The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Lagos BRT: Reincarnation of the Molue?

    Lagos BRT: Reincarnation of the Molue?

    By Samuel Ogunnaike

    SIR: The rebirth of a soul in another body is a simple explanation of what reincarnation stands for. As recent observations have shown, it seems “molue” is back in another form.

    In Lagos, a lot has happened, with many of them hugging our memories tightly. Molue, as fondly called, was a bus infamously known for its harshness, lack of comfort, over boarding, but relatively affordable. More irritatingly, molues could take an eternity to convey their passengers from one destination to another. It was never a preference for the elite, but a usual taste for the poor, at least, in the sense of the word. After the undeniable reign of the molue buses, the curtain eventually drew on them as they became extinct. How they disappeared and why they vanished from Lagos roads are matters for other times.

    In all honesty, the Lagos BRT has largely distinguished itself from the ‘molue’. It runs on a separate lane, which allows it to deliver a faster service. These blue Lagos buses, by design, are suited to provide comfort as they are fully air conditioned and aptly built. They give you the joy and unalloyed excitement that you may possibly get if taken by a modern-day cab. To add to their distinction, you may make payments electronically, a superior service, in the face of my childhood ‘molue’ buses. The drivers, unlike those of the ‘lemon’ molues, drive with a high level of professionalism as they compete not against traffic nor ‘delivery time’. The Lagos BRT is further unique as it does not engage the services of a regular bus conductor, who could be malicious, uncultured, talkative and possibly spurious. On this account, the Lagos BRT is a way different.

    In recent days, the firm in charge of the BRT – has begun to give their passengers a high fever of discomfort as the BRT is strangely becoming the metaphor of my childhood molue. The experience in some Lagos Blue buses is similar to the tragic reality of the ancient molue buses, where those standing could almost outnumber those sitting. This situation further becomes nauseating as the air conditioners will not be powered, resulting in a suffocating experience. The capacity of the bus is most times overstretched, bringing us a sad memory of the molue. Unlike the “Molue period”, an interminable queue could be seen from time to time with no soothing words from the station manager. Grown-ups are today, packed together like sardines. Adults, who having gone through the rigours of their daily work, are seen on the BRT with contorted faces showing glaring hopelessness.

    We need the comfort even though this is Lagos, where everything and everyone is supposedly rugged. Today, I tell a disgruntling story of an infamous molue. Tomorrow, may be, my son will tell a sad tale of an almighty BRT that went the way of the molue.

    • Samuel Ogunnaike, Lagos.

  • 2020: The longest year of the decade

    2020: The longest year of the decade

    By Abdulateef Usman Abiodun

    SIR: For a long time, since the days of the military, we have been hearing Vision 2020. Anytime that year is mentioned, we wave it by as just another year that will come and go. Little did we know that it would be a symbolic year that will take the glory of God to even come out of it alive. Situated strategically at the tail end of the decade, 2020 won’t be forgotten in a hurry. Covid-19 pandemic that started in 2019 but wrecked her havoc in 2020 put the whole world on a standstill and brought the world order onto its knees. The events and occurrences of the year are so overwhelming and consuming that it seems the year is foot-dragging and doesn’t ever want to end.

    The year exposed our ineptitude as a nation. Forced to stay and treat their various ailments in the country, year 2020 has shown that we have a long way to go in putting our health sector in shape. Have our ruling elites ever thought of a time when they have to feel the hopelessness being faced by poor Nigerians any time they want to access healthcare services? The wise among those who God allows to escape the calamities of this year among our elites should channel their gratitude towards giving Nigerians a perfect health care system that can withstand any future pandemic.

    When the nation thought all was over and that the rest of the year would end peacefully, the EndSARS protests erupted immediately across the country. Almost the same time, looting of palliative warehouses started. Both events, though sad, is an indication that the political and ruling class are sitting on gunpowder that is billed to explode anytime. Unless something is urgently done to correct the culture of impoverisation of the Nigerian youths by the elites, a day will soon come when everything will go out of control. So, the year 2020, among many other things is a year of warning to leaders to sit right or be seated up.

