Category: Opinion

Even with copious clarifications from Defence Headquarters on what transpired in Baga, Borno State, it is still very unlikely the controversy over that military engagement will abate so soon after. The tone for the festering controversy was by default, set by President Goodluck Jonathan when he approved independent investigations into the alleged killings irrespective of the findings of the military high command. He had also promised that where there are any established misconduct, the federal government will not hesitate in ensuring that due sanctions are enforced and justice done.

With these, there is everything to suggest that the president has not foreclosed the possibility that the report of the military high command may not have told the whole story.

One thing that is certain from the presentation of the government is that earlier reports were largely blown out of proportion. And the blame for this is being heaped at the feet of the media both local and foreign. The government is finding it hard to decipher the source of the figures that have been bandied in the media regarding the number of the dead; number of houses burnt and those responsible for the burning.

It is also piqued by reports that the military in Baga refused aid workers access to the area when in reality they had been on the ground rendering assistance to the displaced before the arrival of the defence team on fact finding mission. The incongruity between media reports and government’s account seem to suggest there must be more to the Baga debacle than ordinarily meets the eyes.

How did the media come about the killing of 185 people; the burning of over 3000 houses and mass graves when the military authorities only found 32 fresh graves while the total thatched roof houses in that community are not up to 1000? How and from where did Senator Maina Maiji who represents Borno north senatorial district get the figure of 228 fresh graves he claimed to have personally counted and in whose presence did he do the counting? These are some of the issues that should be troubling the federal authorities.

But more importantly, the uncanny coincidence between the setting up of the amnesty panel on Boko Haram and events in Baga is another major issue for concern. Not unexpectedly, there have been suggestions from some quarters that the incident questions the commitment of the government to the amnesty programme. There is also the feeling in government quarters that the high wire negative publicity that attended the Baga confrontation was not for nothing. The negative international concerns it generated even from countries that should ordinarily be in sympathy with the war against terrorism were some of the issues that must have rattled the Nigerian authorities. Could it be that the incident was simulated and hyped to ridicule the amnesty programme and the commitment of the government to a peaceful resolution of the crisis? Or was it an act of sabotage to draw international attention to the negative side of the war against the terrorist group?

Whichever the case, that singular incident did considerable damage to the rules of engagement by the government since the war against terrorism commenced some two years back. And when it is recalled that there have been persistent allegations of mistreatment of the civilian population anywhere there is an infraction, it becomes difficult to sweep this one under the carpet whether or not it was carried out by the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF). Before now, allegations have been rife that whenever there is an attack on the JTF, their usual response is to cordon off that area and level down anything that is found there.

Apparently, this strategy had been sustained by the inability of the military to precisely say who the real insurgents are. The military has recorded severe casualties as those they thought were innocent citizens turned round to inflict mortal harm on their members.

Faced with increasing risks to their lives in the face of inability to differentiate between Boko Haram members and ordinarily residents, there is every thing to expect that some innocent people are bound to suffer, albeit in error.

It is obvious from all accounts that this realty may have contributed to whatever excesses that were carried out by the MNJTF that have been credited with the Baga operation. The military spoke of the heavy presence of Boko Haram insurgents in Baga community. It is also an entry point into the country which makes it susceptible to all manner of influences from outside our shores. The military got information on the activities of the sect but each time they confronted the local leaders with it, what they got were denials. Yet a soldier was decapitated there.

The issue is not that insurgents were killed. Because they are evil, they should be dealt with wherever they are found. But care must be taken to sift innocent people from the terrorists. The furore generated by the Baga incident stems from allegations that the civilian population was largely the victim of that onslaught. There were allegations that soldiers deliberately supervised and aided the killing of innocent people fleeing the confrontation. Some foreign media even gave chilling reports of the throwing of some children into the raging fire. How these reports were generated still remains a matter of conjecture.

But Human Rights Watch HWR added another dimension to the raging controversy. It said that satellite images of the Baga conflict do not tally with the findings of the military high command. It went further to demonstrate that contrary to claims by the military, the arms credited to the insurgents do not possess the capacity to cause the large scale fire and destructions recorded in that fishing community.

There are clear gaps in the story by the military. It does not seem very convincing that the large scale burning of houses is the sole handiwork of the insurgents. It is also very unlikely that the 30 dead people the soldiers claimed were all members of Boko Haram is a correct representation of the matter. And since it was difficult for the soldiers to differentiate between the insurgents and civilians, how did they arrive at the conclusion that the dead were solely insurgents? It is unimaginable that such a high level destruction could take place in a residential area without a heavy toll on the civilian population. The attempt to pin down as civilians, those discovered dead near Lake Chad, a distance of about six kilometers away did not help the case of the military. There is therefore every indication that the military is either very economical with the truth or deliberately covering up its flanks.

