The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Rivers political crisis and national security

    Rivers political crisis and national security

    • By Nosa Osaikhuiwu

    Sir: The unfolding political drama in Rivers State poses deep and serious threat to public safety and our nation’s security. I could not disagree more with those criticizing the president for intervening to ensure peace and tranquillity reigns in Rivers State and Nigeria. The president is the chief security officer of the country with assistance from his national security adviser. The primary responsibility of this president or any president for that matter is to ensure the nation’s security, public safety, and security of lives and properties of Nigerians.

    Consequently, when taken in totality, the president’s action in pushing for an immediate cessation of hostilities between the political gladiators is the right thing to do and what is expected of the president and commander-in-chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    While it may not the president’s constitutional responsibility to settle the political divisions within a major opposition party or between one of his ministers and a sitting state governor, given the likelihood of violence that could result and spill out of control, it falls within the president’s constitutional mandate as chief security and law enforcement officer of the nation to act.

    Already, some unpatriotic elements have dusted up their playbook and tribal cards by threatening to blow up oil pipelines, a threat that must be taken seriously by our security services as such threats and those behind them are advocating violence as a means to resolving political differences which is nothing, but advocating terrorism as a political instrument.

    Read Also: Yuletide: Don’t think of vacation this season, we’ve burden of Nigerians on our shoulders, Shettima tells NEC

    The presidency should continue its efforts and hold both parties to the terms of their agreement. It is worth mentioning that the ultimate test of the agreement brokered by the president would be how the state governor and his predecessor engage going forward on current and future issues affecting their state. Will they continue to engage offline directly on all matters affecting their state or will they allow sycophants, tribal gladiators and those with nefarious political agendas to stoke further divisions?

    I am heartened a bit by the statement credited to Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, “that no price was too much to pay for peace”, and hope that former governor, Nyesom Wike will also commit to maintaining the peace in Rivers State at all costs while recognizing that there can only be one governor at a time. He should support his handpicked governor to ensure a peaceful development of his state.

    Fubara should deepen his engagement with his predecessor and carry out wider consultations with him to maintain peace in the state on major transformational actions by his government. 

    Besides, Fubara should communicate directly with his predecessor, not through third parties or surrogates. ‘ The FCT minister should prioritize his current portfolio to help the president deliver on his agenda and allow the governor to manage his state.

    Both of them should understand that the real power and sovereignty rests with the Rivers State indigenes, and they will have another crack to exercise this power in 36 months when the governor is up for re-election, so both must sheathe their swords.

    Finally, I would like to commend the president, his national security adviser and well-meaning indigenes of Rivers State that were part of this peace accord, for recognizing the threat that this issue could have posed to our nation and acting to extinguish it. The president should direct the national security adviser to continue and deepen further engagement between Governor Fubara and the former and Minister Wike to give this accord time to work.

    •Nosa Osaikhuiwu,

    Houston, Texas, USA.

  • Nigeria at COP28: Cautious hope for renewable future

    Nigeria at COP28: Cautious hope for renewable future

    • By Abideen Olasupo

    Sir: The 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) concluded in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on December 14 brought together nearly 200 countries to discuss and negotiate ways to address the global climate crisis.

     For Africa, which is disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change despite contributing the least to global emissions, COP28 was an opportunity to secure commitments from developed countries to provide finance and technology for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

    For Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and a major oil producer, the conference was an opportunity to chart a course towards a more sustainable future.

    COP28 produced a mixed bag of outcomes for Africa and Nigeria. On the one hand, the conference adopted a number of resolutions that could have a positive impact on the continent. A good example is the Global Goal on Adaptation, which aims to mobilize $25 billion per year for climate adaptation by 2025.

    There is also the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI), which aims to mobilize $100 billion for renewable energy in Africa by 2030; and then the Loss and Damage Fund, which will provide financial assistance to developing countries that have been hit by climate disasters.

     These resolutions, if implemented effectively, could provide much-needed resources for African countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change and transition to a low-carbon economy.

    However, there are also reasons for caution. There are major concerns particularly that the commitments made at COP28 are not legally binding, and there is no guarantee that they will be translated into concrete action. In addition, many African countries, including Nigeria, are still heavily reliant on fossil fuels for their energy needs. 