    This is also a year when many billionaires emerged. In the midst of the lockdown and people starving away, it was common to hear of billions budgeted for one relief project or the other. Whether they get to the real poor people or not will be taken care of by time. Ironically, some people started the year as pauper and are finishing it rich and vice versa. Call it a year of twisting fates.

    Now, the year is winding out. The abduction of the 333 Kankara school boys in Katsina and subsequent release is one of the goodbyes the year is leaving us. As we are about to say ‘Thank You for Coming’ to the year, Covid-19 is saying ‘Hello’ again. May 2021 be good to us but surely, this is the longest year of the decade.

    • Comrade Abdulateef Usman Abiodun, Ede, Osun State.

  • Leveraging Aba shoes industry to boost economy

    Leveraging Aba shoes industry to boost economy

    By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu

    Recently, Nigeria economy has not been in its best shape. To say that Nigeria economy is limping is an understatement. The economy is bleeding profusely. Most economies of the world are now looking inwards in the areas that they have comparative advantage and Abia State is not an exception.

    Serious pressure is exerted on our currency (the naira) because of import dependency. The situation is necessitated by weak, narrow export base where revenues generated from oil and gas account for over 70 percent of our foreign exchange earnings.

    The time is ripe for us to encourage made in Nigeria goods. This effort if implemented will go a long way in ameliorating the economic woes of the country by saving the nation the foreign currencies expended on importation of good and services (even those we have the capacity of producing).

    Unarguably, Abia has comparative advantage in leather and garment cluster in Aba and since the inception of the Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration, serious efforts have been deployed to tap into this area. The latest effort in this direction is the formal inauguration of a seven-man management board even for the newly established Enyimba Automated Shoe Factory.

    Ikpeazu while inaugurating the board charged the members to run the factory like a proper business and consolidate the position of Aba and Abia State as a global hub for shoe and other leather products as well bring to bear their wealth of experience in developing a brand that will compete favourably in the competitive global market. Ikpeazu added that the first ever Enyimba shoe factory is the sign post of a culmination of efforts to mainstream Abia in the competitive global shoe market.

    According to the governor, “the whole objective is to lead out a paradigm shift in the old way of shoe production and key into the new dynamics of shoe production with acceptable global standards”.

    The most cheering news is that all equipment in the factory are brand new and one of the best in the world, and the factory is expected to churn out close to two million pairs of shoes annually.

    Also, in the past Ikpeazu have made consistent calls on the federal government to issue a directive to military and para-military outfits in the country to procure their wears from Aba where there is a ready market for the products. The governor while receiving a former minister from the state disclosed that garment makers and shoemakers in Aba have been equipped and are ready to kit the Nigerian military.

    He explained that what the state is requesting is for the federal government to make a pronouncement for the military and para-military organisations to procure their foot wears from Aba to encourage the manufacturers.

    It will be recalled that in 2013, when former Senate President, Sen. David Mark declared the first Made-in-Aba Fair open in Abuja, he urged the federal government to ban importation of all goods that Nigerians have the capacity to produce locally. Describing Aba as the” catalyst of industrial revolution in Nigeria’’, Mark said government should henceforth discourage importation of foreign goods because Nigeria has no business importing those goods which do not measure to the quality being produced in the country.

    While commending the people of Aba for doing the nation proud through the spirit of enterprise and innovation demonstrated in quality products and goods made available through local skills, he had said: “We have no business importing military boots when what is produced here locally is more superior to that which is brought into the country.

    “We have no reason to import ballot boxes for INEC. This locally made ballot box is actually better than the one INEC has been importing.

    “Let us ban all that we can ban to ensure a quick take-off of our industrial sector. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) should not hold us down in economic slavery.

    If there is any city that deserves the presence of the Bank of Industry, it is Aba city,’’ Mark said.

    He called for a radical transformation of the Nigeria’s industrial base by providing adequate facilities to support the efforts of indigenous producers to boost economic growth and urged relevant agencies of government to create adequate awareness on the need for introduction of policies that would enable local initiatives to thrive.

    The narrative of Aba garment and leather products has changed for good and the watch word now is “quality”. Abia State government in the recent past organized an economic trip to overseas. The state has also organised  other courses where contingents on the trip visited several shoe factories in Turkey where they were exposed to different machines which are used in making shoes.