But more fundamentally, the Baga saga has exposed the increasing risk in the tactics of the insurgents who use civilian population as cover. The local population must resist this and cooperate with the soldiers by offering them useful information on insurgents even at the risk of reprisals. It is very probable that out of frustration, the military did not bother to make a difference between the insurgents and the civilian population.

It is not necessarily true that you will live longer if you don’t drink, smoke, or chase women—it is the feeling that you get that matters. The poor tend to abuse such privileges which explains the good health of the one they call ‘The Guru.’

According to Ark Linkletter, there are four stages of man: infancy, childhood, adolescence…and obsolescence, but in the case of this icon, youthfulness characterizes his personage at 60.

Perhaps the greatest secret of the success profile of The Big Boss is that he does not believe in pleasing everyone. He does not care about what his hypercritics think of him and does not flow with the current.

The mogul we are celebrating today, especially, and at other times has no immediate plans to retire from economic activism even as he begins the eventful journey to 70 and beyond.

Did you know that at the age of 26, Dr. Michael Adeniyi Ishola Adenuga, Jr. was already a multi-millionaire by American standards? Dr. Adenuga laid the foundation of what he is today by learning the ropes from his late mother whom he cherished till her last breath. He owes everything to her.

Family members will intimate you to the fact that this Grand Commander was most loved and favoured of all her mother’s five children. And that the virtuous woman in her heyday imbued this last-born with entrepreneurial spirit.

This multi-billionaire even at the age of 60 still looks so youthful that you will think the Adonis is just about 40! It has to do more with gracefulness than deep pocket. His dreams, vision and astounding entrepreneurship are unparalleled in this part of the world.

Were you aware that this colossus was a director in the old Newswatchweekly newsmagazine before the brusque intervention and acquisition by Barrister Ibrahim Jimoh?

With the celebrator, there is no dull moment and life must be lived to the fullest? His fountain of compassion and philanthropy is an ocean that never dries? His generosity is confounding. He does not segregate on grounds of religion, ethnicity, gender or class? All those who have encountered him will readily confirm this.

The oil and gas magnate hates people who are liars, thieves, irresponsible, lazy, unimaginative, unintelligent, timid, fraudulent and dirty. And profusely loves those on the converse. He loves to the extreme and beyond human comprehension!

Dr. Adenuga has a passion for good life which explains why he is splashing more than N100 billion on his aristocratic home on Banana Island (Lagos) where he neighbours Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Birds of a feather flock together! Virtually everything for the massive residential network of buildings is imported! What do you expect from a man with paradisal taste?

It will eternally be on record that it was Dr. Adenuga’s bullish entry into the GSM industry that revolutionized Nigerians’ way of talking through the instrumentality of per-second billing.

You may not believe this: Dr. Adenuga works almost round the clock and scarcely has time for relaxation. He spends virtually the whole day holding meetings with directors and managers from his group here and overseas till the early hours of the next day and by 9 a.m. the day continues with fresh challenges and different sessions with new sets of managers. Indolent people cannot work with or even for him! Indeed, some employees of his wonder whether he sleeps at all!

This will interest you: it is easier to access President Goodluck Jonathan than to interface with Dr. Adenuga. I say this from experience and with all sense of responsibility. You cannot see him unless he invites you no matter who you are (with few exceptions)! Nobody can present your challenge to him except he demands to know your circumstance, which he does periodically.

He does not like to be persuaded over things he desires to do—the moment you do that, he is enraged and that could hallmark doomsday! Nobody risks his anger up to the point of timidity, which he abhors in contradistinction.

Dr. Adenuga’s retentive memory and general cerebral comportment leave people gasping for breath. He knows something about everything and is well-informed on all organisational issues concerning constituents of the Mike Adenuga Group, Nigerian and global economy.

Nothing makes this entrepreneurial whiz-kid happy as diligence, which explains the robustness of his passion for hard work by those privileged to be associated with his vast empire. Apart from the direct human capital in his supranational institutions, he has fertilized and watered innumerable private initiatives of people who have come his way over the years from all walks of life. His accommodative organizational capacity is unparalleled in this part of the world.

