The Nation Newspaper

Category: Saturday Interview

  • WANLE AKINBOBOYE: Why I chose to live in jungle when I returned from America

    WANLE AKINBOBOYE: Why I chose to live in jungle when I returned from America

    As an icon in the entertainment, tourism and security sectors, Wanle Akinboboye is a man of many parts. As a youngster, it was fashionable to dream of greener pastures outside Nigeria, and he got a chance to go to America. But not sooner did he get there than he started longing to return to Nigeria. And upon his return to the country 12 years later, he jettisoned highbrow Apapa part of Lagos to live in the part of Ikegun forest where the Lagoon meets with the Atlantic Ocean. Today, Ikegun, his new home, is a luxury resort affordable by the rich only. In this interview with PAUL UKPABIO, he recalled the circumstances surrounding his return to Nigeria 12 years after he left for God’s Own Country.

    You returned from your base in the US to Nigeria when you were 29. Why didn’t you remain overseas like many of your contemporaries?

    I entered the US through Houston, Texas. From the very first day I arrived in America, one thing I remembered very clearly was that I was angry. My anger revolved around the fact that it was possible for some human beings to build their country in this manner. I was wondering and angry with our leaders that they had shortchanged us. I said to myself: ‘You mean it is possible for a community to be this beautiful?’ There was a place called the Sub-lineal Subdivision; a place to have almost everything you may think of? Life was great. From that moment, I decided that I wanted to replicate that in my country. So, from the very day I arrived in America, I started planning my return because I was angry with our forefathers. The lack of platform for us to stand on is their fault. The platform for tomorrow’s people must be built by today’s people.

    But you were comfortable while you were in Nigeria…

    Yes. But that day in America, in my mind, I said I must go back and replicate some of the things I saw, and I wanted to wield it around our culture. I had that level of consciousness. I was about 17 years at the time, because I thought I had seen it all in Apapa where my father’s and uncle’s houses were. In America, I realised that ‘Apapa Club’, which we used to know and frequent, was very colloquial. It was an extremely backward club when I compare it to the kind of clubs I saw in the US.

    Before then, I thought ours was the best. At Apapa, we went to Rockson Cinema. I thought it was the best cinema there could be. But when I saw what cinemas and malls looked like in the US, I said, ‘Oh my God! And we were there in Lagos with false sense of achievement?’  For these people to do this, their forefathers had created a platform for them. If you don’t create a platform for tomorrow’s people, we will constantly be retrogressing. So, from that moment on, I started planning my return to Nigeria.

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    And when you returned, you didn’t choose the city but a rugged ground away from the city, starting life again from scratch. How was it like when you got here?

    When I came back in 1984, what you called a semblance of development at the time was nothing you can compare to other parts of the world. Now, if you are building a house, the kind of foundation you create for the house is important and indeed critical. If the foundation is crooked, the house will be crooked. I felt that I had to go into the jungle. It was an economic revolution without the gun.

    You can’t fight a jungle revolution from the city. You must go to a virgin land where you can express yourself because you have no control over the human beings in the city, whether it is the local government that will try and stop you, or the human beings that will build next to you. And you can’t determine what they build. The vulcanizer that will set up his shop near you, you can’t stop him. So, you need to look for a virgin land where you are far away from them and where they will leave you alone. That was what I did.

    But what were your expectations then?

    I knew it would not happen overnight. It is about 37 years now. That is where we are today, and it is now exploding in franchises for empowering Africans that have learnt and watching the culture. That is what we’ve got to do. If America was not developed, we won’t be running there today. If Europe was not developed, we won’t be running there today. Africa, the second largest continent of the world, the richest continent in the world with 30.2 million square kilometers of area, 1.2 million square miles, with 1.2 billion human beings in it, should be the wealthiest, but it is the poorest.

    We can’t even compete with a country like Japan which has 337,000 square kilometers of area, and these folks can only use 15% of their land. Fifteen per cent of 337,000 is approximately 60,000. That is about the size of Togo. And they are just 157 million people. They did a total turnover of $4.9 trillion with zero natural resources. Not a single natural resource. We have it all in Africa, but with our own 1.2 billion people and 30.2 million square kilometers of area, we did $3.3 trillion. So, that tells you what is possible when the people are positive, productive and creative.

    So, we have such big land in Africa. Our land is bigger than even America, China and Europe put together. The entire United States of America is 10.1 million square kilometers of area. The whole of China is 9.1 million square kilometers housing 1.4 billion people. The whole of Europe is about 8.9 million square kilometers. All these put together are still not up to 30 million. We are 30.2 million square kilometers and 1.2 billion people in Africa whereas China has 1.4 billion people in their space that is just barely 9.5 square kilometers.

    Many people your age are still abroad struggling, but you’ve achieved a lot here. What is your message for people that are at home now and those that are still abroad?

    Let us start from those that are here, because they are the most disconnected. It is not about where you are but where your heart is and where your mind is. Many of them have a false sense of belief that until they get to Europe or America, their lot cannot be better. So, they can be in their houses and be comfortable and have a regular job. There is gold in their backyards; and all they have to do is dig it. But instead of doing that, they will choose to sell the house, and if they have the opportunity to travel, they do so and become slaves overseas, washing dishes.

    They have what I call American and European bug. Once you catch that bug, you stop being productive wherever you are. You are waiting till you get there before you begin to work and create because your entire mind is that I can’t make it until I get to America or until I get to Europe. Those that are already there tend to be more inclined to home because they are already there and see that there is really nothing there for them; that what they have here is better than what is there, and they are looking at how to come back home. What has not allowed or made most of them to come back is the shame of failure if they have not achieved something, because they know that if they come back home, people are going to expect certain levels and standards from them. That is what is keeping them there, and they are waiting and praying to make enough so that they can come back. But by the time they make enough, they are already in their 50s and 60s and are too old, so they say let me just die here. So, that basically is what you find. And all America and Europe make you believe is that over there is better.

    You live here in a resort. What would you say is unique about the place?

    If you have gone around this resort, you will know that this is the only beach resort that has grass growing on it. It shows you how fertile our land is. It is the only resort that has white forest. If you move around, you will see that the forest grounds are often brown or red, but this is white. It shows that our soil is rich because it is pure sand. Here, if you leave your house untended for one month, grass will grow on it. If you’re not careful, a tree will grow on it and you have to go and cut down the tree. It shows that our atmosphere is fertile.

    The nitrogen in the atmosphere is rich. If you go to some areas in Ekiti, Ondo and Benue states, you will see big fat trees growing on top of rocks. You ask yourself where is the soil? What is holding the trees on rocks? This is the Garden of Eden that was in the Bible. Africa is the Garden of Eden.

    Many youths have visions but complain of not having the required funding to actualise them. How did you go about yours and what counsel would you give the youth?

    I don’t think it is funding that actualises a vision.

    What does?

    It is passion! I had just $4,000 when I started. So, it had nothing to do with funding. You can have $1 billion, but if you don’t have passion, it won’t fly. Money is secondary. If there is a will, there is a way. When you make a mistake and say I want a billion naira or I want a million naira or N5 million or N10 million before you want to do a thing, you don’t want to do that thing. If you want to do it, it will be done.

    You are a man of many parts and many visions. Can you speak on some of your other visions?

    When I returned from the US, I told myself that I wanted to build a continent; not just Nigeria. So, I started continent-building movements, using Nigeria as my base with the aim of building the continent based on three tripods of security, tourism and entertainment. I told myself that security will be wielded around creating an authentic security company and changing the narrative. At that time, it was all about mai-guards and all kinds of retired civil service people that were just sitting around with no uniform or branding.

    So, we took the first set of graduates and groomed them. We kitted them properly and, based on that alone, over 10 million people have been employed because everybody has copied it. It is all over Nigeria. There is nowhere you go in Nigeria today that you don’t see a corporate-looking guard.  So, I told myself that with security, entertainment and tourism, Africa is set to explode.

    You know the entertainment arm: Atunda Entertainment. You are sitting in the tourism arm. I think also that with my American training and for my age bracket in those days, we didn’t believe anything was impossible. We believe that the only thing that is impossible is what you make impossible. So, I started with a focus on security, entertainment and tourism. And the three industries have been transformed today. I brought Africanness into Nigerian music, from Lagbaja to Onobrisky to Ara Thunder to Ara Wonder and Raphael Onikoko, among others. Tuface did his first performance at La Campagne with his Plantashun Boiz. The energy of that 29 to 32 years old man at the time is what has translated to a humongous music industry, security industry and tourism industry today.

    Do you believe that our youths can still do the same?

    Yes. The only major problem I think we have with our youths is the very little focus on the right examples for them. I think that is the biggest problem. Who do our youths look up to? It is the politicians: a local government chairman or a governor. I believe we have not shown prosperity in other areas. We’ve only shown prosperity in politics. Human beings gravitate towards prosperity. If they see a local government chairman in their neighbourhood who didn’t have a bicycle before now has five jeeps, they want to be like him. They tell themselves why should I go to school? I will also want to be a politician, a local government chairman.

