I asked the driver if he noticed some people running and he said, ‘yes.’ He said those were the people with us in the afternoon; the delegates that were with me in the afternoon, they were the ones hiding from me. The delegates were playing games so I stepped down to contest for Senate. I contested against Saraki. I believe they rigged the election. Even at the tribunal, they went to do nonsense in the tribunal but we left it and walked away. I was convinced that our day would come. When I look at it, since I’ve been contesting or donating money to people for election, I’ve never lost money. Within three months of every election, I get my money back in business. Yes, I spent time, but Ànancially I have not lost. So coming to 2019, we found Saraki going into PDP again. And they told us in Abuja that it is Saraki that they recognise, so they are handing the party to him. They don’t know us. How can you not know us? It’s okay, if that’s the case, we’ll go back to CPC. We had merged to form APC and then Lai came and said that we have a new leader from Abuja and they had handed over the party to Saraki. That’s the APC. I said that it was the end of the road. We left, but some of our CPC guys stayed in. So we moved out. In 2018, when we moved back to PDP, and they had problems inAbuja, naturally we moved to APC. In moving to APC, they invited all of us because Saraki had vacuumed everybody out. It was us from PDP that came and took over the party. Lai Mohammed that is out there shouting didn’t have anybody. So we came and took over the party and we were in two factions, but we overwhelmed them. From the Àrst meeting, I just knew the direction we were going. They called us for a meeting in Abuja and after the meeting, they set up a committee for Kwara. Oshiomhole was there, a working committee member, the deputy chairman of north and south were both there. They announced that the chairman for the committee for Kwara would be Niyi Adebayo. The deputy chairman south. It looked odd because Kwara was considered part of the North. When you give me Adebayo then there is a southern game being played. We understood that and then we now saw Lai being

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 17, 2021

SUNDAY INTERVIEW Saraki and I Were Very Close Friends When We Were Younger the minister, the highest person in political o΀ce, he too taking charge. It is a game of numbers, these primaries. It’s about working. I’ve had the experience for almost 20 years. I’ve people in every ward. Because of my nature, I don’t talk. I can sit with you for 10 days, I won’t say a word to you. Because of that they underestimate you and your capacity to do anything. But when you are deliberate and calculating and you know where you’re going, then you laugh at them, and just keep quiet. We built our own structure around the state. For example, a few months ago we had some peace meeting with Lai Mohammed at the Governor of Niger State House. It was the Àrst time Lai Mohammed would meet the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly. Is that the kind of person who is making noise about politics and governance in Kwara and you want me to waste my time responding? The Speaker was with me when I was running in 2011 for CPC, so you can see it’s deliberate. Lai Mohammed knows only one member of the Kwara State House of Assembly. How did these state legislators emerge? They say we don’t have people. All the members apart from one is with us. All our National Assembly members apart from one is with us. We are in the same group.And then they say you don’t have people. I don’t understand. Because we were deliberate and calculating, we knew where they were going, we knew. Even the National Assembly member we don’t have, Lai Mohammed came to beg me to accommodate his own candidate because he lost the primaries. He lost to our own candidate. It took a lot of pleading and we allowed him and that’s the only one member in the National Assembly from Kwara who is not with us. The only one in the state assembly did not even contest. I allowed him, Popoola. He did not contest for the state assembly. He contested for the House of Reps. But after the primaries, the Senator, the person that won the Senate and the House of Reps were from the same town; OͿa. It won’t work. We asked the community to decide. Obviously they will take the Senate. So, what do we do with the guy that won in the House of Representatives? We had to send him to the State House of Assembly, which he did not contest. He did not buy a form from the assembly. Those are the only two people, but they will say we don’t have people. They’re noisy in the media, not on ground. Lai cannot win an election in his ward. They’re good with social media noise. That’s all they do. But nobody’s asking how each member of the state assembly emerged. How did they manipulate their way to win their seats? There was no godfather, putting people in place, everybody struggled to emerge. We would network and work with each other. No godfather. Everybody struggled in their own way. Yes, I gave money, and they also sourced money for themselves. So

everybody struggled to win this thing. But some people will sit down and say that it is their party. It is this or that, that I don’t have anybody. If I don’t have anybody, I have all the legislators with me. Is that not something? Let them tell me, they have people. How many legislators do they have both in the state and National Assembly on their side? It’s just a whole lot of media hype. Lai came a few months ago to make noise that he sponsored the campaign, did this and that. He made a lot of noise and pushed it to NTA. When the House of Reps member from Omu Aran died, there was a by-election, six months before the general election. We needed to Àll the candidate. The person who won the primaries then Ajulo is still the House of Representatives member. He was trying to raise money. He got money from governors, they gave him N100 million. Lai now said the money must come to him. The boy came to me and I told him, you have to do the right thing. Are you doing the election for yourself or for Lai? Lai put pressure and collected N32 million from the boy and took oͿ to Lagos. Yes, from the day I refused to hand over money to them, the APC leaders in Kwara boycotted my campaign. They did not take part in my campaign. They were sitting at home watching DStv, till we Ànished the Presidential election and the governorship election was postponed by one week. A few days to the election, I started seeing them showing up. Before the election what were they saying? That they will decide after the presidential. They never thought we would win. So they thought that being the minister, Lai is the leader of the party in Kwara. And when they are sharing posts that he will be the one to share it. They totally dealt me a bad card. The party decided that where there is no governor, the candidate will be the President’s coordinator. They didn’t allow

me to operate. They frustrated me. Even when the President was coming, I set up a committee for the president’s campaign, they set up their own committee. I know where I’m going so I disbanded my committee and let them do it. Even when the president arrived they put me at the back of a Coaster bus. It was when we got to the Emir’s Palace because it was from the airport to the Emir’s Palace then to the campaign venue, that the president’sADC tapped my back and said are you not the candidate? I said ‘yes.’ He said I should be riding with the President. I stayed where they put me. He said I should wait, then went to speak with the president. The president said I should ride with him. Then Lai Mohammed got up and went to speak with the ADC and said he wants to ride with the President but theADC said Mr. President has spoken unless you go and meet him. Lai Mohammed went to meet the President and said he had something important to tell the president, that could he ride with him. The president said okay. So when we Ànished the event, one security guy on the president’s team just said I should sit in the car, opened the door and I sat with the president. It’s this sort of thing they were doing. Lai sat in Abuja. All the money donated to the party in the state, he never accounted for them. For example, the Chief of StaͿ to the Kaduna State Governor called and said Lai gave us an account but it’s not going through, “can you give us another account so we can send you the money?” But I was going to campaign so I said Àne. I came back two days later and remembered, and I said they should call him and give him an account number. When we called, he said Lai had sorted it out. That one and several. Until today, as we speak, he never told anybody that he collected money. There’s a businessman from the South-east.

His banker came to me and said his Oga wants to speak with me. I spoke with him and he said he was sending money to me. I said, thank you very much. After the election, he called me to congratulate me. When he saw I was just saying ‘thank you’, then he asked if Lai didn’t deliver the money, I asked him what money? He said N100 million. I said, no, but thank you. So he said no, it’s not thank you, that he will call Lai up and please let me know when you are in Abuja, we will thrash this out. He said I should stay on the line and speak to the former Senate President, I spoke with that one. That one said he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. N100 million? Somebody gave you the money and someone pocketed it? I said, we’ve won. It’s not just that case. I have many on my phone. So many on the phone that they’ve sent money Lai collected it. I got to one governors meeting. They said I’m not grateful that they did this and that for me. I didn’t see anything. Everything that was donated, Lai Mohammed did not declare to the party, or to me. Some were direct donations to me. Some were sent to Kwara APC but there’s no governor, no minister. He was sitting there in Abuja, he did not know how we held the election. He did not know how we campaigned. He was in Abuja. Ask Minister Lai Mohammed, how many times he comes to Kwara? Our two ministers don’t come to Kwara. They are in Abuja. Both of them. Lai goes to Lagos. That’s his home. That’s where his son is a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly. That’s where his family is. He has no house here. He doesn’t come here. As our minister, he doesn’t come home. Same with Gbemi Saraki. She doesn’t come. So it’s like we don’t have a minister. That’s why the pressure is on the governor. In other states, you have ministers relieving that pressure. Everything coming to the state, they stay in Abuja and hijack it. They are running from one ministry to the other to try and hijack things from Abuja. In terms of resources, they just took everything. I have been sponsoring candidates since 1998, so I did not need anybody. I plan my own campaign. I have one or two friends who donated to me. I plan my election, not with the money donated to me. It’s not part of it. Lai Mohammed came a second time this year to do a press conference, because somebody launched a book on ‘O to Ge,’ and they invited me. The Deputy Governor represented me and read my speech. I said at the right time, I will say what happened to the processes and the funding. I think that got to him. He started saying that he is the one that funded the party. What did he do? What was his visible contribution? He bought about 30 used cars and 200 motorcycles. That’s all he did. And even at that, none got to me. Not one motorcycle. They had ostracised me completely. They just picked people from a group called Lai Mohammed Campaign Organisation and that’s what he used for his campaign in 2003. Those are the people he gave to and maybe one or two senators. He gave one to the senatorial candidates from south and north. Finish. Asides from that, our assembly members, zero. They did not get anything from him. When he now made this noise and came and insulted me, on two occasions I tried to say something and Asiwaju said I should forget this thing. I shouldn’t talk and I should forget it. That’s why I’ve not answered him. They create the impression that they built the party and I just walked in. We planned this thing. We stayed up late, we knew the people to meet. They were against us. There was a lot of work. We were not sleeping, unlocking traditional rulers, but what helped us is not that the people loved us to put us in, it is because the other side lost their mandate. They were not getting water. When we got in, no water works were working. The water workers were on strike. When we got in, radio stations were on strike, no radio station was working, and everything was dilapidated. When we got in, the TV station was down. And today you see one popular private television channel abusing us every day. But we looked at the record and saw that that television channel collected a N500 million contract. But there’s nothing to show for it at our TV station. I asked for the Àle. It has been stolen, like so many Àles. I asked the former commissioner during that time, Raheem Adedoyin, what happened. He said, I have one or two letters to show that there was a contract with that television channel, but the whole Àle was in Government House. They did it from the Government House. There were no Àle, like many contracts disappeared. It shows you the extent of the rot we met. Even the Herald Newspaper was dead, electronic media dead. Everything dead; no TV, no radio. We had to buy new consoles and build new studios for the

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 17, 2021

SUNDAY INTERVIEW We Didn’t Win Because Kwarans Loved Us, Rather the Other Side Lost Their Mandate radio stations. We’re building a new radio station in Kwara North. It was a di΀cult challenge for us, we’re just rebuilding the state completely. Like I said, we’re deliberate and calculating. They lost it because the state had collapsed under them. Their system of politics was simple. Take money, give to the gatekeepers, traditional rulers and clergy. But while you were sharing money, the empire eroded because the structures of the empire: human capital development, infrastructure, and so on had started collapsing. In the whole of Ilorin, there was no water. Workers were not getting paid. Some were just on 50 per cent salary. When we came in, we had to clear all that one. Even judges’ work allowance was not paid in 10 years. We cleared all that. That was why they lost the election. It was not a competition between us and them and who had the best manifesto. They allowed the state to crumble. Grandstandingnowdoesn’tserveanypurpose. That’s what they are doing. The people know that there are changes, and the changes are gradual and dynamic. We are getting water now. We thought it would be a stage where we’ll expand on the water network and start building new water works. What we met there had collapsed. We have to bring everything back. When you ask us, “where are your legacy projects?”, we’ve invested the money of our legacy projects to bring these things back to where they should be.

Is there anything personal between you and Dr. Bukola Saraki? Why can’t you work together, he comes into a party, you move out. He is somewhere, you walk away from there? Why can’t you be in the same space? We can be in the same space, but their own space does not accommodate anybody. There’s a glass ceiling in their space, which means you cannot rise up beyond a certain level. And then he is authoritarian, which is to say there’s a leader. As you can see in APC today, there is no leader, everybody is throwing banters and doing what they want. That’s democracy. It’s rowdy with democracy, but when you’re in their own space, there’s only one leader. I’m not there to say, one person is my leader. When we joined, Lai was the leader because he was the most senior person in government. Normally, politics in Nigeria, in the state, the governor is the leader unless. I don’t argue with Lai, but he has done a lot to dehumanise me. The treatment he gave me shows that he does not have leadership qualities. Leadership is not what you buy. You earn leadership.For example, a few months ago we had some peace meeting with Lai Mohammed at the Governor of Niger State House. It was the Àrst time Lai Mohammed would meet the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly. Is that the kind of person who is making noise about politics and governance in Kwara and you want me to waste my time responding? The Speaker was with me when I was running in 2011 for CPC, so you can see it’s deliberate. Lai Mohammed knows only one member of the Kwara State House of Assembly. . I can’t contest for anything unless they say so. So they pick who contests for the election, but in APC, we say everybody just go and Ànd your space. That’s the diͿerence. We were very close friends when we were younger. You have been put on the spot a couple of WLPHV WU\LQJ WR TXHQFK VPDOO ÀUHV OLNH WKH ,OH Arugbo and Hijab controversy, the corporal punishment to Islamic students, people digging up water in a distressed community, how do you manage these things? Most of them come with disappointment, but then I take a step back and say, what’s the issue here? Like the one about digging for water, it didn’t faze me. Yes, disappointment that in Nigeria today, people are digging up water. It is not my issue, it’s our global issue. It is happening like that all over Nigeria. It is not limited to Kwara, but the irony of it, which is not out there, which nobody is talking about, or know, is that their representatives are people who were there for 16 years. The House of Representatives member from that community was the Chairman of the House Committee on Water Resources for 16 years, until this election when we voted them out. His name is Ahman Pategi. He was their representative for 16 years and he is from that community, and House. That happens there, then they take the video and ask the media boys to blow it. That doesn’t faze me. My reaction time to that village is important. The mistake they are making is they should wait till the election is close and start highlighting those, because once you highlight those, I’m rushing there to Àx it. Once I Àx it, I will make

For example, a few months ago we had some peace meeting with Lai Mohammed at the Governor of Niger State House. It was the ﬁrst time Lai Mohammed would meet the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly. Is that the kind of person who is making noise about politics and governance in Kwara and you want me to waste my time responding? The Speaker was with me when I was running in 2011 for CPC, so you can see it’s deliberate. Lai Mohammed knows only one member of the Kwara State House of Assembly it known because you should have Àxed it. You were there for 20 years before we came. How come that village is still like that? They intend to use it to blackmail us and say you’re not doing anything, but I’m saying, you were there for 20 years, you had a committee chairman for 16 years in Abuja, and then you do 1000s of constituency boreholes all over. Saraki was Senate President, commissioning 1000s of boreholes in the whole of Nigeria but that community does not have water. They don’t have an answer. The Áogging one is a national problem. It’s just because it’s highlighted, it’s happening every day. It’s a cultural thing. It’s a private school, it’s not a government school, but we give the license to the schools to operate. Do you take their license, because of Áogging students? If you do that, you will rusticate 300 students. The father of the girl that was Áogged was standing there. He insisted she should be Áogged. He was standing there watching. It’s a very bad thing. That’s why we set up a committee to look into it. The committee also has to look at how we will deal with these issues in the future, and how to communicate to these sorts of schools on human rights abuses. One of the challenges we have here is, if we take this matter to court, we’ll have no witnesses. The victim because she said she deserved it, because she did bad and committed a sin. The father will not be a witness. What witness do we have? The video clip? Yes, we can push them to the court system. But the important thing is without witnesses, we can’t get something out of it. They will argue that it is a fake video.

Whatever the argument is, the important message is to get into the system and say, this must not happen again and wherever it’s happening, they should stop. There will be sanctions. We will withdraw the licenses of any school that does that again. So I won’t want to preempt the committee, but they have eminent jurists and Islamic leaders. They will give us a report, which we will now debate and act on. Going forward we will react and manage these Àres as they come. That is important. Some of them will be deliberate, some of them will be used to show that the state is out of control, creating perceptions, and so on. Why are there these things? It is because they erroneously felt that we used propaganda to get them out, forgetting that people were not getting water, children are sitting on Áoors in schools, they’ were not getting reading materials, the system has collapsed. That was why they were voted out. They think propaganda is what we use. They believe they will use propaganda against us. It’s not working. There are areas we need to step up, like the central issue of stomach infrastructure. We need to step up our game in that area because there’s inÁation, possibly due to the exchange rate, partly due to post COVID-19 issues, where farmers have abandoned their Àelds and so on and economic issues. It’s not an issue created deliberately by the government, it’s just part of the economic processes. There’s no country in the world that doesn’t have this inÁation. It’s all over. It’s all over Nigeria, not just Kwara. We already started food distribution on a nonpartisan basis in every local government.

That is going on. Some people just want cash in their hand, but we believe the important thing is to feed yourself. So we’ve started with food distribution across the state.

Kwara is in the centre of Nigeria, which means you have borders with many states. What kind of challenges do that pose to security? Some people say we are the northernmost southern state and southernmost northern state. Security challenges are huge, especially with insecurity in the North-west, and the declaration by Southern governors to ban open grazing. Once they pronounced it and set a date, we saw a migration of herdsmen coming in to the extent that if you go to Kwara south, Kwara north now, in some villages, the Fulanis have moved in. They are more in population than the indigenes. Many times, I’ve engaged with the traditional rulers, especially to say, let’s be accommodating, it will soon pass. The ban on open grazing is a law that cannot be enforced. It’s about fundamental human rights; the right to free movement. It is enshrined in our Constitution. You can try to minimise it. It is about equity and planning properly. In Europe, if they want to ban open grazing, 10 years from today, they will name the date, the date comes and they will stick to it. Within those 10 years, what do you do? You plan on how to resettle these people. They have a business plan, a business model: grazing and water. That is it. Grazing free, water is free. But now you’re saying you have to buy your food and water from next month. It’s not going to happen. In terms of ethnic groups across Nigeria, in terms of literacy, the Fulanis are at the bottom. When you see the herdsmen, they are children, herding the cattle to the bush. Those children don’t understand. They are illiterate. You’ve gone to the bank to collect money to plant maize. He sees food for his cattle. You see maize, that you want to cultivate, sell and pay back your loan. But he sees food for his cattle and he passes through your farm. What you also forget is where he is passing may be a grazing route from the colonial era. They maintained that route. We don’t know it, they know it. It is like a federal highway. It’s been there. The British colonial administrators created those routes; they put veterinary o΀cers and tax collectors at certain strategic points. They were collecting tax and vaccinating the cattle and all sorts of things. The routes were there like the federal highways. With the advent of oil, like cocoa and palm fruit, we abandoned everything and followed oil. Aso Villa today is built on a grazing route. Go by Aso Villa in Abuja, you will see cattle passing because they know their routes. It is something passed down to them. In Kwara, we have about four or Àve grazing reserves we inherited from the colonial era. They are there. We’re going to take them and develop those reserves. They have been gazetted since, they’re not new. We will develop them. And that’s where we want to move these people.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 17, 2021

SUNDAY INTERVIEW APC Leaders in Kwara Never Thought I Would Win the Governorship Election You have the Fulanis all over; Oyo, Ogun. They’ve been there for over 100 years. They live on the outskirts of town, Ilorin everywhere. They never bothered to take C of O. They just believed it’s God’s land, that God gave it to us. But with localisation, global warming and urbanisation, things have changed. Global warming means less water, less vegetation, desertiÀcation and therefore, smaller space, they have to come further South to graze. Urbanisation means that you’ve built on their grazing routes, where they used to graze 50 years ago for free, somebody else has a C of O on it now. He’s doing his own plantation for maize. But maybe from somewhere in Yobe, they’ve told the boy where to go, and he’s followed his father there before, so he knows where to go and forage, but when he gets there, corn is there, but he knows that is where he used to come for food, but it’s now a farm. In terms of literacy, he doesn’t understand that. He knows that this is where he comes to play. It’s his area. When Yar’Adua came in, he had a challenge: militants in the Niger Delta, production of petroleum products was reduced to less than 500,000 barrels a day from 2.2 million barrels. Whatdidhedo?Hesatdownanddidtheamnesty programme which today has cost us about N1 trillion. Do you see any factories? Do you see anything? But we don’t care. We know we used the money to buy peace and oil has been Áowing well since then. Tompolo, everybody beneÀted. But we bought peace. Now, we’re having a cycle of violence with Fulani herdsmen. There are three types of Fulanis: the urban one like Buhari, the Emir of Ilorin, civil servants, they are urbanised. Then the rural ones; they don’t stay in town, they stay on the outskirts of town, they live there permanently. Then the herders that come through. When the herder comes through, he eats the crop, damages farmland, and goes. The owner of the farm reports to the village head who summons the Fulanis that live around them. They will complain that whoever caused the damage would pay N2000 in restitution, they negotiate. In those days, he just needed to squeeze milk and sell to pay. These days with a 20 per cent interest rate, add ground money, the damage he caused is the cost of two or three cows, no longer the cost of milk. So, he doesn’t want to pay. How can he pay two or three cows for that? He either tries to escape or negotiate something that is not acceptable. If the owner of the farm doesn’t get his money then he waits for him, or the next cattleman. He too will react violently, because you are ruining his life. He’s borrowing money to do something. So there’s a cycle of violence coming from there. If you notice today, it is the children that rear the cattle. They will just call to say that they have attacked us. He won’t say that he damaged somebody’s farm and they are in dispute. He will say they attacked us for nothing, they cut me or they killed somebody. They too will make a phone call and before you know it, people will come in 20 motorcycles and devastate that area. From that, kidnapping has come in. You have to understand the psychology of a man that rears cattle from Yobe to Oyo, and back. They trek, not to sell their cattle. They trek to feed the cattle, and some will give birth on the way. If he leaves with 50, he might go back with 60. It means that he may have sold Àve, and then the newborn ones are taken back. Don’t forget the cattle he is trekking with, maybe only two belong to him out of 50. The civil servants, soldiers in Abuja may have given him cattle to rear for them. Really, there needs to be a proper roundtable to understand this. Before the southern governors said they were going to ban open grazing, the northern governors had met to say this thing cannot continue forever. In America, cowboys were roaming all over the place, that’s why they call them cowboys, but the US government came, deliberately and gave them land mostly in Texas. And they settled and changed their business system. We’re not oͿering these Fulanis anything other than the bullets. That’s the truth of it. What are the options? We say we ban open grazing, so what option did we give them other than move out of our state, we have banned open grazing? They are Nigerians who have rights to freedom of movement. If you ban open grazing, you have to give them an option. Northern governors agreed in principle that this thing is not sustainable forever. They said it will be sedentary but they need to set up committees to Ànd out how to do it, to the extent that even Kano State said all the Fulanis in Kano should remain, they should not move out. So a committee is going to be set up to look at how to mitigate these issues. To say, those that have land should give them land. But even with land, it is a big issue. They say state owns land. State does not own land. If you take a piece

of land, you’ll have to compensate the original owners. The state has to buy the land, so we will have to buy the land, and then give it to the Fulanis. There are so many options being looked at, which is to say, some of them will give them C of O to land, some put them in the grazing area and make sure it’s a well-managed grazing area. If you have 10,000 hectares, you give 2,000 to a commercial company, that will run the whole thing, and the Fulanis will be on the remaining 8,000 hectares. It will be a full company that carries out agro- schemes with them; milk collection, cheese processing, they will buy their beef and so on but in return, they will do water ways, boreholes, and provide feed for them and veterinary services. Those are the modules being looked at. And that’s why some governors are saying that the federal government needs to put money in this programme, the same way Yar’Adua invested money in the militants issue. Let’s begin to settle them. Apart from the National Livestock Transformation Programme, there’s no real eͿort, other than to say, stop this. We need to open an avenue for them to say, Okay, we want you to stop this, this is how we mitigate and compensate you. Some people might say, why should you compensate them, sebi it is their business, but they’re transitioning? You need to either compensate them or give them enough time to change because the cost of beef has to go up, because they’re now buying food to feed the cattle, instead of getting it for free in the bush. Going back to the main question, security issues. In Niger State, Sokoto State, many of them moved to Niger because of cattle rustling. They were stealing cattle so they moved to Niger. With the militant issue and kidnappings in Niger, Niger state set up a vigilante group, so we have had an inÁux of Fulanis and their cattle from Niger into Kwara. We are also having an inÁux due to the southern governors ban on open grazing. We are inundated on both sides. The stock of Fulanis has quadrupled. The challenge for us is appealing to the domestic population, to say don’t take the law into your hands. It’s causing food insecurity issues. There are minor conÁicts here and there. Some farmers are refusing to go

to their farms. There are issues all over the place and you see that Kwara is peaceful compared to other states. Why is that so? We believe that the very bad ones in the state are hiding. We’re working with the traditional rulers. If they see like Àve people passing on a motorcycle, they immediately call us and tell us that Àve people have passed. So we investigate. There was a case where 35 passed on motorcycles. The army quickly moved into the forest. I think they heard the army coming, and we saw pictures of their camp, and they quickly moved out again. They got one motorcycle. It had a gun under the seat and all the registration documents of the motorcycle were from the Republic of Benin. We’re not sitting down. We’re spending money. We’re pushing. We have a good relationship with the security agencies, they too, are not sitting down. Any commander that comes in, sees the record. He doesn’t want things to go bad under his watch. In the last one month, the Chief of Army StaͿ has been here, the Inspector General of Police has been here. It shows you also the seriousness they attach to security in the state and we will keep shouting, we won’t keep quiet. In this state, when you hear of one kidnap incident, they blow it up. They should go to Plateau, we are talking about one kidnapping incident in one month, they’re talking four, some days, Àve. Our people are used to being secure and we want to keep it that way. The main thing is that we have been in communication with the Fulanis. I met with them last month, with all the leadership, to ask what their problems are. We have a state assembly member who is an ethnic Fulani and a member of Miyetti Allah. He is from Kaiama, a town called Bani where 90 per cent are Fulanis. And then Audu, the chief of Fulani here was kidnapped last year. Why? Because he was cooperating with the government. Between the Fulanis, they have a civil war going on. The young ones are very militant, the older ones are conservative. They know where they’re coming from. They know the challenges. They’re the ones pulling back the younger ones, but in some cases the younger ones attack and kill some of their leaders and elders. It’s being managed. I think it’s a passing phase,

