The Nation Newspaper

Category: Opinion

  • COVID-19: Note to Nigeria’s unbelieving tribe

    COVID-19: Note to Nigeria’s unbelieving tribe

    Oluokun Tunde Henry

     

    SIR: Many Nigerians neither trust the government nor its agency for Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). They have doubted the credibility of the daily figures released by the NCDC. Many have claimed the pandemic is clearly false and the political class are using it to enrich themselves. They have criticized the media for their stance on the existence of COVID-19 in Nigeria. The presumption was that a calamity of immense proportion would hit Nigeria and Africa at large because of their notorious poor health infrastructure and yet — the same continent has recorded the least deaths after Oceania.

    Even South Africa, which is among the top ten globally and leads Africa in number and rate of infections and deaths, has maintained a low case-fatality rate of two percent — significantly lower than the global average. South Africa now has more confirmed coronavirus cases than Britain or Italy. Yet, it has much lower deaths than the two countries.

    Despite low testing, many African countries are yet to encounter the colossal, the absence of mass deaths or overrun of the weak health systems seem to suggest something is ticking favourably for the continent as three in four people infected with coronavirus on the continent have recovered.

    A leading pharmacognocist Prof. Maurice Iwu once stated that Africans might have some form of protection from the virus. He pointed out that we take a lot of phytomedicines and our food has more antioxidants, zinc and vitamin C —which we take on daily basis without even realising it.

    The WHO Malaria Map shows that more than 90 per cent of countries worst hit by COVID-19 are not endemic to malaria. The Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, recently disclosed that chloroquine has been effective for the treatment of COVID-19 at the early stage of infection. Meanwhile, this chloroquine and its derivatives (in particular, hydroxychloroquine) have been widely used in the treatment and prevention of malaria in endemic regions due to its low price and wide availability — this might have played a role in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Drugs with similar characteristics to chloroquine, amodiaquine and mefloquine are also widely used as antimalarials which also have antiviral action.

    Another assumption by scientists is that the vitamin D produced by sunlight could play an important role in the body’s reaction to the COVID-19 disease.

    Another important factor is Africa’s youthful population, the youngest in the world. Most reported deaths of COVID-19 were among the elderly population. The Kenya Medical Research Institute study claims that one in 20 Kenyans age 15-64 has the novel coronavirus antibodies — only people who have been previously infected by the virus are able to produce antibodies so as to protect them against future infection. The number which was way above the COVID-19 cases and deaths that had been confirmed — this seems to give credence to the concerns that the virus is more widespread in many African countries than what was reported. Nigeria, the continent’s most populous nation, tests one out of every 50,000 people per day. Even many people who die from COVID-19 may not get a proper diagnosis — as seen in the verbal autopsy carried out in Kano.

    Most of the people in Africa who have contracted the virus are young compared to other regions of the world. Younger people are more likely to be asymptotic or suffer mild symptoms that are likely to be undetected.

    Another controversial factor could well be the widespread use of Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine for tuberculosis in Africa. There are now four studies suggesting that the common tuberculosis vaccine (BCG) has a general positive effect on the immune defense of the lungs which come into play fighting COVID-19. BCG vaccines have been shown to provide broad protection for several viral respiratory illnesses in addition to tuberculosis. It was reported that deaths due to COVID-19 were significantly lower in BCG- vaccinated countries when compared with BCG- non-vaccinated countries

    Beyond a shadow of doubt, COVID-19 does exit and it is here with us. Many people, here in Nigeria, contract the virus and recover without showing any symptoms — it has been established that those with good immunity and without other health co-morbidities are less likely to have severe disease or to die from the virus — good immunity appears to be a protective factor. Therefore, we should take responsibility in our own hands and stop being the doubting Thomases.

     

    • Oluokun Tunde Henry, University of Ibadan.
  • What if youths used social media differently?

    What if youths used social media differently?

    Dr. Timi Olubiyi

     

    SIR: Youth unemployment is one of today’s big global issues. Youth unemployment has reached an alarming record, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). At present, millions of young people are unable to find a meaningful job that will enable them to support themselves and their families.

    Most of the educated Nigerian youths are sociable, energetic and are very internet savvy, therefore for the ready and willing ones, there is hope in capacity development and entrepreneurship after their formal education. Once skill acquisition and adequate empowerment have been achieved through entrepreneurial development, it can be promoted on social media. Thus, a business idea can be developed, along with the technical skills acquired online. The internet and communication technology (ICT) sector offers huge opportunities for young Nigerians to be future entrepreneurs and small business owners.

