The Nation Newspaper

Category: Saturday

  • BOS: A needless distraction

    BOS: A needless distraction

    IN his address at this year’s annual thanksgiving service of the Lagos State government, which held at the Lagos State House, Ikeja, Governor Babajide  Olusola Sanwo-Olu indicated that Y2022 would be a critical one both in the trajectory of his administration and that of Lagos State. Noting that this will be the last full year of his first term in office, the governor said among others that “By the special grace of God, the vision of having the largest Rice Mill in sub-Saharan Africa and one of the largest in the world will become a reality this year. Also, this year, 2022, will witness a milestone achievement in the rail transportation system in our state as we expect the 37km Red and 27.5km Blue Line Rail projects to commence commercial operations between the last quarter of this year and first quarter of 2023. Equally, construction work on the 38km Fourth Mainland Bridge – which will be the longest in Africa – and the Opeibi-Mende Link Bridge will commence this year. 2022 will also witness by the special grace of God, the completion of the ongoing reconstruction work on the 18.75km Eleko to T-Junction in Epe, the 10km Lekki Regional Road and the section of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway that the Lagos State Government is constructing with the permission of the Federal Government”.

    The governor has since demonstrated that these were no idle words only meant to stir up illusory and unrealistic expectations. Last month, BOS inaugurated the construction of the Ojota-Opeibi link bridges and approach roads to ease congestion in Ikeja and its environs. Designed as an innovative solution to the perennial gridlock around Opeibi/Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way/Ojota/Mende corridor, the project is planned to reduce travel time for Lagos and Ikorodu bound traffic from Opebi and ease gridlock at the Opebi-Sheraton Link Road and Mobilaji Bank Anthony Way. The 3.89km Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge and approach roads consisting of 2,829 meters road length will connect Opebi Road from its tail end with Lagos-Ikorodu Road by Odo Iya-Alaro.

    Speaking on a recent Channels television interview programme, BOS disclosed that actual construction work on the Fourth Mainland Bridge will commence in the second quarter of this year. According to him, “From about 30 companies that expressed interest we are now at the final stage with three shortlisted companies and I am optimistic that by March we should have completed the process”. The government he said is now at the stage of selecting one of the three shortlisted concessionaires that are interested in building the bridge so that its concrete actualization can commence by the middle of the year. This iconic project is a 37.4km freeway subdivided into three sections namely Island Section, Lagoon Section and Mainland Section. It will commence from Abraham Adesanya Roundabout in Lekki and pass through Ajah and Langbasa areas, traversing the Ajah-Badore road to the Lagoon shoreline.

    Back in April 2021, BOS had conducted the ground breaking ceremony of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line Project, an event at which he handed over compensation cheques to property owners whose structures would be affected by the construction. The Red Line Light Rail will convey at least 500,000 passengers daily between the  Agbado and Marina axis. It will have eight train stations from Agbado to Oyingbo. In the 2022 budget, the sum of N153 billion  has been allocated to the Light Rail Project thus ensuring, according to the governor, that work will proceed simultaneously on both the Red and Blue Line components of the project. The Blue Line takes off from Okokomaiko in Lagos-Badagry Expressway axis to Mile 2 and then Marina on the Island. The Blue Line is planned to be serviced by six rail lines, 14 BRT lanes, three cable car projects, 20 waterway routes and one mono rail.

    The BOS administration has taken a major step towards the actualization of this landmark project, which has been in the gestation, nurturing and gradual implementation process over the last two decades, when it acquired two new 330kmph intra-city metropolitan trains with a total of 10 cars for use on the Red Line Light Rail route from Patentes Talgo, a Spanish manufacturer of intercity, standard and high speed passenger trains. On January 26, the governor announced that the state had acquired three additional trains for the Blue Line Route. It will be recalled that on assumption of office, BOS accorded priority to completing infrastructure projects initiated by his predecessor, Mr Akinwumi Ambode, as well as housing and health projects started by the Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola administration, which had remained uncompleted. This has not impeded his administration from vigorously implementing his six-pointTHEMES agenda with scores of projects either completed or ongoing across the state in this regard.

    It is surprising that as BOS continues to pilot the affairs of the state with a practiced and steady hand with the support of his level headed Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and other members of his team, a news item went viral on social media this week to the effect that members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), APC party leaders and other stakeholders had decided that BOS would not serve a second term. Rather, the report said, it had been decided that the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri Okunola, would fly the party’s ticket in 2023. The puerile and even idiotic reason given for this purported decision was that it is the turn of Muslims to govern the state since there have been two Christian governors after Fashola. Of course, religion has never been a factor with the discerning and sophisticated electorate of Lagos state. In the Second Republic, both the governor,  Alhaji Lateef Jakande and his Deputy, Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo, were  Muslims and the electorate voted overwhelmingly for them. In this dispensation, both Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Fashola who were in office between 1999 and 2015 were Muslims and this was not an issue with Lagosians.

    Expectedly, the GAC moved swiftly to debunk this report when the body’s secretary issued a statement stressing that “The process of picking a Governor is clearly stated in the constitution. And contrary to the false impression the merchant of hate, confusion, discord and disharmony wanted to create with the post, there is no discussion of second term ticket by the GAC. It should also be pointed out that it is not within the realm of GAC to engage in picking replacements for a governor. Governor Sanwo-Olu was elected for a 4-year term which is still ongoing. The matter of replacement of the governor does not arise and is subjudice. Governor Sanwo-Olu is doing a wonderful job delivering infrastructure projects for Lagos and working daily on making the state better for all residents”.

    Beyond his delivery of infrastructure projects, what is perhaps most remarkable about Sanwo-Olu’s leadership is the emotional intelligence, maturity and level headedness which he has brought to bear on the governance of the state. The unanticipated Coronavirus pandemic, which derailed the plans and projections of rich and poor countries alike across the world, would have been a perfect excuse for non-fulfillment of his campaign promises and leadership obligations by the governor especially with Lagos as the epicenter of the disease in the country. He rose admirably to the occasion responding to the crisis with an alertness, vigour and assurance that has been responsible for some of the awards he has won from credible organizations.

    The #EndSars protests of October 2020 again with Lagos as the epicenter tested the governor’s leadership acumen to the core. Quite apart from the contentious incident at the Lekki Toll Gate dubbed in some quarters as the ‘Lekki massacre’, the large scale destruction of public and private property by hoodlums who hijacked the protests leading to losses worth trillions of Naira in the state was another major crisis BOS had to contend with. Again, under his resilient leadership, the state has rebounded with verve and resumed its rapid developmental course. Not only did he set up an independent panel to investigate the purported ‘Lekki massacre’, his government gave the panel a free hand and the requisite resources to carry out its assignment. Rather than seek to capitalize on the obvious discrepancies and inaccuracies in the panel’s report to discredit the entire exercise as most people in his shoes would have been tempted to do, Sanwo-Olu focused on the positives and accepted most of the panel’s recommendations within the jurisdiction of the state to act on. This is dignified and elevated statesmanship at its best.

