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Category: Discourse

  • In celebration of a remarkable journey: Olatunji Dare at 80

    In celebration of a remarkable journey: Olatunji Dare at 80

    By Gbenga Omotoso

    I am really excited to be the Lead Speaker on this important occasion put together by an important organization in celebration of the birthday of a Very Important Personality (VIP). I do not know how the Guild of Editors chose me for this all-important task.

    Am I the most qualified to do justice to the theme of the day, “Same craft, changing times – the columnist as societal conscience”? I do not think so; there are many literary criticism experts who can do a good job of this theme. Incidentally, some of them are sitting right here in this hall.

    Nevertheless, I thank The Guild and “The Nation” for this rare opportunity.

     I may claim not to be an authority in dealing with the matter at hand, but I cannot in good conscience insist that I do not know the subject of this gathering well enough to say a few words about him. In other words, permit me not to dwell only on the writings of Prof. Olatunji Dare, one of Nigeria’s best-known journalists, journalism educators, and public intellectuals who, no doubt and by all standards, has remained the conscience of the society. I would like to look at our man beyond his art because he has had so much influence on many of us in the course of being a teacher, a mentor, an uncle, an adviser and a father-figure.

    To Dare, identifying with young and ambitious people comes naturally. He would never allow them to get stranded – no matter the situation. I remember when “The Nation” made its debut on July 31, 2006, Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh and I launched a desperate search for writers. Many shunned us because they did not want to write for an unknown newspaper. They were not sure of the fate of the newspaper at a time when many publications  could barely fend for themselves. Not Dare; he signed up immediately, saying: “Go ahead and use my name in whatever way you think will be of benefit to the newspaper.” What a relief for us! We went ahead to advertise that the respected Journalism teacher  would be among the various frontline writers we would be parading. Besides, he took on the title of Editorial Adviser. He plays that role till date, using his deep experience in the trade to advise us on critical and sensitive stories.

    Needless to say, many who were familiar with his writings switched their loyalty to “The Nation”. Dare wrote under the column “At Home Abroad” in which he treated various subjects that were topical in a manner no other columnist had done – in a humorous, hilarious and simple manner that drew attention to the column every week. But in his writings you would easily appreciate the complexity of the thoughts that resulted in the final work.

    In Dare’s hands, words are like clippers in the hands of a barber; he can weave them together in a unique manner to deliver a fantastic submission week after week. He also wrote in very serious language to speak truth to power whenever the need arose. But some readers who could not comprehend his satire did not find it funny and they said so. The writer would laugh and urge them not to take offence. But he was not happy at being sometimes misunderstood because of his style. I understand why this is so. Dare, as a communications teacher, would not like to be charged with being esoteric and unable to communicate in a manner that many will understand. In other words, he would not want to be accused of talking to himself.

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    However, to the subjects of the articles, either in military uniform or in flowing “agbada”, they were like a bullet that went through a tiny hole and tore its way out to inflict the maximum pain. They did not find them funny at all.

    As I was saying, we found some frontline writers, among them Mohammed Haruna, the “Northern Star” who also drew substantial readers to the newspaper by making it representative of the Northern part of the country. Then, for several weeks, Mohammed Haruna’s column, “People & Politics”, did not appear in the paper. He was away on a rather long journey. I decided to fill the gap. Dare suggested the title of my column, “Editorial Notebook”. After some six or so weeks, Mohammed Haruna returned. I surrendered the column and announced that “Editorial Notebook” was rested. Prof. Dare called from his base in Illinois, United States, to advise me not to drop the column. “You can do it once in two weeks,” he counselled. I do not regret taking that advice as the column went on to win awards.

    Reflecting on Prof. Dare’s journey, it is evident that his legacy is one of dedication, innovation, and compassion. His impact on journalism and the lives of those he has  mentored is enduring. On this special day, we express our deepest gratitude for his guidance, support, and the invaluable lessons he has imparted.

    Born on July 17, 1944, Prof Olatunji Dare began his academic journey studying Physics, a testament to his profound intellectual curiosity. However, his path took a transformative turn as he ventured into the world of journalism, where he has excelled.

    I once wrote an article on the occasion of Prof. Dare’s birthday 10 years ago. Permit me to quote some paragraphs from that piece. “If Osoba is the Aremo (the chosen one, the favourite) of reporting in Nigerian journalism, Prof. Olatunji Dare is the Jose Mourinho (the Special One), the master satirist. To him, humour comes naturally. But many do not know that Prof. Dare was a Physics teacher.

    “I have gained immensely from his amazing talent. In fact, to him I owe the name of this column. Dare finds it so easy to write on any subject, making something out of nothing and spicing it all up with a huge dose of humour, forcing you to laugh in a country where there is little to provoke even a smile.

    “Like the late Baba Alabi, Dare detests errors. You dare not second guess him. He will reprimand you severely. But, ironically, he believes a newspaper is a miracle. “Every time a newspaper hits the newsstand, I know a miracle has happened,” says the professor, “because in the course of production, a thousand and one things could have gone wrong.”

    “Many have written about Dare’s resolute stand on the June 12 debacle, how he refused to join The Guardian team that went to burnish the late Gen. Sani Abacha’s ego for him to reopen the newspaper, which he shut down in a senseless show of power, how their week was incomplete without reading “Matters Arising” and how he quit Rutam House.

    “None has, however, recalled that Dare actually wore a lush beard for months – in protest against all that he went through. It is a tribute to his forgiving spirit that Mrs. Maiden Ibru, the publisher of “The Guardian”, was at MUSON Centre last Thursday when Dare was being honoured.

    “Mrs. Ibru spoke of how great and influential the newspaper was, ascribing it all to the presence of many, including Dare. That was a remarkable tribute.” End of quote.

    Indeed, no tribute will be complete without the dramatic exit of Prof. Dare from Rutam House. After the Abuja mission had been completed, a management meeting was summoned. It was resolved that those who were supposed to go to Abuja but refused should not partake in the fruits of the trip. In fact, I learnt, Prof. Dare was specifically named by proponents of that proposal. As the management was contemplating on who and how to break the news to Dare, he tendered his resignation letter. It was shocking. “Since I didn’t participate in the resolution of the crisis,” he was quoted as saying, “I think it will be unfair to those who did if I benefit from the gains of the trip.”

    If this is not courage, I wonder what can be so called. Such is Dare’s stubborn disposition to the principles he holds dear.

    Then he lost friends and relations as well as livelihood as the June 12 struggle continued. As the Abacha terror machine remained on the prowl, Dare left for the United States from where he continued to speak truth to power and torment his traducers.                          

    The full story of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s barber-chair transition that culminated in the June 12 chaos is well captured in the book, “Diary of a Debacle (Tracking Nigeria’s failed Democratic Transition, 1989-1994)”, authored by Dare. He derides Babangida who he has not forgiven for his odious role in the tragedy and scorned to no end the Interim National Government (ING) headed by Abiola’s kinsman, the late Chief Ernest Shonekan, whose acceptance of the odd job, many said, foreclosed any bold attempt to restore Abiola’s mandate. All those who played one ignoble part or the other got thoroughly spanked by Dare at the least opportunity. He lashed the late Arthur Nzeribe whose rogue Association for Better Nigeria (ABN) threw a spanner in the works. Abimbola Davies, Justice Bassey Ikpeme and many others got scurrilous and bitter recriminations from Dare. 

    Going by his reputation. Dare deserves all the accolades that may be showered on him by those who still hold dear all the values the wordsmith represents – humility, hard work, courage in the face of daunting situations, generosity and trust. These are some of the hallmarks of a true “omoluabi”, which he personifies.

    For nearly a decade, he served as editorial page editor and chair of the Editorial Board of “The Guardian”, where his award-winning and wide-ranging weekly column, in turn satirical and serious, attracted a wide appreciative national audience.

    You will agree with me that his weekly column for “The Nation”, now in its 14th year, is of the same vintage and has drawn high praise for its insights, elegance and felicity of style.

     Dare’s career has been distinguished by numerous achievements and sterling contributions. No fewer than two university students have found in his satirical writing the subject of their M.A. theses. It has also featured in courses on Stylistics in programmes in the English Department of some universities. To mark his contributions to journalism and to public discourse in Nigeria, 20 of his contemporaries, colleagues and former students on three continents in July 2014 presented a festschrift on his 70th birthday titled “Public Intellectuals, the Public Square & The Public Spirit: Essays in Honour of Olatunji Dare.”

    Unlike many of today’s commentators who were never groomed in the art of reporting, Dare has been a reporter, filing reports from several parts of the world.  His works have been published in “West Africa”, “Newsday”, and “The Seattle Times”.

    In 1995, he was awarded the Louis M. Lyon Prize for Conscience and Integrity in Journalism, by the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University, in recognition of his steadfast commitment to journalism’s best practices.

    Dare left Nigeria in 1996 to take up a faculty position at Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois. He was honoured with the Hammet/Hellman Grant for Courage in the face of Political Persecution, presented by the global rights body, Human Rights Watch.

     In summer 2000, he served as an editorial writer for “The Seattle Times”, based on a competitive fellowship awarded by the American Society of Newspaper Editors. Previously, he had conducted journalism workshops in Zimbabwe, Ghana, and across Nigeria.