    Social media is growing and now becoming the business hub. Social media will inevitably continue to shape all aspects of business opportunities across industries. Today 2.45 billion monthly active users are on Facebook as of the third quarter of 2019, and more than 100 million people use Instagram every month. LinkedIn has 500 million total LinkedIn users. Twitter has over 330 million monthly active users, when you add up this to the number of people using YouTube, Nairaland, Instagram, Pinterest, and other social media platforms.  It is easy to conclude that this social media holds ample opportunities for would-be entrepreneurs with growing users.

    Nigerian youths can take advantage of these.  With the financial constraints of setting up a shop or office and huge advertising cost to draw customers, a prospective entrepreneur might not start-up or scale-up. But with creating a presence on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to get direct sales from customers, the cost is low. The youths can leverage on this and on their social media networks they already have, as well as get insights from social media to improve their business ideas and market positioning.

    Many youths have smartphones and computers in the home but are not open to social media business prospects. The first point of call is to acquire a skill that could generate steady income and make one independent. Social media can be an effective way to build and promote the skills and tour business once the marketing campaign is right. Your social media plan and strategy should contain a smart mix of engaging family and friends who can recommend your business or services to others.

     

    • Dr. Timi Olubiyi, <drtimiolubiyi@gmail.com>
  • We hope to turn the political tide of the country by presenting the best candidates

    We hope to turn the political tide of the country by presenting the best candidates

    By Ntiense Umoren

    Mr Borono Bassey is one of the fast upcoming political factors and a voice to reckon with in Akwa Ibom politics. His sudden acceleration to the position of the Peoples Democratic Party state publicity secretary has shocked some political bigwigs in different quarters.

    The vibrant youngman at several interactions on issues bothering on his party, political practice in the state have defined him as a man well versed with political knowledge. This proves that age does not count when it comes to politics or issues related to his party at all levels of politicking as seen in the just-concluded wards and chapter congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party.

    Shortly after the congress in the state, the PDP publicity secretary, Bassey, who was optimistic in his party sweeping the 368 wards in the state and the 31 local government areas during election proper, said PDP had established history in a peaceful conduct of congress election, hence their all-round victory at the poll. He explained that his party always make deliberate effort to translate its policies into reality by putting its house together before going to the field for any election, saying the peaceful atmosphere witnessed during the ward and chapter congresses did not take them by surprise because the Peoples Democratic Party state executive led by Obong Udo Ekpenyong had long ago worked towards achieving that. The PDP spokesman maintained that the aspirants had to go through thorough screening before the congress, and after the screening, the party exco had to embark on wards tour, going around all the 368 wards in all the 31 local government areas to ensure that modalities were put in place for a peaceful conduct of the congress.

    Bassey said to clear the doubt or uncertainties that could degenerate into problem, names of aspirants cleared to stand the congress election were published on both print and social media.

    He said that after screening, as a listening party, those who were screened out were offered opportunity to air their grievances before an appeal panel, so that all the parties involved could be vindicated by the panel, noting that  it was after giving those screened out a chance to present their complaints that the second list was published to clear loopholes.

    On why the cost of purchasing form was on the high side, Bassey had this to say: “Going for election is a long term decision by an aspirant. We announced clearly and also published on papers that we are going to have election. We published the cost of expression of interest form and nomination form. Apart from that, you will agree with me that the economic situation in the country has changed, things are getting higher. So I don’t agree with you that the cost of forms was on the high side. We only made deliberate effort to reduce the cost of form for the women because we felt it was important we have a lot of female in elective political offices. The women were also screened  the same date set aside for screening of all aspirants because we constituted 13 panels: 10 for the screening of councillorship aspirants and three for the screening of chairmanship aspirants across all the federal constituencies, because we hope to turn the political tide of the country by presenting the best candidates.

    “Why we had that number of panels was to ensure that aspirants were properly screened to pick the best candidates for our party through due process. And we deemed it necessary to address their problems after screening to ensure that both candidates’ conscience, and the aspirants screened out were satisfied, which was a build-up to ensure a peaceful primary without bloodshed. And by the standard we have set so far, rancour, bickering and bloodshed have been suppressed. After the wards congress, we had to go to the field the following day to visit the 368 wards to meet the people assuring them of their franchise to elect a leader of their choice during the chapter congress election. All the processes we went through made the exercise peaceful; and was adjudged the best and the most peaceful in the history of the state. We want to set a model, not only in Akwa Ibom but across the country so that other states in the country will follow.”

    In the area of complaint that materials arrived some areas late after a long term arrangement towards the congress, he said, “Well, I want to tell you that as at 7am, the state chairman of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, Obong Udo Ekpenyong, was in the party secretariat. Party’s returning officers were also there. By 7:30am, everybody had taken their materials to different areas. But you have to understand that the congress was in different wards and in different local governments.

    “People who came from Eastern Obolo for example, would have to drive that long distance before they got to their centre. And if it is an area you will have to cross, or go by waterway, you have to board a boat before you get to the centre; and that will take some hours.