    The baseless post on his being purportedly denied the opportunity of a second term is no doubt an attempt to distract BOS and his administration. If it emanated from the opposition, it is a brilliant and legitimate tactical stroke designed to destabilize the party in power. If it was the handiwork of over bloated egos with unbridled ambitions within his administration, the governor has a responsibility to identify and weed them out. Effective leadership is not just about compassion and empathy, it also entails appropriate sanctions and ruthless action if the need arises.

  • Picking Eguavoen’s brain on Eagles

    Picking Eguavoen’s brain on Eagles

    I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and the earth… Other things are the creation of the mind or more or else hallucinatory images occurring in the minds of those prophesying. Most times when I read predictions made so authoritatively about sporting events, I wonder if these prophets think that other countries don’t worship God Almighty. I read one of such disturbing prophesies this week urging NFF to retain the services of Austin Eguavoen which in any case is given, if Nigeria hopes to beat the Black Stars of Ghana in the two-legged clashes slated to hold on March 23 in Accra and March 29 in Abuja, in one of the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers for sole qualification ticket.

    The prophet who has a right to air his views no matter how myopic told his interviewer that Ghana would beat Nigeria if Eguavoen fielded the Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa in the two matches against Ghana. I was tempted to laugh the predictions off but on second thought I decided to put the revelation in the public domain to see if the Prophet’s prophesy would come to pass. I wonder how the prophet would want Musa to feel by this prediction? Musa has won many games for Nigeria, scoring goals with aplomb. Musa is Nigeria’s highest goal scorer at the senior World Cup scoring against great football nations such as Argentina with Lionel Messi playing. Why he could suddenly become a bad dream for the Eagles is laughable given who Musa is and what he stands to represent. I read the story online and felt strongly to share it with you, the dear reader so that we can fast and bind such bad predictions. I’m not a prophet, but I predict that Musa will be among the scorers for Nigeria in both matches against the Black Stars in Accra and Abuja.

    What this Prophet’s prophesy reminds football lovers is to challenge the Eagles to take the two games seriously and beat Ghana very well such that the prophet would recant by saying he was misquoted. The prophet couldn’t have been looking for attention or seeking cheap popularity –  no. He is well respected in the world and had made predictions that came to pass. But this one on sports, we shall jump over it in glory.

    I’ve chatted with Eguavoen very well even before he got this job and what my reading of his mind looking at his body language is that he would retain Okoye in goal. Eguavoen won’t bench Okoye because of the goal he conceded against Tunisia, since he believes that soccer is teamwork. If the midfielders did their job by marking the goal scorer when Nigeria lost possession in that game, perhaps they would have helped the defenders to provide the shield the goalkeeper needed. Okoye saw the ball late just as nobody expected the Tunisian to shoot from the distance. Had Okoye saved that ball, we would have lacked adjectives to describe the save. So, Okoye stays, although Francis Uzoho was brilliant against Guinea Bissau.

    The Eagles’ defence at AFCON wasn’t that efficient with occasional slips which weren’t punished. Ola Aina didn’t quite recover from his high pressing game from the flank leaving spaces, one of which was punished by the Tunisians for the only goal in one of the Round of 16 games which ended Nigeria’s campaign in the continental soccer fiesta. William Troost Ekong’s game improved although his combination with Kenneth Omeruo wasn’t as enterprising to instil confidence in the midfield. Wilfred Ndidi had to fall deep into the Eagles’ defence to plug the loopholes in the defence. It is expected that the return of Balogun if match fit would give the team’s central defence the steel to lock out the Ghanaians in both legs at Accra and in Abuja for the ticket to the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

    Joe Aribo earned his stripes in the four games he played. But the return of Oghenkaro Etebo to the team’s midfield is the elixir needed to crush the Ghanaians in March. Unfortunately, Alex Iwobi who would have brought width into the side’s midfield play has been red-carded and ruled out of the game against Ghana. It remains to be seen who Austin Eguavoen would deploy in the midfield to complete his 4-4-2 formation which opens up towards the flanks. It is looking like Simon Moses would drop into that role against Ghana now that is looking very likely that Napoli FC of Italy’s Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen would be fit for the two-legged ties.

    Samuel Chukwueze who ought to have paired his Golden Eaglets’ mate Osimhen up front was a huge disappointment for the Eagles in Cameroon during the Africa Cup of Nations. He was rightly substituted in all the games that Nigeria played. Chuwkueze was awful in his performance and pundits won’t be surprised if Eguavoen looks in the direction of Odion Ighalo to pair Osimhen in the team’s attacking onslaught. Onuachu, if he is fit could help the Eagles roughen the Ghanaians, leaving Chukwueze holding the short end of the stick in terms of likely strikers to pair Osimhen upfront against the Black Stars. Pundits won’t be surprised if Eguavoen drops Taiwo Awoniyi who flattered to deceive all through the competition, although like Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar scored a goal each for Nigeria. It won’t be out of place if Eguavoen pairs Osimhen with Umar in the team’s attacking formation going by his performance against the Tunisians when he was introduced into the game, although he didn’t impress everyone in the third game against Guinea Bissau which Nigeria won 3-1.

    Eagles stars must approach the two matches as if their lives depend on it. It is the ambition of any serious-minded professional player to participate in the senior World Cup. Need I restate how former Nigeria international Austin Okoha used the France’98 World Cup to earn a mind-boggling contract with Paris Saint Germain (PSG) in Paris?

    Beating Black Stars in Ghana on March 23 is a task that must be done. It will reduce the tension on the players if Nigeria beats Ghana in the first game. At the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, the Eagles had no leader that the players deferred or one who inspired the others with his performance of the field. This is the distinguishing line that has set Nigeria apart when you consider the fact that is the only team to beat the Egyptians in the competition. Against Ghana, the Eagles need a leader on the pitch to direct the affairs of the team.

    For the Egyptians and Senegalese who are in Sunday’s finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane are their leaders whose inspirational displays galvanise the others. Both men who play for Liverpool in the English League are their country’s captains. Again, the Eagles lack team spirit and the winning mentality to always change the momentum of the game. Our players are established stars in Europe to know those in the opposition to mark out as we did to Salah in the opening game. We left the Tunisians to play their game forgetting that they had blocked off Moses Simon. Common sense ought to have told our players to unlock Moses from the Tunisian shackles by marking them one-on-one. It would have thrown the game open.

    Egypt and Senegal who are in Sunday’s final game have been tactically disciplined and kept their shape in terms of their formations and how they wanted to play. It is the reason the two countries are in the AFCON final on Sunday.

  • Machiavelli, mandates and health

    Machiavelli, mandates and health

    Undoubtedly we are in an era of masks and mandates as health precautions and protocols in a pandemic   that has killed millions all over the world. The fact that we mostly don’t wear them in our part of the world and have fewer   deaths than   the masters of the world,   east and west, who dictate the masks and pandemic mandates is not the issue here today.  Indeed the issue here is the name of Machiavelli, the Florentian political scientist of the Italian Renaissance whose political theories were encapsulated in the saying that for the powerful and power mongers of any society, the end justifies the means. Machiavelli’s   political theories were deemed as atheist, amoral, rational and pragmatic and if a leader was described as Machiavellian, he   is   feared as being all these and more.  But in the modern world of today atheism, and immorality are out of it even if common place .Pragmatism and rationalism are more like it in global democracy and our goal here today is to spell that out.