    Dare’s numerous prizes include the Nigerian Media Review award for Informed Commentary, the Faculty Award in Teaching Excellence as well as the Faculty Award for Excellence in Scholarship from the Slane College of Communication and Fine Arts, and the President’s Prize for Meritorious Service from Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois, where he was a full professor until August 2015 when, on his retirement, he was named Professor of Journalism, Emeritus.

    He was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Nigeria Media Review in 2018. Dare earned the first-ever First Class (summa cum laude) degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, where he subsequently became senior lecturer in journalism. He also holds a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University, in New York, where he was the prizeman in Editorial Writing, and a Ph.D. from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, with twin concentrations in International Communication and Public Policy.

    A much-travelled journalist, Dare has reported from more than a dozen datelines on three continents and interviewed several statesmen of global stature. Only a few reporters can match the list; it is long: Former President of Togo Gnassingbe Enyadema; the late Nelson Mandela of South Africa; Jonas Malheiro Savimbi, the Angolan revolutionary, politician, and rebel military leader who founded and led the National Union for the Total Independence; Helmut Schmidt, the former West Germany Chancellor; the late Mathieu Kèrèkou, former President of Benin Republic; Kenneth Kaunda, former President of Zambia who served as the first president of Zambia from 1964 to 1991; Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India.

    Dare interviewed also Salim Ahmed Salim, former OAU Secretary General; F. W. De Klerk, former South African President and Mangosuthu Buthelezi, former leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party, Premier of KwaZulu Natal Province and one of the prominent politicians of the apartheid era. 

    In “The Columnist’s Agenda”, my contribution to “Nigerian columnists and their art”, edited by Lanre Idowu, another distinguished journalist and publisher, I wrote: “A good column should be like a soothing balm, giving hope where there seems to be hopelessness. In it must be found the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. It must be exciting. It must be humorous, with a sting in the tail. And it must give the reader, always, something to remember.”

    I then went on to name some of the great columns ever run in Nigerian newspapers, among them Olatunji Dare’s “Matters Arising”. I wrote: “It was one of the longest running columns in “The Guardian”. Many years after it stopped running, many are still enamoured of the column’s style – witty, breezy, yet deep and, sometimes, hilarious, full of satiric punches that evoked tears and laughter at the same time.”

    It is difficult, even for the best of critics, to pick Dare’s best articles. Indeed, some stand out. In “Thoughts on birthday gifts”, published in “The Guardian” of August 13,1991, Dare writes: “An unfailing dependable source tells me some enterprising young Nigerian journalists have placed an order for a specially designed pocket mirror, to be presented to the Minister of Information, Chief Alex Akinyele, on his next birthday … .” The late Chief, with his trademark moustache, was always dandy, fashionable. He was arguably easily the most recognizable of all public officials of his era. This article won the prize for Informed Commentary at the First Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME).

    Nor would anybody forget “The vanishing Calabar man”.

    Readers of “The Nation” may have noticed that “At Home Abroad” has not been as regular as it used to be.  I was moved recently when Prof. Dare confided in me that he might rest the column. “I have said all that I should; let others have their say,” he told me.

    I disagree sir. You once told us that you would continue to write for as long as we felt you were making sense. You still make so much sense. Please, keep the flag flying. Should this be impossible, we will surely show understanding.

    Happy 80th birthday sir. May your day be filled with joy and celebration, and may you continue to inspire us all with your wisdom and kindness. Here’s to many more years of health, happiness, and cherished moments.

    Omotoso is Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy

  • LG autonomy: Implications of Apex Court verdict

    LG autonomy: Implications of Apex Court verdict

    It was victory at last for many local government chairmen and stakeholders. Yesterday’s Supreme Court pronouncements in a suit by the Federal Government against the 36 states will elicit definitive developments that will greatly define the political space and temperature of the nation for years to come.

    The seven-man panel of the Supreme Court, in the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, declared that the 774 local government councils in the Federation should manage their funds without interference or deduction from any quarter.

    The  Court also declared that it is unconstitutional for states to hold funds allocated for local government administration.

    The apex court held that the power of the government is portioned into three tiers  comprising the federal,  state and  local government.

    The court further declared that a state  has no power to appoint a caretaker committee, while it is mandatory for a local government council to be democratically  governed.

    “A democratically elected local government is sacrosanct and non-negotiable , ‘’ it said emphatically.

    The court ruled that states  were perpetuating a dangerous trend by refusing to allow democratically-elected local government councils to function, but rather appointing their loyalists who can only be removed by them.

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    The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Federal Government, seeking to grant full autonomy and direct funding to all 774 local government councils in the country.

    The pronouncements were direct and definitive, making many observers point out that the nation’s political firmament won’t be the same again. For sure, the pronouncements have serious implications for governors , council chairmen and councillors,  and local government councils.

    Here are a few of them:

    · Added impetus for true federalism: Many political analysts have identified the absence of true federalism as a major bane of Nigeria’s democracy. The verdict reinforces the nation’s push towards true federalism. The three tiers of government can now function like they should in a truly federal nation.

    · Massive boost for local government autonomy: The Supreme Court ruling is a big, massive boost for local government autonomy. For decades, local governments have suffered under the suffocating grip of governors who not only allegedly divert their funds but also impose chief executives on them. Without the all-conquering powers of governors, council bosses can settle down to work without fear of intimidation and interference.

    · Financial autonomy for councils: Many local governments across Nigeria have been deprived of allocations and financial resources required for development. With the verdict, the councils can deploy enough resources for the benefit of rural dwellers and stakeholders. 

    · Stronger grassroots democratic culture: Owing to decades of imposition through transitional arrangements and caretaker committees, democratic culture has been at the lowest ebb in many local governments. By declaring that governors cannot dissolve democratically-elected local government councils , there would be deeper democratic activities at the grassroots.  Councillors, in many local governments, constituting the legislative arm, have been docile, mainly drawing allowances without much to do. With the decision, they will become potent tools to checkmate the excesses of council chairmen, holding them accountable for actions and inactions like they should in a real democratic setting. 

    · Fully competitive council polls: With governors unable to arbitrarily sack elected local government chairmen, competitions during local government polls would be tougher with many parties emboldened to fight the status quo. They can hold on to their strongholds and give ruling parties a big run for their money. The voters would be the automatic winners with their increased ability to determine their chairmen as against the prevalent culture of imposition and clean sweep by ruling parties.

    · Respect for local government chairmen: For years, local government bosses have been seen as disposable political items existing only at the whims and caprices of governors. With this ruling, they can truly hold their heads high and deliver good governance without threat of political persecution and extinction.

    · Greater accountability at council levels: Many council bosses have got away with many infractions in the past under the guise of being controlled by states.  The new lease of freedom means that people can truly hold them responsible for their actions and inactions. With the ‘culture of favouritism ’ out of the way, local government stakeholders can truly determine helmsmen who perform and those due for replacement at the next electoral cycle.

    · Improved democratic dividends at the grassroots: With the most potent, visible ‘excuse’ for non-performance taken care of, observers believe there should be no reason why council chairmen won’t deliver democratic dividends to residents. With Federal allocation directly paid and threat of sack out of the way, council bosses with ingenious political moves should be able to deliver good governance marked with developmental strides.

    · Boost for judicial clarity: The Supreme Court pronouncements were neither ambiguous nor ambivalent. They were very concise, precise and direct ; easy  to understand. The apex court has  shown  the lower courts the way to go on cases with significant impact as against ambivalent rulings and judgments ,  thus leaving  room for misinterpretations by counsel and interested parties .

    Some political watchers however believe that the apex court went beyond the law in addressing the vexed issue. They contend that the states are empowered by the Constitution to have a say in local government allocation, citing Section 162 (5) and (6) thereof to support their claim.

    The above subsections read:

    (5): The amount standing to the credit of local government councils in the Federation Account shall also be allocated to the states for the benefit of their local government councils on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly

    (6): Each state shall maintain a special account to be called ‘State Joint Local Government Account’ into which shall be paid all allocations to the local government councils of the state from the Federation Account and from the government of the state

    An observer said last night: “These provisions speak for themselves. If some states are abusing the provisions, the government knows what to do. It is not for the Supreme Court to remove a right granted the states by the Constitution just like that. It is not fair to the states”.

    Is there still a remedy for the states? They can go back and ask for a review. Will the court grant it ?

    This is indeed the end of impunity,  lawlessness and vindictiveness by governors in local government administration.  Caretaker committees for local government’s are illegal.  Elections must be conducted before the expiration of the tenure of Council chiefs.

  • Atiku as an endangered specie

    Atiku as an endangered specie

    Sam Omatseye’s article, brimming with vitriol and sanctimonious posturing, demands a rebuttal rooted in truth and literary eloquence. Omatseye, in his misguided zeal to malign Atiku Abubakar, reveals more about his own biases and mercenary penmanship than about the man he seeks to discredit. It is time to set the record straight and highlight the strengths of Atiku Abubakar, a statesman and an endangered species whose vision and dedication to Nigeria’s unity and progress far surpass the myopic self-interest Omatseye attributes to him.

