The Nation Newspaper

Category: Femi Macaulay

  • Adams: Yesterday and today

    Adams: Yesterday and today

    When does the past end?  When does the present begin? These posers are pertinent as the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams, on January 13, stepped into a new role as Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.  The new generalissimo of the Yoruba people was installed by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, at an elaborate event at the Durbar Stadium, Oyo.   It was the climax of intense preparations that followed the choice of Adams for the centuries-old traditional title last October.

    There is no doubt that Adams comes to the position with a past. The ultimate challenge for him on the new stage must be how to make the present new.

    My enduring picture of Adams comes from August 21, 2015, when he made an ego-serving entrance at the finale of the Osun-Osogbo Festival in the Osun-Osogbo Grove, Osun State. When Adams arrived with his circle of boisterous followers, they caused quite a stir. Whip-wielding noisemakers disruptively created a path for Adams as he approached the sacred River Osun to announce his presence. He witnessed the unruliness of his men and encouraged it by his silence.  It was an unflattering drama.  His group was listed among “Partners” on the cover of the festival programme; the others were MTN, Goldberg, Seaman’s Royale, IOD, Kasapreko Alomo Bitters. The group’s emblem bore his name, suggesting that Gani Adams is OPC and OPC is Gani Adams.

    Another picture from March 16, 2015:  On that day, OPC stood for Operation Public Chaos as the self-identified defender and promoter of Yoruba interests demonstrated that it had not only sold its soul for filthy lucre but also lost its collective mind. Members of Adams’ OPC faction took their militancy to heights that mirrored a disturbing depth of degeneration.

    In an unprecedented demonstration of desperation ahead of the general election that year, members of the group terrorised Lagos disguised as political protesters. A report at the time said: “The two pamphlets distributed by the protesters had 7 reasons why President Goodluck Jonathan must continue in office and 7 reasons why Prof Attahiru Jega, the INEC boss, must go on terminal leave and be replaced with a credible administrator before the elections.”

    It was a message of force by forceful messengers. According to a report: “The protesters got traffic stuck for hours, smashed cars, harassed motorists and disrupted business in many parts of the city. They destroyed banners and campaign billboards of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.”

    Who was behind the bedlam? A subsequent eye-opening disclaimer said: “We, the members of the National Coordinating Council of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, the highest ruling body of the organisation, wish to disassociate ourselves from the shameful, destructive, violent and reactionary activities of the Gani Adams-led team which occurred in Lagos today.” The statement added: “What was witnessed in Lagos was the highest level of political violence sponsored and funded by certain elements in the Jonathan government.”

    It is noteworthy that the police had declared Adams wanted in 2000 for his group’s alleged violent ways. He was arrested in August 2001 but released after detention in prisons in Lagos, Abeokuta and Abuja.

    The past remains the past. The question is whether the past will remain in the past.   It is interesting that Adams, 47, spoke with a sense of the present at his inauguration.   Adams said: “I want to assure everyone that as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo, I will use my position, God willing, to protect the interest of our land… The journey has started from here. And my first appeal goes to Yoruba sons and daughters who are outside the shores of the country not to forget that there is no place like home. This was what informed the formation of the Oodua Progressives Union, Gani Adams Foundation and Olokun Festival Foundation. Please, see Yorubaland as the place to be. Don’t give the race a bad name. Come home and invest.”

    Adams should heed his own advice. Hopefully, he will not give the race a bad name in his new position. He also said: “As the 15th Aare Ona Kakanafo, I consider myself lucky that there is no war at hand confronting the Yoruba race now. In other words, we are living in peace time. However, I am not pleased with the level of Yoruba unity today and I am very concerned. Therefore, my greatest priority is the unity of the Yoruba race at home and in the Diaspora. I will, therefore, spare no effort in ensuring the unity of Yoruba race within the contemporary Nigeria body polity.”

    It was a bubbly occasion, and Adams got enthusiastic.  He added: “To take the journey further, I will, after this inauguration, launch the Aare Ona Kakanfo Foundation. This will further promote the culture of the people and document the history of the Aare Ona Kakanfo title.” It is easy to talk about cultural promotion, but difficult to be a cultural ambassador.  The Aare Ona Kakanfo title is a cultural title, and it remains to be seen how Adams intends to launch a Foundation with this name without suggesting a personalisation of the title.

    It is easy to notice Adams’ sense of importance and influence based on his new title.  He is entitled to his illusions as well as his disillusionment.  He is likely to learn sooner rather than later that his title does not automatically make him relevant. He was quoted as saying:  “My second appeal as the Aare Ona Kakanfo goes to the Federal Government to attend to some of the major roads in Yorubaland that are critical to its citizens. These include Lagos-Ibadan, Oyo-Ilorin, Lagos-Badagry, Sagamu-Benin, Badagry-Lusada-Sokoto, Ibadan-Iwo-Osogbo, Osogbo-Ilesa, Ilesa-Akure-Owo-Lokoja and Lagos-Abeokuta. To our esteemed Governors in the South-West, I call for cooperation, no matter the party line. The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission should be empowered. And I want you all to see me as a partner in progress. I offer myself for service once it is for the advancement of the Yoruba race. The various groups in the South-West should also resolve their crises.”

    After his inauguration, it is time for Adams to demonstrate that he appreciates the need to work on his public image. It is said that a leopard can’t change its spots. Can Adams prove this saying wrong?

  • Adesanya: Celebrating a giant

    Eleven years before his departure, Abraham Adesanya survived a gun attack that defined his importance as a progressive combatant. He was nearly 75 at the time.  Here, a picture of what happened: “On 14 January 1997, his uncompromising stance to the military misrule led to an attempt on his life at the behest of the then head of state, General Sanni Abacha. Adesanya had just left his law chambers on the fateful day sitting at the back of his car when an unknown team of assailants (later unveiled to be General Sanni Abacha’s killer squad) struck. The front and back screens of his Mercedes Benz car were shattered and the car seats perforated by bullets from the assailants’ guns but he escaped unhurt with his driver. The car was later transferred to a Lagos museum.”

    It was a dangerous time to be a pro-democracy fighter. Many of those who resisted the incumbent military dictator fled overseas and fought from there. Adesanya stayed in the country and weathered the storm. It was testimony to his courage and conviction. When democratic rule was restored in 1999 after a 16-year period of military domination, there was no doubt that Adesanya was qualified to be named among the heroes of democracy.

