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  • Yesterday, Taraba’s unforgettable former Governor Danbaba Suntai was laid to rest in Suntai

    Part 1 last week was about DambabaSuntai’s dramatic emergence as Governor, his love for flying and the details of his terrifying plane crash.  The 4 confirmed passengers on board all survived – a miraculous, rare occurrence in aviation history.

    In Part 2 is: Suntai, a man ahead of his time; his achievements, legacies and testimonials.

    Yesterday, DanbabaSuntai was laid to rest in a state burial in Taraba, having served the state in various capacities and becoming a two-term governor.

    But what was DanbabaSuntai like?

    • Forthright and decisive, a believer in the proper training of the young ones to build a solid foundation for their future.
    • A great lover of his people.
    • A leader ahead of his time who brought reforms and development to his state.

    DanbabaSuntai is the one and only Governor of whom it is said he was a good man.  Now, all that a mortal man has to do to be good is to die!  How much more a former governor!

    But Suntai was one of those one could say was almost too good to be true.  Let me highlight some of his achievements and also feature some of the reactions to his passing, to paint a better picture.

    More like an office-holder of today, Suntai introduced several reforms to bring about autonomy of local government administration.  And his vision for local government (LGs) seems to be coming to pass now.  Just last month the Nigerian Senate gave its assent to the concept of L.G Autonomy in the country.

    Suntai initiated the Taraba Local Council Reforms to make L.G. administration fully transparent.  The result was higher monthly revenue and regular payment of pensions; unlike before his administration.

    As Governor, he fought against corruption, crime and indiscipline.

    He established the State Agriculture and Produce Marketing Agency (TAPMA) in order to run the agriculture sector in a business-like manner.

    Suntai built and commissioned a multi-million naira computerized stone-crushing and asphalt plant – bringing industrialization to an erstwhile agrarian state.  He built a twin 250 seater lecture theatre for the Pharmacy department of ABU in 2011.  He said it should be named after ABU’s pioneer Dean of Pharmacy, Prof. Gabriel Osuide – unheard of for a Nigerian Governor!  For them, EVERYTHING that is named must be named after them.

    According to Emmanuel Bello, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to Governor Ishaku, DambataSuntai was even more than that.  Bello has told of how Suntai once stopped his convoy and came down to tell the drivers to desist from their intimidating driving style, saying that they were constituting a nuisance to other road users!

    Even more surprising

    Really astonishing – Suntai hated the use of sirens! Sirens – talking about the ultimate symbol of a NIGERIAN GOVERNOR!Indeed Suntai was a rare breed.

    Emmanuel Bello was Suntai’s Commissioner for Information and he has written a book he launched just 10 months back titled; Suntai: Betrayers, Loyalists and the Media War.  Of course Bello is a loyalist, he loved the man Suntai very much.

    Suntai’s simplicity did not imply he was by any means a pushover, far from it.

    In terms of his political acumen, Suntai outwitted even the then sitting president when the ministerial nominee Suntai had disapproved of was still forwarded to the Senate for approval.  Suntai had the fellow stepped down – constitutionally and following laid down rules.

    He was a man of the people and pursued anything that would be to their benefit.

    And Suntai was a good family man he loved and feared God.

    And so now, even though his life-long ally and Senate Deputy Minority Leader Emmanuel Bwachais still in too much shock to say very much, nonetheless he has been able to debunk the rumour that the current administration had abandoned the former governor during his travails.

    SenBwacha CON has made it clear that the Governor Ishaku administration had been taking the responsibility of Suntai’s medical needs right up to his demise.

    Here are some other people’s expressions on the man DambabaSuntai:

    Deputy President of the SenanteIke Ekweremadu says;

    Suntai was a purpose – drive leader who had the interest of his people at heart.  He did a lot for the development of the State.

    For House of Representatives Speaker YakubuDegara;

    His death is particularly painful because he was a leader who had the interest of his people at heart.

    Former President Olusegun  Obasanjo;

    Though his life was short, many will remember him for his contribution to public service and for his favourable political disposition towards his kinsmen.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan;

    He was an altruistic state governor who worked assiduously to improve the lives of the good people of Taraba.  His good works as a dedicated family man, accomplished professional… selfless politician and great philanthropist would continue to live after him.

    Dr. Jonathan as President had visited Suntai at the National Hospital Abuja shortly before Suntai was flown out to Germany, the day after he had that plane crash.

    And for his home people:

    Victor Bala, State PDP Chairman says;

    Suntai’s name would be written in gold as a peaceful and hardworking governor who brought development to the State.

    Taraba’s Number One Citizen Architect Darius Ishaku has promised to immortalizeSuntai by renaming Jalingo Airport after him because as Gov. Ishaku says,”he had great love for the skies”.  On Suntai, Ishaku states; “He was a great gift and asset to Taraba.  Fresh in the minds of the people particularly is the love he showed to all manner of men in the state”.

    In conclusion, I simply extend my heartfelt sympathy to Suntai’s wife, HajiaHauwa and children, to the grieving Governor and to ALL the Taraba people.

    May God rest the soul of the dearly departed who kept the faith to the end, now is a crown laid up for him from the Lord, the righteous judge.

    I end by saying Goodbye to man of the people, a good man, a good governor, Dambaba D. Suntai.

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  • On Nigeria’s dwindling value system 

    On Nigeria’s dwindling value system 

    Sometimes ago, there was a popular Nollywood movie with a thought-provoking and telling title: “Died Wretched but Buried in 3.2 million naira Casket”.  For somebody who does not understand the African culture, it denotes how in Nigeria we prefer to spend huge funds to celebrate the death of somebody who could have been saved by a little amount of money on medicals. Here, someone can be terminally sick for years without any attention or help from anywhere.  Fast forward to when the person dies and you begin to see people flying from one part of the world to the other to ‘celebrate’ his exemplary life with a big,  fancy,  noisy party. This begs the question, what is really our value system as a people?

    In recent times, the tendency of people hanging around emergency scenes without a natural mental disposition to help the victims but as “social media reporters” should be of grave concern to discerning minds. Nowadays, when people get to tragic scenes, rather than offering the needed assistance, they would rather bring out their phones and start recording so as to share on various social media platforms.

    Recently, a lady that was drowning in a pool and a guy who could swim just watched her die.  When the guy was asked why he did not help, he said he did not want to jump into the pool with his phone and if he left the phone behind, it might be stolen. Implication: He valued his phone ahead of a human life.  Yet, he recorded the drowning scene. What really is the worth of the human life in Nigeria?

    Just a few days ago, a ritualists’ den was discovered in a part of Lagos with startling revelations.  Only God actually knows how many souls have become victims of ritual killings in the country.  At the end of the day, only the little criminals are caught while the real kingpins in the ritualists’ chain re left off the hook. Some of the kingpins could even be top shots in some of the nation’s critical sectors.

    How can we claim to have value for human life when the national minimum wage leaves much to desire? Almost every aspect of our national life diminishes our human values.  How can we claim to be a people of sound values when traditional, academic, judicial, religious and other such hitherto revered institutions openly pervert justice?

    Recently, a student, Ayodele Dada broke the 54 year old Cumulative Grade Point Average (CPGA) record of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, by graduating with 5.00. His reward? A laptop! To achieve that incredible feat, Dada had an A in all his courses.  Now that is simply ingenious. On the other side of the divide, Efe Ejeba, the winner of 2017 edition of Big Brother Naija was rewarded with N25 million and a brand new KIA Sorento after 90-days work.  On top of this, he was offered a chieftaincy title of the prince of Okpe kingdom in Delta state. That simply sums up the weird direction of our value system now toes. Now, since we have chosen to celebrate artificial and superficial glory at the expense of real success, we need not be taken aback that vices such as kidnapping, cultism and gangsterism among others are taking the center stage in our beloved country.

    The worst part of our warped value system is that we don’t take responsibility for our lives and destiny. We don’t take responsibility for anything. It is only in Nigeria, and perhaps other African countries, that there would be mass killing somewhere and the police hierarchy would be waiting for the ‘body language’ of some powers that be before actually taking step to do the needful.  Sadly, we still pontificate on the illusion that books like, “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” provide.  We still believe that Lord Lugard caused our problems by lumping seemingly disunited groups together.  If we don’t put the blame for our several woes at the doorstep of politicians, we blame it on the military. Sadly, the blame game continues endlessly. Poor people! When do we grow up? When exactly will the blame game end?

