The Nation Newspaper

Category: Saturday

  • Political culture, corruption and history

    CULTURAL Relativism in different political climes and systems arrest our attention on this page today and the reason is not far fetched. The US Presidential campaigns and elections of November 8 have gripped the attention of the civilized world, especially in the way in which a revived form of sexism and feminism is affecting the chances of the two candidate, who incidentally and for the first time, are not of the male sex.

    This, at least this week, happened at a time when history was being made in Nigeria with the rule of law facing an acid test with the unprecedented arrest of some judges overnight last week end by the DSS – the Department of State Security – which claimed to have found millions of both local and foreign currencies in the custody and residences of the affected judges. Similarly in Russia, which has been accused of trying to influence the results of the US presidential elections, Russia’s strongman, President Vladmir Putin, ignored the Americans as he did in taking a base in Syria and was busy trying to create a myth about the exploits of Russian warriors in the World War 2 similar to that of King Leonidas of Sparta and the 300 Spartans at the Pass of Thermoplae in ancient Greek Mythology.

     The last part of this quartet of Cultural Relativism comes from France and though romantic showed clearly the difference between US and French culture and politics. It was the publication of the love letters that former French Socialist President of France from 1981 – 1995, Francois Mitterand wrote to his Mistress. A publication which was said to be a master piece of literature and has endeared the late president albeit post humously, to his countrymen in his native France. Certainly, the tone and the venom of the US presidential campaign have been unprecedented in US history.

    In retrospect, that may be because a woman is about to become the first US president in history. But that alone cannot be responsible for the way a loose comment on women and sex by the male presidential candidate Donald Trump has turned him into a political leper within and without his party over the last one week. It dominated the second debate and occupied the global media. With normally composed and brilliant, famous, newscasters baring their fangs literally to force those who differ from them, to agree that the Republican candidate is not fit to live let alone contest for the US presidency.

    Yet his opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has in my view a more serious malady or albatross to explain. Her luggage in this regard include the charge that she victimized women affronted by her husband Bill while being both Governor in Arkansas and President in the White House. It is pertinent to mention an exchange between a reporter against Donald Trump who said his locker talk would ruin the lives of young boys who watched the video.

    Quite unabashedly the woman being interviewed exploded that the American Culture was at play and Trump was not contesting to be Pope. She then finished off with the statement that when Bill Clinton committed his faux pas with Monica Lewinsky during his presidency her children growing up then were wondering if the White House had an Oval Office or an Oral Office. In addition it would seem the US establishment of both parties are sworn to sweep underground the issue of the destroyed 30000 phone data reportedly destroyed by Hillary and for which she has apologized and her apology seemingly accepted.

    Yet the security implications of that are infinitely more grievous than Trump’s lewd remarks for which he apologized in the second debate obviously to no avail. It is certainly in the US alone in this world that a remark or joke intended to be private and offhand can be reproduced a decade later to show that the person involved is still in that state of mind and psychological disposition. Former Republican candidate Dr. Ben Carson a renowned Neuro Surgeon tried to show his interviewer on CNN that when Trump made the lewd statements he was a play boy billionaire but now he is a presidential candidate.

    But the interviewer on CNN simply got livid with rage on her face trying take Trump to the cleaners on the way he spoke or fondled women. Dr Carson’s plea that the campaign and debate should move on to serious issues which divide both parties and nations wildly down the line, was ignored by an interviewer who till that interview was famous for her charming disposition and easy manners as a presenter and objective analyst of issues. It was really as if feminism or sexism had taken the front seat in this US presidential election and that to me is a great diversion which can backfire in making Hillary Clinton achieve her ambition of becoming the first female president of the US.

    With regard to the Nigerian political system, the issue of the arrest of judges goes back to the state and nature of our political culture and history as well as our constitutionalism. Luckily the Minister of Information and Culture spoke clearly and concisely in response to the arrests, that the law has not been breached in any way and that the government believes that nobody in Nigeria should be above the law. I certainly believe the Minster’s explanation for many reasons and our political evolution plays a part in that belief. This is because as a nation we started out on Parliamentary Democracy before the Military converted that to the Presidential System without regard for its inherent nature of being a tripod of separation of powers or cost of maintenance. Indeed as a nation we still operate a unitary system instead of a federal system. The unitary system is reflected in the funds allocation system whereby states go cap in hand to get funds lifeline from Aso Villa.

    It is reflected in the state of mind of the Nigerian legislature that it is an island on its own separated from the electorate that put it in power and that its leadership is above the law since it is the law making body as well as the budget approving authority. The unitary misconception must have led the arrested judges to believe that no security apparatus can secure a search warrant on them without invoking the wrath of the powerful NBA and the strong army of SANs who practise with them in their law courts where their word is law. Now of course they know that while funds and budgets may flow from the center in Aso Rock to the legislature and the judiciary as well as the states, justice, accountability and monitoring of fraudulent lifestyles can equally emanate from the same source, with equal vigor .

    The immediate lesson here is that the law is not an ass in present day Nigeria and that even though the mills of justice may grind slowly they grind exceedingly fine. Again one can look at the Mitterand love letters in France and the revival of the glory of the Soviet Army in the last World War by Putin in Russia in the context of US presidential elections and the political culture of both nations. Firstly the Monica Lewinsky matter that marred the Bill Clinton presidency and is being used to harass Hillary’s bid for presidency would not have become an issue in France. Indeed when Mitterand died and was buried his mistress was at the funeral with his daughter both behind the legitimate wife and son. Similarly Donald Trump’s banters would never have become an election issue in France. Yet France played a great role in the emergence of the American nation at independence ages ago and gave the US the Statue of Liberty which adorns the Harbor in New York. Yet the Americans have glorified gay rights and marriages and made monogamy between same sex a way of life while the present French President has four children from a lady who was the presidential opponent of Nikola Sarkozy and the president is not married to her. Indeed the present French president was elected as president in spite of that. With regard to Russia the timing of the praising of Soviet military prowess in the last World War is pertinent.

    It is Putin’s way of showing further contempt for US diplomacy under Obama and the consolidation of his world view that Russia has replaced the former Soviet Union and is challenging the US as the sole world power. Already it has a base in Syria and is still hovering over Ukraine. So if Putin spends time watching films on past military glories of the Soviet Union it is to position Russia for a bigger role in world affairs, better than a nation whose leader regards gay rights as his major achievement and which elects its leaders based on how they treat women and make advances to them. Once again long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Clap for the Zambians

    Call me an incorrigible optimist, I don’t mind. Sneer at this early prediction that Nigeria may qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup with a game to spare, I will courteously wink back. Pray, I can say without any form of contradiction that the Super Eagles are back, playing exciting football with the best of them ahead of us. I’ve been travelling with the Eagles since God knows when. I can safely tell you that this bunch represents the best of our game – many of them are products of our age grade teams. They are talented; they know how to play the Nigeria way – short, crisp passes and plenty of vision.

    The last time the Eagles had such fluid players in the midfield was when Nwankwo Kanu and Austin Okocha played prominent roles in the Eagles. These two dribbled with ease. When they surged forward, they opened up the defence of the opposition. If the opponents made the mistake of going for them – it turned out to be their albatross. Kanu and Okocha on their days were difficult to stop. Since they left the Eagles, the team has lost its shine.

    However, the emergence of Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho brings back the shine to the Eagles. My optimism stems from the fact that Iwobi and Iheanacho are under the tutelage of two of the best tacticians in the world who don’t make noise- Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola.

    Under Guardiola, Iheanacho is condemned to improve on his game if he wants to remain in Manchester City. Keeping Iheanacho on his toes at City will rub off on his game with Nigeria. It is on this premise that I feel strongly that Nigeria’s flag will be hoisted among the comity of nations in Russia in 2018. It is a thing of joy that Iheanacho knows the burden on his shoulders. He has promised to continue to learn with City and that is the biggest fillip the Eagles need to perch in Russia.

    As for Iwobi, I note the prophetic submission of former Super Eagles chief coach Sunday Oliseh that Iwobi would be Africa’s best soon. And I’m excited with the fact that Wenger would polish the Nigerian’s game to effectively influence the way the Eagles will play, leading to the Mundial.

    Indeed, I must commend Gernot Rohr for the initiative to sit with Chelsea’s manager Anthonio Conte to discuss Mikel’s future with him, at least in the short term. What Rohr wants to tell Conte is to allow Mikel play for Chelsea’s youth team so that he can acquire playing time to be fit, even if he doesn’t fit into the manager’s plans for the Barclays English Premier League matches for now. This is a brilliant move by Rohr.

    If Mikel plays regularly, then the Eagles’ midfield will stretch any team on its seams. Mikel, Iheanacho and Iwobi are some of the best players in Africa. Having them play for one team is a big plus. Mention must be made of Oguenyi Onazi, who was the pillar in the team’s defence against the Chipolopolo on Sunday.

