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Yetunde follows Father-U Turn
Remember the hit track by Father U-Turn titled ‘Yetunde’ in his 1999 album, Padlock Your Mouth? Well, that was the song I used to tickle my friend and professional colleague, Yetunde Oladeinde (née Francis), who passed on just over two weeks ago.

Yetunde Yetunde o Yetunde mi da

Yetunde

Yetunde Yetunde o Yetunde mi da

Yetunde

Yetunde o, my darling o

Yetunde

Yetunde o, Ololufe mi

Yetunde…

And Yetunde would laugh and laugh, and then cover her mouth with her palm. She knew I was just joking, kidding, as I am who and what you would call an SU (Scripture Union member, as all born again Christians were referred to then). As SU, I could only bark, and not bite, as far as other ladies were concerned. But I followed music keenly, and that was how I knew of ‘Yetunde.’

Never been able to forget that hilarious spectacle since I heard of her death on February 19. She would have been 57 in October.

Yetunde Francis joined us in the then Weekend Concord in late 1991 or early 1992, in what was her first major journalism job. Fortuitously, her desk was right beside my own in the newsroom.

Weekend Concord then was a tight and crack team of only male reporters. When I joined in May 1991 from Vanguard Newspaper, Dele Momodu and Omololu Kassim, two star newshounds, had just left. There were Mike Awoyinfa, the great editor, Dimgba Igwe, his deputy, Shola Oshunkeye, Lat Ogunmade, myself, Sunday Umahi, Blessyn Okpowo, and some others. On industrial training were people like Ose Oyamedan, Waziri Adio, Lanre Issa-Onilu, who all went forward to become accomplished journalists. On the Production Desk were Felix Asimole, Emmanuel Otaru, Lanre Ajeboriogbon, and Gbenga Opebi.

A bit later, Eric Osagie, Ben Memuletiwon, and some others came in. Mrs Wale Sokunbi became the second female, but under Shola Oshunkeye’s editorship.

One thing about Awoyinfa, our editor. Get your lead (or intro) wrong, and you have lost him. He becomes tired of your story, and may not proceed further. But get your lead right, and he begins to vibrate. He would leave his office, come to the general office, and read out what you’ve written to the other staff. He would commend you openly.

As a beginner, Yetunde sort of dreaded Awoyinfa. So she never submitted any story without getting me to first vet it for her, particularly the lead. Sometimes, I reworked the lead, some other times I gave her the thumbs up.

She had nose for news, and knew what would excite the editor. She became a reputable reporter.

From Weekend Concord, I became Features Editor of National Concord. Yetunde joined me there. When we were setting up The Sun Newspapers in 2002, she became a natural choice for Head, Life and Style Desk. By then, the song Yetunde was out, and that was when I used to pull her legs once a while.

When Sani Abacha closed Concord Press in 1994, Yetunde left as Miss Francis. But when we got reopened in late 1995, she came back as Mrs Oladeinde. I remember the day she and her husband visited me in the Features Editor’s office, bearing their first baby.

From The Sun, Yetunde left for National Life, then to The Nation, where she practiced till she went to eternity.

I saw her last sometime in 2014, before I went to serve in government in 2015. It was about 2 am, when my phone rang. As a journalist, you must pick your calls at all hours, however odd. Yetunde was at the other end.

“Sir, I have issues. Things are not going well with me. I need to see you,” she said.

Read Also: …And Yetunde goes home in blaze of glory

I promised to call back during the day, which I did, and we fixed a lunch appointment for a restaurant in Ikeja area.

Yetunde said she was already feeling better, but she still told me what the matter was. A cocktail. As an SU, I pointed her to closer walk with God, an advice she heeded.

All through my service in government, we never saw. But she never forgot those once in a while phone calls.

“Mama Oyinkan, how are you,” I always responded. Oyinkan was her last child and I always called her that way.

I also phoned her whenever she came to mind. Ever optimistic, she would tell me things were better. Till February 19, when I got the rude shock.

Yetunde Yetunde o Yetunde mi da

Yetunde

Yetunde Yetunde o Yetunde mi da

Yetunde

Yetunde o, my darling o

Yetunde

Yetunde o, Ololufe mi

Yetunde…

The song simply means where is my darling Yetunde? Oh, where is she, my lovely one? And there’s real cause to ask that question now. Where is Yetunde? She would never laugh to that song again, covering her mouth. We would never see on this side of the divide again, except in dreams. O di arinnako, o tun di oju ala. Only in dreams, yes dreams. In the words of George Orwell, it is now “one world less, one mind less.”

Of the original Weekend Concord team, Gbola Adebayo was the first to go. Followed by Sunday Umahi. And then the big one, Dimgba Igwe, the deputy editor. Now Yetunde.

Yetunde Yetunde o, my darling o

Yetunde.

Incidentally, Father U-Turn, who sang the song had exited in November 2013, after battling a terminal disease. The Kabba-Bunu native, in Kogi State, was only 36. His real name was Olufemi Mayomi.

I’ll sure see Yetunde again. On the day of the Great Gathering, at the beautiful river that flows by the throne of God. And you know the song I’ll sing when I see her?

Yes, you guessed right.
- Adesina is a journalist, author and farmer
March 10, 2024
The truth that Nigerians do not wish to hear
- By Femi Fani-Kayode.
Sadly most Nigerians will not read or appreciate this contribution because frankly it is beyond them.

Worst still many of them, particularly in the younger generation, find it difficult to read more than three lines even though it is to their own shame and detriment.

