The Nation Newspaper

Category: Comments

  • Building a competitive economy

    Nigeria’s GDP performance improved slightly in the 4th quarter of 2016, and showed us a route to recovery. The current recession has affected all of us. But the root causes of it are deep; and they must be addressed if we are to build a more sustainable and competitive economy. We must understand the causes of our economic malaise in order to implement solutions that are sustainable.

    Nigeria’s economy has been structurally weak for decades. Our oil wealth has disguised the fundamental structural weaknesses that we have, and while the cash flowed many of those weaknesses were overlooked. We were complacent. We did not do the work that was needed to develop the broader economy and we are suffering the consequences today.

    This is not because we did not know what needed to be done. The last two decades are full of economic plans and strategies designed to address them. Our challenge has been, principally, in implementation.

    Nigeria needs to build an economy that is not only resilient, but globally competitive. We have been focused on that since taking office, through our Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP), which has provided a platform. The evolution of the SIP is the Nigeria Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (NERGP), which we have unveiled this week. The NERGP provides a framework for implementation from 2017-2020, but does not mean we must wait until 2020 to see progress. The plan is focused on generating concrete and visible impact by the end of 2017, and many of the initiatives incorporated within it have been under way since 2016. We are not starting from scratch and the work that we have done so far is already beginning to show dividends. We are absolutely committed to delivering the implementation of the plan and we have the political will, determination and the leadership to achieve this.

    We have three core objectives: Restoring growth, investing in our people and building a competitive economy. These are delivered through five execution priorities. The first is to stabilise the macro-economic environment. We must increase revenue and cut costs. We will then focus on the four pillars of future growth; Achieving agriculture and food security; Ensuring energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products; improving transportation infrastructure, and driving industrialisation through local and small business enterprise. These objectives and priorities are underpinned by a robust delivery and monitoring mechanism to ensure that we are laser focused on implementation.

    Our lack of infrastructure is our Achilles heel. It means that the food we eat is more expensive, individuals and businesses have to generate most of the electricity they require, far too few people have access to running water and travelling around the country is a slow and difficult process. But beyond the effect this infrastructure deficit has on people’s daily lives, it has a hugely detrimental impact on our economic performance and the profitability, and often the viability, of our companies, which further impacts the lives of all our citizens. The better our economic performance, the more revenue the government will have to spend and the more it can do to address these deficits. That is why our 2016 and 2017 budgets were structured to deliver investment in transport and energy infrastructure. We will borrow to build the foundations for future growth. Our non-oil revenue has been traditionally unacceptably low. Delivering growth in agriculture, while ensuring that our industrialisation strategy is broad based (focused on SME’s) rather than reliant solely on large scale projects, is critical to reversing this.

    However, Government resources will not be sufficient to address all our infrastructural challenges. The Plan also provides for Government to partner with private and development capital from both within, and outside the country, to leverage and catalyse additional resources needed to grow the economy, and bring about prosperity.

    Underlying each of our priorities is a common requirement. We must invest in the skills of our workforce. Unemployment is too high, and the skills gap is too great. To be competitive globally, we must address the way in which we train, and build capacity. That is a core focus of this plan. We want to build an economy fit for the future, and that can only be done using our most precious, but most under-utilised resource, our people. It is why the plan places emphasis on building capacity in education, healthcare, social inclusion, job creation and environmental sustainability. Many of the initiatives this administration has already developed and rolled out have been focused on delivering basic needs for the most vulnerable in our nation. Our social investment programmes are examples of this focus.

    While the scale of our task is very large, we are already seeing the dividends of some of our work. Our focus on Agriculture and Solid Minerals has resulted in some growth in those two sectors in 2016. However, given the current recession, revenues continue to be challenged. But we believe that with the current outlook of stable oil prices and increasing production, it can only improve. Our tax base in Nigeria is 6% of GDP compared with an average of 16% across the rest of Africa. This is clearly far too low and there is room for significant improvement in expanding the tax base. There is much more work to do, but we are on the right track.

    The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) is also delivering results. Since its launch in the last quarter of 2016, we have seen the processes for obtaining visas streamlined considerably, with visas now available on arrival. There is much more to come and you will be hearing from that team over the coming weeks as they roll out the 60-day action plan to ‘Make Business Work’.

    While the past 18 months have not been pleasant for Nigerians, they have served to show us a way to a future in which we will work our way out of the current recession and onto a path of sustained, diversified and inclusive growth. We will need to intensify our cooperation and co-ordination with the State Governments. We will need to work closely with the private sector, and indeed, all Nigerians. It will not be easy, but this Administration has a plan to deliver. We have no doubt that, working together, we shall attain prosperity.