    The essence of this exposure was to familiarize Aba shoe manufacturers with mechanized methods of manufacturing shoes which is the vogue in Turkey in particular, and the world in general. It was also to elevate their skill with training and exposure to modern technology to enhance capacity.

    The knowledge drawn from Turkey a trip affected the productivity of shoe manufacturers in Ariaria.  This exposure has spiked production of shoes.

    At a point, Brazilian investors who visited the market were enthralled by what they saw. They bought pairs of shoes and wondered what the market would be when manufacturing process is fully mechanized.

    Another innovation that would boost Aba shoe manufacturing is the proposed cluster for garment, shoe, belt and bag workers. This cluster would be equipped with a resource centre that could enable businessmen to register their trademarks, do quality control and open them to markets beyond the shores on Nigeria. The mindset of Ikpeazu is to conquer the Nigerian market first and make forays into West and Central Africa.

    The benefits of the cluster are multifarious. It will also ensure that the leather workers enjoy economies of scale. The concentration of men with similar skills will promote competition and the innovation and will provide the common spirit that is necessary for cooperation and cross fertilisation of ideas. By bringing the shoe manufactures into clusters, they will easily learn about changing economic conditions, adapt and benefit from the changes. The physical proximity of these would encourage interaction and promote the exchange of ideas and expertise and this will, at the end, stimulate innovation and economic growth.

  • ‘Mobile money providers will end poor practices in financial sector’

    ‘Mobile money providers will end poor practices in financial sector’

    Managing Director, Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc, Mr. Mayowa Adeduro, said the growing influence of mobile money services and banks will progressively disrupt the financial services sector. In this interview with Omobola Tolu-Kusimo, Adeduro speaks on the economy, finance and insurance, among others.

    What are your projections for 2021?

    For 2021, we are certain that the worst case of coronavirus is over and believe that we will not have the experience of #EndSARS again. We are looking forward to a better year. We are hopeful because a vaccine has been developed against coronavirus. We have seen a spike in the oil price. It’s trending towards $50 per barrel and will go a little bit above this and it will trickle down to the economy of the country. Because whether we like it or not, when there is no enough money for the Federal Government to spend on infrastructure, even on recurrent expenditure, it’s bound to affect the economy. Because oil is the greatest earner of foreign exchange, if we are not doing well in this area, it has a spiral effect on the rest of the economy. So, because of what is going on, we believe that the government will be more comfortable to spend on infrastructure next year and we will be able to get out of recession. With this, we are very positive. That is why we are having a projection of over 60 per cent growth rate in our budget topline for 2021.

    Don’t you think tighter disposable income may negatively impact insurance?

    I am sure the next report of the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) will show a lower percentage in terms of the recession. We are at 6.1 per cent recession contraction, but I believe that the recession will go down and by second quarter of 2021, Nigeria will be out of recession. We will be on the growth path again as the oil price is gaining strength and vaccine has been developed. The government has even opened the border. All of these will bring back activities in the country. Despite the fact that the government is scared about a second wave of coronavirus in Nigeria, but I can tell you that it won’t last long.

    What is your assessment of the closing of Nigerian borders?

    I said it sometime in April that closing the Nigerian borders was going to hurt the economy, because it takes someone to develop the capacity to produce goods you want to supplement. That is the reason the government has come back to realise that they are better of opening the border. Who gains apart from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement? The revenue of the Customs has been cut. Apart from the exportation of crude oil, the next place where we earn so much money is from custom duties. The income has shrunken significantly and we have some companies exporting goods through the land border to other neighbouring countries. Even as bad as our manufacturing companies are concerned, people are still exporting our manufactured good to our neighbouring countries. The government closed the borders. A lot of the food items that are coming through that neighbouring border were all down.

    Now that borders have been reopened, what do you think would be the impact?

