The Nation Newspaper

Category: Opinion

  • Tinubu’s bold reforms: testament to courage and patriotism

    Tinubu’s bold reforms: testament to courage and patriotism

    By Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye

    In my recent article titled ‘Tinubu: boldly steering Nigeria’s economy towards stability and growth,’ published by several mainstream media in Nigeria, especially, Business Day, The Nation and The Guardian, I analyzed various situations that posed severe challenges towards Nigeria’s economy and the bold steps being taken by the current president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to counter these challenges and drive the change we all have been clamoring for. These bold implementations and rules that once pitched Nigerians against the current government now look to be the ‘promising saviour’ Nigerians direly need to navigate towards economic growth and stability

    In the ever-changing scope of Nigerian politics and economy, where uncertainty looms large and promises are often left broken, President Tinubu’s administration has personally been a source of renewed hope and inspiration, influencing the expectation of Nigerians for a better economy that has been promised for over half a century without fulfillment.

    Over the years in Nigeria, I have witnessed the struggles of ordinary citizens battling with economic hardship and political uncertainty. Two major things that the ordinary citizens hardly understand are how they are influenced. The huge difference between the official and parallel exchange rates, which has always been driven by corruption and exploitation, continuously posed a barrier to economic progress. However, with Tinubu’s decision to float the naira, Nigeria, a nation that imports virtually all that she consumes, has witnessed a remarkable transformation in our currency exchange system.

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    Gone are the days when there are multiple exchange rates and most elites hoard foreign currency for profit racketeering. Tinubu’s decision to float the naira, a decision that should have been made years ago, has not only brought transparency and accountability to our financial system but has also restored faith in our economy. Unlike the previous government that exhausted 23 trillion naira in eight years in order to manage naira, which amounted to nothing positive, Tinubu took the bold step – floating the naira.

    Recently, some opposition figures, most of whom are arm-chaired, tackled the present government over the decline in government foreign reserves. And truly, data from CBN as of the 5th of April, 2024, shows Nigeria foreign reserve to have  declined from $34.45 billion to $33.69 billion, a development they say calls for concern. But I am compelled to applaud the government’s bold steps in clearing all the backlog of major forex payments to foreign airlines, petroleum marketers and multinationals, which caused this decline. Nigerians noting the importance of the clearance of these backlogs is paramount for us to have a clear understanding of what influences Africa’s biggest economy instead of listening to sad tales from perennial election losers seeking for relevance through peddling of falsehood and propaganda.

    Nigeria has over $1 billion in forex forwards that have matured, and it posed major concern for investors as foreign currency shortages continue to depreciate the naira. So, the bold step the current government took in clearing the backlogs would continuously appreciate naira and further drive investors to Nigeria. We all know foreign investors would only invest in a favourable economy. I strongly believe in the profound impact that these reforms will have on the nation’s economic stability and growth.

    Currently, the management of fuel importation subsidies by the NNPC has proven the efficiency of Tinubu’s economic policies. It is heartening for Nigerians to see subsidies being utilized as a tool for fostering economic stability and growth rather than burdening the national budget or being embezzled by powerful office holders. In my previous report, I noted how fuel subsidy removal has led to the increment of all states and councils monthly allocations. One of the most significant changes I have observed in this current economy is the increase in FAAC allocations to states and local councils following the removal of subsidies.

    Through the analysis of data provided by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, most states have seen a substantial increase in funding, enabling them to embark on crucial infrastructure projects that benefit ordinary citizens since they are closer to the grassroot government. According to a report by the BusinessDay, Nasarawa state’s monthly average FAAC allocation rose by 185.3 percent to N12.39 billion post-subsidy removal from N4.34 billion pre-subsidy removal, while that of Enugu increased by 94.3 percent to N6.72 billion from N3.47 billion. Anambra, Ogun, Ebonyi, Kogi, Bauchi, Plateau, Niger and Sokoto saw increases of 74.1 percent, 66.3 percent, 53.6 percent, 51.9 percent, 51.5 percent, 51.4 percent, 50.9 percent and 50.5 respectively. This means more allocation for the local governments, too, the closest to Nigerians to implement effective policies that would benefit the citizens directly. This tremendous increase wouldn’t have been possible without fuel subsidy removal, a bold step taken by Tinubu to promote economic growth. Hence, Nigerians should extend the tentacle of their demand for accountability to their Governors and local government chairmen, and not Tinubu alone.

    Looking forward to the future of Nigeria’s economy if the current government keeps up the pace, I am filled with great optimism about Nigeria’s growth even though at a slow pace. The beginning of operation of local refineries like the Dangote refinery will enhance self-sufficiency and reduce our dependence on foreign imports. Projections by the International Monetary Fund states that increased domestic refining capacity is expected to promote Nigeria’s position in the global market and enhance our economic resilience. What more would be great than experiencing this growth together?

    A recent happening that has immersed Nigerians home and abroad in the pool of pride remains the huge appreciation of the naira compared to a few months ago when one United States dollar was exchanged for 1,950 naira. In Nigeria today, naira to dollar has appreciated $1 to 1,100 Naira, leaving Nigerians with a sense of pride and confidence over President Tinubu’s economic decisions. Many Nigerians, who had left home to seek opportunities abroad, are now expressing a desire to return home, drawn by the promise of a revitalized economy and improved living standards. Speaking to a friend of mine some days back, analyzing the economic future of Nigeria, in his words: “If a pound should ever equal one thousand naira, I would rather come back home to return to my business rather than continue slaving away in another man’s land, earning 2,500 pounds and use it all on house rent, utility bills and tax.”

    His words proved to me that even though people are miles away from home, it is not by choice, and many are awaiting their father’s land transformative journey, to offer us all what we deserve as the true children of the land. While it is imperative to note that these changes are not extraordinary, they could have been implemented years back, and who knows, Nigeria might have been on the global chart for its economic prowess. The previous leaders lacked the courage and patriotism to implement these strategic moves that could have pitched them against the citizens, but Tinubu’s determination remains unwavering even in the face of adversity.

    My journey of reflection on Tinubu’s bold reforms has reaffirmed my belief in the power of courage and patriotism to effect meaningful change. While several challenges remain, I am inspired by the resolve of the present government and fellow citizens to build a brighter future for Nigeria. As we continue on this journey together, I am filled with hope and determination to contribute my part towards our nation’s progress and prosperity.

    • Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye, a Communication-for-development expert, sent this piece from London, United Kingdom, via maxwelladeleye@gmail.com

  • In defense of Mobereola’s appointment as NIMASA D-G

    In defense of Mobereola’s appointment as NIMASA D-G

    By Prince Segun Obayendo

    SIR: The recent appointment of Dr. Dayo Mobereola as Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has sparked debate and raised concerns about leadership dynamics within the agency. However, it is essential to evaluate Mobereola’s qualifications and track record objectively to understand why his appointment is a step in the right direction.

    Mobereola’s tenure as D-G follows a historical journey for NIMASA leadership, marked by various eminent professionals beginning with Bassey Ekong, the first D-G of then National Maritime Authority(NMA); John Egesi, 1999; Ferdinand Agu, who had the fortune of having the Cabotage Act passed during his tenure;  and Temi Omatseye, 2009. Each of them left their mark on the agency’s trajectory. Their legacies, alongside the more recent tenures of Ade Dosunmu from 2007, Patrick Akpobolokemi from 2010, Barr. Mfon Usoro from 2016 – the  first and only female D-G of the agency till date, and Dakuku Peterside from 2020 underscore the diverse backgrounds and experiences that have shaped NIMASA’s evolution over the years. Of course, not to forget the immediate past D-G, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, who notably performed excellently well during his tenure, Mobereola’s appointment holds the promise of continued growth and progress under his leadership.

    Mobereola’s credentials speak volumes about his expertise and experience in the field of transportation economics and management. Holding a Ph.D. and an M.Sc. in Transport Economics from the University of Wales, United Kingdom, Mobereola is equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead a regulatory agency like NIMASA effectively. Furthermore, his fellowship with the Chartered Institute of Transport, both in England and Nigeria, underscores his commitment to professional excellence and continuous learning in the field of transportation.

    Critics of Mobereola’s appointment have cited concerns about the need for leadership stability competence of appointment  within NIMASA. However, it is crucial to recognize that Mobereola’s appointment is based on merit and his proven track record of success in the transportation sector, which is irrespective of the dominant sector he hitherto operated from.

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    Mobereola’s previous roles as Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos State demonstrate his hands-on experience in managing transportation systems and implementing policy initiatives. His tenure at LAMATA was marked by significant achievements in improving public transportation infrastructure and enhancing mobility in Lagos State, earning him recognition as a visionary leader in the transportation sector.

    Moreover, Mobereola’s experience in the private sector, including his roles as Deputy Managing Director at AFM Consulting Plc, London, and Senior Economist at British Petroleum Shipping Limited, London, provides him with a well-rounded perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the maritime industry. His exposure to global best practices and industry standards will undoubtedly bring fresh insights and innovative solutions to NIMASA’s operations.

    What is of utmost importance in our quest for nation-building is  to recognise that effective leadership transcends specific industry expertise. Mobereola’s background in transport economics and management equips him with a strong foundation in logistics, operations and regulatory frameworks—skills that are highly relevant to the maritime industry. Similarly, by his antecedents, it has been established that his leadership style emphasises collaboration to harness diverse perspectives, sound stakeholder engagement to forge partnerships, and consensus-building—a critical approach in addressing the multifaceted challenges facing the maritime industry.

    Numerous examples exist of leaders who have excelled in industries outside their area of expertise, demonstrating the power of visionary leadership, adaptability, and continuous learning. Mobereola’s appointment represents an opportunity to leverage his diverse expertise, leadership acumen, and commitment to excellence to drive positive change and foster the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime industry.

    In conclusion,  the time has come for all to adopt the principle of objectivity and not allow sentiments overshadow the  leadership qualities, strategic vision, and collaborative skills Mobereola’s appointment represents, which will ultimately contribute to the advancement of the Nigerian maritime sector and the nation’s economic development.

    • Prince Segun Obayendo, Group Managing Director, Temple Group Limited

  • Electricity crisis: keys to improved service delivery

    Electricity crisis: keys to improved service delivery

    By Nosa Osaikhuiwu

    SIR: The electricity crisis in Nigeria has defied various attempts at solving the problem and giving Nigerians the benefits of enjoying stable electricity and good quality of life for more than half a century. It is no secret that the nation’s power infrastructure was abandoned for several decades by successive governments, notwithstanding the exponential population growth, until the civilian administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo instituted a series of reforms aimed at not only addressing the low capacity power generation, but also improve electricity delivery to the people.

    However, despite the huge investments in billions of U.S. dollars to date, the efforts have not yielded the desired results or returns on the investments. Successive administrations since 1999 have continued the privatizations of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), including their unbundling into power generation, power distribution and power transmission entities along with the creation of the National Electric Regulatory Council (NERC) and the bulk power purchasing entity to name a few, with really nothing to show by way of tangible improvements in outcome.

    In a nutshell, the privatization efforts which started in 1999 have failed to date because no matter how well-intentioned the efforts were at the onset, they did not fundamentally address the root cause of failures in the industry, which aside from the systemic corruption, patronage and lack of transparency and unethical conducts was the monopoly the parent company and succeeding entities have enjoyed to date in their various operating regions.

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    We have taken a clinical look at the various reforms, while also examining some of the challenges that are well known and thus have arrived at the logical conclusion that the absence of competition in the industry and within the DisCo’s operating regions is the major impediment to improved power delivery in the country.

    The absence of genuine leadership, coupled with incompetent and fraudulent entities begotten through dubious privatization exercises have produced failed entities that were not designed for optimal service delivery, but as fee-collecting entities to cronies of government officials, retired generals, politicians and senior bank executives. The recent policy announcement by NERC of segregating customers into bands A, B, and C and revising the rates charged per kilowatt hour is an effort at managing the constraints on available power capacity and improving the DisCos’s revenue generation and not about overall improved service delivery in the nation.

    However, solving the power crisis in Nigeria requires breaking up the monopoly enjoyed by the various iterations of the NEPA/PHCN organizations, that is the generating, distributing and transmission companies to ensure improved service delivery. The breakup should ensure the presence of multiple players within operating regions as this will introduce competition to the marketplace and incentivize investments to boost service delivery.

    In all seriousness how can we privatize NEPA/PHCN and create exactly succeeding entities that look, act, operate and are configured like NEPA/PHCN? Who are we fooling? Because, if we are deadly serious about improving electricity access, then the power architecture must be reconfigured to allow for true competition in the market place, which exactly is what will drive service delivery and competitive pricing.

    The recent changes to our existing laws that allow each state to invest, develop and transmit their electricity now will in the long run help to improve power service delivery in Nigeria if they are in direct competition with existing players in the industry.

