IN the Yoruba community to which he belonged, death, especially following a life well lived, does not call for endless mourning: the tears, intense as they may be, soon dissolve into a festival of celebrations. This is why in the ancient Iperu kingdom, it’s been celebrations galore since Emmanuel Adesanya Abiodun (PhD), foremost educationist and social activist, joined the pantheon of ancestors on August 2, 2021 in faraway Manchester, United Kingdom.

Iperu, mourning—no, celebrating—the departure of a quintessentially and uniquely great man, has become a Mecca of sorts, as the high and mighty, old and young, pay tributes. Almost everywhere you turn, testimonies abound of the good works of the man who gave his all to develop his community. Baba Teacher, as he is fondly called even in death, indeed lived a good life: he was a role model, a mentor to many. Akara is being fried; solid food is being distributed freely to people on a daily basis, as we do in this part of the world when good people, when great people, as we say, make the earth their covering. Baba Teacher propagated education and enlightenment all his mortal years. As a tribute on behalf of the entire family of the late Baba Ijo of St.James’ Anglican Church Iperu noted: “Pa Abiodun was a leader and a passionate lover of God and humanity. His love for his community and the church will continue to inspire and be emulated.”

In his tribute, President Muhammed Buhari described the late octogenarian as a progressive who supported worthy causes during his lifetime, a life that should be emulated by all. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, accompanied to the Abiodun family house by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Ondo State governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, harped on his Christian devotion:  “The inheritance that Baba left behind is the path of Jesus Christ, the path of truth, that is the footprint he left behind, and that is what he bequeathed his children. I am extremely pleased to say to you today that we are rejoicing and celebrating the life of an incredibly great man who was not only known for his own contribution to society as a teacher, but also the fact that all through his life, he supported all the worthy causes, and was himself a progressive.” On his part, Akeredolu congratulated Abiodun for surviving his father, saying the deceased would be remembered for all his good works which helped in transforming society. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo summed it all up: “Baba has done his best and has gone to be with his Creator. From what we have heard and what we know of Baba, we can testify that Baba gave his life to serve. He gave his life for service of his family, his community, his country and to God.”

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Born into the household of Isaac Okanrende and his wife Alice Olubowale on February 23, 1932, the late Emmanuel Abiodun received his baptism at St. James Church, Iperu, in 1942, and was confirmed at St. Paul’s Grade III Teacher Training College, Abeokuta. Having studied for his first school leaving certificate at St. James Anglican School, Iperu, from 1939-1947, he served as a pupil teacher at the school between 1948-1950, and at St. Paul’s Grade III Teacher Training College, Abeokuta (1951-1952). He was a Grade III certificate teacher at St. Paul’s Anglican School, Odogbolu (1953-1954). He was at St. Lake’s Grade II Teacher Training College, Ibadan (1955-1956), and served as Grade II certificate teacher at St. Barnabas Anglican School, Ilesan (1957-1958), before serving at Joint Provincial Grade II Teacher Training College, Sagamu (1959-1960). He again served as a teacher at CAC Grammar School, Iperu (1961). Between 1962 and 1963, he again taught in Sagamu, before heading to the Obafemi Awolowo University (1963-1966) on  a Western Region scholarship, graduating with a B.A (second class lower) honours degree in English and Literature. Leaving Sagamu, he served as education officer at Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro (1968-1970) and at the famous Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo (1971-1999), from where he retired as a senior lecturer.

An educationist to the core, Pa Abiodun obtained a postgraduate diploma in education at OAU in 1976. This, he followed up with a Master of Arts in Education (1978) and PhD in education (guidance and counseling) in 1984, still from the same university. While at Adeyemi, he was, at various times, Head of the Department of English; Head, Department of Educational Foundation and Counselling; Dean, School of Arts; Dean, School of Education; Director, Institute of Academic Extension Services and Head, Department of Educational Foundation and Management. A thoroughbred professional,  he was a member of the Nigerian Association of Educational Psychologists, Counselling Association of Nigeria and Educational Foundations Association of Nigeria.

If Pa Abiodun’s academic sojourn was sterling, his community engagement was so much more. He was an epitome of the town/gown matrix, a son-of-the-soil uncompromisingly devoted to the good of the land. Gentle, forthright and supremely disciplined, the one-man-one-wife exemplar trained his children, among them the Ogun State governor, to be godly, disciplined and circumspect in handling matters. He was a symbol of fatherhood who built close-knitted relationship with his children. Time and again, he lent a helping to youth in the community seeking admission to various higher institutions of learning, mentoring and counseling them. Community service made him a member of the Akesan Club, Iperu and Christian Unity Band, St. James Church, Iperu. His record of service is distinguished, but only a few can be listed here. Pa Abiodun served as secretary, Iperu Palace Building Committee (2002-2003); member, Governing Board of CAC Grammar School, Iperu (2003-2007); member, Governing Board, Remo Anglican College, Isara-Remo (2004-2008), and member Ikenne Local Government Scholarship Board (2001) and Synod delegate, Anglican Church (2002-2005).

As he lies in state at the Akesan Club, Iperu, at 2pm on Wednesday, September 8, preparatory to Christian wake at the family house in Iperu, many will have the opportunity of viewing the body for the last time. The burial and interment service scheduled for Thursday, September 9, takes place at the Anglican Church, Iperu. Dr. Abiodun, a devout Anglican, is survived by Mrs. Victoria Abiodun, his wife of 61 years; many children, grandchildren,  and great-grandchildren. His was, to say the least, a life of service to humanity. He will be sorely missed, and that’s putting it mildly. He came, saw and conquered, and has gone home in a blaze of glory, a fulfilled and contented old man. Adieu, Baba Teacher…

• Akinmade,  former Special Adviser of Media and Strategy to the Speaker of House of Representatives and two-term Commissioner of Information in Ondo State contributes this piece through kayodeakinmade809@gmail.com

Leadership is not an occupation, leadership is not an art of fraud and pride. Leadership is not yours or mine, leadership is an attribute of God, leadership is the will of God, leadership is the choice of God, and leadership is a trust. Leadership is a burden. Leadership entails alot of things. So, we must get faithful, courageous, selfless, liberal and committed political leaders to be the helmsmen of the affairs of this country in order to refix it and restore it fast glory.

Sule Lamido is a fulltime politician who has been in the corridor of politics for over four decades. He was a unionist, (National youth leader) parliamentary, (Rep), party leader (state chairman and National Secretary) Diplomat (Foreign affairs minister) executive (state governor) and a presidential aspirant.

Sule Lamido was among the nine (9) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) founding fathers. Many of the men who qualify to be called fathers of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] have left the scene for newer entrants.

Many of the founding fathers are now deceased while some  of the remaining ‘two’ have quietly moved to the sidelines until lately when they resurfaced.

Former Jigawa State Governor Alhaji (Dr.) Sule Lamido (CON) is the lone founding father still on the landscape and his four decades of experience in the rough terrain of Nigerian politics is being brought to bear in this crucial political  circle.

He is so often in the news for a combination of reasons including his imposing physical presence, his simple style of doing things, his solid record of achievement especially when he was the foreign affairs minister and since 2007 when he became the helmsman of Jigawa State and his fearless stance on all controversial national issues.

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Sule Lamido always says his mind, which in all cases aligns with the interests of the common man. He never succumbs to sentiments. He is not the fair-weather type as so many politicians are; rather he stands rooted in principle and to progressive politics. In all of this, he brings rich personal experience to bear in all he does.

Lamido loves politics and elections because of his political orientation, love with masses and his achievements as a political leader and where many other politicians or  governors try to avoid conducting even local government elections by perpetuating caretaker committees in place, Lamido  organized regular local government elections in Jigawa State every two years according to the state’s Local Government Law.

Since 1999 when PDP came on board, he has deployed his unmatched energy and political skills in campaigning for PDP candidates from the top to the bottom. He organized an impressive state-wide flag off of campaigns during elections which all the candidates received their PDP flags.