    In the US, they did a survey and of all the youths they interviewed, out of the 1,000 kids they polled and asked how many of them would want to be President of the United States, only 2.5% said they wanted to be President. Everybody wanted to be Michael Jackson or Ted Turner or Oprah Winfrey. They didn’t want to be American President. So, until we begin to show them other examples, we may not achieve it. When I was growing up, the real heroes were the doctors, the nurses, the lawyers, the engineers, the professionals. Later on, the bankers. Bankers in those days were extremely conservative. It is only today that bankers are always on the pages of newspapers.

    It was their products that were popular. Barclay’s Bank would be visible supporting football. They would say we will take the Premier League and pump billions into it. It is not them showing their faces. And they don’t compete with creative people. Instead, they empower creative people. Here, a creative person will go to a bank MD and give his idea, the bank MD will go and form a company tomorrow and create a miniature, colloquial, distorted, disconnected, disjointed and ugly version of that vision because it is not his vision. Since it didn’t come from him, he can’t bring out the depth of the vision. The surface of the vision does not create the vision. It is when you go into that vision that it expands on you. It is a gift.

    You’ve seen other cultures and the ways of life of other people yet you’re still yourself: a simple man. How were you able to merge all this?

    Maybe the advantage is that I’ve seen it all. I realised that there must be a reason why you were born where you were born. You can’t be what you are not and you cannot be progressive by being who you are not. Your birth is your foundation. Any house without a foundation will collapse. Before you begin to explore the world, you must be rooted in who you are first, because that is what will give you strength. That is what gives you stability. That is what gives you the opportunity and the ability to compete with anybody in the world.

    If I go to England and I try to be British, I’m already defeated, and any knowledge, ability or creativity that I have will be under the person I am talking to because I am trying to be like him. But if I go as myself, when I get there, I will be talking about who I am, what I am doing, and I’m not going to try to show or impress him that I can speak his language as good as he speaks it. He is only going to look at me as a good imitation and adulterated version of himself. He will be happy and concealing his smile because it gives him an immediate advantage over me.

    The American economy is over $21 trillion. The Chinese economy is $19.8 trillion, almost $20 trillion. People are saying they are hiding something; that they are bigger. 98.9 per cent of Chinese people don’t speak English. They don’t imitate anybody’s culture but theirs. Japan is 337,000 square kilometer of area, 60,000 square kilometer of area is what they can use with a $3.3 trillion economy. They reside in who they are. The reason we are not progressing and we cannot progress is until we reside first in our culture and ‘cosmopolitise’ it, polish that culture and make it classy.

    You take advantage of your advantage and that is the only time you can have absolute advantage that will lead to an absolute monopoly. I’m waiting to see a Chinese man that will sing ‘Oro to n lo, e ba mi ki ye si’. How can a Chinese man sing that song better than King Sunny Ade? So, if you go to a World Music Presentation and the Chinese guy comes out and sing the song, who will win? The original will win.

  • Surajudeen Basiru: I bear no grudge against those who expelled me from university

    Surajudeen Basiru: I bear no grudge against those who expelled me from university

    Former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Osun State, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru is a lesson in determination to succeed in life. It was as if the whole world had crashed on him when the vocal, young, courageous activist student and his team members were shown the way out of the ivory tower in an unceremonious way many years ago. Today, he holds sway as a senator of the federal republic and chairman of the Senate committee on media and public affairs. In this interview with PAUL UKPABIO, he recalls that dark moment and how it turned round to impact positively on his life.

    In what ways would you say that your childhood influenced your current status and personality?

    I think it did in many respects. My early background has shaped my personality and what I do today. Ultimately, whatever we are in life is the totality of our experiences. I grew up in a modest family, had early education in Arabic and Islamic studies and also western education. When I was in secondary school, I was active in academic work and social life. I was a member of the cultural and dramatic society, and I left the school in the capacity of the public relations officer for that group. I also featured in many of the plays that we had then, which in a way honed my communication skill and ability to play distinct roles. I was also an assistant prefect, which also formed my early leadership experience. Though an arts student, I was the captain of the Mathematics class.

    After that, I was briefly at the Islamic Theological School before proceeding to the University of Ilorin where I was active as a campus journalist, member of the Fire-Point Press Club, where we published a magazine which built my writing skill. I joined the social and political movement on campus. We formed cultural and current affairs association, an ideological group where we reviewed books on a daily basis and made ideological discussions.

    I was also active in the students’ union. I contested and won the position of Assistant Secretary in the Arabic Students Association. In my second year in the university, I became the Assistant Secretary General of the students’ union and Clerk of the congress.

    You were also active in students’ politics…

    Yes. After my sojourn at the University of Ilorin, I was at the University of Lagos, where I studied Law and I was active in the Law Society as well as the student politics and the pro-democracy movement. I was active in the United Action for Democracy; Campaign for Democracy; Democratic Alternative and several other pro-democracy and human rights organisations.

    As a legal practitioner, I honed my legal skill in a top commercial firm, Olaniwun Ajayi, and later joined as a partner, Muiz Banire Associates and was eventually appointed as a commissioner. All these formed the totality of what I am today.

    Earlier, you said you went to an Islamic Theological School. Were you at any point thinking of becoming an Imam or a spiritual leader?

    Actually, I did that in concomitant with the western education. In every Islamic home in Nigeria, especially the part where I come from, we take it as important to ensure children have knowledge of Islam. We see it as part of growing up. Moreover, that was my major at the University of Ilorin: Arabic and lslamic Studies. Possibly, if I had been allowed to graduate, maybe I would have taken a career in Islamic scholarship before I ended up studying Law at University of Lagos. Yes, I might have been a scholar in Islamic theology, but that would not have meant that I would have been an Islamic leader. But even as at now, I get involved in matters of religion. I believe that being in this world means that we are here for a purpose and the purpose is to serve the Almighty God.

    What motivated you to study Law and advance to get a PhD?

    I will say that my studying Law was accidental; it was as a result of my involvement in students’ union activities at the University of Ilorin. I was expelled together with some other student leaders and we felt that it was better to proceed to another institution to pursue another degree. One of our friends just said, ‘Why don’t we study Law, since we had already studied arts?’ That was how we enrolled for JAMB and we passed and were given admission. At the Law School, I was the third best in my set and I won the Graham Douglas Prize for Best Student in Corporate Law. I took some time to practice before enrolling for master’s programme. I was encouraged by one of my lecturers, Prof Imran Oluwole Smith, a leading scholar in Property Law, to enroll for PhD, and that was it. Part of my thesis has been published as a book in secured finance law.

    Now that you are a successful lawyer, do you regret being expelled from the University of Ilorin?

    There are no regrets. It was part of learning. I did not do anything that should be regrettable. We stood tall to have struggled for the upliftment of education. I remember that one of the struggles then was the academic reform campaign of 1991. So there’s nothing regrettable about it and, of course, we did not commit any offence in law except that according to our letters of expulsion, it was about our predisposition to confronting the constituted authority. Whatever that meant, whether they had carried out psychological evaluation or not to have come to that conclusion. So there is nothing to regret.

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    I have in the course of life met some of the people who were involved as academicians and administrators in the process that led to our expulsion, and I have had no cause to bear any grudge against them. Rather I will work with them to build a better society.

    When you were appointed as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Osun state, what readily came to your mind?

    Of course, before I was appointed into that position, I had been doing works that had relevance to that office. And before then, I was Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties. Part of the mandate of the Ministry of Special Duties include Law Reform and Social Sector Reform, and in that capacity, I was instrumental to the setting up of the Citizen Relationship Centre in Osun State, offering free legal services to the people of Osun, and we were instrumental in resolving hundreds of disputes and recovering billions of naira for citizens without having to go to court. We were also instrumental in making legislation which enabled the state to access the capital markets like the bonds law, the Omoluabi Conservation Law which was very innovative, which gave the state access to the capital market.

    Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru
    Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru

    So being the Attorney General gave me a broader capacity and mandate to reform the law in the state. I was active, always going to the court. And every week, I had meetings with counsels in the chamber of the Attorney General where we reviewed cases and prepared for the week ahead. It was interesting and developmental for me and for the people of the state as the defender of justice.

    What was your most challenging moment as the Attorney General in Osun State?

    That was when I got to know that there was an injunction against holding the local government elections in the state. I was at the meeting of the Council of Legal Education. I was surprised when I got to know that an ex parte injunction was obtained against the government. I made my initial enquiry and found that there was no information as to whether we had been served or not. I think I rushed to the media to say that we were not part of the suit and we were not served. Eventually I think that was a lapse in the handling of our matters in the Abuja Licensing Office. Eventually, we got to know that we were actually served when the court asked us to show cause why the interim order should not be granted. Of course, we took the challenge and filed application to challenge the interim order because they were obtained ex parte, and also when 14 days elapsed and the order had not been elongated, we filed an application that the order had expired and elapsed, relying on the supreme court reference in that matter. Eventually the court agreed with us and the order was declared to have elapsed, and that paved way for conducting the local government election.

    It was challenging because we had to work round the clock to ensure that a democratic election was conducted at that level.

    Did becoming a senator come on a platter?