    “So, those are issues you have to take into consideration. But the most important thing is that the congress had been held and the people chose their leaders.” On whether there is any plan to pacify aspirants screened out; hear him, “You will agree with me that when you were young, it was the community that used to fish out those they felt could represent them well in public offices to contest. Then if you feel that your people want you, and you assume you are popular and they want you to represent them, once you indicate interest, your people should take over from there.

    “So the party cannot bear indemnity to people who were screened out even when we agree that we are a party that listens. For example, if an aspirant purchased a form and the credentials are not correct, or not complete, and perhaps no tax clearance, or your financial sanding with the party is not in a good shape; will you expect us to allow you to contest? “I want to reecho the fact that the panel that screened people out was not the working committee or executive committee of the party. So what we did was to only receive recommendation which they sent to us; and even the law says that if you ask someone to carry out a task on your behalf, you have empowered them to do so. What you have to do is to entrust the responsibilities on them.  Let me sieze this opportunity to commend the panel for a job well done. They did a very thorough and good job”.

    Verifying why some chairmanship aspirants who were cleared in their first term to contest and eventually won were screened out, and the criteria used in screening chairmanship aspirants: He said, “If you look at the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party, Section 10 talks about the conduct of members of the party. Some of them who could not make up in the final list were screened out on grounds of not being in good financial standing with the party (non- remittances) and series of petitions against them. Putting all these into consideration, we resolved that we cannot send such people to serve us in our party. As a party, we don’t take unilateral decision, we don’t act arbitrarily; before we say this is our final decision, we must give you a chance to say your grievances for all interest to be satisfied. And even after the final list, we still gave them chance a Friday before the chapter congress on Monday August 24, 2020.” Reemphasizing on why female aspirants are always given waiver in purchase of forms? The state Peoples Democratic Party spokesman said, “from assessment, both in international and national levels, analysis shows that there is misrepresentation in terms of number of females occupying elective offices. From this assessment by interactional organizations including World Health Organization (WHO) and International Donor Agencies (IDAs), it behooves us as a party to give women the leverage to enable them participate fully in the process by making deliberate efforts to reduce cost of forms for them so that they could be more involved in the game. Why we do this is so that it may not be that they have interest to contest, but because of financial impediment they are scared.   “From the leverage which avails a lot of them opportunity to aspire and occupy public or elective offices, we now understand that our women have the capacity to represent us at any level”.

    Responding to why no opposition party purchased either councillorship or chairmanship form, he said, “I am not a member of any opposition party, I may not know why.  And I cannot speak for them; I only speak for my party. But one thing everybody should know is that Akwa Ibom is a PDP state. When you were in primary or secondary school, you knew people that could beat you in a fight if you went to fight with them. So you carefully and tactically avoided fighting with them.”

  • PMB’s quest for legacy

    PMB’s quest for legacy

    Pius Okaneme

    SIR: President Muhammadu Buhari may turn out to be the president that Nigerians hate to love. I came into my house at night and flipped on the switch and there was light. I was thrilled. I noticed that I have been more productive with my work of late. I can turn on my computer anytime and also, I do not panic anymore that my phone will go down.

    These experiences may sound trivial but for many years inadequate electricity supply has appeared as an insurmountable obstacle to progress in Nigeria. There is also massive work in progress on Second Niger Bridge. The Onne Seaport which was closed for many years recently received the largest cargo ship in Nigeria. Previous regimes have politicized the above economically viable projects. Especially, the decongestion of the Apapa Wharf which has made traffic a nightmare in Lagos.

    I cannot suddenly start to paint President Buhari as a saint. That will be preposterous. The political calamity he has caused as a result of his insensitivity in balancing his government with regards to the tribal disposition of the country is a sin. Talk less of his seeming acquiescence to the Fulani incursion into various communities.

    The president is moulding himself into a bitter/sweet enigma. We pray that the scale of power will tilt to his patriotic side and shift Nigerian politics to a progressive direction.

    • Pius Okaneme, Umuoji, Anambra State.
  • Edo: Devils in the political wheel

    Edo: Devils in the political wheel

    Olaoluwa Fashogbon

    SIR: It was Joseph de Maistre who said, “Every country has the government it deserves”. Indeed, every group of people get the leadership they deserve and Edo State is no exception. Nonetheless, it is interesting to watch the proceedings in Edo and the media coverage of it. It brings to any probing mind the truth that the media loses its teeth and maybe even wisdom when election draws near. We all share a portion of the blame when we talk about the decay of Nigeria but we need to zoom in on the media, especially the established players in that space. They have more than any other institution failed us.

    With the penetration that radio has in the rural areas, the wide use of social media and the internet as a whole in the cities, and the continuing use of televisions in most homes and offices, it is safe to say the media has more interaction with the people than the government and it is closer to many than even their local governments. But what has the Nigerian media done with this power? They have been the main catalyst of the decay in our society.