In this election circle, Jigawa State PDP draws enormous strength from Sule Lamido’s tremendous record of achievements in office since 2007. All its candidates are hoping to ride to power on the strength of this record and the popularity of the party’s state leader, Lamido

There is so much to point at that politics &  campaigning in Jigawa State has been free of insults and abuses. In every community and at every level PDP candidates can point to the  projects and policies that have uplifted the state and the community in terms of education, transportation, health, economy and infrastructure etc. This record of achievement is a tonic to PDP aspirants. It is a source of inspiration.

Lamido has been a model in peaceful and issue-based politics..  No mudslinging, foul language, intimidation and violence. Why mudsling when you have an enviable record of achievement to showcase?

After the 2015 general elections; and the economic, political and social events that followed, the greater numbers of Nigerians have become wiser politically. People now look at individual ‘platforms’ rather than party platforms. Individuals with sound records in quality leadership, development initiatives and vast political network are getting unprecedented support in many localities, states and at the national level depending on their political position and national outlook. One of such people is Sule Lamido- a guru in politics and real development.

Yes, Lamido is a core ‘developmentalist’ and a true progressive, who shares the political ideals of late Mallam Aminu Kano- ‘the masses first’ and ‘development as it ought to be’. One of the most unique things about Sule Lamido approach to people’s developmental needs is he mixed what the people need with what they want- local needs blend with modern development.

Lamido, when he was governor of Jigawa state, sees governance as the challenge to make the process of development inclusive and flexible- so that the gap between the rich and the poor decreases, as well as make rural communities to enjoy the most modern fruits of technological development. Lamido developmental approach reflected in all areas of human life – education, health care, food security, transportation, etc.

One of the most intelligent programmes that Lamido brought to Jigawa state was a permanent, feasible and win-win solution to the persistent famer-herdsmen conflicts. In most parts of Jigawa state, Lamido established grazing reserves and water pumping windmills for herdsmen to freely nosh their herds.

The grazing land is also watered frequently by the water pumping windmills for grasses to grow even during dry seasons. On the other hand, the farmers are provided with large expanse of farmland to cultivate crops. One beautiful thing about some of the farmlands is that they have dual function- they have on them facilities for dry season farming.

The programme, apart from promoting co-existence and harmony between farmers and herdsmen, instead of the usual conflict, a major benefit t of that Lamido’s initiative is that it has enhanced local community security, safety and development.

Many Nigerians were also impressed by Lamido’s social security programme a monthly allowance was given to less privilege people- which 100 people were chosen from each of the 27 LGA of Jigawa state. The establishment of state university is also a giant stride made by the Lamido administration. Free scholarship to Jigawa students including non indigenes, including the appointment non Muslims and non indigenes to political offices were also some of the salient qualities of Lamido which shows his nationalistic posture. On the national politics, Many Nigerians are expecting Sule Lamido lead in the rebirth of the PDP.

Because the PDP must bring on board resolute founding fathers of the party, to help the party to ‘come to live’ in the north and Nigeria as a whole. Nigerians cherish real development based on new thinking and sound decision making. Lamido’s development strategies used in Jigawa state should be a working-document for Nigeria. Lamido has become a role model for those holding public office and future leaders, because he has exhibited what is expected of elected leadership in the Nigeria of our dream.

Thus likes of Lamidos  will make an excellent president for Nigeria. He is a proof that, a leadership that is well-read, competent; with the right leadership skills, exposure and behavior will be a competitive advantage for Nigeria.

People like Sule Lamido as President of Nigeria will be a turning-point at this critical time of our nationhood.

To this regard, this is a special occasion in your life, I join millions of sons, disciples, admirers and well-wishers to celebrate with you, thanking God Almighty for given you immeasurable grace to witness this day.

You have shown remarkable, exemplary and unique qualities through your service to this dear nation and humanity. You have demonstrated un common traits of a great leader. Your courage, endurance, selflessness, resilience, philanthropic nature and uncommon wisdom stand out among the best.

As you mark yet another birthday, May the Almighty God prolong your life span, continue to endue you with enduring grace to keep thriving in good health and increasing wisdom to serve the nation. I am optimistic that you will keep working for Nigeria to be secured, peaceful, united, efficient and great

Happy birthday Jagoran Talakawan Nigeria.

• Adamu writes from

Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa state

 

 

He is not a man obsessed with titles. Gbajabiamila, a core professional who has been setting new feats in the legislative arm of the government set aside the strict norm of the corporate and accepted a well-deserved chieftaincy honour as the Agba-Akin of The Source, a coveted title bestowed on him by  His Imperial Eminence, Ooni of Ife and Adimula of Yorubaland, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II during the commemoration of the one year anniversary of enthronement of Alara of Ilara Kingdom, HRM, Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, Telade IV.

The Agba-Akin, loosely translated as a bold figure in Yoruba language aptly captures the strides of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila in public office. Gbajabiamila reflected the culture of excellence and panache synonymous with law practice to his public service assignment.

He has been exceptional since 2003 when he was elected to represent the people of Surulere Federal Constituency in the green chamber. His leadership qualities threw him up as the most suitable candidate to lead the minority when the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP controlled the majority in the House.

The great re-alignment of forces in 2019 that turned the table favoured Gbajabiamila.  The plum office was not served to him A la carte. He was bold and courageous. He remained undaunted in the face of intimidation and cheap blackmail. He rallied tendencies in and outside his party and proved to them that he will lead a House they will all be proud of. In the end, fortune favours the bold.

He didn’t deviate from the commitment he made to his colleagues and the Nigerian people. For the first time since the beginning of the 4th Republic, the majority of Nigerians attest that the 9th National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives, is people-oriented.

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The House of Gbajabiamila has always stood with the people when it matters most. Barely a year in the saddle as the Speaker, Coronavirus took the world by storm and disrupted the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians and further worsened the precarious condition of the vulnerable segment of the Nigerian society.

He appealed to the Nigerian elite, especially the political class, to rise to the plight of the poor. He led by example by rallying members of the House to donate two months salaries to provide succour to depressed masses at the base of the pyramid. He didn’t stop there. Gbajabiamila took it upon himself to broker meetings between Power Distribution Companies, DISCOs with the view of providing at least two months of free electricity to the Nigerian people who were locked down at home.

Same demand was extended to cable television service providers. All these altruistic gestures were geared towards ensuring comfort for millions of Nigerians who were impacted by the worst pandemic in history. Gbajabiamila to the admiration of Nigerians demonstrated uncommon leadership in the time of crisis.

When doctors who were the frontline essential workers in the thick of the pandemic rage were denied their rights, Gbajabiamila rose in their defence and took a bipartisan position and rattled the minister of Health, a member of his political party who was not speaking right on the concerns of the doctors.

When the diplomatic row was brewing in neighbouring Ghana over the inhuman treatment of Nigerian traders and other nationals in the country. Gbajabiamila rose to the challenge and forestalled the impending crisis. He took the matter to President Muhammadu Buhari and flew to the neighbouring country to meet with Ghanian authorities. When Nigerians were attacked in South Africa over xenophobia, the Speaker stood stoutly against the injustice. Ditto for the unkind treatment of Nigerians in China, Gbajabiamila made a case for respect for the dignity of Nigerians.

“If the diplomatic relationships between our two countries are for the mutual benefits of our citizens, then, there must be respect for our citizens, and we should not compromise it. As a government, we will not allow Chinese or other nationals to be maltreated just as we will not allow Nigerians to be maltreated in other countries. The way you treat your citizens, we expect that’s how you’ll treat others. We will not tolerate our citizens breaking your laws, but the crime of one citizen cannot be used to stigmatize the whole country. It appears that’s what happened in this case. You can’t use one brush to smear the whole wall. Whatever the reason, it cannot be used and taken out on the entire community in China”, he said after meeting with a Chinese envoy.

The activities of the Speaker since he assumed speakership has shown that he is a man who can be trusted. Under his watch hundreds of bills and motions are considered and passed.  In his constituency, he is touching lives in a remarkable way. Hospitals, roads and schools and other critical infrastructure that will improve the human capital index are top most on his agenda.