    It is good news that this year, a decade after his death in April 2008 at the age of 85, Adesanya will be celebrated as a giant who made a gigantic contribution to the efforts that won the battle for democracy.   The Publicity Committee promoting the Abraham Adesanya 10th Anniversary has announced that there will be “a series of events to mark the 10th anniversary of the translation to higher glory of the great Nigerian nationalist, exemplary Yoruba patriot and leader, statesman, philosopher, moral avatar and illustrious chairman of the Afenifere and National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Senator Abraham Adesanya.”  The chairman of the committee, Prof Adebayo Williams, was quoted as saying that the celebration in May will feature a lecture on the state of the nation, the launching of a book of tributes and a memorial service.

    A statement said:”The publicity committee wishes to seize this opportunity to invite contributions to the book of tributes from the public as well as friends, associates, acquaintances, admirers, well-wishers and fellow travellers of Senator Abraham Adesanya. The contributions are to include but are not limited to the following: scholarly expositions, reminiscences, tributes, eulogies, poetry, memorabilia and rare pictures and other exotica. The contributions, which should not be less than 500 words but not more than 1,000 words, are expected to reach the committee not later than February 15.”

    It is thought-provoking that this celebration of Adesanya, his ideas and ideals, is coming at a time when the meaning of progressivism has been corrupted and the definition of a progressive has been degraded.  What would Adesanya have thought of today’s self-defined progressives who pay lip service to the noble pursuit of progress?

    Williams recalled:  “During his lifetime, the late Abraham Adesanya bestrode the Nigerian political scene like a colossus. He was a giant among giants…He was as principled as he was fanatically devoted to the fundamental tenets of progressive politics, often putting his life on the line in defence of these sacred ideals. For him, the unprincipled and amoral political life is not a life worth living, no matter the wealth and fame accruing…Fearless and unrelenting as a leader, forthright and uncompromising as a follower, you always knew where you stood with the late titan. Adesanya was a man totally without cant or seedy equivocations.”

    Adesanya played exemplary leadership roles in Afenifere and NADECO that should inspire the leaders of today. But the times have changed and things have changed. Afenifere, the Yoruba organisation that was known for its progressive essence, is essentially now a shadow of its former self. NADECO, the patriotic pro-democracy movement that was known for its punching power, was ironically a casualty of democracy and has failed to rise from the ashes.

    Adesanya studied Law in the UK at Holborn College of Law. On his return to Nigeria in 1959, he joined the Action Group led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the progressive star who continues to shine decades after his death in 1987. Adesanya’s choice of a progressive political circle showed where he stood on the question of political progress.  It is a reflection of his capacity that “The same year, he was nominated and eventually elected to the defunct Western House of Assembly to represent Ijebu Igbo constituency in the 12 December 1959 House of Representatives Election.” He later became a senator in the Second Republic as a member of the Unity Party of Nigeria, which was an evolutionary extension of the Action Group.

    It is noteworthy that he showed a commendable consistency in his political trajectory, which is sadly missing in many political careers today with fair-weather politicians switching parties without a sense of consistency and a sense of what is honourable.

    When he achieved recognition as “Asiwaju of Yorubaland,” following the exits of Awolowo and Chief Adekunle Ajasin,  Adesanya’ s political voice became louder, more influential and deserving of greater attention. This information gives an insight into Adesanya’s performance on the big stage:    “Later, Adesanya under the auspices of Afenifere and the Yoruba Council of Elders, alongside others led a congress of Yoruba elder statesmen through a congress that rose to pronounce that the convocation of a constitutional conference, where new confederating terms would be determined for the country, was inevitable for the good of Nigerians.”

    Ten years after his death, Nigeria is still grappling with the national question and structural issues. The celebration of his life and times at this period should further promote the need to reimagine the country. It is expected that important political players will use the occasion of this anniversary to say positive things about Adesanya because he was indeed a positive factor in the country’s political progression. He has been immortalised in various ways, particularly in the Southwest, but the lessons of his life are of national significance.

    It is a tribute to the giant from Ijebu-Igbo that he is still remembered and respected for the progressive path he trod.

  • Imafidon and Unilorin

    Imafidon and Unilorin

    On October 19, 2017, the 33rd Convocation Lecture of the University of Ilorin (Unilorin), Kwara State, was delivered at the university’s Main Auditorium. The lecturer was introduced as “Professor Chris Imafidon, Chair and Founder, Excellence in Education Programme (Oxford, UK); Consultant to Presidents, European and American Governments, Monarchs and Corporate Leaders; Patriarch of “Britain’s brainiest or smartest family.” The title of the lecture was: The Genius in YOU – New Tools, Techniques and Technology for Developing the Individual and Institutional Greatness. This is how Unilorin presented Imafidon: “Professor Chris O. Imafidon is a Britain-based Nigerian renowned scholar and genius mentor par excellence. He is the Chair and Founder of the Excellence in Education programme in Oxford, United Kingdom. Prof. Imafidon is a consultant to Governments in Britian, United States of America, several other European and Asian countries, and corporate organisations globally. He has mentored, supervised and acted as Examiner for several Masters and Ph.D. students in various aspects of computer security and informatics at London School of Economics, Imperial College, University College London, and other leading institutions.

    “Prof. Chris Imafidon has won many awards, and his highly rated publications have served as benchmarks for policy development. He was nicknamed by Yahoo News (Finance) as “the author of the most anticipated bestsellers” on Brexit and Modern Monarchy. He has lectured on Human Capital Development under the auspices of the UNDP and other UN agencies. He has been a visiting professor to various American Universities namely Harvard, Cornell, Columbia, SUNY, Georgetown, Miami, and Louisiana State University and he collaborates with researchers at Yale University.

    “Professor Chris Imafidon has featured in several real time presentations in over 1,500 major media outlets. He has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey TV Show (USA) twice. His ubiquitous intellectual status has attracted rave comments from several global media outlets. He was described by Reuters News as “a legend”. CNN referred to him as an “intellectual icon”. He was described by the BBC and Sky News as the patriarch of the “world’s smartest family.”