For those that have the gravitas, insight, foresight, profundity and intellectual virility to read and comprehend the counsel I have offered in this write-up I urge you to bookmark it and wait and see what unfolds unless and until we quickly identify and recognise the problem and address the issues raised.

There are two reasons for the mass abductions and kidnappings that we are witnessing in our country today.

Firstly to garner cash which is then sent abroad to buy more arms and fund terror and secondly to destabilise our country and to discredit and undermine the credibility of our President and the Federal Government.

I hope and pray that someone is listening because this is precisely what we witnessed when the Chibok girls and other children were abducted over the years and the motives are the same.

Those that think it is only about the acquisition of money are naive and ignorant.

There is far more to it than that and there are numerous shady and sinister characters, international criminal cartels, foreign Governments and intelligence agencies and local accomplices and facilitators that are involved in this great evil.

Nigeria has been targetted for destruction, division and disintegration by those that see us as a threat to their regional hegemony, strategic national interests and imperialist aspirations but most of us still don’t get it and perhaps never will.

They do not want a strong, united, prosperous and regionally dominant Nigeria but would rather turn us into a pathetic and pitiful shadow of our former selves, a cowardly and quivering caricature of what we once were and a weak, divided, incredulous and headless pawn and set us up for self-destructive economic and military annihilation.

They know that a strong Nigeria, like a strong South Africa, would stand up to them in the arena of world politics and international affairs and ensure that our collective interests as Nigerians and Africans would be protected and they do not want this.

As a matter of fact for us to achieve that enviable status is not just their greatest fear but their worse nightmare.

They ask themselves in their corporate boardrooms, presidential palaces, cabinet meetings and legislative chambers, who can stand up to a strong Nigeria?

Read Also: The truth that Nigerians do not wish to hear

They wonder where else they would get their free mineral resources and be in a position to manipulate and dictate to servile leaders if not Nigeria?

And if Nigeria were to fail, fall and go the way they want us to who would stand and speak for Africa and the black man in the comity of nations?

If the truth be told without a strong, flourishing and virile Nigeria Africa is nothing and the black man is nowhere and this is precisely why the powers that be, when it comes to world politics and the international community, do not want us to succeed.

As far as they are concerned we are too weak, corrupt, ignorant, primitive, backward, servile, self-hating and dumb to achieve anything meaningful and we are more than happy to spend the next 100 years as a nation and a people that seek nothing but validation, leadership and guidance from them.

Yet how wrong they are. They have no idea who and what we are and deep down they fear us and recognise the fact that an unbound and unfettered Nigeria with strong, bold, articulate, confident and fearless leaders that do not seek their approval or validation and that have no interest in remaining as their slaves would be their worse nightmare. Such leaders would be dangerous to their evil cause and their attempt to sow the seeds of civil war, hardship and economic paralysis in our country.

It is time that we confront the matter with an iron hand and fight back to save Nigeria.

It is time for us to get off our knees, to throw away the begging bowl, to stop constantly seeking validation from those that do not wish us well, to stop blindly implementing their disastrous economic models which seek to impoverish and destroy our people, to uproot and reject their well-planted seeds of division and to stop tolerating their subversive activities.

Ask yourself, who funds the terrorists and bandits and where do they get their weapons from?

They did it in Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, Algeria, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Syria and so many other countries over the years and decades and now they are doing it here.

Ask yourself who was behind the attack on a mosque in which worshippers were killed on Friday in Kaduna and what was the purpose of this abominable and condemnable act of terror if not to destabilise us and create panic and chaos in our nation?

Again how is it that just a few days after the mass abduction of women in Gamburu Ngala, Borno state and just one day after the kidnapping of 280 female students in Kuriga, Kaduna state yet another 15 students were abducted in Gidan Bakuso, Sokoto state just yesterday.

All this nonsense must stop and we must desist from refusing to acknowledge that we now have and indeed have always had a major problem which needs to be acknowledged and be solved.

None of these things happen by chance and what we are witnessing is a deep seated and long term conspiracy to literally end our nation as we know it and throw us into a state of fear, poverty, anomie, anarchy, fratricidal butchery and carnage.

Worst of all is the fact that our so called “best friends” and “allies” in the west and the international community are the ones behjnd it.

We need help and if we can get it from the Russians, the Chinese and even the Iranians in order to restore our peace, self respect, freedom, dignity and prosperity we should do so.

Asking the West for help either in intelligence gathering, advice or covert Military operations when it comes to the fight against the terrorists and insurgents in Nigeria is like asking the big bad wolf to save little Red Riding Hood.

It cannot work because ultimately they are the hidden hand behind our numerous travails and they are the enemy.

May God open our eyes and deliver our nation and may we cultivate the fortitude and courage to come together as a people, eschew our differences, resist the evil and save our nation.
- Chief Fani-Kayode, the Sadaukin Shinkafi and the Wakilin Doka Potiskum, is a lawyer, a former Minister of Aviation and a former Minister of Culture and Tourism.
March 10, 2024
Nigeria: Powering beyond the immediate

Nigeria is at a crossroads and Nigerians are trying to find the responses to an economic crisis and currency turmoil. Of course, all manner of symptoms keep appearing!

Towards the end of February, Governor Biodun Oyebanji unveiled a N12 billion economic relief programme for Ekiti residents. That’s in addition to other proactive steps already taken by the governor to mitigate the effects of the fuel subsidy removal and naira floatation by the national government. In Borno State, Governor Babagana Zulum has been putting in a stellar shift even as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has also been doing well across the board. Although not a paradise on earth, the ‘Centre of Excellence’ has a robust revenue base and a very solid social safety net thereby making it violence-free and practically the safest state in Nigeria. And in Abia State, the recent inauguration of the $800m Geometric Power Plant and the proposed state-wide light rail project have revealed what to expect from the Alex Otti-led government.