    The Chess Player and the Strategist

    Omatseye derides Atiku for seeing himself as a chess player, implying a lack of humility. Yet, in the intricate game of politics, the ability to strategize and anticipate moves is paramount. Atiku’s approach is not one of vanity, but of calculated foresight and a deep understanding of Nigeria’s complex socio-political landscape. Unlike the unnamed politician, presumably Bola Tinubu, who flaunted his power with a self-deprecating quip, Atiku’s humility lies in his persistent efforts to build bridges across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and religious divides.

    Visits and Symbolism: A Misguided Allegory

    Omatseye’s allegorical comparisons of Atiku’s visits to historical betrayals and sinister handshakes are a testament to his propensity for hyperbole. The handshake between Atiku and Buhari is not a clandestine plot but a public display of his commitment to national unity. Atiku’s visits are not sneaky or deceitful, like Odysseus returning in disguise, but open gestures of reconciliation and dialogue.

    Misplaced Criticism of Political Alliances

    Omatseye’s insinuation that Atiku’s alliances are opportunistic ignores the political realities of Nigeria. Politics, by its very nature, involves the forging of alliances (and Omatseye needs to be reminded of alliances of his paymaster that led to the formation of the APC). Atiku’s partnership with figures like Nasir el-Rufai is not a sign of duplicity, but a pragmatic effort to unite various factions for the greater good. The allegation that Atiku exploits ethnic sentiments is ironic coming from a Tinubu apologist, considering Tinubu’s notorious manipulation of ethnic and regional loyalties to consolidate power.

    The North and Atiku’s Legacy

    The critique that Atiku only remembers the north when seeking votes is baseless. Atiku’s investments in manufacturing, agriculture, banking, education, healthcare, and infrastructure, particularly in the north, are well-documented. The American University of Nigeria, founded by Atiku, stands as a testament to his philantrophy and commitment to providing quality education and fostering development in the region. In contrast, Tinubu’s legacy in Lagos, marred by allegations of corruption and cronyism, offers little to commend.

    Poverty and Development: A Flawed Narrative

    Omatseye’s selective presentation of poverty statistics in the north is a disingenuous attempt to lay the blame at Atiku’s feet. Poverty in the region is a multifaceted issue exacerbated by years of neglect by successive governments. Atiku’s efforts, though significant, cannot single-handedly rectify decades of systemic challenges. Moreover, Omatseye conveniently overlooks the socio-economic disparities that persist in Lagos, Tinubu’s stronghold, despite his years of governance.

    Intellectual Posturing and Misappropriation

    Omatseye’s invocation of intellectual heavyweights like Michel Foucault and Zadie Smith to critique Atiku’s appeal to northern sentiments is misplaced. Foucault’s exploration of power dynamics and Smith’s discourse on identity could equally be applied to critique Tinubu’s divisive politics. Atiku’s vision, in contrast, seeks to transcend prefabricated identities and foster a cohesive national identity.

    A Dangerous Politician or a Visionary Leader?

    Labeling Atiku as the most dangerous politician, second only to Peter Obi, is a gross mischaracterization. Atiku’s political career is marked by his advocacy for restructuring Nigeria, promoting decentralization, and empowering local governments. His vision for Nigeria is one of inclusive growth and sustainable development, a stark contrast to the status quo of political patronage and centralization championed by Tinubu.

    In conclusion, Sam Omatseye’s article is a tapestry of half-truths and unfounded allegations woven together with the thread of bias. Atiku Abubakar’s strengths lie in his strategic acumen, his commitment to national unity, and his tangible contributions to Nigeria’s development. Omatseye’s diatribe, far from discrediting Atiku, exposes the hollowness of his own arguments and the mercenary nature of his pen. It is time for Nigerians to see through the smokescreen of political propaganda and recognize the genuine leadership and vision that Atiku Abubakar offers. As Ralph Waldo Emerson aptly said, “A great man is always willing to be little,” and it is in this spirit of humble service that Atiku seeks to lead Nigeria to a brighter future.

    Ibe is a Media Adviser to Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007) and Presidential candidate of the PDP (2023).

  • Tinubu’s one year of connecting the dots  

    Tinubu’s one year of connecting the dots  

    By Emeka Nwankpa 

    An ancient Chinese proverb says a journey of a thousand miles starts with a step. This may apply to many, but not President Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose administration start edits journey on May 29 last year with several steps rolled into one with his famous ‘’Fuel subsidy is gone!’’ It remains to be seen how history, by that iconic declaration, is setting the Tinubu era apart in tone and tenor, sightand sound.      

    But to lay a proper plank for this article, it is worth reminding that Tinubu, a Trojan horse, is a product of the struggle of over three decades-long journeys to the highest office in the land. This fact has marked his style and solutionist approach to pulling out a beleaguered nation like Nigeria from the chestnut. It is not unexpected therefore that he still flogs himself hard breathing down over his ministers to hit the mark. We’ve seen a president leading from the front particularly abroad, with his fast-learning Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar in tow, as perhaps Nigeria’s best marketer-in-chief of living memory after ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. Even Tinubu’s worst critics won’t deny the significant strides in macro-economic reforms, social policies and infrastructure agenda.  

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    By first taking on delicate surgeries on the twin bleeding economic wounds i.e., the petroleum subsidy and foreign exchange windows, though painful at the start, it is thankfully relieving that some quick fixes are being recorded with a clinical finish.  Notably, the economy posted an impressive 3.4% growth in GDP in Q4 2023, as the National Bureau of Statistics reported in February 2024. This growth directly responds to the government’s reforms and has set a promising trajectory for 2024. The Central Bank’s monetary policy, particularly the recapitalisation of banks and the stabilisation of the naira, has also shown positive outcomes. The naira, which soared to N1,900/$ in February 2024, has since stabilised to less than N1,200/$indicating a more competitive currency environment that enhances investor confidence. Foreign capital inflows have seen a remarkable increase, with $3.6 billion recorded between January and March 2024, nearly matching the total for 2023. The removal of the fuel subsidy has also been financially beneficial, generating an average ofN250 billion monthly for the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).This revenue is crucial for paying salaries and investing in infrastructure across federal, state and local governments. Realising early enough the debilitating rising food prices, he placed a presidential intervention via the State of Emergency on food insecurity to halt lingering year-on-year increases in prices of oil and fat, yam and other tubers, breadand cereals, fish, potatoes, fruits, meat, vegetable, and spirit, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

     He announced that ‘All’ matters of food and water availability and  affordability, as essential livelihood items, are brought to the National Security Council, deploying savings from the fuel subsidy removal to revamping the agricultural sector.

    This intervention on food security, food pricing and sustainability which was unveiled on 13 July 2023 has directly provided real farmers and households with fertilisers and grains while federal agric and water resources authorities synergised for adequate irrigated farmlands to guarantee food production all-year round setting the stage for an end to seasonal farming. Significant investments in agriculture are ongoing with cultivation of 120,000 hectares for wheat production and the allocation of 500,000 hectares for various staple crops. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Musa is leading his generals, commanders and troops by reining in with firm assurances of security to protect farmers returning to their farmlands without fear of attacks. The momentum is high.  Agric has bounced back as the buzzword in Nigeria’s Human Capital Index (HCI) currently ranked as the 3rd lowest in the World. The Central Bank has resumed its role in funding the value chain just as the ministry’s farm mechanization, land clearing and irrigation schemes by river basins are boosted by adequate transportation and storage plans to guarantee continuous farming production all year round to stem the seasonal glut and scarcity.  It is gratifying that the federal government’s focus on year-round cropping and production of rice, maize, cassava, sesame, soybean, sorghum and other staple crops is on course especially wheat as the major crop of focus in 15 of the 36states in the last dry season.

    Principally, a major positive of the interventions is a massive boost in employment and job creation with agriculture accounting for 35.21 per cent of employment in Nigeria (as of2021) but the real target is to hit 70% in the long term to arrest youth distemper, a bracket of the population that has remained a toast of the administration in appointments, grants, loans and general patronage.

    President Tinubu’s job creation plan gained instant traction among the youth with about 5 to 10 million more jobs being created within the value chain, and also with the 500,000 hectares of arable land and the several thousands more farmlands being developed in the medium term in the dry and wet seasons.

