The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Diezani’s ‘Valise Diplomatique’ (II)

    By Mohammed Adamu

     

    And so the question is asked: what’s in it for Dominica? What does the poor Caribbean country, Dominica gain by appointing as its ‘Commissioner for Trade and Investment’,

    Nigeria’s former Petroleum Minister, Diezani, -a fugitive accused of humongous corruption and currently hiding in an unknown address in London? What exactly is there for the island country or her political leaders in return for granting a fugitive national of another country diplomatic passport which confers on her immunity from criminal prosecution and from the distraction of civil litigation?

    It is alleged that in return for the Dominican diplomatic passport, the former Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister, Diezani may have bought for Dominica’s prime minister (name) a choice property valued at a princely sum of $2.2 million and located at yet one of the choicest location in New York, right in the precinct of the United Nations building in Manhattan.

    It is one of the latest, in the many emerging new methods that corruption fights back –by legitimately denying both municipal and international law the right or the power to assume jurisdiction in order to bring the corrupt to book.

    Most economically-struggling Caribbean countries –and especially those with corrupt political heads- lead the way in this avant-garde method of profiting from helping criminals beat the law by investing them with diplomatic regalia to escape justice.

    Leaders of international drug cartels are said to be mostly beneficiaries of this practice dubbed ‘diplomats for sale’, and that from as little as $250 thousand to as much as $2million and above, they purchase diplomatic passports in the guise of performing some eminent foreign duties for the appointing country.

    And from what had started with members of drug cartels as beneficiaries, the Diezanis today will be some of the earliest beneficiaries of this rogue trade from the ranks of ‘Politically Exposed Persons’, and especially from Africa, who plot not only to launder proceeds of corruption abroad but also to escape the long arm of international law and especially the municipal laws of their hotly pursuing countries.

    Beneficiaries are usually either directly appointed as political ambassadors, cultural attaché or they are accorded some plenipotentiary status that may require international travel and thus diplomatic cover. It was in that guise Dominica appointed Diezani Commissioner for ‘Trade and Investment’.

    This is the typical characteristic of untamed corruption, that when it is allowed to assume a grand proportion, it can lead to humongously-rich politicians fattened from the riches of their countries grabbing political power and over time gravitating into a dangerous alliance between them and especially organized business crime groups -as we see in many parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. And thanks to the Diezanis of this world, this species of rogue alliance has started bearing fruits beyond the North and the South Americas.

    A surrogate oil company in faraway United States of America was said to have been the conduit by which Diezani’s alleged $2.2 million, non-mortgage New York apartment was bought for Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit; -and that although the Prime Minister’s wife Melissa is said to regularly be in occupation of the apartment, both Skerrit and Diezani have denied any links to the Delaware surrogate oil company that bought it. Skerrits in fact is insisting that the said apartment belongs to a personal friend of his wife.

    But be that as it may, reports say that Diezani may be plotting soon to escape the U.K. for her new country of origin, the Dominica, to complete the grand plan of making her person more distant and thus inaccessible to international law and to the municipal laws of her now estranged country, Nigeria.

    How she successfully disentangles from the ongoing corruption investigation against her in Britain may in fact have informed the whole idea about her purchasing citizenship and immunity from a rogue Dominican state.

    Nor has the UK in anyway inspired any hope that Nigeria can rely on her to either bring Diezani to a British court on charges of corruption or to accede to extradition request by Nigeria to bring her home for trial.

    Read Also: Diezani’s ‘Valise Diplomatique’ (I)

     

    Said the EFCC in a statement: “We are intent on bringing Diezani to justice, and despite the spirited efforts of the commission in ensuring that she returns to Nigeria and face trial, she has been held back in the UK by an investigation that has spanned almost four years without any signal about when she will be available in Nigeria for prosecution”.

     

    Postscript

    (An excerpt from a previous piece, ‘DIEZANI’S LOOT’)

    ….to Diezani now belongs the luxury of distant rebuttals. She now defends against allegations of corruption from the comfort of her medical sanctuary abroad, and not from the inglorious dock of the courts of her fatherland.

    Rather than come home to defend herself through the due judicial process, Diezani now regales in occasionally throwing tantrums and extra-legal red herrings in denial of allegation she stole the nation black and blue! She is currently challenging the EFCC to provide ‘incontrovertible evidence’ that a certain $153 million ‘allegedly lodged by her cronies, in three banks’, belong to her.

    And even as ownership of this amount remains in dispute -because neither Diezani nor her surrogates would assert claim- a Federal High Court in Lagos had ordered that the money be temporally forfeited to the federal government, $153 million, or over N75 billion deserted, disowned and abandoned! So that thanks to Diezani, in addition to what brokers call ‘un-claimed dividend’, we now have what judges may call ‘un-claimed loot’. Or, in addition to what bankers call ‘bad debt’, we now also have ‘bad loot’.

    Jonathan’s wife, Patience was the only one we knew to be ‘street-wise’ first, (when she personally lodged some of her ‘loot’ in the accounts of cronies’). Then she was nimbly-witless, second (when she openly admitted that the loot belonged to her). And in the end she was plainly ‘foolish’, third (when she claimed that her late ‘miniras seller mother’ bequeathed those billions to her.

    And although Diezani too may have been ‘street-wise’ not to lodge some of her loot in her own personal account, yet even she was naïve thereafter to think, rather imprudently, that merely because the money was not found in her personal account, she therefore did not steal it; -a kind of alibi the EFCC said was like the Godfather’s claim of innocence only because he pulled no trigger in any of the killings he ordered.

    Diezani has insisted that while she called the shots at the petroleum ministry, she never had access to any money. Virtually everyone in the Jonathan administration may have stolen one way or another. From Dasuki, down to the puny, little sparrow, Metuh, all may have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

    But not Diezani herself. She did not steal a dime! In all her tenure as petroleum minister, this paragon of beauty and of righteousness, this angel of heavenly virtue, saw no evil, heard no evil and you bet she did absolutely no evil. But whether –when she was oil minister- it was Diezani that had access to money, or it was money that had access to Diezani, is immaterial to the substance of the allegation by cronies, revealing numerous proceeds of corruption at home and abroad, which bear her own imprimatur. -including an $18 million jewelry-filled mansion at Asokoro said to be fitted with a bulletproof gymnasium worth $2 million.