Gbajabiamila facilitated one project or the other for all tertiary institutions in Lagos. From UNILAG to LASU and LASPOTECH, students and other stakeholders can attest to how the Speaker is changing the narrative.

So, when the Arole Oodua conferred Agba-Akin title on Gbajabiamila. It is a re-affirmation of the bold steps that the Speaker has taken since he assumed the position of speaker.

RECENTLY, the Ogun State government ordered the contractor handling the Mowe-Ofada road reconstruction in Obafemi-Owode Local Government area of the state back to site. Contract for the reconstruction of the eight-kilometer road was awarded by the immediate past administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun in 2013. The people’s hopes were however dashed as the contractor stopped work in 2018, citing the non-payment of the N500 million owed it by the state government. But the sorry past is now prologue: the project stretching from Ofada Roundabout to Mowe junction and linking the Lagos-Ibadan expressway is now back on course. For the Dapo Abiodun-led administration, completing all abandoned projects left by previous administrations, particularly those with a high potential to drive the development narrative of the Gateway State, is an article of faith. It doesn’t matter who initiated what: what matters is value for the people’s money. That is why, for instance, the cargo airport envisioned by the Gbenga Daniel administration is being built as we speak.

But we turn to the roads. When he came on board, the Ogun helmsman set up a Contract Review Committee headed by Adekunle Mokuolu with a view to revisiting all abandoned projects in the state. The committee’s report, turned in  on September 8, 2020, identified countless infractions, but the highlight was that the current administration would need more than N218 billion to complete the inherited projects spread across the three senatorial districts. A total of 114 contracts were awarded during the period under review (2009-2019), at a total cost of N349,376,997.76, while total payment for the contracts/projects stood at N130,735,758,922:75. The total sum for the unpaid Certificate of Valuation (CV) for work done stood at N20,741,675,388:76.

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Apparently, successive governments embarked on white elephants for reasons of political gain. Immediately after they demolished buildings to pave way for their promised roads, they stopped work on them. The result was untold hardship for many citizens. In particular, landlords and families whose houses were demolished suffered mental anguish as they watched the sites of their former homes waste away, awaiting roads that never came. There was no compensation whatsoever. From Akute to Alagbole and Mowe, roads were abandoned. But even with the limitations imposed on the state’s finances by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Abiodun government was determined to complete the projects, saying they were meant for the good of Ogun, and that those suffering in the communities deserved a good life. The Abiodun administration has embarked on aggressive construction and rehabilitation of the road projects. Contractors are back on site. Instructively, the review cost is about 10 or 16 per cent of the initial or actual cost quoted by previous governments. In 2021, with the naira having fallen drastically, Abiodun is spending 15 per cent of the sum originally quoted by previous governments on the abandoned projects, showing that the initial costs were bogus. To him, all abandoned projects must be given a facelift in the interest of the people.

To take a few examples: the 42-kilometre Sagamu-Siun-Abeokuta road, which the Amosun administration awarded at a total cost of N60 billion but later abandoned, is being reconstructed by a firm, Strabic, with two layers (binding and wearing course) at a cost less than N20 billion, with street lighting.  The administration has, among many others, completed the 10-lane, 19-kilometre Ijebu-Ode/Epe road linking Ogun with Lagos State, one of the best ever roads constructed in the annals of Nigeria. The Lafenwa-Olorunda-Aiyetoro road abandoned in 2012 is back to life. The Abiodun administration approved the erection of a flyover at Lafenwa and undertook the relocation of powerline at Odeda in order to pave way for the railway line passing through the state. The projects have a long-life expectancy of between 10 and 15 years before resurfacing.

Further evidence that the administration sets great story by road construction is provided by the work of the Ogun State Public Works Agency (OGPWA), which has been tasked with fixing at least 15 roads on a monthly basis across the state. This month of August, the agency is rehabilitating 13 roads. The distribution is as follows: Ogun East, five roads; Ogun Central, four roads; and Ogun West, four roads. Indeed, between January and June this year, the government has built 54 road roads across the state: 29 in Ogun Central, 10 in Ogun West 10 and 15 in Ogun East. It expended a total of N7.389bn on the projects, including Raypower, Navy-Osi-Ikola roads in Ado-Odo/Ota local government;  the Fajol-Ajegunle-America Junction-Alogi road and American Junction-Unity Estate road in Abeokuta South and Odeda local government areas, and the Ejirin-Mobalufon- Oluwalogbon road (Ijebu-Ode LGA) and Ilaro-Owode road in Yewa South local government area.

Of course, there is the  Joju road (Ado-Odo/Ota LGA), Lantoro-Elite-Idi-Aba road (Abeokuta South LGA), NNPC Mega Station road (Abeokuta South LGA), Somorin-Kemta-Idi Aba Road (Odeda LGA), Imasayi-Igan Okoto-Ayetoro road (Yewa North LGA), and the Papalanto-Ilaro road (Ewekoro LGA). The projects also include the asphalting of Lafenwa-Rounder road (Abeokuta North LGA), palliative works on Sango junction-Ojuore road (Ado-Odo/Ota LGA) and the construction of City Gate monument at Sagamu Interchange (Obafemi-Owode LGA);  the construction of an internal road linking Ifo General Hospital and renovation of Ifo Fire Station, rehabilitation of Olowomore-Sanni and Olowomore-Brewery roads, both in Abeokuta North, and the expansion of the link road connecting Alaba Lawson School and /CBN/MTD, Ibara.

In a clime marred by discontinuity politics, where politicians abandon projects only because they did not initiate them, costing taxpayers humongous losses, it is apposite to dwell on the paradigm shift in Ogun State. In his inaugural speech on May 29, 2019, Governor Abiodun placed emphasis on the upgrade, rehabilitation, repair and restructuring of township and rural roads that were of economic benefit to the state. Looking back two years after, it’s been promise made, promise kept. And that’s how it should be.

 

• Bakare contributes this piece from seyibakare@aol.com

 

 

 

Last weekend rekindled hope in the hearts of most Nigerians at the coronation of the new Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III. While giving his speech at his coronation, the newly crowned King cancelled the curse placed by one of his ancestors on Nigeria and in place, released forgiveness and blessing on the land.

The Prophet Jeremiah in his prophetic message to the Jews said to them, “Seek the well-being of the city to where I took you to exile. Pray to the Lord for it, since when it does well, so also will you.” (Jeremiah 29:7)

On May 16, 2021, in our post titled “Bless Nigeria even if you feel like a slave in it”, on my verified Facebook page.we drew inspiration from the above scripture and I quote “if you do not bless Nigeria it is difficult for you to partake of her goodness”. In that post, I admonished all citizens to bless our beloved Nation Nigeria.

For decades, hatred and hostility against this nation, it’s citizens and neighbouring communities has been passed down fueling ethnic conflicts (indigenes of Modakeke and Ife; Umuleri and Aguleri; Ijaw and Itsekiri; Tiv and Jukun; Egba and Ibadan; Ekiti and Oyo e.t.c) and the diatribe between indigenous ethnic communities against the Fulanis.

Ogiame Atuwatse III’s action sparked and reemphasized on the need and call for National healing and reconciliation.

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Admittedly, virtually everyone has one bitter story or another to tell concerning each other and this was practically dramatized in an all night meeting at the house of my late running mate in New Haven, Enugu Dr. Agwuncha Arthur Nwankwo during the 2019 campaign.

Dr. Nwankwo had wanted a number of respected professors from the South East to discuss with my team.

The erudite and respected gentlemen from different states of the South East recollected the horrors of the civil war and injustice against Ndigbo. It was a lengthy meeting and I listened patiently.

After many hours of deliberation, Dr. Abdul Jelil Tafawa Balewa one of the heirs of the Prime Minister of Nigeria who was murdered in a coup led by Chukwuemeka Nzeogwu sprang up to his feet, and said, “gentlemen, what are you saying?”. He began to narrate how Igbo officers killed his father and Sir. Ladoke Akintola, who was his mother’s uncle on same day.