  • Corporate trustees and estate planning in Nigeria

    Nigerians are renowned for their resilience; a can-do spirit that has been instrumental in overcoming herculean challenges. The ultimate goal is to be successful and happy. Success comes in various forms, but the ultimate indicator is the fulfilment that comes from achieving the goal you have set for yourself. At the Rio 2016 Paralympics Games, Nigerians set world records in various fields as they marched towards an impressive haul of medals.
    Last year alone, despite the daunting global environment, about $21 billion was remitted home by Nigerians in Diaspora, according to the Migration of Remittance Fact Book 2016. Such is the Nigerian drive for success.
    Almost everyone desires to be wealthy and to live comfortably. There is nothing wrong with being rich, aspirational or ambitious. Wealth is among several factors that endow comfort, which is a condition that everyone should aspire to have. However, money-making is not the easiest of tasks. This is a reality check that everyone understands. While hard work is an essential ingredient for wealth creation, more important is the value you bring and its appreciation in the marketplace.
    The starting point is to make an effort, employing your own skills as well as proven strategies and approaches that others have used to succeed. In doing so, you may even become the originator of an uncharted pathway to success. We must keep trying. No two persons are the same; each one of us is imbued with our own uniqueness. What is paramount for everyone is to discern our peculiar talents or capabilities and utilise it to actualise our individual dreams or potential.
    When people hear the nomenclature ‘corporate trustee,’ it seems like some highfalutin, foreign or elitist expression reserved for certain classes of people. But, that is not exactly correct; it is an arrangement that is open to everyone.  We may just describe the term as a company that helps people to build, manage and protect wealth when their assets are put in a trust. A trust is an arrangement whereby assets are transferred by an individual/corporate (known as the ‘settlor’) to a trustee to be held by the trustee for the benefit of certain beneficiaries. So, corporate trustees are licensed by law to offer trust services to individuals as well as organisations.
    Trusteeship is not alien to Nigeria or Africa. Among the various ethnic groups in Nigeria, trusteeship is well-embedded, and operates according to customary conventions. It is common, for instance, for a father to put his property in the care of a trusted friend or family member for onward transfer to his young children when they come of age. In some places, a man’s assets are inherited automatically by the eldest son or shared among his wives and children when he passes on.
    Though corporate trusteeship has similar characteristics, the traditional practice however has a number of drawbacks that fail to address certain situations adequately. Family dynamics and personal interest, for instance, may be quite complicated, thus creating gaps that often lead to acrimony. Such instances include collusion and breach of trust, diversion of funds and termination of function due to death of the trustee, usually an individual, and family squabbles.
    A good corporate trustee, on the other hand, offers numerous advantages for which the practice is steadily gaining acceptance in Nigeria. Among its benefits are continuity of role and function (since as an ongoing concern the firm will remain in business and continue to adhere to client’s instructions), objectivity, prudence and professionalism. In addition, a corporate trustee ensures quick and prompt attention to affairs and elimination of diversion. The trustee has in-house investment expertise, experience and systems that ensure that full attention is given to managing trust assets and keeping track of investments, disbursements, and fees, among others. Because they operate in a sector that is highly regulated, a corporate trustee conforms to global best practices, which ensure quality service delivery and better results. People establish trusts for different reasons which may include confidentiality, estate planning, asset protection and tax reduction. It is therefore logical to seek the services of an entity with the resources and expertise to deliver the desired outcomes. The end result of having a trustee with experience and integrity to manage your financial affairs is peace of mind.
    It is heart-warming to know that our people are increasingly becoming aware of the benefits of estate planning. You have worked so hard to build a comfortable savings cushion with the intention of living comfortably at retirement and to make sure your children and family are well taken care of. It is only logical to have your ‘sweat’ well-preserved by applying processes and procedures that ensure orderly management while alive and a seamless transfer at passage.
    Death is often a sensitive or charged topic for most people to discuss. But, it is an issue we cannot run away from; life will end at a certain point in time. Yes, we will all depart this earth someday, with the question being the when, the where and the how. However, we can make our time on earth a happy memory for our loved ones if we have neatly tidied up and made the intergenerational wealth transfer a ‘painless’ process for them. That is the whole essence of estate planning.
    There are different options available to the individual when planning his estate. These include writing a will, establishing a trust and making an inter vivous gift. While the will outlines how assets are shared at death, under a trust, assets are held by the trustee for the benefit of specified beneficiaries. Inter vivous entails giving out assets as gifts while the giver is still alive.
    We often hear of little things that matter in life. Nothing can be truer. That small step today can set the stage for an amazing achievement tomorrow. Starting an estate plan today, even with the smallest of assets, may become your wisest decision tomorrow. A corporate trustee to assist you kick-start the process may just be around the corner. All you need to do is to conduct thorough due diligence as you seek to engage one.

    •Max-Gbinije is the Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Trustees Limited

  • Cattle breeders and national butchering

    I begin this piece with the report of the 2014 ‘national’ election of the executive of Miyetti as recorded by Google and to convince Nigerians that Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) is just a Business Association like the Carpenters Guild, like the Fishermen Association of Delta, like the Farmers Association of Igbeti.
    MACBAN, according to Premium Times report has elected a new set of ‘national’ leaders to run the activities of the organisation for the next four years. The election was conducted Saturday in Sokoto at the national congress of the body. MACBAN is the apex body of all Fulani cattle breeders in Nigeria.
    In a keenly contested poll, Muhammad Kirowa emerged as National President with 97 votes. He defeated Bello Wamakko from Sokoto State who got 32 votes. Yarima Dangirga from Kaduna state got five votes, Mai Aliyu from Yobe State got nine votes and Saidu Maikano from Plateau State got one vote. Hussein Bosso from Niger State and Jauro Gari from Bauchi States were elected 1st and 2nd Vice President respectively. The election for National secretary was keenly contested between Sale Bayari from Plateau State and Baba Usman Ngelzarma from Yobe State. Mr. Usman Ngelzarma emerged as winner after netting 92 votes against 61 netted by Mr. Bayari. Ismaila Ribeji from Katsina was elected PRO while Abubakar Bello – Sarkin shanun Gombe emerged as Treasurer. Adamu Isa Muhammad was elected as National Youth Leader.
    Apparently there is nothing national about this purely Fulani outfit. It has become necessary to make this clarification in view of the recent statement credited to the Secretary General of the Fulani Herdsmen that the Benue State Governor has no constitutional right to evict the slaughtering Fulani herdsmen from his state after almost 1000 lives had been lost to the butchering herdsmen terrorising his state. The Secretary General had said: “we are wary of the statement allegedly credited to the governor requesting herdsmen to relocate out of the state.’’
    Mr. Usman-Ngelzarma described the statement by the governor as “unconstitutional” and said herdsmen could not be exempted from enjoying similar rights of free movement as being enjoyed by other Nigerians. ”We demand that the laws of the land must be allowed to function without let or hindrance,” he said.
    Mr. Ortom, the Governor of Benue State had given Fulani herdsmen in Tombo-Mbalagh, Buruku Local Government Area of Benue, two days to leave the area following a weekend attack in which eight people died.
    The Fulani herdsmen regarded as the world’s 4th bloodiest terrorist group cannot be described as a ‘peaceful’ association to be accorded free movement as they plunder the farmlands all over the country.
    The Unitary Government in Abuja must wake up to its responsibilities and stop condoning the recklessness and the marauding brutish onslaught of the Fulani herdsmen. What the Federal Government should know, which it has pretended to be blind and deaf to, is that the Miyetti Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria is an ordinary business organisation. It is an Association like the Okada Riders Association of Nigeria.
    Some state governments have had cause to ban the Okada Riders Association in some areas of the state. Miyetti Cattle Breeders is not a Federal Government Corporation. Cattle Breeders are the same as fish farmers or Tuber or Cocoa farmers. It is not the business of the Federal Government to treat the rampaging Fulani herdsmen as sacred cows.
    Nigerians are tired of the condoned excesses of the butchering Fulani herdsmen and the earlier the Abuja Government summons appropriate political will to deal with this nauseating mess the better for the future corporate existence of this suffering country.
    The Fulani herdsmen are encouraged to behave as if they are above the laws of the land. They are the only sacred body allowed to parade AK47 rifles without challenge or hindrance. Even armed robbers and kidnappers still hide their weapons. But the Fulani herdsmen, the Miyetti Allah terrorists, go from farmland to farmland across the country brandishing deadly weapons and plundering, maiming, killing and raping owners of farmlands being destroyed.
    Abuja must act today, and treat the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, the umbrella body of Fulani herdsmen, as just an Association, a business group like any other trade group, which should not be allowed to indulge in criminal activities.
    Nigeria is not the only country in the world breeding cows. Nigeria does not have 1% of the cattle in Argentina or Australia. Those countries’ herdsmen run their business in ranches without disturbing the peace of their neighbours or destroying the businesses of other people.
    Unless there is an ulterior political motive to the Fulani herdsmen brigandage, this butchering across the country MUST stop.

