The Nation Newspaper

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  • Review of “Glitters like gold”

    It is unfortunate that we live in a world where lasciviousness thrives while considerable moral latitude and riotous living has increasingly becoming permissive in most homes in our society, especially among the youth. Pathetically, the consequence of such unrestrained lifestyle has invariably been detrimental to the victim’s original noble and highly promising goal and dream, which becomes regretful to a large extent in the long run. Clement Manua Adetunji’s “Glitters like Gold” is a quintessential of the consequences of youth exuberance as a result of negative influence of bad company. This correlates with the scripture: “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” (1 Corinthians 15: 33 NKJV). That was the genesis of Manua’s falling-apart-world.

    Being a true life experience of the author, the 79 page nonfictional prose does not only discourage reckless lifestyle, but also shows the omission of unwittingly falling prey to the trap of ungodly friendships. Clement Manua, a highly intelligent and extremely brilliant young lad, became victim of peer pressure at the expense of his promising career. By sheer naivety and folly, he traded his dream for transient pleasure. Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American philosopher and transcendentalist poet, puts it this way: “character is higher than intellect.” That was the portrait of Manua in the book. Though he was brilliant, lack of moral values almost ruin his life.

    The simplicity and clarity in which Adetunji uses the story technic style to admonish youth against the adverse effect of succumbing to peer pressure and careless living drives home the moral lessons in the book. The five chapter story book with practice exercises at the back of the book is a perfect picture of the many irresistible enticements confronting an average adult person in most society across the globe. “What glitters may not be gold; and even wolves may smile; and fools will be led by promises to their deaths.” ― Lauren Oliver, an American author. Oliver’s words sums up Manus’s gullibility that lands him in such trouble.

    However, despite the shortcomings in Manua’s life, he was able to muster up the courage to fix up the piece and move on. Hence the book paints a ray of hope that one can still fulfil one’s dream, despite past blunders. Allison Grappa Bottke, an American freelance writer puts it this way: “Remember, if you’re headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns!” Manua eventually turns a new leaf, which gives him the privilege to teach others who are or contemplating treading the path riotous lifestyle.

    Although the book is specifically addressed to young adults, it is also a useful tool for parents and family homes for teaching and admonition. Being an author, adult educationist and a linguist, Adetunji’s wealth of experience in the education sector adds credence and authority to this book, which makes it a must-read for every family and schools in today’s world.

  • Nigeria will be ‘fantastically great’

    There was a ‘fantastically corrupt’ nation to the extent that we did not spare ourselves the self-criticism of a near indelible image foisted on our sovereign nation by those who lost the track of our founding fathers’ vision for the would-be great country in the history of the world, yes!

    But to agree with the British Prime Minister David Cameron over his recent comments describing Nigeria as a ‘fantastically corrupt’ nation over a cocktail is the highest level of unpatriotic disposition any Nigerian can exercise against his own country.

    “Are we not corrupt?”; “Is David Cameron wrong after all?”; “Yes he was right indeed” are some of the reprehensibly disturbing comments uttered by second class-minded Nigerians who tend to absorb wholly whatever filth is thrown at us by those who will defend their own territorial integrity to the last, even while treading on a faulty policy or moral deficiency at a time.

    “If you are angry against your country, do not tear the national flag” is what I often tell Nigerians who get uncontrollably angry with their nation at the slightest provocations. We have responsibility to uphold our territorial symbol and defend our cause even at a time when things are in bad shape for our nation.

    Whenever I hold our national currency, I cannot but reflect on the labours of our heroes past who saw a nation that would thrive in the robe of greatness. The images of our heroes past are reflections equal to the ‘Statue of Liberty’ for America or the ‘Great Wall’ for China. Before we accidentally got to a stage where we were led by political small-chops and the weak whereby stealing was excused as no art of corruption, we had strong leaders who would die defending the future of our own nation. To the glory of God, President Muhammadu Buhari is restoring the hope we clinched on, believing that Nigeria will rise to its desirable status in the manner that has been foretold.

    As a collaborator is also culpable, Mr. President is right to have told David Cameron that doing the needful against corruption by ensuring no Nigerian is allowed to safe-keep stolen money in Britain is more charitable than his apology. The bottom line is while agreeing that Nigeria had lost so much credibility to financial corruption, yet the word ‘corruption’ is vague and cannot be used to describe Nigeria as a “fantastically corrupt nation” in its entirety. It is also outrageous for any world leader to continue to sink Nigeria in the abyss of very derogatory expressions such as the ones uttered by David Cameron in spite of the ongoing efforts by the current government to put the nation back on track.

    Recently in Britain, David Cameron’s family’s tax affairs came under public scrutiny in an allegation against the British Prime Minister’s tax offences relating to tax evasion after details of his father’s Bahamas business interests are leaked in the Panama Papers saga; and not quite long, the controversial British Prime Minister was confronted in parliament over criminal investigation into alleged electoral fraud by Conservative MPs in last year’s general election. As a matter of fact, Mr. Cameron came under severe attack from Angus Robertson who is SNP leader as lacking moral justification to lecture other countries on corruption and probity in the said anti-corruption summit, as published in the Independent of Wednesday, May 10, 2016.

    “Seeing as the Prime Minister is prepared to lecture other countries on corruption and probity, could he explain why seven police forces in the UK have launched criminal investigations into Conservative MPs over potential electoral fraud,” he asked at Prime Minister’s Questions.

    It is in the habit of Britain to demean its former colonies, a habit France does not exhibit against its assimilated former colonies. But who cares? As Cuba defended its territorial integrity against the United States until America came calling lately, Nigerians should stand against perpetual label with bad names and identities; so shall we!

    Globally, we should not forget that Nigerians are doing great. In all walks of life, Nigeria has produced very outstanding and reputable persons who have contributed immensely to world growth and development.

    That the richest man in Africa is from Nigeria with most of his investments localised is a pointer to the fact that our economy remains one of the most prominent on the continent. Professor Wole Soyinka, a respected Nobel Laureate, is a proud Nigerian; five lawmakers with Nigerian backgrounds are currently in the British Parliament; we are proud of Olympic Champions, best medical hands and exceptional talents too numerous to mention.

    Nigerians have run successful businesses in most difficult terrains and every corner around the world with conglomerates of business empires and investments. Among every five black persons in the world is a Nigerian, indicating our spread, dynamism and enterprise.