     Today, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget puts the value of a human life in the range of $7 million to $9 million. As of 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency set the value of a human life at $9.1 million. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration put it at $7.9 million — and the Department of Transportation figure was around $6 million. Are any of these the right answers? No because the human life is priceless.  Money was created by man and thus the creation of man, money, cannot be more valuable than man

    This is a call on the conscience and the soul of the nation?  Where is our humanity? Where has our human feeling fled to?  How can we have roads that have become somewhat of a death trap and it does not really bother us? What kind of a nation houses its security men in places where advanced nations would not dare put their prisoners?  What kind of a people put guns at officials that are risking their lives to contend with corruption? What kind of a people enter into a church and open fire on hapless worshipers, including children? What kind of a people corner funds and materials meant for Internally Displaced People? What do we really want? Who really are we? What do we represent?

    To rediscover our lost values, we have to change our ways. We not only have to do things right but do the right things. If we are poor in values, we will be poor in everything else. Now, I rest my case!

    • Omisore is of Features Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos
  • Twenty-six Theses: Essential issues, principles and policy actions for a restructured Nigerian federation

    Twenty-six Theses: Essential issues, principles and policy actions for a restructured Nigerian federation

    A while back, I read that the Arewa Northern Youths wrote a letter to the United Nations (UN), asking that organization to declare, brand or list IPOB a “terrorist” organization. Such aproposition could only come from individuals who either have no understanding of the concept of terrorism or have not bothered to read the UN definition or lack thereof of a “terrorist” group or organization, or were otherwise, simply looking for cheap publicity. The fact of the matter, is that the United Nations does not yet have an internationally agreed upon definition of “terrorism,” and hence, a “terrorist organization,” except with respect to such obvious and egregious cases as Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, etc. The United Nation’s Security Council’s “Counter-Terrorism Committee” in September, 2014, in a meeting held to address the “acute and growing threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs), unanimously adopted resolution 2178 . . .” FTFs were defined as: “individuals who travel to a State other than their of residence or nationality for the purpose of the perpetration, planning or preparation of, or participation in, terrorist acts or the providing or receiving of terrorist training, including in connection with armed conflict.” [www.un.org]

    This definition of a “terrorist organization,” does not conform to the current preoccupations of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu’s IPOB. This may well change in the future, but for now, his organization is an unarmed organization, peacefully, even if vociferously and bombastically, agitating for their preferred state of affairs. That is a constitutionally guaranteed right of every Nigerian citizen, under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as in international law. The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations definition of terrorism is more cut and dried than that of the UN but, of course, the United States is not the United Nations, regardless of how much influence it wields in the UN. It defines terrorism as “the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate of coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.” The U.S. definition of “terrorism,” and hence, a “terrorist organization,” likewise does not fit Mr. Nnamdi Kanu’s IPOB’s current preoccupations.

    In fact, the primary reason the UN has, so far, been unable to reach a consensus on the definition of “terrorism,” and hence, a “terrorist organization,” has been because of “the standoff with the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). The Arab Terrorism Convention and the Terrorism Convention of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) define terrorism to exclude armed struggle for liberation and self-determination . . .” [www.humanrightsvoices.org]; which, ironically, supports Mr. Nnamdi Kanu’s agitation for the self-determination of his IPOB group. Although I am not one who thinks that the establishment of “Biafra” is a compelling necessity, nor am I one who ascribes to the metaphysics of its inevitability; I am fully in support of the Constitutional rights of those who hold such views, to peacefully press their perspective, without intimidation or duress. Just as surely, though I consider much of the propositions of the Arewa Northern Youths, contradictory and full of historical revisionism, I likewise support their Constitutional right to express themselves, so long as they remain peaceful and lawful. Lately, also, there has been a song circulating around Northern Nigeria, allegedly masterminded by the Arewa Northern Youths, castigating and slandering the Igbo, and as well, making specious historical claims about how the North “helped” the Igbo as well as the utter historical fiction of how it was revenues from the North that made possible exploration for and development of oil production in the South-South.

    Notwithstanding the vacuous nature of the Arewa Northern Youths’ request of the UN and their baseless historical claims, and regardless of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu’s vituperative rhetoric and the seeming fanaticism of his personality-cult following; in my opinion, the most effective antidote to IPOB’s agitation for “Biafra” as well as Arewa Northern Youths’ shenanigans, is effective “restructuring” of the Nigerian Federation. I am yet to read any demand for the “restructuring” of Nigeria, cerebral or vociferous in nature, from the Arewa Northern Youths, as I have read from them repudiating IPOB. To that extent, I am persuaded that the efforts of well-intentioned Nigerians, who do not want to witness the disintegration of the Nigerian Federation, ought to be geared towards how to better Nigeria as a country. How to make it safer, fairer, more democratic, cleaner—environmentally and otherwise—healthier, better-educated, more prosperous, more equitable, freer, etc; not merely engaging in theatrical but fruitless vitriol and histrionics. In short, their efforts should be geared towards the effective “restructuring” of Nigeria.

    And it must be understood by all stakeholders that “restructuring” the Nigerian Federation is not merely a buzzword, a political football to be kicked around for theatrical entertainment, political expediency or utopian dream. Rather, it is an organic necessity, a compelling sociopolitical and economic equivalent of a force of nature, ignored at great peril to the corporate entity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If the current arbiters of the national politics of Nigeria fail, through omission or commission, to deal comprehensively with the componential requirements of “restructuring” Nigeria, the Nigerian Federation will implode. If those who favor the “solution” of secession proceed with their secessionist dreams, without a good faith effort at a genuine “restructuring” of Nigeria; sooner or later, they will discover the material limits of their fevered imaginations. On the other hand, if those who pretend that the status quo is fine and dandy, and that those agitating for “positive change,” are merely troublemakers and self-interested political entrepreneurs, because the status quo favors them; are surely playing with fire. For students of history, the lessons of the ‘Boston Tea Party,’ the ‘Storming of the Bastille,’ the Haitian Revolution, the anti-colonial struggle—armed and civil—and, of course, Nigeria’s own horrific Civil War, should not be too far from memory.

    To that extent, the question has been asked, over and over again, by various people and through various media: what does the “restructuring” of Nigeria mean? What should be the nature of a “restructured” Nigeria? And although, a number of prominent individuals in Nigeria, have tried to define and envision the features of a “restructured” Nigeria; for example: the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; the Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu; the Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, and so and so forth; one continues to read articles and commentaries that seem as though many people are confused over what such a “restructuring” should or would entail. Here then, are my own shortlist of the essential issues, principles and policy actions that should constitute the bedrock of a “restructured” Federal Republic of Nigeria, thereby, ensuring that it endures as a strong, proud and prosperous nation-state. Others may have their own lists that may add to or subtract from my own.

    1. The Nigerian State is currently and must remain irrevocably secular and democratic. Only a modern liberal democracy, operated against the backdrop of a secular socio cultural society, animated by the will of the people; can sustain a united, modern Nigerian nation-state. Anything otherwise—oligarchic, authoritarian, military dictatorship or theocratic regime, bent or disposition—will collapse from lack of popular support. Nigeria’s ethno-lingual and cultural heterogeneity dictates that as the only viable system of political governance and civil tranquility.
    2. Military Coups in Nigeria should be explicitly and permanently banned in the Constitution and treated as an act of treason, for which the perpetrators must pay the supreme price without a statute of limitation. Although I agree with the former two-term democratic president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, that his stealth retirement of 93 high ranking army officers – all in one day- was a tactical masterstroke that considerably helped in short circuiting military coup(s) in Nigeria from 1999 to the present; I disagree with him that military coups should not be explicitly proscribed in the Constitution. The idea of an explicit clause in the Constitution proscribing military coups, is to make it an explicit law of the land; part and parcel of the highest law of the land—the Constitution. Therefore, even if a military coup “succeeds,” its perpetrators remain liable to the punishment the Constitution prescribes, after the political lifespan of the military regime. There can be no peaceful retirement for such perpetrators or their transmutation into another private, public or civic role; for as part of the proposed Constitutional proscription against military coup, it should explicitly state that such an act against the State, even if the precipitating military regime “suspends” the Constitution; will be enforced after the end of the political tenure of the given military regime. The operational principle here is that a military junta through a military coup, cannot abrogate the will of the Nigerian people, as enshrined in the Constitution of the country, and get away with it..