    I will rather say that the leadership of my party, APC, had so much confidence in my ability to deliver and the people of Osun Central also gave me the mandate to do so. It was a challenging decision for the leadership of our party getting me to replace an astute, intellectual that was the Chief Whip, Prof Olusola Adeyeye. But the decision was taken and the party gave me the mandate. We conducted a campaign that cut across. I recall that there was no community in my senatorial district that I did not personally visit. We campaigned to the groups, organised the students, youths, women and other relevant groups to work for our success and we won virtually all the 10 local governments and 110 wards in the constituency with a wide margin.

    You are presently the Senate spokesperson. What have been the challenges of the office?

    The Senate itself is a misunderstood institution, and that is because out of the three arms of government, the legislative arm appears to be the least understood. You will recall that during the military era, the first onslaught was always directed at the legislative arm because the military makes laws by decrees. Our people don’t yet understand the tremendous work that the legislative arm is doing. I must also confess that the previous House of Assembly possibly did not give a good account of themselves in terms of some untoward activities. So the challenge is to ensure that people understand the necessity for the Senate to also project the work we are doing to resonate according to the aspirations and yearnings of the people.

    Leadership also requires that you take some tough decisions at some times. It is not all the time that your decision gets mass appeal, so it is our job to articulate that the Senate acts in the best interest of the populace. I must also say that I am fortunate because we have in the 9th Senate one that has done tremendously well in actualising the yearnings and aspirations of the people and capable of galvanizing our economy and putting forward laws that will advance our society.

    People say that the present Senate president has curtailed unnecessary spending. But do you foresee the senate working on reducing the salaries and emoluments of legislators?

    As legislators, we don’t fix our salaries. There is a body, Revenue Mobilisation and Allocation Commission. They are the ones that fix remuneration and allowances of all political office holders, and i think they are the ones to be addressed about such.

    If you had not studied Law, which other profession would you have loved to be in?

    I don’t know. I am not God. God has a way of pre-ordaining our destinies.

    If you were not in government, which would you prefer, teaching law in the university or private practice?

    Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru
    Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru

    I have had the benefit of combining both: private legal practice where I practised at the top of my profession. I have had the benefit of working with leading lights in our profession. Even as a commissioner, i was a volunteer lecturer at Osun State university for about five years. After leaving as the state’s Attorney General, I was given employment as a lecturer at Osun State University. I had to resign when I got the ticket to contest for a seat at the Senate.

     

     

    What early memories in life do you recall from time to time?

    There are so many interesting memories, many that will be in my forthcoming memoir. Is it the travelling in a petrol tanker during the struggle against the military? Or is it getting our people in Ebute Metta to get involved in resisting the military dictatorship? Or is it the organisation of underground publications to articulate the struggle against the military? I have had so many stimulating experiences. I was also a great fan of live theatre in Oshogbo, which we used to campaign for Aregbesola’s election.

    What things about your early life would you have loved to change if you had the opportunity?

    I don’t think i would love to change anything. I have lived an enjoyable life, interesting and stimulating.

    What vanities of life can you not help being without?

    Life is a totality of what one makes out of it. As you worship God, you are also expected to live your life to the fullest, and that is why when we pray as Muslims, we tell God to grant us the best of this world and also grant us the best of hereafter.

    Which was your first car?

    (Laughs) I had a Mazda 626 as a youth corps member, and it was an interesting experience. I virtually learnt so much about managing a car then, managing clutch kit, cleaning injector head and so on. I have great memory of that Mazda 626 which was a green colour.

    What do you value the most in life?

    I value humanity most and the ability to impact on others, making people around me to radiate joy and happiness as much as possible.

    What sports did you grow up doing and have you developed new ones?

    I used to play tennis and football; what we used to call ‘set’ in those days that is the five-a-side game. We used to also do some small gambling with dice then when we were in secondary school. Now the sporting exercise that I do is to walk when my schedule permits me.

    What about music, what other arts appeal to you?

    I listen to every kind of music, traditional, pop, reggae and so on, depending on the circumstance. I don’t restrict myself to a particular one. I like Obesere, Haruna Ishola, Ayinla Omowura, Fela, Bob Marley, Don Williams and so on.

  • One lawyer’s bid to remake public school libraries

    One lawyer’s bid to remake public school libraries

    Legal practitioner and writer, Olamide Adeleye, is on a mission beyond the courtroom. After chaperoning the cause of women for over a decade, she is taking the fight to the classrooms. Moved by the dwindling reading culture among children, Adeleye has created online bookstore through her law firm for the purpose of diverting profit to innovate public school libraries. Evelyn Osagie writes.

    OLAMIDE Adeleye is a lawyer and writer who is passionate about young Nigerians and indigent children in the society. Moved by a dwindling reading culture among the young, Adeleye, who is also the principal counsel of YBA and Co Solicitors, has created an online bookshop for the purpose of diverting profit to renovate public school libraries.

    A mission to raise thought leaders

    The legal practitioner has undertaken a mission to raise thought leaders by helping the young and students, especially the public school pupils, to develop their reading habit and love for books through her law firm’s corporate social responsibility (CSR), ‘Bargain Books Najia’.

    “There is a dearth of reading amongst the typical Nigerian children you come across every day; however, they cannot be blamed for this, because the books are not readily available, and the available ones are not accessible to the regular Nigerian child.

    “Readers are leaders! How can they lead effectively if there is nothing to stimulate their intellect? Reading will stimulate and challenge their thinking abilities and bring out their inventiveness. Bargain Books Naija is on a mission to raise thought leaders from communities and give every child an opportunity to be all they aspire to be, also raising the standard of the nation and enlightening children to bring light to the society. This, in effect, will help them to prioritise reading, imbibe good reading habits and boost their reading skills, while at the same time preparing them to be better citizens,” she said.

    Adeleye, who signs her poems/artworks with her initials, OBA, is a poet and pastor. The mother of two and wife of Olajide Adeleye graduated from the University of Ibadan in 2000, and was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2002.

    As a barrister-at-law and chartered arbitrator, she currently has been engaged in active consultancy and solicitor’s work and runs her own legal practice: YBA & Co. Solicitors, Lagos, where she is Principal Counsel.

    Although passionate about helping women to acquire the drive to thrive, and not to simply survive in all spheres of life; she is equally passionate about seeking ways to ensure that the indigent children in the community are also being given opportunities to thrive and not remain neglected.

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    “The work is endless, and we must sacrifice ourselves unstintingly for this cause; compared to their UK and USA counterparts, our children fall short in reading and learning. I felt really bad that if this can be happening in schools where parents pay a lot – it is even worse in the public schools. And the lack of libraries has not helped matters.

    “This is what encouraged me to start bargain books. I want to help society and develop the reading habit of young Nigerians; and to expose and make them innovators/content providers through reading, instead of me complaining about corruption, insecurity and kidnapping in the nation. We collect books that are still in top shape and donate to an identified public school. We organise book fairs to help make reading more popular and affordable in the society; and exhibitions for the sole purpose of raising funds to build libraries for public schools.”

     

    A launch to build public libraries

    The initiative, which already exists as an online bookshop with over 500 books, was formally launched last Sunday. It was also a fundraiser for its renovation projects, featuring an exhibition, novels for sale at cheap prices, raffle draw and cocktail.

    Olamide Adeleye
    Olamide Adeleye

    The soft jazz music welcomed guests in the exotic ambiance of Aqua27 plaza, Chevron Drive, where the event took place. On display were 51 crested pieces of poetry, like visual artworks on frames. It was a fluidic setting that flowed from one floor to the next, allowing guests to have a feel of art in its finest form.

    “When you look at the framed poems on your wall, let it remind you of how you are helping a child become all they have been created to be, for the betterment of the society, a future you have helped set straight,” she explained.

    In attendance were art collectors and enthusiasts, including the Apostle Busola Jegede of Daughters of Destiny Ministry.

    Speaking on her source of inspiration, Adeleye said: “My children are the inspiration behind this idea; they are privileged to attend one of the best schools in the world where they have access to the best material academically. As far as back when they were in the crèche, the British school will insist that they must go home with a book a day till they graduated.

    “That really helped the children to develop the habit of reading at an early stage. Getting back to the country, we found out that even the best schools here do not mandate a book a day system. Instead, they use the library to get a book for a week, probably because of the scarcity of books.

    She linked the poor reading culture to lack of public libraries; while urging government and school managers to establish libraries. “Seeing how the book-a-day system really helped the children to develop the habit of reading at an early stage, I came to the opinion that if the reading culture among our wards is to be helped and improved, the government should establish public libraries in different local governments and in public schools. School managers should also create libraries in their schools that would be stocked with educational and creative literature. But let’s not leave them alone. Every day, we must take actions compatible and consistent with our dreams and aspirations for our society, thus leaving trails of hope for our children and the generations after them,” she stated.

    At the launch was the President, Old Student Association, St. David’s Anglican Primary School. An ex-student who represented the school, said: “One can only imagine the number of children whose reading habits would change after the library is established.  I commend the initiative and the initiator for their concerns and willingness to help the school and its students in developing their reading habit.”