    The economic potential of Lagos State alone is more than some three African countries put together. The dynamism with which Lagos is being managed is commendable, considering its mega status and complexity; no one is therefore taken by surprise with the appointment of the governor as the Vice President of Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), an interest group established to promote trade and investment by facilitating engagement between Government and the private sector throughout the Commonwealth. This came shortly after he delivered historic keynote at the London School of Economics on Africa’s potentials for sustainable growth.

    While talking about leadership as major challenge confronting Africa as a whole, we must acknowledge that the role of citizenship is pertinent at ensuring all-round development. After all, a good citizen at the lower ebb will definitely make a good leader; all leaders we see today were once followers and who are not left out in the circle.

    Promoting what is ours and defending our territorial integrity at all cost is an integral part of loyalty and patriotism to our fatherland. Nigeria is coming out of this situation and will become a country to beat. If there is any reason why the masses are not protesting against the ongoing deregulation of the oil sector leading to increase in pump price of petroleum products, it is because of the seriousness of the current government. Together, we can make Nigeria great again by first realising that the journey to a new Nigeria has started. Let’s join the train so we can prove to the world that Nigeria can truly become fantastically great!

     

    • Olulade is a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Epe Constituency II

     

  • Buhari’s first year: an assessment

    Just a year ago, Nigerians voted-in Muhammadu Buhari and the expectations of the generality was a change from a visionless regime to a new but tested general, who had attempted to lead the nation democratically three times, but failed. However, through national cooperation among various political parties, who realised that their dream of leading the nation can only become a reality, if individual interests are swallowed for national interest; only then can they wrestle power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    So, the merger began like a dream, scorned by the ruling elites as a merger of strange bedfellows that could not last for six months. It however turned out to be the PDP’s Waterloo. By the time the party at the centre realised that they were living in fool’s paradise, it was too late to make amends. Even the trick of postponing the general election for another six weeks failed to save the President and his party; they suffered election defeat to the extent that the Godsday Orubebe’ effort to thwart the election like Ibrahim Babangida did to June 12, 1993election failed to materialise. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was swept out of power unceremoniously! Ever since, the party has remained in chains. Things have fallen apart and their centre could no longer hold even till date.

    Buhari has since been in the firing line. He is either being fired by the opposition for non-performance or he is being chastised for oppressing and suppressing the opposition with the instrumentality of the state; the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Those who are apolitical in their assessment of the presidency are liberally asking those that are before the court; are they in court because they were in opposition or they were in court because they have cases to answer? That is the basis on which this writer will be x-raying Buhari in the last one year.

    When Buhari came on board, he told those that wanted to listen that he intended to focus on three major areas in his administration; security, economy and corruption. Buhari seems to be saying, vision is the most desperate need Nigeria requires. That his vision focuses on the aforesaid three issues. That Nigeria is not in a hopeless situation, if only these three issues are well-handles. Buhari’s dream of a nation that can get rid of corruption and failure to do so will make corruption to kill Nigeria. A year later, Buhari might not have conquered corruption, as no nation can be totally corruption-free, but any serious nation must put things in place to cage and demobilise corruption with unbreakable iron cage, if progress is the goal. The question today is; how far has Buhari gone on corruption?

    Buhari’s War Against Corruption

    President Muhammadu Buhari has started well by digging out some can of worms, which no one ever envisaged would have been such gargantuan.  First, it was the Dasukigate; a scandalous security arms’ purchase that turned out to have been diverted into the hands of political associates of the outsted President Goodluck Jonathan. From the big fishes in the outsted political party, to the boot lickers in other minor political parties that needed fund for their survival and personal upkeep; from the top military hierarchy to the campaign managers and  ex-ministers, the billions of dollars of our oil monies were in daylight drawn out of the Central Bank on the instruction of the “Oga at the top”. Those of the thieves, who had not sold their consciences, have been returning stolen fund to the Buhari administration.  Those whose heart had been hardened are busy crying that it is only the opposition that is being tried for corruption, even when they were aware that the Senate President Bukola Saraki of All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing similar charges before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

    Buhari has successfully shown to the nation that most of the public servants own the buildings in Abuja and other big cities in Nigeria from the proceeds of illegality and thievery; that a director in a Federal Ministry was collecting N50 million monthly as salary; that a female civil servant owns over 61 buildings in our nation; that a former minister bought a wrist watch worth N20 million with our money; that soak away is a strong room, where our leaders kept stolen dollars. Buhari has exposed how our leaders multiplied poverty among the populace, as they kept laundering our commonwealth abroad. The President has exposed the wickedness of our political class, who lived in opulence, when our hospitals had no drug and our youths were left to die during the Immigration recruitment exercise, after they had collected money from them in exchange of death and frustration.

    One year after, Buhari has successfully embarked on a war on corruption, by asking the judiciary to give him free hands to prosecute the pen robbers. He has told the National Assembly that it cannot be business as usual; that padding of budget will not receive his ascent; that things must be done with clear conscience before God and man. Buhari has told those that bother to listen that not even any member of his political party will be spared in the war against corruption.

    One year into Buhari’s administration, we have recovered, within our nation, billions of dollars, stolen by the oil barons.  We have recovered back into treasuries, billions of dollars stolen on the pretence of arms purchase. Our foreign allies, realising the sincerity and commitment of the President on accountability, are currently assisting us to regurgitate some of our stolen-hidden wealth in their banks.

    Those who claimed that Buhari has done nothing in his first year in office were either one of those who have cases to answer or those who see his war as a blockage against their notorious stealings.

    Buhari On Security

    Insecurity and insurgency in the nation might not have stopped completely, but the dimension of insecurity is not the same. About a year ago, Boko Haram insurgents were in control of some parts of Nigerian territories, with their flags flying.  They terrorised and abducted men and women in broad daylight without resistance. Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi and other states in the North East of Nigeria were under real war. Life was made miserable for the citizenry by the insurgents. Millions of refugees were displaced from their homes. It was a daily harvest of deaths of the innocent lives. The then administration did not have the will to confront the insurgents. Rather than buying arms to fight the monsters called Boko Haram, our then leaders were stealing funds on the pretence of arms purchase, sending armless soldiers to confront well-armed insurgents and little by little, our soldiers were dying or fleeing from the battle front. Instead of doing the needful, the soldiers were being court-marshalled by conscienceless leaders, just because they wanted to keep their looted funds at the expense of the blood of the patriotic soldiers. Despite the effort of Femi Falana (SAN) to rebuke the top military officers for wrongly trying the soldiers before the court, yet, they jailed the innocent soldiers, but thanks to Buhari that set them free.