    • Professor Emeka Aniagolu teaches history and politics, and is currently an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in International Studies at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. He is the author of fifteen books and several journal articles. He is the recipient of numerous scholarly and community awards. He is the author of the acclaimed comparative study: A Tale of Two Giants: Chinua Achebe & Wole Soyinka (2016).

    1. Control of the natural resources of the constituent states of the Nigerian Federation, should be completely revamped. My suggestion: a ratio of 70% state control and 30% residual revenue to the Federal Government. If all the constituent states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria keep 70% of the revenues from their natural resources and give 30% of such revenues to the Federal Government, both entities will come out better off: the Federal Government will be richer as a result of 30% x 36 states and each state will be better off because it controls the lion share of the proceeds of its natural resources. A counterfactual question might rightly be posed: what happens to states that do not have natural resources at all or enough for significant Internally Generated Revenues (IGRs), from which to share with the Federal Government, even on a 70/30 percentage ratio in favor of states? My answer: such “states” ought not to be states at all. They can and should be merged with another state or group of states.
    2. Creation of a high quality National Free Public School System—from primary through secondary school. Private schools can continue to charge tuition for those who choose to attend them.
    3. “Free Market,” modern state welfare economic system should constitute the backbone of the political economy of the Nigerian Federation. I happen to believe that a “free market” system that does not have the “human face” of a welfare system, destroys the humanity of human society; whereas, a socialist economy that destroys the competitive and creative dynamism of the capitalist “free market” system, kills the goose that lays the golden egg. The modern welfare system, tries to balance between the competitive and creative dynamism of the “free market” system, and the “human face” of the social welfare system. And that is what I think will best suit a “restructured” Nigeria. In my opinion, the modern welfare state, is the modern equivalent of a compromise between pre-capitalist traditional African communalism and modern Smithsonian “free market” capitalism. Once again, something much closer to what the Scandinavian countries practice, rather than what obtains in the United States of America.
    4. Creation of a National Welfare System modelled after those of the Scandinavian countries, should be one of, if not the main objective of the Nigerian State. In addition to the fact that Scandinavian countries have found the best balance between “free market” economics and the modern state welfare system; they rank highest in the UN’s ‘Human Development Index,’ with Norway at the very top of that index and not the U.S. Some might argue that Nigeria cannot afford such a modern welfare system, given its economic circumstances. My answer: what Nigeria cannot afford is the thievery and profligacy of its political aristocracy and “militocracy.” If all these many years, Nigeria has supported a bloated and unproductive political elite, it can support a national state welfare system that alleviates the worst effects of poverty and malnutrition among the masses of the underclass, especially children. It is one concrete way by which the benefits of Nigeria’s resources can “trickledown” to the suffering masses.
    5. Creation of a system of unemployment compensation. The modern Nigerian state will remain abstract and largely meaningless to the masses of its citizenry, unless and until they benefit in some direct and tangible manner from the so-called “national cake.”
    6. Creation of a “National Healthcare System,” modelled after those of the Scandinavian countries, rather than on that of the United States. As a prelude to a full-blown national healthcare system, Nigeria could, at the very least, establish a “National Preventive Healthcare System,” modelled after the Cuban system, with some modifications. Demanding patriotism and loyalty from citizens disinherited by their state (i.e. without benefits 4, 5,6 and 7), is a difficult if not an impossible as well as immoral proposition to make, to say the least.
    7. Establishment of a solid historical and civic curriculum in primary and secondary schools. Unless and until Nigerian youth are properly grounded in the historical and civic life of Nigeria, confronted truthfully and honestly, taking the good with the bad; a collective national memory cannot emerge to sustain and nourish a common national political agenda. It is only such historical and civic education of young Nigerians that can provide patriotic pride in Nigeria, a common national identity that emphasizes their Nigerian identity, over their primordial ethno-lingual identities.
    8. Promulgation of a citizen-residency law, whereby, after three years of continuously living and/or working in a constituent state of the Nigerian Federation, a citizen-resident automatically has the same political and economic rights as the “indigenes” of the given state. The citizen-resident can vote for anyone or any political party of their choice within the given state; work in whatever capacity for which they are qualified; run for and be elected to any public office; attend any public or private institution of learning of their choice; worship freely any religious faith of their choice; own property and conduct any lawful business of their choice.
    9. As a corollary to the citizen-residency law, a Federal Law should be enacted explicitly and permanently abrogating the abhorrent phenomena once known as: “Abandoned Property.” If a citizen-resident legally acquired and owned a landed property within any of the constituent states of the Federation, such a Nigerian citizen remains entitled to their property under the Constitution of Nigeria, regardless of the circumstances under which they may have been forced to vacate residence in the given state. An “Abandoned Properties Commission” should be set up to investigate and vacate all still outstanding claims, and the Federal Government should pay the former owners (or their surviving family members) of so-called “Abandoned properties,” monetary compensation where applicable. That way, that sad and unfortunate chapter in Nigeria’s history is equitably and permanently closed.
    10. An accurate national census free of politics of any kind must be conducted within the next decade. Such a national census should be monitored by an international non-profit, non-governmental organization. The current ridiculous situation of simply presuming that the population of the geographic North is greater than that of the geographic South, based on past rigged census results, must be empirically revisited and accurately determined. As I explained in my extensive article in the Nation newspaper, titled: “Nigeria: the Politics of Numbers and State Instrument of Coercion,” that claim is empirically improbable and highly suspect. Therefore, since the creation of states and local government areas, among other fiduciary matters, are predicated on that demographic assumption, the issue must be forensically revisited.
    11. Effectuation of a comprehensive, nationwide auditing of the Internal Revenue Generating (IGR) capacity (what I call the “IGR-Test”), of each one of the constituent states of the Nigerian Federation. Any state that fails the “IGR-Test” should be merged with a more viable adjacent state or states, in order to create a more viable state or states.
    12. Discrimination against any Nigerian in any part of the constituent states of the Nigerian Federation, on the basis of sex, gender, ethnicity, religion and/or creed; should becomea criminal offense, judiciable in a lawfully constituted court and punishable according to explicitly applicable laws of the land.
    13. Irrevocable maintenance of a uniform civil and criminal code. Neither Canon Law (Catholic Legal Code) nor Sharia Law (Islamic Legal Code), can be applied to Nigerian citizens in a secular Nigerian State. The secular Nigerian Constitution, constitutes, and should continue to constitute, the highest law of the land, and the Supreme Court, the ultimate institution for the interpretation of and adjudication over the Constitution.
    14. Constitutionally explicitly stated protection of the rights of women. Additionally, I suggest that 50% of all legislative positions—in state legislatures and the National Assembly—be constitutionally set aside for women. Rwanda has demonstrated that that kind of gender parity goes a long way in introducing legislative sanity and social conscience into the making of laws and in the deliberations of such legislative bodies. It positively affects not only the sociopolitical dynamics of such legislative bodies, but also positively affects the contents of their legislations.
    15. Any attempt at enforcing a “religious” dress code of any kind on women in any part of the Nigerian Federation, should constitute a violation of the human and civil rights of such a woman, judiciable and punishable in a court of law. Nigerian women must be free to dress in whatever clothing or fashion they personally desire to. It must be a matter of individual choice and not a legislatively or communally enforced norm. Pretentions of so-called religious orthodoxy is more a function of an effort in the maintenance of power, especially patriarchal power, than piety. More a function of social and political control of populations, than a demonstrable faith in God and a life after life.
    16. A permanent and impenetrable firewall between State and Religion, must constitutionally entrenched.
    17. Immediate withdrawal of Nigeria from membership in the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC). Nigeria is a secular state with a large population of Christians and Muslims as well as others who practice various traditional religions. Nigeria is not an Islamic country.
    18. Pilgrimages to Jerusalem or Mecca, should be the personal matters of individual believers. The Nigerian State should have no involvement in such matters, defined in terms of financial support of any kind; other than the standard representation and obligations that apply to governments on behalf of their citizens under international law. Christian and Muslim pilgrims should be free to set up their own non-governmental organizations (NGOs) designed to support their pilgrimages with tax-exempt private charitable donations.
    19. A system of strict meritocracy should be applied in perpetuity in the Nigerian Federation, especially in such areas/institutions as: education, civil service bureaucracy and the professions: medicine, law, engineering, architecture, the police and the military, etc. “Federal Character,” should, henceforth, not be defined as the lowering of standards in order to accommodate individuals from specified parts of the Nigerian Federation, but defined as allowing the best man or woman to claim the highest prize, regardless of who they are or from which part of the country their hail.
    20. Institutionalization of a free and fair electoral system—at the local government, gubernatorial and federal levels. The electoral system of the country should be seen as the “Holy Grail” of Nigerian Democracy.
    21. Institutionalization of the principle or rule of the “Right of First Refusal,” for Nigerian civil, mechanical and electrical engineers, architects and other science and technology-related professions; before foreign firms can be used to execute projects in Nigeria. Unless it is a project beyond the scientific and/or technological capacity of Nigerian firms to execute; in which case, they should form partnerships with foreign firms, whom part of their contract with the Federal Government of Nigeria and/or state governments in Nigeria, must include clauses for training Nigerians for those technical skills currently lacking amongst Nigerians.
    22. Equal locating of critical military installations between the geographic North and the geographic South of the Nigerian Federation.
    23. Establishment of a Federal Infrastructure Commission (FIC), whose sole purpose will be the compilation of a list of all infrastructures: roads, bridges, ports—seaports and airports—that are the sole and/or primary responsibility of the Federal Government; and working with the responsible Federal Ministry(s),to see to their effective execution within a specified time frame and within the budgeted amount.
    24. At the end of the “Restructuring” of the Nigerian Federation, what could be called: the “Nigerian Covenant;” should be signed by all the Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, the Executive Governors of the constituent states of the Federation, the President of the Senate of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court Justice of Nigeria. An eternal flame should be lit by the properly designated traditional leaders of the North, South West, South East and South-South, as represented by their properly designated umbrella organizations; at a site in Abuja that becomes a national monument/shrine (as well as a tourist attraction). It will become a “holy”or “haloed”ground for all the citizens of the Nigerian Federation. The stone statues, sculptures and monuments that will be specially made for and erected at the “Nigerian Covenant Plaza,” should be commissioned by the Federal Government of Nigeria, on a competitive basis. A “Nigerian Covenant Park Commission,” should be created and empowered to bring the project to fruition. That way, there is a historical site, hundreds of years from now, where Nigerian children and their children’s children, and so on so forth; can go to replenish their memory, faith and commitment to the Nigerian Federation.