There was quiet in the room for about two minutes. I broke the silence and said “that is why I am here!”

As a nation, we need now to hereby draw a line in the sand on our past woes, reconcile and heal, and start a new journey for greatness. To achieve this, forgiveness is key; restitution where necessary will also need to be done.

What is seen for Nigeria is greatness, and the view for Nigeria which has been proclaimed can be found in Amos 9:14 (“I’ll make everything right again for my people Israel (Nigeria): “They’ll rebuild their ruined cities. They’ll plant vineyards and drink good wine. They’ll work their gardens and eat fresh vegetables. And I’ll plant them, plant them on their own land. They’ll never again be uprooted from the land I’ve given them.” Amos 9:14 MSG)

The Olu of Warri has acted wisely and may God preserve him on the throne and bless his Kingdom.

It is a new day for Nigeria!

 

 

Historically, the creation of Enugu State 30 years ago by General Ibrahim Babangida’s regime significantly transcended providence. It was largely the outcome of a tenacious struggle for the emancipation of the people of Wawa-speaking area (Enugu and Abakaliki) of Igboland, by the founding fathers of the state.

Both perceptually and in reality, it was a sustained agitation against injustice meted to a people (Wawa) who were honest, patient, intelligent and hardworking. The spirit of the dogged struggle was to birth and bequeath to its people and future generations a state anchored on peace, development, unity, equity and justice.

Enugu as the capital city of Nigeria’s Eastern Region; East Central State; old Anambra State; old Enugu State, when Abakaliki (now part of Ebonyi State) was part of it and the present Enugu State, has come a long way on the side of history. It is home for all Igbo, politically, socio-culturally and economically.

 

Sustaining the founding fathers’ dreams

The creation of Enugu State on August 27, 1991, brought unbridled excitement and a sense of accomplishment to the founding fathers. It consummated the liberation of the Wawa people to live freely in a society founded on the pillars of peace, equity and justice.

No wonder, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, in his 2015 inaugural address, recommitted himself to the dreams and aspirations of the founding fathers of the state to “take up the gauntlet of the struggle for the emancipation of the Wawa man from where our heroes past stopped”.

Gov. Ugwuanyi also vowed, in accordance with the ideals and aspirations of the founding fathers of Enugu State, to “deploy government services to create fair and equal opportunity for every willing citizen to make a living, educate our children, and enjoy life in a peaceful and secure environment”, while pursuing vigorously, employment generation, enhanced social services and good governance, rural development, security and justice.

This sound vision, the governor has dexterously accomplished in spite of avalanche of challenges confronting the nation’s economy, security and public health, among others.

In a recent forum, Gov. Ugwuanyi reiterated his commitment to the sustenance of these noble, lofty ideals and the principles of equity and justice in running the affairs of the state, reassuring that his administration will, at its end, “bequeath to all, a just, equitable, peaceful, united and prosperous Enugu State that has ascended more rungs on the development ladder”.

 

Quest for equity and justice ahead of 2023

This pronouncement was in response to the recent demand by the people of Enugu East Senatorial District, at a well-attended mega rally, in Enugu, that it is their turn to produce the next Governor of Enugu State in 2023, in the spirit of equity and justice, and based on the long established rotational template in the state.

Speaking at the rally, themed: “Oganiru Enugu East Senatorial District”, the Convener and Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, stated that it was the unanimous stance of the people of Enugu East Senatorial District that Gov. Ugwuanyi has a major role to play in the choice of his successor since his predecessors enjoyed such privilege during their tenures as governors of the state.

They therefore requested Gov. Ugwuanyi to uphold the long established rotational arrangement among the three senatorial districts of the state, namely Enugu East, Enugu West and Enugu North. Enugu East Senatorial District comprises six local government areas of Enugu East, Enugu North, Enugu South, Isi-Uzo, Nkanu East and Nkanu West.

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Aligning with the Speaker’s position at the rally, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Dr. Ben Nwoye announced that the party has zoned its governorship position in 2023 to Enugu East Senatorial District.

The APC chairman eulogized Gov. Ugwuanyi for his uncommon leadership qualities as a peaceful, humble and development-oriented governor.

In his speech, the former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, expressed optimism that Gov. Ugwuanyi will endorse his successor from Enugu East Senatorial District, stressing that “Gburugburu will give Ndi Enugu East Senatorial District governor in 2023; we are only waiting for the time to come to know who will be the next governor from our zone”.

On his part, former President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani, endorsed the stance of the people of Enugu East Senatorial District at the rally and commended the organizers of the event for galvanizing the people of the zone to come and appraise the existing rotational principle of zoning in Enugu State.

Sen. Nnamani lauded Gov. Ugwuanyi for the peace being enjoyed in Enugu State, expressing confidence that the governor’s disposition to peace and good governance will guarantee a peaceful transition in 2023, where a candidate from Enugu East Senatorial District will be elected governor of the state.

 

Enugu West endorsement and the PDP rotational agreement

Lending their support, a few months after, the people of Enugu West Senatorial District converged on Awgu Local Government Secretariat and declared that it is the turn of Enugu East Senatorial District to produce the next governor of Enugu State in 2023, based on the principles of equity and justice as well as the existing rotational arrangement, which was reaffirmed by the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), during the State Caucus meeting of the Party in 2013.

Speaking at the massive rally tagged: “Ife-Emelumma Enugu West Unity Rally for Gburugburu”, which was graced by Gov. Ugwuanyi (on invitation), his deputy, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ubosi, State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Augustine Nnamani, present and former members of the National and State Assemblies, Chairmen of Aninri, Awgu, Ezeagu, Oji-River and Udi LGAs, Traditional Rulers, the Clergymen, youth and women groups, among others, the Convener and Chairman of the Central Organising Committee of the rally, Senator Ben Collins Ndu, told Gov. Ugwuanyi that the people of Enugu West Senatorial District have assembled to speak with one voice that the zoning of the governorship seat of the state favours Enugu East Senatorial District.

Senator Ndu who disclosed that the people of Enugu West Senatorial District are 100 percent in support of Gov. Ugwuanyi and his decisions in respect of his successor in 2023, maintained that they firmly stand by the decision of the State Caucus of the PDP in 2013, that the governorship position of Enugu State should rotate to Enugu East Senatorial District after the expiration of the turn of Enugu North Senatorial District presently occupied by the governor.

The Convener revealed that he seconded the motion moved by Chief Hon. Dubem Onyia, at the said PDP Caucus meeting of July 7, 2013, that the governorship position of the state should rotate to Enugu North Senatorial District in 2015, with an understanding that it should rotate to Enugu East Senatorial District in 2023, after the turn of Enugu North Senatorial District.

Senator Ndu pointed out that the PDP meeting of 2013 was attended by the party leaders such as the then State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Engr. Vita Abba, then Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime (from Enugu West Senatorial District), then Deputy President of the Senate and the current Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, then Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eugene Odo, other members of the National and State Assemblies who were members of the Caucus and members of the Party’s Board of Trustees from the state, among others.

He added it was based on the PDP decision on zoning of the governorship position that Rt. Hon. Ugwuanyi from Enugu North Senatorial District emerged the governorship candidate of the party and thereafter the Governor of Enugu State in 2015.

“What we are saying in Enugu West Senatorial District is that in Enugu State, governorship position rotates among the three senatorial districts. You (Ugwuanyi) are a beneficiary of the motion I seconded in 2013 that the governorship seat should rotate to Enugu North Senatorial District. The motion was amended by Dr. Charles Egumgbe that after Enugu North Senatorial District, it would be the turn of Enugu East Senatorial District. The amendment was adopted by the Caucus at that meeting”, Senator Ndu said while displaying the minutes of the meeting and other documents.