Kwara will continue to be part of the north, but culturally, if you go to Kwara south like Offa, you will find out we have Ekiti local government bordering Ekiti State. Even though the language and everything is the same with the people of Ekiti State, but the affinity is to the North.

which has been escalated by this social media issue. When something happens, everybody just posts without verifying what happened. With time, it is a passing thing. But it will not just pass, if we don’t have solutions. Whether it’s a wrong or right solution, you really need to have a solution to tackle the issue.

Local Government System is on the Verge of Collapse… People create secondary slots in the civil service so that they will be able to earn 100 instead of 50. That expands the base of the salary to the extent that in local governments today, by the time you pay salary there is nothing left again from what is sent from Abuja. Salary is a Àrst line charge. There’s nothing left after that to do any meaningful work. The local government system in Nigeria is on the verge of collapse because all we’re doing is paying salaries. This season, we’ve had the highest rate of cholera, but nobody will admit it. Not just in this state, all over Nigeria. But the government would like to keep it down. And why is there cholera? The primary health care is with the local government, motor parks are with the local government, markets are with local government, the Water Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programme is primarily with the local government. Once they pay salaries, there’s no money to take care of anything else. Even waste disposal is with the local government. We all have to come to the roundtable to decide what to do with the local government. How do we fund them? Why is it that all the money is going to salary and we’ve not been able to do anything else, other than that? If the local government is on the verge of collapse, isn’t the fault of Nigerian governors in many ways? First of all, APC set up a committee; their commendation — even though it’s not been adopted or submitted —an evolution of the third tier of government that will allow every state to come up with their own novel idea of the third tier. If you are a state with 20 local governments and you want to come up with only four, it is your business. If you don’t want to have local government at all, it’s your business. That’s what the committee recommended. Rome was not built in a day. And to bring down the Wall of Jericho, they didn’t just go down and shout hey! and the walls collapsed. No, they were consistent. We inherited this problem. It is something that’s been snowballing. When the Fourth Republic started, you had about 40 per cent of local government funds as salary. That was when local government chairmen were going to Dubai. NOTE: Read the full interview online on www.thisdaylive.com

SUNDAY OCTOBER 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

17.10.2021

ONYEKA ‘DON PERRY’ OGBATU A BILLIONAIRE’S LOVE FOR HUMANITY Pulling away from his parents’ desire for him to be a priest, Onyeka Ogbatu envisioned a life beyond the sacred walls of a seminary. Today, he is one of the recognised well-heeled sons of Igboland with businesses traversing the hospitality, beverage and real estate sectors. Beyond his material possessions, Ogbatu is compassionate about improving the lives of his people, reports Vanessa Obioha

t one glance, Onyeka Ogbatu can tell the inspiration behind an artwork. Of course, art is relative but Ogbatu who has lived in Europe for the better part of his life is familiar with the art world. He was exposed to works of famous Spanish artists like Francisco Goya, Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso during his university days. Therefore, as he strolled through the art gallery of Artpedia in Lekki, Lagos on a recent sunny Sunday afternoon, Ogbatu’s knowledge of the art business was in full glow. One minute, he was analysing a painting as if he was in the mind of the artist, the next minute, he was advising the gallery owner on how to market the paintings. This business trait was noticeable throughout our conversation later at a posh restaurant in Victoria Island. A shrewd businessman, Ogbatu was introduced to the world of business during his early days in Madrid, Spain where he lives with his family. Madrid occupies a special place in his heart; it is his second home. Expectedly, he speaks Spanish fluently and this, he said, helped him secure his first job in the city. His journey to Europe has an interesting twist. Growing up in Nigeria, the businessman wanted so much to be a lawyer. “I loved the late Gani Fawehinmi. He was my idol. I loved his style of advocacy. That made me fall in love with the profession,” he said. However, his parents had a different plan for him. They wanted him to become a priest but Ogbatu envisioned a life beyond the sacred walls of a seminary. Their rejection of his dream ultimately killed it. “I miss being a lawyer,” he said ruefully. “Sometimes, when I see things happening in Nigeria, I wish I had pursued my dream of being a lawyer. I would have become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria by now.” Despite his parents’ resoluteness, Ogbatu didn’t stop dreaming. There were times he imagined himself a diplomat, having been nicknamed Perry Moore by his teacher for his brilliance in History and Government subjects. “My teacher used to call me Perry Moore back in school. He said I reminded him of the greatest U.S. attorney of the same name. Whether such a person exists or not, I don’t know.” He now goes by the moniker, Don Perry. Ogbatu also wanted to be a footballer. Again, his parents’ dislike for the vocation abruptly halted the desire, even though he showed exceptional skills on the field. His life ultimately changed when his brother, who also lived in Europe at the time, helped him secure a scholarship to study abroad. Thus, Ogbatu left the shores of Nigeria as a young adult to study International Relations and Diplomatic Studies at Donetsk National University in Ukraine. From there, he moved to Moscow before finally settling in Madrid. There, he discovered his

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 17, 2021

COVER

I Cannot Make the Change I Desire by Being a Politician acumen for business, having worked as a sales representative for different companies. “I started as a salesman. Because of the advantage I had with languages, they made me a sales representative of the company. We were into construction equipment and exports.” After five years of working for others, Ogbatu established his own company in 2008. He was into exporting construction materials such as tiles. It was only a matter of time before he expanded his business to include leasing services. However, he discovered that his business partner in Nigeria was not honest. Hence, he returned home, sold everything and invested the money in real estate. The same year he registered his business happened to be the year the world experienced a financial crisis. Like a smooth operator, Ogbatu saw the advantage in the crisis and made good use of it. He bought off the equipment from Spanish construction companies who were selling them off. “When there is a crisis, there is also an opportunity. Some people benefit from the crisis,” he noted, citing the COVID-19 pandemic which favoured those in the pharmaceutical field. Although he made so much money during that period, Ogbatu was concerned about creating jobs for his people. The real estate businessman hails from Obodoukwu town in Ideato North LGA in Imo State. His philanthropic gestures are well known in his hometown. On more than one occasion, he has sponsored a child’s education, helped a couple rebuild their house without blowing his trumpet and rendered financial assistance to different individuals to set up a business. More than his immediate community, Ogbatu was moved by the level of unemployment in the state. “I decided to create employment, touch lives in my own little way starting from my state. That was what moved me to start to invest in Imo massively.” In the middle of the pandemic last year, Ogbatu opened the gates of his Spanish Kingdom Apartment and Suites in Owerri, Imo, for business. The hospitality outlet is the first of its kind in the South-east state. Along Owerri/Onitsha Road sits the hotel with a touch of the Orient in its room decor, cuisine, and cabins. Furnished with 22 royal rooms and a double duplex with five serviced luxury apartments, the real vibe is in its cosiness and a range of services including VVIP guest cabins, domestic security escorts, and an extensive variety of other personalized services. Wafting air from the restaurant suggests a delightful menu, rich in local, western, and oriental selections to both overnight and day visitors. And what could be more intriguing than a peculiar mama-put menu option for even more personalized alternatives? Last January, Ogbatu opened an annex. There is another structure that serves as a resort where the services include an indoor swimming pool, a gym among others. Business, it seemed, was good for the businessman despite the constraints of the pandemic. “The pandemic never affected us because people spent more time indoors. And we have fully-serviced apartments to make the place very cosy and comfortable for the guests.” With an uncanny eye for detail and architecture, Ogbatu is replicating some of the European

Ogbatu

designs in his hospitality facility. Through the Spanish Kingdom, he’s been able to lift indigents from poverty, offering a source of livelihood to people. But he is barely just scratching the surface. At the moment, he is toying with the idea of exporting Nigerian arts to Spain. “I’m planning to have an art gallery in Spain where Europeans can visit and see works by young Nigerian artists,” he revealed. “That way, the artists can gain recognition as well as make money for their works. It’s an opportunity for partnerships and who knows, we may expand to other parts of Europe. Beyond his love for art and luxury living, he is an avid wine lover. Like art, he can easily tell the quality of the wine. For his wine business, he imports mainly traditionally made wine while he employed the services of a stateowned winery in Moldova to produce champagne for him. He is the first individual the company will produce champagne for. “It’s a big honour even though it wasn’t easy. I’m proud to be the first individual and a black man to achieve that feat.” Considering his wealthy status, political appointments have been dangled before Ogbatu’s eyes but the businessman is averse to politics. “I hate politics, especially Nigerian politics,” he said harshly. “Politicians here lack integrity and humanity. They are chameleons. I can’t trust a politician because today he is white, tomorrow is black, another day he is green. Look at Femi Fani-Kayode, his recent actions justified my perception about politicians.” Ogbatu is aware that he cannot be apolitical, particularly in a country like Nigeria. However, his own kind of politics is making lives better for the people. “I cannot make the change I desire by being a politician. Rather, I can achieve the same by putting those politicians to shame. I do those basic things they are mandated to do for the people. That way, they are not only shamed but are challenged to carry out their responsibilities. I don’t understand why they can’t serve the people and yet, they claim they are for the people,” he asked puzzlingly. While Ogbatu understands that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is fighting a just cause, he is against the Igbos having their own independent state. “What we have to do is selfdetermination, which is what I’m trying to do now. Take, for instance, that I live in Abuja. I have my business and a house in Abuja. Why don’t I move my business to the South-east? If our people, particularly those based in Lagos, can move some of their businesses to the South-east, create employment for the people, investors will be begging to come to the South-east. I remember Aba as a bubbling commercial hub. People come from different places to buy goods in Aba, why can’t we develop Aba beyond what it is today?” Ogbatu, who was in Lagos for a conference where the wealthy sons of Igboland convened to discuss how to improve the socio-economic status of the state said that the thrust of the conversation was how to create employment for teeming youths in the South-east. “A lot of our youths are migrating from the South-east which is not good for the region. If we invest in our youths, we will reduce the rate of crime and it will also boost the socioeconomic status of the region.” What gives the businessman joy is giving back to the people. “I want to touch more lives than ever. It motivates me a lot. It’s not all about money. I want to wake up and see that a thousand people in my town Obodoukwu are living a better life because of me. It gives me joy. So it’s not all about me and my money, but the people.’’

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 17, 2021

GLITZ PERSONALITY

SAMSON SHONOWO

Surgeon with a Large Heart Dr. Samson Shonowo, Medical Director/Founder, Shonowo Hospital, Lagos is one of the few surgeons with gifted hands to have emerged from the Premier institution, University of Ibadan. At 39, he has performed over 3,000 surgeries on humanitarian grounds. Undoubtedly, he is making a mark saving lives at reduced cost for the less privileged. In this interview, the Ogun State-born medical practitioner tells Funke Olaode why he is mixing medicine with humanity. surgery programmes. I have seen and managed some very rare cases that most doctors only get to read about in books. For example, Amyand’s hernia in which you find a person’s appendix in his scrotum, leiomyosarcoma (cancerous form of fibroids) which occurs in 6 out 1,000,000 women and a few others. By the grace of God, Shonowo Hospital has provided an opportunity for free hernia and lump removal surgeries for 200 patients as part of its commitment to making health care affordable and available to low-income Nigerians as you know that most indigent people in Nigeria don’t have access to quality healthcare services.

You ﬂoated your clinic at 33 and becoming your own boss in this climate can be very challenging. What gave you the courage? I have self-belief. I also have confidence in my managerial and clinical skills. The thought of being mocked after failing kept me going. Besides, I resigned from Lagos State Civil Service so I have no other option than to keep going. Things will only get better. How did you surmount the professional bodies such as the Nigerian Medical Association? It is simple. There are laid down rules to be followed. All I did was follow those rules, paid my dues on time and distanced myself from malpractice.

Shonowo

Can we have an insight into who you are? r. Samson Shonowo is just a regular guy. I was born on October 12, 1982 at Noah Hospital, Idumota, Lagos Island. My parents are from Ogun State, Ijebu East Senatorial District, in Ikenne Local Government Area. My hometown is called Ilishan Remo. I also have ties with Iperu Remo.

What were your parents’ preoccupation at the time you were born? My parents were waiting for admission into the university when I was born although they were both working in the interim. My mum was working in the Ministry of Information while my dad was working with Indian traders. What inﬂuenced you to study Medicine at the University of Ibadan? A lot of things influenced. First, I thought it would be cool to be a doctor because people believe that only the smartest become doctors (how naïve of me). Secondly, there was parental influence especially from my father. Thirdly, I thought it would make me very rich (still praying and keeping my fingers crossed on that one). I later discovered that medicine is a community service where service to humanity supersedes monetary aspect. Medical doctors are considered to be extraordinary in term of intellectual

prowess. Have you always been a gifted child? Gifted? I won’t say so because I have met people who are more brilliant than I am, more intelligent than I am and more skilled than I am. With modesty, the only thing I can say I have that most people don’t is Heart; mental strength and resilience. I know I am fearless and have the ability to rise up and keep going after every blow. It is extremely difficult to defeat me mentally. And being gifted or being a genius is often associated with an outstanding academic achievements. It will surprise you that I never had any. This is because I was much more interested in sports and social activities. I was in the sprint king (athletics) in school. I was also a leader of a prestigious social brotherhood in the school. I represented the University of Ibadan at Nigerian University Games, West African University Games, Bilateral Games, Mobil track and field events winning medals along the line. I still excelled despite my extracurricular activities. After my sojourn at UI, I did my housemanship at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital. My youth service was with the Department of Security Service (DSS), Lagos State Command. I worked the Lagos State Civil Service from 2010 to 2016. I started my hospital, Shonowo Hospital in Orile-Agege, Lagos in 2015. I have done close to 3000 surgeries. There are several areas of specializations in medicine. Why surgery? I wouldn’t say I picked surgery, I think it chose me. I find it very interesting. It has given me lots of exposure especially during my free

How has it been over the last six years? It’s been a bit of a bitter sweet experience. I have been unjustly insulted. I have had wins and losses. I have had high and low points; successes and failures. I have been cheated, double crossed by patients, staff and law enforcement. I have been betrayed by friends, staff, colleagues and business partners. I have had high and low points financially. I have also had lots of media exposure because of how I do my work. I have had newspaper publications, countless radio and television shows and interviews, blogs and YouTube channels of international journalists. How many staff do you have? I have a doctor, nurses, attendants all totaling 12. I outsource some services. Your hospital is sited somewhere in Agege. Why Agege? It is actually in Qrile Agege. The General Hospital where I worked as a civil servant is in Orile Agege so it is an area I am very familiar with. This allowed me to hit the ground running. You carry out humanitarian services at the end of every year to assist the less privileged. What motivated you into such humanitarian gesture? The Shonowo Hospital annual free surgery programme started in 2016. It was created to provide surgical procedures for those who cannot afford it at zero cost. So far, about 1200 persons have benefitted. The programme is 100% self-funded. In 2016, we treated 100 people with cases like hernias, hydroele, lipoma, breast lumps were operated on (young and old).

Severe cases were given the utmost priority. I was assisted by my friend and colleague such Dr. Humphrey Nwazuruokeh. I did my publicity through word of mouth and flyers which was distributed to religious homes, political party meetings and heads of artisan associations. The turnout was great-about 500 people- but only 100 slots were available. In 2017, I was introduced to Chukwudi. After my interview with Chukwudi on “as e dey hot” 800 people registered in just three weeks. I had to close the registration because just 200 slots were available.

Your surgeries are self-funded. How? Well, without any assistance except services rendered by kindhearted colleagues. In 2018, I decided to add fibroid surgery (myomectomy) to the list of procedures we do. The fibroid surgery is not entirely free because it almost always involves blood transfusions. And since I select the severe cases, they always require blood. They have to provide funds for blood. It was that year that I removed 102 fibroid pieces from one woman, I removed a 15kg fibroid from another and a leiomyosarcoma (cancerous form of fibroid) from another. Leiomyosarcomas are extremely rare tumors. Only 6 out of 1,000,000 women with fibroids have it. In 2019 between February and October I did a free breast lump removal programme. This was done to combat breast cancer. I saw many agencies putting all their energy into breast cancer awareness but the thing is that most people know that breast cancer exists and they know the breast lumps should be removed. The cost of removing breast lump is tens of thousands and most people cannot afford it. The best way to prevent breast cancer is to remove any breast lump you find since breast cancer almost always start as a lump. I saw about 500 women and operated on about 380. 10 women were full blown breast cancer so I had to do breast removal surgery (mastectomy) for her. Later that year, I increased the number of fibroid surgeries in the programme. In 2020, it was the same 100 free surgeries but 40 percent was fibroid surgery. I also did some surgeries for uterovaginal prolapse. This is a condition where the womb protrudes from the vagina. Can you mention some of the challenges? The major challenge is the funding. I funded the whole process alone but getting extra hands, materials, logistics etc. The risk is another story. But we’ve had 100% success rate. The only people I have gotten support from so far are Dr. Tosin Oyenola (a woman after my heart) and Dr. Humphrey Nwazuruokeh my good friend. The medical line is in distress; the faceoff between the federal government and doctors, mass exodus abroad. Are you not worried? Of course I am. I know how badly it will end if not sorted out fast. The masses will be at the mercy of quacks as a result of the collapse of the health sector. I hope they sort it out fast. Do you still have hope in this country? Well, you don’t expect a foreigner to have hope in Nigeria. It has to start with me. At less than 40 one can conclude that you haven’t done badly for yourself. What does the future hold? I look to the future with hope. I expect to climb to the pinnacle of my career and enjoy the luxuries life has to offer while doing so.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 17, 2021

GLITZ ENTERTAINMENT

Why Investors Should Respect the Craft of Filmmaking Stories by Vanessa Obioha For US-trained filmmaker, Akorede Alli, producers and investors in the film business must learn to respect the craft of filmmaking to record success. According to the Modern-Eko Studio boss, there are stages to producing a quality film and all the stages are very important and have their time frame. “Respect the craft. I’ve found that producers and investors often focus on profit over product and lose both in the process. A few years back, I walked away from investors because of their insistence on a quick turnaround and I patiently waited until I was able to executive produce my own film and could take the time necessary to produce a quality film,” he said. Alli, a descendant of the distinguished Akinsemoyin royal family of Lagos State is a seasoned filmmaker born and raised in Lagos State Nigeria. He started his film making journey after graduation from Pefti Film Institute Nigeria and launched his first film production company Modern-Eko Household Entertainment. He thereafter moved to the United States to further his studies in filmmaking and Advanced Cinematography at The School of Visual Art in New York City, after which he relocated to Los Angeles, California to further his career as a film director, actor and producer. There he created his Hollywood-based production company Modern-Eko Studio and returned to his home country Nigeria, where he filmed his first indigenous movie titled ‘Ran Mi Lowo’ featuring great Nollywood talents. Speaking on Nollywood and his passion, Alli revealed that his new movie, ‘Ran Mi Lowo’ is a thriller, and he is already looking out for his next script. “I have a couple of scripts I’m reading and am excited about them and when I feel that way about a script, that’s a good sign.” On the growth of the industry, Alli explained that Nollywood is getting better day by day. He said, “Nollywood has already started making quality films, to be the second-largest film industry in the world. Rome wasn’t built in a day, the people making those amazing films we see worked their way up there, so for me nothing is impossible.” He added: “I think it’s everyone’s responsibility to grow the industry and build infrastructure because at some point everyone benefits from the industry.” Alli, who further weighed in on the scourge of piracy stated that it is a very real concern for him. “Who doesn’t want to fully profit from their hard work? But piracy is an unfortunate consequence of this business,” he stated.