    The impact is that the economy will be rejuvenated. There will be less pressure. There’s social pressure whether you like it or not in Nigeria. People are agonising, some companies have failed and businesses have failed. People trading at the borders couldn’t do their trade again and they went into crime. I am not saying Nigerians are criminals but that is the reality we are facing. There has been a lot of social pressure. But all of these will reduce and activities will pick up. As at today, for a population of almost 206 million, the total number of vehicles we have in Nigeria is just about 13 million to serve a population of 206 million. All the government needed to do was to make sure that when these vehicles are coming into the border, just establish the structure so that they will pay the right duties. But to say they can’t come in will be hurting the economy.

    What is the extent of the #EndSARS protests on the economy and insurance sector specifically?

    Those of us that are into insurance knew from the beginning that the #EndSARS protests would lead to the destruction that came from it. But we couldn’t quantify to say it was going shut down almost a quarter of the economy. Lagos State accounts for more than 25 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). So, shutting the state down killed almost 40 per cent of GDP opportunity. So, of course, we have seen it that it has impacted negatively on the economy and more to the insurance sector because we bear risks of other institutions and what are trying to do is to see how to come out of it? For us in Law Union, we have quantified it. Our exposure is in excess of N2 billion claims to be paid. We have the capacity to pay and we are prepared. This is because we have been very conservative in managing ourselves and in keeping reserves. This is how to practise insurance, where you have adequate reinsurance arrangements and reserve. This will enable you to meet up with claims at any time. So, we are prepared for it. I want to believe that quite a number of the industry practitioners too are prepared for it. We have met with our regulator and our umbrella association and we have all agreed that this is the time for us to let people see the essence of insurance. We will not rely on small print or little things to deny paying claims. But, of course, we will still do the right thing because insurance is a business and investors want returns. We will go through the loss adjustment, people that pay their premium and are genuinely impacted by this, we are going to pay their claims. We don’t have a choice. We must stand by them. It is time for us to help reflate the economy and people will be back in the business.

    What are assessments of the risks in the financial services sector?

    Life itself is a risk. Leaving your home in the morning and just crossing the road alone is a risk. Risk is becoming more complex because the whole world is becoming more complex so people should get insured. Insurance is very cheap. It is the only thing God has given to us to manage risk in such a way that for a token amount of money, you will be able to go to bed and sleep very well and be sure that somebody will take care of your risk. There are other risks models but insurance has come to stay but whether insurance companies have come to stay is another thing. People will always buy insurance. With the coming in of mobile money and service banks, some banks that are not rendering good service will fold up. Because you do your banking now online and real-time. You don’t have to go to any banking office, so it is either they provide good services or fold up and that will happen to insurance as well.

    There are expectations that the National Insurance Commission’s (NAICOM) portal will end rate-cutting and other abuses, what is your view?

    I agree with this because we have been agitating for the right technology to solve the problem of rate-cutting and restore discipline in the insurance industry. Because there is no amount of appeal you can give to people, that will make them obey the rule. But with technology, a platform that can guide everyone that will see whether you are charging adequatly and will correlate with the data you are supplying to the regulatory authority will give the ideal solution to the problem of rate cutting in the industry before the entire industry gets destroyed. I believe we should use technology to aggregate every activity of the industry, including the public sector because until we get there, we realise that the rule of thumb or the analogue system we are used to can’t take us anywhere.

    How far has your company gone in meeting the mandatory recapitalisation requirements?

    We have gone far with our recapitalisation. When NAICOM announced the recapitalisation, some companies did not take it serious but for our board and management, we took it very serious. We launched out very early. We were looking for two options, merger and acquisition and a buyout. The merger and acquisition did not work out for us but the buyout worked out. We were able to get Verod Capital, which invested in Law Union and Rock, buy out the previous ownership of the company. So, as we are speaking, Verod Capital owns Law Union and Rock 100 percent through schemes of arrangement, which were well publicised. Since their coming in October, they have been injecting quite a number of initiatives for us particularly human capital, rebranding, product innovation, technology improvement and we are very glad. They have also been part of business acquisition, too, in terms of business development. They have been up and doing.

    Verod Capital is an anglophone company with various interests in other insurance companies that include Tangerine Life, ARM life and recently acquired a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA). It also has interest in technology companies, CSCS Plc, pharmaceutical company and so to us, it is the best deal ever within the insurance sector in terms of recapitalisation. This is the best deal ever for the company within the insurance sector in terms of recapitalisation. As we speak, we are at the threshold of N11 billion and are short of inviting the NAICOM to do their verification. We are going beyond this threshold through acquisition of another insurance company.

