The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • White lion, 80billion, and other stories

    White lion, 80billion, and other stories

    SIR: Corruption in Kogi State, Nigeria, has been a longstanding issue that has hindered the state’s development and progress. Like many other states in Nigeria, Kogi has grappled with corruption at various levels of government and society, impacting sectors such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and public services.

    One of the significant challenges is the mismanagement of public funds, where government officials, both elected and appointed, have been accused of embezzling public resources meant for development projects. This mismanagement has led to the deterioration of infrastructure and basic amenities, further exacerbating the living conditions of the residents.

    Political corruption is also prevalent, with reports of vote-buying, electoral fraud, and manipulation during elections. This undermines the democratic process and erodes public trust in government.

    Furthermore, there have been allegations of nepotism and favoritism in government appointments and contracts, where individuals with connections to those in power are awarded lucrative deals at the expense of merit and transparency.

    The lack of accountability and transparency mechanisms exacerbates the problem, as there is often little oversight or consequences for corrupt practices. Civil society organizations and anti-corruption agencies have highlighted the need for stronger institutions and enforcement of existing laws to combat corruption effectively.

    Kogi state is the land of the white lion, turned lame goat…if you know, you know. It is the land of Dino Melaye, the land of Lugard. The only state in Nigeria to border ten other states. For those that do not know, economically, Kogi State is largely based around agriculture, mainly of coffee, cashew, groundnut, cocoa, oil palm, and yam crops. Other key industries are crude oil extraction and the livestock herding of cattle, goats, and sheep.

    It is the land of Ajaokuta, that industry that keeps chopping money. Any honest audit would show that the project has long since become an elephant project.

    In case you forgot, the state is nicknamed the “Confluence State” due to the fact that the confluence of the River Niger and the River Benue occurs next to its capital, Lokoja. It is also the state of the Igalas, very dominant in Kogi East with nine local governments, the Ebiras who are in Kogi Central with five local governments and the Okun in Kogi West with seven local governments. These three ethnic majority do juju, are beautiful and schooled (make your choice).

    It is the land of great lawyers, diplomats, great media practitioners, and very disrespectful fuel attendants. It once had a bleaching governor and also a disappearing governor, it is the land of a tree climbing senator, and a mouthed motor loving politician…

    This is what makes the white lion stories very hurtful. Did you know that Kogi state has 21 local government areas? No world class hospital. The Kogi Reference Hospital is supposed to be one, but story for another day. The state does not have a FIFA standard football pitch, that 80billion could build 40 football pitches at 2billion each, or that 80billion could build 21 primary health care centres.

    The roads in the state are in terrible state, there are no world class schools with state of the art teaching facilities, and imagine what 80billion could do?

    Have you ever seen the smallest overhead bridge in Kogi and the amount it gulped? Did you see the allocation that Kogi got in eight years, yet workers were paid a minimal percent of their salaries, and in cases where debited immediately after being credited…Let me help us understand, According to FAAC Kogi state from 2016 — 2023 got ₦750.60 billion, from the NBS the state generated internally ₦107.51 billion, its domestic debt for 2023 stood at ₦121.81 billion and external debt for 2023 was $51.17 million according to the DMO. According to EFCC a white lion misappropriated and made away with over 80billion

    Read Also: Firm eyes Africa’s $40.80b e-commerce market

    Efforts to address corruption in Kogi State require a multi-faceted approach, including:

    Strengthening anti-corruption institutions and ensuring their independence and effectiveness in investigating and prosecuting cases of corruption.

    Implementing transparent procurement processes and financial management systems to prevent misappropriation of public funds.

    Promoting civic engagement and public participation in governance to hold elected officials accountable.

    Enhancing awareness and education on the detrimental effects of corruption and the importance of integrity in public service.

    Encouraging a culture of ethical leadership and accountability among government officials and civil servants.

    The solutions proffered above are not just about Kogi State, but a majority of Nigerian states where there are white lions, green serpents, blue monkeys, red onions and all sorts masquerading as governors and fleecing their states.

    • Prince Charles Dickson, PhD
  • Adolescence and life purpose

    Adolescence and life purpose

    Sir: Adolescence is the period following the onset of puberty during which a young person develops from. Purpose can guide life decisions, influence behavior, shape goals, offer a sense of direction, and create meaning.

    For some people, purpose is connected to vocation—meaningful, satisfying work. For others, their purpose lies in their responsibilities to their family or friends. Others seek meaning through spirituality or religious beliefs. Some people may find their purpose clearly expressed in all these aspects of life.

    Purpose will be unique for everyone; what you identify as your path may be different from others. What’s more, your purpose can actually shift and change throughout life in response to the evolving priorities and fluctuations of your own experiences. Questions that may come up when you reflect upon your life purpose are:

    * Who am I?

    * Where do I belong?

    * When do I feel fulfilled?

    Adolescents who feel a greater sense of purpose may be happier and more satisfied with life than peers who feel less purposeful, according to a recent study of more than 200 teens. Studies with adults have suggested that a sense of purpose in life is an integral component of well-being that fuels hope and optimism, and has a variety of positive effects on individuals’ physical and mental health.

    Read Also: NGO launches scheme to assist boys during adolescence

    However, less is known about the effects of purposefulness in adolescents, who, while characteristically hopeful, are in the throes of developing their identities, making choices that reflect who they are and aspire to be, according to the study. “Teens who scored high on purpose were more satisfied with their lives and experienced more positive emotions and fewer negative emotions,” said Ratner, who collected the data while working as a postdoctoral associate at Cornell University. “Importantly, we found that on the days when these adolescents felt more purposeful than usual, they also tended to experience greater well-being.”

    On the daily assessments, those in the study rated how much they were feeling four positive emotions — content, relaxed, enthusiastic or joyful — and four negative emotions — angry, anxious, sluggish or sad. Participants’ composite positive and negative emotional affect scores, along with their life satisfaction scores, were used to assess their psychological well-being.