    “Prof. Chris Imafidon is a man who walks the talk. He mentors several geniuses across the world and has demonstrated this within his family, thus the appellation: Patriarch of “Britain’s brainiest” or “smartest family.” The academic achievements of his children are eloquent testimonies to this epithet. They are truly chips off the old block. His daughter, Anne-Marie Imafidon who speaks six languages became the youngest person to pass the UK A-level computing examination at only 13 in 2003. She attended John Hopkins University in Baltimore for her first degree and later got her master’s degree with specialty in Mathematics and Computer Science, at the age of 19, from Oxford University. Another daughter, Christina Imafidon, was the youngest student in history to be accepted to study at the tender age of 11 at any British university. Samantha Imafidon, his third daughter, passed two high school-level Mathematics and Statistics examinations at age 6, and mentored her younger twin siblings, Peter and Paula (Wonder Twins), who at age 9 became the youngest children in British history to attend high school. Professor Imafidon and his family were invited to front row seats as guests at a special 90th birthday service held in Windsor castle for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in April 2016.

    “Also, Professor Imafidon has had the privilege of being one of the leaders who have hosted His Eminence, Martin Schulz, the President of the European parliament. Professor Chris Imafidon’s social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and his Blog speak volumes about his achievements and activities.”

    On November 18, 2017, Saturday PUNCH published “an interview in which Imafidon claimed that he had overcome autism to achieve greatness and that no child was born with an inferior gene.”  The newspaper later said: “The interview went viral on the web, where his rich profile abounds and appears at every search of his name. Questions were raised by concerned members of the public after the publication of the interview.”

    On December 9, 2017, the newspaper published a story under the headline “Oxford University disowns Chris Imafidon.” The story said: “Over the last two weeks, Saturday PUNCH has then made several efforts to get Imafidon to substantiate his purported link with the Oxford University or Keble College. Saturday PUNCH, had, in a series of emails sent to the University of Oxford, requested to know Imafidon’s connection to the school. The school, in its response sent by Lanisha of its News and Information office, responded, saying: “Thank you for your email. Our records show that Chris Imafidon has no affiliation with Oxford University or any of its colleges or departments. I hope this information is what you are after; please let us know if we can be of any further help.”

    This curious story continued: “When Saturday PUNCH contacted Unilorin to find out how it arrived at the choice of Imafidon as its recent convocation lecturer and if it did any checks to confirm claims that he is affiliated with the Oxford University, its Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun, said he could not comment on the issue.

    “I can’t answer that question; I don’t know why you are interested in that information. I have to consider the implications. Just Google his name, his information is on the Internet. Whatever you find there, that is it. His family is reputed to be the brainiest in the whole of the UK. I don’t know what could warrant people to doubt that,” he said. But when Saturday PUNCH informed Akogun that the Oxford University had said that it did not know Imafidon, he said: “They don’t know him? That is their own cup of tea (sic); I don’t know.”

    The story ended without an ending. The newspaper said: “Meanwhile, Saturday PUNCH has also sent emails to most of the numerous schools that Imafidon is said to have affiliations with, to confirm the veracity of the claims. These institutions include Yale University, Harvard University, Cornell University, University of Georgetown, University of Miami, Lousiana State University, Imperial College, Queen Mary University of London and Woodford County High School, but they had yet to respond as of the time of filing this report.”

    There are questions begging for answers. In particular, how did Unilorin decide on Imafidon to deliver its 2017 Convocation Lecture?

  • Plenty parties, plenty problems

    Plenty parties, plenty problems

    Paradoxically, political parties are causing problems for the country when they should bring solutions. With a confounding multiplicity of parties, the country’s political landscape reflects a poverty of plenty.  There are so many parties but so little political progress.

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, highlighted this problem of unproductive plenty at a National Stakeholders’ Forum on Elections in Abuja on December 19.  The event followed INEC’s announcement of general election schedules:  February 16, 2019, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections and March 2, 2019, for the Governorship, State Assembly and the Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Yakubu, who was represented at the forum by INEC’s National Commissioner Adekunle Ogunmola, said: “We will continue to register parties as long as they comply with the legal requirements. Our hands are tied. There is no way we can stop registering parties. We will continue to register them until the time stipulated in the constitution. By the time the issue of independent candidate takes off, there will be more problem for INEC. The highest number we have done in governorship election is in Anambra State, with 27 parties.”

    As things stand, there will certainly be more problems. A startling December 15 report said:  ”Nigeria now has 67 political parties.” This new figure is a result of the registration of 21 new parties by INEC. If INEC properly followed the registration process and the new parties satisfied the registration conditions, it does not make the number of existing parties less problematic.

    Now, let’s check out the names of the latest additions to the list of parties.  According to a  report: “The 21 newly registered parties are: All Blending Party, All Grassroots Alliance, Alliance for New Nigeria, Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party, Coalition for Change, Freedom and Justice Party, Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria, Justice Must Prevail Party, Mass Action Joint Alliance, Legacy Party of Nigeria, Mass Action Joint Alliance, Modern Democratic Party, National Interest Party, National Rescue Mission, New Progressive Movement, Nigeria Democratic Congress Party, People’s Alliance for National Development and Liberty, People’s Trust, Providence People’s Congress, Re-Build Nigeria Party, Restoration Party of Nigeria and Sustainable National Party.”

    It is unclear how these new parties formed their names, and what factors and influences prevailed at the stage of name formation.  But some of these names are curious, suggesting that they are creations of curious minds. Some of these names are clearly fanciful, suggesting attention to form over substance.  It is worth pondering on this question: What should be the important considerations when creating a party name?

    But a name is not enough, no matter how it sounds and what it is meant to say to the public. A political party will not be rated according to what its name says.  For example, the former federal ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was not progressive and could even be said to have been ironically anti-people. It is easier to give a party a progressive-sounding name than to ensure that the party is progressive-minded.

    These questions are unavoidable: Does Nigeria need 67 parties?  Does the number of parties mean that they are so different from one another?  Why do more and more people think they must form parties?  How many of these 67 parties are parties properly so called? How many of these parties are sustainable?  Further questions: What will happen in the 2019 general election?  How many of these parties are strong enough to compete for power? Additional questions: Will more parties be registered? Are more associations seeking registration?

    Even INEC is uneasy and reportedly seeking the intervention of the National Assembly to enable it control the number of political parties through an enabling law. An INEC National Commissioner was quoted as saying:  ”From the way we are going, we need to apply legal control on the formation and registration of political parties in this country. We should think outside the box for the way out. So far, INEC has registered 67 parties. This number is unwieldy for general election… we cannot afford the luxury of having uncontrolled number of parties.”