    Kidnapping is not yet over but there is a reduction in the magnitude. A lot needs to be done by providing jobs for the jobless youths and providing necessary welfare as enshrined in Section 14 (4) of the 1999 Constitution.

    Buhari needs to pay the security agents, provide them with modern training and be well-equipped for the job they are being assigned to perform. We cannot afford to use 18th century equipment to secure our nation in the 21st century. We need to emphasise to this government that security cannot be compromised.  Effort must be made now with all urgency to install effective and functional close circuit television in strategic positions in our cities.

    Buhari On Economy

    So far so good, the President has done his best to turn the economy around but not much has been achieved. Many reasons have been given, first being that the 16 years of PDP rule was too damaging on the economy; that the fall in the world market of oil price to a mono-economy like ours made it difficult for the President to make any meaningful impact on the economy.  Others felt that the rancour among the political leaders in the ruling party is a cog in the wheel of progress of Nigerian economy. Other were of the opinion that the APC was lacking in economic blueprint for the nation. Some hold the view that the President economic strategy is archaic; a command and structure that cannot work in a democratic nation.

    However, the China visit for economic collaboration with our nation on the invitation of investor on our core economic sector gave hope that Buhari knows his onions.

    There is no doubt that the present regime has faltered in the power sector and lacking in making fuel available for the people in its first year in office that have since negatively affected the welfare of the generality, the President must be advised to jettison the Minister of Petroleum portfolio, and face the business of the presidency.  The NNPC must also hands off importation of oil into the country and face the production of crude oil and strive to put the nation’s refineries in good shape. The people’s patience is running out, effort must urgently be made to reposition the devaluation of our currency, even when it was not officially devalued. The inflation rate is high, as prices of domestic needs products are skyrocketing. Buhari’s presidency has a long way to go over economy.  Salaries are no longer payable both at the state and the federal levels. And when a nation cannot afford the emoluments of its workers, it is a dangerous signal that such nation must strive to avoid bankruptcy.

  • How not to engage history: Lamido Sanusi and the survival of Nigeria

    Abstract

    In November 2015, I wrote an article published on the backpage of the “Nation” focusing on the relevance of the past to the present especially in Nigeria.  In that write-up, I tried as much as possible to express my disappointment and frustrations about the poor attitude of our educational policy makers to history as a subject.  This is with a special emphasis on the removal of history from the secondary schools’ syllabus.  My frustrations derive from the fact that historical consciousness cannot be neatly separated from the emergence of a materially and spiritually robust society anywhere within the global village.  The two must necessarily dance together.

    However, there was a gap in that article.  That vacuum will hopefully be filled by this new piece.  First, there is need to remind ourselves about what history is and why we study and narrate it.  History simply put, is an intellectual engagement about past events or important activities that have occurred in relation to an individual concept, perception, person, socio-cultural and political institution, geopolity or ethnicity.  This means that all historical narratives have to be logically rigorous and constructed so as to reduce fallacies, misconceptions, misapplications and misjudgements to the barest minimum.  Therefore, history coupled with its teaching (formally or informally) can never and should never be handled by anybody who is not prepared to embrace the principles of thoroughness or meticulousness.  In this regard, the narrator of history has to create an enormous space for openness, unfettered personal integrity and uncommon intellectual rigour.  This scenario enables him to navigate the often stormy waterways of the past with relative ease.

    In other words, the narrator must go beyond the domain of description as he dives into the past on the wings of indigenous epistemologies.  This entails the application of a wide range of explanatory models and/or networked paradigms so as to determine the causes and effects of certain socio-economic and political events, their trajectories and mode(s) of change in people’s behaviour or thinking.

    It follows from the above, that history though painfully, a barbarised area of human life and living in Nigeria, is a sensitive subject.  History has the capacity to build or destroy a system, region or nation depending on the calibre of the narrator vis-à-vis his motive as well as targetted audience.

    The formal or informal teacher of history must necessarily take cognisance of these fundamentals in order not to set a nation or region ablaze.  History teaches a lot of lessons including the capacity to engender a fine-grained appreciation and understanding of humanity across time and space.  This is a pre-condition for wisdom.  Wisdom is the pillar upon which the edifice of Nigeria rests.  Nigeria can easily collapse when this pillar is removed either by design or accident.  In the African world-view, elders are a repository of history and by extension, wisdom.  I believe that this is even a bio-social universal.  However, the sensitive nature of the position a person holds in society can be used to categorise him as an elder even if he is relatively young.

    The Emir of Kano  Alhaji Lamido Sanusi is a highly respected and celebrated person and above all, a foremost traditional king in Nigeria.  This eminent citizen of Nigeria has an enviable, long pedigree that has naturally made him an elder.  Consequently, his public utterances must be well measured at all times in order not to worsen the already very unfriendly socio-economic and political atmosphere of our dear country.  The learned emir of one of the greatest African metropolises should always remember that his statements carry a lot of weight within and without Nigeria.  This is not to suggest that he should not be free to express his views on burning national issues as a Nigerian that also doubles as a socio-cultural leader of monumental stature.  As a matter of fact, Nigerians need such cerebral natural rulers/leaders more than ever before.  This gains its relevance against the background of the fact, that Nigeria at this crucial period of our collective existence as a nation, is at a crossroads.  Therefore, all major stakeholders in the Nigerian project must realise that moderation is of the essence!

    Alhaji Lamido Sanusi’s historical analysis or narrative a few days ago, where he lambasted the Yoruba ethnicity and its leadership right from the eve of Nigeria’s political independence is most unacceptable.  It is a hate campaign against the Yoruba and it cannot do anybody any good, especially at this period when the country is navigating a complex, stormy network of problems ranging from weak economy to feelings of gloom and despondency among the Nigerian masses, Boko Haram insurgency and the menace of the rampaging Fulani herdsmen.  This is in addition, to the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shiite Islamic Sect.