    I also had the privilege of talking with Rohr on Tuesday in Abuja. He told me that a lot of work needed to be done. He didn’t single out any player for blame. He told me that he was going to suggest to the football federation that the players should be at match cities 48 hours to the game.

    Rohr felt strongly that if his boys had rested well, they could have lasted longer. He is the expert and I believed him when he said: “We arrived in Ndola on Saturday at noon. The boys slept for four hours and then trained on the pitch

    from 5pm. The next day (Sunday) by 9am, our pre-match schedule began. Game began at 2pm. My view, we should have been there a day earlier. Given the circumstances that they went through, the boys did their best. It would be sacrilegious if such a country doesn’t qualify for the World Cup.”

    The decision to tour Europe to discuss with our players’ manager is not only exciting but would help create a working relationship between the clubs and the NFF that should transcend the Rohr era. With this kind of relationship, it would be difficult for any player to connive with his club to shun the national team assignment. Besides, such a relationship would help our football administrators see the players as assets, not disposable materials, who are only needed when they are fit and dumped when they sustain injuries.

    This Rohr initiative of making the European clubs to see the NFF as partners would further strengthen the need for them to understand the importance of making players’ insurance a must and not a privilege. Players are prone to career threatening injuries. They will only give their best when they know that their insurance packages are backed by the right cash. No one prays for players’ injuries.

    So much has been said about the Eagles’ sloppiness in the second half of Sunday’s game. Many of these submissions are germane. But for us in Ndola, we only prayed that no player should collapse because the heat in Ndola was indescribable. It got so bad that renowned broadcaster Colin Udoh wanted to jump out of the bus that carried us to the stadium. Udoh couldn’t believe that the bus had an air-conditioner. It just didn’t help matters.

    With a climatic condition of 38 degrees Celsius, it didn’t come as a surprise that our boys lasted for 60 minutes. For us at the stands, we guzzled bottles of water all through, without rushing to the toilet to wee. Such was the impact of the weather. Notwithstanding the Eagles were brilliant in the first half, with their swift interchange of passes that left the Zambians reeling in pains after 90 minutes. The Zambians were incredibly friendly after the loss. They struggled to touch their favourites among the Eagles.

    With the way the Zambians swarmed on the Eagles, it was obvious that the EPL is the most watched league competition in Africa. Most of us were shocked at the standing ovation that the EPL players in the Eagles got when the announcer reeled out the names of our first 11 players before the game. It didn’t stop there. When Ahmed Musa was to be introduced in the second half, his name again reverberated at the stands when he walked towards to warming up spot before he was introduced in the game.

    I make bold to say here that the world should expect Nigeria in 2018 as one of the favourites for the trophy. My hunches tell me that Nigeria may just be the first African team to play in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

    I’m peeping into the future believing that nothing would go wrong with their preparations before, during and even after matches. Indeed, I’m hinging my optimism on the kind of synergy I saw between our cantankerous Sports Minister and chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in Ndola, although the minister was still haughty with some of his decisions.

    The minister must, as part of the fallouts of the Ndola expedition, tell President Muhammadu Buhari that Nigeria has her first home game in Uyo on November 12. The minister must not play the spoiler by repeatedly blasting the NFF, when he can use the euphoria of the Ndola victory to persuade President Buhari to approve a World Cup budget for the Super Eagles, which should start from the November 12 game. The minister has been the NFF’s biggest opponent to source for cash from the private sector with his irritating submissions as if the private sector doesn’t know where the power of attorney rests in convincing them that they are dealing with the right people.

    It won’t be out of place for the minister to plead with President Buhari to approve a World Cup fundraising where the corporate world, individuals and state governors would be invited to contribute towards the project, such that they won’t have to always go to the government for cash for every game. This is the new direction, Solomon Dalung, not your devious method of always lampooning the NFF and ascribing every good thing to yourself. We are tired of Dalung’s spoilsport role. Team work, please Dalung not what you are doing. Nigerians can’t be fooled by your rants anymore.

    With a World Cup budget, not a Presidential Task Force, Nigeria’s quest for the group’s sole qualification ticket would be a stroll in the park. Thankfully, Nigeria doesn’t have any away game until next year. Until this fundraising is held, it won’t be out place if Dalung sends his memo to President Buhari telling him what it takes to run a game, what the players and officials entitlements are, the technical crew’s salaries, hotel accommodation, cost of flight ticket refunds etc.

    Dalung should stop this buck-passing. He needs to grow up and act as the eye of the President not being the major problem in the industry.

  • Paden’s puzzling padding of history

    Paden’s puzzling padding of history

    This is obviously the season of padding. First, there was the padding of the 2016 budget – illicit insertions and consequent distortions that not only resulted in a costly delay in the passage of the budget but is still causing distracting ripples in the House of Representatives. Then we had the padding from the National Headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of the delegates list for the party’s contentious Ondo State primaries aimed at achieving a predetermined outcome. The party is still reeling in crisis.

    It has taken nearly two weeks for the APC national chairman, Chief Odigie Oyegun, to come up with an utterly laughable attempt to justify the tainted exercise. In Kogi State, a resort to curious extra-constitutional interpretative padding on the part of electoral, ruling party and judicial authorities has foisted a status quo of arrogant and insulting impunity on a helpless people. But the most amazing of all is the historical padding of President Muhammadu Buhari’s authorized biography by an ordinarily highly distinguished scholar, Professor John Paden.

    Paden insinuates in his book that Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) was not really the nominee of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a national leader of the APC, for the job. Three names – Tinubu, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) and Osinbajo – he says were actually presented to Buhari. By Paden’s account, Buhari insisted on Osinbajo,a Christian pastor, as his choice because the other two were Muslims. And this was allegedly despite immense pressure from Tinubu who wanted the job. History must be fuming at this bizarre attempt to shave its head in assumed absentia (apologies to the late MKO Abiola).

    Osinbajo was Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Tinubu’s Cabinet in Lagos State for eight years. He was one of Tinubu’s closest and most trusted aides. Tinubu had three major reasons for opting for Osinbajo. He is a pastor of the largest Pentecostal church in Nigeria and a close spiritual associate of the highly revered Pastor Enoch Adeboye. He is married to a granddaughter of the great sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, which would greatly enhance the ticket’s acceptability in the South West. He is a man of impeccable integrity like Buhari. As a key member of Tinubu’s inner caucus and Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, in a detailed and widely published eye witness account said yesterday, these were the reasons why Osinbajo was Tinubu’s choice. The prime concern was that the South West should not lose the position to other regions also angling for it and that the party ticket be strong enough to defeat the PDP. The luxury of sending three names to Buhari was out of the question. This position has been publicly corroborated by a distinguished retired General who in a published statement wrote: “I was there at the Lagos Lodge Annex in Asokoro, Abuja at Tinubu’s place. On the night in reference, Asiwaju insisted that three names would not be sent for the VP slot. He maintained that only one name would be sent. Eventually, the name of Osinbajo was sent to Buhari. There was no pressure”.

    Flashback to December 17th, 2014. Osinbajo’s sole name had been forwarded to and accepted by Buhari. Tinubu issued a public statement widely published in the print, electronic and social media rallying support for the ticket. It is an irrefutable and indestructible document that history will readily and eagerly tender before the Supreme Court of the Universe on the day of political judgement. Tinubu stated among others: “There came a time during the course of the events when our presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, offered the Vice Presidential ticket to me. Being a normal human being, I was deeply moved and honored that he would consider me for the position. Being a patriot, I had to weigh my potential candidacy in all of its dimensions.  I have concluded that the interest of the party, our campaign and of the nation are better served if I retain my position as the National Leader of the APC, allowing me to be a bridge builder across all divides. Although, I declined the position, I want to thank General Buhari for extending the honor to me. Despite all the noise and opposition around my possible selection, he stood firm and steadfast…I have removed myself from consideration so what I now say cannot be seen as self-serving”. It is two years since. These facts have not been disputed, refuted or contradicted.

    Professor Paden wrote the monumental biography of the first Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello. It has been estimated that the book runs into over 1 million words. According to a perceptive reviewer of Paden’s Ahmadu Bello book, “Forgetting any pained surprise at so many typos; leaving aside the discomfort of a text written in an irritating, clumsy, and at times historically misleading present tense, and one frequently carrying more footnotes than text to the page…one reaches the end of the marathon breathlessly wondering how totally one can endorse the claim that this is the definitive life of the putatively definitive Premier of Northern Nigeria…I find myself, for all my admiration of John Paden the scholar…slow to accept that here is the be-all and end-all biography of Ahmadu Bello. For many, a highly revealing source remains the book written (however gracefully ghosted) by Sardauna, ‘My Life’ (Rayuwata in the Hausa version) twenty-five years ago. Paden has written ten times as more; but has he told us five times as much about Ahmadu Bello?” On page 4 of his book, ‘The Politics of Mallam Aminu Kano: Documents from the Independence Struggle (1950-1960)’, Dr Alkasum Abba, accuses Paden of making assertions in his Ahmadu Bello biography that misrepresent Aminu Kano as a “Northerner” first and foremost. According to Abba “These assertions lend credence to the NPN line which actually misrepresents Mallam Aminu Kano’s role and real significance in the politics of Nigeria”.