With these and other interventions in place, one can safely say that the governors are in the right mode. However, the historical imperative of this time is that men of high intellect and exposure like Oyebanji, Sanwo-Olu, Zulum and Otti should now be at the forefront of redefining the way out of the cultural dysfunction in which Nigeria is currently immersed. That the governors have the human empathy and the intellect to do so is not in doubt. So, why can’t they dig deeper into a critical response to the illusion called ‘palliative’ like the former Governor Lateef Jakande whose direct labour approach to public works projects in Lagos State helped a lot of people to break out of poverty in addition to transfer of skills by participation?

Since social capital is deeper than economic capital, another way of building an aspirational society is by embarking on housing schemes that are directed at civil servants and the urban-middle-class. After all, the Indians and the Vietnamese have shown that the higher the skills of an economy, the higher the productivity. Otherwise, how did Vietnam arrive at having the lowest unit cost of electricity in the world? Well, it is not just that she developed a first-class electricity industry, she also developed world-class institutes! That’s why world-class industries like Samsung have found a safe haven in the once war-troubled country. Indeed, that’s why Samsung does more than $65 billion worth of manufacturing exports annually, not from South Korea, its home country, but Vietnam.

Taking advantage of technology from Denmark, let our governors also maximize the opportunities provided by the removal of the power sector from the Exclusive List. Let them explore all the available human and social capital resources within the country and in the Diaspora to look into the alternative renewable sources of energy.

Read Also: We are on course on subsidy removal – FG

When one takes a critical look at the terrifying statistics, Ekiti State and the Netherlands have exactly the same land mass. However, the Netherlands is the world’s 2nd largest exporter of food and agricultural products. For the Netherlands, the agro-industrial exports fetch her about $140 billion a year. Impliedly, with the advantage of land mass, there are lots of potentials for a state like Ekiti to transform into an agro-industrial power house.

There was a time when Indians were scattered across the globe, scavenging for survival. But her situation changed immediately she decided to reach out to the Diaspora Indians. Now, India is the world’s 5th largest economy. Today, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) can match any Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Remember also the Wageningen University and Research as the engine room of the Dutch economy, the power of research that has transformed that small country into its current status. But where are Nigeria’s Research Institutes situated? When was the last time the Nigerian government poured money into, say, the University of Ibadan for research works?

Unlike India, the political establishment in Nigeria has defied the thrust of development, as we have accepted it, or as it has been the conventional wisdom since the 1950s. Instead of following the paths of brilliant economists like Karl Gunnar Myrdal and Andre Gunder Frank, the political class in Nigeria has built its economy based on low skills and low wages, thinking that that’s the way to have political control. As fate would have it, the chickens have now come home to roost and it is as if the gods are angry!

Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, was right! Balewa didn’t see the point of a Federal Ministry of Agriculture. But he reluctantly established it. As a matter of fact, it was the last Ministry to be created in the First Republic; and he didn’t call it ‘Federal Ministry of Agriculture’. Instead, it debuted as the ‘Federal Ministry of Natural Resources and Research’, with Alade Lamuye as its first minister. The idea at the time was to use the Federal Government money and international aid to establish a fantastic research institute and the products of the research would be given to the regional governments for implementation. Sadly, everything has long been distorted. The last time we heard of the National Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) was when Professor Dotun Philips held court as its Director-General. The more reason posterity will remember Oyebanji for turning Ekiti State University not just into a degree factory but also a well-funded and research-focused institution of higher education.

Since nothing happens by chance or faith, the question is: what’s to be done? Since one’s actions determine one’s faith, it behooves educated and enlightened minds like Oyebanji, Sanwo-Olu, Zulum and Otti to favour efforts that tend towards moving away from the low-skill, low-wage labour into a high-skilled economy, which is the only way to get productivity at the optimal and internationally competitive exports. Conventionally, ‘palliative’ is just an expedient start, not a cure. It is a temporary approach, not a permanent solution.

Nigeria as a country must strive to become an agro-industrial powerhouse, most probably taking after the Dutch model. As I have argued elsewhere, our governors now have an opportunity to link agriculture with technology as most of today’s achievements in the sector are technology-propelled. For instance, the Netherlands uses the model of buying grains from the surrounding areas and processing the same into value-additioned agro-industrial products for export to other countries. So, what stops states like Ekiti, Lagos, Borno and Enugu from understudying and … implementing this model?

Our governors must also encourage the creation of Technology Parks. At a time some Nigerians have become crudely selfish and unrepentantly self-centered, only seeking the easy options, the almost-completed Cargo Airport project in Ekiti is an attestation to the fact that the government’s policy thrust is in the right direction. However, it is important to quicken the pace because time is of the essence. A state like Ekiti has one fundamental competitive advantage, and that’s its human capital resources, both at home and in the Diaspora. Therefore, Oyebanji should explore that intellectual property and turn it into gold; and ditto for the other governors. They should set up government-private sector coordinating bodies to link up their people’s capital in the Diaspora and attract Foreign Direct Investments to their states. They need to prove to their brother governors that it is the height of indolence for a governor to practically relocate abroad, walking the streets of London like a teenager on an excursion, pretending to be searching for investors. Whatever is on the ground here will speak to the shape and the size of investments that can be attracted.

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

March 9, 2024
Jose Peseiro: Not yet goodbye
- By Jude Ndukwe
The now former coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria left the job after his contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) expired at the end of February. His exit has created a familiar debate usually associated with such circumstances: should we seek another foreign coach or should we settle for an indigenous coach to take over from him?