Overall, Adenuga, an unprecedented visionary symbol, has a profundity of energy, enthusiasm and empathy running in his veins. At times, those who know him closely wonder whether he would ever retire from economic activism. I have the conviction that his beneficiaries’ prayers for him have the propensity to keep him for the next 60 years and possibly beyond. Simply put, this man has affected and continues to affect uncountable lives, many of whom I know. He enjoys offering Nigerians and non-Nigerians unlimited opportunities particularly through the instrumentality of Globacom as long as they believe in themselves.

Most times, those who have access to this sports benefactor wonder if he has time for relaxation considering the maze of documents that crave his attention daily, including weekends, multifarious meetings that span all day and other official engagements that are equally time consuming and energy sapping. Does he have time to sleep at all? No weakling can work with or for this big boss: the challenges are pleasurably demanding and appreciated at the earliest opportune time.

Another thing you may, probably, not know about this global torch-bearer is his morbid phobia for failure. As I pointed out earlier, Mr. Chairman abhors all manner of drawbacks. This explains why he goes for the best of anything. He doesn’t compromise standard. And for him, no half-measures at all. On this score, one can call him a Eurocentric person because of his unmitigated subscription to foreign things which he passionately believes have incomparable quality with products from this locale. This applies to even betrothals, branding, concepts and even obsequious circumstances.

Adenuga is a cultivator of acquaintanceship, companionship and friendship, but, in the same breath, he does not hesitate in calling it quits if associational challenges arise in breach of his rare privilege craved by one and all. Surprisingly—because of his large heart—he gracefully allows room for serial make-ups and continual reunion. Contrarily, too, some of the relationships taste better as they get older just like wine, with time. In his relational activities, he does not just nurture bosom relationships; he pampers most of his friends and even few lucky staff in his employ up to the point of superfluity and satiation!

A very ambitious man and a study in diligence, he rejuvenated—after acquisition—National Oil and Chemical Marketing (NOLCHEM) which metamorphosed into Consolidated Oil (Conoil) with upstream and downstream prospecting portfolios. It was the first indigenous oil company to strike oil on December 24, 1991.

Clearly, he is a generational anchor endowed with divine blessings. He personifies entrepreneurship strewn with benevolence. A gentleman with Midas touch who has mastered his environment by conquering all the latent constituents and elemental forces against all episodic odds, this investment captain remains an embodiment of industry, a beacon and blistering light in usually impossible tunnels and difficult terrains.

I round off this tribute by underscoring the fact that God’s favours to our unassuming big boss are immeasurable. He is 99 per cent self-made. There is nothing else to add here except Happy Birthday, Sir! May you continue to find favour in the sight of God and man. Let me paraphrase the Psalmist: may the Almighty cause your name to be celebrated in all generations. On retirement—if ever—you will be remembered for your unfazed economic nationalism and philanthropic superfluity.

There is a particular saying that when a child is crying and pointing in a particular direction, it is either the mother or father is there. When the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Ositadimma Nebo, stood before the Senate earlier this year to declare that he was going to exorcise the demons in the power sector, it immediately made headlines in the media.

It had to, because this line of thought was completely new. Nobody before him had openly pursued it. If they contemplated it, they never brought it to the public space. That Nebo has blazed this trail, is not surprising.

He possesses what many of his ilk lack, or overlook. It is strange that many people who have gone through the academic mills and acquired the first-grade credentials he has, soon abandon the most essential and crucial part – God. Many of them even begin to delude themselves and commit the most atrocious infamy and sacrilege of declaring with their mouth that there is no God, while others, at best, pay half-hearted heed to His existence and dictates.

That, of course, is one of the major fundamentals the former Vice Chancellor of two federal universities in Nigeria, is bringing to the table, which, rather than serving as a footnote, is likely to define his era in his present job and from there create the template to leapfrog Nigeria into the future of greatness that has become so elusive, but which everybody, including its enemies, believe is waiting right at the next bend.

And nobody is guessing here. It was the same talisman that Nebo used to end the many years of rot at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), which, before his arrival, had gained notoriety for being a theatre of war and bloodshed due to student’s cultism. Who didn’t hear that the menace grew so high that Nebo’s predecessor, Prof. Ginigeme Mbanefo, was actually kidnapped and for some days, became game for the unconscionable elements? Who didn’t hear of the killing of 15 students in a fell swoop in the university in 2003 or how a former dean was butchered thereafter?

What magic did Nebo apply to ensure that his five-year tenure, between June 2004 and June 2009, led to a totally different story in the university, not only in infrastructural development but total eradication of cultism?