    Can it be, then, that Paden’s scholarship generates more heat than light? What could be responsible for a highly respected scholar’s distortion of history as regards the emergence of Vice President Osinbajo on such a monumental scale? Could it be carelessness? That is unexpected of a scholar of Paden’s stature. Could it be deliberate mischief and falsehood to achieve predetermined objectives on behalf of shadowy vested interests? In that case, Paden violates one of the key tenets of the intellectual vocation, which is the relentless and uncompromising pursuit of truth. According to the radical economist and revolutionary thinker, Paul Baran, the intellectual’s “primary, if not exclusive loyalty must be the quest for truth”. The late eminent political scientist, Professor Aaron Gana, reinforces this view when he asserts that “Since his primary responsibility is the pursuit of truth, the desire to tell the truth becomes one condition for being an intellectual”.

    Dr Emmanuel Ojo of the Department of History, Ado Ekiti University, identifies a major error in Professor Richard Sklar’s otherwise magisterial work, ‘Nigerian Political Parties”, where the political scientist claims that the motion for self government moved in the federal house by Chief Anthony Enahoro in 1956 “was filed without the knowledge of the Leader or Deputy Leader and without prior submission for the AG’s Parliamentary Council for discussion”. Yet, Chief Enahoro in an interview on August 22, 2009, said “…although the self government motion was moved by me, it was actually a motion of the Action Group…I could not have moved a motion of such magnitude without the consent and approval of my party”.  How then did Sklar arrive at his conclusion? How many generations of students and readers has he misled even if not deliberately?

    Let me end with the admonition of Dr Ojo: “It is often said that water is as pure as its source. The same is true of history. While no source of history is fool proof, historical accounts based on large-scale fallacies will not only misinform others, misrepresent people and confuse issues, it will ultimately replace authentic history with propaganda and falsehood. Since the importance of secondary sources in the reconstruction of Nigerian history cannot be overemphasized, it is expedient that they are not subjected to deliberate or calculated misinterpretation or misrepresentation. Since sources are the foundations upon which the reconstruction of past human actions rest, it is imperative that historical sources are presented and preserved without monumental alterations and in a manner that guarantee the presentation and preservation of fair and useful historical accounts for posterity”.

  • Kidnappers, police and the rest of us

    If you think the police are useless, someone once pointed out, imagine what the country would be like in a week or even day without them. It is hard to visualise anything other than absolute chaos. Yet, when kidnappers cultivate such an insatiable appetite, striking with impunity and repeatedly, there is no other conclusion than that they must have a sense of being one or two steps ahead of the police and other crime-fighting outfits.

    On Thursday they proved it in Epe, on the northern flank of Lagos, and in a manner that dredged up the dark memories of Chibok two years before. On the night of February 14, 2014, in that all-girls school in Borno State, the pupils were studying for their exam when the abductors barged in, taking with them over 200 of the girls. On the morning of Thursday, pupils at a model college in Epe were praying when armed assailants crept in, seizing four and two teachers and taking them away on a boat. When Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule turned up that day at the school, it was a grim deja vu because in February she had undertaken a similar mission to a junior seminary school in nearby Ikorodu where three girls were abducted.

    At Igbonla model college, a crowd of horrified parents was on the ground intent on moving their children and wards out of the school. For Dr Adebule, as it was in Ikorodu, so it was in Epe; her words to the agitated parents were similar to those with which she sought to calm her terrified Ikorodu school audience seven months ago.

    “I know you are angry,” she pleaded, “I know you are worried and I know you are agitated, but we must look for solution.”

    Dr Adebule delivered a message she was expected to deliver, urging all hands to be on deck and assuring that government and the security authorities will do everything necessary to quickly rescue the abducted children alive and unhurt.

    In July, in Iba, in the southern part of the state, the rescue of the abducted 73-year-old traditional ruler of the town took weeks during which Oba Goriola Oseni was first fed eba and Ogbono, then bread and water, after the leader of the gang made away with the first ransom. A second ransom had to be paid to appease the angry foot soldiers who threatened to lock up the king somewhere till his children came up with the cash. The king’s wife was shot and another person killed during his abduction.

    After the monarch’s episode, it took N16m ransom to free some landlords who were seized and bundled into a boat in September as they were jogging in a border town between Lagos and Ogun states. In the same month, two days before the nation’s 56th independence anniversary, Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele’s wife Margaret was kidnapped between Benin and Asaba. On Monday, two days after the anniversary, a former federal minister Laurentia Mallam and her husband Pius were kidnapped on Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.

    When they took Mrs Emefiele, the abductors reportedly said they had struck gold, after all, the better half a central bank chief should be money personified. In their excitement, they let go a victim of lesser importance. Mrs Emefiele was enough, they thought.

    The attitude of the abductors had brazenness and a huge air of imperviousness written all over it. Why? Far fewer of them are ever caught and brought to justice. Why? Apart from the horrible profile of joblessness, the security community lacks the tools and  requisite skills as well as the motivation to put the outlaws out of business.

    The police have a staff strength of some 371,800, and though they plan to roughly double the number, it is still pitiably insufficient to look after a surging crowd of nearly 190m Nigerians. That is not the only problem. Three years ago, a deputy inspector-general of police said about a third of the force was on unofficial duties. That further depleted an already thin force. Generally, the police post a worrisome image. Their personnel are poorly housed and woefully kitted, their footwear, for instance, bought here, there and anywhere they can find them. At a time when criminals are getting more and more sophisticated, it is doubtful if the Nigeria police avail their personnel of necessary skills to outwit the bad guys.

    There are other worries. Is there a forensic unit worth the name, equipped and adequately staffed with trained and retrained personnel? When Babatunde Fashola was Lagos State governor, there was the idea of installing close-circuit television cameras in strategic places in the state? It would have helped but it never saw the light of day. Then consider state policing, an idea that many have advocated but which the federal authorities would have none of. What about tweaking the command structure of the police, taking it away from Abuja and giving the states more control?

    Apart from the Emefiele and ex-minister kidnap cases, almost all other abductees in Lagos and Ogun were taken away by boat. The marine units of the police should do a better job, but it is an open secret that things are not the way they should be. The average policeman does not look motivated to work. That is a shame. Until that motivation comes through improved condition of service and proactive planning, hoodlums will continue to outwit the police and set everyone’s teeth on edge.

  • No excuses please

    No excuses please

    The future of the Nigerian game is here. The next 60 days will define if we can be called a football nation or one that adds to the number of countries who never make it to the big stage (God forbid). Ordinarily, we should make qualifying for any soccer competition a birthright, given our players’ exploits in Europe and the Diaspora. Besides, our feats in age-grade tournaments ought to provide the pool of talents needed to strengthen all the national teams.

    The reverse has been the case because many of the players don’t know how to manage their initial success. They are quick to jump at any contract outside Nigeria, not minding the effect of such moves on their future. The effect is that they never make it to the top. I won’t blame them since the flipside to their not going to Europe is the deplorable conditions of services in almost all our domestic league clubs.

    Players who earn a meagre N25,000 monthly and are being owed for over six months, would do anything to earn $4,000 (N1.8 million) a month anywhere else. The disparity in wages is so large for them to consider the future. After all, the productive life span of most athletes is between six years and 15 years. In the twilight of their careers the cash doesn’t come because there are limited options, for those who are injury-free. For the injury-prone ones, the time with the game is less. And such injuries could lead to their deaths, if poorly handled, which has been the case with our big stars in Nigeria.

    Our players’ mass movement to Europe in search of greener pastures has greatly affected the domestic game, resulting in the apathy shown towards the national teams during competitions. There is much for them to play for. Many would rather remain in the European clubs with the slightest knock than risk playing for Nigeria. One won’t blame them because of our penchant for using and dumping our injured stars, even for injuries sustained while playing for us.

    This kind of setting isn’t encouraging but we can’t sit back and moan while others dethrone us in FIFA’s monthly chart. It is the reason we sulk whenever our national teams don’t qualify for major competitions such as the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup.

    Nigeria won’t be at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations holding in Gabon. It serves us right because our administrators created the confusion that lead to a divided NFF. The former Sport Minister condescended to the level of trying to fix the next NFF President, against the democratic processes as enshrined in FIFA’s statutes. We always feel that there is a Nigerian way of doing things even when others adopt better but universal models. For us, it is business as usual, yet we expect changes reminiscent of what we see elsewhere. It won’t happen, hence the inertia with our game.