In their goodwill messages, other speakers at the unity rally, such as all the members of the State House of Assembly in Enugu West Senatorial District, Chairmen of the five LGAs in the zone, members of the State Executive Council (EXCO), the PDP LG Chairmen, the Traditional Rulers, the youth and women, former House of Representatives member, Rt. Hon. Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, former Minister of Aviation, Amb. Mrs. Fidelia Njeze, Chief Anayo Onwuegbu, among others, endorsed the pronouncement made by the Convener, reiterating that it is the turn of Enugu East Senatorial District to produce Gov. Ugwuanyi’s successor in 2023.

 

Gov. Ugwuanyi’s response

Addressing the mammoth crowd at the rally, Gov. Ugwuanyi did not mince words in rekindling his unwavering commitment to the sustenance of a peaceful, united and prosperous Enugu State, saying: “In doing so, we shall be consultative, just and equitable”.

His words: “Having listened to all the speeches, I now understand that ‘Ife Emelu Mma’ mantra, is both a statement of fact and a philosophy; a philosophy that situates and inspires a just and equitable dispensation of political leadership in our polity.

“In its literal sense, it is ‘ofo’; an invocation of the divine spirit to bear witness to our acts of justice and equity.

“Your message is therefore clear. It is understood in all ramifications. May God grant your prayers and heart’s desire”.

 

Brief history of Enugu guber rotational transitions

In 1999, Senator Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani from Nkanu West LGA in Enugu East Senatorial District occupied the exalted seat at the Lion Building as the Governor of Enugu State for two consecutive tenures of eight years, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which ended on May 29, 2007.

Senator Nnamani who could have ordinarily advanced a cause for his successor to emerge from his senatorial district (Enugu East), championed and spearheaded a rotational zoning process among the three Senatorial Districts of Enugu State, which led to the emergence of a candidate of the PDP from Enugu West Senatorial District, in the person Barr. Sullivan Chime, as his successor in 2007.

It was based on this rotational arrangement that the offices of the Deputy Governor and Speaker of the State House of Assembly were zoned to the other two senatorial districts, Enugu East and Enugu North, respectively.

Shortly after the successful reelection of Chime in 2011 as Enugu State Governor, the debate on the sustainability of the zoning arrangement as played out in the two consecutive transitions in 2007 and 2011, occupied the major part of the PDP-led government of the former governor.

The agitation that it was the turn of Enugu North Senatorial District to produce Chime’s successor, as the last senatorial district to benefit from the triangular rotational arrangement, in the spirit of equity and justice, was spontaneous and justifiable.

It was a trajectory that was unanimous and endearing to the dreams and aspirations of the founding fathers of Enugu State, who painstakingly struggled for the emancipation of the Wawa people of Igboland, for them to enjoy peace, freedom, love, unity, development and political stability, laced with justice and equity.

The recent revelation at the Enugu West Ife-Emelumma rally that the PDP reaffirmed a rotational zoning formula in 2013 which favoured Enugu North Senatorial Zone to produce Chime’s successor in 2015, with a caveat that, after eight years, it will move to Enugu East Senatorial Zone, and thereafter Enugu West, connotes peace, equity and justice.

 

The governor’s message

As we celebrate Enugu State at 30; as Gov. Ugwuanyi continues to dedicate his time and energy to the sustenance of peace and entrenchment of good governance in spite of the nation’s economic, security and public health challenges; as the debate on 2023 keeps occupying the minds of discerning members of the public, one important message by the governor remains that “in the fullness of time, dialogue, justice and equity shall take pre-eminence”.

He (Ugwuanyi) is grateful that “beyond our election, God has been with us all the way. His blessings have afforded us peace and unity. His speed has taken us through far-reaching developmental milestones. His love has sheltered us from the menace of COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic challenges. His mercy has navigated us through the #EndSARS protests and recent spikes of insecurity”, adding that “in every adversity, He (God) has made us stronger, more peaceful, more united and more determined to succeed as a people”. Enugu State is truly in the hands of God.

• Amoke writes from Enugu

DEMOCRACY is a people-centric form of government. In a way, it is like the leadership structure in the family. All the leadership skills exhibited by both father and mother are very key to how the children pan out in life. There ought to be a complimentary type of leadership by both parents, the father and mother. While the father stands as the protector and provider, how he goes about his duties as a parent impacts on the children.

On the other hand, mothers provide a type of leadership that fathers by their nature might not be in a position to provide.  Due to the constant proximity of the mother to the children, their day to day social growth and interactions are closely monitored and directed by the mother. This is the time when children learn the values of leadership especially in cases where there are siblings. In the African setting, even when there are no siblings, the extended families are always there to fill the gap.

So from the home front, the type of parenting a child gets often determine the human they eventually become and the kind of leadership tenets they imbibe and later exhibit. The biblical book of proverbs seems to have taken this into consideration in these words, “train a child in the ways he will go and when he grows he will not depart from it”. This has proved to be valid given that most parents strive hard to instill certain core values in their children. It is from the homes that a child learns empathy, kindness,  compassion, love and all those values that ennoble .From the way a child interacts with his or her siblings, one can anticipate how he or she can deal with those they meet outside the home.

If Nigeria must sort out the socio-political issues in the country, it would be valuable to begin to re-evaluate the sociological impact of parenting. To continue to wish that miracles can happen to change certain mindsets might just be a wishful thinking that can never come to fruition. Children learn from what they see more than what they hear.

The RoundTable Conversation had a chat with Susie Aham-Okoro , a former local government Chairperson of Orsu in Imo state and a lecturer at the department of African Studies, University of Maryland Baltimore County in the United States.  According to her, her mother was the role model that inadvertently initiated her into the leadership space. She grew up seeing her mother as a leader at different levels in the community. She was leading the women both in the community and in the church at the time. She saw her as someone who was deeply rooted in the community and whose leadership skills were admired.

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So she was very active politically. She was a member of the Nigerian people’s party (NPP) at a time and moved to the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).  A very active political player, she became an inspiration to the daughter  Susie who often followed her to the political  and church engagements as a leader. She watched her mother contest for leadership positions some of which she won and some she lost.

So armed with all she had soaked in from her mother politically at the time, she ventured into student leadership through the Student Union at the University of Nigeria Nsukka.  It was a hunger to provide the kind of leadership observed from the mother at that level. She was very active in student unionism and graduated and luckily came across a late Chuba Okadigbo and worked with him for a few years. So having these two political mentors was a plus.

Becoming the Chairperson of Orsu Local Government during the military era was for Susie a grand initiation into the Nigerian political space. As a Political Science graduate, it was time to put the theories into practice. It was a gathering of a ton of experiences for her as she experienced firsthand the dynamics of politics in the Nigerian context. As the only woman to chair a local government council at the time, it was an initiation into the core of patriarchy.

Her  strength came from lessons learnt from a strong mother who never backed down. The tutelage she garnered form her mother was very instrumental to the success she recorded at the time.  She was a rebel with a course as she refused to accept the stereotypical misogynistic attitudes men in Nigerian political space exhibited claiming it was all culture. To her, the real problems with Nigerian politics is the huge  gap between theory and practice. On paper, Nigeria copied western style of democracy but failed to go by the discipline of democracy as is globally practiced.

Men in Nigerian politics fail to understand that leadership is supposed to be complimentary in ways that both genders, just like in the family  lead in different ways that ultimately lift all. There was a mischievous recourse to some cultural nuances that were purely unjustifiable in the circumstance and she stood her ground. Certain practices that were discriminatory like nocturnal meetings always fixed by the men she found very wrong. To her, there are working hours that meetings should hold and the men fixing it at night was wrong because not only is it outside work hours but it was a deliberate attempt to shortchange women.

Nigerians to her must decide what truly works for everyone and make deliberate efforts to adopt the best tenets of democracy. Democracy does not discriminate but the best human should get the job done. Gender should never be the issue. Even though discrimination against women is still an issue, it is great to see more women getting involved in politics.  They must have the will to push further.