    The many reported cases of Fulani herdsmen attacks in Plateau and Benue states.  The near-genocide case of the Agatu community in Benue State recently as well as the subsequent killing of several Fulani herdsmen and their cattle in Nassarawa state in reprisal by certain Agatu boys.  Nigeria is now gaining in popularity as a bloodthirsty nation where the sanctity of human life has disappeared from our vocabularies of popular discourse.  This is a terrible, barbaric image we have to jointly erase from our consciousness as a people.  From Agatuland in central Nigeria to the south, the Fulani herdsmen are maiming and killing innocent people in their homes.  Farms are being destroyed at Oke-Ogun in Oyo state, Akure in Ondo state and recently in Enugu.  Are we in the Stone Age period?  Although the Nigerian security agents are trying, they need to do much more to arrest this ugly situation.  Are we a savage people?  Are we saying that Nigerians cannot manage their affairs without resorting to savage attacks?  Are we a bunch of sub-human beings?  Definitely this country is sitting on a keg of gun powder.

    However, it is gratifying to note that the National Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association, Alhaji Kiruwa Zuru and some key leaders of the group are supporting the federal government to find lasting solutions to these problems.

    As a prominent/senior Nigerian citizen, the above problems and their solutions should worry Alhaji Lamido Sanusi.  He should leave historical engagements or narration to the gurus in the field in order not to cause more havoc to the already highly traumatised/irritable Nigerian people.  Innocent Nigerians who are being harassed for nothing in their fatherland need food, electricity, jobs and security as opposed to a hate history.  Nigerians regardless of their ethnic backgrounds are free to work and/or live anywhere in the country within the ambit of the constitution of our land, but no Nigerian is free to commit crime(s) without facing the full wrath of the law.  Cattle herding should not entail destroying people’s farms at will.  This reality underscores the reason why the president of Nigeria as our overall leader needs to work harder and faster as the clock ticks.  Nigeria cannot afford to have another civil war!

    The historical narrative of AlhajiLamidoSanusi was ill-timed and he did not examine critically the issue of causality.  The first “coup” in 1962 according to him was the brain child of the Yoruba and the January 15, 1966 one (coup) led by Major Kaduna Nzeogwu was also due to the riots in the West.  This is laughable!  It was a divisive approach to serious Nigerian problems.  All Nigerians today have to focus on things that are capable of promoting national unity and/or integration as well as sustainable peace.  An average Nigerian does not need this kind of politicking.  Therefore, politicians, natural rulers and their business associates should desist from insulting our collective intelligence understandably because the Nigerian masses (from Kano to Lagos through to Enugu and Maiduguri) have a common agenda  liberation from the bondage of economic and political oppression, repression and exploitation.  It is a pity that the Nigerian leadership class continues to use circumstantialism of ethnicity and/or religion in order to maintain the status-quo.  The Nigerian masses must wake up from their slumber so as to identify their real enemies with a view to liberating themselves from the shackles of material poverty and insecurity.  I submit here that most of the Nigerian problems and challenges today are enshrined in the sphere of smelly politics by our abusers.  They (our abusers) merely use the circumstantialism of ethnicity and/or religion to deceive the impoverished and traumatised Nigerian masses.

    • Professor Ogundele is of the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

  • The worrisome state of Nigerian economy

    I am prompted to write after reading the Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) as released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the month of April 2016. The report was released on May 2nd. For the purpose of education and enlightenment, The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI),  is an indicator of the economic health of the manufacturing sector. The PMI index is based on five major indicators: new orders, inventory levels, production, supplier deliveries and the employment environment. Going through latest figures, we will all agree that the federal government under President Mohammadu Buhari need to act swiftly to avoid the country going into recession. I am not here to apportion blame, but it is always necessary to point fingers at the man at the helm of affairs.

    Manufacturing industries represent a vital part of any economy. Bigger and more powerful nations across the world feel jittery whenever figures are rolled out probably it might not be favourable. I expect our leaders to do same after they should have gone through CBN’s PMI for April 2016. As a matter of fact, the document showed that Nigeria’s PMI went down to record low. Again, for more insight, a composite PMI reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing/non-manufacturing economy is generally expanding, 50 percent indicates no change, and  below 50 percent indicates that it is generally declining. Alas! Our economy is now clearly declining and at a faster rate. This should raise concern among everyone irrespective of party affiliations.

    How do we describe a situation where the economy has declined so low to 43%? This is the same economy that was at 54% in September 2014, I am concerned, out of the 16 manufacturing sectors chosen by CBN during the period of the research, only 4 industries shows a growing tendency. As a matter of fact, only cement industry shows a serious sign of growth on our economy, no thanks to Dangote Cement Plc and Larfarge/WAPCO who invested a lot in the sector for for mass production for local consumption as well as exportation. Contrarily, all other sectors including petroleum & coal, chemical and pharmaceutical products, furniture & related products, textile, apparel, leather and footwear and host others are declining faster.

    Since we all know what can be the last implications of these trends, it is high time we call on the leadership of our dear nation to rise to the task. Nigeria cannot afford a recession, as it is.  Poverty is already ravaging the land, hunger and anger have become the nature of the man on the street, homelessness, lack of access to good health and education etc. In all honesty, the new administration is trying in its efforts, but is it enough?

    To stem this economy from further declining, we need stimulus to aid growth. A number of jobs lost in recent months need to be absorbed back into the system. It is clear that the price of crude oil might end up fluctuating as it is today, why could our government not  spell out their plans for us at least to give Nigerians a hope of a better tomorrow. The major issue with any government across the world is the distance between them and those that they governed.

    The unnecessary gulf always leads to the non-balance of information, at  long last, the leaders themselves always pay but in a hard way. I hope President Mohammadu Buhari and his team will be humble enough to listen to know the feelings of their citizens and act fast before the silent dogs start barking.

    • Ogunseye is a UK based social commentator

  • Edo 2016: Ogiemwonyi is Oshiomhole’s worthy successor

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole has presented a template; performance is that template. Whoever must aspire to step into the shoes of the comrade governor, therefore, must show evidence of performance.

    Having come into governance from the private sector, Governor Oshiomhole has employed the must-to-drive and the managerial efficiency of the sector to raise the bar of development in the state. Of course, this immediately narrows down the choice of who should succeed him. That person must be a professional who evidently proved his mettle in his profession.

    Considering the achievements of Governor Oshiomhole in the past seven years, this means a lot, for whoever succeeds him. Oshiomhole is perceived in the public as an achiever and indeed a pacesetter in governance in this dispensation. His popularity rating is very high. Whoever takes over from him must, therefore, be seen in the same light, an achiever.

    The Edo and indeed the Nigerian populace would want to know. So we can see, that though Edo is our immediate constituency, there is also a larger constituency of curious Nigerians from all walks of life who have taken to the Oshiomhole administration and would want to know who the party decides to bring out and why.