    It is pertinent to state here that football is our national sport. And if our players excel in their tournaments, the effect rubs off on other sports in many ways, especially funding, which is the nexus of making the industry to continue to exist as a business. Ministers, who ought to be neutral in NFF’s matters, fuel the crises that derail our progress.

    It appears we are ready to correct this flaw, now that the roof has fallen on our heads. And the new direction starts on October 9, when the Super Eagles file out against the Chipolopolo of Zambia in Ndola in one of the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

    We celebrated when our foreign legion arrived in Uyo on time for the meaningless Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania. And it showed in the way the team played, although they frittered away goal scoring chances. It was expected, just as it raised the hope that at least the coaches have a squad that they can tinker with in subsequent matches. This wish appears to have been thrown into the lagoon, with Victor Moses, Isaac Success and Leon Balogun injured. Besides, Odion Ighalo is absent. He has sought permission to attend his father’s funeral this weekend in Nigeria.

    This unfortunate injury saga is the best test for the team’s depth in strength. No stress for a country with talented players. But the players must recognise the problems inherent in the team and report to the camp early to prepare for key matches.

    Nigeria is notorious for changing coaches, especially with the Super Eagles. Our notoriety is worse, with changing NFF board, with FIFA serving as the reason we are not fragmented in the Glasshouse. The new Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr, has stuck with most of the boys who beat Tanzania 1-0 in Uyo. Lack of continuity in the Eagles’ structure has been chiefly responsible for the perpetual building (or is it going back to the drawing board) of the team.

    However, those who would be picked to start the game against Chipolopolo of Zambia in Ndola know that they won’t be playing on lush green turfs akin to what they find in Europe. The bumpy pitch is part of the strategies that the Zambians hope to use to frustrate the Eagles. They will strive to kick our players, knowing that they won’t want to give their all in crunchy tackles.

    But the Zambians would be shocked to find the Eagles having swift dribblers who would leave their hard-tacklers sprawling on the turf. My hunches tell that at least two Zambians would be sent off by the referee, if they don’t play the game according to the rules.

    The Zambians will find in the Eagles an admixture of the younger generation of players from our World Cup winning squads and experienced players, most of whom are playing for European clubs.

    I note the Zambians’ rants that the Eagles are average players. I didn’t expect them to talk less. But they would surely eat their words because Mikel Obi isn’t the benchwarmer that he has been tagged by the host, not with his sparkling form at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

    I’m sure that many Zambians won’t watch the game till the end. Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho are two of the best youthful players in the European game. By the time the referee would be blasting his final whistle, many of these boastful Zambians would be struggling to have their autograph books signed. They would be too stunned to repeat their pre-match cheap talk in which they described the duo as kids. Seeing is believing, dear Zambians.

    Curiously, Rohr is preparing Iheanacho and Iwobi for twin attacking onslaught on the Zambians, so they have their hands full, especially if both players reproduce their club form in Ndola on Sunday.

    Ordinarily, a game between Nigeria and Zambia anywhere should be a stroll in the park, with the kind of players that we have. But that is the beauty of football. There are no minnows anymore.

    Indeed, a game where Zambia beats Nigeria (God forbid) will attract the attention of European clubs’ scouts, who would want to see if there are players to pick.

    But the Zambians are in for a mouthful because most of the younger boys are from the domestic league, even though they presently play for European clubs. The Zambians would be shocked that the new Eagles will play very well on the bumpy pitch in Ndola. They play on such surfaces when they come home on holidays. But the difference this time is that they must ensure that Nigeria beats Zambia on Sunday.

    The message to the Eagles in Ndola is for them to convert as many goal scoring chances as they have. We must fight for the ball. We must dominate the play, such that their fans would applaud than jeer at us. If we beat them resoundingly, their fans would seek autographs from our players who they watch weekly on television. Goals will definitely decide the winner of the group’s sole qualification ticket.

    On form, the Eagles should beat Zambia, making the Algeria versus Camroon tie a cracker. We don’t want to start permutations with the first game. This fixture is in our hands to decide. We must beat Zambia with at least three goals, such that the results from Algeria won’t affect our top position. We shouldn’t start this group’s matches in second place. If we succeed to trounce Zambia and Algeria draws Cameroon, it gives us two points advantage and a big edge to beat the Algerians anywhere in Nigeria in November.

    With six points and a home game against Cameroon as our next fixture next year, we would have gained a two-point advantage even if the Algerians win their second game. The Algerians are the best in Africa. If we win our first three games, all we will need to do is go for the break against the Cameroonians in Yaoundé in the reverse fixture. We should be praying that the Zambians play for pride by at least holding Algeria in Ndola in the third game.

    If the Zambians succeed to stop Algeria and Cameroon from beating them at home after our victory over them on Sunday, then Russia here we come. But the qualification ticket won’t come cheap, dear Eagles.

    The flipside would be if the Algerians beat the Cameroonians and we win, it becomes a straight fight between us. It is for this reason that the Eagles must beat the Zambians with three goals or more. The Cameroonians are big stage fighters. They don’t look like a team to lose their first game by three goals. It would be much easier for Nigeria to win a two-team qualification contest with Cameroon than with the Algerians.

    The North Africans use the advantage of their inclement weather to the optimum. The fans motivate them from the stand. They are the 12th man on the field. They also employ all the tricks in the books to win games that they need to.

    Beating Zambia, coupled with winning our three home matches fetches us 12 points. It leaves us with two games against Algeria and Cameroon to pick the sole point. You can see why we stand a better chance to grab that extra point, playing Cameroon at home than the Algerians.

    Did I hear you say the permutations have started? Yes. We must know where every victory leaves us. Otherwise, we are out of the series. Good luck Nigeria. Good luck Super Eagles.

  • Independence, leadership and progress – the duel of the matador and the bull

    It  is appropriate to say happy  birthday to Nigeria, my  beloved   country,  especially, as this  column coincidentally  comes up on this 56th anniversary of  Nigeria’s  Independence from  Great  Britain on  October 1 1960. Let  me boldly  and  proudly    say  that  I am  proud to  be  a  Nigerian  and no  matter  what  I write in  criticism of my  country’s  leadership, its  state  of affairs or  what  it  has made of its Independence in  terms  of  leadership, as  I intend to do  presently,  I   remain  a proud,  hopeful   and  dutiful   Nigerian. I  mean   a Nigerian   unshaken  in my  staunch  belief  that in spite  of its  vicissitudes and  ups  and downs, God is  not  finished   with  Nigeria  yet.  Just    like  Jesse  Jackson    once  said  on  losing the   presidential  nomination  of  the Democratic Party in  the  US  that  God  was  not  finished  with him yet,  I say boldly  that  God will not  finish with Nigeria or  abandon  Nigeria. And  I ask you to join  me in  saying a loud Amen  to that as I thank you as you do.

    Surely,   at  56,  it  is not  too  late  or too short to  laugh  or  cry  at  Nigeria’s  woes  and achievements  or  its status  in  the comity  of  nations. The  reality  of  our situation  is that we are trying even now  to battle corruption  which  has been the scourge  of  our  democracy  for  56 years   of  our existence. Corruption  has  become  our  way  of life and   political  culture. It  is  our  monster  and cancer and  it is  the Achilles  heel  of all  the  efforts  of  our successive  governments at  real  economic  development and progress. Corruption  in our context  of  democracy and  development seem  to  have assumed the shape  of Attila  the Hun on  his approach  to   Rome  in ancient  times to conquer  the Ancient  Roman  Empire. Attila historically roared his scourged  earth  policy in the words – Where  I have passed, the grass will  not grow  again. That  really   is what the scourge  of  corruption has wreaked  on the Nigerian  polity  from  1960   till  first  in 1985,  and  then in 2015, a  Nigerian  leader  took  the  corruption bull  by the horn and  decided like a chosen  and  anointed matador to slay  the destructive  bull once  and  for  all.  The  matador was eliminated  by the corruption bull  in  1985  even  though the  matador  was in military garb  of  boots  and braided  hat. But the matador came back in a flowing  agbada gown on a democratic crest  and electoral  victory that  promised  change with  the  war  against  corruption as his war cry. That matador is our President Muhammadu  Buhari who is unrelenting in the war  against  corruption  and  has  given  Nigerians  hope  that God  is not finished with  Nigeria yet. Indeed  to  me, the most pleasant 56th  anniversary present  for  all  Nigerians was  the list  published by  the Code  of  Conduct  Bureau of  members  of  the Buhari Cabinet to  be asked  to explain  their  declared  assets   for verification or to face prosecution in case of failure to  do  so.  It showed  the even handedness  of  the  Buhari  administration  in the prosecution of  the war against  corruption. It  also  showed that there is no sacred cow   and  that   the  Buhari administration  unlike  any  previous  Nigerian  governments  in 56 years of  existence respects  the dictum  of  the law  that  says –  he  who  comes  to equity must  come  with  clean  hands  – and  that has  given  great impetus  that  the war  against the bull  of  corruption is still on and  that  too, has  given  Nigerians great  hope  for a better  Nigeria.