    Transitioning to a renewable energy future will require significant investment and support from developed countries.

    Despite the challenges, COP28 represents a step forward in the fight against climate change.

    The resolutions adopted at the conference provide a foundation for a more sustainable future for Africa and Nigeria. It is now up to African governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector to work together to ensure that these commitments are translated into action.

     For Nigeria, COP28 is an opportunity to accelerate its transition to a renewable energy future. The country has abundant solar and wind resources, and the government has set a target of generating 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. 

    COP28 provides an opportunity to secure the financing and technology needed to achieve this goal.

    A shift to renewable energy would not only help Nigeria to mitigate its climate impact, but it would also create jobs, boost economic growth, and improve air quality. 

    In addition, it would make Nigeria less reliant on imported fossil fuels, which would save the country billions of dollars in foreign exchange.

    The transition to a renewable energy future will not be easy. However, COP28 has shown that there is a global commitment to supporting developing countries in their efforts to address climate change. With hard work and dedication, Nigeria can seize this opportunity to build a more sustainable future for its people and planet.

    Read Also: Prioritise your health, strengthen bonds with loved ones, God – First Lady tells elderly Nigerians

    To strengthen this commitment, African countries must make sustainable investments in climate change education. Africa, although it bears the brunt of the climate crisis, its people are largely ignorant of climate change. Designing and implementing climate educative policies will fast track access to clean and renewable energy especially in the rural areas.

    Africa must also ensure that its fight against climate disinformation is fought with all seriousness.

    Climate disinformation can also erode public trust in climate science and scientists, making it more difficult to develop and implement effective climate policies.

    For Nigeria, COP28 is an opportunity to accelerate its transition to a renewable energy future. This would not only help Nigeria to mitigate its climate impact, but it would also create jobs, boost economic growth, and improve air quality. The transition will not be easy, but with hard work and dedication, Nigeria can seize this opportunity to build a more sustainable future for its people and planet.

    •Abideen Olasupo,

     <abideenolasupo@gmail.com>

  • Cross carpeting under the 1999 Constitution 

    Cross carpeting under the 1999 Constitution 

    • By Akintayo Balogun

    Since the restoration of democratic structures in May 1999, there have been cases of serving legislators defecting to another party other than the party under whose umbrella they contested and won elections. This act is known as cross carpeting. In the political space, it is popularly known as decamping or defection.

    The issue of the defection of serving legislators had become a stigma, an embarrassment, and a form of dishonour to parties that sponsor candidates to victory in an election. To reduce the rate of defection of serving legislators, the constitution was further amended to checkmate how serving legislators jump from one party to another, particularly after being elected into office under a particular party. 

    Following the general elections held in February and March, there have been cases of defection. Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, representing Anambra South Senatorial constituency, crossed from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) to the All Progressives Party (APC), and recently, 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly moved from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC). 

    Cross carpeting had been a regular practice by serving legislators and governors and even a vice president at some points. Despite the amendment to the constitution however, legislators still flout the express provision with reckless abandon, based majorly on the political advantage they get once they defect to another party.

    Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution provides thus:

    “(1) A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if – . . . “

     ”(g) being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected; Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a DIVISION in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a MERGER of two or more political parties or FACTIONS by one of which he was previously sponsored;”

    Section 109 of the Constitution provides thus: 

    (1) A member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the House if –

    g) being a person whose election to the House of Assembly was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of any other political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected: Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored;

    It is the duty of a serving legislator who defects from one party to states/to show explicitly that there is serious division in the political party where he is decamping from or a merger of two or more political parties or a faction by which he was previously sponsored. Where the legislator fails to provide these decisive constitutional issues, his defection to another political party is tantamount to vacating his seat. 

    Sections 68(2) and 109(2) of the Constitution provides thus: 

    “2) The President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the case may be, shall give effect to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, so however that the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives or a member shall first present evidence satisfactory to the House concerned that any of the provisions of that subsection has become applicable in respect of that member.”

    “The Speaker of the House of Assembly shall give effect to subsection (1) of this section, so however that the Speaker or a member shall first present evidence satisfactory to the House that any of the provisions of that subsection has become applicable in respect of the member.”