While some have argued that the next coach of the Super Eagles should be hired based on competence, track record and merit irrespective of where he comes from, others have said that they would prefer an indigenous coach to take over the saddle. Some have also insisted that Jose Peseiro should have been allowed to continue as coach of the senior national team especially as he surpassed the target of a semi-final ticket set for him by the NFF at the recently concluded AFCON 2023 tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.

Some of those angling for an indigenous coach have given reasons why they want a Nigerian to take charge of the Super Eagles going forward. The point of view of such people seems to be based more on socio-political issues more than competence and the need to sustain the new found momentum around our football as they argue that going for a foreign coach even if he is the best at his trade would amount to a continuation of colonialism.

One of such prominent Nigerians with this view is the highly respected ‘mathematical’ Segun Odegbami, one of Nigeria’s prodigious soccer legends. By the virtue of his experience and involvement in football over the decades, Odegbami’s opinions on football are not only weighty but also worth serious considerations by serious stakeholders. After all, he is not ‘mathematical’ for nothing!

However, on this front, he may have faltered a bit. Football is too important to Nigeria and Nigerians to be decided by extraneous socio-political issues like colonialism over competence and the therapeutic reliefs and joy it brings us as a nation.

In his interview with NAN, Odegbami was reported to have said, “Unless we want to be enslaved forever, in our colonial mentality where we think that only the white can coach us to success.

“All around us, we hear about some Nigerians who are excelling in all fields of endeavours and they are leaving the country to go and help other countries.

“Football is not a rocket science, but a simple game; we have lots of Nigerians who have all the qualifications to take us to any level.

“For me, I won’t suffer from colonial mentality again and enough of foreign coaches, now, it’s time for a Nigerian coach to handle our national team.”

While it is true that “we hear about some Nigerians who are excelling in all fields of endeavour and they are leaving the country to go and help other countries,” it is the same way nationals of other countries who are excelling in all fields of endeavour are leaving their countries to come to Nigeria to help us as a nation. No one country has it all.

Even in Europe, there are countries that have South Americans as coach. Albania has Sylvinho from Brazil as their national team coach; Gibraltar has Julio Cesar Ribas from Uruguay as coach. Even China, one of the world’s super powers and most advanced countries on major fronts of human endeavour, has Branko Ivankovic, a European from Croatia as their current national team coach. Between 1992 and today, China has had 21 national football team coaches with 11 of them being foreigners. Even among the other ten coaches of Chinese origin, six of them were appointed on a caretaker/interim basis and only four served on a permanent basis.

Iraq, a largely Islamic country, currently has a certain Jesus Casas, a Spaniard, as their national football team coach. The name Jesus was not to be a barrier when seeking the best hands to steer their team to success.

There are also several top European nations who have coaches of their national teams from countries other than theirs. Austria, Belgium, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden, Turkey are among such countries.

So, countries who want to enjoy success shun all forms of biases to go for the best coaches they think would bring them the desired improvements and success in football. And it should be the same with Nigeria. It is not colonialism, it is globalisation! Colonialism is carting away our resources and using them for the development of other nations. And that is not the case in this circumstance. In fact, our players plying their trade all over the world are the ones using the resources of foreign countries to develop their skills and talents and return home to use them to advance our collective national cause in the highly competitive global scene.

Read Also: AFCON: Ivory Coast outplayed us, Jose Peseiro admits

Jose Peseiro worked in extremely difficult circumstances where motivation was at its lowest ebb having been owed a whopping six months’ salary at a point in his short stint with Nigeria. Yet, he kept his cool and never for once held the nation to ransom. At another time, he was forced to pay his preferred assistants from his own pocket. No nation should subject their coaches to such treatment no matter what if they want good results. But ours will always be different with zero personnel management but high expectation of results.

Things were not that smooth with our football to the extent that even the NFF began to have doubts in their own management style and gave Peseiro a semi-final target at AFCON 2023 when, with our pedigree, the target, if all things had worked well in the boardroom, should have been a minimum of appearance in the final. Yes, Nigeria is that big and with our array of players plying their trade all over the world, we should be targeting winning a good number of tournaments we partake in.

In spite of these snags, Peseiro kept on working. Even though his beginning was shaky, he eventually established himself as the type of coach Nigeria needs at this time. He did not only surpass the semi-final target set for him by the NFF, he brought joy to Nigerians at the peak of our economic hardship, insecurity and such other socio-political problems that beset the nation. For the first time in a long while, Nigerians found many reasons to not only love and support the Super Eagles again as it was in the days gone by, many wives started having a better understanding of what football meant to their husbands as they copiously stated in the social media. They started believing, started taking interest and started following the matches because Peseiro was able to mould the team into a truly winning team that played with grit and some flair.

His brand of football revived the dwindled spirit of patriotism among Nigerians that even those who hitherto had no interest in the sport started taking note, thanks partly also to the social media. Before the tournament, morale was low among Nigerians but as the tournament went on, hope came alive and it increased with every match. Peseiro gave us bragging rights over many African nations.

He magically won the heart and confidence of the players that we could see they were not only playing for the country but also for him. We had a really good tournament under his charge that several Nigerian footballers with dual nationalities are beginning to seriously consider switching permanently to represent Nigeria while those who for one reason or the other could not make it to the tournament are expressing their regrets. And who in their shoes would not? With William Troost-Ekong emerging the overall best player at AFCON, Stanley Nwabali narrowly missing out on being the best goalkeeper, Nigeria, rising a significant 14 places in the FIFA ranking, and more, Nigeria’s glory days, like in the Clemence Westerhoff/Jo Bonfrere era, seem to have been restored by Peseiro.