    But listen to Diezani: “Let me re-state categorically as I have always maintained, for the record, I have NOT and WILL NEVER steal from or defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria”. Isn’t that wonderful? Said Thomas Carlyle, “To a shower of gold most things are penetrable”, but to Diezani’s reputation for incorruptibility, not a torrent of diamond will be enough! And so to the one who said that ‘a good politician is as unthinkable as an honest burglar’, we have in Diezani, an excellent exhibit that gives the lie to that adage.

    • Concluded

  • Who will Bell the NDDC cat?

    By Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku

     

    On October 28, the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, on its Good Morning Nigeria show brought in a certain crop of distinguished Nigerians to discuss the management of the resources of the Niger Delta.

    That distinguished panel consisted of Omotayo Olasoadura Honourable Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Ita Enang, Special Adivser to the president on the Niger Delta, Senator Magnus Abe, a Senator from Rivers State and the David Ugolor, Civil Society Activist.

    All four panelists are Niger Deltans, and the topic for discussion itself, the irresponsible management of the resources allocated to the Niger Delta, was most interesting.

    Judging from the level of interactions and contributions they made during the programme, it can be safe to say that they thoroughly understood what issues and challenges  have made it almost impossible for the Niger Delta to develop, and in spite of the trillions which have been allocated to the region.

    Yet, that panel of distinguished Niger Deltans brought to mind a similar one involving a town hall meeting in Edo State in March 2017 between then acting president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and stakeholders in the Niger Delta.

    Two things stood out at that meeting: one was the realization that in spite of the large sums allocated to the region through the interventionist bodies – NDDC, DESOPADEC, EDSOGPADEC, OSOPADEC and all the other padecs, poverty, unemployment, massive underdevelopment was rifer than rife.

    A second thing that came out of that meeting was that if there was anyone to be held responsible for the poverty and underdevelopment in the Niger Delta (in spite of the humongous monies received from the federal allocations), those would be the political elite – the governors, the lawmakers, traditional and religious rulers and their ilk in the Niger Delta.

    Read Also: Why NDDC has interim board, by Akpabio

     

    As a matter of fact, that the resolution taken at that meeting, which is, a review of all contracts awarded, together with the arrest of the managers of the banks that colluded with the contractors, did not see the light of day seemed to have lent some credence to the position.

    Of course we know that  monies for development of the region end up in the deep pockets of the political elite who use those public funds to oil their political machines, prosecute elections, erect grandiose personal mansions and purchase expensive cars rather than for purposes that these monies were allocated.

    One reason why most of the contracts were abandoned, on-going or substandard is the very dangerous motif wound around the concept of the 13% derivation accruing to the region, to wit: the money na awa money – that the monies allocated to the interventionist agencies are not, as a matter of fact, monies for the development of the Niger Delta, but for the political elite.

    The thinking is that these political, religious and traditional elite who petitioned the Yar’Adua government for the establishment of the NDDC should be direct beneficiaries first before considerations for the development of the region.

    And so when the monies are allocated, bogus contracts (for instance for clearing water hyacinths) and bogus contractors and very many interest groups just emerge from within the communities to carry out bogus contracts awarded with millions of naira. That notion is bolstered by revelations making the rounds that a senator in the Niger Delta has over 300 contracts awarded to him by the NDDC.

    Therefore, listening to the gentlemen on that NTA Good morning show, we remember that popular adage among Niger Deltans that if brothers get into a room to discuss family matters and emerge smiling, chances remain they did not speak the truth to one another.

    It made sense that the panelists were all Niger Deltans and are were all political and religious elite, and seemingly genuinely interested in belling the cat that interventionist agencies like the NDDC, OSOPADEC, DESOPADEC and EDSOGPADEC have become.

    But we ask: who is going to bell the cat? How is the Niger Delta going to go about the forensic investigation of all the contracts awarded from inception to date? If some of the political, religious and traditional elite have been direct or indirect beneficiaries of the scams in the awards of contracts in the Niger Delta,

    how could they audit each other? How do you prosecute members of a ruling political party who were awarded contracts solely on the condition that they belong to the party in power, and have rendered services to the party?

    How do you audit members of the party in power who have made returns to the party from NDDC contracts but who abandoned such contracts?  Who as a matter of fact is going to carry out the said audit – the EFCC, ICPC, the police or the DSS?

    Among the panelists, only one of them put forward the idea of an independent forensic audit side by side the proposed forensic audit of the NDDC by the government. What makes the idea novel is that it would involve credible persons or institutions with track and proven experience in such matters of monitoring and evaluation of public funds.

    If there are two audits – a citizen forensic one and another carried out by government, issues of conflict of interest will not arise and the real thieves among the Niger Deltans who have been feathering their nests with communal funds will be unmasked. Stakeholders have suggested that the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, NEITI, should carry out that forensic audit. First, it is not a government agency. Second, it is backed by law and third it represents a multi-stakeholders framework with technical capacity to carry out investigations of the scale of the audit being mooted by the government.

     

    • Etemiku is of, Civil Empowerment & Rule of Law Support Initiative, CERLSI.

     

  • Amaechi’s transport varsity

    Our democracy is in crisis not just because our institutions of democracy are weak but more because ours is a democracy without democrats. While compromise after rigorous debate of all issues including government policy thrusts is democracy’s highest badge of honour, our successive ex-presidents and  their  appointed political office holders since the beginning of the fourth republic in 1999 operated  like sole administrators, with total disregard for the constitution, party manifesto and even the electorate on whose back they rode into power.

    Since the states in principle are not inferior to the central government, state governors on their part behaved like emperors, answerable to none but to themselves.

    Obasanjo in office publicly declared he was not obliged to listen to advisers. Buhari like Obasanjo, the PDP crowned ‘father of the nation” suffers from a messianic complex, sometimes behaving as if he was doing us a favour by condescending so low to govern us.