    While one is not opposed to implementing segregated power delivery and competitive pricing regime for now as a stop-gap measure based on customer needs, the long-term solutions for improving overall electricity service delivery and transforming the industry include the following:

    1. Enabling through legislation an end to the monopoly enjoyed by the various power entities especially the GenCo’s and Disco’s by providing for multiple providers in each operating zone.

    2. Passing felony legislation and the mandatory 20-year jail term for tampering with electricity infrastructure.

    3. Impose stiff penalties including serious jail time, immediate firing and loss of pensions on employees of power utilities who collude with customers to bypass meters and temper with electricity infrastructures.

    4. Mandating immediate deployment of prepaid meters across the nation while prohibiting estimated billing.

    5. Approving multiple prepaid meter vendors.

    6. Enabling competition by giving consumers a choice of electricity provider in their respective regions.

    7. Completely disposing of government ownership stakes and focusing on regulating the industry to ensure improved market space and service delivery.

    8. Strengthening existing legislation that streamlines the steps for revocation of licenses due to non-performance across the sector.

    • Nosa Osaikhuiwu, a Nigerian and certified project manager, writes from the United States of America

  • Who wants to see Yahaya Bello?

    Who wants to see Yahaya Bello?

    By Mojeed Olojede

    Recently, there has been an unusual hype on the whereabouts of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. Some publicists, including those working for globally discredited politicians, have been unrelenting in their fib of fantasy that Bello is on the run. They say the former governor has been hibernating in Kogi Government House to evade arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    This raises many posers. Is Bello truly on the run or hiding somewhere in Kogi State? Why should he be hiding? Is it possible for a former governor or any other public figure of that stature to hide in Nigeria and not be fished out in a matter of days? Again, can Bello who during the Ramadan hosted several Muslim faithful to Iftar in his Abuja home be said to be hiding? Can the same Bello who visited his homestead during the Eid holiday, moving from Agasa to Okene freely with boisterous crowd of admirers and party faithful, be the one tagged a man on-the-run? Even with a preponderance of video clips showing his rousing welcome by his people to his homeland, critics of Bello are still steeped in their make-believe yarn that the former governor is hiding. And you ask again, hiding for what, and from who?

    But if Bello’s recent public appearances in Abuja and Kogi were not convincing enough for the anti-Bello gong-beaters to change their fictive narrative of a hiding ex-governor, what about Bello’s Eid visit and homage to President Bola Tinubu in Lagos? Making sorties from Abuja to Kogi and to Lagos in broad daylight cannot be the itinerary of a man hiding from anybody, including the EFCC or any other anti-crime agency. Pictures of Bello with the President are all over the public space. Yet, some hirelings, driven by desperation to tar the former governor in the vilest of coatings, would rather pretend the visit never happened. There must be a limit to mischief and toxic beef. Media vilification of a public officer, serving or retired, without facts but with imaginary, even delusional assumptions, is not great journalism. It is media trial which in itself is not only a negation of the fundamental ethics of the journalism profession, but a clear abuse of the rule of law which is antithetical to democratic principles.

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    The persistent churning out of obvious fibs by some writers is nothing but a crude attempt to bully the EFCC into jettisoning established order of protocol and the sacred nuggets of the rule of law to disgrace, disparage and bring to public ridicule the person of Bello. This is a banana peel that the present EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, must avoid. In times past, the EFCC was used as a tool of political vendetta and persecution by vested interests in the polity. The commission flouted court orders flagrantly. In some cases, the anti-corruption commission played the roles of accuser and defendant depending on whose interest was involved. These were obvious flaws that attracted public outcry, which Olukoyede vowed to stamp out from the psyche of EFCC operatives when he assumed office. Olukoyede, who is not a stranger to the modus operandi of the commission, was bold to admit flaws in the manner the EFCC discharged its duties before his appointment. He pledged to reform the operational processes of the commission to conform to ideal democratic creeds. He should do so in the case of Bello.

    Any attempt to arrest Bello for whatever reason is tantamount to abuse of the rule of law and a clear violation of a court order that the EFCC is yet to vacate via a counter court order. The High Court, Lokoja Division, had given a restraining order on the EFCC to stay any action either to arrest, prosecute or persecute ex-governor Bello or any of his appointees pending the hearing and determination of the substantive originating motion for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights. This is an order by a court of competent jurisdiction. To go against this order, without vacating it, is impunity – a sad relapse into dictatorship. The EFCC, a body set up by law and governed by law, should not be seen to be affronting the order of a court.

    The pendency of this order without a counter-order from a court of competent jurisdiction makes the action of EFCC to arrest, persecute and prosecute Bello and his appointees a perversion of the rule of law. This is also a form of corruption. Using a corrupted process to fight alleged corruption is the worst form of corruption. Olukoyede must avoid this pitfall especially under the Presidency of Tinubu, a man known for his stance of prmacy of democracy and the rule of law.

    The manner the EFCC has been handling the case of Bello and his appointees shows an inclination towards desperation. Why would the EFCC be so desperate or perceived to be so? Is the commission succumbing to the spate of media bullying?

    Early this year, the EFCC in an amended charge brought odium to itself and to the legal profession when it accused Bello of allegedly stealing over N80 billion belonging to Kogi State in September 2015, when Bello had not even become governor of Kogi State. Such voodoo legal presentation in court does not only advertise the shoddiness in EFCC’s investigative processes but also typifies an act of desperation marinated in mischief.

    Truth be told, Bello is not on-the-run. Neither is he hiding anywhere, not even in Kogi government house. His home in Zone 4 area of Abuja has remained a beehive of socio-political activities including meetings of progressive politicians and Nigerian youths, most of whom see in Bello a role model and beacon of hope.

    The desperation of paid pipers to play fantasy tunes for the itchy ears of their paymasters is not new. As someone who has been involved in Nigerian politics including Kogi politics where there are three major parties, the APC, PDP and SDP, the attack on Bello does not come as a surprise. Bello was one of the frontline APC governors that worked for Muhammadu Buhari, Bola Tinubu and his party. He was very vocal in the defence of Buhari and campaign for Tinubu. His rising political profile therefore became a source of worry for the opposition. It’s only commonsensical that after leaving office, the vampires would come baying for his blood. Unfortunately, Bello’s blood is not available for sucking. But rather than go elsewhere to satiate their appetite for blood, they have resorted to media trial and bullying of EFCC in the hope that their mischievous desire will come to pass. They are wrong.

    Bello, a dutiful and loyal party man, is not one to be cowed into submission. The former Kogi governor is doing what any responsible politician will do. He is taking a deserved rest after eight years in office as governor and after actively campaigning for his party at both national and sub-national levels and contributing to its victory. Even while resting, he has demonstrated patriotism by choosing to stay in the country as against the fad of jetting overseas for vacationing as some politicians do.