    If nothing is done, it is likely the number of parties will continue to rise. The official gave an insight into the situation:  “And the law is fluid; INEC is mandated to register parties at least six months to the general election. As an electoral agency, you may base your projection on a number of parties and new registration can alter your plans.”

    He added: “We have about 94 pending applications from associations seeking to be political parties. By implication, we may still register more parties before the 2019 general election. The latest 21 registered parties were among the 115 pending applications before INEC. We are hamstrung by the law; we cannot reject the applications of associations seeking to be parties as long as they have met the basic requirements.” For manageability of the party system, he called on the National Assembly “to revisit the laws on party registration for a tidier electoral system guided by the Electoral Act.”

    Perhaps it is too easy to register a political party in Nigeria.  Before the 21 new parties, there were 46 parties, and there are applicants expecting to be registered. It is true that democracy encourages diversity, but it is also true that diversity can be difficult.

    Interestingly, every party claims to be interested in progress, but not every party is progressive. Indeed, it may be said that not all progress is progressive. Tragically, the scramble for party registration may well be a self-serving project for many of those involved. The history of the party system in Nigeria has several examples of parties formed by self-absorbed individuals for self-centred purposes.

    It is easy to see that the country’s undesirable level of development easily creates room for the formation of new parties. There is room for the promoters of new parties because there is room for progress. After the failure and fall of the PDP, which ruled from 1999 to 2015, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is struggling to show that it is positively different.

    In the final analysis, the problem with Nigeria is not a shortage of political parties, but a shortage of progressive politicians who can work for progress.

  • Evergreen evening

    Music of yesteryear took the attendees on a musical voyage. It was an electrifying evening. City People Entertainment, Evergreen Musical Company and Members of Music Icons celebrated “10 Music Legends of Lagos Evolution” at City People Event Centre, Gbagada, Lagos, on December 10. It was a celebration of Apala, Sakara, Juju, Highlife, Fuji, Waka, Folk, Agidigbo, Afrobeat and Were.

    Bimbo Esho of Evergreen Musical Company said: “An event of this nature became very necessary because of the need to document and appreciate our rich musical heritage and the artistic genius of different Nigerian musicians from different ethnicities who have contributed to the development of Lagos music in the past 50 years and also to immortalise the memories and enduring legacies of some Nigerian music icons.”

    Jimi Solanke, 75, shook the hall with his unique baritone and gripping performance. Described as a “legendary folk icon,” he was among the musicians honoured with Recognition Awards. “I’m humbled,” he responded. Theatre legend Hubert Ogunde was resurrected as his son, Bayo, sang the immortal song Onimoto.  Also, E.C. Arinze’s son, Chinezie, sang It’s time for highlife and Nike nike. He came from Port Harcourt to receive his late father’s award.

    Many of the melodies that night were blasts from the past.  They were from a time when things were not what they are now. I wondered: what makes music evergreen? Today’s music will become yesteryear music tomorrow. But evergreen music is not just yesteryear music. Evergreen music means more than yesteryear music. The quality of memorability makes music evergreen.   Muma Gee’s soulful performance of Christy Essiens’ Seun Rere during the event, for instance, got many attendees singing along.  Also, the      Evergreen Band played “the best of Highlife music and Juju Roots” that many attendees were familiar with.

    These sounds of yesterday prompted reflection on the sounds of today. Now, the music is different, the lyrics are different, the musicians are different.

    It was food for thought when Femi Esho, Chairman/CEO of Evergreen Musical Company said: “I started collecting music at the age of 12.” He described Adeolu Akinsanya as “the undisputed greatest composer of highlife music in this country, and in the world.”       

    Bimbo Esho paints a picture of the event: “Also Adeolu Akisanya’s son was around to collect his father’s award as an early pioneer of Agidigbo music. The founder of Sakara music in Nigeria Abibu Oluwa was fully represented by his daughter who is over 82 years old.  Batilu Alake’s son, daughter and granddaughter collected the award for the Waka queen with a short music performance by her granddaughter who was obviously a promising waka singer. Sina Ayinde Bakare received his father’s 45 years posthumous Award. Ayinde Barrister was fully represented also by his Fan club.  Other awardees were Bobby Benson, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Haruna Ishola, who were also fully represented.”

    Arguably, Femi Esho was the star of the night. His company is described as “Africa’s greatest custodian and producer of music of yesteryears.” He was at the centre of the show with his long white beard, doing what he has mastered over the years. He gave insight into the works of the awardees and why they deserved the awards. He displayed impressive knowledge of Nigerian music history.

    When I first met him some months ago at the Lagos residence of his friend, he gave me a valuable collection of the works of Fela Anikulapo Kuti that included “5 Audio CDs, 1 DVD (Live Performances) and 24-Page In-Depth Biography.”  We got talking and he got me thinking. His musical passion was infectious.  I thought about his services to Nigerian music and his enthusiasm. When he gave me his calling card, I was struck by the fascinating quote inscribed on it: “Without music, life would be an error – Friedrich Nietzsche.”

    When I met his daughter, Bimbo, at the Faaji Eko show, there was no question that she had chosen to follow her father’s path.  Weeks before the event, she had sent an invitation to me. She kept reminding me about the event. We had not met, but it looked like we had met. When we met, it was something to think about.

    Her thoughts: “Having spent my formative and adolescent years in Lagos State wining and dining with the Queens and Kings of Nigerian music, I have concluded that there is so much to learn from the songs of some music icons. At different points in time some of them sang that the world will one day forget them and not remember them for the smile and joy they put on different faces. One of such songs is the song of a Highlife music legend Rex Lawson  titled “ Old Friends and New Lovers” where he begged the world to remember him as he has sailed many oceans with his music, survived many storms,  delighted many hearts.”    According to her: “It saddens one that unlike other countries of the world that draw up calendars for different activities to celebrate their famous music legends all year long, we continue to live with the fading memories of our music greats…Music greats from different ethnicities who reached the peak of their career in Lagos and who also have contributed immensely to the social and  cultural development, religious growth, educational growth, political growth of Lagos State through their music are today forgotten.”

    This is where Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation comes in.  Situated in Surulere, Lagos, it is a project “to preserve and safeguard musical heritage… It is a one-stop place for research and documentation of over 10,000 Nigerian musicians…And as part of its core objectives the Foundation will help to create a world-class archival institution to cater for the need of researchers, anthropologists and sociologists the world over.” This effort deserves support.