    Capitalising on President Buhari’s insensitivity to public opinion, his ministers seemed to have perfected the art of watching his body language before acting on any issue. This terrible defect in the president’s governing style  was what Minister Rotimi Amaechi exploited before moving on to take personal ownership of what was meant to be a public policy freely using phrases like “I engaged CCCECC’;

    I insisted I will sign only if three things are done” and ‘nobody influenced me “on where to site the transport university. Amaechi’s apparent admission of application of the rule of the thumb on government policy thrust that required input of all actors in policy formulation and implementation explains while most government policies since 1999 including privatization, monetization and rural electricity project among others failed.

    It is worse at state levels where no one monitors what governors who are accountable neither to the electorate nor to the centre that spoon-feed them do.

    When their excellences, the governors are not building bridges over land, stadia in every LGA headquarter, five-star hotel in a village, they are competing for multi-billion local and foreign loans to build mega schools, mega hospitals or unviable airports which will eventually become economic drain on the purse of their states.

    Whereas, public policy in a democracy is often a response of the political system to demands arising from its environment, anyone listening to Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister for Transport while defending his decision to site  N18b transport university in Daura, the president’s village cannot fail to observe the unmistakable sycophancy as he  bellowed “Daura is in Nigeria, it is not in any other part of the world.

    It is not in Niger Republic, Biafra or Mali, it is in Nigeria. So, what is wrong in siting the University of Transportation in Daura?” adding “”When we sited a factory at Kajola, there was no noise, nobody debated about it, nobody abused us for it unlike the site for the university.”

    President Buhari like all humans is not perfect. But I am sure few doubt his sense of decency. While it is true that Daura is eminently qualified to host University of Transportation, it is  most unlikely President Buhari would have gone out of his way to insist Daura of all the towns in Katsina state and of the close to two scores  states in the north must host the university.

    For the president, performing the groundbreaking ceremony of the university in Daura on Monday, December 2, was a force majeure.

    Amaechi, the master of his game had already secured 400 hectres of land from a jubilant Governor Masari who as a politician was expected to facilitate bringing such huge investment to his state. Rejecting Amaechi’s Greek gift which had become a fait accompli would have therefore pitched the president against his own people.

    With ministers like Amaechi, President Buhari who has been accused by some prominent northern leaders of nepotism and provincialism for allegedly filling some key positions in his government with close relatives from his village needs no enemies.

    Read Also: Buhari commends siting of university of transportation in Daura

    I think Amaechi has done a great damage to the president’s sense of decency.

    There must be something to learn from the modesty of our founding fathers, Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello and Awolowo who did not site any of the enduring projects such as stadia, institutions of higher learning, government estates that have outlived them in their villages or states.

    Sadly, unlike selfless and public-spirited first and second republic politicians, neither modesty, morality nor ethics matter to our current military-baked new breed politicians many of whom cannot in the manners of Zik, Awo and Ahmadu Bello articulate our crisis of nation-building let alone proffer solutions.

    Today’s political stars are made not on account of their ideas as to how to make society better than they met it but on the basis of the number of school buildings they erected, the number of market stalls they built or bus-stops they constructed. For a season, Amaechi was the governor to beat in this regard with our own Wole Soyinka drafted to Rivers to commission projects.

    But with less endowed Wike who was not too long ago christened “Mr. Project” by Vice President Osinbajo, outperforming Amaechi after only four years, it has become apparent, the number of projects in Rivers is a function of the quantum of naira the state receives as monthly allocation which  most times eclipses what some other states receive in one year

    That Rivers State in 2019 is today still defined by poverty, violence and insecurity is a sufficient proof that erecting structures does not guarantee an emergence of a more egalitarian society.

    It can be argued that the state remains poor in spite of huge revenues because of ‘misapplication” (apologies to Augustus Aikhomu, Babangida’s vice president) of funds by Amaechi, his predecessors and successors in office. Many believe most of the resources of the state were ploughed into unviable projects or deployed for self-promotion.

    It is for instance on record that while Amaechi as governor acquired a brand new Bombardier Global 5000 (N565RS) from Bombardier Canada for $45.7million (N7.3billion), Rivers State had an AW139 helicopter, which was leased to a commercial airliner.

    The state also had two other aircrafts –an Embraer Legacy 600, which was sold off because the state claimed it was too expensive to maintain and the other, a Dash 8-Q200 aircraft also sold to Cross River State for $6million.

    “I have no regret siting this university where I have sited it; it is not because I want to get any gain.”  Amaechi has no patience to reflect on the soundness of a University of Transportation with scores of underfunded federal universities offering courses in transportation all over the country.

    But Amaechi is not alone. Soundness of policies counts for little among today’s political stars.

  • Fed Govt, World Bank lift Niger community

    Poor power supply has been a source of worry as it has contributed to the nation’s economic and social woes. However, the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is determined to change the narrative as the Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has inaugurated a mini-off grid Nigeria Electrification Project, under the Performance-based Grant in Rokota community, Niger State, writes CHINAKA OKORO.

     

    The rustic Rokota community in Edati Local Government Area of Niger State became ecstatic on  December 7, 2019. The reason was obvious. The discreet community known for its economic activities, which include farming in shear butter, palm fruit and petty trade, has been in darkness for years due to lack of electricity and other social amenities.

    But, through various renewable energy projects around the world, the World Bank is driving the increase in universal access to electricity, especially at the rural communities that have no access to the amenity.

    So, on Saturday, December 7, the Federal Government, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), facilitated the inauguration of a solar hybrid mini-grid power plant in the community.

    Rokota was the first beneficiary of renewable off-grid electricity under the Nigeria Electrification Project Mini-grids component. The component was aimed at providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable electricity to 300,000 homes and 30,000 local businesses in Nigeria.

    In collaboration with the World Bank, the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) had a breakthrough with the inauguration of the first mini-grid under the performance-based grant of the Rural Electrification Agency. The mini-grid, a 64kw solar hybrid, and 360kwh of battery storage, is an indication that soon, millions of Nigerians without access to electricity, will not experience darkness again.