  • PIA designed to further marginalise Niger Delta -Ijaw leader Okaba

    PIA designed to further marginalise Niger Delta -Ijaw leader Okaba

    As the controversy over the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) just signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari rages,the President, Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba says that contrary to claims in some quarters, the act is aimed at intensifying and expanding “ the degree and scope of denial of our people’s right to resource justice, equity and sustainable livelihood.”Okaba speaks on the law and other issues in this interview with Mike Odiegwu and Simon Utebor.

    WHAT is the grouse of the Niger Delta about the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB)?

    It is a truism that every patriotic Ijaw, home and in the diaspora and all well-informed, well-meaning and lovers of the Niger Delta region are deeply saddened by the recent passage/assent to the PIB.

    This singular act has been condemned and described as a painful slap on the sensitivity of the people of the entire Niger Delta who have suffered several decades of environmental and human degradation resulting from the aftermath of oil and gas production.

    It also seen as a show of ingratitude to a people who bear the cost and losses of oil and gas production which accounts for 80% of the source of survival, peace and development of this country.

    The major grouse of the people centers around the ignominy and disdain accorded the loud cry and consistent demand for minimum of 10% as against the 3% approved as host community trust fund, proper operationalization of the term ‘Host Communities’ to be limited to the places that are directly impacted by the activities of oil and gas production and not to be extended to everywhere as far as Niger Republic where oil pipelines are routed through, the allocation of 30% to frontier basins, none of which is in the region, the need to unbundle the NNPC, and provide a profitable, transparent and accountable process of its privatisation and commercialisation, making provision for remediation of the impacted environment  and the many other infractions on the 1999 Constitution (Section 162) that denies the state, LGAs, major stakeholders, oil bearing communities and the suffering masses of the ljaws  and the Niger Delta region.

    This insensitivity to the yearnings of the suffering Ijaw people shows that our ill-feelings and agitations against criminal exploitation, human and environmental degradation and gross underdevelopment in spite of our rich God given resources are inconsequential because of the minority status we suffer in the Nigerian contraption.

    It is our conviction that the Act in its entirety was never intended to reform the oil sector, the NNPC and develop the Niger Delta as claimed  by state apologists. It is an exercise to rob Peter (Ijaw and the Niger Delta) to pay Paul and intensify and expand the degree and scope of denial of our people’s right to resource justice, equity and sustainable livelihood.

    Now that the PIB has become law, what is the next line of action for the host communities and others in the zone who are unhappy with the passage?

    The Ijaw National Congress (INC) is currently weighing several options open to it as a people and after due consultations, engagement and interfacing with other relevant stakeholders in the region, will definitely come up with a position. Meanwhile, we continue to raise concerns on the attention of the local and international communities to some salient nagging questions that need to be attended to by proponents of this act. Is oil and gas exploration no longer a purely commercial venture executed at the cost of the interest of the business companies? What now happens to the original finance framework of 40% (FGN) 35% (IOCs) counterparts funding? What will the states with 0% contribution to oil and gas contribute to funding the frontier oil basins in their respective domains? Is there any reasonable justification to apply the resources of the region to fund all the exploration of oil and gas for the benefit of the entire country and giving a paltry 3% to mitigate the perennial problems of the host communities?

    Why is the gold and other solid mineral resources discovered and exploited in other parts of the country not appropriated in like manner, to disprove the claim that what belongs to Ijaw and the Niger Delta, belongs to all, but what belongs to people in other parts of Nigeria belongs to them, e.g the Gold in Zamfara?

    ‘Sylva, others working against our collective interest’

    What is your reaction to people like Timipre Sylva who argue that 3% is better than nothing?

    Without trying to personalise issues, we express no surprise at the actions, involvement and defence of the characters you are referring to. Their stance on Ijaw matters and the Niger Delta are well known by the people. As far as we are concerned, they have offered themselves as the willing horses to patronise the interest of their paymasters even to the detriment of their suffering brothers and sisters.

    The defence and justification of the PIA by these characters is not just considered as a smart overthought but a politically motivated act to advance their personal schemes and those of their allies in the oil industry against their people, whose interest they should have naturally defended if they were true patriots of Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta. Their starting point should be 50% derivation as it was the practice in years past. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

    The Ijaw people have been persistent in the quest for the restructuring of Nigeria. How much of support will you say they have been enjoying from other ethnic nationalities?

    It has become very obvious that the few but influential Nigerians who are vehemently opposed to restructuring are the real enemies of our nation’s progress, mutual and accelerated growth, peaceful coexistence and sustainable development. A glossary reflection on the state of the Nigerian  nation from every sector including  the economy/exchange rate, unemployment, health care delivery, provision of basic amenities, institutional growth and stability and insecurity shows a steady decline in general performance  index. Hence, we see restructuring as the needed magic wand that will restore normalcy, competitive progress and harmonious coexistence of the Nigerian people, even in our diversity.

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    The advocacy for resource control is increasingly becoming the business of all (except the privileged and biased few) across regional ties.

    The INC will continue to press harder for Restructuring, Resource Ownership and Management. The issues surrounding the PIA, the anticipated Water Resources Bill and refusal of the state to address several obnoxious clauses in the 1999 Constitution have given us a clearer picture of our stake in the Nigerian contraption and further justification for a more rigorous push for self-determination and self-actualisation.

    Trust is critical in the struggle. Yet we can’t rule out mutual suspicions and rivalry when you have many groups locked in a fight like this.Has there been any occasion when you begin to fear whether you’ve not embarked on a fruitless exercise?

    Generally, people adapt to changes in phases according to their level of understanding, commitment and their individual and collective sentiments. Though we enjoy overwhelming support from and outside our people, we have also experienced some levels of betrayal and even attacks on issues that are of common benefits to all and sundry maybe due to lack of understanding or for selfish purposes.

    We consider all of these as normal and a learning process and are therefore not discouraged or distracted. Instead we are more focused and determined to deliver on the mandate of our people to drive and champion this tortuous journey of our emancipation with greater vigor and tact than ever before. We are further encouraged by the emergence of many Pan Niger Delta groups such as FENND, PANDEF, Advocates for Peace and Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta, Niger Delta Environmental Rights Group etc. All speaking with one voice on the critical Niger Delta question and particularly announcing to our distractors that those who are making restructuring impossible are simply increasing the volume of the cries of frustration and marginalisation. They are equally making the pursuit of secession inevitable.

    What sort of federation do the Ijaw or the Southsouth people desire? How much power are they willingly to concede to the centre?

    We remain resolute and committed to our age-long demand for a truly restructured country with conditions that guarantee resources Ownership and Management based on the minimum 50% derivation as was practised before the ugly political transition to Unitary cum Pseudo-unitary/Federalism, rentier, self-seeking jaundiced political arrangement. We are confident that the drastic reduction of the Exclusive List to certain core areas of national interest and identity as Aviation, Customs and Immigration, National  Currency would help build a more responsible, creative, adventurous, competitive and productive federation units that will promptly address the daily but basic needs and aspirations of the people. There can’t be a better way of frontally addressing Nigeria’s problem of banditry, kidnapping and other forms of economic sabotage, than through community policing as entrenched in the various submissions on Restructuring by state and non-state actors.

    The Southern governors recently agreed to ban open grazing but the Gombe Governor wonders where the South wants herders to go. In your view, what is the way out of the incessant misunderstanding/quarrels over open grazing?

    Pastoralism is not a new form of business enterprise in this part of the world but dates as far back as into Pre-Colonial Nigeria. Until recently, it was practiced even in Nigeria without infringing on the lives and properties of others, herdsmen and non-herdsmen alike; in fact crop farmers, herdsmen and other businessmen lived together under conditions of mutual trust and respect for their respective values, cultures, interests, human and environmental rights. Examples of communities where herdsmen, farmers and other businesses lived together abound in many parts of this country.

    Today, the crises associated with open grazing are becoming increasingly overwhelming. Several cases of banditry, kidnapping, outright destruction of communities have been linked to the terrorising forces of herdsmen. The display of impunity for evil by these herdsmen gives credence to the suspicion of a hidden agenda to run over, capture and annex the entire Southern Nigeria. The imperative to treat the cow business as a purely commercial venture and deal with the critical security issues associated with their monstrous activities are counted among the reasons for the decision to place a ban on open grazing. We are living witnesses to the ravenous activities of herdsmen who move around freely with sophisticated weapons and attack indigenes with or without provocation. We therefore support the ban on open grazing and encourage the Governors of the South-South to individually and collectively ensure strict compliance, in order to guarantee the safety of their people.

    The way out of the incessant misunderstanding over the issue of open grazing is for the Federal Government to enact policies that would deal with open grazing as a purely economic business whose cost of operations and modus operandi must be in tandem with the principles of mutual respect and protection of the lives and interests of the herdsmen, farmers and others whose sources of livelihood do not fall within this bracket. The federal government’s tacit support for open grazing might be inimical to peaceful coexistence and advancement of the Nigerian Project on unity, justice and equity.

    Insecurity, especially kidnapping, has become a major problem across the country today. How can we as a people and as a nation, pull out of it?