    Drastic initiatives to provide direct economic relief to citizens such as the novel Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transportation system to reduce commuting costs and create job opportunities have been launched with mass-transit CNG vehicles and tricycles rolled out across Nigeria in May 2024.  The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and policies to increase admission spaces for high-demand courses for indigent students are steps to tackle the”Japa” syndrome, retain talent and upscale their exportable skill sets. Above all, the accessible student loan initiative ensures that no qualified Nigerian is denied access to higher education due to financial constraints apart from alleviating the economic burden on families. Additionally,the extension of social security payments to National Certificate in Education(NCE) graduates, with a committed N100 billion from the federal government,aims to alleviate economic hardships for unemployed youths.  The approval ofthe Social Security Unemployment Programme further underscores the administration’s commitment to providing a safety net for vulnerable populations.   The president who believes in shared prosperity where every hardworking Nigerian should accesssocial mobility scored a major goal by approving the take-off of the first phase of a Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CrediCorp) with the Federal Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Central Bank of Nigeria, NIMC, FCCPC, FIRS, NAICOM and Bank of Industry as working partners, to create and remove structural, market and policy barriers by accelerating consumer credit access to 50 % of working Nigerians by 2030, thereby enhancing the purchasing power of Nigerian citizens as well as stimulate the nation’s manufacturing sector.  This model is the lifeblood of modern economies where consumers, rather than save for donkey years for items, can choose payment plans and avoid postponing astronomical expenses thus enabling citizens to enhance their quality of life by facilitating crucial home repairs/purchases, vehicles, education, and healthcare. Again, increased demand for goods and services stimulates local industry and job creation. Plans are high to provide quality, accessible and affordable health coverage to over 50 million Nigerians, especially the vulnerable and the elderly by 2027. October 2023 saw the launching of the operational rules for the 2022 National Health Insurance Authority Act to fully achieve universal health coverage which has enrolled about 750,000Nigerians into the National Health Insurance Scheme without exclusion. The first year of President Tinubu’s administration has been marked by bold reforms and significant progress. While challenges such as food inflation and reluctant state governments remain, the positive economic indicators and comprehensive social policies point to a promising future for Nigeria.  The administration’s focus on connecting the dots on livelihoods using long-term investments, fiscal responsibility and social welfare programs reflects a balanced approach to national development which ultimately positions the Renewed Hope Agenda for consolidation in the years ahead.

    •Nwankpa, a seasoned journalist, writes from Abuja

  • Alake: Tinubu’s dutiful Mine Boy

    Alake: Tinubu’s dutiful Mine Boy

    By Ken Ugbechie

    Among the class of President Bola Tinubu’s ministers and appointees, Dele Alake, the minister of Solid Minerals, stands out, holding up a redemptive banner. Dr. Alake is not an engineer. He’s a broad-spectrum journalist and administrator, having crisscrossed the labyrinthine landscape of broadcast, print journalism and public communication. Professionally rounded and fit. But nobody expected his deployment as the foreman of the Solid Minerals ministry. Yet, in his barely 10 months on the job, he has embraced his responsibilities with rare zeal, thorough understanding and a sense of positive militancy which his office demands at this time.

    Nigeria remains one of the most solid minerals resourced-countries in the world with all 36 states and Abuja housing globally sought-after minerals in commercial deposits. Conservative estimates place the solid minerals value in the country at over $700 billion. In fact, preliminary reports by a German firm, GeoScan, put the minerals worth of the nation at $750 billion.

    Even this humungous amount is touted by some experts as below the actual cumulative value. Now, compare this with the average contribution of solid minerals to the nation’s GDP. The Nigerian government generated a mere N193. 59 billion from the solid minerals sector in 2021, an increase of N60. 32 billion or 51.89 per cent growth when compared to the 2020 revenue of N116.9. These figures only show that the government is barely scratching the surface.

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    And how about this? Nigeria loses an average of $9 billion annually in the mining sector to illegal mining, theft and plain negligence. Because past Nigerian governments looked away from mining, depending mainly on petro-dollar, artisans and a horde of foreign crooks ploughed their proboscis into the nation’s subsoil excavating lithium, diamond, gold, bauxite, kaolin, gypsium, lead/zinc, lignite, uranium, limestone, columbite and just about any imaginable mineral all of which occur in huge deposits in Nigeria. The Chinese are the major culprits and chief promoters of illegal mining in Nigeria. They do so in cahoots with Nigerians, some traditional rulers, some highly placed individuals and some ordinary, poverty-beaten citizens who are recruited for peanuts as hewers of wood in the illicit mining business. What’s even curiouser in the illegal mining chain is that bandits and terrorists from within Nigeria and neighbouring African countries have found the illicit mining business a deal too juicy to ignore. They, too, have pushed their big foot into the mushy mining market.

    Now, the game is up. A Daniel has come to judgment. An Alake is in town and the tribe of crooks and illegal miners are getting the heat. To counter the activities of the illegal miners and mitigate sundry losses in the solid minerals sector, Alake launched Mining Marshals, a quasi-military security outfit dedicated to the surveillance of mining activities. The concept of Mining Marshals is a novelty and represents a pragmatic shift in the manner the Nigerian government is taking the business of mining. So far, the Marshals have brought order to the sector, making arrests and instilling a sense of responsibility on actors in the mining space.

    Mining is big business. If in doubt, consider the following stats. The revenue of the top 40 global mining companies was a record $943 billion in 2022. This is a market projected to crest $2.34 trillion this year. Again this: Patrice Tlhopane Motsepe (South Africa’s Mine Boy), valued at $3 billion (Forbes), and first black billionaire in South Africa became a globally certified billionaire through his interests in mining. Motsepe is in good company. He’s part of a privileged club of billionaire miners and steel entrepreneurs who raked dollars as dust just by snorting into the multi-layered earth. Just consider this team: Igor Altushkin, net worth: $4.6 billion; Xiang Guangda, net worth: $4.8 billion; Gianfelice Rocca, net worth: $5.3 billion; Paolo Rocca, net worth: $5.3 billion; Alexander Abramov, net worth: $6.4 billion; Agoes Projosasmito, net worth: $6.5 billion. The list of billionaire miners and steel gurus has big names like Vladimir Potanin flaunting a net worth of $23.7 billion and Alexey Mordashov with a net worth of $25.4 billion. Note that no Nigerian ever made billions of dollars from mining despite the preponderance of solid minerals in the country. This is largely because the sector was left unorganized and loosely regulated for a long time. This explains, very vividly, the value that Alake has brought to this critical non-oil sector. In the real sense of economic diversification, what Alake is doing in the mining sector is the best thing that has ever happened in that sector since Independence. Getting artisanal miners to form cooperative societies and ensuring that miners add significant local content value to their operations marks a new order.

    Triggering legislative process for the establishment of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Corporation already underway in the National Assembly is yet another Alake masterstroke. Setting up a corporation will help strip the mining sector of needless bureaucracy.

    The minister explains it most succinctly: “We are working with consultants to ensure the smooth emergence of a corporation which will be private sector-driven. We are looking at a corporation with a structure that has 50% equity for the private sector; 25% for members of the public; 25% for the federal government. Our vision is to erect private sector-led enduring structures for the corporation that will foster efficiency, outlive the present administration, and consequently wean it from future government interference.”

    No doubt, Alake has evoked public consciousness and awareness in mining. But by far, what is generally considered his greatest achievement in the sector is the birthing of a culture of rules of engagement. There is now a defined marker between legal and illegal mining. For the first time in the history of mining, the nation’s security apparatchik now train their surveillance antennae on the mining sector. Arrests of illegal miners are being made almost every week and the Chinese have been a recurring decimal in the illicit equation. China has huge deposits of solid minerals and a top exporter of such, but illegal mining in China is prohibited, indeed unthinkable among the citizens, let alone foreigners. But the same Chinese, some illegal migrants without proper documentation, are in all parts of Nigeria shoveling Nigeria’s solid minerals into bags and boxes for export, hitherto unchallenged. Any patriotic Nigerian should be proud of Alake’s zeal and devotion to duty.

    I wager that Alake is succeeding because he’s a journalist; a fraternity of professionals that never fails. Journalists, Nigerian journalists, plucked out of their original beats to other stations of life, never fail. Alake is Nigeria’s latest Mine Boy and he’s already succeeding where other professionals failed in the past. His job is tough and risky. He once said his life was under threat. It’s expected. The illegal merchants of Nigeria’s solid minerals will not just walk away from a man who has come to take away their ‘bread.’ They will fight back with propaganda, physical weapons, even with spiritual missiles. But the nation’s Mine Boy need not worry. When the path of a man is paved with fairness and common good for society, both the heavens and the earth rise for his protection. One of Tinubu’s best performing ministers is protected.

  • The Uba Sani Bridge

    The Uba Sani Bridge

    By Francis Damina

    May 29th,  President Bola Ahmed Tinibu and other elected political leaders,  celebrated their one year in office. Not unexpectedly, they  rolled out their achievements in the many bridges, roads, hospitals, schools, etcetera, they were able to build as evidence that they are working. But as the good Bishop Matthew Kukah argued many years ago, the real dividend of democracy is in the intangible. He said “The best structures in  Germany were built by Adolf Hitler; the best structures in Nigeria were built by the Military; the best structures in Egypt were built by slaves; the best structures in South Africa were built under apartheid. Yet, despite these physical structures, people were still not happy and yearned for a change. Why? Because they were not free.” “Freedom”, he argued, is at the heart of democracy.” And freedom, to my mind, is an intangible value. Other intangibles may include, peace, security, unity, etcetera.

    This is why it should  not be presumed that we cannot have dictators because we are in a democracy. Ofcourse the controversial Bishop has clued us into what he called “illiberal democrats”. These, according to him, are elected political leaders who as Presidents, Governors, Senators Chairmen, etcetera, have built the best roads, hospitals, schools, and other physical structures in their Countries or States, yet, their citizens are not free. Despite their so-called achievements, they see themselves first as leaders of their faith, ethnic or regional constituencies contrary to the expectation that, like the former President Muhammadu Buhari, they should belong to everybody; and to nobody.