    And for those still asking, where is Bello? He’s right in your face. Cast away your mischief and you will see him in flesh and blood, wondering, with a grin, at your depth of balefulness.

    • Olojede, political scientist and education entrepreneur, writes from Abuja

  • Towards achieving sustainable housing delivery in Nigeria

    Towards achieving sustainable housing delivery in Nigeria

    By Oladele Oladipupo

    At the just-concluded annual Builder’s Day 2024, the president of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) called for government intervention by implementing policies that encourage local production of building materials. Recall that in the early 1990s, there was a popular slogan that said: “Housing for all by the year 2020”. Thirty-four years down the line, nothing has happened. Let me pose a question: Why is it that successive administrations failed to provide housing for the yearning masses? Your guess is as good as mine. This article will examine the challenges that have militated against housing delivery in Nigeria and proffer possible solutions.

    Provision of housing in Nigeria has become a mirage due to some challenges. These include but are not limited to the following: lack of a clear cut National Housing Policy, lack of political will, use of quacks and substandard building materials, high cost of building materials, abuse of the implementation of land use decree of 1978, and institutional barriers. Some of the issues that I have enumerated will be highlighted briefly. Let me start with the issue of comprehensive national housing policy. I am not quite sure if we have a comprehensive national housing policy. In order to develop a comprehensive national housing policy, there are five stages that are involved. The first stage has to do with needs assessment. In carrying out the needs assessment, the following questions must be asked: what categories of people are going to be provided with housing? Is the project meant for low income earners or middle income earners, where is the project going to be sited? What about affordability? The second stage is the identification of project inputs. What are the project inputs? How is the labor going to be provided? How is the land going to be acquired? And how are the materials such as cement, aluminum sheets, iron rods, sand and gravel going to be procured? Are they going to be sourced locally or imported? And how long is the project going to last? The third stage has to do with the costs of the housing project. What will be the total costs of this project? In determining the costs of the project, you need to be realistic because if you don’t get the costs right you are likely to run into a problem. The fourth stage which is very crucial is the funding mechanism. How is the project going to be funded? Is the project going to be financed by an international organization or is it going to be a public private partnership (PPP)?

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    All the above questions beg for answers. Finally, there is going to be a monitoring program where the project will be subjected to constant monitoring. It is the responsibility of the Honorable Minister in charge of Housing to set up a committee of experts to develop the policy document. It is also important that both the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Minister of Finance be co-opted as members of the committee. When the document is finally drafted, it should be subjected to public debate and the outcome will be presented to the National Council on Housing for approval.

    There are quite a few African countries that have developed their comprehensive national housing policy with assistance from foreign donors; they include Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Nigeria can borrow a leaf from them. Another challenge is the lack of political will on the part of our leaders. Most often, our leaders made a lot of promises during campaigns but at the end of the day, most of the promises were not fulfilled. Majority of them pay lip services to housing, they only talk the walk but they don’t walk the talk.

    Another challenge that has militated against provision of housing in the country is the use of quacks and substandard materials. This has resulted in building collapses in big cities like Lagos. Any contractor who is not a professional should not be allowed to handle building projects and this is where monitoring of housing projects comes in. It is also important to mention that high cost of building materials has contributed significantly to poor housing delivery in the country. A significant portion of construction materials in Nigeria are imported into the country and fluctuations in the exchange rate have drastically affected their prices. As a result of high cost of building materials quite a few number of contractors are cutting corners, which is not good for the sector. The use of substandard materials is the major cause of building collapse. Abuse of Land Use Decree of 1978 by state governors has also contributed to the challenges.

    Finally, institutional barriers also play a major role. Both the federal and state governments do have institutions that are saddled with the responsibilities of monitoring housing projects. However, some of these institutions are not living up to expectations. The reason is because most of them are incapacitated in the sense that they are not adequately funded. Moreover, logistics that are needed for monitoring housing projects are not readily available. Most importantly, the personnel are not well equipped. They also need training and re-training for them to be able to discharge their duties.

    The question now is: how do we achieve sustainable housing delivery in Nigeria? Here are some recommendations for the federal government: –

    • Develop a comprehensive national housing policy that will stand the test of time;

    • Implement policies that will encourage local production of building materials;

    • Ensure integration of environmentally, friendly practices, materials and technology into the construction process;

    • Encourage the exploration of alternative materials and construction techniques that are less reliant on imported materials;

    • Promote and adopt sustainable construction methods that utilize local resources;

    • Ensure proper monitoring of contractors handling building projects nationwide;

    • The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) should use the current challenges to explore alternative building materials and construction techniques that are less reliant on imported materials;

    • In order to bridge the gap in the housing sector, both the federal and the state governments should make it as a policy to construct one hundred thousand housing units nationwide each year starting from 2025 for a period of twenty-five years;

    • Both the federal and state housing ministries should be adequately funded in order to enable them discharge their responsibilities efficiently. Moreover, training programs should be organized periodically for the personnel;

    • It is imperative that the Land Use Act of 1978 be amended in order to enable both the low and middle income earners to acquire land in Nigeria;

    • A law should be enacted to enable Nigerians irrespective of social status obtain loans from Mortgage Bank at low interest rate to enable them put roof over their head.

    • Oladele Oladipupo writes from oladeleoladipupo@gmail.com

  • Bobrisky: Principles governing sentencing of an accused person

    Bobrisky: Principles governing sentencing of an accused person

    By Moshood Olajide

    Since Okuneye Idris, also known as Bobrisky, was convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Lagos following a prosecution spearheaded by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of naira mutilation, several diversionary opinions have flooded the Internet space.

    The cross-dresser was convicted after pleading guilty to the charges of naira mutilation – this is in line with the principle of law. In Dangote v. Civil Service Commission Plateau State & Ors, (2001), the court held that after a plea of guilt by an accused person before the court, the court must formally proceed to conviction without calling upon the prosecution to prove the commission of the offence. This is because the admission of guilt on the part of the accused has fully satisfied the burden of proof.

    Some schools of thought are, however, of the view that the sentencing to six months imprisonment is too excessive, while some are of the view that the accused ought to be fined only. Some, on the other, hand opined that since the accused opted for plea bargain, he ought to have been exonerated, being a first time offender. All these are mere beer parlor assertions which have no grounds in law.

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    As a starting point, Section 21 (1) of the CBN Act 2007 is an elaborate provision which makes mutilation of the naira punishable. For clarity, it is important to reproduce the Section here in verbatim: “A person who tampers with a coin or note issued by the Bank is guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term not less than 6 months or to a fine not less than N50,000, or to both such fine and imprisonment.”