    The issues of kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality have posed major security and development challenges to us as a people. The relationship between security and underdevelopment on the other hand becomes clearer when we understand Nigeria’s ranking as one of the most unsafe countries as well as the poverty capital of the world. Getting out of this quagmire will require a conscious and strategic fight against corruption, revolutionary transformation and strengthening of our currently weakened core institutions – economy, education, judiciary, governance and leadership structure etc. Ethical and moral revival, that  teaches and inculcates our core values of human dignity, integrity, dignity in labour and entrepreneurship should be taken more seriously at all segments and sectors in society, be it family, business, politics, and religious organisations.

    The Federal Government and the Kaduna State government are strongly opposed to paying ransom to kidnappers. Are they right in your opinion?

    This question does not require a yes or no answer. It is one thing to say no to payments of ransom and yet another more compelling imperative  to possess and utilise the appropriate intelligence and operational machinery to nose out, prevent and rescue citizens from the devilish hands of kidnappers. It is the suspicion of the lack of the above that creates serious anxiety and tension among family members of victims who would, even if government says otherwise source for and pay the ransom to free their loved ones from further danger and possible loss of lives.

    What future does Nigeria have?

    The future of Nigeria is pregnant with a lot of possibilities for good and for bad. The prospect of a more united, stronger and viable Nigeria squarely lies on the ability of the present APC administration, to a large extent, and the rest of us to, in our different ways, begin to address the multidimensional problems and challenges facing us as Nigerians.

    Moving forward, the views of the masses and their aspirations should be considered very seriously. State policies and programmes, including distribution of development infrastructure and social amenities and appointments, should be done in such a manner that reflects Federal Character and our Unity in Diversity.

    Nigeria’s political culture currently undergoing review in the National Assembly should be taken seriously to the extent of revisiting the e-voting debate.

    Leadership is key in all of this. It should be seen as a civil responsibility by all Nigerians to put aside primordial sentiments and support the emergence of leaders at all levels of governance who possess the capacity to deliver the dividends of democracy to all Nigerians without prejudice to ethno-religious and class consideration. We should expect a bleak future, if we pay deaf ears to the clarion call to restructuring, resource control and resource justice.

  • TONYE PRINCEWILL: Why I decided never to fly first class again

    TONYE PRINCEWILL: Why I decided never to fly first class again

    Prince Tonye Princewill, a former governorship candidate of two political parties in Rivers State, is a man of many parts. He is a Petroleum engineer, a businessman, a philanthropist and a movie producer. The chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), who hails from Buguma, the headquarters of Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, spoke with our Southsouth Bureau Chief, BISI OLANIYI, about his political career, the security situation in the country, the performance of the Buhari administration and his motivation for producing movies, among other issues. Excerpts:

    You are the only child your mother had for your father, His Majesty Theophilus Princewill, the Amanyanabo (King) of Kalabari Kingdom in Rivers State, but you have stepbrothers and stepsisters. How were things at the early stage of your life?

    My mother had five kids, before my father married her. So I am the first child of my father and the last of my mother. My older brothers and sisters brought me up like there was no difference. It was when I was a lot older that I realised that we had different fathers. My benevolent father brought them up as if they were his own children. I was happy to be in a loving household. We were in the United Kingdom. I was seven years old when we came back to Nigeria.

    When we returned to Nigeria, my older brothers were in the university. But whenever they were on break, they would come back home. I can still remember jumping on my brothers whenever they returned home. Now, I am about 6ft, 2 inches, while the tallest is 5ft, 9 inches. So, I cannot jump on them again (laughs).

    Were you lonely as a child?

    I never felt lonely. You know what life is like in an average Nigerian home with house helps and cousins. I was so excited when I arrived in Nigeria from the United Kingdom to see brothers and sisters. I made the best of my company. A quiet petroleum engineer now into politics, but my priorities are still very different. When I was a student, I had no interest in politics. When I came back to Nigeria, I was having fun, but a lot of people were not. I became less comfortable about where I was and I became interested in assisting others to also have opportunities.

    You are a politician, and at different times the governorship candidate of two political parties for Action Congress (AC) and Labour Party (LP). Why are you interested in producing movies?

    The connection between politics and movie production is all about the image of Nigeria. I am not in the business of complaining. With my green passport, I want to be proud to be a Nigerian whenever I am in any part of the world. The movie, ’76’, is Nigeria’s ambassador. ’76’ is one of the most successful Nollywood movies in recent times, which was produced in 2016, around the unsuccessful military coup of 1976, leading to the assassination of the then Head of State, Gen. Murtala Mohammed. ’76’ became available to global audience on the streaming giant, Netflix, on August 4, 2021.

    We have been to some festivals with ’76’, but being on Netflix is a different league, which is much higher and bigger. We are happy with Netflix, because it is a global platform. We were given our dues, without being shortchanged. We are considerably better off and happier as a country and as a production team. We did a lot of research for ’76’, in order to make sure that the brands that were on display in the movie were valid, authentic, original and available in 1976, when the coup took place. It was a lot of hard work. In 1976, the lager beer that was available was Star. Maltina was not available in 1976, as its production started in 1977.

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    When the movie was finished and ready to go to the cinemas, I had four Generals of the Nigerian Army in my house. They watched the movie and took notes. When they finished, I asked of their opinions, but they declined to comment, promising to get back to me. They wanted to be sure that we had everything in place. There was no point where they asked us to remove anything. We collaborated with the military but we were critical of the Nigerian Army. I am proud of the ’76’ movie team. We are happy. Global audience now gets to see the movie.

    We are doing another movie, which will be about Boko Haram insurgents. We also have a movie titled ’77’. The script is being put together. ’77’ is the sequel to ’76’.  It is imperative to state that ’77’ is completely different from the movie on Boko Haram. ’77’ is a continuation of ’76’, but a movie that will stand on its own. And It follows the life of the lead actor as he confronts a new set of challenges, this time outside the military. We want to produce authentic movies, which sometimes do hurt.

    We will start casting the Boko Haram movie before the end of this year. The script is ready. The movie is about the lives of common people within this Boko Haram madness. In ’76’, we looked at the women and the family. No one looks at the family, with people looking at the protagonists/the coup plotters and their victims, but not about the coup plotters’ affected wives and other family members. The same thing we want to do with the Boko Haram movie, thereby going into the day-to-day lives of the Boko Haram people before they opted for insurgency, especially the human factor, thereby getting people to connect to the reality of the problem. We should be telling our stories, as Nigerians.

    Your political journey has been quite challenging. How are you coping?

    If I was vying for the governorship of Rivers State in 2007 and we are now in 2021, what can I say than the journey has been quite enjoyable? There had been disappointments, no doubt. If Rivers politics is not that difficult, I probably wouldn’t have been involved. I do not support people being killed or injured just to win elections. Like a football analogy, if you want to change the style of play, you have to change the players. If people who mean well, abhor violence and are interested in peaceful development do not step up, then things will not change for the better.

    To be in elective office, I made my attempts. I have not been in elective office, because I am not prepared to kill, maim and steal. No apologies. I will not change my style or approach, in order to get into elective office. I believe very strongly that the style and approach will get me somewhere. If you win elections by maiming and killing, you will ultimately govern by the same method.

    Anyone who thinks that there is a huge difference among political parties in Nigeria is just deceiving himself or herself. The people who lead the political parties make the difference. Alliances need to be formed. I am not acting holier than thou.

    You are a chieftain of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC). With President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration being on its way out in 2023, what are your expectations?

    Political appointment is a possibility, but that is not what I live for. I am currently doing a lot to ensure the success of the Buhari administration. Tomorrow, something can come up. We are actually looking towards the next administration now, for those of us who are in politics.

    It is an open secret that you intend to vie as the governor of Rivers State in 2023 on the platform of the APC, in spite of having earlier contested for the same position twice as the governorship candidate of Action Congress (AC) in 2007 and as the standard bearer of Labour Party (LP) in 2015. As a riverine person, will you be able to match or defeat the Governor Nyesom Wike-backed governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Austin Opara, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Ikwerre man from Port Harcourt city, bearing in mind their war chest and access to state’s funds and the fact that Chief Wike, an ex-Minister of State for Education, recently declared that nothing would stop him from vying for president on PDP’s platform in 2023?

    I am flattered that the secret is open and my name is being mentioned among those who have money to do what they want. Unfortunately, my only asset is Rivers people and we can only rely on God to make miracles happen for us. My focus now is on improving the lives of the people I meet and in helping my friends in any way I can. 2023 will take care of itself.

    I have made no secret of the fact that if the support is there, I will run. I have not seen it yet. Some of us can do wonders with four years and the state’s resources, while some persons cannot, even with eight years. The people who know, know who fits into which category. But often times, our kingmakers prefer to support supposed “loyal” people instead of those who are loyal to the people. Let us see what happens in 2023.

    Your bosom friend, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Transportation Minister, is being speculated to have presidential ambition in 2023. Is that a step in the right direction?

    My friend, brother and leader is focused strictly on the job that is in front of him. He still has a lot of work to do, as you yourself know. It is the rest of us that are troubling him to consider vying for president in 2023 on APC’s platform, because we know the field is void of enough good men and women who are mad enough to dare to make progress out of chaos. Look around. Name them. I can do that on one hand. Apart from President Buhari, you have the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Amaechi; Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai; and his Borno State counterpart, Babagana Zulum.

