Ajibade Fasina-Thomas

 

Shangba fo! The mold is broken! The masterpiece is shattered. When will the immortal potter cast another edition of the incredible “Baba Eto”!

Were he to eulogise the sparkly Nathaniel Folarin Coker, the fascinating Baba Eto, a student of Plato, the Greek philosopher, would have dished out ornate rhetorics taught according to Platonic rules. And for a man who has a propensity to put smooth finishes on his speeches with fitting anecdotes, public speaking was a specialty!

Baba Eto regaled us with stories we were not privileged to hear or know about; and when he had his audience spellbound, he interjected with his familiar idiomatic expression: E o ti ri nkankan. You haven’t seen anything yet!

There is no room for gaucherie in his speeches which he gave in large doses while proposing the toast of “Absentee (Departed) Members” at the monthly Elders’ Forum at Island Club, Onikan, Lagos; or occasionally at the weekly sittings of The Fish Group of Yoruba Tennis Club, also at Onikan, Lagos.

His oratorical deftness complemented his sartorial sleekness. He summoned either for appropriate service whenever needed. Folarin Coker was natty in bespoke English suits in his younger days; and Baba Eto kept the tradition in his twilight days, resplendent as always in his white agbada.

He was an accomplished author and a biographer who remained the delight of biographers while he lived.

I have had the privilege of compering the programmes of many of Elderman Folarin Coker’s books. At one of such occasions, excerpts of my introduction of the great man ran as follows:

“One generic term that became associated with Elderman Folarin Coker over the years was the saying ‘E o ti ri nkankan‘ which, when translated to English means ‘You haven’t seen anything yet;’ or as the Americans would say, ‘You ain’t seen nutting yet.”

“And how true! Elderman Folarin Coker’s fertile mind is always at work. He possesses an old, accomplished hand in the business of biography writing. He has written and contributed to the biographies of eminent Nigerians more than any writer of his age.

“When he presented the chart-bursting IYA EKO, the exciting story on the life and times of personable Lady Oyinkan Abayomi, I asked the question, what propels a man to keep writing and publishing books at an advanced age of 80 years plus? I should have taken him for his words that I certainly haven’t seen anything yet…..more of his books are currently in the works.

“Elderman Coker’s passion for writing is astounding. The power of his writing is formidable and his easy style of writing makes his books endearing.

“According to Webster, whatever makes men good Christians makes them good citizens. Elderman Folarin Coker served God and his church to the best of his ability. He has also acquitted himself in his service to his country and the society in which he lived.

“The Cathedral Church of Christ appreciated his services and honoured him with the coveted Cathedral Parish Award (CPA).

His meritorious service to the nation has also not escaped the attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria who accordingly bestowed on him the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

“Elderman Coker is a recipient of the highest award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Peacock (GCOP) for distinguished members of the Island Club.

“At the Yoruba Tennis Club, Elderman Folarin Coker is a past Chairman; and now a Trustee and Vice Patron.”

Elderman Folarin Coker has written his own obituary in so many words and actions. He will be greatly missed in all the spheres of life he touched. But he will not be easily forgotten because he wrote things worth reading and his deeds are worth writing about.

A toast to our departed brother….Greetings!

Greetings!! Greetings!!!

 

On August 12, 2020, Nigeria lost an iconic grammarian, colossal titan, great churchman and elder statesman Chief Nathaniel Folarin Coker, 97.  In this tribute,  Folorunsho Folarin-Coker writes on the life and times of the late Baba Eto of Lagos who will be buried this week in Lagos.

 

Elder statesman Folarin Coker, who died on August 12, 2020 came, saw and conquered. The world has indeed lost a colossus, a man of integrity, a go-getter, a man of many parts, who served his state and his fatherland to the best of his ability. While some believe that Lagos State, Nigeria and Africa have lost a big fish, some are of the opinion that Elder statesman Folarin Coker is like a typical actor, who must have left the stage when the ovation was loudest.

A selfless man with a large heart, Chief Folarin Coker left his footprints on the sand of time and the name of Baba Eto of Lagos would continue to ring a bell in many generations to come.