It is a good thing because naturally women are good leaders whose leadership skills are seen from an early age. The best individual should get the job done. More women must be encouraged to join politics as the only panacea for the problem of Nigeria. Women must take the lead because they are often more qualified than the men jostling for political leadership. We must learn to practice democracy according to the tenets. The road to progress is in doing the right things that can develop the country.

Princess Adekemi Adewunmi  is a daughter of Efon-Alaye Kingdom in Ekiti state. She grew up under a very influential father, The late Ajirogba  of Efun-Alaaye kingdom, the Otumba of Ikole Ekiti, Akaiyeijo-Otumba of Ikere Ekiti, th Baba Ijo of St.Paul’s Anglican Church , Idagba Efon-Alaaye and the first Efon-Alaaye citizen to qualify as a lawyer.

With a father with this type of pedigree, it is no surprise that Princess Adekemi took to politics pretty early in life and has continued to do various other businesses too. She has been an active politician since 1998 and has been providing leadership both as a politician and as a member of different NGOs.

It is obvious that she, like the axiomatic kid has been watching the parent chew the curd. Her father had set a template and she had taken the cue. She has been providing leadership both as a politician and as a professional in different fields. She learnt the value of leadership very early in life and has refused the odds being against her. Being passionate about humans especially women and girls stems from all she learnt from parents who were hands on and who lived by examples.

According to her, it was easy for her to walk up to the father to tell him she wanted to join politics.  He gave his blessings knowing that he had done his part in instilling the leadership values in her. She has been a very active politician and is mentoring many other young women to shake of the crushing male chauvinism that has always impeded female participation in politics.

Princess Adewunmi believes that gender parity in politics is the forerunner of development because women have the capacity, the qualifications and the sense of patriotism and equity that can change the society like Nigeria that is weighed down by poverty. Learning leadership skills under such an influential father prepared her for the roles she has been playing in politics.

She believes that parental guidance and leadership by example is all each child needs to excel and each child watches with intense attention the actions around them in ways that it can either build confidence in them or discourage them. As a female politician, she has been at the vanguard of fighting the male prejudices that discourage women from politics. A dose of confidence from such a strong parentage to her has been a blessing.

The Roundtable Conversation believes that Nigeria must go back to the fundamentals if the current situation can be corrected. Leadership is everything in development. When the roots are faulty, the tree cannot stand.  It is not enough to complain about underdevelopment and the attendant poverty. The roots of the problem might just be in the hands of the hands that rock the cradle and that is not just about the mother, it is about the two parents.

When they say that each society gets the leadership it deserves, it merely means that the product of the society cannot be magically different from the environment he or she emerges from. There must be a reawakening that brings forth a system that sees  what works for everyone in the long run. Sometimes we are all forced to wonder whether today’s political players realize that children are watching and taking notes.  These two accomplished women are evidence that parenting has everything to do with instilling discipline and leadership skills on chidren.

The dialogue continues…

By Dahiru Maishanu

The Rural Urban Housing Initiative (RUHI 774) is the most revolutionary programme of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN).

The RUHI 774 is a well-thought-out and clinically designed programmme aimed at providing at least 100 housing units in each of the 774 local government areas in the country for low and middle-class income earners.

This comes at a critical time when the country is enmeshed into a bottomless hole of housing deficit of over 20million in the country and seemingly with no idea of how to tackle it.

RUHI 774 is a programmme of cooperation and collaboration of various stakeholders and government, anchored by REDAN, at the driving seat.

The Presidency is the most important strategic partner of REDAN in this program.

The Federal Government has endorsed the programmme through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federal (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, via a letter of endorsement to the leadership of the Association.

The government commended REDAN for its concern and efforts in providing affordable housing for Nigerians through, among other initiatives, the RUHI 774 scheme.

Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing through the Honourable Minister, Alhaji Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), has engaged the Association positively on the effective way of improving the delivery process of RUHI 774 programme.

On the funding/financing side, REDAN is being supported by two major foremost financial institutions in the country.

The Family Homes Fund (FHFL), a Federal Government institution for housing intervention, jointly owned by the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Sovereign Wealth Fund, is firmly committed to partnering with REDAN in providing finance for building construction works and associated infrastructure like estate roads, water, sewage and power.

Similarly, Shelter Afrique, a Pan-African finance institution for housing of which Nigeria is a member and a shareholder, has put pen to paper to finance 70 per cent of the total project cost, which include the cost of land, construction costs, professional and project management fees and other financial charges.

They are in the process of raising $500million to provide finance in the Naira denomination to REDAN.

Other REDAN’s critical stakeholders in the RUHI 774 project are the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company.

While the CBN has pledged to support housing development through developers that have off-takers, the FMBN is partnering with REDAN in providing mortgages for contributors of the National Housing Fund (NHF).

The FMBN is consequently availing home seekers of RUHI 774 houses the opportunity to own such houses under the bank’s Rent To Own program.

The NMRC on the other hand is willing to synergise with REDAN to refinance primary mortgage banks involved in the RUHI 774 scheme, thus reinventing the mortgage culture in Nigeria.

It is pertinent to mention that the leadership of REDAN has so far acquired over 2,000 hectares of land in 20 states of the federation for this extraordinary project and currently has over 20,000 home seekers as off-takers in its database.

The sixth national leadership of REDAN is moving fast in a supersonic manner in all frontiers of the industry.

The new man at the helm of REDAN affairs, Dr Aliyu Oroji Wamakko, has redefined the rudiments of the built industry in strategic and goals-oriented drives while creating an avenue for wealth creation and empowerment coupled with unparalleled job creation opportunities for the youths.

Wamakko has driven the RUHI 774 train into a synergy cruise with professional bodies that matter in the country.

The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), the Nigerian Institute of Building and those of Estate and Quantity Surveyors and many others are brought into the programmme to ensure professionalism and strict regulatory compliance.

A quick look at the checklist for RUHI 774 shows what obligors are to provide or submit to REDAN, which includes their land title documents, formal funding request letters, architectural and mechanical drawings, bill of quantities and proposed project execution plans.

Where there are challenges, REDAN is prepared to give a helping hand. All obligors are obliged to register with REDAN as full financial members to also benefit from other laudable projects of the Association.

It’s important that all and sundry key into the RUHI 774 programme towards reducing the current housing deficit in the country as well create employment and business opportunities in the built and other allied industries.

 

• Dr. Maishanu is REDAN Vice-President (Northwest). He can be reached on moyijoh62@yahoo.com

By Adesoro Tolu Austen

Parliamentary obstructionism should be avoided. It is a weapon to be used in the rarest cases. Parliamentary accountability is as important as parliamentary debate – Arun Jaitley

When Arun Jaitley, the late Indian veteran attorney and former finance minister, who worked tirelessly for the progress of his country, wrote the above, he was looking at the sacred mandate bestowed on parliamentarians in any progressive democratic setup.

He was emphasising the role presiding officers are supposed to play in ultimately bringing democratic dividends to the doorsteps of the electorates.

The public expectations of the legislature cannot simply be overemphasised, and the public perception of its role contributes heavily to the legitimacy of democracy.

Firstly, it must be noted that the Legislature is a key institution of democratic politics and public accountability; therefore, how it is publicly perceived is linked to democratic survival and legitimacy.

We cannot run away from the fact that a key factor in the perception of the Legislature, derives from its performance of core constitutional duties of law-making, oversight and representation, as well as other related or associated duties.

As we know, legislatures are in place to represent the collective will of their societies, and lawmakers are expected to carry unique responsibilities.

Through the democratic means of peaceful interaction and compromise, the legislature in Nigeria is constitutionally empowered to fulfil the various tasks of public deliberations over any and all issues of societal concern, such as debate; the creation of legal and budgetary frameworks that stipulate how those issues are to be addressed- legislation; and oversight of programs brought out by the executive arm of government, to attend to those issues, by way of scrutiny.

Because the legislature is seen as carrying the responsibilities of being trustees for diverse groups of communities in various geographical locations in Nigeria, they must be accountable to them, hence the forthcoming Conference of Presiding Officers of Nigerian Legislature (COPON), is long overdue, and a welcome development.