    The media has to step up, the media has to take its place in nation building, the media has to see its duty to the people as a platform for educating the public on the intricacies of voting. The media has for too long been dancing to the tunes of money and political leaders. It is a known fact that no political party has any inkling of ideology that will bring the people together and move the nation forward.

    Rather than remind the electorates that the two major political parties and candidates in Edo State are not the only options available to them, rather than do reporting that calls the major parties to order, the media treats these people like actors in a reality TV show with headlines like, “Edo Election: Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu Embrace As Oba Of Benin Calls For Peace” which sounds like two Big Brother Naija housemates settling a beef at the beckon of Big Brother!

    The success of reality TV all over the world is a testament to how anything passed as such is of interest to people. The danger with this obviously, is that the governance and politics of a nation or people should not be treated in such manner because of how delicate it is to the lives of the people. The winner of Big Brother Naija matters up until the next show in a year, but the winner of the Edo gubernatorial election will have an effect on things 50 years from now.

    As Nigerians are holding one another accountable for their mistakes and misdoings over the past couple of years, the media needs to call itself to order, because whether project Nigeria works depends largely on tahe folks in the media space. From the radio stations, to the television stations, to the newspapers and blogs – we all need to change what is brought to the attention of the people, we need to join in educating the electorate as many do not see how these events affects their lives and the future of their children.

    We all need the media to light the way forward, because if they do not – there is danger ahead.

    • Olaoluwa Fashogbon,  <olafash19@gmail.com>
  • FFK: Arrogant disdain for responsibility taken too far

    FFK: Arrogant disdain for responsibility taken too far

    Lanre Atere

    SIR: The recent outburst, open display of self-importance and vituperation of the former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, towards a Daily Trust reporter, Eyo Charles, at a press conference in Akwa Ibom, is an affirmation of the brash and arrogant disdain with which Nigerian politicians view, not just citizens, but members of the 4th Estate of Realm.

    It is quite unfortunate to watch a supposedly public figure and ‘leader’ react to a simple question in such erratic and uncivilised manner. The likes of Fani-Kayode have over the years arrogated to themselves the image of demi-gods that cannot be questioned or subjected to the will of the people. To put it plain, he sees himself as above the ordinary masses. That is why he arrogantly refused to answer the question that bothers on probity, but which if properly answered would enhance his so-called assessment tour of that state.

    Nigeria, especially the Yoruba, from which Fani-Kayode hails, has a robust and a very rich culture, where respect and regard for others is in the unwritten rulebook. But this culture has gradually eroded and now being subsumed by a situation where society lionise and romanticise people based on the position they occupy, their wealth – even when the source is questionable. This has become the bane of our culture. In our past, positions are meant to serve the people judiciously and richness comes with sense of humanity, hard work and responsibility and not a clear display of irresponsibility and oppressive tendencies as epitomised by Femi Fani-Kayodes of this world.

    It also must be said that the reporter, in the face of the opprobrious arrogance of his subject, did not cover himself in glory. By capitulating to the tyrant’s intimidation, harassment and abuses, he laid to waste the efforts of the fathers of the reputable profession in the glorious days of Nigerian journalist. True, he got nothing in the form of support from his colleagues, who failed woefully to back him.

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Akwa Ibom Chapter duly rose to the occasion by ordering a boycott of press briefings organised by the former minister. The decision of the national body in swiftly releasing a press statement condemning FFK, as it should be, is also very commendable.

    The press must rise to the challenges by cutting to size big-for-nothing personalities who climb its shoulder to achieve their aims and then dump the ladder on them when they think they’ve reached the Olympian height.

    • Lanre Atere

    Tamworth, United Kingdom.

  • Osunkeye: An Accounting doyen turns 80

    Osunkeye: An Accounting doyen turns 80

    Tokunbo Abiru

     

    TODAY, we are celebrating a leading light, role model, mentor, an industry icon and man of integrity as he turns 80.He is no other person than Chief Olusegun Oladipo Osunkeye, a former Managing

    Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nestle Nigeria Plc and Babalaje of Egbaland. Certainly, this is an age Pa Osunkeye must have been trusting God to attain since his retirement from active service in 2015.

    Perhaps, for his enviable records of service, Pa Osunkeye’s life depicts an embodiment of lessons, not just because of his age, but mainly for values he has added to accounting profession and Corporate Nigeria at large. From when he started professional accounting training under Akintola Williams & Company in 1959, Pa Osunkeye clearly defined his career goal to be a thorough professional accountant and that vision guided his choice at every stage of his career.

    Even after he completed his training in 1963, he kept to this vision across his career trajectory that spanned over four good decades.