    The question now is: in view of the above provision and considering the plea bargain between the prosecutor and the accused’s legal practitioner, together with the option of fine in the CBN Act, was the sentencing excessive in line with what is being blabbed around? The answer to this question lies in the examination of relevant statutory provisions.

     A close interrogation of Section 270 – 275 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and Article 15 of the National Policy on Prosecution 2016, which regulates the application of plea bargain in Nigeria, shows that both provisions did not anticipate exoneration of crime or lesser sentencing if there is any agreement between the prosecutor and the defendant in respect of plea bargain. This nullifies the opinions that plea bargain ought to have reduce the sentencing. The application of plea bargaining must not defeat the attainment of substantial justice. Justice must flow in a three-way street in criminal matters. It must lead to justice to the defendant (Bobrisky), the victim (the naira currency), and the society (the public at large). The Court of Appeal per Olujimi JCA puts the position of plea bargain succinctly in Gava Corporation Limited v. FRN (2014) as follows: “An accused person who alleges that he had a plea bargain with the prosecutor cannot emerge unscarred or without blemish or stigmatization of conviction.”

    A trial judge also has the discretion in sentencing. A court does not make pronouncement or sentence accused persons based on what is popular or what the public will think. In Ezerike v. State (2022), the Supreme Court pontificated that a trial judge has the discretion in matters of sentencing and can impose maximum sentence where applicable, and such discretion must be exercised judiciously. As a follow-up,  Section 311(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, sets out four factors that the court should invariably consider in performing its sentencing function. The section reads as follows:

    The Court shall, in pronouncing sentence, consider the following factors in addition to sections 239 and 240 of this Act.

      (a) the objectives of sentencing, including the principles of reformation and deterrence;

    (b) the interest of the victim, the convict and the community;

    (c) appropriateness of non-custodial sentence or treatment in lieu of imprisonment;

    (d) previous conviction of the convict.

    It is therefore clear that the trial court considered two sets of facts in giving the cross-dresser a severe sentence. It considered the facts that made it feel duty bound to impose a sentence that could serve as a correction to the convict and deterrence to other persons, since issues of naira mutilation has been a serious offence gaining notoriety in the society with little or no charges or arrest made to warrant conviction previously. It then considered the public interest in protecting the naira and curtail further abuse.

    In view of the above provisions and analysis, the learned trial judge appears to have been influenced strictly by balancing the principle of deterrence and public interest together, without having regard to paragraph d of Section 311 (2) of ACJA considering the accused is a first time offender.

    However, if the accused is aggrieved,  it is left for him through his counsel to appeal the conviction. In Adeyeye v. The State (1968), Ademola, CJN (of blessed memory) held that: “It is only when a sentence appears to err in principle that an appellate court will alter it. If a sentence is excessive or inadequate to such an extent as to satisfy this court that when it was passed there was failure to apply the right principles, then this court will intervene.”

    It follows that the proper forum to address sentencing is at the court of appeal, and not ventilating opprobrium remarks on social media and putting the judiciary through unconstructive views. It is also re-emphasised here that a plea bargain does not translate to exoneration of offence. If that has always been the case, the society would not be safe and everyone would be tempted to commit a crime. In fact, plea bargain may not influence the imposition of minimum sentence, or imposition of just N50,000 fine as punishment for mutilating the naira as stipulated in Section 21 (1) of the CBN Act 2007 as some people expected. The type of sentence to impose is strictly at the discretion of the judge, based on the submissions of the prosecutor and that of counsel to the defendant, the peculiar facts of the case, public policy and public interest in conjunction with sound principles of law.  

    • Olajide of the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, writes from modunayoolajide@gmail.com

  • Importance and lessons from Ramadan

    Importance and lessons from Ramadan

    By Ibrahim Adémólá Òrúnbon

    The Muslims’ holy month of self-purification and self-denial, otherwise known as Ramadan, has just ended. While it lasted, the season of fasting and prayer offered all Muslims the opportunity to reflect on their relationship with Allãh. It also enabled those with means to share food with the poor, the needy and the less privileged.

    For all Muslims, it was an opportunity to rededicate themselves to the teachings of the faith and the cause of mankind as a whole. Altogether, it was a period of deep reflection on the inter-relationship between man and his neighbour, on the one hand, as well as man and his God, on the other.

    Even though the month-long fasting has come and gone, its lessons must endure. As one of the five pillars of Islam, Ramadan has a highly spiritual significance. To devotees, it was a period of self-emptying without which no spiritual being can have a truly rewarding relationship with his or her maker. That explains why the exercise was marked in Nigeria (as elsewhere in the world) by private and group prayers, and abstinence from all forms of worldly comforts and pleasures. The aim was to enhance spiritual growth and foster charity and brotherly love.

    As Muslims therefore mark the end of this annual spiritual exercise, it is hoped that the outcome will be of immense benefit to the nation. Clearly, there has never been a greater need for sharing with the less privileged and the needy than exists today when millions of Nigerians can hardly make ends meet due to the prevailing economic situation in the country.

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    By paying attention to the plight of the poor, as was amply demonstrated in the course of Ramadan, we invariably place the welfare of our neighbour as important as ours. By allowing others to partake of our wealth or material possessions, we honour the One who gave us the wealth in the first place. This happens to be at the heart of all religions but a virtue hardly imbibed by many in Nigeria today. That must change.

    Since the Ramadan fast, like the other four pillars of Islam, was aimed at promoting both the spiritual and material wellbeing of man, it stands to reason that man is invariably better off doing the will of God than merely pleasing himself. When he is able to rein in the impulse for self-gratification and greedy accumulation of wealth, man is more liable to make his society a better place to live in, not only for himself but also for his neighbour.

    That for us was one of the most enduring lessons of Ramadan which we hope many would have imbibed. It is noteworthy that fasting as a spiritual exercise is advocated by all religions ostensibly with the notion that the man who can make sacrifices in the bid to tame his desires would be a better person both for himself and the larger society. As one expert puts it, besides abstention from food and drink, fasting helps the faithful “from looking at the provocative, from hearing the mischievous, and from uttering the obscene…. to avoid slander and from thinking about inflicting injury to others”.

    The month of Rahmah (blessing), Barakah (mercy), and Magfirah (forgiving) is upon us. The blessed month is a precious gift from Allãh (SWT) to Muslims. But do we know exactly why this month is so special to Muslims? What exactly is the purpose of this month, and all the blessings associated with it? What are the lessons we are supposed to take away in observing the sanctity of this month?