    Who is, therefore, this new person and what are the qualities that he will be brining into office to consolidate on Oshiomhole’s laudable achievements and sustain his gains.

    This is why the intention of Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi to contest the Edo State governorship this year is most welcome and should be celebrated. Engr. Ogiemwonyi, a former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, wears a peerless and unassailable reputation.

    In the course of his professional and public service engagements, he is exemplary. He is credited with numerous philanthropic gestures. It is also remarkable that he is a product of the Harvard Business School.

    Engr. Ogiemwonyi belongs to many professional bodies, including the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He is a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and former President of the Nigeria Gas Association. He is a recipient of the Justice of Peace (JP) by Edo State Government and the Kwame Nkurumah Leadership Award. He is also patron to several bodies, including the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) and the Association of Community Newspapers Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN), among numerous others.

    Now these are virtues that would greatly advance and deepen the nation’s democracy. To be sure, it is not enough to boast of high sounding institutions with democratic tokens. You need men and women of integrity and passion to drive these institutions.

    Sometime ago, the former U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton declared that what developing nations need really to succeed and join the league of advance nations are strong institutions and structure of government peopled by strong men and women of character. She said this has been the missing link all along.

    You can’t but agree with her. Indeed, when you look at the course of the development of the U.S. itself, you would notice the blend of abiding institutions manned by those with near-flawless pedigree. They were not saints, but as a result of their passion, selflessness and commitment they put great performance and left behind legacies which their successors latched on to offer their own contributions in their own generations. After all, government, as they say in political science is a continuum. Edo State cannot be different. “We need a man of repute and good record like Ogiemwonyi to launch the destiny of the citizens to a higher level than we are at the moment”. Because of his service in the strategic public sector of the society, he can be trusted to deliver on two counts.

    First, looking at the profile of Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, he stands out as the leader and most experienced administrator and manager of men and resources. We can count on him to build strong institutions capable of delivering the much sought after dividends of democracy. This is the political talisman the American Secretary of State referred to above.

    Second, he has the capacity to transform the state into the one that will be worthy of emulation. This will perhaps explain why Emmanuel Gold Idehen acknowledges the fact that Engr. Ogiemwonyi’s outstanding quality has earned him the sobriquet, Mr. Integrity.

    He said: “Look at the United States of America. They need men like Ogiemeonyi to draw on their vast experience which beginners may not be able to offer. We need Ogiemwonyi as a governor in Edo, given his past where his ideas stabilise the polity”.

    The choice is, therefore, before Edo APC delegates as the survey shows that Ogiemwonyi will win the APC primary election. Edo APC delegates are no pushover. They cannot be deceived. They are not fools as some sponsors think. They have realized that giving Ogiemwonyi their votes will transform the state to another level.

  • Soun Ajagungbade at 90

    I wrote the first book on Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade 111, CON, CFR, Soun of Ogbomosoland in 1995, 21 years ago and in spite of the age difference of 27 years and the staggering difference in our social status, Kabiyesi treated me like an equal when it came to giving me my dues. He realised that I wanted to kill two birds with a stone: I wanted to make history as a professional journalist and at the same time make money from my trade through him.

    He asked me to contact his lawyer, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN)  who signed the contract agreement for the biography with my lawyer Kunle Adeigbe now a Judge in Osun State.

    After the successful launch of the book on December 26, 1995, he invited me to the palace where the whole financial proceeding was transparently discussed and he instructed that the cost of production of the book and every other expenses I might have incurred be given to me before we move any further.

    This open-handed gesture ensured that I had the financial muscle to procure state-of-the-art equipment for the broadcast studio which had been my dream since I voluntarily withdrew my services as a management staff of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State in March 1988

    The experience also explained vividly why Kabiyesi was such a phenomenal success as a business man at such a young age well before he came to the throne of his forebearers. He dispensed of my worries and made me feel comfortable in his presence. He was more concerned with the quality of the job and what I was going to do with the proceeds from the launch.

    When I was planning to write his biography I never told my father because I was aware that he was not a big fan of Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade 111 and he did not make a secret of it. However, it was to Kabiyesi’s credit that till this day, he never raised the issue with me. Rather, I benefited from his immense wealth of experience and counselling. He insisted for instance, that I must procure my broadcast equipment from abroad and wondered why people cannot go for the best in life. He loves to surround himself with quality; from his wardrobe to the ambience of his environment and the type of friends he kept particularly when he was the out-going socialite. Safe the mellowing of age, he is an Aristocrat to boot!

    The manner of his ascendancy to the throne and the events that surrounded his enthronement suggested clearly that as fair minded as he tried to be, Kabiyesi never shied away from a fight for whatever he believes in.

    Brigadier Oluwole Rotimi who was the military governor in 1973 when Ajagungbade ascended the throne told me: ‘’It was obvious at the time, that even if you do not love him, you learn to respect him’’. Rotimi was making allusion to the bruising battle he had with the Soun when against all entreaties and corporate threats, he insisted on wearing the beaded crown of his forefathers.

    The battle to stop him from wearing the beaded crown came from two formidable groups. The state military administration and some eminent Yoruba Obas led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi. Though the Soun was livid at the stance of the traditional rulers, he was willing to behave like a statesman and tried to convince them to see reason.

    He chose to visit two of them. Oba Aderemi and Oba William Ayeni Ariwajoye,the Orangun of Ila. He told them the parable of the antelope that took ill and the lion and elephant wouldn’t care less if he dies. The antelope appealed to them to save his life and warned that if they do not, the hunter will use his skin to prop the arrow that will kill them both.

    The parable by the 4-year old Prince impacted more on the revered Oba Adesoji Aderemi because in 1930 when there was tussle for the Ife stool, Oba Afolabi Bello, the father of the present Soun sent emissary to Ife in support of Oba Adesoji Aderemi who was vying for the stool with his brother Adewuyi and being a prominent member of Ogboni, the support was weighty.

    Dr Laogun Adeoye, a childhood friend of Oba Oyewumi who was also a commissioner under Brigadier Rotimi was approached by the Ooni to pacify his boss not to take any draconian measure against the Soun. The only trouble was that Adeoye himself was not favourably disposed to the candidature of Soun but he did as he was told.

    Adeoye, the first medical doctor from Ogbomosoland and staunch Action Group member confessed to me in 1995: ‘’Ironically I did not support his candidature in 1973 but with hindsight I can now say that his installation is a blessing for Ogbomosoland.’’