  • I’ve been to London to see the King

    Not a few tongues had wagged over the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari was outside the country on medical vacation for weeks on end, and no member of his media team was with him. Many times, we had been confronted by journalists on why we were sitting pretty in Nigeria, while our principal was confronted by severe health challenges in London.

    How did I feel about the situation? I had always told the media, and others who cared to listen, that whoever is on a presidential entourage at any time is the prerogative of the President. In the first 20 months of this administration, the President had made scores of trips, both locally and internationally. There was none, and I repeat, none, in which the media team was excluded. We were always there to keep the world abreast with what the President was doing.

    When President Buhari first needed to travel for holiday and medical attention in January this year, it was deemed a private trip, in which the media was not needed. On such journey, you naturally would need security details, your personal physician, protocol and domestic aides, and those were the ones that went. Media? It depended on the principal. What was essential was that the channels of communication be kept open.

    When the fuss came that the media handlers of the President were transmitting at best third hand information to the public, it did not bother me as much as it did some people, particularly, journalists. The discretion to have anyone with him at a given time was that of the President, and there was nothing anybody could do about it. I was in direct contact with those who were around him, and that was the best in the circumstances.

    When the rumour mill went into overdrive sometime in January that the President had passed on, the first person I called was his personal physician. He laughed, saying nothing of such happened. I was thus confident enough to debunk the malicious information.

    Before he returned on March 10, in what turned out to be the first leg of his medical treatment, President Buhari had spoken with me personally on phone, the details of which I made available to the public. It was sufficient for me.

    The President left again on May 7. I was with him at home till he left for the airport. Information dissemination followed the same pattern as on the first trip. The aides on hand told me whatever was necessary, and I communicated same, never for once making it appear that the information was firsthand. It was the best and the honest thing to do. You work for a straightforward man, it would be a disservice to him for you to begin to spin and bend information. Never!

    Not once did I agitate to visit London to see the President. I was trusting enough to receive whatever information was passed to me, knowing the kind of man we serve. Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe.

    A lot of people were using paracetamol for what they considered my headache. They continued to fret that I was not in London, but it didn’t bother me a bit. Ask my wife and children, they would tell you that I am never in unnecessary hurry. I don’t push things, but the lines always fall for me in pleasant places. I have learnt to take all things in my strides, and let the divine powers work out the rest. Some people will erroneously call it a laid back approach, but those who are discerning would see that I had always excelled in whatever I did, physical, professional, spiritual, domestic etc. No need to sing my own praises. Not unto us, but unto Him, be all the glory and praises.

    And then, on Wednesday last week, ‘come came to become’ (apologies K.O Mbadiwe). I received a communication to proceed to London to see the President, along with other members of the presidential media team. To lead the delegation was Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, while others included myself, Mallam Garba Shehu, Lauretta Onochie, Bayo Omoboriowo, and the Nigerian Television Authority team of Adamu Sambo and Emmanuel Arinhi. Senior Special Assistant on International and Diaspora Matters, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who was in London on another official matter, eventually joined us to see the President on Saturday.

    Leaving the country through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Friday morning, one was as conspicuous as a tiger in a teashop. All that knew me, and saw that I was headed for London, naturally said: “Please give our greetings to Baba o.” They just took it for granted that I was going to London to see the King, and not the Queen this time, as made popular by the pussycat in the nursery rhyme.

    The trip aboard the British Airways Boeing 777-200/300 was pleasant and pleasurable. It was like a whole city in the sky. The Nigerians who saw me and my colleague, Mallam Garba Shehu, onboard, also jumped to the same right conclusion as those at the airport: “Please greet Baba for us o.”

    On Saturday afternoon, we were ferried from our hotels at the appointed time. At Zero Hour, we were at the Abuja House, Nigerian High Commission, London.

    As we strode into the living room, I saw with infinite pleasure, the great object of my mission. Standing tall and ramrod straight was President Muhammadu Buhari, with that ubiquitous smile in place. He was looking a lot better than he had ever looked in the past eight months. My heart leapt for joy, and sang praises to God. Was this not the man they said was on life support machine? Didn’t they say he could neither walk nor talk? But he was welcoming Alhaji Lai Muhammed, and calling him by name. I was next. I shook the hands of the man I had admired since his days as a military head of state, a man I am not ashamed to call my leader and President today, and any day.

    Seated, the President had words for each member of the team, which showed that he had been following events back home very keenly. He commended the Minister of Information and Culture, saying, “Lai, you are all over the place. I see you virtually everyday. You have been working very hard.” Pointing to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, he said, “She is here in her constituency. But me, I am here reluctantly.” We all laughed, and Dabiri-Erewa jocularly issued what you could call a quit notice, saying she didn’t want the President in her constituency again.

    How are you, Mr President?

    “I am okay now. I feel I could go home, but doctors are in charge here, and I’ve learnt to obey my doctors. I’ve learnt to obey orders, rather than be the one giving the orders.”

    If you have met the President personally, he is usually full of wisecracks, and this day was not different. He told us he had enough time to watch television, and commended the NTA particularly, and Nigerian media generally, for bringing him up to speed with what was happening back home.

    He said he had been watching the protests by people who wanted him to return home post-haste, or resign. He mentioned one of the leaders of the protest by name, and laughed. I did not discern any malice in the laughter.

    President Buhari told us he seldom got sick, something he had told Nigerians on March 10, at his first return. When we told him millions of people were praying for him at home, in Africa, and even beyond, I saw the glow in his eyes, and he said :”May God reward them,” after noting that what Nigeria did in The Gambia in January, which forced a sit-tight Yahya Jammeh to quit office, “fetched us a lot of goodwill and latitude.”