    Feeling more purposeful than usual on any single day was a unique predictor of participants’ emotional well-being on those days, regardless of their dispositional level of purposefulness, the team found.

    • Doyin Adenike Ojoola Lagos (doyinojool@gmail.com)
  • It’s Army’s duty to wage war on poverty through Òguń Complex

    It’s Army’s duty to wage war on poverty through Òguń Complex

    The Army is the most disciplined and technically skilled institution that can carry out the task of laying our railway foundations for industrialization, which it will then protect with weapons that it makes. Instead of activists yearning for Shango’s Justice to throw out corrupt politicians, they should prompt the army to build the railways and military industrial complex, regardless of the party, person in power. Strictly economic, nothing political. Prince Justice Faloye writes

    Since returning to democracy, we have been in search of the right political systems and economic ideologies to bring prosperity to our people, but the political class have shown little or no solutions of how to attain the Prosperity of the Industrialized world. Some disgruntled politicians and citizens often wish that the army takes over after shambolic elections or economic mismanagement. Army coups swept out post independence democracies across Africa, and ruled for decades until it became obvious that they had no business with politics and governance.

    Recall back in history, George Washington, the largest slave owner became a soldier to protect the local slave economy from British colonialists, while Alexander Hamilton, a soldier, is the acknowledged father of USA big business. Following the mid 1800s railroad boom, the iron merchants turned to building skyscrapers with the surplus iron, before finally using it to build armoured plates for the Navy and armoured vehicles. The First World War caused widespread public discontent that the USA had been dragged into what was essentially a European Colonial War, and led to the 1934 Senator Gerald Nye Senate Committee Hearings that showed that the Navy and Army were the main salesmen of arms makers that dragged the USA into war to sell their munitions.

    In what is known as Peace Dividends, the production plants of war goods incorporated producing consumer goods, consumer cars alongside armoured vehicles, radios with radar among other things which brought a long period of prosperity and employment by what was aptly named the Industrial Military complex. Not only in USA has the military been at the economic foundation of nations, as the British Empire was built on the efficiency of turning slave ships into battleships. This was known as Mercantilism whereby nations used their army to back their businessmen to takeover natural and human resources.

    Read Also: BBNaija’s Miracle graduates from US aeronautical varsity

    In actual fact, the prosperity of Eurasian empires dating back to Babylon was based on war economics. Starting with brutal war with no ideology during the Age of Aries/Ogun 2000BC to 1AD, it evolved in the Age of Pisces/Olokun to using religious dogma to disguise the military grabbing of resources, which eventually led to racist dogma of enslaving Africans to build the Western global economy. At the end of the 350 year slave based economy came colonization that led to the First World War, and the start of the Industrial military complex of turning war goods into consumer goods. It followed by the Second World War when production facilities of fighter jets were adapted for passenger jets and air travel, before the Cold War and its military intelligence became computer technology and the internet, the current economic growth driver.

    California, currently the world’s fifth largest economy, was a desert that first attracted people during the short-lived 1848 Gold Rush, whose fortunes were turned around by the airborne military industrial complex. Its clear skies and huge expanse of land was conducive to testing of airplanes and siting of huge factories that employed millions of people. Its Peace Dividend was Hollywood. With the advent of computer technology, the military industrial complex built the Silicon Valley which also worked with Hollywood, it’s Chief marketer. In time, California became the most populous and richest USA state with a GDP of nearly $4 trillion. Texas also became second richest due to the relocation of the military industrial complex facilities there.

    The most pronounced use of the army to build an industrial military complex is the Peoples Liberation Army, which built the Chinese railways that stimulated industrialization to liberate their people from poverty. So did South Korea’s General Park Chung Hee. Unfortunately unlike other races, African national armies evolved from slave/colonial armies used to suppress their peoples, and after independence used to protect neocolonial interests. Nigeria’s army originated from the 1863 Lieutenant John Hawley Glover’s Constabulary Force, largely composed of freed Hausa slaves, primarily established to protect the Royal Niger Company and push British colonialism. After the defeat of Benin Empire, it was consolidated in 1900 into the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF), before finally becoming the Nigerian Army in 1956. Despite becoming national armies in Nigeria and Ghana, key soldiers were recruited to protect Western neocolonial interests and sometimes overthrow their national democratic governments.

    Due to their misconceptions, the armies never saw themselves as the liberators of their peoples, especially by building their own industrial military complexes that would not only make them truly independent but provide employment and prosperity. Initially the Nigerian army bought its arms from about 13 different nations. However, in 1964 the Nigerian army set up the Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria, which became more functional with the 1967 Civil War, assembling other nations weaponry like AK 47. Overtime, it produced more weapons and even started building furniture for the civilian populations. So one wonders that if it knew that it could make profit from consumer sales, why not develop the whole industrial military complex?

    Coloniality of knowledge robs us of the philosophical foundations of what the army and industrial complex is about. The loss of indigenous African civilization knowledge robs us from knowing the Ogun philosophy that shows the evolution of Ogun (iron) from the blood (iron) carrying oxygen and other nutrients to make our body function properly, to the use of iron tools for both Agriculture and War. Now, Ogun is to lay iron rails to every locality to stimulate heavy manufacturing of both industrial and defence goods to share the huge overhead costs.

    General Obasanjo, probably the most pro-development head of state, went about Operation Feed the Nation, instead of Operation Industrialize the Nation, which should have been done through the army. As a politician, he established Transcorp as a massive investment vehicle to build an industrial complex, but it takes more than investment, and requires political will which civilians can’t summon. The army is Ogun, and only Ogun can beget Ogun. In Yoruba philosophy, the army has no business with Obatala governance and Olokun politics, the army’s job is simply to lay economic foundations, and the first step had been taken with the establishment of DICON. Since defense industries needs consumer industries to share overheads, the army should present plans of how to lay iron rails across Nigeria in record time like the Peoples Liberation Army, and unless we don’t want our army to be self sufficient would politicians obstruct them.