Akerele Alli

The New Face of Niger Delta Cultural Pageant 2021 Miss Kasi Usani who represented Cross River State in the just concluded Face of Niger Delta Cultural Pageant (FONDCUP) 2021, emerged the overall winner. The student of Lagos State Polytechnic beat eight contestants from other Niger Delta states. She is also a Brand Ambassador for Zikel Cosmetic. Edo State’s Miss Faith Iguodala Etinosasere emerged first runner up, while Grace Ekrakene from Delta State was the second-runner up. Face of Niger Delta Cultural pageant is produced by Elizabeth Efe Era, a Vlogger, film producer, blogger, author, entrepreneur and the founder of Ethel Women Initiative — a non-governmental organisation established to enlighten, empower and groom the Nigerian female child, into a virtuous woman and a positive pillar in the Nigerian society. Era believes in changing the old narrative and stereotyped way of organising pageantry in Nigeria, through the FONDCUP project. She has had this

idea for more than five years before the opportunity presented itself for her to take over the management of Face of Niger Delta Cultural Pageant, three years after the death of her predecessor, late Mr. Kelly Godwin Attah (A.K.A Dear Kelly). Era was the pioneer winner and queen of the Face of Niger Delta beauty pageant, organized by Gold House in 2004, which later became FONDCUP. According to her, FONDCUP is a means to reach out to the Niger Deltans all over the world. “Uniting the Niger Deltans through our cultural and traditional heritage by reaching out to every tribe through the face (Queen), which will share a common logo of peace, kindness, togetherness and prosperity throughout the region via diverse projects and programs, planned out by the organization for the emerging queen and her runner-ups. There are world-class resort landscape and interesting stories, culture and tradition in the Niger Delta region, which is yet to be

Kasi Usani

showcased, written and/or discovered and brought to the fore. Hence my zeal to achieve

most of these goals via FONDCUP going forward.”

Osoﬁsan, Ofeimun, Komunyakaa to Speak at LIPFest 2021

Komunyakaa

A diverse pool of writers will be speaking at the Lagos International Poetry Festival 2021 which will run from October 21 to 24. Drawn from across generations, the writers and thinkers which include the Nigerian lawyer and writer, Chuma Nwokolo; Africa’s foremost dramatist, Prof. Femi Osofisan, will anchor conversations and performances on a range of themes, converging on the role of inter-generational support systems in building stronger post-pandemic societies. While the American poet, Yusef Komunyakaa will deliver a special keynote address, the legendary Saul

Williams will headline a massive concert mash-up of music and poetry. Other lined up guests include Nigerian poet and polemicist Odia Ofeimun, an awardwinning Ghanaian poet and writer Nana Asaase and Abosede George-Ogan. Themed ‘Ancestral Imaginings’ LIPFest 2021 will be a hybrid event that will combine expertly curated digital offerings with the festival’s much-missed in-person events, kicking off with an opening cocktail on October 21. Poetry After Dark, the festival’s annual party, a silent disco event peppered with spontaneous poetry readings, which has

always drawn the city’s bohemian fun-seekers, will also be returning with a huge celebratory swing this year. A new feature of this year’s festival is the LIPFest’s poetry slam competition. The inaugural competition emphasises the role of young people in dreaming and building a future that answers the anxieties of today. Shortlisted poets and spoken word artists will be announced on October 19 and will participate at the finale on October 22. The winning poet walks away with N1 million (and gets a performance slot at the festival’s concert evening on October 23 at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 17, 2021

HighLife All Set for 20th WIMBIZ Annual Conference

Could there have been a better time in the history of Nigeria for women? Considering the breadth of their influence, no longer can the members of this gender evaluate themselves as weak, inferior, subjugated or suspended on the scaffold of patriarchal whim. In all honesty, with the numerous organisations and opportunities available to women, this is a good time to be female. Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) has released new information regarding its forthcoming annual conference slated for November 4 and 5, 2021. Tagged ‘Celebrating Legacy’, this conference is the 20th since WIMBIZ began making waves, inspiring and empowering women to beat the odds against them and stand at the peak of their potential. Even so, this conference will not be any less impressive in meeting its goals. Among this year’s Chairpersons for the conference are Chief Folake Solanke, the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Lady Maiden Alex Ibru, the Chairman and Publisher of The Guardian. Although WIMBIZ has made a conservative estimated turnout of between 500 to 1,000 women, the prospect of having either Solanke or Ibru speak on their personal experiences after dispensing timeless wisdom is enough to drive that estimated attendance to 2,500 women or more. For those who are not in the know regarding the operation of WIMBIZ, the association is a nonprofit organisation whose primary mission is to inspire and empower women to attain leadership positions in business, management and public service. Also, the network of corporate relations and opportunities that emerge after every Wimbiz annual conference is enough to clone the women that are at the peak of the country’s corporate ladder. This the organisation has done for the last two decades with the successions of a credible board of trustees, executive council and management team. With such a track record, the 20th WIMBIZ annual conference is sure to surpass past years’. Thus, regulars and newcomers are making final preparations to start a new wave of successful women in the business and public service space.

with KAYODE ALFRED 08116759807, E-mail: kayﬂex2@yahoo.com

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

Abike Dabiri-Erewa: Amazon with a Difference at 59

Dabiri-Erewa

There are individuals for whom seven resounding hearty cheers are not sufficient. For such people, we must blow trumpets, beat drums, render accolades and recite a litany of exploits. The Chairman and CEO of Nigerian in

Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Honourable Abike Kafayat Dabiri-Erewa, is one of such individuals. As she clocked 59 on October 10, 2021, the entire country was reminded of her amazing contributions to its growth and development, as well as the welfare of its people within and outside its shores. Many prominent and ordinary Nigerians made it a priority to celebrate the amazon and commend her for her commitment and adherence to duty in the past few years. The Nigerian social media space was chock-full with honourable mentions of Dabiri-Erewa’s good works. By every indication, the woman remains affable in disposition, grand in aspiration, and gracious in conversation. Dabiri-Erewa has come a long way from being the face of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). What has not changed at all is her burning passion for social justice and fairness. This did not change when she debated with her peers on the floors of the House of Representatives.

Triumph, Grace of Raymond Dokpesi at 70 “So, my advice: it may not be easy, it may sound foolish, it may sound anyhow; with my experience, two wives is the best!” This argument from an interview of an unnamed elder is contained in one of the most distributed video clips from 2020. That statement elicited a round of applause in many ethnic and religious corners of Nigeria. However, in recent days, the argument of a prominent media entrepreneur is contrary. This person insists that entertaining polygamy was the biggest mistake he ever made. Even as he prepares to clock 70, his narrative is blowing across the nation’s social media space. The Nigerian mass media industry is currently tying up every loose end and temporarily closing down shop as it prepares to celebrate one of the biggest names in the industry, Chief Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi. The Edo-born media mogul will clock 70 on October 25, 2021. In honour of this day, Dokpesi will launch his book, an autobiography titled ‘The Handkerchief.’ At this time, the higher tiers of Nigerian society are getting ready to shake things as a way of marking the day with

Dokpesi

Dokpesi. After all, the latter’s blend of natural grace and charm is still very much captivating. What’s more, whereas the celebrant is popular for his distinguished contributions to the growth and development of mass media in Nigeria, Dokpesi is also a successful businessman with multiple fingers in shipping. The hearts of prominent Nigerians are already stirring for Dokpesi’s autobiography, ‘The Handkerchief’. There can only be one person in Nigerian history who pioneered the first private television network in Nigeria, Africa Independent Television (AIT). His journey through life, the twists and turns that culminated in his rising to the summit of influence and authority in the media industry, is worth anticipating. Thus, as Dokpesi clocks 70 and marks it off as a day to share his life experiences, folks are reminded of his triumph and grace. Was it not a while ago that he was reportedly held down by the dreaded COVID-19 virus, but survived? Here he is, the man who—in his own words—was expected to have lived for only 35 years. If the life of Dokpesi is not one of triumph and grace, what is?

Greatness in their Family as Another Uduaghan Rises Again

Uduaghan

The wise sages of old considered progeny a very important factor and used it to measure the brilliance of families and households. If these sages were still among us today, they might have something to say about the family of former Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan.

Recently, the current governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, appointed Orode Meyiwa Uduaghan to serve as the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). As insiders have commented, Okowa did not appoint Orode to ingratiate himself with her father, Uduaghan. Rather, it is simply because Orode has something of the smarts and compassion that one would expect of a truly representative leader. What greater proof of this fact than the testament of a credible source, Aisha Babangida? If there is any resident Nigerian who knows to call talents and altruistic advocates of inclusive growth and development, it is Babangida. As one who lives and breathes to see Nigerians in rural areas reach a height never before seen, her words are worth much. Thus, in her describing Orode as “productive and proactive, ...well-behaved, ...an experienced dynamic leader...”, Babangida

For Nasiru Danu, It’s Now a Private Lifestyle

Solanke

They did not change when President Muhammadu Buhari appointed her his Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora. Even now, as the face and fortune of NIDCOM, Dabiri-Erewa’s passion for the plight of the common people has not changed. At 59, Dabiri-Erewa exhibits a brand of valour that is rarely seen among men and women of this age. It is the kind of proletarian nobility that charges to the frontlines with little care without egocentricity or a bloated impression of self-worth. Thus far, DabiriErewa has represented and fought for all people, as long as they are Nigerian, without caring for their gender, ethnic or religious background, socio-economic status or the accolades they may pay her for a job well done. This is what folks so openly celebrated; this blend of tenacity and grace that is DabiriErewa. Indeed, she is a true person of the people.

“Try dey enjoy yourself. Wahala no dey finish.” These words of Nigerian street wisdom are gradually gaining ground among the youths of the country. However, it is only a new label of an old phenomenon. Even so, it fits the current lifestyle of a prominent businessman, politician, and philanthropist, Alhaji Nasiru Haladu Danu. Danu is definitely one of the high-profile Nigerians who has featured in multiple

controversies this year, last year, even the year before last year. In other words, there is almost always a new case laid to the charge of the Dan Amana Dutse. Knowing then that “wahala no dey finish”, the man is presently beyond the prying eyes and lens of the people. Evidently, he has now opted for a private lifestyle. Perhaps flying under the radar is the best option for Danu at the moment

is sewing up, inadvertently, whatever gaps Uduaghan’s old rivals might have against the young lady. While many may remember the new SSA’s father as the medical doctor who became Delta State governor in 2007 and stayed there until 2015, relatively few are familiar with Orode. However, her accomplishments ring with similar echoes as her father’s. In fact, one might even argue that hers ring farther and further because they were born out of a natural will rather than a need to fulfil the requirements of an administrative position. Orode, even before catching the eyes of Governor Okowa, has been making waves in empowering the growth of small businesses, especially among women in rural areas. Seeds Nigeria is her most recent initiative, clear evidence of her altruism and eligibility for key positions like the SSA for SMEs.

considering that nearly every bad odour perceived from the presidency is forcefully attributed to his (Danu’s) posterior. The most recent accusation is related to the pro-Buhari protest in New York. Some folks have identified Danu as the brain and bank behind what is considered an artificial attempt to dredge up support for President Muhammadu Buhari.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 17, 2021

HIGHLIFE

Shina Peller: Setting the Record Straight

Peller

These are pivotal times as Nigeria and Nigerians prepare for a change of the presidential persona in 2023. Political stakeholders and

citizens have already begun the kind of underground and surface campaigns that, in principle, ought to help them steer the minds of the people towards their preferred candidate. Naturally, some of these advertised candidates are more popular than others. Even so, good judgment is required due to the magnitude of the presidential seat at this time. This is what Honourable Shina Abiola Peller said regarding the forthcoming 2023 elections and the candidature of influential figures like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency of Oyo State at the 9th National Assembly had to defend his views recently when he was quoted elsewhere as saying that he did not support Tinubu’s attempt to be the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) come 2023. According to Peller, the high chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not someone he will so easily write off because he (Peller) has sheltered under Tinubu’s wings as a son hides in the shadows of his father and learns about the convolutions of politics. Peller clarified that he is

neither against Tinubu’s presidential ambition nor that of anybody else. All he is saying is that candidates should no longer be rammed down the throat of Nigerians. Peller argued that the forthcoming 2023 elections cannot be business as usual since the world outside has begun to experience what Nigeria does not even have the good fortune to dream about. Instead, the country has been left far behind—something that extensive political campaigns which are driven by self-interest and stomach infrastructure have a hand in. “We must get it right,” Peller declared, “Our collective decision must be based on promoting peace and unity.” This is not the first time Peller appears to go against the grain of peer interest and intentions. In recent times, he has been one of the most outspoken legislators on the floors of the House of Representatives. He is, one might conclude, a lawmaker that continues to represent his people and national interest. Even this justification for his views on the approaching general elections demonstrates this. Jibrin

2023 Election: What Next for Senator Olamilekan Yayi, Governorship or Senate? With the 2023 general elections breathing down our necks as every day passes, more and more people are finding it difficult to keep a lid on things, particularly their political ambitions. One wave of controversy after another is popping up in every corner of the country. Even so, for figures like Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (alias Yayi), there may be a boundless pool of sunshine behind the cloudiness of speculation. As one of the few who might be described as more familiar with the tiles and tapestries of the upper chambers of the National Assembly than the janitors, Yayi knows the conditions and costs of political ambition. In 2011, Yayi went from being a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly (where he represented Alimosho State Constituency 2

between 2003 and 2011) to being a member of the House of Representatives. After a full term (2011-2015), Yayi turned his eyes to the Senate and surprisingly won, becoming a full-fledged senatorial character representing Lagos West. In 2019, he was re-elected, demonstrating his commendable understanding of the interstices of politics and politicking in Nigeria. Now that he has turned his eyes to the gubernatorial, folks are a bit jittery. That Yayi has been eyeing the Ogun State governorship seat is no longer a secret. Some analysts have explained that considering his career portfolio, there’s no higher ground for Yayi at the moment but the gubernatorial. But does he qualify and upon what basis is this qualification? These are questions that continue to echo in social media space due to the

Jibrin Out of His Anonymous Cocoon

Yayi

inadequacy of rejoinders so far submitted. In the meantime, it does not seem as if the man in question is overly flustered. On the way to enjoying two full terms as Senator, Yayi surely has enough clout to vie for the mantle of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Road Master: How Olalekan Adebiyi’s Laralek Construction is Doing the Best Roads in Lagos, Ogun, Other States

Adebiyi

Fortune is the force that we credit short miracles and accomplishments to. When these happen again and again or continue for a long stretch of time, we recognise the finger of God.

In the work of Olalekan Adebiyi, founder and big boss of LaraLek Ultimate Constructions Limited, the exploits so far cannot be credited to anything other than the grace and empowerment of God. When Ambode failed to secure a second term, folks insisted that both Adebiyi and his LaraLek will also fall out of favour with the Lagos government. Nothing of the sort has happened. By this, it is obvious that LaraLek’s long list of projects in Lagos State had more to do with the company’s merits than a friendly governor. In recent days, this fact has become even more trustworthy, especially since LaraLek Construction became a regular contractor for the Ogun State government, making roads up and down the Gateway State. What profit could Adebiyi possibly bring to Governor Dapo

Abiodun other than his commendable array of completed projects? Today, LaraLek is among the top three road contractors in Lagos. This is also true for Ogun. In other words, Adebiyi’s company likely occupies the number one position among the construction companies making waves in both Lagos and Ogun. The fact that both Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Ogun State counterpart, Abiodun, continue to patronise the services of LaraLek Ultimate Constructions speaks to the mastery that Adebiyi and his team command with respect to road construction. Surely, the rank of number 1 indigenous road contractor in Nigeria cannot be contested or taken away from Adebiyi’s LaraLek when two progressive governors continue to require and praise its services?

From a Lavish Party to Brand Ambassador: The Story of Obi Cubana Someone recently said that media presence is everything, that the present generation of human society is far more tolerant of those in the thick of things, whether for good reason or bad, than those without. This is the prevailing reaction of Nigerians to the recent promotion of the person and brand that is Obi Cubana (real name Obinna Iyiegbu), especially since Fidelity Bank got in on the action. The Nigerian social media space is going through what can only be considered as a period free of the makeshift sermons of motivational speakers. This is because things are not going as these motivators expect. Since they command a sizable fraction of the space, it’s not surprising that Cubana’s new status in the society leaves them confused. After all, how often does one go from throwing an immeasurably lavish party to becoming a brand ambassador of many credible organisations? It appears to be true, as Cubana himself reported, that Fidelity Bank initiated a

partnership deal with him. The idea is to get through to more customers using Cubana’s increasingly massive following on social media. While Cubana is not the only ‘foundation of youth’ that the bank is engaging, he is the most remarkable. No one can really argue that Cubana emerged on the scene after his ostentatious show of wealth during his mother’s burial ceremony. Even so, the event and the deluge of mint cash that accompanied it propelled Cubana to influencer status. The man has gone from being a hotelier and entertainment mogul to being an evangelist of sorts. At least that is what the brand deal with Fidelity Bank appears to portend. So, for the motivational speakers that might have to reorganise their understanding of influence (the kind that is free of controversy), Cubana’s glory-to-glory story is a gash on an unblemished portrait. Maybe that is why he stands out or so easily went from being suspect to being super.

Cubana

In the grand scheme of things, what is defeat but a temporary detour in the path of greatness? This is what a former lawmaker from Kano State, Abdulmumun Jibrin must be thinking at the moment. After excluding himself from everything that has to do with the limelight, politics and business since January of 2020, Jibrin is back with a bang that could shake the table for some time. Social media in Kano State and city is currently enjoying the presence of youths as Jibrin makes good on his promise to help youths get into the centre of the machinations that dictate and direct the motions of the country. G-23 (Group-23) is the former lawmaker’s cannon for casting off the shadows of anonymity that he sunk into more than a year and a half ago. For those who kept abreast of his dealings, the last buzz about Jibrin was in July 2020, when President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him as Executive Director of Business Development, Federal Housing Authority. Before then, Jibrin had suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Ali Datti-Yako who took over from him as a member of the House of Representatives for the Kiru/ Bebeji federal constituency of Kano State. After that, Jibrin supposedly left the stage to lick his wounds. Now, he is back. Considering Jibrin’s first move of launching the G-23 initiative and getting more youths involved in the political process, one is reminded of the excitement and outcome that come from every original idea of Jibrin. To say the least, since Jibrin is confident that his G-23 could be “the largest and strongest political mobilisation structure in the country and is determined to play a significant role in the next general election…”, his old political rivals may be intimidated. Jibrin’s return is an indication that things are about to get even more interesting, especially since 2023 is just around the corner.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 17, 2021

LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Travails of Citizen Chiwetalu Agu He said he was distributing just bread but the authorities thought otherwise. His garb was the issue. He was arrested and bundled into the barracks. From there, men in black took him to their place but was later released. The video of him in the hands of soldiers in their barracks was released and their prophet was seen denying any knowledge of the separatist movement, he was heard saying the image on his costume was just a rising sun and he did not know anything about anything that he was just distributing bread. You see, let me just say this and I know a lot of people will not agree with me. That thing Actor Agu was pretending to be doing is the most effective means of propaganda deliberately foisted to achieve a certain outcome. When you wake up in the morning and adorn images that reflect a certain tendency and you move towards a cluster of ordinary people and distribute bread, what you are inadvertently saying is that, ‘Look this is how life will be when we achieve Zamunda’ To me this was deliberate, a strong show

of support and a push by a very influential member of a sector that has power over mind- that is Nollywood to strongly strengthen a position. So, all that, ‘I was just distributing bread’ if you ask me, is BULL. Anyways, he has been released and everything is now honky dory and we will now go back to our slavish lives waiting for the next episode in this long winding story that is Nigeria. But let me say something at this point, there is nothing in this world wrong with wanting to separate. There is freedom of association and speech everywhere. But my problem is when you refuse to follow laid down internationally accepted means of achieving this either because you feel your position is not that of the majority or because you do not have the patience to follow through and as such you foisted on innocent citizens the kind of violence and carnage that we are seeing is really a problem. Any Ikenna or Emeka can force a referendum and ask a simple question – would you like to stay or leave Nigeria? Results from this unofficial poll if in full support can now be taken to court, asking

for an official referendum or even the National Assembly and if this also throws up the same outcome, then I am sure there are constitutional processes that can lead to a peaceful and mutually beneficial separation without all of this bloodletting. United Kingdom did Brexit na. Scotland did their own na and there are so many other examples of such. So, all these bloodletting, tension and pain are truly sad and needless. This rain that is falling in Nigeria, it is everybody that it is touching. It is every tribe the thing is messing up. Nobody is spared. If you ask me, I think we should concentrate on pushing vision driven leadership and 2023 gives us that unique opportunity. As a pacifist and a cowardly one at that, I plead for peace. Violence and other extra judicial arbitrary processes will not achieve anything but continuous blood on our streets. So, Citizen Agu instead of going about using your clout to distribute bread, kindly forge partnerships that would bring about peaceful and pragmatic solutions to whatever is our problem in this country. Did you even wear undies under that thing sef?

YEMI OSINBAJO, PLEASE STAY ON YOUR LANE Did he just say that the Naira be devalued and that the true value of the Naira has not been reached? You see this kind thing will only just make you ask if the said speaker was ‘throwing up’ or speaking. Mbok, at over N500 to the dollar, what other devaluation are we talking about again?! Over 100% devaluation in less than 12 months and you say we should push for more? Is it until we start competing with Zimbabwe and we are beset with hyper inflation that we will come to the realisation that we have totally wrecked the currency and economy by extension? Mbok, it is not every time you are given a podium, you talk on some matters. At times, when you climb the podium and you look at the teleprompter in front of you and you see what they have written for you wey no make sense, you just do like you cannot see and just greet the people and drop for rostrum and go and eat your Amala in peace. Focus my lord should be on the supply side. Shebi you all refused to attend thealvinreport.com’s session on the Forex crises. Come and see real pragmatic economists like the ever brilliant Tope Fasua and Jimi Ogbobine postulate.

Egbon the wahala is that we have to earn more dollar not devalue anything. Push as many of our people out there in the short term to shore up diaspora receipts, reform the real sector, create more efficiency and incentives including tax rebates and other such things to export facing industries, redouble efforts in maximising efficiency in the export processes and create better environment that would attract more foreign investments and then you will see that the exchange rate will begin to find its true value as the supply side begin to shore up. As long as we continue to rely on a mono product revenue base and borrowings to stabilise the economy, we will continue be hearing these kind Amala talk. Can never work sir. Make we all siddon dey look o, shebi na Nigeria we all come. KEMI ADEOSUN: A WORTHY REVISIT I don’t even know what led me to go and think about this elegant lady o. You know I can be funny at-times. I will just be sitting down and all of a sudden, my mind will just wonder. That is how my mind wondered to this lady. I surprise sha, cos I will ordinarily not just be thinking about her when the mystery behind the Tiwa Savage Sex video has not

been unraveled and all hands are on deck to make sure that I get an invite to the premiere of the tape if it ever happens. Anyways, that is how I said let me even check up on my lady and see what she has been up to these days. That is how I stumbled on some very interesting information. So apart from consulting which brings her in and out of the country quite regularly, she is deeply involved in a charity called – ‘dashme.’ This caught my attention and I dug in. Apparently dashme is a charity platform that provides essential stuff for the needy. So, she serves as a bridge between donors mostly in the UK and US who offload essential stuff towards the needy using the foundation as a platform. In fact, she is planning to expand the scope from the Lekki area to other parts of the country. This is quite remarkable not only because of the simple nature of the idea but its effectiveness without any noise, making me want to say welldone ma. Furthermore, I also found out that she is also consulting on ‘Tax credit construction projects’ that should see the delivery of two major expressways in the country. This is apart from consulting for a foreign government as part of a former ministers’ forum on health and finance. Quite impressive.