    On the international  scene  however, there  was  an  encounter between another matador and a bull, this time in  the USA Presidential election  debate  between the two  contestants- Donald  Trump  of  the Republican  Party and  Hillary  Clinton  of  the Democratic Party. Clearly  Hillary  Clinton was the   matador  who  caged the roaring Donald  Trump  bull which  gasped  for breath severally  and  needed  to drink  a lot of water to stay  afloat  on  the debate. Trump  came  out on  the day frowning unusually  at  the start and losing steam faster than expected because he came  to   the debate  confident   but  lacking innovation in facing an  opponent well – schooled in the art of diplomacy and governance that Trump holds  unashamedly  and unrepentantly  in immense and  outspoken  contempt.

    This  debate  was very  much  like the 2012  US Presidential  debate in which  Mitt  Romney trashed an overconfident  and  unprepared President Barak  Obama in the first debate. Obama  went  back  to the drawing board and  took good advice to come back  to defeat Romney in the next  two  debates and go on  to  be re elected. It is difficult  to  see Trump  replicating  that as  he is reputed   not  to be taking the opinions  of  his handlers but  that  is left  to  him as  Hillary  seem  well placed and prepared in terms of raw  facts and debating skills  and  legal  acumen. Enough  to reduce him to a  court room  mess in subsequent debates  if he does not change his present posture of bluff and  fury  at the American  political  establishment and the  Obama legacy  in particular.

    On   fighting   that  legacy  however, Trump  may  have an unexpected aid  and  booster and  that was reflected in this week’s  overturn  of Obama’s  presidential  veto of a bill that  enabled    families  of   victims of the   2001,  9/11  terror  carnage  in  the  US,  to be  able  to  sue  Saudi  Arabia  as a sovereign  nation  for   damages  on behalf  of  their dead  relatives. The  presidential veto was overturned  by   the required two  thirds  majority in both  houses and it was a bipartisan  achievement that cut  across  party  lines. To  me the timing was  crucial  in inflicting this first veto overturn on the Obama presidency and  one  cannot  rule out the anti establishment  fury  and  tempo  that Donlad  Trump  had so  far marketed and sold with impunity and flourish to the US electorate. Until  it met  its  Waterloo in the Hillary  Clinton’s  vintage  matador  performance  at  this first  debate which  was a classic boxing match  between a political artist  and a pugilistic opponent punching  at  shadows  and  missing  all  the way. Which  really  was  Donald  Trump’s  lot  at  this  first  debate. Yet  his  followers  are quick  to point out that his poor  performance at this or  more  debates will  not   affect  his prospect at the polls  on November 16  in  being elected the successor  to President  Obama instead  of  Hillary  Clinton. To  such  people, the 9/11  veto  overturn is part of the   general  hatred  or resentment  of  the Obama  legacy  especially on  migration and  terrorism and this is the legacy  the Hillary Clinton Campaign  is  leaning on to  get her elected as  Obama’s  successor.  To  such  people therefore, Obama’s  foreign  policy,  terrorism  and  internal  security in  the US,  are   an albatross for Hillary Clinton, which  victories  at  Presidential debates  will  not  wash away  from   the  minds  of American  voters when they enter the polling  booths to vote in November.

    However, Hillary’s  electoral  prospects  as the next US president  are  similar  to that of Germany’s  Chancellor Angela  Merkel who   faces reelection  in  a year’s  time in  Germany.  Her  party  the CDU   has  lost seats in bye elections in recent times  due to her encouragement  of migration of people mostly  Muslims  from  the Middle  East. As  a German observer  noted rather  wryly –  Germans  used  to  be concerned with money,  health  and the  environment but  nowadays they are  concerned  with migration, their  safety and extremism. Such  sentiments are  rampant in the US too  nowadays.  That  may  explain why  the  irrepressible  Donald  Trump, the man  I have  christened the Nemesis  of   US  politics  may  not  lose  much sleep  over  the  debate  he has lost  or the ones  he is about to  lose in this US  presidential  election. Once  again Happy  birthday  Nigeria, and  long live the Federal  Republic of  Nigeria.

  • All we are saying

    Today is Nigeria’s 56th Independence anniversary. It is a day for sober reflection for Nigerians – given the economic recession. Some state governors celebrate their ability to pay workers half salaries monthly. What has happened to all the promises made before their elections? Some state capitals are like glorified villages.

    Most of the local government areas are replete with rustic structures, not forgetting the miserable conditions of the residents. The villagers have been marooned. Their welfare is better imagined. The health centres in the villages, aside looking like shanties, don’t have drugs. The villages where the governors come from aren’t any different. This is the story of most villages after 56 years.

    Will our villagers see the light? Maybe, if the governors decide to allow the grants for the local governments go to them directly. That way, the villagers can hold their leaders by the jugular, if their situation remains the same. Until this is done, our villages will continue to look like museums than places where people aspire to retire to. We must reinvent our villages for a better Nigeria. I digress!

    Today, I was tempted to title this article “Let’s boo Dalung”. I changed my mind. Now, I plead with Sports Minister Solomon Dalung to tell Nigerians when the physically challenged athletes will be rewarded by President Muhammadu Buhari. I had goose pimples anytime the world stood still to listen to our national anthem, preparatory to decorating the eight physically challenged athletes who won gold medals for us at the Rio 2016 Paralympics. It was quite elevating listening to the dialogue among the commentators about Nigeria.

    Most times, the feats of our heroes past dominate their discussions. It is therefore surprising to read in the media the proposal that what was paid to the physically challenged athletes in Brazil is all that they will get. Foul. What manner of justice? What a shame?

    Dalung, sir, these athletes are asking us to pity them. They deserve to get all that the able-bodied athletes get, irrespective of the recession. Nigeria won’t cease to be a sovereign nation if we give each gold medalist N2.5 million, silver N2 million, bronze medalists N1.5million and others N1million. The coaches who handled the gold medalists should get N2 million, N1.5 million for the silver medal coaches, bronze coaches (N1 million).

    Those whose wards didn’t win a medal can get N500,000 each. These figures don’t add up to N150 million (this is about the price of two bulletproof vehicles driven by government officials) and it is less than $500,000.

    Rewarding these physically challenged athletes with cash will empower them to do their private businesses. It will shock Dalung that most of them took loans to prepare for the feats achieved in Rio. Many of them did menial jobs to live. They have dependants who rely on them, not forgetting their siblings.

    These physically challenged athletes are a special breed, who visit the hospitals daily to stay alive. Or should we remind Dalung that their conditions most times arose from an ailment? It is true that $5000 was paid to each gold medalist in Rio. But that figure amounts to a drop in the ocean, considering how much they spend daily. Are we expecting these special athletes to return to their shanties and motor parks? It shouldn’t happen. They are world champions who must be treated as kings and queens, not destitutes who must live in squalor.

    National honours, cash and houses will make these special athletes to feel wanted. They can use the cash to buy vehicles, which will get them to training grounds and other places without stress. A roof over their heads will free them from shylock landlords. This isn’t too much for this administration to do. Is it, Dalung?

    Sir, let these physically challenged athletes meet with the President, shake his hand, dine with him and literally jump out of their wheel chairs to embrace Buhari, after receiving their cheques, among other incentives.

    We cannot wish away their feats on the altar of recession. That will be callous. It is instructive to remind Dalung that a reception for the physically challenged athletes could offer Buhari a chance to tell us his plans for sports, which I believe should be run as a business, not a recreational undertaking, where all the funding comes from the government. Such a reception offers Dalung the cheapest platform to invite the big players in our economy to support sports. The minister could in the euphoria of the reception whisper into the President’s ears to cajole the invited dignitaries into pledging funds for a sports budget.

    The minister could get an event management firm to package it. The video showing the president reeling out his plans for sports will be a credible marketing tool to source for cash for sports, even outside the country. Of course, Buhari would have talked about what the government has in stock for firms that back sports.

    Such a fund raising video is the fillip that sports needs to develop into a veritable industry, where people can be gainfully employed. Sports could also be retooled if the President uses the event to persuade the governors to contribute their quota to the industry through the grassroots. This could be by repairing the dilapidated facilities that litter their states.

    The corporate world won’t identify with sports except they know what is in it for them. And such incentives must come from a personality such as the President. This initiative would serve as pivot to run our sports through the Sports Commission – by technocrats, not civil servants, who are used to spending government money. Sport is big business in other climes, where only those with the knack for revamping moribund organisations are given the opportunity to serve.

     Sports federations: Going, going…

     We don’t have the culture of resigning when we fail. Otherwise, the media ought to be awash with stories of failed federations’ chieftains stepping aside for others. The Rio Olympics ought to be a marker for them to bow out honourably.

    But many of them are hiding under the cover that their tenures end next year. The lacuna arising from the time difference is being wasted because of an inept sports ministry that isn’t proactive to trends in the industry. They may have their plans but such should include making sure that the next set of federation members must have marketing skills to outsource their incomes.