    The machinery to stop the wearing of the crown went on unabated on the side of government who deployed the state Commissioner for Local Government, Rev.Canon Akinyemi and Justice Kayode Eso who was then a Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal, Chief LAD Oyewo and Chief ST Ojo, both prominent Ogbomoso citizens to visit and convince the Soun not to wear the beaded crown.

    They met Kabiyesi late on December 13,1973, the eve of the installation. The discussion virtually came to a halt when the delegation said that government feared that there will be bloodshed if the Soun wore the crown on installation day. The Soun calmly stood up, went to the window, beckoned his visitors to come, pointed at the over one dozen cows under the tree and said: ‘’The only blood to be spilled tomorrow are these cows and my people will devour them’’.

    The contingent went back to Ibadan empty-handed but with a fait accompli which is that the Soun had gone for broke and ready for a face-off with the military administration barely three years after the end of the famed Nigerian civil war.

    After they left, Oba Oyewumi walked down the garden with a swagger to inspect the glittering black Mercedes Benz 280s which Leventis Motors just shipped from Germany for the installation. He paid N17,000 then for it. The monarch loves limousines!.

    With a wry smile, he went back to his bedroom and slept soundly.

    The delegation got to Ibadan before dawn and as they meandered the corners towards Moniya, Justice Kayode Eso went into a reverie. In January 1955, a young smartly dressed man walked into his chambers in Jos for a legal matter for which he was charged five pounds, five shillings (five guineas). He paid instantly and was about to walk out when Eso asked for his name: ‘’I am Prince Oladunni Oyewumi’’. They became friends instantly and the toast of the privileged Jos inner social circle.

    Justice Eso felt uncomfortable about the prospect of the installation and was jerked back to life by a question from someone in the car about whether the Soun will dare government. He answered resignedly: ‘’I know him so well, he will wear the beaded crown this morning’’!

    And that was what happened. Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade 111 CON, CFR donned his ancestors beaded crown on December 14,1973 to the admiration of the largest crowd that ever gathered for a single event in the annals of the community.

    Soun Ajagungbade 111 is the longest reigning traditional ruler in Ogbomosoland having spent 43 years on the throne so far.

    Kabiyesi, we are proud of you.

     

    • Prince Oyelade writes from Ibadan , Oyo State

  • Nigeria and Cameron’s corruption label

    Many Nigerians particularly those who are obsessed with the theory of anti-corruption and integrity would feel justifiably outraged over the description by British Prime Minister, David Cameron of Nigeria as ‘fantastically corrupt’ while briefing the Queen on the corruption summit which started in London yesterday. The outrage of such integrity driven Nigerians may not even be assuaged by the remark of Arch Bishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby on the same occasion that our President Muhammadu Buhari is not corrupt. In his words, ‘but this particular President is actually not corrupt, oh yes, he is trying very hard this one’.

    This outrage may have informed the comments of the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu to the effect that

    ‘This is embarrassing to us, to say the least, given the good work that the President is doing. The eyes of the world are on what is happening here…Prime Minister must be looking at an old snapshot of Nigeria. Thing are changing with corruption and everything else’.

    Notwithstanding, there are those who have argued that the comments of the British Prime Minister is factually correct even if not diplomatically and politically expressed given the long standing cordial relationship between Nigeria and Britain. One of such eminently expressed views is the one credited to Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a Queens Counsel (QC), Professor Fidelis Oditah who is reported to have said… ‘The comment may be impolite and it is politically incorrect because as far as we know, Nigeria and Britain are friendly nations. I don’t think it is good politics to make such a statement about an ally on the eve of the anti-corruption convention. Much as it is diplomatically incorrect, I think that the substantive content of that comment is generally correct’.

    It is against the background of the learned Senior Advocate’s commentary that I wish to focus my intervention in respect of this seeming controversy.

    I think it is high time we faced the bitter truth and confront stark realities of our circumstances not only in the interest of the present generation but largely on account of the interest of future generations and generation yet unborn.

    One may be tempted to ask, do we honestly believe that the entire world is not sensitized about the general happenings in Nigeria particularly recent startling revelations about the alleged massive looting of our collective common wealth? Do we need an outsider like the British Prime Minister to drum it to our ears that when President Buhari made the anti-corruption agenda one of the cardinal objectives of his presidential campaign, he was doing all of us a favour by reminding us the extent of rot and general decay in our polity orchestrated by corruption, the elephant in the room? Is anyone in doubt that the single most potent obstacle to our developmental aspiration is this monster called corruption? If anyone including an outsider reminds us of this sacred fact, do we blame such persons particularly when certain elements within our midst by their actions and omissions have labeled the rest of us in such negative light?

    I think when the issue of corruption is being discussed, certain elements who underrate the extent of its negative impact in our lives tend to trivialize the discourse by introducing unacceptable sentiments of selectivity, politics, ethnicity and such other primordial considerations designed to becloud the real issues. Now that these elements have succeeded in attempting to rubbish the saner and integrity driven Nigerians by their infamous conduct, the patriotic elements would now begin to take the issue of corruption very seriously and join hands with the Buhari administration in killing the scourge. As President Buhari himself declared … ‘it is either we kill corruption or corruption will kill Nigeria’.

    In realistic terms, is there any difference between British Prime Minister, David Cameron said and what our own President Buhari reminded all of us a long time ago?

    Seriously speaking, every patriotic Nigerian will agree that our society is faced today with a phenomenon of a general breakdown in almost everything – breakdown in systems; breakdown in institutions; breakdown in societal traditions; breakdown in ethical and moral values; and generally a breakdown in personal behaviours. Today, our society value system is seriously endangered and the element to blame is corruption.

    I think no matter our disagreement with the style and the seemingly acidic nature of the British Prime Minister’s comments regarding Nigeria since not all Nigerians are corrupt, the fact remains that the British Prime Minister’s commentary must be seen as a wake-up call on Nigeria to address this monster called corruption more frontally in order to restore the image of the country.

    Furthermore, the statement should also serve as a reminder that we need to join hands with the President and this administration in stemming the scourge of corruption. This is because corruption hurts the poor disproportionately by diverting funds intended for development, undermining a government’s ability to provide basic services, feeding inequality and injustice and discouraging foreign aid and investment. Corruption is a key element in economic underperformance and a major obstacle to poverty alleviation and development.