Osinbajo

Adeosun

Wigwe

Agu

HERBERT WIGWE: LET’S DO IT Now, this is my putting this gentleman under very strong pressure. That is my life, once inspiration comes, I must push because the thing no dey last. In this my short life, I have written about eight books if I am going to count the Coffee Table book showing images from my phenomenally successful play Aremu, which was written by Prof Ahmed Yerima. The book itself sold out. I had also written my memoirs when I turned 50 and which was launched by highly respected Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Her Excellency Mrs Onari Duke. That one too has been totally sold out, I am looking for it to steal sef, since I do not even have a copy. Anyways, that is how I sent out a broadcast asking my followers on social media who I should write on since inspiration don come, but this time na confusing inspiration. I was torn between writing about my life in Albert Okumagba’s BGL and writing something on Herbert Wigwe, so I asked people to vote. Mbok, almost by eight votes to two, people wanted me to work on Herbert. My senior sister, Her Excellency Mrs Onari Duke, even followed with a quote ‘Edgar, the inside outside – the working

Adetiba

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 17, 2021

LOUD WHISPERS title- with his permission and cooperation may be quite interesting.” Another brother, Yemi Odusanya followed thru- I would support the writing on Herbert and would make a contribution to the content- I just weak. So, I forward everything to big daddy and he says he will call. Look, Mr Herbert don’t be looking at me as small writer o. Come and see my latest book ‘Anonymous Nipples’ has sold thousands of copies and I am going to submit it to the people that are doing Nobel Prize so that they will consider it for the next round of winnings. An independent look at the life and endeavours of such a character is very compelling and sits within my vision of telling compelling stories of our people-hence all these huge theatrical expositions. By the way, did you see Awo or Aremu? Maddddddd. KEMI ADETIBA: SCREEN GODDESS OF LIFE I don’t think she even knows but we are distant cousins from our mother’s side. Her mother Mayen Adetiba is my mother’s cousin from their mother’s side. They come from one village in Akwa Ibom called Ibeno and Aunty Mayen was the first one to give me a job as a stockbroker. I can safely at this point say that everything I am today is cos of Aunty Mayen. That time when I just enter labour market, they will be giving me GMAT test to be doing and I will be failing the thing. She now called me to come and do interview at Unex Securities by that time, I don tire for all the written tests, the thing was giving me bad name. I say ‘Aunty, mbok kpong mi’ meaning Aunty leave me. She said go and try yourself, stockbroking is about to explode. So, I took my borrowed suit, the one my father used to wear when he was working at the Post Office at Ebute Metta and went to see Dr. Chukwujama. That one said it is oral and I killed it and the rest is now history. From that one interview, I became a stockbroker from there Investment banker till Nicholas Nyamali come sack me 20 years later. Anyways, I thank aunty. Today, the gist is on my long distant cousin Kemi and what she is doing in the industry. Her King of Boys and what she did on Mo Abudu’s Wedding Party have become a threshold for cinematic quality in the industry. Me, I don’t really watch all these movies because xvideos will not let me be o. It was beautiful Charis that said watch King of Boys. Just watch it. As I don’t like annoying that one before she stops taking my calls, I watch am. Wow. Is all I can say? It was the second one I watched. Although I felt, the lead actress, the Shobowale woman was a little bit contrived and ‘put oniish’ the whole thing reeked of quality and class. I simply marveled and to say that I was madly impressed is an understatement. So I called Charis back and said, ‘Na my sister. I swear na my cousin. Her mama and my mama be cousins. I swear dem come from Upenekan in Ibeno. Na her Mama dey carry me go lesson when dem never born Kemi. Go check am. Nice one sister, let’s do lunch one of these days. RAYMOND DOKPESI: WORSE OF POLYGAMY High Chief in a report during his last birthday celebrations says he regrets polygamy. This statement if true has killed me. These are the people we are looking up to, our mentor in this waka and here he is saying this. How can polygamy not be sweet? What in life does not come with challenges even the only one woman you put for house if not careful, you will wake up and see your head at Sabo bus stop and be begging LASTMA to help you bring am come meet you at Ikeja General Hospital. See High Chief if it is true, you must retract that statement because it is your matter some of us look inspire and enter the waka o. That is how my great uncle when at 76 wanted to take on a new wife and they asked him why, he said, ‘You people

should leave me, see Joe, is he not on the matter’ and our great Aunty ‘Mama’ of blessed memory said, ‘You no dey shame, how can a 76-year-old man like you be looking up at a then 38-year-old misguided Joe for an action’ he say they should leave him that age has nothing to do with wisdom. So, he went ahead and married his new bride who was in her 20s then and has been living happily ever after. Please let me shout it out very well, NOTHING DO POLYGAMY; na as you lay your bed so shall you lie. If person go marry ‘wanchoro’ as only wife, wetin he see na wetin he get. If you marry like King Solomon and God bless you with the best you will live long. Examples abound, Alaafin of Oyo. Can’t you see him specs. Can’t you see the colour combination, the peace of mind and you think it is agbo that is making baba to still be doing boxing at over 100. Mbok, be like say, we will remove High Chief from our roll of Honor o. Leave Polygamy alone. TIWA SAVAGE: NO MORE SEX She recently announced that somebody was threatening to release a video

showing her having sex. Mbok I die. ‘Mkpa’. I want to convene National Conference to discuss this thing. What is Buhari doing in Imo State with that kind trouser when he should be calling a National Council of State meeting to discuss this matter? How can Tiwa be having sex in the first place? Please someone should come and hold me before I break my car windscreen from jealousy. So Tiwa is having sex? With who? With who? ooo are you sure he doesn’t belong to a proscribed terrorist group and if not can’t we push his name inside so he will be exiled. Tiwa, if there is any body you should be having sex with, it is me o. Me o. Duke of Shomolu and nobody else. Since this matter came out, I have not eaten. I have been walking around like a ghost. Different people with different worry. There she is worrying that her ‘pom pom’ will be exposed and people will be seeing how she is screaming during action, see me hear dey cry that one other lucky man wey no even get voters card is the one on the matter. Please, this kind of pain I have never felt. I feel like deposing myself. Which kind

AIGBOJE AIG- IMOUKHUEDE-AN ENTERPRISING VENTURE Last night as I was going through my mail, I stumbled on an email from my egbon, Aig. I no dey joke with this personality, there is something about his outlook and engagements that sit very well with me. So, I immediately opened the thing and it was an invite to the launch of his new project – EnterpriseNGR. Now my partner, Lami is supposed to be doing something for them and he has been gisting me about the thing. You know that one like to dey speak big English so as he is telling me, I will just switch off and be wondering when Elvina Ibru will send me this her disappearing Pot of Afang. You know a lot of people will be making mouth that their Afang is sweeter than my Mende woman own or even Duchess own. So last night, immediately I saw Aig’s name on the mail, I opened it and it was an invitation to the launch. As I read the mail, I became much more interested. According to him, ‘EnterpriseNGR is a professional policy and advocacy group established to promote and advocate for

Aig-Imoukhuede

the Financial and Professional Services (“FPS”) sector of Nigeria, with a view to transforming Nigeria into the premier financial services centre in Africa.’ Forget that I respect this egbon too much, this kind of clarity is what is expected in this country at this time. Advocating and engagement certainly leads to pragmatic bridge building between clusters and what could this possibly throw up beyond a sanguine and pragmatic solution to our problems. It is no wonder that very strong people have thrown in their weights behind this novel idea. Exceptionally brilliant people like Gbenga Oyebode and my all-time favourite Bolaji Balogun amongst others to mention a few are part of this voyage. By the time you read this, the launch would have held and as at the time of writing, I am torn between a lunch date at the wonderful Echoes of Calabar where their white soup (Afia Efere) can ‘kill’ and attending this obviously very seminal event. I will tell you guys tomorrow.

yeye Duke. Is it to be carrying dreadlock up and down and shouting Duke when my dear Tiwa is out there doing video. I have failed. I failed humanity, I don’t deserve to be honoured by the United Nations. I deserve to be canned by the Islamic scholar in Kwara. Mbok, send me the man’s address he needs to flog me. Ohhhhh mbok, my Tiwa. Ohhhhhh the pain. Jealousy have killed me. Helppppppp! RENO OMOKIRI: HIDDEN PROFESSION Be like say this bobo don sell phone for computer village before. I am telling you a lot of us did things before making it. Look let me tell you my own. I sell bread for Shomolu when I small. Yes na, when my father lost his job at the then Cross River State owned Mercantile Bank and could not get a job on time, we sold bread to survive and na me hawk am. So, after we come get money again, when I got to University of Ibadan when I am working with my girlfriend the very beautiful Toyin and someone shout ‘omoni bread’ in a bid to buy bread, I will automatically turn my head. Then my baby asked one day when the thing don too much, ‘darling, did you sell bread before’ I look the mumu. ‘me? She say yes you. I say I swear on my grandfather’s grave, I have never even seen Agege Bread before talkless of selling it. You know it’s only slice bread I eat. She say ‘yes darling, I know you are butter’ I kiss the mumu. That is how anybody that yab Reno, he will compare the person to phone. One lady asked him to be sugar daddy he say why when I have iPhone 13 at home that why will he come to iPhone 1 at home. I laugh I want die. Another woman say ‘ohh Reno chase me when he was in government’ Reno say why, that she is Nokia 3310. I swear this man sell phone for bridge. Kai. If not, how will he have all these details. Bro Reno oya confess where been your area of operation cos be like say the time, I was hawking bread, I used to see someone at Onipanu with your kind of head o. Kai. Lol. DUKE OF SHOMOLU, PRAY FOR ME Yes, I am kinda scared. Woke up this morning to a text from my brother in Qatar. Joe, I just had a bad dream about you. You were being attacked. Please, be careful. Coming a few days after my friend Patrick called to say, he had the same dream, I am kinda worried and afraid. Me, I don’t have power for all these kind thing and Patrick say I should be doing fasting, that one sef will kill me before the attackers come. Mbok let me ask you guys to pray and fast for me by proxy cos these times are really not joking in this country o. Mbok make una leave me with my porn and afang o. Thank you. ODUNOLA ONADIPE SHOW THY BIKINI If you know Odun very well you will scream at this titling. She is one of the primmest- if there is anything like that – people I have met. An erudite business manager and strong woman who continues to lead in some very clear and principled manners. But I have heard something that is why I am asking her to show her bikini. I have heard that she has joined a team to establish a world class beach resort somewhere in Ikare. When I heard the gist, I asked so na for this insecurity I will now carry myself to Ondo State because I want swim. They laughed and said no jor. That this Ikare is off the shores of Lagos. A peaceful and sun-soaked beach along the shores of Lagos. Wow. I was sworn to secrecy. They told me not to even mention that the ting will be opened in December this year. Me sef, I am swearing you to secrecy as you are reading this. If you talk and them catch you hope you have Mike Ozeokhome’s number cos I hear na only him know how to release bread distributors. No just call my name o.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 17, 2021

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH Top Property Merchant, Dr. Becky Olubukola’s Milk of Kindness As a businesswoman, she has done so well for herself to the admiration of many who look up to her. For years, the Group Managing Director of BSTAN Group, Dr. Becky Olubukola, has organically and strategically nurtured her chains of businesses, especially her real estate firm, BSTAN Homes, to become one of the key players in the sector Also, as a philanthropist, she has tried to amplify her famed legacy of benevolence and generosity, as she always makes conscious efforts to put smiles on the faces of the hoi polloi in the society. Certainly, she believes in the age-long saying that ‘’Wealth is nothing if it cannot be used for the advancement of society and mankind.” The Abuja-based real estate giant is recognised as someone whose love for fellow human beings beggars description. In line with her wonted fellow-feeling and abiding commitment to giving back to the society that has given her fame, the Erelu Atunluse of Erinmoland, through her foundation, Pricaso Care Foundation, has empowered some less-privileged children in Nigeria, given scholarships to indigent students, and shared food items to widows, regardless of their cultural and religious affiliations. The light-skinned property merchant, last week, gave plots of lands worth N10m each to students who emerged winners in the Bstan Legacy Quest Inter-School competition. Ifeoluwa Adeleye from Lead British International School, Abuja won in the junior category, while Chinelo Nnamdi Kanu of Nigerian Turkish International College, Abuja won in the senior category. The certificates of the land were issued to the winners at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, venue of the just-concluded National House Fair 5.0. The event was graced by top eminent personalities, including the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who was represented by Yemi Ipaye, Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Uche Sampson Ogah; Senator Grace Bent, billionaire businesswoman, Hajia Bola Shagaya, renowned architect, Princess Fifi Ejindu and former AMCON Chairman, Dr. Muiz Banire, among several others. The Abuja-based property developer is highly rated and has since been one of the biggest in the country with many estates to her credit.

Olubukola

Elizabeth Jackrich: An Embodiment of Nigeria’s Next Generation At the very young age of 28, Elizabeth Jackrich has become an embodiment of Nigeria’s next generation of leadership. An epitome of brains and beauty, she has shown that she is endowed with the proverbial Midas touch, as anything she touches turns into gold. Though she is married to a billionaire and is also very liquid in her own rights and efforts, she has refused to relax in her comfort zone; rather, she has been hitting for the sky and ready to conquer her world. Her story in the aviation business is well documented, as she is gradually establishing her mark on the sands of time in the country with her ELIN Group. Recently, she joined other women across the world as a panelist at the fourth edition of African Renaissance and Diaspora Network Visual Summit. She was obviously glad to have represented women as well as the girl child. It was gathered that she did not disappoint, as she wowed many with her intelligence and

Jackrich

articulation, which has continuously wormed her into the hearts of many of her admirers. Jack-Rich’s success has made her one of the most highly regarded business leaders in Nigeria and beyond. She loves to give back to others, so they can benefit from the same opportunities she has enjoyed. Today, her group’s investment portfolio spreads across West Africa and the United States. Interestingly, her core operating values are integrity, mutual respect, customer service, innovation and safety. As the founder and CEO of Elin Group, Elizabeth, a graduate of the University of Applied Science and Management, PortoNovo, Benin Republic, has invigorated Nigeria’s economy and helped its most vulnerable citizens. Today, the entrepreneur and philanthropist is driving inclusive capitalism through multiple acts of charity and mentorship.

Nigeria’s First Female Army General Aderonke Kale, Launches Book Anyone who has heard about the book launch in honour of Major Gen. Aderonke Kale (rtd), Nigeria’s first-ever female general would certainly agree that it was a great honour done to her on that memorable evening. The highoctane event, which was held inside the prestigious Agip Recital Hall, The Muson Centre, Lagos, was graced by top military brass led by former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. The book, an anthology of tributes written by a revered Professor of Oral History, Prof. Bolanle Awe, celebrates the impressive track records of the woman, who is also the Corps Commander of the Nigeria Army. In his remarks, Obasanjo, who was the Chairman of the occasion, extolled

Kale’s virtues, saying: “Today, we are celebrating somebody who is worthy of being celebrated. I must say that our society, especially the institution called the Nigeria Army, is a male-dominated and chauvinistic environment. “But Gen. Kale did not get laid back because she is a woman. She stood the test of time, competed, fought and remained resolute until she got to the top. I think that, in itself, is a great commendation.” The chief launcher, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), was ably represented by a former Oyo and Ogun States’ military governor, Maj.-Gen. Oladayo Popoola. The book was reviewed by popular economic policy expert, activist and erstwhile Education Minister, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili.

Kale

Bussinesssman Ayabaanm ma Ikeaanum mba’s Philantthropy

Ikeanumba

Ayabanma Ikeanumba, a successful businessman, understands the importance of entrepreneurship and being financially independent. This probably motivated him to launch Ikeanumba Africa, an entrepreneurshipdriven magazine to support operators of micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. The magazine is rich with several surveys and researches conducted by him and his group. Ikeanumba, a philanthropist to boot, has set aside N10 million annually to fund clusters with a vision to impact lives and develop solutions to the challenges facing small businesses in accessing finance. The new product, however, comes with a contest for 10 beneficiaries. He explained that the importance of the N1 million scheme for 10 business owners is to make an impact, ensuring that they remain in business for a long period without being liquidated or run out of operation. According to him, “The support project

tagged the Partner 2021 is basically for the startups. We have a team that is handling that. We will evaluate your business before giving you such support. The entrepreneur could be a Mama Put out there. “Our focus is on the growth of the business. Our group has set aside N10 million yearly to meet the urgent needs of existing and potential businesswomen and men in the SMEs space. This is not a loan; it is just mere support which comes with a contest for 10 entrepreneurs.” Also speaking at the forum, the editor of the magazine, Abengowe, stressed the need for the scheme, noting that “to contest for the support, you are required to make a yearly subscription for the magazine with N30,000 and have a business plan with a minimum of three employees.” He added that any contestant who meets the criteria could be one of the successful entrepreneurs at the end of 2021.

Top Hospitality Business Owner, Tony Ojo, Rebrands Top hospitality business owner, Tony Ojo, has rebranded his upscale rendezvous, Unique Gentlemen’s Club. Unique is Nigeria’s ﬁrst licensed gentlemen’s club and has remained a force to reckon with in the hospitality business for decades. The success of the Lagosbased club can be attributed to the experience and business acumen of the owner, Ojo, who has travelled far and wide. As Yuletide approaches, the Edo State-born socialite has rebranded the club to give maximum satisfaction to its clientele. According to Ojo, “considering the security situation of the country, we

have liaised with relevant security agencies to ensure that all our customers are safe.” He disclosed that the club had also introduced a lot of entertaining packages that would make any night crawler yearn for more. “What we have here right now is a replica of any standard gentlemen’s club in Europe and America, and we keep upgrading. In addition, we have secured the services of a new experienced and professional management team. Everything is right on point from the hotel to the restaurant and bar, while we adhere strictly to all COVID-19 protocols,” he added.

Ojo

SUNDAY OCTOBER 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 17, 2021

INTERNATIONAL Nigeria and the New Cold War Order in the Making: The Challenges of Relevance and Survival

igeria’s foreign policy has generally followed two directions: programmatic and reactive. Professors Bolaji Akinwande Akinyemi and Ibrahim Agboola Gambari are on record to have favoured programmatic foreign policy. Professor Akinyemi organized the 1986 Kuru Conference and also came up with the Akinyemi Consultation Doctrine which were geared towards taking initiatives and providing leadership in the conduct and management of various international questions. The establishment of the Technical Aid Corps Scheme is one good illustration. The Suggestion of the Concert of Medium that was changed to the Lagos Forum is another. In fact, his quest for a black power status for Nigeria is self-explanatory. Professor Gambari’s suggestion of the need to adopt the principle of concentricism in the application of Nigeria’s foreign policy is noteworthy. He divided the whole world into four areas of priority to guide every foreign policy endeavour: Nigeria and the immediate neighbours to constitute the first and innermost, as well as the most important circle. The inclusion of the neighbours as part of the innermost circle is explained by the fact of Nigeria’s security linkages that are intertwined with those of the neighbours. The next outer circle is the ECOWAS region. The third circle is the rest of Africa. When scholars talk about Africa being the cornerstone and centerpiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy, they easily wrongly ignore the fact that Africa is under prioritization of importance. Professor Gambari’s prioritization necessarily makes Nigeria and her immediate neighbourhood the centerpiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy and not Africa as generally referred to. The point being made by the two diplomatic scholars is that they preach the sermon of anticipatory foreign policy and not reactive foreign policy. Anticipatory foreign policy does not talk about achievements ab initio. It deals with anticipated challenges, giant strides, intellectual finesse in addressing attitudinal dispositions of various countries in such a way that Nigeria is not allowed to be cut unawares. Unfortunately, foreign policy under President Muhammadu Buhari, has been, at best, very reactive. It lacks lustre and articulation. The implication is to ask which way Nigeria in light of the New Cold War Order that is in the making? Should Nigeria begin to plan based on a programmatic foreign policy or should simply wait to react to the new order? What really is the likely format of the new order? What are the processes of its emergence? Will Nigeria or Africa be relevant in its making? In discussing the roles for Nigeria, an exegesis of the likely scenarios of the New Cold War Order is necessary at this juncture. New Cold War Order Scenarios The old Cold War Order was defined by bipolarity, EastWest superpower rivalry, which prompted the adoption of policies of glasnost and perestroika in the Soviet Union, and eventually the dismantlement of the Soviet Union. Soviet Union’s self-destruction put an end to politics of bipolarity and re-energised the United States and its allies to seek greater democratization of the whole world, in the belief that the West has the best form of government. In the making of the new Cold War Order, the likelihood of its being guided by principles of bipolarity is very remote. What is foreseeable is either tripolarity or quadripolarity. In this regard, the European Union, right from the time of its being an EEC of Six as established by the 25 March 1957 Rome Treaty, has generally sought to be a centre of power on its own right. Even though the two Franco-German Foreign Ministers that sponsored the Rome Treaty, Robert Schumann of Germany and Jean Monnet of France, had the basis objective of preventing any new misunderstanding between their two countries in order to avoid a new war in Europe, the objective later shifted from conflict prevention though economic cooperation to political and defence interests. The 1993 Maastricht treaty is clear on this point The European Union of today is that of peoples and no more simply about governments. More important, the EEC and the EU as models for regional economic integration for others, especially for the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, may not have the type of importance and values they used to have in the near future. It is relevant to recall that the United Kingdom has Brexited from

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Onyema the European Union. The initial pointers to the Brexiting date back to 1975, in other words, only two years when the United Kingdom joined the EEC. By very narrow margins, proponents of membership of the EEC won but anti-Europeanism began to grow from within. After Brexit, there may be Polandexit, that is, the withdrawal of Poland’s membership from the European Union, and the implications of such a withdrawal cannot but be strategically injurious to Western calculations in their relationship with Eastern Europe. On Thursday, 7 October 2021 the Polish Constitutional Tribunal ruled in a case, brought before it by the Polish Prime Minister, Mateusc Morawiecki, in 2016, that there are four core articles of the European Union’s founding treaties that are incompatible with the Polish Constitution, and by implication such incompatible articles cannot be enforced in Poland. Unlike in a similar case of Ireland whose Supreme Court had raised a clash between its Constitution and the EU treaties and which was resolved, it is expected that the case of Poland may be completely different this time and that Poland may be compelled to withdraw its membership of the European Union. In the thinking of the European union, and particularly, the French and the Germans, it is the common values and rules of the Union that are under attack in Poland. As explained by the Polish Court, the four core articles considered incompatible with the Polish Constitution are Article 1 ‘’where EU countries agree to set up the Union, which they call a new stage in the process of creating an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe’’; Article which ‘contains the Union’s main values of ‘’respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities’ in a society in which ‘’pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail.’; Article 4.3 which ‘establishes a principle of ‘’sincere cooperation’’ for EU countries and the Union to ‘’assist each other in carrying out tasks which flow from the treaties’; and Article 19 which ‘introduces the Court of Justice of the

Nigeria is currently challenged by crises of legitimacy and survival which can be addressed by laying a foundation for an enabling environment for a long-term nation-building. In this regard, Nigeria must prepare to be relevant in the conduct and management of international questions, and this requires addressing domestic questions. Ambassador Princeton N. Lyman, former US plenipotentiary to Nigeria, said at the Achebe Colloquium at the Brown University, United States, that Nigeria is no more of any relevant, strategic importance to the United States: Brazil now has a 10-year program that will make it one of the major oil producers in the world; many African countries, particularly Angola, are now oil producers; the United States has also discovered a large gas reserve; and alternative sources of energy are currently being developed worldwide. For Ambassador Lyman, ‘Nigeria is becoming a kind of society that imports and exports and lives off in oil, which does not make it a significant economic entity.’ If Nigeria cannot be relevant and its survival as a sovereign nation-state is being threatened, there is the need for a re-strategy beyond show of ethnic chauvinism and nepotistic policies. Condemning verbally institutional corruption while actually aiding and abetting it, is a critical challenge that must first be addressed in nation-building and relevance-seeking.