    Members must understand the game and have a passion for it. Such membership structure would make it difficult for the facilities to decay, since members would love to play the game for recreation. We are tired of having retired or serving civil servants leading the federations.

    The new federations should be asked to organise at least four national competitions per sport every year. This means that the biannual National Sports Festival will be competitive. The Sports Ministry must host this multi-sport event, not leaving it to states willing to sponsor it. This is the reason the Sports Festival has been held in the last four years.

     Can Iwobi topple Iheanacho?

     The year is coming to an end. It is time to pick Nigeria’s best footballer. And it is a tough job, given the spectacular forms of Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho and John Mikel Obi for club and country.

    Ordinarily, pundits will settle for Mikel, for his role in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where he held the team’s midfield with his defence-splitting passes. There was also Mikel’s financial assistance to the team after the minister’s antics towards their presence in Atlanta, preparatory to the Games. Sadly, Mikel isn’t playing for Chelsea, although reports in the dailymail.co.uk on Monday suggested that top players in Chelsea have appealed to Manager Conte to return the Nigerian to his midfield role. Chelsea has been tottering since it won its first three matches.

    Mikel’s game with the Super Eagles has been quite impressive. And, as the captain, he has shocked his critics with his leadership qualities. But with pundits, you never know the parameters for picking the best.

    The flipside to the choices are Iheanacho and Iwobi. It is difficult to pick the best. Iwobi hasn’t scored goals for Arsenal yet. But he has been the link to many of Arsenal’s goals in the English Premier League, the League Cup and the European Champions League matches.

    The essence of the game is scoring goals. And that is where Iheanacho has distinguished himself despite the cameo roles he plays for Manchester City. Iheanacho must strive to bench Argentine Aguero for the top striker spot. It is a task that can be done. But I align with Iheanacho that he has a lot to learn from the big boys at Manchester City. If the votes are cast today, Iheanacho looks like the pundits’ choice since his absence from the country’s Olympic Games’ matches was because his club didn’t want to release him for the multi-sport event.

    There is still time for the trio to distinguish themselves. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope that they can recreate their European club form in the Super Eagles.

  • Apc and the integrity question

    Apc and the integrity question

    AS Nigeria commemorates her 56th independence anniversary today, I will not be surprised if most commentaries are negative, pessimistic, gloomy and downright cynical. The economy is in recession. There is hunger and hardship in the land. Most states owe workers several months’ salaries and allowances. Thousands have been thrown into the unemployment market. Lives and property are insecure as sundry crimes are perpetrated across the land. Social services and public infrastructure are of the poorest quality imaginable. There is a huge and ever increasing gulf of inequality between the rich and the poor. The national mood is further depressed by ongoing revelations of the looting of the national treasury on a horrendous and industrial scale in the last dispensation.

    Yet, despite all of this, I choose to see the national cup as half full rather than half empty. I opt for an optimistic reading of the extant state of the nation. Given the dismaying depth of lack of leadership vision, sheer ineptness and appalling venality for the most part of our post independence governance history, particularly in this dispensation since 1999 , it is a sheer miracle that the country continues to exist as a cohesive entity no matter how fragile her stability. That in itself is worth clinking glasses. Many countries have not gone through half of what Nigeria has endured before descending into utter anarchy or outright disintegration. Let us thank God for little mercies.

    It is also only natural that many will be quick to blame the current hardships on the APC and specifically President Muhammadu Buhari. Hadn’t Buhari contested the presidency three times before his success last year? Why then didn’t he hit the ground running? Didn’t the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) make rosy promises of change on the campaign trail? Why are we not seeing the fruits of the promised change 14 months after its taking over the levers of presidential power? There may be some justification for these expressions of disappointment. But we must not underestimate the extent of the rot inherited by the Buhari administration even if it is true that the government was elected to solve existing problems and not to engage in blame games with its predecessor.

    Even then, I shudder to think of where the country would be today if former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had won the last election. Would there still be Nigeria as we know it today? I doubt it. It is certainly not true that there has been no discernible change since the APC assumed power at the centre. There has been a noticeable transformation in the psychological climate of governance. There are far fewer clowns, buffoons and utter vandals in high offices and the corridors of power than in the Jonathan era. The fear of Buhari’s famed body language is the beginning of fiscal self restraint on the part of public officers.

    Despite the tentativeness and seeming lack of certainty, creativity and consistency that characterize the government’s economic policies, there is certainly greater focus, seriousness of purpose and genuineness of intent in the approach of this administration. It is not impossible that things may get worse yet. But from all indications they are bound to get better if the present level of prudence, sincerity and discipline in governance is maintained. There is every reason to be optimistic that this recession will surely pass and better times will be back again.

    The great danger for the APC, however, is that its ceaseless internal squabbles, intense intra-party jostling for power by contending fractions as well as lack of  sound philosophical moorings or ideological coherence are chipping away steadily not only at its collective organizational efficacy but also the personal moral integrity of President Buhari. Now, Buhari’s integrity is the APC’s greatest asset for now as the young party struggles to weave itself into a cohesive corporate entity. But then it faces a dilemma. Under the presidential system, the President is the leader of the party. However, Buhari has an obvious antipathy towards politics and is to a significant extent apolitical. He is thus not offering strategic, political or moral leadership to the party. Of course, this has its positive side. It elevates his presidency above the kind of distracting and debasing partisanship witnessed under the PDP.

    However, it also has its downside. Despite his considerable experience as a former distinguished federal Permanent Secretary, state governor and pro democracy activist, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, has grossly underperformed in offering effective leadership as National Chairman of the APC. Capitalizing on Buhari’s apparent distaste for politics, a close knit group of his trusted inner caucus has stepped in to perpetrate a number of horrendous political atrocities, which many members of the public unfortunately, and most likely erroneously, believe to be the President’s bidding. Members of this group are long time allies of the president in whom he has absolute confidence. However, they are ruthless political Machiavellians and lack his ethical rectitude or fidelity to moral principles. Moreover, most of them are unrepentant northern irredentists with an inexplicably hostile disposition towards the South West in particular.

    Let me give just one example. Mallam Nasir El Rufai, the Kaduna state governor, is perceived to be one of the closest political associates of President Buhari. He is well educated, intelligent and achievement oriented. But the reason for his deep seated distaste or even abhorrence for the Yoruba is difficult to comprehend. In 2001 or thereabouts, he was in a strategic position at the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to help actualize the Tinubu administration’s revolutionary Independent Power Project (IPP) to supply electricity to Lagos State. However, he stridently opposed the project and vehemently sought to abort it but for the insistence of the late Chief Bola Ige, who was then Minister of Power and ensured that the first phase of the project took off supplying 240 megawatts of electricity to the national grid from Ikorodu. With Chief Ige’s exit from the Power Ministry, however, this otherwise brilliant young man was the arrowhead of aborting the second phase of the project, which would by now have been generating 540 megawatts of electricity for Lagos from Morogbo in Badagry. There are living witnesses in government at that time who can readily corroborate this.

    Possibly unknown to Buhari, this group’s strategic goal is to ridicule and marginalize those perceived as foremost and popular South West leaders within the APC with a view to taking over control of the party structures in the South West states through willing surrogates from the zone . It is unfortunate that they enjoy the support of some key Yoruba politicians in government in this unedifying enterprise. But Nigeria’s political history in the first, second and aborted third republics shows abundantly that the Yoruba do not take kindly to perceived acts of political treachery particularly against their leaders who have earned a reasonable measure of credibility, legitimacy and acceptability.  In particular, the Yoruba abhor acts of betrayal or ingratitude to one’s benefactors hence their saying that the river which forgets is source is doomed to run dry.

    Members of this shadowy but powerful group are responsible for the debacle in Kogi state that has done incalculable damage to the image and integrity of the APC. The details are already too well known. Shortly before the announcement of the results of the November 21, 2015, Kogi state governorship election, the APC candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, died. Before then the joint ticket of Audu and his running mate, Honorable James Abiodun Faleke, had scored the highest number of votes cast (240,867) with the required spread across the state’s 21 local governments. The PDP ticket of Captain Idris Wada and Mr Yomi Awoniyi scored 199,514 votes creating a gap of approximately 41,353 votes between the winners and losers. Of the 49,953 registered voters in the 91 polling units where elections were cancelled, only about 25,000 had Permanent Voters Cards and thus eligible to vote. If all those votes were cast for the PDP, the Audu/Faleke victory still stood inviolate.

    The elections had clearly been conclusively won and Faleke, who obviously attracted substantial votes to the ticket from his Kogi West stronghold, should have naturally assumed the mandate. Yet, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) inexplicably declared the election inconclusive. Hearkening to the advice of a partisan APC Attorney General of the Federation, INEC not only allowed APC to substitute its late candidate but the party did so with a Yahaya Bello, who was a complete stranger to the November 21st election that served as a basis for the superfluous supplementary election of 5th December, 2015. Pray, how can something stand on nothing?