    For   our analysis today we look at the UN, the UK, and Nigeria and I doubt if we have enough time and space for the trio, but the challenge is fascinating in terms of the topic of the day. In the UN   there was a debate on envisaged Russian invasion of Ukraine and the debate was at the instance of the US. In the British House of Commons the PM   Boris   Johnson was grilled and disgraced on  drinks and booze  parties held  in his  official   residence  during pandemic lockdowns on which his government enacted laws  to implement for  public health and safety. In  Nigeria we  have a president who  has outwitted the pandemic personally and officially, but who has ignored all accusations that he has been partisan in  his choice of security chiefs even as the insecurity situations worsens and people are being killed in the north from which he claimed  his mandates  for two terms of office,  as constitutionally allowed.

    In  the UN Security Council Meeting which I  have  deliberately  called a debate there were threats and counter threats  from the convener, the US and  the accused, Russia. Generally however the world knows that the UN is a toothless bull dog and a tireless debating workshop, but the spectacle  was  quite worth the while,   most  amusing and of course Machiavellian on all fronts. The US angle is that it should not be accused that it did not warn the world in case Russia eventually invades and annexes Ukraine,   as it did Crimea, a part of Ukraine in 2014. The US showed evidence that Russia has amassed over 130,000 Russian troops at Ukraine’s border which is ominous enough about Russia’s intentions and ambitions on Ukraine. The US was also aware that the Russian President Vladmir Putin recently asserted that the Russians and Ukrainians are one indivisible people. Yet the west is touting Ukrainian sovereignty and independence in the face of such historical and aggressive Russian military encirclement.

    Such US rhetoric reminds one of a similar one the same US rendered on Syria and drew a red line to deal with Syria for killing its people with chemical weapons during the Obama era   and nothing happened. Indeed the Russians returned to Syria after that as they had during the reign of Haffez Assad, the   father of the present president of Syria the US accused of killing his people with chemical weapons. Now we have  a Biden Administration  which  is an extension of the Obama one  and  it will be foolhardy to expect Russia  to take any US  threat on Ukraine  seriously given the track record   of   the   toothless  bulldog  of  the Obama government on foreign policy and execution in Syria.

    It is necessary to compare the UK’s foreign policy on Ukraine with that of the US. That of the UK is more robust and honest just as it is self serving and defiant of domestic public opinion. After facing a gruesome session on his credibility on observance  and violation of lock down protocols boiling down to a police investigation , the British PM flew into Ukraine the following  day  and offered millions  of pounds  to shore up the defence of Ukraine in the eventuality of Russian invasion .The  UK  government also drew a list  of Russian oligarchs who  have brought dubious wealth into London called Londongrad   and that is more biting to Russia than either US or EU sanctions. If you recall that the UK is no more a member of the EU after Brexit, you will see how this deterrence to Russia on Ukraine is fine for the UK sovereign ego and for the political fortunes of the British PM Boris Johnson. This  somewhat  showed what  he meant when he told his detractors in Parliament the other day that he should be allowed to deliver on the big issues of his election mandate and majority,  in spite of violations of lockdown mandates by himself and his coyotes at 10 Downing Street.

    Now  let  me round up  with the Nigerian president who  I think is luckier ,  health wise  than the present  UK PM and US president.  Boris Johnson almost died of covid even though before that he was in robust health and successfully executed Brexit   before he became PM. Joe Biden  profited from covid lockdowns and was in his  health induced bunker  and campaigned  indoors  literally as Donald Trump  campaigned at rallies , caught and survived covid,  only to lose and rubbish  the Biden victory as a stolen victory .

    In Nigeria, however, long before covid, the Nigerian president was in poor health. Perhaps that experience was responsible for the sensible way he managed the health authorities on covid . He delegated responsibility on covid but did not abandon his responsibilities. He approved what was presented to him even though the health managers made it seem as if everything was his handiwork   and dependent on his say so. Even till today there is still curfew in Lagos but it is not   strictly observed. Just as the lockdowns and masks have withered because covid is not a Nigerian affliction and fewer   have died in Nigeria and in Africa generally except S Africa.

    Nigeria has battled western nations health travel bans better than most nations with retaliatory measures under this president than most nations. Yet the issue of insecurity persists and the president is known as a very religious leader and I noted that atheism is part of Machiavellian tactics at the outset of this piece and this   president is definitely not an atheist. It  is starkly  true that bandits, kidnappers, armed herdsmen are having a field day in killing and making money out of killing Nigerians who  want their president to stop  the killings because he has the background as a former military  general  to confront and stop these security  saboteurs dead  in their tracks,  if he wants to. Certainly as a deeply religious leader he must be concerned with the pervading loss of human lives in  the North and the rest of the nation. Nigerians  expect their  president  to clear  the road on insecurity for whoever succeeds him as president in the 2023 presidential  elections, the campaigns  for which  has gathered  steam and momentum  , which  should be bonus and not a hindrance for those hoping to take over the mantle from him,  from  2023,  especially from his own party.

  • Femininity is never enough for political success

    Femininity is never enough for political success

    The 2023 elections would define how hard women have worked  for  political spaces in Nigeria. It is not enough to complain and agitate, there must be some deliberate and calculated efforts to have more competent and courageous women willing to go through the political grill like the men. Mentorship in politics is very valid and admirable.

    As the elections approach, there is a plethora of women groups, conferences, talk shops, summits and sundry gatherings where speakers almost repeat the clichés about the difficulties women face in the political space. Do the women have a set strategy through which they can succeed in the political space? Do the age-long gender rights movements provide enough verve to just push the women into the positions they wish to occupy?

    We understand the issues that have been hindrances to the women over the years but what lessons have they learnt, what are the women prepared to do differently? Democracy is a system of governance that operates through some set rules without which the electoral processes may be considered invalid. One of these is the operational structure of political parties. To be a successful politician means an individual must go the whole hog. Active membership of a chosen political party is the first step.

    The Roundtable Conversation feels that while there is an urgent need for more women to access political leadership, the women themselves must go beyond intentions and ambition to make the right productive moves. Politics is not for the naïve or faint hearted.

    We spoke to a lawyer, former Women Affair Minister, Woman leader and one of the pioneer member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) board of Trustees and one who has worked tirelessly for women and been an advocate of gender rights and inclusive politics, Iyom Josephine  Anenih (mni). According to her, women must work harder than they are doing at the moment.  They must be ready to learn both formally and informally.   The present strategy of just jumping into the fray without proper planning cannot be a sustainable strategy. Women  must be willing to go the whole nine yards starting from having the humility to learn and seek mentorship like the men. The first things we do in life is to learn to do things both formerly and informally. I was very proud to learn under veterans like late Titi Ajanaku and Gambo Sawaba. Politics is an art and the men know that much and seem to have perfected an enduring strategy

    Women must realize that teamwork, connections, knowledge and versatility work well in politics. It is delusional to just feel that having an intension to get into an office is enough. It is not. There are lessons and structures to build  and sustain. Printing posters and streaming on social media does not win elections. Democracy is expensive so the thoughts of strategies to make money or raise funds for serious women must be considered. Women are not economically empowered so there must be clear group strategies to fund the very competent women.