    When the evening ended, the music did not end. Evergreen Musical Company is doing its bit to ensure that the music lives.

  • Buhari’s prison experience

    Buhari’s prison experience

    It is unclear why President Muhammadu Buhari went to Kurmawa Prison on December 6 during his two-day visit to Kano State, but his stop at the prison clearly highlighted Nigeria’s awful prison conditions.  Buhari pardoned 500 prisoners and empowered them with some cash.

    A report said: “At the Prison, he said: “I am pleased with this visit and I have learnt a bit more about the conditions of the prisons and inmates. This building in front of us was built since 1910. Rehabilitation of prisoners and training of inmates is very important to us and we would continue to invest more on this. I asked one of the inmates (released) how old he was and he told me he is only 19 years old. If we have people of 18 and 19 years in the prison, and there is no continuous training, then their lives will be completely destroyed. We will invest more in education and vocational training.’’  Buhari is expected to move from words to actions.

    According to the report, “The 500 inmates granted pardon, including men and women, were drawn from various prisons in Kano State, including Kurmawa Prisons, which has 1,398 inmates as opposed to 750, the established capacity.” The difference between the number of prisoners in the prison and the number of prisoners the prison was built to accommodate is alarming.

    Overpopulation has been a major prison problem for a long time, and it will remain problematic if nothing is done about it. Further information from another source gave more insight into the overpopulation problem:  “Our prisons are congested. A facility meant to accommodate less than 600 inmates currently houses over 2,400 inmates. The inmates are mostly those in the ‘awaiting trial’ category.” This disturbing picture of the state of prisons across the country, and the state of Owerri Prison in particular, is a cause for concern.  The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri branch, Imo State, Lawrence Nwakaeti, who made the observations, said the prisons were in a deplorable state. It is a reason to call for reforms. Nwakaeti focused on “Judicial reforms and sustainable development in a democracy,” in an address at an event to mark the 2017/2018 legal year in the state.

    Corroborating the depiction of the lamentable condition of the country’s prisons, a 2017 study by a not-for-profit organisation, Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE-NIGERIA), showed that 50, 427 or 67 percent of the 74,508 prisoners in Nigeria, are awaiting trial. This figure makes Nigeria “the fifth country with the highest awaiting trial population in Africa, trailing Libya, DRC, Central African Republic and Benin Republic,” according to CURE-Nigeria Executive Director Sylvester Uhaa. Concerning Owerri Prison, CURE-Nigeria statistics indicate: Capacity: 548; Inmates: 2,307; Convicted: 193; Awaiting trial: 2,114.

    It is noteworthy that the organisation found that excessive use of pre-trial detention and low investment in welfare spending are major causes of the prison overpopulation problem. Uhaa observed that when defendants are admitted to bail by a court, but are unable to satisfy the bail conditions, they are remanded in prison custody, thus swelling the population of those awaiting trial. The solution, according to him, is for the federal and state governments to “ensure the release of people who are illegally and innocently held in prison and detention centres throughout the country, and to take steps to ensure that prisons are used only as a last resort.”

    Challenges faced by prosecution agencies and the judiciary are also to blame for prison congestion and a situation where some of the inmates end up spending  more time in prison custody than they would have spent if convicted.  A top prison official was quoted as saying: “The congestion has sadly overstretched the facilities and personnel, thus leading some inmates to leave the prison more hardened than they were before incarceration.”

    Obviously, the country’s justice system is in need of reforms to address issues including overburdened courts, delayed trials and prolonged trials.  The prison system also needs reforms to ensure that there are adequate prisons with adequate living conditions.  In July, the Comptroller-General (CG) of Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Ja’afaru Ahmed, announced that “a 3000 capacity ultra-modern prison with all the requirements for successful reformation of inmates will soon come on stream.” He also said “modern cells are being constructed in different locations to replace old and dilapidated cells in order to improve living conditions of inmates.”

    However, the country must avoid a situation where “the new prisons will soon be filled up with awaiting trial inmates and then we will need to build bigger ones, and then bigger ones,” Uhaa argued. Interestingly, he noted: “Research indicates that there is a direct relationship between welfare spending and imprisonment. Countries that spend more of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on welfare have lower prison rates than those who spend less of their GDP on welfare. For example, Denmark, Sweden and Finland spend the highest proportion of their GDP on welfare and have the lowest imprisonment rate in the world. This is why we have continued to advocate more investment in education, health and other social and economic welfare programmes, as these will help reduce crime and other social vices in Nigeria.”

    The argument for socio-economic improvement is the heart of the matter.  When government pursues what is known as “the greatest happiness of the greatest number,” and the governed experience the fruits of such pursuit, it should depopulate the prisons.

    “Prison conditions should not be an additional punishment,” says Penal Reform International (PRI), arguing that “States are also obliged to ensure that prisoners are treated humanely. This includes providing adequate accommodation, food and water, sanitation and healthcare, access to light, fresh air and exercise.”   It is the responsibility of government to ensure humane prison conditions.

    In the final analysis, tackling prison problems requires a multipronged approach to reform the criminal justice system, improve the prison system and advance socio-economic conditions.

    Buhari’s observations at Kurmawa Prison should prompt action by the relevant authorities. It is not enough to observe that the country’s prisons need reconditioning.

     

  • Whistleblowing made tough

    It wasn’t expected to go the way it is going.  The drama began in April with the discovery of mind-boggling cash hidden in an up-scale apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos, by anti-corruption fighters acting on a tip-off. It was expected that by now the whistleblower or whistleblowers in this case would have been rewarded based on the presidency’s whistleblowing policy.

    But the way things are going, the public can’t be sure what to expect. Another development further complicated the case. A report said: “A man, Abdulmunmini  Musa, claiming to be part of those who provided information that led security agents to recover $43.4 million, N23.3  million and 27, 800 Euros from Flat 7, Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, has sought to be included as beneficiary of the compensation to be given to the whistle blowers by the Federal Government.”  It also said:   The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, has the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Federal Ministry of Finance and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as defendants. Also listed as defendants are Bala Maina, Steven Sunday and Sheriff, who have been pencilled down as beneficiaries of government’s compensation for providing information that led to the recovery of the Ikoyi flat cash. Musa said he wants to be included in the compensation because he worked with Sunday, Maina and Musa to leak information about the Ikoyi cash to security agents. ..”