    •Chief Adeniyi is a former Chairman/MD Daily Times, and a former Federal Permanent Secretary in the Presidency

  •  Implementing intervention plan

    The Nigerian economy slipped into recession by the last quarter of 2015, and the masses are at the receiving end of the recession characterised by rising inflation, unemployment, falling value of the national currency and infrastructural decay.
    In answer to the demand of Nigerians that the federal government should act to quickly take the country out of recession, the President Buhari administration did introduce some social intervention programmes aimed at alleviating the suffering of the teeming masses. On the first anniversary of his inauguration on May 29, 2016, the president launched what he called ”the most ambitious social intervention programme in our history.” In his anniversary speech on that day, the president enumerated the social intervention programmes to include the Home Grown School Feeding Programme for primary school pupils; the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) to the extremely poor; the N-Power volunteer Corps 500, 000 jobs intervention scheme for university graduates; and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) which is essentially a loan scheme to be handled by the Bank of Industry (BOI).
    Under the federal government’s Home Grown School Feeding Programme, the government is partnering with participating state governments to feed 5.5 million pupils in public primary schools nationwide for 200 school days per year. While the federal government is responsible for giving pupils in primaries 1-3 a meal a day, the participating state governments will be responsible for the pupils in primaries 4-6. Caterers and cooks are appointed and the students are fed from fresh farm produce produced in each participating state. This way, agriculture is promoted and employment enhanced in addition to ensuring that the children are well- nourished and equipped for academic work. As at the beginning of 2017, this programme has taken off and is running in just three states of the federation. Regrettably, paucity of funds has affected its roll out in all states.
    The Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme is a direct transfer of N5, 000 monthly to the extremely poor in the society. It is akin to social welfare schemes in place in most of the advanced countries of the world. It is a safety net for the poorest of the poor. However, it is conditional in that the beneficiaries have a role to play in order to be eligible. The recipients must show evidence of school enrollment and immunisation for their children or wards. In this way, school enrollment in some educationally backward states and physical well-being of the citizenry are assured. One million Nigerians are targeted under this scheme. Nine states are mapped out for coverage in the first batch and beneficiaries in those states have since January 2017 received the first monthly transfer of N5, 000 into their accounts. The states captured in the first batch include Borno, Kwara, Bauchi, Cross Rivers, Niger, Kogi, Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti.
    The Office of the Vice-President explained recently that ”the nine pilot states were chosen because they have an existing Social Register that successfully identified the most vulnerable and poorest Nigerians through a tried and tested community based targeting (CBT) method working with the World Bank. However, other states have already begun developing their Social Registers and would be included in subsequent phases of the CCT implementation.
    “The N- Power Volunteer Corps” is another social intervention programme of the government for which a cumulative budget of one trillion naira has been made in the 2016 and 2017 federal government budgets. This scheme aims to engage a total of 500,000 graduates on a volunteer basis with a monthly stipend of N30, 000 to work as teachers, agricultural extension workers and healthcare providers in their immediate communities. Participants will be trained in skills that will enable them exit after two years to economically viable jobs and business opportunities. For the first phase of the scheme, 200,000 graduates have been enlisted and posted to work in their respective states and have started receiving their monthly N30, 000 stipends.  150,000 of them will work and be trained as Assistant teachers; 30,000 as agricultural extension workers and 20,000 as community health aides.  The first batch of the graduate volunteers was taken from twenty states of the federation. The second phase is designed to enlist 300,000 graduates and their selection will soon commence.
    The Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) is essentially a soft loan scheme targeting 1.6 million women, traders, artisans, small businesses and youths. Under the scheme, soft loans of between N10, 000 to N100, 000 will be granted to these categories of people devoid of interest with a repayment period of 3-6 months and administration cost of 5% by the Bank of Industry (BOI). Beneficiaries are expected to be organised in co-operatives and market associations to access this loan. Under the first phase, beneficiaries have been identified and verified from the Federal Capital Territory, Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Delta, Imo, Kwara, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Kogi states. Some of the beneficiaries have started drawing on this facility since November 2016. Thirty three thousand beneficiaries are expected to have drawn from the facility by the end of January 2017.
    Governments in Nigeria have never been found wanting in enunciating beautiful policies. The lack has been in faithfully and consistently implementing the policies. In other words, the devil is in implementation. It is worrisome to note that the government has already cut the 2016 budgetary allocation to the SIP from N500 billion to N320 billion. This cut was made in the president’s virement request to the National Assembly in November 2016 in which the president requested that 180 billion out of the 500 billion earlier earmarked for SIP be moved to other projects owing to paucity of funds. Another N500 billion has been proposed for the programme in the 2017 Appropriation Bill now before the National Assembly. It is hoped that with improvement in the price of crude oil in the international market, the entire half a trillion naira is approved by the National Assembly and fully released for the SIP in 2017.
    The haphazard implementation of the schemes across the federation is also of concern. While the school feeding programme is said to have kicked off in three states, there are discordant tunes as to whether indeed it is so. While all attest to the transparency in the way and manner beneficiaries were recruited for the N-Power Volunteer Corps, there are niggling doubts as to whether the other schemes will pass the transparency test.
    The implementation of this programme should and must be shorn of all politics and partisanship. If this is done, President Buhari and his party, APC, may well be able to keep their campaign promises of creating youth employment, developing agriculture, diversifying and growing the economy and generally improving the health and living standards of Nigerians.