Legendary Chief Nathaniel Coker was born on July 22, 1923 at 28 Joseph Street, Lagos, to a Christian family. When it was time for him to find a life partner, Chief Folarin Coker got married to former Miss Larvinia Apinke Vaughan.

Baba Eto attended CMS Grammar School, Lagos from 1934-1941. The respected elder statesman later attended the University College of Exeter, England from 1948 to1950 and Inns of Court, School of Law, from 1954 to 1957. Not done, the man with a knack for excellence was at Council of Legal Education, London and was called to the English Bar at Lincoln’s Inn, London on  July12, 1960 and he was later admitted to the Inner Temple London.

Baba Eto earlier got his Senior Cambridge School Certificate, London with matriculation number 1941. After that, the man who would later become a force to reckon with among his contemporaries, obtained a Diploma in Public administration, (Exeter) in June, 1950, obtained Higher Standard Certificate, (Hausa), (Parts A  and B), (Administrative Class), Northern Nigeria, Public Service, Kano, 1954.

With the support of Almighty God and tenacity of purpose, Chief Coker sat for English Bar Finals, (Lincoln’s Inn, London) in May, 1957 and became Barrister-at-Law. The man of the people was later registered as Solicitor & Advocate, (Supreme Court of Nigeria), 1969 till death and appointed Notary Public (1978).

As part of what would later prepare him for the tasks ahead, he worked at the Clerical Service Judicial Department, Lagos from June 1942 to December, 1946. Having noticed the stuff he was made of, he was transferred to Clerical Service, Nigerian Secretariat, 1946 to 1947 and became Acting Secretariat Assistant (Nigerian Secretariat), Lagos between January, 1947 and May 1948.

His sojourn in the civil service continued to soar higher as he became the Administrative Assistant 1951 to 1953 (Sokoto Province) Northern Region and Administrative Officer from 1953 to 1955 (A.D.O) (Kano), Northern Nigeria.

Chief Coker also had a meritorious service at the Western Regional Public Service. The phenomenal rise of this man of many parts continued in public office, when he was appointed as the Senior Assistant Secretary, Secretariat, Ibadan 1956 to 1959, Secretary, Industrial Promotion Commission, Western Region, Ibadan 1960 to 1961, and Chief Information Officer, Western Region, Ibadan, 1961 to 1962.

Baba Eto’s accomplishments was further buoyed with his appointment as the Secretary of the Public Service Commission, Ibadan, 1962-1963, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and Information, Western Nigeria, Ibadan, 1963-1964, and Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Co-operatives and Community Development, Ibadan, November in 1965.

Having noticed his talents as an achiever, Chief Coker became the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Ibadan in1966 and Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, 1967, Western Nigeria, Ibadan from where he was transferred to the Lagos State Public Service in April, 1968.

After that, he was appointed Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Trade, & Industry, Lagos State from 1968 to 1970, and later Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Community Development.

As a man full of experience and wide connections, Chief Coker  became the Chairman of the Lagos State Scholarship Board and Chairman, Lagos State Sports Council from 1970 to 1972, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Tourism, Lagos State, 1972 to 1975 and promoted Administrative Officer, Principal Staff Grade, Salary Group 3, 1st April, 1972.

His job experience further propelled him to another ministry as he became the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Social Development, Lagos State from 1975 to March 1978 and retired at statutory age of 55 years from the Public Service of Lagos State on  August 5, 1978. It is on record that Baba Eto became the Chairman of Lagos State Manpower Development Board, Chairman, Board of Governors, Post-Primary Institutions Lagos State, (Lafiaji High School, Lagos).

Also, he was a member,  Lagos State Library Board and Lagos State Education Endowment Fund Committee.

Over  the years, Chief  Coker  actively participated in several exercises and programmes for the development of Lagos State Civil Service among which are seminar on the Civil Service in a Presidential System-May 1979, and introduction of Course-General on the Role of Administrative/Professional Officer in the Civil Service-1982.