    Most female politician ‘wanabes’ are so removed from the grassroots that their ‘city efforts’ come to naught when and the lamentations of marginalization persist. Some women stay off the grassroots, do not get any mentoring, do not try to learn the ropes but just mouth intentions hoping to win with a flawed feminist sentiment. The men in politics realize the value of mentorship and that is why they progressively hold on to power. The commercial apprenticeship popular in the South East is replicated across the country by men politically and it seems very sustainable.

    Politics does not run on sentiments, the ground work must be done and that is the global style. Popularity is not served on a platter. Women must learn to structure the political moves. The men understand this. Men recognize the value of older and more experienced political players and rally around them. Women must learn that first and with their number, they would have more impact politically. In the real sense, there are no short cuts.

    Learning must be a priority, we as women must seek out mentors that are living or go to the libraries and read up about the influential dead. Knowledge is a prerequisite. Men are not perfect but they learn trough association. They understand how to rally round their veterans whose influence and experience are valued. The association of the men across ages is mutually beneficial because their influence rubs off on younger ones. We must learn to do such with humility and patience. Experience is always the best teacher so we must combine political experience and activism.

    Whenever you are with your mentor, the influence is almost infectious. Women must learn to capture and retain name and face recognition and which  can’t  be gotten  on social media, it is a physical act that has  its benefits and we as women must be introspective. Political success is hard work and with all things in life, we must be diligent, Politics is beyond gender sentiments and  women must realize that.

    Iyom believes that there are no short-cuts to political successes and lamentations cannot work any political miracle. Leadership must be valuably explored by women and team work is key. Advocacy does not win elections. Strategic planning works and that includes grassroots invovolvment. Women must learn to start low and go high, seeking a governorship seat is good but what if like the men we start from our wards or local governments?

    The young lady Councillor in Bayelsa state that used her car loan to rehabilitate a local link bridge in her ward will have an easy ride getting a higher position politically, that is a growth process. We as women must learn to sit, crawl, walk then run. We watch and guide babies do that and should bring that growth process into the political space.

    Senator Khairat  AbdulRazaq Gwadabe is an experienced female politician who has been passionate about  bringing in more women into the political space. To her, it must be a team work but each individual woman must do their homework well too. To her, every party wants to win elections and as such, women must work hard to win seats at the political table. It is not enough to belong to NGOs and mouth women inclusion, those do not win elections.  Any woman desirous of contesting and winning elections must be solidly equipped with knowledge, humility, compassion and grassroots popularity acquired through processes of communing and communication. What we observe these days is too much rhetoric about inclusiveness. While the request is valid, inclusiveness ought to be taken through valid actions that are functional. It does not make sense wishing to lead a people you hardly associate of commune with.

    There is a story of a female politician in Jos whose community sought out to go represent them. She did not reside at home but she was always visiting and meeting and helping her community in various ways. So even in abstentia, someone bought her a form, filled and submitted and she won. That is a classic example of working towards inclusiveness. She had earned the trust , loyalty and love of her people through non-political acts of kindness. Most politicians wait for elections to go to the village to meet the people.

    The constituencies have a great influence on who emerges. What it means is that each political player earns or squanders his or her goodwill. The idea that men exclude women is not totally true because most women do not work for their places in the people’s hearts. They often do not engage properly. You must endear yourself to your community before they can support you. Being inaccessible and dressing in silver and gold  amdist delibitating poverty  only ways alienates those involved.

    Women must understand that culturally, there is still a lot of things that need  to change over time. They must understand the mentality of the moment and be  able to navigate with the best strategies.  The local government and the ward positions are the pillars of democracy because that is where the grassroots are. Money is not always the issue in politics. Women must begin to recognize feloow women leadership like the men. Women are often individualistic. Team work is key. Politics is a game and teamwork is the sectret of success. The men use this well, they see politics as a sport and they often bring in the  team spirit more than women.

    The Senator believes that there is an advantage women have even when they do not have the financial power. As nurturers, women are closer to the grassroots and can use compassion and humility to win constituents. Arrogance and non-challant attitude are vices that when combined with lack of financial power can negatively impact on the efforts of women to win elections because indeed, power is won and lost with a lot of other variables.

    Most of the barriers to satisfactory female inclusion in the political space can range from the cultural, economic to religious but women must learn to overcome those ones that are possible and do not cause any distortion to the system. Some of the assumed barriers are mere mental fixation and can be overcome with better planning and recognition of the role of human relations, humility, empathy, fellow women leadership and experience.

    Iyom Josephine Anenih and Senator Khairat Gwadabe  are in no way denying the other numerous challenges women face while seeking political offices, they however believe that  there are challenges women themselves must overcome with better commitment and perseverance. Even though patriarchy is a problem, consistent self -improvement and strategic structural  and attitudinal  changes  can help the women more. Advocacies and group pressure are good but twomen must be more strategic and knowledgeable.

    • The dialogue continues…
  • Southeast’s agitation for zoning (I)

    Southeast’s agitation for zoning (I)

    The Southeast is aggrieved. It is not without justification. The zone is not happy that it has not produced an elected President since independence in 1960. Thus, its complaint about marginalisation is on point as its feuding political elite crave for a sense of belonging.

    Plural Nigeria recognises Ndigbo as an asset. The Igbo bring examples of intellect, craftsmanship, innovation, business acumen and drive for industry, self-dependence and self-sufficiency. Though they move from their native homeland to other zones, their hearts always connect with their homeland. Theirs is a kingless society but of kith and kin reputed for classic nationalism.

    This geo-political region has contributed immensely to the development of the nation-state, like other regions. It is not an inferior ethnic group. The zone has the right to agitate for Presidency. But it is also advisable that it should re-strategise and play its politics with cohesive finesse.

    The Igbo have produced a President before. But Dr. Nnamidi Azikiwe, the Great Zik of Africa, was a ceremonial leader, while Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, a northerner, exercised all executive powers during the Westminster model of the First Republic.

    The Southeast also produced a military Head of State, Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, who wreaked havoc on federalism through his ill-advised unification decree. His tenure, unsurprisingly, was short-lived. After six months in office, he was killed by northern soldiers.

    Then, the Eastern State, led by Col. Emeka Odumegeu-Ojukwu, attempted to quit the federation. For about three years, he struggled to carve Biafra out of Nigeria but without success. The pains of the sanguinary struggle still linger. The memory of its horror has not faded.

    In 1979, there was a sort of political integration. Dr. Alex Ekwueme, from the East, became Vice President under Alhaji Shehu Shagari, from the North. Contrary to insinuations, he was not totally a spare tyre. A cordial relationship existed between him and his powerful boss.

    While the North, West and Southsouth had produced Presidents, the East has not, although it has produced powerful ministers, special advisers, Central Bank governors, service chiefs, ambassadors, and other top government officials.

    Since 1999, the geo-political zone has remained the stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It has turned its back at other parties during presidential elections. It could be said that the region has been in alliance with the North under the PDP umbrella. But the trust that ought to accompany the alliance is doubtful. Except in 2019 when the PDP candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, picked his running mate, Peter Obi, from the East, the opposition party the region has invested so much in is not planning to zone its ticket to the region.