    We have signed a Non-Discolsure Agreement (NDA) with that company and we want to keep it under wrap. But, hopefully, by first quarter of next year, we will be in the threshold of N20 billion in terms of capital base. The asset base will be far in essence of N30 billion based on the projection. The entire structure of Tangerine Life also acquired by Verod will come to Law Union and Rock headquarters. Both the Tangerine Life and Law Union will become the Tangerine LUR through a name change so that we will network properly and we will take advantage of cost optimisation in the management of stuff. So, we are very glad that we got to this level and we are just almost at threshold of completing our recapitalisation, which hopefully before the end of the year, we should be able to ring the bell to say we have fully complied in terms of recapitalisation.

    How would the new experience brought in by Verod affect your business?

    Yes, it is going to be a tremendous experience. Verod has wide interests in other parts of the economy. It has interests in a pension fund administrator (PFA), Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), Emzor Pharmaceutical Company, farms and technological companies among others. We hope that we will create a niche in all of these areas to be able to build Law Union to take more advantage of brand recognition and market share. We see Law Union growing in the threshold of 30 to 40 percent even in the first year of Verod’s coming. This is far above the industry’s growth trade, which, last year, was just about 10 per cent for general business and about 29 per cent for life. So, we see Law Union playing above the life business. Because by the time you have ARM Life and the Old Mutual coming together to form Tangerine Life, then we have Law Union and other insurance companies coming to form Tangerine General Business and then we have the PFA, AXA Mansard Pension, we have a microfinance bank, Assured Microfinance Bank, already indicating. We have HMOs coming in. We are rounding up the process of acquisition of two HMOs coming into this fold. With all of these, our goal is to play in the top five within the insurance sector, both in the life and the general business. I can assure you that because of Verod’s flair for business development, the brokers are already keying into us. They are seeing that things are changing in Law Union and they are already coming to support us the more.

    How much claims are you paying this year?

    Law Union and Rock has made about N1.6 billion in claims and we are hoping that we don’t get above that because the year is almost over. But that is the essence of insurance. We are reengineering our system in such a way that we get to a level that people will get the claims faster than ever before. The process will be seamless and you can monitor how your claims is moving from loss adjusters to claims desk.

    I agree with this because agitating for the right technology to solve the problem of rate-cutting and discipline in the insurance industry because there is no amount of appeal we can give to people, that they will ever obey the rule but with technology a platform that can guide everyone that will see whether you’re charging adequately and will correlate with the data you’re supplying to the regulatory authority, that will give the ideal solution to the problem of rate cutting in the industry before the entire industry gets destroyed.

    In terms of the issue of using technology, we should use it to aggregate every activity of the industry, including the public sector, because until we get there, we realise that the rule of thumb or the analogue system we’re used to can’t take us anywhere.

     

  • Economy: Zulum shares N154m to 704 SMEs

    Economy: Zulum shares N154m to 704 SMEs

    Our Reporter

    Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum on Sunday shared N100million to 704 small and medium entrepreneurs as part of ongoing measures to boost businesses, stimulate the local economy and fight poverty.

    The distribution took place on Damboa road where 304 persons in small businesses received N50,000 each and at Kulo Gumna at which 400 more also benefited N50,000 each.

    A total of N35.2 million was handed to entrepreneurs in Sunday’s exercise. N75 million was earlier distributed to Kolanut sellers, N20 million to traders around Dandal and another N24 million to traders operating around customs roundabout in Maiduguri. Each of the beneficiaries also received N50,000 to boost their small businesses.

    Zulum urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the empowerment package given to them. He said the disbursement was in fulfilment of his campaign promises to the people.

    Zulum told reporters: “We want to empower them, you are aware that many of our people have completely lost their means of livelihood as a result of the insurgency. Empowerment is one of the items in our 10-pact agenda, so in fulfilment of our campaign promises, we have to empower our people so that they can be gainfully self-employed. I appeal to the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the little we have given them so that it can grow and make some impact.”

    Read Also: Zulum meets Chad’s President over refugees

    General Manager of Borno Renaissance Microfinance Bank, Dr Bello Ibrahim said over N1 billion had so far been disbursed within one year, to various clubs and associations.

    In December last year, N384m was distributed to empower street beggars while in January 2020,

    N515m was disbursed in ‘cash for work’ programme in which 2,862 members “Ecomog”, an outlawed group, were paid N30,000 each month for half of the year. The youths received payments for cleaning the streets.

     

     

  • ‘Amotekun can’t tackle kidnappers, bandits without firearms’

    ‘Amotekun can’t tackle kidnappers, bandits without firearms’

    By Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado-Ekiti

    Ekiti Council of Elders has called on the Federal Government to grant licence to the operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network code-named ‘Operation Amotekun’, to carry firearms.

    It said this became imperative in view of the upsurge in the rising wave of killings, kidnapping, banditry and other manifestations of crime in the Southwest, particularly in Ekiti State.

    The group’s Chairman, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi; General Secretary, Mr. Niyi Adebulu; and Publicity Secretary, Dr. Bayo Orire, in a statement on Sunday said Amotekun Corps would not be effective in its operation without carrying guns or modern weapons.

    They noted that it would be impossible for the Amotekun operatives to carry out its rudimentary responsibility, which is protection of lives and property, without bearing firearms, saying the criminals unleashing terror in the region were well-equipped with sophisticated weapons.

    Read Also: Amotekun our local response to crime, says Makinde

    A pan-Yoruba group, the Majeobaje Movement, has accused the governors of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo and Osun of abdicating their primary duty of protecting the lives and property of their citizens, considering the escalating insecurity in the region.

    It levelled the allegation in a ‘save our souls’ letter to the Chairman of the Southwest Governor’s Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, which was copied to the five other governors.

    In the letter signed by Mr. Yomi Layinka, former Special Adviser (Communication & Strategy) to ex-Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Dr. Dolapo Sikuade, Mr. Deola Kumapayi, Chief Akintayo Akin-Deko, Sir Gbenga Adebusuyi, Revd. Muyiwa Bamgbose, Mr. Ibukun Fakeye and Mr. Ayo Oyerinde, the group advised the governors to empower the Amotekun Corps to reduce insecurity.

  • Oyo govt: 2021 budget not padded

    Oyo govt: 2021 budget not padded

    By Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan

    Oyo State government has said the 2021 budget was not padded.

    Speaking on behalf of the government, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, said there was no evidence of padding in the budget.

    He said: “The Oyo State Government has declared that there is no evidence of padding in the 2021 budget, which was revised and passed by the House of Assembly last week.”

    The government noted that the downward review of the N273.7billion budget earlier approved by the assembly to N268.8 billion only became imperative due to the need to achieve the fiscal sustainability of the budget.

    The House of Assembly, who passed a budget of N273.7billion last Tuesday, had to recall it before passing it again into law last Friday.

    A top government source hinted that the budget was ‘rejected’ by Governor Seyi Makinde on the grounds that it was allegedly inflated by the lawmakers.

    But a governor’s spokesperson said there was nothing like padding in the revised budget passed into law.

    Makinde had presented a budget of N266.6 billion as 2021 Appropriation Bill before the House of Assembly, but what was passed by the lawmakers and sent to the governor was higher than what the governor presented, to the tune of N7.1 billion.

    Read Also: Oyo lawmaker bags Federal Legislator of the year Award

    The Chairman, Committee of Public Finance and Appropriation, Mr. Akeem Mustapha, said there was nothing like padding in the budget passed last Tuesday.

    He said the House had made provision for the government to obtain loans in the proposed budget to enable it finance the budget, but that the House realised that what was allocated to the government as loan was high, adding that the situation called for a revisit of the budget.

    Mustapha, however, said in order to pass a budget that would be realistic, there was need to reduce the loan components already allocated in the budget, “which was what we did by re-presenting the budget and passing it again.”

    However, a sum of N268.8 billion was eventually passed by the Assembly as the 2021 appropriation, against N273.7billion passed earlier last week.

     

     

     

  • Tears of an octogenarian who lost two sons to policemen

    Tears of an octogenarian who lost two sons to policemen

    In five years, Mama Comfort Mmezi of Amucha Community in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State has lost two sons to men of the Nigeria Police Force. The grieving octogenarian is demanding justice from the police hierarchy, writes DAMIAN DURUIHEOMA

     

    AN 86-year-old widow and mother of 41-year-old real estate manager, Jude Oguzie Mmezi, who was shot dead by the police on Owerri-Orlu Road, Imo State, is demanding justice.

    Oguzie, a father of four, died after he was shot by a policeman in Umuaka -Orodo, Njaba on Saturday, December 5 while he was going to Owerri for a wedding.

    The bereaved mother, Mama Comfort Mmezi, said Oguzie’s killing was the second son killed by policemen in five years.

    According to her, her late first son and elder brother to Oguzie, Ifeobu Jonathan Mmezi, was also shot and killed by the police in Lagos some five years ago.

    The octogenarian, who is demanding justice from the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Isaac Akinmoyede over Oguzie’s killing, disclosed that Oguzie was her only hope of living.

    She added that the deceased, who lived in Owerri, the state capital with his family, only came home to take her to hospital after a hernia surgery.

    Oguzie, who recently returned from Italy, was accosted in his Toyota Camry car by two police officers while coming from his village to Owerri that Saturday morning.

    It was learned that while the two policemen gave Oguzie pass after exchanging pleasantries, another vehicle drove past from behind the queue created by the policemen’s check point, thus leading to one of the officers shouting to him to stop.

    While the driver refused to stop, another officer, who was said to be busy in the nearby bush, emerged from the bush and shot at Oguzie’s car, thinking it was he that was being ordered to stop.

    When the policemen realised that their colleague had shot at and possibly killed a motorist, they quickly fled the scene, leaving Oguzie in the pool of blood.

    According to Mama Comfort, it was a good Samaritan that checked on Oguzie’s vehicle and noticed that he was still alive and took him to the Federal Medical Center, Owerri where he was said to have died about two hours later without any medical attention.

    Mama Comfort, who spoke amidst sobs to reporters on behalf of the family at her Ndiohiaowere Umuduruaku Umuamusa community home in Njaba, said the police should investigate the officers who shot their bread-winner.

    She lamented that the police abandoned Oguzie after shooting him.

    “My son returned home because of me. He took me to a hospital where I had a hernia surgery last week. He just came home to take me to the hospital for the removal of the final surgery thread just two days before he was killed on Saturday. That was what brought Oguzie home. He came home to take me to the hospital and decided to sleep for two days at home so that he would observe my progress.

    “So, on that Saturday morning, he called his wife and spoke with all his children promising to buy them ice cream on his return to Owerri later day.

    “I told him that my kerosene has finished and gave him five litre jerrycan to buy me kerosene when he would be returning from Owerri. Till this moment, I have not seen my son and they’re telling me that he was shot and killed by a police officer for no reason. This is how the same police killed my first son, Ifeobu, in Lagos five years ago. It was my son, Oguzie that consoled me at that. What did I do to police?

    “He has never been a trouble maker all his life. Oguzie is the only eye with which I was seeing road. They have killed my only child. They have rendered me blind and useless. That I eat every day is because of him. He has been in Italy for some years and built this house that time. Death should have killed me instead of my only surviving son. Who will take care of his young wife and four children?

    “I only need justice from the police hierarchy. They must ensure the four little children left behind by him are looked after and trained well. The IGP and the commissioner of Police must wade in. We want them to cater for the little because I am nearing my grave,” she said.

    The Imo State Police Command confirmed the killing, saying that the officers involved had been arrested.

    According to a statement issued on behalf of Commissioner of Police Isaac Akinmoyede by the Police Public Relations Officer, Orlando Ikeokwu, the CP wondered why the officers refused to adhere to rules guiding the use of firearms.

    According to the statement, the commissioner of police ordered investigation into the matter.

    The CP, while sympathising with the family of the deceased, urged them to remain calm, as the Command would do everything possible to ensure that justice is done.