    At present, only China can build railways and unfortunately our political class is tied to the West that would sabotage Chinese involvement, therefore left to the politicians we will wait another generation through nepotistic contracts. The Army is the most disciplined and technically skilled institution that can carry out the task of laying our railway foundations for industrialization, which it will then protect from internal and external saboteurs with weapons that it makes. Instead of activists yearning for Shango’s Justice to throw out corrupt politicians with his Ogun axe made by foreigners, they should prompt the army to build the railways and military industrial complex, regardless of the party or person in power. Strictly economic, nothing political.

    Our two North-South railways will become a grid by laying three East-West railways – Lagos-Calabar, Ilorin-Yola and Sokoto-Maiduguri in three years. Government and public institutions are not good managers of business, so once the infrastructure are built it must be privatized, and either the army builds the rest to fill up the 9 box grid or the privatized companies and state governments can build the feeder routes to every corner. Railways provide the highest return on investment of USA industries at 50.93%, and could bring close to $100b annually to Nigeria, in addition to the fact that it has the highest income and employment multiplier effects across the economy. For every Naira or person employed in the railway it stimulates N20 and 20 new jobs in agriculture, car manufacturing and other heavy manufacturing, logistics, freighting and other new sectors. Being the largest contraption of Iron and Chemicals, it will multiply tenfold the combined contribution of a mere 1.6% that iron and steel, plastic and rubber, and electrical and electronics currently make to the economy.

    Since President Tinubu’s hands are tied by the West from doing business with China, especially on economic liberating infrastructure, the army should leave chasing terrorists and bandits to the politicians that should restructure, decentralize and specialize the police force, and instead focus on building an industrial military complex through Defense Industries Corporation (DICON) with plan for 10,000 kilometers of railways to employ millions and liberate us from poverty.

    •Faloye, President ASHE Foundation, Afenifere Deputy Publicity Secretary, is an Economist and author of The Blackworld Evolution to Revolution.

  • RE: Dangers of establishing state police

    RE: Dangers of establishing state police

    The  piece above is good,  but one sided. It begins and ends the arguments on governors abusing power! No, the issues are deeper, and we should never shy away from addressing them.

    State police is as good as creation of states and local governments in Nigeria. How do we come to the present structures of 36 states, 774 local government councils from the 4 regional governments, to 12 states, 19 states etc?

    How do we reconcile the arguments that creation of states and local governments mean bringing governments or governance to the grassroots, and leave an integral parts of the components (law enforcement) hugely concentrated at the centre?!

    The security challenges we have today is largely due to the fact that policing in Nigeria is not localised. It has become Abuja issue, Abuja matter, Abuja headaches!. And unfortunately, Abuja itself enjoyed all the headaches associated with the behemoth called The Police.  We cannot shy away from addressing the fears State police would create, but the gains are far reaching and more beneficial especially in modern times.

    Read Also: Dangers of establishing state police in Nigeria under current governance conditions

    We cannot say because kidnappers and terrorists are using telephone service to carry out their wicked and cruel acts, and decide to go back to years of NITEL telephone system. It will be counter productive. The state police issue is like GSM. Everybody owns it,  and can also be used by everyone to escape kidnapping and terrorism. It is just that the state has to lead, open heartedly!!

    Let us decentralised the police, let the people own the police, let us democratise police operations,  Nigeria will be better for it! Our major problem is that people who are against it are people from the old order who fears that police control by states could become unmanageable and out of control of government at the centre. They also fears that natives could exploits the powers of states police to deprive them of privileges they have been enjoying since 1960.  No state will function properly and realise its full potentials by remaining stagnant and fixated to old and antiquated order.

    Few days ago, the IGP called for the merger of FRSC, NSCDC with the Police. It’s a worn out, lazy suggestion. The DSS was part of the Police before, why didn’t he extend his call to the DSS? You are in charge of over 400,000 policemen,  you have not managed it over the years to the envy of Nigerians and the International community, you asking that you should be given additional responsibility, who does that?!

    The states have been providing logistics support for the police, but how are such support managed to attract more? Give the military 15 Hilux Jeep, and give same to police on the same day, come back in just 3 months to check the conditions of the vehicles, you will be shocked what you will discover regarding the conditions of the vehicles in the care of police, while the military vehicles will still be very gallant and sound!!

    The conversation about state police is necessary, but it important we start its creation now. With appropriate mechanism/ constitutional instruments in place, the fears Dr Ardo raised will pile into insignificant in the long run!

  • Dangers of establishing state police in Nigeria under current governance conditions

    Dangers of establishing state police in Nigeria under current governance conditions

    By Umar Ardo

    The proposal to establish State Police in Nigeria has sparked a contentious debate due to the concerns surrounding the persisting abuse of power by state governors. While the concept of State Police aims at enhancing security and law enforcement at the state level may seem plausible, however, the existing governance challenges and abuse of authority raise significant apprehensions about the potential consequences of entrusting state governors with coercive powers through State Police forces. Besides, in all the arguments for the establishment of State Police, there is not a single point where it is shown how the absence of State Police is responsible for breeding insecurity and how its establishment would solve the problem. It is therefore important to rethink the idea of establishing State Police in Nigeria in the bid to address the current security situation.

    One of the primary arguments against the establishment of State Police in Nigeria pertains to the chronic abuse of power by state governors. The mismanagement of state resources, widespread corruption, and the manipulation of the state electoral commission in our Local Government elections for political gains are prevalent issues that have eroded trust in our state governance system. The consistent pattern of election rigging and the imposition of one-party rule at the local government level underscore the extent of authoritarian tendencies exhibited by all state governors in the country.