    The electrification project is an innovative programme that will serve as catalytic agent of off-grid development in Nigeria through the provision of grant, detailed market data and technical assistance in collaboration with the World Bank’s $350 million and African Development Bank’s $200 million.

    The NEP components are Solar Hybrid Mini-Grids, Solar Home Systems (SHS) and the Energising Education Programme (EEP). With a distribution network of 10km across the community, the mini-grid is expected to supply constant electricity to 326 households, an action that will propel economic growth and improve small and medium-scale business activities within the community. New business opportunities will also evolve with the availability of reliable electricity.

    During the inauguration ceremony, Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Jedy-Agba said: “I am honoured to be a part of this momentous achievement of the Rural Electrification Agency and the World Bank in collaboration with the Ministry of Power and the Federal Government.

    “The inauguration of the 157KW capacity solar hybrid mini-grid power plant will provide economic growth and stability for the people of Rokota.

    “The Ministry of Power is providing the needed support for the implementation of all Federal Government’s policies in the diversification of the energy sector. I am, therefore, thrilled that our drive has led us to this great event. This is only the beginning of greater accomplishments.”

    That the project was the first to be inaugurated under the World Bank-supported Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) demonstrates the importance of Rokota to the nation and the determination of the government to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty. It will provide clean, safe and reliable electricity for an expected 3, 000 people in the community.

    According to Jedy-Agba, efforts would be made to ensure that unserved and underserved communities continue to enjoy basic amenities such as stable power.

    Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello expressed his gratitude to the Federal Government and the World Bank for the laudable project in the community.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Works and infrastructural Development, Ibrahim Panti, an Engineer, Governor Bello noted that electricity is one of the infrastructure that drive economic development.

    He said: “On behalf of the government and people of the state, I express my absolute appreciation and gratitude to the Federal Government and the World Bank for inaugurating the electricity project in one of the communities in our state.

    “Undoubtedly, the provision of electricity for the people would bring about economic development, which will enhance the well-being of the people.”

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, pointed out that the presence of the power sector leaders, the project financiers, private sector developers, community leaders and captains of industry at the inauguration ceremony lent credence to the great importance attached to powering communities in Nigeria through renewable energy solutions.

    She said: “I am proud to say that in line with the Federal Government’s power sector roadmap, the Rural Electrification Agency has supervised and implemented mini-grid projects across multiple rural communities, educational institutions, hospitals and businesses.”

    Revealing that there are great investment opportunities in the off-grid sector, Ogunbiyi informed why most of REA’s projects are private sector-focused.

    She further explained: “This is why we partnered PowerGen on this project here in Rokota in order to deliver this 157KW solar mini-grid project that will power over 326 households and transform the lives of countless more.

    “I commend the Federal Government and the Ministry of Power on its mandate in enabling private companies such as PowerGen to participate in this space-all for the sustainable development of Nigeria’s energy sector.”

    World Bank’s Country Director, Shubham Chaudhuri explained that the World Bank is committed to reducing the consumption and use of fossil fuels in energy production through renewable energy investment.

    “I am thrilled to be here as we witness the inauguration of the first solar hybrid mini-grid project under the Performance-based Grant component of the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP). This is a huge milestone that will set the pace for more impactful electrification projects under the World Bank-funded programme,” he said.

    The World Bank has already approved $350 million for off-grid electrification projects in Nigeria and beginning with Rokota, Nigerians have started benefiting from these projects.

    Chaudhuri added: “The objectives of the programme are to eliminate extreme hunger and make life better for the people. With a project such as this, the statistics of about 600 million that have no access to electricity will be a thing of the past. The goal is to get electricity to every nook and cranny of the world.

    “We are happy to be part of this life-changing experience. Your children will read with ease, the community will have a health centre that runs smoothly.”

    Energy Climate Finance and Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP) Practice Manager, Rohit Khanna admitted that the electrification project in Rokota is a significant event that will improve the lives of the community and contribute to their economic development.

    ESMAP, as an alliance between the World Bank and 18 partners, is dedicated to advancing energy transition through sustainable power solutions to reduce energy poverty and boost economic and developmental growth, especially in rural communities.

    “Our role at ESMAP is to shape the World Bank Group’s strategies and assist it in implementing policies and programmes that foster the use of renewable energy solutions for the conservation of the environment and climate,” Khanna said.

    The World Bank’s Task Team Leader, Jon Exel, explained that mini-grids are progressively emerging as a major cost-effective and reliable approach to electrifying unserved and underserved communities across Africa, with huge potential in achieving the bank’s energy goals of universal energy access.

    According to him, the World Bank is currently one of the largest financiers in the energy sector, earmarking a total of $350 million for the NEP.

    Read Also: Govt should play key role in power supply

     

    “Our goal,” said Exel, “is to decrease energy poverty and reduce carbon emissions by funding renewable energy solutions to power communities such as Rokota, tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals under the Energising Education Programme and foster the provision of Solar Home Systems to households and enterprises through access to clean, affordable and reliable energy.”

    With about 30 jobs created during the construction phase and many more jobs to be created with businesses growing from the stable electricity, Exel pointed out that the project supports small- scale job creation initiatives and improve the quality of life of over 1, 000 people in Rokota community and beyond.

    Exel further commended REA and PowerGen Renewable Energy for working collaboratively in delivering the project.

    “REA stands as a model agency to partner with, thanks to their dynamic team and institutional capacity and processes,” the World Bank Task Team Leader stated.

    Managing Director, PowerGen Renewable Energy Nigeria Limited Mr. Alastair Smith was delighted that the project was completed and delivered on time.

    “We  are happy and privileged to have brought this impactful project to the people of Rokota community,” he said.

    Continuing, Smith said: “Thanks to the Nigeria Electrification Project, under the Performance-based Grant which we applied for. We have been able to deliver the solar hybrid mini-grid power plant in record time.

    “I am proud to say that the mini-grid, with a total installed capacity of 157kw and 360kwh of battery storage was delivered based on international best practice and standards.”