    We talked about many issues, some of which are not due for public consumption yet. The President was obviously enjoying our company. Then the State Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Lawal Kazaure, popped up (as he always does) and indicated that the allotted time was over.

    “Oh dear,” the President exclaimed, reluctant to see us go.

    It was time for photographs, and we walked into the garden. The President was spry, as he joined us. Bayo Omoboriowo clicked away, and those were the pictures you have seen. The President even almost sprinted, while going back inside. Omoboriowo captured that rare moment.

    And to the dining room we proceeded. We sat at that famous table, laden with different kinds of fruits; banana, apple, pear, water melon, and many others. It was a setting which a man blinded by bile, and suffused with hatred, had described as a previous fast breaking session at Aso Villa during a Ramadan season. Father, forgive him, for he knows not what he says.

    We ate, heartily. Our appetites had been stimulated by the state in which we met our principal. Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, was at hand to attend to us, urging us to eat as much as we wanted. Halima, daughter of the President, as well as Yusuf, his son, were also there.

    It was a pleasure meeting all the presidential aides once again, and we greeted one another warmly: Yau and Lawal (trusted security details), Sunday (the personal cook of many decades), the ADC,  SCOP, CSO, CPSO, the personal physician, Tunde Sabiu, Sarki Abbah, and many others. It was grand re-union.

    Lunch over, the President bade each person goodbye, with a handshake. We said to him, “See you soon, sir.” But when Dabiri-Erewa uttered the same, the President laughed, and declared: “No, we will leave you here, as this is your constituency.”

    The health status of our President, as earlier attested to by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, during his visit, was a testimony to the healing powers of God. This was a man gravely ill, but restored miraculously. It can only be God. In spite of what haters, wailers, and filthy dreamers imagine, and which they spew out, God remains merciful and immutable. He has the final say. If I were a hater, I would repent now, in sackcloth and ashes.

    Yes, I’ve been to London to see the King. The Lion King. But unlike the pussycat in the nursery rhyme, I didn’t frighten any mouse under the chair.

    • Adesina is Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity

  • Saraki: When leadership overcomes challenges

    Abubakar Bukola Saraki is the President of the Nigeria Senate, the upper chamber of the legislative arm of the Federal Government, and the Chairman of the Assembly (both the Red and the Green Chambers). The journey has not been easy for him but he has shown a lot of good qualities of an effective leader in the presence of adversity. The success recorded so far under  Saraki’s watch in the Assembly is due to his effective leadership qualities.

    The first challenge the former Governor of Kwara State faced was when he tried to exercise his fundamental rights as citizen and senator-elect that enable him to vie for the vacant position of the President of the Senate against the preferred candidate of a section of the party leadership.

    There were a lot of ignorance displayed about presidential democracy by the ruling party and most of the general public. Presidential democracy and parliamentary democracy although are all systems of democratic governments but their modus operandi differs in many areas. All Progressive Congress (APC) leaders failed to recognize the difference between a government institution and the party which many scholars regards as a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO).

    Once senators are elected, they become one entity and every individual senator-elect reserves the right to vie for any position. This is what the leadership of  the APC by ignorance want to exert unmerited powers over elected officials and other top government officials. In presidential democracy,  there is no provision where party leadership will claim superiority over elected government officials. It must be noted that these elected officials were elected not only by members of their party but the entire Nigerian electorate to rule over them.

    The second challenge on the Saraki leadership was his case at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

    Based on procedure, an asset declaration form is issued to a public office holder at the point of assumption of office and expiration of tenure. One expects the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate what such office holder had declared within a stipulated time. In fact, as a civil organization, it supposed to draw your attention when they notice inappropriate action. It is not an act of morality for the organization to just be interested in going to court without drawing the person’s attention. Unless they believe that human beings are infallible and they cannot make mistakes.

    If Saraki made mistakes in filing his assets declaration forms, the CCB failed to act in time to draw his attention before going to the court. Saraki’s third major challenge since he assumed office as Senate President is the case of the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu. The Senate is erroneously being accused out of either ignorance or sheer mischief. The Senate did not confirm  Magu on the strength of the report from the Directorate of State Security (DSS).

    The DSS is an outfit established by the constitution and its services are not meant for one individual or one arm of government but to the nation. All organs of government can reach this outfit for their service without having to go through a third party.

    When a president sends the name of a nominee to the Senate for confirmation, the Senate has the right to investigate the personal record of such a nominee outside what the Presidency might have included in the curriculum vitae (CV) of the person. It is moral and constitutional for the Senate to further inquire about the personal records of Magu from other appropriate institutions and one of the right quarters is the DSS.

    Apart from nominees for appointments even those that are interested in contesting any elections from the local government to the Presidency must have gone through and pass the DSS screening. The senate as an independent organ of the government under the leadership of Saraki is not out to unjustly confront the executive arm of the government, but rather wants to work in harmony for the development and progress of the country.

    In spite of the aforementioned challenges, Saraki has through deployment of leadership skills succeeded in overcoming the obstacles. The Senate President’s extraordinary ability to inspire others had helped in stabilising the once polarised Senate. As effective crises or conflict manager, he has the ability to understand the needs of others and the ability to behave wisely in respect of others. Saraki has mastered the elements of the art of persuasion including understanding people, the effective use of words and the ability to manage conflicts.

        To resolve the conflict that arose in the Senate, the Senate President Saraki made for reaching considerations to achieve what he has so far achieved. He handled the issue calmly as he never confront, accuse, or insult any person but considered that the conflict was over issues and actions not personalities. The Senate President avoided personalized attacks. He kept the negotiations free of highly personal criticism, examinations, abusive language and especially jibes that inflict pains on others. He refused the win-lose strategies of negotiation as he carried along everyone.

    Saraki having secured peace and unity in the Senate and the whole National Assembly is set to lead by example, communicating his vision, keeping up morale and maintaining a positive attitude.

    Furthermore, he is set to provide value based leadership, team-oriented, participatory and humane leadership that will make each Senator and other Nigerians happy.

    • Danjuma S. Magaji, former Chairman, Sanga Local Government, Kaduna State, E-mail: danjumasam2@yahoo.com

  • Ozubulu: Shooting into the heart of the matter

    The smoke from the Ozubulu church shooting may have subsided but the after-effect lingers on – in the homes of the dead and the maimed; and in the traumatised minds of Nigerians and humanity in general.

    The piece sent in the media last week by a certain Revd Gbadegesin on the subject, provokes not-so-fresh a controversy that questions the propriety of the church and society as a whole; but it has compelled a crying necessity why we, as a people, must reappraise the church and whether the jettisoning of our traditional religions across the land for the colonial church was really well thought out in the first place.

    The Blackman governed his community effectively well against internal and external assault before the advent of the white man, who first came on territorial conquest and used trade and commerce and then the church, to completely conquer the human mind. It was from then on, that we started to detest ourselves, our traditions, cultures and religions.

    Nigerians from the 60s would no longer touch our cultures and deities with long feet poles but were quick to embrace anything white because our European conquerors had succeeded in colouring our vision and thoughts so much that most of our people now believed anything white was good while almost everything black was evil.

    Jesus appeared to us as a white man and Satan looked horribly black that many of our women embraced bleaching and distanced themselves from anything black. Our traditional religions began to fade from our consciousness because we had unwittingly made them darkish in our minds to obscure their true relevance. And, women begat us and such is their ability to convince, that our fathers caved in to their amorous luring.

    Ifa, in its purity, for example, was said to be ever truthful and factual; the reason why in celebrating the deity, they usually sing something like: “ifa ki ‘paro, ifa ki ‘se’ke” to affirm its honesty. Kings were selected through the instrumentality of ifa divination, and such selection was usually faultless. But, not anymore – for two reasons.

    One, its earliest adherents knew the details off-head and they were not literate enough to know how to write these formulas down for easy reference as well as for posterity. These formulary died with them; and the notes of the few smattering lettered ones gathered dust and parts of them eaten up by termites and and other pests, if not rodents, leaving their inheritors with mutilated notes, in which guesswork was used to fill in the faded or damaged portions of the notes. That was the beginning of the reduced potency of the herbs, concoctions, incantations of the powerful charms, amulets and other medicines of old!