    Of course, this blessed month exists to train us, to guide us, and to remind us of how we should approach the remaining 11 months of the year. Ramadan imparts upon us numerous lessons: how to develop our manners and moral fortitude, how to treat our fellow human beings with respect, how to strengthen our brotherhood, how to maintain unity among the Muslim community, and how to be welcoming to all the non-Muslims who share this land with us.

    The month also teaches us to be more pious, disciplined, and how to maintain self-control, while shielding our souls from greed and immorality. But, most importantly, the month teaches us how we can improve our connection with the Almighty. The month of Ramadan also instills a sense of empathy within us. It allows us to understand the situation of the less fortunate, to feel and experience the pain of hunger and the pangs of thirst that our poverty-stricken brothers and sisters–who are often forced to go without food and drink–feel every waking day.

    Ramadan is a month of mercy and bonding–Muslims all over the world help one another, and those outside their community, spreading happiness all around. This month is a shining example of the unity that can be achieved among all classes of people in any society, as the rich and the poor, the employer as well as the employee; the parents as well as the child, the ruler as well as the subjects, all keep the fast.

    Regardless of the colour of their skin or their social stature, fasting unites us all. It reminds us how we should conduct ourselves and our behaviour towards those around us, while also teaching us the importance of respect. Not only do we learn to abstain from food and drink, but we also abstain from making any statements and actions that may cause harm to people or violate their rights.

    It gives us an opportunity to rectify ourselves through performing numerous good deeds such as providing food or aid to the needy, improving social interaction, giving charity, sadaqah and zakat, and so on. And all of these deeds will be remembered on Judgment Day by the Almighty.

    But what happens to all these lessons after Ramadan? Unfortunately, we seldom retain any of the lessons we learn on this holiest of months beyond Eid-El-Fitr itself. But the purpose of Ramadan runs deeper than mere celebration. The lessons we received are the lodestar for the rest of the 11 months in any given year. The training we received is meant to improve us as human beings for the rest of our lives, as that is the true purpose of Ramadan.

    After the month is over, and we have all observed our final fast, and the Eid celebrations are dealt with, we will all return to our normal lives. But it is important that we keep the spirit of Ramadan alive for the rest of the year, and indeed the rest of our lives. Because it is only through unity, modesty, and temperance that we can make the world a better place for all of us.

    All said, the nation’s leaders, political and otherwise, have much to take from the lessons of Ramadan. If they can curtail their materialistic tendencies and pay more attention to the yearnings of the people, the country will certainly become a much happier place for everyone.

    • Òrúnbon writes in from Abeokuta, Ogun State, orunbonibrahimademola@gmail.com.

  • Thoughts on Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation’s Public Leaders Programme

    Thoughts on Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation’s Public Leaders Programme

    By Andrew Adejo

    The African continent is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, supported by an equally globally competitive human resource base, which is yet to be fully optimised in driving her development.  As has been proven in countries like Singapore, China and India, the key vehicle for development is a contemporary and responsive public service.

    A major impetus for developing countries that have leap-frogged their development was a shift from the traditional “command and control” administrative system to a system that models the delivery of government goods and services on the best practices of the private sector to create a generation of public servants with the right mix of patriotism, professionalism, non-partisanship and impartial civil service values and ethics. An Agenda 2063 cannot be feasible if public service on the continent remains the way they are.

    In the case of most African countries, the need for a contemporary administrative system is more urgent in view of the embedded Bounded Rationality and Institutional Inertia, compounded by dwindling resources, the growing decline in capacity and increasing population.

    Past reform efforts have shown that government alone cannot engender such a transformative change, and the private sector needs to support the government in the endeavour gap because a responsive and contemporary civil service would be of greater benefit to the continent. It is this gap that the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, through its AIG Public Leaders Programme, is trying to fill by “inspiring civil servants to seek for and deploy answers that they already have within them in dealing with the challenges of efficient and effective delivery of public goods and services” to paraphrase the chairman of the foundation, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.

    The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation is a public-sector-focused philanthropic organisation founded on closing the gap between Africa and the rest of the world by improving the lives of Africans through transformed public service delivery and increased access to quality primary healthcare for the African continent.

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    The foundation believes, and rightfully so, that an effective, values-driven and results-focused public service would improve the continent’s socio-economic performance and lead to better outcomes for its citizens. In providing support for the federal civil service, some states and indeed African countries like Kenya, Ghana and South Africa, the foundation has deepened the concept of public-private partnerships by going beyond the traditional expectation of profit to an altruistic involvement of the private sector in facilitating public service responsibilities that would guarantee the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.  

    Through its AIG Public Leaders Programme (AIG PLP) and various support to the federal civil service, she is gradually changing the narrative on public sector reform by building a shared understanding of the requirements for improved public sector performance, taking ownership for public sector transformation, building a critical mass of public sector leaders and working with the public sector to strengthen effective policy design and implementation.

    The AIG PLP is a pioneering initiative developed in collaboration with the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University that identifies high-potential public servants in Africa and equips them with the skills and expertise needed to become transformative leaders. Conceived as the flagship programme for the foundation, it offers a comprehensive learning experience, blending the academic rigour of public policy formulation and implementation with practical insights from leading governance experts and practitioners. The foundation’s goal is to train over 3000 public servants in the next decade and create a new generation of leaders empowered to drive transformation across the African public sector.

    As part of the PLP and since 2017, the foundation has offered fully funded scholarships to 32 scholars – drawn from across Africa – for a one-year Masters of Public Policy (MPP), which is, in the words of Mrs. Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, “…providing the next generation of public service leaders with a world-class education that equips them with skills and knowledge they need to make positive changes in their countries and across the continent”.

    The in-country PLP had successfully graduated 170 middle-level and senior civil servants from Nigeria and other African countries, who underwent a rigorous curriculum designed to instill a deep understanding of the complexities of today’s public sector landscape. Engaging classroom discussions, simulations, practical exercises and peer learning opportunities equipped participants to navigate the challenges of leadership and drive positive change within their respective spheres of influence.

    These graduands return to their country’s ministries, extra-ministerial departments and agencies (MDAs) empowered to effect change, and the ripple effects of their leadership is expected to resonate throughout the continent. Through their capstone project, some important changes have been brought to bear in their places, as depicted by standardisation of on-the-job training for Air Traffic Safety Electronic Personnel (ATSEP) communication ratings for Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos; and development of software for tracking all freezing orders electronically to ensure compliance with the 72-hour law in the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.