Come July 2 and 3, 2021, the COPON, which is made up of Presiding Officers and Speakers of the National and States Houses of Assembly in Nigeria, will be having its very important meeting in Abuja.

Coincidentally too, between July 1 and 2, 2021, the Forum of Clerks of Nigerian Legislature (FOCON), a body essentially made up of Clerks in the country, will be brainstorming to address salient issues affecting the administration of the legislature, in the nation’s capital city of Abuja.

The theme of the COPON meeting is: “Public perception on the role of the legislature: post-legislative scrutiny and the independence of the legislature”, while the meeting of FOCON will essentially dwell on the status report from the states, the training of newly appointed Clerks, among other related nagging issues.

For obvious reasons, the subject of this piece is more on the COPON, more so, as the theme for discussion is not only very germane but fundamental to the progress and sustainability of parliamentary democracy in our clime.

Given the fact that public or citizen participation in the core work of the legislature is viewed to be critical to the overall performance of the Legislature, the birth of COPON in 1980, during the Second Republic, as a forum for articulating and addressing issues of common interest to the Nigerian Legislature, was a watershed in Nigeria.

It is sad to note that the military incursions into the Nigerian political system, and some known protracted issues that besieged the early years of resuscitation of democracy from 1999 upwards, made COPON non-existent.

COPON came alive again in 2007, in 2008 and in 2009. COPON again slid into limbo until it surfaced again in December 2013, with its Fifth  Conference.

More saddening is the fact that COPON, an organisation with such laudable objectives such as: “strengthen the institution of legislatures to play a pivotal role in sustaining democracy; ensure liberty, equality justice and dignity of Nigeria; contribute to the effective functioning of the Nigeria legislatures; encourage contacts between Nigerian legislatures on one hand, and parliamentarians in Africa and other countries on other hand, and ensure the autonomy of the institution of Legislature in Nigeria at all levels”, has not been meeting as at when due.

Meanwhile, article 8 (1 -3 ) of the rules and regulations COPON of 2008, States that:” The General Assembly shall meet quarterly at such place as the General Assembly shall decide; the meeting shall rotate among the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory; the extraordinary session of the General Assembly may be convened by the (a) Chairman; (b) Executive Committee; and (c) at the request of at least a simple majority of members of the Conference addressed to the Chairman” .

It is imperative to look at how COPON is being funded according to its rules and regulations, perhaps lack of funding is a major reason that this all-important Legislative organisation has not been forthcoming in terms of stipulated quarterly meetings.

Article 19: Financial Provisions states as follows: “The Conference shall be funded through annual levies and contributions of Members; donations to the Conference; aid from donor agencies; and any other donation.”

Now, why has the Conference being slowed down in terms of proactive meetings? The onus rests squarely on the leadership and all members, to be alive to the wonderful objectives of COPON, of drastically pulling resources together, by way of prompt response to financial obligations; and the constant need for a financial drive to sustain the organization.

COPON and FOCON must find a way to be relevant in the parliamentary democracy such as it is obtainable in Nigeria today, the laudable objectives of these two vital organs of political representation must never be compromised by anything.

The public perception of the legislatures in Nigeria is not encouraging, given incredible scandalous development that sometimes jumps out to the public that is the more reason the ‘COPON 2021’ meeting is not only strategic, well-timed, but very instructive.

The leadership and members of COPON must endeavor to try even after this all-important summit to pragmatically approach its oversight functions, to scale up, the overarching goal of the Legislature, to promote public accountability in all ramifications.

More disturbing is the issue of rubber stamp syndrome and vindictive usage of the impeachment process by some executives at the states assembly. All hands must and should be on deck to institutionalise COPON and FOCON, to take them to greater heights, constant synergy must continuously come to play to sustain these two mighty organs of Legislatures in Nigeria.

The symbiotic roles of the various arms of government, in sustaining democracy in Nigeria cannot be ignored, as the executive, judiciary and the Legislature must effectively promote the doctrine of separation of powers, by acting independently of each other, for the ultimate benefits of the electorates, in whom sovereignty resides.

This is to appreciate the fantastic efforts of development partners such as the Partnering to Engage, Reform and Learn – Engaged Citizens Pillars (PERL-ECP), The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), in the sustenance of parliamentary democracy in Nigeria.

There is no disputing the candid fact that COPON is a veritable tool for strengthening the Nigerian legislatures, the ongoing constitutional review process demands a common legislative perspective from ‘COPON 2021’ meeting

No doubt, as COPON continues to serve as a wonderful vehicle of interactions and a tool for articulating legislative issues, it will be a useful platform for the promotion of knowledge and education of members, in that way drastically bridging the much-needed gaps of members to provide effective leadership in their respective Houses.

COPON will also continue to help in ensuring that the Nigerian legislatures adopt uniform legislative procedures and international best practices.

 

• Adesoro is the Special Adviser on Media & Labour to the Clerk to the National Assembly.

By Olu Ayela

In this phenomenal period in the history of Nigeria kicked off by daunting economic challenges and a pandemic that took the nation by storm, reducing forecasts to mere conjectures, rendering hitherto formidable organisations and institutions as shadows of what they used to be in the pre-pandemic era, there are a few men and agencies in Nigeria that can stand out to be counted, feted, and given badges of recognition and honour.

For others, there were landmark achievements that are captivating in their magnitude and if one of such people is to be picked out as most outstanding, the choice would readily be Captain Rabiu Yadudu. Where do we start to enumerate? Is it his management of the nation’s number one gateway in the landfall of the pandemic in Nigeria? The low level of infection from the pandemic in Nigeria may be attributed to divine intervention in a country where clearly a lot of processes, systems and persons do not work as expected, but divinity is not able to shape the affairs of nations without the instrumentality of humanity. Captain Yadudu is one of the human vessels used in Nigeria during the frightening period of the pandemic to navigate the storm. He put systems, processes, and human resources to an extremely good use to keep the airport in prime working condition and helped to contain what would have been the biggest casualty rate of the pandemic worldwide.

It bears repeating that during the pandemic, FAAN worked to stave off a calamity of immense proportion and all because of a Captain Yadudu in FAAN. If Nigeria is to count the heroes of the war against the pandemic, Yadudu is a natural choice along the frontline workers. He coordinated, out flanked, out thought, rallied, influenced, and inspired a team that could possibly have been overwhelmed not just by the fears, anxieties and depressing tales that were coming from outside the country but of the presence of real people who were struck by the pandemic and were coming in their droves through the nation’s airport. In a situation where even cargoes are infected and all were managed with such uncanny ability, Captain Yadudu deserve to be recognised for leading a resilient organisation.

Although the focus of this treatise is about the strides of Captain Yadudu in two years as the helmsman of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, there is so much that he has achieved in the fleeting moment of two years that if we are to dwell on his remarkable feat around the pandemic alone, there is the extreme possibility of not recounting the other glittering work that lights his path in the aviation industry. With the risk of being immodest, Captain Yadudu works made the contributions set by many of his predecessors to pale into insignificance in the aviation history in Nigeria. This is an appropriate response to his traducers who at the time of his appointment in 2019 railed at and rallied against him, describing him as a rookie whose two years as a director makes him unsuitable to hold that sensitive post.

There were other voices raised against him because of the close working relationship he has with the supervising Minister of Aviation. Instead of seeing this cordiality as an advantage that was borne out of mutual understanding and cooperation, it was used as a trump card against him. This is the bane of many Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Nigeria and has contributed to the failure of many of the public sector organisations in meeting their mandates. Imagine what colossal loss it would be if petty rivalries and bickering of naysayers had prevailed against the better judgment of the president.

Rather than trade words against the gang up, he quietly started a journey of transformation at FAAN. He became the guardian of the gateway into Nigeria and his management has been magnificent. He has shown that he has the guts to bring in glory and he has demonstrated beyond the widest imagination of those who believe that he cannot succeed that there is more to organising FAAN than the decades spent in the seat as a director of an organisation. There has been eerie silence from the camp of his critics who were waiting in the wings for his first sign of weakness.