    Read Also: Yuletide: Don’t think of vacation this season, we’ve burden of Nigerians on our shoulders, Shettima tells NEC

    The burden now is on the president of the senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives or any of the Speakers of the various Houses of Assembly to ensure that a defector fulfils the constitutional requirement before defecting to another party.

    This constitutional position of declaring the seat of a defector vacant was given life in the case of  Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde V. Ondo State House Of Assembly (2015) 8 NWLR 314, where the court held thus:

    “…is to the effect that only such FACTIONALIZATION, FRAGMENTATION, SPLINTERING or “DIVISION” that makes it impossible or impracticable for a political party to function as such will, by virtue of the proviso to section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, justify a person’s defection to another party and the retention of his seat for the unexpired term in the house in spite of the defection. The division must affect the entire structure of the political party at the centre, that is to say, national leadership. Otherwise, as rightly held by the trial court and the Court of Appeal, in this case, the defector automatically loses his seat…”

    Ordinarily, it is the duty of the president of the senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or any of the speakers of the various 36 Houses of Assembly to declare the seats of such defectors vacant, and ordinarily, the Independent National Electoral Commission ought to act immediately upon being notified by the Speaker, by conducting a fresh election into the seat. However, this takes a lot of political will for such to happen in Nigeria particularly when the defector is joining the speaker or senate president in his political party.

    In some quarters, it was argued though erroneously, that a court order is needed to determine the vacation of the seats by the serving members of a legislative house. This is incorrect. Nowhere in the constitution was it stated that an order of the court be required to declare a seat vacant or to prove that the defector has fulfilled grounds for defection. The court only comes into play when an aggrieved political party goes to court by itself and in its name, to seek an order of the court, mandating the speaker or president of the senate to declare the seat of the defector vacant as well as ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh election. This is where the court comes in. Putting the court ahead of this would be delegating unconstitutional powers to the court. 

    Analysts and pundits have further argued that there should be freedom of association, as guaranteed under section 40 of the Constitution.

    Yes, while I agree that no legislator should be forced to stay in a political party against his will, however, a legislator, who has been elected on the platform of a political party cannot just wake up one day, due to political interest, political bias, the order of a godfather, or the future of his political interest, decide to defect to another political party that did not sponsor his election, particularly without providing the grounds for the defection to another political party. The vote belongs to the party. It was the party logo and name that was on the ballot boxes and not the name of the contestant. 

    In the words of Honourable Justice Taiwo Taiwo (now retired), while delivering judgment in the case of the legislators in Cross Rivers State House of Assembly that defected from the PDP to the APC, he held that it was disheartening that politicians in the country treat citizens as if they do not matter once they get into office. According to him, we cannot continue in sin and expect grace to abound. 

    It is obvious that jumping from one political party to another, particularly for serving legislators is in bad faith, having been sponsored by one political party. The courts have consistently held that the votes of a party cannot be transferred to another. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, the game of politics and political interest has taken precedence over constitutional provisions. We can only hope to get it right in Nigeria. 

    •Balogun Esq is a legal practitioner based in Abuja.

  • Lagos and the 2024 budget of renewal

    Lagos and the 2024 budget of renewal

    • By Tayo Ogunbiyi

    The common accounting tool governments, companies, organisations and several other institutions across the world use for planning and controlling what they must do to satisfy the people,  customers and succeed in  governance, business and other areas of human endeavours is budgeting.

    Budgets provide a measure of the financial results a company expects from its planned activities. By planning for the future, government officials, chief executives, managers, administrators and others in leadership positions learn to anticipate problems and how to avoid them. Instead of subsequently facing problems, they can focus their energies on exploiting opportunities.

    In the last four and half years, the Lagos State Government has changed the paradigm not only in budgeting, but in its implementation in the country. The state has not only effectively monitored budget implementation; it has consistently delivered a budget performance in excess of 70%. It has been the policy of the government to embark on periodic budget review.