    The question of who should be paid what is compounded by the question of how much should be paid. The Secretary of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, was quoted as saying at an event last month: “If you blow the whistle and the government recovers cash, you are entitled to between 2.5 per cent and five per cent. The maximum limit is five per cent. According to the policy, if you blow the whistle and it is below N500m, you get four to five per cent because the higher the amount that is recovered, the lower the percentage that is given. This is the global best practice.”

    Owasanoye provided additional information that showed the public was given inadequate information about the policy when it was launched in December 2016. He explained: “If the recovery is between N500m and N1bn, you get three to four per cent (commission). If it is N1bn and above, it is 2.5 per cent. Indeed, there is a clause that we included in the policy to say that the government may determine the amount to be awarded based on other criteria provided that the amount to be awarded doesn’t exceed five per cent. In other words, the government may actually pay less than 2.5 per cent but nobody can be paid more than five per cent.”

    This belated explanation is inexcusable. It is unsurprising that Yakubu Galadima, a lawyer representing one of the whistleblowers expecting a reward in the Ikoyi Towers case, reportedly insisted on five per cent of the estimated N13 billion found in the expensive flat for his client. He said his client was expecting N860 million and not N325 million from the Federal Government.

    The gripping drama was intensified by a petition to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) by lawyers representing three claimants,   Abdulmumin Musa, Mr. Stephen Sunday and Mr. Bala Usman.  This petition tells the story from the beginning.  The twists and turns suggest that the story is far from its ending. A report said: “The solicitors noted that “Our clients informed us sometime in December 2016 that three (3) of them voluntarily walked into the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) at 15A Awolowo Road Ikoyi, Lagos and gave vital information that led to the recovery of over N13 billion at the Ikoyi Towers, Lagos.” The Legal Practitioners further told the AGF that “upon subsequent visit to give a detailed information as required by the commission to raid the tower, they were told if the operation was successful, 5% of the amount recovered will be their take home within 72 hours of recovery, they were also cautioned that if the information happened to be false, then they will definitely be in trouble which the three mentioned above accepted because they were sure of their facts”. The petition continues: “That when the operation was carried out, it was successful but since then they have not received any commendation by the commission, let alone given any reward as stated even though the EFCC have their names and phone numbers”.

    The report added: “The Petitioners said rather than to do the needful, some of the EFCC staff gave them further information that they were not the only people who gave them information on the Ikoyi Towers as others were also involved without mentioning them. Upon various meetings by the three persons mentioned above, they agreed to go back and meet the Head of EFCC operations, Alhaji Samaila Muhammed and were told on their visit that the numbers have increased to nine (9) who made the report urging them to bring the remaining persons.”

    So, how many people played the whistleblower in the Ikoyi Towers case? The public was not expected to know their identities, but three or four names are known to the public and more names may become public. It is obvious that this attention-grabbing case has been badly managed by the authorities. There shouldn’t have been any controversy about who blew the whistle and how much should be paid as reward. There shouldn’t have been any name credited with whistleblowing in the public domain.

    It is noteworthy that Owasanoye was quoted as saying: “As of the end of October, over 5,000 whistles had been blown and about 75 per cent of that came from phone calls. So, you can report on the website, email, text message or phone call. “What are the things that the various communications have covered? Contract inflation, ‘ghost workers’, payment of unapproved funds, embezzlement of salaries, diversion of excess crude funds, improper reduction of financial penalties, diversion of funds meant for people, placing money in a commercial bank, non-remittance of deduction of pensions or NHIS and failure to implement projects.”

    He added:  “Others include embezzlement of funds received from donors, embezzlement of payment meant for personnel emoluments, violation of TSA which is the highest, violation of FIRS regulations, non-procurement of safety equipment, money laundering, illegal sale of government assets, diversion of IGR which is the second largest, financial misappropriation, concealed bailout funds, mismanagement of micro-finance banks and illegal recruitment.”

    The presidency expects more whistleblowing, and there may well be more.  But what will happen to the whistleblowers, considering what is happening in the Ikoyi Towers case?

  • Jonathan the sexagenarian

    Forget appearances, it was not a happy 60th birthday for former President Goodluck Jonathan on November 20. By his own account, he has had bad nights since his defeat in the 2015 presidential election that swept the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) out of power.  When Jonathan received a PPD chairmanship aspirant, Chief Olabode George, at his country home in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, he said: “Whether I like it or not, I must take responsibility for the defeat because I led the party to the election. The only thing that will make me sleep well is to ensure that PDP comes back to power.”

    Jonathan’s night terrors happen not just because he lost a presidential election, but more because he shouldn’t have lost if he hadn’t lost his sense of reality.  He underrated the response of the electorate to bad governance. The wave of change under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has exposed mind-boggling corruption that corrupted the Jonathan administration.

    It was symbolic that close to Jonathan’s birthday, he was prompted to defend himself in connection with allegations of corruption.  His media adviser, Ikechukwu Eze,  reacted to a claim  credited to  the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami , who reportedly told a Senate ad-hoc committee that an “ex-president was taking N5bn monthly from the Pension Fund.” Eze called the claim “a blatant lie,” adding,  “We believe that the story was concocted as part of the unfolding grand design (by the Buhari administration) to always dodge responsibility and blame every evil act taking place in the present dispensation on the past (Jonathan) administration.”

    Earlier, ex-chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Farida Waziri was quoted as saying in reaction to allegations of a climate of corruption under Jonathan: “I’m only glad that those things didn’t happen under my watch as the EFCC Chairman because it would have been too traumatic for me. And that is why if I see President Jonathan today, I will kneel down to thank him for the honour done me by removing me as the EFCC Chairman at the time he did.”  She added:  “My first strong premonition of what was ahead was when I began the probe of the monumental oil subsidy fraud going on then. I came to Lagos on a vital intelligence on the subsidy scam and as soon as I arrested a key culprit, I got a call from the Presidential Villa asking me to release the suspect, because, in their words, ‘he is our person’, but I refused to let him off and days after, I was removed from office.”

    But reacting on his Twitter handle, Jonathan said:” If Farida is not telling lies she should mention the person or company she was investigating and she was stopped, let the @officialEFCC investigate. Crime has no statute bar. If she can’t then she was simply hired to attack me.”

    It must be tormenting for Jonathan that he has to continually defend himself on the question of corruption. There is no doubt he has a lot of explaining to do about the mountainous corruption associated with his administration.  He is paying the price for leadership failure.