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    I have decided in the event of this anniversary to focus on His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for obvious reasons. As a student of Nigeria, particularly religion and politics, I was not unaware of the peculiar task before him. That is, the most difficult task of reuniting a state divided along all the fault lines especially religion. And this is not just about the famous leaked video aimed at inciting  Christians against him. Long before then, Kaduna State had been the epitome of that suspicion and animosity in the whole of Nigeria. But the leaked video was the height of it; when a good State executive, on the eve of his handing over, attested to his apartheid- like policies while promising continuity by his successor.

    Yet, this is a state densely ensmeshed in religious suspicion and tension. The famous homily by Bishop Matthew Kukah at the funeral of Governor Patrick Yakowa on December 20, 2012, is a testament to this. In the homily, he said “…the Northern ruling class, by policy, seemed to have an invisible sign that read: No Christians Need Apply to enter what would later be called Kashim Ibrahim House or represent the state at the highest levels.” He denounced “This policy of exclusion against non-muslims turned Kaduna State into a political Mecca…”  It was this homily that produced the spark that lit up the fire of a debate about Christian- Muslim relations in particularly Kaduna State by Mohammed Haruna, Adamu Adamu, Abubakar Gimba, Steven Nkom, Sylva Ngu, and yours sincerely among others. A state that has experienced an unmasked animosity against the APC by religious and sociocultural groups. Infact, at a time, it was a crime to be associated with the APC. During elections, those suspected to have voted for the APC were identified and followed to their houses for demonization . It is this difficult state, and in that difficult and controversial circumstance that Senator Uba Sani took an oath to govern it in 2023.

    To my mind, whatever indices may be used to measure the Governor’s achievement in office, his real achievement is in the intangible – the task of reuniting the state in the circumstance of the “we versus them” syndrome-  Christians versus Muslims, Southern versus Northern Kaduna, before and across the bridge. Given the circumstances then, we all had thought it was an impossible task. But he is doing the magic – and the people have seen through his sincerity and commitment.

    Apart from his visitations to churches during Christmas, particularly during the carols, the former military governor of Rivers state, Gen. Zamani Lekwot said to me “Francis, we now have a leader. The governor has been in constant touch with us the elders both from the Southern and Northern parts of the state. We are working together on how to move the state forward.”

    Only few days back, Governor Sani did something that shocked everyone in Southern Kaduna and beyond. He led a delegation from Kaduna State to attend the inauguration of Mrs Abigail Marshall Katung  as the Lord Mayor of Leeds. Katung is the first elected African in the Council of Leeds and the first black Lord Mayor of Leeds.

    She is wife to Distinguished Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, the PDP senator representing southern Kaduna. When His Lordship sent me photos and videos clips of the Governor rejoicing with them at the event, I immediately knew the message that he wanted me to take home.

    Even though Senator Katung is from Kaduna State, he is not of the same political party or religion with Governor Sani. He is indeed a political adversary whose value should not warrant such prompt and sincere concern. To paraphrase Malam Adamu Adamu, If somebody so high up could remember, care for and take trouble for the sake of somebody whom he expects no profit – not even political mileage – and whose abandonment would occassion him no loss- and who infact is his political adversary – then you immediately know that this is a great human being with a large heart who values absolutes, unity and friendship.

    Ofcourse, it is needless to say that the attitude, activities and programs of the Governor have endeared him to all divides as a personable and trustworthy fellow, and it will be right to say that it is the  PR required to change the present inflammable and bile circumstance of the state. By so doing, His Excellency will not only be reuniting the state, but at the same time, building a baptistery through which many will be initiated into the APC in 2027.

    Though, under your watch, the Kaduna -Abuja road is now a safe haven, bandits in our communities had also gone on vacation. Yet, as you mark your one year in office, while we ask you to do more on securing your state, the minor minorities like the Kamanton and Ikulu people pray that you remember them in your many projects. In Ikulu for instance, apart from the schools we have, the only sign of government presence is the road constructed under the then governor Ahmed Makarfi. Not only that it is now dilapidated and unmotorable, erosion is about to slice it off.

    Finally Your Excellency, here’s wishing you good health, more wisdom and strength as you work towards rebuilding Kaduna State in the next seven years. And may through this bridge, the unity and love we once shared, be reactivated.

    •Damina wrote from Kaduna and can be reached via francisdamina@gmail.com

  • Tinubu’s first year anniversary: Third Mainland Bridge as metaphor for transformation

    Tinubu’s first year anniversary: Third Mainland Bridge as metaphor for transformation

    On April 4, 2024, residents of Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial hub, breathed a collective sigh of relief. The pivotal bridge connecting Lagos Island to the mainland, spanning the expansive body of water known as the lagoon, reopened to traffic after undergoing extensive repairs. For the preceding six months, Lagosians endured arduous commutes amidst congested traffic gridlock while the bridge underwent maintenance.

    This rehabilitation initiative, commenced by the Federal Ministry of Works on November 6, 2023, targeted the 11.3-kilometer-long bridge, famously dubbed the 3rd Mainland Bridge. Its completion marked a significant milestone, alleviating the commuting woes that plagued motorists and residents of lagos for half a year.

    Coincidentally, the decision to overhaul the bridge aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s assumption of political leadership on May 29, 2023. As it would be recalled in the cause of his innauguration, he opted to terminate subsidies on petrol and abolish the dual foreign exchange system, which he identified as hindrances to Nigeria’s development.

    Read Also: ‘Nigeria fortunate to have Tinubu as leader’

    Much like the extensive repairs undertaken on the 3rd Mainland Bridge, Nigeria’s ongoing socioeconomic reforms, spearheaded by President Tinubu, which are deemed essential for the nation’s progress have triggered severe hardships for Nigerians. Despite the undeniable hardships these reforms have imposed on the populace, akin to the inconveniences faced by Lagosians during the 3rd mainland bridge’s rehabilitation, president Tinubu perceives them as inevitable and crucial for Nigeria’s long-term stability and growth.

    Remarkably, his  departure from conventional economic policies, epitomized by the removal of subsidies on petrol and the naira, signifies a commitment to confronting challenges head-on. This proactive approach reflects a departure from the status quo, where leaders often prioritize short-term fixes over addressing underlying structural challenges.

    Before delving deeper into the matter, it’s pertinent to contextualize this analogy between the 3rd Mainland Bridge and President Tinubu’s development agenda for Nigeria. This comparison underscores the parallel between the physical refurbishment of infrastructure and the systemic reforms aimed at rectifying deep-rooted socioeconomic imbalances in our country.

    The crux of the matter is this: President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, and he immediately recognized Nigeria’s dire situation, as the economy was teetering on the edge of collapse, and decided that drastic reforms were imperative, akin to a surgical operation, to pull the nation back from the brink. Consequently, he implemented the difficult  reforms, effectively placing the country in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a critical care section in a hospital where doctors attend to severely ill patients.

    Similarly, upon his appointment by president Tinubu, Works Minister Engineer Dave Umahi acknowledged the severe dilapidation of the 3rd Mainland Bridge. Understanding the potential for massive loss of life if the bridge were to collapse, given that it was constructed  34 years prior in 1990, Umahi made the tough decision not just to give it a facelift but to put the bridge through serious structural rehabilitation. This was essential to ensure the safety of Lagosians and improve transport infrastructure for enhanced mobility, despite the inconvenience it caused.

    In the light of the above , the metaphor of 3rd mainland bridge rehabilitation for president Tinubu’s agenda of transforming Nigeria lies in the parallel between President Tinubu’s efforts to completely overhaul Nigeria with a view to resetting the country and Minister Umahi’s initiative to refurbish the 3rd Mainland Bridge in a fundamental way. While these decisions initially caused hardship for Nigerians, they hold long-term benefits. Already, after six (6) months of hardships arising from the closure of the bridge,Lagosians are reaping the rewards of the bridge’s rehabilitation as the perennial traffic gridlock synonimous with 3rd mainland bridge has dissappeared. Arising from the above, the initial disruptions and pains that the repairs caused motorists have become like the pains experienced by women during child birth which are easily forgotten when the baby has been safely delivered .

    The hope is that President Tinubu’s painful yet necessary socioeconomic reforms will yield results as positive as the euphoria surrounding the reopening of the 3rd Mainland Bridge on April 4, 2024.

    However, as economists must admit,transforming a severely damaged economy  is no mean task. If nothing else,it requires a longer gestation period due to bureaucratic processes associated with governance. Hence even as it took six (6) months for 3rd mainland bridge (a spec on the myriads of challenges besetting Nigeria) to be delivered, it would take much longer for the impact of Tinubu’s reform policies to fully manifest. Particularly, from the initial pains to joy as was the case with the 3rd mainland bridge. So, it would be unjust to expect the rejuvenation of a nearly collapsed economy after just one year of his four )4) years tenure.

    Without a doubt, previous  administrations were aware of the 3rd Mainland Bridge’s deteriorating condition but opted for temporary fixes to avoid inconveniencing Lagosians. This neglect exposed millions of commuters to the imminent danger of a collapse. Similarly, past leaders hesitated to address the unsustainable practice of subsidizing petrol pump price and multiple exchange rate of the naira , fearing the repercussions of ending it.