    Ahead of 2023, the Southeast is testing the waters. At home, the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led by Nnamidi Kanu, is on the prowl. The organisation claims to be fighting Nigeria. Only Easterners bear the brunt through the weekly disruption of socio-economic activities.

    But, political leaders and other elders from the region are also intensifying the clamour for the zoning of the presidency. While the separatist agitations have become detrimental to the building of trust and confidence critical to the zoning of the presidential ticket in the PDP, many All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders do not see the logic in the Southeast’s quest for its presidential ticket because of the region’s manifest hostility to the ruling party.

    The clamour appears to be the bond of theoretical unity in the politically divided region. The region’s apex body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, is emotionally attached to the project. In the past, key Southeast leaders even mooted the idea of raising money in aid of the presidential project.

    Four politicians from the East have now thrown their hats into the ring. Yet, the prospect does not look bright.

    The first to indicate interest is a former Senate President and ex-Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Ayim. He is somehow combative, saying he would bid for the PDP ticket, whether it is zoned to the region or not.

    Also, Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, who has defected from PDP to APC, has joined the race. Four days ago, Senator Rochas Okorocha, a former governor of Imo State, also unfolded his ambition, reminiscent of 2014, when he struggled with General Muhammadu Buhari for the APC ticket.

    There is also the influential Mazi Samuel Iheanyichukwu Ohuabunwa, a Nigerian pharmacist, politician and business executive.

    Another politician, Senate Chief Whip Orji Uzor Kalu, is yet to make up his mind, hinging his hope on zoning to the South. But, zoning to the South is not the end. There is micro-zoning, which is the crux of the matter.

    If the APC ticket is zoned to the South, it is most likely that it would be to the Southwest, which has more members in the ruling party than the Southeast and the Southsouth have.

    It is doubtful that the Southwest would be ready to concede the opportunity to the Southeast.

    While the North and the Southeast, the North and Southsouth, as well as the North and the Southwest have been partners in Arewa’s quest for federal power and retention of political control, the Southeast and the Southwest have never jointly proposed a somewhat strategic political collaboration. Both regions have continually suffered from the carryover of the Zik/Awo hostility.

    Indeed, as observers have noted, the Southeast may have a weak claim because it has neglected the route to power. Its low numerical strength in the ruling party may have translated into weak bargaining power.

    The idea of also drafting ‘Ebele Azikiwe Goodluck Jonathan’ into the presidential race and branding the Ijaw man as a potential Igbo candidate for APC may have collapsed. It is a slap on Igbo land, which can boast of authentic and competent sons and daughters to occupy the number one seat.

    The anticipated transformation from Ijaw to Igbo may have paled into a figment of hyperactive imagination. If the plot is resurrected, it may still end up as stillborn.

    Igbo leaders appear to be exerting much pressure on inter-regional contact, mobilising and lobbying for the dream to become a reality. They have received sympathy from elements across the five zones, including intellectuals, leaders of ethnic mouthpiece, and other observers. But their dispositions are not influential on the two major political parties. Majority of those supporting power shift to the Southeast are outside the sphere of influence.

    Some academics and technocrats appear to be mooting the idea of a third voice. It is not likely they are looking in the direction of the East for a presidential candidate. Besides, the so-called third force in the embryo will not have the advantage of solid and formidable structure.

    Indisputably, not all Igbo leaders are on the same page with their elected governors on the quest for federal power. A meeting was slated for Igbere for brainstorming and compiling of ideas on the clamour. It was boycotted by the governors and their followers. This underscores the futility of anchoring the agitation for power on the platform of non-partisan tribal organisations.

    The Igbo race also faces other conflicts, hurdles or obstacles. There is no consensus. Igbo youths appear to nurse a different agenda. They are agitating for the actualisation of the ill-fated Biafra Republic at a time their elders are vigorously pushing for a president from the Southeast. The signal to other sensitive regions is that the agenda for balkanisation can be revived, if an Igbo man becomes president. This is a nasty thought because the motivation, as championed by individuals and groups calling for zoning or rotation, is the quest for equity, fairness and justice.

    While the Igbo are scattered all over the country where they ply their trade, youths at home are insisting that the only future they see is one with the Biafra passport to cross the Niger Bridge. This posturing may not be helpful to the cause.

    Also, there is conflict between the agitation for “Igbo President” and the clamour for “Southeast President”. There are Igbo in the Southeast and the Southsouth.

    What will be the fate of the Igbo from Southsouth? Ayim has said that the scope of the struggle is limited to the Southeast.

    The Igbo outside the Southeast are kicking at their exclusion.

    Also, what is the fate of minority tribes in the Southeast? Can the few non-Igbo Southeasterners – and these are the minority of the minorities – also vie on the strength of the indisputable fact that they hail from the region? What will be the fate of Igala in Anambra, for instance? If it is the Igbo agenda, can they find accommodation in the project?

    Can the apparent and subsisting marginalisation of the Igbo, the third largest ethnic nationality, based on what has now amounted to presidential exclusion, be sustained? The answer is No. But, has the Constitution been breached by not conceding the presidential slot to Ndigbo? The answer is also No.

    The 1999 Constitution is clear on the eligibility for the presidential election. It is the ground norm. It is sacrosanct. It is non-negotiable.

    According to the Constitution, all Nigerians of a certain age are qualified. The onus is on political parties to zone the slot to an agreed part of the country. In doing so, parties always want to be strategic. Zoning or rotation of the ticket is never pronounced publicly.

    Zoning and rotation are internalised as mechanisms for safeguarding equity, justice and sense of belonging in a disunited Nigeria. However, it should be borne in mind by the zoning crusaders that the dominant political parties, which subscribe to zoning or rotation, in principle, also have their own contrasting formula for accomplishing zoning, rotation and power shift.

    Despite their genuine or hypocritical commitment to zoning, rotation, or a semblance of ‘turn by turn,’ there is no intra-party or inter-party consensus on the roster for zoning, rotation or power distribution. That is why at the time many people expect the ruling party to be looking “downward,” the opposition party is looking “upward”.

  • How not to treat heroes

    How not to treat heroes

    Why do we take pleasure in making simple things which others do seamlessly look very cumbersome here? How can anyone justify the non-payment of Super Eagles’ match bonuses, even after the country’s ouster from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations holding in Cameroon? Are we saying that we didn’t know that the Africa Cup of Nations would be held between January 9 and February 6? Could it be said that Nigeria’s participation at the 2021 AFCON wasn’t included in the fiscal budget for the year? If yes, how come we couldn’t pay the players, coaches, and backroom staff their bonuses which they ought to have received immediately after the games. For decency sake, the sharing of the bonuses would be done inside their captain’s rooms after each game in which they won?

    I hope we haven’t forgotten that it is the same set of boys who would prosecute Nigeria’s Qatar 2022 World Cup qualification matches against the Black Stars of Ghana in Accra and later in Abuja.  How do we expect the boys to believe us on matters of their welfare? We shouldn’t forget that the lifespan of any sportsman or woman to be actively involved in sports is between two years and 12 years,  after which the call of nature would set in forcing him or her to either retire from the game into something else or become a coach. That is if such athletes are injury-free.

