SUNDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2022 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

Newly Rehabilitated National Theatre to Host Creative and Tourism Events, Says CBN Facility to create world-class creative sector, boost economy, says Emefiele

James Emejo in Abuja Following the completion of the first phase of the rehabilitation of

the National Arts Theatre, which was led by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the entertainment arena is set to host several creative

and tourism events, one of which is the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the federal government conference,

THISDAY has learnt. The UNWTO and federal government conference on “Linking Tourism, Culture and the Creative

Industries: Pathways to Recovery and Inclusive Development”, is scheduled to commence from November 14 to16, 2022 in Lagos.

An elated Governor of the CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, represented Continued on page 5

2023: We will Do Better, Tinubu Begs Nigerians Not to Give up on Politicians… Page 5 Sunday 13 November, 2022 Vol 27. No 10077

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We’ll Provide Safe, Secure Environment for 2023 Elections, IraborVows To ward off arsonists, INEC beefs up security around its facilities IG to summon all political parties over violence Chuks Okocha and Kingsley Nweze in Abuja Following concerns that insecurity could mar the 2023 general election,

the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, has vowed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will provide a safe and secure environment for the conduct of

the 2023 elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also moved to beef up security around its critical assets nationwide,

following the recent simultaneous attacks on the local government offices of the commission in Abeokuta South of Ogun State and Ede South of Osun State.

Irabor has also promised that the military would sustain alertness and aggressive posture in all ongoing operations across the country.

He gave the assurance at the closing of the Defence Advisers and Attachés’ Conference Continued on page 5

Politicians with Billions in Cash Move against Naira Redesign Mobilise N’Assembly to pass resolution as several lawmakers may have stockpiled cash for elections and are angry Ejiofor Alike Indications have emerged that politicians who stashed billions of Naira outside the banking system to prosecute the 2023 general election have moved against the planned reintroduction and redesign of Nigeria’s currency by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), THISDAY has learnt. These politicians, it was learnt, have mobilised the National Assembly to pass a resolution against the Naira redesign as several lawmakers may have stockpiled cash for the 2023 general election. On October 26, 2022, CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had announced the plan to redesign the Naira to control the money supply. The redesigned notes include N200, N500 and N1,000. According to the apex bank, new N200, N500, and N1,000 notes will go into circulation from December 15, while the current notes will cease to be legal tender by January 31, 2023. THISDAY gathered that this monetary tool aimed at fighting Continued on page 5

BEAUTY TO BEHOLD… The newly refurbished National Arts Theatre by CBN and Bankers’Committee

O b i : I W i l l R e b u i l d N i g e r i a , S t o p Tr e a s u r y L o o t i n g … Pa g e 8

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2023: We will Do Better, Tinubu Begs Nigerians Not to Give up on Politicians Oyetola will regain mandate soon, says Akeredolu David Fidelis in Akure The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, yesterday begged Nigerians not to give up on politicians. The former Lagos State governor promised Nigerians

that the ruling APC would do better ahead of next year’s general election. The APC presidential candidate made the plea to Nigerians at the funeral service of the late mother of the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu, held

at the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew’s, Imola, Owo. “Thank God we are alive; there might be weaknesses and inadequacies in expectation. No one wants failure. You cannot give up on us. We will do better. We will contribute to the improvement you might want.

POLITICIANS WITH BILLIONS IN CASH MOVE AGAINST NAIRA REDESIGN corruption, checkmating money laundering, eliminating counterfeits, and ending the hoarding of the Naira by kidnappers and others, has thrown politicians who stashed billions of the Nigerian currency ahead of the 2023 general election into confusion. It is estimated that about 84 per cent of the N12.73 trillion in circulation is outside the banking system, precisely in the hands of corrupt politicians, kidnappers, traders and criminal elements. These elements, who do not bank their funds, are involved in money laundering and currency round-tripping using the black market as the alternative foreign exchange window. Investigation revealed that many of the politicians who have perfected plans of rigging next year’s election through vote-buying and had stock-pilled the Naira in their houses, offices and other hidden places, have perfected plans to ambush this apex bank’s initiative, which has received accolades from President Muhammadu Buhari and financial and economic experts. THISDAY gathered that these politicians who feared that they might not return billions of Naira into the banking system within the three months - November 2022 to January 2023 specified by the CBN without breaching

the Money Laundering Act and attracting the attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are mobilising some members of the National Assembly to pass a resolution against the Naira redesign. Multiple sources close to the federal lawmakers told THISDAY last night that these politicians want the National Assembly to pass a resolution directing the CBN to shift the Naira redesign till after the 2023 general election. “These politicians are believed to have kept large amounts of cash in their houses and other hidden places and they believe that three months will be too short for them to return these funds to the banks without being indicted by the EFCC for money laundering and other related crimes,” one of the sources told THISDAY. To show that the policy has his firm backing, President Buhari had last Wednesday declared that there was no going back on the planned redesign of the bank notes and that three months was enough for Nigerians to deposit the current notes at the banks. He had also vowed that politicians won’t be allowed to mobilise resources and thugs to intimidate voters in the 2023 general election. The president, who made this known recently in an interview

in the United Kingdom after meeting with His Royal Majesty, King Charles III in Buckingham Palace, also said enough time had been given by the CBN for Nigerians to deposit the present naira notes at banks in exchange for the newly redesigned ones. “On this change of currency, there will be a lot of money but time has been given from October to December, three months is enough for whatever money you have, to get it changed through the legal system. “So, I don’t know why people are complaining about it,” the president said. He also said the policy announced by the CBN Governor, Emefiele, has come to stay. “No going back,” Buhari said of the decision to redesign the three naira notes. “My aim is to make sure that Nigerians believe that we respect them as an administration. “So, Nigerians should vote for whoever they like from whichever political party. Nobody will be allowed to mobilise resources and thugs to intimidate people in any constituency. That is what I want to go down in Nigerian history as a leader.” It will however require the strong backing of President Buhari for the CBN to resist any moves by federal lawmakers to truncate the deployment of this monetary tool.

NEWLY REHABILITATED NATIONAL THEATRE TO HOST CREATIVE AND TOURISM EVENTS, SAYS CBN by his deputy, Mrs Aishah Ahmad while commenting on the completion of the first phase, said the facility would help the country to create a world-class creative sector at home. In 2020, the apex bank and the Bankers Committee collectively agreed to invest over N65 billion to rehabilitate the National Theatre and return it to its former glory, working closely with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Lagos State Government. Over the last 18 months, a complex rehabilitation project had painstakingly rebuilt the heart of the gigantic entertainment facility – with more than 70 historic sculptures, mosaics, resin, brass and wood friezes, and stained glass artworks forming part of the original design. Each of the historic sculptures, it was learnt, required to be protected during renovation, or in some cases, removed and restored before being replaced. However, when the second phase of the rehabilitation works is completed in March 2023, the National Theatre would be restored to its original glory and a 5,000-seater main amphitheatre comparable to anything else in the world will sit at its heart, flanked by two world-class cinema rooms, banquet halls, and a library. But THISDAY further gathered that the project is not just about restoring a building but also creating an ecosystem of support for the creative sector, as part of what is called the Lagos Creative & Entertainment Centre (LC&EC). Moreover, the theatre itself will be at the heart of a larger development of hubs focused on

supporting emerging talent in the music, film, fashion, and IT sectors. The creative hubs are built on portions of land within the 44-hectare site. According to sources from the Bankers’ Committee, the first phase known as the “Signature Cluster,” consists of a building each for fashion, music, film, and IT and support facilities, including a 250-car park block, a police station, a fire station, and a visitors’ Welcome Centre, which will house commercial and retail facilities, administration and management offices. CBN Governor, Emefiele, while commenting on the completion of the first phase, said the facility would help the country to create a world-class creative sector at home. He said: “The National Theatre is one of the symbols of Nigeria’s culture and heritage and must be at the heart of our work to enhance and celebrate the creative industries. “The completion of phase 1 is a demonstration of the outcomes we can achieve when we work together as the public and private sectors. The central bank has been able to bring together the diverse set of stakeholders required to ensure that this project is delivered, from the Bankers Committee to the Ministries of Information and Culture, and Youth and Sports Development and the Lagos State Government.” Emefiele further thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his “overwhelming support that has made the restoration of this national iconic symbol of arts and culture a reality. “Together, we are not just restoring

the National Theatre to its former glory, but we are establishing the wider foundations on which we can build a truly world-class creative sector, at home,” Emefiele added. In December 2021, Emefiele expressed the hope that the resuscitation of the National Arts Theatre would be completed by 2023. He was also confident that beginning in 2023, the annual Arise Fashion exhibition would be held within the main bowl of the National Arts Theatre in Lagos. He said it was costing the bankers' committee almost $100 million to "resuscitate and revamp the National Arts theatre." Speaking at the Arise Fashion Show in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, last year, the CBN governor said the creative industry remained an important and large industry in Nigeria with a revenue projection of about $4.5 billion annually, adding that the federal government was doing everything possible to support the creative sector. He added that the monetary policy on its part was committed to supporting the growth of the industry. Emefiele said, "It is not just about resuscitating it, but by the side of the National Arts Theatre, what we do intend to do is to develop four creative hubs around the theatre. "As you know, the National Art Center can sit in a particular gathering of at least 7,500 people. "And we do hope that from 2023 and onwards we will begin to see these fashion shows being held around the premises of the National Arts Theatre," Emefiele reportedly added.

“Mama has given us the Grace of the day that she will not be the one to bury us. She had the greatest legacy of a life full of achievements,” he explained. Earlier, in his sermon, Revd Stephen Ayodeji Fagbemi, lamented that “The poor are getting poor. Nigeria needs a change that will ensure safety and security in villages. Fagbemi said: “We need a government that understands economics. Life is hard in this country. Let our leaders be careful to help us move things forward. The best place to start a campaign is the hospital.” He told Tinubu that God has placed him where he is going to make a difference. “Go to hospitals and schools and see what Nigeria is like. I encourage you to go to FMC here in Owo to campaign and see what the future holds. Fagbemi urged Governor Akeredolu and his siblings to immortalise their mother because she lived a life of service to God and humanity. President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, said the life of the mother of the Ondo governor deserved celebration.

According to him, “Today is a day of great joy. We have reached where we must celebrate one the greatest legacy. “It is a time to celebrate Mama because of her great deeds. The life of Grace Akeredolu is a life worthy of celebration. She lost her husband at the age of 50 and lived up to 90. “She brought up her children. She made a great effort at raising four boys “She did very well indeed. We must thank God because not only did she bring up her children well but all of them are successful. “What we must celebrate most is her service to God and mankind. We celebrate the life of a great woman, a woman who served God well and her community. Governor Akeredolu, in a response to the sermon, said there were crops of politicians in the South-west that the people could be very proud of. Akeredolu said: “We have listened to t your political sermon. It was wonderful listening to the sermon. I will not contend with you but I know as politicians we are doing our best. It might not be good for everybody. “You should also say the things we have done. Continue to pray

for us so that we will do our best. “We will look at it. It is not that we are not trying. We have our shortcomings. We have crops of politicians in the South-west we can be very proud of. The governor, however, expressed optimism that the Osun State governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, would emerge victorious at the tribunal. Oyetola is challenging the outcome of the July 16, 2022 governorship election in which the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ademola Adeleke, was declared the winner. Other dignitaries present at the service include, Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Lagos State, Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola and Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, represented by his wife, Olufunke. Also in attendance include, former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and wife, Erelu Bisi; former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, among several others.

WE’LL PROVIDE SAFE, SECURE ENVIRONMENT FOR 2023 ELECTIONS, IRABOR VOWS 2022 organised by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) at the weekend in Abuja. At the conference with the theme, “Sustaining Nigeria’s Defence and Security: Role of the Defence Attaché System,” the CDS reiterated the commitment of the military to work with other security agencies and constituted authorities to ensure the security of lives and property of all citizens. He pledged to support the civil authorities in ensuring a safe and secure environment for the conduct of the 2023 general election. He urged the officers and men of the armed forces to bear in mind that democracy is essential for Nigeria if the nation must aspire for development and greater progress. According to him, this, when translated into the security environment, entails that their loyalty to constituted authorities must be unalloyed. “Therefore, I urge you to respect the rule of law and remain loyal to constituted authorities and shun partisan politics and acts that are prejudicial to the interest of the nation. “As I speak to you, I will also like to use this opportunity to extend this directive to the rest of the armed forces, that we must remain loyal to constituted authorities and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “And that they should also know that in the coming elections, there are great expectations from Nigerians and also greater expectations from the rest of the world,” Irabor said. He promised that the armed forces would play their part as demanded, not just as provided by the constitution but equally as INEC might want them to give support in that regard. “I have always emphasised that we remain ready to give support to the police which is indeed the lead agency in security provision and so we are poised to give greater support and to continue to play our part in that regard. “For the operations across the various theatres, we will

also maintain alertness and the aggressive posture which we have continued to display to ensure that the lives of citizens and course, properties of all Nigerians are protected,” he said. The CDS also urged the defence attachés to use their positions in the various countries of assignment to correct the wrong security narratives being given by the foreign embassies in Nigeria. He said the conference had engendered deliberations and produced very useful resolutions, as well as a review of the defence sector’s operational activities during the present year, to project for 2023. The CDS also expressed confidence that the attachés were better poised to contribute more effectively to the efficient performance of their different sections across the world. Irabor assured them that the government would do all within available resources to ameliorate challenges that were facing the defence sections, to enable them to perform their assigned responsibilities and tasks with minimum hindrance. He, however, urged them to ensure the prudent and judicious utilisation of resources allocated to them towards the attainment of set goals and objectives.

To Ward off Arsonists, INEC Beefs up Security Around its Facilities Meanwhile, INEC has also moved to beef up security around its critical assets nationwide following the recent simultaneous attacks on the local government offices of the commission in Abeokuta South of Ogun State and Ede South of Osun State. In a statement issued yesterday, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Security Committee, Major General Modibbo A. Alkali (rtd.) stated that the security agencies will upscale intelligence gathering, sharing and utilisation to stem further sabotage.

According to the statement, there will be a "deployment of joint security and safety teams to all INEC assets and facilities nationwide forthwith. The teams will include, among others, the Police, Army, DSS, Civil Defence and the Federal Fire Service." "In addition to the measures already taken for the arrest and prosecution of offenders, the Inspector General of Police (IG), as head of the lead agency in internal security, shall convene a meeting of all political parties, candidates and other critical stakeholders to reiterate the imperative of peaceful campaign and to convey the enforcement measures to be taken against violators,” the statement explained. INEC also vowed that “decisive lawful action shall be taken against purveyors of hate speech, incitement to violence, mobilisation of thugs and other violations, including the prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of offenders in line with the provisions of Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act 2022.” The commission declared that those already arrested will face prosecution immediately. The security meeting followed the simultaneous attacks on the local government offices of the INEC in Abeokuta South of Ogun State and Ede South of Osun State. The meeting also reviewed the increasing incidents of violence during the ongoing electioneering campaign by political parties across the country. The meeting was co-chaired by the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, and the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd). The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, representatives of the Armed Forces, the intelligence, law enforcement and safety agencies as well as other members of the ICCES also attended the meeting. INEC also described as troubling, the rising incidents of attacks on supporters and facilities of political parties, ostensibly by political opponents.

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • NOVEMBER 13, 2022

NEWS

ADIEU MAMA… L-R: Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu; and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the funeral church service for Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s mother, Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu at the St Andrews Anglican Church in Owo, Ondo State…yesterday

Analysts, ABCON Upbeat about Further Appreciation of Naira Naira redesign throws ISWAP into confusion, terrorist group taxes farmers, traders in CFAs Festus Akanbi As the nation’s foreign exchange users continue to bask in the euphoria of last week’s rebound in the value of the naira, especially at the open market, financial analysts and the Association of Bureau de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) at the weekend said the coast is clear for the local currency to record a further rise in its value as the new week unfolds. This is coming as the Shura Council of the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP) has banned naira as a means of transaction for the illegal tax it collects from peasant farmers, fishermen and traders. The Naira, which had succumbed to the speculative activities in the forex market to hit an all-time high of N901 to a US dollar earlier last week, recorded a considerable level of appreciation as it closed at N710 to a dollar at the open market on Friday. However, the value appreciation did not reflect in the activities at the Investors and Exporters FX window, where the Naira lost N0.25 or 0.06 per cent week-on-week to close at N445.75/dollar from N445.50/dollar in the previous week’s close. Reacting to this development, analysts from Cowry Asset Management Company described the current fate of the naira as a reflection of the different measures put in place by the regulatory authorities including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It also attributed the panic sale of the dollars to the purported planned withdrawal of some categories of dollars from circulation by the United States government. Their views were corroborated by the Association of Bureau de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), which echoed the optimism of financial sector watchers on the capacity of the current arrangement to bring about further appreciation in the value of the naira in the new week. In the last week’s edition of its weekly report; Cowry Weekly Financial Markets Review & Outlook (CWR), which was released on

Friday, the financial advisory firm noted that “in the coming week, we anticipate the calm to continue across all segments of the FX market barring any distortion in the market and coupled with the fact that traders will look to offset their dollar holdings at a discount following the recent announcement by the United States over illegal dollars in circulation.” The company, which drew a link between the policy of the naira redesign of the CBN and the improved value of the local currency noted that “after reaching its historical low of N910 last weekend, a breath of fresh calm returned to the foreign exchange rate market following the announcement by Nigeria’s federal government with no going back on its decision to redesign the Naira as a strategy to curb hoarding, round-tripping and consequently clip the wings of currency speculators who are fuelling rising demand for the dollar across all market segments. “Consequently, this prompted the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to begin clamping down on some currency traders (especially BDC Operators) and bringing losses to currency speculators who took no other option but to maintain bids between N720/USD and N800/ USD during the week.” A frontline forex dealer and ABCON President, Aminu Gwadabe, who acknowledged last week’s rise in the value of the naira, said the CBN’s policy of Naira redesign which had triggered volatility in the exchange rate at the initial stage, is now compelling currency hoarders to bring their money into the banking system, explaining that the exercise is largely responsible for the appreciation of the naira value. Quoting unconfirmed statistics, Gwadabe said as of Friday, no less than N60 billion had been returned into the vaults of Nigerian banks, a development he attributed to the reduction of pressure on the naira. He said: “Unconfirmed statistics suggested that about N60 billion naira cash have been deposited with the Deposit money banks in the period under review and invariably reducing the cash content that is

putting pressure and attack on the naira.” The ABCON President also recalled that the CBN has introduced several demand measures to curtail unnecessary import bills. The apex bank, he said, has also introduced incentives on export proceeds that have significantly added about $3 billion to the economy. He believed the renewed efforts of the various security agencies against economic saboteurs including politicians would continue to tame the value of the naira. “The surveillance has created immense awareness and caution on currency substitution, hoarding, and rent-seeking and these efforts are increasing further confidence in the value of our local currency and discouraging the high demand for foreign currency.” On how to sustain the current tempo, Gwadabe stated that the CBN should introduce measures to close the gap between the fixed versus flexible exchange rates by making the flexible exchange rates even cheaper than the CBN windows through friendly and competitive liberalisation measures on diaspora

remittances and export proceeds. “There is also the need to inject liquidity to the critical retail end sector of the market by leveraging on the potency of the BDCs transmission mechanism of the CBN monetary policies,” the ABCON President explained, adding that with the strategic global attack on the dollar, both monetary and fiscal policymakers should embrace digital currencies for global competitiveness. Earlier last week, Gwadabe confirmed that the Naira has continued to firm against the Dollar at the parallel market as the target date for the introduction of redesigned naira notes by the CBN draws closer. “There is an observed growing return to sanity in the parallel market as the deadline for the cancellation of the old notes and introduction of the new notes in circulation come closer. “The market is witnessing a dull moment as the spiral volatility in the exchange rate of the local currency nosedived. According to him, the new world order may likely lead to a global financial distortion that will challenge

the hegemony of the American dollar. The ABCON chief said the development became paramount as demands for foreign currency were being diverted to the commodity market. He noted that a tonne of hibiscus (zobo) which was selling for N500, 000 jumped to N1million per tonne. “A bag of millet which was selling for N18,000 per bag now sells for N24,000 per bag,” he said. Meanwhile, the Shura Council of the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP) has banned the naira as a means of transaction for the illegal tax it collects from peasant farmers and fishermen. This is a result of the Nigerian government’s move to redesign and reissue higher denominations of its currency. It was gathered that this move threw the ISWAP population in the Tumbus of Lake Chad into confusion. According to the Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region, the insurgents have switched to the West African CFA as the currency of trade in the area.

Makama claimed that the terrorists had also banned all Nigerian fishermen, herdsmen and farmers from sneaking into Lake Chad through Marte, Abadam, and Gamborun Ngala in order to prevent the naira from reaching the camps of the terrorists in Lake Chad. Ibn Umar and Malam Ba’ana, the ISWAP militant commanders in charge of taxes and levies, who imposed the ban, said the people were only allowed to come through safe routes established by the terror group – Bulgaram, Cikka, Guma, Maltam, Doron Liman and Ramin Dorina villages in Cameroon Republic. In exchange, ISWAP collects 1,500 West African CFA Francs, monthly taxes from the people who appear very willing to pay. They have also secured trade routes for merchants, to enable them access foodstuffs, weapons, fuel and other logistics. The Nigerian authorities are yet to react to the latest development, but there have been denials from the government that terrorists are not controlling any part of the country.

Diri’s Alleged Sex Tape Report Fake, Says Bayelsa Govt Olusegun Osahon in Yenagoa The Bayelsa State Government yesterday reacted to reports purporting that Governor Douye Diri was involved in a sexual escapade with a South African female legislator, Zanele Sifuba, which is contained in an alleged leaked video circulating in social media and some online publications. A statement issued by the Director, of New Media to the Governor, Kola Oredipe, described the video content and the reports as fake news. It stated that Diri did not know the lady lawmaker and had no contact or relationship with her, adding that the governor had not also travelled to South Africa in the past 10 years. The statement titled: ‘Trending South African Sex Story: A Mere Distraction’, read, “Our attention

has been drawn to fake news circulating online about Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State over an alleged nude video leak of a South African female legislator, Zanele Sifuba. “The post linking the governor to the allegation suddenly appeared on the Facebook page purportedly belonging to the woman after trending for more than a week. “Our investigation, however, revealed that the said account is fake and was only created on Thursday, November 10, 2022. “For a scandal that initially appeared on the South African media space on October 31 and was first linked to a ‘Nigerian youth,’ it is obvious those behind the new twist opened the parody account with the deliberate intention to tarnish the image of the Bayelsa Governor. “Sadly, even without any effort to confirm the ridiculous allegation

against the governor of a state, a few Nigerian online platforms rushed to publish the fake news from the ‘Zanele Sifuba Facebook’ account without investigating its source. “Let it be stated without any equivocation that Governor Diri does not know and has had no contact or relationship with the said woman at the centre of the scandal. He has also not been to South Africa in the last 10 years. “While we have read about a purported attempt to collect R300,000 from her, the ‘young blackmailer’ is certainly not Governor Diri. “Ask the question: why would a governor of an oil-rich state resort to blackmail for a mere R300, 000 (about N8 million)? This is simply ridiculous. “Clearly, political mischiefmakers have gone on overdrive in their desperation to tarnish the

reputation of a hardworking, calm, peaceful and focused Governor of Bayelsa State. “This story is just another failed attempt to distract the man that is single-minded on his developmental agenda for his state and who has in the last six weeks devoted his time and energy to managing the devastating flood that hit Bayelsa. “The public is, therefore, advised to discountenance the news as it lacks merit and has no bearing whatsoever with the Bayelsa State governor. “Let it also be stated that there are consequences for publishing falsehood. The anonymity of social media should not serve as a shield for calumny and character assassination, with grave legal implications. Unfortunately, those portals circulating this unverified post have fallen into the trap and its repercussions.”

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2022 • 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 • NOVEMBER 13, 2022

NEWS

LONG MAY YOU REIGN… L-R: Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed; presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; New Emir of Katagum, Dr. Umar Farouk II; and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, during the coronation of Farouk as the 12th Emir in Bauchi…yesterday

Obi: I Will Rebuild Nigeria, Stop Treasury Looting Cautions supporters, LP candidates against insulting opponents Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has promised to rebuild the country and stop treasury looters if elected president in 2023. Obi made the promise at the weekend while addressing party supporters during a rally at the Baptist Convention Ground in Benin-City. He said the forthcoming elections should not be based on religion and ethnic sentiments but on competency and one who could deliver to Nigerians the dividends of democracy. Obi also cautioned his supporters, popularly called ‘Obidients’, and candidates contesting under the party at all levels, to desist from insulting others during the course of campaigns. “We will stop people from looting the nation’s treasury,” he said. He assured the people, particularly youths and women, of his commitment to securing the nation for the people’s overall interest. “It’s about you (referring to the youths); with you, we will take back this country. “Labour Party will stop nepotism; that is my commitment,” the presidential hopeful said. Obi further promised that if elected president of Nigeria, the people would no longer go to bed hungry.

While receiving Obi and his running mate, Yusuf Datti, in his palace, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, said the presidential candidate’s reputation preceded him. The monarch told Obi that there were temptations in office and asked if he could resist them. The traditional ruler maintained that the Benin throne, right from time immemorial, had remained apolitical as he was the father to all. He said the throne was interested in the one who had the interest of Nigerians at heart, one who could make life meaningful for all. Responding to the Oba’s questions about resisting temptations associated with the office, Obi said he and his running mate would do all in their powers to resist and fight corruption in the country. He noted that the forthcoming elections should not be based on religion and ethnic sentiments but on competency. Obi said his campaign had been going round the country with a view to saving her from her present predicament, adding that Nigerians want to take the country back from a few individuals. He added: “We want to save this country from its present predicament, and that is why we have been going round the country. It is now the turn of Nigerians to take back their country from a few individuals. The next year's election

INEC Denies Investigating Tinubu over Alleged US Court Indictment Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied investigating the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over his alleged indictment by a court in the United States. In a statement by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye, dissociated the commission from a fake press statement purported to have been issued by the commission that was trending online since Friday, November 11, 2022. The fake press statement claimed that INEC had commenced an investigation into a case of criminal forfeiture against one of

the presidential candidates in the forthcoming general election and that the commission is liaising with a court in the United States of America in pursuit of the same to determine a possible violation of INEC’s guidelines or the Electoral Act 2022. Okoye said: "We wish to state categorically that the said press release did not emanate from the commission nor is it pursuing the purported course of action. "It is the handiwork of mischief makers and utterly fake." Okoye noted that "press releases from the commission are uploaded to the INEC Press Corps platform and simultaneously disseminated through our website and official social media handles." He, therefore, advised the public to ignore the press release.

should not be based on ethnicity, it shouldn’t be on religion.” Obi promised to run a responsible government, adding, “We want a responsible government, and we are exactly going to do that. I assure you that in our government, we will work; we will talk to the people and royal fathers like you; we will give them a voice. He assured Nigerians that if elected, his government would leverage the country’s population and vast lands to boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Product and make life better for Nigerians. In another development, Obi has cautioned his supporters,

popularly called ‘Obidients’, and candidates contesting under the party at all levels, to desist from insulting others during campaigns. The presidential candidate was specifically referring to a comment made by the LP governorship candidate in Benue State describing the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, as a “deceit.” Obi, who made the call via his Twitter handle on Friday evening, urged his supporters and LP candidates to stick to issue-based campaigns and desist from name-calling and derogatory statements against others. He said, “Nigeria has very huge problems and is currently at risk of

implosion from economic hardship and insecurity. The focus, therefore, should be on how to deal with the deleterious consequences of a tanking economy, pervasive insecurity and the many other challenges that the nation is contending with rather than degenerating into name-calling. “Specifically during our recent campaign in Benue, a candidate referred to the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom, as a ‘deceit’. That is unacceptable to us.” Obi further stated that everyone had their flaws and shortcomings, himself included while adding that Ortom has always been a patriotic Nigerian.

He tweeted, “the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, remains a very patriotic Nigerian, who has always spoken for the best interest of his people and Nigeria in general. We all have our shortcomings, I have mine, and so do others. But we should not refer to people in such a derogatory manner. “I call on the Labour Party faithful, especially candidates at all levels, including my supporters to desist from name calling or derogating anyone, groups of persons or religions. “I wish all our candidates, including myself, well in the forthcoming elections,” he added.