European Union, saying it ‘’shall ensure that in the interpretation and application of the Treaties the law is observed.’ In the understanding of the Polish Court, Articles 1 and 4’allowed the Union to act ‘’beyond the limits of competences transferred by the Republic of Poland in the treaties.’The Polish Court also noted that, thanks to Articles 19 and 2, the European courts illegally override the Polish constitution, including by checking the legality of the appointment of judges.’ Two points are noteworthy in this case. First, the Polish are not openly contesting the supranational character of the European courts but that the surrendered part of the Polish sovereignty to the European Union does not include the powers being self-ascribed by the European authorities. Even though the French are talking about possible ‘de facto exit’ or withdrawal of membership and the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, is pledging to ‘use all the powers’ at her disposal to enforce EU laws, the bitter truth remains that it is only Poland’s membership that can be suspended, as the general support of other members is required to send Poland packing. Besides, countries like Germany and Hungary have complained in the past about the European institutions going beyond their approved mandate. And perhaps more significantly, even the French presidential hopeful, Michel Barnier, is on record to have said that France must regain its ‘legal sovereignty in order to no longer be subject to the judgments of the CJEU and the European Court of Human Rights.’ The second point is that there are millions of people in the European Union who are not prepared to surrender their sovereignty to any supranational organization, although political governance is still largely governed by the rule of the majority. Even though Poland may not be on record to be contributing much to the European Union, the beauty of Poland moving away from the Warsaw Pact mentality to joining the European Union world of democratization and human rights values explains the failure of communism which the Western world is seriously preaching against. What is most likely in the context of a new Cold War order is that Russia cannot but be particularly interested in a Poland that will no longer be interested in the European Union. Russia wants to be at the epicentre of a new power alliance., that is a polarity of its own. Can there be a renewal of the old Eastern European alliance? The European Union, currently a natural ally of the United States, is existing as a centre of power on its own merit. In the event of a new Cold War order, will the European Union be freely aligned with the United States or will prefer to be independent? Without any jots of doubt, several EU countries supported France in the AUKUS dispute in which the United Kingdom and the United States sought a common understanding with Australia to undermine the French agreement with Australia on the production of some classical nuclear submarines, as distinct from the digitized submarines newly proposed by the Americans. In other words, it is likely that there will be much animosity vis-à-vis future American leadership at the level of Western alliance. What is likely is that the European Union and the United States are most likely to reconcile their differences in facing Russia and China as other centres of power. Thus, we can consider the US and the EU as one polarity. Without doubt, Russia as epicentre of one alliance cannot be ruled out. Russia’s possible quest for a rapprochement with the Chinese who are a superpower in waiting, cannot also be ruled out. The United States has grouses with both China and Russia. In the absence of any rapprochement between China and Russia and with the European joining the United States, we are likely to have tripolarity. If the EU seeks independence, then quadripolarity cannot be ruled out. In this regard, how does Nigeria respond to these scenarios? Nigeria and New Cold War Tripolarity France and Germany have condemned the Polish Court’s ruling, arguing that ‘membership of the European Union goes hand-in-hand with full and unconditional adherence to common values and rules. Compliance with these is the responsibility of each Member State and therefore, of course, also of Poland, which occupies a key position in the European Union. This is not only a moral commitment. It is also a legal commitment.’Without doubt, the Polish Court’s ruling has its proponents and opponents in Europe. Hungary, for example, supports the court ruling. In relating to the European Union, Nigeria’s foreign policy of non-alignment will be difficult to apply, even though the policy is not that Nigerian government is prevented from aligning but that the act of alignment is that it must be a resultant from a sovereign decision. This is consistent with that of Poland, which is arguing that the European Union cannot legislate on matters over which there is no delegated competency. Secondly, the extent to which the Western world would be able to assist Nigeria in addressing the issue of national unity cannot but remain a moot question. What is the position of the European Union and the United States on the issues of secession and self-determination in Nigeria, and particularly on whether there should be a UN referendum in Yoruba Southwest? Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

17.10.2021

A PEEK INTO AN ARTIST’S MISSALIGNED WORLD In her debut solo exhibition in Lagos, Tiffany-Annabelle Davies shares with candour and self-assurance the experiences of the female sex during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdown with her audience. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

iss Aligned? Albeit a mere play with words, this title is an unnerving reminder of humanity’s fall from grace. It evokes the entanglements caused by the recurrent willful opposition to the natural order, which has already dragged on for millennia. Indeed, the current a΁ictions and horrors are the result of the forcible disentangling or the unravelling of hitherto diverted courses of the life-sustaining power-currents. But, to TiͿany-Annabelle Davies, whose debut solo exhibition opens today (on Sunday, October 17), the word is an Open Sesame to her private world of intimate storytelling forms. A curatorial statement about the exhibition – holding at No Parking Lagos along Military Street in the Onikan neighbourhood – avers that its originating thoughts were conceptualised during the 2020 global lockdown. During this enforced period of isolation, the University of Surrey, UK law graduate was aͿorded an ampliÀed perspective into her personal struggles. Hence, hers is an endeavour that has taken form from her musings on anxiety, female identity and body morphology, among other things. Then, there is the preÀxing of the root word “aligned” with the designation “Miss”. Though an ingenious pun, it nonetheless still retains the original concept that alludes to an improper position. Speaking of which, ceding a supreme position to the human intellect above the gut feeling (the voice of his spirit) – contrary to the natural ordinance – has unleashed unpleasant consequences. Among these consequences is the estrangement of the human creature from his environment. By extension, Davies’ patented play with lines – which are reminiscent of childlike doodles – also leaves an impression of things going oͿ on a tangent. And about this, she intimates: “I enjoy the Áow of the lines. There is something therapeutic in letting the charcoal run freely across a canvas. With my signature triangle symbol, the movement seems almost meditative in the repetitive nature each triangle is formed.” Her “signature triangle” symbols open further channels – or “new bridges”, as she calls them – for her musings. Hence, the curatorial statement credits her with the following assertion: “Juxtaposed against the Áuid lines of the female form, we are reminded that women, in all stages of their lives, are encouraged to achieve certain perfections which have grown into societal pressures.” In any case, these societal pressures are oblivious – if not indiͿerent – to the

Tiﬀany-Annabelle Davies

woman’s real task, which lies far above her mere earthly existence. Contrary to the debasing expectations that consider marriage and maternal bliss as her highest goals, the woman is naturally equipped to uplift her surroundings through a Divinely-willed activity. Besides, her gender is merely a visible expression of the nature of her activities, which could be deemed delicate or subtle. This is as opposed to the male gender’s coarse and physically stronger activities. It is against the backdrop of the foregoing that the artist’s stance should be understood. “I believe it is important for people to keep talking about their experiences to keep reminding women that there is value in who they are beyond the self-imposed perfections they try to achieve,” she says. Through MissAligned, which features Annabelle Davies a collection of charcoal, acrylic and oil pastel works on paper and canvas, she during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic dredges up the unpalatable experiences crisis and shares them with a wider authat resonate with those of many women dience. Concluding on Sunday, October

24, the solo exhibition is being curated by Naomi Edobor, a cultural worker whose curatorial credentials, the public has been assured, are Àrst-rate. Davies’ grand entrance into the local exhibition’s circuit positions her as an artist with a unique vision, that deems the body of each woman “perfect with its imperfections”. This, understandably, explains why MissAligned, albeit naïve in its expression, su΀ciently seethes with her self-assurance. There is, in addition, a subtext of deÀance in her audacious and Àgurative cavort with lines and colours, which pulsate with her ideas, feelings and emotions. “My technique is constantly evolving as I explore the diͿerent mediums that I experiment with at various stages of my career,” the curatorial statement further quotes the artist as saying. Meanwhile, the Delta State native remains undaunted by the profusion of talents in the Lagos, where she co-runs a social media agency, called Méji with her sister. “We are a startup with a great team providing social media management and digital branding.” Davies loves the vibes of the Lagos art scene and is fascinated by the fact that more and more talents step forward to express themselves. “My art speaks for itself and I feel so touched that I’ve started growing a foundation of collectors, who are moved by what I do,” she discloses. “If my work makes a diͿerence in their lives, then that’s a start I’m happy with.” Living in Lagos at the moment, for her, implies that there are “no typical days”. “However, I’ve learnt to compartmentalise what stresses me and make time to work on my art. A routine I’ve managed to maintain is starting my morning with tea, mainly ginger or matcha tea. During this time, I sip, write notes, look through my sketchbook to see what ideas I want to build on.” Flashback to her childhood years. She recalls that, at the age of six, drawing was the Àrst thing she had done without being told by anyone to do it. “It felt like yesterday but when I was about six years old, I picked up one of my storybooks and drew the Three Little Pigs. Everyone thought I had traced them and when they realised I didn’t, I started having art lessons in school.” Though he never stopped drawing throughout the subsequent years, it only took the uncertainties of the year 2020 to draw her out of her shell. In the meantime, the art world had kept calling out her “in whispers”, as she explored creative graphic design and even became self-taught in Photoshop and Illustrator. It took the pandemic lockdown period to force her to the realisation that art deserved to be placed on a pedestal as one of the most important things to her. Then, music and nature co-conspired to help her transcend the commonplace and gain access to higher thoughts. “I love how certain songs move me to draw and I get a lot of colour inspiration from making a habit [of] always looking [out of] windows, keeping curious,” she clariÀes. Yet, fear turns out to be the biggest inÁuence of her exhibition. This fear, she conjectures, is at the root of the palpable anxieties densifying the subtle material environment. It is the latter that she happily harnessed for her creativity. Perhaps, it is this that makes MissAligned a show worth seeing and mulling over.

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 17, 2021

ARTS & REVIEW\\BOOK

AS THE MAN OF THE MOMENT, ABDULRAZAK GURNAH BASKS IN GLOBAL RECOGNITION Yinka Olatunbosun

ith bated breath, and perhaps with a tinge of curiosity, the local literary community awaits Abdulrazak Gurnah. The Tanzanian Nobel-winning novelist has been pencilled down to feature at this year’s virtual edition of the Ake Arts and Book Festival, which holds from Thursday, October 28 to Saturday, October 30. No stranger to Nigeria, Gurnah, whose Àrst language is Swahili – having adopted English as his literary language, with traces of Swahili, Arabic and German seeping into his prose works from time to time – once lectured at Bayero University, Kano. Twice nominated for the Booker Prize – and serving as one of the prize’s judges in 2016 – he also taps his creative energy from the Quran; Arabic and Persian poetry. Before he won Nobel Prize for Literature, he was in the good company of the likes of William Golding, Nadine Gordimer, V. S. Naipaul, J. M. Coetzee, Doris Lessing, Alice Munro, Kazuo Ishiguro and Olga Tokarczuk as the Booker Prize favoured ones. For the prize, he was stortlisted in 1994 for his novel Paradise and longlisted in 2001 for another novel, By the Sea. Yet, no sooner had the news broke that he had been awarded with the 2021 Nobel Prize for Literature, than it fuelled global curiosity. Gurnah may be prominent among literary scholars but certainly he isn’t as popular as the likes of Nuruddin Farah or Ngugi Wa Thiong’o. With the win, Gurnah became the the Àrst African

Gurnah to clinch the prize long after Wole Soyinka’s win in 1986; Egypt’s Naguib Mahfouz’s in 1988 and the South African duo’s Nadine Gordimer in 1991 and John Maxwell Coetzee in 2003 as well as that of the British-Zimbabwean novelist Doris Lessing’s 2007. Born in 1948, Zanzibar was his home till 1964 when tragedy struck. There was a violent uprising. After the peaceful liberation from British colonial rule in

December 1963, Zanzibar went through a revolution under President Abeid Karume’s regime, leading to episodes of oppression and persecution of citizens of Arab origin; lives were lost. Gurnah belonged to the victimised ethnic group hence he was forced to leave his family and Áee the country, by then the newly formed Republic of Tanzania. Many families were torn, homes were lost. Upon his arrival in England, he

started writing scraps in his diary about his home and then, other people’s stories. Writing was his own therapy to cope with the trauma of being dislocated from his home, people and culture. Eventually, these creative pieces became the raw material for his debut novel, and nine others with themes of trauma of colonialism, war and displacement. The Àrst novel Memory of Departure, is a story about a young man Hassan who Áees a failed uprising. The hero's aspirations and dilemmas in his work reÁect the struggles of Third World Africa to shed its colonial skin, with its tradition of poverty and oppression, and to construct a new identity for itself. Many of his characters are built on the ingredients of his personal experience. Now Emeritus Professor of English and postcolonial literatures at the University of Kent in Canterbury, he has taught the works of writers such as Soyinka, NgŕgĤ wa Thiong’o and Salman Rushdie. Undeniably, his pre-occupation with these post-colonial themes that contemplate humanity accounts for the rationale for selecting him as the winner for the coveted Nobel prize for literature. Thus, his “uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the eͿects of colonialism and the fate of the refugee in the gulf between cultures and continents” did not go unnoticed. Throughout his 10 novels, Gurnah had explored the themes of exile, identity and belonging. They include Memory of Departure, Pilgrims Way and Dottie, which all deal with the immigrant experience in Britain; Paradise, shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1994, about a boy in an East African country scarred by colonialism; and Admiring Silence, about a young man who leaves Zanzibar for England, where he marries and becomes a teacher.

TRIBUTE

IN BOB MARLEY’S SONG, GEORGIE LIVES ON Yinka Olatunbosun

urely, many dyed-in-thewool fans of Bob Marley’s knew of “Georgie”. Yes, the “Georgie”, who featured in the late reggae musician’s 1974 hit song “No Woman, No Cry” – a song taken from the album Natty Dread by Bob Marley and The Wailers. In that song, listed on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, Marley had wailed soulfully: “Said I remember when we used to sit/ in the government yard in Trench Town. And then Georgie would make the Àre light/ as it was log wood burning through the night.” Georgie – real names, George Headley Robinson – was the man with the bicycle as well as one of the longest surviving members of the Bob Marley music clan. He remained a Marley’s faithful until his death on Wednesday, October 6 at age 84. That, probably, explains why his last known address was Marley’s old residence-turned-museum at 54, Hope Road, Kingston, Jamaica. This was corroborated in a statement credited to the Bob Marley Foundation, which added that Georgie regalled guests with his fond memories of the reggae icon. Meanwhile, Marley’s daughter Cedella Marley, who heads the TuͿ Gong Group of Companies, had conÀrmed the news of his passing in a tweet, announcing: “We lost our George who kept the [Àre burning] all through the night. Rest well Georgie. Fly away home.” Georgie, her step sister Sharon Marley Prendergast told the Jamaica Observer, “was deÀnitely an extension of our father to us. I mean he spent so much time

Georgie

around Bob that he became part of us and I believe Bob left him here to take care of us and he did that so very well over the years and we must give thanks for all of that.” No doubt, the octogenarian kept the Àre burning by selÁessly watching over the

Marley clan. “He made the best Àsh tea,” Sharon resumed. “All we had to say wi coming and he would jump on his bicycle and head to Greenwich Town for the freshest Àsh when the boats come in. Then there was the cornmeal and sweet potato puddings… the best.”

Indeed, it could be said about Georgie that he Marley’s personal chef, who kept the Àre on long after he was gone. Marley embraced the vegetarian diet and his meals needed to remain delicious, even with the shrinking options. It needed Georgie’s culinary expertise to achieve that. Marley sang: “Then we would cook cornmeal porridge/ Of which I'll share with you.” And for Marley, immortalising this kind gesture of Georgie in his song attested to the depth of his humanity and appreciation. Who wouldn’t need a Georgie in his life? A person who keeps the Àre lit in both literal and Àgurative sense. Georgie relished his role as a cultural custodian and historian for the famed reggae icon while he lived at Marley's home in Jamaica. Besides being remembered for his great cooking skills – his cornmeal porridge, referenced in “No Woman, No Cry” was said to be Marley’s favourite – he was a walking library since the time when Marley’s feet “was his only carriage.” With an absentee father and a humble background, Marley and his mother sought after a better life away from Jamaica in America. When his music career blossomed, Marley bought a house and the likes of Georgie moved in with him. There are no records to show whether Georgie had any wife or children other than Marley’s who have paid glowing tributes to his memory on the social media platforms. Thus, Georgie’s passing-once again- illustrates line Àve of the Àrst verse of the song which reads: “Good friends we have/ Good friends we’ve lost along the way.” No one knows the cause of Georgie’s death even though he was known to have ill for some time.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 17, 2021

CICERO

Editor: Ejiofor Alike SMS: 08066066268 email:ejiofor.alike@thisdaylive.com

IN THE ARENA

Senate’s Volte-face on e-Transmission of Election Results Last Tuesday, the Senate dropped its ‘wimp’ image by boldly reversing its earlier controversial position barring the Independent National Electoral Commission from electronic transmission of poll results, Louis Achi writes

ollowing a motion moved by the Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, last Tuesday, for the re-committal of some clauses of the Electoral Act - Clause 43, Clause 52, Clause 63, and Clause 87 lawmakers in the Committee of the Whole and Plenary, considered and approved Clause 43 (as recommended), Clause 52 (as amended), Clause 63 (as recommended), and Clause 87 (as amended). This led to the passage of the Electoral Act No. 6 2010 (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 122) after it was read the third time on the floor of the Senate chamber. When signed into law by the President Muhammadu Buhari, the amendments by the lawmakers will allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to determine the mode of election results transmission, among others. It could be recalled that the INEC, recently and emphatically restated its preparedness for the deployment of online transmission of election results ahead of the 2023 general election. The national electoral umpire had debunked ‘fears’ earlier raised by the Senate based on unconvincing report from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). INEC succinctly made the point that the technological tool would usher in a transparent electioneering process in Nigeria and that the political and ethnic undertones in the debate on the electoral reform bill were unnecessary and counterproductive. For good measure, INEC clarified that the decision for the electronic transmission of results was an outcome of over 10 years of circumspect research and study. In July, both chambers of the National Assembly controversially passed the Electoral Amendment Bill. But while the House of Representatives retraced its steps on the matter, the Senate with mule-headed stubbornness, insisted on retaining the provision that subjects INEC’s constitutional power to the approval of the National Assembly and the NCC. Senate’s earlier curious position subsisted until last Tuesday, despite the fact that INEC had deflated the NCC report that a greater percentage of Nigeria is not covered by the Global

Ahmed Satellite Mobile telecommunications system. INEC had stoutly held that 93 per cent of the country are fully covered while the remaining seven per cent would be adequately taken care off. This is despite the fact that the constitution prescribes no role for the NCC in the electoral process. Indisputably, as demonstrated in other democratic jurisdictions across the globe, a reliable technology-enabled system would minimise disputes over electoral fraud and rigging of results and thereby remove the need for long-drawn litigation that has hobbled democratic choice. A good example is the relative successes of last year’s governorship polls in Edo and Ondo states. These were attributed to the deployment of technology in transferring election results. The introduction of the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) enabled results from polling units to be transmit-

Ekweremadu said the Senate’s action justified his assurances to Nigerians in July that all hope was not lost for electronic transmission of 2023 election results despite the initial setback. Significantly, it could be recalled that Ekweremadu had in a statement on July 17, 2021 assured Nigerians that the “results of the 2023 elections will ultimately be electronically transmitted because it is the best way to go”. Nigerians were not however impressed by his assurances because he had abandoned the Senate session during the voting for the e-transmission of results to attend a lessimportant legislative assignment outside the country. For the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), a situation where courts decide those occupying political offices is totally unacceptable, reprehensible and disheartening, adding that if the country’s democracy is still a baby, Nigeria would not be regarded as a serious country in the comity of nations. Commending the Senate and INEC, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State noted that, “Part of the challenges we are facing today as a nation stems from lack of faith in the electoral process, which has huge implications on socio-economic activities in the country, including foreign direct investted to a portal for citizens to view. ments. Once we are able to get the people to “By this outcome, I am convinced that have faith in our electoral process where the public institutions in Nigeria will continue people can truly decide who leads them, part to play their roles as guardians of public of our problems would have been solved.” policy. The civil societies are the watchFor once, it would appear that the national dogs of public policies and the instituinterest has trumped narrow political gamtions. Probably, we would not have come to ing that adds no value to Nigeria’s troubled this path without the active engagement national journey. The Ninth Senate must of the civil society agents. This outcome truly be commended in this instance for should further encourage Nigerians and shedding its unﬂattering ‘wimp’ and ‘rubthe civil society to do more in order to berstamp’ image and striking out for a new guarantee good governance in the counNigeria, anchored on credible, technologytry,” an elated former Vice President Atiku aided, democratic power transitions. Abubakar, reportedly said. By yielding to intense public pressure to In his reaction, the former Deputy reverse its earlier decision to subject electronic President of the Senate, Senator Ike transfer of results to the discretion of NCC Ekweremadu, who commended the persis- and handing the INEC the sole right to the tence of Nigerians, lauded the Senate for innovation, the Ninth Senate has registered an reversing itself on electronic transmission important milestone in meeting its enduring of results, saying it was a huge victory for statutory mandate and the citizens’ expectathe nation’s democracy. tions.

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

2023: What’s Osinbajo Afraid of?