    Undoubtedly, proceeds of corruption as starched away in foreign countries including Britain. The British Prime Minister’s statement is a realization and this should spur him and other world leaders to cooperate with Nigeria in repatriating the loot occasioned by corruption available in these countries including Britain. Therefore, Nigeria should confront the British Prime Minister with his comments and request that in light of such comments, he should automatically donate his willing cooperation to Nigeria in the quest for loot recovery some of which are stashed within his domain. The British Prime Minister should on the strength of his statement which is a reflection of his concern for Nigeria, promote and strengthen measures to prevent and combat corruption more efficiently and effectively; and generally promote, facilitate and support international cooperation and technical assistance in the prevention of fight against corruption, including asset recovery.

    The anti-corruption summit in London provides a window of opportunity for the British Prime Minister to walk the talk on anti-corruption crusade in Nigeria.

    Fundamentally, the British Prime Minister’s harsh commentary should convince the rest of us that Vice-President Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN was right when he posited that we need a new tribe of Nigerians who must enlist in the anti-corruption battle including insisting on responsible, integrity-driven and accountable governance in our country.  Consequently, we need a new orientation, a new thinking, and a new integrity-driven approach in a new Nigeria with zero tolerance for corruption.

    Significantly, for us to win the war against corruption, we must realize that integrity is the first major currency in the anti-corruption battle and every Nigerian must purchase this currency if we are to move this country forward. Secondly, we must also realize that credibility is the second major currency in this battle. Thirdly, we must come to the realization that the change that will steer the country away from the path of corruption must begin with YOU. Unless every Nigerian realizes ‘that the change is in you’ and enlist individually and collectively in the anti-corruption battle, it will be difficult if not impossible to put the likes of the British Prime Minister to shame.

    Effectively, we must address the barriers to the war against corruption including but not limited to the delay in the administration of justice, dubious application of the plea bargaining mechanism; lack of political will; inefficiency of prosecuting lawyers; perceived corruption of the judiciary and poor implementation of laws and policies put in place to fight corruption.

    In fighting corruption, it will be helpful to be guided by international standards and best practices reflecting both preventive and proactive measures. Significantly in the prosecution of corruption related offences, emphasis should be on effective investigations; effective prosecutions; effective and speedy adjudications and lastly, effective sanctions emphasizing time lines, certainty of punishment, severity of punishment and instituting generally a regime of consequences for corrupt practices. These measures will include: requisite political will by the leadership, administrative reforms, institutional reforms and moral suasion targeted at changing the mindset of the average Nigerian.

    The emphasis should be on prevention, criminalization, international cooperation, technical assistance and information exchange with the asset recovery process focusing mainly on identification and investigation, tracking and freezing, confiscation and forfeiture, repatriation and return amongst others. These are the standards recognized as best practices in the loot recovery process.

    In conclusion, rather than descend on the British Prime Minister for his commentary, we should rather descend on ourselves. The patriotic elements in our midst who feel justifiably outraged by the British Prime Minister’s commentary should take consolation in the fact that we are moving in the direction of such destination where everyone may have to answer for his father’s name.

  • Ogun: Investors’ Destination of Choice

    You do not attract investments to your state by folding your arms and expecting investors to knock on your doors. You have to showcase what you have. It is equally not enough for you to advertise and ask investors to come when you have a bureaucratic system that makes it easier for the proverbial camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for a prospective investor to establish business in your state. And you do not advertise for the sake of it. If a system does not work or yield returns, you reform or dump it outright.

    Following the First Ogun State Investors’ Forum in 2012, over 40 major industries berthed in the state. After the 2014 edition, greater number of companies were established. These are multi-billion naira investments that have created hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs in Ogun State. In 2014 alone, Ogun attracted investments worth N690 billion. As far as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria is concerned, Ogun is now the industrial hub of Nigeria by virtue of the massive inflow of investments into the state in the last five years.

    What are the conditions that make the state so attractive to business in the last five years? First and foremost is the vision of the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. Without vision nothing can be achieved, even if you have all the resources in this world. The vision of the governor to move the state from the backwoods of civilization to the 21st century has resulted in doing things differently in the state.  To cite one example in parenthesis, the introduction of e-payment or cashless system suddenly raised the Internally Generated Revenue of the Ministry of Commerce from the average of N45 million per annum under the previous government to N550 million per annum (representing 1,122% increase) within a space of one year of the Amosun administration!

    Of course, it is no longer news that the current government inherited a state defined by insecurity. So the first step taken by the Amosun administration was to contain the menace because no sensible investor will bring their investments to an insecure environment. The next was to create (further) an environment conducive to investments by removing all identified bottlenecks that drive away investors as well as build infrastructure that will foster business development. It is apt at this juncture to quote the assessment by the World Bank.

    In its biennial report, Doing Business in Nigeria 2014, the global financial institution reports that “Ogun, one of the lowest ranked overall performers in both 2008 and 2010, is one of the top reforming states in 2014”. It rates Ogun, out of 35 states and FCT, as one of the five states “that made the biggest strides towards the national frontier of good practices.”

    According to the 2014 Report, “Thanks to a concerted effort across federal and state authorities, and in collaboration with the private sector, Ogun improved on three of the four Doing Business indicators benchmarked. The construction permitting system was radically overhauled, with the state government authorities decentralising the approval system and a new committee monitoring delays. Building permit applications and payments can now be made simultaneously in district offices. Private professionals issue environmental-impact assessments in accordance with the conditions and templates set out in a framework agreement. The certificate of completion is issued on the spot, immediately following the final inspection.”

    To begin a business in Ogun State, according to World Bank, “entrepreneurs no longer need to travel to Ibadan or Lagos, thanks to the Federal Inland Revenue Service’s new stamp duty office in Abeokuta. In addition, the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry abolished the requirement for a physical inspection of the business premises – today, a proof of company address, such as a utility bill, is sufficient. A business premises permit is issued on the spot upon payment of the fee. Finally, Ogun’s Bureau of Lands digitalised property records with the aim of enabling electronic title searches and making property registration more efficient.”

    In spite of the successes recorded so far, the Ogun State Government is not resting on its oars. “Since that 2014 Report,” said Governor Ibikunle Amosun at the opening ceremony of the Third Ogun State Investors’ Forum in Abeokuta on Monday, “we have expanded the Bureau of Urban and Physical Planning into a full-fledged ministry and have adopted reforms that fast track the process for obtaining development permits from six weeks to two and land clearance permits to one week. We have also established zonal offices in each of the Local Government Areas so that we can bring government services closer to the people. These partnerships will ensure speedy processing of our land documents (such as Certificate of Occupancy, Governor’s Consent and registration of titles). Our Geographical Information System (GIS) platform is being improved to enable ease of land management and services. With these developments, our Bureau now ranks among the best in the country.”