Of course, his story at the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, evokes a similar sentiment. There, he practically squeezed water out of stone in his attempt to build a first class institution that would train the body and mind of Nigerians constantly in search of quality education, such as the likes that the minister had. Needless to say that he was still at this project when his new appointment came.

This streak of successes, where many have failed, can only mean one thing – that Nebo, does not only possess the credentials to achieve his goals, but applies them with a rare single-mindedness.

That is why, he must therefore, be taken seriously when he said that he is going to succeed in the power sector and deliver on President Goodluck Jonathan’s promise of making Nigerians enjoy constant electricity during his tenure. That is why those he has been pointing at since his coming on board as the spoilers, must not only think seriously about their options, but become wiser and more prudent with their ideas of doing things the old way.

Reading the riot act for the umpteenth time, during an interview on a Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) programme, Platform, recently, the minister accentuated the fresh impetus thus: “We are setting up a very robust monitoring device. One thing I can assure you is that all leakages will be plugged. It’s not going to be business as usual. The legacy that we have now will not tolerate the so-called Nigerian Factor and leakages. It is time for everybody to know that it is no longer business as usual. If anyone wants to continue in the old games, then we will hold them accountable. I can assure you that we have put in place a solid mechanism to ensure that when government puts in funds somewhere, government gets a concomitant, good, quality work that it has paid for.”

Nebo would also lament on how a cabal had grown out of some people seized by evil forces. These people, who he described as powerful, would not want the Nigerian power sector to heal, because of their proclivity to benefit from the suffering of the people by absconding with funds they obtained for specific power projects.

“I mean, it is all too obvious that lots of funds have gone into the sector but in some areas, you don’t see a concomitant development in the sector, so there are problems within and without. There is the issue of Nigerian factor, cartels that feel that once there is power, they lose their own businesses,” he added.

Reiterating his resolve to solve the problem in line with the President’s resolve, Nebo, who said he was equally troubled vowed to do everything required to ensure that the present crisis is resolved in favour of Nigerians.

And this resolution, according to him would mean a robust economy, where the giant will wake up again; where virtually the about 70 per cent or more of all the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), that have died in Nigeria would wake up again; where the barbing saloon, hairdressing saloon, vulcanizing, welding businesses and the likes, would be alive and well; where Nigerians would go back to work earn their living honestly and as a result, reduce all the vices currently plaguing the nation due to idleness and absence of alternatives; where the big businesses, like the telecommunication companies would cut down operation costs by half, because they would no longer rely on diesel, thus producing competitive goods and services like telephone tariff that is currently the highest in the world.

It is a common saying in Nigeria that only a tree will hear that it would be cut down and still stand in one place. A human being would shift grounds. Is it not time for this cabal to rethink their position?

Indeed, many people have actually argued that cabals are not necessarily bad by their name, but in what they do. They insist that most developed economies have their own versions of cabals, which corner all the big contracts and businesses, make huge profits, but still deliver. In so doing, they may even become instruments for checking charlatans and quacks.

Perhaps, Nebo, may not be as virulent in his resolve to end their reign if the Nigerian version would try this option. But it is indeed up to them to explore it and see what happens next. But to obdurately remain a clog in the wheel of progress, could become a recipe for their doom.

The blacksmith, who doesn’t know how to make the gong, it is said, must study the shape of the kite’s tail. Most of the big empires in America today, who have established foundations to help humanity, according to some history, were actually bandits, who involved in all manner of crimes. But they had to give up, do a rethink and turn a new leaf when the time was up for them.

A similar wind is blowing in Nigeria today. The momentum is so fierce it will certainly destroy all obstacles on the way. It is hurricane Nebo.

• Igboanugo, a journalist, wrote from Lagos

TOMORROW (Monday, April 29, 2013), one of the legends of our time will clock 60 years. Expectedly, the media, especially the print will be agog with congratulatory messages to celebrate this unique Nigerian who has made a success of his socio-economic endeavours. Otunba Mike Ishola Adeniyi Adenuga (Jr.) has become a business colossus and the barometer for benchmarking the country’s economic and philanthropic landscape, and indeed, those of the West African sub-region.