    Committed to his lofty dream, he proceeded to Staffordshire College of Commerce, England in 1963 and became a chartered accountant in 1965, then at the age of 25. This indeed demonstrated his pursuit for excellence in accounting profession.

    In 1967, Pa Osunkeye returned home at the time Nigeria was embroiled in civil war that lasted 30 months. Despite political unrest and civil war that then beclouded the future of Nigeria, he made a hardchoice by returning to his fatherland to make his own contribution to Nigeria’s socio-economic development in the first decade of its political independence. Providentially, he joined UAC of Nigeria Limited.

    At the very early stage, however, Pa Osunkeye understood without ambiguity that he would need more than knowledge to be a reference point in his profession. He thus defined his life around three fundamentals that later helped him stay at the top in his profession.

    That explains why his life revolves around God, integrity and professionalism.

    After working sustainably for five good years at UAC and West Africa Portland Cement Company Limited (WAPCO), Pa Osunkeye made a hard choice. He quit UAC, then foremost conglomerate not only in Nigeria, but also Africa and beyond. He joined Nestle Nigeria in 1972, one of the largest food and beverage multinationals in Africa.

    Progressively, he served Nestle in different capacities for over 40 years including the position of Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer. He served in this capacity for eight years before he was appointed the Chairman of Nestle Board where he meritoriously provided strong leadership for the multinational for over one decade.

    Pa Osunkeye is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) London, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Institute of Directors (IOD) in the United Kingdom and Nigeria. At some points, he chaired GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc. Board, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Institute of Directors and Lafarge Cement WAPCO Plc.

    Obviously, all these appointments attest to his competence, integrity and professionalism.

    Also, Pa Osunkeye was the President, Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria. Between 1998 and 2001, specifically, he presided over the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and served as a Council Member of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) for many years. With all the offices he had held at one time or the other in his four-decade career, Pa Osunkeye has proved that there is a strong correlation between integrity and professional fulfillment.

    That is why Pa Osunkeye’s contribution to building Corporate Nigeria has not gone without notice. He is a recipient of three national honours – Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 2003, Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2011 and Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) in 2014. Besides national honours, the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, conferred him with a Doctor of Science Degree (Honoris Causa) in 1998. He was honoured with the Babalaje of Egbaland, a high-ranking chieftaincy title the Egba Kingdom bestowed upon him in  recognition of his integrity, professionalism and selfless service.

    In different encounters with him, Chief Osunkeye attested that his career progression would have been slow or even truncated without the influence of the mentors that God brought his way. In an interview he granted in 2017, Chief Osunkeye explained different people in and outside the accounting profession who taught him practical lessons that helped build an enviable career. His mentors are Chief Akintola Williams, Chief Michael Omolayole and late Chief Justice Fatai Williams.

    At the time Pa Osunkeye retired as the Chairman of Lafarge Africa Plc on May 23, 2015, the role his mentors played in his career progression has definitely taught him many practical lessons. First, the role taught him to always give back to the society. In addition, it informed his resolve to devote the rest of his life to nurture corporate executives and entrepreneurs to attain the pinnacle of their career.

    Lastly, it shaped his decision to readily make himself available for any activity that would lead to the socio-economic development of his fatherland. In the last five years, Pa Osunkeye has committed to these lofty goals despite his age and status. He is no doubt a product of God’s matchless grace.

    My wife and I met chief about two decades ago, however, our first encounter with him neither prepared nor revealed to us what was about to unfold. In 1994, my wife had set up H&Y Furniture Manufacturers, now a leading lifestyle design and space enhancement firm. After a decade of operation, we had some compelling reasons to reposition this brand in order to set it on the path of future growth.

    As we embarked on this journey, we knew our company would benefit from the dexterity of a core professional, who not only had a strong corporate track record, but also a high sense of integrity and professionalism. This thinking attracted us to Chief Osunkeye on account of his strong professional background, record of accomplishments and reputation for integrity. That is exactly what Chief Osunkeye represents, not just professionally, but also in his family life. Our meeting with Chief Osunkeye readily revealed values the accounting doyen could add to our budding company. In 2004, we decided to invite him to the Board of H&Y Furniture Manufacturers as the pioneer Chairman, and we were delighted when he accepted the invitation in a mentoring capacity.

    Pa Osunkeye has been a pillar of support and a source of inspiration at every turn. He is a generous giver of his very valuable time and wealth of wisdom just to build a new army of corporate executives and entrepreneurs. He believes helping others grow is one way he can contribute his quota to economic growth and human capital development. From him, we learnt the importance of upholding the tenets of corporate governance while fostering good business acumen.

    Our board meetings are always robust and full of life, especially with the manner Chief Osunkeye proffers solutions to challenges that arise from time to time. He is ever willing to go over and beyond the call of duty. When we commissioned our ultra-modern factory, Chief Osunkeye did the unveiling. He did not only arrive early, but gave an inaugural speech and offered prayers, which were highlights of the memorable day.