Some other notable services of the elder statesman were his participation in the Seminar on Revenue Generation from Land Transactions in Lagos State (Problems and Perspectives)- December, 1987 and Workshop on the implementation of the Civil Service Reforms in Lagos State-February, 1989. His experience also became useful as a Guest Speaker at the Lagos State Public Service Forum in 1989 on the Topic: “The Civil Service and the 1992 Constitution -A Comparative Analysis.” Baba Eto also served as the Chairman of the Public Service Feedback Forum in July, 1990.

At the National level, Chief Coker was a member of the Board of Trustees National Sports Trust Fund, 1988 till death  and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the Federal University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State from 1993 to1997.

Chief Coker was an active member of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos. His love for God saw him serving as the Patron of the Cathedral Choir, and of other societies of the Church including the Cathedral Ladies Helpers Union and the Armour Bearer.

Baba Eto was also the Chairman Lagos Chapter of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Trust Fund Committee. He was a steadfast Churchman.

His management acumen caused him to be awarded as a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chris Abebe Merit Awardee), Member, World Scout Association), Trustee, Nigeria-India Association, and member of the Board of Trustees, Nigeria Biographical Foundation.

As a confirmation of the fact that Chief Coker was a man of many parts, he was made the Secretary Association of Lagos Titled Chiefs (1975 to 1989) and Chairman of Yoruba Tennis Club, 1988 to 1990, as well as “Elderman”-Island Club, Lagos.

As a distinguished Nigerian, he was awarded Officer of the Most Distinguished Order of the Niger (OON) September, 1979, National Scout Honours (Medal of Merit) 1983, and Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Management and Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.

He became Chairman Lagos State Manpower Development Board, Chairman, Board of Governors, Post-Primary Institutions Lagos State, (Lafiaji High School, Lagos).

His public service was further enriched, when he became a member of the Lagos State Library Board and Member of the Lagos State Education Endowment Fund Committee.

Chief Coker was an illustrious, devoted, committed and prominent old grammarian and senior prefect of the 1941 set of CMS Grammar School, Lagos. His contributions to the development of the Old Grammarians Society and CMS Grammar School are legendary and iconic. The words and ideals of the great school song were obviously part of him.

It will be difficult to consign to history the worthy contributions of ‘Elder-man’ Coker to the life of the school and OGS. In 2010, he inspired, conceived and donated the Bishop Seth Irunsewe Kale Memorial Tower Clock, a chiming Tower Clock, one of the firsts in designed style in black Africa and similar to the historic Big Ben Tower Clock in Central London, UK. It was customised to chime every one hour with the first stanza of the school song as its signature tune.

When he turned 90 in 2013, as a veteran state swimmer, he initiated and bequeathed a Swimming Academy inclusive of state of the art Olympic size swimming pool. By that gesture, CMS Grammar School became the first and only legacy school in Nigeria to have a Swimming Academy.

Baba Eto was a kind, mild and generous genius. Even in his 90s, he never missed any Founder’s Day thanksgiving. Such was his passion for his alma mater. For his sterling contributions to the school and OGS, he was honoured with the OGS Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. He was simply a sensation!

Nevertheless, by His grace, the beam in the legacy he left behind will continue to burn brightly ever. If the world would get a replacement for Baba Eto, it might be difficult for such a replacement to have the candour, temperament, philanthropy and uncommon love for mankind that stood Baba Eto Chief Nathanael Folarin Coker out in his generation.

Five students have been shortlisted for the maiden Arojah Student’s Playwriting Prize 2020. They are Bayowa Ayomide (University of Toronto): Recyclable Chairs, Ojo Joshua Miracle (Obafemi Awolowo University): Justice: A Mirage, Ojo Olumide Emmanuel (ABU Zaria): Headless Sacrifice, Omowunmi Damilola Osuolale (University of Ibadan): A Tale Told by Idiots and  Yusuf Abdulkadir (ABU Zaria): The Just Cause.

According to a statement by the organisers, the prize is to provide exposure for the shortlisted playwrights, a play reading session would be organised for them on Saturday September 5, to enable them to engage with the literary community.

It added that to further horn students’ playwriting skill, the top 30 playwrights from the competition will participate in an online Playwriting Master-class (Playwriting and Creative Process) with Makinde Adeniran and UK based, Rob Wilson on Saturday September 19.  Winners will be announced in October.