Nigeria has once again become attractive to football stars of international repute. Unless we want to diminish this progress we have seen in our darling Super Eagles, I strongly advocate that we shun every sentiment and offer Peseiro a new and even improved contract. He deserves it. When the glory story is written, it is Nigeria and not Peseiro that will appear on the sheet!
- Ndukwe sent this piece from Abuja.
March 8, 2024
For the greedy ones

Death is greedy. Ever eager to take and take and take. In the last few weeks, it has taken the very amiable and amazing Yetunde Oladeinde; it has taken the Wigwes; it has taken Abimbola Ogunbanjo; it has taken Sisi Quadri; it has taken Mr Ibu; and it has taken many others. And it’ll continue to take to satiate its unending thirst. There is nothing we can do about it. Let’s pray from now till eternity, death’ll play its role; let’s use all the medication in the world, they will only work if it is not time for us to exit this world.

Death shares its greedy nature with many people in this world. The reality of death is the reason I am writing you, the greedy ones: You know the truth; you know you do not need many of the properties you keep, but greed will not allow you to give them away to those who really need it. You just derive some joy in keeping what is capable of making millions happy to yourself alone. You epitomise the saying that there is enough for everyone’s need but not for everyone’s greed. It means nothing to you that you are acquiring riches at the expense of some of the poorest people in the world.

Read Also: Greedy politicians fuelling attacks on Tinubu over hardship -Arewa Think Tank

Life is almost nothing. It is not worth taking too seriously to the extent of solely keeping the wealth that can turn around the lives of millions. The moment you die, chances are that people will begin to fight over your properties. Even when you have a last will and testament, your children will begin to quarrel, and we have seen instances where they start querying your sanity at the time the last testament was written. Your own children now start using style to say you were mad at the critical point. They have simply moved on. Fighting over your estate is part of their survival strategies.

There is enough for our needs but not enough for our greed. All we need do is distribute wealth proportionately and not take more than we need. You do not need those billions lying idle in your accounts. Start a foundation, give scholarships to hundreds of people and institute a grant-giving scheme for start-ups.

March 8, 2024
NECA and expatriate levy
- By Sufuyan Ojeifo
In a globalized world, the movement of labour across borders has become commonplace. Nigeria, like many other nations, has experienced an influx of expatriates contributing to its workforce. While foreign expertise can be invaluable for economic growth and development, it is crucial to ensure that the employment landscape remains fair and equitable for all stakeholders. The introduction of the Expatriates Employment Levy (EEL) in Nigeria aims to address this concern while fostering domestic skill development and enhancing national development efforts.

The presence of expatriates in Nigeria’s labour market can sometimes lead to challenges such as unfair competition, potential exploitation of local labour, and a drain on resources. Without proper regulation, there is a risk that local talent may be overshadowed or side-lined, hindering the country’s long-term development goals. The EEL serves as a mechanism to regulate the employment of expatriates, ensure that their presence complements, rather than undermine, the efforts to build a skilled indigenous workforce.

One of the primary objectives of the EEL is to incentivize investments in local capacity building and skill development. By imposing a levy on the employment of expatriates, the government aims to encourage employers to prioritize the training and development of Nigerian talent. This not only creates opportunities for local professionals, but also strengthens the overall competitiveness of the workforce, leading to sustainable economic growth.

The revenue generated from the EEL can serve as a significant source of funding for various national development initiatives. These funds can be channelled towards education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and other sectors crucial for Nigeria’s socio-economic progress. By tapping into the resources generated from expatriate employment, the government can alleviate fiscal pressures and invest in programmes that benefit the entire population.

Equity in the labour market is essential for social cohesion and stability. The imposition of the EEL helps level the play-field by discouraging the over-reliance on foreign labour at the expense of local talent. This not only fosters a sense of inclusivity but also promotes social justice by ensuring that all members of society have access to employment opportunities and fair wages.

In addition to economic considerations, the regulation of expatriate employment also has implications for national security. An unregulated influx of expatriates can pose security risks, as seen in some instances of illegal immigration and associated criminal activities. By implementing the EEL, the government can exercise greater control over the inflow of foreign workers, thereby mitigating potential security threats and safeguarding the nation’s interests.

The introduction of the EEL in Nigeria represents a proactive step towards fostering a balanced and sustainable labour market. By regulating the employment of expatriates, promoting local capacity building, generating revenue for national development, and ensuring fairness and equity, the EEL serves as a vital tool for advancing the country’s socio-economic objectives. While acknowledging the valuable contributions of expatriates, it is imperative to prioritize the empowerment of Nigerian talent and foster an environment conducive to inclusive growth and development.

One of the primary arguments against the EEL is its purported adverse effects on the manufacturing sector. Critics contend that the levy will further burden manufacturers already grappling with numerous challenges, including low-capacity utilization, high interest rates, and a scarcity of foreign exchange. Additionally, the claim that hundreds of manufacturing companies have become distressed or shut down due to these challenges underscores the severity of the situation.

However, it is important to recognize that the EEL is not the sole cause of the manufacturing sector’s woes. While it may contribute to increased operating costs, it is but one factor among many affecting the industry. Addressing the underlying issues plaguing the manufacturing sector, such as infrastructure deficiencies, regulatory barriers, and inadequate access to finance, requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond the scope of the EEL.

Moreover, the argument that the EEL violates international trade agreements and could lead to retaliatory measures against Nigerian workers abroad overlooks the rationale behind the levy. The EEL aims to address wage disparities and promote local employment in foreign-owned companies, which align with the broader goal of fostering economic growth and reducing dependence on expatriate labour. While concerns about potential repercussions on Diasporic Nigerians are valid, it is essential to weigh these against the long-term benefits of promoting local employment and economic empowerment.