Osinbajo

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and his office have been taking no prisoners lately each time his name was mentioned as one of the likely contenders for the office of the president in 2023. Understandably, he always took exception to insinuations that sought to knock his head with that of his former principal, Senate Bola Tinubu, a man believed to be on his first and only push for the presidency in 2023. Even where submissions about Osinbajo’s alleged presidential bid were honest and innocuous, he still would come out to not just deny it but also attack the

individual or group responsible as the case may be. Yet, for anyone who has been following the push for Osinbajo’s presidency, just like Tinubu’s South West Agenda (SWAGA ’23), which the former Lagos State governor is alleged to be funding despite denying association with it, there’s always no telling that the requisite funding for such a huge project could not have come from any other source but Osinbajo. In fairness to the vice president, having worked with President Muhammadu Buhari for eight years, he deﬁnitely stands the best chance from the lot to succeed

him and continue with the change agenda. Besides, he is qualiﬁed, given all the boxes. But why is he constantly denying nursing a presidential ambition, aside dissociating with the groups pushing his candidacy? This not only speak ill of him as a leader, but also more disturbing, because he is supposedly a man of God. What really is he afraid of? God or man? No one needs a timid leader and there’s nothing politically correct any more about his disposition. Time has come for the vice president to choose between God and man and own up to his aspiration. It’s that simple!

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 17, 2021

BRIEFINGNOTES

Can Ayu Navigate PDP Through the Raging Storms? With the emergence of a former President of the Senate, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party at a time the main opposition party is enmeshed in crisis over the zoning of 2023 presidency and the tenure of Prince Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee, Ejiofor Alike writes that the former university lecturer has enormous tasks ahead to navigate the party through the raging storms

fter weeks of horsetrading, a former President of the Senate, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, was on Thursday picked as the consensus national chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the party’s stakeholders in the North. The former university lecturer and minister under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration emerged successful after two other contenders from the North, where the position has been zoned to – former governor of Katsina State, Mr. Ibrahim Shema; and the incumbent Deputy National Chairman of the party (North), Senator Nazif Suleiman – had stepped down for him. Briefing journalists in Abuja, the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, confirmed that Ayu was unanimously picked as the candidate for the office of the National Chairman by the Northern Caucus of the party. Ayu had earlier emerged the consensus national chairmanship candidate for the North-central zone after other contenders from the zone withdrew from the race early this week. Three candidates had earlier emerged. While the North-central produced Ayu, the North-west and North-east had nominated Shema and Senator Abdul Ningi, respectively. At a meeting held on Wednesday night, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, and other leaders were said to have prevailed on other stakeholders in the zone to accept Ayu. Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State had presented Ayu to the PDP governors, who endorsed him for the job. With the intervention of the governors, the other contestants stepped down for Ayu. Leadership crisis had hit the main opposition party few months ago following attempts by some chieftains of the party, who have eyes on the 2023 presidency, to abridge the tenure of its embattled National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus. In order to appease the hawks in the party, the PDP governors and Board of Trustees (BoT) members abridged the tenure of Secondus-led National Working Committee (NWC) and also prevailed on

Ayu them not to seek re-election. The 13 governors of the party, BoT members, former Senate Presidents, former governors, and other leaders had on August 10, 2021, brought the party’s National Convention forward from December 2021 to October (this month). They also prevailed on the NWC not to seek re-election at the October National Convention of the party. But despite this intervention, a Rivers State High Court, in an interim order dated August 23, 2021 restrained Secondus from parading himself as the PDP National Chairman. In obedience to a Rivers High Court order, Secondus handed over to his deputy, Mr. Yemi Akinwonmi. But the supporters of the embattled National Chairman

later approached a Kebbi State High Court, which issued an interim order directing the suspended PDP chairman to resume oﬃce, pending the determination of the substantive suit. However, few hours after Secondus returned to his desk, another high court in Cross River State ordered him to stop parading himself as the Chairman of the main opposition party. Secondus has since taken his battle for survival to the Appeal Court, while the party continues the horse-trading over the zoning of the next national chairman and the 2023 presidential candidate, ahead of the October 31, 2021 National Convention. While the zoning committee of the party headed by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State had success-

fully zoned the national chairman to the North to pave the way for emergence of a possible southern presidential candidate in 2023, some northern leaders of the party have insisted that the zone will still produce the presidential candidate of the party. For the PDP to present a formidable opposition with the capacity to snatch power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023, the party has to successfully navigate through this crisis. Though Ayu has been picked as the consensus national chairmanship candidate by the party’s stakeholders in the North, the issues of the zoning of the party’s presidential candidate and the Secondus factor have not been successfully addressed. While Secondus is still in Appeal Court to reclaim his mandate, which ought to expire in December, according to the PDP Constitution, some northern elements in the party have insisted that the region still has the option of producing its presidential candidate in 2023 despite the emergence of a northerner, Ayu, as the consensus chairmanship candidate of the party. With these developments, Ayu has a very tough task ahead after his aﬃrmation at the party’s convention. In his acceptance speech, the former President of the Senate had promised to return the party to winning ways. He had also pledged to work with other party leaders to rebuild the party in order for it to take power come 2023. Ayu reportedly said: “I believe all Nigerians missed the PDP government. Our 16 years moved the country forward. We intend to work together with all the leaders not only in the north but across the country to reposition this country to the next generation of Nigerians. “It will be an all-inclusive administration of the party. We will work collectively; we will introduce policies that will be acceptable to Nigerians.” With the controversy over the zoning of the presidential candidate, and the Secondus factor, the events of the next few months will reveal whether or not, Ayu’s experience as a former university teacher, a former minister and an expresident of the Senate will be enough to help him navigate the PDP through the raging storms.

NOTES FOR FILE

Is Dokpesi Suﬀering from Inferiority Complex? As prominent southern politicians and progressive northern elements are making case for the two dominant political parties to present southern presidential candidates in 2023, the Chairman Emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, appears to be going against the tide. After the north has produced the presidency for eight years under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dokpesi reportedly advised leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to allow the north to produce the next president of Nigeria in 2023 general election, citing the need for equity and justice. Speaking with journalists in Abuja as part of the programmes to mark his 70th birthday, the founder of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power 100.5 FM, argued that the north had only been in power for less than three years, while the South ruled

for 14 years within the political arrangement of the PDP. It is strange that a prominent and respected southern politician and media guru could twist facts in such a manner, even when northern and Middle Belt leaders such as Governors Nasir el-Rufai, Abdullahi Ganduje, Babagana Zulum, Samuel Ortom, Aminu Masari, and a host of others have insisted that power should shift to the south for the sake of fairness and justice. The PDP chieftain cleverly restricted his‘fairness and justice”sermon to PDP era to hide the facts. He failed to tell his audience that from 1999 to 2023, the North will have ruled for 11 years under both PDP and APC, while the South would have ruled for 13 years under former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, both of the PDP. He also failed to remind his audience that from 1960 to 1999, the South ruled for only three years under the

ceremonial presidency of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, while the North held executive powers for 36 years. While some observers feel that Dokpesi, having worked for former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) and former Governor of the old Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, he may be suffering from inferiority complex, the Igbo sociopolitical organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, described his permutation as a mundane distraction. Going down memory lane to recall that Dokpesi benefited from his Northern mentors, the Igbo apex body said “one can easily understand the psychological ambivalence in the Dokpesi persona.” It argued that “on the other hand, there is no reason for the condescension and disdain he handed over to the entire South.”

Dokpesi

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 17, 2021

CICERO/ISSUE

The Indomitable Tinubu Factor With the return of the National Leader of All Progressives Congress, Senator Bola Tinubu to the country after a three-month medical vacation in the UK, Segun James writes that his presidential ambition is set to heat up the polity

n the smouldering political landscape of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the future seems to be hanging on the shoulders of two men - President Muhammadu Buhari and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. While one will complete his second and final term in office in about a year and a half, even if controversies continue to dog his handling of the affairs of the nation, the other is strategising to take over from him at all costs, despite the rising opposition from the enemies. Both have controversial legacies but it is the ambition of Tinubu that is heating the polity, even though the next general election is still over one year away. When Tinubu returned to the country suddenly last week from the United Kingdom after a successful knee surgery, it took the nation by surprise. The return coincided with the launch of a campaign group for him, SWAGA 23, by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, barely 24 hours earlier. To political observers, the return to Nigeria after three months was well-timed. With the state congress of the APC barely a few days away, he may have come back to strategically position his favoured candidates, particularly in the South-west, and to consolidate on his stranglehold on the party in the region. After nearly eight years at the helm of Africa’s biggest democracy, President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to hand over the reign of political power in 2023. He would have completed his two terms as president and hand over to a southerner in line with the gentleman’s agreement entered when the party was formed in 2014. As part of the unwritten gentleman’s agreement between the political blocs within the party that power must rotate between the North and the South. And Tinubu is determined that this agreement is implemented. His coming out in full force even after some voices in the North had suggested that the region may not honour the agreement buttresses his resolve. It is not surprising that the Tinubu’s move is heating the polity. Last year, President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew, Malam Mamman Daura was quoted in an interview with the BBC, as saying that the next president should not emerge based on zoning but competence. Daura is the most influential figure around the president. He said he preferred Buhari’s successor in 2023 to be chosen based on competence and not via zoning, an unwritten political arrangement between political leaders from the north and south that rotates power between the regions every eight years. But Tinubu appears to be determined to defy all odds against the 2023 project. Mystery, strategy and authority are the three powers able to hold the people together and Tinubu seems to radiate these. Some people may rather not admit it, but Tinubu is now the issue in Nigerian politics. That he will throw his hats into the presidential ring will not be surprising. He tested the political waters in January when he stormed Kano State for a lecture on his birthday. Political leaders from the north trooped out to meet and celebrate him. He has not contested any election since he left office as governor of Lagos

Tinubu

State in 2007 to become the political godfather in Lagos politics, a position he used to catapult himself into a formidable force in the national politics. His cult of followers keeps growing. At a time when conﬁdence in the nation’s political leadership is at a record low, he still holds sway in the richest state in the country. Tinubu is a complex and vibrant man - voluble and mercurial, yet cool under pressure. Above all, he is a strategic thinker who can adapt to changing circumstances. His men adore him, not just because he takes care not to waste their time in futile ventures but holds their back all the time. Some of the best hands this present administration could oﬀer are the products of the Jagaban – Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, Mr. Sunday Dare, and a host of others. To a lot of Nigerians, both friends and foes, Tinubu is one man who must be respected or locked down, depending on one’s political divide. Having been credited with the success of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential poll, after Buhari’s three failed attempts, Tinubu is set to play another big role in 2023. But from all indications, it will surely be at a huge cost. For over two decades, with a soft

voice, he held Lagos tightly with an iron fist. As governor, he survived the onslaught of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as President who greatly decimated his then party, the Alliance for Democracy (AD), leaving him the only governor standing in 2003 out of five. In the midst of these, he pursued his own economic and political agenda and strategy, keeping Lagos from being dependent on allocations coming from the federal purse to the chagrin of Obasanjo who had vowed that winning Lagos was a “do-or-die” battle that must be won. Under his watch, Lagos prospered from generating N600 million monthly as at the time he took over to making over N7 billion monthly by the time he handed over to his successor in 2007. He frustrated Obasanjo so much that he called off the presidential bluff when the president refused to release local government councils funds over the creation of new councils areas by the state government. In his words, nothing was more important than seeing off Obasanjo, which in turn could only be achieved by the unyielding exercise of financial strength. This view was not in itself unusual, but what made it remarkable and formidable, were the clarity, elegance, intellectual power and street sense with which

it was carried out. Hence, he weathered the storm created by Obasanjo. By 2023, Tinubu will be 71 years. He would not be the oldest Nigerian to contest the presidency, but he will be one of the old men that have been ruling Nigeria recently, assuming he becomes president. To his enemies, nothing is more important than seeing off Tinubu from the political field, which in turn could be achieved only by the unyielding exercise of brute strength, but they have met a match in Tinubu. If nicknames mark the measure of a man, then, Tinubu would be a giant. Over the years, he has been called Jagaban, Yoruba leader, APC national leader, the de facto governor of Lagos State, Enfant Terrible of Nigeria’s politics, and most endearingly, the Asiwaju. This multitude of names is a reflection of the controversy that has long surrounded the populist radical. To his growing army of followers, the nation is facing a crisis, a crisis of effective leadership. Tinubu, they insist, possesses the qualities that can make a country great - competence, capacity, capability, which will foster innovation, create jobs and provide more economic opportunities for the people, who have been rendered hopeless by mindless tribalism, as well as ethnic and religious sentiments. With his return from the UK, the country is set to witness more political permutations ahead of 2023.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 17, 2021

CICERO/REPORT

One Year After #EndSARS Protest, Nothing Has Changed After a nationwide protest that led to the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in 2020, nothing seems to have changed as the police have continued to brutalise and dehumanise citizens, even threatening to stop peaceful march scheduled to mark ﬁrst anniversary of the #EndSARS campaign, Gboyega Akinsanmi writes

ednesday, October 20, marks the first anniversary of the #EndSARS campaign and Lekki shooting. Expectedly, ahead of the anniversary, activists, and youths have officially revealed a plan to stage peaceful protests in honour of the victims, whose lives were allegedly summarily truncated at the dusk of October 20, 2020. In Nigeria, rights to hold peaceful protests are indisputably reserved under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). While Section 39 states that every person “shall be entitled to freedom of expression,” Section 40 stipulates that every person “shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons…” With these provisions, the Police Act, 2020 further clarifies the roles of the Nigeria Police during every peaceful protest. Under Sections 4(a-c) and 5(3), specifically, the Act specifies that the responsibility of the Nigeria Police is largely to protect citizens who embark on civil, lawful or peaceful protests and not to threaten them. However, the plan to hold the memorial protest has elicited stern response, first from the Lagos State Police Command. In a statement by its spokesman, Adekunle Ajisebutu, the command warned against protests by individuals, youths or youth groups to mark the first anniversary. The statement also warned that the police would deploy all means within its constitutional powers to suppress the protest. Similarly, the Osun State Police Command threatened “to stop at nothing to ensure it averts the planned protest.” Evident in a statement by its spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, the command warned that it would no longer tolerate “any unlawful assembly, gathering or protest that will jeopardise the peace of the state” as it did between 0ctober 8 and 20, 2020. This threat has caught attention of a civil rights activist and a member of Lagos State Judicial Panel on Restitution for Victims of SARS and the Lekki Tollgate Incident, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), who disagreed with the police commands purely on the points of law. In the first instance, Adegboruwa argued, the police commands violated provisions of the 1999 Constitution and Police Act for threatening protesters from exercise their rights to peacefully assemble. He also argued that police threat was an attempt “to gag citizens from enjoying their constitutional rights.” Obviously, police threat indeed stoked questions as to what has changed after the protest that wreaked havoc not just on lives and property, but also on domestic economy. It equally raised grave concern about the operational strategies of the Nigeria Police. The threat further revealed whether the police, as an institution, have learnt any lesson from the #EndSARS campaign one year after. What culminated into the #EndSARS campaign, a decentralised social movement that held major cities down for 12 consecutive days, was an accumulation of outlawed practices that the Nigeria Police had condoned in the way SARS/FSARS was conducting its operation. In 1992, precisely, the squad was set up to tackle armed robbery across the federation. At a point, however, infraction crawled into its operations. And the squad became notorious for human rights violations – torture, extrajudicial killings, and disappearances of suspects in their custody. Its operatives then indulged themselves in profiling youths with dreadlocks, ripped jeans, tattoos, flashy cars or expensive gadgets as criminals, internet fraudsters, or armed robbers. They killed innocent suspects who could not afford to pay for their freedom without any consequences. This practice continued unabated despite attempts to end the culture of impunity and

torture. As the Country Director, Amnesty International, Osai Ojigho observed, impunity had become ingrained in the gene of the squad’s operatives. With this decadence, the enactment of Anti-Torture Act in 2017 could not end the culture. Also, the passage of Police Act in 2020 did not also bring about order in the operations of FSARS/SARS. Rather, as Executive Director, Partners West Africa Nigeria, Kemi Okenyodo observed, profiling of youths as criminals became the modus operandi of the squad until October 8, 2020, the day thousands of youths flooded the streets of Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Jos, Enugu, and other major cities in a nationwide movement tagged #EndSARS protest. Before the protest erupted, there were reports of cases of torture, ill-treatment and extra-judicial execution by SARS, especially between 2017 and 2020. But two incidents forced the protesters to hit the streets, demanding the dissolution of FSARS/SARS, among others. The first was the video footage of how the operatives of SARS shot a young citizen in Ughelli, Delta State on October 3, 2020. The video footage went viral on the social media, stoking public outrage, especially among those within 17 - 35 age bracket. He was left in the agony of gunshot and in the pool of his blood while the armed officers drove off in a Lexus SUV car. He was however fortunate the shooting did not terminate his life. Just after Ughelli’s shooting, another video footage surfaced on Twitter precisely on October 5, 2020. It showed how the operatives of SARS shot an upcoming musician, Daniel Chibuike (a.k.a Sleek) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. It also showed how the armed officers dragged Chibuike in his pool of blood, which eventually culminated in his untimely death. Amid public disapproval occasioned by these incidents, youths trooped out in thousands, protesting police brutality, which had cost many youths their lives while others suffered irreparable damage during torture. As a result, they made five specific demands five specific demands as a condition to end the #EndSARS campaign, which gained support among Nigerians in the Diaspora. At the core of their demands, they asked the

federal government to release all arrested protesters; ensure justice for all victims of police brutality; set up an independent body to oversee investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct; conduct psychological evaluation and retraining of all disbanded SARS officers in line with the Police Act and increase police salary to enable them discharge their statutory mandate. The demands had not been addressed when the military officers descended on the #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate at the nightfall of October 20, 2020. The shooting, though the army had first denied complicity, allegedly claimed lives with scores sustaining varying degrees of injury. But Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu admitted that two protesters were lost to the Lekki incident. Consequently, at the meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), governments agreed to separately set up judicial commission of inquiries to address the demands of the youths and investigate the Lekki shooting. In different states of the federation, startling revelations have been coming from the #EndSARS panels. The panels too have awarded damages in favour of many victims of FSARS/SARS, which Ojigho claimed, attested to the squad’s infractions. Rather than learning from the Lekki killings, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had targeted youth leaders, especially leaders of the Feminist Coalition. As shown in different reports, regulatory authorities froze their bank accounts; confiscated travel documents, and detained them in some cases. This approach, according to Okenyodo, further portrayed deceit of the federal government to reforms it had been promising. Even after FSARS/SARS was dissolved, the trend of extra-judicial killings is still a source of national concern on monthly basis. Between October 2020 and September 2021, the records of Global Rights showed that 187 lives were lost to extra-judicial killings. In its August report, Amnesty International put cases of extra-judicial killings at 115. Most of the cases occurred in the South-east and South-south. In March 2021, the National Human Rights

Commission (NHRC) ordered the arrest of three police officers complicit in extra-judicial killings. With these ugly trends, as Ojigho observed, nothing has really changed one year after the #EndSARS campaign and Lekki shooting. She acknowledged the dissolution of FSARS/SARS. She also admitted that judicial panels had been established and damages awarded in favour of victims of police brutality at the panels. In terms of policy shift, however, Ojigho believed nothing “had really changed between then and now.” In terms of operations too, according to Executive Director, Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu, police have not learnt much lesson from what happened during the protest. Baiyewu then cited how police had been repressing the protesting public from exercising their constitutional rights. Baiyewu’s claim found justification in the way the police disrupted a rally of pro-Yoruba Nation in Lagos on July 3. As a result, stray bullet hit a 14-year-old hawker, Jumoke Oyeleke in Ojota, leading to her untimely death. Another 18-year-old girl, Monsurat Ojuade was killed on September 10 when police operatives raided Ijesha, a neighbourhood of Lagos. At different times, police had attempted to foil processions of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria in Abuja (IMN). Such repressive actions have, serially, caused gross breach of human rights. One year after the #EndSARS campaign, all these cases attested to the failure of governments to effect necessary reforms that would bring about accountability and transparency in police operation. On this premise, a senior academic at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Dr. Sharkdam Wapmuk recommended the holistic police reforms and focus on citizen security as antidote to end police brutality in the federation. But beyond Wapmuk’s recommendations, Okenyodo canvassed decentralisation of the Nigeria Police in the spirit of federalism. To achieve this end, as she pointed out, reports from different presidential panels of inquiry should be reviewed and all recommendations be synthesised. She challenged the federal government to ensure full-scale implementation of all the recommendation for the purpose of crafting a functional police system.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 17, 2021

CICERO/INTERVIEW

Okoye: Postponement of Anambra Election Not an Option As the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State approaches, the level of insecurity in the state has escalated, raising concern over the conduct of the election. In this interview, the National Commissioner for Publicity and Chairman, Voters’ Education, Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr. Festus Okoye, tells Chuks Okocha that the increasing rate of violence will not force the commission to postpone the election. Excerpts:

ith the increasing violence in Anambra State ahead of the November 6 election, is postponement an option? The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not considering or contemplating rescheduling, postponing and or suspending the Anambra State governorship election scheduled to hold on November 6, 2021. For the commission, and indeed the people of Anambra State, rescheduling, adjusting or postponement are not options worth considering, given the challenges of planning and delivering elections within constitutionally and legally approved timetable and schedule. The framers of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) embedded in Section 26 of the law the possibility of rescheduling a governorship election under extraordinary circumstances on showing cogent and verifiable reasons. These cogent and verifiable reasons must be such as can be managed within the limited window allowed by the Constitution. The framers of the Constitution and the law did not envisage or contemplate panic rescheduling or postponement on the basis of indeterminate action and activities of non-state actors. Contemplating rescheduling or postponing a governorship election as a panic measure or first step in addressing a developmental, constitutional, legal or security challenge is constitutionally dangerous, legally slippery and politically laced with landmines. It is like a Pandora box with indeterminate outcome. It is akin to voluntarily drinking the hemlock and for the electoral management body, it will lead to electoral paralysis having invested heavily in the procurement of non-sensitive and sensitive materials and the recruitment and training of election duty officials. Let’s be specific. Will INEC call for rescheduling of the election? Therefore, it will amount to threading on a slippery slope to canvass rescheduling or postponement as a first option giving the peculiar circumstances of our nation and the near similar security challenge in the South East of Nigeria and indeed in most parts of the country. By Section 180(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) the Governor shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of four years commencing from the date when in the case of a person first elected as governor he took the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office, and the person last elected to that office took the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office or would, but for his death, have taken such oath. What are the constitutional issues involved in this case? By constitutional provision and stipulation, the tenure of the incumbent Governor of Anambra State will expire on March 17, 2022 and on that day, the governor and the Deputy Governor must leave office whether someone has been elected to take over from them or not. It is immaterial whether the office is vacant. They do not need a letter of termination or disengagement from duty. The engagement of the governor and his deputy are governed by the Constitution and the law and they understand it and all the critical stakeholders understand this. Pursuant to Section 178(1) & (2) of the

says for a candidate to elected? It is also important to underscore the fact that by Section 179(2) of the Constitution, a candidate for an election to the office of governor of a State shall be deemed to have been duly elected where, there being two or more candidates, he has the highest number of votes cast at the election; and he has not less than one-quarter of all the votes cast in each of at least two-thirds of all the local government areas in the state. In default of a candidate duly elected under section 172(2) of the Constitution there shall be a second election within 21 days of the result of the election. The implication is that the time available to the Commission to maneuver in the event of an event of a magnitude that threatens the conduct of the election narrows down to January 26, 2022 and this will lead to panic measures and drive and detrimental to the electoral process. Fundamentally, there are no indications that the non-state actors behind the wave of insecurity in the South East of Nigeria and other parts of the country will retreat if the governorship election in Anambra State is postponed. Rather, there is a high possibility that the non-state actors will become more emboldened at their success and make additional demands on the state and the Commission and this may lead to the country falling off the constitutionally approved period for the conduct of election.