    The greatest impact of the PLP was aptly summed up by Bashir Bringa Musa, a Deputy Director in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Abuja: “AIG Public Leaders Programme is essential for the African public sector because it cultivates a cadre of skilled and visionary leaders. By addressing the region’s unique challenges, the programme plays a crucial role in fostering sustainable development, good governance, and effective public service delivery.”

    The unique and sustainable feature of the PLP is that it is anchored within the support to the 2021 – 2025 Federal Civil Service Strategy Implementation Plan (FCSSIP25), which is a successor to the 2017–2020 Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP20). The involvement of the foundation in the two FCSSIPs ensured continuity in reform efforts, and the fortnightly meeting of the Office of the Head of Service and the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation’s steering committee allows for a consistent focus on the various reform initiatives. The value of this collaborative partnership was best captured by the current Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi Esan CFR: “We are committed to improving public service delivery and efficiency to ensure that the people of Nigeria have a seamless experience of federal services. The digitalisation of our work processes will enable us to be more effective, and I commend the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation for partnering with us to achieve this.”

    Efforts by the government alone to ensure a contemporary and responsive civil service cannot be sufficient to create any meaningful and sustainable change. The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, therefore, understands that her pioneering work in catalysing transformational and positive change within Africa’s public sector would require an expansion of the partnership base. The foundation has, thus, commenced the processes for fostering collaboration among stakeholders to promote excellence, effectiveness, and integrity in public service leadership. 

    The African continent needs to realise that the effectiveness and efficiency of its public service greatly determines how she undertakes the processes of creating growth, progress and positive change in physical, socio-economic, environmental and demographic components for the betterment of a greater majority. For Africa to begin to take commanding heights in global affairs, she needs to take advantage of her youthful population and this can only be possible if she has a public service that creates opportunities for this energetic segment of her population to contribute to her development.

    As the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation continues to champion the cause of enhanced public service delivery and improved healthcare access, she remains a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and philanthropy. However, the need for greater partnerships and collaboration calls for other philanthropists to join this laudable initiative. Nigeria did this during the COVID-19 pandemic and such initiative would be very necessary in strengthening the African public service.

    • Adejo, a retired federal permanent secretary, writes from Abuja

  • Spreading MDAs across geopolitical zones

    Spreading MDAs across geopolitical zones

    By Carl Umegboro

    Recently, the country was enmeshed in uproars over the move of some federal agencies and departments back to Lagos by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government with allusions in some quarters perceiving it as a scheme to limit economic growth in Abuja boost the economy of Lagos. In fact, it was portrayed as a plot to marginalize the North and its people by a president from the southern part of the country. The presidency, on the other hand, refuted the claims of alleged plot to diminish economic importance in the north; however, did not provide solid reasons for the action under the administration of President Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State. Some of the critics believe the action is to energize the state using presidential might as “my Lagos”.

    Therefore, there is a need for caution when taking some actions in a multi-ethnic society like Nigeria to avert misinterpretation. More worrisome was the fact that the presidency negligently didn’t carry the National Assembly that constitutes representatives of all constituencies and ethnic groups in the country along for deliberation prior to the action. Without a doubt, such fears, misgivings and murmurs are expected in any society that nepotism has eaten deep into, and continues to have dominance. Any society where merit is always forced aside while nepotism is enthroned animatedly will always meet such incongruous uproar.

    Admittedly, such an action may have targeted Lagos State and the Southwest geopolitical zone, but the bitter truth is that concentrating all the federal ministries, departments and agencies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was ill-conceived. Suffice that the existing federal infrastructure domiciled all over Lagos could justify the choice of Lagos. Beyond the choice of Lagos, spreading MDAs outside the FCT with at least a federal agency or key department in each of the six geopolitical zones in the country will be a stimulus towards rapid economic growth across the entire country simultaneously.

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    The lawmakers and policymakers have to cogitate it as a model, besides being a prerogative, to circumvent discontent in future as witnessed from some quarters over the movement of some agencies and departments by Tinubu who has indisputable interest in Lagos. I am sure if Tinubu had picked any state from other five geopolitical zones, instead of Southwest, or got parliamentary consent, the action would receive ready approval as public interest-oriented, and that should be a model for a multi-ethnic society like Nigeria. Of course, this is worthy of sober parliamentary reflection.

    Nonetheless, the antagonism certainly resulted from narrow-mindedness, bias and ethnic bigotry that have been impeding economic growth in the nation. There is no possible way all MDAs could be concentrated in an area without resulting in population surge with its associated outcomes, particularly economic or societal imbalance. And certainly, it would propel rapid migration of people to the area and ultimately lead to congestion with high cost in vital living needs, particularly land and houses. This is a hard lesson the leaders failed to grasp over the years that made Lagos uncontrollably overpopulated. Leaders shouldn’t continue to repeat the same error of oversight after escaping to Abuja, otherwise, the same outcome is inevitable.

    Ideally, apart from the Presidential Villa that comprises the offices and residences of the President and Vice President, and then the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the FCT Minister, all other ministries, departments and agencies of the government can prudently operate from any part of the federation and not mandatorily from Abuja. Otherwise, there would be avoidable pressure on the FCT. Take the population of the federal civil service of the nation, for instance, all being residents in Abuja with their families. Instead, concerted spread of agencies and departments should be seriously considered beyond Lagos alone. Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955), a German-born theoretical physicist held to be one of the greatest and most influential scientists, said: “If you keep doing the same things, you’ll end up getting the same results”.

    Protestations over the relocation of some MDAs’ departments to Lagos is total bunkum. It must be emphasized that there’s no region or part of the country that has a monopoly or preference of hosting federal institutions. A national establishment can be located anywhere in the North as well as the South. Abuja and Lagos are not exclusively anointed to be the federal capital territory, but are so by virtue of time and chance. So, criticism must necessarily be constructive. Imagine the volume of economic activities that will spread across the six geopolitical zones in the country having at least a ministry, agency or department of federal government in each of them, instead of having everything concentrated in Abuja. This would certainly develop the zones simultaneously.

    With a spread, the rapid development witnessed in Lagos and now in Abuja as a result of the FCT status could be replicated and spread across other states.  Just give Abuja a few years from now, it would become another ‘Lagos’ both as an economic hub and in terms of population explosion to the detriment of other states. This is a way of restructuring. As Einstein pointed out, you cannot repeat the same errors in Lagos that led to relocating the federal capital territory to Abuja and hope to get a different result. The then military junta only saw a suitable large expanse of land in the Abuja axis and concluded on relocation as a remedy, without addressing the core factors that led to congestion in Lagos. But the error can be corrected by equitably empowering every geopolitical zone with equal opportunity. The existing structure of the nation where almost all national assets are domiciled in only two locations – Lagos and Abuja – to the detriment of other areas is imbalanced and ill-advised.