Read Also: ‘New expatriate levy may undermine FDIs’

Furthermore, the assertion that the EEL may prompt foreign companies to relocate to neighbouring countries with more favourable business environments warrants closer examination. While it is true that businesses consider various factors, including operating costs, when making investment decisions, Nigeria’s vast market potential and strategic location within the West African region remain compelling attractions for foreign investors. Rather than view the EEL as a deterrent to foreign investment, it should be seen as a measure aimed at creating a level playfield and incentivizing companies to prioritize local talent and resources.

While the concerns raised about the EEL are legitimate, it is important to approach this issue with nuanced perspectives and /or perceptions. Rather than view the EEL in isolation, it should be seen as part of a broader strategy to address systemic challenges and promote sustainable economic development in Nigeria. By fostering dialogue and collaboration among government, industry stakeholders and the private sector, Nigeria can navigate the complexities of policy implementation while charting a path towards inclusive growth and prosperity for all.

While the concerns raised by Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and other organizations regarding the expatriate employment levy (EEL) are understandable, there are several counter-arguments to consider, especially from the standpoint of labour or employees who stand to reap the cornucopian benefits of the policy: The imposition of the expatriate employment levy serves as a means to regulate the employment of expatriates in Nigeria. By implementing this levy, the government aims to ensure that the employment of expatriates is justified and contributes to the development of local talent. Without proper regulation, there is a risk of companies excessively relying on expatriate workers at the expense of local employment opportunities.

Nigeria, like many other countries, faces significant fiscal challenges. The revenue generated from the expatriate employment levy can contribute to addressing these challenges by providing additional funds for essential services and infrastructure development. This revenue can be instrumental to supporting various socio-economic programmes that benefit both expatriates and Nigerian citizens alike. The imposition of the expatriate employment levy ensures that companies employing expatriates bear an appropriate share of the costs associated with hiring foreign workers in spite of the EEL. This helps to level the play field between local and foreign businesses, prevent unfair competition and ensure that Nigerian companies are not disadvantaged in the employment market.

By imposing fees on companies employing expatriates ($15,000 per annum for directorate level worker and $10,000 per annum for other categories), the government incentivizes these companies to invest in training and developing local talent, which is largely part of the economics that could benefit both parties. Employ local talent at a cheaper cost, but if you must bring in your expats to do the job that a Nigerian can do, then pay the levy on that one expat. This can lead to the transfer of skills and knowledge from expatriates to Nigerian workers, and ultimately enhance the country’s human capital and promote economic development in the long run. Sustainable fiscal policies are crucial for the long-term economic stability of any country. While the expatriate employment levy may face initial resistance from businesses and investors, its implementation demonstrates the government’s commitment to fiscal sustainability and prudent economic management. Over time, as the benefits of the policy become apparent, concerns about its impact on foreign investment are likely to diminish.
- Ojeifo, journalist can be reached at ojwonderngr@yahoo.com
March 8, 2024
Nation-building: Is culture, constitution or citizens the problem?
- By Ekpa Stanley Ekpa
One approach to the history of how sovereign states create change is to review the variable of culture, constitution and the character of citizens in building their country. The concept of statehood implies a mutual undertaking between the body politic and its constituent members. Each individual owes a duty to a whole of which he or she forms a part. It is therefore, the undertaking of each citizen within the state that forms the general will of the state to create the kind of change it desires.

Every country must be clear on the construct and kind of change it seeks – it is such clarity that influences the country’s culture of politics, policies, governance, citizens’ engagement, among other factors of social transformation. There is no doubt, that to a large extent, cultural and constitutional outcomes are shaped by elite consensus, exemplary leadership and rule of law. Since there are many roads to a village market, we shall explore all roads that lead to Nigeria’s development, focusing on culture, constitution and citizens’ character.

A country’s constitution sets out the principles and values upon which it is organized and governed. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) has been easily referred to as the cardinal clog on the wheel of Nigeria’s progress, with some insisting that it is not “a people’s constitution”. No doubt, in terms of political architecture, if Nigeria seeks to practice federalism, a constitution that gives excessive powers to the central government under the exclusive legislative list, with 68 items reserved under federal government’s exclusive control is more unitary than federal.

Albeit, the constitution with 320 clauses and six schedules, making broad and comprehensive provision for certainty in governing Nigeria, particularly in its chapter two – which provides for development rights through the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, cannot be adjudged to be the cardinal impediment, except for the inability of those entrusted with the powers to exercise and implement its current form for the common good of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Notwithstanding that section 6(6)( c) makes the entire chapter non-justiciable, any country with the right citizens as its leaders will implement the chapter for public good without been judicially compelled to do so. The morality that makes law possible is the character of the citizens and not endless amendments to the constitution, though regular and rational amendments are necessary for changing social realities. In the last 24 years, Nigeria has made at least 30 alterations to the constitution, yet we can neither account for the N24.85 billion we have spent in the process nor has the process yielded any development result for Nigeria.

Upon independence, it was the inability of each individual within the Nigerian construct, particularly those entrusted by the general public, to exercise the authority of government for public good, that led to what Chinua Achebe in 1983 identified as where Nigeria’s problem lies – “simply and squarely a failure of leadership”. When he observed that “the Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which is the hallmarks of true leadership”, he never envisaged how fast the failure of leadership would infest and inflame an entrenched citizens’ character crisis. To the extent that some Nigerians now mainly see success from the prism of opportunism, materialism and connected chains of corruption, only few persons are willing to sincerely hold the system to account.