    Yet, this injustice has been canonized by the judiciary at all levels creating the impression that the institutional corrosion and moral corruption of the soul under the APC may be even much worse than the massive financial corruption being tackled in the Buhari administration’s ongoing widely applauded anti graft war. What really were Faleke’s crimes that made him unacceptable to this cabal as Kogi state governor? First, he is Yoruba. Second, he is Christian. Third, he is a close associate of a foremost South West political leader.

    The story is no different as regards the Ondo state contentious APC governorship primaries. Again, the shadowy northern group was reportedly all out to stop the perceived ‘endorsed’ candidate of a foremost South West leader of the party and ensure the victory of a candidate amenable to its control. This is without doubt a legitimate political objective, which was pursued in a brazenly illegitimate manner. Consequently, the appeal panel set up by the party voted by two votes to one to conduct fresh primaries. This decision was reportedly upheld by the National Working Committee of the party by six votes to five. Yet, the outcome of the tainted primaries was inexplicably presented to INEC as the final decision of the party. An obviously disgusted Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has been forced to courageously raise his voice to support the condemnation of such brazen violations of internal rules, procedures and processes of the party that seeks to be an agent of positive societal change.

    President Buhari must step up to play his role as leader of the party. He has a responsibility to quickly stop the current moral drift of the APC and bring his legendary integrity and credibility to bear on the conduct of the party’s affairs.Otherwise, his inaction will be construed as consent.

  • Forbidden list

    One interesting line on every university graduate’s certificate is the phrase “you have been found worthy in character and learning”. This statement rings so true with how Lille FC of France’s goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, a university graduate, has handled his resignation. He walked out of the camp when he couldn’t stomach former Super Eagles chief coach Sunday Oliseh’s antics. Both ex-internationals couldn’t co-habit. Enyeama bowed out since Oliseh was the boss and had the support of his employers. Besides, he resisted the urge to confront Oliseh, despite provocation, including the latter’s tweets.

    So, when the story broke after Nigeria beat Tanzania 1-0 inside the Nest of Champions Stadium in Uyo, penultimate Saturday that Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr was considering talking Enyeama out of retirement, I was excited for two reasons. The first is that Enyeama is one of our best goalkeepers. Any coach worth his name would attempt to talk Enyeama into a change of heart. Rohr truly knows his players. He is also ready to create in the team competition for shirts, which has been missing in previous Eagles settings. Rohr has told us that he won’t build his team around any player. The search for quality players underlines his motive for the Eagles. We wish him good luck. I was bowled over when Enyeama politely absented himself from Nigeria’s international matches, insisting that he had retired from the game at that level. He told Rohr ‘thank you’ for considering him.

    Some fifth columnists have insinuated that Enyeama said he doesn’t want to work with the NFF board. I didn’t bother to call up Enyeama to verify if he said that, knowing him to be a fearless person when it comes to expressing his feelings, no matter whose ox is gored.

    The second is that Rohr doesn’t have any forbidden list of players from his employers. So, if in the course of the Eagles’ campaign for the Russia 2018 World Cup sole qualification ticket there are hitches (God forbid), nobody will allude to any forbidden list of players given to Rohr by anyone. Adegboye Onigbinde, easily Nigeria’s most successful coach won’t be shocked about the revelation of a forbidden list. Take a bow sir.

    Good to know that Gohr is not giving up on Enyeama’s return. Let’s see if the goalkeeper will yield to the manager’s request. Rohr needs our best to succeed. If he finds anyone who is retired but is willing to help us get the 2018 World Cup ticket, such a player should be invited to compete for shirts with those in the team.

     Between Iheanacho and Iwobi

    Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi are the match sticks which Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr hopes to use to burn the Cameroonians’ and Algerians’ wish to grab the group’s sole qualification ticket to the 2018 World Cup slated to hold in Russia. Both players are the raves of the moment in England for two of the biggest European clubs. I’m excited because Arsenal and Manchester City are loaded to the hilt with world class players such that earning a regular shirt for both Iheanacho and Iwobi isn’t a stroll in the park. They have worked their socks wet in training. They have justified their manager’s preference for them, with their sterling performances since the European season began early August.

    It is always nice to have our big players playing regularly for their European clubs. Such feats rub off on the way the Eagles prosecute their matches. It is the reason we have failed in previous attempts to play either at the continental or international levels. The bulk of players available to Eagles coaches in the past had been mostly bench warmers or second half substitutes. And it showed in our game, leading to the seeming inertia in our soccer.

    Iheanacho, aside being in scoring mood, also provides assists (passes) to his better placed mates to score goals for Manchester City. This means Iheanacho is a team player. This ingredient is missing in the Eagles. Thankfully, another Eagle, Iwobi provides passes for his mates at Arsenal. This explains why Rohr may wish to parade them in the Eagles’ midfield.

    Can this combination deliver the Russia 2018 World Cup ticket to Nigeria? Yes, but not in a twin midfield formation. Iheanacho and Iwobi need the experience of their captain John Mikel Obi and, possibly, Oghenekaro Etebo (if he is fit). This four-man midfield can compete with the best anywhere in the world. But the question will be, do we have the striker to convert all the chances created from this formidable midfield?

    Rohr must exercise patience with the strikers he used against the Tanzanians. Rather than weed them out of the squad because of the wasted goal-scoring chances, he should show them how to be calm in front of the goalpost before placing the ball beyond the goalkeeper. Those missed chances were the result of players wanting to appease the fans following Nigeria’s exit from the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Rohr should get the right combination of the two-man attacking option. It will pay him to stick with Ahmed Musa, now that Odion Ighalo isn’t available and Brown Ideye. He could in the course of the game introduce Victor Moses to fortify the attack. Rohr could move Iheanacho up front when Moses is introduced in the second half as it has become apparent that he is an impact player like we have seen him do with Chelsea.

    The Zambians are the weakest of the other three teams in our group. They are embattled, with their fans nervous, given the field of formidable opponents (Algeria, Cameroon and Nigeria) in their group. If Rohr gets his tactics right, Zambia will fall at Ndola, with fans not angry as they would have been if they had a good team. This is Nigeria’s best chance to lead the group from the first game, because it seems to me that Cameroon will get a draw against the Algerians in Algiers. I pray this result happens. But the big question is, will the Eagles soar over the Zambians by scoring goals aplenty?

    Points haul and huge goals difference will play key roles in deciding which team among Nigeria, Algeria and Cameroon will get the sole qualification ticket. The Zambians look like the whipping team of the group – no disrespect to them. They seem not to know the enormity of the task before them. They are still looking for a foreign manager, less than 15 days to the opening game against Nigeria.

    Will Nigeria get the sole ticket? Yes – if we play our best, who must be motivated to give their best.

     Mikel’s masterstroke

     John Mikel Obi has come out with another masterstroke that could stun Chelsea’s management when they sit with the Nigerian to decide his future. With a few months to the expiration of his contract at Chelsea next year, Mikel looks poised to leave the team where he has won everything there is to be won in club football. It is instructive that Mikel is taking his time to decide his future. And that includes ensuring that he leaves the club without any animosity. He could return to Chelsea as a coach, who knows?

    On Wednesday, Mikel flew a kite of his plans to play in the Major Soccer League (MSL) in the United States of America (USA). He hinged his choice on the need to play with a former Blues’ mate Frank Lampard or play against him. One thing is clear,: Mikel is heading for America. It also means that he wants to retire there, except any European club comes with an irresistible offer. He could then play for the club until he is 33 and then head for the MSL.

    The MSL should be Mikel’s retirement platform after an illustrious career. Mikel ranks behind Nwankwo Kanu as Nigeria’s most decorated footballer. My prayer is that Mikel doesn’t join the list of big stars who stopped playing for their countries. We still need Mikel’s experience and – wait for it – his cash to bail us out of troubled times. Thumbs up Mikel, for parting with 30,000 pounds to rescue Nigeria’s quest for a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. It doesn’t matter that he was given the money back.

    If Mikel didn’t pay the money, we won’t be celebrating the bronze medal feat. All hail John Mikel Obi.

     Wenger’s humility lesson

     Arsene Wenger needs no introduction. His love for Nigerians and indeed dark skinned players is legendary. He has eyes for discovering players. Need I waste space listing them? But what has intrigued this writer about Wenger is how he has been able to assemble every season good players who dazzle the world with their sublime skills.

    Brow-beaten by Arsenal fans, Wenger has stuck to his philosophy, which has made the Gunners one of the richest clubs, aside being one of the European teams that have made participating in the yearly UEFA Champions League their birthright. And he does it with burgeoning players.

    But on Monday, Wenger left his flanks open to divulge one of his tricks for success – tasking his young players to be humble, irrespective of what they have achieved. I wish that Rohr could cut out the report and make it the rule for our players.