    Read Also: TETFund registers 2.5m students on research platform

    Granting state governors control over State Police forces in the current political climate, therefore, poses a grave risk to democracy and the electoral process in Nigeria. The history of state governors stifling democratic elections at the grassroots level and silencing opposition voices represent a clear warning sign of the potential repercussions of consolidating coercive powers in the hands of a few political elites. Allowing state governors to wield State Police authority could lead to the further erosion of democratic principles, free and fair elections, and the stifling of political dissent.

    The decentralization of policing authority under state governors raises fundamental concerns about the separation of powers, checks and balances, and the independence of the judiciary. By empowering state governors with State Police forces, there is a real danger of executive overreach, abuse of power, and the subversion of constitutional safeguards. The concentration of coercive power in the hands of political actors who have a history of undermining democratic institutions could have far-reaching implications for the rule of law and accountability in Nigeria.

    Also, very importantly, the discourse on the establishment of State Police in Nigeria has proponents advocating for enhanced security and decentralization of law enforcement. However, a critical analysis reveals a conspicuous absence of concrete evidence linking the absence of State Police to the country’s security challenges. My argument hence aims to deconstruct the prevailing narrative and advocate against the establishment of State Police based on the lack of substantive justification for its necessity in addressing insecurity in Nigeria.

    The key point to note therefore is the complete absence of any causal link between the prevailing security challenges and State Police. This is a central flaw in the argument for establishing State Police in Nigeria. Peruse all the arguments of the proponents and a point of note is the failure to establish a clear causal relationship between the absence of State Police and the country’s security threats. Proponents often assert that State Police would enhance security and improve law enforcement, yet little empirical evidence or data is presented to demonstrate how the current centralized policing structure is the root cause of insecurity. Without a compelling case linking the absence of State Police to the proliferation of insurgency, banditry, crime and violence, the urgency for its establishment is obviously called into question.

    Also, another critical lacuna in the discourse surrounding the establishment of State Police is the reliance on unsubstantiated assumptions about its efficacy in addressing security challenges. Advocates frequently argue that State Police would be more responsive to local needs, improve intelligence gathering, and enhance community policing efforts. However, these assertions are often speculative and lack empirical validation. The mere act of decentralizing law enforcement does not inherently guarantee improved security outcomes unless accompanied by comprehensive reforms, capacity building, and accountability mechanisms.

    Furthermore, the exclusive focus on the establishment of State Police as a panacea for Nigeria’s security woes overlooks the systemic challenges and structural impediments that undermine effective policing. Issues such as corruption, lack of training, inadequate resources, politicization of law enforcement agencies and weak coordination between security forces represent significant barriers to achieving sustainable security outcomes. Merely creating State Police without addressing these underlying issues is akin to applying a superficial solution to a complex and multifaceted problem.

    Hence, rather than rushing to establish State Police under the guise of addressing insecurity, it is essential to explore alternative approaches that can yield more sustainable and effective results. Strengthening and expanding existing federal law enforcement agencies, investing in training and capacity building, enhancing intelligence sharing mechanisms, promoting community engagement and improving good governance and rule of law at all governmental levels are critical components of a comprehensive security strategy. These measures address the root causes of insecurity and foster a holistic approach to law enforcement that transcends mere structural reorganization.

    My argument against the establishment of State Police in Nigeria, therefore, hinges on the critical examination of the security fallacy perpetuated in the discourse surrounding its necessity. The absence of a clear causal link between security challenges and the need for State Police, coupled with unsubstantiated assumptions of its efficacy, underscores the imperative for a more nuanced and evidence-based approach to security reform. By reframing the debate to focus on addressing structural impediments, enhancing existing law enforcement capabilities, and adopting comprehensive security strategies, Nigeria can adopt a more pragmatic and effective approach to enhancing security and promoting the rule of law.

    In light of the aforementioned, therefore, it is imperative for all stakeholders, including President Bola Tinubu and advocates of democracy, to oppose the establishment of State Police under the current governance conditions in Nigeria. The potential consequences of granting state governors unchecked coercive powers are dire and could undermine the foundations of democracy, pluralism, and political participation. Instead of reinforcing authoritarian tendencies, efforts should be focused on strengthening existing institutions, promoting transparency and upholding the rule of law to safeguard democracy in Nigeria.

    Undoubtedly , the establishment of State Police in Nigeria under the prevailing governance circumstances characterized by abuse of power and authoritarian governance poses significant threats to democracy, opposition, and the rule of law. The historical misuse of constitutional powers by state governors and the erosion of democratic principles at the local government level serve as cautionary tales against further decentralizing coercive authority. It is essential to prioritize institutional reforms, accountability mechanisms, and respect for democratic norms rather than risking the consolidation of power in the hands of a few political elites through State Police forces. Protecting democracy in Nigeria requires vigilance, advocacy for good governance and a steadfast commitment to upholding constitutional principles that safeguard the rights and liberties of all citizens.

  • Ekiti as an amazing story

    Ekiti as an amazing story

    By Funmilola Olarewaju

    In the past few days, videos of market women leaders, aka Iyalojas, in Ekiti State moderating the prices of goods in the markets within their jurisdictions have been trending. According to reliable information, the genesis of the viral video was a call made by the First Lady of Ekiti State, Olayemi Oyebanji appealing to the Iyalojas to prevail on their members to bring down the cost of goods. Oyebanji was also reported to have had a meeting with female chiefs, urging them to intervene.

    It didn’t stop there! The State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Tayo Adeola summoned a meeting of Heads of various associations, ranging from the market women to the road transport workers, petty traders and canteen owners, where she also urged them to bring down the cost of goods and services. “That’s what led to the viral videos. Even the transporters reduced their fares.”