    •Obijiofor is Secretary, Green Women for Change and Empowerment Foundation

  • A divided presidency

    A divided presidency

    The Ibrahim Magu confirmation saga depicts a presidency in disarray, despite the clever attempts by some commentators to hang the Senate for what is clearly a presidential faux pas. The 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended, clearly locates the locus of the federal executive powers in the President of the Federal Republic. Section 5(1) is unequivocal in vesting the executive powers of the federation on the President, which he is entitled to exercise either directly or through the Vice President and ministers of the government or other officers in the public service of the federation.
    In constituting the office of the President, Section 130(2) invests the President as the head of state, the chief executive of the federation and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the federation. In the exercise of his executive powers, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004, (EFCC Act) grants the President the power to appoint the chairman and members of the commission subject to the confirmation of the Senate. In furtherance of the same executive powers, the National Security Agencies Act, (NSA Act) which established the Department of State Security Services, as one of the three agencies under the act, also grants the President extensive powers in the appointment and control of officials of the agencies.
    By virtue of Section 3(2) of the NSA Act, “the principal officers of the agencies shall in the discharge of their functions under this act (a) in the case of the state security services and the national intelligence agency be responsible directly to the president”. The clear vision of the drafters of this act is that Mr. President is empowered by the direct control of the SSS and the sister security agency, to be on top of all security matters, whether internal or external, affecting the country, and also to be in a position to receive first-hand information from the agencies about their findings and actions.
    So how on earth could the SSS all by itself, make very damaging findings against Mr. President’s preferred nominee for the office of the chairman of an important agency like the EFCC, and choose to keep the President in the dark about such findings? Of course, this column does not encourage the President to interfere in the daily activities of the SSS or any of the security agencies, or put pressure on any of them to write favourable reports, but an agency which he oversees, and which as a matter of course reports to him, cannot harbour a contrary opinion to his, and not bring it to his earliest notice for evaluation.
    Even more damaging would it be to the integrity of a synchronised presidency, if there are fifth columnists within the presidency that operate alternate executive power centres, with the capacity to undermine a clear and an unambiguous directive of Mr. President. If the President, as reported, after the first rejection of Ibrahim Magu, by the Senate, had ordered an investigation of the allegations against his nominee, and after a thorough effort, Magu was exonerated, then any further adverse report against that adopted by the President should call for a disciplinary action, unless the President was manifestly misled by those he trusted to investigate the allegations.
    Head or tail, the President must assert his executive powers, otherwise, it becomes a presidency of anything goes; apologies to our old army of anything goes. The President cannot be right in appointing Mr. Magu, after a thorough scrutiny by officers of the state working at his behest, and at the same time, also wrong to the extent that he is nominating a man tainted, as alleged by SSS, which again is an agency acting on behalf of the President. That will be a classic case of approbating and re-approbating at the same time; for both the nomination and the letter of indictment are in fact and in law, his executive conducts.
    The President cannot in one breath, through his nomination and re-nomination, tell the Senate that Mr. Magu is a fit and proper person for the office he is nominated for, and in another breath, through the letter from the SSS, which reports directly to him, tell the same Senate that his nominee is not fit for the high office, and expect the Senate to approve the nomination. With all due respect to the averments of many commentators arguing otherwise, if the Senate approves Mr. Magu despite the unambiguous letter from the SSS, then they can be accused of dereliction of duty. This is without prejudice to their individual misgivings against Mr. Magu.
    I guess it is proper to state unequivocally that by his efforts so far, Mr. Magu has shown enough enthusiasm and competence in discharging the onerous and dangerous responsibility of fighting graft and corruption in our country. Indeed, Mr. President may actually be persuaded by the brave efforts of Mr. Magu in discharging his duties even in an acting capacity, to push for his confirmation. Mr. President may also be persuaded by media reports that some governors indicted for mismanaging the special grant from the Federal Government, and some senators indicted for corruption, may have conspired to bury his nominee for efficiently discharging his duties to their detriment.
    While Mr. President has my sympathy, in the war against corruption, he takes the blame for giving the Senate the weapon with which to shoot down his nominee. If he feels that Mr Magu’s potential as an anti-corruption warrior far outweighs the allegations by the SSS, he has the prerogative to overrule the agency and direct it to withdraw its letter to the Senate, knowing that whether the war on corruption succeeds or fails, he bears the can. He is also entitled to ask another agency, as he reportedly did, to investigate the SSS report and make its findings official.
    But he is not entitled to do nothing; or worse still, allow the agency to reiterate their indictment and expect that the public din will overwhelm the Senate or even precipitate a hurried approval of his nominee, as if the indictment by the SSS is inconsequential. Of note, Section 4 of the NSA Act provides for a coordinator to supervise the National Security Agencies, in the mould of the National Security Adviser. Unless for reasons not in the public domain, it is strange that the NSA is standing idly by, while the President is being ridiculed by those the NSA supervises.
    For purposes of emphasis, the point of this intervention is to impress on the President to keep his executive house in order, so that Mr. Magu can be given the constitutional endorsement to go on with the war on corruption. If President Buhari is as wily as his brother Generals Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, one will be tempted to say that he is playing high-wire politics with the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive Chairman of the EFCC.

  • Farewell, ‘Daddy’

    Farewell, ‘Daddy’