    Obviously for political reasons, the presidency congratulated Jonathan the sexagenarian in a statement, saying, “President Buhari joins members of the Peoples Democratic Party, professional colleagues, associates of Dr. Jonathan, and his family in celebrating the unique history of the Nigerian leader, who within a short period rose from being a deputy governor, governor, vice-president to becoming Nigeria’s President for six years.” The country is still stunned by the consequences of Jonathan’s presidential years, and it will take some time to recover.

    Jonathan also received politically motivated congratulations from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who described him as the “face of democracy in Africa,” a reference to his trouble-free acceptance of electoral defeat. Early this month, Jonathan was reported as saying in an interview that Atiku should seek the support of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo in the pursuit of his ambition to be president: “If Atiku gets our party ticket, he would compete well. But he would have to reach out to our boss, Baba OBJ, the boss of all bosses. We’ve all learnt at different times that you ignore OBJ at your peril. OBJ has the magic wand. He is respected at home and abroad.”

    Jonathan’s advice to Atiku, who left the APC soon after, indicated he had learned his lesson.  It is a political lesson he will never forget. When on January 20 Jonathan paid “a private visit” to Obasanjo in Ibogun, Ogun State, it was as puzzling as it was illuminating. In the beginning, Obasanjo, in the dying days of his second-term administration in 2007, discovered Jonathan who was at the time seeking a continuation as Governor of Bayelsa State. Jonathan had served as governor for less than two years, following the removal of Diepreye Alaimeyeseigha under whom he was deputy governor for six years.

    The picture changed and Jonathan moved to a bigger stage as vice presidential nominee, with Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as PDP presidential candidate. Jonathan became Vice President in May 2007, and became President following Yar’ Adua’s death two years after. Jonathan won the 2011 election but was defeated in 2015 when he pursued a second term.

    Interestingly, Obasanjo played an ironic role in Jonathan’s electoral loss. The godfather became the chief antagonist in a fiery power struggle that saw Obasanjo dramatically tearing his PDP membership card and publicly campaigning against Jonathan’s campaign for re-election.  Indeed, the kingmaker became the king killer.  Jonathan’s publicised visit to Obasanjo nearly two years after his electoral failure suggested he had a rethink and was perhaps remorseful.

    At 60, with the benefit of hindsight, Jonathan should appreciate the difference between political success and political failure.  His words to Atiku show him playing the role of an experienced political adviser, but that does not mean he has become politically wiser. His birthday was a time to think about the power of performance and the powerlessness of non-performance.  In the final analysis, democratic leaders are expected to pass or fail based on performance and the evaluation of the electorate.

  • Will Kanu reappear?

    With the Federal High Court in Abuja scheduled to decide on December 13 whether the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai, should be asked to account for the whereabouts of separatist Nnamdi Kanu, the drama of disappearance is not about to end.

    Since Kanu disappeared while on bail, his sureties have been asked to account for his whereabouts, but they seem not to know. The controversial leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was granted bail by a Federal High Court on April 25, after many sympathetic voices had called for his release from prolonged detention for separatist activities.  Kanu is facing trial for “alleged offences of conspiracy to commit acts of treasonable felony and other related offences.”

    Kanu’s lawyers argue that Buratai should be made to produce him because he allegedly disappeared during an operation by soldiers, which they described as “a murderous raid, where live and mortar bullets were fired on unarmed and defenceless people, leaving 28 persons dead.”  They said in their motion: “The invading soldiers who had direct contact with the applicant on this fateful day (September 14, 2017) should be in a position to produce the applicant before the court. It is either the respondent’s rampaging soldiers abducted the applicant during this raid or killed him in the process.”

    It is unclear whether this is an opportunistic claim, following “Operation Python Dance,” a military exercise in the Southeast during which “rampaging soldiers” allegedly invaded Kanu’s house in Afara-Ukwu Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State.

    After Kanu’s mysterious disappearance, a former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, supplied information about his whereabouts: “Kanu was not taken away by the military. Kanu went to Malaysia from where he travelled to the United Kingdom. Nnamdi Kanu is in London right now as we speak. He was not arrested by anybody. He left the country on his own. One of his relations has spoken to me and explained everything because I wanted to see him and talk to him wherever he was and see how I could meet some Federal Government officials on his issue. I also wanted to see ways of talking to the President about him, and find common ground but his family told me that he has left the country, unless they are lying to me. I believe, whether he had left the country or not, he is not with the military because I asked the Commander of the 14 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. A.K Ibrahim, who is a very fine and good soldier, well educated and dedicated, and he told me that they don’t know his whereabouts and I am sure, the Department of State Services have the same information. I also visited the commissioner of police and he said he didn’t know his whereabouts and that they are also looking for him.” This information was rubbished by Kanu’s group and his lawyers.

    This was followed by news of an announcement that “Mazi Nnamdi Nwanekaenyi Kanu, the former Director of Radio Biafra is hereby dismissed and removed as Director of Radio Biafra following extensive and intensive consultations.” The announcer named one “Mazi Ezenwachukwu Sampson Okwudili as Kanu’s replacement.” Kanu was accused of: “Personalisation of the Biafran struggle and derailing from the core objectives of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a grassroots movement.”

    There were other accusations against Kanu: “Kanu’s actions and his decisions to incite members of IPOB towards violence leading to the death of many innocent young people in Onitsha, Aba and Umuahia are totally unacceptable and grossly irresponsible. Kanu privately collected £14 million and another $22 million to purchase landed properties abroad in his name and that of his father, Igwe Israel Kanu, in a clear case of ‘monkey dey work baboon dey chop.’ He was also accused of failing to “drum up support for the release of his colleagues and co-detainees such as Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.”

    IPOB rubbished the reported announcement in a statement by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful: “For anyone to believe that faceless hitherto unheard of individuals can wake up one evening and announce the replacement of a man that commands 50 million people with presence in over 100 countries of the world, making him only second to Pope Francis as the personality with the largest cult following on earth, is plain stupid.” This characterisation of Kanu is striking for its hyperbolism.  Who is expected to believe this picture of Kanu’s alleged global stature?

    The proscribed group then dropped a bombshell: “We have all become accustomed to the crude antics of this shameless Nigerian Government and her security agencies that are so desperate to create confusion and pandemonium within the hierarchy of IPOB. That they came up with this ludicrous propaganda of the replacement of the irreplaceable IPOB leader is confirmation of their desperation.” Could it be true that the news was fabricated and planted by the federal government?