    • Umegboro, Barrister and Solicitor, ACIArb, writes from Abuja through umegborocarl@gmail.com

  • Afenifere and the progressive camp (2)

    Afenifere and the progressive camp (2)

    In the course of the week, I had cause to be at the Akure, Ondo State-home of the Afenifere Leader, Reuben Fasoranti, and I saw modesty in its raw form. From Fasoranti’s symbolic bungalow which has played host to presidents, governors and other crème-de-la-crème of the society in their monstrous agbada or Babarigas, to the information gleaned from Nigerians in and around his residence, yours sincerely couldn’t stop marveling at the Spartan lifestyle of this 97-year-old Awoist. Anyway, that’s a story for another day!

    Well, the threatening truth is that Afenifere is down and the progressive camp is beaten! So, when will Yorubaland laugh and when will the progressive camp shout uhuru? When will our land smile again and when will Yoruba leaders wake up and face reality? When will they appropriate the social capital as it was in the days of Egbe Omo Oduduwa, whose existence wasn’t structured around tea party or ‘owambe’? Right now, the Yorubas are behind in terms of capital formation, financial intermediation and allied stuff. Of course, we have never been this behind in a century and a half! Even at the time of the Kiriji War, the Lagos Colony was very advanced, vis-à-vis the rest of Africa, save for South Africa.

    For now, what Yorubaland refers to as strength is just the property values of a few capital cities like Lagos and Ibadan. Take that away, what remains is zero capital strength, compared to what obtained in the 1920s and the 1940s, up to the 1960s. So it’s like basking in the euphoria of past glories! Take, for example, the Banks created by our heroes past were not just Banks but strategic financial institutions. Had successful generations of Yoruba leaders stayed faithful to the cause, National Bank and Wema Bank would have become the biggest, dominant financial institutions in Africa outside of Standard Bank in South Africa for, whereas Central Bank of Nigeria is talking about N500 billion naira paid-up capital, Standard Bank of South Africa already has a paid-up capital of $13 billion, which of course makes ours a joke.

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    So, how can Afenifere restore the strength of the Yorubas and let their eyes receive sight and how can the progressive camp make everything perfect at its time? Interestingly, while the former seems to have been demobilized by political partisanship, the latter, as it is, is walking on its knees and somebody needs to create a positive narrative before players in the sector completely hijack its ideological relevance.

    Talking about the progressive camp, yours sincerely wasn’t a small boy during the ‘June 12’ crises and the roles played by Frank Ovie Kokori and other prominent Nigerians, all in a bid to bequeath a lasting democracy to Nigeria. The then Secretary General of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) was hounded into prison and could only heave a sigh of relief after death struck Sani Abacha like a thief in the night. Thereafter, Kokori lived unsung and died like a pauper, which was a devastating indictment on the progressives.

    When he launched his book, ‘Frank Kokori: The struggle for June 12’ in 2014, reports had it that only Segun Osoba attended the event among “the ensemble of characters who led the famous June 12 struggle.” Others simply slept beside their wives in the comfort of their homes, which was a disgrace of monumental proportion to the bent. It’s even on record that when Kokori was in Bama Prison in Borno State, only Osoba was paying regular visits and rendering financial assistance to his (Kokori’s) family. Yes, that’s the kind of progressive class we are dealing with in Nigeria!

    But Kokori wasn’t alone in this progressive embarrassment. Ola Oni! Akin Makinde! Chima Ubani! And others! They’re an unforgettable part of the struggles that eventually brought Nigeria to where she is. But didn’t the country they served with all their strengths abandon them when they needed it most? I doubt if any of the friends in power even remembers the likes of Alfred Rewane, Babatunde Elegbede, Olu Omotehinwa, Bisoye Tejuosho, Suliat Adedeji, Shola Omosola and Bagauda Kaltho who paid the ultimate price for us to get to this pass! Abiola and Kudirat, his wife, are only lucky that they have some few monuments named after them; and the reason is simple! We are even hearing that Governor Ademola Adeleke is planning to rename MKO Abiola Airport in Ido Osun, Osun State after Isiaka Adetunji, his late brother and former governor of the state. Well, Nigerians hope it’s fake news; and it had better be!

    In sane climes, the progressives are supposed to be the main drivers of social change. But is that happening in this part of the world? If we couldn’t honour people like Kokori for their active, frontline roles while they lived, it only goes to show that everything about democracy in Nigeria is self-centered, half-hearted and transactional. Had Kokori for example been honoured, maybe the man would still be alive today!

    John McCain was an American senator who had his own distinct mind. He went to school. He also maintained tradition. He was a “soldier of soldiers” who fought for his fatherland. In the process, he was captured and almost killed. But, as fate would have it, McCain ‘graduated’ to a Prisoner of War (POW). After his release, he came back to the USA, again, to serve his fatherland until death. Even, in death, the Senator from Arizona remained justified for the actions he took while he lived. Now, look at McCain’s children and what they are achieving for selves and fatherland?

    In the considered opinion of this writer, this is not the time to forget those who risked what they had for what the country needed but now lack the voice and the mobility because of dispensational factors or nature of their creation. To get out of the woods therefore, Afenifere has to set out the real development agenda with the ferocious finesse that will define its very boundaries and prescribe the landscape of institutional democracy for the Yoruba nation. It is unfortunate that the region is falling so behind, especially in times of credit and this is not too good for us! So, we need a leadership that will celebrate not only the generations of love among us but also the legacy, inspiration and the testimony of our founding fathers.

    More than ever, the Yoruba nation needs an established culture of political consciousness that can demand and stand for its rights and a Development Agenda that can truly negotiate the future, capture the interests of the race, synthesize and stick to the needs of the people, and entrench a system of democratic awareness in the people. Again, this is where DAWN Document and Yoruba Academy come in! Let Afenifere rethink its vision and work with the state governments in the region on how to make things happen!

    As a Yorubaman, President Bola Tinubu has an important role to play in ensuring that the race doesn’t go extinct and this is a historic opportunity for him to spearhead a federalist agenda, which was what Awolowo and, indeed, most of his colleagues from the other regions, had always believed in and fought for. A proper federalism is what is of utmost benefit to Yorubaland and everything will fall into place! Of course, that’s the biggest legacy Tinubu can bequeath to Nigerians!

    Last of all, isn’t there an urgent need for the progressive icons in Nigeria to call a solemn assembly for the revival of the hopes of their forefathers?

    May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!

    ● Concluded.