    Wenger told the world why he kept Alex Iwobi in the senior team – to develop. One isn’t therefore shocked how Iwobi has grown in his game and his mannerisms outside the field of play.

    It is easy for Wenger to achieve this with Iwobi, largely because of his parental background. Humility it is the biggest key to stardom. Thanks Wenger for this vital lesson.

    “He is 20 years old, and I think he has talent, he has ambition, he has a big passion for the game and until now he has humility,” the Arsenal manager said of Iwobi.

    “We have to take care that he keeps that quality because it’s an important one. But he has gained confidence and power. I believe as well he has a good combination of quick passing, picking players out and running with the ball. He gets that balance right, until now, and that’s not easy.”

  • Legacies, accountability and learning leaders

    The  US 2016  Presidential  Elections provide  the fulcrum for  today’s analysis and discussion. My  research  has  narrowed  down to one opinion on performance  legacy and two different opinions on the qualities  and expectations  of  the two US  presidential  candidates. I  intend to  use my  musings and conclusions  on these  issues  to  look  at  the things that world  leaders generally  and Nigerian  leaders  in particular  can  learn from  the concepts  of  legacies,  accountability and  learning  on  the job  by  leaders,  that  I  will  unravel   today.

    It  was  widely  reported  this week  that US  President  Barak  Obama told  a high  powered  caucus  of Black  US  leaders  that  he  will  feel personally  insulted  if  blacks  do  not  go out   to  vote in the November 2016  US  presidential elections  and allow  Donald  Trump  to succeed  him  as president. That  throws  up  the issue of  legacy, which  really  is the Obama  legacy  which  is the main platform  of the campaign of  Hillary  Clinton, the Democratic  Party’s  candidate in the  presidential  elections. On  this I will  illustrate  with an  opinion article  in the CNN online   titled  –  Clinton  Needs to Stop  Taking a Knife  to  a Gunfight.

    The  issues  of  accountability  and  leaders  learning  on  the  job emanated  from  another opinion published  by two  retired  US generals  who believe  very  much  in  Donald  Trump  and have written  a well  publicized  essay  titled  – Donald Trump,   the  Man  Who  will  take us forward. The  kernel  of their  argument  in the essay is  that   Donald  Trump  has  been branded  as lacking in leadership  experience  and  will  have to  learn  on  the job and  they  see  nothing wrong in that. In addition the generals  defended Donald  Trump’s last  minute change of his  campaign  managers on  the ground  that he  like  some  former  great US  presidents   holds  those  who  work  for  him  accountable  and can  change  them  if  they  do  not live up to expectations.

    Let  me now  go  back  to the issue of  the  personal  insult  that  President Obama would  rather avoid which is the election of Donald  Trump  to  succeed  him  as the  next  US president. I  really  think  that Obama  has  personalized  the  issue  unnecessarily  and  has  taken  the black  community for  granted as  his terrain or  backyard  in  which  he  has  absolute loyalty .But  certainly  the  recent , rampant  shootings  of blacks   by  the Police  and the attendant  deafening protests and  indignation of black  Americans, during   and towards   the end  of    his  presidency   should  be a loud and resonant  personal  insult  that  he should  have sorted out  in the eight  years  he  has served  as the first   black  US  president. To  now ask  blacks  to  vote  for  his  legacy on their    insecurity,  and lack  of safety of their  lives  and  property  is a tall order  which  needs  to  face   the reality   of  the racial  taunt  of  Donald  Trump  repeated  this week  again  that  blacks  have never  ever  had it  so bad  as  in the outgoing  Obama Administration. Which  then  is the greater  insult for  blacks – voting for  Hillary  and the Obama legacy  and continue  to  be sheep  being led to the altar  of  more  Police  bullets  and killings or trying  an  unknown  even  if  more  dangerous approach  that  holds  out  the promise  of  a new life?   Certainly  no  matter  how  beholden  blacks  may  be to  the Obama legacy there  must  be  some doubts  as to the  efficacy  of  that loyalty  in terms  of their  security  of  life  and  property  and  human  dignity. This  resentment  is  well  articulated in  the  statement  of  the black  sportsman  who  recently  said  that he  will  not  stand up with  pride  to  salute the flag  of a country which kills  blacks  and people  of  colour. Definitely  the insult  to  the flag  here and now is far  greater  than  the personal insult  that  Obama  wants to avoid.  Yet they  are  both  sides of  the same  coin  and  he  can  not  disown  that coin  either.

    Rather  than  going blindfolded to battle  with the Obama legacy, Hillary Clinton  is well advised to  heed  the advice inherent in the essay  titled ‘Clinton  Needs  To  Stop Taking  A Knife To A Gun fight ‘ The  title  of  the essay speaks  for itself in terms of the need  for a more pragmatic strategy   by the Clinton campaign  strategists . The  essay was written  by John  Macteman, a former  speech  writer  to  Tony Blair and Australian  PM, Julia  Gillard.  Macteman  referred Clinton  to  the success of Brexit in the  UK where  the Remain  Campaign  that he followed  lost  to the  Brexit call. He said  facts  didn’t  matter   in  the  UK  EU  referendum  as  emotions  trumped reason  and that the same would  be replicated  against  Hillary  by  Donald  Trump  if  the  Democratic  Party does  not  counter  the polemics  and  eccentricities  of the Donald Trump  campaign which  is being  viewed  as normal  by a largely estranged  and anti  establishment  electorate  similar  to the Brexit  success  in the UK EU  referendum.

    With  regard  to the  Trump  Presidential  campaign,  retired  Lt –General  Keith  Kellog, NSA  for  Donald  Trump  who  served in Vietnam  and  Europe  and Michel  T Flynn  who is  Special  Adviser to  Trump  and former  Chairman  of  the US Military  Intelligence  Board,  wrote  that the  US needs  a change of  leadership  from  those that have led it since  1975  and that  Donald  Trump  is the answer. They  contend that  global insecurity, Islamic  Militancy,   and  the scale  of  migration  to the west  by   Muslims were created  by the  sort of establishment  that  Clinton  represents  and  to  which  Trump is an  outsider. They  insist  that leaders  have learnt  on the job  like  JFK  and  that Presidents  like Abraham  Lincoln  who  won the  Civil War  have had  to change their  generals  on  the eve of great  battles  because  they  believe in making those serving them  in  being  accountable  for  their  actions. They  believe  that Donald  Trump  can  learn  fast  on the job and is quite capable  of  making his team  accountable. Something  they  believe  Hillary  is  incapable  of.

    In  effect  then no  matter on whose  side  you  are   on this US  Presidential election  certain  issues  cannot  be wished  away  by  the two  candidates  and  their  campaign  teams. In  addition  the  rest  of us  outside  the US  have  a lot  to  learn.  The  North  Korean  leader  of today  is  a  good  example of  a leader  who  inherited  a legacy  of  dictatorship and is not  accountable  to  anybody while his government  officials are absolutely  accountable  to  him. The  new  Filipino  leader  and president  had  a legacy  of  killing drug  traffickers  and  extra judicial  killing  in the town  where  he served  as Mayor.  Yet  the good people  of  Phillippines  elected  him  as  president  and  he is continuing  his legacy  nationally  while  the West  groans  in  agony  at  blatant  violation  of  human  rights.

    Benjamin  Netanyahu,  Israels’  PM boasted  to  an  empty  hall  in  the UN  on  Israel’s  cutting edge  legacy   of   superiority  on military  intelligence,  human  capital  and  information  technology  which  he said are  being  largely  used  and patronized  by  those  who  left  the General  Assembly  of the UN  this  week  when  it was Israel’s  turn  to  speak.  He said  that  in  a desperately  thirsty  world Israel  has recycled  its  water  waste  for  human  consumption  and  cannot  be isolated  by  even its  adversaries who  need  such  technology in their  hostile  environments.

    Even here in Nigeria, the legacy of the Jonathan  Administration  is in tatters  even as  the Buhari  government  tries  to  create  its  own  legacy   and is navigating  the  tricky  and dangerous straits  of  recession  while Nigerians are running  out  of patience  as  to when their  lot  will   start  to  improve  so  that they can  enjoy  the dividends  of democracy. Our  own  Presidential system  of democracy is under  great  stress  because  there is  no  love lost  between the executive  and  the  legislature.  But  the presidency has  a better  legacy  based  on the  integrity  of the  president. The  legislative leadership  lacks  this due  to  internal  institutional  strife   and  mutual  distrust  in the lower  house and corruption charges  against the leadership of  the Upper House. There  may  be no elections till  2019 but  the whiff  of  change which  has  not  materialized  after  the 2015  elections is  drifting dangerously  towards a reenactment   in the next  elections.   Unless  of   course,   the  dividends  of  the last  promise  manifest  as  quickly   as promised.  Once  again, long  live  the Federal  Republic  of  Nigeria.