The maiden edition of the prize was adjudicated by the Head Theatre and Performing Arts, Bayero University, Kano; Ola Ifatimehin, award winning playwright, literary critic and legal practitioner, Isaac Attah Ogezi and Korean based playwright, scholar and communication consultant, Okeke Izuchukwu Job.

This year’s competition is focused on Transparency, Governance, Anti-Corruption and Culture of Accountability, supported by MacArthur Foundation and CITAD endorsed by the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), powered by Arojah Royal Theatre and the International Centre for Creative and Performing Arts (ICCPA).

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

 

 

President Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA), Mr. Gbadega Adedapo has said that Nigerian book industry has lost over ten billion naira to COVID-19 pandemic since its outbreak last December. He stated that the pandemic has, in no small measure, been affecting the book industry with the cancellation of book and reading events, closure of schools and restrictions on movements.

He noted that the pandemic has not only paralysed the entire book chain, it is also presenting the book industry with enormous challenges.

According to Adedapo in a statement, the industry needs great help and massive support from the Federal Government.

“Helping the book industry’s value chain to bounce back as soon as possible is synonymous with sustaining education and literacy. It is disheartening to know that the fate of authors, publishers, printers, booksellers, librarians (the entire book chain) hangs in the balance and depends on the timely responses received from the people, but especially from the Federal Government,” he added.

Adedapo, who disclosed that this year’s Nigeria International Book Fair will hold online between  September 1 and  September 7, urged Federal Government to urgently   look into the matter of helping the industry through palliative measures. This, he said, could be done with dedicated grants and accessible funds that will aid the industry in its effort on product development and supply engagement.

“Our hope is not lost, as the book industry players are facing a turbulent time in their businesses as a result of the pandemic virus and we hope that resumption of school operations will open up activities for the book industry,” he said.

He stated that the intention of the fair is to ignite the passion of the book industry stakeholders, open up opportunities for them beyond Nigerian shores by creating an online presence, promote books and reading culture irrespective of the threat posed by the pandemic virus by providing an online platform that will avail participants replica (if not better experience) as can be enjoyed at a regular book fair.

The virtual book fair is a free-to-exhibit and free-to-attend event with the theme: Information Technology as a Panacea for the book industry sustainability amidst COVID-19 pandemic. It will feature events such as book fair conference, panelists discussion, exhibition, book sales, children programs, buying and selling of rights, networking and several mind-blowing webinar sessions organized by various key stakeholders such as authors, publishers, printers, booksellers and librarians, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) amongst others. The conference keynote address will be delivered by President, International Publishers Association, Huago Setzer. Members of the general public, book lovers and industry players can register online via www.nigeriabookfair.com to participate in the events.

 

 

 

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

 

The Osile Oke-Ona Egba, Karunwi III, Oba  Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso, has rolled out a collection of books that captures his struggles, libertarian philosophy and historical journey to commemorate 30 years  of stewardship on the throne.

The paramount ruler, who ascended the throne of his forebears on May 20, 1989, has published several titles since 1990, that were critical and instrumental to the integration and elevation of the royal father as a first-class monarch in Egbaland.

In his maiden book, Ripples, Oba Tejuoso contested the supremacy of Alake of Egbaland over the three brother traditional rulers in the ancient town of Abeokuta, Ogun State. With deft moves and insightful write-ups, Oba Tejuoso began with a letter titled: The Beginning of it all by taking swipes at the apparent domination and subservience of one section of the ancient city to the other three sections and campaigned vigorously for truth and justice to prevail. Egbaland (Abeokuta township and neighbouring villages) consists of four independent and autonomous sections – Egba Alake, Oke-Ona, Gbagura and Owu while there are other chieftains especially at Sango Ota on the outskirt of Lagos State, Orile Ilugun, Odeda, Obafemi, Owode, Ifo and Ewekoro which belong in various degrees to all the four sections of Egbaland.

However, given the great historical antecedents of Abeokuta, the Alake of Abeokuta became the prominent ruler and a reference point. According to Oba Tejuoso, a medical practitioner, it was destiny that led him to the throne of Osile Oke-Ona Egba and was inspired to change the terrain of erstwhile unrivaled Egba empire where other ancient monarchs offered their crown princes to be groomed.