    ‘Aríse laríkà. Aríkà baba ìrègún’ (Opportunity to do a good deed gives the doer the opportunity to lay them to heart, and to count them is the chief basis for seeking reward for them secretly or indirectly). From Education to Health; and from Agriculture to Culture and Tourism, it is important to note that the Biodun Oyebanji-led government in Ekiti State has been doing a lot and the results have been showing! Only recently, the governor reportedly paid N546.9m as WAEC/SSCE fees to support 16,269 Secondary School Students in the state.

    Read Also: Fintech Telex’s Top 10 Nigerian Lawyers Making Impacts in California

    In the power sector, Oyebanji’s efforts on stable electricity supply have been yielding results even as the African Development Bank recently approved the sum of $110,000 to fund the State Power Reform Plan. From reports, Ekiti is also working with other states and the country to ensure state, regional and national operationalization of the new Electricity Act 2023. Many more in this important sector!

    In 2023, during the inauguration of a facility in Aramoko-Ekiti, Oyebanji was said to have promised to donate a well-equipped maternity complex to Aramoko-Ekiti General Hospital in memory of his late mother. The facility is now almost ready for inauguration. Coincidentally, the governor was born in the hospital 56 years ago.

    It needs to be noted that Ekiti under Oyebanji has become an amazing story of faith, determination and success, but then, the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. For instance, during their time, the Obafemi Awolowos, the Ahmadu Bellos and the Nnamdi Azikiwes prepared the pupils for the world which they saw clearly! Nigerians also used to know Ekiti with his many professors. Now, it is as if all Ekiti professors have relocated to the Eastern part of the country. Once upon a time, the North was described as an educational disadvantaged state but now, power has also changed hands with jealous rage. Though it’s not the fault of the present government, the strategic aim for Ekiti should revolve around reclaiming its pride of place.

    To become great in life, the battleground is education. The basic thing therefore is not just talking about education but the right type of education that can give Ekiti sons and daughters the wherewithal to be competitive while not allowing other sectors to suffer. To this end, it behooves the government to focus on building an education system that can make the state competitive in the years ahead, starting from the nursery school. In other words, any forward movement over the next 10 to 20 years must start with revamping the public primary school curriculum and building an economy with a focus on 18 years’ time to make the pupils competitively prepared for a different world from the world that we know. Why? A 4-year-old in 2024 will be bound to face a competitive world of artificial intelligence and robot technology in the Year 2034.

    Since the road cannot close on the man with a cutlass, it will also be in the interest of Ekiti to localize the new electricity format by getting public private sector-driven investment into, and up the ante of, especially the renewables to attract private investments to produce electricity upgrid.

    While commending the governor for the palliatives he recently rolled out to the residents, it’s also advisable that he looks inward for ways to improve productivity. Enough of resting on Abuja for handouts! In view of this, training the youth groups to take their destinies in their hands won’t be out of place.

    Ekiti under Oyebanji must also look in the direction of building industries based on the new technology: technology hubs and agro-processing plants. The government has to be focused on building an economy that will be relevant for tomorrow and an economy that will not destroy the future of tomorrow. Of course, all these are achievable if the security mindfulness of the state is watertight.

    On the economic front, it is believed that Ekiti has given much needed support and cooperation to the governor. Give it to Oyebanji, he has also been able to manage the entire power bloc in the state very well. Added to this is that he’s doing what an average civil servant in Ekiti State wants! So, while it would be extremely needed for Ekitis to help their state reach the expected end of its noble visions, it is also expected of the governor to make the best combination of the human and natural resources available to the state, coupled with its unique homogenous nature, to make a difference.

    For Oyebanji to make Ekiti a template for others to copy, he must continue to look beyond the current challenges by fetching water in preparation for the season of thirst. One sure way of achieving this is the 12-point relief economic programme unveiled by the government “to alleviate the hardship being experienced by the people of the state in the face of the current global economic downturn”. The reintroduction of ‘Owo Arugbo’ is also a step in the right direction while opportunities for investment in the agriculture sector should be encouraged to ensure food security.

    Accept it or not, the governor’s decision to reintroduce the construction of 5 kilometres of roads per Local Government will be a game changer in grassroots development. Since Ado-Ekiti – Akure dualization, being undertaken by the Federal Government, is billed to terminate at the endpoint of the flyover bridge, it therefore means that the contractor handling the Ado-Ekiti – Ikere-Ekiti axis must mobilize to site and hold his end of the bargain for the overall purpose of easing traffic congestion. Attention must also be paid to the Phase 2 of Ado-Ekiti – Iyin-Ekiti – Igede-Ekiti – Aramoko-Ekiti – Itawure Road since it’s of economic value. Also in this class are the dualization of the road leading to Afe Babalola University, the iconic Ring Road project and the rehabilitation of the adjoining roads to the section of Old Garage. The flyover bridge will add to the aesthetic beauty of the capital city as well as create economic activities around the area.

    Oyebanji is doing well in terms of governance but, politically, he may need to up his game in the days ahead because ‘the enemy and the evildoer are within close proximity.’ The governor needs to be very decisive and keep his team intact.

    Finally, kudos to the governor, who, till date is the only product of Ekiti State University (EKSU), formerly known as Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti, to be a governor and the first alumnus of the school to be a visitor to the school, for displaying statesmanship! Congratulations on his incredible success and wishing him all the best on his way to his 2nd Term!

    ● Olarewaju wrote from Osogbo, Osun State.

  • Socioeconomic benefits of Lagos-Calabar coastal project

    Socioeconomic benefits of Lagos-Calabar coastal project

    By Funke Cole

    Ideas, they say, rule the world and I daresay, great ideas are indeed a sine qua non for socioeconomic growth and development anytime, any day! Any wonder that one of the common denominators and defining values of the President Bola Tinubu administration is its penchant for conceptualising as well as executing bold ideas?

    The Lagos-Calabar coastal project is one of such bold ideas that has been undertaken by the Tinubu government. Originally conceived by former President Goodluck Jonathan and later reviewed by the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari, the 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, which will traverse nine states including Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers states, will be a game-changer of some sorts.