    Second reason is that teenagers were excluded from the inner temples of these deities because of the older people’s presumption that these teens were too gullible and immature to keep secrets. The position of the older adherents and practitioners of these traditional religions was however unsupported and contradicted by their own saying that “Igbo oro t’omode o ki nwo, ma parun ni”. The shrine children are forbidden from entering, will become obliterated with time, since there will be no successors for the adherents to keep up, maintain or sustain the practice; as the older people must wither away and die at some point, willy nilly.

    The potency of Ogun, god of iron, as well as Esu, or Satan, as indeed other deities across the country called Nigeria, was such that no misdemeanour of any type was said to escape the prying eyes of these gods, for appropriate and instant punishment. But Christianity brought by the conquerors, changed all that; and it emboldened culprits to steal blind and kill with compulsive craziness without any such fear of being apprehended, not to talk of being sanctioned and punished.

    With the Bible and the movement away from Egypt, Mosaic law was replaced with meekness; and society exploited that. It is why today’s practitioners in the Church became so brazen in their defiance of ethical and moral code that many pastors have sunk into the indecent nadir that whoever makes them the cornerstone of their beliefs, will end up in ‘soup’, later, if not sooner.

    To be fair, some of our men of God are decent and conform with standard Christian practice on morality and piety; but such can be counted at one’s finger tip. The remainder fit into Fela Anikulapo’s categorisation of damned devils in cassock. They are those who provided the fertile ground for churches to become “shooting ranges” where criminals come to settle personal scores and where innocent souls are blighted with compulsion.

    How I wish Bros Kongi, our own Professor Wole Soyinka, will illuminate this discussion further, on why he prefers to swear by the Ogun or Sango than the Bible or the Koran!

    To be sure, my position on the issue of religion is clear and straightforward. My father, in his life time, always admonished people that there could be no half measures in matters of religion. If you choose to be an idol worshipper, get involved totally; just as you should, if you prefer to practice Islam or Christianity.

    I chose to be a Christian, because it’s mode of worship is not as complex and confusing as they do in the traditional shrines, which I was privileged to witness as an impressionable teenager, escorting a maternal grand uncle, way back in the 50s and 60s.

    At the beginning of my Christian faith, I fell into the shenanigans of some so-called men of God, but not anymore. I stand resolute in and with the God of man now, because as He made me believe in His Holy Book, that His house is a strong tower; where the righteous runneth into and get saved.  In truth and given my life experiences in these odd 67 years earthly sojourn, I can truthfully proclaim that my God is alive and on His throne!

    Muhammed Ali resurrects in Edo

    Pugilism comes to the hallowed chamber. That sounds odd because an hallowed chamber, especially that of Edo State House of Assembly, is meant to be a serious, albeit sober, laboratory where laws are made for good and orderly governance.

    But, on a Monday, regarded as a day set aside to chart a new, purposeful week for the serious-minded, the law makers of Edo decided to get lawless, and took the laws into their hands.

    Perhaps because their pay-packets are not as hefty as those of world renown boxers, they turned the most sacred part of the hallowed chamber – the Speaker’s corner – into the ‘roped square’ and in a fit of fury, exchanged wild and measured punches, akin to the unforgettable “Rumble in the Jungle” world heavyweight boxing encounter between the legendary Muhammed Ali and his mortal foe, George Foreman in Zaire.

    If prize money was at stake, the lawless lawmakers would have made away with billions in naira. Some of them threw wild and inaccurate blows as if to outdo Joe Frazier after being punch-drunk by Ali’s stinging jabs and his famous rat-a-tat punches. Some in the video clips were “fleet of feet and slashing of fists” and one, pummelled with a heavy combination of blows, turned into a wild wrestler for whom anything in sight was useable; as he threw a wooden chair around wildly.

    Whatever the cause, it was an ugly and shameful spectacle from a city of culture and beauty. I pray the revered monarch of the ancient kingdom did not watch the film; as the sight was capable of drawing his ire and a curse for which there may be no cure.

  • History beckons National Assembly

    The National Assembly has been on recess SINCE July 27. The recess will last till September 19. Going on recess from time to time is the prerogative of the National Assembly. No organization or institution can work without its members taking a rest periodically. Otherwise, the consequences will be calamitous. However, neither the Senate nor the House of Representatives should have gone on recess when it did this time. Even now that the National Assembly is on vacation, it should terminate it right now. Unknown to most Nigerians, the country is in an emergency situation and only the federal legislature can save it.

    Before the National Assembly went on vacation, the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, wrote a letter to the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, requesting for approval to adjust the 2017 federal government budget here and there. The letter was read in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, but nothing was done. Members were in a hurry to proceed on recess; most actually travelled out of the country almost immediately with their families and friends.

    This should not have been the case. The legislators ought to have treated the letter from the Acting President exhaustively before going on vacation. There are fundamental challenges with the implementation of the 2017 budget the way it is. Implementing it in its present form will create very serious problems that will end up worsening the ongoing national economic crisis, thus making it difficult for Nigeria to exit from the present recession any time soon. In other words, the budget needs to be adjusted in a couple of places in the overriding national interest. Adjustments in budgets when they have been signed into law are technically referred to as virement.

    I would like to refer to the budget of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing as an example of a place where virement is urgently needed. This is a ministry whose activity affects every Nigerian directly every minute of the day; and I have had the privilege of working there in the directorate cadre. In the last one year, there has been tremendous activity on the reconstruction of such critical highways as the Kano-Maiduguri Highway, Onitsha-Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and, of course, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. However, the reconstruction has, in the last few months, slowed down owing to the rainy season and, more importantly, declining funds made available to the contractors executing these vital national projects.

    The funds have declined very significantly because the 2017 budget stayed for a whole five months in the National Assembly which not only scrutinized the proposals critically but went ahead to make fundamental adjustments to the original proposal from the executive arm of government. For example, the amounts proposed for critical national roads, including the ones mentioned above, were slashed considerably. Even the additional 10% of the entire sum proposed for the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing was slashed badly. It is standard accounting and budgeting practice all over the world that at least 10% of the sum of any budget—whether in the public or private sector—be set aside as miscellaneous, otherwise called emergency or contingency. There are emergencies which must be tackled immediately they occur, whether there is a specific provision for them in the budget or not. For instance, two critical bridges in Mokwa, Niger State collapsed last June as a result of sustained torrential rainfall. One of them, the Mokwa-Jebba Bridge, links the northern and southern parts of Nigeria. Resources had to be mobilized from all kinds of sources to start reconstruction at once.

    But given the way the National Assembly has cut the contingency provision in the 2017 budget of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, it will be very tough to handle emergencies of the Mokwa magnitude if they should occur again this year in any part of Nigeria. Providing reasonably for critical national infrastructure and emergencies is in the greater interest of all of us than diverting resources from, say, the Kano-Maiduguri Expressway or the Calabar-Odukpani Road or the Onitsha-Enugu Highway or the Enugu Port Harcourt Highway or the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to constituency projects of legislators like provision of borehole and distribution transformers or street lights in communities. I make this statement with due respect to the National Assembly members who got to their legislative positions by winning elections, and they frequently go to their people to show how they have fulfilled their electoral promises.

    The country is now in August, that is, in the eighth month of the financial year. Yet, the implementation of the 2017 budget has not started in earnest. One of the reasons is the inherent fundamental flaws in the budget which need rectification through virement. Since virement can take place only when the National Assembly has approved the request from the executive arm of government, the National Assembly ought to have treated the letter from acting President Osinbajo requesting for virement prior to proceeding on recess. Since it did not do the right thing early enough, it can still cure the defects from its action by calling off its current vacation which is scheduled to end on September 19. This is a long way.

    Admittedly, most Nigerians believe that our legislators enjoy too many holidays. For example, they work only from Tuesday to Thursday. And they often proceed on long holidays on special occasions. They went on a three-week vacation last June to celebrate the Id-el- fitri feast. Worse, there are many legislators who are delinquent in business attendance. Even among those who attend rather often, there are a lot who scarcely make contributions either on the floor of the legislature or in committee meetings. Their constituencies have long given up on them.