In his latest memoirs to commemorate the 30th anniversary, Oba Tejuoso changed the narrative in Ogun State and consequently opened the floodgate of successful professionals and wealthy princes seeking the throne of their forefathers in Egbaland.

Since the founding of Egba United Government (EUG) in 1897, the historical perspectives and thinking of Osile Oke-Ona Egba on ascending the throne over 30  years ago were aimed at correcting the obvious injustice and oppression in Egbaland. “Thus, according to the king, began a series of action and activities launched against the traditional ruler to dissuade and dispel the radical position of Osile Oke-Ona. He also admitted that several clandestine meetings were held on the contents of his book So Far, So Memorable, his third book on the throne. According to the paramount ruler, the publication was greeted with several threats to his life and vicious attacks while Oba Tejuoso remained undaunted and pursued to a logical conclusion what he describes as injustice to him and others.

Several other titles credited to Oba Tejuoso include Ripples on So Far, So Memorable (1991) Oranmiyan, what is in a name (2013), Promise of God through his Anointed Servant (2014), The Ultimate Honour (1989), When Leaders Hurt (2018) The Triumph of Light over Darkness (2015) and A time in times with Octogenarian (2018).

In his latest book, 30 Years of Stewardship on the Throne which is donated to eminent persons, public libraries and tertiary institutions across the six geographical zones, Oba Tejuoso provides insight into life for those that cherish learning and knowledge as unique ways of adding value to life through perfect guidance and principles.

The book, which is in three volumes focuses on Oba Tejuoso’s achievement and challenges on the throne, as a writer, evangelist, author and medical specialist. The book explores the monarch’s creative imaginations, charity service, evangelism, lectures, politics, spirituality, business terrain and remarkable accounts of his stewardship and towering influence in Nigeria and in the diaspora.  In My Stewardship on the Throne readers will encounter Oba Tejuoso as a medical doctor, business mogul, traditional ruler, life coach and religious leader who proclaims Jesus Christ and shares the Christian doctrine in every interaction with the world.

 

By Evelyn Osagie

 

Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) have restated their commitment to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on formalising their partnership for enhanced regulation, enforcement and awareness creation in the industry.

NCC Director-General Mr. John O. Asein and the Executive Director, NFVCB, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas disclosed this at a consultative meeting of the agencies during a visit of Asein to NFVCB headquarters.

The agencies agreed to strengthen their partnership for enhanced intelligence sharing, antipiracy operations and manpower development.

Asein, who noted that no agency could fight piracy alone, called for more joint antipiracy and anti-counterfeiting operations as well as joint sensitisation exercises across the country. He indicated that the training arm of NCC, the Nigerian Copyright Institute (NCI), was willing to train members of the staff of NFVCB and stakeholders in the film industry, while NCC staffers would acquaint themselves with the workings of the Censors Board.

He assured that the commission was disposed to assisting the board in the prosecution of copyright related cases.

“Our synergy in checking piracy can only bring about a win-win situation in the film sector as there are legislative provisions empowering the NCC to prescribe anti-piracy devices such as the hologram making it an offence for anyone to counterfeit or be in unlawful custody of the hologram. The NCC will therefore deploy its statutory powers to ensure that government efforts in securing the integrity and viability of the creative industry are not thwarted by any unscrupulous elements.

“We are both government agencies with a common goal to better the lot of stakeholders, particularly investors in the creative industry. While respecting our separate institutional mandates, we must work together for the love of country and the good people of Nigeria. NCC will do everything to help NFVCB to succeed and I believe that NFVCB will also do the same for NCC. That is the unwritten rule that we should work by,” he stated.

In his remarks, Executive Director of NFVCB, assured of the board’s commitment to improved collaboration with NCC and also agreed to the development of an MoU between the two agencies. He expressed optimism that this would enable both agencies to strengthen their operational bases and improve their service delivery in the interest of the creative industry.