Okoye Constitution and Section 25(7) & (8) of the Electoral Act, 2010(as amended), election to the office a State Governor shall hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office. Hence, by virtue of Section 178(1)&(2) of the Constitution and section 25(7)&(8) of the Electoral Act, 2010(as amended) the earliest date for the election into the office of Governor, Anambra State, shall be the 18th October 18, 2021 and the latest date for the election shall be February 15, 2022. What are the constitutional issues involved here? The implication is that the Constitution and the law have confined and circumscribed the period for the conduct of the election to the period running from 18th October 2021 and February 15, 2022 and no more. It is true that Section 26 (2) of the Electoral Act provides that where a date has been appointed for the holding of an election, and there is reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date or it is impossible to conduct the election as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies, the commission may postpone the election and shall in respect of the area, or areas concerned, appoint another date for the holding of the postponed election, provided that such reason for the postponement is cogent and verifiable. The caveat here is that the Electoral Act is inferior to the Constitution and gives the commission the power to postpone or reschedule within the constitutional parameter allowed by section 178(2) of the Constitution. It is axiomatic to restate that the Constitution is the fundamental law of the land while the Electoral Act is made by the National Assembly pursuant

to the powers granted by the Constitution and in the hierarchy of laws, the Constitution is supreme. Therefore, if there are cogent and verifiable reasons to reschedule or postpone the election, the Commission can only reschedule or postpone between October 18, 2021 and February 15, 2022 and no more. The law is settled that the time fixed by the Constitution, which is the fundamental law or supreme law of the land, cannot be altered, extended, expanded, and elongated, by the electoral management body or indeed by the courts of law unless the same law made provision for extension of time. In other words, the period fixed for the conduct of the election by Section 178(2) of the Constitution does not admit of discretion as they are mandatory and not permissible. Therefore, any action or extension or purported election taken or fixed or conducted by the Commission after February 15, 2022 is a nullity as the Commission does not have discretion in relation to the matter. Under the circumstances, therefore how far has INEC gone with preparations for the elections? There are 14 items in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities released by the INEC on the January 19, 2021. The Commission has implemented 10 of the activities leaving the statutory publication of the Notice of Poll, which will be done on the October 21, 2021; the last day for the submission of the names of Polling Agents for the election to the Electoral Officers of the 21 Local Government Areas by Political Parties which will elapse on October 21, 2021; the Last day for Campaigns by Political Parties which will elapse on the November 4, 2021 and the date of election fixed for November 6, 2021. For the records, what does the constitution

What are the options before INEC? The question then revolves around the options open to the electoral management body if the country falls off the constitutional radar. The options are rather narrow, problematic and challenging. Section 180(3) is strictly not available in the circumstances of the situation in Anambra State. The section provides that if the Federation is at war in which the territory of Nigeria is physically involved and the President considers that it is not practicable to hold elections, the National Assembly may by resolution extend the period of four years from time to time, but no such extension shall exceed a period of six months at any one time. Is the Federation at war? Is the territory of Nigeria physically involved? The circumstances in Anambra cannot, by any stretch of imagination, be said to constitute a war situation as contemplated by Section 180(3) of the 1999 Constitution. The second option revolves around the operational viability of Section 191 of the Constitution, which provides that if the office of the Governor and Deputy becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, impeachment, permanent incapacity or removal from office, the Speaker of the House of Assembly of a State shall hold the office of Governor of the State for a period of not more than three months, during which there shall be an election of a new Governor of the State who shall hold office for the unexpired term of office of the last holder of the office. The gravamen of section 191 of the Constitution is that the four-year period is sacrosanct and the Speaker can only complete the expired residue of the period of four years and no more. The third option, which is completely outside the contemplation and control of the electoral management body is the option of a state of emergency in Section 305 of the Constitution. The duty and mandate of the Commission is to organise, undertake and supervise elections. The contemplation and declaration of a state of emergency in any state of the federation is within the powers of the Governor of the State, the State Assembly, the President and the National Assembly.

˜ ˾ OCTOBER 17, 2021

IMAGES

Sunmi Smart-Cole @80

renowned and veteran photo-journalist, Mr. Sunmi Smart-Cole turned 80 on Saturday, September 25, 2021. By this, the award-winning photographer, jazz percussionist and one time trend-setting barber has stepped into the octogenarian club. To celebrate his eight decades on earth, the veteran invited family members, friends and close associates to an early Thanksgiving service to God for keeping him hale and hearty to see this day at All Saints’ Anglican Church, Yaba. There after, a reception was held at his residence where guests were entertained with surplus drinks and foods. Here are the faces of some of the guests who attended Photos: Abiodun Ajala and Babajide Willoughby the event.

Rt Revd. Ranti Odubogun blessing Sunmi Smart-Cole during the thanksgiving service

Mr. Wale Babalakin and his wife, Bodurin

L-R: Efe Egbarin-Davis and Ruth Benamaisia

L-R: Dr. Ebun Sonaiya; Lola Alakija and Siene Allwell-Brown

L-R: Mrs Tokunbo Okupe and Ms. Busola Shonekan-Joseph

Mr. Alaba Okupe and his wife, Tokunbo

L-R: Ronke Ayuba; Ranti Aborowa and Bimbo Roberts-Oloyede

˜ ˾ OCTOBER 17, 2021

IMAGES

L-R: Pastor Ituah Ighodalo; Mr. Mofe Atake, SAN; The celebrant, Mr. Sunmi Smart-Cole and Mr. Shex Ladipo

L-R: Ms. Funmi Irele; Sunmi Smart-Cole and Mrs Peju Soyede-Alakija

L-R: Mrs Funke Onitiri-Olufon and her husband, Defolu

L-R: Mr. Alaba Okupe; Mrs Tokunbo Okupe and Ms. Busola Shonekan-Joseph

L-R: Rt. Revd. Ranti Odubogun; Mr. Sunmi Smart-Cole and Rt Revd. Pelumi Johnson

L-R: Lola Alakija; Ruth Benamaisia and Siene Allwell-Brown

L-R: Oloye (Mrs) Violet Iyabo Ladipo and her son, Dr. J.J. Ladipo

Awuneba Ajumogobia and her husband, Odein

Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi; Sully Abu and Dr. Biola Mohammed

Mr. Sully Abu and Mr. Emeka Izeze

L-R: Mrs Anabel Yemi-Johnson and Ms. Alayo Ogunbiyi

SUNDAY OCTOBER 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 17, 2021

with ChidiAmuta e-mail:chidi.amuta@gmail.com

ENGAGEMENTS

Osinbajo in Between Chidi Amuta

t is the season for all the common symptoms of end of term political ailments. Politicians in prime positions are of course the most prone. At the apex of power, a vice president in our kind of system can show more pronounced symptoms than other political animals. In function, he is expected to be neither a politician nor a technocrat strictly speaking. But his job requires that he tries to be something of the two, a politically inert creature located in the place where the shoe hurts most but has to remain calm and bear the excruciating pinch. In normal term time, the system finds work for the vice president in a few janitorial roles including of course the usual delivery of condolence messages. In Buhari’s Nigeria, I suspect this aspect has been carefully edited out.There are too many deaths that even a dozen vice presidents may not cope with sending and delivering condolence messages on such an industrial scale.When death knocks frequently on nearly every door, no words can condole a nation overwhelmed by the gravity of pain and mourning. Nonetheless, there is no shortage of other harmless assignments for a politically inert presidential deputy. There is still a copious deluge of these seminars, conferences, high end weddings and other festivities where the pomposity of state is expected to add gravity to the sense of special occasion. More often than not, a certain crisis of consciousness dogs the imminent end of a vice presidential tenure. To run or quietly walk home at the end? The crisis runs deep whether the Vice President in question is a politician recruited to add his political asset to his principal’s ticket or is merely a decorative intellectual or technocratic add- on to an otherwise vacuous throne. Either way, the imminence of term end haunts the vice president with the threat of future irrelevance or a retirement tormented by regrets and haunted by the specter of missed chances and lost opportunities. Who wants to spend his retirement explaining and defending policies you neither believed in nor endorsed except that you were on the same boat with your boss when the poisonous fish was baited? For this reason, vice presidents often find themselves in the uncomfortable position of being recruited or commandeered to run for the prime office at some point in the hereafter. It is one of three things: ‘I too can continue our mission’; ‘I can right the wrongs of my principal’; ‘I almost got there, so why not brace the tape of personal accomplishment?’ etc. From his recent pronouncements, Mr. Osinbajo seems to be caught up in this familiar end of term bind. He has not told anyone in the open that he is running for or from any office known to any political dictionary. Yet a stream of self appointed advocates have shown up. I was struck by one announcement that was so professionally packaged, produced and delivered that it could not just be the work of casual busy bodies. Even from Mr. Buhari’s northern bastion, some politicians have turned campaigners for a possible ‘Osinbajo for President’ campaign. From his home base South-west, there is understandable studied silence. After all, there is a huge political bull in the shop whose presence can make Osinbajo’s possible ascent quite troublesome. But the vice president’s current choice of subjects and slant of discourse seems to suggest a subtle intent to free himself from the worst burdens of what may emerge as the Buhari legacy. His pronouncements on national issues are becoming increasingly statesmanlike, conciliatory and independent. There seems to be a deliberate effort to strike a note of national inclusiveness and optimism when the dominant temper of the Buhari administration is clearly a tough gun divisive note. In all this, there is a suggestion of a certain straining to find an independent voice and to find a national middle ground that points in the direction of a deputy who could do a better job of diversity management than his boss. The hint is that what a Buhari succession requires is a president who will unify the nation and calm its frayed nerves in a period of wild insecurity and virulent discord. Whatever may be the intent and direction of his current discursive activism, we can safely say that Mr. Osinbajo has earned his stripes and indeed grown on the job. We can even calibrate his stewardship into three distinct phases over

Osinbajo the last six years. In the first phase, he enjoyed the absolute confidence and trust of Mr. Buhari who appreciated the value he brought to the office. At this first stage, Mr. Buhari personally had no doubts that Mr. Osinbajo had his back. If he was travelling for a long stretch, he transmitted the instruments that enabled the vice president to act for him with no limitations. This was the stage at which Mr. Osinbajo tackled the problems of ‘Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria’ by easing the bottlenecks at the international airports and the Investment Promotions Council while Buhari was away on hospital vacation. This was also the stage at which he engaged with the Niger Delta militants and brokered the peace that restored quiet to the oil and gas fields. It was also the initial days of IPOB when Osinbajo travelled to the South East to reassure the people while invoking his long standing personal links with fellow Nigerians of Igbo extraction. The second phase followed from these successes. Nigerians across board and geography increased their confidence in the team spirit of the Buhari presidency. In spite of Mr. Buahri’s failing health at that point, the confidence became widespread that in the worst eventuality, an Osinbajo was no less worthy of the office of president than his principal. The antenna of the Fulani power mongering cabal that encircles Buhari at Aso Rock went up. The collective of Dark Knights of the corridor of power convened and resolved. My late friends Abba Kyari and Isa Funtua along with the ubiquitous presidential uncle, Mamman Daura, Babagana Kingibe, Lawal Musa Daura and some nameless others saw a threat in Osinbajo’s rising profile. Their hegemonic agenda was under threat. Osinbajo needed to be tamed and his influence curtailed. He could upset the hegemonic apple cart and dilute the absolutism of the fledgling ‘democratic’ authoritarianism. His job description quickly shrank as formal communications authorizing him to act for the President in his prolonged absences were no longer automatic. His responsibility for grassroots empowerment and emergency management programmes was abridged. All the youthful staff responsible for these rapid impact programmes were moved away from the Vice President’s office to new ministries hurriedly created. During one of Buhari’s medical vacations, Osinbajo had fired the then

Director General of the Department of State Security, Mr. Lawal Daura who had drafted masked goons to the National Assembly to interfere with legislative processes. His sack of Mr. Daura scorched the scorpions of power. So, his appointment of an acting Director General from the wrong direction of the compass of power was quickly reversed. Daura, the man he fired from the position, was literally allowed to handpick his own successor. Suddenly, Osinbajo became a marked man and was compelled to revert only to his constitutionally allowed roles. He needed to adjust to a new “siddon look” third phase of his tenure. Recovery from this shriveled status required time and thinking. I suspect that Mr. Osinbajo has found time to reclaim his soul in this third and final phase of his tenure. He needed to understand the algorithms of hegemonic power grab. Yet as a political office holder at the apex of power, his survival is ultimately a function of political computations. The imperatives and considerations of his background count for little in the rough jungle of political survival. The standard expectation therefore is that Mr. Osinbajo plays the politics of his principal and carries the nasty consequences while struggling to find his authentic voice in the wilderness of power. In the case of the Buhari presidency, strict political loyalty for Osinbajo dictates that he bandies the now usual worn out clichés and myths of Buhari’s messianic infallibility to the very end. This is perhaps the reason why he was recently quoted as saying that Mr. Buhari is the most ‘popular’ leader Nigeria has ever had. Of course Osinbajo knows better than that. Yet he can be excused such Freudian mishaps and linguistic travesties on account of the political imperatives of his office. He has not yet found another job. He needs to survive to the very end as a worthwhile deputy and a good party man. Increasingly, however, Osinbajo has found a more independent voice in a safe zone, the area of policy and the imperatives of nation building. But even in this safe zone, finding an independent voice is precarious. It may pit him against the main policy stream of the administration where he remains a leading light. As the constitutionally designated Chairman of the National Economic Council which supervises economic policy at the highest level, he has lately struck consequential independent notes. When

the Central Bank announced an unsolicited ban on crypto currencies in Nigeria, the Vice Presidentopenly opposed the measure as archaic. He insisted openly that Nigeria should instead have the humility to learn the intricacies of the new digital economy. We need to be part of the new world instead of reverting to the ancient regime of bans and roadblocks. Just last week, Osinbajo’s independent voice again struck a new consequential resonance still on economic policy. Following the rapid decline in the value of the Naira, the Vice President used the opportunity of a Ministerial assessment retreat to hit a sensitive button on the nation’s current exchange rate policy. Osinbajo openly condemned the system of dual exchange rates. There is in existence an official exchange rate of N410 to the US dollar alongside a parallel market rate of N580 to the dollar. In his view, we need to find a market determined exchange rate by floating the Naira against international currencies to determine its real value. For him, the current dual exchange rate regime is fuelling corruption through the use of forex arbitrage as patronage. Well connected business persons and entities secure forex allocations from the Central Bank at the official rate and leverage the differential between that rate and the parallel market rate to make profit for doing literally nothing. This arbitrage market has assumed the status of an industry of patronage which has discouraged external investors from bringing in dollars into the economy. Technically, this position strikes at the very root of our current economic tragedy. The Vice President’s position was quickly interpreted as a call for outright devaluation of the Naira which would run counter to the rhetorics of the administration. At other times, Osinbajo has variously harped on the sanctity of national unity in response to the series of separatist and secessionist pressures raging across the nation. He has similarly expressed absolute confidence in the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria. He has consistently voiced the now scarce optimism that Nigeria will emerge from the present dark alley to a brighter place in the future. His confidence in the promise of youth as a redemptive force has been a recurrent theme in his exhortations to civil society, religious and political groups alike in recent times. On the surface, these largely neutral, independent and intellectual themes and preoccupations would seem to be natural consequences and products of Osinbajo’s diverse background. As an intellectual in government, he can only be expected to strike a note of deliberate rationalism on national issues. As a professor of law in the central arena of power, he can only be expected to remind his political colleagues of their ultimate responsibility to govern according to the the rule of law without which every democracy withers and dies. Moreover, as a high clergy of the Pentecostal faction of Christianity, he can only be an advocate of concord, peace, unity and a visionary of harmony rather than the prophet of an impending national apocalypse. As the tenure of the Buhari Presidency rolls into a transitional lame duck phase, therefore, Osinbajo has the narrower burden of defining his own personal legacy from the vortex of regime liabilities. He is safer defining himself in the context of himself as a political animal with a triple heritage: academic, lawyer and clergyman. Inevitably, he has to add ‘politician’ to that already sagging portfolio. And that is where the burden of his career resides at the moment. How does he find an authentic voice without running counter to the policy thrust of an administration he has been part of for the last six years? If he decides to chart an increasingly different course, it will not be strange in the history of the vice presidency. When former US Vice President Al Gore decided to run as a successor to Bill Clinton, he needed to distance himself from the moral baggage of Clinton’s Monica Lewinsky scandal. Though on a different wave length, any aspirant in the APC who wants to succeed Mr. Buhari has a bag full of political and governance liabilities to distance himself from if he wishes to be taken seriously. Lopsided appointments, armed herdsmen, RUGA, insecurity, mountains of debts, quantum poverty, divisiveness, epidemic of separatism, harassment of the media etc. etc. (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 17, 2021

NEWS

News Editor: Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: gboyega.akinsanmi@thisdaylive.com,08152359253

Despite #EndSARS, Nigeria Records 164 Extra-judicial Killings Amnesty Int’l , Global Rights, RULAAC canvass full implementation of Police Act Gboyega Akinsanmi

Despite #EndSARS protests against police brutality nationwide in 2020, Nigeria recorded 164 cases of extra-judicial killing between January and September 2021, Global Rights, an international human rights organisation based in Washington D.C., has revealed in a new report. With this rising trajectory, according to the report, the federation may record more cases of extra-judicial killing in the current year than about 271 incidents documented in 2020, the year #EndSARS campaign erupted. This figure was revealed in the latest mass atrocities tracking report, which monthly measures the incidence of violent attacks, clashes, terrorism, kidnappings, and extrajudicial killings across all states of the federation. In 2020, the report put killings that resulted from communal clashes at 407 (9.13%), extrajudicial killing 271 (6.08%), herdsmen killing 270 (6.06%), cult-gang killings 247 (5.54), isolated killings 185 (4.15), mob action 12 (0.26%), politically motivated killings 7 (0.15%) and pirate attacks 4 (0,09%). As shown in its new report released to THISDAY at the weekend, the report said nine cases of extra-judicial killing were recorded in October 2020, seven in November 2020 and seven in December 2020. In 2021, however, the report claimed that the cases of extra-

judicial killing increased to 14 government actions “shall be Judicial Panels on Police, and up judicial panel of inquiry to and people held for a long in January; plunged to three humane. institute reforms to ensure that review complaints regarding police period of time without recourse to courts. in February; rose again to six “If the government had simply security forces respect the rights brutality signaled a lot of hope. “When they are challenged, in March; six in April; nine in followed the injunctions of the of citizens.” However, she noted that there May; 12 in June; 23 in July; 14 Constitution, it is very doubtful Speaking with THISDAY “has not been a policy shift. The the people will say they are still in August and 77 in September. that the throes of young Nigerians yesterday, Country Director, Police Act came into force in 2020. investigating. What triggered In a statement by its Executive will take to the streets no longer Amnesty International, Ms One will have expected by now, #EndSARS protest against police Director, Ms Abiodun Baiyewu, fearing the brutal treatment meted Osai Ojigho admitted that people even without #EndSARS, some brutality is more pervasive now Global Rights challenged the on protesters.” “have a lot of hope that things of the changes, should have been because there is insecurity in the land. We are all experiencing it. federal government and citizens Baiyewu tasked the government are going to change for the better, made. “Nearly every part of Nigeria of Nigeria to introspect on the of Nigeria “to live up to its consti- especially because the protest was “Recently, in Abuja, the police definition of nationhood, citizen- tutional mandate of ensuring the nationwide.” attacked the IMN protesters, who is facing one form of insecurity ship and democracy. Despite Lekki shooting and were peacefully going about or the other. The response of security and welfare of all citizens “The event, which reached by investigating and indicting the excessive use of force across the their procession. We have sting the government to it is to put tipping point right after the hoodlums that disrupted the federation during the #EndSARS operation across the country. in more force. In putting more marking of the nation’s an- peaceful protests, implementing protests, Ojigho said the deci- We call it invasion of people’s force, there is more violence and niversary, was a watershed the recommendations of the sion of the government to set privacy, violating human rights insecurity has not abated. moment in the nation’s history and must not be forgotten by both the demand and supply sides of governance. “We remind all Nigerians that at the crux of the #EndSARS protests is a simple cry for dignity. The right to live without oppression in their own country. A right to fair hearing. A right to freedom from discrimination. A right to life. All rights guaranteed by the country’s constitution. “The right to hold dissenting opinions and the right to protest are constitutionally protected rights for all persons. Governance will be a more productive venture when citizens feel listened to and heard by the elected representatives and public officers.” Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution states that the security and welfare of the people “shall be the primary purpose of government” while L-R: Enugu State Governor and Chairman, Oyo State PDP Congress Electoral Committee, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Section 17(2)(c) stipulated that Makinde and his wife, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde, during PDP State Congress held at Adamasigba Stadium, Ibadan…yesterday

WE ARE IN CONTROL…

EFCC Interrogates Kwankwaso over N10bn Fraud Allegation The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja yesterday interrogated a former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso for N10 billion fraud allegations. Multiple sources disclosed this to THISDAY, saying the former governor turned himself in for interrogation at the office of the anti-graft commission in Abuja. The former governor had been under investigation over a petition filed in 2015 by some workers

and pensioners in the state who accused him of mismanaging pension remittances contributed between 2011 and 2015. Some retirees had petitioned to the commission demanding the investigation and possible prosecution of the former governor. One of the sources, who privately spoke with THISDAY yesterday, claimed that Kwankwaso was invited for allegedly diverting N10billion meant for the payment of pensions and

construction of houses. The source said: “The former governor and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) visited the EFCC office Saturday afternoon. Yes, he was here and was interrogated.” “Kwankwaso came in response to questions on alleged fraud following a series of petitions that the EFCC received against him. “He is being questioned over allegations of abuse of office, diversion of public funds and

fraudulent allocation of government properties to cronies. Kwankwaso, who is also a chieftain of the PDP was first invited by the EFCC in September but failed to honour the invitation. “In one of such petitions, the former governor was accused of diverting N10bn meant for the payment of pensions and construction of houses,” another source told THISDAY at the weekend. The former governor, who

is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is among those rumoured to be nursing a presidential ambition. As at press time, it was unclear, if the former governor would be detained or granted administrative bail. Kwankwaso spent a second term as governor of Kano from 2011 to 2015. In August, EFCC sealed off one of his properties in Kano. The property was said to have been sealed off as a result of a peti-

tion sent to the anti-graft agency by some family members of Ismaila Gwarzo, a former national security adviser during the late Sani Abacha administration. Abdullahi Gwarzo, former managing director of the defunct Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB) in Kano, allegedly sold the property to Kwankwaso but failed to remit the money to Gwarzo’s family. The state government had, earlier in the year, announced

Dakuku: APC Ready to Take over Rivers in 2023

A’Ibom Police Arrest 139 for Abduction, Murder Allegations

Nigeria’ ll Get Start-up Law Soon, Presidency Reveals

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

An All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Dr. Dakuku Peterside has said the party is ready to take over Rivers State come 2023. Peterside stated this following the successful conduct of the party’s state congress election and constitution of a new executive. He commended members of the party for their patience, commitment and determination to right the wrongs of the past and chart a new way forward. According to him, I must commend members of our party for their unquestionable determination to take all the right steps since the conduct

of ward and local government congresses. Despite the seeming challenges, he said: “Our party members have remained steadfast under the leadership of Hon. Chibuike Amaechi and have weathered the storm. “Today marks a watershed in our journey to sack the lacklustre PDP from the government house in 2023 and install an APC-led administration that has the right policies and programmes to impact meaningfully on the people.” He tasked the newly elected state executive of the APC to hit the ground running by winning new converts and consolidating on previous membership drive.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested 139 suspects across the state for murder, militancy, abduction, cultism, armed robbery, stealing, unlawful possession of firearm and vandalism. The spokesman of the command, Mr. Odiko Macdon made this disclosure yesterday at a news conference at the Police headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo. Macdon reeled out the breakdown of the crime, saying 11 suspects were arrested for murder, 47 for armed robbery, 10 for defilement and rape, 21 suspects arrested for alleged cultism, 16 for vandalism, seven for kidnapping and abduction,

three suspects for militancy and 24 for other crimes. The command’s spokesman noted that two suspected foreign militants and a Nigerian were arrested on September 13 with explosive. According to him, men of AIG Border Patrol Monitoring Unit arrested the militants, two Cameroonians and a Cross Riverian while on stop and search operation along Okobo/ Oron Highways of Akwa Ibom State. He gave their names as Adede De Black ‘m’, of Republic of Cameroon, Fombutu Tita ‘m’ of Republic of Cameroon and Bernard Mfam ‘m’ of Ikom LGA, Cross River State saying they have been charged to court.