    Over time, such failure of leadership has brought furore in the Super Eagles leading to skirmishes too many to mention here. Buck passing has often characterised attempts to pinpoint those responsible for such a charade. We end up either sweeping such shameful incidents under the carpet or making someone along the line of approval the fall guy. He is either sacked or taken to another ministry. Yet the problems persist. In the past the NFF would have been the fall guy. It would have meant another round of throwing missiles at the Sports ministry. The incumbent minister, Sunday Dare has stopped the NFF cum sports ministry brouhaha with the right synergy. Dare meets with the football chiefs where previous competitions are analysed and solutions found to avoid another fiasco.

    The delay in the payment of the players, coaches, and backroom staff have arisen from the very strict processes in place at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Why didn’t it occur to the big men at CBN that time was of the essence if the money needed for the 2021 AFCON was released months earlier instead of this laughable stock where players are made to look like unserious people before their expectant relations waiting for their own share of the players’ good fortunes.

    With the Qatar 2022 World Cup about 10 months away, it is important that the relevant bodies brainstorm on the urgent need to outsource the country’s World Cup money, possibly by launching a national Support the Super Eagles World Cup campaign fund where fans of the team can wilfully donate, contribute their quota, not forgetting the corporate world keying into the noble venture. A Presidential breakfast with all the movers and shakers of the country’s economy in attendance would further reassure the, eggheads, to invest in the exercise. Mr President would use the occasion to reiterate the government’s interest in sports and what it has to give sports-loving individuals and firms. Such presidential initiatives would ease the problems of getting the sports marketers to sell their ideas to the corporate world on the need to identify their goods and services with sports, knowing that Mr President is truly interested in that particular sporting activity. The big firm players would during that presidential session express their reservations in areas that threaten their businesses which also affects their turnovers. Of course, the company’s money isn’t theirs but for the public who invest in their companies.

    Read Also: Iheanacho: my unforgettable AFCON partnership with Awoniyi

    It should be noted that participating at the Cameroon 2021 Africa Cup of Nations from January 9 to February 6 deprived the players of staying at home with their families or inviting them to Europe to spend Christmas and New Year. It is at such a family rendezvous that the players address their problems. It is at such periods that they provide the cash or make the contact that could resolve pressing issues. Had Nigeria done her bit as it concerns players’ welfare, they could easily have asked their relations to meet them in camp or after training sessions to rub minds on the way forward. It is one of the reasons the players rush to their different homes when they are invited for assignments in Nigeria before heading back to camp. Of course, the time lost in such distractions affects the way we prepare for competitions. Little we wonder why we always totter during competitions, the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon, inclusive.

    The Super Eagles are the biggest brand to market if they are excelling in competitions. We need to build this team on solid foundations, but this appears far-fetched, especially with our penchant for foreign coaches, given the potential available at the 774 local government areas. We will forever be rebuilding the Eagles if our foreign coaches live outside the country. Eagles need established nurseries approved by the NFF where players to replace the injured and ageing ones are taught the basic skills of the game, through clinics and competitions. No country measures her growth in soccer by listing 22 foreign-based players with one home-based goalkeeper. It raises the poser over the quality of the youth development programmes and what the federation is doing with its grassroots programmes. Nigeria went to the Cameroon 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with 28 foreign-based players.  Thank God Gernot Rohr has left the team. A column for another day.

    We have two dicey Qatar 2022 World Cup qualification matches against Ghana’s Black Stars first in Conakry and the return leg in Abuja. The Ghanaians are down but this is the worst time to confront, especially as it is Nigeria. They would rather any other country beats them – certainly not Nigeria. Ayew Pele, Black Stars’ inspirational captain is out of the first leg but there are others who understand what it entails for them to lose to Nigeria – it is forbidden. It is good to know that the sports minister is insisting on making the MKO Abiola Stadium the home of our national teams. We have in the past years lost the fear factor associated with the Super Eagles playing against any country in Nigeria due to the team’s nomadic movement across the country.

    Make no mistake about my intentions here because England Three Lions also play across the country. But big games get played at Wembley Stadium of the Three Lions. Need I waste time mentioning other countries like England? Having a home ground breeds well for the team. Its teeming supporters rally around the players in difficult times and ceaselessly when the players are scoring goals with aplomb.MKO Abiola would certainly be the home for the country’s sports, not just football because Abiola was truly the Pillar of Sports in Africa. Nigerian athletes always prayed for Abiola’s presence anywhere major competitions are being held, knowing the volume of cash he doles out to winners and those who didn’t win laurels. Abiola gave out scholarships as a way of encouraging athletes to combine sports with going to school. I digress!

    Nigeria’s sports administrators should stop thinking through their pockets. They should always look at the bigger picture of making the sporting industry the veritable ground for stemming unemployment in Nigeria. Is sports truly “play play” as one governor once described it? Who will challenge us to see sports as a platform to bolster the country’s revenue? Doesn’t the government know that sports is the best vehicle for massive employment? The honourable Sports Minister will need to meet with firms who have embraced sports to know what problems they have with the federations. At that meeting, the firms should be told what they stand to benefit from sports sponsorship.

  • Ekiti 150: Whose errand boys?

    Ekiti 150: Whose errand boys?

    On Wednesday, soldiers from the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Akure, Ondo State, arrested 150 political thugs at Ita Awure/Efon Junction in Efon Alaaye in Ekiti State. This happened on the day the PDP was holding its gubernatorial primary election to nominate the party’s governorship candidate for the 2022 gubernatorial election. It was also barely 24 hours before the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was billed to conduct its own primary election in the same state.

    Sentry gathered that the political thugs were heading to Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. There have been divergent claims on where they were coming from. While some reports claim they took off from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, others say they were from neighbouring Ondo State. Some social media posts even suggested they were from Lagos State.

    But one thing that’s not in dispute is the destination of the heavily armed thugs; they were headed to Ado-Ekiti, where the primaries of some of the political parties ahead of the state governorship election, were holding.

    The suspects were all taken to Owen Barracks in Akure for further investigation. They are to be handed over to the Police for prosecution afterwards.

    But one question that remains unanswered and may remain so unless the matter and suspects are diligently prosecuted is the identity of the person or persons who solicited their violent services in Ado-Ekiti. No doubt, they were on an errand for a politician, group or even party; but who exactly? Not a few Nigerians are waiting eagerly for this all important answer.

  • Tribute to Prof. Alex Gboyega

    Tribute to Prof. Alex Gboyega

    IT is with a heavy heart that I write a tribute to Prof. Alex Gboyega who was my mentor and friend. I received the news of his passing from a colleague by text. I could not believe it and sought confirmation from his family. My doubts arose from the fact that on the eve of Christmas, Prof. Gboyega and I had a lengthy telephone discussion about Nigeria’s security, economy and politics. He sounded alright. We also discussed the forthcoming presidential election and the Nigeria Judiciary. This was a very frank and constructive interaction. We agreed on many of the issues and differed on several of them. This is normal, whenever political scientists engage each other. Even when I was Prof. Gboyega’s PhD student at the University of Ibadan, he encouraged these frank exchanges with him. He tolerated my “regional perspectives” which sometimes clashed with his! These exchanges happened during the Gen. Sani Abacha regime – the Yoruba, generally, felt that the regime was hard on them, and here was an appointee of the regime’s Devolution of Power Committee defending it from his deep conviction that it was being unfairly criticized! Elsewhere, my PhD thesis would have been unduly delayed, or worse!