    To conclude, Senate President Saraki and Speaker Dogara as well as other principal officers of the National Assembly are hereby called upon to demonstrate an acute sense of responsibility by immediately ending or suspending the two-month recess which National Assembly members granted themselves in order to enjoy summer holidays.  The country is passing through a particularly difficult period in history, and our legislators must show that they really understand the onerous task before them. Immediate consideration of the letter from the Acting President requesting for adjustments to the 2017 budget law is of paramount importance. No effort should be spared to ensure that this year’s budget does not fail. History beckons National Assembly.

     

    • Nazang is a retired deputy director in the Federal Ministry of Works & Housing.

  • Saraki: The leadership imperative

    The number of political appointees working for the average Nigerian politician has always depended on and couched in utmost secrecy. Typically, there is no information as there are no pointers as to how much taxpayers sacrifice to their daily, weekly allowances or monthly wage bills. Worse still, where town-hall meetings, which are often a scarce occurrence, happen, those subject matters never always earned a mention. No one but the politician knows. And, inquests into such matters considered an exclusive preserve of the public officer holder, who more often than not, seems accountable to no one and law unto self, have always hit the brick wall. That has been the Nigerian public office experience over the years.

    However, recently, following the steadily falling naira exchange rate to world currencies, public office holders were once more reminded of the need to trim down the number of their office hands. The call earned prominence as it became public knowledge that some states were still unable to pay salaries as a result of continuous dwindling monthly federal allocations. Unfortunately, skewed delineation of state boundaries constrained a few states from generating sufficient internal revenues to augment their allocations. Interestingly, too, it was not just the states that were caught in the financial drought wire. The federal government apparently, bleeding financially, was buckling down as most premium projects across the country suffered. No thanks to the steadily falling national revenue as per barrel oil sale bottomed at $50 in the international market.

    Obviously, the nation needed much more than mere talk. It was in desperate need of leaders, particularly public office holders, who can practically demonstrate patriotism by heeding to calls to trim down their office hands in remedial response to the prevailing economic mesh. As often is the case, such calls had always been pooh-poohed without hair-raising protests. But last week, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, proved what could probably qualify as a classic case of exemplary leadership by trimming down the number of his office hands.

    Indeed, like other senate presidents before him, including senior top political office holders, Saraki had a choice to ignore the calls and act as though nothing was amiss. But seemingly nudged on by public and national interest, he set himself apart by identifying with posterity. This explains why he deserves commendation for pointing the way to how responsive a public officer should behave, and more so, as the nation clearly was under financial knife and needed practical and far-reaching redemptive measures to whittle down its huge financial burden. Interestingly, it was not the first time the Senate President was sign-posting responsible leadership. The former governor, like many of his colleagues still receiving pensions in their respective states, had equally outed out of the statutory pension as stipulated by the third schedule paragraph D (i) of Governor and Deputy Governor (payment of Pension) Law, number 12 of 2010 of Kwara State. The State Pension Law empowers the state government to pay pension to former governors and deputy governors of the state. But, in an act of selfless service, Saraki wrote the Kwara State government and requested immediate stoppage of such payment to his account and refunded all previous credits to his account back to Kwara State government. He explained that though they were lawful entitlements, his decision was based purely on morality as he was still serving the nation.

    Again, to further demonstrate responsible leadership, Saraki approved the layoff, last week, of no fewer than 98 out of the estimated 300 aides attached to his office. No doubt, the development would largely and positively impact on his office monthly wage bill, especially as most National Assembly Service Commission’s staff seconded to his office would revert back to bureaucracy where they were from the beginning and thereby freeing up funds for other crucial needs. Not only that, the best hands would be left to run the office and ultimately shut down human financial waste pipes that needlessly have the weevil effect on the nation, willy-nilly.

    But more than anything else, it signposts a wake-up call to all public office holders to act responsibly in the interest of the nation. With oil, the only revenue source for Nigeria selling at abysmally beggarly price of $50 per barrel, the move is even more important considering that in a dying economy as Nigeria’s, funds so saved could help inject life into the economy and ease up the vicious poverty and hardship in the land.

    In the last two years of Saraki’s Senate Presidency, the nation has witnessed what could safely be described as anxious responsibility towards public good and interest. NASS among others bills, has successfully passed into law more than 20 premium bills, including the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, which aims at introducing new operational and fiscal terms for management of revenue from the sector. It had also passed the Customs Service Management Act, which aims at enforcing unconditional compliance to global best practices, as well, as the Ports and Harbours Reforms Bill; which focuses on protecting the rights and interests of service providers at the port, including but not limited to commercial port users.

    Again, the 8th Senate, it would be remembered, also passed the Secured Transactions in Moveable Assets Bill, to create a new species of capital that can be used in our financial system, as well as, moved to reduce the risks involved in doing business with companies that have the history of not paying back through the Credit Bureau Services Bill; the Witness Protection Bill, Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, and, the Whistle Blowers’ Protection Bill, among others.

    Apart from the constitution amendment Bill in which the senate adopted 29 Bills, the amendment of the Universal Basic Education Act which extended the right to free education across the country from nine years to 12 years for all children, and which the youngest Nobel laureate,  Malala Yousafzai commended Saraki and the 8th Senate, is most fundamental.

    While more endearing and responsible leadership roles are expected from the National Assembly, especially towards restoring trust, unity, patriotic zeal, and national pride, it is hoped that other public office holders would learn from the Senate President’s exemplary humility in trimming down his aides in national interest, voluntarily refunding his constitutionally guaranteed pension and the landmark achievements of the 8th Senate under his leadership. This is even more as the nation has never been so divided along ethnic and religious divides in its 56 years of chequered political history as today, and requires much more than legislative eloquence to earn the support and trust of the people.

     

    • Oba is Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State governor.

  • Ports: Which monopoly?

    I was at a dinner last week when a reputable journalist shared a local Nigerian adage that succinctly captures the state of those who have appropriated to themselves some power founded on shallow knowledge of the reality: “The man that travels far tends to know more than the man who lives long”.

    The import of this adage is that the number of years one spends on earth does not necessarily bestow significant knowledge. Yes, with age comes experience, but not necessarily knowledge. On the contrary, the man that travels far is likely to know more about the world than the man who has lived long in one place.  This is the reality of those who have found a new career path in misrepresenting the truth about INTELS Nigeria Limited and its operations in Nigeria. They do this without stepping a foot on the geographical exploits of the company to at least, have a first-hand understanding of the value the company is adding to the Nigerian economy.  But the more they talk, the more manifest the baselessness of their argument.

    It is quite unfortunate to see that a country that is acutely challenged economically is engulfed in unnecessary economic in-fighting. Whilst the government at the federal level appears to be pushing efforts to support businesses and stimulate growth that will generate employment, some individuals are tirelessly strategizing to make the business climate unfriendly for reasons best known to them and their cohorts.

    Until I visited the Onne office of INTELS, Rivers State, I was completely indifferent about this ongoing media campaign against INTELS. The major theme of this smear campaign has been about breaking the monopoly of INTELS. Before I delve into what I saw on ground at Onne, let me briefly expound on this unending chorus about monopoly, which does not exist anyway. Let us for the purpose of argument admit that INTELS is monopolising the oil and gas services business in Nigeria; if that is done legally, how is it a problem when there are unrestricted opportunities within the same industry for other investors to explore?

    To the best of my knowledge, the Nigerian economy is largely a free market economy that allows free entry and exit. The oil and gas services sector is no different from the other sectors of the economy in that regard; all that is required is for the intending company to meet all the necessary requirements. And in a competitive environment, if a business entity is able to present superior business model to the government and obtains the support of the government, how is that a problem?

    Some individuals with kindergarten information talk about INTELS as if the company started operations in Nigeria 30 days ago, when it has actually been in the country for 35 years. This is a company that commenced business in a completely swampy land with just one container as office space. Today, that one container business has grown into a major employer of labour and the rallying point of hope for the Onne community. Now, if a company that started with one container in this country has grown and obtained the status of a major investor in the oil and gas services sector in 35 years, how then can that be categorised as a monopoly?  These investors saw opportunities where some people only saw swamp and monkeys; they saw possibilities when others were complaining; daring enough to borrow and invest when others were escaping the country, yet we accuse the company of running a monopoly. Instead, I believe it is the ingenuity of the people behind the company that is actually louder than their voice. On the contrary, the voices of those that lack the same ingenuity have been louder than their contribution to the Nigerian economy.