The presidency has revealed that Nigeria will get its own Nigerian Startup Bill (NSB) before the end of the year. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Transformation, Osarentin Guobadia revealed this at the weekend at the TechonDemand Hackathon challenge. The programme was organised by the Financial Services Innovation (FSI) in collaboration with National Association of Computing Students (NACOS), the At the programme, Guobadia explained that

the partners had worked on the bill all through the year, hoping it would be passed before the end of the year. Guobadia said they had worked on the bill, which would aid the government’s digital economy policy and create a stop shop for start-ups. “We have worked on this bill for most part of the year now and we’re hoping to be able to pass it this year God willing. The bill is particularly to aid the digital economy and drive technology and ideas that are tech-enabled. “The bill is a set of rules and incentives to help create an enabling environment for tech

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 17, 2021

NEWSXTRA Whistleblower Writes Senate, ICPC, Accuses Saipem of Breaching Local Content Law Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja

A whistle-blower, Mr Moboluwaduro Abimbola has written to the President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan and the Independent Corrupt Practice Commission (ICPC), accusing Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited of breaching

local content law. In its letter, the whistle-blower alleged that Italian firm refused to involve indigenous companies in processes of awarding contracts on the NLNG Train 7 (T7) project. The Train 7 project is a $10billion gas project owned by the Nigerian Liquid and Natural Gas Company (NLNG) and is

ESUTH Urges New Students to Strive for Academic Excellence Gideon Arinze in Enugu

The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUTH) yesterday tasked newly admitted students of the institution to strive for academic excellence. The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Charles Eze gave the advice at the 40th Matriculation ceremony of the university, said that out of a total of 11,230 students who applied for admission, only 5,551 were admitted. He said that the students must count themselves specially privileged to be admitted into the institution, which will offer them enormous opportunities to deepen their education and

expand their understanding of society. He noted that the students must always remember that their first pre-occupation in the institution, is to study to acquire a reputable degree so they can compete favourably with students from other institutions. “All other things should be considered secondary, “he said. “Therefore, you must embark on your studies with vigour, focus and determination as this administration is passionate about academic excellence.” He assured the students of the university management’s readiness to pay priority attention to the pursuit of academic excellence as well as their welfare

expected to boost the Nation’s gas capacity by 35 percent. It was designed as a dualfeed project with one consortia made up of three companies, that is Messer: Saipem, Daewoo and Chyonda involved in the delivery of one feed. The Nigerian Content Plan for the Train-7 project was approved and a Certificate of Authorization issued by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board on the March 22, 2019. In the letter, Abimbola said few months into the commencement of the project, the National Assembly is in receipt of several petitions alleging how Saipem, who is the principal partner in the delivery of the project, has created a system whereby qualified Nigerian companies are excluded in the bidding and award process of contracts, which local content laws has deliberately reserved for Nigerians to benefit from. He also said during the ground breaking ceremony conducted by President Muhammad Buhari in July this year, the said project is expected to create over 12000 direct and 1.2million indirect jobs, with millions of dollars’ worth of activities and contracts within the Train 7 project, executed by Nigerians.

Hope Rises for Return of Revoked Marginal Fields to Owners Peter Uzoho Hope has risen for the return of 11 revoked marginal fields with the appointment of Mr. Gbenga Komolafe as the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, affected operators have said. One of the affected operators expressed optimism at the weekend, noting that Komolafe would deploy his integrity, professionalism and transparency to resolve dispute around the marginal field. The operator said injustice perpetrated against the affected companies would be addressed with the advent of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), split of the DPR into two parts and appointment of new executives for same. According to him, it is expected that his expertise as a seasoned engineer and lawyer will enable him appreciate the presidential directive and dispassionately implement it without fear or favour. Komolafe is a seasoned technocrat with vast understanding of the petroleum industry, having held senior positions at the highest levels of the downstream and upstream sectors. He had, at different times, served as the Managing Director, Nigeria Pipeline and Storage Company (NPSC); General Manager in charge

of Operations, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and Group General Manager, Special Duties, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Komolafe had served as the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division; General Manager in charge of Operations, Petroleum Equalisation

Fund (PEF); Executive Director (commercial) and Pipelines and Petroleum Marketing Company (PPMC). With vast experience in the oil industry, the operator claimed that Komolafe would deploy his good office, integrity and adherence to transparency to address all the unresolved issues.

CROSN Commends The Guardian for Appointing on Oloja New MD The Congress for Rights of Ondo Southern Nationalities (CROSN) has commended the Directors and Management of The Guardian on the appointment of its former Editor, Martins Oloja as the new Managing Director. CROSN, also, commended Oloja for his resilience, dedication, loyalty, deep professionalism, discipline, transparency, humility and perseverance, which stood him out as someone who truly merited the position in a statement by its National Chairman, Abiodun Fanoro and the Secretary General, Tunde Aiyenumelo yesterday, CROSN lauded The Guardian for not placing ethnic or other bias consideration above professionalism, equity, justice and fairness. The statement noted that the leadership of the media firm had continued to run the newspaper

as a national legacy driven by international standard and best practices. The statement noted that it was the unbroken adherence to the above across the ages that had not only confirmed the Newspaper as the Flagship, but a globally renowned institute for training journalists. The group also rejoiced with the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and the people of the state, noting that Oloja remained the dependable Ambassador of the state. While affirming that it could at all times vouch for the character, industriousness and capacity of Oloja to make the difference, the group however urged him to justify the concurrence the leadership of the Newspaper reposed in him.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 17, 2021

NEWSXTRA FG: Insecurity, Funding Bane of Agric Sector’s Growth James Emejo and Sonia Mayomi in Abuja

The federal government has stated that despite its commitment to developing the agricultural sector, the current wave of insecurity bedeviling many farming communities in the North has crippled food production in the last three to four years in the country. The Minister of Agriculture

and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, who gave this hint, explained that the killing of farmers by herders, banditry, and cattle rustling have continued to pose serious setbacks in the nation’s food systems. Abubakar, who spoke during a ministerial press briefing at the weekend to commemorate the 2021 World Food Day celebration, added that the

non-importation of the planned 10,000 tractors has jeopardised the government’s mechanisation scheme. The minister said though it is on record that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had invested so much in agriculture and provided funding across various food and agriculture sub-sectors, funding still remained a big challenge.

Nigerians Tired of APC, Waiting for PDP, Says Bayelsa Gov. Olusegun Osahon

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri yesterday Nigerians were fed up with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and cannot wait to vote in the Peoples Democratic Party (APC) in 2023. Diri added that governors elected on the platform of the PDP across the North and South were the best performing governors in the country. He made these remarks at the Mahmud Ribadu Square in Jimeta, Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State as chairman of the PDP National Electoral Committee for the conduct of the state congress of the party. He, therefore, said the PDP was poised to take over power at the centre in 2023.

Adamawa State Governor, Adamu Fintiri and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar were among the delegates that voted at the congress, which produced a legal practitioner, Tahir Shehu, as the state chairman of the party. He urged his party members to remain steadfast and united to ensure PDP returns to power in the next general elections. Diri described Fintiri as one of the “shining lights” in the party, saying he is making remarkable developmental imprints on Adamawa. He said: “Nigerians are tired of the APC and are waiting for the PDP to take over. I assure you that come 2023, PDP will take over the presidency of our country. “I have been reading about the first flyover in the North-east

but yesterday I drove on it. We are pleased as a party that the governor of Adamawa State is performing and doing well. You know the PDP governors, from the North to the South, are the best performing in Nigeria.” The governor appreciated Atiku Abubakar for what he described as his sterling qualities and for providing leadership in the party and in Nigeria. The governor further said that the congress was peaceful, friendly and convivial as it showed that the PDP was united in Adamawa. He equally commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) whose state Resident Electoral Commissioner and his team were present to observe the exercise.

He said the federal government’s plan was to continue to engage with the states and local governments across the country to be committed to the Maputo/Malabo Declaration, to allocate 10 per cent of their budgetary funds to agriculture. He said this would increase access to funding at the grassroots level as well as increase food production in the country. The minister also lamented that the failure of the federal government to take delivery

of about 10,000 tractors within the past seven years was frustrating attempts to mechanise agriculture and achieve self-sufficiency in food production. It could be recalled that right from the inception of the current administration in 2015, the former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh had hinted at the plans by the government to take delivery of the tractors to boost efforts to mechanise and reposition the sector. But the

equipment was never received. The immediate past Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Sabo Nanono had harped on the government’s plan to import the same 10,000 tractors, which didn’t materialise before he left office. However, the incumbent minister at the press briefing expressed shock that the much- talked about tractors by his predecessors were not on the ground when he assumed duties. The development is particularly worrisome as according

Olatunji Dare Narrates Encounter with Serial Scammer A Professor of Communication, Prof. Olatunji Dare yesterday narrated his encounter with a self-employed electrical engineer of Kabba origin based in Abuja, Durojaiye Olukato who allegedly scammed the journalism teacher of N3.2 million. Dare, a famous columnist at The Nation and Emeritus Professor at Bradley University, claimed that Olukato had issued verbal threats to him when he revealed his plan to report him to the law enforcement officers. He recounted his ordeal in a two-page statement he personally signed yesterday, asking the Nigeria Police to accord every protection under the law of the federation. The communication scholar

explained that he engaged Olukato “to advise me on the purchase of a diesel engine for my residence in Kabba. I did so based on his excellent professional work in wiring the house in the final stage of its construction some ten years ago. “I was hoping he would guide me to secure the best generator for the amount I was willing to spend. Olukato later informed me that he had sighted a decommissioned 24 KVA Caterpillar generator that would serve my purpose very well. “It had been used only briefly; it was as good as new, soundproofed, and would come with a one-year guarantee, and an additional personal guarantee

of one year as indication of his good faith and of his confidence in the generator. “He said he had pleaded with executives at Julius Berger, from where he was making the purchase, that he was buying it for a person who was like a father to him, and that they had as a result agreed to sell it to me heavily discounted for N3.1 million. “Transportation to Kabba would cost N60, 000. To allow for contingencies, I wrote him a cheque for depostedN3.2 million,” Dare said in his statement he personally signed yesterday. On August 17, Dare disclosed that a truck ferrying a cargo of tomatoes and pepper deposited the generator in his compound in the dead of night.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

Sunday October 17, 2021

UT H

& RE A S O

Kingibe to Separatist Agitators

COVID-19 Tests & Vaccinations

“I think that few of my colleagues believe that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable. Of course, it is negotiable. Even the unity of a family is negotiable. Even the constitution of husband and wife is negotiable” – Former SGF, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, warning separatist agitators maintain the peace.

‘COVID’ TO 58123

This service is provided in association with accredited service providers

& RE A SO

Price: N400

MISSILE

Book Your TEXT

UT H

years

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

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

Devaluation is Grossly Overrated

n Monday, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo might have made his boldest pitch yet for his expected presidential bid in 2023. Speaking at the administration’s midterm retreat — with President Muhammadu Buhari and Mr Godwin Emefiele, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in the room — Osinbajo appeared to have broken ranks with the government over its forex policy, faulting the demand management strategy and declaring the exchange rate as “artificially low” and “negatively affecting” the inflow of foreign exchange into the economy. The solution, he proposed, was to move “our rates” to be “reflective of the market” to encourage an inflow of “new dollars”. The VP also raised issues with CBN’s direct intervention programmes which, he said, make it look like there is a competition between the monetary and fiscal authorities. (Interestingly, Osinbajo is the chairman of the steering committee of the Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria Ltd, another brainchild of the CBN). His call for synergy between monetary and fiscal authorities is definitely in order and his worries over the potential room for arbitrage with multiple exchange rates are valid. But my little concern was that these are basic house-keeping issues that the VP should not be discussing on TV. We outsiders may get the impression that this government is divided against itself. By being publicly critical of this administration’s demand management policy — which seeks to reduce forex outflow by curtailing importation of goods not considered as essential, such as rice and private jets — Osinbajo might also have sent a strong message to certain constituencies that he is his own man. That is, “Osinbajonomics” is going to be different from “Buharinomics”. This should please the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) and some Nigerian experts who have always maintained that for the country to attract foreign capital and boost forex supply, the naira has to be floated. They argue that like water, the national currency will eventually find its level. Osinbajo’s position was quite clear and unambiguous, despite the attempted clarification by his media team. My first response was: “Shots fired!” Buhari has spoken openly against devaluation since he came to power. Why would the VP be openly critical of a policy that clearly has the imprimatur of the president all over it? Why make such comments at a televised forum? Why shout at someone you can whisper to? Was it an error of judgment? The headlines thereafter said Osinbajo called for devaluation. No matter his intention, the ordinary interpretation on the streets would be that the vice-president was campaigning for more hardship on Nigerian masses. Nevertheless, the clarification begged the question: is devaluation a dirty word? In my own admittedly limited knowledge of economics, there could be justifications for devaluation. Three instantly come to mind (1) to make non-commodity exports cheaper in the global markets (2) to stimulate foreign investment (3) to encourage forex inflow into the system — as the vice-president himself was trying to suggest when he said “we can’t get new dollars into the system where the exchange rate is artificially low”. That is why I still do not understand why his media team tried to take back or re-phrase his words thereafter, saying he was only talking about eliminating arbitrage. My point of departure with the vice-president is that he committed the same error as is the wont of many Nigerian neo-liberal economists and economic analysts: preaching the gospel of “seek ye first devaluation and every other thing shall be added unto thee”. Devaluation is packaged as the ultimate solution to all forex problems. The claim is that the moment you devalue your currency,

Osinbajo foreign investors will come rushing in with tonnes of dollars. That is rather over-optimistic. There are many things that determine forex inflow. Devaluation is just one of them. And there is a limit to what devaluation can achieve in a poorly structured economy such as ours. That is my position. For instance, while the VP was criticising CBN’s demand management policy, he was loudly silent on the elephant in the room: fuel subsidy. It is estimated that by the end of the year, the subsidy bill will be around N2tr. This is already a very big problem for public finance, but there is another sticky dimension. Ages ago, the NNPC used to sell its share of oil to earn “new dollars” and boost our reserves. However, the corporation now operates a direct sale direct purchase (DSDP) swap system under which we give crude to foreign refineries in exchange for refined products. That means no dollar exchanges hands. And that means billions of “new dollars” will not enter CBN reserves. To be fair to the VP, arbitrage is serious economic distortion. The difference of N160 between official and parallel rates is huge. The CBN has argued that with the stringent rules in place and the calibre of those now getting forex legitimately — such as government agencies, manufacturers and airlines, etc — the room for arbitrage has shrunk. The parallel market, the CBN insists, accounts for less than 7% of our forex transactions. Nevertheless, eradicating arbitrage is a very simple “procedure”: just devalue the naira from N412/$ to N572/$. If supply issues persist, devalue again. But be assured that if rising cost of living leads to another #EndSARS uprising, our experts will be nowhere to be found. To what do I liken this gospel of devaluation? It is like constantly repainting a commercial bus to make it attractive to passengers, whereas the seats are tattered, the air conditioning is broken and the engine is failing. We can keep devaluing the naira hoping to attract “new dollars” but our fundamental structural problems remain. While the value of the local currency may be a factor in attracting foreign investment, it is neither the sole nor the most important determinant. Capitalists also look critically at country risks. If the value of local currency was the magic pill, Zimbabwe and Venezuela would be the biggest recipients of “new dollars”. There are surely other factors at play. In a country where separatists, kidnappers, herders, bandits and terrorists are having a ball, devaluation cannot be the tonic for “new dollars”. We have a country where there appears to be

an official policy to muscle out some investors. The attorney-general just woke up one morning and said he dreamt that MTN evaded tax and immediately slammed a bill of $2bn on them. The information minister has been working overtime trying to chase Multichoice out of Nigeria. Potential foreign investors see all these things. They are aware of the hostile business environment, the frustrating legal system, the chaotic ports and the bureaucracy. But we somehow think devaluation is the cure. Without a doubt, devaluation can temporarily relieve some symptoms and bring some inflow — with “temporarily” being the operative word. As a matter of fact, the CBN has been adjusting the exchange rate since 2016 while throwing even the kitchen sink to save the naira from drowning. The rate was N197/$ six years ago and is now N412/$. But, truth be told, devaluation as a tool of attracting foreign exchange is not sustainable, neither is it a sure pathway to economic development. The larger issue is: how do we attract multiple sources of forex into the economy so that we are not hopelessly tied to oil revenues and devaluation? How can we export more? The fundamental flaws of our economy have always been there — papered over by cycles of oil boom. When oil revenues are high, we go binging. When oil revenues are low, we go begging. When oil prices crashed in the early 1980s, we faced our first major challenge in the oil era. It was a mess. Inflation went through the roof. Our reserves were so down we were no longer creditworthy to import essential commodities. We had to queue up to buy rice and tin milk. Civil servants were being owed salaries for up to seven months. Things were so bad that after the military took power, it was a major event on NTA Network News anytime workers were going to receive one-month pay cheque. Under our current circumstances, the CBN has an option: it can actually fold his arms and watch the country go up in flames as government finances plummet and fiscal policies remain in disarray. Civil servants will be owed salaries for months and thousands will be retrenched. Forex demand will keep ballooning. The CBN governor will just be devaluing the naira every Monday to encourage “new dollars” and eliminate arbitrage. Easy-peasy! But by the time we reach N5000/$, our problems will still remain unsolved — because our economic structure is warped and the fundamentals are not solid. Panadol can never treat high blood pressure, no matter the relief it gives for a migraine. I would love to be CBN governor if oil price is $80/barrel, production is over 2mb/d, revenues are in excess of $4bn monthly, reserves are $60bn, forex demand is $2bn, and the fiscal authorities are playing their part. I would just be sleeping and snoring. The real challenge comes when revenues are low and fiscal policies are all over the place. That is when everybody begins to see our nakedness. That is when it becomes more obvious that the foundations of our economy are fickle and feeble. There is no way devaluation can take the place of a proper restructuring of the economy. We need law and order, infrastructure and security for a conducive and productive investment climate. We say we want to diversify exports to attract more non-oil forex inflow, but it is easier for a Nigerian entrepreneur to go to the moon than to export a bag of garlic through our shambolic ports. These are issues obstructing our progress. Osinbajo oversees the presidential committee on ease of doing business and should help tackle these hinderances. Really, devaluation is the easiest thing for any CBN governor to do. But with our structural and infrastructural deficiencies, it will not guarantee capital inflows. Instead, it can lead to more misery for an economy that relies heavily on imports, including food and intermediate goods. We cannot devalue our way to economic prosperity.

And Four Other Things… TAX ATTACK Every time, we say we want more investments in the Nigeria. Every time, we do something that promotes the exactly opposite. According to Order 3 Rule 6 of the Tax Appeal Tribunal (Procedure) rules approved by the ministry of finance in June 2021, if you disagree with a tax assessment by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), you have to first pay 50% of the amount before you can dispute it. This is directly in conflict with Paragraph 15(7) of the FIRS Act which allows the appellant to pay the lower amount between 50% of tax paid the previous year and the current assessment. The new rule opens up tax payers to blackmail and extortion and will hurt businesses. Dissonance. CIVIL CASE The federal government has given two options to its workers: be vaccinated against COVID-19 or come with a negative test result, otherwise you can’t go to office from December 1. This comes with many dangers. Some will buy vaccination cards just to obey the directive. The anti-vax propaganda will grow more wings as every new death will be blamed on the vaccine. More so, government machinery may grind to a halt if unvaccinated key officers can’t come to work. Even though I am double-vaccinated, I am not in support of the new rule. Vaccination is an emotional issue for millions of people, most of whom have been brainwashed, so I prefer persuasion to coercion. Caution. ELECTRONIC SHOCK There has been excitement everywhere over the decision of the senate to allow electronic transmission of election results as well as direct primaries in which every member of a party will vote to pick candidates. However, I am sorry to say this: didn’t we say PVC would finally put an end to rigging in Nigeria? Why are we still worried about rigging six years after? You see, we always think the problem is the system. I keep saying the problem is the operators of the system. The problem is Nigerians. If Nigerians don’t change, Nigeria won’t change. I must admit, though, that I am enjoying the extremely optimistic public reaction. Unfortunately, it is these expectations that kill us. Gullible. OIL DOOM Crude oil price hit a three-year high of $85/ barrel on Friday. Bad news for Nigeria. For one, our subsidy bill just went up, yet again. So, expect more deductions for “under recovery” by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as we continue to use our forex to import millions of petrol for the rest of West Africa. Also, we are currently producing 1.25mb/d, way below our export quota — we are short by 360,000b/d. That is a lot of money we are losing every day. Our gain from price rise will, therefore, be marginal. What’s more, businesses that depend on diesel will now pay higher costs. Don’t say I am unpatriotic but I now prefer crude oil at $50/barrel or less. Beneficial.

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja . All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085, 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com