    It bears repeating that the rehabilitation of the 3rd Mainland Bridge serves as a metaphor for Nigeria’s economy simply because President Tinubu’s efforts mirror the transformation of the bridge from a hazardous thoroughfare to a symbol of dramatic change. Just as the bridge now stands as a testament to transformative infrastructure development, l would argue that Tinubu aims to fortify Nigeria’s economy into a more resilient and prosperous entity, akin to the newfound safety and convenience experienced by motorists in Lagos.

    The assertion above is underscored by the widely-held belief among Nigerians that our beloved country was teetering on the brink of becoming a failed state during the previous administration. It wasn’t until the incumbent president, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, assumed office barely one year ago that there was a shift in governance style focused more on taking the bull by the horns by boldly introducing policies that would provide long term solutions to our country’s myriads of challenges.

    This sentiment was succinctly captured by the current governor of Anambra State and former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who aptly described the state of the Nigerian economy inherited by President Tinubu on May 29th last year as a ‘Dead Horse Walking’. In essence, Governor Soludo, who should know by virtue of being ex CBN governor affirmed that Nigeria was on the verge of failure before President Tinubu took office.

    It’s disheartening to note that many of those now expressing opposition to incumbent president’s  reform policies had perhaps hoped for a continuation of the previous administration’s attempts to patch up the ailing economy. However, President Tinubu recognized the need for radical change rather than merely tinkering around the edges.

    Mr President’s decision to tackle the root causes of Nigeria’s challenges, such as unsustainable subsidies, signifies a departure from the ineffective strategies of past administrations. This bold approach aims to transform the nation’s narrative for the better by addressing underlying issues head-on.

    Analogous to Minister Umahi’s decisive action in fundamentally repairing the 3rd Mainland Bridge to avert its collapse, President Tinubu’s commitment to ending subsidies on petrol and the naira signifies a resolve to renew hope for Nigerians. This entails enduring short-term inconveniences for long-term gains, akin to the repairs on the bridge.

    Even critics of the administration can not deny that the successful renovation of the 3rd Mainland Bridge stands as a testament to President Tinubu’s  reform policies, which have alleviated the plight of motorists. Other measures include redirecting more funds to states for rural development, introducing Compressed Natural Gas,CNG to reduce transportation costs via mass transit buses, launching of the Renewed Hope housing project across cities nationwide, commencing the coastal road from Lagos to Calabar to spur job creation and faciliate the harnessing of the blue economy, and implementing a student loans program to enhance access to higher education for the indigent ones thereby boosting the poll of skilled workforce in our economy . These initiatives collectively aim to revitalize the nation and uplift its citizens. But to attain the lofty goals Nigerians have to endure the pains of being weaned of their enjoyment of subsidy on consumption. It is unsurprising that arising from the withdrawal of subsidies on petrol and the naira which have had far reaching negative effects on living standards of a criitical mass of Nigerians, some of us have been suffering from what is generally known as  witdrawal syndrome which is commonly manifested by those addicted to cigarettes at the initial stage of being denied access to nicothine.

    With consistency and discipline of denying oneself of the pleaure or luxury, an addict can be cured of the desease for good.

    Certainly, there are numerous Nigerians who don’t share the optimism conveyed in this intervention regarding the brighter future that awaits them if president Tinubu pulls  off the hat trick of transforming Nigeria as it were . The negative sentiment most likely stems from their experience of the hardships caused by the ongoing socio-economic reforms, leaving them understandably frustrated and angry. It is justifiable to empathize with such skepticism and frustration, given that it’s largely fueled by the disappointments from unfulfilled promises made by previous administrations.

  • Five years of accountability, purposeful leadership in Ogun

    Five years of accountability, purposeful leadership in Ogun

    “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” —John Quincy Adams

    Today, for millions of ordinary Nigerians whose experiences about political leadership in the country over the years had been traumatizing due to dashed expectations, opening any discourse about the polity either through debates or this type of editorial piece is distractive, wasteful and has nothing to offer them in terms of socio-economic benefits.

    To many observers of the increasingly uninspiring turf of the polity, this apathy or total lack of interest of the masses in such issues is not misplaced in view of the current economic situation, which has accentuated the high level of poverty among the people.

    But then, as terribly cloudy as the political firmament and its associated seeming hopelessness appears to be, there are still some few leaders who, by virtue of their innate virtues and futuristic approach in leadership, are championing the cause of a silver lining in the firmament. By their policies and actions, they are still demonstrating to the governed, especially the youths, that there is hope for their future in Nigeria, a land adequately blessed for regeneration and prosperity for the inhabitants.

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    Among this genre of the few people-oriented, value-driven, and grassroots-focused political leaders beaming the torchlight of hope is the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun.

    A cursory appraisal of the governor’s developmental initiatives anchored on his “ISEYA” mantra over the past five years clearly showed that he is redefining governance through inclusive strategy by taking real dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of ordinary people across the three senatorial zones of the state, in line with his avowed promise not to leave any part of the state untouched and undeveloped.

    On assumption of office for his first tenure in 2019, Governor Abiodun unveiled a five-point agenda with specific thrusts in Infrastructure, Social Welfare and well-being, Education, Youth Empowerment and Agriculture (ISEYA) as the developmental focus of his administration. Even though the political environment in the first few months of his coming to power was not really supportive as his opponents embarked on frivolous campaigns of calumny and invidious blackmails on his election due to undue envy and frustration. In spite of these distractions ,the governor remained focused, unperturbed and has since silenced his detractors with evidence-based sterling performances through innovative and transformational policies and programmes.

    Propelled by the zeal of an irrepressible crusader for positive change, Abiodun has today manifested the Midas touch to all sectors of the state’s political economy, thereby demonstrating to the citizens his determination to change their past narrative of abject poverty to a new song of progressive prosperity.

    On his promise for improved infrastructure, which is the first in the “ISEYA” mantra to ensure broad-based development in the state, the governor has completed over 500 kilometres of roads across the state and is currently constructing several others for the purposes of linking the cities and rural communities for a holistic socio-economic integration of the Gateway State for sustainable growth.

    Some of the roads already completed, which cut across the state, include Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway; Obantoko Road (Fajol-American Junction-Unity Estate-Gbonagun); Idi-Aba-Elite-Oke Lantoro; Ikoritameje-Adenrele (Olose Titun Vespa); Panseke-Adigbe; City Gate Monument Development Flyover Bridge, Kuto; Arepo road, Somorin-Kemta-Idi Aba; Olusegun Osoba-Toyin Agbado, Yakoyo Bridge to Mr. Biggs section along Akute; Owode-Siun.

    There are also the Oru-Awa-Ilaporu-Ibadan expressway; Molipa-Asafa Isale-Ayegu-Ojofa; Asafa Oke-Fusigboye-Ojofa Street; Oba Erinwole road, Sagamu; Awujale road, Ejinrin-Idowa-Awa-Ibefun-Itoikin; Ijebu Ode-Epe-Sagamu-Benin Interchange Flyover Bridge; Esure-Ijebu Mushin road; Ogbagba Street, Ijebu Ode; Molusi College road, Ijebu Igbo; Ilishan Market road; Iperu Roundabout-Ode; Sagamu Junction-Iperu Roundabout.

    Also, Ibooro-Imasayi-Igan Okoto-Ayetoro road (Phase 1) in Yewa North Local Government Area was reconstructed after several years of neglect. Others, such as Ikola-Navy-Osi Ikola; Raypower; Joju, Sango; Ilashe-Koko-Alari; Oke Ola, Imeko; Tollgate-Singer GRA, Ota; Ilaro-Iwoye (Phase 1); Iwoye-Owode Yewa Secondary School road, (Phase2); Owode Yewa Secondary School-Owode Yewa Junction road (Phase 3) have also been rehabilitated.

    The governor has also directed the immediate reconstruction of the 21-km Ita-Oshin-Ayetoro road. Some of the other ongoing projects by the government include Lafenwa Rounder-Ayetoro road; Adatan-Gbonagun; Akute-Denro-Ishasi; Sango-Ota-Ijoko-Agbado-Oke Aro-Lambe-Akute-Alagbole-Ojodu Abiodun; Adesanolu, Mowe; Mowe-Ofada; Obafemi Awolowo Way-Mada-Takete; Ejinrin-Oluwalogbon-Ijebu Ode; Orile Oko; Hospital Road, Ogijo; Ado Odo- Idogo (Phase 2); Atan-Lusada-Agbara-Marogbo-Tollgate road; Oke Erinja-Erinja Ilobi (Phase 1)

    The governor requested each local government in the state to name three most critical roads requiring upgrades and immediately commenced work on the road networks, which have since been completed.

    The Dapo Abiodun-led administration is also doing so much to develop the agricultural sector through sundry farming, food processing, and marketing initiatives in the past few years.