    I never met him. He never met me. But, Brigadier-General Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, whose passing was announced Friday, March 10, was ‘daddy’ to me and thousands of other successful Nigerians, whom he certainly never met as well.
    The story of his sterling military and engineering feats will be told by many, but his more significant legacy to Nigeria is the gift of direction to many of us. Among us are university professors, medical doctors, lawyers, journalists, authors, filmmakers, pharmacists, engineers, etc. He gave us the chance to have an education when doors were shut on us elsewhere.
    Sam Ogbemudia came into national limelight with the outbreak of the Nigerian civil strife of 1967 -1970. He became the military governor of the defunct Midwest State (present-day Edo and Delta). He was also to return as governor of Bendel State, which Midwest was changed to during the Second Republic. But his more significant service happened between 1970 and 1975 when he was Midwest Governor.
    Ogbemudia transformed the war-bruised state to a modern paradise. Some myth (or fact that I tried to verify but couldn’t) accompanies that feat. I learned that when he was once asked how he re-built the state so beautifully and so efficiently at that time, he answered that the idea came from an exercise in military school in the United Kingdom. His class was once given an assignment, so the story goes, which made every student take a close look at the picture of a war-ravaged city and say how each of them might re-build such a city. He scored well with his answer to that question, it was said. So, when he was appointed Governor of Midwest State, he remembered his answer to that military education exercise and applied the strategy. True or false, the strategy transformed Midwest State in the areas of education, roads, transportation, sports and employment.
    I come from one of the Western states, not from Midwest or Bendel, but I benefitted from Ogbemudia’s educational reforms, just as many of my friends and other youths and not so youthful men and women from all over the country. Ogbemudia wasn’t one of those politicians who fan the embers of ethnic division. The Continuing Education Centre, which he created in Benin-City, with campuses at Warri and other places in the state, gave would-have-been failures a second chance at getting an education at affordable costs. People from all over Nigeria – West, Midwest, East and North, all flocked to Benin in the 70s to forge a direction for their lives. That was where I did my two-year Advanced Level course between October 1975 and June 1977 and got back my academic passion after a period of lethargy.
    Personally, I have close friends who attended that school who have done General Ogbemudia proud by excelling in their various careers. Among them: Ambassador Babatunde Ajisomo (in the foreign service), Professor Jim Unah, former head of department of Philosophy at the University of Lagos, Mr. Muyideen Abari, my nephew who is a legal practitioner of repute, Mr. Musibau Akanji Raji, who has had an excellent public service career, Mr. Henry Otoighile, Registrar of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos, Dr. Cairo Ojugbo, ex-House of Representatives member, Dr. Richard Igwe, Barrister Oscar Osaigede, Acting Registrar, College of Education, Agbor, Dr. Daniel Omatshola, University of Abuja and Mr. Godwin Igharo who will soon retire after a star performance as a public information officer in the Federal Ministry of Information. Richard Mofe-Damijo, the actor, lawyer and public servant counts among us; so does film/TV screenwriter Lamson Yesuf.
    I tried to rally more recognizable names for the list here but RMD sent me a text message, saying: “Can’t remember any”. Yet, we number in the thousands who graduated from that institution whose name was later changed to Institute of Continuing Education. I’d admit that we have failed Gen. Ogbemudia in one sense: not having an association such as alumni to honour our school and Gen. Ogbemudia and make Nigerian profligate politicians envious of the achievements of men and women like Ogbemudia who grew high-quality manpower for Nigeria. Perhaps, they’d have been inspired to do some work of substance, too, when they just take a look at the list of us who are grateful. Something like the people who have been mentored by that great lawyer and civil liberties advocate and philanthropist, Gani Fawehinmi, sometimes do.Coming out to affirm the noble values of men and women like Ogbemudia is the best way to re-energise our weakening national moral muscles.
    During Ogbemudia’s time, Midwest State was the most progressive state in Nigeria. Its roads were the most modern. Its transportation system (with those red-and-white painted luxury buses called Midwest Line) was efficient and affordable. He created schools and libraries. One notable innovation was the mobile library, vans taking books to the market squares of inner villages and calling out villagers to come out and borrow books to read and return a few weeks later when the library visited again. The Midwest Library on Ring Road and the Midwest Bookshop on Forestry Street were among the best-stocked in Nigeria. He also created a special school to develop sports talent while not neglecting academics. That made Midwest State and, later, Bendel State top the medal tables of the National Sports Festival for several years. The state also contributed star players to the national football team regularly.
    For me and my friends, our school, CEC or ICE was a second chance at acquiring an education. It was an adult education school for many of us who had been shut out of the system. Before going to CEC/ICE, many of us had made poor grades in the West African School Certificate Examinations and couldn’t have gained admission into any university with those grades. Yet, good schools in Lagos where we could have remedied those results wouldn’t have us come near their gates, let alone admit us to write our remedial. Ogbemudia opened the gates of CEC/ICE wide to us. And we seized the opportunity with both arms and feet. One of its truly unique programmes was a three-year school cert/GCE ordinary level course designed for people with only a primary school education desirous of going further. That was the one Mr. Igharo qualified for. And he made the GCE papers which gave him admission into a higher institution in only one year after enrolment. He was already an adult at the time. So were many auto mechanics, watch repairers, refrigerator/ air-conditioner repairers, tailors and motor park touts, some of whom are now university professors.
    Go well, Daddy Ogbemudia. May the heavens hearken to the prayers I’ve been saying for you during my salat since I received the news of your glorious passing. Amen.