    For us, as a family, Pa Osunkeye has been a steady source of inspiration and a confidant we often defer to. For instance, when my wife, Feyisola, lost her father, who was also a board member of H&Y Furniture Manufacturers, Pa Osunkeye and his wife formed a key part of the support network around us. It was, therefore, not just ordinary that our paths crossed two decades ago, but divine and ordained for purposes for which God had used him to accomplish in our business and family.

    Chief Osunkeye has been an amazing mentor to us in our corporate and family lives. He painstakingly mentored me at different stages in my career path. Looking back at our relationship of about two decades, we can conclude that we have benefitted immensely from Chief Osunkeye’s oasis of corporate culture and professionalism. We always appreciate his perspective on career-related matters and boardroom management.

    For these obvious reasons, Pa Osunkeye is not just an asset to the accounting profession, but indeed to the nation, especially with his commitment to mentoring a new army of entrepreneurs; helping corporate executives develop a robust career and upholding good corporate governance culture. As he marks his 80th anniversary today, we join his family and Corporate Nigeria at large to celebrate Chief Osunkeye, a doyen of the accounting profession, a master of boardroom management and an indefatigable proponent of good corporate governance. We wish him more fruitful years in good health, sound mind and unfailing memory.

     

    • Abiru, (FCA), former MD/CEO, Polaris Bank is APC Lagos East Senatorial candidate

     

  • Omo-Agege: Senator who loves Nigeria

    Omo-Agege: Senator who loves Nigeria

    Ijeoma Uba

     

    SIR: In the run-up to the 2015 Delta governorship election, I wrote an article in which I argued that whichever ethnic group that was needed to fill in the position at Osadebay House, based on the People’s Democratic Party, PDP’s gentleman’s agreement on rotation, Omo-Agege was the right choice. I wrote that having come from Orogun in Delta Central which is believed to have originated from Aboh in Delta North, with friends and associates from all the three senatorial districts, it will be difficult to strictly align Omo-Agege with just a geopolitical zone or ethnic group.

    “Unlike many new entrants into the race who are being allegedly imposed by godfathers or prodded to run, Omo-Agege is an old hand in the game who has entered on his own volition with a strong belief that he can add value to governance. He has passed through the rudiments and rather compulsory political servant-hood for effective leadership. It is often said that to be a leader, you have to be a servant first. Omo-Agege has paid his dues and he is ready to serve. His sacrifices and loyalty to the party at the Delta Central Senatorial bye election last year is another indication of his willingness to allow the collective interest supersede his personal ambition,” I had written.

    As fate willed it, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the Obarisi of Urhoboland, lost the PDP governorship ticket but Providence lifted him to the senate on the platform of Labour Party from where he moved to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. What he did not get the opportunity to do through the Government House, Asaba as a governor in Delta State, the senator representing Delta Central has achieved much more through the National Assembly.

    At the senate, his appointments, empowerment, legislative activities went beyond Urhoboland and even Delta State. The market women he empowered in the eight local government areas of his senatorial district were not all Urhobos. Ethnicity was not a criterion for his populist goodwill.

    When he was elected the deputy president of the senate by his colleagues in a keenly contested leadership election in 2019, the symbolism of that victory as a unifying force in Delta State transcended his ethnic group, district, state, geo-political zone, religion and other primordial cleavages. Aniomas, Yorubas, Igbos, Hausas, ijaws, among others, are all part of his team that is working assiduously in different ways to move Nigeria forward. His ethnicity, religion, gender or even political affiliations have not tainted his broad minded cosmopolitan make up.

    This is not hidden to anyone apart from those who may have personal axe to grind with this brilliant lawyer. Parents, especially women will not fail to acknowledge this legislator who fought to see that a law against sexual violators of students in tertiary institutions was passed. Association of non-indigenes recently passed a vote of confidence based on his treatment to them.

    Ever lucid in speech, poignant in presentation, dapper and debonair in sartorial elegance, Omo-Agege unarguably stands today as the most outstanding voice of the Niger Delta, offering hope for the renaissance of a much endowed but neglected people. If Omo-Agege symbolizes the identity and unity of the South-south geo-political zone, his nationwide appeal as a pan Nigerian player denotes his matchless patriotism in the service of Africa’s most populous country.

    Year 2023 is still far. The DSP has not revealed his political ambition. I cannot hazard a guess as various options are open for him due to his sterling performance in the senate since 2016. He could choose to remain at the national level where he has made his mark with a huge nationwide followership and acceptance as a compassionate leader who cares greatly for the people.