    The sequence of events has not answered the question about Kanu’s whereabouts because Kanu has not reappeared.  His disappearance needs to be demystified. It should not be a mystery. How long will this drama of disappearance last? Will Kanu resurface someday?  How will that happen? What will he have to say when he reappears?

    Before he disappeared, Kanu was characteristically rebellious when he addressed a crowd on August 27 at the Boys Technical College (BTC) on Faulks Road in Aba North Local Government Area of Abia State. According to a report, “He used the forum to reiterate that there would not be election in Anambra in November or any part of “Biafra Land” even in 2019, unless the group’s clamour for referendum got the blessings of government.”  He was quoted as saying: “I’m a Biafran and we are going to crumble the zoo. Some idiots who are not educated said that they’ll arrest me, and I ask them to come. I’m in Biafra land. If any of them leaves Biafra land alive, know that this is not IPOB.”

    Without him, days to the governorship election in Anambra State on November 18, IPOB was still flexing its muscles. Members of the separatist group marched around with a death threat in Onitsha, Anambra State, on November 3. They were quoted as saying: “If you vote you will die. Don’t go out, stay in your house. If you vote on November 18, you will die…There will be no election. We will not participate, we will not vote.”

    The Anambra State governorship election has been lost and won, and Kanu is still nowhere to be found. What will happen next?

  • LABAF: Dino’s book missing

    Two questions and two answers got me thinking deeply about books and people who write books in a week that the 19th Lagos Book and Art Festival (LABAF) 2017 celebrated books with a big buzz.

    On the eve of the book festival, Leke Baiyewu’s interview with Senator Dino Melaye appeared in Sunday Punch, November 5. The embattled federal lawmaker who represents Kogi West Senatorial District answered two questions on his book, which was launched in Abuja on May 15.

    A picture of the book presentation: “The event which took place at the Yar’adua Centre, Abuja had in attendance, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremmadu, Speaker House of Representative, Yakubu Dogara, former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Bello Mohammed, his Labour and Productivity counterpart, Dr. Chris Ngige and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Anyim Pius Anyim.” A report said: “over N27 million was realised…the representative of Aliko Dangote launched the book with the sum of N10 million.”

    Melaye’s book, titled Antidotes for Corruption: The Nigerian Story, has an interesting story.  Some days after, a report said the book was ”yet to grace the shelves of any bookstore, 11 days after its introduction to the public on May 15. At the launch, the author had announced that the book, whose cover price is N50, 000, would be available in Abuja bookstores that same week.”

    Other events overtook the book launch, particularly Melaye’s struggle to save his seat in the Senate in the face of a determined move by his constituents to recall him. Then the book came up in an interview.

    Bayeiwu asked: “You recently authored and published a book on corruption. Why did you venture into writing?” Melaye answered: ”You cannot cure a disease if you don’t diagnose it. You cannot fight corruption without educating people on corruption. Because of my passion to fight corruption, I decided to go into research and put together my experience as an anti-corruption crusader in form of a book that I called ‘Antidotes for Corruption’ so that Nigerians can understand the level of corruption. I mentioned names and characters in that book. You cannot ‘restitute’, ameliorate, palliate or correct without exposition.”

     Next question: “How acceptable is the book in terms of sale?”  Answer: “As I speak to you, I have sold over 100,000 copies. I travelled recently to Germany and I took 500 copies along with me. I have been called that the copies have been exhausted. I went to Russia with 100 copies. As I speak to you, they’ve all been sold. I sent 1,000 copies to the United Kingdom; they’ve been completely sold. I sent 2,500 copies to five states in (the United States of) America and they are still demanding more. I want to believe that it has been properly received. Within the country here, I have also made huge sales. I am laughing all the way to the bank.”

    There may well be something to laugh about, and it may well be Melaye’s fantastic account of his book’s success. Also, the writing process that produced this book is something to wonder about.  This is how a report presented the writing process: “The Secretary Planning Committee of the book launch, Mr. Babatunde Faniyan in his welcome speech said when Dino first made it clear to him that he wanted to write a book of up to 800 pages he shrugged off the idea thinking it was a mere wishful thought. He said: “In fact I was right there with him when he started from scratch. Basically he put his thoughts into words and spoke into a tape recorder which was subsequently transcribed, typed out and edited.” According to him, sometimes Dino would go quiet for months. He said: “At a time, we would not communicate for a while and other matters of life would take precedence. Then suddenly we would be back to the business of this book.”

    It is said that the book “is divided into 14 chapters with 600 pages.” The publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, was quoted as saying:  “We have been looking for that book in bookstores in Abuja; it has not been made available because we can’t afford it. It is N50, 000 — just to buy cut and paste of newspaper articles.”

    During stimulating LABAF sessions at Freedom Park, Lagos, I wondered why the organisers did not feature Melaye and his book.  There is no doubt that he would have attracted greater public attention to the book festival.

    LABAF 2017, November 6 – 12, was dedicated to Niyi Osundare, the internationally recognised multiple award-winning poet and social critic.  According to the organisers, “It is conceived and designed as a campaign for Literacy and Human Capital Development through such interactive events as reading sessions, conversations (around books and ideas in the context of national and global polity), exhibitions of books (and other publications), art and craft, Children/Students/ Youths creative workshops and mentoring; live music, drama, dance and poetry performances.”  The focus this year was “Eruptions: Global Fractures and our common Humanity.”

    Was Melaye aware of LABAF?  Why was his book not there? A book about a cure for corruption, which has been described as a killer disease that could kill Nigeria, should be made available and affordable.

    The information provided by the author that he had sold over 100,000 copies, including a high number abroad, should encourage local writers who need evidence that writing can bring big money. As a publicity stunt, Melaye could travel across the country with his book, and hold mentoring sessions on how to write a book that sells well.

    Melaye is a lucky writer who is blessed with friends in high positions and high-profile connections. He got people who probably won’t read his book to buy it at a high price, which is what happened at the book launch. As for the copies he claims to have sold in other countries, the figures are thought-provoking.   Given the claimed success of this book, it should not be surprising if Melaye is thinking of writing another one, possibly about his experiences in the ongoing drama to recall him.  Something Melaye should think about: He needs to take advantage of book events, and should consider participating in the next LABAF, hopefully with a new book.