    Repeated monitoring, critical examination and diligent application of the process have impacted positively on budget performance in the state. The idea of periodic budget assessment speaks volume of the pro-activeness of the government as it affords it a scientific basis of measuring   its performance in a consistent manner while putting pressure on government departments and agencies to meet budgetary targets.

    While presenting the 2024 budget estimate christened ‘The Budget of Renewal’,   to the state House of Assembly, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu revealed that as at the third quarter of 2023, the period ending September 30, his government had implemented N1.032 trillion of the 2023 Budget, representing 78% of the prorated estimate of N1.326 trillion.

    According to the governor, actual capital expenditure stood at N613.52 billion, 80 percent of the prorated estimate of N764.93 billion, while actual recurrent expenditure was at N419.06 billion, representing 75 percent of the prorated estimate of N561.073 billion.

    He was, however, convinced that the 2023 budget will have a budget performance that is close to 90% by the end of the year.

    This amply reflects the commendable form of progress that is being made in terms of budget monitoring and implementation at the ‘Centre of Excellence’. More importantly, it is inspiring that the result of a recent impact assessment done by the government shows that critical sectors such as Health, Education, the Environment, and Security are experiencing marked improvements.

    In terms of literacy level, for example, the level in the state is above the national average. In terms of life expectancy, the life expectancy in Lagos State is above the national average with a much more advanced environment like Johannesburg.

    The implication of this is enhanced security, improved healthcare and invariably better quality of life. The number of patients to doctors is also improving as reflected in life expectancy.  Equally, the number of still births and deaths is also gradually reducing.

    Read Also: Prioritise your health, strengthen bonds with loved ones, God – First Lady tells elderly Nigerians

    It is, thus, quite cheering that the state’s 2024 Budget proposal is coming at a time when the focus of the government is on sustaining and surpassing the gains of the past four and half years through the completion of several ongoing projects such as the Phase 11 of the Lagos Blue Light Rail, Massey Street Children’s Hospital, General Hospital, Ojo and Opebi-Ojota Link Bridge among others.

    The 2024 Budget, as proposed, has a total budget size of N2.246,234 trillion, comprising a total revenue of N1.847,951 trillion and deficit financing of N398.283 billion. Total revenue comprises Internally Generated Revenue, IGR (N1.251,322 trillion), and Total Federal Transfer (N596.629 billion).

    It also consists of a recurrent expenditure of N1.021 trillion, comprising total overhead, total personnel cost and recurrent debt service. This comprises total overhead cost: N527.782 billion, which is made up of overhead (N304.753 Billion), subventions (N123.010 billion), dedicated funds amounting to N100.02 billion and total personnel cost: N319.230 billion.

    Others include recurrent debt service N174.94 billion, while a total of N1.224 trillion is proposed for capital expenditure, comprising N856.387 billion for capital expenditure and N367.893 billion for repayments.

    Highlights of sectoral allocation of the proposed budget shows that the sum of N535 billion was projected for economic affairs, N94 billion for the environment, N156 billion for health, N199 billion for education, N50 billion for social protection and N84 billion for public order and safety.

    In summary, the budget size is made up of recurrent expenditure of N1.021, 954trn (45%) and capital expenditure of N1.224,280 (55%).

    In our clime, the human challenges that confronted the full implementation of the budget are both behavioural and attitudinal as people still refuse to comply with laws of the state. The effect of this is an increase in the cost of running government in many ways because compulsory compliance which the people will not accede to, leaves government spending more money on law enforcement than it probably would have.

    People driving against traffic, people not managing their refuse properly, refusing to use the PSP and patronising cart pushers who are not registered to operate, people selling along the road and so many other unwholesome behaviours are all parts of the human factors working against the budget.

    From all indications, with the availability of the required financial resources, the government will accomplish its objective of sustaining a rising Lagos.  Over the years, it has demonstrated enough capacity to implement projects.  Ironically, however, the successes of the state have created some social and economic challenges as reflected in the number of people coming into the state to benefit from what it has to offer. It is quite similar to the case of Nigerians travelling abroad in quest for the proverbial greener pasture.

    In order to ensure total success of the state’s 2024 budget, the people need to be fully involved in its implementation. For instance, they need to speak up whenever they notice any anomaly in the implementation of projects in their localities. The projects in their localities are theirs and are principally meant for them so they should monitor them to ensure that money being spent is well spent.