    •Sule sent this piece from Abeokuta, Ogun State

  • Random lines

    Some topical issues invite episodic interventions this week, and here goes:
    The cash fest
    Money, money everywhere and none to spend! That, obviously, is adapted from the stranded sailor in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, who was surrounded by salty water he couldn’t drink from. If you are an ‘ordinary Nigerian’ like the rest of us, you wouldn’t help feeling like this sailor amidst flagrant cash hauls that were made lately in the anti-graft efforts of the present administration.
    Early last week, security operatives intercepted undeclared N49million mint notes stashed in five 150-kilogramme sacks at the Kaduna International Airport. The haul comprised crispy N200 notes in 200 packs totalling N40million, and N50 mint notes in 180 packs amounting to N9million. All packs were sealed and labelled as issuing from the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting (NSPM) Plc.
    Latest reports indicated an ego war between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Aviation Security operatives as to who really intercepted the loot. But EFCC head in Kaduna, Ibrahim Bappa, earlier told journalists that the zonal office was tipped-off Monday night that during routine screening of checked-in baggage, the five sacks were found without tags, and “containing bulk items suspected to be fresh money from the aroma perceived.” He reportedly said: “The owner of the money later showed up, but couldn’t state the exact amount in the sack or present any document authenticating the origin of the money. His inability to give any concrete explanation made him become uncomfortable, and he disappeared into thin air before the arrival of EFCC operatives.”
    Cash hauls aren’t new in the ongoing anti-corruption drive. Sometime last February, the EFCC announced the recovery of a foreign currency stockpile comprising over 9.7million United States dollars and 74,000 pounds sterling from a fireproof safe hidden in a decrepit building belonging to former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) chieftain Andrew Yakubu in the suburbs of Kaduna. Earlier that same week, a Police panel that probed the December 2016 legislative elections in Rivers State displayed for media cameras tons of cash said to be part of N111.3million recovered from funds that the state government had allegedly used to bribe electoral officials.
    And about the close of last year, the Department of State Security (DSS) cited mind-boggling sums allegedly recovered in cash from some Justices now being prosecuted for graft during sting operations on their Lordships’ homes.
    It is noteworthy that many of the cash recoveries resulted from whistleblowing – a new trend that you could say vindicates the Muhammadu Buhari presidency’s strategy in the anti-graft war. But there is an elephant in the room: and I made the same point in a recent piece on the heels of the Yakubu haul that while it could be understood that these cash piles weren’t domiciled in bank vaults apparently for the very reason that they were allegedly proceeds of graft, it was curious how such quantum of cash exited bank vaults in the first place. I concluded in that recent piece that monetary authorities needed soul searching.
    This latest haul at the Kaduna airport reinforces the suspicion of insider abuse in the financial system, because crispy notes notching N49million aren’t the stuff that anyone picks off the street economy. Besides, the intercepted cash packs were sealed with Mint labels and have yet to be proven counterfeited, and these couldn’t have issued from the official money mill without complicity by some staff.
    The Senate hit on this same point in November, last year, when it accused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and deposit money banks of promoting illegality by sponsoring mint hawking on the streets. The red chamber also challenged the CBN to tighten its audit system regarding collation, processing and disposal of mutilated notes. Arguing the motion, Senator Mao Ohuanbuwa (Abia North) decried “a huge illicit industry (that) has been built around trading in freshly minted naira notes by certain individuals who engage in touting and hawking of the nation’s legal tender.”
    Noting that the practice violated Section 21(4) of the CBN Act 2007, the senator had said: “New notes that are scarce in banking halls readily get into the hands of illegal hawkers, even as Money Deposit Banks and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) continue to dispense dirty and mutilated naira notes to legitimate account holders. These acts cast the CBN and money deposit banks in bad light as the illegal sources of the naira notes in this illegal trade.”
    Bottom line: it will be a shame if EFCC investigation of this latest haul omits interrogating apparent lapses in the whole financial system. But then, the issue with cash hauls isn’t all about the system out-routing mints while dispensing defaced notes, it is indeed that there is extremely little money to spend in the hands of many Nigerians undertaking legit transactions whereas illicit cash piles are repeatedly being unearthed. It’s money, money everywhere and none to spend!
    Twice beaten, never shy?
    EFCC Acting Chair Ibrahim Magu was for a second consecutive time thumbed down last week by the Senate in confirmation hearing. Just as with the first encounter, the chamber anchored its decision on a security report by the Department of State Services (DSS).
    Talking conspiracies, the senators apparently had a head-up on where the process was headed, and so arranged for the plenary session to be transmitted live on television. But I think the theories placing the blame for that outcome on the chamber fall off the mark. Some senators wanted Magu hanged – perhaps so, but it was the DSS, a Presidency organ, that provided the rope.
    Magu’s ordeal highlights a sustained dysfunction in the Presidency. Because having been rejected the first time on account of the DSS’ report, the least expected was that the Presidency would reconcile its internal contradictions before Mr. President resubmitted Magu’s name to the Senate. That, apparently, didn’t happen. Now there’s already talk of Magu’s name being returned a third time…well, without reality check?
    Fake news’ ambush
    Tanzania’s public broadcaster last week suspended nine staff members after it aired a false story that United States President Donald Trump had praised President John Magufuli’s performance.
    The station had picked the story, to the effect that Trump called Tanzania’s Magufuli an “African hero” compared to other leaders who are “doing nothing,” off a news site called Fox Channel. The site reported that Mr. Trump made the comment while signing an executive order excluding Tanzanians from a travel ban on African nationals “from countries where presidents are doing nothing and those (that) have declined to leave power.”
    A statement by the Tanzanian Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) said editorial procedures were not followed, and hence axed liable staff. Director-General Ayub Chacha said the affected officials should have double-checked the information before broadcasting.
    I think we have some lesson to learn from this incident in Nigeria. Remember the viral story last year about Trump saying Africans were a lazy lot only good at making love? It’s not news just because some funny site reported it.