    But if Omo-Agege rises to take a shot at the governorship of the oil rich state again, his quest will most certainly also catch a game. He has proven beyond all doubts that he is indeed a symbol of unity in Delta State and Nigeria. And Delta State would be lucky to have him take charge of its affairs on May 29, 2023.

    The shape of tomorrow is certainly in the womb of time, but the future of Omo-Agege is promising as he threads the pathway of good fortune and popular will, emboldened by the grace of God.

     

    • Ijeoma Uba,  Asaba, Delta State.
  • Ghana’s ‘Naijaphobia’: Matters arising (1)

    Ghana’s ‘Naijaphobia’: Matters arising (1)

    By Tiko Okoyen

    The frosty relations between Ghana and Nigeria date back to the colonial era when both states were agitating for flag independence from the same colonial master, Great Britain. Each country wanted to achieve the status of unencumbered statehood before the other. Ghana ultimately won when the dominant Ahmadu Bello-led Northern Peoples’ Congress (NPC) insisted that it was premature for Nigeria to become an independent nation. Ghana consequently achieved flag independence in 1957 while Nigeria was to do so three long years later.

    Majority of those who led the struggle for independence in Nigeria were either educated in Ghanaian institutions or worked in Ghana for a while as journalists or were mentored by Kwame Nkrumah. It was therefore to be expected that though a very tiny nation relative to the size and population of Nigeria, Ghana saw herself as the tail wagging the dog of political relationship between both nations.

    But that was not all. The competition for status reared up its ugly head when the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was mooted in 1961. Ghana and Nigeria belonged to two opposing camps. The Casablanca Group led by some of the continent’s most prominent ‘radicals,’ such as Gamal Abdel-Nasser of Egypt, Ghana’s Nkrumah and Guinea’s Sekou Toure – desired the political unification of Africa under a supranational, pan-African authority after the manner of the European Economic Community. Member-nations of the group also pledged to support the nationalist movement fighting for Algerian independence from France.

    But the rival bloc, known as the Monrovia Group, comprising the greater number of African leaders, including Liberia’s William Tolbert and Nigeria’s Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa, held a limited view of Pan-Africanism that did not envisage the loss of nationalism and independent statehood. Members equally backed the colonial master, France, against the Algerian resistance. The groups also supported opposing factions in the Congo Crisis of 1960-65 based on their world view and doctrinal leanings.

    Although the Casablanca Group, for lack of critical mass, had to set aside its ‘radical’ values and ideas to make the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) a reality in 1963, its leaders never stopped perceiving those on the other side of the divide as stooges of former colonial powers – and this was largely reflected by way of the OAU being a toothless bulldog that achieved very little by way of integration and unity on the continent. The other causative factor is the animosity arising from intense rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria in the field of sports, especially football.

    It is equally obvious that the tit-for-tat maltreatment of Nigerians in Ghana and Ghanaians in Nigeria is deeply rooted in the Mosaic law of “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.” The first significant deportation of Nigerians from the Gold Coast (the pre-independence name of Ghana) occurred as far back as 1954. Another wave of deportations took place four years later in 1958. But by far the most far-reaching was the deportation of about three million other African and non-African immigrants – with Nigerians constituting about 80% – in 1969 under the “Ghana Aliens Compliance Order” (GACO) enacted by Ghanaian Prime Minister Kofi Busia.

    In 1983 – in the wake of devastating riots that engulfed parts of the North as well as to justify the politically-motivated deportation of Shugaba Abdurrahman Darman, the highly influential majority leader of the Great Nigerian Peoples Party in the old Borno State House of Assembly – all of which occurred in 1980 – President Shehu Shagari issued an executive order mandating the deportation of about two million undocumented immigrants back to their home countries. Given that Ghanaians comprised not less than 75% of the deportees, the order came to be known as “Ghana must go!”

    A Freudian slip made by the Ghanaian Information Minister at a recent widely publicised press interview lends credence to the supposition that the doctrine of reciprocity premises the unparalleled harassment Nigerian retail business owners are currently experiencing in Ghana. He posited that the decision of the Nigerian government to close the Seme Krake border since August 2019 to date has continued to gravely affect other countries in the ECOWAS economic bloc. It is therefore crystal-clear that the decision of the Ghanaian authorities to start enforcing the draconian provisions of its Investment Promotion Act 865 enacted in 2013 is nothing more than a retaliatory measure.

    Section 27(1) of the Act stipulates that “a person who is not a (Ghanaian) citizen, or an enterprise which is not wholly owned by a citizen, shall not invest or participate in the sale of goods or provision of services in a market, petty trading or hawking or selling of goods in a stall at any place.” Section 28(1) of the same Act stipulates that “a foreigner may participate in an enterprise specified in Section 27 if that person, in the case of a joint enterprise with a partner, who is a (Ghanaian) citizen, invests a foreign capital of not less than $200,000 (about N80 million!) in cash or capital goods relevant to the investment or a combination of both by way of equity participation and the partner, who is a citizen, does not have less than 10% equity participation in the joint enterprise.” The Act further provides that “a person, who is not a (Ghanaian) citizen, may engage in a trading enterprise if that person invests in the enterprise not less than $1million (about N400 million!) in cash or goods and services relevant to the investment. Such an investor is also required to employ at least 20 skilled Ghanaians.”