    Buhari is going. Tinubu may not vie. Atiku is in another party, the PDP, and el-Rufai says it is the turn of the South to produce Nigeria’s president in 2023 in view of Presdient Buhari’s two terms of eight years; while Zulum does not even want a second term as Borno governor.

    APC and PDP’s leaders have internal works to do, for 2023 to come and go in peace.

    The South is going to make a valid claim for the Presidency in 2023 and the North will be wise not to ignore it. In the end, it is not by force, because force is not a language that will be good for any of us. We need one another.

    Why are you into philanthropy, through the Princewill Trust, and launch of other initiatives to empower people?

    It is really important to give back to the society in order to lift people. What annoys me most is that I am not able to do enough and it is frustrating. I said I would no longer fly first class, because the difference between flying first class, business class or economy can actually pay for major healthcare.

    I decided to go into politics, because I cannot do enough myself. So, I need to get into government. I need to make a change from within government, which controls the resources and the environment for businesses to thrive.

    I am in politics, because of the desire to help and support people. I am now 52 and I have seen a lot. At this stage in my life, I can sit back and watch, but I want to make a difference in the lives of people as much as possible so that they can also see the good things that I have seen.

    Would you say you are stuck in the mud now, having tried twice to become the governor of Rivers State without success?

    I do not see myself as being politically stuck in the mud. I find myself politically in a very strong position. I am a valid member of my party, the APC, and I love people. I have the ability to rouse the crowd, if need be. My future is pretty bright.

    Maybe if I was a bit more pliant, less controversial and not so ready to speak truth to power, I would have been somewhere else. But I would have been unhappy. Right now, I am very happy, because I can speak my mind.

    You have been sponsoring Nigerian youths to Dubai and Ghana to learn about entrepreneurship, good governance, leadership and self development. How do they manifest during the tours?

    In Ghana, what I wanted to show the young people was orderly transition of government. Not incumbent to incumbent, but incumbent to opposition. Ghana’s election had just taken place and I wanted the youths to speak with top officials of the electoral body, the equivalent of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria. I also wanted them to see how local governments were being run. Accra, the capital of Ghana, is a very clean city.

    In the case of Dubai, the city was nowhere 30 years ago in terms of development index. Dubai was then somewhere at the bottom. We wanted the young people who I took to Dubai to see government in action and to speak with leaders and opinion formers of the city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who championed the transition in order to hear about their ideals and their vision. It was indeed mind blowing.

    Did you take the same group of youths to both Ghana and Dubai?

    In the case of Ghana, I took 33 young people. From the 33 youths, I selected the best 10 and I took them to Dubai. We intend to do something slightly different. We are going a bit lower by considering the younger generation, consisting of persons who have just rounded off their university education or still in the higher institution of learning. We will be taking the group to Dubai to see similar things but on a grandiose scale. I want to be doing it every year, God willing. I may as well increase the number.

    The objective of the foreign exposure of the Nigerian youths is to get them to see what I have seen. What is burning inside of me is because I regularly travel overseas, thereby making me to see the world. Some of the beneficiaries who are graduates or undergraduates can easily get postgraduate admissions into universities abroad, especially in countries I earlier visited. The youths will also be able to get to places where I had the opportunity of getting to after about seven visits to Dubai, thereby getting to see the places on their first attempt. We have consolidated everything in a week of full-packed activities. I would have wanted it to be longer but because of limited resources and time. I know that as we continue, it will get a lot better.

  • ‘MBA degree turning point in my career’

    ‘MBA degree turning point in my career’

    JOHN Ehiguese is the Founder/CEO of Mediacraft Associates, one of Nigeria’s leading PR consultancy firms, and the exclusive Nigeria affiliate of the FleishmanHillard global PR network. In this interview with IBRAHIM APEKHADE YUSUF, the immediate Past President of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), the umbrella body of practicing PR consultancy firms in Nigeria and one of the leading lights in the nation’s Integrated Marketing Communications ecosystem, speaks on his career trajectory in his over three decades of practice vis-à-vis prospects and challenges of the business thus far. Excerpts:

    Managing business in Covid-19 era

    Like most businesses, the integrated marketing communications ecosystem has had to adjust to the new normal imposed by the outbreak of the yet ravaging Corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic. Sharing his experience thus far, John Ehiguese says things are not as bad as they seem. “Strictly from my agency’s perspective I won’t say we have been adversely affected by COVID-19. Obviously, we have been lucky we haven’t suffered any severe shocks on account of COVID-19. But we currently work from home two days in a week. That’s part of the fallout of COVID-19, so we are not fully back in the office yet. But in terms of naira and kobo, we have not really lost any business. As a matter of fact, right now the industry is booming quite frankly.”

    Typical day

    As part of the new norm, the Edo State-born technocrat is taking things a lot easier these days, which is why he rises for the day at 7 o’clock in the morning and subsequently set out to the office between 8-9am.

    Management style

    For someone who is used to working with a team, his management style, he says, is one that encourages openness as much as possible. “I’m accessible to my staff. I hear them out. I encourage them and I try to carry them along in all the things that I do.”

    Management philosophy

    If you call him a man on a mission you will definitely not be wrong because he set stores by the ideal and idea of his vision. “I believe that your vision for the business is the most important thing, especially as an entrepreneur. The vision is your business so you need to sell the vision to your people to get their buy-in.  That is the only way you can succeed. I have a very define vision for the business and I like to sell this to my people.”

    Delegating responsibility and micromanaging people

    He delegates as well as micromanages people depending on the demands of the job at hand.

    “For me, it’s a mix of both really because you know I have a 40-man team so obviously I can’t do everything, as such, I have to delegate. But at the same time, I’m involved in a consultancy business and clients want to see that their business is properly resourced, with the right talents. So as much as possible sometimes I get involved and at other times, I just allow my people to do their thing.”

    Team player

    Obviously a team player, he says this is the only way he knows how to add fillip to the overall vision of the company, which is to always aim for the trophy. “I can say I’m a team player because I have to motivate the team and get them to achieve the set objectives. So I have to motivate them because I’m also a part of the team to some extent.”

    Motivating staff

    To boost staff morale he offers what he calls, ‘competitive remuneration package’ in line with industry standards. He also offers something beyond the paychecks. “I also look for other encouragements too. For example, we are heavy on staff training and development because I believe your staff is as good as what they know, so we do enforce that periodically. That’s key for us.”

    Stick and carrot approach to management

    As a rule, he applies the stick and carrot approach to management. ”My natural inclination would be to do the carrot more but I have to run a business. So you need a mix of both. Sometimes you have to use the stick. But I try to strike a healthy balance between the two.”

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    Firing a staff

    As the boss around here he has the power to hire and fire at will but he has had to do the latter rather sparingly. “I haven’t really fired anybody except for dishonesty and fraud. I don’t have any such issues now. Staff turnover has been great. As we speak, I have a staff that have stayed with me for 11 years, some eight years and so on and so forth. So, we’re relatively stable in terms of staff turnover within the industry standard.”

    Personal motivation

    His motivating factor personally is getting good results. Such news readily gladdens his heart and helps to literally pump up his adrenaline positively too. “I have a next-level mentality. When I’m pursuing a goal, I’m alive. So whatever I achieve is a conquered territory for me. So I always aspire to greater heights. For me, there is a constant aspiration. That’s what makes me tick.” Not for him is the complacency and daydreaming about yesterday’s achievement. “I’m always aiming higher. For me, every milestone is a stepping stone.”

    Everything is about the business

    Call him a busy bee, you won’t be wrong. He is completely sold on the business. “Right now, I’m focused on my primary assignment which is to run my business successfully. That’s where I’m focusing all my energy right now. I don’t have time for distractions now. What I’m doing now is a full-time job so that’s tough enough for me. So, I really don’t have time for much else.”

    Hobbies

    As to be expected, in his younger days he was active in sports but not anymore. “I used to play table tennis. But I’m not so strong any longer. I do brisk walking once in a while. I like reading, watching TV, and news. But right now, watching TV is not much of fun because all the news around are very upsetting and not encouraging at all.”

    As to how he unwinds, he deadpans, “I don’t socialise much.”  One way he lets out steam and ease off stress he further reiterates is by simply taking a walk.  “I do brisk walking between two to three times in a week. I don’t have the energy for long walks because I’m not a young man anymore. (Laughs).”

    Books read

    A lover of best thrillers, he says his best books back in the days were written by the master thriller writer himself, Sidney Sheldon. But these days, he reads more of business and news magazines.

    Choice holiday destination

    Travelling was one of his pastimes until COVID-19 happened on us all, he says matter-of-factly. “I used to travel until the outbreak of COVID-19. However, my choice holiday destination is Cape Town, in South Africa. It’s a beautiful place and city to behold. The attraction for me is that I just love the sanity it offers and the sights and sounds too. I go to Table Mountain cableway. Each time I go to Cape Town, I do the bus tour of the town and it never bores me. It just keeps getting interesting every time.”