    Similarly, existing structures for programme monitoring should be supported with proper evaluation systems especially where existing ones are weak. It is important, equally, that evaluation provides evidence-based information that is credible, reliable and useful, enabling the timely incorporation of findings, recommendation and lessons learnt into decision making.

    Perhaps, more notably, all MDAs in the state need to be more creative in their revenue generation drive by focusing on untapped areas of revenue.

    •Ogunbiyi is Director (Features), Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

  • To Sylvester Ekanem

    To Sylvester Ekanem

    Dead people don’t read tributes. Or do they? I may not be able to be categorical since I have never been on the other side. Whatever the truth is, situations demand tributes. 

    So, I write a tribute to a star dimmed before his first major outing is published. 

    It is disheartening that in a world with millions of burnt-out souls, such souls hardly interest death. In their place, death chooses to take the ones still in their prime, the one who has shown promise, the ones with the vibes, the ones who make us salivate for more. 

    I once again came to those conclusions some days back after my excitement about a star was prematurely dimmed, after my prediction about what the future had in stock for this star turned out an exercise in futility. 

    I had seen a review of ‘Blood Vessel’, a Netflix Original, on Instagram and decided to check it out. A line in the review referred to someone as late but it would be hours later before that line would make sense to me. 

    When I started seeing this beautiful work directed by Moses Inwang, one of the characters that stood out for me was Tekena. His given name was Sylvester Ekanem. He and his brother, Olotu, wanted to stow away to Europe on a vessel with the help of Mr P. Their journey coincided with the uprising in Nembe after a soldier was set alight. They found themselves in the company of the ones who set the soldier on fire and two lovers intent on being together against all odds. They all got on the vessel and eventually only Tekena and Abbey, the lead who is another character after my heart, made it back home. The rest were killed. And gruesomely too. 

    The only girl on the vessel was Oyinbrakemi who was pregnant. She and her lover, Abbey, a star worth looking out for, got on the vessel trying to ensure her father didn’t send her to Warri to get the pregnancy aborted and also separate them for life. Her father lied to the military that Abbey was the leader of the militants who set the soldier alight. He thus became marked and his mother urged him to disappear. 

    Oyinbrakemi’s father’s action wasn’t unrelated to the fact that she was born after her mother visited the sea goddess and betrothed her to the goddess after she was born. The implication is that she would never get married lest she would return to the sea. 

    Tekena gave me the vibe of a star and I looked forward to seeing his acting career blossom, but my hope was dashed while the end credit of the movie was being run. The one who survived in the movie didn’t make it in real life. I found this out because the movie is dedicated to Sylvester Ekanem, who was Tekena, and the prefix ‘late’ was written in front of his name. He died after the movie was premiered and he died with his prowess. Death took a star, one who sparkled and sparkled like a diamond in the sky.

    Read Also: Yuletide: Don’t think of vacation this season, we’ve burden of Nigerians on our shoulders, Shettima tells NEC

    In this movie made largely in Ijaw and Pidgin English, and a sprinkling of English language, Ekanem was everywhere and anywhere. I particularly don’t like action movies but Inwang succeeded in making me enjoy the over two-hour movie with the right dosage of suspense, believable storyline and fantastic actors, including the great Ekanem, now an ancestor. His character in the movie was ready to fight his elder brother to death just to live, but brotherly love saw him rise above this selfish mindset. 

    The death of promising minds such as Ekanem is one of the riddles of life I doubt I will ever understand. Will death ever leave our stars and take the burnt-out souls? Will death stop choosing to take the ones still in their prime, the one who has shown promise, the ones with the vibes, the ones who make us salivate for more? From what I have learnt from experience, death isn’t about to stop its havoc. The burnt-out souls’ reprieve isn’t about to end, and the attacks on the stars aren’t stopping!

    Rest well, Sylvester Ekanem. Though you are no more, ‘Blood Vessel’ will forever keep you in our memories. You are immortalised already. 

    I am consoled by the fact that the like of (David Ezekiel) Abbey, my major star of the movie, and Adaobi Dibor are still with us. Ezekiel is a star to watch out for. May his light not dim any time soon. 