    “The Command regrets the killing of the deceased under any guise especially now that the force is doing  everything within its powers to put an end to incidents of brutality and incivility to members  of the public,” the statement said.

    The Owerri branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) vowed to sue the three policemen involved in the dastardly act.

    The NBA Secretary, Chinedu Agu, said the branch’s human rights committee would institute legal action against the trigger-happy cops, who had been arrested by the state police command.

    Agu, who condemned the killing of Oguzie, also condemned what he described as the unprofessional attitude of the staff of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, where the deceased was rushed to.

    He said: “He (Oguzie) was driving along Umuaka/Orodo road and was shot by policemen of the Stop and Search Squad. The police drove in a Hilux van.

    “On realising that they had shot the deceased, the policemen took flight, abandoning the deceased in a pool of blood inside his car.

    “The deceased, a native of Amucha in Njaba LGA, Imo State, left home (Amucha) on Saturday en-route to Owerri for a wedding before he met his untimely death in the hands of the trigger-happy policemen.

    “It took some angry agitation by youths and sympathisers, who came thirty minutes after my arrival, for the bulky man to be stretchered into the emergency ward from his blood-drenched car.

    “While the tardy, laissez-faire, callous attitude of the hospital staff in the Accident/Emergency Ward of the FMC Owerri is condemnable, I humbly call on the human rights committee of the NBA Owerri to rise to the occasion in ensuring that the culprits of this heinous act are brought to book.”

  • Awoniyi, Collins clash in German Cup

    Awoniyi, Collins clash in German Cup

    Tunde Liadi

     

    Former Under 23 Striker, Taiwo Awoniyi , will on Tuesday clash with Super Eagles defender, Jamilu Collins when Union Berlin face Paderborn in the second round of the DFB Pokal (German Cup).

    Awoniyi is having stellar season again in Europe after notching his fourth goal of the season from 11 matches for Union Berlin last Friday in their 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund.

    The capital city club will need him to be in best shape for the visit of the Germany Bundesliga 2 outfit, Paderborn.

    Read Also: German cup: Ujah scores

    On the other hand, Jamilu Collins has only featured for eight minutes in Paderborn’s last two games with Germany raised Chima Okoroji preferred ahead of him.

    Altogether,  Collins has played eight matches from 13 fixtures in the league this season with his last game being the 2-2 home draw with Borussia Braunschweig on December 16 in a Matchday 12 tie when he replaced Okoroji in the 82nd minute. He was an unused substitute in their 1-0 away win at Osnabruck on Saturday.

     

     

     

  • Eagles Tracker: Ndidi cages Kane, Son in Leicester’s win

    Eagles Tracker: Ndidi cages Kane, Son in Leicester’s win

     Oluwamayomikun Orekoya

     

    Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi was able to stop Tottenham’s strikers Harry Kane and Heung-min Son from finding the net as Coach Jose Mourinho-tutored side suffered their first home defeat since the opening day loss to Everton after losing 2-0 to Leicester City.

    Ndidi put in a solid 90-minutes shift and was cautioned in the 72nd minute after the holding midfielder came sliding in on Gareth Bale while compatriot Kelechi Iheanacho came on to replace Jamie Vardy with two minutes remaining

    Also in England, Alex Iwobi played 83 mins in Everton’s well-earned 2-1 victory over his former side Arsenal on Saturday while Ola Aina was on for 90 minutes in Fulham’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle.

    Read Also: Ndidi could miss ‘six to 12 weeks’-Rodgers

    In Germany’s Bundesliga, Taiwo Awoniyi scored his fourth goal of the season in FC Union Berlin’s impressive 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund while Samuel Chukwueze was a late sub in Villarreal’s 3-1 win at Osasuna in Spain’s La liga.

    The Dutch Eredivisie saw Eagles Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye’s Sparta Rotterdam fall to a 3-2 home defeat to FC Groningen while Tyronne Ebuehi featured in FC Twente’s league win over VVV-Venlo.

    Simy Nwankwo converted a penalty as Crotone fell to 3-1 away defeat to Sampdoria while in Scotland Joe Aribo came off the bench to assist a goal for Rangers win against Motherwell as Leon Balogun didn’t feature.