    In the views of some project managers who have assessed the enormity of the Lagos-Calabar highway, they spoke in unison about the significance of the project as a major driver of the much touted blue economy, which, in their estimation, will boost the nation’s foreign direct investment.

    Experts’ opinions on the positive impacts of the project upon completion are as revealing as they are overwhelming because they speak to all-round socioeconomic development along the corridors with Nigerians as the sole beneficiaries as the project will unlock economic opportunities and open new corridors for trade, tourism, and industries.

    Firing the first salvo, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during a roundtable discussion in Lagos with businesses, stakeholders, and communities that the Coastal Road project will affect, said a lot will certainly give.

    The civil engineer said: “The Lagos to Calabar coastal road is a national asset at a time when Nigeria seeks to attract more investments into the economy. The federal government has adopted the engineering, procurement, construction, and financing model with 30% counterpart funding.”

    Read Also: No to bully in schools

    He further said that the coastal road would have two spurs that would link up with the north of Nigeria to further integrate the region with the south in terms of movement of people, goods and services.

    Responding to concerns raised on the bidding process, Umahi said that Hi-Tech Construction Company was engaged to execute the project based on its track record in the Eko Atlantic Wall project, which has saved Victoria Island, Lagos from ocean surge, and the execution of the Dangote-tax credit Oworonsoki-Oshodi-Apapa expressway through reinforced concrete construction.

    He added that Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, is the zero point for the 700km coastal road project connecting nine states.

    “The sections for this coastal road project include Ahmadu Bello Way to Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lekki Deep Sea Port to Ogun/Ondo boundary, Calabar to Uyo, Port Harcourt to Bayelsa, Bayelsa to Ondo. This project will unlock economic opportunities and open new corridors for trade, tourism, and industries,” the minister explained.

    On the right of way, along with the proposed demolition of structures and buildings, he clarified that the over the $150 million Landmark Event Centre and its adjoining business structures are safe except for the beach resort, which would be affected by the coastal road project. He appealed to the royal fathers, political leaders, communities, businesses, and stakeholders whose properties and investments have been marked on the right of way to work with the Federal Government to achieve a win-win situation.

    “We will compensate businesses affected along the right of way for the Lagos to Calabar coastal road project at the Federal Government-approved rate. We are also looking at redesigning and realigning the project to accommodate the genuine concerns raised by stakeholders. The project has also been developed with provisions for the rail track in the middle,” he added.

    Umahi said that a committee would be established to examine the environmental impact assessment report on the project, which would comprise representatives from coastal royal fathers, politicians, and businesses along the corridor.

    According to him, the project is valued at $11billionn (N15 trillion) , has an eight-year timeline and is expected to be completed by 2031.

    The first phase of the new 700km highway that will run through the nine coastal states is the 47.47km section beginning from Victoria Island. It has five lanes on each side of the dual carriageway and a train track in the middle.

    The superhighway is being built by Hitech Construction Company. Part of the funding will be sourced by Hitech, the contractors.

    Economic analysts have revealed that the completion of the first phase of the project alone could increase the size of Lagos State economy by 50 per cent because of the connection to Lekki Deep Seaport and the Lekki economic corridor where Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Complex is situated alongside other multinational industries.

    Also speaking on the benefit of the coastal road and how it will transform the economy of Cross River State, the state Commissioner of Information, Erasmus Ekpang, in a press statement, said the state government is overwhelmingly grateful to President Tinubu for embarking on the project decades after the necessity for the coastal road had been muted.

    The highway, according to the commissioner, “will serve as a catalyst to transform the economy of Cross River state for optimum impact. I want to applaud President Tinubu for the political will to translate this lofty dream into a concrete reality.

    “This coastal highway is going to be a game changer for the socio-economic status of Cross River. It is bound to add value to our rich agricultural produce while enhancing the profit base of local farmers. The benefits in the value chain are unimaginable,” he said, adding that the highway would boost the tourism economy of Cross River.

    “When completed, the road will also boost tourism traffic to our unique tourism sites by attracting an unprecedented number of tourists, given the thrills and frills synonymous with road travel,” he explained.

    Echoing similar sentiments, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River, Alphonsus Eba was effusive with praises to President Tinubu, who, according to him, has fulfilled a key aspect of his campaign promises to the people of the state.

    “President Tinubu has once again demonstrated that he is a man of his word by keeping to his promise. When Senator Ben Ayade voiced this request during the presidential campaign in Calabar, he knew the economic importance of the road.

    “Nothing is more gratifying at the moment than the cheering news of the commencement of the highway. This is a huge boost to the current drive of Governor Bassey Otu to alter the socio-economic narrative of our state. The highway is bound to ensure our rapid transformation in all facets of economic development by driving traffic of investors and tourists,” he said.

    –Cole, a public affairs analyst writes from Lagos

  • Bobrisky and tax reforms in Nigeria

    Bobrisky and tax reforms in Nigeria

    The charade of Nigeria is never-ending! Only recently, one of Nigeria’s best-known cross-dressers, Idris Okuneye, alias Bobrisky, was arrested on charges of abusing banknotes. He was later convicted and sentenced to six years in prison. Not long after, popular socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, was also arrested for alleged naira abuse and he’s already being prosecuted. Nigerians wait to see how events unfold!

    In the considered opinion of this writer, jailing Bobrisky is, to say the least, amusing! It’s too pedestrian! As things stand, Nigeria’s revenue target reportedly stands at N18 trillion. Of course, that’s pathetic! Where things work, the target should be nothing less than N50 trillion. So, the country needs revenue, certainly not by Nollywood sideshows but by passing an Unexplained Source of Income Act.

     For God’s sake, why pick Bobrisky and what does the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ((EFCC) want from him? Well, if the arrest was to teach the self-styled cross-dresser some lessons of life, then, that’s a different story. Otherwise, it was a mere distraction and whoever mooted the ideas in the first place did not deserve our claps.