The skills deployed by Captain Yadudu at FAAN make for a persuasive argument to ask that his remarkable two years in office should serve as a background for giving him an opportunity to further carry on with his blueprint for FAAN. Although there are a few points waiting to be collected, those who were unimpressed by his appointment at the beginning but have seen his worth on the tarmac, in the departure and arrival halls are willing even if grudgingly for Yadudu to hoist a banner of meritorious service.

Captain Yadudu’s style of operation is unique and distinct from his predecessors in terms of thinking outside the box and that has been his hallmark as the Authority gradually breaks tradition with what has been the way of operation in years past. The man has seen virtually all and works in all departments that makes for a successful airport system that meet internationally acceptable standard in the twenty first century. His beacon from his appointment in May 2019 was the Authority’s mission statement. In keeping faith with the obligation of FAAN “to develop and profitably manage customer-centric airport facilities for safe, secure and efficient carriage of passengers and goods at world-class standards of quality,” the man could never go wrong. The mission statement became his operational manual, and the reward has been immense for him, the staff, board, the Authority, to President Buhari who appointed him and to the passengers who have used the airports in the past two years.

Expectedly, because he has not wavered or take a flight of fancy but shown uncommon dedication and commitment to the demands of FAAN and the users of the airport, the innumerable distractions that are some of the pitfalls of the work including incoherent air transport policy, bad management, decaying facilities, loose security, closure of airports, intermittent air crashes have not deterred him from ensuring that there must be strict compliance with safety which is the bedrock of the aviation industry. He is an unrepentant enthusiast for the strict application of regulations for the sustenance of the aviation industry, combining efficiency and effectiveness in operations without compromising the comfort of the passengers around whom everything revolves.

It is apparent that Captain Yadudu’s experience in the aviation industry has served him creditably. His, is a glittering career lined with garlands of success He is amazingly comfortable in Aircraft Operations just as he is at ease in meeting the specifics of airport personnel and facilities management. He not only emerged though the system, but he is also a poster boy of the system who learnt all the rudiments of the aviation industry. He rose from the post of the Director of Airport Operations (DAO), of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) into the helm of authority in the Authority. As an International Civil Aviation Organisation/Airport Council International (ICAO/ACI) accredited airport professional, he came into the exalted office highly prepared, recommended and duly motivated for service.

Part of his decorations are his certifications which includes training as a pilot which had given him the required credentials to captain a B747, Citation Sovereign and the Learjet 45XR with over 7000hrs of flying time under his belt, alongside being an experienced Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics). He is confident in the air as he is on the ground. He is the proverbial round peg roundly fitting into the round hole of aviation matters. His strength is known to in his ability for insisting on professionalism.

Expectedly, because of his desire to boost morale of the workforce and build on existing facilities, he pitched on strategic areas as anchor for his tenure especially in human capacity development, development and utilization, infrastructure upgrade and maintenance and improvement in processes & procedures. The areas so identified were designed to bring about a holistic revamp of the airport authority under his watch. Prior to his ascension to the office of the Managing Director, Captain Yadudu had devoted himself to understanding what is necessary to propel the Authority to a level that it begins to work with precision. He had prepared extensively and made the complex procedures as simple as possible through the identification of bottle necks that had impeded effective service delivery. The outcomes were tremendous reforms in safety, security, which have boosted the confidence, capability, and competence of the tens of thousands strong workforce of men and women.

One of the success factor of Captain Yadudu is the reliance on knowledge as the driving strength required for meaningful and impactful changes in society. Armed with the role of knowledge in bringing about tremendous transformation for effective service delivery, he upgraded the FAAN Training School at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos to meet internationally acceptable standard. Given that the request for the designation of FAAN AVSEC was made in 2017, it was not until 2018 under the administration of Captain Yadudu that evaluation by ICAO was conducted in 2018.

Following the upgrade was a certification that has made the school one of the ICAO accredited Aviation Security Training Centre. It was inaugurated by the international aviation body in 2018 bringing another feather to the somewhat overcrowded cap of Captain Yadudu. In recognition of its contribution to aviation sector for the sub-region, ICAO has designated it to cater for aviation institutions in West and Central Africa.

The important work of Captain Yadudu did not go unnoticed by the British Government which signed a Memorandum of Understanding on aviation security with FAAN for the development of manpower a step towards attaining the ICAO Trainer status. What a huge impetus that little change can bring as the school has added another chapter to the aviation academic narrative of serving and future aviation enthusiasts, scholars and aficionados become a hosting facility for ACI and ICAO training programs.

Beyond the AVSEC training school, the deepening and strengthening of knowledge under Captain Yadudu extended to issues of continuous training and capacity building for staff of the Authority in the most crucial areas especially fire and rescue, operations, safety and engineering departments, and airport security in these days of high prevalence of terrorism and drug trafficking. He ensured that whatever it will require to make FAAN’s operations to be seamless, and without hassles as could be found in more developed countries of the world. Captain Yadudu adopted the train-the-trainer pattern through which the Authority will train a class of fifty who would in turn step down the training for relevant staff and knowledge is replicated and cascaded through the ranks. In this way, Captain Yadudu built a sustainability structure that will keep producing new crops of knowledgeable aviation staff.

As the Chief cheer leader at FAAN Captain Yadudu knows that it is also one of his cardinal duties to make the passengers want to use the facilities. Their safety, comfort and security were ramped up through the reactivation of the cooling system which had made the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport an extremely uncomfortable arrival point for passengers who would suddenly feel the sharp contrast in temperature as they step out of the controlled climate of the cool interior of an arriving aircraft. There were other significant changes at the airport including but not limited to the airfield lighting at the Lagos aerodrome which has received an upgrade.

Creating a hub status for the Lagos airport is a priority that Captain Yadudu has being pursuing passionately since his tenure started. The vison is for the new terminal to process 12 million passengers yearly while the 48,000 square meter facility beside the old terminal will process between 20 and 30 million passengers yearly. This dream is nearing fruition as the intermodal pattern required to serve the airport is being worked out with other agencies even including the Lagos state government.

There are other significant achievements that are difficult to be overlooked by any regular user of the Lagos airports. One of them is the menacing presence of a large colony of birds that have found them airport as habitable location. That is no mean feat because bird strike was almost synonymous with the Lagos airports and it was of serious concern to airline operators. Deploying a scientific management approach, the birds were eventually dislodged and the key flight path for all the aircraft have become a very safe runway.

The plans of Captain Yadudu for the airport also includes the latest in technology, without which the airport will not only stress passengers, but lose operations time and most importantly money and profitability. The anticipated technology to be deployed are the critical ones especially those needed for the check-in counters, and fiber optic technology to speed up communication. Captain Yadudu’s ambition for FAAN is large size and with his determination, the Authority is poised for greater achievements ahead.

The competence of Captain Yadudu goes beyond aviation matters. His understanding of how to manage men, utilize materials and be prudent in finances is outstanding. Revenue generation has not only improved enormously but financial control systems are in the right places to guarantee that leakages are minimized if not totally eradicated in the running of airport operations. These feats have been recognized by the Airport Council International Aviation Service Quality which confirmed that what has transpired in FAAN between 2018 when the Authority signed on to the programme is a record of immense progress in genera facilitation as recorded in the survey conducted by ACI ASQ.

For a man who has done so much in such a short span, a deserving and fitting applause should be given to him as we look forward to greater achievements in the years of meritorious service to the nation in the aviation sector. And what a better icing to his performance in the aviation sector than his upward mobility and transition from being a member of the continental Airports Council International Africa (ACI-Africa) to that of the global membership of the World Governing Council of the Airports Council International in two years.

Let us raise our glasses to toast and celebrate the master stroke, the enterprise and the spirit of excellence of Captain Rabiu Yadudu as the world begins to open up to more regular flights post pandemic.

• Olu is Veteran Journalist, based in Lagos