The Executive Director, who declared that all pirated copyright works were unclassified and uncensored, called for sustained anti-piracy interventions by both agencies. Noting that NFVCB lacked the power of prosecution directly, Thomas urged the NCC to assist the board in its legal cases. He welcomed the proposal of the NCC DG for training of staff of both agencies to enhance their competence. A four-man committee drawn from the two agencies was set up with the responsibility to identify the areas for strengthening collaboration and draw up modalities for implementation.

Like goldfish that has no hiding place, Sally Mbanefo has recently been endowed with a new portfolio – Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology -in Anambra State. She was Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Indigenous Artworks, Culture and Tourism. Before the Anambra appointment, she was the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC). She  spoke with Uzor Maxim Uzoatu in her new office in Awka, the state capital.

 

What was it like superintending the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, Indigenous Artworks Culture and Tourism?

The different departments of the ministry had their functions. The Tourism Department, for instance, has the responsibility of handling all tourism activities for the state. The Diaspora Affairs Department was birthed with a view to bridging the gap that existed in information and communication between the Anambra State Government and Ndi-Anambra resident abroad and within other states of Nigeria. The Hotel and Hospitality Department oversaw and harnessed the potential in the hospitality sector for optimal performance. The Department of Art and Culture was promoting, preserving and developing the state cultural heritage, which include Our Roped Vase bronze works, Igbo language, artworks and artifacts, customs, folk songs, festivals and tradition.

What were the achievements of the Ministry under your tenure as commissioner?

It is not in my character to blow my trumpet, but any keen observer will see our works such as the renovation of the road leading to the Owerre-Ezukala Cave and Waterfall; construction of structures/building at the site; construction of prototype structures/buildings to provide conveniences and changing room for tourists at Ogbunike cave etc. We initiated the creation of Anambra Diaspora portal used by the ministry in keeping the database of Ndi-Anambra in the Diaspora. We ensured the transformation of the ministry into a walk-in gallery. We undertook the creation of the Hotel and Hospitality Department to harness the potentials in the hotel and hospitality sector of the state for optimal performance. Then there was the E-Registration of Hotels in collaboration with VIKO Nigeria to ensure that all the hotels in the state are enumerated in the ministry’s database.

How best do you think government can quicken the development of tourism sector in the state?

The primary role of government in promoting tourism development is to provide basic social and economic infrastructure. The government should also promulgate policies that provide the enabling environment for the tourism sector to thrive.

How has tourism fared in Anambra State under your watch?

Tourism has been one of the cornerstone ministries in this administration – all thanks to the Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, for providing the needed support to help maximise the state’s tourism potentials. Under his Excellency’s administration, a lot of transformation has taken place in the tourism sector with the attendant increase in traffic to tourist sites.

With the transformation of tourism in the state, what is the impact on the state economy in general?

The homecoming festival that we created to usher in Christmas festivities is another initiative by the ministry, which generates revenue for the state government and the citizens who render different goods and services during the duration of the event. Visitation to the various tourist sites by both Ndi-Anambra and people from different parts of the world provides revenue to the state treasury.

With respect to tourism, partnership with the private sector thrives in the world’s biggest tourist destinations. What has the state done in terms of partnering the private sector to improve tourism in the state?

The ministry, in collaboration with VIKO Nigeria Limited, whom I had worked with at the federal level, where at his own expense he provided all the Tourism Information desks we deployed at the major airports in Nigeria. When I found out he is from Anambra, I invited him to help boost tourism in Anambra using technology. He helped us deploy VIKO’s consolidated alliance digital hospitality, travel and tourism infrastructure for facilitation of electronic circulation of travel and hospitality booking of facilities in Anambra State. And he helped us launch Smartjobs software to create jobs in tourism. The state also partnered Stanel World during its Homecoming Festival with the Christmas festivities in events like musical concerts, street cultural carnivals and Christmas Carols. We also partnered INNOSON Group to provide shuttle vehicles to all the hotels at a discounted rate.

What are the measures taken by the state government to sustain its tourism drive?