    The governor added that “To make it easier for investors to take full advantage of the vast opportunities in Ogun State, we are further expanding the services offered by the One-Stop-Shop that was launched in 2012. The One -Stop-Shop will enable potential and existing investors to go to only one office in order to process Urban and Physical Planning permits; to access the Bureau of Lands to conduct transactions such as land title searches, to purchase land and obtain certificates of occupancy/Governor’s consent; to access the Internal Revenue Service; to acquire land for agriculture; and finally to access the Legal Advisory Desk – all under one roof. The One-Stop-Shop will assign a dedicated officer as an advocate, who will ensure that things progress efficiently…”

    There is no doubt that Ogun State, under the current government, is taking giant leaps economically into the 21st century. It is indeed the “Emerging Economic Power House” in the country. What is expected of citizens of the state is to continue to co-operate with the government in order to sustain the momentum of development for the benefit of the present and future generations.

     

    • Soyombo, a media practitioner, sent this piece from Abeokuta.

  • With Abubakar, a new Bauchi beckons

    For the people of Bauchi State, voting for the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in the April 2015 election was predicated on a conscious decision by the electorate to open a new lease of life for the state. For many, the decision to vote for the APC was not misplaced as the Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar-led administration has continued to fulfil the promises he made during electioneering campaign across the state.

    For Abubakar, the wind of change that is blowing across every facets of the state is to enable the people see the difference between the 16 years of lack-lustre governance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the proactive mien of the present administration. He believes that his ascension to the state’s number one position was made possible by the masses of the state who thought that it was time to move Bauchi forward through desirable change that trickles down to the people.

    The governor’s vision is aimed at political and social re-engineering of the state back to its pride of place in Nigeria. Since assumption of office, Governor Abubakar has swung into action by first defining the roadmap to achieving the new Bauchi. The agenda includes a reformed and reinvigorated civil service that delivers service to the people. The current multi-pronged approach in reforming the civil service is expected to culminate into a robust civil service that meet people’s expectations. It is intended to strengthen the capacity, skills and capabilities of workers.

    The administration’s resolve to embark on a massive restructuring of political apparatus in the state is to ensure that all political office holders in the states see their positions as public trust, an opportunity to render service to the people of the state.  This new awareness will create the needed mind-set to chart a new course in elevating public service that works for the people.

    Expectedly this new orientation has brought about the much-needed team spirit that will galvanise service delivery in the state. The top to bottom demonstrable leadership model of Governor Abubakar is beginning to impact on all cadres of leadership including commissioners, permanent secretaries, directors, and across the state civil service and local government service commission. In Bauchi, it is a new dawn aimed at achieving world class service delivery, managing for results and a better Bauchi for all.

    The Governor’s leadership principle which essentially is “managing for results” created an enabling environment which has made government more responsive to the aspiration of the people. It is a leadership that frowns at flamboyant lifestyles and wasteful spending of public funds. In the last 12 months of being on saddle, the governor has remained focused on his administration’s set objectives. In line with his agenda of managing for results, the governor decided to cut down cost of governance by reducing number of political appointees to essentially those needed to deliver efficient service to the people. This has helped to save funds for investments in public infrastructure, education, health, water and sanitation, agriculture and other social sectors

    Among the milestone so far achieved by the governor is the payment of workers salary, which other states across the country still find difficult to manage. Bauchi has set template for ensuring prompt payment of workers salary. Governor Abubakar believes that prompt payment of salaries to workers is crucial to performance and remains consistent in delivering this promise. It is no longer news that under Governor Abubakar’s watch, three months arrears of salaries inherited from the immediate past administration was settled in what many public administration experts described as unprecedented. For the governor, the decision to ensure regular payment of workers’ salaries is predicated on the principle that a well-motivated work force will put in their best in delivering efficient service to the people.

    In furtherance of his campaign promise to uphold public trust at all times, in his inaugural address at Tafawa Balewa Stadium Bauchi, on May 29, 2015, the governor unveiled the administration strategy for nurturing a corruption free public service in Bauchi. The intention is to set a benchmark for assessing public officers and their fidelity to public trust. For the governor, public office is a trust which is given by the people and must be guarded with high level of integrity and transparency.   Following up to the strategy, he set up a Commission of Inquiry to review the activities of the immediate past administration of Governor Isa Yuguda.

    The committee which was headed by Alhaji Salihu Lukman undertook a forensic audit of all contracts, expenditure and appointments by the Isa Yuguda’s administration from May 2007 to May 2015. Governor Abubakar disclosed that his administration noticed that corruption had eaten deep into the fabric of state’s socio-economic and political life, hence his resolve to sanitise the state. He also appointed a committee for the recovery of all government properties illegally taken carted away by former state public officials.

    Through the work of the committee chaired by Air Commodore Ahmed Tijjani (retd), assets worth millions of naira has been recovered, while its work is still on-going. Other items recovered include monies worth millions of naira, lands and other properties. At the last count, the committee recovered over 70 vehicles, generating sets valued at N600 million, and  several air conditioners. For Governor Abubakar, the exercise is to instil discipline, transparency and accountability in the handling of public trust and government property.

    Another area of focus by the governor is the security sector, in view of its importance as an enabler in promoting political, economic and social development. The state government working in collaboration with the federal government and the security agencies have continued to keep insurgency at bay in the state.

    The administration identified with President Muhammadu Buhari’s undying commitment to defeat Boko Haram in the north east region. In partnering with the federal government, the governor has been engaging the people of the state on the need to stamp out insurgency, uphold peace across the communities, while urging traditional leaders and public officers across the country to promote national unity.

    For Bauchi state, a new era which began on May 29, 2015 will lead to emergence of a new Bauchi that delivers the goods for the people. The citizenry as the centre of governance will no doubt be better served given the framework being put in place by Governor Abubakar administration.

    Wholly taken, it is not difficult to see that the current administration is on a mission to restore the state to its pride of place in the north-east region and the nation in general. The governor is focused and has kept faith with the people through the numerous innovations he has brought to bear in the governance of the state. With his eyes on the ball, and the support of all Bauchi stakeholders, making of a new Bauchi is a done deal.

     

    • Bello writes from Bauchi