    Best decision thus far

    The best decision he ever took was to go back to school for his MBA degree. “My MBA career expanded my network and that was some 20 years after I left the university. That was precisely in 2003. I was already a family man (laughs). But pursuing my MBA to me was a life-changing decision at the end.”

    Worst decision in working career

    His worst decision he says with a tinge of regret is trusting one of his staff too much earlier in the business.  “I gave a staff a blanket cheque, so to speak, and he abused it. Looking back now, that was the worst decision I have taken. I don’t think I’ll ever do that again because I got my fingers burnt by trusting too much.”

    Values imbibed growing up

    Groomed on fine moral ethos in the Christian way, the younger Ehiguese says such has stood him in good stead thus far. “I grew up in a strict Christian home and to that extent I think I have very high moral values. That has helped me even in my career. Right now, there are certain things I won’t do. There are lines I won’t cross and this is all because I had an early grooming in the right way. And that has helped my career greatly.”

    Lessons of life

    One of the lessons life has taught him is that you reap whatever you sow. “I believe if you’re consistent enough, there is always a way around challenges. I see challenges as opportunities to achieve something great.”

    Definition of success, career-wise

    For him, success is a journey and not a destination. “My belief is that you have to keep aspiring to be successful and you have to keep striving until you get to the grave. So, I really don’t think success is a final destination. For me, it’s a journey. Remember, I told you earlier that I have a next-level mentality so I’m always aspiring to get better at what I do and then achieve more. So success for me is not just measured in naira and kobo terms because there are things money cannot buy, which are also elements of success. For example, a peaceful home, rest of mind, lovely children are what money cannot buy for you and those are all part of the success mix in life.”

    Recipe for CEOs who suffer burnout

    An upwardly mobile chief executive who has been able to attain certain level of symmetry both within and outside the workplace, he readily advises others to strive at achieving work-life balance in their day-to-day work schedules.

    “As a CEO you must work hard no doubt but you must also devote time to rest because the body is not a machine; even machines need to rest sometimes. For me, the best thing is to strike a balance and apply moderation in whatever you do too, “he admonishes.

    Sense of style  

    A generally avant garde person, he tries to set the pace in terms of his dress sense. “I’m not crazy about designers’. I just buy what fits me and what I’m comfortable in. I don’t necessarily follow the trend. I always want to be unique in whatever I wear. Of course, my most important dress accessory is wrist watches. I’m not a collector though but I have got almost a dozen wrist watches. That’s my sense of style.”

    Culinary delight

    Not much of a foodie, so he doesn’t have a favourite meal. “I’m not really fuzzy about food. I eat almost everything, but I like to eat healthy and that’s what my wife says she likes about me. So, I’m not really particular about any meal as such I don’t have any favourite preferences. I try to eat right and healthy.”

  • VICTOR OMOLE: I’m a businessman with human face

    VICTOR OMOLE: I’m a businessman with human face

    VICTOR Adeoye Omole, Chairman/Chief Executive of Archers Group has several business interests in oil & gas, real estate, tourism, construction, education, amongst others. In this interview with IBRAHIM APEKHADE YUSUF, the businessman who attributes his successes thus far in the last three decades to what he unabashedly describes as the God-factor offers useful nuggets on how upcoming entrepreneurs can easily ascend the corporate ladder without necessarily breaking a sweat.

    Early riser

    It’s best to describe Victor Adeoye Omole as an early riser. This is because he is up even before the first cockcrows. At 4.55am he is up already and all set to conquer the day.

    “My day begins about 4:55am. Once I wake up, I take a glass of hot coffee black with some resins then I set out to walk. I do about 1:30mins walk every morning outside, which is about 12kilometres every morning everyday.”

    As a reward for his exercise regimen, he is fit as a fiddle and wait for this: he is got such a fine physique too complimented by a six-foot figure that you would naturally mistake him for a bouncer judging by his thick, heavy biceps, broad shoulders and massive built.

    As the conversation proceeded, you try to probe further as to how he has been able to maintain his ramrod physique all these years and he gave some plausible explanations.

    “I have been walking out since 2004 because I understand that we’re made to walk,” he deadpans, adding matter-of-factly, “That’s why our forefathers were stronger because they walked to the farms, and they walked back home. Walking for me is one of the greatest exercises which even allows for meditation.

    Read Also: Osun Osogbo 2021: Worshippers, foreign tourists defy COVID-19 restrictions

    “When I get back home, I do devotions. I have three devotional books. I don’t joke with it. My devotion is about an hour as well. So I go to the office around 9:30-10am then I get back by 3-4pm. And when I come back home, I stay with the family. Of course, I work from home as well.  That’s my regimen.”

    Management style

    For a man who has made his fair share of mistakes, he says he has now learnt how to manage men and resources better.

    “My management style is being accessible. I believe you should be accessible but don’t deplete yourself. You must delegate but be accessible because what you don’t supervise doesn’t get done. The presence of the MD or chairperson must be felt. You must have a regimen whether daily or weekly. But by all means, you must supervise your work.”

    Waxing philosophical, he said, “If you don’t take care of your barns, you won’t know the state of your flocks. Why are you the head? Because there are some things they cannot see that you’re able to see. So, with superior judgment after considering all other counsels it is left to you to take that judgment and based on the information you have from those related to the particular issues being resolved, you’re able to move on. But you must do on the spot assessment. That’s how the president does it. That’s how governors do it. Why do presidents visit their troops? It’s to boost their morale. This is because you can’t leave men fighting on the warfront without going to see them. So it’s the same thing with your work. Most companies that prosper depend on the level of supervision by the owner. Once you’re not on ground things would go bad. Experience has taught me that.”

    Welfarist approach at workplace

    Speaking on his management philosophy, the 1989 graduate of Sociology and Anthropology from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) further reiterates that you mustn’t necessarily boss everyone around to assert authority. He would rather give everyone a sense of belonging.

    This welfarist approach, he says, has continued to work wonders for him at his workplace. “My management philosophy is that as a boss all those who are involved in the production process must feel part of it. They must have a sense of belonging either in paybacks, giveaways, etc. They must feel that they’re parts and parcel of the business. Once a staff has a problem, everybody rallies round that staff to help solve the problem. For example, a staff father dies, he must not ask for a loan. You must be able to offer some form of assistance, etc. There must be that kindredship, that family conviviality around the staff. Once you are able to do that, you don’t need to talk to people because your action has shown glaringly that you’re a people-centred individual and therefore they will be ready to follow you anywhere. They’ll give you their all.”

    Team player

    Above all, he holds the view and very strongly too that not many people suffer from laziness of initiatives so it is best to give such people a chance to prove themselves rather than try to micromanage them.

    Experience, he says, has shown that working as a team is best for the overall interest of the organisation. “In everything I do, I give room for team playing. I believe the lowest staff has something to say because as they say, a ‘chain is as strong as the weakest link.’ Every member of the organisation must all believe we’re in it together. Whatever you do prosper more in the place of counsel and it’s very important.”

    Self-motivation

    Unlike most businessmen who are apologetically capitalist-inclined and only concerned about growing the bottom-line, he is most times buoyed by purely altruistic motives when he ventures into a new area of business.

    His winning formula, he says is that he always goes into a new project with the singular motive of meeting a need and adding value and overtime the rewards come naturally. He has been able to apply this rule for his own benefit overtime.

    “I realised early in my career that the only way you can make it in a sustainable way is through commerce. This is because in commerce, when you innovate and give value, people will pay for that value and what people pay is in relation to how they value what you have. So, if it’s valuable they’ll pay you and it will win you the accolades of the populace. So, I try as much as possible to solve a problem and once that problem is being solved, I get motivated by it and want to do more. I’m a self-starter, I’m innately motivated. I don’t need outside sources to be motivated. Let me even add that I’m God-motivated.”

    Naturally, for someone who is venturesome himself, what makes him tick is seeing great success built from scratch. “What motivates me is what I call all-round success including financial, family, spiritual, emotional, relationship. It’s very important. While getting that success, you don’t lose one for another. Yoruba usually have a prayer point that Oluwa ma fikan gbakan lowo mi (Lord don’t bless me with success on the one hand and cause me sorrow on the other hand). Some people might be so rich but yet have a poor health and vice versa.”

    On how he motivates his staff, he says it is one of three ways. “I motivate my staff in three ways. First is through creating an enabling environment and two through a fantastic reward system. Thirdly, I recognise those who are doing well and let those who are acting below par to also know they’re being watched closely. Don’t feign ignorance with people. That way they know they have to sit up or they find their way out of the system. You know there are many battles we fight at the workplace. Some battle for recognition while some cherish being praise more than the others. So appreciate those who want it. Let everybody come to their own realisation.”

    Other areas of interest

    When he is not wheeling and dealing, as a very busy CEO, he unwinds by doing some physical exercises and wait for this: he is also a movie buff! “I watch documentaries. I love fantasies, animation, action and crimes as well. I enjoy films generally. I follow the trend in the movie industry. I know which movies are released and those still in the works and all,” he says excitedly as his eyes naturally lightens up.

    “I have more than Netflix. I have IP Max, it’s an APP with over 14, 000 movies. Somebody paid for that for me directly from Canada. I don’t go to cinemas anymore.”