  • For Ugwuanyi at 53

    For Ugwuanyi at 53

    Today, March 20, 2017, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, is 53 years old.  The anniversary calls for celebration in thanksgiving and appreciation to God Almighty for His mercies and kindness to the governor and the people of Enugu State – the true heroes of democracy, who have continued to reap the full benefits of democracy. Ugwuanyi has, no doubt, come a long way on the positive side of history.
    It may be recalled that Ugwuanyi, during his 52nd birthday celebration last year, urged those who intended to present him with birthday gifts “to channel them to charity homes and orphanages in appreciation of God’s mercies and kindness.”
    The governor equally noted that there would be no activities marking the event, in the spirit of the Lenten Season and in view of the prevailing economic challenges in the country.
    While using the occasion to reassure the good people of the state of his commitment to good governance, the governor urged them to continue to offer prayers and support for the success of the administration, reiterating that “Enugu State is in the hands of God.”
    One year after, it is gratifying to note that Ugwuanyi’s philosophy of leadership anchored on God, vision, good governance, benevolence, humility and peace has remained unwavering. It has also ushered in a new vista for rapid socio-economic and political development of the state.
    One may recall a recent statement by the former Senate President and Chairman of the Constitution and Electoral Reform Committee, Senator Ken Nnamani, who said that Enugu State was lucky to have a governor who respected everybody irrespective of political differences, and who has transformed the state with the meager resources at his disposal occasioned by the prevailing economic crunch in the country.
    According to Nnamani, “I am old enough to say that we now have a person who has the legislative and humble background to be a governor. He has a listening ear and respect for everybody, old and young, in spite of political divide. The governor has been transforming the state in spite of the current economic challenges in the country. I can say that Enugu State is now working.”
    Governor Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwanyi, the Gburugburu of our time, was born to the humble family of the late Chief and the late Lolo Lawrence Ugwuanyi from Orba in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State on March 20, 1964. He had his secondary education at St. Theresa’s College (STC), Nsukka. He obtained his first degree, a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Finance from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); second degree, MBA in Finance and Accounting from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT); and third degree, Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Public Relations/Marketing from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). He had an outstanding career in the financial sector having worked in insurance brokerage where, by dint of hard work, he rose to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Premier Brokers, the then prime brokerage firm in the entire South-East geo-political zone of Nigeria.
    Governor Ugwuanyi started active politics in 2003 when he contested for a seat in the Federal House of Representatives.  He was first elected member for Igbo-Eze North /Udenu federal constituency in the 5th National Assembly (2003-2007). Subsequently, he was re-elected to the same seat in the 6th National Assembly (2007-2011) and again, for the third time, to the 7th National Assembly (2011-2015), serving a total of 12 years in the National Assembly.
    In the National Assembly, Ugwuanyi left a great imprint and an enviable record. Between 2003 and 2007, he served as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Public Service Matters and Deputy Chairman House Committee on Pensions respectively.  Following his victory in the National Assembly elections of 2007, he was appointed Chairman, House Committee on Maritime Transport (2007-2011). On account of his stellar performance as Chairman of the Committee on Maritime Transport, Ugwuanyi was re-appointed to the same committee position on winning back his House seat in 2011, thereby emerging as the first member of the National Assembly (both the Senate and the House of Representatives) to chair this all-important committee for two consecutive legislative sessions.
    As a man easily given to humility, kindness and empathy for   the lowly and downtrodden, the majority of the people of Enugu State and beyond were not surprised at his emergence as the consensus governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state in 2014 and his subsequent election as the Governor of Enugu State in 2015.
    Having spent about a year and ten months in the saddle as Governor of Enugu State, Ugwuanyi has continued to apply his vast experience in the private and public sectors towards giving the state quality leadership, even in the face of the current economic recession in the country. He has maintained his long standing path to vision, integrity, all-inclusiveness, accountability, transparency and prudent management of the state’s lean resources for the overall interest of the state.
    With the simultaneous execution of 35 massive infrastructural projects across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state geared towards taking development to the doorsteps of the rural dwellers in line with the administration’s peace and grassroots initiatives; completion and execution of other critical infrastructure in the state to modernise and create more urban centres; regular payment of workers’ salaries on or before 25th  of every month, which saw to the state’s emergence as one of  only three states out of the 36 states of the Federation that can fulfill their recurrent obligation to the workers; display of commitment to accountability, transparency and prudent management of the state’s lean resources, among others, it is obvious that Ugwuanyi is a man with a magic wand.
    It is on record that the governor’s godly approach to governance and sterling performance so far in office, in the midst of little because of the harsh economic climate in the country, have earned him commendations from respected institutions and personalities in the country.
    While the Nigerian Senate, through its Committee on State and Local Administration, rated Ugwuanyi as the best governor in the utilisation of the Federal Government’s bailout funds in the country, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, during his official visit to Enugu State, described the governor as a populist leader who enjoys the support and acceptance of the people, including non-indigenes, for his commitment to good governance and promotion of peace, national unity and security.
    On a similar note, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, also applauded the governor’s sense of vision, humility and commitment to God when he (Ugwuanyi) came to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), to welcome him back to the University to receive an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity (Hon. DD).
    According to Adeboye, “I was delighted to notice during our procession to this venue that the governor who has come to welcome me is a very popular one.”
    From the foregoing, there is no doubt that there is every need to appreciate God for the gift of Governor Ugwuanyi to mankind and to wish the governor a happy birthday.

    •Amoke is Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Enugu State Governor

  • Masari’s focused strides in Katsina

    Aminu Masari,the governor of Katsina State embodies the key essentials of a remarkable leader. He is decisive in taking very tough decisions, has empathy, guiding subordinates through challenges,he is focused,always planning ahead and most importantly is his unquestionable commitment to changing the fortunes of his dear Katsina State.His appearance belies the real Masari,that is blunt and never afraid of going against the current.

    Nigeria only took notice of him when in 2003 he became the Speaker,House of Representatives.How he managed the House,that has every semblance with Fuji House of Commotion,a soap opera,is a testimony to his leadership.You must be patient and accommodating to manage all shades of characters- the good,the bad and the ugly,that are called honourables. When Olusegun Obasanjo embarked upon his third term project,Masari,like Senator George Akume another unsung hero of the anti third term  war, were effective in crushing the coup against the constitution.If Obasanjo was ever guilty of plotting a coup,the third term project was undoubtedly the one he should have been tried for.

    According to Masari “If you want to exploit people, deny them education.And in the North education is being denied to the public because public schools there have collapsed.The only schools functioning are private schools,but how many parents can afford them? Secondly, the public health system has also collapsed. So now people have to provide water, security, education, health care system and every other thing for themselves”. In a fundamental sense this quote  encapsulates the consistency of his vision and believe.In 2013,when he made that statement he had two years before,lost the governorship elections to Ibrahim Shema.And another two years before he will contest and win the governorship election.But Masari unlike most politicians,who lack convictions  has kept faith,and is faithfully serving implementing these critical sectors.In Katsina State Masari is known as mai chika alkawari- someone whose word is his bond.He has the memory of an elephant- he never forgets.

    The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund(UNICEF),puts the number of out of school children in katsina State at over 620,000 and 55% of this number  are girls.Of this number 74% have never seen the four walls of a school and 5% are drop outs.The implications not just for Katsina State,but for the entire country is grave.The effect of our failure to educate the girl child is already obvious, in the unacceptable high infant mortality rates,recycled poverty and the low life expectancy rate.

    In 2016 budget education got the lion share of 22 billion naira,a clear statement of actions,beyond intentions.At the center of the strategy has been creating a conducive environment for learning – rehabilitation,construction of classrooms and equipping of laboratories.Increase in enrollment had put tremendous pressure on facilities and on learning itself,as the teachers are not just enough. Masari’s other headache is furniture for about 700,000 pupils.The Government Unity School,Malumfashi – open to students from the north,has been completely turned around.Same with the Science School Malumfashi.The ambitious model for Katsina State schools.For the first time in 15 years teachers who had been neglected were promoted.And more than 2,000 teachers have been employed, but it needs a further 7,000 teachers.Presently classrooms are overcrowded- 80 pupils,instead of the more manageable 35.Majority are naturally sitting on the ground.The decision to engage the services of the Ahmadu Bello University Department of Education to train teachers shows a holistic approach.

    Katsina State economy is agrarian,depending largely on allocation from the Federation account.Internally generated revenue (IGR) is totally non existent. Thus the only way it can meet its challenges is prudent management of resources and elimination of waste.And Masari hasn’t shied away from doing the needful. The first programme that was yanked is the Ramadan feeding Programme which hither to benefited only a tinny segment of the society.His conscience wouldn’t allow him in the face of the numerous challenges to continue the programme.He said “Can you imagine a governor that has not provided basic requirement of primary education, but is going to spend billions feeding people during Ramadan?Give them good education and they will find their level.” Thats the essential Masari that Katsina indigenes must contend with.