After Moody’s, Fitch Downgrades Nigeria’s Credit Rating Says decision would based on rising fuel subsidy, mounting debts benefit public finances. expressing the view that there will online of the Forcados export

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Fitch Ratings has downgraded Nigeria’s long-term foreign currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘B-’ from ‘B’, pegging Africa's biggest oil producer just six notches above default, and at par with Ecuador and Angola. The new report is coming weeks after Moody's, a global ratings agency, equally downgraded Nigeria's local currency and foreign currency long-term issuer ratings as well as its foreign currency senior unsecured debt ratings to B3 from B2, placing the country for review for downgrade. Moody’s said the decision was driven by the significant deterioration in Nigeria's government finances despite a strong rise in international crude oil prices in 2022. Following in the footsteps of Moody’s, Fitch, a renowned global rating agency, said the latest downgrade was due to government debt service costs and worsening external liquidity, despite higher crude prices in 2022, amongst others. It added that the interest payments on debt stock exceeded government revenue in the first half of 2022. The organisation stressed that the low oil production and the expensive subsidy on petrol have consumed most of the fiscal benefit of high oil prices during the year and would continue to stress already low government revenue levels. According to Fitch, if subsidy payment is reduced in 2023, it

However, it added that the constrained oil production and structurally low domestic non-oil revenue mobilisation will limit potential gains. “Fitch expects that the implicit subsidy on petrol will cost the government approximately N5 trillion, which is 2.4 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in foregone revenue from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in 2022,” it stated. The report added that this is expected to contribute to a widening of the general government fiscal deficit to 6.1 per cent of GDP. Fitch noted the foregone revenue stems from the spread between the regulated pump price of petrol, which has averaged N190 per litre, and the import cost, which is above N300 per litre. The rating agency said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 provides for the adoption of the market price for refined fuel products, pointing out however that plans to phase out the subsidy in 2022 were pushed back owing to higher global oil prices. “In 2023, our base case scenario sees a gradual narrowing of the spread between the pump price and true market price of petrol, which is in line with the government’s proposed 2023 budget. However, we expect a longer timeframe for completely phasing out the subsidy, and therefore a higher level of foregone revenue,” Fitch stated. Fitch argued that the February 2023 election will bring a new administration, which will likely introduce a supplemental budget,

likely be public pressure to continue the fuel subsidy. “Fitch forecasts Nigeria's debt to increase to 34 per cent of GDP by end-2022. This includes the Federal Government of Nigeria's (FGN) overdraft with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). “Nigeria's debt stock is low compared with the forecast 2022 'B' median of 57.6 per cent of GDP. However, its debt servicing metrics are among the highest for Fitch-rated sovereigns. “We forecast government debt/ revenue to increase to 580 per cent in 2022 and interest/revenue to reach 47.7 per cent, compared with the current 'B' medians of 282 per cent and 10.8 per cent, respectively. Both ratios will remain at broadly the same levels in 2023 before falling slightly in 2024,” it explained. It is projected that Nigeria's oil production will continue to be weighed down by the combination of oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and ageing infrastructure. This, it noted, will limit both the GDP growth and the government’s revenue performance. “Production levels have been on a downward trend for several years and, after averaging 1.6 million barrels per day (mbpd) in 2021, fell to 1.2 mbpd in September 2022. We forecast 2022 crude oil production, including condensate, to average 1.3 mbpd and increase slightly to 1.4 mbpd in 2023. “Fitch believes that the February 2023 general election will increase security risks in the oil-producing regions, but that the coming back

terminal and the Trans-Niger pipeline could help to offset continued losses from theft and vandalism,” the report said. It stated that while higher oil prices have brought an improvement in oil export receipts, some of this has been offset by higher fuel imports, projecting that the current account will move into a small surplus in 2022, from a deficit of 0.4 per cent in 2021. Despite the improvement in the current account, Fitch forecast that reserves will end 2022 at $36.3 billion, down from $40.2 billion in 2021, and to continue falling in 2023-2024. “Falling reserves levels have contributed to tight foreign-currency liquidity, as evidenced by the rapid depreciation in the parallel market rate, which was N855/$ on 8 November as compared with the official rate of N446/$. “The inability to reliably source US dollars on the official FX market has in turn contributed to lower portfolio inflows, which will continue to put further pressure on foreign-currency liquidity,” the report noted. It is estimated that the government faces external debt amortisations of $2.4 billion in 2023 and $2.7 billion in 2024, which will be met through a combination of reserves drawdown and new external borrowing, most likely syndicated loans. According to Fitch, total external debt service will reach 11.8 per cent of current external receipts in 2022, which is lower than the 'B' median forecast of 18.6 per cent.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2022 • 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 • NOVEMBER 13, 2022

NEWS

TIME FOR THANKSGIVING… L-R: Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu; Archbishop of Benin, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Obiora Akubeze; Archbishop of Owerri and President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji; the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; and Most Rev. Antonio Filipazzi, during the ﬁfth National Eucharistic Congress in Benin City…yesterday

Plateau APC, Wase Express Readiness to Host Presidential Campaign Flag-off Seriki Adinoyi in Jos and Okon Bassey in Uyo The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State has declared its readiness to host the flag-off of the party’s presidential campaign in Jos slated for Tuesday, November 15, 2022. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman

of the 40-man local organising committee (LOC) for the flag-off, Hon. Idris Wase, while addressing journalists yesterday, commended the party for choosing Plateau State to kick off the campaign. This is coming as the Southsouth support groups of the party have begun mobilisation and campaigning for the region to achieve success for the Tinubu/

Shettima presidential ambition in the 2023 general election. Wase, who was flanked by the co-Chairman of the LOC, Prof. Sonnie Tyoden; the governorship candidate of the party in Plateau State, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, and other members of the LOC at the media parley yesterday, said the party in the state was fully prepared to host thousands of guests who

N30bn N’Assembly Renovation Project: Senate Threatens to Arrest Contractors Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Senate yesterday threatened to arrest the management staff of Visible Concept, the construction firm, handling the N30 billion renovation work at the National Assembly if the project was not completed on schedule. The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had in March this year following serious dilapidation of the National Assembly Complex, awarded contracts for the rehabilitation of critical segments like the Senate and the House of Representatives chambers. The contracts also covered the rehabilitation of the Dome in the White House as well as the construction of offices of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and Library. The projects would be delivered in phases between January and August 2023. The Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, chaired by Senator Smart Adeyemi, gave the contractors handling the project marching orders yesterday to complete the job or risk arrest. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, had in June during the first on-the-spot assessment visit made by the Senate Committee on FCT, disclosed that the contractors, Messrs Visible Concept, had collected N9 billion mobilisation fee. However, the site Engineer of Visible Concept, Tajudeen Olanipekun, during the second on-site visit by the Senate panel yesterday, demanded more mobilisation funds. He spoke in the presence of the Executive Secretary of FCDA, Shehu Hadi Ahmad. But the Chairman of the Senate panel, Adeyemi expressed serious

worry at the slow pace of work. Adeyemi said though the renovation works being carried out at both chambers were commendable, he noted with concern that the job might not be completed on the schedule based on its slow pace. He pointedly told the contractor that except for a miracle, the January 2023 deadline for delivery of transformed hallowed chambers would no longer be feasible. He said: “This project must not be abandoned in any way. The hallowed chambers are expected to be completed and delivered by the end of January 2023. "It will be a threat to democracy if this National Assembly project is not completed on schedule. "If it is the money that would delay you from completing the project let us know; we can arrange for more funds. If you don't finish this job as scheduled, we will ask Police to arrest you. This is because your action is an attempt by you to derail democracy. You seem to be playing games. "The level of work seen here today is not pointing at that which to us, is a threat to our legislative duties and functions. "The non-completion of this project at designated times is even a threat to democracy itself because we don't want the incoming government to inherit it as an abandoned one. "So, this committee wants to know challenges confronting the contractors as regards expeditious execution of the projects." In his response, the Site Engineer said fluctuations in the value of Naira to the US dollar have been problematic for them to import the required materials and equipment coupled with the need for more mobilisation funds from FCDA. Not comfortable with the response, Adeyemi told the

Executive Secretary of FCDA to get in touch with the minister for more funds for the contractors. He said: "The Executive Secretary of FCDA and Chief of Staff to the minister, you have heard the contractor. Please give them more money for this project because we don't want to hand over the problem to the incoming government. "Even if it is a bond to be taken from a bank, let it be done for timely completion of the project, please.

would storm the state. Wase said: "Plateau is home to our party, the people of our state have adopted the APC as their party. We are pleased to report to you and indeed Nigerians that the campaign is ready to move. By the grace of God, we are flagging off the campaign next Tuesday, November 15, 2022, in Jos. "All arrangements have been made to host a very successful flag-off of the campaign. The APC has done a lot in bringing developments to Plateau State,” he explained. He said that the security operatives would be deployed to tackle any breakdown of law and order, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari; the APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; governors on the platform of the ruling party, senators and several party officials are expected to grace the occasion. Meanwhile, the Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial district in the National Assembly, Prof. Nora Dadu’ut has expressed confidence that the presidential candidate of the APC,

Senator Bola Tinubu, would receive massive support from the people of the state during the flag-off. She also reiterated the capacity of the state governor and the Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Simon Lalong to lead the party to victory at the general election next year. Dadu’ut, a member of the Women Presidential Campaign team for Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Organisation assigned to the strategic planning directorate, in a statement said that kick-starting the rally in Jos is a national endorsement of the fact that Plateau State is home of the APC. Meanwhile, the South-south support groups of the APC have begun mobilisation and campaigning for the region to achieve success for the Tinubu/Shettima residential ambition in 2023. The groups said the era of political domination by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the region was over, adding that they would mobilise for the APC to take control of the region from 2023. Addressing party faithful at a

mini rally held at Nsima Ekere playground, along 4 Lane, Uyo, the state Chairman, Coalition of Support Groups, Akwa Ibom State chapter, Hon. Patty Etete Inemeh urged the group to mobilise their members in their respective states to work to end the domination of the PDP in the zone. He extolled the lofty virtues of the APC presidential flag bearer, Tinubu and his vice presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima, adding that their candidature is in the best interest of the region. "Let me assure all of us here that Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket is in the best interest of the South-south, we must go back to mobilise our members to vote for APC in the forthcoming election." The Chairman, while acknowledging the complementary support of the leader of APC leaders in Akwa Ibom State, including Senator Godswill Akpabio, Obong Akan Udofia, and others, urged the support groups to be the "torchlight bearers" to highlight the need to vote and work for all APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.

Tension as N’Assembly Clerk Fails to Proceed on Terminal Leave

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

There is palpable tension at the National Assembly following the alleged refusal of the Clerk, Olatunde Ojo, to present his preretirement letter, which is expected to take effect from tomorrow, November 14. An investigation by THISDAY revealed that Ojo was to formally proceed on his three-month preretirement leave effective from Monday but sources in the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), said yesterday that he did not submit any letter as at the end of the close of work on Friday. It was further learnt that Ojo had officially written to the NASC, seeking more time before he would comply with the service rule that mandates him to start a three-month pre-retirement leave on Monday as a prerequisite for his retirement from service. One of the sources, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, because he was not officially authorised to speak on the matter, explained that

the outgoing CNA wanted to spend his three-month retirement leave in the office. The source said: "Our position is that the CNA should proceed on his retirement leave on Monday, although some of our people believe that his request to spend the period in office should be considered. "It seems Ojo's request might be granted because we observed that the Chairman of the NASC, Ahmed Amshi, appears to be planning a soft landing for him in that regard. However, some of us are not happy with it.” Sources close to the leadership of the National Assembly branch of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) also claimed that the members of staff of the nation's parliament were not happy with the development. They were said to be accusing Ojo of working against the laid-down civil service rules and regulations. Stakeholders, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and a former CNA,

Dr. Salisu Maikasuwa, were said to have intervened in the matter. Both Gbajabiamila and Maikasuwa were said to have objected to the alleged plot by Ojo to serve his three-month retirement leave in the office. Maikasuwa, on his part, said he did not wait until the compulsory three-month pre-retirement leave before he presented his letter of voluntary retirement, even six months ahead. The former CNA reportedly told the NASC Chairman that he should allow due process and precedents to guide the commission in this instant case. Part of his message read, "With utmost respect and humility, I crave your kind indulgence to allow due process and precedence to prevail on the pre-retirement of Arc. Ojo, the incumbent CNA. “In doing this, you will get a pass mark from National Assembly Staff members, Nigerians, posterity and the Almighty God,” Maikasuwa, a former CNA, wrote. In the meantime, sources told

THISDAY in Abuja yesterday that the NASC Commissioners would meet on Monday to determine the appointment of a new CNA. Investigation revealed that there were alleged plans by some powerful people to influence the appointment of the new CNA. The plan, according to sources, favours the current Secretary of the Finance and Accounts Department, Sanni Magaji Tambuwal, as the new Clerk. The plan for his proposed appointment is allegedly being championed by an unnamed governor and the outgoing Clerk. However, the NASC Chairman has denied the allegation that some commissioners were being influenced to subvert the civil service rule in favour of any individual. He said: "It is not true. We cannot bring anybody from outside. Nobody has bribed anyone; people are just making up this. "We want to assure members of the commission that the right things would be done in selecting a new clerk."

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2022 • 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 NOVEMBER 6, 2022

NEWS

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

Nigeria, Others Need $170bn Annually to Bridge Infrastructure Financing Gap, UNECA Reveals Gboyega Akinsanmi The United Nations Economic Council for Africa (UNECA) at the weekend revealed that Nigeria, South African and countries in Africa would need $170 billion annually to bridge the continent’s infrastructure financing gap. UNECA’s Acting Executive Secretary, Mr. Antonio M.A. Pedro gave the figure in a statement the UNECA Communications Office released Friday after a session on Africa Climate Resilient Investment Facility (AFRI-RES). AFRI-RES is a joint initiative of the ECA, the African Union Commission, and the African Development Bank. During its first phase, the ECA and the AUC have led the component of training and advocacy and also the development of a climate knowledge and information portal. AFRI-RES supports countries, regional entities such as river basin commissions, and projects developers with the capacity and tools to integrate climate resilience in investments in key sectors. Quoted in UNECA’s state-

ment, Pedro said closing the infrastructure development gap means investing up to $170 billion per year in sectors such as energy, transport, water, sanitation, urban, and ecosystems. He noted that Nigeria, South Africa and other countries in Africa should invest in infrastructure resilient to climate change, which pushed countries to spend almost five percent of their GDP in adapting to its impacts. He revealed that the continent already had an infrastructure financing gap of more than $100 billion per year, according to the African Development Bank. He said: “There is a case for Africa to ramp up investment in developing infrastructure that is vital to improving the standards of living for the African citizens as well as for the continent’s global competitiveness. “AFRI-RES is a boost to climate proofing infrastructure in Africa. There is an urgent need to close Africa’s infrastructure deficit at scale and at speed if the continent is to meet its development objectives - as stipulated in various national development plans, the UN

Rivers Grants 181 Prisoners Amnesty Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, has granted pardon to 181 inmates in various correctional centres in the state in a bid to decongest the facilities. The 181 pardoned inmates were also discharged and acquitted of their offences. While speaking at the close of the two-day decongestion exercise at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre, Amadi said the exercise was a prelude to the 2022/2023 state legal year ceremony. Amadi was represented at the event by the Deputy Chief

Registrar in charge of litigation, Chief Magistrate, Friday Poromon. The chief judge said: “On November 22, I will embark on another goal delivery exercise as activities put together to herald the 2022/2023 legal year in the state.” While addressing the freed inmates, he said the society contributed more to the congestion of the correctional centres. “Members of the society have also contributed largely to what we have here. It is sad. “Simple civil disputes, quarrel over boundaries; people rush to the police stations and insist that the police must bring very heavy charges.

Sultan Urges Nigerians to Pray against Floods, Disasters The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III yesterday urged Nigerians to pray against recurrence of flood and other natural disasters in the country. Abubakar made the call during the coronation and presentation of Staff of Office to Alhaji Farouq Umar, the 12th Emir of Katagum, in Azare headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State. Represented by the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, the Sultan noted that all natural disasters like floods were ordained by Almighty Allah and should be accepted in good faith. “We are also here to sympathise with our brothers

and sisters who have died or affected by the recent floods in the country,” he said, adding there is nothing one can do in such a situation than to accept whatever happens in good faith. The Sultan lauded Governor Bala Mohammmed for the presentation of the Staff of Office to one of the flag bearers of Usman Danfodio Caliphate. “The governor has done well by taking this bold step to the coronation and presentation of Staff of Office to the Emir of Katagum today,” he said. The former Vice-President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar attended the event.

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and Agenda 2063,” Pedro said. He noted that the sectors “are sensitive to the adverse impacts of climate change, including more frequent and intense floods, droughts, and heat waves.

“Against a background of increasing climate change impacts that are already costing Africa on average 5 percent of GDP per year, it is important to boost the confidence that the infrastructure investments will deliver services and return on investments in both today’s and

tomorrow’s climate.” Pedro stated that in 2016 the Kariba dam on the Zambezi - which supplies most of the electricity consumed in Zimbabwe and Zambia - almost shut down as the volume of water in the reservoir dropped to about 12 percent of capacity because

of the unusual El Nino and La Nina events of 2015/2016 attributable to climate change. He said the findings of the report led to the establishment of the Africa Climate Resilient Investment Facility – AFRI-RES – supported by the Nordic Development Fund.

STANDING STRONG… Chairman, Southern Senators’ Forum, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (left), and Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji after a leadership meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State … weekend

Gunmen Invade Soludo’s Village Again, Kill Two Soldiers David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka For the second time with two months, gunmen yesterday attacked Isuofia, a community in Aguata Local Government Area, where Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo hails from. The gunmen launched the attack on one of the military checkpoints in the community in the early hours of Saturday. Consequently, findings revealed that at least six persons

were killed in a fierce gun battle between the gunmen and soldiers stationed in the community. Of the six death casualties, according to the findings, two were soldiers and four were members of the armed gang that carried out the invasion. After the attack, THISDAY checks showed that the gunmen first attacked the soldiers and killed two of them before the army personnel pursued them and killed four of them in the

process. In a statement by its Public Relations officer (PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga, the Anambra State Police Command confirmed the invasion yesterday, describing it as unprovoked and unwarranted. Ikenga, in a terse statement, said police operatives have been deployed to the scene, and that normalcy has been restored in the area. In another statement by the Commissioner for Information,

Paul Nwosu yesterday, the state government condemned the attack, describing it as unfortunate and uncalled-for. The information commissioner urged indigenes to always alert security officials when they notice security breeches. Nwosu said: “A gang of gunmen struck the Nigerian Army checkpoint at Afor-Uzo Junction, Isuofia this morning. But unfortunately for the hoodlums they met their Waterloo.

NCC to Discuss December 5G Spectrum Auction at Stakeholders’ Forum Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has concluded arrangements to hold stakeholders’ forum where the proposed auction of the remaining two lots in the 3.5GHz spectrum for the deployment of 5G services, would be discussed. The second 5G auction is slated to hold in December this year. In a statement signed by its

Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka, the commission said it would host an engagement session with stakeholders to discuss and provide more insight into the draft Information Memorandum (I’m) that would guide the process. The NCC had earlier announced the plan to license additional lots in the 3.5 GHz spectrum band for the deployment of 5G network across the country.

NCC had in December last year, auctioned the first three lots in 3.5GHz spectrum, where MTN Nigeria Plc and Mafab Communications, won the spectrum licence. MTN had since commenced commercial 5G rollout in Nigeria, but Mafab is yet to roll out. The session with the stakeholders, according to Muoka, will take place at the Marriot Hotel, Ikeja,

Lagos, on the 15th of November 2022. The engagement session will feature comments and submissions made by the different stakeholders on the draft Information Memorandum. The outcome of the submission will be taken into consideration by the Commission in publishing the Information Memorandum for the auction.

Overhaul ITF’s Curriculum, NASENI Pleads with FG The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof, Mohammed Sani Haruna, yesterday asked the federal government to overhaul and redesign of the curriculum of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Haruna said Nigeria cannot continue to produce engineering, science and technology graduates without adequate

hands-on. He said the nation can catch up with the rest of the world if it returns to prioritisation of crafts, technical and vocational schools and education. The NASENI boss added that Nigerians are outsourcing occupational specialisation from Togo, from Cameroon, even Niger and other West African States because schools do not pay

attention to skills acquisition. Mohammed made the submissions in a keynote speech at the Annual general Meeting of the Relevant Technology Old Students’ Association (RETOSA) in Jos. He said: “I hereby recommend the overhaul and redesign of the curriculum of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to adopt the model and method of the Relevant Technology for a

truly practically oriented workforce. “In reality, the current ITF is adding nothing to skill acquisition. I also call on the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to integrate Relevant Technology System in the syllabus of monotechnics and polytechnics as well as the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).”

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 13 , 2022

BUSINESS

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

When Security Alert Erodes Economic Gains Although the assurances from the nation’s security forces have begun to douse the tension created by the recent security alarm raised by the United States and a few foreign missions, analysts warned that the security scare is capable of eroding government tax revenue, food production, foreign direct investment and government’s oil revenue, writes Festus Akanbi

few weeks after a security alert was triggered by the United States Embassy in Nigeria, analysts said that the Nigerian economy has begun to bear the brunt ZLWK WKH H[LW RI VRPH VWDͿ of the American embassy; the panic mode in some of the other embassies in Nigeria and the attendant negative report about the country. 7KLV IHDU ZDV FRQÀUPHG E\ WKH 0LQLVWHU RI ,QIRUPDWLRQ DQG &XOWXUH /DL 0RKDPPHG DQG KLV 'HIHQFH FRXQWHUSDUW 0DMRU *HQHUDO %DVKLU 0DJDVKL UWG ZKHQ WKH\ DSSHDUHG EHIRUH D National Assembly committee to defend their ministries’ 2023 budget proposals a few weeks ago. 0RKDPPHG WROG WKH 6HQDWH &RPPLWWHH RQ ,QIRUPDWLRQ WKDW WKH ORQJ WHUP HͿHFWV RI DOHUWV on the economy would be “quite harmful,” disclosing that he received inquiries from Nigerian missions abroad on the security situation.” “I received several inquiries from our missions abroad as if there was a problem in the country. It was really unfortunate. “These embassies heightened the situation by evacuating their nationals and sending DGYLVRULHV WR VWD\ DZD\ IURP $EXMD ´7KH ORQJ WHUP HFRQRPLF HͿHFWV RI WKH advisory will be quite harmful to Nigeria because investors will not come and invest in a country alleged to be unsafe. It was really sad.” The Scare A statement issued by the Embassy on October 22, 2022, had warned of an elevated ULVN RI WHUURU DWWDFNV LQ 1LJHULD VSHFLÀFDOO\ LQ $EXMD OLVWLQJ WDUJHWV WR LQFOXGH EXW DUH QRW limited to government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organisations. The US Embassy’s alert was swiftly reiterated by similar advisories to their citizens by the United Kingdom’s, French, Australian, Canadian, and other European Union missions in the country. On its part, Australia advised its citizens to reconsider travelling to Nigeria “due to high threats of terrorist attack and kidnapping, the volatile security situation, possible violent civil unrest, and high levels of violent crime.” In the ensuing confusion, some of the foreign missions in the country approved the HYDFXDWLRQ RI WKHLU QRQ HVVHQWLDO VWDͿ DQG their families. This was in response to credible intelligence that they claimed suggested potential attacks on government buildings, places of worship, markets, shopping malls, transport terminals, and other public places in the FCT and other Nigerian cities. Hurting the Economy Worried by the negative image the developPHQW KDV WULJJHUHG HFRQRPLF DͿDLUV ZDWFKHUV said handling the security situation may further hurt Nigeria’s economy in many ways. They pointed out that terrorism leads to the reallocation of economic activity away from private investment spending to government spending on defence infrastructure, with an RYHUDOO QHW HͿHFW RI FURZGLQJ RXW SULYDWH investments. According to them, terrorism alters the composition of government expenditure by causing an increase in the defence component of government expenditure vis-a-vis other expenditure items. In recent times, Nigeria has ascended the

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ranks as one of the most active terror destinations in the world in terms of the frequency of attacks and sophistication of attacks. Analysts, therefore, foresee a situation whereby the security scare in the country ZRXOG DͿHFW LQWHUQDWLRQDO WRXULVWV· DUULYDO and ease of doing business. In their opinion, they believed that WHUURULVW DFWLYLWLHV ZLOO DGYHUVHO\ DͿHFW WKH LQÁRZ RI )', WR WKH FRXQWU\ EHFDXVH of the assumption that terrorism reduces LQYHVWRUV· FRQÀGHQFH LQ DQ HFRQRP\ EHcause of insecurity. Thus, the expansion of the market size and liberalisation of capital accounts enhance the attractiveness of a country to FDI. Responding to THISDAY inquiries ODVW ZHHN IRUPHU 'LUHFWRU *HQHUDO RI WKH 1LJHULDQ (FRQRPLF 6XPPLW *URXS 1(6* 0U )UDQN 1ZHNH -QU VDLG LW LV true that there is a correlation between the security scare and the economy. Nweke, who is also a governorship FDQGLGDWH RI WKH $OO 3URJUHVVLYHV *UDQG $OOLDQFH $3*$ LQ (QXJX 6WDWH VDLG no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of insecurity. According to him, “The security alert that the United States Embassy in Nigeria LVVXHG UHFHQWO\ LV QRW D RQH RͿ WKLQJ We have all watched how security in our country has deteriorated under this administration. It has gone from bad to worse or anything worse than worst. That LV WKH VLWXDWLRQ ZH ÀQG RXUVHOYHV LQ µ Corroborating the fears of many investment analysts that the current tension is FDSDEOH RI ZDUGLQJ RͿ SRWHQWLDO IRUHLJQ LQYHVWRUV LQ 1LJHULD WKH IRUPHU 1(6* helmsman said: “The way things stand today, I believe no investor will be eager to come and invest in our country. “Look at what happened recently, especially the exodus of foreign missions from Nigeria. It is not a good indicator. Even from a national perspective or even though we often make reference

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to security in the context of investment, I will encourage people to see that security is important for the cost of daily life. The basic thing we want to put in place for investors is also the basic thing that every Nigerian needs, even for local investors. “Insecurity constrains their businesses; XQGHUPLQHV FRQÀGHQFH EXLOGLQJ DQG KLQGHUV DQ\ HͿRUW WR PDNH WKLQJV KDSSHQ LQ WKH FRXQWU\ except in the area where they are very familiar or where they do not have to travel too far to superintend their investments.” One of the groups that have shown serious concern over the decline in investment LQÁRZ DQG GRPHVWLF IRRG SURGXFWLRQ FKDOlenges currently being aggravated by rising security concerns is the Nigerian Association RI &KDPEHUV RI &RPPHUFH ,QGXVWU\ 0LQHV DQG $JULFXOWXUH 1$&&,0$ According to the chamber, Nigeria is currently facing a risk of decline due to the perception of Nigeria as having an investment climate that is unfriendly to business. Citing recent data from the National %XUHDX RI 6WDWLVWLFV 1%6 RQ WKH GHFOLQH LQ IRUHLJQ LQYHVWPHQW E\ DV PXFK DV SHU FHQW 1$&&,0$ QRWHG WKDW D ORVV RI )RUHLJQ 'LUHFW ,QYHVWPHQW LV MXVW RQH GLPHQVLRQ LQ ZKLFK WKH HFRQRP\ LV DͿHFWHG E\ LQVHFXULW\ 1$&&,0$ 3UHVLGHQW ,GH 8GHDJEDOD stated that domestic food production is at risk and there is a dimension of insecurity that is contributing to rising production costs and reduced consumption of goods and services. According to him, the security situation in the country demands urgent and serious attention. Udeagbala stated that these are uncertain times, necessitating the need for the federal government to quickly address the increasing insecurity challenges, poor infrastructure, LUUHJXODU SRZHU VXSSO\ DQG LQFUHDVLQJ LQÁDtion rates which have remained a threat to businesses and investments in the country. A commentator, Doris Dokua Sasu, in a report titled, Economic Cost of Terrorism as 6KDUH RI *'3 LQ 1LJHULD PDLQWDLQHG WKDW LQ WKH HFRQRPLF FRVW RI WHUURULVP LQ

Nigeria covered 2.4 per cent of the country’s *'3 D GHFUHDVH E\ SHUFHQWDJH SRLQWV compared to the previous year. Nigeria has been ravaged by terrorist activities which have made the country unsafe for Nigerians and foreign investors. The country ZDV QDPHG WKH WKLUG PRVW D΁LFWHG E\ WHUURULVP LQ WKH *OREDO 7HUURULVP ,QGH[ WUDLOLQJ only Iraq and Afghanistan. According to reports, the disturbing level of insecurity has rendered the economy unappealing to local and foreign investors, who have become apprehensive of investing and putting their hard-earned resources into SURÀWDEOH LQYHVWPHQW LQ 1LJHULD Trail of Violence $SDUW IURP WKH 0DUFK WUDLQ DPEXVK LQ Kaduna where 62 passengers were abducted and eight persons killed, bandits have attacked the Kaduna Airport, massacred worshippers at a church in Owo, Ondo State, and taken control of territories in some parts of the North. Shortly before the terror alerts from foreign embassies, the media were replete with news of terrorist activities as some of them were said to have encircled the FCT and punctured its myth of impregnability. ,Q -XO\ %RNR +DUDP WHUURULVWV UDLGHG WKH .XMH &RUUHFWLRQDO &HQWUH IUHHLQJ RYHU inmates, 64 of them terror suspects. Troops of WKH 1LJHULDQ $UP\ %ULJDGH RI *XDUGV ZKLFK provides security for the Presidential Villa and FCT, were similarly ambushed by terrorists ZKR NLOOHG WZR R΀FHUV DQG VL[ VROGLHUV *LYHQ WKH UHFHQW HͿRUWV RI WKH YDULRXV VHFXrity organisations to calm the frayed nerves, analysts said expectations will be high that the VHFXULW\ IRUFHV ZLOO QRW UHOHQW LQ WKHLU HͿRUWV to create a peaceful atmosphere needed for businesses to thrive. And as pointed out by Nweke, there is an urgent need to guarantee the safety of the people of Nigeria in the interest of the economy since no foreign investor will be ready to commit his resources to a country which operates in an atmosphere of terror.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 6 , 2022

ECONOMY

L-R: Vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ifeanyi Okowa; Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi; Chairman & Editor-in-Chief of the THISDAY\ARISE Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena; Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso; and his Peoples Redemption Party counterpart, Mr. Kola Abiola, after the town hall meeting…on Monday

$V &DQGLGDWHV 8QYHLO (FRQRPLF $JHQGD at Presidential Town Hall Series It was a golden opportunity for the presidential candidates of the frontline political parties to EXUQLVK WKHLU FUHGHQWLDOV ODVW ZHHN DW WKH ÀUVW LQ WKH VHULHV RI WRZQ KDOO PHHWLQJV RUJDQLVHG by ARISE NEWS Channel in Abuja. Festus Akanbi captures the highlights of their economic agenda as campaigns for the 2023 elections gather momentum

s the election days draw nearer, the leading contenders to the position of president of Nigeria seemed to realise that their messages to the electorate have to be measured and targeted in line with the current political and economic realities in the country. Last week, some of these politicians were able to take advantage of the opportunity provided E\ WKH ÀUVW WRZQKDOO PHHWLQJ RUJDQLVHG E\ ARISE NEWS Channel, where four of the frontline presidential candidates in the 2023 general election presented their programmes with which they seek to win voters support at the polls. Present at the meeting, were a former governor of Kano State and presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso; a former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi; the Governor of Delta State and vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Okowa, who stood in for his principal, Atiku Abubakar, and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Mr. Kola Abiola. It ZDV D SURJUDPPH ZKHUH WKH ÁDJEHDUHU RI WKH All Progressive Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu was conspicuously absent. Kwankwaso: We will Stop Oil Theft The NNPP candidate talked about issues ranging from the war against corruption, the stoppage of the controversial fuel subsidy programme, the war against corruption and the need to focus squarely on agriculture. According to Kwankwaso, “It is very critical to us that we work on how to stop stealing of oil and other assets owned by the nation. On the issue of subsidy, we are aware that there is D ORW RI FRUUXSWLRQ LQ WKH ÀHOG DQG WKH ÀUVW DUHD of attack on subsidy is the issue of corruption. Subsidy overall doesn’t do any good to anybody but at the same time, we are concerned with the welfare of Nigerians.” Promising to draw inspiration from his experience as a former Kano State Governor, he boasted that he never borrowed in the eight years that he governed the state and that he left so much money amounting to over $43 million in the account of electricity generation. He said: “We inherited a budget, which recur-

rent was 70 per cent, capital 30 per cent but by the time I was going in 2015, we reversed that. I believe that in this country, we have enough money, enough resources and all we need is leadership that will ensure that every kobo goes into the right place.” He assured Nigerians that his government if voted into power would not be vulnerable to any moneybag, saying, “Our party is not based on the leadership of the moneybags. Everybody knows that we have an ideology and beliefs on governance. We have done it before and by the grace of God, if we have the opportunity, we will do it even better.” 2EL :H :LOO 8VH 5HVRXUFHV (ͿFLHQWO\ Obi who drew a link between poverty and insecurity, expressed disappointment over the level of poverty in the country, especially, in northern Nigeria, where he said leaders had failed to leverage the huge arable lands in the region to create employment. “Today, in Nigeria, you have 35 per cent unemployment with our youths. With your youths, who are in productive age, you have 60 per cent of youths unemployed. You can’t have that, and won’t have a crisis. That’s where the guns are domiciled. “So, you replace that with the job, you replace it with employment, and you invest in your micro small businesses, where these youths are domiciled by supporting them, pulling them out of poverty. Obi, who earlier alleged that people in government were involved in oil theft, said his government would remove subsidy to develop other critical sectors of the economy. “The quantity of consumption is unacceptable and you can compare with countries like Pakistan with about 215,000,000 to 220,000,000; they have more roads than we have and they have more vehicles than we have but their consumption is below ours. That shows that something is wrong. It’s the criminality that we need to deal with immediately. “What will I do? We will remove the subsidy. 8VH WKH UHVRXUFHV H΀FLHQWO\ VHW XS UHÀQHULHV and channel the rest of the resources to other critical sectors,” he said. Atiku/Okowa: We Shall Improve Export (FRQRP\ Although the presidential candidate of the PDP,Atiku, was absent, he was ably represented

by his deputy, who is also the current Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. On the economy, Okowa said the Atiku/ Okowa presidency would be on top of the Nigerian situation like the Obasanjo/Atiku combination from 1999 to 2007. “From 1999 to 2007, we knew where President Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku, met the country and where they left it. Because of them, we were able to pay back a lot of our debt and we had debt forgiveness. “In Delta State, we used to have agitations in oil-producing communities. But now, we have partnered with these communities to create jobs, create a new class of entrepreneurs and show people that we care about development. “The right path is to use government resources to develop entrepreneurs, make people’s lives easier, and grow the economy so that people will live in better conditions,” he said. Cautioning against the narratives of claiming to save money instead of using it directly, because money was losing value, Okowa gave instances of how he developed the Delta State economy as well as the healthcare system in the state, explaining that the Atiku/Okowa presidency would do the same if allowed to lead the country. He further advocated the use of technology in intelligence gathering to track criminals, saying there should be training for the security R΀FLDOV WR DWWDLQ WKHLU PD[LPXP HͿRUWV He described subsidy as a scam, explaining that it was impossible for Nigeria to consume 60 million barrels of fuel, let alone 90 barrels. To address the scam, he called for the quick completion of the Dangote 5HÀQHU\ LQ /DJRV DQG WKH LQWURGXFWLRQ RI WKH RSHUDWLRQV RI PRGXODU UHÀQHULHV LQ WKH country. He equally advocated a production economy as against a consumption economy, explaining that it was the only way to tackle WKH HͿHFW RI WKH GROODU RQ WKH QDLUD VWUHVVLQJ WKDW LW ZDV DODUPLQJ WKDW WKH R΀FLDO GROODU UDWH would be N430, whereas the parallel market rate would be above N800.“An Atiku/Okowa the presidency will improve the export economy and less on import,” he said. Speaking on power, he thinks that where we are today is not good enough. “The laws have tended to hold us back. The fact is, we need to ensure that the private sector is heavily involved, from generation to distribution to transmission,”

he stated. $ELROD 6XEVLG\ ZLOO 0RYH IURP &RQVXPSWLRQ WR 0RUWJDJHV Abiola said if he is elected, his government would stop subsidising consumption but added that his government would rather subsidise PRUWJDJHV HYHQ DV KH FRQGHPQHG WKH À[HG exchange rate that was twice the rate of the parallel market. “Forex is a big problem. You can have the biggest foreign exchange in Nigeria, which is the oil and could go up and down from time to time. Like during COVID-19, it was at its ORZHVW EXW \RXU H[FKDQJH UDWH UHPDLQHG À[HG Raising the hope of more jobs for the people, Abiola said the PRP was not here to share billions with people but to serve Nigerians by creating MREV DQG JLYLQJ D OHYHO SOD\LQJ ÀHOG WR KHOS create those jobs. He pointed out that if the security problem in the country was not solved, nothing would work in Nigeria and nothing would give investors WKH FRQÀGHQFH WR LQYHVW LQ 1LJHULD Abiola noted: “We’re going to create that environment. We are here to correct the falls from the old parties from the old generation WR WU\ WR GR GLͿHUHQWO\ IRU \RX µ Abiola, who observed that Nigeria’s economic challenge could best be realigned by shifting focus on internal factors instead of external ones, suggested that the country would have to increase its revenue base “by making sure that we stop all theft” and harness the potential of the informal sector.” “Presently, we have an informal sector that is about 62 per cent of the formal and if we can get that sector into our economy, it will make a KXJH GLͿHUHQFH LQ RXU UHYHQXH EDVH µ To realise the objective, the presidential candidate emphasised the need for politicians to start by making a commitment to the people through the establishment of good governance, adding that the government of the day have to earn the trust of this sector, which has existed over the years on their own. On the issue of power, he said his administration would look at the potential of each region with the intent of coming up with a solution for the energy mix, explaining that areas with hydro potential and capabilities would be encouraged to develop along that line, while areas with solar and renewable energy would also be supported.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 13 , 2022

FINANCE

Taking SFTAS Beyond the Buhari Years As the World Bank-assisted States Fiscal, Transparency Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme designed to enthrone ﬁscal discipline at the sub-national level gradually approaches a terminal point, it has become increasingly necessary to sustain the ideals, Ndubuisi Francis reports

Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed

etween 2015 and 2016, the consequences of decades-long ÀQDQFLDO SURÁLJDF\ FKDUDFWHULVHG E\ FDUHOHVV ÀVFDO PDQDJHPHQW DW WKH VXE QDWLRQDO OHYHO FU\VWDOOLVHG LQWR D QHDU ÀVFDO FULVLV IRU PRVW VWDWHV RI WKH

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • NOVEMBER 13, 2022

SOFT FINANCE with AYO AROWOLO The only column you may need to read on everything personal finance, money, investing -and other life matters

EMAIL: AYO.AROWOLO@THISDAYLIVE.COM PHONE: 08086447494( SMS ONLY)

What Happens to Your Wealth When You Are Gone? Synthesising views and insights from experts, Ayo Arowolo writes that building wealth is not complete unless it accommodates the mechanisms for making it outlast the wealth creator.

redrick Rotimi Alade (FRA) Williams and Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi, both of blessed memory, could be described as legal behemoths in their lifetimes. Back then, whenever either of them stepped into any courtroom in any part of the country, their domineering, and larger-than-life personalities, ensured that everyone paid attention. Undoubtedly, both men made significant impacts in their respective areas of legal practice. Fawehinmi was a fearless human rights fighter who devoted his entire legal career and a large portion of his resources to fighting the causes of the common man. FRA Williams, nicknamed Timi the Law, was described as a man of monumental stature, both in physique and in his accomplishments as a legal practitioner. It was said that when FRA, the first lawyer to be appointed a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stepped into a court to argue a case, he could invent a complex network of robust citations to back his defence, most of which were usually incontrovertible. Interestingly too, both personalities were men of immense means who amassed enormous personal wealth while their respective careers lasted. On his part, the late Fawehinmi acquired a large chunk of his wealth from the proceeds of his extensive law publications. In the end, FRA’s estate was put at roughly $3 million, while that of Fawehinmi was put at about $1.5 million. Williams died in 2005 at the age of 84. Fawehinmi passed on in September 2009 at the age of 71.

THEIR ESTATES AFTER DEATH Although both men enjoyed thriving legal practices and were decidedly wealthy individuals at the time they passed on to greater glory, a Google search today on both names would produce wildly different results. A search on the name FRA Williams would astound the curious one. Strange items such as, “War lingers on in FRA Williams’ family;” “The Billions Chief FRA Williams left;” “Children at war;” “The Williams Sons Fight over Fredrick N26bn Estate”, “The Williams Family Feud;” “Till Death Do Us Part;” and “The FRA Williams Battle Lingers,” among others. Conversely, a simple search on the late Gani Fawehinmi would produce copious entries on his illustrious legal and human rights career. No controversy has trailed the estate of the late human rights activist and legal luminary since he passed through a transition about 13 years ago. How did the late Fawehinmi manage to isolate his estate from controversies while that of FRA Williams continues to swim in the waters of disputations? Experts, versed in post-humous estate matters, who spoke with me put the matter in perspective. They explained that the main distinguishing factor between the estates of the two erstwhile legal luminaries was the choice of legal arrangement put in place before each of them passed on. The major differentiator, according to them, was that while the late FRA Williams adopted the use of a Will for his estate, the late Fawehinmi appointed a trustee to manage his estate, while he was alive, which persisted even in death. Prince Yemisi Shyllon, a legal practitioner and philanthropist explained that “the reason Rotimi Williams’ Will did not work was that he depended a lot on his first son, Ladi Williams. When he wrote his Will, he made Ladi Williams more or less the sole executor, and Ladi Williams ran the estate completely independent of his brothers.” On the contrary, Fawehinmi appointed First Trustees as the sole executor and trustee of his estate and this was read on Thursday, 22 April 2010 in the presence of his widows, children and relatives. Besides making provisions for his widows, children and relatives, Fawehinmi also left part of his vast estate for the benefit of the poor. (Punch, Friday, April 23, 2010)

BETWEEN A WILL AND A LIVING TRUST Prince Shyllon explained that “both the Living Trust and a Will are legal documents created to guide how you want your estate to be managed. The Will comes into effect when you are dead while the Living Trust is operational when you are alive and also goes into effect when you are dead. “Living Trust means that ownership of an asset is put into a Living Trust via declarations of trust and with regulations and guidelines, documented

Gani Fawehinmi in the trust deed, which allows you to control your assets when you are alive but you cannot control them when you are dead.” “And that is the major difference between a Living Trust and a Will,” he added. “It is called living because once you are alive; you can continue to do whatever you like with your assets while you have declared who your trustee is. You transfer the ownership and the management to your trustee. And when you are dead, the trustee takes over the management and runs it according to the guidelines you mutually agreed on when you were alive. The company that now manages it is called a trustee.”

MAJOR ADVANTAGES Experts on estates explained that Living Trusts do not go to the probate before being distributed to beneficiaries. They said probate can be very expensive, and public and everything is done in the open but a Living Trust does not have to go through probate. The trustees can distribute to the beneficiaries while avoiding excessive taxes and the lengthy process of probate. In the Living Trust, the grantee names the trustee who holds the assets on behalf of the grantor, according to the rules and direction of the grantor for the benefit of the trust beneficiaries.

A WILL 1. A will is activated only when the testator is dead 2. A will can be contested by a party to it 3. A will goes through probate and attract some costs 4. A will is open and can cannot be kept private 5. A will is usually a subject of controversies among beneﬁciaries

the husband is dead, for instance, the wife may not be able to take over the assets. So, the account has to be joint ownership from the beginning,” he said. A top official in a trustee company who preferred to be anonymous gave an instance she described as the pathetic story of a man who died on account of his inability to pay a N10 million medical bill though he had built a portfolio of stock that stood at N62 million standing in his Living Trust. The wife could not withdraw money because she was only a signatory to the trust instead of being a joint trustee. She said this is a legal mistake many people make, which plunges their loved ones into pain and sorrow after death. “It should be noted, however, that a Living Trust requires ongoing work for management and maintenance to be effective. Any new property must be in the name of the trust, and no longer in your name, otherwise, the assets will go through probate and as you have said it involves a lot of expenditure. “It is also possible to back up your Living Trust with a Will, but in that Will, you will empower your trustee to manage your assets when you are dead along with the guidelines you have put in place,” she said.

FRA Williams

TYPES OF LIVING TRUSTS Shyllon explained further: “There is the revocable Living Trust and irrevocable Living Trust. Remember I said the ownership of the assets remains with the trustee, but you can name yourself the trustee in a Living Trust so that you can continue to use your assets as you like until you are dead. “In a revocable trust, you can cancel, you can change, you can alter the rules and even the content of the trust any time before death. You can add new beneficiaries, remove old ones, add more assets, change the Trust guidelines, and sell the Trust assets while you are alive. But after death, the trust now becomes irrevocable. “With an irrevocable trust, you cannot do any of the things we have highlighted above. It will go through probate. That is why many people avoid irrevocable trust.” A major advantage of irrevocable trust is that you can avoid some estate tax. Once it is irrevocable, the assets are removed from some tax bounds, and it is for those whose estates are above the federal tax exemptions. “Another advantage of a Living Trust is that you can add the name of your spouse; so you can have a joint Living Trust. But please note this, the account has to be registered in the name of both spouses, not just making the other a signatory. “Otherwise, she will go through probate, and when

A LIVING TRUST 1. A living Trust is activate while the settlor is still alive 2. A living trust can hardly be contested 3. A Living Trust does not need to go through the court (probate) 4. A Living Trust is private and away from the eyes of the public 5. A Living Trust can admit a spouse as a joint trustee/settlor

ME AND MY MONEY

FURTHER INSIGHTS A relationship manager in a Lagos-based trustee company said, “a lot of Nigerians know more about a Will than a Trust. Only about 10 per cent of Nigerians ever knows anything about a Trust.” According to him, a Trust is ordinarily set up by three parties, including the beneficiaries who will enjoy the Trust, the trustee to oversee whatever you want to do in your lifetime and the settlor. “The reason this is less problematic is that the trustee actually continues what the settlor had been doing in his lifetime. No surprises. Also, more importantly, the beneficiaries are also there from the onset. In the case of a bank account of a testator, when he dies, they will request for certain letter of administration, but under a Living Trust, there is no need for that because the trustee would have become a joint signatory to the account in your lifetime, so everything is seamless. It makes life simpler and more secure for your beneficiaries. They don’t have to undergo any stress. “In the case of a bank account, you are usually requested to fill in the next of kin. And when he is dead, the bank may not contact the next of kin, so the account may still remain in the bank. But in the case of a Living Trust, you don’t fill out a next-of-kin form, you indicate the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries have the right to lay a claim to whatever you might have put aside for them.” He further explained, “Living Trust is being guided by the deed of trust, which is a document prepared by the trustee in your own interest for your kind review until you are satisfied with the content and how it will be run in your lifetime. It is the same way it will be run even when you are no longer around. This prevents members of the families who are not among the beneficiaries from showing up to take things that do not belong to them. You have rendered them powerless.

Read the full article at https://www.thisdaylive.com

with Yemisi Shyllon

Cultivate the Habit of Saving for Investment

hile journeying through life and climbing corporate ladders, one can begin to build wealth by deploying one’s active income into multiple passive investments and, in so doing, progressively build wealth by regularly focusing on using one’s savings from active incomes into building passive incomes. This habit is generally recommended to employees to build wealth through committed regular and consistent savings from their active incomes in their life employment journeys. This calls for setting aside and regularly adhering to some predetermined percentages of active employment incomes for regular savings into building wealth. I consistently decided to use 20 per cent of my active employment income

to grow my wealth. This is different from the generally recommended percentage of 10 per cent of active incomes, and as contained in the “Richest Man in Babylon of George Clarkson, who planted this habit in me from 19 years of age.” Bearing this in mind, wealth-builders must ensure that their spending is kept minimal and as practicable as possible by limiting their tastes, lifestyles and needs to only those things that are necessary. This is a very common habit among successful wealth-builders and the wealthy. A living legend of this habit is Warren Buffet. This 90-year-old very wealthy man is still in the same house he built in 1967, and drives himself in his old but refurbished car while continuing to enjoy and sustain his wealth, having committed 99 per cent of his wealth to charity.

Shyllon

OPI NION

121

T H I S D AY MONDAYSunday MARCH 14, 2022 2022 13 November, Vol 27. No 10078

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR SPORTS The implementation of the sports industry policy will be healthy for national development, writes AISHA SHUAIBU

Samuel Ortom is a leader and a statesman, contends TUNDE OLUSUNLE

ORTOM’S TRAVAILS, ATTENDANT LACHRYMOSE AND PALPABLE ANGST

S See Page 22

ELUMELU: A LAWMAKER WITH A HEART FOR THE PEOPLE Richard Ihediwa writes that the minority leader is forthright, and champions good governance

See Page 22

EDITORIAL

CURBING ATTACKS ON INEC FACILITIES

See Page 51

amuel Ioraer Ortom, the helmsman of Benue State, is human after all. He had endured a truly torrid season where his ears had been relentlessly barraged by news and reports of cold-blooded killings of his constituents. He had wept his fill, his eyes periodically reddened by grief. In Mchia and Iorja communities in Mbagber in Logo local government area, a combined 15 people were killed in one night, just last month. In Gbeji, Ukum LGA another 37 including two policemen were killed within days of each other. More recently, 16 people were eliminated in Ukohol, Guma LGA in a daytime attack in the community market. Ngban community in the same area council, was next on line 24 hours later, where six were liquidated. Within weeks of one another, rampant herdsmen had murdered over 70 innocent and helpless Benue people, leaving a trail of sorrow, tears and blood, to borrow from the evergreen compositions of the maverick Afrobeat artiste, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. The more recent killings followed a similar pattern of calculated and brazen desecration and disruptions in the socioeconomic life of the predominantly agrarian and peace-loving people of Benue State, by infiltrating marauders. The nomads have become a virtual national nuisance who, with their herds of cattle, have entrenched themselves as an integral part of the environmental furniture of even the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT). They orchestrate traffic gridlocks anywhere and anytime of the day, even in Abuja, Nigeria’s showpiece of urban planning and environmental civilization. Motorists have become accustomed to yielding right of way to the horned and humped animals, even as they leave trails of dung on paved streets in city centre. The fear of Fulani cattle it has become, is the beginning of wisdom for commuters in Abuja. Recent developments in Logo, Ukum and Guma are just the freshest incidents in what has become the regular and routine savagery of pastoralists on aborigines. Other councils across the state have at various times suffered from the unconscionable brutality of the herdsmen. Gwer West, Tarka, Kwande, KatsinaAla, Okpokwu, Agatu, have also experienced unimaginable communal bereavement and lachrymose, no thanks to the mindlessness, even cold-bloodedness of sundry assailants. Not even Makurdi the state capital which has been a haven of relative calm and sanity has been spared the deadly arms, ammunition and matchetes of the brigands. The dastardly activities of the infiltrators earlier this year, resulted in mortal casualties. The tally of victims from rampaging herdsmen in Benue State between March and June this year, grazed the century mark. Four years ago, it was Ortom’s painful brief in January and March 2018 respectively, to approve of mass burials for 102 persons mainly youths, mowed by the killer herdsmen, across the state. An estimated 120 security personnel, notably from the police, civil defence corps, even the military, have been felled by the ruthless criminals. Lives lost are in their thousands, with a daily average of three to five casualties. Such has been the

grand scale of mass murders foisted on Benue State, in recent years. The operational template of the killers has virtually been the same in several instances. They besiege their targeted communities on a swarm of motorcycles, each conveying two passengers. While the riders focus on the pathways to their destinations, the passengers bear sophisticated weapons like the AK-47 or AK-49. They steal on their targets in moments when they are most vulnerable, like in their sleep at night or on their farms during the day. They have also chosen market days, when regular folks display their produce for sale, like they did in Ukohol. Life in several Benue communities, has become short, nasty and brutish, to approximate the Hobbesian maxim. Such regular raids and assaults on unsuspecting communities and country folks, has precipitated the mass relocation of people from their primordial homelands, to makeshift camps for internally displaced persons, (IDPs). They are crammed and squeezed into spontaneously devised, hostelstyle accommodation such as classroom blocks, abandoned structures and similar infrastructure. Feeding is communal, oftentimes in open-field dining arrangements. Ortom puts the number of his constituents in IDP camps, as two million. Minimum hygiene, and the propensity of communicable afflictions and epidemics in such mammoth concentrations of bodies into inadequate living spaces, takes the back-burner, when the issue is between life and death. The forgoing trajectory has been Ortom’s lot, into the six final months of his two-term tour-of-duty as governor of Benue State. It is understandable therefore that a troubled and pained Ortom bared his mind to his visiting colleagues, earlier in the week. Preparatory to the flag-off of campaigns for elections into various political offices ahead of the 2023 general elections, Ortom invited his allies in the G-5. Since the conclusion of the presidential primary of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP) in May this year, Ortom and his colleagues from Rivers, Abia, Enugu and Oyo, have been at daggers drawn with the leadership of their party. Nyesom Wike of Rivers contested the primary

and posted a respectable second place behind former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. The assumption was that Wike will be compensated with the slot of running mate of the ticket, which, conversely went the way of Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State. Hurt by this development Wike, in concert with Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Seyi Makinde of Oyo, has been at the fore of a fight with the PDP. Their argument is that the presidential ticket and the chairmanship of the party, cannot both come from the northern section of the party. Atiku from Adamawa and Iyorchia Ayu, chairman of the party from Benue, are geopolitically from the North. Ortom and Company have come to be known as the Group of Five, (G-5) or the Integrity Group, as the case may be. They have never spared any opportunity to come against what they believe is injustice in their own party, whose motto devolves around equity, fairness and justice. At the state banquet organised in honour of his colleagues, Sunday November 5, 2022 in Government House, Makurdi, Ortom reopened the herdsmen saga which has been a sore point of his stewardship. He expressed his convictions that the harbingers of serial deaths and bereavements to his state, his people, are Fulani herdsmen. And he believes there has been unrestrained infiltration into Nigeria, of foreign Fulani from the West coast and beyond. Ortom is sure they have been emboldened in their deadly and dastardly preoccupations because of the acquiescence of their Nigerian kith and kin. “Fulani neo-colonialists want to appropriate our land as grazing grounds for their cattle,” Ortom has serially maintained. “Fulanis from Chad, Niger Republic, Mali, Burkina Faso, Libya, have breached our borders with the active connivance of their brothers here in Nigeria and want to take over our land.” Ortom alluded to the enactment of an “AntiOpen Grazing Law” by his administration, to restrain the lawless pastoralists from feasting on the farms of his people who are predominantly farmers. While this has been partly impactful, herders and their acolytes incensed by the temerity of government, have sworn to constitute a recurring nuisance to the peace and stability of the state. According to Ortom: “They have resolved to make life unbearable for my people. I have indeed been pointedly targeted for elimination by these Fulani bandits, for deploying legal instruments to check their lawlessness.” Continuing, Ortom alluded to the solidarity he enjoyed from his colleagues at the height of his travails, particularly Wike. Said Ortom: “Wike spoke out. He warned that if Ortom comes to any harm, Nigeria will be unsettled. Wike, Ikpeazu, Makinde and Ugwuanyi found common grounds in our respect for truth and our insistence on equitation.” Ortom would subsequently allude to Wike’s support to Benue State in its times of tempests and challenges, which in fiscal terms is well over one billion naira. Olusunle, PhD, poet, journalist, scholar and author, is a Member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors

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T H I S D AY SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2022

The implementation of the sports industry policy will be healthy for national development, writes AISHA SHUAIBU

A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR SPORTS

The success of Nigerian athletes LQ ZRUOG VSRUWV KDV ÀQDOO\ JLYHQ WKH Nigerian government and relevant stakeholders the nudge to formalise their commitment to the development of sports in the country. Presented by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, the National Sports Industry Policy document is a detailed analysis of the commercial potential of sports around the world, and the practical ways Nigeria plans to catch up over the next decade through publicprivate partnership. According to the document, the mission of the NSIP is to “create an enabling environment for sports as a business sector within the Nigerian economy”, while the vision is to “promote health and wellness through mass participation, contributing to economic development and global recognition”. The implementation of the document will require an interministerial collaboration, alongside the participation of other members of the federal government and key private sector players. The document will be executed in stages, following a timeline from when it was formally presented in 2022 till 2026. The matter in question now is as Nigeria is on the verge of a change in government after the 2023 general elections, will all who are meant to play a major role in the implementation of the NSIP deliver on the objectives of the policy? 7KH 16,3 KDV LGHQWLÀHG LQQRYDWLRQ and creativity as necessary factors in achieving social and economic development through sports. Alongside this is data from the education, PDQXIDFWXULQJ PHGLD DQG ÀWQHVV sectors, which have the potential to contribute between 1.5% - 3% (approx. $7.5bn - $15bn) annually to the nation’s GDP. The goals of the NSIP are also in line with the development agenda of the United Nations 2030 SDGs and the African Union Agenda of 2063 mission in building the Africa We Want. The NSIP lists ten major action plans and recommendations that were gathered over the course of four years by key stakeholders and participating members across several other industries. In this 10-point plan is a data-based review of the impact of sports in countries around the world and a detailed outline of how Nigeria

will follow suit. The main aim of the NSIP is to develop the ecosystem of sports in Nigeria by creating value and the right environment for businesses in the industry to thrive. The key stakeholders made up of members of government on the federal, state, and local levels, the national sports governing boards, and the engaged private enterprises have the most crucial part to play in executing their roles and responsibilities to deliver on the policy goals. There are many ways the NSIP will favour sports businesses once implemented. The industrialization agenda of the policy is to address gaps in the industry that has hindered the growth of these businesses. Of the many incentives from the document’s “3 I’s strategy” are tax exemptions for a period RI ÀYH \HDUV IRU LQYHVWRUV LQ WKH VSRUWV value chain, land provision for sports and waved fees on those lands, and funding to support the rehabilitation and modernization of sports infrastructure. For corporate organisations and private individuals investing in sports is a single digit loan interest rate incentive, and through the establishment of the Independent Athletes Welfare Fund (AWF) will also be an independent government grant where athletes that are representing the country can access training and educational support. These transformative agendas will support the innovative practices of companies in sports marketing, merchandising, entertainment, ticketing, administration, healthcare, law, broadcasting, among others. It is not only important that these businesses follow up on the implementation of the NSIP but join the decision making table to contribute to the collected data that should make the execution of the strategies more organised. Sports business is big business that requires structure, dedication and commitment as we get closer to sports being one of the biggest contributors to the national economy. Sports is multi-sectoral and the implementation of this policy will address gaps that have existed in education, trade, investment, media, communications, ÀQDQFH FXOWXUH WRXULVP DQG WKH GLJLWDO economy. For talent development, peace building and social inclusion, this policy has made room for the most neglected members of society; members of grassroot communities. The NSIP recognises the need to use sports to provide access to these communities in form of gender inclusion, education programs, and the inclusion of the disabled and disadvantaged members of society. The construction of community-based cluster sports facilities in these communities will contribute greatly to the missing culture of sports, keeping youth off the street and engaged with healthier habits. Youth development through sports provides the framework to educate, empower and build the capacity of young people, giving meaning to their lives and purpose to their passion. Through sports, Nigeria will not only be one of biggest exporters of sport talent in the world, but a global leader in the business of sports. ·

Shuaibu is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

ELUMELU: A LAWMAKER WITH A HEART FOR THE PEOPLE RICHARD IHEDIWA writes that the minority leader is forthright, and champions good governance On Tuesday, October 11, 2022, the federal government conferred the coveted National Honour on the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, alongside other deserving Nigerians in recognition of their patriotic service to our nation. President Muhammadu Buhari who performed the investiture at the International Conference Center (ICC) Abuja honoured Hon. Elumelu, who represents Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency of Delta State with the award RI WKH 2IÀFHU RI WKH 2UGHU RI WKH 1LJHU (OON) for his meritorious contributions in various spheres of national development. National Honour is established under the National Honours Act 2004 which empowers the President to, on behalf of the nation, appreciate and bestow honour on meriting Nigerian citizens in recognition of their outstanding contributions toward the advancement of our national aspiration and the good of humanity. The National Honours on the opposition leader who is known for his forthrightness in championing the course of good governance and the protection of the rights of the people has continued to elicit widespread commendation and approval from Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora. The award of OON adds to Hon. Elumelu’s several other national and international awards, numerous traditional titles and professional recognitions for his contributions towards our national aspirations. Nigerians, including Elumelu’s political rivals agree on the honour for his relentless pursuit of the entrenchment of rule of law, good governance, accountability and social justice in the polity since the advent of our contemporary democratic dispensation. Hon. Elumelu, a humble and dedicated politician is a three-time member of the House of Representatives where, before becoming the Minority Leader, had earlier served as Chairman of Power and Health Committees as well as member of House Committees on Information, Climate Change, Interior, Water Resources, Science and Technology, National Security and Public Safety. He became a household name when, as the Chairman of House Committee on Power, he courageously championed constructive reforms that helped repositioned the sector. His display of courage in the conduct of a systemwide probe into the power sector in 2009 helped in sanitizing the sector. ,W DOVR FRQÀUPV KLP DV D VWDWHVPDQ ZKR put national interest above every other consideration. As Chairman of Committee on Health, Elumelu rallied other leaders to lay the legal framework for the regulation, development and management of National Health System which transformed the sector for better healthcare services enjoyed by millions of Nigerians. As minority leader, he remains relentless in defending the rights of the Nigerian masses especially in his key roles in the enactment of legislations and formulation of policies aimed at empowering and transforming the lives of the citizens. Hon. Elumelu is reputed as a prolific sponsor of people-oriented bills and motions. There is no week in session

that he does not present a motion or bill that has a direct impact on the wellbeing and development of the people. This is in addition to his outstanding economic upliftment of Nigerians as being witnessed in his massive empowerment schemes, human capital and infrastructural developments in his Aniocha/ Oshimili Federal Constituency of Delta State and in other states of the federation. The minority leader is reported to be one of the most productive legislators in the 9th Assembly in terms of constituency projects. He has to his credit developmental projects, including roads, schools, hospitals, agriculture and electricity projects among others in his Federal Constituency and other constituencies even in other states of the federation. Available data show that he has empowered over 4000 Nigerians through direct job placements as well as his various employment and entrepreneurship opportunities and schemes. Hon. Elumelu’s leadership acumen no doubt stems from his vast education and discipline as a person. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, B.Sc in Accounting from the same institution; National Diploma in Accounting from Yaba College of Technology, PGD in Organizational Leadership from Oxford University and Diploma in Contemporary Public Administration and Management from Galilee International Management Institute. He also holds the coveted Leadership and %HVW 3UDFWLFH &HUWLÀFDWH IURP +DUYDUG Business School, Boston in addition to a course in Strategic Leadership Programme, University of Oxford. Hon. Elumelu is no doubt a name to reckon with in the current democratic GLVSHQVDWLRQ +LV DELOLW\ WR HIÀFLHQWO\ unite and coordinate the opposition in the House of Representatives speaks volumes of his leadership qualities which must be further harnessed for greater national productivity. Ihediwa writes from Abuja

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2022 • 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 NOVEMBER 13, 2022

GLITZ ENTERTAINMENT

In ‘Diiche’, A Mother’s Desperation Leads to a Supernatural Nightmare Stories by Vanessa Obioha A woman who suffers from recurrent pregnancy loss seeks a child from the great sea goddess. A passenger latched on to her request. How does she recognise her child and send back the evil twin? This is the story at the heart of ‘Diiche’, Showmax’s first Nigerian original limited series. The series which premiered on the streaming platform in September opened with a mystery on the death of Nnamdi Nwokedi (Daniel K.Daniel) with so many fingers pointing at his fiancee Diiche (Uzomaka Onuoha) and his business associates. Told in flashbacks, the storyline slowly unfolds mysteries that are beyond the understanding of the two detectives assigned to the case. The more evidence they find, the more complicated the story becomes as expected in any whodunnit production. First, the primary suspect was Diiche but with no substantial evidence, the focus moves to Jimi (Efa Iwara), and so the circle of suspects expands. Each of the suspects seems to have a motive to kill Nnamdi who is no saint himself. As his character is revealed, it becomes more glaring that Nnamdi is a self-centred ambitious man driven by the lust for money. This characterisation is similar to the old Nollywood films where Igbo men are usually stereotyped as money-driven individuals who may go to any limit to acquire riches. While the detectives unearth Nnamdi’s shady business deals, a backstory reveals that Diiche’s mother Kesaandu (Chinyere Wilfred) has a terrible past. Having suffered multiple miscarriages, desperation for a child led her to make a deal with a great sea goddess. At first, the price to pay seems easy: keep her away from the sea and ensure she gets married before she turns 30. However, what Kesaandu did not envisage is how her decision would break her marriage, leading to the eventual death of her husband. But the future held more surprises for her. Having finally been blessed with twins, Kesaandu is told that the

goddess only grants one child and the other twin is an evil soul determined to return to earth. Given little time and no direction, Kesaandu is forced to choose the rightful child. That hasty decision set off a chain of reactions with dire consequences Directed by James Omokwe with the help of Tolu Ajayi, Fiyin Gambo, and Ifeoma Chukwuego, the six-part series delves into the supernatural world, a common genre of Nollywood of the 90s and aughts. It is no news that the Nollywood of today does not boast many supernatural or horror films. With ‘Diiche’ one gets that authentic storytelling that defines our beliefs and traditions. From the supernatural spin on evil twins to the common psychological trauma faced by Nigerian women who are unable to conceive in their marriages due to recurrent pregnancy loss. It also touches on the belief in the gods of the land and how that often defied Christian values. With the dialogue in English and Igbo languages, the conversations in English are sometimes underwhelming. But this also may be attributed to individual characters. Although it parades both veterans and rising actors, the veterans easily take the spotlight with their delivery. However, veteran actress Gloria Anozie-Young is the star of the limited series for her peerless interpretation of her character. She played Nnamdi’s mother who so much loves her son and believes in her ‘chi’ and ‘dibia’ for protection and revelation of her son’s killers. AnozieYoung embodies this character with perfection. It is in her facial expressions, mannerisms and her fluency in the Igbo language. While ‘Diiche’ excels at a riveting story with the ultimate message centred on the consequences of making the wrong choice, it however had a few flops in its dialogues and characters. For instance, Inspector Kazeem seems too rigid for his character and his lines often come as flat, barely evoking any emotion. The writers in their effort to create the perfect crime scenes often omit details that slightly detract from the storyline. Again, too many

Uzoamaka Onuoha playes the titular character Diiche

flashbacks often lead to confusion. Overall, ‘Diiche’ is a laudable attempt despite its flaws. Hopefully, it may inspire filmmakers to tone down on the excessively glamorous lives of the elites and tell stories that reflect the travails and joys of the average Nigerian.

A Bold Display of African Heritage at ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Encore Premiere Following the extravaganza of the African premiere of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ that featured Lupita Nyong’o, an encore premiere featuring Nigerian-American WWE Wrestler Jordan Omogbehin, better known as Omos, held recently at the Filmhouse Cinema, IMAX, Lekki, Lagos. Tagged West African Premiere, the event replicated the elements of the first, with guests transforming the black carpet into a runway that showcased beautifully crafted African designs inspired by different cultures on the continent. Some of the outstanding pieces ranged from handmade sandals to flamboyant hairstyles to intricately adorned Zulu headgear, as well as guests who took the extraordinary route of having their entire bodies painted in true styles of African hunters and warriors. Indeed, the African spirit through the lens of Wakanda came alive. “It feels great to witness a sequel because I remember when I went to watch the first ‘Black Panther’ in the States,” Omos reacted to ‘Wakanda Forever’ following the death of Chadwick Boseman, a key figure of the first film who died from cancer. He continued: “I remember going to the movie theatre, and seeing all these African-Americans dressed up in garments, it was

Black Panther Wakanda Forever West African Premiere

Bisola Aiyeola Stars in New Hilarious Series, ‘I Am Number 1’

Bisola Aiyeola in ‘I Am Number 1’

great seeing them embrace their African roots. Coming to the second movie, it is having the same effect, probably times 10. I am really excited for the movie and the effect that it is going to have on black people.” With Chadwick’s demise, the sequel is built around the death of the titular character, thereby elevating Shuri (Letitia Wright) to defend the vibranium-rich nation from its chief antagonist Namor (Tenoch Huerta). The anticipation to view the film was palpable from the audience who thronged the venue. To engage them ahead of the screening, they were entertained with a fine selection of afrobeats and afrobeat sounds emanating from the surround sound speakers. Similarly, they indulged in tasty finger foods, cocktails, and mocktails. Other Nigerian celebrities who attended the event include Broda Shaggi, former Big Brother Naija housemate Tuoyo Ideh, actors Uzor Arukwe and Chris Okagbue, popular skit maker Kenzy Udosen and others. ‘Black Panther:Wakanda Forever’ is now showing in cinemas nationwide. The lines continue to fall in pleasant places for reality TV star and actress Bisola Aiyeola as she recently stars in a new comedy series by TMPL Motion Pictures entitled, ‘I Am Number 1’. The series is produced by Winifred Okpapi who also makes her directorial debut and parades a cast of some of Nigeria’s most talented thespians. They include Bimbo Ademoye, Lasisi Elenu, Chef Fregz, Oli Ekun, Ajibola Grey, Wale Rubber, Bernard Smiless, Vader the Wildcard, Precious the Magician, Fola David and more. “We made an entertaining series that fans would definitely want to watch over and over,” said Okpapi. “It speaks to our versatility and tenacity as

Nigerians, especially how we are able to take up any given task to survive.” Aiyeola plays Queen B who inherits a huge fortune but cannot figure out how to handle her newfound status. She meets the best therapist in town (Koye Kekere-Ekun) who tells her that she can be anything she wants to be. Top SFX artist, Abisoye Balogun with her magic matches Aiyeola’s immense talents and helps her transition within multiple characterizations in the exciting new series due for release soon. ‘I Am Number 1’ is one of the latest projects from the production arm of leading creative agency, The Temple Company, producers of ‘Introducing The Kujus’ and ‘My Village People.’

T H I S D AY SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

CURBING ATTACKS ON INEC FACILITIES The frequent attacks test the resolve of INEC to conduct the 2023 election. The authorities must do more to stem the violence

n Friday, the Independent National freak events but appear to be quite orchestrated and Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, targeted at INEC.” He added that the violence on the Mahmud Yakubu held an emergency commission’s property was, “targeted at demobilising meeting with members of the Interand dismantling critical electoral infrastructure in Agency Consultative Committee on the country” and to undermine INEC capacity to Election Security (ICCES). This followed organise elections. He reiterated the same message FDVHV RI DUVRQ DW WKH ,1(& RIÀFHV LQ 2JXQ DQG 2VXQ last Friday. As a body, according to Yakubu, ICCES States which led to the loss of 904 election boxes and brings together agencies responsible for securing the 65,699 uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). With process and ensuring peaceful elections in Nigeria. critical infrastructure of the commission increasingly “Understandably, Nigerians expect a decisive action being targeted, recent attacks appear like a systematic from ICCES. It is important that we move swiftly to assault meant to cripple INEC operations ahead of the apprehend perpetrators, prosecute them as required 2023 general election. E\ ODZ DQG UHLQIRUFH VHFXULW\ DURXQG HOHFWLRQ RIÀFLDOV Prior to this period, serial violence and arson and electoral infrastructure around the country,” he against INEC personnel said. and facilities in some The attacks are states, especially in the particularly hurting Southeast and SouthEHFDXVH WKH ÀQDQFLDO south zones, had resulted implications of replacing in the destruction of lost or damaged items in The onus is now on the authorities to put in place measures that will buildings and vital the prevailing economic election equipment as environment is huge. For forestall disruptions to upcoming electoral activities and well as loss of lives. What instance, shortly before safeguard the lives of innocent citizens the attacks in Osun and the 2019 general election, Ogun States therefore two-container load of signpost is that the 4,695 smart card readers violence might be spreading to the Southwest. Those were destroyed along with other sensitive materials behind these acts can only be agents of anarchy and LQ D P\VWHULRXV ÀUH LQFLGHQW DW WKH $QDPEUD 6WDWH GLVRUGHU ZKR VKRXOG EH ÀVKHG RXW DQG WUHDWHG DV headquarters of INEC. In May 2021 at Essien Udim traitors and enemies of the state. The authorities must local council of Akwa Ibom, some 345 ballot boxes, do everything to contain this descent into anarchy. 135 voting cubicles, megaphones, water tanks and ,W LV QRWHZRUWK\ WKDW ÀUH LQFLGHQWV UDQJLQJ RIÀFH IXUQLWXUH ZHUH UD]HG 7KH FXOSULWV LQ WKHVH DWWDFNV from arson to vandalism, are ordinarily not new were never caught. to Nigeria. But these orchestrated attacks on INEC In the past, INEC estimated that each card reader cost facilities present a different type of danger. In N167,063 while each memory card cost N6,000. Today, both Osun and Ogun States, according to reports, the cost will be much higher, given the depreciation hoodlums were armed with petrol before storming of the Naira against foreign currencies. So, these ,1(& RIÀFHV DW QLJKW WR VHW WKH EXLOGLQJV RQ ÀUH attacks cannot be allowed to continue. More disturbing is that the security agencies The onus is now on the authorities to put in place are yet to properly identify those behind these measures that will forestall disruptions to upcoming premeditated and organised attacks and what electoral activities and safeguard the lives of innocent exactly their objectives are. Already, there are growing citizens. The implication of the targeted attacks concerns about the impact of the damage on the is clear: If the federal government cannot protect capability of the electoral body to conduct elections strategic institutions like INEC, we may gradually be under the current atmosphere. on our way to anarchy. While a combined technique of Meanwhile, the damage being wreaked on the assets intelligence, law enforcement and special operations of electoral body infrastructure will impact negatively may help in containing the menace, it is also in the on its preparations for elections and that seems to be enlightened interest of our politicians to curb the the objective of those behind the attacks. Yakubu had attacks that could, if care is not taken, torpedo our warned last year that these attacks “are no longer democracy. Letters to the Editor

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

LETTERS

INSECURITY IN BILLIRI LGA OF GOMBE STATE

Billiri Local Government Area is a proud and prosperous local government area in Gombe State. Agriculture thrives there and this is apparently because of its fertile soil. Recently though, Billiri has been dealt a very heavy blow as various forms of insecurity such as kidnappings and farmland disputes have become the norm. There are abductions by unknown individuals in Tudu kwaya, Todi, and Kuran mota axis of Billiri LGA. Residents, community heads are kidnapped on a weekly and biweekly basis and little or no support has been provided to help tackle this issue. Surveys have shown that the kidnappings used to be at midnight.

But now the reverse is the case as the criminals execute their operations in broad daylight. Some of the victims of the kidnappings in Billiri LGA are Babawuro Tashan Tsamiya and Andiye Salifawa. Other victims choose to remain unnamed because they were released after ransom have been paid. But Abdulsalam Kuranmota is still in captivity, with his family in a state of grief. The released victims shared their experience while in captivity and they recount inhuman treatment from the point of abduction to the point of release. Amongst burning issues in Billiri is the problem of farmland disputes amongst residents of the areas and on

some occasions with outsiders. This has led to loss of lives or sustenance and serious injuries by the farmers. Billiri has also experienced loss of harvested farm produce through theft. Affected commercial farmers have ORVW WKH OLWWOH SURÀW WKH\ DUH VXSSRVHG WR make, while local farmers who farm for their own consumption have lost theirs. Gombe is said to be the safest state in the North-East but this is an illusion set in place to cover burning issue of insecurity in remote areas of Gombe State. This issue has become so widespread and has been neglected to the extent that one wonders what will become of Gombe if this continues. Agriculture and security are key aspect in the development of a state

because they greatly improve the economic atmosphere of the area. As productivity in agriculture increases, surplus labor and capital is created and diverted to investments in industrial sector resulting in economic growth. Today, the economic atmosphere in Gombe has become dense. Small and large business are barely surviving. Gombe State needs a key player who will appropriately safeguard the lives and interest of the people, and also understands the short and long -term effects of insecurity to the state. Gombe is a Jewel which needs to be protected so that it would continue to shine in the savannah. Nasiru Usman, Gombe

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

13.14.2022

KARL TORIOLA A Peek into His Private Life What do CEOs do when they are not in the boardroom? Karl Toriola, who took over the reins of MTN Nigeria in 2021, opens the lid on his private life for the first time in this riveting encounter with Vanessa Obioha, and also speaks about his achievements in the corporate world

e finally met him. It was the last day of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MTN-MIP) in collaboration with the School of Media and Communication, PanAtlantic University which started in late May. The programme was geared towards making the selected journalists innovative in their profession and expanding their knowledge of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. The news of meeting the CEO of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola evoked a feeling of elation and curiosity. And the reason for these feelings is the same: to ask him tonnes of questions about the 5G network which the company recently rolled out in select cities. We were equally eager to find out about the future of technology, from the metaverse to blockchain and how the company intends to play in that field. Of course, it was an opportunity for us to express our gratitude for the fully-funded programme that had broadened our knowledge and inspired us to be more creative and business savvy, however, our inquisitiveness could not be concealed. It was written all over our faces as we sauntered into the CEO’s boardroom at the MTN Nigeria Headquarters in Ikoyi. The weather was cool that Friday morning in October. There was a prevailing light shower that drove the sun away. One by one, we took our seats, waiting for the arrival of Toriola. If we expected the conventional suit and tie attire that screams everything ‘boardroom’, we were disappointed. Toriola walked in, wearing a ‘senator’ outfit with his glasses resting on his head. His informal dressing and manner of approach in a way reassured us that the encounter will be an engaging one. And indeed it was. From the confident and friendly way he answered questions to the light banter he shared with his colleagues, Toriola painted a picture of an affable character that is different from the serious and rigid picture most people have of company CEOs. If you search for Toriola on the internet, you would probably glean a little bit of information about his personal life. Of course, his academic qualifications and career trajectory are all there for everyone to read, but do you know he is a fisherman? While other affluent CEOs find pleasure in playing golf or watching polo, Toriola’s pastime resides in the aquatic field. Apparently, his delicate fingers are not only excellent at punching figures but also good at setting the hook and line. “I enjoy fishing. Those who know me know I’m an avid fisherman. That’s my hobby. I don’t play golf, I don’t do much else, and I love traveling to nice

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/victoria.olaode@thisdaylive.com.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R NOVEMBER 13, 2022

COVER

MY MARRIAGE IS THE BEST THING I EVER DID exotic destinations,” he said in a recent chat. Toriola is very familiar with Nigeria’s coastal waters and understands the impact of climate change on fishing. “Nigeria is one of the best fishing grounds in the world. I think we’re slightly overfished. So the quantity of fish that you catch now is nothing like it was 15 years ago. Back then, the fishing people go out by 7a.m and by 11a.m, they will tell you there’s no more space on their boat for fish. But in terms of the geography of Nigeria and the different species of fish you can catch in Nigeria, it is out of this world. Global warming, environmental impact, overfishing, etc have impacted that. So it’s not as great as it used to be. But you will be amazed when you go out in Nigeria and see whales, dolphins, sea turtles etc. And you’ll think that you’re in some exotic place like the Maldives. We see that regularly here in Nigeria,” he explained. His bragging rights in fishing include a 130 kg marlin and a 70 kg tuna among others. “For a lot of the endangered species, especially the billfish, we catch and release. We try to make sure that we don’t take off species that are endangered. We return them to the seas healthy and alive.” Fishing, the MTN Nigeria CEO admitted, requires a special skill. “You have to know how to navigate. We have the GPS, satellite phones, and radar to see what’s coming in terms of storms and we watch the weather before we go out.” Toriola’s royal blood is not a secret. After all, his father, Oba Joseph Toriola, was recently presented with the staff of office and instrument of appointment as the 20th Ogunsua of Modakeke. But if you ask Toriola if he plans to toe the same royal path as his father, his answer will be: “I’m not an ‘Obalola’ (a future King). The royal title where I’m from is awarded through seniority. And my father, who became king, started on that journey about 40 years ago. I haven’t even gotten on the rung of the ladder, and I don’t have any intention to.” Indeed, the Osun State indigene is even more dedicated to his role as MTN Nigeria CEO, a position he stepped into in 2021. Toriola who joined MTN Nigeria in 2006 has occupied many positions including the Chief Technical Officer of the company and was the Vice President of MTN Group’s WECA region (West and Central Africa) before he reached the top echelon. However, in less than two years of steering the MTN ship, Toriola has successfully won and launched the 5G network in Nigeria, making MTN the first network to do so, as well as MoMo PSB. These two projects speak volumes about his vision as a result-driven leader. “When we launched 5G, we were particular about the extent of coverage, penetration and speed. One of the questions that is going to pop up is why is 5G not showing on phones. The truth is Samsung and Apple, which are the two leading manufacturers, have a rigorous testing process before they release the software, unlike 2G, 3G, 4G; there was nothing like this but for

Toriola and his ﬁshing hobby

5G, they release a software to us to allow MTN Nigeria users specifically to use our mobile network on 5G. That’s going to happen in the coming weeks. So we are really going to diversify in existing locations on 5G coverage and we will continue to expand, focusing on where our highest reach and demand for internet is. Also, the faster your network is, the more data you are going to consume.” As he talked about the company’s milestone with 5G and how the fifth generation network consumes more data which is expected, one thing was clear, he has clarity of purpose and he obviously loves what he does. Perhaps, this explained why he considered his greatest achievement to be leading a company that everyone loves. “Getting MTN Nigeria back to a place where it’s being liked and loved is probably my biggest achievement. People love to hate two service providers, the telco and the bank. And to get customers to start to like and love you and give you some respect; I think it’s a tremendous achievement.” Truly, MTN used to receive the short end of the stick each time there was a network failure or more recently when the company and other telcos implemented an increase in call and data tariffs. But Toriola pointed out that given the poor infrastructure and power challenges the country experiences, the company

provides better quality services compared to countries that enjoy stable power supply. “But the reality is the cost of deployment of capacity is significant. And we continue to invest hundreds of millions of dollars/Naira into these networks at a period where the naira is devaluing. Now, there is no industry in Nigeria today that has seen anything less than a 16% increase in tariffs, whether it is an airline ticket from here to Abuja, road transport from here to Onitsha, the price of bread, the price of garri, your electricity tariffs, which are also regulated. Every single industry in Nigeria in the past 12 or 18 months has had a significant increase in prices. “We are the only one that consistently over the last 20 years declined in our curves. And there’s only so long that can go on before it starts to affect the quality of service and our ability to invest in the future of this nation. So over time under the guidance and control of regulatory authorities, which is the NCC with the policies supervision by the Honourable Minister, we will continue to ask and expect that there will be a gradual reasonable uplift in prices to enable us to first absorb the inflation shocks that we’ve experienced across the country — power, diesel, etc. We operate on

Microsoft licenses, Ericsson licenses, and Huawei licenses, these are all dollardominated and we are also impacted by that, as well as everything else, including increases in staff salaries and other cost adjustments. So just to make it plain, the increase has nothing to do with 5G but increase across any technology.” Toriola’s love for his company also spread to his colleagues. Everyone addressed him as Karl and he equally amicably relates with them. For instance, when Lakinbofa Goodluck who works in the public relations department of the company was making introductions during the meet and greet with him, a jovial Toriola asked “Is that Lakin the doctor?” This evoked not only warm laughter from the young man who just rounded up his doctorate but also a sense of belonging. While he described himself as a team player, it was also evident that he is a family man who loves and dotes on his wife and daughter. “I married my university sweetheart,” he began his love story. “We met at the age of 19 and dated for a while. Ronke Omisakin-Toriola likes retaining her maiden name, which is great because her family is also an important part of her journey and my journey as well, and we’ve been married for 27 years. “We were both in OAU, and interestingly enough, we are from two very opposing tribes – Modakeke and Ife. As you know, I always say this: my dad is from Modakeke, and my wife comes from a very prominent family in IleIfe. So a Modakeke man married an Ife woman, but our parents actually knew that my wife and I were very strongwilled, and in love; and once we had decided, they could say or do anything they wanted, but we were going to get married. So they decided pretty quickly that these ones were a couple, and we were going to support it fully. “She was raised in the leafy suburbs of Ikoyi while I was a village boy growing up in Ife, and she’s been my rock. Someone once told me there are no bad men; there are men not held in check by the environment around them, which effectively is your wife and family. And so my wife holds me very much in check and balance to ensure that I don’t get ahead of myself with my ego. I’m very well-grounded.” Toriola’s greatest gift is his lovely daughter, Damilola Toriola, “who is very happy to be a black woman in STEM. But more than the academic qualifications (she’s an Imperial College graduate), I’m very proud of her character,” he said lovingly. He continued: “She’s a strong-willed, independent-minded person who I know will do great things in her life according to her desires and ambitions. One day, my daughter will leave me and marry. I can’t imagine what that will be like, but I will promptly adopt her husband to be my son and expand my family through that. “So that’s my family life, a very long marriage, the best thing I ever did; my one and only child, very proud of it all.” Family, it is, that Toriola plans to return to when he retires. “I know where I’m coming from. I know where I’m going, and I understand that ultimately, all this fanfare, status, position, etc will all go away someday when you retire. And what do you come back to? You come back to your family. And it’s important to always remember that and to ensure that you’ve built something beyond your career that gives you a real sense of inner satisfaction,” he concluded.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R NOVEMBER 13, 2022

HighLife Ayodeji Joseph Celebrates the Golden Era of LSDPC

Joseph

In the short 70-plus years that the average human being can live and strive, laying a strong foundation for future generations can appear a very daunting task. But, there are individuals among us that have done this and there are those that are doing this. Honourable Ayodeji Joseph, the MD/CEO of Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) is among the latter. When the agency celebrated 50 years of existence, Joseph was there to tell its tale. Lagos State was created in 1967 and LSDPC was established five years after. The success story of the state would be incomplete without noting the impact that LSDPC has played in ensuring that the objectives of the three agencies that came together to form it are met. These agencies are the Lagos Executive Development Board (LEDB), the Ikeja Area Planning Authority (IAPA), and the Epe Town Planning Authority (ETPA). And LSDPC has done remarkably well in the 50 years interval, and that is not unrelated to Lagos governmental administrations overseeing its work. The contribution of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is especially incredible. If one could pick out one revolutionary input that Sanwo-Olu made to LSDPC, it would be the appointment of Joseph to be LSDPC MD/CEO. After all, in the time that has passed since that appointment, Joseph has strived to advance the contribution of LSDPC to property development and management in Lagos. Thus, as LSDPC celebrates 50 years of good work, it is not strange that Joseph is the one at the helm of affairs. Although his time at the agency is marginal compared to how long the agency has been in existence, nobody can oppose the changes he has instituted which have further polished the agency’s methods and doings.

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

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

A Wedding to Remember as SIFAX Boss, Taiwo Afolabi’s Daughter Marries in Dubai What a joy it is for parents who are able to see their children grow up and find enough reason in life to be happy and content. This is the kind of joy that the billionaire businessman behind Sifax Group and Marriott Hotel, Taiwo Afolabi, has come to know. A few days ago, his daughter, Mariam, got married to the love of her life, Qudus Badmus, in Dubai. Indeed, from the pictures that were generously shared, it was clear that both the bride and groom and their families exhausted themselves with so much happiness. If joy could elevate a person beyond the clouds, the entire crowd would have long ascended into the heavens by now. But that is to be expected. True love is a beautiful thing and marital commitment is even more beautiful. Of course, Afolabi is not ignorant of the raptures of marriage. He and his lady, Madam Folashade, have shown Nigerians time and again that even people who can no longer be considered young can be so deeply in love that they outclass Romeo and Juliet

Oyebanji

Newly married couple, Mariam and Qudus Badmus.

by a thousand miles. So, for the Afolabi family, love is the ultimate binding force. No doubt, the wedding of Mariam will

Excellence is excellence, no matter the time and place. There was a time when ‘Your Excellency’ was an appellation reserved for truly excellent people. Considering the new first family of Ekiti State, the family of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, one can rest at ease knowing that the ‘Your Excellency’ appellation is well-deserved. Thus, as the First Lady, Olayemi Oyebanji celebrated her first birthday in office, one can only sigh in amazement at how she fits the profile of someone who is an excellency. As it was the very first birthday in the Oyebanji family since her husband took up the position of Ekiti State Governor, the birthday won the heartfelt cheers of people from all over. However, despite the volume of accolades and goodwill pouring in, one could see that First Lady Olayemi is like a rock whose solidness will remain no matter the waves crashing upon it.

always be remembered by those who attended and those who heard a thing or two about it.

Others would lose their sharpness and excellence in the face of praise, but not Lady Olayemi. The way the seasoned academic responded to the celebration in her signature humble manner proved beyond all doubt that she is not one to be conned with excessive flattery. Lady Olayemi is a true Ado-Ekiti princess and an associate professor at the University of Ibadan. Specifically, she is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Educational Management, Faculty of Education, and an authority in the fields of Institutional Administration, Higher Education, Quality Assurance in Education, Human Resource Development and Leadership in Education. In this right, Lady Olayemi has over 80 publications to her name, making her one of the strongest pillars in the prestigious institution.

Senator Margery Okadigbo‘s Efforts at NNPC Although we will continue to have grumblers until the end of humanity, everybody knows that leadership is difficult. Corporate leadership and all its strict adherence to the principles of the workplace is especially difficult, but that has not stopped Margery ChubaOkadigbo from doing an awesome job at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). In just a little over half a year, one must admit that Senator ChubaOkadigbo has gone over and above in her work at NNPC. There was a time when President Muhammadu Buhari was reported as saying that he appointed ChubaOkadigbo to the NNPC Board Chairman position as a way of repaying her husband, the late former Senate President, Chuba Okadigbo, for the kindness the deceased showed him. Okadigbo was Buhari’s running mate in 2003 and they challenged the results

of that election together. Therefore, with Senator Chuba-Okadigbo performing beyond expectation, naysayers no longer have legs to stand on. Senator Chuba-Okadigbo’s prestige extends beyond her senatorial (and by extension, political) cloth. She has over 40 years of corporate leadership experience. With her law degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1981, and her Master’s Degree in Law (MCL) (specializing in Comparative International Law and Negotiations) from George Washington University, USA, Senator Chuba-Okadigbo has left a long trail of accomplishments in the world of suits. It is thus no wonder that she is turning things upside-down in NNPC. By every indication, she has not betrayed the trust committed to her by the presidency. Instead, she has exceeded even their expectations in the delivery of her obligations.

Okadigbo

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R NOVEMBER 13, 2022

HIGHLIFE

Iyiola Omisore: The Progressive Democrat Who Bounced Back There is a kind of strength of character that follows the odd pairing of prestige and obscurity. It is the kind of strength of character that accompanies wisdom and a reliable understanding of the human heart. This is one of the many strong points of businessman, engineer, and politician, Iyiola Omisore. Despite the many trials that he has faced in previous years, the man remains a strong rock, one that can be depended on to stay itself. There was a time when he was misunderstood. During that period, Omisore’s name was often spat out rather than spoken. Even the prestige and peerless contribution of his father could not protect him from public denouncement. However, those days are once again in the past and Omisore is currently flying in the clouds among the eagles of We have said it before: this is the era of trouble for corporate and political leadership in Nigeria. By all indications, it is the turn of the Executive Chairman of Lagos Internal Revenue Services (LIRS), Hamzat Subair. However, the way he appears to be handling the crisis indicates that things may get even worse in the coming weeks. The staff of LIRS recently started a protest in front of the State House of Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja. According to them, the Subair-led LIRS administration has only treated them inhumanely, inadvertently strengthening their resolve to let the rest of Lagos and Nigeria into the true nature of things at LIRS, especially how staff are treated. From the comments made by some of the aggrieved staff, they are not being appreciated by the LIRS management since Subair took over in 2016. Among the list of alleged offences against them by Subair and his management team are contempt and neglect, lack of promotion, and privation from the absence of incentives and gratuity. Some of them claimed to have been in the service for 10 years and have only been promoted once. Others claimed that they only have their contributions to the pension fund

genuine and lasting power. Omisore showed the stuff he was made of in the early days of the nitpicking exercise for the 2023 presidential candidate in the All Progressives Congress (APC). During that time, certain elements within the party had decided to throw the party flag at someone other than the person that had been agreed upon. Moreover, this contravention of the party’s agreement was going to be done in an underhanded manner. However, Omisore was there and he was the only one that reportedly raised the rallying cry after which the party course was corrected. Now, APC remains a strong party and has not fallen into the dustbin like other parties on the same level because of Omisore’s courage. And yet, all he says is that this is how things ought to be. So, yes, after his latest trial,

Who is after Hamzat Subair?

Subair

Why Ibrahim Gusau Must up His Game It is still the dawn of a new day at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Ever since Amaju Pinnick retired from the position of NFF President and handed things off to Ibrahim Gusau, eagle eyes have been trained on the latter, expecting him to match and surpass his predecessor. But surprises are a part of life, so people continue to wait on Gusau, confident that he will at least match Pinnick’s accomplishments, even if it takes much longer for him to do better than Pinnick. It is now over a month since Gusau took over the position of NFF President from Pinnick. Ever the enigmatic fellow, Pinnick handed things over to Gusau with his signature bearing of a nobleman. People thought that that was because Pinnick wanted to be remembered as the king that deliberately selected someone else to succeed him. However, it is now clear that Pinnick wanted Gusau to have an easier path, and so made attempts to subdue odds that might crop up later. In truth, Gusau has been able to settle

Gusau

Where Does Nyesom Wike Stand?

Omisore

Omisore is flourishing.

back,

fresh,

and

to look forward to after retirement, nothing from LIRS. But, from what eyewitnesses could gather, no LIRS official came to quiet down the protesting staff. However, it was discovered that a memo had been released to the staff, explaining to them that a meeting had been set up to address their grievances. That did not exactly disband them. In the face of such accusations, it is only reasonable that the head of the institution is blamed and labelled a devil. This is the case for LIRS and Subair. The latter’s name was on the lips of many online warriors who were ready with ‘that is how they are’ and ‘they are the ones spoiling things in Nigeria’ as their response to the LIRS situation. For those in the know, Subair was appointed to LIRS in 2016 and he has contributed much to the agency’s progress during that time. One can only say that he is getting the short end of the stick considering the protest that will undoubtedly leave a stain on his corporate cloth. Is this the doing of someone in the background? Is someone after Subair? Only time will tell.

into the position of NFF President with grace and aplomb. In fact, expectations are at an all-time high, which is something that the former president was never able to evoke from people. Perhaps, because too much is expected of him, Gusau’s first month cannot be remotely described as a spectacular performance. There are very many people who are not even aware that Pinnick has handed over his position to someone else. As things stand now, the NFF has become a slow-grinding mechanism where once it was a machine commanding great momentum. In other words, things are not moving as quickly as expected, so people are getting antsy with worry that Gusau’s beginning might become the protocol for the rest of his tenure. Nevertheless, some people are hopeful, believing that Gusau is only building a strong foundation at the moment and that he will soon launch out with needed reforms or whatever else he needs to up his game with to show that he is competent and proficient at managing NFF. Be that as it may, the call from all sides is for Gusau to up his game and do it quickly.

The Chinese say that a grasshopper obstructing the path of a moving wagon is on its way to the grave. But Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has turned this adage on its head, making the wagon the weaker character. Before Wike started his campaign of political inﬂuence, which is one way to describe the way he has undermined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) time and again, PDP was a moving wagon. But the stateliness of this wagon has been crushed out of existence and the wagon has apparently lost the ability to move before the grasshopper that is Wike. One has to admit that Wike is no coward. Against an entire party, Number Two on the list of powerful political parties in Nigeria, Wike is pressing forward. More than this, the Rivers governor has also won the loyalty and service of four other governors. These include Governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo). Known collectively as the G-5, Wike’s coterie is unusually making history. However, one thing that continues to bafﬂe the masses is the question of where Wike’s loyalty lies. Based on his PDP membership, one might initially assume that Wike’s loyalty is to PDP and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. But considering that Wike has through various means declared his opposition to Atiku’s potential leadership, the question must be asked again. Maybe Wike intends to coast with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They had met on many occasions while Wike was avoiding Atiku. Or maybe the presidential candidate of the Labor Party (LP), Peter Obi, is Wike’s true principal. Once again, Wike appears to have a stronger relationship with Obi than he does with Atiku. So, where does Wike stand? Is it true, as some people have dared to say, that Wike stands on the side of Wike? Time will tell. In the meantime, the pages of Nigeria’s political history are slowly turning.

Pastor Taiwo Odukoya Remembers His Wife One Year after Her Demise

Late Odukoya

Humanity has a lot of enemies, some of which can only be described as accomplices

of the great human condition of suffering and some of which are foreign. None of these enemies is as spiteful and unreasonable as Death. And if you ask Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, the founder of the Fountain Of Life Church, he might tell you that it is God alone that can shield us all from the greedy embrace of death. A few days ago, Pastor Odukoya took the time to remember his late wife, Nomthi Odukoya. According to him, she will never be forgotten thanks to the time that they had together. Even though they got to share their souls as man and wife for 11 years, she will forever be the colouring in the book of his life. Nomthi passed away in November 2021 as a result of cancer. Until her death, she was the proud wife of Pastor Odukoya and the happy mother of two strong boys. Even with

her passing, Nomthi left enough behind to be remembered in the years to come. But death took that all away, leaving behind the husk of yesteryears. In truth, Nomthi was always the kind of person who was destined to live a bright life. A bright woman by every indication, she was able to win the hearts of Pastor Odukoya’s congregation despite being of South African descent. But she was accomplished in many things, with a master’s degree from the University of Liverpool. Going by what she already accomplished in her brief time on the earth, including the publication of bestsellers like ‘Enjoy your life,’ ‘A Bully is not a Hero,’ ‘Boys and girls are different but equal,’ and many others, hers was a life of greatness waiting to happen.

Wike

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R NOVEMBER 13, 2022

LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Is Festus Keyamo Doing Well or Bad? My friend, Praise, reached out to me last night, “Edgar, did you watch Keyamo’s interview just now?” I said no oooo, wetin happen again? “I only thank God that my daughter did not watch Uncle Festus this night,” he contended. I asked him “but why you want demystify your Uncle Festus for your beautiful daughter eye?” He shook his head and said, “Edgar, shame is catching me.”

Keyamo

Me, I have passed shame and have gone to a state of elongated limbo when it comes to Mr. Keyamo in this his new role. Bros is just tearing all the books, rushing along like a truck with no brakes and scattering everything in his path. He is very lucky that ‘na stomach infrastructure’ that will end it all last, last, because if it was in saner climes where issues and these kinds of communications matter, Keyamo would have been the death of Tinubu’s aspirations. When you take a lawyer and a very garrulous and combative one at that to be a spokesman for such a complex campaign with so many unanswered questions, this is what you get: total carnage. Spraying Nigerians with the spit of

legalese is not communication. This is not a courtroom where the dissecting of facts is the main weapon. This is the court of public opinion where softer issues and mannerisms sway public positioning. So, sitting down there in starched brocade and ‘ponbe’ hairstyle and shouting “the dictionary meaning of forfeiture is different from legal meaning,” is an exercise in utter stupidity. I’m s It is a clear lack of understanding of what communication is all about. It reeks of a roguish attempt to discolour the facts, a bullish and pedestrian attempt to batter your way through it all. Even if you wanted to engage at the level of legalese, give us some credit na. We are not all that stupid na. A forfeiture is what it is. If he was as ‘pure as snow’ as Keyamo has claimed, there would be no need for a forfeiture no matter the meaning – dictionary or legal. Abi, why would you forfeit anything at all. Will I forfeit my house if not that I am negotiating myself out of something. Na this same man say, ‘great men did not use to go to primary school in the past.’ He must really think we are fufu brained. What we are fighting for here is not a

criminal conviction but a test of character and integrity. The question we are trying to answer is if Tinubu has the character and standing to be our president and not if he was criminally convicted by any court. If you ask me, I think Keyamo is doing a lot of damage to the campaign and he should stand down. His other colleague, the old man, Bayo is doing worse. Calling the allegation dead as a dodo just shows that this one should be in one village drinking fermented palm wine instead of headlining a very important campaign. On the other hand, Tinubu is making giant strides in what he knows best – reaching the people, engaging with them, cutting deals, building alliances with strong results, cementing him as the front leader. But these two, they are just doing all their best to rubbish these efforts with these kinds of engagements. If you ask me, Dino is doing far better on the other side. Na wa.

Anyway, the little I watched, saw Mr. Abiola taking the fight to his other opponents. Quietly and calmly engaging, taking up the issues with the mastery of a statesman and refusing to be flustered in all. Feedback from all and sundry came in very positively. I reached out after the debates to congratulate him and he said, “Edgar, you have not seen anything.” I believe.

PETER OBI NEEDS A PACIFIER A pacifier is that little thing ‘you chook in a baby’s mouth’ when he or she is crying and you just need it to shut him or her up. My brother, Peter Obi looked quite pitiable at the last ARISE News Channel’s debate in Abuja that I felt like ‘chooking’ a pacifier in his mouth to keep him quiet. Whining that, ‘Dino, you always troll me’ was a very weak move. Threw him up as touchy and overly sensitive. It was obvious that Dino was goading him and he fell like a sack of potatoes and with his tiny voice, he really sounded and looked like a baby crying for breast milk. Dino saw this and put in the screws with a video where he mocked his credentials, querying, “if this one can be Commander-in-chief and will be whining like this. Mr Obi’s popularity is waning and his inexperience at that level is becoming apparent. Complaining that he will no longer be debating running mates if the principals don’t show is another classic case of inexperience. His inability to

defeat even the so-called running mates at the debate is very scary. Okowa trashed him. One would have expected that he would ‘shine’ at the weak field but he fell flat and instead started whining that he would not debate again except the principals come out. My brother, the principals are showing better experience. They are pacing themselves and moving strategically. They know debate is not their strong forte and they avoid it – nothing wrong with that — and concentrate in areas that they have strength – Owambe parties and weddings in Ife. Since you say you want to represent Nigeria in the Olympics in the noble art of debates, they will send their strongest team to you and you are floored. That is politics, my brother. Na strategy. The Presidency is much more than going around churches and TV stations and spewing out data that an entry level consultant at KPMG already knows. This is not how to push for the presidency of a country like this. I think we should start considering an

alliance with either of the big two, otherwise you just might be the ‘death’ of one of them, since I don’t need an Apostle to tell me that we may be going back to trading sooner than we know. Let’s get serious bro.

Obi

Abiola

Okowa

KOLA ABIOLA’S SUPERB OUTING Nigerians saw what some of us already know. Mr. Abiola is as sound as they come. His grasp of the issues and his strong understanding of the noble art of public speaking won him many admirers at the debate. I have had personal and private encounters with him, on the back of his ambition and have always come out of those engagements highly impressed at his grasp. Let me confess, I slept off and did not really finish watching the debates – my egbon Dr. Abati did not help matters as he kept ringing out like the Village Headmaster. “Quiet over there,” he bellowed. “No noise,” he shouted, making the whole thing boring and one kain.

IFEANYI OKOWA WAS A WONDERFUL SURPRISE Me, I used to look at this baba as one ‘efico’. I have met him once and even went to his house sef. It was Mudi, the great Fashion designer, who, having built a roundabout in Ughelli, invited me to join him at the opening. When his Excellency arrived, he looked like Uche. Mbok, Uche was the most brilliant student at the famous Independence Hall in UI that year. He was a medical student

Okigbo

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R NOVEMBER 13, 2022

LOUD WHISPERS and stupendously brilliant but an ‘ajebutter’. He could not fight, play local football or struggle for anything. All he knew was his books and we used to just laugh at him. So here was Okowa looking and sounding like Uche at this ceremony. He even spoke like Uche and I laughed. But it was a different ‘Uche’ I saw at the debates. This Okowa was bold, confident and tasted like well fermented wine. He delivered his positions soundly and got all the cues right. His facts neatly prepared and his delivery like that of a calculating statesman. I loved him, I loved his presentation and also loved his refusal to be dragged into the mud. He tried. Well-done Bro. Okowa. Well-done. I will give you a pass mark for this one. Well-done. AKAN UDOFIA – A REDEMPTION SONG PDP in my state, Akwa Ibom have all gone mad o. So, the APC candidate, Mr Akan Udofia who seems to have fired the imagination of the state especially the youths, has drawn the worst from them. So, he was invited to an event and when he got there, the musicians went mad with excitement and started playing a melodious tune which got not only Akan but the whole crowd bursting into a frenzy of dance moves. Now if you know Akan very well, you will understand his zest for life, his affectious energy which is very combustible and ignites the fire of joy around him. Unfortunately for the PDP, the lyrics of the song were caustic. The musician was asking a simple question o. That since their candidate claims to have attended University of Uyo, that he should send his certificate. My people, Akan’s sin is dancing to the melodious tune o. It was not only Akan that danced to it o. So, many Akwa Ibomites danced to it and millions have been dancing to it, even me sef, when I am taking my bath, I dance to it. But today, as a result of Akan’s marvelous dance steps, they have released a statement calling him all sorts of names. They even referred to him as a sexual pervert and all manner of unprintable names. All because of dancing to a song, wey no be him compose. The attack has been vicious and unrelenting. Caution has been thrown to the winds and vile and bile are being thrown at him. Akan has remained stoic and calm and not responded to the bile and this is why his foot soldiers have decided to take the fight to the ‘enemy’ to defend his honour. Akan is a father of three lovely daughters that he dotes on. He will never be part of whatever despicable claims the PDP have thrown at him in that statement. He went to verifiable schools and has the legitimate certification to show for it very unlike his opponent. He has shown tremendous capacity as a major private sector operative now wanting to push those principles that enabled him build an enduring business capacity to the public sector and much more importantly, he has been able to win the hearts of the vast majority of forward thinking Akwa Ibomite. Pressure is now on the other side, to show the certificates and stop fiddling with vacuous press statements when their homes are burning. Mbok, I am rushing into the bathroom to dance to the wonderful song – nko abo ke ama ka Uniyo, mbok sio Certificate 0--- translation, shebi you say you went to Uniuyo, show certificate o. Mad. ABDULKADIR MANKO IS MY KIND OF CANDIDATE Ok, I stumbled on a video on YouTube. It was this candidate speaking to a crowd somewhere in Kwara. He looked very debonair and neat. He spoke in implacable English and connected with the crowd. His charisma showed through and I began to pay more attention to what he was saying.

FEMI OTEDOLA’S POOR IMITATION

Otedola

My people, you know I am shameless so I will cry out o. It is Duchess’s 50th this month and the budget I have been presented come look like Buhari budget o. A budget of hopelessness. The figures do not take into consideration the galloping inflation rate and the worsening state of the Naira. So, I called a session to discuss and get a middle ground. I talk o, I explain, I beg, I cry, I even use some ASUU style by refusing to do my work in the other room and all I met for my efforts was very insensitive – you only get to 50 once. So, I resort to a Keyamo style push. “If you cut this budget by 70%, I swear I will buy you a new car next year and remove Ooni of Ife from my broadcast list before that one will go and inspire me to join him in his marriage frenzy.” She thought about it and asked me to do an undertaking that I will buy the car because she could not care less about my other activities with my new brother -Ooni. “When the effects of his action start to dawn on him, I will laugh,” was her retort. I was happy, but my joy was short-lived because the next morning, I was woken up to a video of egbon Otedola inspecting the giant yacht he was renting for billions to celebrate his 60th. ‘Otedollar’ don kill me o. This his 60th has taken over the media space. Duchess was livid, “Is this not a man like you?” She screamed. I screamed back ooo, this is not He was speaking against violence and he said something that struck a chord, “It is not a do or die, look into my chairman’s eyes and you will see that we are peaceful people and will not support violence.” Wow, I fell in love with him at that moment. Not only because of what he was saying but the sincerity that I could glean from his utterances. I dug some more and found

a man like me oooooo, This is EFFINGGG FEMI OTEDOLA!!! Is something the matter with you? Why compare me to a frigging billionaire? She retorted, “Is he not a man like you? Does he have two heads? See he is even skinny sef. You have a bigger belly than him. Am I asking for a yacht, Mbok, let’s go back to the full budget and be a man.” Oh my God, Otedola has killed me with these fantastic birthday celebrations. He has chosen to enjoy the blessings that God has bestowed on him. Hiring the magnificent yacht, sailing with his beautiful family and generally just having well-deserved fun. My own is that, he for just do am quietly or even block Duchess from seeing all of that, because now I have to go and look for a boat to hire. I cannot even go near the canoe for Makoko, talk less of this one. Anyway, do not mind me o. Just having a little bit of fun. But let me just state this: Mr. Otedola has, over the years, shown a remarkable comeback spirit. I once watched an interview where he was talking about the losses he incurred and how he bounced back. His life is remarkable. His philanthropy is the largest and most impactful and very much importantly, the way he loves his family just makes him a complete Nigerian man, one that should be emulated. Happy 60th my Lord, and may God continue to bless you and grant you a very long life. Happy Birthday Sir. out that he is a private sector person trying to give back to his people in the area of leadership. As Chief Executive Officer of White Waters Marine Services, I found out that he has built tremendous capacity in that space, employing Nigerians and playing a very powerful role in that very critical sector. I have also seen that his philanthropic activities have also been quite robust.

I hope to meet with him one of these days to better understand his outlook and better understand his mission and why he wants to go to the Senate on the platform of the SDP, but for now, let me just say, he is really looking like my kind of candidate. TOBE OKIGBO, PLEASE, IGNORE FIDELIS ANOSIKE Tobe is the brilliant egghead that heads regulatory or something like that at MTN. He is one of those Nigerians that remain steadfast and committed to the prospect that is Nigeria. His outlook is quite principled and it is no wonder that he remains a critical figure within the telecommunications firm. It was his 55th birthday the other day and his lovely wife, the very elegant Chioma sent me an invite. Their parties are usually very close and exquisite. The only problem there is that they never serve Afang and you know what that does to me. Anyway, this time, I went to the party making it a point to head up to Mama Bakassi to indulge in Afang after eating all the Chinese and intercontinental food that Chioma used to lay out. As I walked in, I hugged Tobe and he announced – Duke, there is Afang. People na two plates I eat o. The Afang came with periwinkle, what we Ibibios call – mphi. They must have challenged their cook that Duke was coming o. It was served with Fufu. Mbok Afang and Fufu is far better than sex any day, I tell you. Well, as we were eating, the great Fidelis Anosike, the husband of Nollywood diva Rita Dominic waltzed in. He was looking like a Hollywood Czar in all white. He went straight to the table and collected Atama and Fufu, another Akwa Ibom delicacy. He is my friend, brother and general overseer and as it wont to be, any time, I run into him, na politics o. We discuss politics and his positions remain as illuminating as ever. Tobe joined us and Fidelis goes, “Tobe, how is 60? I hope you are enjoying getting to 60?” Tobe screamed o, “Duke don’t mind him o, I am just 55.” Kai. Wetin concern me, you can be Pa Fasoranti’s age mate as long as he no disturb the crayfish in this delicious Afang. I replied, “Tobe ignore Fidelis, na exchange rate dey do am. You know say his white wedding is in London in a few weeks and when he proposed to Rita pound na N300, when she agree na N500, by the time he print invite na 700 l. Now that we are off to London na N1,000 he dey look.” Tobe laughed and almost choked. Here is wishing one of the most brilliant people I have ever met, a happy birthday and long life and continued prosperity. Chioma, mbok , the Afang still remain? FOR IKE EKWEREMADU, WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS The recent announcement that the EFCC got an injunction to seize over 40 of Ike Ekweremadu’s properties globally hit me with mixed reactions. Mbok, when it rains, it pours. Na wa. In trying to save his daughter’s life, he has run into a major problem with the British who have thrown the books at him. While this is going on, this court ruling came. Now, what this court ruling does is that it severally diminishes his capacity to fight for his freedom. Much as I try to look at the ‘crime’, I cannot go past the humanitarian angle – trying to save his daughter’s life. Every parent in that shoe will do the same and if not more. I am not trying to engage on the legality or otherwise of his actions but looking at it purely from the prism of a father of five children. This is just so sad and unfortunate. I can only pray for all involved, the Lord always has a way of intervening in these things. My prayers to all involved.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R NOVEMBER 13, 2022

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Shipping Magnate, Isaac Jolapamo’s Myriad of Troubles

Adedoyin-Alao

The Day Olori Olusola Adedoyin-Alao Danced Like the Biblical King David If there is someone who is currently experiencing the proverbial seventh Heaven like a woman who has successfully been delivered a baby, it is no other but Olori Olusola Adedoyin, the beautiful daughter of Chief Samuel Adedoyin and wife of His Imperial Majesty Oba Olushola Alao. You might not fault her if she had invited the greatest griot to render her panegyrics or if she had engaged the most creative town crier to trumpet her triumph when she celebrated her 60th birthday last Monday. Also, you might not blame her if she had adorned her Sunday best and danced like the Biblical King David on the occasion of her joining the club of sexagenarians, recently. You may want to know why she would have done any of these. The truth is that her story, for want of a better description, is serio-comic. When the former Managing Director of City Express Bank was hovering between life and death, having been laid up with cancer, no one, including her doctors, believed she could survive it. They said she had only a few days left on the face of the earth. But the ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) held on to her faith in God and she miraculously survived the ailment. Shortly afterwards, she experienced a doleful moment in her career when City Express Bank failed to survive the new regulations of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Yet the graduate of Marketing/ Accounting from St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia did not despair. As if that was not enough, her marriage to her husband of many years, Adeoti, later hit the rocks. Naturally, she felt as if her life had come to an end. But she kept her head up and moved on. A few years later, she had yet another reason to praise her God, when she was delivered of twins at the ripe age of 59. A pious and faithful Christian, she gave all thanks to God last Monday on the occasion of her 60th birthday. She received her first gift from the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and his wife, Pastor Folu, who were at their residence to felicitate with her. A vigil was also held at her residence for hours of praise and worship. The soft-spoken woman and her husband played host to the high and mighty in the country at a very private celebration at their Victoria Island, Lagos residence. The soiree offered her an opportunity to thank her Creator for sparing her life and also making her celebrate her 60th birthday in sound health.

In his halcyon days as a top player in the nation’s maritime sector, Isaac Jolapamo commanded a lot of respect. Indeed, in his capacity as the pioneer Chairman of the Indigenous ShipOwners Association of Nigeria (ISAN) now ShipOwners Association of Nigeria, he had so many things at his beck and call. But sadly, the once wealthy and influential personality has fallen into bad times, with humongous debts running into millions of dollars hanging around his neck like a piece of jewelry. Faced with this financial conundrum, he has been running from pillar to post to pay off the loan that has placed his name conspicuously in the black book of some financial institutions in the country. As if that’s not enough headache, Jolapamo has again fallen into another crisis The name Babatunde Gbadamosi, otherwise known as BOG, is known particularly to the politically conscious residents of Lagos State. Out of personal conviction, he had gone into politics intending to get the number one job in the state. But he has been so unlucky in his foray into politics, suffering several losses. His political journey has been laced with more thorns than roses.Gbadamosi has migrated from one political party to another but none has yielded positive results. After losing out in the governorship election in 2019 to the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Gbadamosi, who was the candidate of Action Democratic Party (ADP), in the election, had reportedly crawled back to his old friends at the People Democratic Party (PDP), and later contested as the party’s senatorial candidate during the byelection for Lagos East Senatorial District alongside Tokunbo Abiru of the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC). Again, his effort to clinch the ticket was met with a kiss of death. Since then, he has remained a political orphan and has been left in the cold

that may further drag his name in the mud. This time around, he has been dragged before Justice Yellim S. Bogoro at a Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly involving himself in the unlawful possession of arms. He is being prosecuted on a three-count charge bordering on unlawful possession of a calibre rifle with reference number 067474, a pump action rifle with reference number P331425 and a double barrel gun. Rather than answering the charges levelled against him, Jolapamo has been absent in court for his trial since July 2022. Since Jolapamo literally poked the law in the eyes, he has been trying to free himself from the vice-like grip of the law, with his counsel offering all manner of prayers to rationalize his absence in court. Again, the case has been adjourned to December 22 for a hearing.

Lagos Politician, Babatunde Gbadamosi’s Diary of Losses

Gbadamosi

Jolapamo

because he has never been in the good books of some top members of the PDP. Last August, he left the party to join the Labour Party, a development that made him a laughing stock in the political circle of the state. However, Gbadamosi’s series of losses are not limited to his political ambition. At the moment, he is nursing a wound in his heart, following the crash of his marriage to Folashade in February this year. While some claimed that the marriage crashed for so many reasons, others close to the family insisted that the marriage ended owing to Folashade’s overbearing and nagging attitude, including alleging that Gbadamosi had nothing to his name in the United Kingdom before she agreed to marry him. Folashade was also said to have kicked him out of their matrimonial home. Before the marriage crashed, Gbadamosi had been described as the brains behind the business in his capacity as the Chairman and CEO of Redbrick Homes International Limited, promoters and developers of multimillion naira property, Amen Estate.

Construction Giant, Hakeem Alobo-Bakare’s Date with History Is anyone writing a book about the great personalities or big players in Nigeria’s construction sector? If yes, the book wouldn’t be complete without the name of Hakeem AloboBakare, a socialite, businessman and politician. He is not your run-off-the-mill businessman; he is an inspiration to many, as he has his hands in many sectors of the economy, apart from construction which has fetched him fame. The Lagos State-born construction giant is also one of the country’s nouveau riche, with big wallets and even enviable social reputation. Though Alobo-Bakare has successfully etched his name in the minds of his compatriots, he is not loquacious about his success. His Ikoyi, Lagos homes are usually a Mecca of sorts, as many besiege the places seeking one favour or the other. In retrospect, when he started many years ago, not many people gave him any chance of survival. But he confronted the challenge with a resolve to succeed. And he is successful by all standards today.

Interestingly, his profile will receive a boost come January 2023 when he will be conferred with two chieftaincy titles: Otunba Bobajiro of Jogaland by His Royal Highness Oba Adeyemi Adekeye, JP as well as Bashorun of Orile Igbon by Oba of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao. In a letter made available to Society Watch, the Office of Oba of Jogaland stated that AloboBakare was considered for the honour in recognition of his uncommon feats in life. The letter reads in part: “In recognition of the outstanding success, you have achieved in your vocation and in appreciation of the valuable contributions you have made and still making through selfless public service for the benefit and welfare of humanity and also your excellent performance and contribution to our community “Furthermore, as a token of high esteem, I have selected you as my Otunba- Bobajiro of Jogaland with full power and authority to inform others of the genuine hospitality and

Alobo-Bakare

friendly atmosphere that prevail in Joga-Orile, Ogun State and of many advantages and unlimited opportunities that our great town has to offer. Your letter of acceptance of this well-deserved honour is awaited.”

Senator Florence Ita-Giwa Well-deserved Honour

Ita-Giwa

In one of her famous quotes, the late American Catholic religious sister, Mary Rose McGready’s, said: “There is no greater joy, nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life.”

This has been Senator Florence Ita-Giwa’s guiding philosophy, as she has always tried her best to make the dreams of her people come true. It is no longer news that she has continued to dedicate her life to the service of humanity. Indeed, in the area of humanitarian services, she has received a lot of kudos. Her contributions particularly to the people of Bakassi would be archived for many generations to see. But contrary to the thinking in some quarters that her humanitarian gestures are mainly for political gains, the Cross Rivers State-born Princess was born with a heart of gold. The woman of substance, who is endowed with grace and charm, is also said to have worked her way into the hearts of her people through her genuine humane gestures over the years. In appreciation of her worthy deeds, she

has been recognised and honoured with awards at home and abroad. Specifically, the honour accorded her last week Friday by The Nigerian Legion and Green Heroes Foundation Awards 2022 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja is one the former Senior Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo cherishes so much. Some would ask if she really deserves the award when she has not fought in any war and she has never been a soldier. But little do many realise that she is indeed a soldier of sorts, who has been fighting many battles to improve the wellbeing of her people. The award is for her contribution to the Nigerian Army that fought to keep Bakassi from falling to the neighbouring country, Cameroun. She was the only woman, in fact, a civilian who risked her life many times to send food items and money to the Nigerian soldiers at the war front.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 13 , 2022

INTERNATIONAL

Deepening Insecurity in Nigeria and Chinese Service Stations: One Truth about Untruths

he nexus between truth and untruth is very thin. The nexus is either belief or disbelief. When it is disbelief, people can talk about fake news and when it is belief, even if there are no doubts about the truth, there is no disputing the fact that it can still be later controversial simply because there can be many versions of a truth. Truth can be valid at a given point in time depending on the source. Truth can be constant for as long as it is not subject to any query. Consequently, in dealing with the truth, especially in the Social Sciences, there cannot but be need to always seek a general understanding of all the dimensions of any issue before arriving at a general conclusion, especially that diplomacy does not always allow the truth to be publicly told and because truth can be presented as an untruth until archival records are opened. In this regard, on 18 October, 2022, media reports had it that China had opened police service station in Nigeria. On 19th October, the Chinese dispelled the report of running any police station in Nigeria. The report was predicated on a special report, titled ‘110 Overseas ChineseTransnationalPolicingGoneWild,’donebyarightsorganisation, Safeguard Defenders. In the eyes of the Chinese, this investigative finding is fake and that the truth is that state practice does not allow for foreign policing in another sovereign state. As explained by an anonymous Chinese who spoke with the Vanguard Newspapers,‘there is no such station in Nigeria or everywhere (sic). This is because no sovereign country may allow other countries to establish their own (police) stations on their territory.’ The Chinese do not have any police station in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. However, ‘there is only one category of outreach services for Chinese communities,’and therefore,‘China has no intention or spare energy to run police stations outside its borders,’The Vanguard of 19 October further revealed. If China does not currently have any police station in Nigeria or anywhere and also does not have the intention to establish anyone in the future, this can be considered one version of the truth. Another dimension of this truth is that there is nothing to suggest meanwhile that China cannot and will not establish one in the future. A further dimension is also that, like many sovereign countries cooperate in various aspects of national security, by even allowing foreign military bases on their sovereign territory, bilateral ties can always be promoted to allow for the establishment of a police station for mutual benefits. The mere fact that the establishment of a police station abroad is hardly done does not imply that it can never be done if the situational reality so requires. A deepening situation of insecurity can always warrant the establishment of a police station. Buhari Deepening Insecurity and Leeway As there are many attacks on the Chinese in Africa, so are there many cases of Chinese attacks on their host citizens in Africa. As far back as 21 June 2013, the Agence France Presse (AFP) had it that antiChinese attacks were on the increase in Africa. And true enough, at least four Chinese were killed during a heavily armed attack on a mine in central Nigeria, the Africa News reported on 30 June, 2022. Again, earlier on 24 May, 2022, Kate Bartlett of the Voice of America warned in a report that the Chinese people working in Africa faced threats of kidnapping. Indeed, in Nigeria, one Chinese expatriate was shot dead at a mining site at Iboko, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The killing is more serious than an act of kidnapping. Many Chinese have been kidnapped in Nigeria. Consequently, there is every reason for the Chinese government to be much concerned about developments in Nigeria. In the same vein, on the side of the Chinese, there was the reported vicious attack by one Chinese official of a Sierra Leonean staff on 14 June 2021 in Sierra Leone. Many are also the cases of mistreatment of Nigerians working with Chinese companies in Nigeria.These cases also fall within the competence of the Nigerian media houses, which are required to oversee and report to Nigerians all governmental activities in Nigeria. Section 22 of Chapter 2 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution as amended stipulates that ‘the press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in the Chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.’

with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Consequently, the controversial investigative report on the Chinese having a service outreach or running a police station in Nigeria is not out of place and should always be understood in its appropriate context.True, research finding, driven by valid methodological framework, can be wrong if the elements of analysis, even if it is only one of them, are or is faulty. But that cannot imply that there cannot be elements of established truth because the Nigerian environment is, indeed, very difficult to predict correctly. Nigeria is a terra cognita of the‘unbelievable’ but which in any case is still true. Nigeria is a country of excessiveness and political recklessness as clearly shown in a Daily Sunrise monitored on one Saturday on Channels Television: when elected governors leave office, and because they were elected, they are paid full salaries for life. Their state governments are required to build a befitting five-bedroom mansion in their state capital and also either in Lagos or in Abuja. This is the minimum recommended for any of the governors. The mansion is to be equipped with a befitting furniture that should be changed every three to four years. Besides, they are entitled to one hundred million naira as gratuity, 100% of current basic salary of the incumbent governor and deputy governor for life, a new jeep and Hiluxes, 300% of basic salary for maintenance of cars which are also replaceable every three years and 300% of basic salary for utilities (electricity, etc.), a monthly payment of five million for dependants (stewards, cooks, drivers, personal assistants and security), 100% of basic

It is from this perspective that we consider PMB as Nigeria’s main problem and also the main possible solution to Nigeria’s problem. Under PMB, institutional corruption has reached its crescendo. PMB’s first term, 2015-2019, was meant to be a change of foundation from the abnormal environment of political chicanery and recklessness in the country. The second term, 2019-2023 was designed to be a next level of normalcy-building, building a new Nigeria free from societal indiscipline. Most unfortunately, security, economic vibrancy and corruption which are the tripod on which the policy of the ‘next level’ is built, has been seriously tainted and bent, and therefore making a nonsense of the whole APC manifesto from 2015 to date. Educational development has also suffered most under PMB. Inter-ethnic hostility became terribly bad under him. Even the 2023 political campaigns have been so ethnicised to the extent that ethnic balancing has been jettisoned and standard bearers are even calling for ethnic voting. Atiku Abubakar of the PDP has asked Northerners not to vote for southerners. The Yoruba South West has become sharply divided over their own son, Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi, an Ibo who has not presented himself as an ethnicist but as a nationalist. The epicentre of all the problems is that most political observers now believe that, regardless of whoever wins the election in 2023, it is still the Hausa-Fulani cabal that will still continue to rule Nigeria and not whoever is to be elected. This is one truth about untruths. Chinese police station in Nigeria is at best insignificant even in terms of national sovereignty

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VIE INTERNATIONALE

salary for entertainment, 100% for medical treatment in Nigeria or abroad for unspecified number of relations of the governor for life. This medical treatment covers polygamous governors. Spouses of governors are also entitled to female security protection. Without any jot of doubt, for an individual person to be elected governor and serve for a gubernatorial term of four years and to be given 100% life enjoyment and protection by government cannot but raise eyes brows, grievance and insecurity. In fact, this cannot but be a major dynamic of permanent struggle to always seek to win election by all means, including engagement in crooked and criminal methods. It is also a major rationale for institutional corruption in the whole country. In fact, one major reason for the little interest in accepting to restructure is not simply because of hegemonic considerations, but particularly because of fears of losing access to easy money-making in various ramifications. Another major dynamic of national insecurity is the make-believe that the Fulani ethnic stock own Nigeria and therefore, every policy of government is seen as an attempt to solidify the foundation for Fulani hegemony in Nigeria. Without any scintilla of doubt, this is one important factor explaining the struggle for self-determination by the Yoruba nation and the Ibo nation as well. When talking about Chinese police station or that of any foreign country for that matter cannot be completely missing the problem. It is true that a considerable percentage of the Yoruba prefer to take up arms, if necessary, to fight for political separation as of today because of the feeling of indignity perceptibly felt by them. It is not surprising that there is constant reference to the‘wickedness’of the colonial master who refused to include the clause on secession or withdrawal from the Nigerian nation in the 1950s.TheYoruba wanted the inclusion of the withdrawal clause but the British over ruled it. If the country has been governed in such a way that feelings of injustice are not existent, there would not have been any good basis for the politics of separation to have aVpowder. This is most unfortunate for a country that should be providing leadership for black race in international relations. Very few people believe that elections can be won without rigging, regardless of the purports of the INEC and the political parties. Indeed, Nigeria does not have any credible population figures. The Federal Government is actually importing the Fulani inWest and Central Africa to Nigeria as revealed by the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed. Without doubt, we do not see anything wrong in Governor Bala Mohammed in promoting continental unity through regional integration. There may not be anything wrong in also encouraging the Brother Fulanis in other parts of Africa to reunite with their families in Nigeria. Such encouragement is quite consistent with the regional integration as a potent tool for promoting continental unity. One cannot be talking about regional integration, on the one hand, and still be underscoring international boundaries, on the other hand. The problem of concern, however, is on why the choice of the Fulani and not another ethnic group? Why that type of statement when Nigerians are already strongly suspecting Fulanisation and Islamisation agenda in Nigeria? Indeed, Governor Bala Mohammed’s television interview unnecessarily incited much anger and the determination of any ethnic groups in the South to resist any Fulanisation agenda. From the foregoing, the situation of insecurity in Nigeria is critical. But how can the situation be addressed? Can there be any constructive approach beyond accepting to tackle the truth? Only the truth can set Nigeria free and prevent national disintegration. This is in spite of the many suggestions considered as capable of nipping the self-made political errors in the bud. Suggested Leeway One important suggestion on how to solve the problem of insecurity, beginning from the South West, was given by Gani Adams, the Are Ona Kakanfoo (Generalissimo) of Yoruba land, who noted that the situation of insecurity is getting out of hand and that ‘it is now time for the three Governors of Oyo, Ogun and Lagos to allow us (Gani Adams) flush the bandits out of their hiding place.’And perhaps more significantly, Gani Adams assured the governors that he would‘flush out the terrorists from their hideouts within three weeks’in the South West.‘The Lagos-Ibadan Express Way is not Kano-Kaduna or Abuja road that have become havens for terrorists. So, the governors should allow us to chase them away from this road.’ Three quick issues are interesting in the Gani Adams’agenda. The first is that terrorism will be nipped in the bud in the South-West of Nigeria if he succeeds, but not necessarily stopping terrorism in the whole of Nigeria. Secondly, the agenda may be helpful in containing the spread of terror beyond theYoruba land in the whole of the South. And thirdly, Gani Adams’request critically raises the issue of the need for true federalism in Nigeria. The truth in this matter is not simply asking the Governors of Oyo, Ogun and Lagos for authorisation but whether the Federal Government will be prepared to also accept the development. It is useful to note here that the Federal Government of Nigeria has not only been variously accused of aiding and abetting terrorists, but also particularly supporting the Fulani herdsmen who have been identified to be the illegal occupants of the South-western forests.The Federal Government and the Fulani herdsmen wrongly believe that there is nothing like any land belonging to any specific community of people. In other words, the Federal Government does not reckon with the 1978 Land Use Act which vested the ownership of community land on the Governors in thrust for the people of that given community. Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

13. 11.2022

Images That Resound With Cultural Appropriation A Zimbabwean quintet not only rekindles old school years connections with their exhibition at Tiwani Contemporary's Lagos location, but also extends an intra-continental cultural handshake to the local art community. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

tangled mess of mysterious images, seething with cryptic expresVLRQV ÀUVW DVVDLOV WKH viewer’s senses with a note of urgency. Soon, the receding fogginess seems to lift on these visuals, which seem to piece themselves into a bigger picture in a manner that hints at some coherence. Sticking out easily amidst the visual bedlam is an arm that seems to signal STOP. Then, WKHUH LV DOVR D EORRPLQJ ÁRZHU NQRZQ as Callistemon, which represents both a sign of the season in Zimbabwe and encouragement from the Almighty. This serigraphy and ink drawing on canvas work by the Zimbabwean female artist Virginia Chihota is only one of a three-work series, titled "Nharo Dzakanyarara" (A Quiet Resistance). This resistance, according to her, has to do with a "prayer against... bad energies that cause pain, misunderstandings, limitations—the list is endless....” Something about the series’ visual clutter, in its hideous incoherence, evokes the negative energies that the artist alludes to. They lift the veil on the state of man's ÀQHU PDWHULDO VXUURXQGLQJV ZKLFK DUH densely populated by intuitive volitions or thought forms that embody and express their fundamental meanings. Chihota’s cryptic compositions are featured alongside the works of her four compatriots and contemporaries at the Zimbabwe National Gallery School of Visual Arts and Design (formerly B. A. T. Visual Arts School)—three males and one other female—in an exhibition titled I See You, which opened at Tiwani Gallery in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday, November 4 and ends on Saturday, January 14, next year. Her work resonates with Portia Zvavahera's composition, which combines aspects of painting and printmaking and strives to interpret her dreams. The latter, ZKR ZDV EULHÁ\ DQ DUWLVW LQ UHVLGHQFH DW the Guest Artist Space (G.A.S.) Foundation in Oniru, Lagos, appropriated elements of locally-dyed Nigerian fabric known as "adire" into her work. This explains why her painting was composed of beeswax and primed linen that were sourced in Lagos. In the oil-based printing ink and oil bar on linen work, titled "Ranganai Henyu" (Devise Your Strategy), an abstract ÀJXUDO IRUP WKDW DOOXGHV WR D UHFXPEHQW VOHHSLQJ ÀJXUH VHHPV WR EH WKH IRFDO SRLQW of peripheral entities, some of which are intent on shielding it from bodily harm. Extending this blur of painterly compositions, Gareth Nyandoro’s two large-scale works on canvas jostle for the viewer’s DWWHQWLRQ 7KHUH LV D GLVWLQFW PDOH ÀJXUH in each of the paintings, engaged in acWLYLWLHV WKDW UHÁHFW WKHVH WLPHV ,Q RQH RI WKH SDLQWLQJV D ÀJXUH LV KROGLQJ D =RRP PHHWLQJ DJDLQVW WKH EDFNGURS RI D VWXͿHG bookshelf, while in the other painting, a man, holding a measuring tape, is ap-

A section of the exhibition space showing Gideon Gomo’s sculptures and Portia Zvavahera's paintings

skateboard wheels, the mixed-media work titled “Dzikamunhenga” 3 and 4 are positioned on white plinths. By utilising interventions and hybridised concepts of otherness, Hwati's sculptures challenge modernist, colonial techniques of exhibiting art. These pieces, according to a statement from Tiwani Contemporary Gallery, will be brought to life during a one-time performance that reacts to the Dzikamunhenga, an old Shona instrument, in collaboration with the Lagos-based musician Temitope Fash. By positioning the earth as a third partner, an anchor for human life, and a place where ancestors return after passing away, the two artists intend to use Hwati's sculpture as a conduit to produce earth vibrations. For this National Gallery School of Visual Arts and Design alumni quintet, the exhibition is an opportunity and a platform for reigniting the friendship Virginia Chihota's three-work series, titled Nharo Dzakanyarara, A Quiet Resistance of their good old school years in Harare parently constructing upholsteries for in Lagos, he also carved a series of heads in in the 1990s. This explains the mindfurniture. mahogany titled “Chiwono Chemukati,” numbing similarity and shared ideoloAs a contrast to the numbing aesthetics which are suspended above each other on gies displayed in their colour selection. RI WKH ' RͿHULQJV *LGHRQ *RPR·V VWRQH a single rope to illustrate how tendencies Then there is also the fact that Chihota, carvings, which are evocative of antiques, and emotional burdens are passed down Zvavahera, Hwati, and Nyandoro feawrench the viewer into their dialectical through a generational chain. While il- tured in the 2013 and 2015 editions of orbit. The works, titled “Ko Ini Ndisinawo lustrating these “burdens,” he employs the Venice Biennale, under the artistic Hata,” were contrived from spring stones the metaphor of a torus-shaped pad for direction of Raphael Chikukwa, now the (an exceptionally hard, dark stone used in carrying heavy loads, known as “hata” in Executive Director at the National Gallery Shona sculpture) and are a series of carved his native tongue, which he places between of Zimbabwe. Recently, shortly before this human heads with wide open mouths, all of the heads save the one at the bottom, exhibition, Zvavahera and Gomo were somewhat reminiscent of Edvard Munch’s which hangs at a greater distance from artists in residence at the G. A. S. Founda“The Scream,” which are combined with the others above it. tion, Lagos, where they researched “adire”, brass cymbals and suspended from the As a complement to Gomo’s intriguing tie-and-dying techniques, printmaking, ceiling with cords. The artist, who was LQVWDOODWLRQ 0DVLPED +ZDWL·V RͿHULQJ sculpture, and assemblages made from also recently an artist-in-residence at the seems to be a homage to musical wind local materials. In a manner of speaking, G.A.S. Foundation, had completed these instruments. A befuddling contraption the artists have, through this exhibition, carvings in Lagos, which he started back in of wind instrument carcasses, discarded EHHQ DͿRUGHG XQFRPPRQ DFFHVV WR WKH Harare. During his residency programme plastic, wooden balls, goat horns, and Lagos art community.

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER13, 2022

ARTS & REVIEW\\POTPOURRI

Against All Odds, EkoNAFEST 2022 Opens up Conversations on Peace and Unity

BOOK LAUNCH

Yinka Olatunbosun

he National Stadium in Surulere turned out to be an encampment for vendors, some of whom slept overnight under their canopies for the sake of the prestigious National Festival ofArts and Culture (NAFEST). White commuter buses lined the park beside the National Institute of Sports, where most of the events were held. Some delegates arrived at the venue early in the morning, bringing with them exciting stories of their journeys, punctuated by mechanical failures on the conveying vehicle. Finally, they arrived—a few in trickles. Marching into the venue in droves, the stage for the command performance was almost invisible from the seating area at the back. Still, the energy in the room was familiar and infectious. Dancers clad in Nigerian cultural costumes could be seen above the sea of heads ahead. With the knowledge of the huge cultural scene in Lagos and the growing number of performance venues in the city, hosting NAFEST command performance in Balmoral Hall left a sour taste in the mouth. It all came down WR ORJLVWLFV WUD΀F HDVH RI FRPPXWLQJ WR DQG from venues, ample parking space, and cultural markets. And with Lagos being a state under construction, with many road diversions and a handful of closures, it makes sense to situate the event at the National Stadium, freshly renovated by the Lagos State government to accommodate cultural delegates. In a colourful atmosphere inside the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos, the 35th edition of the National Festival for Arts and Culture 1$)(67 ZDV R΀FLDOO\ GHFODUHG RSHQ LQ /DJRV on November 11 by Gov. Babajide Sanwoolu. Founded on the objectives of promoting peace and marketing the best of Nigeria's cultural heritage, NAFEST 2022 has the theme "Culture and Peaceful Co-existence." All together, Lagos has hosted the festival four times: in 1970, 1974, 1988, and now 2022. The ceremony was preceded by a performance by Fuji musician Adewale Ayuba as well as the parade of the state troupes drawn from 22 states and all the local governments in Lagos. A special appearance by the National Population Commission was also witnessed on the parade ground DV SDUW RI HͿRUWV WR VSUHDG DZDUHQHVV DERXW WKH need to participate in the 2023 census exercise. Lagos demonstrated its supremacy in partying with bespoke fabric and party packs, a photo catalogue that tells the Lagos story, and bedazzling

Kunda Kids Launches Book, Sarai's Culture Day Rebecca Ejifoma

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu ﬂanked by Ooni of Ife, Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, DG NCAC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Deputy Governor, Femi Hamzat and Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.

NAFEST performances and choreography that would arguably look better with a bird's eye view; hence the drones parading the arena throughout the show. In his address to declare the festival open, the chief host of NAFEST 2022, Gov. Babajide Sanwoolu, described the event as "unifying" and "a melting pot of our cultures." "We are one nation joined together by cultures." Today, we are celebrating our unity in diversity, our heteroculture. This is indeed a cultural marvel to embrace. "In Lagos, we are deliberate about promoting WRXULVP DUWV DQG FXOWXUH DV RXU ÀIWK SLOODU RI entertainment.” The Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture and President, World Crafts Council, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, shared the same sentiment in his speech. "The year 2022 edition of NAFEST must be used as a vehicle for consolidating our unity, peace and social harmony. This is especially so because this year's edition of NAFEST is coming just before the 2023 General Elections. It is a known fact that election years in Nigeria are usually volatile EHFDXVH RI WKH FRQÁLFWLQJ DQG FRQWHQGLQJ SROLWLFDO issues by the various political parties in Nigeria." Further, Runsewe charged participants in the friendly competitive activities to embrace the

spirit of good sportsmanship by accepting defeat in the spirit of love and to celebrate victory with empathy and respect for other competitors. The Lagos state commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, in her welcome remarks, described the event as a product of a deliberate plan and preparation that started as soon as Lagos was announced as the host for the 2022 edition of the festival. "Lagos prides itself as a peaceful place," she said while inviting participants to explore the waterways and the heritage of Lagos. "Going by the theme of this festival, it is imperative for us to remember that our peaceful coexistence is paramount." The festival had as its special guest of honour the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi. Some of the competitive events for NAFEST 2022 include children's music competition, drama, Ayo board games, archery, traditional cuisine competition, and a national competition on the use of Nigerian indigenous materials for interior decoration, while the non-competitive events LQFOXGH R΀FLDO RSHQLQJ DQG FORVLQJ FHUHPRQLHV command performances, roundtable discussions, a cultural market, free skills acquisition, cultural golf, and excursions to tourist sites. The closing ceremony is held today at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, where winners will be announced and awards will be conferred on deserving states.

ANA, Vatsa, Mpape and the Fruition of a Dream Tunde Olusunle

pape, a spectacularly rocky district in the nation's capital, Abuja, is not your characteristic venue for a conference, conventionorretreat.Not with exquisite facilities like the Transcorp Hilton, Sheraton Hotel and similar upscale hotels in the city. There is also an avalanche of dedicated event places, in the nation's capital. Mpape, the rocky topography which has spawned communities, settlements and ultramodern housing estates, is famous as a primary hub for granite mining. Earthquaking rhythms, reverberating sounds of explosions DQG ERPELQJ EODVWV WKHUHIRUH DUH WKH GHÀQLQJ characteristics of the undulating topography of Mpape. Quarrying activities in the nation's administrative hub, are predominantly domiciled on those eyeful ranges. And the hummings and grunts of heavy trucks in relentless motions up and down the ascending terrain, is the music of everyday. All of that, however, temporarily acquiesced to a notable event which recently took place in the district. The superiority of "words of iron and sentences of thunder," to borrow the expressions of the charismatic poet, Niyi Osundare, WRRN FHQWUHVWDJH 7KH\ VXEGXHG WKH GXVW ÀOOHG Mpape air, activated by the rapid descent of northerly harmattan. The cream of Nigeria’s literary producers and their critic counterparts

Vatsa

BOOKS in the engaging vocation of creative writing and literary intellection, congregated up Mpape hills. The dates were Wednesday October 26, through Saturday October 29, 2022. And the event was the 41st Annual Convention of the Association of NigerianAuthors, (ANA). The venue, *Mamman Vatsa Writers' Village. Mamman Jiya Vatsa, an army Major General in his time, was creatively inclined. He authored verses published as poetry collections including: *Verses for Nigerian State Capitals, (1973); Tori for Geti Bow Leg, (1981) and Back Again at Wargate, (1982). Vatsa also published Reach for the Skies in the same year. The renowned literary scholar,

Biodun Jeyifo in a 1988 critique of Vatsa's work, DSSODXGHG KLP IRU GHSOR\LQJ KLV HQRUPRXV LQÁXence in government and the federal bureaucracy to avail ANAof much needed infrastructure and logistical support to see the body through at least two of its yearly conferences." The administration of Vatsa's military colleague, 0XKDPPDGX %XKDUL ZKLFK ZDV LQ R΀FH EHWZHHQ January 1, 1984 and August 27, 1985, appointed Vatsa Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT). He had responsibility for the administration of the Federal Capital Territory, (MFCT) and was concurrently, Member of the Supreme Military Council, (SMC), the nation's highest policy making body in that era. Former military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in 1985, retained him in the position, upon the overthrow of the government of Buhari. Vatsa was reportedly, a childhood friend of Babangida, and one of the FRWHULH RI HOLWH PLOLWDU\ R΀FHUV LQ WKHLU JHQHUDWLRQ from Niger State. Others include Gado Nasko, Abdulsalam Abubakar and the late Mamman Kontagora. Barely four months thereafter, Vatsa was arrested and detained "on suspicion to commit treason" and interrogated closed door, by a military tribunal. Alongside his "co-conspirators," Vatsa RQ 0DUFK ZDV H[HFXWHG E\ ÀULQJ VTXDG They were convicted "for treason associated with an abortive coup." He was just 45. Fortuitously, Vatsa had engraved his name and memory, in the sands of time, before his unfortunate despatch. Since its establishment in 1981, as the brainchild of the revered master storyteller himself, Chinua Achebe and half a

unda Kids, an award-winning children's publishing, Ed-tech and media company, is set to launch its latest book, Sarai's Culture Day by Tania Omotayo to inspire the next generation to embrace their culture and heritage. The book release is scheduled to be held in London and Lagos this November. Sarai's Culture Day is a warm and uplifting book that is the perfect springboard to teach children the importance of embracing their culture and heritage. It seeks to encourage schools across Europe and Africa to have their own Culture Day to learn and showcase their culture and heritage. Omotayo is an acclaimed model, fashion designer, entrepreneur, and the owner of the famous fashion house "Ziva Lagos". Illustrated by Chike Obasi, the book aims to reconnect young Africans in the diaspora to their roots. Commenting on the inspiration behind the book and why it was an important project for the company, the Co-founder of Kunda Kids, Mrs Louisa Olafuyi noted that “Children should be encouraged to embrace their culture, which positively impacts how they see themselves and embrace others too." Sarai's Culture Day shows parents and teachers how to do this by connecting through cultural items such as music, fashion, food, and history. "The children's book also touches on soft critical skills such as kindness, advocacy, self-acceptance, and anti-bullying," she explained. On her part, the author implored young people to know that their originality is their superpower! Noting that Sarai's cultural Day’ is inspired by her three-year-old daughter Sarai. "I want young people to understand that they are uniquely perfect just the way they are, irrespective of race, religion, and culture. "Always be proud of where you come from; there can only ever be one you," she added.

dozen other like-minded writers, ANA desired an ideal creators' resort. Achebe's co-founders of the association June 27, 1981, included: John Pepper Bekederemo-Clark; TimothyAluko; Femi 2VRÀVDQ DQG 1L\L 2VXQGDUH 7ZR .HQ\DQ ZULWers, the iconic Ngugi wa Thiong'o and Gacheche Wauringi, also attended that premiere. The association wanted a congenial atmosphere where writers could observe their hideaways and listen to their Muses for inspiration. The FCT under Vatsa's watch, hosted the Fifth Convention ofANA in the last quarter of 1985, just months before his arrest. The event held within the geographical space of "Usuma dam," in Bwari Area Council, FCT. Vatsa had acceded to the request of the association, by allocating a sprawling expanse of land in contemporary Mpape district, for the development of its dream, purpose-built writers' village. 0SDSH ZDV WKHQ VRPH IDU ÁXQJ IRUORUQ IRUHVWHG abutment to the city centre of Abuja which was then being gradually developed into the future capital. If that pseudo-remoteness of Mpape was initially assumed to be a safeguard against the LGHQWLÀFDWLRQ RI WKH SURSHUW\ E\ SURVSHFWRUV RU WUHVpassers, such calculation turned out to be wrong. Today's Mpape is labelled *Maitama Extension* in day-to-day communication in Abuja, because it sits directly behind the highbrow *Maitama* district, abode of the nouveau riche: politicians, businessmen, top technocrats and bureaucrats in particular, in city. Read full Article online - www.thisdaylive.com

2OXVXQOH SRHW MRXUQDOLVW VFKRODU DQG DXWKRU LV a Member of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (ANA).

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 13 , 2022

CICERO

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

IN THE ARENA

2023: Need to Forestall Pre-election Violence Several recent worrisome incidents point to the imperative of pre-empting pre-election violence to ensure a peaceful 2023 general election, writes Louis Achi

o fewer than three supporters of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar last week escaped death by the whiskers. The trio, who were reportedly attacked by suspected political thugs, received several machete cuts while trying to mount a campaign billboard in support of Atiku in Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State. Reacting to the incident, spokesperson of the Rivers State Civil Society Organisations (RIVSCO), Solomon Lenu, condemned the incident. Also, the spokesperson of the Atiku Campaign Organisation in Rivers State, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, condemned the incident, saying it was a pity that such an incident would be happening in the state at this time. In another incident, the convoy of Atiku was attacked in Maiduguri, Borno State, last Wednesday. The presidential campaign trail of the opposition party had landed in Borno, an All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled state. Spokesman of the Atiku Campaign, Senator Dino Malaye, blamed the attack on the ruling party in Borno, lamenting that more than 70 people were hospitalised. His words: “They wanted to prevent us from holding the campaign, as we speak, 74 people were injured and hospitalised. He blamed it on the APC. A statement signed by the Media Adviser to Atiku, Paul Ibe, noted that hoodlums wielding the flag of the APC attacked the convoy of vehicles conveying dignitaries to the venue of the Maiduguri rally. According to him, “It is rather unfortunate that the APC in Borno State mobilieed some of its members to attack the convoy carrying dignitaries who had earlier paid a courtesy visit at the Shehu of Borno palace to the venue of the rally. While it is well understood that such barbaric behaviour is typical of the APC, it must be noted that, this time around, it is specifically the last kick of a dying horse.” In a twist to the incident, the APC differed over attacks on the convoy of the PDP presidential candidate by suspected thugs. The Director of Media and Publicity for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga, alleged the attack could be the result of infighting in the Borno State chapter of the PDP, insisting that the APC had no hand in the violence. But according to media reports, miscreants stoned Atiku’s convoy while on its way to the palace of Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, to pay homage, sparking apprehension in the state. Scores of persons were reportedly injured when the hoodlums pelted the convoy with stones, sticks and other weapons. Confirming the attack, the Borno State PDP Chairman, Zanna Gaddama said, “It is true that some miscreants from the APC attacked Atiku’s convoy along the road from the airport to Shehu’s palace. “They attacked at three locations – one after (Jagwal) cellphone market, another around one of the roundabouts on the road and by the House of Sir Kashim Ibrahim (the governor of the defunct Northern Region) just before the Shehu’s palace.”

Yakubu However, the Borno State Police Command discredited claims of an attack on the motorcade of Atiku at the Maiduguri rally. Police spokesman, ASP Kamilu Shatambaya, told journalists that the allegation was baseless and had no truth in it. He described the report that Atiku was attacked while addressing a rally in Maiduguri as mischievous. He said the allegation was fake, a hoax and an attempt to incite disturbances and disrupt peaceful co-existence of people of the state. He explained that the rally was conducted successfully under tight and adequate security coverage and that, “The candidate was accompanied to the Shehu of Borno’s palace after which he was accompanied to the Ramat Square where he addressed his supporters. The Commissioner for Police, Mr. Abdu Umar, was also at the venue to ensure that everything went on successfully. ASP Shatambaya however conceded that “One Danladi Abbas (32) was arrested at Airport Road, Maiduguri, for throwing stones at the motorcade of the presidential candidate. “Abbas and other hoodlums attempted to disrupt the motorcade, but they were chased and luckily one of them was arrested and taken

away for questioning,’’ he said. Shatambaya stated that nobody had reported any case of attack to any police station within Maiduguri and Jere. “We also went round hospitals to ascertain the claim that more than 74 persons were hospitalised, but no such patient was found,’’ he added. It could be recalled that Atiku’s campaign train had come under similar attack during a rally in Kaduna on October 17, a few days after thugs attacked the supporters of the party in Zamfara State leading to the death of at least one person, while several others were injured. These incidents which are not confined to PDP’s Atiku clearly foreshadow potentially bloody violence that could actually threaten both the validity and credibility of the impending general elections in 2023. Worried by the emerging pre-election violence, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had warned that incidences of physical attacks on party supporters and destruction of campaign materials across the country are unacceptable and a violation of the Electoral Act. But beyond the customary rhetoric, state authorities must bring suspected political thugs and other identified perpetrators of preelection, election and post-election violence to justice to prevent further human rights abuses. The previous reprehensible culture of infrequent and often inadequate investigations must yield to more accountable and sterner measures against deviants and their sponsors. More, government authorities must act to protect peoples’ lives and all political candidates should denounce violence and tell their supporters to campaign peacefully. Presidential debates and town hall meetings are good opportunities for candidates to make such a commitment. In effect, candidates who avoid such fora should be appropriately censured. This approach is crucial because nearly all of Nigeria’s elections since independence have been tainted with violence. Significantly, pretty little has changed since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 to elections of 2019 and the off-cycle polls. According to a recent HumAngle report, “In trying to understand why what is supposed to be the hallmark of democracy faces such repeated challenges, fingers have been pointed at various factors. These range from weak governance to the ineffectiveness of security forces, poverty and unemployment, abuse of power, political alienation, a climate of impunity, a ‘winner-takes-all’ political system, and the proliferation of small arms.” President Muhammadu Buhari must give substance to his repeated pledges and ensure he stays on the right side of history by ensuring that the 2023 general election under his watch is conducted with utmost integrity and safety. Even the National Peace Committee, headed by General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), needs to prevail on political parties not only to stick to the rules, but must also comply with the agreement they signed recently.

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

Atiku’s Mishandling of PDP Crisis

Atiku

ThefailureofthepresidentialcandidateofthePeoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar to resolve the crisisrockingthepartyismakingtherumourmillstohavea ﬁeldday.Lastweek,allsocialmediaplatformswereagog with speculations that the Akwa Ibom State Governor, UdomEmmanuel,wasnothappywiththeparty’sleadership, and as such, had either resigned or was contemplating to resign his appointment as the Chairman of the Atiku/ Okowa Presidential Campaign Council. While that was trending, it was also rumoured that the BauchiStateGovernor,BalaMohammed,whodoublesas theVice Chairman of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council in the North-east, was sulking that Atiku picked campaigncoordinatorsfromhisstatewithoutconsultation with him. In order to capitalise on this, the G-5 governors, comprising Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), SamuelOrtom(Benue),OkezieIkpeazu(Abia),andIfeanyi

Ugwuanyi (Enugu), met Mohammed in Bauchi to enlist him to join forces against Atiku. EventhoughtheAtiku/OkowaCampaignOrganisation through a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, has since dismissed as “fake news” the report that Governor Emmanuel was threatening to resign, Atiku was believed to have quickly moved to tackle whatever ill-feelings Governor Mohammed had with a visit to him assoonashereturnedtothecountryfromhistripabroad. While the party has urged Nigerians to ignore such shenanigans and fake news coming from the enemies who are desirous of causing confusion in the polity with a view to derailing the party’s electoral process, it is imperative that Atiku should seriously and urgently put his house in order. The crisis rocking the party has festered for too long. Atiku should not say he has moved on. He needs not foreclose any move towards peace as the leader of the party.

He claims to be a unifier, yet he cannot unify his own party. Little wonder his opponents are mocking him and wondering if he cannot unify his party, how can he unify the country? While the APC presidential candidate, BolaTinubu is busy wooing his opponents, Atiku is snubbing his own and making more enemies for himself. Governor Nasir el-Rufai had before the APC primary stated publicly in several fora that he did not believe inTinubu and did not like his ways, but the former Lagos State governor has remained unrelenting in his efforts to woo him just to get what he wants. Atiku should realise that nothing shouldbetoomuchtosacrificeforthepresidentialseat. He needs to quickly capitalise on the statement credited to Governor Wike last week when he was quoted as saying that the G-5 governors were still open toreconciliation,anddidnotatanytimeclosetheirdoors to reconciliation.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 13 , 2022

BRIEFINGNOTES As Ortom Beats a Retreat Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, obviously allowed the atrocities being committed by foreign herdsmen in his state to control his emotion last Sunday when he declared that he would not support a Fulani man to become the President of Nigeria. Ejiofor Alike reports that following the backlash that greeted his comments, the Benue State governor has since beaten a retreat and oﬀered an apology

ince foreign herdsmen launched a relentless war against the people of Benue State in 2016, Governor Samuel Ortom has been fighting the battle of his life, which has almost pitted him against the Fulani in Nigeria. His decision to organise open mass burials for the victims of herdsmen killings in the early life of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was said to have provoked the ire of key officials of the administration, who had allegedly favoured secret burials. The Benue State governor accused the Buhari-led administration of giving tacit approval for the killings in his state to force the indigenous people to surrender their lands to the foreign invaders. It was not surprising that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could not accommodate the governor and those he described as the enemies of his state. When Ortom defected from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in July 2018, he explained that he abandoned the ruling party in search of a platform that would accommodate his policies, especially the anti-open grazing law, which caused the friction between him and the Buhari-led administration. “We had to abandon that platform in search of one that offers more accommodation and support for our policies, especially the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017,” he reportedly said. He alleged that highly placed officials in the APC-led federal government made various attempts to frustrate an imperative legislation. “Such frustrating efforts by highly placed members of the federal government necessitated my exit from the party to one that will not compromise our stance on a matter so key to the Benue people. “This is the platform on which we seek the renewal of our mandate. No one will bend us as far as the Ranching Law is concerned because we draw consent and sustained support from the Benue people,” he was quoted as saying. Since he won his reelection on the platform of the PDP in 2019, he has continued to voice out his opposition against the killings in his state. He blamed Fulani herdsmen from the Republic of Niger, Chad, Senegal and other neighbouring countries for the mayhem in the state. He incurred the wrath of prominent Fulani leaders in Nigeria with his comments against the Fulani. For instance, during a recent political parley organised by the leading northern groups at Arewa House in Kaduna State, the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar had

Ortom reportedly stated that: “I had a big quarrel with Governor Ortom on his accusation of Fulani people. I am a Fulani man; why should you categorise all Fulani; we have to improve ways and manner we look after our livestock. I am angry with Samuel Ortom for proﬁling Fulani as bandits and terrorists.” But Ortom insisted that he did not proﬁle the Fulani who are bonafide citizens of Nigeria, noting that he had always blamed the Fulani from other countries, who had vowed to take over Nigeria to become their own country. He, however, broke his words last week when he vowed that he would not support any Fulani to be the President of Nigeria apparently due to the atrocities being committed by the herdsmen in his state. In an emotional outburst, the Benue State governor who was angry over the alleged subtle support by Atiku to the herdsmen,

said; “to hell with Atiku”. He vowed that he would not support Atiku’s presidential bid to continue the killing of Benue people. He said: “To hell with Atiku and anyone supporting him. They should go and tell him. You want me to be slave for a Fulani. It’s better I die. Anybody supporting Atiku is an enemy of Benue. “My people are being killed and you want me to be quiet. “My tenure ends in May and you can do whatever you want if you think you have the powers. I have written my will. When I gave it to my wife, she cried all night. If I die at 62, many of my mates have gone long time ago and if I die today, I’m a fulﬁlled person but let it be recorded that I died resisting the invasion and killing of my people. “I will never support a Fulani man to become

president. If there is another person who is ready to work with me and ensure the security of my people, I will work with him,” Ortom reportedly explained. However, the Benue State governor has since beaten a retreat following the backlash that greeted his comments. The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), which has never made sincere efforts to stop the killings, was the first to fault Ortom. NEF, in a statement signed by its Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem BabaAhmed, said the governor’s comments were totally unbecoming of a leader. The Forum said, “We, like other Nigerians, watched the video in which Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom speaks in a manner and language totally unbecoming of a leader, at a time when standards of responsibility and decorum should be at their highest levels. “He was apparently addressing citizens on recent killing of villagers which he attributes to Fulani herders. “Even while making allowances for the established patterns of rhetorics and practice of Governor Ortom on inter-communal relations, this latest outburst should be condemned in a most emphatic manner,” NEF explained. It however acknowledged that those it described as rogue Fulani elements are the killers, bandits and kidnappers in the North. “Governor Ortom should live up to his oath and his commitment to his mandate to live as a responsible leader of his people,” NEF explained. But contrary to the position of NEF, Ortom has always, even at the risk of his own life, provided a responsible leadership for his people by defending them against the foreign invaders who want to seize their ancestral lands. NEF was simply angry that Ortom attributed the killings in Benue State to Fulani herders. However, an apparently overwhelmed Ortom has apologised for what many perceived as “anti-Fulani comments.” Speaking when the G-5 governors visited Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, last Wednesday at the Ramat House, Bauchi, Ortom said he was sorry for all who felt offended by his comments. Ortom, who was asked by journalists if he still stood by his comments, said: “That was not what I meant when I was captured saying that. But all the same, I know that it would amount to logical fallacy if people had taken it the way I did. “But I want to say to those who were offended by my remarks; I didn’t mean that, I’m sorry about it,” Ortom reportedly explained. It is however uncertain if Ortom’s apology will reverse his position on Atiku.

NOTES FOR FILE

Who will Save Abia from Ikpeazu?

Ikpeazu

When the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) last week accused the Abia State of becoming one of Nigeria’s most worker-unfriendly sub-national governments on account of the huge unpaid salaries, not a few raised eyebrows. Government owing salaries is not relatively new in Nigeria but that of Abia State under Governor Okezie Ikpeazu appears to be too disturbing to ignore. In a letter addressed to Governor Ikpeazu, the labour union complained of the plight of the workers in the state To the consternation of Nigerians, NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, who signed the letter, said it is on record that the state government owes workers and pensioners in the following establishments:

“Local government employees - three months’ salaries; staff of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) – 23 months’ salary arrears; secondary school teachers – 11 months; primary school teachers – three months; pensioners -30 months; and pensioners in the judiciary sector owed pension benefits from February 2021 to date.” NLC also said workers in Abia State Polytechnic were being owed 30 months’ salary arrears, while workers in Abia State College of Education have 29 months’ salaries left unpaid and workers in Abia State College of Health Sciences five months. While chronicling infractions committed by the state government against the workers, NLC said the approved CONHESS was yet to

be implemented in Abia from May 2021 to date. It said that it was on record that the NBTE withdrew the accreditation of the Abia State Polytechnic recently. The state since 1999 has been unfortunate to have the worst form of leadership in the southern part of the country and the South-east in particular. Abia has benefited at least twice from the Paris Club refund running into billions of Naira specifically meant to pay salary arrears and bailout funds. Apart from always getting huge allocations from the Federation Account, it also enjoys the 13 per cent derivation. There are also a plethora of loans obtained by the state. Yet it is replete with infrastructural decay and deficiencies.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 13 , 2022

CICERO/ISSUES

2023: A Timely Caution to Tribunal Judges As one of the leading stakeholders in Nigeria’s quest to achieving free, fair and credible elections in 2023, the judiciary, headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, last week inaugurated some judicial oﬃcers to adjudicate electoral disputes with stern warning against recklessness or abuse of power and public trust, Alex Enumah writes

he Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola last week cautioned judges appointed to resolve disputes from next year’s general election, against corrupt practices. He warned that he would not condone any act of recklessness or abuse of power and public trust from the judicial officers. Justice Ariwoola spoke at the inauguration of the members of the 2023 Election Petitions Tribunals at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja. He said the task of adjudicating electoral disputes from the forthcoming 2023 polls “is not an undertaking to be handled with levity.” The CJN admonished the judges to discharge their responsibilities with honesty, integrity and transparency adding that, they should do what is right in our law books and in order to etch their names in gold. He advised the judges to conduct their responsibilities “within the ambit of the law and the oath that has just been administered on you.” According to him, “as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, I will not condone any act of recklessness, abuse of power and public trust. Discharge your onerous responsibilities with honesty, integrity and transparency. Do what is right in our law books and you will have your names etched in gold. “Your lordships should count yourselves worthy to be so entrusted with this humongous responsibility of deciding the fate of those that would be contesting elections into various political offices in the country in 2023. You are not known to possess some supernatural powers to perform wonders; I can confidently assure you that the society will certainly expect the impossible from you as members of Election Petition Tribunals. “Therefore, I will not condone any act of recklessness, abuse of power and public trust. This is a rare privilege and you must give a good account of yourselves. There is virtually nothing that has not been seen or heard before, but you should be ready to see and hear more, especially as you begin to adjudicate on election matters in 2023. “Even though I rejoice with you on this very important appointment, I still sympathise with you for the many troubles, inconveniences, verbal assaults and all sorts of uncomplimentary remarks that will be made about you by the various litigants. We are all human, no doubt, but you display the humanism in you by doing those extraordinary things that people would ordinarily say you cannot do. “That is what distinguishes those with integrity and passion for success from those with unenviable pedigree and dysfunctional moral compass’’. Justice Ariwoola noted that trust is a burden but judicial officers must discharge it with utmost sincerity, honesty and transparency because conscience is an open wound healed only by the truth. He warned them that all eyes are on them and that they should therefore always remember that their conduct will be publicly dissected and thoroughly scrutinised. “You must rise and operate above every sentiment that might play out in the course of your adjudication in the various tribunals. There is no doubt that temptations, tribulations, intimidations and even sheer blackmails may be unleashed on you; but as thoroughbred judicial officers, you must gird your loins to rise above them and do what will earn you accolades from your creator, and also from the court of public opinion. “There is no mountain too high to scale; and there is no goal too difficult to achieve as far as you have firmly resolved to attain greater heights in life. Do what is right in our law books and you will have your names etched in gold. Do what is at variance with your conscience and you will get a scar that will terminally dent your ascension to greater heights in life.

Ariwoola Be guided by good conscience and enjoy the best that the Nigerian Judiciary can oﬀer you,’’ he explained. Earlier in a welcome address, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, whose court coordinates and serves as the secretariat for election petitions tribunal across the country, acknowledged that Nigeria’s judiciary was going through trying times. She advised members of the tribunals “not to allow yourselves to be used as conduit pipes for evil machinations.” Justice Dongban-Mensem said election petition decisions must be based on their clear understanding of the facts and application of the laws which they swore to uphold upon their appointment as judges. “You must resist any form of pressure and inﬂuence as well as temptation that may come your way. Democracy is not just about the conduct of elections but the protection of the outcome of such elections by way of adjudication of disputes arising therefrom,” the appellate court President charged the judges. A total of 307 judges will be serving on Election Petitions Tribunals set up to adjudicate disputes that may arise from the 2023 elections. Section 285 of the Constitution and

Section 130 of the Electoral Act states that the Election Petition Tribunal shall be constituted not later than 30 days before the election and open its registry for business seven days before the election. Giving a breakdown of the composition of the tribunals, Justice Dongban-Mensem said the Federal High Court donated four judges for the exercise, while the National Industrial Court gave three of their judges. The FCT and State High Courts donated 213 judges, while the Customary Court and the Sharia Court donated 13 and 27 respectively. The Chief Magistrates Court gave 17 of its Magistrates, bringing the number to 277. But the total number of judges that will adjudicate on the post-election cases is 307. Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, last Monday, gave a countdown to the 2023 polls. He said the new electoral law contains 80 new provisions aimed at improving Nigeria’s elections. Speaking on the problem of conﬂicting court decisions, the INEC boss said the “Electoral Act confers exclusive jurisdiction to hear pre-election cases on the Federal High Court with regard to candidate nomination in order to reduce forum shopping by litigants, abuse of court process and reduction in the spate of conﬂicting judgments by courts of

c coordinate jurisdiction.” Comparing the outcomes of post-election s suits, Mahmood said there was a drastic reduct in the number of cases arising from the tion 2 2019 election. He disclosed that 30 elections w were upturned by the tribunals in 2019 as a against over 100 in a previous election. The admonition by Justice Ariwoola is not o of place. Since his assumption of office, out h has been talking tough and warning judicial he o officers to display a high degree of integrity, d decorum and professionalism in the course o discharging their job. of Recently, he had noted that Nigeria was c currently at the crossroads and requires the s services of judges who are God-fearing and g guided solely by their conscience and the law. Justice Ariwoola had while answering reporte questions after his swearing in, called on ers’ p politicians to stop mounting pressure on the j judiciary and allow it to perform its functions. “Politicians should allow the judiciary to f function. Law is not static and that’s why y have seen that the National Assembly you c continues to amend the laws and it is the laws t the courts apply to the facts available. We that s shall continue to do justice if only Nigerians w allow us to perform and function without will a pressure,” he said. any The inauguration of the judges by the CJN n doubt showed that the judiciary, just like no I INEC, is set to contribute its quota to the c country’s democratic sojourn. While INEC is d doing everything possible to ensure that it c conducts credible polls, stakeholders in the p polity feel that the judiciary, a major stakeholder, s should begin to put its house in order to avoid a repeat of what happened in 2007 where a l of incoherent and incongruous judgments lot w were handed down by the tribunals to deny p petitioners justice. Many analysts have argued that for the e electoral process to be credible, it is not o the INEC that needs to do what is right, only b that the judiciary needs to correct any but w wrong noticeable in the process. Though the o observers have contended that the panacea f eliminating electoral disputes in Nigeria for o keeping it within reasonable bounds is or t conduct of free, fair and transparent the e elections, they nevertheless agree that the j judiciary has a huge role to play in ensuring that t those who come to court after the elections to lay complaints get justice. In the past, judges of Election Petitions Tribunals had come under severe criticisms for their incoherent and incongruous judgments from election cases brought before them. Legal and political observers feel that many of the judgments delivered by the tribunals and Courts of Appeal were below expectations, thereby denying a lot of petitioners and appellants justice. For instance, they feel that in some cases, some of the judges and justices handed vague judgments instead of consequential orders and declarations. There were also cases where some petitioners were denied justice on technical grounds rather than on merit of the case. In some of the cases, allegations of compromise were imputed. Many have argued that one of the reasons some judges in the previous tribunals were involved in corrupt practices was because they too wanted a piece of the “National Cake”. Some of the judges, who many thought saw their inclusion in Election Petition Tribunals as an opportunity to make money, in the process handed down judgments that defied logic. For instance, Professor Ben Nwabueze (SAN), at a public function in Lagos in 2009, criticised some judges and justices on the quality of their pronouncements. Nwabueze accused them of allotting governorships and presidency at their whims and thereby diminishing the tenets of justice cum constitutional democracy.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 13 , 2022

CICERO/ISSUE

Will Alex Otti be Lucky after Third Attempt? For the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Abia State, Alex Otti, things are looking up. Polls are in his favour. Will he maintain the momentum to fulﬁl the change the people of the state are yearning for? Asks Vanessa Obioha

Otti

hings may be looking up in Abia State where the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, Alex Otti, has been projected to win the 2023 elections in the state. An opinion poll conducted by NOI Polls and commissioned by ANAP Foundation in October suggested a two-horse race between Otti and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Uchenna Ikonne, who came a distant second with a score of nine per cent. Gregory Ibe of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) came third with four per cent, while Ikechi Emenike of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came fourth with three per cent. “The results showed a significant lead for Otti with 20 per cent of voters proposing to vote for him if the governorship election were to be conducted today; nine per cent propose to vote for Uchenna Eleazar Ikonne (PDP) who fell in second place and Gregory Ikechukwu Charles Ibe (APGA) was third with four per cent of voters proposing to vote for him,” reads a statement by ANAP foundation, announcing the result of the poll. Eyinnaya Nwafor of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), and Mascot Kalu of the Action Peoples Party (AAA) came fifth and sixth, scoring two per cent and one per cent respectively. The statement added that although Otti’s 11 per cent lead at this early stage is significant, it is not sufficient to separate him completely from a “leading pack” of candidates. The result also showed that about 34 per cent of the respondents were undecided while 25 per cent refused to disclose who they would vote for in the election, an indication that Otti’s lead, according to the poll, is reversible. “Undecided voters and those who prefer not to reveal their preferred candidate add up to a whopping 34 per cent and 25 per cent respectively. The gender split of undecided voters shows that 40 per cent of women are undecided versus 30 per cent of male voters,” ANAP said in its statement. The poll results in each of the three senatorial districts of the state put the percentage of registered voters in each of the districts at 84 per cent in Abia North, 91 per cent in Abia Central, and 95 per cent in Abia South. “When asked if respondents were aware of the various candidates vying for Governorship, data gathered showed that 76 per cent of the respondents were aware of Otti of the LP and Ikonne of the PDP, 68 per cent were aware of Emenike of the APC, and 54 per cent were aware of Ibe of APGA. All other candidates

Ikonne

scored below 50 per cent in terms of name recognition,” the group said in the statement. The researchers said the top five reasons voters were more inclined to vote in the governorship election include: “Fixing of bad roads (33 per cent), infrastructural development (26 per cent), payment of salaries (14 per cent), job creation/unemployment (nine per cent) and security (five per cent). “Thirty-five per cent of the respondents would love to see their preferred governorship candidates participate in a televised interview and/or debate, with the interview/debates spanning across topics like their party manifestos, agendas, capability check amongst others.” The poll showed that almost seven in 10 registered voters are absolutely certain that they would be voting in the governorship election, an indication there could be a huge turnout of voters in the election. “It is worthy of note that 44 per cent of those aged 18-25, 91 per cent of those aged 26-35, 92 per cent of those aged 36-45, 97 per cent of those aged 46-60 and 89 per cent of those aged 61+ responded they would definitely vote in the coming elections. The age groups that expressed the greatest willingness to vote were those between 36-45 and 46-60 years.” Otti first sought to govern the state in 2015 when he squared up in a keenly contested election with the incumbent, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu under APGA. Ikpeazu was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). But in December 2015, an Appeal Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State nullified the election and declared Otti the winner of the April 2015 governorship election. However, the Supreme Court eventually quashed the judgment and upheld Ikpeazu’s election as governor. Similarly, in 2019, Otti also contested the election and lost out to Ikpeazu. Shortly after the election, Otti defected to the ruling APC. Not wanting to dwell in a party engulfed by crisis, he left for the Labour Party. Many analysts believe that Abia has not been particularly fortunate to have a governor that will put a smile on the faces of the people since the enthronement of democracy in 1999. According to them, from Orji Uzor Kalu and Theodore Orji to the incumbent Okezie Ikpeazu, it has been leadership failure in all sectors. The state has severally been rated as the worst not only in the southern part of the country but the South-east. While Ebonyi, Imo, Enugu and Anambra seem to be making progress in all sectors, Abia is seriously lagging behind. Even salaries are hardly paid to civil servants despite

Ibe

benefitting twice from at least, the Paris Club refund running into billions of naira specifically meant for that purpose and huge allocations from the Federation Account, and the 13 per cent derivation. Last week, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) painted a gloomy picture of maladministration in the state in a written message to Governor Ikpeazu, complaining of the plight of the workers in the state being owed arrears of salaries. In the letter, the labour movement said that it was unfortunate that Abia State was turning out to become one of Nigeria’s most worker-unfriendly sub-national governments on account of the huge salary debt it owed workers. The letter signed by NLC President, Ayuba Wabba said: “It is on record that the Abia State Government owes workers and pensioners in the following establishments: Local government employees – three months’ salaries. The staff of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) – 23 months’ salary arrears; secondary school teachers – 11 months of salaries; primary school teachers – three months salaries; pensioners in Abia State 30 months’ pension benefits; and pensioners in the judiciary sector owed pension benefits from February 2021 to date.” NLC also said that workers in Abia State Polytechnic were owed 30 months’ salary arrears, while workers in Abia State College of Education have 29 months’ salary left unpaid and workers in Abia State College of Health Sciences five months. While chronicling infractions committed by the state government against the workers, NLC said the approved CONHESS was yet to be implemented in Abia State from May 2021 to date. It added that it is on record that the NBTE withdrew the accreditation of the Abia State Polytechnic recently. “The list of infractions against workers in Abia State goes on and on. We use this medium to call on the Abia State government to invest the resources of the state in settling the huge arrears of unpaid salaries, allowances and other entitlements owed workers and pensioners in the state rather than pursuing shadows and silhouettes in both public and private media within and outside the state. “In the event that the Abia State Government continues to play the ostrich with the lives of workers and pensioners, the Nigeria Labour Congress will be left with no option than to deploy the full weight of the power of trade unions and workers in the country,” NLC said. For Otti, this is the third time he is contesting to be the governor of the state. In 2015 and

Emenike

2019, he was robbed of his electoral victory by the cabal who wanted the status quo to remain because it benefits them. Like in 2015 and 2019, most of the people of the state are yearning for change. They are sick and tired of the political domination by those who do not mean well to them. Besides, there is a consensus even among PDP faithful that the administration failed in providing infrastructure and good governance in the state. To make matters worse, Otti, a former Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank Plc, has a very strong message which resonated with the majority of people of the state despite political affiliation. He spelt out in very clear details, the state of his dreams. Like in 2015 and 2019 when he contested for the same position and lost, Otti is pained that nothing has changed. Instead, things are going worse. For this reason, he has vowed not to take a salary, but serve free of charge if elected governor of Abia in the 2023 governorship election. He also explained that he would rather donate his salary to humanitarian and developmental causes that would benefit the less privileged people in the state. The ex-bank chief promised to ensure good governance and reduce the cost of governance to free funds for the development of the state. He said: “If you elect me your governor in 2023, I will serve you for free, I will take no salary for the duration of my government. I would rather donate the salary to humanitarian and developmental causes that will benefit the underprivileged people in the state. The cost of governance will also be reduced to the barest minimum. The money of the state will be used to work for the state. There would be no room for sharp practices capable of denying the people good governance.” Assuring the people that he has the capacity to move the state from the era of bad governance to prosperity, Otti said: “You have started a movement which no cabal can stop. We are the party the majority of people who deserve good leadership in the state are looking for. The symbol of our party is human beings. I, therefore, urge you to join me as we work hard to win the 2023 governorship election and make life easier for our people. “We shall move in with courage to upset the backlog of unpaid salaries, stop insecurity, bad roads and poor health care delivery because we all have what it takes to make a difference. We will activate industrialisation in the state to move our people to prosperity, through education, and agriculture policies and reduce rural-urban migration.”

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 13, 2022

SUNDAY INTERVIEW FRANK NWEKE JNR:

:LWK 1HZ (OHFWRUDO 5HIRUPV ,·P &RQÀGHQW of Winning Enugu Guber Poll Former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Frank Nweke Jnr, is the governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance in Enugu State. He is a highly G\QDPLF SXEOLF ÀJXUH ZKR KDV EHHQ DEOH WR IXQFWLRQ LQ SXEOLF SULYDWH DQG FLYLF VHFWRUV in the last two decades. In this interview with Gboyega Akinsanmi, he speaks on his chances in the 2023 gubernatorial election, unveiling his agenda for the state and its SHRSOH MXVW DV KH SURSRVHV ZD\V WR GHFLVLYHO\ DGGUHVV LQVHFXULW\

nugu is purely a PDP state. It has been since the time of Chimaroke Nnamani. Now that you are contesting on the platform of APGA, are you not concerned that you have a lot of work to do to get to the government house? I don’t want to deny this obvious fact or challenge. The challenge is there. But there is a saying in my place that something may be tough, but it takes a human EHLQJ WR GHDO ZLWK LW 3DUW RI WKH FRQÀGHQFH ZH KDYH LV WKDW WKH OHYHO RI GLVFRQWHQW LV YHU\ VLJQLÀFDQW 7KH VWDWH ZDV QHYHU DV EDG DV LW is today. Enugu used to be the cleanest city in Nigeria. Today, it is XQEHOLHYDEOH WKH OHYHO RI ÀOWK WKDW GRWV WKH OHQJWK DQG EUHDGWK RI RXU state from urban to rural areas. If you look at the level of poverty, Enugu is the third poorest state in Nigeria based on the current data released by BudgIT Foundation on the State of the States. Primary school teachers had been on strike for months. Why are they on strike? It has been this way because of the inability of the state to pay the minimum wage of N30,000. How many years after it was ÀUVW DJUHHG" <RX DUH WKH FXVWRGLDQ RI WKH IRXQGDWLRQ RI \RXU VFKRRO system. They have been on strike for months, and the government is not concerned. If you listen to the pensioners, you will cry on their behalf. They cannot get their gratuities. So, there is a high level of discontent out there. Consequently, the people are also clearly tired. For us, however, we are making a very strong case to the electorate. We are also reaching out very strongly. To the glory of God, we are getting feedback. I am not under any illusion. It is not going to be a ZDON LQ WKH SDUN %XW WKHUH LV D VLJQLÀFDQW RSSRUWXQLW\ IRU XV :H are working hard as a party to make sure we succeed in the next governorship poll. With the huge challenges in Enugu State, what are you planQLQJ WR GR GL;HUHQWO\ LI \RX ZLQ WKH JRYHUQRUVKLS FRQWHVW DW ODVW" A few weeks ago, we unveiled our manifesto. There are seven WKUXVWV RI WKH PDQLIHVWR 7KH ÀUVW LV OHDGHUVKLS ZKLFK KDV EHHQ ODFNLQJ for the last seven years. Leadership is so critical. I have often said everything revolves around leadership. It does not matter where you are; it is the quality of leadership that determines whether an organisation will continue to thrive or it will survive. Under the current administration in Enugu State, leadership has been a pure disaster. If you talk to the clergy, they have tales of woes. If you talk to the traditional institutions, they have tales of woes. If you talk to the young people, they have tales of woes. If you talk to the market women, they also have tales of woes. One is coming to the table with a very visionary leadership with the determination and personal discipline to do the right things. The second is governance. I recognise that to lead well, we need D EXUHDXFUDF\ WKDW ZRUNV <RX FDQ EH D JHQLXV %XW LI \RX GR QRW have a team that shares your vision and that is as knowledgeable as you are, you are only going to waste your time. I intend to provide OHDGHUVKLS IRU XV WR ÀQG PHQ DQG ZRPHQ ZKR ZLOO MRLQ RXU FDELQHW and work with me to deliver progress for the people of Enugu State. 7KH FXUUHQW VLWXDWLRQ LV QRW LQ DQ\ ZD\ VLPLODU WR ZKDW , DP MXVW GHVFULELQJ (YHU\WKLQJ MXVW KDSSHQV IURP RQH WDEOH ,W LV FRPPRQ knowledge. The third thrust of the manifesto is the issue of security. I acknowledge that the coercive power sustains the Federal Government of 1LJHULD , UHFRJQLVH LW $V D IRUPHU &KLHI RI 6WDͿ , DOVR NQRZ WKDW there is so much that a state can do to address the issue of security, ZKLFK HQWDLOV ZRUNLQJ ZLWK GLͿHUHQW JUDVVURRWV JURXSV HVWDEOLVKLQJ a control centre and setting up hotlines, among others. The fourth is the issue of human capital development. My strategy is to keep it very simple. We have primary healthcare centres where we do not have nurses and doctors. We also have intermediate healthcare institutions, where we do not have doctors and nurses. We have tertiary healthcare institutions. It is the same tale of woes. Going to these hospitals is like a death sentence. When you go there, you see the conditions of these hospitals. If you have a relative there, the person is more likely to die than live when he enters any of these hospitals. In the health sector, my approach is preventative to make sure children get their vaccination; train the nurses and doctors;

Nweke provide the drugs and procure the equipment for the health sector. We will do the same in intermediate and tertiary healthcare institutions. If we are to make this investment at the lowest level with the right communication and incentives, we can slash healthcare spending by almost 40 or 50 per cent. In terms of education, I am heartbroken that primary school teachers are on strike incessantly. What is the problem? Enugu refuses to pay N30,000 minimum wages years after the governments at all levels agreed to this minimum wage. For me, education is key. The training of teachers, equipping of VFKRROV UHYLHZ RI FXUULFXOXP DQG WKH GHSOR\PHQW RI 67(3 VXEMHFWV will be a priority for me. We will also include Arts. 7KH ÀIWK WKUXVW RI WKH PDQLIHVWR LV ZDWHU VDQLWDWLRQ DQG HQYLURQmental sustainability. Enugu has been faced with a water crisis for the last seven years. The problem is the same across the length and breadth of the state. If there is a water crisis in the urban centre, think of what it is in the rural areas. For us, Enugu’s water sources have not dried up. Enugu had pipe-borne water as far as 1924 when the colonial masters were there. Under the last administration, I was getting pipe-borne water in my house. But what happened in the last seven years? If you look at the budget, a large sum of money has been budgeted for the same purpose in the last seven years. We still do not have water. Where has the money gone? Based on research and interaction with experts, I believe it is possible to bring pipe-borne water back to Enugu within 12 months. Leadership is FULWLFDO $ OHDGHU IRFXVHV RQ ZKDW LVVXHV DUH DQG D GHOLEHUDWH HͿRUW WR ÀQG SHRSOH ZKR FDQ PDNH WKLQJV KDSSHQ 2Q WKH LVVXH RI VDQLWDWLRQ LW LV MXVW D GLVJUDFH ,Q WKH SDVW &URVV Rivers was the main competitor we had in terms of sanitation. But (QXJX KDV QRZ EHFRPH ÀOWK\ ,W LV SXUHO\ D GLVDVWHU , EHOLHYH \RX will agree that all things have public health implications. When the environment is dirty, there is a risk of an outbreak of diseases. One area I will focus on is the issue of urban slums. In the federation, there are 774 local government areas (LGAs). Of the 774 LGAs, RQO\ KDYH EHHQ DGMXGJHG RSHQ GHIHFDWLRQ IUHH 1RQH RI WKHVH 35 LGAs is in Enugu. I have gone around the state. I visited slums within the capital city. Most people use nylon bags to defecate in the city of Enugu and on the high streets of Enugu. One of these slums is behind the government house. Go and see the living conditions

of these people. Things do not have to be this way. My theory is WKDW LW LV LQ RXU FROOHFWLYH LQWHUHVW WR À[ WKHVH LVVXHV QRZ EHIRUH LW is too late. The number of people that are deprived is much. The inequality is so wide. Just like what happened during the EndSARS when everybody was in danger, the police ran away; the military ran away and everybody ran away. This is because the people that are in the lowest rung of society are in large numbers. It is unfair. I believe it does not have to be the case. One is determined to restore some dignity to our people. The last thrust of the manifesto is my interest in technology and innovation. This is the 21st century. Enugu is very lucky in that it has 11 or 12 tertiary institutions within the state. What does this VXJJHVW" ,W RͿHUV WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ WR FUHDWH D KXJH SRRO RI UHVRXUFHV young people who are highly dynamic, innovative and talented. They are looking for a way to express their creativity and talent. 7KH\ FRQVWLWXWH D PDMRU PDQSRZHU IRU SRWHQWLDO LQYHVWRUV DQG also the transformation of our states. However, the problem is that the IT infrastructure in the state is not too robust at all. This is so unfortunate. I believe through a public-private partnership, we can bring investors to renew our IT infrastructure which will expand access to broadband and increase the speed of the network. Because of the large number of young people that we have, I am interested in keeping our young people in the state. When most of them graduate, they leave immediately. <RX FDQQRW EODPH WKHP EHFDXVH PDQ LV FRQVWDQWO\ ORRNLQJ IRU WKH path of progress.And the progress is in Lagos, Europe andAmerica. <RX FDQQRW LQ JRRG FRQVFLHQFH WHOO WKHP QRW WR JR :KDW ZH SODQ to do is to give them an alternative. That alternative is the right leadership. That alternative is the right governance. That alternative is the right policy environment that will create the infrastructure required for them to live a good life. All of these things can be done.

You mentioned security in your seven-point agenda. With the level of insecurity in the country, especially in Enugu State, how do you intend to address the security challenges the state is facing? 5HFHQWO\ , RXWOLQHG ÀYH RU VL[ VWHSV D JRYHUQPHQW FRXOG WDNH immediately to curtail the upsurge in insecurity in this country. First, I suggested that the state government should summon or direct their local governments to summon the presidents of town unions, traditional rulers or faith-based institutions to a meeting where the government can engage them and help them understand the role they have to play in the maintenance of law and order within the state. There is nothing that has been happening in local governments. I believe intelligence gathering through these people is fundamental for the success of any kind of security strategy or operation that a state has. Second, I suggested that the statutory security agencies should be engaged more intensively. From the time I was the Chief of 6WDͿ WR WKH SHULRG , ZHQW WR WKH IHGHUDO OHYHO , OHDUQW WKDW WKH VHFXULW\ personnel were not magicians and that they were constrained in VLJQLÀFDQW ZD\V E\ WUDLQLQJ IXQGLQJ HTXLSPHQW DQG WKH UHVW RI them. I said we needed to engage them more and support them to discharge their duties. Third, I suggested to the state government to engage the federal authorities in terms of deploying more arms, personnel and resources. Fourth, I suggested that it was important for the state government to deploy technology a lot at this time. :KHQ SHRSOH KDYH EHHQ NLGQDSSHG IRU LQVWDQFH \RX ÀQG WKDW \RX JR WR SULYDWH ÀUPV WR WUDFN ZKHUH WKH FULPLQDOV DUH FRPLQJ IURP These are what private people do. They paid 50,000 or N100,000 to track it. Whose primary responsibility is it? I believe the government can do better. Fifth, I suggested that the government should set up a situation room where you can coordinate the security operation between the state government, statutory security agencies and RWKHU RXWÀWV FUHDWHG E\ WKH JRYHUQPHQW 6L[WK , VXJJHVWHG WKDW the government should set up hotlines through which citizens can easily contact the authorities when they have information. Lastly, I suggested that the government should inform the public about what is going on. 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 NOVEMBER 13, 2022

NEWSXTRA

Oshiomhole: Obi Creating Job Abroad, Importing Unemployment to Nigeria Faults National Assembly approach to budgeting Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Former National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has alleged that the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi “is contributing to how Nigeria is going down.” Oshiomhole, also the im-

mediate past governor of Edo State, faulted the approach of the National Assembly to managing national budgets. He made the remarks at the inauguration of the party’s campaign in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state while explaining why he was contesting the senatorial election in Edo North.

Fire Guts Kano Market, Claims Three Lives Ibrahim Garba in Kano

The Kano State Fire Service has confirmed the death of three persons, following an early morning inferno that gutted Badume Market in Bichi Local Government Area Friday night. The Public Relations Officer of the service, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incident in a statement yesterday. He said no fewer than 100 shops were also destroyed by the inferno in the market. The PRO said, “We received an emergency call from Bichi fire station at about 03:30 a.m. from one Ibrahim Tsalha that there was a fire outbreak at the market and immediately sent our rescue team to the scene at about 03:35 a.m. to stop the fire

from spreading to other shops. “Our men evacuated three unconscious bodies which were later confirmed dead and the corpses handed over to Inspector Mukaila Inusa of the Bichi police division. “The three victims included one female of about 35 years old, a male of about 30 years old, and a male teenager of about 18 years old. Their names are yet to be confirmed.” Abdullahi added that the service had already commenced an investigation into the cause of the disaster. He, therefore, advised the general public to switch off all electrical appliances when not in use and handle fire with care to forestall such incidents.

Uduaghan Sues for Unity, Canvasses Votes for Delta PDP Former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday in Warri, Delta, charged supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to vote for the party massively at t h e 2 0 2 3 general elections. Uduaghan made the p l e a a t t h e f l a g - o ff o f t h e PDP De l t a S o uth ward-to-ward campaign. The former governor described the gathering organised by the leadership of the PDP in Delta South as a “reconciliation meeting in several areas’’. He urged party members and supporters to units as

one and indivisible family and deliver PDP candidates at all levels. He said it was a thing of joy that Delta produced the vice-presidential candidate of the party in the person of Governor I f e a n y i Okowa and enjoined the people to support him. “No matter the misgivings you have against him before, he got there by the grace of God. “We have no option than to support him to succeed. We must all queue behind him and give him the maximum support.

Kelina Inaugurates Ultramodern Hospital in Lagos A specialist hospital in minimally invasive surgery, Kelina Hospital, has opened in Lagos to perform various types of sophisticated surgeries with world-class-standard equipment. The hospital was inaugurated by Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, accompanied by Oniru of Iru, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal, Olu of Odosenlu-Alaro, Oba Adedotun Odusanya, Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Bunmi Oyetunde, who is the former GGM, Medical of NNPC. At the inauguration, Abayomi noted the uniqueness of the hospital, which he described as “Smart Surgery” because the patients can go home the same day after major surgery without a blood transfusion. He also noted that the equipment was of world-class

standards. He was particular about prostate diseases, prevalent in Nigeria, which are best treated with the Holmium Laser or HoLEP, thus ensuring less bleeding. Abayomi, who was joined by Oniru of Iru, to cut the red tape and declare the hospital open, implored the management of the hospital to maintain its standards. Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun (Ali Okunmade II), was full of praise for the hospital as he gave his royal blessings. He said: “I am really impressed at what the promoter has achieved. I also want to thank him for taking care of me for my people, specifically, my prostate. Now I’m just like any young man around after my HoLEP surgery.

At the inauguration, Oshiomhole urged Nigerians to be careful of Obi, whom he described as a man who could not develop and grow the economy of Anambra state when he was governor. “Obi owns the biggest shopping mall in Abuja and all the items sold there are imported. If he is selling imported wines, clothes and other items, he is contributing to why Nigeria is going down because he is creating job abroad and importing unemployment to Nigeria.” The former governor said he is

not contesting the National Assembly seat to become a Senator sharing motorbikes, tricycles and grinding machines to youths and widows. Speaking on the rationale behind his senatorial aspiration, Oshiomhole explained that he was contesting the senatorial election in Edo North to change the annual budget system in favour of the ordinary people. He said: “I am troubled by the way we manage our budget at the National Assembly. I want to go there and argue on the floor

of the Assembly that we should change our budgetary system. Our budget must work for the people. “I want to be a senator, not a senator sharing grinding machines for widows, buying motor bikes or Keke NAPEP for 10 out of 10,000 youths. “I do not need to be a senator to support windows and youths. I have done that. I am still doing that today. I am paying school fees for people who do not have money to go to school,” he said. Oshiomhole said if he could

fight on the street for ordinary Nigerians, he would even fight harder on the floor of the Senate to ensure that his constituents received democratic dividends. “I cannot have N500 million for constituency project and go and buy Keke NAPEP, motor bikes and grinding machines, that is not law-making. “The minister of works told me that the reason road constructions are not completed is that the National Assembly will take half of the money budgeted for a road and approve four other

EDITORS’ CONFERENCE...… L-R: Fellows of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Alhaji Najim Jimoh, Dr. Reuben Abati and Dr. Tony Onyima; and Vice-President, West, Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi, during the gala night at the end of the Annual Nigeria Editors Conference in Owerri...yesterday

PRP Has No Alliance Plan with Any Party, Says Kola Abiola The presidential candidate of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Kola Abiola, has said the party has no immediate plans to form an alliance with any political party, for 2023 general election. Abiola, also the first son of late Chief MKO Abiola, acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993, presidential election, said this at the launch of the party’s manifesto for 2023 in Abuja on Saturday. “I can’t see any right away. You have to run the race before

you start thinking of an alliance,” he said. Abiola expressed optimism that the PRP would win the presidential election with landslide victory. “We have a very strong grassroots network. We have been campaigning at the grassroots. We will soon begin our national campaign. “We have a wide reach. We are in all the Local Government Areas of the country and we have 711 candidates nationwide.

That is what we require to run a successful campaign. “We are a national party that will make a big difference in the election,” he said. Abiola dismissed insinuations that he was riding on his late father’s legacy. “It is very unfortunate and ignorant of people to say that. I’m a man of my own right,” he said. PRP National Chairman, Alhaji Falalu Bello described

Abiola as an intellectually capable candidate. “Our presidential candidate is physically fit and capable to contest alongside other candidates,” he said. Bello faulted allegations that the candidates paid for various positions, saying it wasn’t true. “We in PRP, whoever had a mandate to contest whether presidential or gubernatorial, did not spend a kobo that he gave to the party to be nominated for any position.

We’ll Return Shops to Traders, Issue C-of-O in One Month, Otti Pledges The governorship candidate of Labour Party in Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti yesterday said his government would ensure that people who buy lands in the state receive their certificates of occupancy (C-of-O) within one month of such purchase. Otti, former Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank, also decried a situation where businesses and individuals

buy lands and never get the proper documentation to show ownership, saying such lackadaisical attitude of governance is not acceptable to him. He made the promise in a statement his spokesman, Kazie Uko issued after unveiling of his gubernatorial campaign in Aba, the state’s commercial capital at the weekend. The inauguration was witnessed

by the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi and his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, among others. At the inauguration, Otti said the state government “will ensure that people who bought lands receive their certificates of Occupancy within one month. “The idea of people buying lands and not getting their Cof-O is not acceptable to us. It

is not rocket science! This will be part of our commitment to the ease-of-doing-business in Abia,” Otti said. He promised that his government would return all properties seized by the present government of Okezie Ikpeazu and previous peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administrations in the state, on the pretence that they do not have C-of-O.

NYSC Unveils Mobile Hospital Services for Rural Dwellers Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has unveiled a mobile healthcare service initiative intended to cater for interest of people living in rural communities in the country. The initiative, christened Integrated National Mobile/ Field Hospital Initiative for

Humanitarian Intervention and Social Response Project/ Partnership Outreach, was unveiled in partnership with International Federation on Ageing Nigeria (IFAN). Shortly after the inauguration in Abuja, NYSC Director for Community Development and Special Projects, Mr. Salahu Salawu, decried the pitiable

situation where most rural dwellers in the country struggle to access medical facilities. He noted that the corps in it’s efforts to improve access, ensure doctors, pharmacists laboratory scientists and Corp members in relevant fields were taken to a particular community within a local government area to treat

health cases for the one year of their service to their fatherland. Salahu said the reason for embarking on the initiative was to utilize the knowledge base in the NYSC scheme to further enhance the health and wellbeing of our people especially those living the areas without adequate healthcare.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R NOVEMBER 13, 2022

NEWSXTRA Insecurity Stalled Nomadic Education Implementation, Usman Claims John Shiklam in Kaduna Executive Secretary, National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE), Prof. Bashir Usman yesterday lamented that insecurity, violent, communal clashes, kidnapping and sea piracy has affected the implementation of the Nomadic Education programme (NEP). He made the disclosure in Kaduna while declaring opened a workshop for staff of the commission from the North Central, Usman said the high level of insecurity has resulted in the complete abandonment of nomadic schools and frequent migration, thereby increasing the high rate of out-of-school

children. Usman, represented by the Director, Quality Assurance of the NCNE, Akin Akinyosoye, said the implementation of the NEP “is faced with numerous challenges most especially the issue of insecurity. “The resultant effect of the insecurity on the programme include among others loss of lives and destructions of school facilities. This therefore has worsened the rate of high teacher completion and transition.” He said the workshop was aimed at developing the capacity of data collectors to generate evidence-based data on the root causes of the conflict and insecurity. Usman expressed the hope

that at the end of the workshop, reliable and valid data would be generated through interaction with local communities and other critical stakeholders on the remote and immediate causes of the conflict and insecurity. “Based on findings from the exercise, it is hoped that the commission would, in the future train local communities on strategies to be applied in

addressing the emerging challenges and response to the early warning of potential conflicts,” he said. Also speaking, the Chairman of Farmers Herders Initiative for Peace and Development Africa (FHIPD – AFRICA), Salim Umar, said over 2,000 teachers have been killed by bandits since 2014. According to him, over 19,000

teachers were displaced from their places of assignments while over 1,500 schools were destroyed in the last eight years. Umar said, in the past 15 years, the challenges of insecurity, especially, in the north, has brought new obstacles to the survival of the NCNE. He noted that banditry and kidnapping had resulted in loss of human lives and cattle, “as

well as inability to graze or cultivate farmlands by nomads and host communities alike.” According to him, the growth of extortionist banditry has added new dimensions to Nigeria’s educational sector, with over 2000 teachers killed and over 19,000 displaced from their places of assignments as well as over 1,500 schools destroyed since 2014.

Praise God in Every Situation, Adeboye Urges Nigerians Hammed Shittu in Ilorin General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has urged Nigerians to continue to praise God in all situations they find themselves in. Adeboye gave the admonition in Ilorin, Kwara State yesterday while delivering a sermon at the 12 hours marathon praise worship and thanksgiving, ‘YADAH 2022’ organised by the House of Prayer Assembly. Speaking on the theme, “Let all that I am praise the Lord,” the GO, who said people would continue to witness different situations in life, stated that no matter the situation,

praise-worship and thanksgiving to God, constantly, would change the situation for the better. Adeboye, whose message was delivered by the Regional Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Nathaniel Adejumo, said though the present situation in the country was harsh and unpalatable to the people, yet, the situation could be changed if the people engaged in praise-worship and thanksgiving. He said, “People should know the importance of praising God no matter the circumstances we find ourselves. Whether we are rich, happy or unhappy, ill or healthy, comfortable or uncomfortable; whether the economy is buoyant or lean, we should praise the Lord.

Gunmen Attack Bullion Van in Anambra Gunmen have attacked a bullion van in Ufuma, a community in Orumba South Local Government, Anambra State. The incident happened around 4: 00 p.m on Thursday. The bullion van was said to be conveying cash to an undisclosed location when the gunmen trailed and opened fire on the van and security operatives attached to the van. The police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, has confirmed the attack, noting that it was a suspected armed robbery attack. “Police operatives attached to

the bullion van gallantly repelled the attack,” he said. Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said the police have launched a manhunt of the attackers. He said a Lexus and a Highlander SUVs belonging to the armed robbers have been recovered. One empty magazine, defaced bulletproof vest and charms were among other items recovered from the gunmen during operation, according to the police. Like other states in Nigeria’s South-east, security has deteriorated in Anambra State with frequent attacks by armed persons.

Lagos University Shuts Staff School over Death of Student The Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) has announced the indefinite closure of its staff school- LASUSTECH International Secondary School (LISS), over the death of a student who was involved in a motor accident. This comes days after the institution confirmed the death of the student, identified as AbdulRahman Dauda, who was allegedly chased to his death by an unnamed class teacher recently in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State. In a statement yesterday, the university’s management noted that the school had been closed forthwith due to the unfortunate

incident”. It noted that the “period of closure will be used to restructure and reposition the school”, while “students will be engaged with online learning” Following a viral video of a woman who identified herself as AbdulRahman’s mother as she staged a lone protest to demand justice for her son, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Lanre Kunye, confirmed that the matter “is already in court”. Also, an official statement from the LASUSTECH International School said the school and Nigerian Police have commenced investigations.

HONOUR FOR THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER… L-R: Chief Executive, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna; Patron, Relevant Technology Old Students’ Association in Jos, Mr. Ibrahim Othman, and former Executive Secretary, Plateau State Relevant Technology Board, Mr. Samuel Gofwen presenting an award to Haruna after delivering a keynote lecture at the association’s annual general meeting in Jos… yesterday.

Oil Theft: How Navy Escorted Rogue Vessel Back to Nigeria Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja As Nigeria battles oil theft, more facts have emerged on how the Nigerian Navy escorted a rogue oil vessel, MT HEROIC IDUN, back to Nigeria after it was handed over to the Nigerian authorities by the government of Equatorial Guinea. It has also emerged that two other oil vessels, MT VIVIT ARABIA and MT TRINITY ARROW, recently attempted to load Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

at the Bonny Terminal without authorisation but were intercepted by the Nigerian Navy. This is coming as 16 Indian sailors, who are part of a multinational crew of 26 sailors of the vessel, MT HEROIC IDUN, detained by Equatorial Guinea’s Navy for three months, have appealed to the Indian Government to help them return home. The wives of the crew members have also raised the alarm over the perceived threat to the lives of the Indian crew members in a Save

Our Soul (SOS) letter to the Indian Government. But the Nigerian Navy said it was aware of “international media campaigns being planned and executed and sponsored by the vessel’s owners/agents, in a bid to muddy the waters and to make false claims of human rights violations against the Nigerian government.” The Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), capable of carrying two million barrels of crude oil, has a length of 336 metres, a width of 60 metres, a draught of 11 metres

and 299995 metric tonnes and IMO Number: 9858058. It was built in 2020 and is currently sailing under the flag of Marshall Islands and owned by Messrs Idun Maritime Limited, with Messrs Inchcape Shipping as its agent in Nigeria, and OSM Ship Management AS as the vessel manager. Naval Spokesman, Commodore Kayode Ayo-Vaughan, said yesterday that two Nigerian Navy vessels had begun escorting the ship back to Nigeria.

UN Canvasses Preventive Measures against Gender, Sexual Violence Onuminya Innocent In Sokoto The United Nations at the weekend advocated the need to strengthen prevention efforts to curb sexual and gender-based violence. UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Matthias Schmale canvassed the position during a high-level UN-EU/Government Spotlight Initiative’s joint mission to Sokoto Schmale noted that the two elements for prevention are to strengthen justice response as a

strong deterrent and education of girls. The resident coordinator stated that the GBV emergency, like other national crises, requires a response in an agile and fast manner. Schmale, Co-chair of the UN-EU/Government Spotlight Initiative, commended the Sultan of Sokoto for his wise and impactful leadership. “You stand out for the leadership you demonstrate in

supporting girls’ education and promoting the Child Rights Act,” he stated. He also lauded the Sokoto State government and all other stakeholders for the fight against gender-based violence. “Visits like this can make a difference in terms of reminding us of what all of this is about and seeing how our collective investment positively impacts lives,” he stated. “I pledge to you that beyond

the life of the Spotlight Initiative, we are supporting in partnership with the EU; the UN will do everything possible to help end violence against women, girls, and boys.” Chairman UN-EU/Government Spotlight Initiative and Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, identified the empowerment of women as crucial to the achievement of growth and development goals

Again, MLSCN Rate PAMO University Best in Medical Sciences Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The Chief Executive Officer of Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Dr. Tosan Erhabor, has rated the PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS) one of the best institutions in medical sciences in the country. The latest rating is coming less than a week after the Registrar of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), Alhaji Farouk Abubakar, equally rated the

university high in nursing and medical education. Speaking with THISDAY at the first induction/oath taking ceremony of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science of PAMO University, Erhabor noted that the graduands have been trained in both knowledge and character. He said the graduates of medical laboratory science from PAMO can stand and compete in any challenges in the society. He said: “These first set of graduands, it is not just PAMO

University that has deemed them fit in learning and character but as the Chief Executive Officer of Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, I can vouch for them. “This is because, during the course of their training, I did send some team of eminent medical laboratory scientists to participate in their examinations. The feedback I got was that the graduands today are one of the best they have seen in recent times. So based on that, I can vouch for this first batch of medical laboratory scientists from the Department of Medical Sciences

of PAMO University. “The facilities here is one of the best in Nigeria. If you have your ward, the first point of call for medical courses should be PAMO University.” Encouraging the management of the university and students, Erhabor said: “The advise I have is that they should continue to support the department, continue to show that mentorship, hardwork pays, not cutting corners. This university has come to show that it is durable if we all put our hands on deck that Nigeria will be a better place for us.”

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • NOVEMBER 13, 2022

B AC K PAG E C O N T I N UAT I O N WHAT WILL DETERMINE YOUR CHOICE IN 2023? and their failure can ruin our socio-economic lives and make the country one hell of a place. He sits at the head of the table where the biggest slice of the national cake is distributed. He shares the “juicy” federal appointments and contracts in trillions of naira. Governors may be powerful in their domains but the president is powerful over the whole country, even within the constitutional restraints. I, thus, understand the focus on presidential polls. We are preparing to elect another “powerful” president and things are getting heated up as usual. The campaigns are gradually picking up. We are confronted with 18 choices. I believe four of them will corner over 95 percent of the votes, with the remaining ones settling for the rest. In my opinion, the leading candidates, in no particular order, are: Mr Peter Obi (Labour Party, LP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (Peoples Democratic Party, PDP), and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (All Progressives Congress, APC). Contrary to what many analysts say, I do not think the election will go into a run-off but I expect it to be competitive. Now, if you were to vote today, what would determine your choice? What would settle the question of whom to vote for? It depends on how you are wired. I have identified and written about the four broad interests that determine how Nigerians vote: one, material; two, ideological; three, primordial; and four, political affinity. Some interests are fluid. The

human society is dynamic. The entry of some candidates into the race appears to be altering the landscape, for good or for ill, and that will definitely play a role in the voting patterns. My job today is to make you identify where you belong in these four groups as a voter. You may not be as unbiased as you make people believe. Are you going to be motivated by “material” interest? We call it “stomach infrastructure”. Many Nigerian voters are basically “unattached”. It is the candidate that brings the rice, vegetable oil and cash that will get their votes. They do not make any pretence about it. I would not think that most voters are in this category because I do not have any data to back up my claim. Since loyal party members also collect “stomach infrastructure” at election times, it would be difficult to reach a scientific conclusion on who voted purely for material gains. More so, some voters will get “stomach infrastructure” from all the candidates and still vote for whom they want. Things are tricky here. Are you going to be motivated by “ideological” interest? Not every Nigerian believes all politicians are the same. Many voters still hold dearly to the ideals of how a society should run. They still believe that even if no Nigerian politician is “good enough”, some are better than the others. It’s like they see an ocean of candidates and are still able to point out one or two who appear to be more credible, decent and can lead the change that Nigerians so desire. In this group, you also

have those who are so desirous of change that they create candidates in the image of a messiah and paint them to be what they are not. You cannot blame them — they just want to live in a better Nigeria. Are you going to be motivated by “primordial” interest? This covers ethnic, regional or religious emotions. Voters in this group are naturally programmed to choose people who speak their language, or come from their own part of the country, or share their religious beliefs. If they cannot find a strong candidate of their kinfolk on the ballot, they are likely to vote for whoever is “closest” to them — someone likely to serve their interests or who has often identified with them. This is group interest at play. In this election, religious sentiments will be the biggest determinant for the “primordial” voters. However, I think the implications of same-faith ticket will cut both ways. Are you going to be motivated by “affinity” interest? This is not so much about ethnic or religious affiliation, but historical political alliances and voting patterns. “Historical” does not mean 1914, by the way. It could be as recent as 2019. For voters of this tendency, they have an electoral bond which is not necessarily along the fault lines. They go where their allies or patrons direct them to go. After all, we run a patronage system. Performance is not usually an important factor here, save in exceptional circumstances. I am tempted to say it is the largest voting group in Nigeria but I will not go that far since “political affinity” could be

fluid, served by “primordial” and “material” interests. Indeed, there could be an element of all these interests in every category, just that they could either be dominant or recessive. Therefore, these categories are not mutually exclusive. They can overlap, depending on the political currents per time. Primordial interest and political affinity are often conjoined because they are very emotional in nature. Compare to “stomach infrastructure” and “ideology” which are mostly, if not always, rational choices. The stomach is fluid and based on “survival” for the moment, while ideology is a conviction. Nevertheless, “stomach infrastructure” can fail if voters’ ethnic, regional or religious emotions lie elsewhere. Money cannot easily sway them. Have you identified where you belong? Or are you a “freelancer” like me? I am not a good example of a Nigerian voter. I have made up my mind that no matter who wins in 2023, or 2027, whenever, no president can transform this country singlehanded. Certain things have to be in place for Nigeria to make significant progress. There are tough and painful decisions to be made about economic reforms, no matter who wins. In my freelance group, we are waiting to engage constructively with whoever Nigerians choose. We will put him on his toes and focus his attention on the matters that matter. I won’t become bitter, abusive and destructive if my preferred candidate does not win.

And Four Other Things… OIL BLOCKED Nigeria lost another OPL 245 case on Friday as the Italian appeals court dismissed our civil claim for $1.1 billion compensation. We have now lost ﬁve or six cases abroad in an attempt to prove that there was corruption in the acquisition of the oil block from Malabu by Shell and Eni in 2011. According to OpenEconomics, OPL 245 could lead to a $41bn increase in Nigeria’s GDP (2011 prices) over a 25-year project life and tax revenues would increase by $3.9bn. We must ﬁght corruption, of course, but we are still busy chasing $1.1bn while the block is wasting away. We have now lost all the cases, in addition to the billions of dollars that could galvanise our economy. Pennywise.

QATAR QATAR You are forgiven if you think the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be about sex rather than soccer. The country’s anti-gay laws have come under intense focus for the Western world who would like to use this opportunity to propagate its own values and see a change to the conservative Islamic culture in the Gulf country. It is a tough call but at least the West can claim to have forced some reforms in favour of Saudi women. It will hope to use the World Cup, starting on November 20, to further promote the reform agenda in Qatar. My sense is that Qatar will not stop anybody from having sex, as long as it is not done in the stadium or at the shopping malls. Let the games begin. Goal!

DEBATING SOCIETY To debate or not to debate? This has been a seasonal controversy since 1999. The absence of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu (APC) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (PDP) at the presidential town hall meeting organised by Arise News in partnership with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has awakened this issue again. Many want to watch candidates debate so as to make an “informed” choice but our laws do not make it mandatory. It seems to me that since 1999, the leading candidates have always thought they would not gain much from debating and it is their opponents that should be keen on it. I love debates and I think they should be mandatory. Ideal.

GOOD NIGHT, NDAYEBO Alhaji Danladi Ndayebo, former Niger state commissioner for information and strategy, died in controversial circumstances on November 7 after an accident on Minna-Suleja road. According to reports, when he was taken to the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna, Niger state, there was no single doctor on call to attend to him. The pathetic story of “no doctor” and “bed space” is so commonplace in Nigeria. We are losing people in avoidable circumstances. The state government is investigating but I wonder if we ever learn any lessons in this country. Ndayebo, a wonderful soul, was my friend and brother. I pray that his loved ones, family and friends will be comforted. Painful.

2023 POLLS AND THE DIFFERENTIATION GAME the flag of APC, the party which has been in power since 2015 and whose stewardship will be under interrogation in 2023. On his part, Atiku has been a presidential aspirant since the early 1990s, was vice president for eight years, and has made a round a few parties, including APC and PDP, and he is flying the presidential flag of the latter for the second time. Both Tinubu and Atiku are in their seventies and are both masters of patronage-oiled machine politics that is sometimes implicated as a major driver of political and economic underdevelopment in the country. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has also been around. He was deputy speaker of the House of Representatives in 1992 and later served as governor, minister and senator in the current republic. He was a presidential aspirant in APC in 2014/2015 and in PDP in 2019. Of the four, Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) is the youngest and the one with least political baggage. But he has also been around, and has equally hopped around parties. He was elected governor of Anambra State twice on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) but he was also the South East coordinator of the PDP presidential campaign in 2015, Atiku’s running mate in PDP in 2019 and a presidential aspirant under PDP until May this year. Obi is still the best positioned of the four to play the differentiation game, and it is not surprising that he is enjoying some bounce. His source of wealth is not in contention. His simplicity as a person and his frugality as a

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manager of public resources are a rebuke of the grandiosity and profligacy of the political establishment. Also, he is just 62, which is not exactly like mid 40s or early 50s but is a young age relative to the other leading contestants. But he cannot distance himself from the PDP, a party on whose platform he aspired to be president just six months ago, and a party that most of his supporters and others now like to demonise. Many of his supporters who are now screaming death to PDP voted for the party in the past, including most recently in 2019. What is thus available to even Obi is personal, not party, differentiation. To be sure, LP has never been in power; the same as Kwankwaso’s

NNPP. But that also means the parties have not been tested. Along with the possibility that they are unlikely to secure needed parliamentary majority even if their presidential candidates win, the newness that these parties offer cannot be touted as political virtue. The appeal of differentiation in this election cycle is enhanced by a few reasons. One is that Nigerians have, over the time, grown distrustful of politicians. They see all members of the political class as self-serving. They want a different breed, one that will privilege the needs of the collective over the entitlements of the politicians and those proximate to them. The second is that successive administrations have not significantly improved the material condition of the majority of the people. Poverty, unemployment, costs of goods and services, insecurity etc., are on the rise. Nigerians want competent administrators who can improve their lots in life across different social economic statuses. The third is that there is a growing desire, especially among the youths, to leverage their number and reach to shape electoral outcome. Not all factors are available to all the leading candidates, but they will all try to position themselves as new and different. Ordinarily, the presidential candidates of some of the 14 other parties should be the beneficiaries of the desire for a new political order. Some of them are young, have also paid their dues in other important areas of national life and have not been tainted by association with the derided political establishment. But they do not seem to be gaining traction because it seems most of Nigerian voters, including

the new ones, are still risk-averse. The voters want to pitch their tents with only those they think stand a chance. It is important to underline the fact that the appeal of differentiation to politicians and their supporters is not as new as it now appears. In the 2011 presidential election, President Goodluck Jonathan was projected as ‘a breath of fresh air’ and as someone who had no shoes while growing up. It wasn’t uncommon to hear people say that they were voting for Jonathan and not PDP. In 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari was sold as the ascetic former head of state and a military commander who once gave the insurgent Maitatsine sect a good chase across international border lines. As many commentators have rightly observed, Nigeria is a society in constant search of messiahs. And in pursuit of this constant search, most Nigerians buy the simple binaries constructed by the politicians, the masters of differentiation: old versus new; corrupt versus clean; competent versus incompetent etc. Sometimes, these differentiations work magic, as in 2011 and 2015 when they contributed to what made the difference for Jonathan and Buhari respectively. But sometimes they don’t move the needle because all the elements are yet to align. The breath-of-fresh-air differentiation had become stale for Jonathan in 2015. The ascetic-former-head-of-state image didn’t serve Buhari in three election cycles until 2015. Will the differentiation game work in 2023 and if so which of the framings will make the difference? We won’t know until the votes are cast and counted.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 13 , 2022

SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

ITALIAN SERIE A

Osimhen Can’t Stop Scoring as Napoli go 11-point Clear Duro Ikhazuagbe

erie A leaders Napoli beat Udinese 3-2 yesterday to stretch their winning league run to 11 matches in their final game before the World Cup break. Strikes from Victor Osimhen and Piotr Zielinski gave the hosts a two-goal half-time advantage. Eljif Elmas made it 3-0, before Ilija Nestorovski and Lazar Samardzic reduced the arrears late on. Luciano Spalletti’s side are now 11 points clear of second-placed Lazio, with AC Milan in third. Napoli are just the second team in Serie A history - after Juventus - to win at least 13 of their opening 15 league games of a campaign. They have won the Serie A title twice before, in 1986-87 and 1989-90, both during Diego Maradona’s time at the club. Title rivals Lazio travel to fourth-placed Juventus on Sunday, while AC Milan host Fiorentina on the same day.

RESULTS SERIE A Napoli

3-2

Bologna

3-0

Sampdoria

Udinese Sassuolo 0-2

Lecce

PREMIER LEAGUE Man City

1-2

Brentford

Bournemouth 3-0

Everton

Liverpool

3-1

Southampton

N’Forest

1-0

Cry’Palace

Tottenham

4-3

Leeds

West Ham

0-2

Leicester

Newcastle

1-0

Chelsea

Wolves

0-2

Arsenal

Victor Osimhen scored in Napoli’s 3-2 defeat of Udinese yesterday Osimhen...scored

Obaseki Tees-oﬀ Golf Tourney to Mark 2022 Alaghodaro Adibe Emenyonuin Benin City

he Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the weekend, teed-off the 2022 Alaghodaro Golf Tournament at the Benin Club Golf Course, Benin City, the Edo State

capital. Obaseki, at the ceremonial teeoff, said his government, in the last six years, has reset the state, placing it on the path of sustainable growth and development.

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki teeing -oﬀ the 2022 Alaghodaro Golf Tournament at the Benin Club Golf Course, Benin City...yesterday

He said, “The ball is close to where we want to get it and in everything we have done, from education, sports, healthcare and in terms of restructuring the engine of government which is the civil service, I believe six years is enough to set a new direction. “As we wind down our administration, emphasis will now be on how to ensure that when we leave office, our reforms will be sustained. As a state, we will always progress, that is why we have Alaghodaro.” On the golf tournament, Obaseki said, “Golf is a game to determine if a person is focused, patient or honest. I love golf because it helps you focus. In golf, you keep your eyes on the ball. “What is important in the game of golf is your ability to concentrate and strike that ball and put it where you want it to be. Same is applicable to government, particularly in politics where you experience a lot of distraction as everybody has their own view and ways and wants to give directions.” He added, “As the actor, you have to be clear in your mind where you want to take your ball to. When you know where you want to take the ball to, you just focus, keep your eyes on the ball and all your efforts, concentration would be on how to hit that ball and get it where you want it to be, not minding the distractions. “The tournament is to ensure our guests stay back and have some activities after the Edo Summit.”

Abiodun Indicates Ogun Readiness to Host NSF in 2024 The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has indicated the readiness of the state to host the 22nd Edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) in 2024. In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Saturday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, Gov. Abiodun gave this indication on Friday when he played host to the 22nd National Sport Festival Evaluation Committee, in his office. Gov Abiodun expressed his conviction that no other state can defeat Ogun in its plans to host the festival after almost 16 years it hosted it. Abiodun, while noting that Ogun is one of the most peaceful states in the country, urged the committee to make security, peaceful atmosphere and the well-being of the athletes the most important consideration above others. “Our state is the Gateway State and I do not think that any other state can compete and defeat us in the bidding for this National Sport Festival. “So, on behalf of my team, I want to assure you that we will be ready to host this Sports Festival. I want to thank the Minister of Sports andYouth Development, Mr Sunday Dare. And I have told him, we are hosting this festival, we are ready for it. “I think a festival like this, one of your topmost considerations should be a venue where you can guarantee the safety of the athletes and also the visitors. I think that consideration ranks higher than any other consideration, it has to be number one and once you take that on your check list, you can begin to look at other areas. “I beat my chest and proudly say that Ogun State is one of the most peaceful states in the country, if not the most peaceful state in the country and I think that is a very serious consideration and we will continue to do everything to sustain that role as one of the most peaceful states in the country,” he said. The governor who added that his administration sees the development of the sport sector as very important as it helps to instill discipline, leadership skills and also helps the youths to stay clear from social vices, said that hosting of the festival is fundamental to the social economic development of the state. “We see the sport sector as a sector that we must promote because sport itself instills discipline in our youths, if you are preparing for any sporting activity, you are required to be disciplined, you have to wake up at a certain time to train, you have to develop interpersonal skills, once you are subjected to those kind of rigorous training exercises, you are less likely to engage in vices because you won’t have time,” he noted

AS FAR, Sundowns Clash in CAF Women’s Champions League Final Bayelsa Queens defeat Simba Queens 1-0 to win third place Moroccan hosts AS FAR will face defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns in today’s final of the Women’s African Champions League after both clubs narrowly won their semi-final ties on Wednesday. Sundowns survived a stern test against Simba Queens before Boitumelo’s Rabale fine curling effort in the 76th minute gave the South African domestic champions a 1-0 win. Later in Rabat, Ibtissam Jraidi’s first-half effort was enough for AS FAR to beat Nigerian outfit Bayelsa Queens. Both sides qualified for the semi-finals with 100% records from the group stage and will face off for the trophy today in Rabat at 19:00 GMT. Jerry Tshabalala’s Sundowns won the inaugural Women’s African Champions League title in Egyptlast year, and have only conceded one goal in nine matches in the competition. Sundowns lacked the fluency and confidence from their group-stage performances in Morocco, and Asha Djafari came close to opening the scoring for Tanzanian club Simba eight minutes after the break in Rabat but saw her effort from inside the box smothered by Sundowns goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.

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Obi to Politicians “The next year’s election should not be based on ethnicity, it shouldn’t be on religion. It is now the turn of Nigerians to take back their country from a few individuals” – Presidential candidate of LP, Mr. Peter Obi, carpeting other candidates whose campaigns are based on religion and ethnic sentiments.

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What Will Determine Your Choice in 2023?

t has now become a tradition for me to analyse the psychology of the Nigerian voter ahead of every general election. Why? I am sitting in my balcony watching people pass by as they argue and pontificate on who will win — or who should win. I hear people argue about merit, power rotation, generational shift, criminal records, pedigrees, spending power, inducement, rigging, structure, debates and other ever-present ingredients in the contest for political power in Nigeria. As far as I can see, these factors will always apply one way or the other in determining the outcome of elections but there are some that are ever constant and we should take time to look at them. There are certain fundamental assumptions people make at election times that I find interesting but problematic. We always say Nigerians must get their PVCs to vote “the right people” into power. This is a very good and necessary campaign, as I have always said, but the assumption here is that if we troop out to vote, we will elect people who will do well in office. I have my reservations about that. What trooping out to vote provides is that Nigerians will have a say in deciding

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who will preside over their affairs. The voice and the choice of the majority will prevail. Most eligible voters will have their say and the majority will have their way. That is what a credible election can guarantee.

However, I am not so optimistic that because the majority of voters have voted for a candidate, that means he or she will deliver the goods. Elections, unfortunately, can only determine who has the most support among the candidates and not who is the most competent of them all. We have no way of knowing who will do well. Performance is not determined by campaign poetry or the ability to make an authoritative Powerpoint presentation. Competence is not determined by popular vote. Nowhere in the world is an election guaranteed to elect the best candidate. Rather, elections determine the candidate or the party with the most support. We need to let this fact sink in well. But here is a caveat: elections offer us the opportunity to revolt with our thumbs. If we vote a candidate into office and the performance is not impressive, we can decide to vote for another one next time. So, while elections do not guarantee a competent winner, they can put the incumbent on notice that “if you fail to do well, we will vote you out”. That is why multiparty democracy is so beautiful. There is in-built incentive for performance — if the votes count. We are not stuck with one

candidate. If we vote for another candidate and that one fails too, we vote for another, and another, and another — until we get it right. It could be frustrating at times but is there a better option? The most important election in Nigeria is, without a doubt, the presidential poll. Although I have argued over and again that for Nigeria to develop, the three tiers of government must be led by competent, patriotic and purposeful leaders, not many Nigerians agree with me. We still think if nothing is working, it is the president that should be blamed. If children are out of school, it is the fault of the president — even though basic education is mostly the responsibility of councils and states. If primary healthcare centres lack drugs and personnel, we have to blame the president. If your street is riddled with potholes, it is the president’s fault. That is how we understand it. I am not suggesting that the president has no role to play. He plays the key role in driving our development. He controls the levers of economic policies that can make or mar our lives. He is responsible for the security agencies Continued on page 70

WAZIRIADIO 2023 Polls and the Differentiation Game POSTSCRIPT

t is a game as old as electoral politics. All over the world, politicians strive to enhance their chances at the polls by playing a game of contrast: presenting their opponents as the undesirable other and framing themselves as the perfect fit for the contested positions. It is the differentiation game. This game acquires extra salience in electoral contests that are seen as open. We are going to see spirited attempts at differentiation in the 2023 presidential poll. In fact, we are seeing this already, and at multiple levels. The reason for the heightened appeal of differentiation is simple: Beyond being seen as open, the 2023 presidential election has been dialectically constructed as a contest between the good and the bad. This distinction is not as neat as those who deploy it make things look. But you can’t blame or stop politicians and their supporters from painting their camps as white and the others as black. It goes with the terrain and the season, especially when the competition is keen. This is one of the poignant points that stood

out for me at the Presidential Townhall Series which was hosted last Sunday by Arise News in conjunction with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), and which continues today. The candidates of the four parties on the stage last Sunday collectively piled into, and tried to differentiate themselves from, the ruling party, whose candidate avoided the event. But they also laboured to differentiate themselves from one another. It was differentiation galore. As mentioned in another piece on this page, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been successfully narrativized as not just the old order but also as more or less the same: two rotten peas in the same pod. The two parties reject this label, and labour to show how different they are from each other. As part of differentiation within the ‘old order’, we are going to hear a lot about ‘the 16 years of PDP’ and ‘the eight years of APC’ in this election cycle. These phrases will be thrown around in accusatory and defensive forms by those who, rightly or wrongly, believe the 2023

race is still between the two parties that have been in power at the centre since 1999. There are those who believe that the old guard has grossly underperformed and should be upstaged. Those in this group are not persuaded by what they see as the sixand-half-a-dozen distinction between APC and PDP and brim with anger against the current political establishment. Since APC was not represented at the event of last Sunday, the full brunt of the negative othering fell on the PDP. But Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State governor and running-mate to the PDP candidate, had a brilliant riposte: the two candidates on the stage who join in tarring the PDP were, until very recently, members and beneficiaries of the same party. Indeed, the only candidate at the event who could truthfully claim to be truly different and new is Mr. Kola Abiola, the candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). And he repeatedly reminded his fellow discussants and the rest of us of these: he had never held any elected or appointive position and the

last time his party ruled at any level was in the Second Republic when PRP won the governorship elections in old Kano and Kaduna states. Of course, Mr. Abiola in his opening remarks said he was a Nigerian of humble background, another attempt at differentiation but a bogus claim for the first son of Basorun M.K.O. Abiola to make. But substantially, both Dr. Okowa and Mr. Abiola were right. If there is indeed a terrible old order that needs to be overthrown, none of the candidates of the four leading parties can fully deny a relationship with it or claim to be completely new. The best they can do is to try to differentiate themselves in comparative, and not absolute, terms. Clearly, both Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of APC and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of PDP cannot distance themselves from the demonised old order. Tinubu has been in politics since the early 1990s, has been in leadership roles in three political parties since 1999, and is now flying Continued on page 70

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