    I also hope one day we will see an end to the practice where soldiers act as though the life of one of them is equal to the lives and properties of an entire community. Setting an entire community into commotion because a soldier is killed is senseless and it will forever be.

    Oil giants need find a way around spillage so that fishes don’t become contaminated and thus poisonous to the people in oil-bearing areas. Spillage and other associated challenges were behind the protest in the movie, which, unfortunately, led to the killing of the soldier, one of those in Nembe to protect the interest of an oil giant. 

    Since the discovery of oil in commercial quantity in Oloibiri, in present-day Bayelsa State in 1956, the region has been embroiled in controversies, agitation and protests over the attendant oil spills, devastating pollution of fishing zones and sources of potable water and ecological degradation.

    Over the years, the people have lived in conditions that are intolerable. From time to time, gross neglect and under-development snowball into pockets of protests and agitation for resource control because successive administrations at the centre and in some states glossed over sustainable development of the region.

    My final take: The vessel this young men and woman got aboard is one of those milking our nation and giving nothing to replenish it. Therefore, I hope that one day the powerful people in government who protect sea pirates masquerading as businessmen will meet their waterloo and our common resources will no longer be stolen in a manner that further pauperise our people and our nation. 

  • Time to heal Benue

    Time to heal Benue

    • By Donald Kumun

    An unhealthy political crinckum crankum has enveloped the politics of Benue State as we speak. While someone may not be interested in apportioning the blames on any party to the development, it is equally of great essence to place it on the records that, in an atmosphere of rancour, things fall apart rapidly. The ties that binds, even as they appear to be in larger quantum, have now been jettisoned and some primordial sentiments are radicalised.

    However, the time for political gladiators to heal Benue State is now. Benue State was plagued by some level of insecurity which thwarted all efforts to place her in a position where it can compete favourably with her peers. But since the inauguration of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, as the sixth democratically elected governor of the state, on May 29, relative peace have returned to the state. This is heart-warming and cheering. We need to build a great capital on this prevailing scenario and galvanise all efforts to chat the course of a new developmental pattern.

    It is time for all political parties and individuals to put their differences aside and work together with the governor in the saddle to bring about actions, policies, programmes and projects that will bring about an assured mutual prosperity, given that he has begun well, according to feelers, and nobility of expressions. Some of the projects within six months of his leadership are glaring for our comprehension.

    Healing Benue State requires a collective effort from all political gladiators. They must set aside personal interests and prioritize the needs of the people. This means putting an end to political vehemence. It also means focusing on developmental strides that will benefit the people and improve their quality of life.

    This is the time to engage in a dialogue to address the root causes of the heat they have needlessly generated in Benue State. This could involve constructively discussing imagined issues hovering on an alleged political marginalization. By understanding and addressing these underlying issues, they can work towards long-term solutions that will foster peace and stability in the state.

    In the first place, what really do all the sides of the divide want? We must start by interrogating our conscience from this viewpoint and then accelerate into other areas of common concerns.

    Furthermore, there is every need to work towards promoting inclusivity and unity among the diverse communities in Benue State. This can be done through initiatives that encourage dialogue and the spirit of sportsmanship, 

    Healing Benue State also involves implementing policies that seeks to eliminate the bad governance that slipped the state into a comma. This is a pivotal effort towards restoring sanity, law and order and will go a long way to protect the sanctity of our collective existence.

    Those who seek to make a political capital from this situation where brothers are fighting themselves in order to retain dominance must first and foremost desist from this drift forth with.

    In saner climes, key players do exist and actually do play a crucial role in resolving political tensions and other issues related thereto. These array and various layers of stakeholders include politicians, government officials, community leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and the general public.

    Development-oriented political stakeholders must swing into action by acting as mediators in resolving the brouhaha by facilitating dialogue and negotiations between different political parties or factions. They can help create conducive environment for dialogue and strive to find a common ground. 