    Head of Rokota Village, His Royal Highness Alhaji Adamu Mohammed said the day the community had looked forward to finally arrived on December 7.

    “This is a major event,” he said, “and on behalf of the people of Rokota Community, we are grateful for this opportunity.”

    The traditional ruler further said: “I thank the Federal and state governments for selecting our community for this life-changing project. We are indeed very privileged. Our children can study under the glow of clean electricity. As enterprising people blessed with kaolin, red clay and iron ore resources, we look further to more commercial activities and small businesses growing Rokota’s economy. For instance, I hear that there are already thoughts around large-scale shea butter production.”

    Mohammed added: “With the provision of electricity for the people, their economic well-being will improve. I now operate borehole water business conveniently. Our children will no longer read with local lamp. We will have access to cold water. We are grateful that our community is remembered.”

    The Health Officer at Rokota Lwemp Health Clinic, Mr. Ndachukwu Ibrahim said: “This is a milestone in the history of this community. We used to travel to about 10 kilometres for medical assistance. With the inauguration of the electricity project, we can keep our pharmaceutical products in the fridge that we have. Now we have light to attend to our patients. With this, we are enjoying a new lease of life. We are grateful to the World Bank, REA and the Federal Government.”

    The Head of NEP PMU, Mrs. Adejoke Odumosu noted that efforts of all those involved in the off-grid project have materialised into a laudable project being inaugurated. Odumosu added that the project would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of the Federal Government, the World Bank, the Rural Electrification Agency, the private sector developers and the people of Rokota.

  • 2023 Presidency: Deciding factors

    Babatope Babalobi

    About three years to the next general election, the race for the top job, has earnestly begun. President Muhammadu Buhari is constitutionally disqualified from re-contesting as the position has a two-term limit. There is a vacancy in Aso Villa by 2023 and the big question is who will occupy it?

    Nigeria’s presidency is historically predictable, as it failed to spring up surprises over the years. A green horn has never occupied the number one position either through military or civilian rule.

    Nigeria’s four presidents since 1999 were either former governors or former head of states. Obasanjo (former Head of State), Yar’Adua (former governor), Jonathan (former governor), and Buhari, (former Head of state).

    What could have been an exception was Goodluck Jonathan, but he had earlier occupied prominent positions as deputy governor, governor, vice president, and acting president before becoming the nation’s No 1.

    2023 is not likely to spring new surprises, as Nigeria’s ruling class hegemony of governance may not be threatened. Nigeria’s next president will be a known face, likely coming from the ranks of a former or serving vice president, a former or serving governor, or possibly a former or serving federal legislator.

    Nine factors by my reckoning will determine the next president.  These are the popularity factor, northern factor, the All Progressive Congress (APC) factor, Buhari’s incumbency factor, Oshiomhole chairmanship’s factor, governors’ factor, the religious factor, status quo factor, and force majeure factor.

    On the popularity factor, the positive visibility and wide popularity of a presidential aspirant across ethnic, religious, and political lines would be key in determining electoral victory. This worked for late M.K.O. Abiola in 1993 and President Muhamadu Buhari in 2015.

    As for the northern factor, the Norther Nigeria has always decided, directly or indirectly who becomes Nigeria’s president, and 2023 may not be an exception.

    It was the ‘North’ that decided the preferred southern candidate, even when the post was zoned to the South. At the advent of the fourth republic, when it was obvious that political power had to shift to South due to deep divisions caused by the June 12 crisis, Chief Obasanjo, who was unpopular in the Southwest, emerged president through northern support.

    It is on record that Obasanjo won the 1999 presidency despite losing electoral votes in his ward, local government, state, and southwest geopolitical zone.

    The North produces high votes and in politics, the winner is the person or party with the higher number of votes. In the 1999 Presidential elections between two Southerners, six states produced over one million votes, four of them in the North: Lagos-1,751,981; Kaduna-1,676,029; Rivers-1,565,603; Benue-1,252,957; Katsina-1,193,397; and Bauchi-1,176,542.

    In 2011 Presidential elections, the top three states with total votes casts were all northern states: Kaduna-2.5m; Kano- 2.6m; and Katsina-16m.

    Read Also: 2023: Adopt Falae/Obasanjo model, VON DG appeals to APC, PDP

    The results of the 2019 Presidential elections shows the highest vote cast were recorded in the North.

    President Buhari’s five top states in votes were all northern states. In Bauchi State, out of 1,024,307 valid votes cast, President Buhari received 789,428 votes; in Borno, Buhari received 836,496 out of 919,786 votes cast; Katsina: 1,232,133 out of 1,555, votes casts; Kaduna: 993,445 out of 1,663,603; and Kano 1,464,768 out of 1,891,134 votes cast.

    His opponent won in most southern states, but alas, they did not return heavy votes. The swing states that recorded heavy presidential votes were Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Borno, Bauchi, Rivers, and Lagos, mostly Northern. Benue, Plateau and Delta were also periphery swing states.

    Most swing states are northern, making it a key determinant of 2023 Presidency.

    As the ruling party with 19 governors, 64 senators, and 215 House of Representatives members compared to its rival PDP’s 16 governors, 44 senators, and 115 House of Representatives members, APC will also be major factor.

    APC has an electoral edge over the PDP, and it should be safely assumed that, whoever picks up the APC’s presidential ticket will win the 2023 election. The way APC manages or mismanages its political strength will determine whether it will retain its position as ruling party or revert to opposition in 2023.

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s personality will also influence Choice 2023. This is a variable dependent on the popularity or unpopularity of President Buhari in the months preceding the 2023 general elections.

    If the public rating of President Buhari nose dives, it may work against any presidential candidate presented by the APC. Obasanjo influenced the election/selection of two successive presidential candidates of the then ruling PDP, after his tenure. The two -late Umaru Yar’adua and Dr Jonathan Goodluck, were eventually elected president. Will President Buhari repeat the feat?

    Internal democracy is not deepened in most political parties allowing rules to be compromised or altered to favour preferred candidates.

    However, Adams Oshiomole has been projected as a stickler for the rules. If he survives till 2022/3 as national chairman, the proverbial hand of Jacob and voice of Esau may work behind the scenes to determine who wins the APC’s presidential ticket in 2023.

    In Nigeria, governors are political tin gods, holding the aces.  All the parties have national leaders, but the real leaders are the state governors. By and large, they control the party structures. Also, political prebendalism gives them enormous powers to practically dictate the shape and outcome of party primaries.

    Delegates that will choose presidential flagbearers in most parties are largely influenced and controlled by the governors. The governors will greatly influence emergence of the next president, and I believe they may prefer one of their own- a past or serving governor.

    It is not by coincidence that two consecutive presidents after the Obasanjo regime were former governors- Umaru Yar’Adua of Katsina State and Goodluck Jonathan of Bayelsa State. If most of the governors within or across party lines agree on a presidential candidate, they may be unstoppable.

    Religion plays a subtle, but critical role in Nigeria’s politics in recent times, thanks to distrust generated by Boko Haram religious fundamentalism, reported cases of religious persecutions, and allegations of perceived marginalisation.

    The two leading faiths are Christian and Muslim. The beautiful political era of the past has been murdered by religious intolerance. A Muslim/Muslim ticket symbolised by Abiola/Kingibe’s Hope 93 swept the country like a hurricane with popular acclamation across religious lines.

    Religion is now an issue in Nigeria’s politics. What are the expectations of the faith communities come 2023? A president or/and vice who is a Christian, Muslim or same faith? Should the presidency rotate along geopolitical and faith lines? What does this portend for nation building?  How will this issue be managed as we approach 2023?

    The status quo factor is based on the premise that there wouldn’t be any iconoclastic change, the presidential race will be a straight one between politicians in the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), none of the fringe parties will be able to spring a surprise, and nothing will change apart from party affiliations.

    Force majeure is a legal term used for unavoidable, unpredictable, or unexpected event that cannot be controlled by anyone, sometimes described as an act of God.

    Force majeure has been decisive in changing permutations in Nigeria’s polity on several occasions. It was force majeure that led to the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan as Nigeria’s Acting President on February 10, 2010.

    It is ungodly to speculate the ill-health or sudden death of any of the gladiators interested in the presidential seat or guess who could be the beneficiary of such unfortunate development. God knows tomorrow, yet death is a natural occurrence.

    Be this as it may, a force majeure is like a red card in football, and capable of changing the game, turning potential losers to winners.

    • Babalobi, writes from University of Bath, UK.

     

  • Human rights? Let us think!

    Asiwaju Deji Fasuan MON, JP Ado Ekiti.

    SIR: The hysterics and tone are unbelievable; the whole media are engulfed in it. Most professionals, lawyers, human rights pretenders make the headlines.

    It is as if Nigeria was at the war front, facing equally menacing opponents. Even otherwise respectable legal minds are daily competing with noise makers and street handouts to protest unwarranted assault on human rights. It all looks like the last days of colonization when the British imperialists were packing out of Nigeria.

    What is all this about? It is about a conflict between a politician and some law enforcement agents. It is about display of raw power and authority.

    It is about professionals who want to show their indispensability in our society. But this country has outgrown these childish street displays.

    We need to know some facts. Some political arithmetic. Our man, the focus of all the encounter, a bonafide Nigerian, nursed ambition to bid for the highest position in the land.

    He legitimately put himself up, contesting as a presidential candidate of a lawful political party. He was not denied the chance to bid nor was there any encumbrances placed on his way.

    He went to the polls and scored close to 48,000 votes as a presidential candidate. Several others made the bid, scoring such varying, some would say ridiculous figures.

    The highest in the contest made the millions. That is democracy. Nobody went to the streets, blocking main roads and calling for hell to descend down on the country.

    The one who felt cheated or whose votes have been stolen went to court and the courts told him he was wrong.

    It is then not surprising that one who is at the very bottom of the league feels so badly that he could invite disaster and mayhem on a nation that has deprived him of its leadership?

    If he feels so, why must all of us rush to the streets, proclaiming disaster and mayhem ….? More importantly, why should a government or its organs fold their hands as if the world around is serene and safe?

    Our democracy is working. All elements and layers of the polity are functioning. But we have to note a section of the society or organ of the democratic system should not be blackmailed-on the altar of free speech or freedom of association.

    Some of these displays we witness on the television nearly every night are certainly uncalled for. These acts do not belong to this age.

    The actors and perpetuators know themselves. You can continue to make good names without giving cheap or making scenes that will attract funny ideas every day.

    It is amusing to see lawyers who dominate the right, the center and the left of the political spectrum shout unnecessary political jargons each night, just to demonstrate that on the civil rights issue, “we are all together”.

    Such actions belong to high school children or university students who have seen or heard very little beyond their lecture theaters. People who have seen the wider world should demonstrate good judgment and be more realistic.

    Read Also: ‘Embrace human rights, rule of law for effective community policing’

     

    Today, there are many things to complain about beyond deliberate political slogans which are meant to pull wool on our face. Nearly all the roads crisscrossing the length and breadth of our country are bad, worse than any other time in our life time.

    The road network has been made worse by a protracted, heavy rainfall and predictions are that the next rainy season will be worse. Second, power supply to most parts of Nigeria is becoming worse by the day.

    There is no proof that any improvement is ahead. Worse is the security situation in the country. No one is safe on our roads. Movements on our roads are measured, calculated and unsure.

    Are these not more important and more engaging than the interest of one who did not make one percent of popular votes to now involve all of us in an unnecessary social warfare. Let us sit down and think.

    Today in Nigeria, eight out of 10 university graduates are out of gainful employment. Graduate teachers have no school to teach. Should these not bother our free wheeler socialists rather than shouting and disturbing the peace of ordinary Nigerians?

    The constant cries and appeals to the outside world –the United States, the United Nations, NATO, the UK e.t.c to save us from our government indicate nothing but immaturity and outright stupidity.

    These other nations and organizations have their problems to the seam. They only see us as “Third World” people whose understanding of international relations is low.

    Sure there are many obnoxious things to complain about. What of the ministers, who were governors, who were senators, who were honourable members and who are now drawing millions of naira in addition to their current pay as ministers.

    Should Nigeria disintegrate because of the failure of one man, for one man to realize his ambition?

    Unfortunately and unwittingly the socialist are doing exactly what they accused the politicians of doing, recruiting the judiciary.

  • 100 fake profs?

    Editorial 

    At a time that the Nigerian university system is embroiled in a crisis over the appropriateness of Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the system has been thrown into yet another crisis: uncovering by the National Universities Commission (NUC) of 100 professors adjudged by NUC to be fake.

    Professor Abubakar Rasheed, executive secretary of the commission announced at a retreat with vice chancellors that a new register of professors created by NUC to promote the country’s universities abroad has assisted it to identify the presence of 100 fake professors in service across the country. Making the announcement in Abuja, Prof Rasheed said: “About 100 fake professors also uploaded their details but we detected them. This measure helped in identifying fake professors in the system. The fight against fake professors is a collective responsibility.” NUC was established “to ensure that quality is maintained within the academic programmes of the Nigerian university system.”

    The detection of such a huge number of fraudulent professors by NUC is commendable but worrisome, especially as it raises the issue of further decline in academic integrity and academic quality assurance in the nation’s universities –  public and private.

    However, we are worried about the tentativeness about the number of fake professors. Is NUC unsure about their actual number? Why would an organisation charged with monitoring and regulating universities announce the discovery of “about 100 fake professors?” This matter should be serious and sensitive enough for NUC to be precise about the actual number of persons with fake professorial credentials.

    Read Also: Don’t enrol our members, ASUU tells IPPIS officials

     

    Why has the NUC been unable to confirm whether universities it had informed about fake professors in their institutions have responded to such request for action? All stakeholders, especially students and parents deserve to know the reaction of affected universities to the memo on NUC’s discovery of several professors in several universities.

    But more important is evidence of failure of monitoring and regulation in the universities. What has happened to institutions established to protect and promote academic integrity, especially on matters of appointment, confirmation, and promotion of individuals who rose to the rank of full professor in the affected universities?

    Certainly, the people in charge of due diligence in the registry, academic departments, appointments and promotions committee, and senate of the universities, bodies charged with protection of academic integrity of teachers and students deserve to answer questions or provide explanations for the infiltration of the universities by fraudulent individuals.

    Without further delay, we urge the NUC and the universities to quickly conduct investigation and hand over those identified as fake professors to law enforcement agents for prosecution. The names of persons confirmed by investigation to be fraudulent should be published along with names of the institutions that have housed them. Such naming and shaming may be crucial if academic corruption in our institutions is to be arrested before such corruption destroys the university system.

    Reminding the vice chancellors, as the NUC secretary had done, of their duty to protect academic integrity can hardly be overdone. Disregard for integrity, such as accommodating fake professors is about the fastest way to destroy the respect for Nigeria’s university education. Fake professors cannot produce true knowledge. In addition to investigation, we recommend that NUC, in collaboration with individual universities, invest in software and apps that can facilitate checking of credentials of applicants for appointment and promotion before decisions are made on their applications.

  • NBA at a time like this

    Francis Ojima Akoji Esq, Lagos.

    SIR: The primary task of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is to ensure promotion and protection of Human Rights, compliance with the Rule of Law, and good governance in Nigeria. If it fails in these duties, then the common man will have recourse to God when anarchy takes precedent over rule of law, and the judicial powers are usurped.

    The judiciary is an independent arm of government and not an appendage of the executive arm. Any monstrous tendencies by the executive must be called to question and curbed headlong. The current reign of terror, gangsterism and executive rascality is completely absurd and same must be resisted and jettisoned through concerted effort. One really wonders if we have returned to the state of nature, where might was right.

    Baron De Montesque’s doctrine of separation of powers, which is a feature of every good democracy must  be allowed to flourish in Nigeria like it does in many advanced countries of the world that follow its dictates.

    The doctrine’s latin rendition “trias politica” suggests a strict separation between all the arms of government while acting as watchdogs to the activities of one another to create checks and balances.

    Read Also: Challenges of Nigerian Bar Association in 21st Century

    Hence, the incessant attacks and undue influence wielded by the executive over the judiciary is totally unacceptable.

    A fundamental principle of equity is that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands. It is reckless to disobey the order of the court, and still run to the same court for relief.

    The law cannot be implemented in breach. The DSS must stick to the rules of engagement and obey the orders of the court. No person is above the law, and the law must be allowed to take its natural course.

    Right to bail is a constitutional right premised on the accusatorial system of justice we practice in Nigeria. The Nigerian Bar Association must brace up to its responsibilities and ensure that the independence of the judiciary is not undermined.

    Disrespecting a judge and his or her court is like disrespecting the Federal Republic of Nigeria and judges should not hesitate to deal with anyone who disrespects their court regardless of their status or whose ox is gored.

    This should be the stand of the judiciary.

    This is the only country we can call our own, no matter where we run to, as such the task of making Nigeria better is a collective one, and as men of the largest bar in Africa, we must not be quiet about perversion of justice.

    We must always allow ourselves to be guided by our consciences and uphold the course of justice by joining hands to strengthen the judiciary.

  • Dispossessed draws literary scholars to Awka

    By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor Arts

     

    In Saturday December 14, Awka, Anambra State capital, will witness literary fireworks as some of Africa’s finest writers and scholars will converge on the city for presentation of Dispossessed, a collection of poems by James Eze. Venue is Oma Event Centre, Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.

    Former Senior Special Assistant on Media to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati will review the book while Chimamanda Adichie, Amanze Akpuda, Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, Chukwuemeka Ike, Ngozi Chuma Udeh and Odili Ujubuono are expected to grace the launch.

    Leading the pack is Graduate Programme Coordinator, Institute of African Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada Prof Nduka Otiono, who will provide what he called ‘biocritical reflections on Dispossessed.’

    Otiono who is heavily credited by the author of Dispossessed as the man ‘whose constant prodding and mentoring has turned me into a poet’ is expected to offer critical insights on the poet within and outside the atmosphere of the book.