Since the inception of the Willie Maduburochukwu Obiano administration, the state government made security its number one priority because tourism cannot thrive in a place where there is insecurity. The state government donated major security equipment, vehicles and gadgets to the police and the state vigilante service to enable them maintain law and order in the state. The state is adjudged as the safest in the country. The state government in 2018 and 2019 also renovated and constructed access roads leading to various tourist sites in the state for easy navigation of tourists to and from the tourist sites.

What are the challenges faced by the tourism sector in the state?

There is the eminent lack of interest by financial institutions to lend capital to tourism investors. This is a significant challenge confronting tourism in the state, and lack of collaboration with the private sector.

You were recently redeployed to the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Tertiary Education, Science & Technology. With what you met on the ground, what is the way forward?

My new Ministry covers Oil & Gas, Solid Minerals which also includes scrap metal and glass sand excavation. We are also in charge of Tertiary Education, Science & Technology. We also handle hydro-meteorological services, ie the weather forecast. Our ministry is erecting a Kaolin factory for Kaolin processing at Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area, in collaboration with the Federal Government and has already supplied Kaolin processing machines as we speak. The federal representatives in the state are very proactive and guiding us on the right path.  We also developed the Anambra State Government website (www.anambrastate.gov.ng) to serve as a portal where citizens can learn about government history as well activities and developmental strides of the government. Added to this, there has been the creation of the ICT Department and the set-up of an ICT Laboratory. We have a whole floor devoted to that in the ministry. We are planning an expansion with the federal representatives in Anambra. The administration created an ICT department in the Ministry because our governor is IT savvy. The department was recently upgraded to an agency to fast-track the deployment of ICT across the state. Recently, Anambra State won the First runner-up award in e-Government implementation in the nation, at the National Council on Communication Technology (NCCT) in Katsina State. We also won second runner-up in ICT human capital development. We also recently won second runner-up in ICT infrastructure development.

What has the ministry done in terms of youth empowerment?

A nation that invests in youth invests in its future. So in this regard this Ministry trained 500 unemployed youths selected across the 21 local government areas of the state on acquisition of 14 different skills at Technology Incubation Centre, Nnewi. This is geared towards making them self-employed. Also, when I was in charge of the Tourism Ministry I introduced the smart jobs project for the youth which was created by Viko Nigeria, and we incubated it in the youth ministry where all the training was done to empower 5000 youths. They were taught to have access to an e-business portal for booking of hotels, transport and flights to Anambra for tourism. The youth ministry worked very hard with the transport ministry to make this a reality for the state. Our governor is very youth friendly, and very young at heart

 Oil has been discovered in the state. Tell us about it. I know you also have an oil and gas background.

Yes, we do have oil in commercial quantities and the best crude quality you can imagine. We also have Gas in an incredible commercial quantity. The truth is that the Federal Government will soon embark on a Gas Revolution to drive increase in usage of gas in the country. Anambra State Government has strategically poised itself to key into this initiative to improve the state revenue since Anambra Basin is very rich in gas. Our ministry in collaboration with the Oil and Gas Committee, and with the strong support of His Excellency has provided an enabling environment to ensure that Anambra is recognised as an oil producing state. We are now looking forward to the Federal Government officially recognising Anambra and declaring it an oil producing state, especially now that we are very rich in gas, and gas is the future!

What step has the state government taken to explore and exploit the state’s solid mineral deposits since you are also in charge of that?

The state government through this ministry engaged the services of a consultant, Prof C. O. Ofoegbu, to helped develop the solid minerals sector of the state. In this regard, the state has undertaken steps like Characterisation of Anambra Bentonite for exploration as industrial raw material and Characterisation of Glass Sand deposits for prospective investments in Anambra State. In addition, we have very rich Kaolin deposits in commercial quantities, giving us options of Ceramic/tile factory, burnt brick factory. Our ministry also monitors scrap metal collections, and this has given us an opportunity to build steel rolling mill. Our focus, as His Excellency keeps saying must be on maximising IGR. In Anambra, the sky is the stepping stone. The federal representative in the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Mr. Dara Chijioke Okechukwu, has been quite resourceful.

Would you say that women have a fair representation in Governor Obiano’s administration?