    Read Also: Prioritise your health, strengthen bonds with loved ones, God – First Lady tells elderly Nigerians

    It is now the best time for all the stakeholders and indeed the gatekeepers of our society to use their influence, wealth of experience, and resources to advocate for efforts that will foster peaceful existence that accounts for a redirection of efforts and elimination of both the centripetal and centrifugal conjugations. They need to speak out, not necessarily, to apportion blames, name and shame anyone, but to promote a healthy conversation at a time like now that such is needed. Diplomacy should be the focal point in this instance.

    Political stakeholders must now embark on a mission to rekindle the trust, reunite and work towards building a lasting legacy of selfless service by showing good examples to the teeming younger generation that is keenly watching and documenting their outings. They must work assiduously to heal our land and re-unite for a common objective-develop a human capital base. Too much heat is not good for Benue State.

    Our stakeholders must and can play a role in ensuring that all relevant parties are involved in the reconfiguration process. This includes marginalized groups, such as women, youth, and minority communities. By promoting inclusivity and participation, political stakeholders can help to address grievances and build a more friendly and participatory space.

    It sinks badly when those who are vertically and horizontally placed in places of responsibility turnaround and start playing the roles of the devil’s advocates. An abrupt deviation from this malpractice will salvage the situation and rededicate our energy into more productive ventures. It is time for the “Critical Stakeholders”, and indeed, all the first class chiefs, who have seen it all, to step up their games.

    Good enough, most of these honourable and distinguished personalities have already spoken on the news to give the governor a level-playing ground for him to steer the affairs of the state. Those who haven’t done so are enjoined to follow suit. This is the least of the duties that they owe Benue State at the moment.

    Overall, no political elder need promote any form of negative energy. It is important that each and every one refrains from recruiting jobbers to escalate issues and elevate them out of proportion. Through mediation, advocacy, reconciliation efforts, mutual respect, inclusivity, monitoring, and promoting good governance, they can contribute to the much needed long-term peace and tranquillity that we crave for in the state.

    •Kumun, is Principal Special Assistant to the Benue State governor on Print Media.

  • EWL 2023: Hannatu Musawa sets Nigeria’s creative renaissance in motion

    EWL 2023: Hannatu Musawa sets Nigeria’s creative renaissance in motion

    The Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, took the centre stage at the Entertainment at the Week Lagos (EWL) 2023 to emphasise the government’s pledge to bolster Nigeria’s creative industry.

     This event, celebrating African ingenuity, served as a platform for Musawa to reaffirm the administration’s dedication to fostering the nation’s artistic and entertainment community.

    Addressing a diverse audience of creators, industry stakeholders, and artists, Musawa encouraged Nigerians to embrace their creativity and honour diversity, underscoring the potential of artistic expression to elevate Nigeria’s global standing.

     Musawa also unveiled initiatives orchestrated by the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, aimed at positioning Nigeria as a dominant force in global cultural realms.

    In furtherance, Musawa stressed Nigeria’s existing global presence in music and passion but highlighted untapped potential in domains like architecture, design, gaming, and culinary arts. She rallied for collective efforts to redefine Nigeria’s creative landscape and invited public participation to support initiatives securing Nigeria’s lasting prominence on the world stage.

    Read Also: Yuletide: Don’t think of vacation this season, we’ve burden of Nigerians on our shoulders, Shettima tells NEC

     “We here at the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy have been working tirelessly to create the right framework and different initiatives that will propel us beyond our current growth, leapfrogging us to a position of dominance in global cultural affairs. Our music and passion are already at the forefront of conversation worldwide, yet our full spectrum of creativity remains untapped” Musawa stated during her address.

     Encouraging public engagement, Minister Musawa outlined the overarching ambition to establish Nigeria as a beacon of creativity and excellence. Her call resonated with EWL participants, signalling a joint effort to reshape Nigeria’s creative narrative.

  • All you need to know about Mayorkun and Calabar Festival Mega concert

    All you need to know about Mayorkun and Calabar Festival Mega concert

    Young and sensational Afrobeats singer, Mayorkun, had what was without any doubt an electric performance at the 2023 Calabar Festival Mega Concert at the U J Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

    It was an electrifying performance that left the crowd responding with excitement and frenzy. The crowd’s response prompted Mayorkun to promise to a certain fan the sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira), sparking off a more rapturous ovation from the crowd.