    If we are talking about the debasement of the naira and what ought not, what the EFCC needs is not whether people spray money or not. Yes, Bobrisky was spraying naira! But what happens next? In other climes, Bobrisky would never be banned for disdainfully soothing his ego. In countries like the United Kingdom and Sweden for example, if one goes to an ‘Owambe’ party and spices it up recklessly with pounds or euros, that’s one’s business! If one even likes, one can invite King Sunny Ade and ‘Professor Master General’ Kollington Ayinla to England to treat one’s audience to the melodious tunes of ‘Ijo Yoyo’. Nobody cares! But the consequence is that a tax bill awaits one immediately the party is over! In other words, what the government does is to invoke the Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWOs) 2017. By implication, the Nigerian government doesn’t need to pass a law restraining the people from ‘spraying’ naira notes. It only needs to ask some pertinent questions relating to the defaulter’s sources of wealth vis-à-vis his or her tax returns. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s government agencies are either too lazy or are not sincerely interested in generating revenue for the government.

    Read Also: No to bully in schools

    If we are serious about fighting corruption in Nigeria, what we need is not some showboating. Nigeria doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel! So, instead of running round and round in circles, wasting so much time doing nothing, what’s needed is a surgical operation on the economy. The real issue is that Nigerians are not paying taxes and that’s why they are always ‘spraying’ money rashly. If we have the Unexplained Source of Income Act in Nigeria, which we ought to have had about 30 or 40 years ago, no Bob would have attempted to risk his waist on our naira notes because he perfectly understood the consequences. 

    This brings us to another sideshow a la Yahaya Bello! The fact that the immediate past governor of Kogi State is evading arrest from lawful authorities is symptomatic of a country without functional laws; and that’s unacceptable! It is because it has happened and nothing ever happened thereafter that it is now happening, because nothing will eventually happen! After all, once upon a time in Nigeria’s chequered history, one Nyesom Wike shielded one Rotimi Amaechi from lawful arrest and nothing happened! So, what’s the big deal? Could we have contemplated the former Governor of Wisconsin in the USA evading arrest? Even former President Donald Trump submitted himself to investigation and he’s currently having his day in court. So, who is Yahaya Bello and what’s special about the ‘ta-ta-ta-ta’ inventor? Shouldn’t Nigeria, at least, for once, be spared of pantomimes fooling around?

    Remember Alphonse Gabriel Capone, aka Scarface, the American gangster, businessman and boss of the ‘Chicago Outfit’! Remember also Eliot Ness, the brilliant, incorruptible American Prohibition agent and leader of ‘The Untouchables’! In his time, Capone killed a lot of people, including the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre, but he didn’t leave any trace that could lead to his arrest for murder. He was also making millions of dollars without declaring tax returns. On Ness’s advice, Capone’s accountant was dragged into the case. On October 18, 1931, Capone was convicted after trial and jailed for income tax evasion, not murder, on November 24, 1931.

    The heart of the matter is that these are tax issues! So, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) should have asked Bello the sources of his wealth vis-à-vis his tax returns. Pure and simple! In sane climes, the EFCC itself should be nothing more than a desk in the police force, just like the Fraud Office in England; and Nigeria would have been spared the rigour of the creation and duplication of the functions in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies. As a matter of fact, the Fraud Office operatives are more technically competent than the EFCC can ever be!

    At a time like this, it’s better Nigeria faces the real issue; and the real issue is that super-rich Nigerians have not been paying taxes. Let’s face it, the day Nigeria gets serious, she will catch up with the developed nations within 15 years. For instance, the EFCC is accusing Bobrisky and Cubana of naira debasement, there are lots of wedding activities across the country, even as we speak. Has the EFCC prepared its operatives for the onerous task of even arresting prospective naira abusers? Has the Commission ever asked how some Nigerians get brand new, untouched notes while those who run legitimate accounts are starved of even the old ones? If one may also ask, how do our Point of Sale (PoS) system operators source the wares for their ventures?

     President Bola Tinubu is the head of the government. Again, this where he has to act before things get out of hand! If he truly wants to reform the country, this is the time to do so. But if he wants business to continue as usual, then good luck to him and good luck to Nigeria! So far, so good, a lot of his policies are right and are on the right path! Definitely, the criminal subsidy removal is painful; he should have thought about it better and come up with better ideas about how to mitigate its effects! The merging of the foreign exchange rates was also traumatizing. But it should be applauded! At least, the naira is now coming down and the speculators now know how far they can go! Going forward, let Tinubu go the whole hog! From the look of things, Nigeria is a one-party state, as most of the National Assembly members are from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which makes his job easier. Therefore, let the president lobby the National Assembly to enact the Unexplained Source of Income Bill, modeled on the UWOs which was introduced into the United Kingdom legislation under the 201 Criminal Finances Act. 

     Except we want to be economical with the truth, tax evasion is feasible when the system allows for it! All the more reason Tinubu should empower the FIRS by making it the pivotal figure in revenue generation. Those who earn more should pay more and the charade of over-taxing the poor to pay the rich should come to an end. With the passage of the Unexplained Source of Income Act, the government will generate more revenue, especially from those who are currently evading taxes. It is really annoying that Nigeria keeps taxing the poor while ‘blessing’ the rich with tax holidays.

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

  • Let the poor breath!!!

    Let the poor breath!!!

    By Abdulrasheed Lawal Rabana

    SIR: In the history of our nation, petroleum products have suffered more adjustments in prices than electricity tariff. Unfortunately, those are the two main things that impact mostly on our lives and national economy. While the increment in petroleum products prices is always attributed to the price of crude oil at the international market and the need to curb the scarcity by encouraging the supply, increment in the electricity tariff has never had any justifiable reason and no service improvement afterwards. In fact, electricity supply has gone far worse now that the tariff has gone up by over 300%.