    As a voracious reader, next to the food he eats is reading. “I read a lot. The last book I read is Ten Lessons of Leadership from the Bible. From time to time, I read summaries of books from Instagram because what I find out about reading is that once you’re able to get the gist from the beginning, get the gist at the summary, you will know the plot of the story itself. Then I read condensed messages. I read some local authors here and also others overseas. I check the works of Charles Pordion for devotional in the morning and some others as well.”

    Growing up

    The younger Omole who grew up in a polygamous family says his upbringing prepared him ahead for the kind of life he is leading today.

    “I grew up in a purely polygamous home. My father had four wives. Despite that we had a peaceful home. If family must succeed, it requires the contribution of both parties. What I have learnt overtime is that leadership at home rises and falls with the man.”

    Life lessons

    Life, he says has taught him to prepare for exigencies far ahead. “Life has taught me to dig my well before I’m thirsty because it’s possible my strength will fail when I’m thirsty and I may not be able to dig That means, you must plan very well for your family, your investment, your career, your business, etc.  Success is forged in a place of discipline, especially enduring success. It doesn’t come just like that. There must be a winning streak or trait you have that would make success inevitable.”

    Choice holiday destination

    A man who literally enjoys the good life, his choice holiday destination, he says, is shockingly Lagos owing to its cosmopolitan nature. “But outside the country, that would be Accra, in Ghana. However, the country I like most is New Delhi. I love Indian for variety. I love India for accessibility and I love India for respect for other nations. They enjoy a lot because they understand how to manage their population so that other people will consider them in major economic policies.”

    Dress sense and looks

    As a generally avant garde dresser, Omole follows the trend and also innovates when it comes to dressing. “I’m a very trendy dresser. Sometimes I could wear all tight and at other times, I could wear all loose. I dress according to the nature of my work at hand.”

    On how he maintains his dandy looks, he says walking out and watching what he eats is the secret magic.

    “I maintain my physique with constant exercise like walking and I play table tennis very well too. I also watch what I eat. I used to love cakes and ice creams but I had to leave it. As you get to some certain age, your metabolism drops. So, it’s very important you watch what you eat or you’re going to lose it at some point.”

    His culinary delight is weird. “Oh, I love beans, especially Agonyin beans (meshed beans indigenous to Togolese natives). I love Agonyin beans in the morning with unripe plantain. My food is cheap but nutritious and it can be accessible anywhere I’m, as such I don’t have any problem being able to get what to eat at anytime, anywhere.”

  • OLUSOLA TENIOLA: I’m friendly with my staff

    OLUSOLA TENIOLA: I’m friendly with my staff

    Olushola Teniola is a techie turned business leader with proven track record in growing profitable business in various telco-related projects within the shores of Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria and across other continents. He was very briefly the CEO of Phase3 Telecom based in Abuja before deciding to launch out on his own. In addition to his telecom’s experience he has consulted on major projects for a range of clients including the international NGO, World Vision and UK charity, Diversity Hub. Olusola began his career developing a strong foundation in software engineering working with major global corporations such as Vodafone, British Telecom and Nortel Networks. Whetting his appetite for commercial business, he studied fulltime at the University of Bath gaining a Times Top 100 MBA which opened the door to his leadership career. He also holds a BEng (Hons) in Computer and Information Engineering. Olusola is part of a high leverage network in Nigeria with strong connections with the Nigerian Regulatory Authority and the Ministry of Communications & Digital Economy. Alongside them, he is helping to pave the way to real change in Broadband and Telecoms in Nigeria, improving the lives of communities across the country. He is the immediate past President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), the National Coordinator for the Alliance for Affordable Internet (www.a4ai.org) and a member of the Institute of Directors (IoD) both in Nigeria and London. In this interview with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf the Ondo-State born technocrat speaks on his career trajectory spanning over three decades and offers useful nuggets to upwardly mobile executives on how to achieve work-life-balance. Excerpts:

     

    When does your typical day begin?

    That’s a good question. I think it depends in which country I’m in. If I’m in Nigeria, my typical day starts at around 6:30am. That’s because I have young children that I have to do school runs for. I’m still a father of young children. (Laughs).

    As a manager of men and resources, what is your management style?

    I think my default management style is I have an open door policy. I think that really my management style in Nigeria is more of trying to control and manage crisis.

    What is your management philosophy?

    I believe that my management philosophy is to always learn, have a listening ear and try to improve on my relative skills and I cherish continuous learning. That’s my management philosophy.

    Do you delegate responsibility or micromanage people?

    Yes, I always delegate but I follow up as well.

    Are you a team player?

    I think people will consider me a team player. I’m a team player when required. However, it depends on the role and the project that I’m involved with. But generally, team playing has been my style since I started my practice 30 years ago. For me, been a member of the team and the system is very important.

    What are your other areas of interest besides business?

    I spend a lot of time doing advocacy. I believe in pushing other people and trying to create a voice for those that do not have voices to ensure that they are able to have access to the internet. I spend a lot of time doing that. I’m really trying to build a community that can have access to broadband in Africa. Then, finally, in my pastime, I play sports. I’m an outdoor person so I spend quality time by playing sports.

    What particular sport do you love?

    I play lawn tennis and squash very frequently.  If I have any spare time, I also play golf and I do play other things. But I’ll just stick with those for now.

    How do you unwind?

    I just told you. I’m an outdoor person. But I must say that I do have other pleasures and lucky to have a young family. So, I like to spend some time with them just to relax. They bring me down to earth. And if I do have the opportunity, I do frequently travel abroad often because I have a family abroad. So, I also go and spend some time with them abroad.

    Talking about travelling, what’s your choice holiday destination?

    I think this is one thing that I tend to do very frequently. I like to ski during the winter along the French or Swiss Alps in Europe.

    What was the last book you read and when?

    Okay, the last book I’m reading now is called, Think Like a White Man by Dr. Boulé Whytelaw III and Nels Abbey. And I’m midway through the book. I’ll suggest it for any black person that needs to progress in this world. It’s a good read, so I advise you to read it also. You can Google it.

    What is your motivating factor as an individual?

    You know what motivates and inspires me is that I’m surrounded by successful adults. So, my main motivation is to ensure that my family is happy. I think that is at the centre of everything that I do.  Overall, I think that protecting my family and giving them the best and ensure that I’m making a difference. That is what truly motivates me.

    What makes you tick?

    What makes me tick is when I’m faced with a challenge. You know, I’m an engineer and we’re naturally problem-solvers. So, for me is to wake up in the morning knowing that I have activities that need to be addressed. That gives me the bounce and the push. That’s the thing that makes me tick because I know I have to fix the problems during the day. And once I’m doing that I feel that I have achieved something.

    How do you motivate your staff?

    I try always to rally round the staff to a pepper soup joint on Fridays to unwind and socialise. For those that are averse to hot soup then I arrange other get-together activities that revolve around what they like to do!

    When you need to reprimand your staff, do you apply the stick and carrot approach?

    I prefer the carrot and stick approach. I try to ensure a relaxed working environment for my staff to allow them to bring their best to the table. I have never unknowingly sacked any of my employees. I would rather give them a chance to prove me wrong that’s where being indispensable comes in. I also ensure to keep a cordial relationship with every person I ever work with. I don’t burn the bridges with any of my former employees or colleagues. You know that the devil can be dined with provided there’s a long spoon within easy reach.

    As a career person what would you consider the best decision you have taken thus far?

    I have made some good decisions in my life. One that stands out for me was making the leap of faith to move to Nigeria to continue my career when I did. I am glad I took that bold step at the time I did as it opened many more doors and opportunities beyond my imagination. It’s somewhat a leap of faith which I never regretted.

    What is the worst decision you have taken in your career?

    I made a recent move to a role which didn’t work out and was based on pretense by someone very close to me. It taught me many lessons that I keep to date! It also reemphasised the fact that in the span of my career I have been very fortunate to trust my gut instincts and experience. It is better to cut one’s loss than to continue with regrets.

    How did your background and growing up influence who you are today?

    I am the eldest of seven children and this came with responsibilities from a very young age. I have both a Western view on life as well as inheriting a Nigerian cultural system. So, my background has made me the person that I am. Growing up in London and Akure is the influencing determinant. People generally characterise me as having an adaptable outlook to life.

    Do you cook?

    I rarely do. My wife is a wonderful cook.

    Do you do the dishes after eating?

    Yes, I wash. We also have a dishwasher because I wash. It’s a good way of humbling yourself and participating in a busy home.

    What is your favourite Nigerian dish?

    Oh, Nigerian. That’s pounded yam (iyan) with efo or egusi (vegetable and melon soup). I’m an Ondo man. I can take iyan morning, afternoon and evening (laughs).

    What lesson has life taught you as an individual?

    Life has taught me that there is always going to be ups and downs and those downs and lows are the period you build your character. So being adaptable and patient is the only inspiration that can get you through those moments. If you expose yourself, you’ll realise that you don’t have to get bogged down by certain failures because those failures can be your saving grace to redeem yourself ultimately and get back your life. For me, I have had a very great career and I’m very happy where I’m right now. