SUNDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2023 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

Tinubu Determined to Strengthen Anti-corruption Fight, Says Fagbemi NEITI: How our reports led to recovery of $7.2bn US seeks collaboration in anti-graft war Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Attorney General of the

Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has said that President Bola Tinubu is

determined to strengthen the fight against corruption. Nigeria has also so far been

able to recover and mobilise $7.2 billion through years of extensive independent reports by the Nigeria

Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the organisation’s Executive Secretary, Dr Ogbonnaya

Orji, has said. Continued on page 5

FG Exempts Imported LPG from VAT, Customs Duty… Page 6 Sunday, December 10, 2023 Vol 28. No 10469

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Tinubu: Our Challenges Present Opportunity to Innovate, Grow… Page 6

Nigeria Must Form Global Alliances to End Domestic Threats, Shettima Declares at Convocation Lecture

Urges course participants to move against transnational crimes, terrorism, others

Deji Elumoye in Abuja Vice President Kashim Shettima has

canvassed the need for Nigeria and other African countries to form global alliances to tame crises caused by

external aggressions and domestic threats. He particularly noted that Nigeria

and other countries are saddled with the responsibility of protecting their citizens from transnational crimes,

including terrorism, climate change and cybercrime, among other global crises.

Shettima, who spoke yesterday Continued on page 5

CDS: Kaduna Drone Incident Won’t Reoccur in Future Military Operations Lauds Nigerians for showing understanding with armed forces 58 northern senators visit victims, donate N58m Southern Kaduna seeks more support for victims

Kingsley Nwezeh, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and John Shiklam in Kaduna The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has promised Nigerians that the unfortunate drone incident that killed and injured many people at Tudun Biri community in Igabi Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, won’t reoccur in future military operations. This is as a delegation of the Northern Senators Forum, consisting of 58 senators and led by the Chairman of the forum, Senator Abdul Ningi, and Senator Abdul'aziz Yari, yesterday visited the injured victims and deceased families and donated N58 million. The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), has however appealed to Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other public-spirited groups and individuals Continued on page 5

CELEBRATING GODSWILL AKPABIO @61... L-R: First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; his wife, Unoma; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; and the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, when the Senate president celebrated his 61st birthday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State…yesterday

SUNDAY DECEMBER 10, 2023 • T H I S D AY

DECEMBER 10, 2023 • T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

NEWS

To Avert Coups, ECOWAS Urged to Adopt Term Limits for Presidents Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and other civil society organisations (CSOs) under the aegis of the West Africa Democracy Network (WADEMOS), have urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to adopt term limits for presidents and other heads of government in the region to address tenure elongation and leadership

crisis in West Africa. They made the call yesterday in Abuja at a roundtable organised by WADEMOS in collaboration with the International Citizens Movement Tournons La Page (TLP). This came ahead of the ECOWAS Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government scheduled to be held in Abuja today. They said that the call was imperative to strengthen democracy in the region and curtail the crisis

coming with tenure elongation or heads of state exerting long rules in their countries leading to coup detat. The Network Coordinator, Paul Osei-Kuffour, said that 75 per cent of citizens in 34 African countries favour limiting presidential mandates to two terms, citing a research report. He said in West Africa, efforts to extend presidential terms had been more successful than unsuccessful, with the resulting elections won by the incumbent, especially in

francophone countries. “We aimed to mobilise relevant pro-democratic actors ahead of the Head-of-State conference to promote and emphasise CSOs’ position on the third-term, share and harmonise plans of action. “It is also aimed at raising public awareness on the issue of the third term, its effect, impact challenges and opportunities and engage ECOWAS on the necessity to adopt a provision in the protocol on democracy and

good governance,” Osei-Kuffour said. Also, Director of Programmes and Policy Engagement, Centre for Democracy and Development Ghana (CDD-Ghana) and WADEMOS, Kojo Asante, said the roundtable was an effort to bring together pro-democracy forces in the sub-region, to find solutions to the unconstitutional changes in government in the region. “We are to discuss some of

the democratic declines we have experienced in the sub-region over the last 10 years, because people are frustrated by unconstitutional coups, and people attempting term elongations. This triggered instability and violence, leading to military coups. “These have always been a trigger for retrogression. We think it’s time for civil society itself and citizens to voice their support for these rules to be adopted by ECOWAS,’’ he said.

NIGERIA MUST FORM GLOBAL ALLIANCES TO END DOMESTIC THREATS, SHETTIMA DECLARES AT CONVOCATION LECTURE during the graduation ceremony of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 16, 2023 of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) in Abuja told the graduands that they are the great minds armed with the required knowledge to combat these external aggressions and domestic threats in a bid to maintain regional stability on the continent. Delivering his speech titled: ‘From Crisis to Stability: Our Shared Global Responsibility,’ the Vice President listed cutting-edge knowledge, transformative skills and innovative ideas such as the one acquired by graduands from NISS as necessary for Nigeria and its neighbours to protect their nations from threats within their borders and beyond. He said: "Every part of the world today has been working around the clock to form alliances to stop external aggressions and forge solutions to domestic threats. This practical approach is crucial to tame crises and drive stability. "However, none of these aspirations can be realised without the stewardship of trained minds at the helm of institutions tasked with the solemn duty of making decisions to safeguard lives, defend properties, and preserve peace. This is why we are here. "You are here because you have chosen to be the custodians of this responsibility, the torchbearers of knowledge and expertise essential for steering the course towards a safer world. Your presence here today is, without a doubt, a celebration—a celebration of the integration of strategic ideas and decisive action, the cornerstone upon which a secure and harmonious world stands poised to thrive." Noting that past happenings in the country confirm that the country is as vulnerable as the world around it, Shettima said "anything that disrupts wheat production in Asia, crude oil production in the Middle East or commodity market in Africa brings consequences for the entire world. "I have learned that this cohort, the sixteenth of the flagship programme in this institution, has studied the consequences of our existence in a globalised economy on our sustainable development, and I am impressed by your ambition. "We have found ourselves not only

at the crossroads of an era where the world has become a global village, connected through an invisible web of technological advancements, economic interdependence, and social exchange but also challenged to prepare for the disruptions that come with it". He reminded the graduands that the task before them is to join in the bid to address the situation, saying, "we are tasked with the responsibility of protecting our people as transnational crime, terrorism, climate change, and pandemics loom large as formidable adversaries.

"We don't need a balance of threat theorist to remind us that these geopolitical tensions demand a collective, cohesive response. We have proven again and again that we can never be an annex of any invidious group or be held ransom by any evil ideology. We have averted descent into a war economy because of this conviction, and believe that modern warfare isn't waged on the field alone." Stating that they were not only coming to help Africa manage the crises, he said the graduands also have the task of ensuring no African

country is short-changed in building regional economic integration amid crisis, as well as bear the mantle of fostering regional stability. Expressing delight with the idea that the graduands are not only Nigerians, as some of them are from neighboring countries, the Vice President said, "Your role, esteemed graduates of the National Institute for Security Studies, extends far beyond the boundaries of our nation. "You are the guardians of regional stability, the ambassadors of peace, and the architects of sustainable

development across and beyond the continent. Your commitment to excellence, coupled with your unwavering determination, makes you the pillars upon which the future of our region stands." Speaking earlier, Commandant of NISS, Ayodele Adeleke, explained that the Executive Management Course is aimed at producing committed managers of security, describing the graduation ceremony as a milestone in the professional development of the graduands. He said 89 participants started the course, with six of them from

African countries, but died before the end of the 10- month course, even as he later conferred the prestigious title of fellow of the security institute (Fsi) on all the graduands. Also speaking, Director General of Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, commended the Commandant and management of the Institute for taking the citadel of learning to greater heights. He availed himself the opportunity provided by ceremony to admonish the people of Plateau State to eschew violence and embrace peace to give room for development.

CDS: KADUNA DRONE INCIDENT WON’T REOCCUR IN FUTURE MILITARY OPERATIONS to complement governments' efforts in supporting the victims. Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN), has urged the Nigerian Army to include human rights education in its training and operations. What would have been a celebration of another major victory against bandits in Kaduna State last Sunday turned out to be a sad moment for the Nigerian Army following a miscalculated drone attack by the troops of the Nigerian Army, which killed several people in the Kaduna community. Musa gave the assurance yesterday in Abuja while speaking with journalists at the fourth edition of the Chief of Defence Staff Armed Forces and Security Agencies Half Marathon Championship 2023. He said the nation and the armed forces were mourning those who died during the incident, adding that the accident was regrettable. The defence chief said the military would take every measure to ensure that the mistake never occurs again. “We pray for the repose of those that have died and those that are injured; we will make sure that they are provided for. “The federal government and everyone are putting hands on deck to ensure that we take care of the community; take care of those that have been injured and to also ensure that this doesn’t happen again. “I want to thank all the Nigerians for understanding with members of the armed forces and other security agencies.

“It was not deliberate; it was something that should not have been. “We are going to move forward and we are using this competition to appreciate Nigerians for all their support and love for members of the armed forces and to assure them that we will continue to work very hard. “We want to restore peace and tranquillity in Nigeria and God willing, all of us together, will achieve that,” he said. A delegation of the Northern Senators Forum yesterday visited the injured victims and deceased families. The group expressed their deepest condolences to the affected families and offered their support during this difficult time. During the visit, Ningi announced, to the victims, a donation of N58 million which was contributed by the 58 northern senators. He said: "This contribution demonstrates the commitment of the northern senators to supporting their constituents in times of need." Also speaking on the tragedy, Senator Yari, who is representing Zamfara West, expressed his profound grief and condemned the incident. Yari also called for stronger measures to ensure that such accidental deaths do not reoccur, while also welcoming the investigation by the authorities into the cause of the accident.

Southern Kaduna Seeks Support for Victims

Reacting to the incident, SOKAPU appealed to NGOs and other publicspirited groups and individuals to

complement government efforts in supporting victims of the drone attack. Caretaker Committee Chairman of SOKAPU, Ishaya Auta, made the appeal in a statement issued yesterday in Kaduna. Auta commiserated with the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased. He regretted that just when the state was breathing a sigh of relief from the insecurity following a new approach being deployed by the current administration in fighting terrorists and other criminal elements, the unfortunate incident occurred. The group called for a thorough investigation of the incident to ensure that appropriate sanctions are meted out on those found culpable to forestall future recurrence. "Though regrettable as it is, SOKAPU commends the Army for its prompt admittance to responsibility for the bomb tragedy, which it attributed to an error strike, with assurances of commitment to avoid future recurrence. "However, SOKAPU hereby calls for a full investigation by the relevant professional bodies/ agencies of the cause of the incident and appropriate sanction be meted on those found culpable to forestall future recurrence.”

NHRC Urges Army to Include Human Rights in Training, Operations

In a related development, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Ojukwu, has urged the Nigerian Army to include human rights

education in its training and operations. Ojukwu made the call at a forum on civil-military and human rights organised in Abuja by the NHRC as part of events to mark its human rights week. He said the Nigerian Army should understand that respect for human rights is not antithetical to military objectives but is fundamental to achieving lasting peace and security. He insisted that allegations of human rights abuses must be investigated promptly, impartially, and transparently, adding that the rule of law must prevail, and those responsible for violations must be held accountable. “It is not just about defending territorial integrity but also about upholding the values of justice, equality, and respect for human rights upon which our nation is built. “The NHRC as a custodian of these sacred values, acknowledges the challenges faced by the armed forces and recognises their sacrifices. “The role of the military in a democratic society is pivotal. However, amidst the complexities of modern warfare and internal security operations, the significance of human rights cannot be overstressed. “Incidents of human rights violations, however isolated, cast a long shadow on the noble service of our military and the trust placed in them by the citizens they are sworn to protect,” he said. In light of this, Ojukwu urged incorporating comprehensive human rights training within the military curriculum. Ojukwu further said collaboration

between civil society and the military is also vital. Similarly, the Chairperson of the Governing Council, NHRC, Dr Salamatu Suleiman, said the partnership between the commission and the military has been instrumental to the cultivation of a culture of human rights within the military. Speaking at the event, a lawyer serving in the Defence Headquarters’ Legal Services Department, Maj AA Goni, said military officers should be protected from human rights abuses too. “Once civilians see an officer in uniform seeking to enforce their fundamental rights, they immediately reach for their phones and claim the officer is assaulting people,” Goni explained.

Northern Lawyers Vow to Sue FG over Kaduna Killings

In another development, the Concerned Northern Lawyers’ Forum has vowed to institute legal action against the federal government for adequate compensation for the victims of the Tudun Biri attack. Addressing journalists yesterday on behalf of the lawyers’ forum, Nafi’u Abubakar, explained that the forum would ensure that the families that suffered irreparable loss as a result of this unfortunate incident get justice. Nafi’u who spoke in Kaduna urged the federal government to take immediate and decisive action to ensure a thorough and independent investigation into this incident.

TINUBU DETERMINED TO STRENGTHEN ANTI-CORRUPTION FIGHT, SAYS FAGBEMI The United States has also reiterated its commitment to working with the government of Nigeria and international partners to reinforce anti-corruption efforts in the country. Fagbemi, who made the disclosure in Abuja while speaking at the United Nations International Anti-corruption Day 2023, with the theme: 'UNCAC at 20: Uniting the World Against Corruption,' said the framework for the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NAC) was focused on five pillars which serve as the driving force for both the public and private sectors. He listed them to include the prevention of corruption; public engagement; campaign for ethical re-orientation; enforcement and sanction as well as recovery and management of proceeds of crime. “After a successful election and transition, President Bola Tinubu is determined to strengthen the fight against corruption at all levels and ensure prudent utilisation of resources

for sustainable economic growth and development. “To ensure effective deliverables, my office has been charged with critical performance indicators which will ensure percentage implementation of the NACS and the coordination of mechanisms involved in the anticorruption efforts. To this end, I signed a performance bond on November 3, 2023,” the minister added. Fagbemi, who was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the ministry, Victoria Ojogbane, said the official launch of the NACS 2022-2026 by Tinubu; robust interface with the Governors Forum and activation of the anticorruption funding framework were some of the activities lined up for immediate implementation. Also speaking, Orji stated that despite the gains in recent years, the latest Corruption Perception Index (CPI) ranking of Nigeria 154 out of 180 countries clearly showed that the country was still far behind the

destination in its fight against graft. According to him, in the oil, gas and mining sectors and extractive industries generally, corruption remains a major constraint to the realisation of the impacts of the reforms recommended in NEITI's series of industry reports. The executive secretary explained that Nigeria was about the only resource-rich country confronted with the peculiar challenges of oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal mining and daylight stealing of solid minerals by foreigners with the collusion of Nigerians. Quoting from its recently-released report, the NEITI boss reiterated that Nigeria lost over 619 million barrels of crude, valued at $46.16 billion or N16.25 trillion between 2009 and 2020, to oil theft alone. In addition, Orji stressed that Nigeria lost 4.2 billion litres of petroleum products from refineries, valued at $1.84 billion at the rate of 140,000 barrels per day, from 2009

to 2018. He explained that in the past five years, between 2017 to 2021, Nigeria recorded 7,143 cases of pipeline breakages, resulting in crude theft and product losses of 208.639 million barrels valued at $12.74 billion or N4.325 trillion. Orji noted that the NEITI reports also disclosed that during the same period Nigeria spent over N471.493 billion to either repair or maintain the pipelines. “The motive behind all these is simply to get wealthy without legitimate work. We, therefore, need to review our commitments and approach to the war against corruption. “Our new approach requires closer partnerships, collaboration in sharing of information and data, human capital development and inter-agency cooperation in this direction,” Orji added. Orji stated that NEITI's reports can incentivise revenue generation

from the sector and optimise the deployment of transparent mechanisms to ensure responsible utilisation of resources. “Most importantly, the information and data we provide help to drive reforms and policy options for our country’s extractive sector from where we derive about half of the revenues that are deployed to provide for our citizens. “Through years of extensive independent reports under the global EITI, NEITI’s reports have led to reforms in the extractive sector, revenue recovery, mobilisation and growth to the tune of over $7.2 billion through inter-agency collaboration, as well as verifiable and credible public awareness of the extractive industry's financial flows. “The EITI/NEITI process complements the government’s efforts at improving transparency in mineral resource governance, establishes and sustains robust systems of accountability and

opens dialogue for reforms and policy changes,” Orji added. Also speaking, the Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, United States Embassy, Nigeria, Jason Smith, reiterated the country’s commitment to working with the government of Nigeria and international partners to reinforce anti-corruption efforts in the country. He argued that democratic societies are strengthened because citizens believe that elected governments serve the people and are imperilled when individuals serve their self-interests over the public good. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Representative, Dr Oliver Stolpe, who was represented by the Deputy Country Representative, Danilo Campisi, commended Nigeria for being one of the countries that have been active in the Implementation Review Mechanism (IRM) process.

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • DECEMBER 10, 2023

NEWS

ZACCH ADEDEJI HONOURED… L-R: Minister of State for Education and representative of President Bola Tinubu, Dr. Tanko Sununu; Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Zacch Adedeji; Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife and Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, during the graduation ceremony of Adedeji as a doctoral student in Management and Accounting at the university in Ile-Ife, Osun State…yesterday

Tinubu: Our Challenges Present Opportunity to Innovate, Grow Dogara calls for inclusion of private varsity students in loan scheme Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo, Fidelis David in Akure and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi President Bola Tinubu yesterday disclosed that the country’s socioeconomic challenges present an opportunity for his administration to embrace innovation that would grow the economy. This is as a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, called on the federal government to include students of private universities among the beneficiaries of its Students’ Loan Scheme, to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal. President Tinubu while speaking at the 47th convocation ceremony of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, said his administration would take bold decisions to revive the education sector in the country. The president, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, promised that the government would invest more in education and research to make Nigerian

graduates contribute significantly to tackling the myriad of challenges facing the nation. He said: “As a government, we cannot pretend that our nation is facing myriad challenges, including poverty, inflation, insecurity, political instability, and infrastructural deficiency. “These challenges may seem daunting, but they also present opportunities for innovation and growth. Our graduates and the university system have the potential to make a significant contribution to addressing these challenges and creating a better future for all. “Countries and organisations that invest in education, research, and innovation are more likely to succeed in the global market; we must continue to invest in education and research to ensure that our graduates remain competitive in a fast-changing world. “I want to assure you that our government will take a holistic approach towards strengthening the education system. We will invest more in education at all levels and take holistic action to

reposition Nigerian universities to be more globally competitive. “We will address some of the root causes of trade union strikes in universities and tertiary institutions and their attendant wanton waste of students' time.” Addressing the graduands, the Chancellor of the university, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, who is the Etsu Nupe said, “A nation’s future depends on its human resources. The knowledge, skills, and capacity of its people are essential to its well-being, sustainability, growth, and development. “However, we live with uncertainty about our futures. The world is full of conflict, and our horizons are constantly changing. You have developed special skills through your university education at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Your university education has built a solid foundation for you to succeed.” The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire urged the federal government to intervene in the University power project to ensure that it does not become an abandoned project.

Dogara Calls for Inclusion of Private Varsity Students in Loan Scheme

Meanwhile, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dogara, has called on the federal government to include students of private universities among the beneficiaries of its Students’ Loan Scheme, to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal. Dogara who stated this at the 13th convocation ceremony of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State said there was a need for the government to ensure the students’ loan scheme was properly managed for the benefit of the teeming youths across the country, both in private and public tertiary institutions. The former Speaker who is also the Chancellor of the institution said: “Let me appeal to the federal government to consider the plight being faced by students of tertiary institutions. While commending the Students’ Loan Scheme of this present administration, I join my voice in the call for the inclusion of private university students in the Students’ Loan Scheme

FG Exempts Imported LPG from VAT, Customs Duty Festus Akanbi The federal government has exempted imported Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and its equipment from the payment of customs duty and value-added tax (VAT). The move is expected to result in a drop in the cost of cooking gas in the country. The Ministry of Finance disclosed this in a letter (dated November 28, 2023) to the Special Adviser to the President on Energy; the ComptrollerGeneral of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS); and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). The letter, according to TheCable, was signed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.

According to the ministry, the exemption aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to enhance Nigeria’s investment climate, and promote clean cooking practices. “In line with His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving the investment climate in Nigeria, increasing the supply of LPG to meet local demand, reducing market prices and promoting clean cooking practices, I hereby affirm Presidential directive dated July 29, 2022, with reference number PRES/88/ MPR/99,” the letter reads. “Accordingly, the importation of LPG utilising HS Codes 2711.12.00.00, 2711.13.00.00 and 2711.19.00.00 is exempt from Import Duty and ValueAdded Tax. Consequently, the

Importation of LPG shall incur a 0% duty rate and 0% VAT rate, effective immediately.” The ministry instructed the NCS and FIRS to comply with the directive pending its official gazetting. Also, the ministry directed the NCS to comply with the presidential directive, dated July 29, 2022, and withdraw all debit notes issued to petroleum marketers who have imported LPG “using codes 2711.1.2.00.00 and 2711.13.00.00 from August 26, 2019, to the present date”. Other items exempted from VAT and duty payment are LPG cylinders, LPG cascades, gas leak detectors, steel pipes, steel valves and fittings, LPG dispensers, gas generators, LPG trucks, among others. The Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu

Verheijen, said the decision was prompted after consultations with stakeholders revealed that the lack of a clear fiscal directive has hindered investments in the LPG sector. She spoke while informing the chairman of the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking of the exemptions in a separate letter, dated November 30, 2023. Verheijen said the paucity of investment led to a rise in the prices of cooking gas and an uptick in the use of “unhealthy fuels such as kerosene”. In 2019, the federal government had removed VAT on LPG in Nigeria. However, reintroducing the tax in 2021, the federal government commenced implementation of the 7.5 per cent tax on imported LPG — exempting locally manufactured gas.

of this administration as part of the palliative measures since they are also Nigerians. "I have said before that poverty is by far the greatest threat to our democracy. Those who doubted me have seen that threat manifest itself in vote buying and in the use of money to compromise electoral and security officials. On account of the sense of despondency and powerlessness that poverty breeds amongst the poor, the poor have and will always remain ever-ready tools in the hands of tyrants and demagogues, who in the course of history have always found it easy to mobilise to subvert democratic institutions. "Since underemployment and

unemployment are bedmates of poverty, eliminating them must be the focal point of government's policies. If we don't ever make it to the point where we can have a rational conversation about economic justice, it would not be because it's impossible to achieve but because we lack the right leadership. We have talked so much about ending so many things in Nigeria, now is the time to talk about creating wealth and ending poverty," he stressed. He also called on President Tinubu to resist the temptation to continue blaming others for the country's national decay but rather concentrate on the solutions he promised.

To Counter Negative Effects on Health, WHO Advocates Tax Increases on Alcohol, Sugary Beverages Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja with agency report The World Health Organisation (WHO) has restated its call on countries to increase taxes on alcohol and sugary beverages to counter their negative effects on global health and promote healthy behaviour. The organisation in its latest report on alcohol and sugary drink taxes, said the average global tax rate on such “unhealthy products” is low, stressing that hiking taxes could improve consumers’ health. It said implementing a tax on alcohol and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) would reduce deaths caused by them. “Although 108 countries are taxing some sort of sugar-sweetened beverage, globally, on the average excise tax, a tax designated for a specified consumer product, represents just 6.6 per cent of the price of soda,” WHO said. Meanwhile, around 148 countries have applied excise taxes to alcoholic beverages at the national level. However, wine is exempted from excise taxes in at least 22 countries, most of which are in Europe, the WHO explained. The organisation, according to Premium Times, said globally, on

average, the excise tax share in the price of the most sold brand of beer is 17.2 per cent but for the most sold brand of the most sold spirits type, it is 26.5 per cent. It also stated that half of all countries taxing SSBs are also taxing water – adding that this is not recommended. The Director of Health Promotion at WHO, R diger Krech, said taxing unhealthy products creates healthier populations. Krech said this also has a positive ripple effect across society – less disease and debilitation and revenue for governments to provide public services. “In the case of alcohol, taxes also help prevent violence and road traffic injuries,” he said. The organisation said globally 2.6 million people die from drinking alcohol yearly and over eight million from an unhealthy diet. It noted that a 2017 study shows that taxes that increase alcohol prices by 50 per cent would help avert over 21 million deaths over 50 years and generate nearly $17 trillion in additional revenues. WHO said: “This is equivalent to the total government revenue of eight of the world’s largest economies in one year.”

SUNDAY DECEMBER 10, 2023 • 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 • DECEMBER 10, 2023

NEWS

AT EXPERIENCE CONCERT… L-R: Award-winning designer, Chief Zainab Abah Folawiyo; Co-Pastor, All House on The Rock, Pastor Ifeanyi Adefarasin; and the Metropolitan of All House on The Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, during 2023 Experience Concert in Lagos…weekend

Tough Times Await Treasury Looters, EFCC Boss Vows NLC: Judiciary needs to show they are not aiding corruption with prolonged cases Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has vowed to tackle looters of public resources and other corrupt elements in Nigeria to make room for growth and development across the country. This came as the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) warned that the judiciary should show that prolonged cases in the courts were not designed to aid corruption. Olukoyede said only professionalism and due adherence and commitment to the rule of law would ensure Nigerians’ contribution to the country’s economic growth. According to a statement shared on the agency’s official X handle, the chairman made the vow yesterday in Abuja during a road walk held in commemoration of the 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day, themed ‘Uniting the World against Corruption’. Olukoyede was quoted as saying that the EFCC under his watch would not allow resources

meant for economic growth and the greater good of Nigerians to be looted, adding that every stolen fund would be recovered to develop social systems in the country. He further promised that the anticorruption mandate of the EFCC is being refocused to stimulate growth and development in all sectors of the economy. He said, “We are going to give sleepless nights to those stealing our money. We are going to remove opportunities for corruption. We are going to plug the loopholes. We are in the era of a new budget. We have sent word to all the gatekeepers of our finances in Nigeria that we are going to work with them. Every money that is released, we are going to track them. “We are refocusing on the anticorruption mandate of the EFCC. We will fight corruption to stimulate growth and development and remove all the threats to the progress of the nation. We are tired of corruption in Nigeria. Our youths must have job opportunities.” On the theme of the 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day, Olukoyede stated that the whole

Money Not Missing in NPA, Says MD, Bello-Koko Festus Akanbi

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, has said no money is missing from the authority’s coffer. Reacting on his personal X handle, @mohdbellokoko, to a report that $1.8billion is allegedly missing from the agency’s coffer, the NPA boss, stated that the amount wasn’t missing but a bad debt. He stated further that some of the debts also arose from the defective concession agreement of 2006, which he said would be corrected in the reviewed lease of agreement that would come into force soon. “The larger part of the amount in question here is actually not missing; it is more like bad debts - some concessionaires have been given, say, a 1000-metre quay length area and a 2-hectare staking area for quayside operations. If 200 metres out of the 1000 metres quay length are defective and unusable,

logically, the concessionaire will not pay for the unusable 200-metre area,” Bello-Koko stated. Even though the Senate asked the authority to recover the debt, Bello-Koko said the debt must be written off the authority’s book and start the new year on a clean slate. He said: “However, the Senate demands the NPA recover the money for this space that was not used. Over the years, these encumbered spaces have accumulated and run into millions of dollars. But literally, they are bad debts that cannot be recovered. Important to note, some of these debts date back over 20 years to the pre-concession regime. “Some of the debts also arose from the defective concession agreement of 2006. Nonetheless, in the reviewed agreement, which will come into effect soon, these defects have been corrected. “As I mentioned to the Senate Committee on Public Accounts of the 9th Assembly, we need to write it off our books and start the next year on a clean slate.”

world must come together to fight corruption and expressed readiness to approach the international community for the recovery of stolen funds kept abroad. He said, “Those who are keeping looted funds abroad are more corrupt than us. We are going to go after them. We will recover our funds and use them to develop our systems.” The statement further read that the road walk was held in all the 14 zonal commands of the EFCC, as the one by the Abuja Zonal Command in Wuse district witnessed a massive turn out of Nigerians, including staff of the EFCC, civil society organisations, representatives of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Police, Armed Forces, National Youth Service Corps, women groups, media and other stakeholders. Meanwhile, Olukoyede has said that only professionalism and due adherence and commitment to the rule of law would ensure Nigerians’ contribution to the country’s economic growth. Olukoyede disclosed this yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital during the 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day. The event was marked with a road walk by the men and officers of the commission across major streets of Ilorin to enlighten the residents of the state on war against corruption. "Only through professionalism and adherence to the rule of law

will the commission be able to contribute to economic growth by restoring investors’ confidence in our economy," he added. Represented by the Ilorin Zonal Chairman of the commission, Mr. Michael Nzekwe, the EFCC boss maintained: "Our focus makes it imperative for us to create conducive environments for job creation, opening of investment space across the country and improvement on our international image. "The EFCC is determined to work with the corruption prevention template recommended by the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC 20) to fight corruption and other seeming threats to the nation's economy. "In driving this prevention focus, the commission under my watch will prioritise these focal areas: Collaboration and synergy with local and foreign law enforcement agencies, professionalism and strict adherence to rule of law as the absolute minimum in all activities of the commission. "I want every EFCC operative to be more diligent and resourceful on our assigned tasks. My leadership will punish infractions traceable to unethical practices. We will ensure that the right things are done at all times.” He called on Nigerians to show more support for the government, assuring that President Bola Ahmed

Tinubu was ready to promote businesses and public good. In his remarks, the Head, Country Operations, NLC, Comrade Uchenna Ekwe, said the judiciary must wake up to support the EFCC in the fight against corruption and show that it was not aiding corruption by prolonged cases in courts. "We must support the fight against corruption. At the root of pensioners troubles and non payment of salaries is corruption. "The judiciary must wake up to support EFCC because if the judiciary is keeping cases for a long time it is supporting corruption. The judiciary must stand up to support he EFCC", he said. The road walk which started at the Abuja Zonal Command of the EFCC in Wuse District through some major roads in Maitama, witnessed massive turn out of Nigerians from all walks of life, including staff of the EFCC, civil society organisations, representatives of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Police, Armed Forces, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, women groups, media and other stakeholders. Amidst singing and dancing, banners with different inscriptions condemning corruption were displayed by the crowd. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by the Commissioner of Police, Federal

Capital Territory, Haruna. Garba, expressed delight with the road walk, describing it as a demonstration of renewed hope of progress in Nigeria. “The road walk against corruption organised by the EFCC is a demonstration of a renewed hope that if we are able to fight corruption and other crimes in Nigeria, it will be better for our country. Nigeria has potential to be great. "These potentials are on the air, on the land and beneath the ground and if we harness them without corruption, we will be able to provide for our children and children yet unborn”, he said. The Chief of Air Staff , Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, represented by Group Captain Abdulahi Abu, expressed support for the EFCC in its crusade against corruption and called on every Nigerian to continue to support it to make Nigeria great. “I want to assure you that the Nigeria Air Force stands with you to fight corruption through prevention, enforcement and coordination”, he said. The road walk also held in all the 14 zonal commands of the EFCC. In Benin-City, the walk began at the Benin Zonal command office on Court Road, through Sapele Road, Ring Road, Oba Market Road, Obakhavere Road, Plymouth Road, Airport Road, Ezoti street before terminating at the commission's office.

PFAs Pay N1.63tn Lump Sum to 442,000 Retirees in 15 Years Festus Akanbi The Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) said that the pension industry paid N1.63 trillion as a lump sum to 442,000 retirees as of the second quarter of the year. It also said they were paid through programme withdrawals and annuity products. PenOp serves as the umbrella body for Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) in Nigeria, which ensures the smooth operation of the pension system in the country. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PenOp, Mr Oguche Agudah, said this at a media parley with the theme: “At the Dawn of 20 Years of Pension Reform, what are the Gains?” held in Lagos. During the same period, N665.13 billion was paid to 111,708 applicants

in lump sum payments for life annuities while N964.24 billion was disbursed to 330,201 retirees. The CEO said that under the reformed pension scheme, 475,000 Nigerians, who lost their jobs, received 25 per cent of their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs), amounting to N208.86 billion. Agudah said that the pension industry also prioritises the wellbeing of the beneficiaries of deceased employees. He noted that under the period review, N356.32 billion was paid out as death benefits to 91,214 beneficiaries, compared to N6.31 billion disbursed to 2,896 beneficiaries in the same period in 2011. He further said that the industry had responded to the housing needs of pensioners by treating 649 applications and approving

N7.89 billion payment for equity contributions towards residential mortgages. According to him, the Asset Under Management (AUM) for the pension industry as at the period amounted to N17.35 trillion. Agudah said the figure reflected a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20.32 per cent since 2007 when the AUM stood at N815.18 billion. He explained that the contributions from the public and private sectors had increased, reaching N9.37 trillion in the second quarter of 2023. This, he said, represented a 54 per cent rise, noting that the PFAs had invested N7.98 trillion, resulting in a 46 per cent investment return. He noted that the pension fund was doing a lot in infrastructure, equity market and corporate debt

securities. The PenOp boss said since its establishment in 2004, the pension industry had been subject to robust regulation and protection, ensuring transparency and accountability within the scheme. These measures, he maintained, had contributed to the industry’s success in safeguarding pension funds and providing retirees with reliable income streams. “The pension industry in Nigeria has recorded enormous transformation and progress in the last twenty years,” he said. In his remark, the Head of the Surveillance Department, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Dr Ehimeme Ohioma said that adequacy and sustainability are the two key critical to the success of the pension industry.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 10, 2023 • 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 • DECEMBER 10, 2023

NEWS

GRADUATION CEREMONY… L-R: Director General, Department of State Services, Mr. Magaji Bichi; Representative of the Chairman of the occasion, Femi Otedola, Mr. Olusegun Oladuntoye; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan; Representative of the Senate President , Mr. Olusegun Oladuntoye; Vice President Kashim Shettima; Ambassador Yusuf Turgar; and Chief Executive Oﬃcer, Mosra Energy Limited, Olukayode Ramos during the graduation ceremony of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 16 in Abuja...yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

COP28: No Decision was Taken on Energy Transition, Says OPEC Chief Peter Uzoho with agency reports The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said yesterday there was no “single solution” to the energy transition as pressure grows to agree on phase-out of fossil fuels at the COP28 climate talks. “There is no single solution or path to achieve a sustainable energy future,” OPEC Secretary General, Haitham Al Ghais, said during the UN meeting in Dubai.

“We need realistic approaches to tackle emission, ones that enable economic growth, help eradicate poverty and increase resilience at the same time.” OPEC attracted criticism yesterday after it emerged that the Kuwaiti Secretary-General wrote to the group’s 13 members and 10 allies this week urging them to “proactively reject” any language that “targets” fossil fuels instead of emissions. Negotiators have held marathon sessions aimed at

finding a compromise on the fate of oil, gas and coal as they aim to achieve the global goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Negotiations over the future of fossil fuels heated up at UN climate talks on Saturday, with OPEC catching flak over the oil cartel’s push to block any phase-out in the final deal. The tone has veered between optimism and concern about the pace of talks as negotiators have held marathon sessions aimed

at finding a compromise on the fate of oil, gas and coal. OPEC added fuel to the fire after it emerged that its Kuwaiti secretary general, Haitham Al Ghais, sent a letter to the group’s 13 members and 10 allies this week urging them to “proactively reject” any language that “targets” fossil fuels instead of emissions. “I think that it is quite, quite a disgusting thing that OPEC countries are pushing against getting the bar where it has to be,” Spanish ecology transition

LP, NNPP Deny Involvement in Merger, Alliance Talks with Any Party Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) have denied involvement in any merger or alliance talks with any political party. National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, yesterday in Abuja, dismissed speculations that the party was in any coalition or merger talks with any political party or group of political parties. He was reacting to comments that the party was involved in such talks with a select group of opposition political parties. The spokesman of the Labour Party explained that the party leadership was neither approached nor was it considering such a move. According to Ifoh, “The was news in the media that a group of seven

opposition political parties formed a new coalition tagged the Coalition of Concerned Political Parties. “As was noticed, the Labour Party was not represented at the meeting in question and therefore couldn’t have been part of the coalition as suggested by the publication. “The publication we can confirm quoted one of our officials out of context by giving a false impression that the Labour Party endorsed the coalition. “We have continued to posit that the Labour Party is still undergoing a post mortem of the 2023 general election and until after the exercise, we will not be in a hurry to join the fray of any political arrangement. “However, we will continue to participate in select meetings of like minds where issues arising from the last general election are discussed with intentions to propose possible

solutions to developments that are threats to our democracy. “Labour Party is interested in leading discussions on electoral reforms in Nigeria. We would like to find a lasting solution where a President of Nigeria with a population of over 200 million emerge with less than nine million votes, and with less than 10 per cent of registered voters. “Labour Party is also interested in finding a lasting solution to a situation where the courts have usurped powers of the electorate.” Also, a member of the House of Representatives who represents Kiru and Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, clarified that NNPP was not in talks with any other political party for merger or alliance, In a message he shared on his X account at the weekend, Jibrin

refuted rumours circulating in the media that his party, the NNPP, is in merger negotiations with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to a widely circulated message in some sections of the media that our great party, NNPP, is in talks with the PDP and other parties for a possible coalition. “There is no element of truth in this. It’s a blatant lie. Our party has consistently maintained a neutral stand that we are open to collaboration, alliance, and even merger with the APC, PDP, LP and any other political party. “There is presently no talk whatsoever ongoing and the party did not attend any meeting to discuss coalition or merger with PDP or any other party. It is an act of mischief makers and should be regarded as such.”

Akpabio’s Leadership Style Engenders Principle of Democracy, Accountability, Says First Lady Okon Bassey in Uyo The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday said the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has shown exemplary leadership, which engenders the principle of democracy and accountability in governance. This, she said, has gone ahead to promote the interest of many Nigerians, especially the vulnerable in the society. The First Lady made the remarks at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

where the Senate President celebrated his 61st birthday. The birthday event, Mrs. Tinubu said, was not only for celebration but to reflect on the immense contributions Akpabio had made as a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, through the time he served as a minister and now as the senate president. "This occasion is not only for celebration but to reflect on the immense contribution he has made to Akwa Ibom and Nigeria as a whole. "Under his leadership, Akwa

Ibom witnessed remarkable infrastructural development, improved healthcare services and educational growth, poverty alleviation and human capital development as he transformed the lives of many vulnerable persons "Senator Akpabio has continued to serve our nation diligently in the Senate. As the senate president, he has displayed exemplary leadership, fostered unity and promoted the interest of many Nigerians, he is committed to the principle of democracy, accountability and good governance,” she explained.

In his remarks, the Senate president appreciated the people who came out en masse to celebrate with him and said their presence would encourage him to do more and speak more not just for Akwa Ibom people but for Nigerians as a whole. He used the occasion to clear the misconception that he created an office of the Senate president's wife, saying that such never existed. "There is no office called the office of the wife of the senate president, all these things are lies, the office is in the other room.

minister Teresa Ribera, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, told reporters. Dramatically scaling up the deployment of renewable energy while winding down the production and consumption of fossil fuels is crucial to achieving the global goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The High Ambition Coalition, a broad group of nations ranging from Barbados to France, Kenya and Pacific Island states, also criticised the OPEC move. “Nothing puts the prosperity and future of all people on Earth, including all of the citizens of OPEC countries, at greater risk than fossil fuels,” said Tina Stege, climate envoy for the Marshall Islands, which chairs the coalition. “1.5 is not negotiable, and that means an end to fossil fuels,” Stege added. A third draft deal released Friday offers various ways to phase out fossil fuels, but it also includes the option to not mention them at all in the final text.

Saudi Arabia had until now been the most vocal country against a phase-out or phasedown of fossil fuels. In the OPEC letter sent Wednesday, Ghais said it “seems that the undue and disproportionate pressure against fossil fuels may reach a tipping point with irreversible consequences”. Assem Jihad, spokesman for Iraq’s oil ministry, told AFP his country supports the OPEC letter. Iraqi oil minister Hayan Abdel Ghani “has rejected attempts to target fossil fuels”, Jihad said. He added that Ghani has tasked Iraq’s COP28 delegation to “ensure that the wording of the final statement emphasises world cooperation on a reduction of emissions to preserve the environment and climate”. But another OPEC member, COP28 host- the United Arab Emirates, has taken a conciliatory tone throughout the negotiations and acknowledged that a phasedown was “inevitable”.

After $72m Loss, Multichoice Increases Dstv, Gotv Prices in Nigeria Vanessa Obioha Days after disclosing a $72 million deficit in its third-quarter financial report, Multichoice has increased the cost of its products in Nigeria. A 20 -per cent increase in the company’s packages overall was discovered through an examination of the new price list. The DStv Premium bundle had a 20.4 per cent price increase, going from N24,500 to N29,500, with the most recent increase. Comparably, the Compact package jumped by 19 per cent, from N10,500 to N12,500, while the DStv Compact+ climbed by 19.2 per cent, from N16,600 to N19,800. The Confam package increased from N6,200 to N7,400, a 19.2 per cent increase. With this most recent increase, the business has now reviewed pricing upward twice in as many months. Multichoice had increased the cost of its products in May. In this round of price increases, the N3,500 rise from N21,000 to N24,500 represents a 16.7 per cent increase in the DStv Premium package. Similarly, the DStv Compact+

package went up by 16.5 per cent (N2,350) from N14,250 to N16,600. The DStv Compact package also increased by 16.7 per cent from N9,000 to N10,500. The DStv Confam package, previously priced at N5,300, went up by 17 per cent to N6,200. An inside source claimed that in addition to dealing with a wide range of issues like taxes and logistics, the company also had to deal with the disastrous effects of the naira’s ongoing devaluation. The source said: “Yes. We have increased our rates. We buy content in dollars but earn in naira. If we take off a channel or stop acquiring content that our customers are used to, we will be slammed. “We buy diesel. We pay taxes. Even before this year, with the dollar and fuel subsidy removal. We pay billions in licensing fees. We operate several offices. We have to pay staff.” The most recent increase follows Multichoice’s announcement of a third straight semi-annual loss, which it attributed to ongoing power shortages in South Africa and problems with foreign exchange in Nigeria.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 10, 2023 • 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 DECEMBER 10, 2023

GLITZFOCUS

Chris Aire Crafting a Legacy Beyond Jewels and Watches Olatunde Adeniyi

ot too long ago, the CNN’s “Money” programme ran a feature on how the United States-based Nigerian-born international jeweller, Chris Aire’s hard work and passion for design led him to build a thriving business in the United States. Long before coming to such prominence, Christopher Airemiokhai Iluobe a.k.a Chris Aire, now “the King of Bling” and jeweller to Hollywood stars, zealously struggled for a pedestal of prominence – a struggle that have been rewarded with great success, although he continues to strive to greater heights. Thus, running into him at the reception in one of Abuja’s most upscale hotels was also an opportunity for an intriguing interface with the unassuming gentleman with the aim of finding out what drives him and how – in this season of ‘Japamania’ – he mostly lives abroad but sustains a cherished bond with his country of birth. Today, Chris Aire, an icon in the international jewellery and watch industry, stands as a testament to the fusion of ambition, innovation, and a commitment to nurturing talent on a global scale. As a renowned jeweller, businessman, and visionary, his journey from a fledgling apprentice to a trendsetter in the luxury market unveils a story not just of success but of a deep-rooted passion for redefining norms and creating lasting impact. Beyond business, Chris Aire subscribes to a vision of genuine sustainable development for Nigeria: his interests and impact extends far beyond the realms of jewellery and watches. His foray into the international oil and gas industry speaks volumes about his commitment to Nigeria’s economic development and he emphasises the need for sustainable, long-term solutions and investments in human capital, especially in empowering the youth, education, and strategic governance. “Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa, the sixth-largest global exporter, and holds the tenth-largest proven oil reserve globally; with this wealth in our natural resource exports, we can increase growth rates, elevate levels of human development, and create opportunities for those who need it most. We require efficient political governance and strong institutions that empower citizens, who are savvy in navigating both local and international politics to create a win-win for all stakeholders, instead of a myopic snatch-and-grab attitude that limits progress to increments of a four or an eight year political cycle. “We need to be inspired by sustainable, long-term solutions that foster true prosperity. We should continue expanding our natural resource economy and investing more in our human capital, especially the youth, through education, access to funding, and well-built management that will benefit our citizens,” he asserted. On a clear note, Chris Aire’s visualisation of Nigeria’s great possibilities somewhat aligns with that of the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of the current administration. When discussing President Bola Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria’s future, Aire echoes alignment in progressive convictions. He envisions a thriving democracy fostering shared prosperity and believes in Tinubu’s unique capacity to transform the nation. Aire emphasises the importance of collective support, urging stakeholders to unite for a common goal: building a great nation. “President Bola Tinubu’s vision of hope for Nigeria aligns with my own beliefs. Nigeria has a lot to offer and can become the pride of Africa; we need a vibrant and thriving democracy with shared prosperity, regardless of class, religion, or tribe. The President’s profound understanding of the country’s inner workings uniquely positions him to achieve previously thought impossible goals. “He (Tinubu) has the potential to transform the country and leave a lasting legacy, casting Nigeria in a golden light by creating a safe and secure environment that we all deserve. It is within his power to inspire dialogue and develop our healthcare, stabilise electricity, address our infrastructural deficiencies, create

Aire

a business-friendly environment, and improve national security. I look forward to witnessing Nigeria prosper under his leadership. “I am fully aware that he needs the support of all stakeholders, and it is my prayer that everyone puts their differences aside and truly commits to building a great nation,” he adds. Being a jeweller, Chris Aire sees vast potentials in Nigeria’s mineral sector. Here, he also sees potential challenges that need to be adroitly addressed. Specifically, Aire acknowledges Nigeria’s mineral wealth as a potential driver of economic growth but emphasises the need for clear regulations and responsible practices. He envisions a collective effort to benefit both the nation and its citizens while ensuring safety, transparency, and community involvement. “Nigeria - often referred to as the “Giant of Africa,” - boasts a wealth of minerals that undoubtedly have the potential to significantly contribute to the country’s economic growth. However, it faces numerous obstacles that need to be addressed. The government should continue to streamline and clarify regulations, ensuring consistency and transparency. We should also ensure that any development of natural resources is done under strict environmental standards, prioritising safety and security. “Additionally, it is crucial that all Nigerians, especially the communities directly impacted by the development of our natural resources, benefit from those endeavours. Unlocking our enormous potential requires collective efforts from the government, industry stakeholders, and the international community. “With the right policies, investments, and responsible practices, I believe Nigeria can utilise its mineral wealth for sustainable development and prosperity, which will only strengthen our bond with our country and the world,” Chris Aire optimistically argues the way a patriot

should. While Chris Aire’s name resonates with opulent jewellery and timeless timepieces, his vision extends far beyond the realm of fashion. Indeed, his commitment to Nigeria did not just begin yesterday but right back since the 1980s. Despite residing in the United States of America, Aire’s commitment to Nigeria remains unwavering and he actively engages in initiatives aimed at contributing to the country’s development, offering opportunities and exposure to talented individuals, especially talented youth seeking to make a difference. “I feel privileged to be in this position and do not take the responsibility of giving back lightly. I have offered some of our youth the opportunity and exposure that I have enjoyed - education, safety, shelter, food, or introductions to my network.” He sees youth empowerment as a key to Nigeria’s future. Recognizing the significance of Nigeria’s vast youth population, Aire stresses the need to invest in their aspirations. He highlights the vital role the youth play in driving innovation and economic growth, urging for support through education, finance, healthcare, and security. “Nigeria has a vast youth population and the development of every nation depends significantly on its youth population. Young people are significant drivers of innovation and economic growth. Ignoring them would be to the country’s detriment. We must invest in our young population, assisting them in achieving their aspirations within Nigeria. “This will ultimately help strengthen our economy. Startups like Ecotutu, LifeBank, Kippa, and Trade Lenda, I understand, are innovations initiated by our young people who are contributing significantly to our economy. We should foster this and inspire others to do the same by providing access to first-rate education, finance, healthcare, and

security. Aire’s contributions extend to Nigeria’s entertainment industry, particularly Afrobeat music. His contribution in bridging the gap between local Afrobeat artists and international icons like Snoop Dogg and Shaggy paved the way for Afrobeats global proliferation. His belief in the genre’s potential spurred these collaborations, opening doors for countless talented youth and connecting African music with global audiences. “On my part, I put together the very first significant collaboration between our local Afrobeat artists and international artists, which opened the doors for the proliferation of Afrobeats on the international stage today. I love all genres of music and our clientele includes a diverse array of artists. I grew up immersing myself in the legendary sounds of Afrobeat, enjoying the music of icons like Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Sunny Okosun, Oriental Brothers, Victor Uwaifo, and many others and in 2010; I noticed a resurgence of this unique sound with a modern twist among our young artists “Intrigued and passionate about adding value to the genre, I recognised the need for it to reach the international stage in a significant way. I have connections with some of the most influential people in the global music and movie scene, so I was confident more people would connect with its feel-good vibe. In 2011, I facilitated the collaboration between D’Banj and Snoop Dogg, both clients and friends. “I also brokered a collaboration between Duncan Mighty and Shaggy, another client and close friend. At the time, international artists were hesitant about such associations, but these collaborations happened based on mutual trust between those International artists and myself. These partnerships opened doors for many incredibly talented youth. The D’banj and Snoop Dogg song was such a huge success that the International music community could no longer ignore the wealth of talent we always knew existed in Africa. “Collaboration remains vital for the genre’s continued growth; and with the power of streaming, Afrobeats artists can continue to connect more emphatically with global audiences. Despite its current success, we have only scratched the surface of what is possible for our youth in music and movies on the international stage and I am still committed to assisting those I can,” Chris Aire said. Entering the jewellery realm in the late eighties, Aire’s ascent was marked by an unwavering dedication to his craft. “Whatever inspires your mind also provides everything needed for the actualization of those ideas if you are committed,” he remarks, reflecting on the foundation of his success. After honing his skills as an apprentice, he took a leap of faith and birthed his own brand. His brand was not just about jewellery; it was a cultural revolution. In 2004, the world witnessed history when his company orchestrated the first-ever jewellery and watch runway show at New York Fashion Week, with none other than Naomi Campbell headlining. This groundbreaking move propelled his brand to the forefront of the bling culture, redefining luxury in a way that resonated globally. He is known for pioneering innovations. Continuously seeking novelty, Aire introduced the legendary Red Gold Collection, a gamechanger that reshaped the watch and jewellery industry. This drive to innovate recently culminated in the creation of the NBA ‘Top 75 Greatest Players’ ring, a part of the Red Gold® Collection. His commitment to pushing boundaries is unwavering, evident in his relentless pursuit of evolution, innovation, and surprise. Chris Aire’s jewellery adorns the necks of Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry, Lebron James, Damian Lillard (aka Dame Dolla) LL Cool J, Dwyane Wade and several other top stars of global repute. “I decided I was going to make it my priority to create pieces that were designed for athletes, for entertainers, musicians, and for actors, they were my target audience,” Chris Aire said. He is not all about the pursuit of fame and riches. For Aire, family serves as a wellspring of motivation and inspiration. Adeniyi writes from Abuja

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 10, 2023

BUSINESS

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

=HQLWK %DQN 8%$ $FFHVV 7RS /LVW RI 0RVW &DSLWDOLVHG %DQNV LQ 4 )HVWXV $NDQEL and .D\RGH 7RNHGH examine the total equity positions of the 10 most capitalised banks as of September 2023 ahead of the planned recapitalisation of commercial banks

or obvious reasons, the most topical issue in the Nigerian banking industry today is the planned recapitalisation of banks as announced by the Central Bank Governor, Dr. Olayemi Cardoso. Although the details of the new threshold DUH \HW WR EH UHOHDVHG ÀQDQFLDO LQGXVWU\ analysts expect operators to begin without delay, moves to raise fresh capital to bolster their respective institutions’ capital base. Cardoso, who spoke at the recent 58th Annual Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria said that the apex bank would be asking the DMBs to increase their capital base to service the $1trillion economy projected by President Bola Tinubu. Market Capitalisation is one of the indices to measure how strong a commercial bank is. Other measures of strength of a bank are the value of its assets, and depositors` funds, among other things. The planned recapitalisation, among others, is to guarantee capital adequacy and to fortify the industry for future challenges. Incidentally, plans by some banks to shore up their capital predated the CBN’s pronouncement. The list of such banks includes First Bank of Nigeria Holdings, Wema Bank Plc, and Jaiz Bank. The three banks have proposed Rights Issues, while Fidelity Bank announced plans to raise additional capital via the issuance of 13,200 ELOOLRQ RUGLQDU\ VKDUHV YLD SXEOLF RͿHU DQG rights issues. There are divisions over whether the Nigerian capital market can repeat its feat of 2005 when many banks were able to raise PRQH\ WKURXJK SXEOLF RͿHUV RU QRW ZLWK some analysts saying the current state of the economy might make raising adequate capital a bit of a challenge. This has raised the prospect of mergers and acquisitions when the time comes. Below is the list of the 10 most capitalised banks as of September 2023.

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7KH WKLUG TXDUWHU ÀQDQFLDO UHSRUW of Zenith Bank Plc places the bank at the topmost position in terms of shareholders fund which it put at approximately N1.92trillion, as against N1.31trillion in 2022. The bank also ranks as Nigeria’s highHVW SURÀW JHQHUDWRU VR IDU LQ ZLWK D SUH WD[ SURÀW RI 1 ELOOLRQ This eminent position was corroborated by Nairametrics, an online platform that noted that with a capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 20.1 per cent as of September 2023, as against 19.8 per cent as of December 2022, the bank’s stability is not in question.

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Following Zenith Bank closely is United Bank for Africa, Nigeria’s second-highest SURÀW JHQHUDWRU WKLV \HDU ZKLFK LV DOVR the second most capitalised bank as of September 2023. The bank posted a total shareholders fund of N1.778 trillion as of 4 ,Q WKH ÀJXUH ZDV 1 billion, with a capital adequacy ratio of 28.3 SHU FHQW ZKLFK VXJJHVWV VWDEOH ÀQDQFLDO health at the end of FY 2022

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Access Holdings is another Tier 1 capital bank with a total equity of N1.64 trillion as opposed to N1.231 trillion in 2022. With this ÀJXUH $FFHVV +ROGLQJV UDQNV DV 1LJHULD·V

third-largest bank in terms of capital base. Its Nigerian subsidiary, Access Bank Nigeria has a total equity of N1.208 trillion as of 6HSWHPEHU ZKLFK LV D VWDEOH ÀJXUH LQ case of any recapitalisation exercise.

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The ranking in terms of capital base listed FirstBank as the fourth on the list. The Third Quarter 2023 results of First Bank Holdings released in September 2023 showed that the parent company of First Bank Limited has a total equity of N1.37 trillion. However, its commercial banking arm, First Bank Limited has a capital base of N1.287 trillion. In 2022, the holding company posted a capital of 995.7billion.

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The bank’s third quarter 2023 performance result submitted to the Exchange last week showed it recorded a shareholders fund of N1.373 trillion as against N935 billion in the same period of 2022, placing it at the ÀIWK SRVLWLRQ RI WKH PRVW FDSLWDOLVHG EDQNV

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GTCO Holdings, the parent group of GTBank has a total equity of N1.273 trillion, a year-to-date increase of 36.7per cent from the N931 billion recorded at the start of 2023. While GTCO’s total equity is put at N1.27 billion, this is cumulative of all the group’s subsidiaries. However, its Nigerian subsidiary, GT Bank Nigeria holds a total capital base of N1 trillion as of September ZKLFK LV VWLOO D VXEVWDQWLDO ÀJXUH DKHDG of any recapitalisation exercise.

6WDQELF ,%7& +ROGLQJV ² 1 ELOOLRQ Stanbic IBTC Holdings, the Nigerian subsidiary of Standard Bank Group is the parent of Stanbic IBTC Bank and it has a capital base of N471 billion as of September 2023. Its capital was N407.7 billion in 2022.

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With a capital base of N410.75 billion as of September 2023 against N314.3 billion in 2022, Fidelity Bank sits in quite a comfortable place ahead of any recapitalisation exercise for Nigerian banks. In September 2023, the bank made a foray into international banking by acquiring the UK division of Union Bank of Nigeria.

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With a capital base of N373.7 billion as of September 2023 as against N275.8 billion in 2022, FCMB ranks as the 9th most capitalised bank in Nigeria. With a capital adequacy ratio of 16.0per cent as of December 31, 2022, FCMB’s CAR was just a little above the regulatory 15% required by the CBN.

6WHUOLQJ )LQDQFLDO +ROGLQJV 1 ELOOLRQ Sterling Bank Limited is a full-service national commercial bank licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, and it’s a subsidiary of Sterling Financial Holdings Plc. The bank provides financial services to individuals, small businesses, and large corporations. Sterling Bank’s capital base stood at N165.84 billion when total liabilities of N2.08 trillion were removed from total assets of N2.25 trillion. Its capital in 2022 was N154 billion.

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • DECEMBER 10, 2023

SOFT FINANCE

INVESTMENT | ECONOMICS | FINANCE | MONEY | E-COMMERCE

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AYO AROWOLO ayo.arowolo@thisdaylive.com 08086447494 (sms only)

BOOK REVIEW

How to Run Your Business by the Book: A Bibllical Blueprint to Bless Your Business Dave Andersen

One of the best strategies you can adopt in building a strong team is to spend greater amount of time with smaller numbers of strategic people mentoring, sharing and reproducing yourself into their lives. This smaller number of people is your inner circle. Every effective leader needs to build an inner circle that helps him or her carry the load

QUICK TAKES Though is anchored on the Bible, the principles shared in this book are generally applicable for those who are interested in learning how to build solid organisations, families and careers. Here are the quick takes from the book plus executive summaries of four of the chapters. CHAPTER 1: A SIX-PACK OF PRINCIPLES FROM A KING AND THE KING In this chapter, the author presents six dynamic principles based on the lives of David and Jesus that you can internalise into your personal leadership style to immediately and measurably elevate your effectiveness

this quickly is another mistake in itself.

CHAPTER 2: FOUR MANDATES TO MAXIMISE YOUR TIME In this chapter, you will learn four ground-breaking time management techniques they don’t teach in business schools. CHAPTER 3: HOW TO OVERCOME THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF MANAGEMENT FAILURE This one particular principle can salvage your organization from collapse if applied as suggested. You will learn to deal with and overcome your pride and your ego and it shows you how every other conceivable management failure is rooted in this single evil. Pay attention to it. CHAPTER 4: FIVE STEPS TO BUILD ROCK-SOLID CHARACTER This is not your typical chapter on character. Instead, the author presents a handful of flaws that you may have overlooked in the past and practical steps for overcoming them and building credibility and competence that ensures that you will become a leader who lasts long over the long haul. CHAPTER 5: THE “HIGH FIVE” PRINCIPLES TO ELEVATE YOUR PEOPLE SKILLS These five principles succinctly explained and illustrated by the author will help you to instantly impact others with stronger connections and build a higher level of personal charisma that you may not have thought possible CHAPTER 6: FOUR KEYS TO CREATE LIFE-WORK BALANCE This author shows you in this chapter four key areas in which you must pursue life-work balance and then provides strategies to address each area. This is the chapter you are most likely to re-read and refer to again and again to improve your personal life as well as your effectiveness at work.

In this chapter, the author presents six dynamic principles based on the lives of David and Jesus that you can internalise into your personal leadership style to immediately and measurably elevate your effectiveness. The principles shared were picked from the lives of David and Jesus. Here are the principles. DAVID David assumed leadership traits of a leader before he was in the Leadership position. Don’t wait until you are appointed a leader to act as one; instead, use your current position to demonstrate that you deserve that leadership position and if you are already a leader, aspire to the next leadership phase. More importantly, prepare for every leadership opportunity which may come in the form of problems… practise how you will act long before you get to the scene. David honoured the leader above him Once God allows you to be placed under a boss, regardless of his or her weakness, you should take it as if you are working for God: honour him and refuse to talk ill about him in your conversation. Don’t expect God to move you further up the ladder until you are willing to hold steady the ladder for the leader whose authority you are directly under; the only exception is when you are being asked to participate in activities that violate Biblical principles. David confessed his sins and genuinely repented when he fell When you fall, or sin, admit very quickly with any excuses but please note that confessing a sin does not absolve you from the consequences; it only serves to mitigate it. When you make a mistake, the way of wisdom is to admit it quickly and learn from it so that you do not repeat the mistake and understand that failing to do

JESUS 1. Jesus created clarity of vision, values and performance expectations You must continue with the pattern of intimately declaring your mission, values and what is expected of the followers. Once you define clarity, you must model it and share it repeatedly. There are many aspects of your job you can delegate as a leader, definitely, defining reality is not one of them. 2. Jesus held others accountable for results The whole purpose of accountability and consequences is to improve performance; it is not meant to humiliate. Where a worker performs, hold him for more responsibility and don’t forget to call out a consistently non-performing worker. 3. Jesus served others Serving others with your talents is a mark of greatness. Managers want to be served; leaders serve others. Serving is a mindset; it reminds you that leadership is about performance, not about position. Jesus served for three years mentoring, training and pouring his soul into the lives of his disciples. There are four Cs you must watch out for in a leader: a) Character b) Competence c) Compassion d) Consistency CHAPTER 2: FOUR MANDATES TO MAXIMISE YOUR TIME In this chapter, you will learn four ground-breaking time management techniques they don’t teach in business schools. Mandate 1: Get in your zone and stay there Strip yourself of every other engagement and concentrate on that area of your responsibilities in which you think if you invest with focus, it will bring the greatest return. Part of the leadership maturation process is being able to look yourself up in a mirror and know what you are good at, acknowledge what you are not good at and be at peace with both. Go for complementarity, not clones. Build a team with complementary skills so that you can spend time in your zone. Narrow your focus: make the shift from

CHAPTER 7: HOW TO MANAGE YOUR MONEY BY THE BOOK This is a primer on how to get ahead in your finances. You will learn about practical strategies for giving your money away, making business partnerships and others. CHAPTER 8: FOUR STEPS TO BUILD A TEAM BY THE BOOK This chapter closes the book with a blast. It offers real-world strategies for hiring, creating vision, establishing values, setting performance expectations, holding others accountable, and building an inner circle of leaders to help you accelerate the growth of your organisation. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CHAPTER 1: A SIX-PACK OF PRINCIPLES FROM A KING AND THE KING

L-R: Mr. Michael Oyebola, Dr. Ore Sofekun, Mrs. Tope Omojokun and Mrs Ononuju Irukwu during the past Presidents of the Fund Managers Association of Nigeria (FMAN) being honoured with Award of Leadership Excellence at the FMAN CEO FORUM held last Wednesday

doing many things well to doing greater things with greater execution. Mandate 2: Give up to go up You must be willing to decide what you are willing to give up to grow up. Adding more tasks to your to-do list is not the key to being more effective. First, you must begin a ‘stop doing list’. Don’t let easy things or urgent things get in the way of the first things as you move towards your goals. Learning to say NO keeps you in control of your time. Mandate 3: Without knowing God’s will for your life, you will continue to drift, dart and dabble with no sense of direction. If it is not in the will, it is not worth it. Discovering your will involves God’s part and your part. Interestingly, discovering God’s will for you is easier if you understand his providential and moral will. Providential Will: Includes things God says he is going to do regardless. You don’t have to pray for these to happen. God needs you and me to fulfil his providential will: position yourself to be a vessel to be used. Jesus’ second coming and all the prophecies in the Bible Moral Will: God’s moral will includes the various commands: thou shall not; thou shall, scattered on the pages of the Bible. Should I lie or not Personal Will: Should I take a job or not? Here is the point: the more familiar you are with the first part and the more obedient you are to the second, the easier it is to work in the third. Knowing God’s will for your life and focusing on accomplishing it simplifies your life. Mandate 4: Pursue the gift you have, not the gifts you want Whenever you invest time in your gift zone, you accelerate results. This is because it is easier to build on a foundation that is already established than to erect a foundation from scratch which leads to mediocrity. You can make each day a masterpiece as you narrow your focus and work with the discipline of priorities as dictated by your talents. Then you can delegate, outsource or stop doing anything else. You think you don’t have great talent? Don’t worry. Work on the little God has given you and give it back to him and he will do amazing things through you with it. CHAPTER 3: HOW TO OVERCOME THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF MANAGEMENT FAILURE This one particular principle can salvage your organisation from collapse if applied as suggested. You will learn to deal with and overcome your pride and your ego and it shows you how every other conceivable management failure is rooted in this single evil. Pay attention to it. The number one cause of management failure is pride. 12 causes of management failure traced to pride: 1) Failing to build a team and becoming overwhelmed 2) Perpetual plateau as a result of becoming unteachable 3) High turnover within a department NOTE: Read the full article in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Sunday 10 December, 2023

T H I S D AY Vol MONDAY MARCH 14, 2022 27. No 10462

OPI NION

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

NIGERIANS AS CENTREPIECE OF GOVERNANCE The Tinubu administration.is all about the people, argues FREDRICK NWABUFO

119

THE POLITICS OF NAIRA REDESIGN AND SCARCITY A revamped currency can act as a catalyst for fostering confidence in the economic system, argues KALU OKORONKWO

T See Page 20

OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREEN AFRICA

FELIX OLADEJI argues that most African countries are likely to be more sensitive to climate hazards and less able to cope with climate change

See Page 20

EDITORIAL KADUNA BOMBING AND MATTERS ARISING

See Page 45

he initiative at the twilight of the General Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to redesign the country’s currency, the Naira, has become a complex narrative characterized by intricate political undercurrents, scarcity hurdles, and the looming threat of diminishing national pride and identity. This seeming bad state of the Naira coupled with its persistent devaluation against other major currencies is casting a shadow over the original objectives of the redesign policy. At a time in the early stages of the implementation of the policy, the new Naira was so scarce that Nigerians were buying the local currency just like other nations’ currencies. It was said that some families giving out their daughters in marriage insisted on payment of bride price in the new currency to the chagrin of the grooms’ families who were also negatively impacted by the scarcity of the new notes. What a paradox! The most worrisome in this debacle is the recent ruling by a seven-man panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice John Okoro that the old currency remains a legal tender LQGHÀQLWHO\ WR H[LVW VLGH E\ VLGH ZLWK WKH QHZO\ redesigned notes. This has thrown up another economic conundrum as Nigeria is perhaps, the only country in the world presenting two types of currencies of the same economic value as legal tender amidst its scarcity. But be it as it may, the critical questions begging for answers: what manner of economic blueprint is the APC government of President Bola Tinubu implementing? What is in this naira war that the APC government from the Buhari era to the present administration, cannot resolve to bring reprieve to the majority of people who continue to bear the brunt? I used war advisedly because the former Central %DQN *RYHUQRU *RGZLQ (PHÀHOH LV VWLOO LQ prison custody following an order of court as he is facing prosecution for “economic crime” ZKLOH LQ RIÀFH :K\ LV WKH $3& JRLQJ WR FRXUW against the policy of its past administration? What has changed in the philosophy of WKH SDUW\ WKDW PDNHV LW GLIÀFXOW WR UHFRQFLOH existing policies of the past administration and the present? While President Tinubu during his inauguration had hinted of continuing with the programmes of his predecessor, the persistent naira crisis without a substantive policy to address the challenges has also cast a shadow of doubt on the sincerity of this government. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced last year the redesign of 200-, 500and 1,000-naira notes, and planned to end the use of the old notes by 31 January 2023. But acute scarcity of the new notes made the 31 January deadline impracticable, and prompted the bank, with the approval of President Buhari, to extend the legal tender status of the old notes till 10 February. On February 3rd, three state governments – Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara, all APC states citing the hardship the continued scarcity of naira notes brought to their people, sued the federal government at the Supreme Court for a reversal of the policy.

Days later, the court issued an interim order suspending the implementation of the deadline set by the federal government and directed that the old and new notes should continue to circulate pending the resolution of the case. In spite of the ruling by the apex court, the CBN maintained that the old notes had stopped being legal tender after the February 8 deadline while the scarcity of the new notes persisted bringing about lots of hardship to the citizens with several reports of loss of lives. ,Q GHÀDQFH WR WKH 6XSUHPH &RXUW·V RUGHU Gen. Buhari on February 16, restored the validity of the old N200 notes, insisting that the N500 and N1000 notes had ceased to be legal tender. 7KLV GHÀDQFH VWDQGV RI WKH %XKDUL administration occasioned the rise of the number of plaintiffs to nine after six states were added to the three initial plaintiffs during the hearing of the case on February 22, three days to the national elections held on February 25. The biting cash crunch featured as a major issue in the lead-up to the elections, which many feared could derail the process. The redesign of a country’s national currency, extends beyond aesthetics. It involves a strategic blend of cultural representation, economic considerations, and technological advancements. Moreso, the design of a nation’s currency is more than a utilitarian exercise in functionality; it is a symbolic representation of its identity and pride. The politics surrounding the Naira notes redesign and the persistent scarcity of the currency has become a pivotal factor in shaping the nation’s collective psyche and potentially undermining the very essence of national pride and identity. A currency serves as a historical continuum, connecting the present to the nation’s past. The redesign dilemma demands a thoughtful approach to maintain a thread of historical continuity, ensuring that the Nigerian naira seamlessly integrates with the existing narrative. The Naira is not just a medium of exchange; it is a psychological anchor for citizens. The redesign dilemma raises concerns about the potential psychological impact on individuals who may struggle to connect with a radically altered visual representation of their national currency. As it stands today, most Nigerians cannot distinguish between the old notes and the new

ones by simple mental note except by rigorous explanation or physical interaction with the currencies and most times people give out wrong denominations mistakenly as the new designs appear only to be different in colour features. The risk of detachment among citizens who PD\ ÀQG LW FKDOOHQJLQJ WR LGHQWLI\ ZLWK WKH redesigned Naira, is also potentially eroding the currency’s role as a unifying symbol. While the decision to redesign the Naira notes may have been rooted in the aspiration to modernize and celebrate Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, the execution of this vision has been marred by political complexities. The promise of renewal has now become a risk being overshadowed by the scarcity that has left citizens questioning the political will behind the redesign initiative. From the ATMs to vendor PoS operators, scarcity of naira looms large in major cities of the nation. As the scarcity of notes, both old and redesigned persists, citizens are left to ponder the motivations behind the political push for a new currency. Scarcity not only disrupts economic transactions but also breeds skepticism, contributing to the erosion of trust in the political machinery. Scarcity of the redesigned Naira notes carries symbolic weight. A currency in short supply mirrors a nation grappling with internal challenges, potentially projecting an image of instability. The scarcity narrative threatens to overshadow the intended celebration of national symbols, inadvertently eroding the pride associated with the currency. The scarcity of Naira notes, whether intentional or circumstantial, has economic implications. From disruptions in daily transactions to the potential impact on investor FRQÀGHQFH WKH HURVLRQ RI QDWLRQDO SULGH becomes intertwined with economic stability. The erosion of national pride is a collateral consequence of the scarcity dilemma. What was meant to be a unifying symbol risks becoming a source of frustration and disillusionment. Citizens, grappling with the daily challenges of accessing naira notes, may feel a disconnection from a currency that was meant to be a source of collective pride. Okoronkwo, a leadership and good governance advocate writes from Lagos and can be reached on kalu.okoronkwo@gmail.

T H I S D AY SUNDAY DECEMBER 10, 2023

The Tinubu administration. is all about the people, argues FREDRICK NWABUFO

NIGERIANS AS CENTREPIECE OF GOVERNANCE

overnment exists for the people. The people are the central shaft from where government’s authority revolve. They are the oxygen, the mitochondrion of government. They exist for the government to exist. The Nigerian Constitution puts it this ZD\ ¶·6RYHUHLJQW\ EHORQJV WR WKH SHRSOH of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority.’’ The Tinubu administration has made it VXIÀFLHQWO\ SDWHQW WKDW 1LJHULDQV DUH WKH QXFOHXV RI LWV JRYHUQDQFH FHOO ,W NHHSV UROOLQJ RXW SURJUDPPHV VSHFLÀFDOO\ addressing the needs of the vulnerable and the most vulnerable population in the country. The administration recently launched WKH 3UHVLGHQWLDO &RQGLWLRQDO *UDQW 3URJUDPPH DQG WKH 3UHVLGHQWLDO 3DOOLDWLYH /RDQ 3URJUDPPH 7KHVH seminal programmes customised for small businesses are managed by the )HGHUDO 0LQLVWU\ RI ,QGXVWU\ 7UDGH DQG ,QYHVWPHQW Micro businesses will receive N50,000 JUDQW ZKLOH 060(V DQG PDQXIDFWXUHUV will access loans up to N1 million and N1 billion respectively. The administration has also launched a good number of mitigatory vehicles VXFK DV WKH 5HQHZHG +RSH *UDQWV IRU 3RRU DQG 9XOQHUDEOH 3HUVRQV WKH ¶·,\DORMD ,QLWLDWLYH·· XQGHU WKH H[SDQGHG *RYHUQPHQW (QWHUSULVH DQG (PSRZHUPHQW 3URJUDPPH *((3 ² with over 1.5 million Nigerian retail businesses receiving N50,000 interestfree loans, and several others. These programmes are in full apprehension of the encumbrances to small businesses as well as in cognisance of the entrepreneurial proclivities of the 1LJHULDQ *LYH WKH 1LJHULDQ UHWDLOHU D little support, and he will return like the PDQ ZLWK WKH ÀYH WDOHQWV GRXEOLQJ KLV fortune. ,Q WKH $SSURSULDWLRQ %LOO N534 billion was earmarked for social development and poverty reduction. This further accents the importance ascribed to the needs of hard working Nigerians. 5HGXFLQJ SRYHUW\ GHPDQGV D WDUJHWHG and sustained approach on impact LQYHVWPHQWV ,W LV QRW ¶·WRXFK DQG JR·· ,PSDFW LQYHVWPHQWV KDYH FRUROODULDO effects on the local economy, raising income levels, and boosting productivity. 7DQ]DQLD·V 3URGXFWLYH 6RFLDO 6DIHW\ Nets, for instance. ,W LV DOO DERXW WKH SHRSOH IRU WKH 7LQXEX DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ ,W LV DERXW WKH vulnerable, the most vulnerable, and Nigerians across all strata. A common thread in the tapestry of 3UHVLGHQW 7LQXEX·V SXEOLF UHPDUNV LV WKH focalisation of the people, the show of concern and empathy, and the dispatch of remedial anodynes. Leadership needs a handsome dose of empathy. Leadership needs to be able to connect with the people, harken to them, pull them close in times of peril, comfort them, protect them, heal them when broken, and lead them, not condescendingly. An essential ingredient of leadership is “accessibility”. $FFRUGLQJ WR +DQV )LQ]HO LQ KLV ERRN ¶7RS 7HQ :D\V WR EH D *UHDW

/HDGHU· \RX GR QRW JHW LQWR RIÀFH and suddenly build walls. 7KH 7LQXEX DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ LV D ÀQH specimen of open and transparent leadership. The administration has been bringing the people closer to its bosom, RSHQLQJ LWV FRUSRUHDO SRUWDOV ,W KDV EHHQ responsive and attuned to the citizenry. ,W LV JRYHUQPHQW FLWL]HQV OHG ,Q WKH SDVW ZHHN WKHUH ZHUH FRQFHUQV over the number of Nigeria’s delegation WR &23 LQ 'XEDL 8QLWHG $UDE (PLUDWHV 8$( :LWKRXW VHHNLQJ WR engage sordidly the propaganda of those, who sought to extract political toll from misinformation, the government’s information apparatus provided a clear, concise, and honest reality of the fact. This was in line with the strong values and principles of transparency and accountability that form the core piers of the Tinubu administration. The voices of Nigerians are heard and respected. The 1,411 federal government GHOHJDWLRQ ÀE ZDV REYLRXVO\ D SRRU contrivance of falsehood. The number was far lower than the manufactured and obfuscated apparition. As the ministry of information said, as the biggest economy and most populous country in Africa, with a substantial extractive economy and extensive vulnerability to climate change, Nigeria KDV D VLJQLÀFDQW VWDNH LQ FOLPDWH DFWLRQ and our active and robust participation at &23 ZDV WKHUHIRUH QRW XQZDUUDQWHG &23 SUHVHQWV DQ DUUD\ RI LQYHVWPHQW and partnership opportunities for the various sectors affected by climate change. The concerns appear to have drowned out the big wins from the event for Nigeria like the signing of an accelerated performance agreement to expedite WKH LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ RI WKH 3UHVLGHQWLDO 3RZHU ,QLWLDWLYH 33, WR LPSURYH Nigeria’s electricity supply, as well as the unveiling of the Nigeria Carbon 0DUNHW $FWLYDWLRQ 3ODQ FR FKDLUHG E\ the Executive Chairman of the Federal ,QODQG 5HYHQXH 6HUYLFH ),56 0U =DFFK $GHGHML DQG WKH 'LUHFWRU *HQHUDO of the National Council on Climate &KDQJH 1&&& 'U 'DKLUX 6DOLVX among others. ,W LV LPSRUWDQW WR HPSKDVLVH WKDW WKH place of Nigerians as the centrepiece of governance remains undisputed. Nigerians are the priority of the administration. Nwabufo is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement

OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREEN AFRICA FELIX OLADEJI argues that most African countries are likely to be more sensitive to climate hazards and less able to cope with climate change The global conversation on climate change in Africa tends to be focused on physical risks. Climate models show that the continent is considered to be among the regions of the world that could be hardest hit by the changing climate. And with 600 million Africans still without energy access and 36 percent of the continent’s population living in extreme poverty, low levels of resilience and adaptation in many countries are likely to exacerbate the socio-economic impacts of climate change and make the continent’s pressing development imperative more challenging to achieve. But what if this is only part of the picture? The data landscape on emissions in Africa is relatively more fragmented and diverse than other regions. The detailed emissions data from multiple sources, indicate the following emissions breakdown for the continent: /8/8&) *W FDUERQ GLR[LGH HTXLYDOHQW (CO2e), about 40 percent of total. $JULFXOWXUH *W &2 H DERXW SHUFHQW of total. ,QGXVWU\ *W &2 H DERXW SHUFHQW RI total. 3RZHU *W &2 H DERXW SHUFHQW RI total. 7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ ZDVWH DQG EXLOGLQJV *W &2 H DERXW SHUFHQW RI WRWDO $W D WRWDO RI *W &2 H WKHVH QXPEHUV suggest Africa currently contributes just under 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions—a somewhat higher share than often cited, as this includes non-energy emissions and DOO JUHHQKRXVH JDVHV +RZHYHU LW LV ZRUWK noting that at 4.5 t CO2e per annum, the average per capita emissions in Africa are much lower than the annual OECD average of 10.0 t CO2 The sectoral mix on the continent is skewed PRUH WRZDUGV DJULFXOWXUH DQG /8/8&) DQG OHVV towards industry, power, and transportation compared to the typical emissions profile of a developed country. By comparison, over three quarters of European emissions come from industry, power, and transport. Because of its different emissions profile, the decarbonization pathways of African countries will likely differ—in some respects significantly—from those of developed countries. The continent’s sectoral composition, which includes a high economic focus on basic materials production, rapid economic growth and urbanization rates, constrained government budgets and capabilities, and last but not least, the imperative of continued inclusive growth to advance living standards and health, will also affect its decarbonization choices. While generalizations are difficult, key differences in typical African decarbonization journeys will likely include a strong focus on decentralized renewable power solutions alongside grid-scale renewables to enable universal energy access; some build-out of gas power capacity to provide near-term flexibility to balance renewables’ intermittency; and a greater emphasis on agriculture, land-use change, and cooking. The scientific consensus is that global warming of 2°C relative to pre-industrial levels will be exceeded during the 21st century unless rapid and deep reductions in CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions occur in the coming GHFDGHV ,W LV DOVR FOHDU WKDW QRW DOO UHJLRQV ZLOO EH DIIHFWHG HTXDOO\ 3DUWV RI $IULFD IRU H[DPSOH are warming faster than many other world regions, and there is a high probability that African countries will be among the most severely affected by intensifying climate hazards. At the same time, the continent’s levels of adaptation and resilience are among the world’s lowest. Around SHUFHQW RI $IULFDQ FRXQWULHV KDYH vulnerability scores in the lowest band, meaning that they are likely to be more sensitive to climate hazards and less able to adapt to or cope with climate change. Moreover, low levels of insurance and

savings in many African countries mean that recovery after a disaster typically takes much longer. This puts lives and livelihoods at risk on an unprecedented scale, threatens human health and wellbeing, and jeopardizes hard-won economic gains, which, in turn, could undermine societal stability. Furthermore, the deep structural changes now underway in the global economy as countries gear up to transition to net-zero emissions by 2050 are resulting in another set of economic risks for economies in Africa, commonly referred to as transition risks. The main concern is that a move towards decarbonization globally could lead to a decrease in demand for fossil fuel exports and a prioritization of lowcarbon-intensity production alongside cost by buyers of commodities, which could negatively affect the global competitiveness of African exports. As African economies are generally more dependent on commodity exports than most regions, this could have adverse consequences for employment and fiscal health. These risks are amplified by the generally more constrained monetary capacity of most African countries, which limits their ability to invest in structural countermeasures. As a result of its high exposure and vulnerability to climate hazards, a third of the people considered most at risk in the world live in Africa. About 370 million people— roughly 30 percent of the total population of the continent—live in areas which are likely to experience high levels of climate hazards and to have high vulnerability. By contrast, 19 percent of the total population of Asia, 4 percent of Latin America, and 2 percent of Oceania are exposed to this combination. An analysis by the McKinsey Climate Analytics team suggests that if the world sees a 2°C increase in average temperature by 2050, the number of Africans exposed to one or more physical hazards related to climate could almost double from approximately 460 million people today to more than 900 million. This increase is partly due to rapid population growth (tempered by increasing urbanization), but the primary drivers are the broader geographic reach and increasing intensity of climate hazards, with 45 percent of the population likely to be exposed to at least one climate hazard by 2050 compared to 36 percent today. The top four physical hazards confronting Africa in a 2°C-by-2050 world are as follows: +HDW VWUHVV 8SZDUGV RI PLOOLRQ Africans could be exposed to more days with high levels of heat and humidity. $JULFXOWXUDO GURXJKWV $ERXW million people in agricultural regions could experience an average of seven to eight droughts per decade, making it much harder for smallholder farmers to maintain a livelihood in rainfed agriculture. Oladeji writes from Lagos

T H I S D AY SUNDAY DECEMBER 10, 2023

EDITORIAL

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

KADUNA BOMBING AND MATTERS ARISING T h e Tu d u n B i r i a c c i d e n t m u s t b e t h o r o u g h l y i n v e s t i g a t e d t o p r e v e n t a r e o c c u r r e n c e

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 10, 2023

PERSPECTIVE

From the River to the Sea Femi Fani-Kayode

“T

here is no peace for the wicked”- Isaiah 48:22. There is no greater truism than that which Prophet Isaiah, one of the greatestandmostrevered ProphetsintheHolyBible, has enunciated in the scripture above. Whatheissayingisthatcallous,mercilessand bloodthirsty men and oppressors, subjugators, persecutors,slaversandoccupiersofthelandof others, whether they be the biblical Egyptians, theAncientRomansoranyoneelse,coupledwith those that trample on the rights and liberties of otherswithimpunityandthatrepaygoodwithevil canNEVERescapethewrathofGodandneither will they ever know or experience lasting peace. This is a lesson that evidently the Jews themselvesandparticularlytheZionistsamongstthem have failed to appreciate or learn. That you were oppressed, subjugated, murdered,robbed,humiliated,enslaved,subjectedto genocide and mass murder, ethnically cleansed and treated with scorn and contempt yesterday does not give you the right to do the same to others today. That you were once occupied, enslaved, thrown into captivity, scattered all over the earth, butchered, gassed to death, subjected to the holocaust and deprived of your beloved homeland yesterday does not permit you to do the same to others today. That you have experienced God’s love, mercy, blessings, grace and restoration does not mean that you are the chosen race or master race, it simplymeansthatGodhasshownyouHistender kindnessandoptedtorestoreyoueventhoughyou also killed and oppressed others in the past and thatyoucrucifiedHisonlyBegottenSon,ourLord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and sought to destroy Christianity even at the advent of its coming. Those who have suffered so much in the past surely have a greater duty to ensure that they desist from inflicting such suffering on others today lest they lose everything. ItisinthiscontextthatIviewtheStateofIsrael and the Zionists. No matter what they have suffered in the last 2000yearsinthehandsoftheirnumeroushaters, oppressors and persecutors they have no right to inflict the wickedness that they are inflicting on the Palestinian people today and as long as they continue to do so they shall know no peace. They shall also continue to stir up hatred and opprobriumforthemselvesandtheircausefrom all right-thinking people, including millions that once had sympathy for them, from all over the world. This is what we see unfolding today. Now to the title and essence of this piece. First coined by Yasser Arafat’s Palestinian LiberationOrganisationandotherArabnationalist movements in the 1960s, the phrase “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is the popularrefrainandbattlecryforthePalestinians and those that support their cause and struggle for self-determination and emancipation from Israeli occupation and oppression. And given what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank today, who can deny them the right to achieve this noble quest for freedom and the right and aspiration to exist as an independent sovereign state? I have always loved the State of Israel and believedinthetwo-statesolutionbutIhatewhat her leaders are doing to the Palestinians today. IequatetheactionsoftheIsraeliDefenceForce in Gaza today with the heinous and horrendous atrocities that Hamas inflicted on their civilian population on October 7th. I have always made the point that the Jewish State must be accorded the right to exist and reserves the right of self-defence. Iconcedethatsheisalsoentitledtoameasure ofvengeanceagainstthosewhovisitedthedeplorable violence on her civilian population that we witnessed on October 7th but the targeting of innocent civilians in their thousands, the infanticide, the ethnic cleansing, the mass murder, the genocide, the crimes against humanity, the war crimes,theunprecedentedandmassiveamount

Netanyahu of bloodshed, the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians, the destruction and utter annihilation of Palestinian homes and infrastructures and all the other beastly and inexplicable horrors that are being unleashed and foisted on the women, children and elderly of Gaza today, including journalists, aid workers, hospital workers, doctors, nurses and other defencelessnon-combatantsandinnocentcivilians is unacceptable and indefensible. 20,000 civilians (mainly women and children) were slaughtered in Gaza and 85% of her 2.5 million people were displaced in two months! Worse still 50% of the population of Gaza is facing starvation. Suchsuffering,butcheryandslaughterbeggars beliefandaspainful,traumatisingandtear-jerking asitis,theworldcanwitnessitinrealtime,thanks to Al Jazeera. Andfranklywhatweareseeingisunspeakable. Israelmayconsiderthistobeherfinesthouranda gloriousmanifestationofhermilitarystrengthand prowessbutinfactbutevidenceofherirretrievable andinescapabledescentintonotoriety,savagery and barbarity and her relentless, degenerate, bestial and reprobate disposition. This is not her finest hour or her best moment but rather her greatest mistake. I say this because the Israel that millions of peoplefromallovertheworld,includingyourstruly, onceloved,cherished,defendedandempathised with no longer exists. What we have in its place is an unforgiving, unthinking, cruel, brash, barbaric, brutal, racist, evil, power-drunk and thoroughly repugnant fascist/apartheid state that is being led by a political class comprised of deluded monsters, narcissistic savages, obsessive psychopaths and blood-lusting child-killers who have lost their minds, who are devoid of any pretence to even a semblance of humanity, who are hell-bent on wiping out the Palestinian people and who do not believe that they are bound by the rules, regulations, canons & strictures of civilisation & international humanitarian law. Giventhis,Israelshouldnolongerbewelcomed into the comity of civilised nations and neither is she worthy of the Western world’s consistent and unconditional support. She has not only lost her right to be regarded as a responsible and law-abiding member of the internationalcommunitybut,aslongasshedenies

the Palestinians the right to exist in peace and freedom and refuses to lift the occupation, she standstheriskofforfeitingherownrighttoexist. Whatwasoncetheinspiration,promise,pride and joy of millions from all over the world and the darling of civilised nations is now nothing but a vacuous, vicious, vengeful, lawless, petty, pitiful, tyrannical and bloodthirsty pariah state which celebrates and prides itself on its own barbarity, hatred, madness, war-mongering and rage, which openly espouses a racist and repugnant‘Zionist’philosophy,whichconsiders itselfraciallyandreligiouslysuperiortoallothers, whichthrivesonthesufferingandpainofitsArab vassals and which is hell-bent on provoking the entire world intoWWIII in an attempt to satisfy its senseless and dangerous delusions about re-establishingabiblicalZioniststateandwiping out the Palestinian people. Zionism is the greatest evil that has been foisted on earth since the advent of the Nazis. It is an irony of fate & history that the Jews that are now calling themselves Zionists are theverysameracewhoseforefatherssuffered more persecution & cruelty at the hands of the Nazis than any other. I have no doubt that if Israeli PM Netanyahu hadthepower,wherewithalandhorrendousgas chambersthatHitleroncedidhewould,without anyhesitation,gastodeatheveryArabonearth andkilleveryMuslimandChristianintheMiddle East. They are the greatest threat to world peace and stability and the only way to free us from theirinsidiousandsinisterpowerandpervasive influenceisbyestablishingafreeandsovereign Palestinian state “from the river to the sea”. JustasNaziGermanywasbroughttoherknees bythecivilisedworldafterWWIIbecauseofher heinous atrocities, Zionist Israel needs to be brought to her knees today. Does a murderous, racist rogue state that considers itself above the law and delights in slaughtering children have the right to exist? I doubt it. To those who say “But Israel is a democracy and indeed the ONLYdemocracy in the Middle East”, I say the following: NaziGermanywasademocracytooandHitler was a democratically-elected leader yet look where they took the world! In light of all this, it is indeed a great shame

that Israel’s greatest friend and ally, the United States of America, not only firstly vetoed a motion for a second ceasefire in Gaza at the United NationsSecurityCouncillastFridaybutsecondly, the American Congress passed a resolution that any criticism of or opposition to Zionism would beregardedasamanifestationofanti-semitism. The first is nothing but yet another inglorious and graphic display of American immorality, hypocrisy, double standards, insensitivity and depravity and the second of the wilful blindness andglaringignoranceofthemajorityofmembers of the American Congress. ToequatepoliticalZionism,aconceptwhichonly came into existence as an organised nationalist movement after it was enunciated and founded by Theodor Herzl in 1897, with Judaism which has existed for thousands of years is not only antediluvian idiocy and intellectual bankruptcy in its most raw, primitive, vulgar, crude and glaring form but also ignores the fact that millions of both right-wing, conservative religious Jews such as theTorah Jews and secular ones residing inIsrael,AmericaandEuropevehementlyoppose the concept of Zionism themselves and deplore itsmalevolentandsinisterdelusionsandpolitical aspirations. I love the Jews and the State of Israel but I despise and deplore the Zionists and what they have turned the latter into. I despise them not because of their religious faith or Semitic racial identity but because of the evilpoliticalphilosophyofsubjugation,occupation, enslavementanddestructionofothersthatthey choose to espouse. Itisforthisveryreasonthatformillionsallover the world and not just the Arabs of the Middle East,thebattlecryandwarsongof‘fromtheriver to the sea’ resonates so loudly. Permit me to conclude this contribution with the following observation which is particularly relevant to those of us that are from Africa. AttheendofWW11In1945whenthegreatdebatebeganamongsttheleadersofthevictorious Allied powers, including America, France, Russia andtheUK,aboutwheretosendtheJewsafterthe holocaust, there was a very strong lobby to send themtoUgandawheretheywouldhaveestablished their long-awaited new Jewish homeland. Uganda, like Palestine, was a British colony and the colonial power believed that, unlike the Palestinians,thelocalAfricanpopulationwouldnot presentmuchofathreatorevenraiseanobjection to the appropriation and occupation of their land by millions of Western-backed European Jews who had suffered the most horrendous form of persecution in Europe for thousands of years. Yetthisinterestingproposalwasinitiallymade 42 years earlier in 1903. Known as the ‘Uganda Scheme’, it was a proposal by British Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain to create a Jewish homeland in a portion of British East Africa. It was presented at the Sixth World Zionist Congress in Basel in 1903 by Theodor Herzl, the founder of the modern Zionist movement. In a short piece titled ‘Exploring The Middle East Uganda Scheme for a Jewish Homeland’, the Middle East Monitor wrote the following “Did you know about the intriguing chapter in history where Israel was almost established in Africa? This “almost” moment was known as the Uganda Scheme and was proposed by Theodor Herzl the father of political Zionism, in 1903. Herzl presented the plan to the World ZionistCongressenvisioningaJewishhomeland inEastAfrica,thenunderBritishcolonialrule.The proposal came at a time when Jews in Eastern Europe were facing severe persecution and massacres, making the idea of a haven, even in distantAfrica,appealing.Despiteinitialapproval by the Congress, the plan faced opposition from theWhitesettlersinEastAfricawhodidnotwant to be displaced by other settlers. They formed an anti-Zionist committee and their disapproval led to Britain withdrawing the offer, altering the course of history”.

Fani-Kayode is a former Minister of Aviation Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

SUNDAY DECEMBER 10, 2023 • T H I S D AY

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

10.12.2023

She is the turf of a diva whose tentacles have been well established in a male-dominated profession over the last 35 years. And like an old wine, she keeps getting better with age. Welcome to the world of Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, the founder of DO.II Designs Limited. Some of her designs can be found in multinational offices, and homes of expatriates and Nigerian elites. Recently, Ighodalo opened her doors to selected journalists where she talked about her trade, Black Friday offers and how the passion for the job has sustained her thus far. Funke Olaode and Sunday Ehigiator report

IFEYINWA IFEYINWA IGHODALO IGHODALO

Excelling in Men’s Terrain

n unignorable warmth and a homely feeling will first hit you as you step into the expansive showroom of DO.II Designs Limited owned by Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ighodalo. As customers were still basking in that euphoria of the beautiful view of the Ikeja furniture showroom with superlative home and office accessories on display, Mrs. Ighodalo then walked in majestically. Her charming smile, well seated on a beautiful face, alongside her youthful look, betrays her real age. She radiates sophistication and exudes regality. The occasion was a press briefing with select journalists where she dived into her new move: The Black Friday Sales and opening of her showrooms on the mainland. Born into a furniture manufacturer family, the 63-year-old Ighodalo, who holds a BSc in Accounting from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka said her knack for aesthetics, passion, a keen eye for design, and can-do-it spirit, eventually led her to the world of furniture making. Today, her brand which she started at the age of 27 has become one of the most soughtafter brands over the last 36 years, a testament to her passion, commitment, dedication and perseverance in the industry, mostly dominated by men. “I went into furniture making because of my desire to empower people, generate employment, and create substantial value. It was crystal clear to me that this was my calling. At the initial stages, I contemplated venturing into interior decoration. However, when people mistakenly label me as an interior designer, I correct them promptly that ‘I am, in fact, a furniture manufacturer.” As her vision became clearer in exploring interior design, she decided to pursue a formal education in the field. During this time, a crucial realisation struck her that, even if she crafted exquisite designs for various spaces, a fundamental question lingered, where would the furniture come from? “Importing for every office project wasn’t a sustainable solution. Consequently, I pivoted my focus and resolved to dive into the realm of furniture manufacturing. The decision to switch gears marked the beginning of my journey into creating tangible, locally produced goods. I aim to not only fulfill the aesthetic aspects of design but also provide a sustainable source of locally crafted furniture for diverse projects.” On her sojourn in the manufacturing business, she noted that upon relocating to Lagos from Eastern Nigeria, where she and her parents resided, she secured employment at a furniture company. After just a year in that role, she said she made the pivotal decision to venture out on her own. And despite her father’s reservations and constant admonitions, she persevered and today stands as a testament to God’s grace with a compelling narrative to share. “I co-founded Design Options with a partner, and through dedication and hard work, we transformed it into a household brand, synonymous with locally manufactured furniture of exceptionally high global standards.

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 DECEMBER 10, 2023

COVER

TRUE SUCCESS LIES IN THE ABILITY TO NAVIGATE BOTH FAMILY AND CAREER “Our clientele included major banks, corporations, and even individuals, with a foundation built on serving expatriates. The expatriate market, demanding high standards, played a crucial role in elevating our craftsmanship, a standard we have maintained by the grace of God.” Unfortunately, she said following the liquidation of ‘Design Option’ after 25 years in the business, she had to venture out alone and start DO.II Designs Limited from entirely nothing, symbolising the second coming of Design Options. “This journey is not just about furniture; it’s a testament to resilience, growth, and the unwavering commitment to maintaining and exceeding the high standards set from the beginning.” She said the journey of DO.II Designs Limited began in an old Design Options room at 29/2C Ajose Adeogun, and after a few years, the company relocated to 642D Akin Adesola. With a first major milestone of moving from a 300-square-meter space to a 1400-square-meter showroom, a flagship branch with four floors, she said the showroom was the first of its kind in Nigeria, offering a diverse range of office and home furniture, and accessories, providing a comprehensive solution for all interior needs, including ceiling, window treatment and air conditioning. “The expansion to our new location, with a showroom, factory, and warehouse, was not only strategic but also felt divinely guided. In the ever-evolving industry, we pondered the necessity of physical branches in an era where online furniture shopping prevails. However, circumstances led us to believe it was a divine intervention, wife, who, upon leaving Nigeria, took some of our furniture back to America to showcase its quality. “Despite such successes, our focus remains on continuous improvement. Discussions about expanding our capabilities began earlier this year but due to the challenges of the past months, we strategically paused to ensure a successful execution urging us to continue on this path. While we may not have branches across Nigeria, our focus is on dominating the online market.” Having recovered from a setback which marks a major turning point for her brand, she said the company’s immediate goal is to face and dominate the online market, “making our furniture accessible to a broader audience. Whether you visit the flagship store at 642D Akin Adesola or the new location at 100 Kudirat Abiola Way or shop online, our Black Friday sales promise an energetic and vibrant experience.” On the hurdles of sourcing materials, Ighodalo said she isn’t certain if upholstery materials are currently manufactured or produced in Nigeria. “Examining our input materials, take the sofa, for example, the frame and foam are sourced locally, while the fabric is imported.” She said occasionally, the company resorts to importing high-quality veneer for certain aspects. She also noted that the company’s commitment to import some materials was driven by its dedication to achieving global standards. “Our approach is not merely about assembling and putting furniture out there; it’s about ensuring quality, meeting international benchmarks, and maintaining a commitment to excellence. Approximately 80 per cent of the company’s materials are sourced locally, with only about 20 per cent being imported, and in some cases, the local percentage

IGHODALO

may even be higher. But primarily, the company’s fabrics are sourced locally, showcasing a commitment to supporting domestic industries. However, when it comes to manufacturing, especially considering the broader aspects of the company such as accessories, lamps and decorations, a significant portion, around 95 per cent, is imported. “It’s worth noting that while our home furniture meets global standards, we had to delve into importing office furniture to maintain market competitiveness due to certain components and machines not yet available locally. “In the past, we’ve had instances where expatriates were impressed with our products. I vividly recall furnishing the home of an oil company Managing Director’s. The process of placing orders, getting the lights on and initiating operations took nearly three months to complete.” The exchange rate has been a challenge. She said she initially resisted changing prices, asserting that she wouldn’t increase them. However, she said she reached a point where she received frequent emails notifying her of rising costs for various materials like foam and spray materials for wooden products. She noted that these increases, which

sometimes are by 100 per cent or 200 per cent, have been consistent for every single material. “I’ve conveyed to my team the necessity of adjusting prices to reflect these changes, but there’s hesitation, with reluctance to raise prices beyond 10 per cent or 15 per cent. “The reality is that we’re often selling at a loss, even with the advantage of a rush of customers who can no longer afford imported finished goods. Despite this, the purchasing power in Nigeria, especially in Lagos is nearly non-existent. “Basic needs like water, food and rent take precedence over non-essential items like furniture. However, I remain hopeful that, by God’s grace, this challenging period is leading us somewhere positive. The resilience of our team and the loyalty of our customers are key factors that keep us moving forward.” Narrating her experience as a woman in a male-dominated industry, Ighodalo said that being a woman in the industry was noteworthy. “And I often start my interviews by emphasising that aspect. I am the eldest of three children, the first girl with two younger brothers. “In the Igbo culture, I am known as Ada-Ada, signifying the lead-daughter

or the daughter-daughter, as I am the first grandchild on both my father’s and mother’s sides.” That Ighodalo is one child in a million is evidenced in the narrative that surrounds her birth. Despite her father expecting his first fruit to be a male child, he embraced her equally, grooming her to become the woman she is today while imparting his business knowledge to her. Her mother raised her with a firm hand and instilled discipline and resilience in her. “The experience garnered while growing up in a family with a furniture company helped me. I witnessed the challenges they faced with both imported and locally-made products. One notable instance was when I addressed issues with the tailor-making curtains for the company. “After working with them for a while, I expressed my desire to study interior design abroad, but upon my return, I shifted my focus to furniture manufacturing. Despite my father’s initial scepticism, he supported my decision. Moving to Lagos to start my business, he insisted I get a job first, which I did for about a year before founding Design Options with a partner. My determination and ability to navigate challenges have been crucial to my journey.” On a lighter note, she took these reporters through her typical week. She said after a restful night, her morning routine involves quiet time, exercise and lots of water. “Exercise, lasting from a few minutes to an hour, energises me and clears my head. As I start my day, even during workouts, I engage in work-related activities, responding to messages and handling calls. I aim to be at the office an hour or two before my first appointment, though my work location has shifted with more focus on the retail store closer to me. Addressing her work-life balance, she acknowledged the inherent challenges of achieving a work-life balance. At a WIMBIZ conference held at Landmark Hall, she said the keynote speaker aptly expressed that the concept of worklife balance is a fallacy and something inevitably has to be sacrificed. “This resonated with me as I’ve observed that while some highly successful individuals may excel in their careers, their family lives may not reflect the same level of happiness. Conversely, those not faring well professionally may find solace and joy in their family lives. True success, then, lies in the ability to navigate both spheres, even if the balance is not perfect. My family has always been my priority and I’m fortunate to have an extremely supportive husband. The pursuit of a good work-life balance necessitates careful consideration of the choice of spouse. My husband is there for me all the way,” she stated.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 10, 2023

HighLife

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

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

Fola Adeola: One of the Pillars of Modern Banking Set to Hit 70

Adelegbe

Adelegbe’s Midas Touch in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency In the face of mastery and focus, it is easy to forget that the individual at the head of the table is a human being, one beset with human desires and emotions, and as likely to be selfish as the next person. But when people like Honourable Timileyin Adelegbe forgo this aspect of themselves to serve others, it’s a pointer to how much they love the latter and are willing to give any and everything as evidence of this affection. Adelegbe’s love for his constituency is unique and unparalleled. The member of the House of Representatives for Owo/ Ose Federal Constituency in Ondo State has never hidden his affection for his people from the public. Whether it is in word or deed, Adelegbe sketches this feeling with care, doing one good work after another and getting, in return, an interlocked infatuation from all and sundry in Owo/Ose settlements. Back when political figures were known for promising the heavens and earth in exchange for a vote of confidence from their people, Adelegbe kept a low profile. He had it in mind to promise the same things but preferred to show sincerity by getting some work started. Once he started working, he forgot about making promises, only reminding his people to be patient, trusting how much he treasured their welfare. It has been many years since and this approach to governance has indeed endeared Adelegbe to the people of Owo/Ose federal constituency. Their lives are different under his guiding hands, redirecting the preoccupation of the state government in their favour and stopping short of selling himself to party factions in order to keep his people safe and happy. Adelegbe remains a humble man, despite his political height scaled through loyalty and assiduity. Today, he is believed to have the Midas touch, capable of transforming anything into gold and meeting the expectations of the common man. But when Adelegbe started, it was with love in his heart.

Fashola: Leaving His Footprints in the Sands of Time

Time leaves a fairly deceptive streak. Occasionally, it is only a bit faster than a snail and other times, this streak is faster than light’s speed. This is why it seems that Fola Adeola, a giant of banking in Nigeria and Africa, cannot only now be clocking 70. To think that the man achieved so much before this age limit that divides humanity into short- and long-lived. Adeola is set to hit 70! The man who co-founded Guaranty Trust Bank with the late Tayo Aderinokun doubles as one of the foundational pillars for modern banking in Nigeria. Against his contributions in this right, few Nigerians have earned the necessary merits to be named alongside Adeola as being giants of banking in the country. Between the public and private sectors, Adeola has raised enough storms to be thought of as a storm-bringer. The path that

he trod to reach corporate gianthood is the highway that contemporary bankers now use to make a name for themselves and serve Nigerians and customers abroad. As far back as the late 70s, Adeola was already preparing to displace the banking model in the country. In 1990, this move started with Aderinokun beside him, culminating in the Guaranty Trust Bank of today. Even after he left the limelight of the bank to Aderinokun, Adeola went on to shake other companies, including government agencies that hired him to exercise his talents for administration and management. The Adeola of today remains a strong branch from which fruits are produced frequently. He remains a mentor to many accomplished corporate dukes and duchesses, wearing the prestige of generational contributions on his

Adeola

larger-than-life shoulders. Adeola’s merits are indeed generational, worthy of praise and emulation. History will be kind to him, always holding his doings on a page dedicated to pioneers in the banking service.

For D’banj, It’s Thanksgiving Time

The music industry rarely involves itself in matters of state, especially in Nigeria. However, popular ‘Fall in Love’ crooner, Dapo Oyebanjo, better known

as D’banj, has gotten in political trouble time and again. But 2024 might be a very good year for the man since 2023 draws to a close with favourable news about him. The mystery regarding D’banj’s series of court cases has been unravelled. More than that, a lid has been placed on these cases, granting the singer enough time to celebrate and move on with his life. Whether it is the matter of fraud or that of rape, D’banj’s fortune has proved effective with his freedom finally secured. The Nigerian Police and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), have announced the exoneration of D’banj from all allegations of rape and fraud. In other words, having investigated the allegations thoroughly, the singer has been found blameless and innocent, and will

Diligence is a number-one prerequisite for honour in both public and corporate affairs. With that in mind, it is not so surprising that a naturally low-profile individual like Babatunde Fashola came to be loved and celebrated throughout Nigeria. With how much he has given to the nation, it is only natural that prayers be delivered to God on his behalf. In the past decade or so, few have arrived at the peak of political power in Nigeria and remained as humble as Fashola, the former Federal Minister of Works and Housing. His humility and considerate personality stand out so sharply because of the offices he occupied in times past, leading onlookers to conclude that power does not always corrupt absolutely. As the Works and Housing Minister, Fashola helped to design some of the policies that the nation is currently benefiting from, especially the concerted efforts of both governmental and private agencies in providing suitable infrastructures across Nigeria. His contributions enabled a fastpaced agency like the Federal Housing Authority to influence housing so strongly that Nigerians

considered it a ministry by itself. Fashola’s incredible actions during his tenure ensured that bridge-building and road construction were a common sight during the last years of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure. This certainly changed the tune of infrastructural development in Nigeria, particularly as it engaged native and foreign hands in building up the hardware actions of the country. Fashola’s contributions also spanned the area of civic conscience. The man’s records in office are clean enough to consider him a transparent and accountable leader. The same can be said for his vision, enabling him to train many teams of patriotic Nigerians who are now fully involved in the establishment of virtue pillars in the North, East, West, and Southern regions of Nigeria. Fashola’s contributions are worthy of celebration, thanksgiving, and prayers. Despite being out of the limelight currently, one does not need to peer into fortune’s entrails to know that the former minister’s good deeds are still counting.

D’banj

therefore no longer be ascribed the labels of fraudster and rapist. The rape allegation came first. In 2020, D’banj was accused of raping one Ms. Seyitan Babatayo. According to the tale, D’banj forced himself on Babatayo in a hotel room after the latter rejected his romantic advances. But D’banj denied the tale and it escalated, leading to the involvement of the police. With that sword already hanging on his neck, the ICPC accused the singer of having diverted N-Power funds in 2022. Not understanding how D’banj came to be involved with N-Power, people were quick to believe the allegation, reasoning that a rapist can do any things. This is why the exonerating statement by the police and ICPC regarding D’banj is his biggest blessing this year. With it, he can return to whatever normalcy he once had, unbothered by allegations from left, right, and centre.

Fashola

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 10, 2023

HIGHLIFE

All is Set … as Runsewe’s Daughter Set to Marry

Runswew

The Year 2024 is going to be an amazing year for many people. For these people, preparations are underway to get the best out of the coming year. The family of Olusegun Runsewe, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), are among these people whose names are virtually in Fortune’s good books. For them, a grand wedding ceremony for their daughter is the first order of priority. Every man is interested in finding the ideal woman and marrying her. Olayiwola Gbadebo, son of Archbishop Solomon Gbadebo of Ijebu Iperu, is fortunate to have found this woman in the person of Runsewe’s daughter, Temitope. Knowing the value of this treasure, the Gbadebo family is in a haste to have the young couple tie up nuptial knots, uniting both families for life. The news of the forthcoming marital union of Temitope and Olayiwola has

brightened the ambience around Ogun State. With the Runsewes of Ijebu Ode playing guests to the Gbadebos of Ijebu Iperu, the entire people of Ijebu are excited and practising all necessary protocols in preparation for the wedding ceremony. According to reports, all ceremonies to meet this goal have been scheduled for 2024. The traditional wedding comes first on January 12, 2024, at 10 Degrees Event Center, Billings Way Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. The other ceremonies will follow at a later date. Undoubtedly, neither Temitope nor Olayiwola is interested in settling for less. This is especially the case for Olayiwola who will not only come to be the husband of the virtuous Temitope but also the son-in-law of the charming Runsewe. Such benefits come with marriage, an exchange of virtues.

Adaobi Nwakuche Returns to the Corporate World The sun, until the evening, should always be expected to shine. If one maintains this perspective, few things would come as a shock, including the recent return of Adaobi Nwakuche to the corporate world. This return bodes well for her new playground as onlookers reckon that she will dig out the hidden mine of potential in colleagues and teammates. Upon hearing about the return of Nwakuche to the corporate limelight, the question on the lips of many observers is, ‘What is the lucky organisation?’ The answer to this is Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc, formerly known as UnityKapital Assurance Plc. It is a leading insurance company incorporated as far back as 1973. With its history and status, it is indeed qualified to have Nwakuche as its MD/ CEO. The company itself announced its appointment of Nwakuche to the pinnacle position. The decision was easily made due to the gap left behind by the former MD/

CEO, Kenneth Egbaran, whose contract with the company recently expired. Following their recognition of Nwakuche’s genius, the management board of Veritas Kapital promptly made the wise call to have her take over. Before now, Nwakuche is believed to have temporarily retired from the corporate scene. But her 25-plus years of practical and impressive service cannot go down the train. She is a distinguished manager and her temporary retirement from the business world came after she decided to resign from managing Heirs Insurance Limited. Although the conditions that saw Nwakuche leave Heirs Insurance Limited’s MD/CEO position were less than ideal, it has paved the way for her to garner more merits at organisations like Veritas Kapital. Undoubtedly, the latter will benefit from her experience, dedication, and willingness to commit anything to see goals realised. It is a new day for both Nwakuche and Veritas Kapital. All eyes are on them.

Nicholas Ukachukwu and his wife Mitchel Ihezue

For Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, Happy Times are Here Nwakuche

Pius Akinyelure: Counting Loyalty on One Hand and Merits on the Other

Akinyelure

Loyalty counts with President Bola Tinubu. He has never shied away from demonstrating how much he values steadfastness and dedication, especially where his interests are concerned. This may not make his appointment to power of Dr. Pius Akinyelure, a long-time friend of his, easy to swallow. But Tinubu values

merit and Akinyelure abounds in this area. It is a new era at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). President Tinubu recently decided to shuffle the workforce at the highest level, pushing out some, retaining others, and showing the rest the door. Mele Kyari, NNPCL Group CEO, was one of the fortunate ones. But even more fortunate was Akinyelure whom Tinubu appointed as the company’s Board Chairman. Akinyelure’s appointment follows the withdrawal of Mrs. Margary Okadigbo from the Board. Effective December 1, 2023, Okadigbo, whose appointment was made possible by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2022, was replaced by Akinyelure and high expectations accompanied this replacement. Akinyelure’s arrival means much to Tinubu. First, the duo came to know each other at Mobil

Oil. Akinyelure was present when Tinubu was brought in to serve as the company’s Senior Auditor. He was instrumental in Tinubu becoming the company’s Treasurer not long after. He was also there when Tinubu decided to retire from Mobil Oil to become a politician. Akinyelure’s corporate merits are not up for debate. He has been in the oil industry for more than 30 years, serving at the highest level of management and executive administration. A competent hand in all things finance, Akinyelure’s experience and achievements over the years are also deciding factors for his appointment. Against this background, few can query the president on this appointment. More than anything, Akinyelure can be considered Tinubu’s gift to NNPCL, one expected to change the narrative for the betterment of Nigerians.

Property Magnate, Sir Olu Okeowo Stages 20th Anniversary for Late Dad Life is beautiful. The charm of life becomes more apparent at the arrival of - or remembrance of the arrival of - death. For Sir Clement Okeowo, this remembrance of his father’s passage does not necessarily bring sad tears. Instead, it calls to mind the accomplishments of a man willing to distinguish himself and his loved ones to the best of his ability. Sir Okeowo inherited much from his father, the late Sir Victor Okeowo. Including the Sir title, Okeowo also acquired an understanding of life in which precious things must be celebrated, even if they are no longer within reach. With this in mind, it makes sense that Sir Okeowo insists on staging a 20th-anniversary celebration in honour of his late father.According to reports, the Gibraltar Construction founder intends to gather relatives, friends, and loved ones at Hoare’s

Memorial Methodist Church, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos. Under the leadership of the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Oliver Aba, the gathering would call to mind the life and times of Sir Okeowo’s father. The late choirmaster’s anniversary event will be a music concert and competition in his honour. The guests will certainly remember this meeting for years to come since such musical shows in honour of deceased individuals are seldom held on this side of the world. During his lifetime, Sir Victor was an accomplished businessman. A millionaire in the ranks of the top businessmen of his time, Sir Victor was also a committed choirmaster at the Methodist Church of Nigeria, as committed to voices and strings as he was to philanthropic doings. Sir Okeowo’s decision to remember his father two decades after the latter’s passing is

Okeowo

in line with the Okeowo ancestral teachings. It is the same way the billionaire property magnate excels in philanthropic initiatives, balancing his penchant for expensive mansions and cars with a sincere love for others.

With so many uncertainties, life is a complex river that seemingly meanders one to random destinations. What makes anyone happy is submitting to the river and recognising divine mercy and favour. For Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, real estate magnate and Anambra State politician, life has started showing warm colours, crystallising in the person of Mitchel Ihezue, his wife-to-be. Anambra citizens are shaking social media with discussions about the forthcoming wedding of Ukachukwu to Ihezue. Considered a match made in heaven, Ukachukwu and Ihezue’s union is expected to rattle the foundations of the state, giving many something exciting to talk about as 2023 grinds to a close. There are many reasons the union of Ukachukwu and Ihezue is the stuff of conversation. Ihezue, a 26-year-old lady, is the reigning Miss Universe and former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN). Of all the suitors who unquestionably asked her to let down her hair, it was the charming Ukachukwu who caught her fancy, encouraging her to abandon the castle of spinsterhood to join him in holy matrimony. Another reason for the celebrations in Anambra is that Ukachukwu has been alone since the passing of his wife, Princess Nnenna Ukachukwu, in a fatal auto crash in 2020. Ever since, the former member of the House of Representatives committed himself to business, building up a name and prestige worth billions of naira in the present. It is doubly incredible that Ukachukwu’s choice for a second shot at marital happiness is Ihezue who won the MBGN award in 2017 and the Miss Universe 2023 award in September 2023. However, love is too strong a thread to be broken by conventions of age and accomplishments.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 10, 2023

LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

COP 28 AND OUR PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE Well, while all of you were shouting at Toke Makinwa in her new role as a major representative of our country on matters she literally knows nothing about, leading to her very prominent positioning at the last COP 28 in Dubai, I have been thinking outside the box. Over 1,000 people for a conference? With the government in a statement confirming that only 400 or so were on their bill, then something is wrong somewhere. What this needs is not the normal Rufai Oseni type of criticism but an in-depth look at the person of the President in a bid to better understand his psychological state of mind. While the rest of you were screaming, I was thinking and researching. I looked at all of his footage since he became President, his speeches, his policies and all. The Seyi attending Federal Executive Council meetings scandals, the rash of multibillion naira renovations, the scandalous brouhaha during the “anointing” of ministers, his spirited defence of my brother, Gbajabiamila and so many more, including the purchase of SUVs for workers in the presidency and the “madness” that is the National Assembly.

I didn’t know what I was looking for but I kept at it believing very strongly that something would jump out to explain what was happening. Nigeria has never experienced this kind of rudderlessness in leadership and a lack of robust leadership like we are facing now and as such I felt like there was more to it than meets the eye. I felt very strongly that I must get an explanation otherwise, I would return my Political Science degree to the great University of Ibadan and ask for a refund less VAT for my school fees. After one week, I saw it. The footage of Mr. President arriving at a venue at COP 28 provided the solution. There was one tall bearded man wey be like half caste in front of him paving the way, the president walked behind that one and there was a crowd around him as they shooed away photographers. The tall bearded half caste in a brown kaftan was clearing the road and was just doing like he was in charge and the president was walking with no confidence and was looking like he needed to just go home to Remi and just rest.

Then it dawned on me and like the great scientist Galileo who shouted eureka from the bathroom when it hit him, me I shouted “Afangggggg” and jumped from the toilet bowl where I was doing number “2” when it hit me – our President is a Prisoner of Conscience. These people around him have taken him hostage o. You see the way they were leading him on that clip. These people have seized our president o and are just doing anyhow with him. The same Jagaban, the one that conquered Lagos, withstood Obasanjo’s “tyranny, installed presidents in the west coast and finally put an end to PDP will now be watching as about 1,140 people will pack themselves into a plane to a conference with most of them not being able to spell climate to the largest ever meaningless jamboree since independence. We now have a prisoner of conscience as president o and he needs to be rescued. We need to save our president o. Kai! Baba needs our prayers to save him from the vultures, pirates who mask themselves as advisers, party men, government officials and the rest. I have never seen a president in this kind of bondage o. Remi Tinubu you need to go on your knees o.

Shettima

Otu

Ashiru

Oba Ogunwusi

KASHIM SHETTIMA: CHIEF IN DENIAL Vice President Kashim Shettima is in major denial and I am just looking at him with pity. There are some things you keep silent about and wait for it to go. That his retort against Peter Obi on the matter of the renovation of his quarters with N15 billion should have not even happened. That kind thing, you just remain silent and wait for another scandal to happen and that one will kick your own out of the front burner. You know this Tinubu era, it is one matter or the other. Na daily wahala. This Tinubu administration and Portable, I don’t even know who is more troublesome. So, trying to justify a N15 billion renovation or is it rebuilding or whatever it is of your quarters is like slapping us and daring us to do something about it. What I have read as an explanation is the most spurious in the history of official explanations. This is right up there with the snake in the monkey

shadow JAMB explanation given at the disappearance of a huge sum of money from that institution. That the contract was awarded by Jonathan and as such it’s okay to complete it now because you have a policy of completing such projects is a huge slap on Nigeria. So, the residence is so critical of all the uncompleted projects in Nigeria if not our dear vice president will become a squatter? Mbok, say we no get sense no mean say we stupid na. These government officials should even treat us with a little bit of respect na. That we are dumb enough not to understand what democracy is and as such we sit down and allow these kinds of people to lead us does not mean that they will continue to treat us like we are a nation of imbeciles with these kinds of explanation in the face of severe government insensitivity at a time when the economy is in almost a comatose state. This is why I said that rather than

come out to add insult to our injury, you just keep quiet and continue with your enjoyment till the time will come that we will have sense and wake up. The luck that you have is that from the way I am seeing things, it’s not looking like we will have sense anytime soon, so feel free and renovate every toilet you will be billed to use in this your tenure as our Royal Vice President. I just tire, I tell you.

sources that His Excellency is likely shoving a Supreme Court order to work against the genuine yearnings of the people. I do not know if this is true, but if it is, it now throws up a dramatic irony of a governor who is showing a high level of disregard for a Supreme Court judgment in this matter but also rushing to the same court in his bid to firmly hold his position as governor. I have seen a rash of press releases for and against varying positions. The fake one is so laughable with poor English and misplaced facts. The original one dripped with righteous anger at the sacrilege and disregard of well tested norms of ascension to a well-respected throne. My initial investigations have thrown up Chief Anthony Ani, the 88-yearold former Minister of Finance and astute leader, but it seems that the powers that be are strongly in support of the weakling who is the usurper for their own purposes and as one of those very close to

RUMBLE IN CALABAR It’s a season of anomie and every tribe must contribute. Shebi it is Chinua Achebe that said things fall apart. Everything has scattered in this country and now every tribe, association and even personalities are struggling to contribute their own matter into the national pot of madness. I have just heard of the raging controversy that is the Obongship of Calabar. A usurper has seized the throne and I hear from very credible

Tinubu

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 10, 2023

the matter has said, the judiciary is only as good as the enforcement of its laws. If court orders are unenforceable or can be set aside willy nilly, what then is the point of the judicial arm of society? My brother, no be only you dey ask this question. Trouble in Afang land. Kai! OONI OF IFE: A CANDID ADVICE Let me quickly throw this in. The highly respected Ooni of Ife should kindly just calm down abeg. The carriage is being diminished with unnecessary sightings and other such funny engagements. The other day, a clip of the Governor of Osun State seemingly ignoring him at a party where he was seated with normal people went the rounds. This caused a social media firestorm with people going at themselves over the rightness or wrongness of the great Ooni to be found at such an event in the first place. As I was about to go to bed, I saw the report that the Ooni had gone to Kuje Prison to visit the embattled CBN Governor in a bid to seek his release. I was contradicted because even though I wondered what his business was with the matter, I still felt it made sense if he was trying on the back of the possible infringement of that one’s human rights on the back of the “draconian” bail conditions given. Then it got worse. His aide announced that the great Ooni of Ife did not go to the prison to visit Emefiele but instead went on the back of an NGO promoted by one of his Queens. You see? What is happening? So, if we are to believe this position, then with about eight queens we may begin to see the Ooni at Shomolu market in intervention between pepper sellers in support of one queen who would now happen to be the patron. You see, I write with all due respect and as someone who believes in tradition and holds in high esteem our traditional institutions. I am begging the great Ooni of Ife to look back at his very prestigious predecessors and back track. Th at seat is the greatest in Yoruba land and I don’t care what anybody says and one of the most revered in Africa and beyond and as such it cannot be used like this na. Can we just have a one-year hiatus? Can we just stay in Ife and let the world come to the throne instead of jumping bus and entering traffic jam and visiting everywhere just like that? If we continue like this, one day we may go and enter that plane that was going to Abuja and ended in Asaba o. Kabiyesi ooooo. JACKSON UDE: A MASKED CRUSADER Let me just say this very quickly. I do not read this person and if I ever stumble on his writings, I do not take it or him seriously. The reason is not far-fetched. The man has no respect for facts. He just muddles up fairy tales and pass them on as facts and the sad thing is that he has so much followership and reach. People begin to argue and take positions on things that are so fallacious and deliberately misleading. Mr. Ude and his ilk have done so much damage to the opposition that you begin to wonder if he is not just a fifth columnists masking as a true soldier to destabilise with misinformation. The last one he did with the DSS leading those ones to counter with facts and positioning them as victims of misinformation is a case in point.

These people just stay out of the country and throw in dynamites and falsehood to cause confusion and distraction.

People like Mr. Ude should please be ignored and not taken with any iota of seriousness even in this struggle of saving Nigeria from the hands

MUDI: IT’S RAINING MEN Last Sunday, Mudi the indefatigable fashion designer pulled in men. Mbok, come and see men, real men o, not boys o. As he opened his eponymous lifestyle and fashion studio which is all of three floors at upscale Lekki Phase I, men appeared o. From the indefatigable Pastor Itua Ighodalo who saw me and shouted Duke the trouble maker, we have work o, referring to the gubernatorial ambition of our brother- Asue, to the legend himself RMD who looked so fine in “real life” that I was taken aback even as a man. I started wondering in my head, is this a man? Then I hugged the most important photographer in Africa, Kelechi, whose greying dreads gave him the Clause van Bullough distinguished look.

Mudi

Then just as I finished hugging him, I saw Chidi Mokeme and I screamed. He was in very sweet pimp shoes and I hadn’t seen him since that brilliant turn in that wonderful movie. He said, “Duke ooooo, trouble maker.” Why they call me that, I don’t know o. Then I saw Chico, the effervescent radio presenter and begged for an appearance, and then my brother, the most brilliant insurance man in the country, Austin Ebose landed. Mudi has come a very long way. In fact, the picture of his first shop in Ketu is hanging in this multi-billion naira edifice so you will not forget. The building is a classic work of art. Designed and apportioned by the man himself as a true testament to talent, hard work, dedication and God’s kind favour. Well done my guy.

of civilian tyranny. Let it be known that the man is not on the side of the people with all of his falsehood. Na only him know which fight he is fighting o, because from where I am seated, it is not the same fight for justice, good governance and fair play that we are all yearning for. Na Ude fight he dey fight. Na wa. LORETTA OGBORO–OKOR: PRETTY IN PINK This extremely beautiful and super intelligent medical doctor is aspiring to lead our Edo State. The same state has frontrunner Asue Ighodalo in very strong contention. The other day she reached out, “Duke I am the next Governor of Edo State… and I said, “oh my God, tell me more,” and she did. A super brainy and grounded UKtrained medical doctor who has given so much to the women of Edo now feels that it is better to drive the reforms she is championing from the driver’s seat instead of from the sidelines. She told me a very touchy story. She lost her dad early and used to follow her mother to the market where that one traded to keep body and soul together. As a young lady, she would be derided by others as to why punishing her mother, coming to the market and wanting to go to school. That she should instead go to Italy and do the needful. This led her to the notion of delayed gratification which is what she believes should be the guiding narrative going forward in Edo State. Her positive energy will be very much needed especially if you consider the fact that she would be struggling against an elephant within her party. Olu Akpata seems to be well entrenched with a more powerful public persona and political pedigree. These I mentioned to her and she responded by saying that all other aspirants inspire her and she would leave it at that. After the talk, I went in search of her picture and saw a fairy. Mbok, she fine o. You will think she is from Akwa Ibom; I know say Bini people go vex now and start to abuse me, but it’s true. Na Akwa Ibom woman dey fine like that. Any ways don’t let me digress; I wish her a detached good luck as she prepares for what might be the most engaging struggle of her very beautiful life. Well done my sister. BIMBO ASHIRU: THE MAN WHO SAW TOMORROW When he was appointed Chairman of Odua Investments, the huge conglomerate that is owned by the South-west states, there was a small debate. Was the chairmanship of the conglomerate bigger than the commissioner that he was in Ogun State? But the egbon saw something else. He saw a bigger vision that would lead to the economic resurgence of the region and Nigeria by extension. Today he has led the ancient conglomerate into growth. They are now playing very seriously in strategic areas like oil and gas, power and reinvigorated real estate and hospitality operations. It is no wonder that the other day, the Ogun State governor during the Odua Board visit to him singled him out for special commendations. Well done egbon. Odua continues to lead in the area of job creation, infrastructure development and the rest and it is for this reason that I have singled you out today for special commendation. Afang any time at your convenience.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 10, 2023

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

For Gumsu Abacha, the Cookies Crumble Again! It all began as a rumour that many wished was not true. Sources have finally and authoritatively confirmed that Fatima Abacha, fondly known as Gumsu, has again left her marriage of two years to Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni. As gathered, it was revealed that the union collapsed like a pack of cards recently due to what a source described as ‘irreconcilable differences’ It was revealed further that the marriage was not solid from the outset. The daughter of the late military Head of State refused to move to Damaturu, the capital of Yobe, with her husband but preferred to stay in Abuja. This, we gathered, didn’t go well with the husband, but he had to swallow it, or better still, pretended to do so. Gumsu’s refusal was said to have formed the crux of his complaints. However, the crisis reached its crescendo when the Kano State lady didn’t make herself available during her husband’s second-term election campaign. This was said to have resulted

Fatima Abacha

Double Honours for Dumo Lulu-Briggs

Uba

What Next for Chris Uba?

Has the political career of maverick politician, Chris Uba, a former member of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s kitchen cabinet suddenly come to an end? This is the question agitating the minds of many who have been following his story with interest, particularly given his unenviable status nowadays. It would be recalled that in his halcyon days as a top player in Anambra State politics, Uba commanded a lot of respect, popular, powerful and ruthless. He was both dreaded and adored. His words were law; when he sneezed the whole state caught a cold. Many literally worshipped the ground he stepped on. Uba was a demigod of some sort; he made many politically and at the same time, marred the political career of others. But today his political dynasty seems to have crumbled before his very eyes. For political watchers, the trajectory to this political flameout began in 2019 when he along with his brother, Andy Uba went for each other’s jugular over the battle of supremacy in the state, in what many in the state described as greed and over-ambition They decided to contest against each other for the Senate in Anambra South Senatorial District on different political platforms. Andy was the senator representing the constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) while Chris contested for the same position on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).This, as gathered, cracked the Uba political dynasty and Ifeanyi Ubah swiftly took advantage of the rift to launch his political missile. Expectedly, he trounced both of them under the umbrella of a relatively known party, the Young Progressive Party (YPP). Also, in 2023, Chris, who erroneously believed he still had some political importance left, contested against the Capital Oil boss, not knowing that he had indeed become a paper tiger politically. Again, he was humiliated at the poll. A few weeks ago, his case against Senator Ubah was thrown out of the window by the Appeal Court, finally putting the last nail in the coffin of his erstwhile powerful political empire.

in uproars between the couple on several occasions. “Since the couple have never lived like normal husband and wife since 2021 and never agreed on any issue, they have to go their separate ways,’’ the source said. Gumsu’s first marriage to her Cameroonborn billionaire husband, Bayero Fadil Mohamadou, was a source of envy to many celebrities back then, as it seemed to be a marriage made in heaven. She had enjoyed the marital bliss and also flaunted her handsome hubby either on their wedding anniversary or on his birthday celebrations. But not many were aware that it was all cosmetic until the marriage that produced five children crashed in 2019. Two years later, she was once again struck by a cupid’s arrow when she walked the aisle with Governor Mai Mala Buni as the 4th wife.

Lulu-Briggs

It is not news that Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, has never known or experienced hardship. But beyond that, he surely knows the importance of giving and impacting society. He is a philanthropist of note, passionate about meeting the needs of the indigent without

expecting any pecuniary gains. If there is anything he wants to be remembered for, it is as a man who has a passion for doing good all the time. This he does without expecting rewards from anyone. But like the quotes of the popular Bishop of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great: “A good deed is never lost. He who sows courtesy, reaps friendship; he who plants kindness, gathers love; pleasure bestowed on a gratefulmindwasneversterile, but generally gratitude begets reward,” the oil guru and Chairman of Platform Petroleum is beginning to reap from the seeds of goodness he has planted. Recently, he was honoured in London with the prestigious Euroknowledge Exceptional Leadership Award for Year 2023. The award highlights his remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to excellence in the private sector and philanthropy. While accepting the award presented by a former Washington State Senator, Mona Das, Dumo spoke on the empowerment of women across the globe to achieve greater heights and

assume positions of leadership. He noted that women should be given all the needed help to grow and assume their role as nation builders, reiterating his commitment to further empowering women around him and contributing to the uplift of humanity through his Dumo Lulu-Briggs Foundation. The award recipient disclosed that he would be giving more women leadership positions at Platform Petroleum. The Rivers State-born entrepreneur and politician expressed his gratitude to the Foreign Investment Network (FIN), the organizers of the Euro Knowledge Award and Forbes Best of Africa Awards for acknowledging his efforts and accomplishments. Also, the politician, at the Westminster Hilton Hotel, received the Global Peace Leadership Award for his contribution to global peace as a politician and a businessman and his commitment to creating value and employment for millions of youths across the country.

William Dokpesi, Creating Legacy Path for Himself William Dokpesi, the son of the late High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, has carved out a significant niche for himself in his chosen career. While his father set the stage with Nigeria’s first-ever private radio and 24-hour television stations, AIT and Raypower FM respectively, William has taken a different path, focusing on teleshopping and new media. Presently, he has emerged as a transformative figure in Nigerian broadcasting, blending media innovation with economic impact. William’s journey began at RayPower FM, where he absorbed knowledge from media veterans. Despite being a prominent figure in DAAR Communications as a board director and major shareholder in DAAR Investment and Holdings Limited, William has pursued his distinct vision. He has invested significantly in teleshopping, and paving the way for a new commercial culture in Nigeria and beyond. The young Dokpesi continued to influence the media landscape, being instrumental in conceptualising innovative ideas like Mobile TV, IPO 2009 and Internet TV for Daar Communications’ IPO 2009. His entrepreneurial spirit shone through

in university initiatives, introducing campus events that blended comedy, music, and rap. William furthered his education with a Master’s Degree in Investment and Finance from the University of Bedfordshire, where he focused his thesis on finance strategy in Nigeria’s media industry. This academic achievement laid the foundation for his venture into MoneyMart Multimedia Service Ltd, propelling MoneyMart TV to success. MoneyMart TV is Nigeria’s first teleshopping channel and has transformed the retail landscape. This channel has brought products directly into viewers’ living rooms. It has enabled direct interaction with local manufacturers, promoting ‘Made inAfrica’ products and services. This innovation has not only simplified shopping but also spurred a new wave of entrepreneurs, with social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram becoming bustling marketplaces. Entrepreneurs like OLA of Lagos and numerous real estate sellers have thrived in this new environment. However, with challenges in Nigerian politics and the economy impacting this venture, undeterred, William is now focusing on Rubynav, a revolutionary new media buy-

Dokpesi

and-sell platform, promising further innovations in the industry. With his continuous endeavours, including the promising Rubynav, Dokpesi is not just honouring the past but actively shaping the future of Nigerian media and economy. Through his journey, he has demonstrated a blend of innovative thinking, entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep understanding of the media landscape, marking him as a significant figure in the industry.

Oluyinka Adewoye Celebrates Christmas With Widows

Adewoye

As the nation’s economy continues to bite harder by the day and many families find it difficult to feed, Oluyinka Adewoye, the beautiful woman behind the Lawrence Grace Foundation, will today put smiles on the faces of over 300 widows around Lagos.

As gathered by Society Watch, she chose this Yuletide season to wipe tears from the faces of the widows by giving out food items to many. Oluyinka, who has carved a niche for herself through dint of hard work and selfless services to humanity, said the annual event was designed to identify with widows and their children, as well as indigent school children in the society. The event, which will attract dignitaries from all walks of life, will be held at the Centre For Management Development, Magodo area of Lagos. Adewoye stressed that the multi-awardwinning group takes an interest in widows because many of them face extreme poverty, discrimination and dehumanisation. As revealed, her desire is for the children of the widows to fulfil a purposeful life and be great in order to impact their families and generation at large.’ Lawrence Grace Foundation was founded

primarily to touch lives positively, reaching out to majorly widows and indigent school children in less privileged societies by providing healthcare, free medication, empowerment programmes and gifts to support them in their livelihood. She has taken the foundation to several local governments in Lagos and outside Lagos in the last four years, all intending to alleviate their level of poverty and empowerment for the widows. “Today is a special day to celebrate and put smiles on the faces of over 300 widows from various communities in Lagos. We have nine LCDAs across Lagos represented here: Agiliti CDA, Masha Small London CDA, Oshodi-Isolo CDA, Bariga CDA, Ifelodun/Unity CDA, Makoko CDA, Ikosi CDA, Odiolowo Ojuwoye CDA with their widows,” Oluyinka Adewoye said.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

10. 12. 2023

In the Spirit of Yuletide, They Sing The Amadeus Singers, the musical arm of the Amadeus Arts Foundation, makes a spectacular comeback with a Christmas concert. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

alk about resilience! The Amadeus Singers, dressed primarily in black with a splash of crimson and performing for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak, appear poised to defy all obstacles stacked against them this sweltering Sunday, December 3 evening. One of these obstacles is the venue—a cosy, narrow L-shaped hall at the Grail Centre along Adeniyi-Jones Street in Ikeja, Lagos— which was obviously not conceived for hosting concerts. Exciting though the idea of a Christmas concert with the theme A Child from Bethlehem may sound, it comes with a burden of expectations from the audience—albeit unspoken—that weighs heavily on the choral group, which, directed by Dr. Chinedu Nathan Osinigwe, operates under the aegis of the Amadeus Arts Foundation. Kudos therefore to whoever conceived the idea of prefacing each of the concert’s three segments—referred to as “presentations”—with voiceover narrations by Nnaemeka Agina. So it happens that the concert, an exciting mishmash of hymns, carols, and instrumental performances, spiced with solos, succeeds in keeping the audience in suspense by forcing them to sit through two opening solo performances—one by a bassist and another by a tenor—before hearing the Amadeus Singers sing the famous hymn, “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.” While the choir may not surprisingly seem to get more sure-footed with each subsequent song, it is also evident that its mostly amateur singers are more at home singing the more laid-back calypso offering by Jubilate music group “See Him A-Lying on a Bed of Straw” and indigenous carols from four different Nigerian ethnic groups. Besides the humour value of Osinigwe’s Igbo language animal song, the cheerful tempo of the same composer’s carols in Hausa, Efik, and Yoruba must have so infected the audience that their hearty applause couldn’t have been anything but spontaneous. Then, of course, the fact that choral presentations are thoughtfully interspersed with insightful, sporadic voiceover narration serves as a constant reminder to the audience of the season’s joyful message—which, regrettably, has long since faded away amid the revelries of the epicurean fun fair that passes itself as Christmas. Indeed, it cannot be overstated that the season is all about the birth of a Saviour, Who, as a Mediator between the Godhead and erring humanity, incarnated in flesh and blood as a Part of the Almighty, through an Act of His Will, as the Incarnate Word. The words “Man will live forever more because of Christmas Day” from the hymn “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and the lyrics of the subsequently sung “Sussex Carol,” which were first published in 1684 in a book titled Small Garland of Pious and Godly Songs by a certain 17th-century Irish bishop named Luke Wadding, both

The Amadeus Singers directed by Dr Chinedu Nathan Osinigwe

The compere, Chijioke Nwamara, addressing the audience before the concert

aptly highlight the imperative necessity of Christ’s earthly mission. Surely, the choir deserves praise for not faltering in singing the longdrawn-out strophes of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.” The anthem is a popular English title of the chorale from Johann Sebastian Bach’s 1723 Advent cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben (Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life), BWV 147, which occurs twice in the cantata.

Patrick Akhidenor reciting a poem

The same is true of its performance of “Christians, Awake, Salute the Happy Morn,” an English Christmas hymn based on a text by John Byrom and sung to the tune “Yorkshire” by John Wainright. As for the efforts of the soloists, especially those of Deborah Awunor (soprano), Erhieyovwe Obodo (soprano), Nwife Akhidenor (alto), and Edikan Abia (tenor), among others, they deserve special mentions. Kudos also to the solo instrumentalist Edikan Abia, who is

obviously at home with the recorder; the percussionists, Ogunbowale Williams and the Okeakpu siblings (Uzonnakamso, Otitodilinna, and Kamsiyonna), whose sterling performances belie their juvenile looks; and the pianist, Victor Eze, who, as an accompanist, is the concert’s behind-the-scene hero. Then, there is the inclusion of an audience’s participation—wittingly curated by Chijioke Nwamara—in the concert’s programme, which offers an opportunity to unearth talents that have hitherto been hidden under bushels, so to speak. But shouldn’t the poetry recitation part, featuring only Patrick Akhidenor and which unfortunately seems able to accommodate one poem—the American poet Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” (a work first published in the August 1915 issue of the Atlantic Monthly and later published as the first poem in the 1916 poetry collection, Mountain Interval)—be part of it? Surely, many i’s and t’s must yet be crossed for the choir’s future outings. Better luck next time to those who hoped for a more varied instrumental performance portion with cellists, violinists, and pianists. For the time being, they should be satisfied with Edikan Abia’s deftness with the recorder. All of this, in the spirit of the Yuletide, is brought to a happy ending with the Amadeus Singers’ hearty rendition of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” set to Boney M’s “Feliz Navidad” along with the audience.

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 10, 2023

ARTS & REVIEW\\POT POURRI

Inside Fobally Art Gallery's Inaugural Exhibition Yinka Olatunbosun

racingthepandemic,thefounder and creative director, Mrs Folashade Abiola of Fobally Art World Africa, opened a gallery named Fobally Art Gallery online to showcase the best of African Art to the world. Working with Chichi Michael, the Tech Director, Fobally Art World Africa, the centre explored technology to tell stories and increase visibility for art, managing artists’ database using management systems and setting prices for art works. Fast forward to 2022, a physical gallery with the same name was opened near Goshen Estate, Lekki where a wide variety of works from multi-generation artists are on display. Beyond exhibitions, the space has been a hub for art competitions, workshops and conversations. Its inaugural show curated by Moses Ohiomokhare opened on Sunday November 26 featuring works of Dr Kunle Adeyemi, Segun Alonge, Akan David and 17 other artists. Abiola revealed that the gallery itself was set up in response to a gap in the art scene. “I realised the need to support the marketing of artworks and capacity building,” Abiola says. “Most artists do not have enough platforms to showcase their skills and build a satisfying career. We are a community of artists shaking

VISUAL ARTS the world.” Segun Alonge, a painter with a knack for landscape painting, revealed how his career in art started from his childhood drawings of comics.After trying his hands on several art forms including music and sculpting, he met Dr. Wale Ajayi in his second year as an undergraduate who introduced him into oil painting. ´, ÀQLVKHG P\ ÀUVW GHJUHH LQ DQG IRU my second degree, I proceeded to Birmingham 8QLYHUVLW\ LQ WKH 8. DQG ÀQLVKHG (YHU VLQFH then, I have been experimenting with paintings from abstract to impressionism.” Sometimes, Alonge would texturise the surface of the canvas using sawdust and glue to give a GUHDP\ HͿHFW 6WLOO WKH DHVWKHWLFV RI KLV ZRUNV run deeper than the beauty that meets the eye. ,QÁXHQFHG E\ SROLWLFDO FRQVFLRXVQHVV DQG )HOD Anikulapo-Kuti’s music, Alonge makes sociopolitical commentaries with some of his works. “For instance, in this work titled “Solace,” I use the image of the mother and child to depict the relationship that ought to exist between the government and the citizens. As we all know, mothers love to take care of their children. And they are responsible for the development of their children. That is why I use this to depict the idea that the government should be responsible for the well-being of its citizens, not taking from

them. They ought to see to it that the citizens feel protected. When I went to the UK for P\ PDVWHUV LW ZDV P\ ÀUVW RSSRUWXQLW\ WR travel and live abroad. I was like why can’t we have the same system? We even have more resources that these people have.” With David Akan, literature plays a huge role forming the context of some of his illustrations. 8VLQJ JUD΀WR WHFKQLTXH WKH ÀQH DUW graduate of University of Uyo is excited to show his new works that hinges on the manipulation of light as an allegory to his message. In the piece titled “Inner Light,” Akan juxtaposed light and darkness in interrogating man’s search for purpose and meaning in life. “Light is synonymous with knowledge and wisdom and enlightenment. The image shows a female seated in a meditative state. The chakra is associated with wisdom and I placed that on her forehead there. I try to evoke a sense of emotion so that they can think about things that are not really mundane, like higher knowledge and purpose, spirituality and related concepts.” In another piece titled “True Light,” the artist probes man’s search for enlightenment and spiritual awakening. Using the candle as a symbol of the light within every individual, the artist seems to elevate reason over emotion.

One of the works at the exhibition

Retooling the Political Economy of Nigeria’s Culture, Tourism Industries Paul Obi

n an age of painful economic outcomes and a worsening cost of living, a book on how Nigeria can navigate her pathway out of this present economic climate represents a clarion call to both the Nigerian state and stakeholders in the business of bettering the Nigerian situation. Yet, the fact that the book is not so much about economics DQG LQFRPH LQHTXDOLW\ DV KRZ WR DGG PRUH WR the economy says a lot. In it, the author, Chuks Akamadu, sets up a national conversation on how Nigeria can best tap its advantages comparatively in culture and tourism. Titled Harnessing Cultour for Economic Growth, the book elaborately expands the scope of culture and tourism sectors within the Nigerian political economy circuit. Beyond being an easy read, it is also blended with euphoric scenes; it provides the panacea through which Nigeria can boastfully say goodbye to the petro-dollar mono-economy. 6LJQLÀFDQWO\ DQG IRU WRR ORQJ D QDWLRQDO conversation on how to improve culture and tourism sectors—the creative industry as a whole—has remained on the fringes without PXFK HͿRUW RQ D VLPSOH H[SODQDWLRQ RI WKH ways and means on how to achieve such goals in book form. In Harnessing Cultour for Economic Growth, Akamadu moves the needle further, exploring the contours and prisms of Nigeria’s creative industry: what has

BOOK REVIEW been left behind, what needs to be unearthed, and, more importantly, how to go about it. Through this book, Akamadu shows that there is untapped capital and economic activity WKDW 1LJHULD FRXOG HDUQHVWO\ SURÀW IURP ERWK

in the short and long term. It strings together both the conceptual models of cultour and the practice of culture and tourism in a political economy sense. He highlights the ways in which the country has been missing revenue. In the music industry, for example, when artists like Wizkid, Davido, Phyno, Flavour, Inyaya, Omah Lay, Rema, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Tems, Arya Star, Odumodu Black shoot their videos in South Africa, Ghana, the United States, the United Kingdom, etc., the PXOWLSOLHU HͿHFW WKDW RXJKW WR FRPH to Nigeria in terms of customs production, logistics, graphics aesthetics, and artisan works is all lost to foreign countries. In the real sense, Nigeria has not taken a proactive step to stem this negative economic tide from foreign FRXQWULHV SURÀWLQJ IURP RXU DUWV DQG culture while Nigeria picks up the leftovers. Harnessing Cultour for Economic Growth succinctly takes a profound and poignant outlook on the Nigerian tourism ecosystem, including what PDNHV WKH VHFWRU XQLTXH DQG DWWUDFWLYH if the enabling environment is created. 7KHUH LV DOVR DQ HͿRUW DW GLVVHPLQDWLQJ the various tourism events and festivals in the country, including the Calabar Carnival, Abuja Carnival Festival, National War Museum, Nike Art Gallery,

the Durbar Festival, the Argungu Fishing Festival, the New Yam Festival celebrated in Igbo land most of the South-South, the Eyo Festival in Lagos, the Osun-Osogbo Festival, the Ofala Festival, Felabration, the Yorubal Cultural Centre, and the Oba of Benin Palace, among others. Other tourism centres, like Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River State, In addition, the author provided a panoramic view of foreign cultural aesthetics and centres that are now prowling many Nigerian cities, adding some aesthetics to the Nigerian tourism milieu, such as the Korean Cultural Centre, the Chinese Centre, and the French Language Centre, among others. Among the book’s selling points are the vast array of scholars and personalities that are either featured in the work or endorse this classical collection. First, Prof. Olu Obafemi wrote the foreword for the book. According to Obafemi, the work is an “exploration of the place of culture in social transformation, where attempts, albeit hedging, are made to DWWDLQ GLYHUVLÀFDWLRQ RI WKH HFRQRP\ WKDW KDV been, for decades, obsessed, uncritically, with the economic praxis of a monolithic, extractive industry.” There are also the contributions of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Goodluck Jonathan, and former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, among others, who have contributed immensely to advancing the frontiers of culture and tourism in Nigeria.

With Sights Set on Thrilling His Audience, Akeem Lasisi Steps Out...

keem Lasisi, an awardwinning poet, recently disclosed that the purpose of his composition and performance is to have readers and viewers riveted, even visibly, anytime they witness his performances. He believes that the ability of words to move mountains is what distinguishes good poetry from other literary disciplines. The trick, he believes, is the rich metaphorical vocabulary that lifts poetry above most other genres. This is as he prepares to hold his maiden exhibition of poetry tributes tagged African Citations. The event, which will be held at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, today, Sunday, December 10, celebrates distinguished people and organisations from various

PERFORMANCE times and places across Africa. It combines an art exhibition with audio listening and video screening, with each poetic tribute unfolding in the various media. African Citations, says the man who has hitherto exclusively experimented with poetry performance, is his most ambitious performance feast so far. “When I say ‘performance feast’, I am not just talking in terms of mounting the stage at such a potentially upbeat show and scene,” he explains. “But I mean the multiple media involved and the calibre of people we are fêting with poetry. I’m glad it’s finally happening because it’s been brewing for a long time.”

Also in a statement, Afrocitations, which is powering the exhibition, notes that the project marries the past with the present and the traditional with the modern, adding that it is also about celebrating icons who have positively impacted society. “In some instances, the poet has had memorable encounters with the subjects. In some others, he only pays tributes from a distance, with their services to humanity being the bridge,” Afrocitations says. It recalls how Lasisi had experimented with some other Yoruba poetic forms. In Wonderland, for instance, he projects ijala, the hunters’ social poetry, while his award-winning Night of My Flight is a recreation of the Yoruba bridal poetry called ekun iyawo. The African Citations series, which echoes Oriki, is thus a continuation of the trend.

Lasisi

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 10, 2023

CICERO

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

IN THE ARENA

When Security Chiefs Spoke Truth to Power With the recent revelations by the security chiefs on why wanton killings, kidnappings, payment of ransoms, and oil theft, have not been effectively eradicated in the country, it is evident that lack of good governance, absence of political will, aloofness and corruption are the reasons why the problems still persist, Louis Achi writes

he Service Chiefs spoke truth to power when they appeared before the House of Representatives recently to address the issues that have bedevilled their operational efficiency and effectiveness in tackling the insecurity affecting Nigeria. Pushing compelling candour and courage, the military chiefs, led by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, told the lawmakers the core truths about the nation’s security quandary which held them spellbound. Also present at the session were the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja; and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. With the way General Musa took time in his submission, to reel out why wanton killings, kidnappings, banditry, payment of ransoms, militancy and oil theft, have not been effectively eradicated in the country it was not difficult for the lawmakers to understand that lack of good governance and political will, aloofness and official corruption were the reasons why the problems still persist. First the CDS blamed the judiciary for releasing arrested Boko Haram suspects after being arrested by the military. Hear him: “I have been in the North-east; there were a lot of Boko Haram elements that have been captured. We have kept them for five/six years. We, the armed forces can arrest but cannot prosecute. Some of them have been found wanting, but no prosecution. “We are keeping them for this lengthy period; everyone is accusing the armed forces of keeping them against their human rights, but we cannot prosecute. Another aspect of the judiciary is that you use all your efforts to make an arrest, you hand them over, and before you enter your vehicle, the man has been released on bail. “Now you have risked yourself in doing that; by the time he is released, he goes to tell the people the person that arrested him. Now your family members or you are at risk.”

General Musa According to him, the situation is so bad that prison warders conspire with Boko Haram suspects in their custody in the planning and execution of their felonious crimes, using even the bank accounts of these warders to transfer operational funds. Boko Haram members kept in prison and other criminal suspects are known to have been often released by the judiciary, only for them to return to their evil enterprise to threaten the family members of soldiers. In the South-east, General Musa wondered why the federal government through the Nigerian mission in Finland where the factional leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa is based, has not engaged the government of the European country to curtail his activities, saying that he is a threat to Nigeria. “We have the issue in the South-south; the last ship that was arrested was 10 years ago; the ship went and changed its name, changed its colour and came back again. By the time they handed over the ship and be-

fore you know it, it was released.” He suggested: “We must have a special court to look into it. That is why we arrest and destroy them because the longer we keep them, it becomes a problem.” A clearly exasperated CDS said it was getting to a state where the security forces would not want to make any effort and warned: “People are hungry. No matter how well you tell them to keep the peace, they will not because they have to eat and it aids criminality.” Other dimensions worsening the nation’s insecurity are the porous borders with Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin. The CDS appropriately drew attention to these. He stressed that 1,000 unmanned borders of about 4,000 kilometres -1,600 kilometres shared with our Sahelian neighbours - worsen the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country. On a more positive note, he said that at the moment, about 140,000 terrorists have surrendered and are awaiting disarmament, assuring that there is no single territory currently being occupied by Boko Haram insurgents. A significant swathe of ungoverned spaces, lack of good governance and political will, puzzling indifference and official corruption constitute the icings on the cake driving the regressive forces reminiscent of afflictions of mediaeval Europe. On his part, Lagbaja highlighted some of the challenges facing the Nigerian Army, which include funding, logistics, and manpower while the NAF chief, Abubakar said the major challenges facing the Nigerian Air Force in the conduct of air operations include the rising cost of aviation fuel; delay in funding release, targeting complexity, porous borders and manpower disposition. Ogalla, on his part, urged the House of Representatives to ensure adequate appropriations for the service to acquire resources to enable it to achieve its mandate. He said the resources were basically required in terms of fleet renewal, aircraft and support facilities. “The Navy is just about 30,000 for now. We are making efforts to expand the size of the navy and train them adequately to be able to

meet its objectives,” he said. Amidst all these challenges, the judiciary occupies a central place to provide timely justice for the victims of insecurity. This is why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must listen to the Service Chiefs and support the rule of law by fully backing the judiciary. He should listen to the Service Chiefs and free his government from former President Muhammadu Buhari’s perceived double standards in fighting terrorism and the unabashed disregard for the rule of law. Not many Nigerians have forgotten the 400 terror financiers that the United Arab Emirates (UAE), helped Nigeria to identify in April 2021. These buzzards were never prosecuted in sync with anti-terrorism law. Meanwhile, in the UAE, Messrs Abubakar Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Mohammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhasan and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad were promptly arrested, put on trial and convicted. The UAE authorities swiftly transferred $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria. While Salihu Adamu received a life sentence, Surajo and others were slammed with 10-year jail terms each. Surprisingly, more than two-and-a-half years later, Nigeria is still shielding them. Such arrant, and criminal duplicity kill whatever remedy the N3.25 trillion in the 2024 budget for security is set to achieve. And worse, this mirrors the core concerns of the military chiefs. The recent developments with the nation’s judiciary like filling unconscionable vacancies, promotions and some disciplinary adjudication only address a part of the subsisting challenges. Appropriately remunerated judiciary, mainstreaming of technology in judiciary’s processes, real autonomy from political influence and the induction of justices with sterling records are important. At the end of the deliberations, lawmakers may have regretted inviting the service chiefs, as their revelations inadvertently hit them hard, having been part of the problem, through their actions and inactions.

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

Budget of Lavish Spending Amid Economic Crisis

Uzodimma

Bagudu

From the way it is going, there is no doubt that the President Bola Tinubu-led government is not willing to slow down in taking care of the government oﬃcials despite the economic crisis facing Nigerians. After the presentation of the 2024 budget at the National Assembly, facts emerged that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will spend N15 billion to construct a new residence for the vice president. This was disclosed by Minister of the FCT, Nysom Wike, while defending the N61.5 billion 2023 supplementary budget of the FCT before the House of Representatives Committee on FCT. The planned construction is coming despite the allocation of another N2.5 billion for the renovation of the current residence of the VP in the federal

government’s supplementary budget recently passed by the National Assembly and signed by the president. Apart from the allocation for the renovation of the vice president’s residence, there is another N3 billion for the renovation of the same vice president’s residence in Lagos. In the same supplementary budget, the government will spend N8 billion on the two oﬃcial residences of the president in Abuja and Lagos. Aside from the residences, the supplementary budget also contains billions allocated for the purchase of cars for the Villa and the Oﬃce of the First Lady. Before these, there were criticisms on the purchase of 2023 models of the Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Prado worth N68.52 billion for the use

of the 469 members of the National Assembly. These are all signs that the current administration appears keen on spending humongous money for the comfort of the president and the vice president and National Assembly members despite the bad state of the nation’s economy. Coming at a most Nigerians are battling with the rising cost of living due to the government’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and when just N5billion was earmarked for students’ loan, it is indeed sad that the government seems to prioritise comfort for its officials. Though the president and some top officials of his administration have repeatedly asked Nigerians to be patient with the government, what the people are seeing regularly shows that the leaders are not ready to make sacrifices on their part.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 10, 2023

BRIEFINGNOTES Dousing Tension over Army’s Drone Strike The urgency to deal a severe blow to terrorists and maintain the recent victories against bandits in Kaduna State led to a tragic incident where Nigerian Army troops mistakenly targeted and killed innocent villagers in a drone attack. Misinterpreting the villagers’ activities, the soldiers wrongly associated them with the patterns of bandits. As Nigerians mourn this unfortunate incident, Ejiofor Alike writes on the need to exercise restraint

hat would have been a celebration of another major victory against bandits in Kaduna State last Sunday turned out to be a sad moment, not only for the Nigerian Army but for all Nigerians following a miscalculated drone attack on Tudun Biri community in Igabi Local Government Area of the state by the troops of the Nigerian Army. In his reaction, President Bola Tinubu directed a thorough investigation into the incident while calling for calm. Also reacting, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, in a series of tweets on his X handle on Tuesday, expressed grief over the death of dozens of persons and called on the Nigerian military to exercise utmost caution and professionalism to avoid a recurrence. On his part, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also expressed condolences to the victims of the Army’s drone attack. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have also called on the Nigerian authorities to promptly investigate the incident. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has equally tasked the federal government to investigate the bombing. In a show of empathy and demonstration of responsible leadership, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, promptly paid a condolence visit to the Tudun Biri community where he commiserated with the victims and apologised for the unfortunate incident. According to a statement issued on Tuesday, the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the Army Chief was accompanied by Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters and the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, where he met with the Dangaladima Zazau, Aminu Idris, District Head of Rigasa, other leaders and members of the community. The statement added that the COAS in an emotion-laden speech, expressed regrets on the unfortunate mishap, describing it as a very disheartening occurrence. Gen Lagbaja noted that in the recent past, the general area of Tudun Biri and adjoining villages were infested with armed bandits, who terrorised the communities until troops of the Nigerian Army started conducting operations to sanitise the area and make it habitable. He pointed out that the troops were carrying out aerial patrols when they observed a group of people and wrongly analysed and misinterpreted their pattern of activities to

General Lagbaja be similar to that of the bandits, before the drone strike. The COAS disclosed that he has ordered a thorough inquiry into the incident to ascertain and identify areas of deficiency that led to the inadvertent disaster. He added that the findings and overarching outcome of the investigation would guide the Nigerian Army in meticulously and professionally seeking and applying lasting solutions to identified lapses and deficiencies in both the human and Artificial Intelligence variables that will forestall future recurrence. The District Head of Rigasa, Idris said despite the enormity of the incident, the Nigerian Army showed integrity in accepting responsibility for the drone strike and urged its leadership to intervene in bringing succour to hospitalised victims and the community for their losses. He also dismissed religious motive in the attack, stressing that the affected area is a mixed community of both Muslims and Christians, adding also that the victims are of both faiths, contrary to earlier insinuation that the community is solely Muslim. General Lagbaja also commiserated with the Chairman Jamaa’ atu Nasru Islam, Kaduna State, Prof

Shafiu Abdullahi and other clerics. He equally visited affected victims at the Barua Dikko Teaching Hospital Anguwan Rimi, Kaduna and made an immediate donation of several provisions for their upkeep. In a similar vein, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Tuesday explained that air surveillance presumed that terrorists, who were in the habit of using civilians as shields, were operating at the time. The DHQ regretted the civilian casualties and stressed that it always did its best to distinguish between civilians and terrorists. It said the suspicious movement of the allegedly celebrating crowd in an area notorious for terrorist activities had prompted the drone attack. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, on Tuesday night, also apologised for the bombing of civilians, explaining that the army acted on intelligence, but missed, describing the incident as highly regrettable. Speaking on ARISE Television, the defence chief promised that the military would fine-tune its operations and ensure that such incidents do not reoccur. The CDS explained that the pattern of movement of the civilians, who were affected,

looked almost like that of the terrorists, who had been operating heavily around the area. Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Northern Elders Forum (NEF), and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) called for a thorough investigation into the accidental bombing. Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, said the accidental killing would not stop the fight against insurgency and terrorism. While the public outrage is justifiable, given the loss of innocent lives, there is a need for caution so as not to dampen the morale of the gallant members of the armed forces who abandon their families and loved ones, and stake their lives in very difficult terrain and under very difficult circumstances to fight terrorists. Having witnessed the fall of their colleagues in the hands of terrorists, soldiers fighting bandits are always eager to strike at the enemy with the speed of light. Their unquenchable desire to take on the enemies unaware might have accounted for the miscalculated analysis that regrettably claimed civilian casualties. While there is the need to sustain the enormous successes it recorded in the past few months in Kaduna and other North-west states, the Nigerian Army should show maximum restraint and avoid actions that could harm and incense those it seeks to protect. From the reactions of the military authorities, the troops acted in good faith and had intended to protect those they eventually killed. As Nigerians mourn this unfortunate incident, the federal government and states across the six geopolitical zones should mobilise funds and ensure that the victims get justice through adequate compensation. Going forward, the military should be more circumspect in future operations to avoid this recurring incident. Before the Kaduna incident, Nigeria had recorded similar incidents caused by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), which killed innocent citizens across the country. A report titled “Air Force Mishaps” by a research organisation, SBM Intelligence, in February 2023, revealed that over 300 civilians have been killed in accidental airstrikes by the NAF since 2017. SBM said the airstrikes happened while the NAF was in pursuit of terrorists. It added that Niger, Yobe, Zamfara, Borno, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Katsina are the worst-hit states in the country. Military authorities should put an end to the killing of innocent civilians by soldiers in the course of fighting terrorists.

NOTES FOR FILE

Curious Snatching of Kogi Election Tribunal’s Materials

Egbetokun

Political actors in Kogi State have been threatening Nigeria’s democracy by killing opponents and unleashing violence on the people during elections. In the last general election, agents of government excavated the major roads leading to the areas considered to be opposition strongholds to prevent the distribution of election materials in those areas. Even after the election was held, politicians in the state would not allow anyone to challenge the results of the election. Lovers of democracy were shocked on Tuesday when the Kogi State Police Command announced that it had ordered an investigation into the alleged attack on the Secretary of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in the state,

Mr. David Mike. The report claimed that Mike and two others left their hotel rooms in Lokoja at about 1pm on Monday, heading to their office at the High Court Complex in his Peugeot 406 car when gunmen in three SUVs blocked his car, and made away with all the documents, including petitions filed by four parties namely Action Alliance, Action People’s Party, Peoples Redemption Party and Social Democratic Party, two record books and a bag containing his personal items. It is suspicious that officials of the election petition tribunal could move around the state with such sensitive materials without adequate security when they were aware of the desperation of political parties in the state to

win the governorship election at whatever cost to human lives. The secretary of the tribunal has questions to answer on why he did not make adequate arrangements with the police and the Department of State Services(DSS)fortheprovisionofadequatesecurity for the movement of the materials. This will clear the suspicion of their alleged complicity in the disappearance of the materials. The police and other security agencies in the state should also explain whether or not they are aware of the presence of the tribunal secretary and his team in the hotel and their movement. If they are aware, why was adequate security not provided? If they are not aware, why did the tribunal secretary not apply for police and DSS protection? The security agencies must rise up to the challenge before such an act spreads to other states and destroys Nigeria’s democracy.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 10, 2023

CICERO/ISSUE

Uwais Report Crying for Attention The recurring failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct free and fair elections has heightened the demand for implementing the recommendations of the Electoral Reform Panel, led by a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Muhammad Uwais. But will the government of the day listen?” Wale Igbintade asks

ince 1999, elections in Nigeria have consistently failed the test of fairness and credibility. The last February 25 and March 19 elections were not different as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed despite the massive deployment of technology and adequate funding. Both local and international election observers who monitored the polls scored INEC and its officials low. Similarly, the off-cycle elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states were not different as INEC officials condoned irregularities as manifested in several people who were caught with pre-filled result sheets before the elections started. The commission allegedly uploaded fictitious figures into IReV, including in areas where there were no elections due to insecurity. Before the polls, stakeholders had described the process as another litmus test for the commission in view of the controversies that trailed the conduct of the 2023 general election. They had expected it to learn from the last general election and regain the confidence of Nigerians by organising free, fair, transparent and credible polls. Following the criticisms and condemnations that followed the off-cycle elections, pro-democracy activists, and civil society organisations have intensified their calls on the federal government to implement the Uwais Report if Nigeria is to experience transparent and credible elections. In response to the questions around the legitimacy of the 2007 general election, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who was declared the winner of the poll, had set up a committee on Election Reform led by former Chief Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais. The committee, famously called the Uwais Electoral Reform Panel, was composed of highly rated and erudite intellectuals and best brains from academia, civil society organisations, professional groups and the public service. As a result of the thoroughness and comprehensiveness of the committee’s report, Yar’Adua’s administration accepted over 90 per cent of its recommendations and took immediate steps to implement some of them. The 23-member Electoral Reform Panel was charged with the mandate to critically examine the entire Nigerian electoral process and formulate reforms needed to holistically address the deep-seated challenges plaguing the electoral system. The committee, in the course of the assignment, received and analysed a total of 1,466 memoranda from the general public, with expert contributions taken from Botswana, Cameroon, Canada, Côte D’Ivoire, France, Ghana, India, Lesotho, Mexico, Niger Republic and South Africa. It also held public hearings in two capital cities in each of the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during which a total of 907 presentations were made, just as it interacted with former Heads of State and consulted other stakeholders including state governments, political parties, INEC, State Independent Electoral Commissions, security agencies, civil society groups, women organisations and the media. At the end of its sitting, the commit-

Tinubu

tee in its report, actually covered the field, recommending precise measures that would improve the electoral process and environment; strengthen the legal frameworks and enhance the independence of the electoral body. The committee also made recommendations to improve the performance of various institutions and stakeholders in the electoral process. These include the legislature, judiciary, executive, political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, media and Nigerian citizens. In its evaluation of the Nigerian electoral predicaments, the committee noted that the country’s experience with democratic elections since independence has been rather mixed. It argued that “although the country has managed to transit from one administration to another, no election conducted in the country has been completely free of perceived irregularities, electoral malpractices, violence and various degrees of disruptions. The factors responsible for this state of affairs include, among others, the character of the Nigerian State as the arena for electoral contests; the existence of weak democratic institutions and processes; negative political culture; weak legal/constitutional framework; and lack of independence and capacity of the Election Management Bodies.” Specifically, it recommended among others: Constitutional amendments that would insulate INEC from the political influences of the executive arm of government in terms of its composition and funding; the power to

appoint INEC board was to be transferred from the president to the National Judicial Council (NJC) while its funding was to be a first line charge on the Consolidated Revenue of the Federation; the functions of the police on election duty stated in the PSC guidelines on code of conduct for officers should be incorporated into the Police Act; Special Electoral Offences Commission was to be set up to try electoral offenders; that no elected person should assume office until the case against him/her in the Tribunal or Court is disposed of; the amendment of the Constitution for the appointment of a single date for presidential and gubernatorial elections which should be held at least six months before the expiration of the term of the current holders of the offices. Similarly, an amendment of the Constitution to appoint a single date for National and State Assembly elections which should be held two years after the presidential and gubernatorial elections; the number of tribunals should be increased by reducing the number of judges that sit on a tribunal from five to three, so that more tribunals can be established per state. But despite these huge efforts made 16 years ago, successive governments have failed to implement the report submitted by the committee,

while the many plagues of the Nigerian electoral system continue unabated, to the detriment of the country’s 23-yearold democratic reign. Aside from the refusal to cede the power of appointment of the INEC board, the Yar’Adua administration accepted most of the fundamental recommendations and was to begin implementation when the president took ill and eventually did not return to oﬃce. His successor, former President Goodluck Jonathan implemented the policy aspects and forwarded the entire report unedited to the National Assembly for consideration of areas requiring legal reforms and constitution amendments. Investigations have shown that at the centre of the rejection is the issue of power to appoint the INEC chairman and other state officials. But despite several calls over the years, observers say that successive governments in the country have failed to implement the report submitted by the Uwais committee perhaps on the belief that, if implemented, it will cut off most of the overbearing powers the president wields on the other arms of government. But before Jonathan resubmitted the report, the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution had rejected the recommendation to transfer this power to the judiciary. The deputy chief whip of the Senate, Mohammed Mana, then argued that letting the judiciary appoint the INEC chairman violated the principle of separation of powers since the judiciary was responsible for hearing the cases arising from elections. But observers have been quick to dismiss this position, arguing that the refusal of the government to implement the report is simply indicative of the age-long desperation of the Nigerian political class to perpetuate themselves in power and exert so much political influence on the system and the people for political exploitation and self-aggrandisement. The new administration of President Bola Tinubu still has about three and a half years to spend in office and whether it will make a bold move to implement the Uwais report ahead of the 2027 general election, unlike its predecessor, is another question whose answer obviously lies in the belly of time. Despite the clamour for the implementation of the report, President Tinubu recently appointed some INEC Commissioners. Some of those appointed are said to be card-carrying members of the APC. In spite of the outcry that the action is against the 1999 Constitution, the president did not deem it necessary to withdraw their names. To many, these are early signs that the ruling party is already strategising for 2027. This is why they are wondering with the penchant, proclivity and propensity of the average Nigerian politician to circumvent the law and anything good, if the Uwais Panel Report, seen as a game changer, will not be circumvented. It was not surprising that the political class circumvented the Electoral Act 2022 which was commended by many pro-democracy groups when it was signed by Muhammadu Buhari.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 10, 2023

ENGAGEMENTS

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

The President as African King

he size of President Tinubu’s delegation to the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai has raised a bit of dust. On closer examination, I think it was unnecessary noise based on incomplete understanding of the president’s sense of mission. In these matters, context is everything. There is a sense in which Mr. Tinubu’s presidency straddles two opposing traditions of sovereign authority. The man is first and foremost an elected president of a constitutional republic. But he acts and carries on more like an African king with more of ceremonial authority inspired from some primal ancestry. In the formal context of an elected presidency, a 1,411 (or the officially admitted 422) strong size of the Nigerian delegation to just one conference is undisputedly scandalous. With hardly any roles specified for this huge train, the entire mission smacks more like a jamboree than anything else. For an elected executive presidency, accountability also implies accountancy, close attention to numbers in terms of cost. Ferrying either 1,412 persons (or even 422) to a jamboree in Dubai at a cost of N3bn cannot be badge of honour for a Nigerian government no matter where and when. But as the entourage of an African king, a 1411 train would not make much news. The African king is a creature of ceremony, a bastion of festivity and a mobile theatre wherever he goes. A modern African president who opts to incorporate this element in his present day official outings must also be ready to bear the cost in terms of cash and public onion in his country. The contradiction in Mr. Tinubu’s emerging presidential tradition is that it is manifesting elements of two divergent traditions of power display. While his sovereign authority derives clearly from a presidential constitution, Mr. Tinubu’s personal orientation and cultural affinity seems replete with elements from some decadent African royal traditions. The king is always right and beyond reproach because his authority derives from a place that the mob can not fathom. This president seems to relish the colourful pageantry of power. The retinues, the honour guards, the army of praise mongers, festival crowds lining the streets , all the clear trappings of monarchical craving. Even before he became president, this monarchical inclination was evident. When he went to present his campaign’ case at London ‘s Chatham House, Tinubu took a retinue of APC political scavengers. When asked to respond to specific issues around his campaign , he simply listed his entourage of cheer mongers as the ones to respond on his behalf! They all took turns to answer policy questions. At the end, the ‘king’ took the glory of being at the head of a ‘team’. From the inception of his presidency, his interminable motorcades raised eyebrows. His airport departures are greeted by numerous senior government officials all of whom have to leave their offices to troop to the airport just to grin at the president. The ritual is repeated in each of his increasing returns even if from a country next door. The African king as president is not in appearance and ceremony. The position comes complete with a litany of royal entitlements. There is the universal entitlement of the king to all the resources of the land. The king as Petroleum Minister, de facto foreign minister etc; the right of the king to help himself and his surrogates to pots of public treasure. The transposition of this divine right of the king into a modern potential produced Obiang Nguema, Bokassa, Mobutu, Biya, Omar Bongo and others in the lineage of infamy. Already under Tinubu, we are witnessing the early onset of a royal entitlement syndrome and a sickening personality cult from within the president’s family. A viral video of one of his daughters at a social event being hailed by crowds of praise singers as the new ‘Queen’ of Nigeria made the rounds of the social media a few days ago.

Tinubu The president has had to openly request his son to stop attending the weekly Federal Executive Council meetings of ministers. The same son also featured at the Dubai COP28 jamboree as part of the ‘official delegation’. The same royal son has recently been reported to have interfered on the side of a candidate contesting for the leadership of the influential National Association Nigerian Students (NANS). Now our new budgeting style is being structured around royal precincts and key individuals: a yacht for the president, wagons and luxury automobiles for the First Lady’s office, a new mansion for the deputy king- Vice President, frightening sums for upgrading the offices of the Chief of Staff to the president , a fleet of SUVs for the law givers as royal appendages and cheer leaders of presidential fiat etc. Of course the predictable crumbs are left for the mob, the rest of us. Contrast this to the strict formalism of constitutional Republican presidency. This requires that the president as CEO of Nigeria incorporated be relentlessly innovative and explore fresh options in response to changing national challenges. The elected president is one of us, one with us and never one above us. He is supposed to feel our pain and appear to carry our burden. When the resident of the US is travelling, he U.S walks the greens of the White House lawns either alone of with his wife to board his official helicopter Marine One. He is received at the foot of the aircraft by the Marine pilot who flies him to Andrews Air Force base to board Air Force One. At the foot of Air Force One, the president is welcomed by the pilot, head of the cabin crew and a Secret Service personnel as he boards to fly to anywhere in the world. Washington does not come to a standstill because the president of the most powerful nation in the world is going or coming! It is unclear yet what President Tinubu wants to be seen as. While modern presidencies are dynamic and ‘alive’, monarchies attend to be inherently conservative and boringly inert. Nothing new happens. Unlike

the best elected presidents, Tinubu is presiding over a predictable humdrum. Those who waited till after the Supreme Court’s judgment on his election have since stopped hoping and waiting for ‘something’ to happen. In fairness he has done some things. A lot of things have happened to us. He has taken off fuel subsidy and raised gasoline prices. He has unified Naira exchange rates, skyrocketed exchange rates and escalated inflation. So far, there has been no perceptible policy intervention to douse either of these vicious policies. Otherwise, what we have had in the past six months is a presidency of ordinary things: routine appointments of ordinary people to do nothing spectacular, predictable pronouncements, boring routine speeches and knee jerk responses to everyday contingencies etc. The combination of both a constitutional executive presidency and a shy monarchical absolutism seems to be the prevailing order. And that is the junction where Nigeria is currently entrapped. Six months after the cruel and listless Mr. Buhari left us, he seems to have left us at a bad place that is looking more like a bitter paradise lost. Going back there is unthinkable and impossible. As my friend, the late poet Kogi Awoonor famously said, “going forward is also impossible”. Yet the criticism about the Dubai escapade is about accountability in a democratic republic. It is about realism in the republic by an executive president hired by the electorate of common folk to manage the nation as a joint stock company with us all as stakeholders . The uproar about Dubai is because we are hurting at home. The lavish entourage and waste abroad merely deepens our injuries. Unfortunately, such lavish excursions tell no one out there how

badly we are bleeding at home. Moreover, the uproar about the Dubai misadventure is mostly about commonsense and proportionality. Why compete with China in size of delegation? China is rich. We are dirt poor. China is a net polluter of the environment and so have reason to troop to Dubai to say “sorry” to everyone else. If money became an issue, the Chinese will write a cheque to the rest of the poor world to get by. Why would Nigeria spend N3bn from its borrowed funds in one week on people already feeding fat on us when many cannot find food? Concern about Dubai t is above all about the compassion of the state and the fellow feeling of those who lead us. These are accountability issues that are standard fare in the best elective democracies. But in African demagogic monarchism , who dares question the king? Who can question the size of Paul Biya’s entourage or Obiang Nguema’s son’s fleet of luxury cars? The nation belongs to the king to do as he pleases. The emerging duality of Tinubu’s mandate has created a crisis for his handlers: how to frighten off those who dare to question the king? This requires a condescending hostility or arrogance or both! How to defend the royal excesses of the presidential court in the context of a modern constitutional presidency? This requires attention to fact and adherence to logic with civility and respect for the rights of the public to hold and advance opinion even if it is counter to regime orthodoxy. Mr. Tinubu’s handlers are burdened into avoidable foolishness as we have seen lately. They have not yet determined whether they are royal messengers or functionaries of a modern democratic presidency. Thus enfeebled and mesmerized by the trappings and fancy titles of empty offices, they fumble along. But they are failing as both. Between the court parrot and the presidential spokesperson, the public now has to choose. Between those who differ after doing obeisance to the king and those compelled by enlightenment and democratic compulsion to demand accountability of an elected president, the regime is already drawing a line. If you praise the king, you get appointed to something to alleviate your poverty. If you insist on the critical path, you are on the other side of an emerging political divide between regime faithful and regime adversaries or voices of the opposition. Those who doubt the monarchical cravings of President Tinubu should reflect on how we got here. The Tinubu caveat has a clear trajectory. ‘Emi lokan ‘ is not the language of Republican democracy. It was the desperate battle cry of power as an entitlement. It is about a cry for help in a lineal succession battle in a compromised democratic succession. It became the anthem of Nigeria’s ‘turn by turn’ democracy in the run up to the 2023 pr3sdeiential elections, a shorthand for the casual ferreting of national leadership among ethnic warlords. On ascension, ‘Emi lokan’ has since become an obligation for the new President to redefine his constituency in the best way he understands it. The Constitution imposes a nationwide constituency on any president. But this president’s primordial instincts have since shrunk the nation to a much smaller dimension. Those who are quarreling with the Yoruba lopsidedness of Tinubu’s appointments should pause and look again at the origins of his dual mandate. These appointments are a homage and tribute to primordial ancestry. Wole Soyinka once said the only way Sani Abacha could rule Nigeria was to reduce it to his size. The only way Tinubu can rule Nigeria is to reduce it to a Yoruba republic through constitutional manipulation. This is the driving force behind the gradual emergence of Mr. Tinubu as an African King President. A pan Nigerian king is a political impossibility. A remarkable modern Nigerian president is however a vacant stool. Three and half years is time enough for Tinubu to choose where to locate his legacy.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 10, 2023

NEWS

HAPPY FAMILY… L-R: Mr. Chibuike Emenike; Miss Adaobi Emenike; the graduand, Mr. Uzoma Emenike; Chairman, Christojas Couture Nigeria, Chief Chris Emenike; and Lady Stella Emenike, at Uzoma’s graduation from Salford University Manchester, United Kingdom…recently

Ighodalo Resigns as Nigerian Breweries Chairman to Contest Edo Governorship Election Chuks Okocha in Abuja Nigerian Breweries Plc has announced changes in the composition of its board of directors with the resignation of the chairman, Mr. Asue Ighodalo. THISDAY gathered that Ighodalo’s resignation may not be unconnected with his ambition to contest for the Edo State governorship election next year. The corporate lawyer, who is reportedly Governor Godwin Obaseki’s preferred candidate, is seeking to contest the election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The company’s secretary, Mr. Uaboi Agbebaku, announced his resignation via a notification to the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Friday in Lagos. Agbebaku said Ighodalo informed the company of his decision to resign and offer himself for public service. He said Ighodalo would be resigning from the board and in his capacity as chairman, in line with proper corporate governance practice, on December 31, 2023. Agbebaku quoted Ighodalo as saying that the decision came with mixed emotions, of a painful sacrifice to enable his

Sinach, Tope Alabi, Nathaniel Bassey, Others to Perform at Unusual Praise 2023 Sunday Ehigiator Popular gospel artistes, Sinach, Ada Jesus, Tope Alabi, Nathaniel Bassey, and Chioma Jesus, have been listed among several other set to perform at the 2023 Unusual Praise event scheduled to hold on December 15, 2023 Speaking to journalists during a press conference organised yesterday in respect of the event, the Chairman, Unusual Praise Organising Committee, Dr. Okey Nwuke, noted that the event is scheduled to begin from 5p.m. till 7a.m. the next day on December 15, 2023, at the Tafa Balogun Square (TBS) located in Ikoyi area of Lagos State. He also revealed that this year’s event would see grants between N300,000 and N1.5 million given to at least 100 entrepreneurs deemed qualified for the grants respectively. According to him, “The important thing around Unusual Praise is that it’s not just about evangelism, it’s also “You can’t evangelise an empty stomach or a hungry man. So, as we have things that take care of the spiritual aspect of life put in place, we also have an empowerment programme to take care of the physical. “There would be a whole lot of praise from all believers, economic empowerment and mentorship. We call the empowerment program

seed funding. “We had the event in Onitsha a couple of weeks ago, and we will be having that of Lagos on December 15. “For the grant beneficiaries, we will be selecting 100 people in total. And they will each be getting between N300,000 to N1.5 million respectively. “And it is not just about the money we will be giving them. It’s about the training we give them, the mentorship, as its our desire that over time, these 100 people are then one’s that will come and sustain the Unusual Entrepreneurship. “That is based on the successes they must have encountered in their businesses, they will willingly come and give back.” Speaking on the artists slated to perform at the event, Nwuke said, “Aside from the A-list artists who we will also be giving the Unusual Praise platform to express their God given talents. “This is one of the beauty of Unusual Praise, we keep grooming Artists, as we believe that someday, the upcoming will also become an A-list artists that we have, such as M-Rebelation, Beejay Sax, Ada Jesus, David G, Nathaniel Bassey, Sinach, Dare Justify, Chioma Jesua, among others, we also have on the side upcoming artist.”

full devotion to the new cause. “It is with heartfelt regret that I announce my resignation as the Chairman of the Board of Nigerian Breweries Plc effective December 31, 2023. “After extensive deliberations, I have decided to offer myself for public service to our dear country. “It is my pride to have been part of such a formidable organisation well-positioned to meet

the opportunities and challenges in Nigeria’s ever-changing business environment,” he said. Agbebaku also announced the appointment of the longestserving director, Sijbe Hiemstra, as the chairman of the company in an interim capacity effective January 1, 2024, pending the appointment of a substantive chairman. He stated that during the transition period, Hiemstra would

steer the affairs of the board and oversee the process of appointing a substantive chairman. “We also announce the completion of the tenure of Ndidi Nwuneli as an independent non-executive director of the company, following the completion of her tenure. “The board also informs of the appointment of Stella OjekweOnyejeli as Non-Executive Director to fill a vacancy on the Board, effective January 1, 2024.

“Ojekwe-Onyejeli brings to the board years of knowledge and experience as a risk manager with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry and skilled in enterprise risk management, business planning, internal audit, and analytical skills. “She currently serves on the boards of Coronation Insurance Plc and Rand Merchant Bank, amongst others,” he said.

El-Rufai Allegedly Shuns Government House During Condolence Visit John Shiklam in Kaduna Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Friday shunned Government House, Kaduna, during a condolence visit to the victims of the drone attack in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. The governor’s action is said to have fuelled speculations of a rift between him and his successor, Governor Uba Sani. It was gathered that El-Rufai visited Tudun Biri community, alongside his friend and former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido

Sanusi; his former appointee, Hafiz Bayero and his former Chief of Staff, Bashir Saidu, among others. He was also at the 44, Nigerian Army Referral Hospital where some victims of the incident where they are being treated of injuries. Sources at the Government House, said Governor Sani was at the Government House, receiving northern senators on a condolence visit when El-Rufai visited the hospital, which was a stone’s throw away. According to the source, “ElRufai visited 44 Nigerian Army Referral Hospitals and the Tudun

Biri community, but he did not visit Government House. “We were expecting that he will come, being a leader in the state. The army hospital is very close to Government House; it is just a stone’s throw away.” The source further alleged that El-Rufai had earlier exhibited a similar attitude when he visited Zaria to condole with the Emir of Zazzau over the death of his brother without visiting Government House. He added that some people are already giving it different interpretations and insinuating

that there is a rift between him and the governor. “I don’t know his reason for his action, but whatever his reasons maybe, it is creating room for speculation that all is not well,” the source said. Since Sani assumed office, he has reversed some policies of the El-Rufai government and taken steps to unite the state, which was divided along ethno- religious lines. One of such policy reversals, was the slashing of high tuition fees in state-owned tertiary institutions introduced by the El-Rufai administration, by 50 per cent.

Jatau Regains Freedom after 18 Months in Detention Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi After 18 months in prison, Rhoda Jatau, a Bauchi woman who condemned the alleged killing of Samuel Deborah in Sokoto State, has regained her freedom. Jatau, a mother of five, who condemned the murder, was detained since May 2022 on the grounds of blasphemy, for sharing a video condemning the lynching of Deborah. Deborah, a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, was brutally

murdered after advising against sending religious materials on a WhatsApp page. A reliable source who spoke on condition of anonymity said Jatau was released on bail on Friday following interventions by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) and the Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria. Confirming her release, Rhoda’s husband, Ya’u Jatau, expressed joy over the release of his wife.

The source, however, did not reveal bail conditions or which court granted Jatau bail but noted that the Inter-Religious Council had played “a key role” in securing her bail and release. “Following the outcry from the Christian community in Nigeria over the continued detention of Rhoda Jatau in Bauchi Prison, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, and Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria have swiftly intervened in the

matter. “We are pleased to report that Mrs Rhoda has been granted bail and subsequently released from detention today. We have high hopes that the case will end in praise. Let’s continue to keep her in our prayers. The leadership of NIREC played a key role. Praise be to our God”, he reportedly said. Speaking in a telephone conversation with journalists yesterday morning, Ya’u said he could not express his level of joy over the release of his wife.

Tinubu Rejoices With General T Y Danjuma at 86 President Bola Tinubu has sent his felicitations to former Minister of Defence, General TY Danjuma (rtd) on the occasion of his 86th birthday, describing him as a Nigerian of the noblest

pedigree. The president, in a statement issued yesterday by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, celebrated the elder statesman, who has remained an unassuming but

defining feature of Nigeria’s political landscape. President Tinubu extolled General Danjuma for his many philanthropic ventures, recalling his commitment and dedication

to supporting victims of terrorism through his reputable foundation and other vital initiatives. The president wished him longevity, happiness, and strength in the service of Nigeria.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 10, 2023

PERSPECTIVE Mobilisation against Judicial Verdicts in Abia Don Ubani

ither deliberately or by error, but most probably deliberately, the drafters of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, made the courts the final arbiters in the country’s electoral process. Apart from winning overall majority votes in an election, there are conditions precedent that a contestant must have to fulfill. To this extent, the said constitution stipulates qualifications for each elective position that the contestant shall possess. In the case of the governor of a state, the Constitution clearly states in Section 177(c) that a contestant shall be a member of a political party and shall be sponsored by that political party. Drawing its strength from the above Section 177(c), the National Assembly made a legislation which became an Electoral Act in 2022. Section 77(2) of the Act states that ‘every political party shall have/maintain a membership register of its members in soft and hard copy’. Section 77(3) stipulates that ‘every political party shall submit its membership register not later than 30 days to the date fixed for its primary elections, congresses and convention’. This simply means that every contestant in an election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), shall be sponsored by a registered political party, as there is no provision for an independent candidate. These constitutional and Electoral Requirements are a sin qua non for any aspirant to the office of state governor. Any person placing emphasis only on Section 77 of the 2022 Electoral Act without juxtaposing it with Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, is simply deliberately but vainly being on a mischievous mission. For election into the National Assembly, Section 65(2)(b) stipulates that a ‘Contestant shall be a member of a political party and shall be sponsored by that Political Party’. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, is the country’s grundnorm. It provides the underlying basis for Nigeria’s legal system. Anything that is done in contradiction to its dictates shall amount to building something on nothing. The truth that is quite glaring is that almost all members of Labour Party in Abia State who contested the 2023 general election were not only members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but were aspirants who had bought nomination forms

Ademulegun’s Daughter Urges Tinubu to Extend Assurance Policy to Families of First, Second Coup Victims Solape Ademulegun-Agbi, daughter of the late Brigadier Samuel Ademulegun, has called on President Bola Tinubu to extend the recently approved N18 billion Assurance Policy to the families of fallen heroes who lost their lives during the first and second coups in Nigeria. The Assurance Policy, which aims to provide financial support and security for the families of fallen servicemen and women, has been widely praised. However, Ademulegun emphasises that it should not be limited to recent conflicts like the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east. However, she asked that those who made the ultimate sacrifice decades ago be remembered too. Brigadier Ademulegun, then Commander of the 1 Brigade in Kaduna, was killed alongside his wife, Latifat when they were both shot by coupists in January 1966. Ademulegun’s plea extends beyond her own family. She highlighted other fallen heroes from both the first and second coups, including Brigadier Zakari Maimalari, Colonels Kuru Mohammed and Raph Shodeinde, Lt. Cols Yakubu Pam and Arthur Unegbe, and Lt. Col Adekunle Fajuyi. She said, “I commend President Bola Tinubu for approving the sum of N18 billion as Assurance Policy for the families of our fallen Heroes. It is quite reassuring that they have a place in the hearts of compatriots. “Many of this category of Nigerians, especially children, have gone through harrowing

experiences. It is my belief that this policy will look beyond the nascent North – East (Boko Haram) fallen Heroes. I urge those responsible for the management of this policy to remember Heroes past who died in active service, decades ago. “Children and dependants of Heroes of the 1966 coup and counter coup, should not be forgotten, as they were denied full parental care from very tender ages. “The Ademuleguns, for instance, lost their parents in the January 15, 1966 coup. The last two children, were just 4 and 6 years old, at the time. “Brigadier Samuel Ademulegun (N3), was Commander 1 Brigade, Kaduna. He served Nigeria with passion and in 1964, led troops to Tanzania to quell a mutiny. That was after duty with United Nations Peace Keeping Forces in the Congo. “His wife, Mrs Latifat Ademulegun, a nurse, died with him, both shot by the coupists. This tragedy did not deter their first son from joining the Nigerian Air Force. Late Frank Ademulegun (NAF 294), retired as a Group Captain. “Mention must be made of Brig. Zakari Maimalari, Colonels Kuru Mohammed, Raph Shodeinde, Lt. Cols Yakubu Pam, Arthur Unegbe, Abogo Largema who lost their lives in the first coup and many others including Lt. Col Adekunle Fajuyi who died in the second coup of 1966. “The horrors of those events, left deep cuts in the hearts of these families. The Ademuleguns were orphaned so early.”

Otti

in PDP and were also successfully screened. Few of them, like Governor Otti, were in APC. As at the time they migrated to Labour Party, their names were not in the membership register of Labour Party, that was if the party had any membership register at all. Taking a cue from proceedings in state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that was in the state not long ago, it was obvious that the purported state congress of Labour Party in Abia State took place on 1st June, 2022 while, ironically, the waiver the party Chairman of Labour Party, Mr Igara, tendered as proof of Governor Otti’s membership of Labour Party was dated 2nd of June, 2022. What the said waiver, which was tendered by deposition by the State Chairman of Labour Party in Abia State, showed was that Governor Otti became a member of Labour Party in Abia State only after the state congress that was expected to produce the governorship candidate of the party had come and gone. Can this be funny? That the Court of Appeal in Lagos based its judgment in the appeal filed by Col Austin Akobundu of PDP against Hon Darlington Nwokocha of Labour Party, in favour of the

appellant, Col Austin Akobundu, who is now the Senator-elect for Abia-Central Senatorial District, on Section 65(2)(b), stands unassailable. It is, therefore, embarrassingly discomforting to observe that Governor Otti of Abia State surreptitiously hugely used state resources at his disposal to mobilise his party members to openly protest against judges at the state Capital, Umuahia, today. By mobilising party members who, as it were, were joined by hoodlums against members of the judiciary simply because they adhered to the provisions of Section 65(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, and Section 77 (2) and (3) of the Electoral Act 2022, Governor Otti has only succeeded in poisoning the minds of Labour Party members in Abia State against members of the judiciary. This, surely, puts the lives and safety of judicial officers who may wish to visit the State in future to a very big risk. Thank God, the top hierarchy of the Nigerian Judiciary had foreseen intemperate disposition of Contestants like Governor Otti and had wisely moved the siting of the Appeal Court out of Abia State, it would have been very difficult to guarantee the lives of the Honourable Justices of the Appeal Court from unimaginable conduct of an irate members of the Labour Party that Governor Otti would, most probably, have instigated against the Justices. Centre For Equity And Eradication of Rural Poverty commends the Justices of Court of Appeal for upholding the tenets of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. That is the way to go. The Court is the final Arbiter in this circumstance and the case stands closed. The Centre equally believes that, in the same vein, the Judiciary will stick very tenaciously to upholding the Constitutional Provision of Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, and Section 77 (2) and (3) of the 2022 Electoral Act in Petitions relating to state governorship elections. Centre For Equity and Eradication of Rural Poverty strongly thinks that it is by observing strict adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that the country’s constitutional democracy can be best sustained. Sir Ubani is a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Abia State

PAMO University to Hold Convocation, Induction for First Set of Medical Doctors on December 19 The first set of medical doctors of PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt will convoke and be inducted on December 19, 2023, a exactly six years after the students were admitted in the institution. PAMO is Nigeria’s first private medical university solely committed to pursuing only courses and programmes in the medical and allied fields. The institution, which has former Head of State, General

Abdulsalami Abubakar, as its Chancellor, has courses such as anatomy, biochemistry, human nutrition and dietetics, pharmacology and physiology in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, as well as Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) and nursing in the Faculty of Clinical Sciences. A statement from the school said the institution is well-equipped and furnished to world standard to give the

students the best atmosphere to study in Nigeria. In December 2021, the school turned out its first graduates, who finished a race in a record time of four years. The 21 students graduated from the Departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Physiology. This was followed by the graduation and induction of the first set of students from the Department of Nursing Science in 2022. The statement added: “The

university was conceptualised as a world-class institution dedicated to building healthcare workers, including medical doctors and nurses in the country. “In its over four years of existence, the university has maintained its standards and policies. Not only is admission into the school strictly based on merit and all the students are resident on campus, it has absolute zero tolerance for cultism and other related vices for both staff and students.

Acropolis Gardens Resort Plays Host to Nestoil & Obijackson Group’s Management Retreat Obijackson Group successfully held its annual management retreat from November 30 to December 2, 2023, at the just opened exquisite Acropolis Gardens and Residence Resort, Okija, Anambra State living up to its empowering motto “Yes we can!” It was a work filled yet refreshing three days as management and external Directors of various companies under the Obijackson Group and beyond engaged in activity sessions designed to foster teamwork, align goals, and encourage ownership in their respective fields. The retreat’s agenda was packed with discussions to reflect on the past year’s achievements and strategise for overcoming the challenges of 2024. Esteemed guest speakers from the Industry and academia shared their insights on the business, regulatory, and organiszational culture landscape of the oil &

Oﬃcials of Obijackson Group gas industry, contributing to the forward-thinking dialogue of the retreat. Each day’s sessions began with an ice-breaker to cultivate a spirit of camaraderie and concluded with activities underlining the importance of teamwork. The retreat offered participants an exclusive tour of the AcropolisExecutive 9-hole Golf Course, followed by a visit to the Obijackson Women and Children Hospital and opportunity to visit the Benefactor’s Pavilion at

the Gonzaga Jesuit College. This visit enabled participants to interact with the dedicated staff and reflect on the company’s core values of integrity and determination. The retreat not only served as a platform for senior executives to align on strategic goals but also provided invaluable insights into the transformation agenda and vision of the founder and Chairman, Dr. Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi. The interactions spurred constructive suggestions for business improvements and

reinforced the collective drive towards achieving the companies’ ambitious goals. The event was further enhanced by a team led by Isaac Orolugbagbe, Senior Fellow, Strategy & Corporate Governance at LBS, who, as facilitators, used the transformative theme to rejuvenate and inspire the participants. Obijackson Group remains committed to its path of excellence and innovation, as demonstrated by the success of this year’s management retreat.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 10,, 2023

SUNDAYSPORTS

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

Lookman Fires Brace as Atalanta Humble AC Milan Duro Ikhazuagbe

C Milan came back twice from Ademola Lookman’s goals with Oliver Giroud and Luka Jovic , but could do nothing against the sublime Luis Muriel backKHHO ÁLFN ZLQQHU LQ VWRSSDJH time that gave Atalanta a precious 3-2 victory on Saturday evening. The win lifts Atalanta to seventh on the Italian Serie A log on 23 points while Milan are distant third on 29 points, nine points adrift of leaders Inter Milan. Charles De Ketelaere ought to have put Atalanta ahead against his parent club, but incredibly ballooned over from six yards whenAdemola Lookman nodded down a cross. Fikayo Tomori saw his volley on a corner redirected by Ederson straight into the arms of Juan Musso from point blank range. Lookman however broke the deadlock when he controlled a Teun Koopmeiners ball over the Top, cut inside between GHIHQGHUV DQG VDZ WKH ÀQLVK WDNH D KXJH GHÁHFWLRQ RͿ 7RPRUL WR ORRS XS RYHU a helpless Mike Maignan in

ITALIAN SERIE A goal for Milan. Milan however equalized GHHS LQWR ÀUVW KDOI VWRSSDJH time. There was however controversy as Yunus Musah appeared to barge Lookman over and Play continued earning a Rossoneri corner, which Florenzi then deposited on the head of Giroud to steer it under the bar. Atalanta however shook things up and restored their advantage when Lookman sent De Ketelaere down the left, then rolled across the face RI JRDO IRU WKH 1LJHULDQ WR ÀUH into the roof of the net from six yards with the inside of his right boot. It really should have been 3-1 for Atalanta on 77th minutes when Scalvini managed an extraordinary run with two consecutive sliding tackles won to sting Maignan’s gloves, then the goalkeeper scrambled back across to claw the LookPDQ IROORZ XS RͿ WKH OLQH WRR That proved pivotal because Milan equalized moments later when Christian Pulisic got down the left and rolled across Giroud’s dummy let through only for substitute Luka Jovic to sweep in from seven yards.

ARMED ROBBERY ATTACK Obaseki Provides Succour for Traumatised Sunshine FC Players, Ofﬁcials

he Governor of Edo State, G o d w i n Nogheghase Obaseki, has provided much-needed succour and support for the injured and traumatised players and R΀FLDOV RI 1LJHULD 3UHPLHU Football League side, Sunshine Stars FC of Akure. AballboywasshotandplayHUV DQG RWKHU R΀FLDOV KLJKO\ traumatised and disoriented after the team bus was attacked by armed robbers on the Ore-Benin Highway on Thursday, as the team headed to Benin City for a scheduled NPFLMatch-day13tieagainst Bendel Insurance. The sports-loving Edo State numberonemanimmediately GLVSDWFKHG WRS R΀FLDOV DQG

personal aides to the hospital where the ball boy was taken for treatment, alongside the highlytraumatisedcontingent. Now, Governor Obaseki has RͿHUHG WR IRRW WKH ELOO RI WKH medical treatment of all those involved in the unfortunate incident. President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, in his reaction to the Governor’s gesture, said yesterday: “We thank the Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Mr Godwin Obaseki for this kind gesture. It is a commendable move which nobility cannot be over-emphasised. We appreciate him immensely, as we pray for quick recovery for the injured ball boy and the traumatised players and RWKHU R΀FLDOV µ

Asue Ighodalo Unity Gold Footbal Cup Debuts in Edo Benin City, Okpebholo, said the Dr. Asue Ighodalo Unity Gold The Asue Ighodalo Gold Cup Cup will engender unity among Football Tournament has began the youths across the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State. in Benin City, Edo State. He said that importance of footThefootballtourñamentisbeing promoted by the Chief Executive ball cannot be overemphasised 2΀FHU DQG 3XEOLVKHU 7UXWK /LYH in the area of fostering peace News Media, Mr. Darlington across the globe, hence Truth Live News Media decided to partner Okpebholo Ray. Speaking at the unveiling Edo State Football Association to ceremony/press conference in sponsor the tournament. Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Ademola Lookman...banged brace as Atalanta defeated AC Milan 3-2 in a Serie A ﬁxture yesterday evening

Bad Day for Big Boys Across Europe’s Top Leagues Aston Villa beat Arsenal * Bo’mouth hammer Man Utd * Betis deny Real Madrid top spot * Bayern crash

ston Villa moved to within two points of the summit of the Premier League with a narrow 1-0 win over Arsenal, who missed out on a chance to go top. It was also Arsenal’s second defeat in the Premier League this season. Villa took the lead through skipper John McGinn, who brought Leon Bailey’s cross under control before hammering the ball into the net. Arsenal had a late Kai

Havertz late goal ruled out for handball by referee Jarred Gillett, with the video assistant referee upholding the call after a lengthy review. Despite late Arsenal pressure, Villa held on to back up their statement victory over championsManchesterCityonWednesday and record a club record 15th straight home league victory. $W 2OG 7UDͿRUG 'RPLQLF 6RODQNH·V HDUO\ goal in the 3-0 defeat of Manchester United laid the foundations for Bournemouth’s

ÀUVW ZLQ DW 2OG 7UDͿRUG ZKLFK LQFUHDVHV WKH SUHVVXUH RQ XQGHU ÀUH 8QLWHG PDQDJHU Erik ten Hag. Second-half headers from Philip Billing DQG 0DUFRV 6HQHVL LQ WKH VSDFH RI ÀYH minutes completed what must go down as one of the most famous triumphs in Bournemouth’s history. In Germany, defending champions %D\HUQ 0XQLFK VOLSSHG WR WKHLU ÀUVW Bundesliga defeat of the season as they were thrashed 5-1 by Eintracht Frankfurt.

Ndidi on Target as Leicester Cling to Top of Championship

XSHU (DJOHV PLGÀHOG enforcer, Wilfred Ndidi, was on target as Leicester City remain on top of the second tier Championship league table in England. Stephy Mavididi who scored twice in the encounter, opened

the scoring from the penalty spot after 14 minutes before the Foxes scored three goals in a scintillating seven-minute spell after the break to take the game out of Plymouth Argyle’s reach at 4-0. Patson Daka doubled LeicesWHU·V OHDG ZLWK D FRRO ÀQLVK DIWHU

49 minutes before Mavididi drilled home his second of the game just three minutes later. Nigeria international Ndidi completed the scoring in the WK PLQXWH ÀQLVKLQJ LQ RͿ D post from Daka’s pass to ensure the Foxes remain one point clear at the top of the table.

Plymouth in contrast are winless in 10 league games on the road this season. The game burst into life when Mavididi went to ground in the box under a challenge from Julio Pleguezuelo before stepping up to roll the resulting penalty into the bottom left corner.

CBN Governor Restates Commitment to Sports Devt

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

overnorofCentral Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, yesterday in Ilorin said that the apex bank is irrevocably committed to the development of sports activities in the country.

Dr.CardosoaddedthatCBNhas accordingly, been in the forefront of supporting and developing sports through “our sponsorship of other events which include the CBN Tennis Open and CBN Golf WRXUQDPHQWV µ Cardoso said this in Ilorin at WKH ÀQDOV RI QG HGLWLRQ RI WKH CBN Governor’s Cup Football Competition.

Abuja Headquarters of CBN FC and Lagos FC played the ÀQDO ZLWK WKH IRUPHU HPHUJLQJ victorious. &%1 /DJRV )& ÀQLVKHG DV runners up while CBN Bauchi FC defeated Ilorin FC to win the third placed match. RepresentedbyHeadEmployee Relations and Welfare Division of the Human Resources Depart-

ment of the CBN, Mrs. Brenda Daurang, Cardoso added that: ´7KH VLJQLÀFDQFH RI WKH FRPSHWLWLRQ UHÁHFWHG LQ WKH EDQN·V corporate social responsibility and derived from its sponsorship RI WKH $OO ÀQDQFLDO LQVWLWXWLRQV football competition, remains a testament to the bank’s contributions towards the development of sports in the country.

Sunday 10 December, 2023

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Islamic scholar to FG “North is bleeding, bandits kill us, hunger kills us, and the military that are supposed to protect us are also killing us. This is too much for us” – Sokoto-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Bello Yabo, condemning what is happening in the northern region following the bombing of villagers in Kaduna State.

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

And Four The Change that Never Was Other Things…

lus ça change, plus c’est la même chose. Pardon my French. I was saying: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” When the All Progressives Congress (APC) wowed Nigerians with the slogan of “change” ahead of the 2015 elections, I was as sceptical as I could be, knowing well that it was a gimmick. In my article, ‘May We Now Discuss the Issues, Please?’ (THISDAY, December 21, 2014), I wrote: “I am one of those Nigerians who cannot be easily moved by political slogans. I love the music of ‘change’ as rendered by the APC, but talk is cheap. What we need to know now is the content of this ‘change’…” Nine years on and I am still waiting. Fellow Nigerians, it is all politics. Perhaps, our understanding of change differs. Maybe the problem is with me, not with the APC. To me, change means a new way of doing things: departing from our notorious culture of profligacy, impunity and “anyhowness”. Every government, APC or not, will do economic reform, build physical infrastructure, and initiate poverty reduction programmes under different names. That is the drill. But genuine change should reflect in the conduct of government business, in the quality of appointees, and in the management of resources. I think of change in a transformational Tinubu way that will make Nigerians truly believe in their country again after so many false dawns. I am still their portfolios — as usual. The PDP governments did that [for] 16 years and we criticised them. Buhari and waiting. It took me less than two months of the APC-led APC promised us ‘change’ but they have continued government in 2015 to figure out that “change” meant with that tradition. If APC rules Nigeria for 16 years, something else. On his first foreign trip, President we can expect the tradition to endure.” These days, it is very painful to the eyes as a Muhammadu Buhari went to the US with a 33-man delegation, which I considered too large and wasteful. “change” government that is preaching “sacrifice” is His son was on the entourage for reasons we were busy showcasing extravagance in the face of harsh never told. Things were shaping up to be more of economic realities. I have not seen anything yet to the same. Buhari’s spokesman retorted: “President make me think anything is about to change. The Barack Obama travels with his children and so the latest episode is the massive population of Nigerian President of Nigeria can travel with three or four officials that invaded Dubai for COP28. The waste of his children. Late President Umaru Yar’Adua actually started weeks after President Bola Tinubu used to travel with two of his sons and one of his said “subsidy is gone” on May 29, 2023. Over 100 grandchildren.” Nigerians always justify silliness with vehicles, fuelled from our loan-dependent treasury, took over Lagos roads to welcome him from a foreign “it also happens in America”. The most alarming line of the attempted justification trip. This was followed by the appointment of a was that since Yar’Adua too travelled with his sons bloated cabinet. Tinubu’s budgets so far are full of and grandchildren, then all was well. In other words, misplaced priorities. What next? Nigeria’s culture of waste is legendary — and change does not mean change. Travelling with your son or daughter or grandchildren probably costs us this started before the oil boom. The late Lee Kwan next to nothing in the grand scheme of expenditure. Yew, former Singaporean leader, recounted in his But there is something called dissonance — when book, ‘From Third World to First: The Singapore your words and your signals misalign. You cannot Story’, what he saw at the Commonwealth Heads of promise to do things differently and then continue in Government Meeting, in Ottawa, Canada, in August the wasteful traditions of your predecessors. That is 1973. He recalled how the leaders of poor countries, dissonance. With Buhari also retaining the expansive namely Nigeria, Kenya and Bangladesh, came in fleet of presidential jets like his predecessors, it was glittering jets while at the same time trying to make soon clear that my understanding of “change” was a case for development aid for their countries. This is exactly what I mean by dissonance: living a life of different from APC’s. Oh, I understand the game. The US also has waste and opulence and at the same time begging presidential jets, so Nigeria must maintain a fleet too. for help to tackle poverty and underdevelopment. Meanwhile, the King of England and the UK prime The joke is on us, guys. Lee wrote on the irony thus: “The Bangladeshi minister fly British Airways, but… never mind. The US is the goal. I can imagine Senator Sunday Karimi Prime Minister, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, arrived asking if we expect a “whole” Nigerian president to in style in his own aircraft. When I landed, I saw a fly “rickety” commercial airlines. I recall that when the parked Boeing 707 with “Bangladesh” emblazoned National Assembly refused to approve the purchase of on it. When I left, it was still standing on the same a new jet for President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2001, he spot, idle for eight days, getting obsolescent without petulantly flew British Airways in order to blackmail earning anything. As I left the hotel for the airport, them, maintaining that the existing presidential aircraft two huge vans were being loaded with packages for was too old and unsafe. Today, we have acquired the Bangladeshi aircraft. At the conference, Mujibur a yacht for presidential pleasure. Afterall, the US Rahman had made a pitch for aid to his country. Any public relations firm would have advised him president also has one. After Buhari’s first term in office, the “anyhowness” not to leave his special aircraft standing for eight did not stop. In ‘Just Take a Bow, Guys’ (THISDSAY, whole days on the parking apron. You want aid but July 28, 2019), I wrote: “Anybody who is interested in you are showing opulence to the world. “Presidents of Kenya and Nigeria also arrived studying the quality of leadership in Nigeria and why our country is perpetually stuck in underdevelopment in jets. I wondered why they did not set out to would have learnt a great deal from the screening of impress the world that they were poor and in dire ministerial nominees by the senate... Buhari finally sent need of assistance. Our permanent representative at a list of 43 nominees to the senate without attaching the UN explained that the poorer the country, the

bigger the Cadillacs they hired for their leaders. So, I made a virtue of arriving by ordinary commercial aircraft and thus helped preserve Singapore’s Third World status for many years. However, by the mid1990s, the World Bank refused to heed our pleas not to reclassify us as a “High Income Developing Country” — giving no Brownie points for my frugal travel habits. We lost all the concessions that were given to developing countries.” Poor Lee. I will never forget the Nigerian jamboree to the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. To start with, there were more officials than athletes. I could even live with that. We did not win a single medal, not even wood or clay. But I could also live with that. By the time it was time for our contingent to return home, the chattered aircraft could not accommodate the excess luggage. Maybe our people were consoling themselves by embarking on a shopping spree after the dismal outing. When Nigerians back home criticised them for lacking shame after such failure, an unnamed official told journalists: “I am over 70 years old. You don’t expect me to go to Korea and return emptyhanded.” This Dubai jamboree is difficult to justify. Could it be that we are really interested in climate change? There was a climate change forum in Abuja on November 22, 2023, organised by Agora Policy, a think-tank. Its report on the impact of climate change on socio-economic development in Nigeria was to be presented and discussed. Dr Salisu Dahiru, the DG of the newly created National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), confirmed he would be on the panel. Aside my joy that we now have a government body dealing with climate issues, I was also eager to listen to Dahiru. He did not show up. He reportedly had a call from the “Villa” — a well-used excuse to avoid appointments. Effectively, a climate change conference addressing issues specific to Nigeria and holding in Abuja did not have a single representative from the NCCC, the federal ministry of environment, or presidency, despite invitations. It would have cost less than N5,000 petrol for someone to attend. Two weeks later, the same NCCC sent 32 delegates to attend COP28 in Dubai. The federal ministry of environment sent 34 delegates. Presidency sent 67 officials. Until there is a fundamental change in the thinking and values of those who hold public offices in Nigeria, there can never be a change in the conduct of government business. It will continue to be business as usual. It is a cultural issue. I know there are people still in electioneering mood. They are gloating over Tinubu’s missteps. But as I often argue since time immemorial, if the Nigerian president fails, we will all suffer the consequences. It is like praying for your flight to crash because you don’t like the pilot. It doesn’t work like that. It doesn’t matter who you supported. We have a de facto government in place and its success or failure will impact all of us. That is why every Nigerian with a voice (and a brain, no matter how tiny) should brace up to hold this government accountable every step of the way. Democracy does not start and stop with elections. Moreover, demand for accountability should not be seasonal. It is not too late for the APC to change. The ominous signs are that this government will be wasteful and insensitive. The indications are clearly outlined in the 2024 budget. Tinubu must send the right signals. He can use some frugality. I do not suggest that being frugal makes a good leader — you can be prudent and incompetent — but it is the barest minimum. You should not be wasting food in front of hungry people. Millions of Nigerians are hungry and angry. The government cannot afford to be tone-deaf. Let the message of sacrifice apply to everybody. Change is better as a verb. It shouldn’t be just a noun, a slogan. It is still not too early (or too late) for Tinubu to press the reset button.

TUDUN TRAGEDY Over 100 villagers in Tudun Biri, Kaduna state, were accidentally killed in an operation against suspected terrorists by the Nigerian army. According to the defence headquarters, an unmanned aerial vehicle, better known as drone, targeted the movement of terrorists at Ligarma, “an area notorious for being a haven of insurgents”. Although these errors are not uncommon in military operations across the world, they are becoming too commonplace in Nigeria and this speaks to a deeper problem than just a case of mistaken target. No amount of apologies, though necessary, will bring back the dead. The military must urgently up its game to avoid more tragic mishaps. Painful. BUDGET RUMPUS Someone asked: why are journalists focusing on budgetary allocations for food, travels and renovations when there are many development-oriented items? I am not authorised to speak on behalf of Nigerian journalists but I know that budgets for travels and food are always more likely to perform 100 percent. The ones for schools and hospitals will score F9. Basically, budgeting in Nigeria is for the comfort of government officials. They are always padded with waste and corruption. I am glad that increasingly, there is public spotlight on self-serving budgetary items, although mostly at federal level. Our democracy cannot engender development without people-led accountability. Fact. REWRITING HISTORY Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) was on TV the other day saying things I am still trying to understand. “Don’t let us talk about the Buhari’s administration because Jonathan left a positive $15 billion GDP to current account cash,” he said. What does that even mean? “All these rails and airports were built by Jonathan. You can’t even pinpoint one single project that cost $1 billion that Buhari actually funded.” Really? Buhari completed standard gauge railway projects between 2016 and 2021: Abuja-Kaduna, Itakpe-Warri and Lagos-Ibadan, which he started from scratch. Then, there is the second Niger bridge. This definitely cannot be blamed on history not being taught in schools. Cruise. NO COMMENT You think you have heard it all? Now, add this to your collection. Senate President Godswill Akpabio has just made an uncommon discovery that lack of accountability is what is making citizens to not trust political parties. Listen: “Political parties have not only provided platforms for citizens to participate in the democratic process… However, it would be remiss of us not to acknowledge the issues that have marred our democratic culture. These issues have led to a decrease in public trust and confidence in political parties. It is disheartening to witness citizens disenchanted with the very institutions that should represent their interests and safeguard their democratic rights.” Wonderful.

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