    To the contrary, Prof. Alex Gboyega, after these encounters, would invite Dooshima (my unfailing companion to Gboyega’s office because we shared driving from Jos or Katsina-Ala to Ibadan) and I to dinner at his on-campus residence. There we shared dinner with his family, Pastor Dr. Mrs Joy Amah Gboyega, his amiable wife, and Olumide and Queen, his children. We felt truly welcome. He went out of his way to reduce the stress usually encountered in students/supervisor relationships in the Nigeria University system. I could not believe things could be that smooth! It was also helpful that the head of department, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, like Gboyega, was a decent, thoroughbred academic who coordinated the affairs of the Department very well. The Post Graduate coordinator, Prof. Adigun Agbaje, was also very supportive. Because I returned to the department as its graduate, I enjoyed much goodwill from all of Gboyega’s colleagues.

    Furthermore, Prof. Alex Gboyega was the epitome of a hardworking, meticulous academic. He painstakingly read my drafts and offered incisive comments which greatly enhanced the quality of my thesis, titled Chieftaincy and Politics the Tor Tiv in the Politics and Administration of Tivland, which has been published by Peter Lang Publishers, Frankfurt, Germany. He kept each appointment he gave me, even when he was doing his sabbatical at Prof. Akin Mabogunje’s Research Centre, in Ibadan. This greatly encouraged me to work hard because I was certain to get a timely feedback, once I submitted a draft chapter to him.

    It was no surprise, therefore, that at my PhD viva in 1998, only minor corrections were suggested by the external examiner, Prof Davies of the University of Ilorin, Ilorin. And these were effected literally the next day before I left Ibadan for Jos where I was then teaching in the Department of Political Science of the Univer sity. Prof Alex Gboyega was, therefore, more than a mentor to me, as I will further indicate.

    Our relationship after I successfully defended my thesis

    Back to Jos, Gboyega encouraged my efforts to publish and be promoted to a Professorship. He linked me up with senior colleagues Dr. B. Onuoha and Dr. M.M Fadakinte, of University of Lagos who accepted my chapter contribution to Transition Politics in Nigeria (1970-1999). He also linked me up with CRISE: Centre for Research on Inequality, Human Security and Ethnicity at Oxford University in 2005. This exposed me to high quality interactions with scholars all over the world. The paper I presented earned me a few thousand British pounds as well!

    Support for my gubernatorial aspirations.

    Moreover, when I indicated interest in the Benue state gubernatorial election in 2007, Gboyega prayed for me and greatly encouraged my aspiration. When I lost the nomination, he, surprisingly, sent me one hundred thousand Naira to help stabilize me! This gesture was greatly appreciated because it was spontaneous and unexpected.

    Book Launch

    In 2010 the book which was developed out of my thesis was launched at a colorful ceremony at which the late Och’Idoma, Agabaidu Elias Ikoyi Obekpa, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Pa Buba Gyang, the late Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Musatapha Agwai I, representatives of the late Aku Uka of Wukari, Dr. Shekaru Angyu Masa Ibi and the late Oba of Benin, Oba Solomon Akenzua were present. Not to talk of the Hon Minister of Police Affairs, Maina Waziri, who was the book presenter and did a marvelous job of it. The governor of Nasarawa state, His Excellency the late Aliyu Akwe Doma sent a delegation led by the deputy governor, His Excellency Mike Abdul. The host Governor, His Excellency Gabriel Suswam, the governor of Benue state and his dear wife, Arc. Yemisi Dooshima Suswam laid out an elaborate reception for all the guests, including Prof. Alex Gboyega who travelled all the way from Ibadan to honor a former student!

    No one could ask for more. I was distinguished to sit next to Prof. Gboyega on the high table that day, on 9th September, 2010! It was truly a grand event to which I remain grateful to God, the Suswams and Gboyega and all the dignitaries who turned up in their numbers to grace the occasion. The Tor Tiv, the late Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula, who was away in Mexico for medical attention was suitably represented by Ter Makurdi, HRH the late Sule Abenga.

    Why did Gboyega go to this length?

    It did not take long to discover at our first encounter in 1994 at the University of Ibadan that Prof Alex Gboyega was a believer – he took his academics and religion seriously. Even before I met him, the late Prof. David Ker, my HSC classmate who had taught English in Ibadan before relocating to Ahamadu Bello University, Zaria, had spoken glowingly about Prof. Gboyega as a decent, principled academic and had hoped that Prof. Gboyega would be assigned to supervise my thesis. Happily, that was what happened. My research topic was within Gboyega’s speciality in political science. His deeply religious widow is a Pastor in Ambala Daniel Church, Ibadan. It is, therefore, no surprise that Gboyega was the quintessential academic with a Christian conscience. It is his belief in Christ which led him to relate always with a smile and to do good to all manner of people. He was a work-alcoholic who never lost his cool! No matter the pressure from the schedules he had to keep, he remained very calm and constructive.

    In the course of our work, Gboyega introduced me to the Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and this was the first time I had heard about it. He told me that there was a big class of BSF in Jos and encouraged me to join it when I returned there. I gladly joined the BSF and, even though this proved hectic for me, I faithfully attended its sessions and learnt the Bible in greater depth and new Christian songs, including Great is thy Faithfulness which has stuck with me and which I love singing!

    In the end, we shall miss Prof Alex Gboyega because he was a scholar who taught a great lesson in decency, hardwork, and the belief in God. To Dooshima and I, he was a mentor and a friend whom we shall miss direly. His memory will linger with us till we join him in eternity with our creator, the Almighty God.

    May God console Prof Gboyega’s widow, Pastor Dr. Joy Amah Gboyega, his children, Olumide and Queen, and their spouses, colleagues, students and acquaintances. Prof. Alex Gboyega was a great servant of God!

    • Prof Jibo is the Chancellor and Chairman of Council, University of Mkar, Gboko, Benue State.

     

    Ayo Gbeleyi soars higher

    He is evidently exceedingly well prepared intellectually and professionally to excel and add tremendous value to governance in the financial sphere as President Muhammadu Buhari’s new appointee as Chairman, Board of Directors, of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). Physically diminutive but cerebrally gargantuan, Mr Ayo Gbeleyi, a native of Igbesa in Ogun State, is a former Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State and pioneer Director-General of the Lagos State Office of Public-Private-Partnerships who contributed tremendously to the successes of the Babatunde Raji Fashola administration in the Centre of Excellence particularly in the areas of infrastructure delivery and provision of social services. Quiet, humble and unassuming, his interventions at the State Executive Council meetings at the time were always serious-minded, meticulous and thorough. Most at home in the abstract world of numbers, Mr Gbeleyi does not suffer fools gladly. A Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) he holds an MBA from the University of Navarra, Spain, and is also an Alumnus of the London Business School, Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the Lagos Business School. With 30 years post-qualification experience in diverse sectors of the economy including manufacturing, investing and commercial banking, insurance, project financing and telecommunications among others, expectations are understandably high that he will shine like a million stars in his new assignment. This column wishes Ayo Gbeleyi divine wisdom and guidance as he faces the no mean challenge ahead.