Governor Willie Obiano is a strong advocate of gender equality, and his appointment of women as commissioners, heads of agencies (DGs) and other leadership positions is a testament to this fact. Not forgetting her Excellency Ebelechukwu Obiano, the loving mother of all Anambra women, who advocates for women’s rights and welfare through her Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ) programme. Her Excellency is also very gender supportive.

What is the ministry’s expectation for tertiary institutions in the state?

We are aggressively working on plans to make tertiary institutions in the state self-sufficient. That way, they will no longer depend on government funding. This includes engaging in agriculture and its numerous value chains. We recently launched an IGR campaign for ANSPOLY. In addition, our tertiary education students have excelled by winning several international awards. In 2020, a group of Engineering Students from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University recently came second in the whole of Africa at a virtual competition in the United Kingdom for inventing Racing cars. So many awards in ICT and science and tech have also been won by our tertiary institutions at the federal level.

 

You also double as the Chairman, State Gaming Board. What has been your achievement so far since you took over?

Before I became the chairman of the Gaming Board, the revenue that was remitted to the government account was only N10 million per annum and in almost one year, since I took over as chairman of the Gaming Board, the revenue generated has increased to over N480 million in spite of the COVID-19 challenge when gaming was slow. This achievement could not have happened without the collaboration of the AIRS, and a hardworking managing director who has moved at my every call for improved revenue at such a fast pace.

You are currently on the board of  Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA), and ANSIPPA. How has the journey been so far?

ASBA was established on December 8, 2014 by Governor Obiano to facilitate easier access to resources required by entrepreneurs and investors in MSME to achieve sustainable development in the state. ASBA secured N2b loan from CBN which was used to empower entrepreneurs, thereby creating over 25,000 jobs. We developed a shoe industrial cluster at Ogbunike from where shoes are exported to countries like Cameroun, Ghana, Chad, and Mali. This culminated in the state winning the best supporting state award for micro, small & medium enterprises in Nigeria from the Presidency in August 2019. The MD of Anambra State Small Business Agency is an erudite banker with incredible capacity for hard work and delivering effective results. He made sure we repaid every kobo borrowed whilst empowering the community effectively. ANSIPPA is an ingenious invention of His Excellency. It is the state’s agency in charge of Investment Promotion and Protection where you don’t conclude an investment – once an MOU is signed and the project commences, it is ongoing and we make between five percent and 15 percent in IGR as the state’s equity in the investment. And yes, I am on the board as an ex-banker. ANSIPPA is in the forefront of delivering the Governor’s Legacy Projects, notably: Anambra International Cargo Airport at Umueri, Agulu Lake Hotel expansion, Onitsha Hotel, Awka Shopping Mall, Awka Millennium City, Nnewi Shopping Mall, Century 50MW Power Plant, and Lynden Farms Phase II Expansion etc.

How do you relax after all these tasking duties in Anambra?

Anambra is a quaint metropolis, green, peaceful and endowed with amazing intellectual capital. I am in the most sophisticated EXCO I have ever been in. Most of the Commissioners and Special Advisers have come from the Diaspora to retire at home. His Excellency’s passion for the Diaspora was exhibited by his appointments because he called these last four years the legacy years where we must leave with A BANG EFFECT!  The other commissioners who are not from the Diaspora are ex-bankers like me and the rest are well-grounded indigenous professionals who have made a sterling mark in their various fields.

Many times in EXCO I learn so much by listening from the unlimited horizon of knowledge and experience. So, we are very occupied with the affairs of the state. However, I do make out time to practice and sing in the choir of St Thomas Aquinas Parish, Awka, and to keep out of trouble.

I also engage myself by reading at the altar as a lector in two churches, St Edwards Amawbia and St Thomas Aquinas Parish GRA. I am also a prayer coach for fellowships in Lagos, Abuja and Anambra and I mentor the youth. Because of the safety in the state, I do go for long walks in the evenings in Awka while I pray my rosary for peace of mind.

As a woman, how would you describe Her Excellency?

She is not just beautiful and elegant; she is highly cerebral, having come from an Oil and Gas professional background. She is a loving mother to all female commissioners and surely knows the way to her husband’s heart, because he appreciates and respects her a lot, and that has been the secret of his success.