     However, mid-way into his performance, Mayorkun reiterated the promise of the N500, 000 raising hope that he would fulfil his promise. He continued his performance and went into the appreciate crowd where he threw his t-shirt to the sea of heads.

     It was all rosy and in cruise control, until the artist abruptly halted his performance, albeit having about ten minutes left to perform. He left the stage and the expectant young fans were livid that he was not keeping to his promise.

    Read Also: Prioritise your health, strengthen bonds with loved ones, God – First Lady tells elderly Nigerians

     It is not certain who went for Mayorkun’s jewellery as the crowd surged towards him seeing his departure without information on the promise made.

     During the whole process, he lost two valuable pieces of jewellery. Upon realising his loss, Mayorkun went on his social media handle to express his dissatisfaction over the incident.

     A Cross River state-born star artist, Inyanya Mbuk, in solidarity with Mayorkun, also took to his social media handles to appeal for the stolen jewellery to be returned. Security agents also swiftly swung into action, and efforts put in place so far, in less than 24 hours, produced one of the lost pieces of jewellery.

  • Peruzzi, Niniola, Alternate Sound thrill at Fidelity Family Weekend fiesta

    Peruzzi, Niniola, Alternate Sound thrill at Fidelity Family Weekend fiesta

    Peruzzi, Niniola and the Alternate Sound led entertainers who thrilled guests at the the Fidelity Family Weekend fiesta recently.

     The financial powerhouse recently hosted customers to two fun-filled days in commemoration of the yuletide.

     The event saw the bank hosting over 10,000 guests at the Fidelity Grounds, Oniru, Lagos, to a carnival-like atmosphere on Saturday, December 16 and Sunday, December 17.

     First day of the event climaxed with a ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree by Dr Onyeali-Ikpe during the rave which featured breathtaking musical performances by Alternate Sound and Sean Tizzle amongst a host of entertaining performances.

     On the second day, the event featured several games and a visit to Santa’s grotto by the children who all received goodie bags comprising several functional and educational gift items. 

    Guests at the rave of the second day of the FFW were treated to musical performances by Peruzzi and Niniola while Funny Bone anchored the event.

    Read Also: Yuletide: Don’t think of vacation this season, we’ve burden of Nigerians on our shoulders, Shettima tells NEC

     A special feature of the morning event on both days, which were hosted for young children, parents and grandparents was the loyalty prize presentation ceremony for the bank’s SWEETA and FPSS account holders. The event saw several FPSS and SWEETA customers each go home with N500,000 and N150,000 respectively.

     Speaking at the loyalty prize presentation ceremony, the chief host and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Onyeali-Ikpe said, “2023 has been an eventful year for us as a bank and we are indeed grateful for the success we recorded this year. We typically host an end-of-year party to cap the year and this year, we decided to try another approach and bring together the entire family in celebration of the Yuletide. We are happy to host you and have put in place lots of exciting activities to keep everyone engaged over the next two days.”

  • Best Okoduwa partners Folasade Osibo for ‘07.03’

    Best Okoduwa partners Folasade Osibo for ‘07.03’

    The much-awaited film from Best Okoduwa and Folashade Osino, ‘07.03 (7th of the 3rd),’ was recently screened in Lagos amidst glamour and ceremony.

     Written by Folasade Osibo but produced and directed by Best Okoduwa, ‘07.03’ was shot in Lagos and Oyo states with appearances from Blossom Chukwujekwu, Uche Montana, Tina Mba, Akin Lewis, Fred Amata, Mofe Duncan, Anthony Monjaro, Duke Elvis, and Agnes Obi among others.

    Read Also: Prioritise your health, strengthen bonds with loved ones, God – First Lady tells elderly Nigerians

     Speaking about the movie, Okoduwa said: “The movie has a huge touch of African voodoo and tradition; the title reflects the depth of the story. The critical events of the story happened on the 7th day of the 3rd month. It is a refreshing story of love and hope that will bless the audience with these two virtues at the end of the showcase. The major challenge was the dynamics of the film budget. Preproduction and production were caught up in the fuel subsidy removal and dollar hike era, and that affected our budget significantly. However, the crew and cast formed a very amiable professional bond.”