A cerebral business mogul, Otunba Mike Adenuga entry into the economic arena became noticeable in the 1980’s and in quick succession he founded and nurtured Devcom Merchant Bank Limited, Equitorial Trust Bank Limited and Conoil Limited to enviable heights. The advent of the Global System for Mobile Communications (hitherto known as Groupe Special Mobile), in Nigeria saw the enigmatic Mike Adenuga (Jr.) floating what is up to the present, the only indigenous and private telecommunications company, Globacom Limited to challenge the earlier three entrants- Zain (now Airtel), MTN, and NITEL. Ever since, the industry has never been the same, as Globacom brought with it innovation, patriotism, and zeal yet to be matched by any other telecommunications company.

The auspicious event of Adenuga’s diamond birthday is a consequential and monumental moment to celebrate success, resilience, excellence, generosity and kindness, humility, optimism, patriotism, corporate social responsibility, and many more as exemplified and personified by this thoroughbred Ijebu.

How do we define or determine success? To paraphrase Bessie Stanley, to achieve success is to live well, to gain the respect of those around us, to fill our niche and accomplish our task, to leave the world better than it was met, to look for the best in others and give them the best one could, for one’s life to be an inspiration to others, and for one’s memory to be a benediction. The cumulation of all these point to the fact that Adenuga (Jr.) is a success story in every material sense.

A resilient entrepreneur, his achievement in life has been built on concrete personal achievement and damning the challenges of failure. No doubt, business has not been a bed of roses. He once made an attempt to acquire the moribund and defunct NITEL, but for some inexplicable reasons, this did not materialise. Re-strategising, he launched Globacom, which introduced what was then said to be impossibility, the Per Second billing regime that has now become the vogue in the mobile telecommunications community.

According to Rick Pitino, ‘excellence is the unlimited ability to improve the quality of what you have to offer’, while Booker T. Washington, said that ‘excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way; Adenuga (Jr.) is a man of rare and consummate excellence. He does not belong to the wasted or wasting generation. Rather, he dazzles us with his virtue and outstanding qualities, and above all, his commitment to achieve the best for his race.

Talking about his generosity reminds this writer about the quotation from Albert Pike that “what we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; and what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal”. Equally true is that “those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves”. These two statements exemplify the spirit of Adenuga (Jr.). He has done much for Nigeria and Africa. He has also brought fame, honour and prestige to the black race.

A leader among men, he has always avoided putting himself above others. To some’ he is elusive or evasive, but those who know him attest to his uncommon humility and shyness. Humility, according to George Arliss “is the only true wisdom by which we prepare our minds for all the possible changes of life”. The transformation of Adenuga (Jr.) to one of the richest men of our time can surely not have been achieved without a good dose of humility.

It is no gainsaying that “no pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit (Helen Keller)”. The achievements of Adenuga (Jr.) have been built on optimism- seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. His life is telling us that we can conquer our nightmares because of our dreams, and that there are possibilities in impossibilities. Indeed, it is possible to operate from a higher level of consciousness if and when we identify the opportunities in any good, bad and ugly environment. The dream in us will die if we are pessimistic.

A patriot of no mean order, his business empire attests to his commitment to and belief in the country. Directly and indirectly employing over 500,000 workers, he is a major stakeholder in the Nigerian project. The queuing into the philosophy of corporate social responsibility has been a great uniqueness of Mike Adenuga (Jr.). Every part of the country has benefitted from his tremendous spirit of giving to charity, sports, culture, education and many more.

Recently, he was conferred with the second highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). He is the greatest ambassador of Ijebuland in the socio-economic sphere and an indefatigable pillar of sports and youth development in Nigeria. Adenuga (Jr.) is an indomitable employer of labour and the economic generalissimo of our time.

On a personal level, when the Awujale of Ijebuland appointed this writer the Coordinator of the centuries’ old Annual Ojude Oba of Ijebuland some seven years ago, the involvement of his company, Globacom has changed the face of the festival. The festival, through the instrumentality of Adenuga (Jr.) has become a global event playing host to millions of people annually including Presidents, Governors, National and State legislators, diplomats and foreign tourists. He is undoubtedly, the foremost benefactor of our Ijebu’s cultural heritage- the Annual Ojude Oba Festival.

In conclusion, the diamond jubilee of the Otunba Apesin of Ijebuland, Mike Adenuga (Jr.), is indeed, a unique opportunity to salute his selfless and unwavering commitment to humanity and astonishing accomplishments in life. May his Diamond Jubilee usher in more grace to his glory as he continues to further manifest his destined greatness.

Happy Birthday to a quintessential and an amazing son of Ijebuland. May his mega vision, octopus mission and unassailable journey of purposeful and selfless service to humanity continue to magnify.

•Yusuf is former Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Culture .