    What the Ghanaian government seeks to achieve with this law is very obvious. Not only does it want to shut out foreigners by infusing landmines in the retail sector, but it is also hoping that foreigners who miraculously beat the long odds would be forced into starting an Apprenticeship Scheme that would see Ghanaians acquiring the necessary skills and competencies to eventually enable them take over the sector.

    • To be concluded…
  • Can there be another Chuba Okadigbo

    Can there be another Chuba Okadigbo

    Igboeli Arinze

    Legends they say are not born every day neither do they die as they live forever, encircling our times and space with their memories and chivalry by which we remember them.

    Same goes for Dr. Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo, a legend in all modes by which legends are identified and cast in. Okadigbo, towers above a number of statesmen, dead or alive who traversed the earth. Stamping his imprint upon our weathers, he did not do this with machetes, guns or magic, though he was magical and dazzled many with it, it was not the magic of the dark arts, no! Okadigbo was simply brilliant!

    But brilliance wasn’t his only value, permit me to add intelligent and unsatisfied allow me to say he was the most colorful politician in Nigeria after Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. He was our mixture of Steve Thaddeus,Ted Roosevelt and John Dewey.

    What shall I as a young man not say of Chuba, I was not yet born when he had started waltzing through the Nigerian political trail as a man determined to etch his name in the sands of time, however as I came of age, I came to see him as a gift to this country, one that was rare indeed.

    Sadly, since this brilliant mind passed on, there has been no attempt at a memorial, no lecture, no colloquium in his name. One would have expected that several schools in the country would have honoured the legend with a department, an institute or even had a name change for the university. There is no plaque or statue despite the luminous ideas he helped churn out, ideas which helped in catapulting the Igbos from near obscurity in the aftermath of the civil war to game changers in the Second Republic. Ideas which helped form the first party in Nigeria that was national in spread (NPN). Ideas which made the Second, Third and Fourth Republics thick!

    In other countries, the likes of Chuba would have a number of memorial lectures in his honour, there would be busts of him grinning handsomely. There would be streets, boulevards, monuments and institutions named after him as well as Academic Chairs.

    Maybe we have forgotten how at the young age of 32 he had already become an Associate Professor of Philosophy by the University of the District of Columbia, Washington D.C. Or that he blazed the academic trail in far away America where he served as adjunct assistant professor of politics, the Catholic University of America, Washington D.C. and Howard University, Washington D.C.

    Are we so quick to forget Chuba’s role in bringing NdiIgbo back to political limelight after the civil war via his negotiating with Zik’s NPP to enter the accord which preserved the Second Republic for at least four years , or the dexterity he employed in ensuring that one of our illustrious sons, Dim Ikemba Odimegwu Ojukwu who had been away on exile return back.

    Do we suffer from amnesia that we forget that he offered to lecture students of political science in a number of universities for free imparting in them knowledge that many in other climes would have paid millions for. Or can we forget the many children he sent to school to earn the golden fleece, children whose parents could not eke out a meal, children who today are the stars in their society, courtesy Chuba.

    Maybe our memories are so short, that we cannot remember Chuba’s membership of the 3rd and 4th national Assemblies where he was a senator and Senate President. Maybe we have forgotten the brilliance by which he marshaled out his debates, like Thaddeus Stevens(US Congressman, 1792-1868), the oratory, permit me to use the modern day street terminology, the swag!

    We cannot forget the panache with which he led the Senate then, the knowledge and fiery intellectualism he deployed to the extent that his tenure though shortlived is described as an extraordinary epoch in the history of legislative bodies in Nigeria. Chuba fought for democracy, he stood for its norms, while others played deaf and dumb under civilian dictatorship as characterized by the Obasanjo administration, Chuba would have none of it and though he paid for it, he remains an example of a profile in courage.

    Let’s remember that Chuba was a nationalist, an icon of nation building. He believed in building political bridges nationwide, thus his choice of NPN as against NPP, The ANPP as against APGA. That even the emergence of President Buhari though in 2015, can actually be said to have been given birth to in 2003 when he and Chuba teamed up to offer Nigerians a better option. May we not also forget that it was in the struggle for a better Nigeria, that struggle against the forces of totalitarianism that Chuba died that democracy may thrive.

    Chuba Okadigbo surely lives on, but there are more ways to honour this son of our great nation.