  • Enugu 2023 and Ugwuanyi’s dilemma

    Enugu 2023 and Ugwuanyi’s dilemma

    Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, is currently at crossroads over how to handle various agitations over the governorship ticket of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    While the people of Enugu East are daily reminding him of many promises he made to them in the build-up to the 2019 governorship election to the effect that he will back the zone to produce his successor in 2023, the entrance into the race of his age-long political ally and friend, former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, from Enugu West is putting pressure on the governor.

    Feelers within the governor’s political camp told Sentry he’s approaching the situation as cautiously as possible.

    “Ugwuanyi is one man who cherishes relationships a lot. On the other hand, he is one man who believes in social justice and equity. If you now add the current division among his associates, friends and leaders on the issue of zoning, you will understand how precarious his current situation is,” an associate of the governor said.

    Whatever the situation is, and no matter how complex it may be, the governor will have to take a decision very soon. This is because as leader of the party in the state, members and chieftains of the PDP are waiting for him to provide leadership by making his position on the zoning debate known ahead of the 2023 governorship election.

  • Values, diplomacy and reality

    Values, diplomacy and reality

    Politics and diplomacy are at times inseparable but they deal with contentious issues because they are delicately woven into power, its use and misuse amongst individuals in a nation and amongst nations in a comity of nations. Events on the world stage this last week vividly bear this out. Let me start on the premise that the morals amongst nations are different from those amongst individuals who are guided by their culture whilst nations have no permanent friends but permanent interests. My goal today is to illustrate these cultural values in some nations and see how they compare with diplomacy this last week on the world stage.

    I  start  with entertainment which  is what football  is, anyway, and will  show that politics or diplomacy  has no time for niceties , decorum and what  is expected to be politically or socially  acceptable  or correct. See  how Nigeria which has won all its first three  matches  at   the ongoing  AFCON 2022  in Cameroun   crashed out to  Tunisia  which  advanced to face Burkina Fasso  today in the quarter finals. Nigeria lost after the president spoke with our players   while Burkina Fasso at home in Ouagadougou is in the throes of a successful military coup. In  Europe, Russia and the US,  the  drums of war  are   sounding  and the prospects of successful  diplomacy are receding but  the west is under an illusion that it can diplomatically  restrain Russia whose demands  for peaceful  resolution of its quarrel with  Ukraine  are no more than an order to NATO and the US to  comply with,  or face the consequences of the invasion of Ukraine. In  Britain the PM has lost credibility over compliance with Covid protocols which  his government concocted in the logic of public safety right in the seat of power in 10  Downing St. Yet  Boris Johnson still thinks he can get away with murder over  Covid  which  almost  killed him before and cling to power like a cat with nine  lives politically , which I  think  he is ,  albeit   grudgingly,    even after his credibility  seem  to have deserted  him generally.

    Let   us now tackle these issues serially. First there was nothing wrong in our president speaking to the Green Eagles to cheer them on but it was unprecedented. The president is not known to be a sports fan. Military dictators like IBB and Abacha were known as such, even though we all knew the motive was to distract Nigerians from their iron grip on power which is not new .Historically the Emperors of ancient Rome distracted poverty ridden Romans from their squalor and miserable lives by making them watch and cheer gladiators fight lions and each other to death, after saluting Caesar and proclaiming to him that   ‘we who about to die salute you’. It was patriotic of the president to prod the Green Eagles on but as a friend noted   we  should  not expect to go far after sacking the expatriate  coach  who  groomed this bunch  of Eagles  on the eve of AFCON 2022 even after    he made  sure that   we are still  in the race for  the World   Cup. The president should find out what happened or led to the timing of the firing of the coach and Nigerians would be grateful for that, more than anything.

    Next, in   the way  the US and NATO  are trying   to prevent Russia from invading Ukraine,  one  is reminded of Neville Chamberlain the British PM   [ 1937 – 1940] before the Second World War  who tried to appease Hitler but failed and was replaced by Winston Churchill who  teamed up with Russia and the US   as the Allies  to  defeat Nazi Germany in WW2 from 1939  to 1945 . Now the alliances and values are different and friends in the WW2 are now foes declared and undeclared. Both  US President Joe  Biden  and his Secretary  of State Anthony Blinken  remind  me  of Chamberlain who Hitler  deceived with the Munich Agreement  and came back to England  infamously waving a piece of paper saying he had secured ‘ peace  in our time ‘ Similarly Vladmir Putin, the Russian  leader is the new Hitler  that the west is  trying    to  appease  instead  of deterring . Russia’s demands are clear. NATO should not move forces near Russia’s  borders with its former  satellite  states  which  formed the former USSR as  Russia would interpret that as a threat to its security which it will repel. Ukraine, Russia insists should never be a member of NATO the EU military alliance with the US. NATO and the US reject both terms and insist on the sovereignty of Ukraine and its rights to join any alliance. NATO forces are already stationed in the Baltic states formely in the Soviet Union and became independent after the breakup of the USSR in 1991 into 15 states. Definitely Russia is   taunting the US and NATO into a war it knows the west does not have the nerve or stomach for. Clearly Russia has enough   mettle, nerve and clout for the military challenge it is throwing in the diplomatic ring to buy time. It has done it in the past in Georgia and Crimea and the west replied with sanctions. Now Russia has put in place pipelines to supply gas to Germany and EU  and that is an economic weapon to divide EU economically .  Already the head of Germany’s navy has resigned after saying that Putin should be treated with respect.  One  should  wonder  why    former German Chancellor  Angela  Merkel  should agree  to the gas pipeline deal with Russia  which she  insisted  then that Russia has promised not to use the gas deal  as a weapon of war against the EU.  Now  Merkel  herself  was from the former East  Germany and her ease of dealing with Putin   and  communists  should  have come under  due diligence  by the EU. Germany is the EU’s richest  nation  but  has refused to send troops to help Ukraine  thereby   exposing the soft underbelly of the west in any war  with Russia . Definitely  Putin  has the ace in reversing the collapse of the Soviet Union  in  1991  which  is  the  catalyst  for his present belligerence and inadvertently  or deliberately   weakening    the   1989     unification  of Germany   by  separating united Germany  from  the EU,    both   of  which    were   historical feats achieved during the one term presidency  of  the 41st    US  President George Bush  Snr  from  1989  to  1993.

    Let me round up with the covid   rule breaking miseries of the British PM. If   he does not resign as he has indeed told the leader of the Opposition that he will not, I do not see him being forced out. This is because he is a product of the covid times and in flouting the lockdown rules    he has shown he is human and has apologized. In addition he has a knack for reading the public mood correctly and he knows the public is steadily going anti lockdowns and the vaccine and anti vaccine divide is still a raging war on human freedom and choice. In addition he has shown his government is not totally for the cancel culture and the revision of history both colonial and local in Britain and he has a huge sympathy and following on that score. Those calling for his resignation see a moral issue but he sees it as a leadership matter and he is in charge. If he survives I will see him as a human being trying to lead his nation out of the pandemic by example. Weather it is a good or bad one   is for his party and populace to decide .He has certainly decided not to be pushed around or go easily. That is some guts I admire.