    The 2017 budget has a capital expenditure of 92 billion naira,of which a substantial part of it is devoted to education,health,water supply,security and agriculture,as he still has his eyes fixed on them.Key again is working with agencies like UNICEF,that has embarked on an Enrollment Drive Campaign.An estimated N120 billion is needed to turn around the educational and health sector.Katsina State has the highest maternal mortality rate.The reason why the government is tackling the healthcare sector. The 23 General Hospitals and 30 Healthcare centers are being given a comprehensive turnaround. Already the Katsina State Teaching Hospital,the target is to facilitate the establishment of a college of medicine in the state university,to address issues of manpower.

    Experience,not necessarily age can be of benefit. But Masari is combining both.The Masari Dialogue and Amnesty Programme was initially scoffed at by his political opponents who had over the years watched while bandits overran ten (10) Local Government Areas of the state, rustled cattle and committed all kinds of criminality and with impunity. When force didn’t work,he went back to the drawing board.The result was the surrender of more than 104 AK 47 rifles by the bandits,through the Amnesty programme.More fundamental is that the bandits signed off to the state governments rehabilitation programme.Katsina State is now a safer place.

    Masari fears a revolution in Nigeria.To him it is delusional to think it can’t happen. But is this what has informed his social commitment to the poor? Are his economic and social policies  informed more by enlightened self interest or self preservation?The concern seems genuine,considering the passion,with which he tackles the issue of job creation. To some extent the consequences might have also pushed him to continuously work at bettering the lot of the poor. He told the Ambassador of South Korea on a visit to the state “What we seek are simple machines, equipment and tools that can be used by our rural dwellers to make pencils, exercise books, erasers, and so on, that they can sell and improve their lives.” The Empowerment Scheme is also informed by this compassion and a perspective fear of what might be if their situation,alienation and deprivation are not addressed. He said “violence can occur and maybe this time, it may not be religion,but between the rich and the poor and the rich will be determined by the type of clothes he wears, the house he lives, the car he drives and the area where he lives”. A very frightening future if the life of the rural poor is not improved upon.

    Being a team player he has spread the challenge. His deputy has been saddled with ensuring that the agricultural sector is revived. The governor wants about 800,000 hectares cultivated.The business of government is making the inputs like fertilizers, good quality seeds available at affordable price and at the right time. With 61 water bodies suitable for irrigation the target is for Katsina State to become number one in cotton and rice production. He has commissioned the National Research Institute of Chemical Technology to build a tomato processing plant at Danja. The Danja Sugar Factory, is expected to commence operation soon. This will reduce farm waste, earn the farmers better money and save Nigeria the scarce foreign exchange. The Central Bank puts the importation of tomato paste at over 1 billion dollars.There are plans to construct a dam at Danja.So far 2 billion naira has been spent on rehabilitation and construction of dams.

    So much has been  written about the face off between him and Ibrahim Shema his predecessor.Masari from his narrative was pushed to the wall,by the refusal of the immediate past regime to answer questions about the finances of the state under his watch. He said “It was not our intention to set up the commission of enquiry,but the previous administration refused to give us explanations on the missing funds”. Before the former governor got an injection against the Justice Muhammad Surajo Commission the testimony of his Aide – de -Camp Shehu Koko of how he disbursed 680million naira to security agencies during the 2015 elections raises serious questions about the job description of ADC’s. How can an officer of the law be involved in disbursing money for whatever project.These are areas that moving forward the police authorities must address.ADC’s job should be protection of their principals.

    Masari,like most Northerners,believe in moving forward,so as not to get bugged down,but not in this particular case.Those close to him insist that the money involved is “just too much” for the governor to over look.The money in question is put at about 1O billion naira Sure -P Funds.His admonition to “Governors and local government chairmen who behave like emperors, doing whatever they like with the wealth of the people because they depend on Federation Account and not Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).” shows the depth of his anger.

  • CAF: Ahmad Ahmad has emerged!

    It has been clinking of glasses and celebration galore for those of us who wished and wanted the Madagascar FA Chairman to win the CAF presidential election days back (although I am an AIPS member, I do not have voting rights in CAF).

    I was just going through the facts and it’s clear that after Late Chief Orok Oyo Orok, Vice President of CAF under Issa Hayatou, no Nigerian has ever again climbed the ranks in CAF in Hayatou’s near 30 year rule.

    Yes Amos Adamu was next as exco member, but that without high position. Plus it was Chief Orok Oyo who helped get him into the CAF committee in the first place. Many years after Adamu’s unceremonious exit, no Nigerian has replaced his seat.

    And this is under the Cameroonian Papa whose claim was that Cameroun had been a long-standing ally of Nigeria and even helped in the Boko Haram war. Laughable! First of all, that has no bearing WHATSOEVER with African football; it is also annoyingly untrue.

    Look at it today  Cameroun is now out and Nigeria has now stepped into CAF’s board. I must say that when the tsunami that hit FIFA and swept even Sepp Blatter out, I had thought then that Hayatou was a goner. Given his financial impropriety over the years, I am still surprised at how he escaped. Issa Hayatou had 29 years to take African football to whatever heights anyone could have. Rather, in that time African football which was on a rise went into free fall from a golden age. The emergence of an Asian bloc in football, as well as other emergent football blocs could not galvanize Hayatou into action. Even until America of all nations has reached global football reckoning, he continued to watch Africa’s fall.

    For Hayatou it was all about sitting pretty and sitting tight. Well, Cameroun has a president that has changed that country’s constitution and has become a noted African sit-tight ruler; it’s his blueprint that Hayatou must have been following and nothing else.

    But with this election, Light Has Come To African Football. THE EMERGENCE OF AHMAD MARKS THE END OF CORRUPTION AND STAGNATION IN AFRICAN FOOTBALL!

    Hear Ahmad’s first words (paraphrased): ‘The first step is  we won. The second step is the Development of African Football.’ Ahmad’s tenure is for just four years in the first instance. He has promised to

    1. introduce a code of ethics in African football administration
    2. to develop and revitalize African Football.

    It’s a thing of joy and the dawn of a new day. We all can now lift our heads high rejoicing in the victory of an election that has instantly brought about Nigeria’s elevation. For this we say Ahmad Ahmad  may your tenure be most successful (and I’m off to Madagascar for the celebration!).