    One of the underlying reasons for electricity subsidy removal as unconsciously relayed by the Minister of Power is the sabotage of the system by those collecting the subsidy money to maintain assets. He said, “these are assets that we spend the country’s money on, and our brothers, part of us at all cost deliberately sabotage it. So you can see that some people are hiding somewhere that do not want this sector to work.” Just as petroleum subsidy was eliminated because government was too impotent to handle subsidy racketeers, electricity subsidy has to go at the expense of the poor masses for inability of government to tame saboteurs. $16billion of our collective wealth spent on the phantom Mambila Power Project has given us more darkness than light. The money is unaccounted for, unrecovered. When the oligarchs rob us blind, the poor masses are made to pay.

    Read Also: Yuletide transportation rebate is part of letting the poor breath

    Government has taken several decisions in the last one year akin to milking the debilitated cow for the virile buffalo. In order to win support from the poor masses, the tariff was classified and made to seem like it isn’t going to affect the poor, whereas the poor will invariably be the worse for it. Most of those on Band A tariff, who are to be paying very exorbitantly for electricity, are companies producing most of our consumables and utility items. With the high cost of electricity, their production cost will rise and consequently the cost of their products.  By the time the effects of the new electricity tariff fully manifest, almost everything that makes life meaningful will be beyond the reach of most Nigerians.

    I can’t help but wonder what exactly is left for us to benefit as citizens of this country. Nigeria is a capitalist nation where everything is commercialized and profit at the expense of the citizens is the priority. Medicare and even public education are now being run for profit. Government expounds the slogan of education for all while making education unaffordable to most Nigerians. Even the students’ loan, as badly conceived as it is, is also with interest. Those who have been in power since our democratic dispensation belong to that generation of Nigerians that the nation had been very benevolent to. They were educated for free, got paid salaries as students and given jobs on a platter of gold after graduation. This generation of people got everything from Nigeria and, unfortunately, has refused to give back. What a waste of investment Nigeria has made in them! While some countries in this same Africa hardly experience power outage in a year, our own Band A would at best experience four hours of power outage in a day. This is the ruins they have led our country to in the 21st Century.

    • Abdulrasheed Lawal Rabana Minna, Niger State.
  • Electricity is key to ease of doing manufacturing business

    Electricity is key to ease of doing manufacturing business

    47 year-old Dr. Folashade Okoya, a leading figure in the manufacturing sector, celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary with her illustrious husband, Chief Akanni Okoya, founder of Eleganza Industries Limited, yesterday. Now at the helm of Eleganza Industries Limited, she oversees operations on a vast 35-acre site near the Pan Atlantic University on the Ibeju-Epe Expressway, Lagos. The facility in the factory is state-of-the-art, producing a wide array of goods that meet both high-quality standards and international benchmarks. Genius and workaholic, she dedicates herself to the six days a week, from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. Her time is divided between the factory, her four children, her husband, and occasional social events on weekends. Her dedication and style are truly inspiring. Dr. Okoya spoke with reporters on her business concerns and vision for the growth of the conglomerates. Excerpts by Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU.

    Managing an industry of this size is no easy fit for anyone. As a woman-wife and mother-how have you  been able to succeed in steering its affairs in a male-dominated world, successfully?

    To be honest it has not been easy but with hard work, determination and the Grace of God, we were able to scale through.

    It is a manufacturing sector beset by many challenges in the last few years like FX, input costs, energy costs, etc, how are you navigating these challenges to stay afloat?

    Our biggest challenge is electricity because we strictly operate on generator which makes life not easy for us.

    Industries have been urged to embrace backwards integration to reduce FX exposure. How much has this helped you and how much of your needed materials are locally sourced?

    On some products like our plastic products, almost 90% are local materials, due to local petrol-chemicals,

    You have been credited for a lot of the transformation efforts this business has undergone in the last decade. Tell us about about them and how they have kept Eleganza relevant…

    I brought the present Eleganza to life because my husband has already lost interest due to his first disappointment in the past, I persuaded him to bring everything back alive that is why we are in our present new Incation after Eleko at Ijebu.

    What will you say has been your driving force and motivation?

    My husband interest in industry is very high, its all his life and to enjoy my marriage I have to join force with him

    Looking at current realities, would you say high production costs and in turn, high cost of goods, would abatesoon?

    Yes. There is a big hope for Nigeria, I join prayers with my husband that we should industrialize Nigeria especially our youths, we must teach them how to make good money. Cottage industry in all the states for this youth will be the answer with private finance and trade by barter with some countries to bring their machines in and teach our youths a lots of costs will be down and life will be normal and it will be less crime, that is my daily prayer some with our local endow materials rather than buying their finished products.

    Manufacturing is the bedrock of any economy, how best can Nigeria improve on industrialization?

    Encouraging our youth which are in the majority as I have explained, there will be more millionaires in the country and majority will be happy, cost will be automatically forced down and crime will be a word of the past

    If given the opportunity, what would you do/advice can be done to revamp this sector for proper optimization and growth?

    Ans: Cottage industry is a minor procedure which does not require major capital or attention and yet it will give alot of relief to our daily lives.

    Read Also: Ekiti hails NERC on state’s electricity mandate

    As a major player in the plastics industry, how are you encouraging sustainability and recycling processes?

    Recycling will be a lot of help and it makes cost cheaper and easier and it will be this part of cottage industry for the youth which will make life easier which is my daily prayer.

    Your business has been in existence for six decades, what are you doing to ensure its continuity for many more years?

    That’s why am involved with my children and by the grace of God we will not disappoint the creator, Chief Rasak Okoya CON.

    Our products stand out for their excellence, with soaps that are unique, pleasantly perfumed, and produced on state-of-the-art German machines, disposable and reusable plastic cups and plates that are elegant, durable, and available in over 100 shapes, and a range of quality cosmetics for beauty, elegance, and comfort.