Today, the trouble with Nigeria is the character crisis, caused by prolonged years of governments’ inability to build a functional country that works for everyone. We are now at a trajectory where everyone strives to survive by any means possible – even if it is by corrupt or means way harmful to our collective good. In fact, almost everyone wants to succeed faster than the process requires. Through patronage, billionaires have been made out of unproductive enterprises, procurement and contract corruption, and sheer exploitation of the poorest of the poor. But we must never forget that the very idea of democracy not being divine, presupposes that we the people as the masters of our socio-economic and political fate, can improve the condition of our lives, if we work together to achieve our shared purpose.

After decades of plethora of conferences on both constitutional and cultural changes in Nigeria, with the National Assembly spending one billion naira yearly in the name of constitutional amendment, the answer to the question of why Nigeria has failed to function, rests squarely on our collective leadership, and not anchored on an elite narrative that puts the blame on the trinity of hypocrisy – ethnicity, religion and on the clauses of our constitution. At interval, depending on the context and contingent upon many self-serving variables, the Nigerian political elite has successfully and exceptionally achieved only one thing – efficiency in mobilizing the mob against the mob, in order to situate and sustain their well entrench vested and insatiable interests. This must end.

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It is also no longer fashionable to continue to teach our students that colonialism and imperialism are the reason for the scale of our underdevelopment. Whereas this forms part of our history, we now have a moral obligation for truth and individual responsibilities in altering the trajectory of our state toward a more humane, civilized, productive, safe and prosperous future.

Perhaps, if we all focus and follow the character and legacies of some Nigerians whose patriotism, enterprises and efficiency at whatever they do have helped place Nigeria on the map of excellence, honesty and productivity, we will accept less of the elite narrative around skewed constitutional clauses, ethnicity, religion and class divisions that continue to mar us from reaching our full sovereign potentials. It is time to practice and uphold our moral and ethical compass as enshrined by section 23 of the constitution, bothering on “discipline, integrity, dignity of labour, social justice, religious tolerance, self-reliance and patriotism.”

The future of Nigeria, does not lie on any legal document alone, it lies with the culture and character of citizens in executing the contents of the constitutional document. If we can fix our character, we can influence a culture of change that will make the constitution work for all of us – let’s give our constitution the life it deserves.
- Ekpa, lawyer and leadership consultant writes from Abuja.
March 8, 2024
Towards 95% digital literacy by 2030
SIR: In today’s connected world, digital literacy is the pillar that empowers individuals, communities, and nations to handle the challenges of the digital era. It is a passport to inclusion, a catalyst for innovation, and a driver of economic growth.

Nigeria’s aspiration to attain 95% digital literacy by 2030 underscores a profound commitment to equipping its citizens with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the digital realm. However, this journey is not devoid of hurdles which need to be addressed for the vision to be realized.

The hurdles range from infrastructure barriers; urban-rural technology differences, educational landscape, and socio-economic factors, including the affordability of digital devices and internet services. Moreover, awareness and perceptions surrounding digital literacy require refined strategies to dispel myths and create an understanding of its transformative potential.

In the pursuit of 95% digital literacy in Nigeria, a significant stumbling block arises from the challenges surrounding the infrastructure between urban and rural areas, contributing to an uneven distribution of digital resources. Urban centres often enjoy better connectivity and access to digital tools than their rural counterparts. Of course, the urban residents alone can’t make up 95% of the Nigerian population, which implies the rural residents must also be heavily involved.

Not just that, also, the integration of digital literacy into the formal education system remains a challenge as well. Many educational institutions lack the necessary infrastructure, such as computers and software to facilitate meaningful digital education. In a situation where schools do have access to these resources, there is often a scarcity of updated and relevant educational content.

Furthermore, the effective blending of digital learning into the curriculum largely depends on how skilled educators are in using these tools. Regrettably, many teachers lack the necessary training to seamlessly include digital tools in their teaching methods. The fast-paced changes in technology make this challenge even more difficult, as educators find it challenging to keep up with the latest advancements.

Also, affordability or provision of digital tools is also one of the hurdles. The cost of digital devices, to be used to attain digital literacy, including computers and smartphones, is not something 95% of Nigerians can afford. While the digital age has ushered in a wealth of opportunities, the expense associated with acquiring computers and smartphones serves as a challenge, particularly for those in lower-income brackets.

Yet, potential solutions involve setting up more community technology centres that come equipped with computers and internet access. These centres can offer a place for people, especially those without personal devices, with a space to improve their digital skills.

Furthermore, exploring e-waste recycling programs can be a sustainable approach. Repurposing and redistributing refurbished devices will make digital tools to be affordable for a broader segment of the population.

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More so, wherever possible, the implementation of policies that subsidize the cost of digital devices for low-income individuals will be a crucial step. Government-backed initiatives or collaborations with private sector entities can help make devices more accessible.

The last hurdle worth noting is the lack of awareness of the potential of digital literacy. The broader population do not fully comprehend the transformative potential of digital literacy. Indeed, some individuals, influenced by misconceptions, view digital literacy as irrelevant to their daily lives or too complex to grasp.

Consequently, there is a need for national awareness campaigns, local language outreach, hands-on demonstrations, storytelling and success narratives, and collaboration with media outlets. If all of these can be done, the lack of awareness of the potential of digital literacy will definitely be solved, as a result, significant participation and improvement in acquiring digital skills will soar.