    With the implementation of the Ogun State Agricultural Policy and Ogun State Livestock Development Policy, the Abiodun-led administration has created thousands of jobs in the sector. Similarly, the N50 million Ijebu Development Initiative for Poverty Reduction (Eriwe) introduced to develop the fish subsector in the state and the empowerment of over 40,000 agripreneurs in cassava cultivation, or the distribution of motorcycles to extension agents to reach farmers in remote areas have remarkably transformed agriculture and agribusiness endeavours of farmers and agripreneurs across the state. The governor recently unveiled plans for a 20,000-hectare rice farmland in the Yewa axis to be operated by private agribusiness investors.

    Also, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) Anchor Borrowers Programme, the trail-blazing Prince has encouraged the youth in agriculture with the creation of the Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency (OGUNIPA) and the establishment of the Ogun State Business Executive Council (OGUNBEC) to make the state the preferred choice for agribusiness investors.

    The multibillion naira Gateway International Airport, an agro-cargo facility, which many investors are already expressing their interest in view of its invaluable socio-economic benefits, including bright prospects for return on investments, is another giant strides recorded by the Governor Abiodun-led administration in the agricultural sector. The project is designed to create about 50,000 direct and indirect jobs when it becomes operational. Apparently encouraged by the remarkable strides the governor is making to transform the Gateway State to agro export hub in the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently approved the Special Agro-Cargo Processing Zone, created to serve the airport as a Free Trade Zone (FTZ), located very close to airport.

    Beaming the performance assessment torchlight to other sectors reflected that Governor Abiodun had surpassed analysts’ expectations. For instance, in the education sector, the administration has abolished all levies in primary schools and also adopted a school per ward for development as a model school in furtherance of its agenda towards ‘zero illiteracy level’ in the state. To enhance teaching and improve teacher/student ratio, the government launched the Ogun State Teaching Experience Acquisition Channel (Ogun TREACH) with the employment of 5000 interns, with 1000 interns transitioned to permanent teachers under the scheme. To encourage the sector’s workforce, the administration has promoted teachers and non-teachers as a way of encouraging them for more work. Extensive construction and rehabilitation of secondary and tertiary institutions have been carried out with the provision of technologies to upgrade their standards and position the students for global competition. 

    Still under the education sector, the Dapo Abiodun-led administration recently disbursed over N3.5 billion through the EDUCASH initiative to lessen the impact of the current economic crunch on students and their parents, with 150, 000 students and pupils from tertiary institutions and secondary and primary schools benefitting.

    In the health sector, the governor is championing the ‘health for all’ drive at primary and secondary levels with all resources at the government’s disposal since his assumption of office in 2019. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the administration was the first that inaugurated State Emergency Medical Treatment Committee to enhance the Ambulance and Emergency Service delivery for which the Federal Government commended the state’s exemplary approach in combating the pandemic then.

    Specifically, in area of primary healthcare, the Abiodun-led administration has consistently conducted training for health workers on comprehensive screening for new born babies to tackle sickle cell disease, and for the first time in 45 years, secured the full accreditation and upgrade of the Ogun State Schools of Nursing and Midwifery to collegiate status and inaugurated Sexual Therapy and Assaults Referral Centre in Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), the Family Planning Centre at the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, and distributed over 25 tricycle ambulances to rural areas, among other commendable initiatives. More than 2000 people have benefitted from the Ogun Free Surgical Intervention Programme since it was launched in March.

    A cursory appraisal of the administration’s efforts to provide affordable housing in the state shows clearly that Governor Abiodun is a transformative leader. A few weeks ago, the administration apart from its modest achievements in the sector during the first tenure of the governor, flagged off the construction of 200 housing units with the site for the project being cleared in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government. By its design, the project will provide housing for residents in the emerging Remo Zone Economic Hub, with the expected influx of workers to the area and complement the state government’s investment in the Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport.

    This is even as the governor recently visited the President Muhammadu Buhari Estate, a flagship housing project (named after former President Mohammadu Buhari)in the state, promising that between 200 to 250 units of housing units, with the complementary landscape and all other pieces of furniture that are required to make the place an ideal place to live in, will soon be completed. Over 1000 housing units have been delivered, while an additional 1000 units are under construction across the state. The administration is promising to deliver 10,000 housing units by 2027.

    Another commendable trail-blazing initiative of the Abiodun-led administration in Ogun State is in the transportation sector. Just a few months ago, the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ashok Layland, an Indian auto company, for the supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mass transit buses for transportation system in the state, thus becoming the first state in Nigeria to run CNG powered buses.

    The MoU is in line with the “ISEYA” agenda of the administration aimed at operationlization of the approved multi-modal transport master plan for the state connecting air, road, sea, and rail systems.

    In addition to the deal’s potential to reduce transportation fares for commuters, the project will also support the government in creating a more environmental-friendly transportation system with the attendant implications for improved health for lives and fauna in the state.

    Governor Abiodun has also demonstrated clearly that he is a man of rich cultural heritage in his leadership style in the Gateway State. Despite his drive to leverage the socioeconomic competitiveness of Ogun State on technology and innovation, he can be regarded as the most culture-oriented governor in Nigeria, given his very strong relationship with the royal fathers. He is, as the Yoruba will say, ‘Omoluabi’ indeed!

    No wonder this indefatigable governor who, based on his unassailable and outstanding performances in office, is being commended by those who value purposeful leadership in governance. The governor has so far been honoured by local and international organizations with many awards of commendation in most areas of governance, with more of such awards waiting in the wings.

    Governor Abiodun, as the foremost torch bearer in transformational governance in the country, has, no doubt, moved beyond the ‘Renewed Hope’ line to the ‘Restored Hope’ altitude in his irrepressible desire to surpass the expectations of the Ogun State indigenes and residents in terms of democratic dividends for all.

    •Adeniran is chief Press secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun.

  • Tinubu on the Ecowas rostrum

    Tinubu on the Ecowas rostrum

    By Emma Okondo

    Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will soon be one year in office as the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the regional body comprising  Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’ Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Togo.

    As the multilateral institution closest to Nigeria, and to which the country is a formidable member for many reasons, Nigerians tend to be quite interested in developments within the community, and West Africans have come to expect more whenever this regional body is headed by a Nigerian.

    Looking back to its founding in 1975, a number of Nigerian leaders have at various times been called upon to chart the same course as President Tinubu, leading the community  through calm and turbulent times. Each of these leaders had left behind formidable records of their efforts to cement the unity of member states and advance the economic progress of the community.

    When President Tinubu joined this club of leaders of member countries of ECOWAS at their 63rd Ordinary Session in Bissau, capital of Guinea Bissau in early July 2023 to present himself as the leader of the sub-regional body, it marked his first step on the African continental platform.

    Read Also: Humanitarian ministry reels out Tinubu’s four months’ achievements for the vulnerable

    When the leaders chose him to lead the bloc at  the union’s 48th anniversary, it was a massive vote of confidence in the new president who was inaugurated less than two months earlier. As he took over from the host country’s President Umaro Embalo, President Tinubu effectively mounted the rostrum, and placed himself on a pedestal, assuming the proverbial head that wears the crown. Once again, I am reminded of President Tinubu’s theory on the mechanics of leadership.

    In the Guardian newspaper of Nigeria issue of Friday, March 29, 2024, he reportedly said: “In politics you can’t be a spectator and hope to succeed. It is like a football game. In the course of playing, you sustain injuries and have bruises. You nurse your injuries and bruises and continue to play. That’s the only way you can win.”

    So there is no doubt that when President Tinubu saw himself in the West African pitch he was upbeat, eager to introduce new approaches to doing things. He was immediately concerned with the threat to peace in West Africa and the menace of totalitarian regimes. “We must stand firm on democracy…. We will not allow coup after coup in West Africa,” he said.

    Apparently, as a dye in the wool democrat, he understood instinctively that the struggle for political stability in individual nations is inherently proportional to the level of cooperation and regional integration that ECOWAS can hope to achieve. He was a leader spreading the same message of renewed hope and progress that he preached throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria in the period leading to the February 2023 elections.

    President Tinubu has since proved how steadfast he was on the necessity for peace, security and well-being of all the member countries and their people.

    If the ECOWAS Chairman was infuriated with the coup d’etat in the Republic of Niger that dislodged President Mohamed Bazoum on 26th July, 2024, it was because he had a natural abhorrence for military regimes, and because the ECOWAS leader had earlier warned against such acts of brinkmanship by military and civilian adventurists. It was also because like every right thinking democrat, it was the last thing to expect   from Niger, Nigeria’s closest neighbour to the north, which shares common interests and even common ancestry with many Notherners.

    So, between the ECOWAS leaders’ first Extraordinary Summit in Abuja on 30th July, 2023 and the second of 10th August, 2023, the anger over the defiant posture by the military authorities in Niger led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani rose astronomically. What followed was a number of heated debates over sovereignty, the correct way to take over power in a civilized society, the merits of democracy over militarism the unintended sufferings of innocent citizens across the two borders as a result of the sanctions, and soon after, the ill advised decision of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso to withdraw their membership of the regional institution.

    According to the ECOWAS leader, the mandatory sanctions on Niger, the one-week ultimatum for restoration of constitutional order and the threat to raise a standby force may be tough resolutions but it was within the rights of the member states to take them, and they attested to the “power of collaboration and unity among member states” especially as “all diplomatic efforts were … rejected (by the junta) at various intervals.”