    Now let us take a look at INTELS and the oil and gas services industry in Nigeria. INTELS is an integrated logistics facilities and services company. The company services the oil majors and also runs port management services as a concessionaire of the federal government. The company operates in this sector with other companies like Brawal and Julius Berger. And the Nigerian government has not made any law to close entry into this sector of the economy for intending investors, which presupposes that it is a free market that allows investors to blossom in proportion to their ingenuity and business dexterity. If INTELS truly operates with other top companies like Julius Berger in the same sector, then the company definitely cannot qualify as a monopoly. It only shows how committed and loyal the company is to the Nigerian state by committing huge investments into the economy. It is sheer mischief to impugn that there is a monopoly in an industry where the paymasters of mischief peddlers earn their living.

    Contrary to the deliberate manipulation of sacred facts by some, INTELS is a highly reputable Nigerian company that is adding tremendous and significant value to the Nigerian oil and gas value chain, and helping to retain value that could have been lost to other countries through provision of world class logistics services, constituting about 30 per cent of the value of oil and gas cargo. Every activity of the company is carried out with a commitment to meeting and surpassing international best practices. A visit to the Onne Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone managed by INTELS will completely blow every discerning mind. There is hardly any service in the oil and gas services sector that cannot be provided by INTELS. In fact, without the Onne Free Trade Zone and INTELS’ One Stop Shop Service concept which helps in the optimisation of time, space, and resources by oil companies, oil production cost in Nigeria would have been higher than what it currently is.

    Beyond the business exploits of the company, INTELS’ relationship with its host community is highly impressive. For a company that has operated in the Niger Delta for 35 years yet does not have a single demonstration against its activities deserves a grand applause. And the reason is not far-fetched. This is a company that invests extensively in its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations to the community with visible and impactful results to show. Just a visit to the Women Empowerment Project Scheme Synergy (WEPSS) Centre, will provide an idea of the impact of this company in Onne and environs. The scheme provides 18 weeks of intensive training in cloth making for young women completely free of charge. In addition, the trainees are provided stipends in the course of their programme; and some of them are also awarded starter packs at the end of the training to start their personal businesses. So far, the scheme has trained 700 women, some of whom have been employed by the company, with others advancing in their personal business. The more fascinating angle to this is that WEPSS produces all the work wear worn by technical workers at the Onne Free Trade Zone.

    In actual fact, the success of INTELS is the model and pillar of privatisation in the Nigeria’s maritime industry. Perceptive minds should be happy that this model is working and advocate for the replication of same in other sectors of the economy. It is rather unfortunate that some people in high places and government circles, for their political expediencies, have become willing tools in the hands of competitors to give credence to this campaign clothed in untoward falsehood. INTELS is evidently one of the highest employers of labour in Nigeria with proven and sterling track record that is there for all to see. It is not one of those companies that are more visible in the media than the real business sector.

    The oil and gas business sector is capital intensive and requires huge funding for business excellence. Those who can dare the challenge should source for funds and invest the way INELS has done. If any individual or business truly believes in the Nigerian project as they claim, then invest huge money in the country. That is the only way to display your faith in the country, and not by running a campaign of calumny against an entity that believes in this country. Nigeria is big enough to accommodate every willing investor.

    Let everyone compete squarely and do so fairly without spreading lies about the other companies. Spreading lies is not fairness and definitely not a proven business strategy; it is simply what it is – a campaign of calumny! Let us support our economy by supporting the businesses that are doing well; collaboration is actually more beneficial.

     

    • Goodluck writes from Lagos.

  • Calabar tank farm fire: Positive side of tragedy

    Tragedy, like war is what nobody prays for. Discussing or mere talking about it is even tough for some as they feel awful or scared at the mention of it. However, the two are realities of life. They happen whether one likes it or not.  Life, itself is even described as a war. It is a thing we live with, day in day out.

    Human beings encounter tragedies or wars in different ways. For some, it is nagging domestic issues while in extreme cases, humans are faced with loss of precious ones and invaluable materials. Nobody prepares for it and none could predict its consequences. No matter how careful, one’s level of safety and security consciousness notwithstanding, they just happen, leaving behind tales of woes, sadness and catastrophes.

    For LINC Tank Farm Limited, Calabar, it was a tragedy too many on July 16, when its farm went up in flames as a result of an oil spillage. The inferno which occurred at about 3.40am claimed lives including those of a key worker of the farm, two in the opposite company, DOZZY Oil and Gas Tank Farm and some security personnel. The neighbouring community also shared from the tragedy as the inferno which erupted while people were scooping petrol (PMS) killed a number of the villagers. In addition, properties worth millions of Naira were also destroyed in LINC, DOZZY and other adjacent organizations. The environment was not spared too, as it suffered debilitating damages; the flora and fauna seriously hit.

    Three weeks after this sad incident, the whole of  Calabar Free Trade Zone is still in gloom as noticed when the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (downstream) paid an on the spot assessment to the farms last Thursday. From the entrance of the CFTZ to the LINC Farm, the adverse effects of the disaster were still palpable.

    Right inside the farm, one can only pity and empathize with the organization, as its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Patrick Ifeanyi Oramah conducted the team round the erstwhile functional and robust depot now characterized with charred structures, burnt facilities and dim looking workers. It was a pitiable sight that left most of the legislators feeling very concerned.

    Chief Oramah explained to the lawmakers that he was traveling out of the country when he got the most destabilizing call in his life that an oil spillage in their tank farm ignited and resulted in loss of lives.

    “The tragedy” Chief Oramah said “ensued as consequence of spillage of petroleum (PMS) into the drains while it was being pumped from Dozzy Jetty, through pumps run via our farm, to Dozzy Depot, another tank farm located opposite us. The spilled petroleum later got ignited while people were scooping it outside our premises”.  He told the lawmakers that his company did not have any product in any of its tanks as at the time of the incident as the tanks had remained empty since January, the last time they sold petroleum products at the depot.

    Oramah however became emotional as he revealed to the legislators that his company was expecting delivery of products to the tank farm the week the unfortunate incident occurred declaring that the incident was a terrible calamity for them and that they were deeply saddened.

    “LINC Nigeria Limited is terribly saddened over this disaster, particularly, the loss of human lives. We intensely commiserate with the families of the bereaved and the entire Esuk Utan Community. Our heartfelt sympathies go to DOZZY Tank Farm Limited and all our neighbours over these monumental losses” Chief Oramah said in an emotion laden voice.

    He however disclosed to the visiting legislators that the management of Calabar Export Free Zone handled the tragedy with deft and utmost sense of responsibility as he also praised the Fire Service, Nigeria Police and other security and safety agencies for their promptness and diligence in combating the fire.

    The instantaneous display of concern and conscientiousness by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and its regulatory agency, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to the disaster was also commended before the legislators. Oramah explained that that LINC has always been in total compliance with safety and security measures in and around its premises and in all its operations. He however added that Investigations were on- going and that his company was cooperating fully with the various agencies.

    Done with the briefings, the chairman of the committee on Petroleum (downstream), Honourable Joseph Akinlaja Iranola condoled the management of LINC, DOZZY, and the entire community over the unfortunate incident.

    Akinlaja said the committee was impressed with the effective management of the disaster by the Export Free Zone, the security and safety agencies of Cross River State and the federal government. He said with such exhibition of effectiveness in combating this tragedy, Nigeria was genuinely making progress in disaster management.

    The chairman assured that the National Assembly would continue to see to the protection and safety of lives and property of citizens in its legislative functions.

    As tragic as the incident was, it however provided some positives as narrated by the Chief Executive Officer of LINC, Chief Patrick Ifeanyi Oramah: the display of capacity, competence and care by all the concerned authorities and agencies of government, that our institutions are truly living up to their responsibilities in the spirit of change. This comes with the hope that the consequences of this ugly incident would not matter to LINC, all the organizations and individuals affected in no time.

     

    • Olaosebikan writes through midascommunications@gmail.com