    The objective is to shed more light on Eze’s muted journey to his debut book as well as annotate some of the collection’s unuttered yells.

    Since its release in October, Dispossessed has made notable splash on the Nigerian literary scene, ratcheting up impressive reviews and making history as the first book of poetry to be read to a full cabinet session of a Nigerian government.

    Otiono’s intervention at the launch is expected to further distil the intense imageries trapped in the pages of the book for a deeper appreciation by audiences not usually enthused by poetry.

    Otiono comes fully prepared for this role though. His writing career is laden with fruits. The author and co-editor of six books, Otiono won ANA/Spectrum Prize for Fiction with his debut collection of short stories titled The Night Hides with a Knife, and quickly followed it up with a poetry collection titled Voices in the Rainbow which earned honorable mention for the ANA/Cadbury Poetry Prize.

    His second collection of poems, Love in a Time of Nightmares, won him the James Patrick Folinsbee Memorial Scholarship in Creative Writing.

    As a scholar, Otiono has distinguished himself. He graduated with a perfect GPA, while winning the prestigious Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship at the University of Alberta, Canada, and being nominated for the Governor General’s Gold Medal for academic distinction.

    Read Also: Abati: Burden of public office

     

    Otiono has also gathered enormous experience working with Chinua Achebe at Brown University where he was appointed a Visiting Assistant Professor.

    In much the same way, Otiono’s career as a teacher has earned him a Capital Educator’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and a Faculty of Arts and Sciences Early Career Award for Research Excellence at Carleton University.

    Faculty and students of the Department of English and Literature Studies of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State will benefit from Otiono’s wealth of knowledge during his visit.

    The twice-winner of a Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship shall be teaching a Master Class in Creative Writing at the university to wrap up activities marking the formal introduction of Dispossessed to the public.

     

    Dispossessed as a distinctive literary work is captured in the blurb by three of Nigeria’s finest writers. To Helon Habila, winner of both Caine Prize and Commonwealth Writers’ Prize who also teaches creative writing at George Mason University, USA, Dispossessed is “a promise fulfilled…what we all want from great poetry: lyricism, captivating imagery, storytelling but above all, the ability to rouse the emotions to that sublime plane only great poetry knows how to do.”

    To Olu Oguibe, renowned artist, poet, and recipient of the Governor of the State of Connecticut’s Award for excellence and lifetime achievement, “of all the joys that one must take from Eze’s poetry, the most obvious, perhaps, is his easy command of imagery.

    There are many images in these poems.” And to Okey Ndibe, former professor at Bard College and Brown University, all in the US, who is also a celebrated novelist, essayist and journalist, Dispossessed is “an act of restoration, reminding us that art–and poetry, specifically– challenges us to dream and achieve our best humanity.”

  • Foundation trains 586 youths

    By Chinyere Elizabeth Okoroafor

     

    Founder, Rose of Sharon Foundation (RoSF), Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, has stressed the need for youths to seek knowledge by learning from mentors and allowing their experiences to serve as a guide in life.

    Mrs Alajika, who spoke at the bi-annual Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) organised by the foundation at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, said the theme ‘The Big Picture: Harnessing the Power of Leverage’ was important because that is what will propel an entrepreneur or a career person into becoming successful or not successful.

    The event attracted 586 participants from various educational and professional backgrounds. The training is aimed at equipping Nigerian youths with knowledge and life changing skills that will help them to stand out and be successful in their businesses, careers and professions.

    This year’s programme is focused on how youth can leverage necessary information, which will help them succeed in their career choice.

    Alakija said: ”It is important to teach people how to fish, rather than giving them fish as this would ensure their true independence.”

    She added that YEP was borne out of the need to address the problem facing youth as a result of lack of skills and knowledge required for them to integrate into the business world, either as entrepreneur or as employees.

    Resource persons at the event included IITA Communications Specialist, Ms Timilehin Osunde, while Head of Partners Relations, Christian Broadcasting Network Africa, Mr Enoch Oyedunta anchored a talk show featuring four beneficiaries of RoSF scholarship. They spoke on their life’s experiences, shared success tips as well as thanked the foundation for helping them achieve their dreams.

    Read Also: Foundation trains 441 youths

     

    The beneficiaries included Miss Soyode Esther, a graduating First Class Student of Economics from Olabisi Onabanjo University; Miss Iyara Rebecca, a graduate of Philosophy from the University of Lagos who is now a banker; Miss Adesanya Adewunmi, a graduate of Accountancy from Ekiti State University who is also a fashion designer and Mr Uzoma Kelechi, an undergraduate of the Mechanical Engineering department if Imo State University.

    Another resource person, accountant and seasoned entrepreneur, Mr Seyi Peters, spoke on the importance of starting small and working towards the big picture.

    He stressed that the youth should always ask themselves about the impact or solution their intended business would bring to society.

    Representing GMYT Fashion Academy, Mr Soboyejo advised youth on the need to be focused, hardworking and determined. He also encouraged them to have passion bearing in mind that they will experience some challenges as they strive to achieve their dreams.

    Ms Osunde also spoke about the power of leveraging on relationships.

    She encouraged the youth to cultivate their networks as such contacts play a major role in achieving the big picture. While speaking, she stated that ”One may not always have information but the people around you may have access to such details”.

    Similarly, she said there is a need for volunteering, even when it is done with no financial benefits attached.

    Oyeduntan talked about on the need to be practical. He advised the youth to look out for problems in their environment for there lies leverage.

    He further encouraged them to solve problems, stating that ‘the problem you can solve without being paid for is your purpose, the idea is to provide that service better than anyone else’.

    Miss Bunmi Oluwasade, a Grow with Google facilitator spoke on Digital Marketing for career and business purposes. The YEP is the foundation’s career’s development and capacity building program for graduates, job seekers, working-class and self-employed youths.  Since 2017, the RoSF Youth Empowerment Programme has served to re-orientate the minds of Nigeria’s youth, motivating them on the need to be diligent in their dealings as this will cause them to succeed in their chosen professions.