    However, to the relief of many, especially the suffering people of Niger republic, Chairperson Tinubu in the Extraordinary Summit in Abuja on February 2024 held to discuss Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger’s purported withdrawal from the regional group, demonstrated high leadership acumen by rescinding the debilitating sanctions. He told his colleagues that they “must re-examine our current approach to our quest for constitutional order in four (Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger) of our member states,” as the situation in the sub region “demand difficult but courageous decisions” that required them to put the plight of the people at the centre of their deliberations. Thus began the healing process that has since lowered the political temperature of the region. As Tinubu noted,

    “Democracy is nothing more than the political framework and the path to addressing the basic needs and aspirations of the people.”

    That statement clearly showed how progressive and how bold his leadership was, because while the regional body fought a rearguard battle with the juntas, valuable time was being wasted and energies dissipated as security challenges persisted and the lives of the people of West Africa remain poor, and endangered.

    Softening his earlier hard-line tone particularly with respect to Niger, President Tinubu certainly took into consideration the aggregate of public opinion, and the impassioned plea of the only surviving founding father of ECOWAS, Nigeria’s General Yakubu Gowon who urged the lifting of sanctions and the return of the three defiant countries to the fold.

    As President Tinubu constantly explained, he had no personal agenda in the matter and he urged junta leaders not see him and his colleagues as enemies but as allies on the path to ensure that their citizens partake in all the “benefits of regional integration initiative” like other citizens across the region.

    Indeed, for the ECOWAS leaders to have swiftly approved President Tinubu’s persuasive memo presented by the ECOWAS Commission lifting all manner of sanctions and restrictions placed on Niger, Mali and Guinea was an outstanding vote of confidence on the leadership of the Nigerian leader. He continued to consolidate his support by expanding the pool of opinion available for his consideration and taking contributions from all relevant stakeholders.

    At the inauguration of the first session of the sixth legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja on the 4th of April, 2024 he spoke within the context of the need for wider consultations with the people’s representatives, for expanded citizen participation.

    One of the brighter implications of Tinubu’s one year at the helm of ECOWAS is his savvy interventions that no doubt contributed to resolving the political impasse in Senegal where President Macky Sall gave in to popular desire to berth a credible presidential election that gave birth to a successor, Bassirou Diomaye Faye in March 2024. That success story of democracy no doubt has a benevolent effect on the sustainable growth of democractic governance in the region and may yet propel the people living under dictatorial regimes to push for civil elections in their countries. 

    There is also the less known story of how his intervention in Sierra Leone stopped former Presidents John Bai Koroma and his immediate successor Julius Maada Bio from re-enacting the events that led to a gruesome civil war in that country. Now Koroma has been resettled in Nigeria and there is peace once more in Sierra Leone.

    In conclusion I am reminded of U.S. President Harry Truman who said after Adolf Hitler’s surrender in World War 11 that, “it is easier to remove tyrants… than it is to kill the ideas which gave them birth”. In a number of his speeches, President Tinubu has insisted that unless democracy provides the dividends it promised, unless people see that civilian governments take care of their well-being and reduce poverty in their lands, the threat of coups will not go away.

    History  is replete with leaders experiencing challenges and difficulties as they strived to steer the ship of state, therefore President Tinubu’s path on the rostrum will meet some rough patches. What is however not in doubt is that as leader of the regional body, President Tinubu has been able to take decisive measures to discourage impunity, to encourage dialogue and to bring more peace to the region.

    •Okondo is former deputy director News, NTA Headquarters

  • President Tinubu’s unsung achievements

    President Tinubu’s unsung achievements

    By May 29, 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR will clock one year in office. There is no doubt that if many Nigerians are asked to assess his government, they will start the assessment with the economic hardship in the country, believed to be induced by his twin policies of removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of our long struggling Naira currency.

    I am pretty sure that none of us would remember that funding of fuel subsidy had already become unsustainable by the time Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023. We would also not remember that few months before President Muhammadu Buhari left office, his Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed announced that the country was funding subsidy through borrowing. We were told that from June 2022 to June 2023 alone, the Buhari government budgeted N3 trillion to cover petrol subsidy costs. This subsidy had long been known by all of us as a cesspit of corruption, worse than the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

    Like the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu said in his book “Because I am involved,” we conveniently forget certain facts about our journey through life as a polity.” If not, we would have remembered that Nigerians in the corridors of power were enriched by the dual exchange rate policy, which according to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Muhammad Sanusi II, encouraged similar rent seeking and corruption, like the subsidy regime under the immediate past administration.

    Read Also: NAF @60: My govt will procure more aircrafts, equipment to combat insecurity – Tinubu

    However, my intention here is not to argue in favour of President Tinubu’s economic policies because as one equally feeling the pinch, I know how herculean it is to convince a man who does not have food on his table today that an economic policy is meant to secure his tomorrow. What I intend to do here is to share with my countrymen some unsung achievements of the President, which I see as foundational building blocks for a united, peace and prosperous Nigeria of our dream.

    One, is the appointment of Supreme Court judges to fill the vacancies in the bench of the apex court. Prior to this appointment, the Supreme Court had only 10 Justices as opposed to the 21 constitutionally recommended. The fact that the 10 justices came from four out of the six geo-political zones of the country, made the situation a matter of public concern. While the South-West and North-East had three justices each, the South-South and North-West had two each. The South East and North Central had none. With the appointment of the 11 justices by President Tinubu, all the geo-political zones in the country are now equitably represented in the Supreme Court bench.

    The President went further to approve the increment of monthly salary package for judges, comprising basic salaries and regular allowances, estacodes and leave allowances. Prior to this increment, Nigerian judges were among the poorest when it comes to remuneration of judges in Africa. For instance, judges in Nigeria were earning far less than their counterparts in Ghana and South Africa. The poor remuneration of judges in Nigeria was largely seen as responsible for the corruption that bedeviled the justice system in Nigeria. Prior to the increment, a retired Supreme Court Justice, Dattijo Muhammad, while speaking at his valedictory ceremony, lamented the poor salary structure of justices in Nigeria.  Many lawyers believed that the increment would grant judges the security and freedom they need to operate, hence enhancing our legal system and deepening our democracy.

    The second achievement of President Tinubu is ensuring that every geo-political zone is represented in the National Security Council (NSC). Under his predecessor, Buhari, nobody from the South East was found worthy of appointment as a service chief and into the Security Council. Under Tinubu, Rear Admiral Emmanuel A, Ogalla from Igbo-Eze North Local Government, Enugu State, became the Chief of Naval Staff. The last time a South Easterner served in that capacity was in 1993-1994 in the person of Real Admiral Allison Madueke, from the same Enugu State.

    Thirdly, the President has shown huge commitment to cutting the cost of governance, which experts have associated with the inability of the country to achieve meaningful development over the years. Sequel to the public outcry that greeted Nigeria’s very large delegation to COP 28 climate change conference in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, he went the whole hog to slash by 60 percent the number of those accompanying public officials on any given trip, whether foreign or local. To further confront the massive cost of governance, in February this year, Tinubu ordered the full implementation of the 2012 Oronsanye report, which will reduce the number of government departments and agencies through merger, relocation and scrapping of some departments and agencies. A month after, he imposed three-month ban on foreign travels for Nigerian officials under the employment of the federal government.

    Nevertheless, I have heard some people complain that Tinubu appointed 48 ministers, the highest number appointed by any president so far. According to the calculation of one of the national newspapers, the 48 ministers will gulp N8.6 billion in four years. Ironically, I am aware that my people in the South East are even clamouring for more ministerial slots to bring them at par with other regions in the federal cabinet. My take here is that if a country like Ghana with a population of 36 million people is currently running with 40 ministers, 48 ministers for the most populous black nation on earth with an estimated population of 230 million people, may not be over bloated as widely insinuated, once there is moderation in the cost of maintaining them.

    President Tinubu promised to renew the hope of Nigerians. He knows his plan, including the personnel he needed to fulfill the promise he made to Nigerians. For me, whether he appointed 42 or 48 ministers should not be our headache. Our interest is to see a Nigeria that cares for everybody irrespective of tribe or creed or class. 

    Fourthly, the current administration has renewed the commitment of the Federal Government to quality education for human capital development. There is global consensus that education is the bedrock of development. Examples abound in the success stories of the Asian Tigers like Singapore and South Korea and the Scandinavian Countries, such as Denmark, Norway and Sweden. In the 2024 budget of Nigeria, education got N2.16 trillion, representing 6.39 percent of the total budget. Although this allocation fell below the 15 percent recommended by UNESCO, it is an improved allocation to education, compared to previous budgets.

    In addition to funding, Tinubu administration has been interfacing with critical stakeholders in the education sector, including the education sector unions and the students themselves. It is important to point out that this administration paid the eight months’ salary arrears of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) withheld by the immediate past administration during the prolonged strike of the union. Nonetheless, the other unions in the university system are clamouring for the payment of their own withheld salaries. Another achievement of the administration is the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which will enhance access to tertiary education in the country.