The goal of reaching 95% proficiency by 2030 represents more than just an objective; it signifies a significant journey of transformation. This digital vision seeks to redefine Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape, aiming to make digital literacy accessible to all, turning it into a tool for widespread progress rather than a limited privilege.
- Shuaib S. Agaka (NYSC) Kano.
March 8, 2024
Celebrating the resilience of Nigerian women
SIR: Nigeria is grappling with skyrocketing inflation. Prices have now reached unprecedented levels, with essential goods, particularly food, almost doubling in the past year.

Amidst this challenging landscape is the Nigerian woman. It’s the women who are bearing the brunt of this economic turmoil. It is the women who are at the forefront, tirelessly working to hold their families together. Every Nigerian woman deserves a medal and bag of rice this season.

Today, March 8, as we commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD) we must spare a thought for the Nigerian woman. Globally, IWD is a day when people worldwide come together to envision and advocate for a gender-equal world, devoid of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. This year, it should be a great time to remember the Nigerian woman.

IWD 2024 serves as a poignant reminder of the incredible resilience and strength displayed by Nigerian women in the face of adversity. Despite the overwhelming pressures of inflation, they continue to navigate through the storm, employing ingenious strategies to ensure the well-being of their families.

At the heart of every household, women are the pillars of strength, the silent heroes who work tirelessly to stretch every naira and kobo to its limit. They meticulously plan meals, scour markets for the best deals, and ingeniously repurpose resources to make ends meet. Their resourcefulness and unwavering determination are commendable, serving as a beacon of hope amidst economic uncertainty.

While Nigerian women have proven their resilience time and again, they must now receive the support and empowerment they deserve, especially during these trying times. We must look at immediate and long-term initiatives to empower and uplift Nigerian women.

The best place to start today is social interventions. By social interventions, I’m thinking of immediate and orderly distribution of food items, particularly nutritious ones, to women in need. This can involve establishing and or funding existing food banks or community kitchens that provide essential food items to women facing food insecurity. Additionally, educational programs on nutrition and cooking could accompany these initiatives to empower women to make healthier choices for themselves and their families.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, was in the news recently about plans to engage the services of canteens locally known as “mama put” to feed between 1,000 to 1,500 residents daily in each of the LGAs of the state. It must prioritize women.

Secondly, access to funds and grants is pivotal in providing Nigerian women with the financial resources to start businesses, expand existing ventures, or invest in education and training. Government and non-governmental organisations can play a crucial role in facilitating access to these opportunities by implementing targeted funding schemes and grant programs specifically designed to support women entrepreneurs and small business owners.

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Providing women with access to microfinance and credit facilities can enable them to invest in income-generating activities or cope with unexpected expenses. By facilitating access to grants and affordable credit, women can seize opportunities for economic advancement and weather financial shocks more effectively. Deposit Money Banks (MDB), microfinance institutions and fintechs must now move beyond rhetoric.

Additionally, in an increasingly digital world, digital skills are indispensable for economic participation and empowerment. Building the digital skills capacity of Nigerian women is essential in equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the digital economy. Training programs focused on digital literacy, computer proficiency, and online entrepreneurship can empower women to leverage digital technologies for business innovation, marketing, and e-commerce.

Moreover, initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide, such as providing access to affordable internet connectivity and digital infrastructure can ensure that women have equal opportunities to access information, education, and economic opportunities online.

Furthermore, creating and strengthening social support networks for women can foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual assistance. Community-based initiatives such as savings groups, cooperative societies, and women’s associations can provide women with a platform to access resources, share experiences, and advocate for their needs collectively.
- Elvis Eromosele, Lagos.
March 8, 2024
To advocates of totalitarianism
SIR: Alexey Navalny, the fearless Russian opposition leader, who became a thorn in the flesh of Vladimir Putin, was recently murdered in prison. I refused to use the word: “allegedly” and I have no apology to apologists of totalitarianism wherever they are.

Many people who attempted to challenge Putin have been mysteriously killed. One of them was Yevgeny Prigozhin, the guy who did the dirty job of spreading totalitarianism in Africa. When he publicly revolted against Putin, his plane was blown off in the sky. In a totalitarian state, they don’t subscribe to the doctrine of rule of law.

This is something that many of us in this part of the world have taken for granted. In Russia, 115 people were arrested for attending the funeral of Alexey Navalny. So, totalitarian leaders can deny the citizens even the right to attend a funeral.

In many African democracies, there is limit to absolutism except in countries such as Rwanda, South Sudan, etc. At least we enjoy a semblance of freedom and rights no matter how precarious they are. We have mediocre politicians at least even if they are rabble-rousers and inferior in terms of sincerity of purpose compared with Navalny.

So now in Russia there is no serious opposition who can challenge Putin in the forthcoming elections. They have either been killed or are in some gulags cooling their feet.

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That is a lesson to all of us that democracy is still the best system of government. All those revisionists that are now giving us lecture on the unsuitability of the system are yet to give us an alternative.

Former president of the United Republic of Tanzania, Julius Kambarage Nyerere once experimented with Ujama – which means ‘fraternity’ in Swahili. This was a socialist ideology which he claimed suited Africa the most. But is Tanzania still practicing Ujama? The answer is No.

Nyerere’s successor, late Ali Hassan Mwinyi opted for multi-party democracy, and so implemented neo-liberal economic policies. Today, Tanzania has discarded the home-grown system, making the private sector the engine growth of its economy. It has since reformed its mining sector while offering incentives to investors. The government is massively involved in the development of infrastructure. It is constructing a standard gauge railway, modernising its sea ports and revamping the tourism sector. The country is also leveraging financing through multilateral mechanisms, etc.
- Comrade Bishir Dauda Sabuwar, Unguwa Katsina.
March 8, 2024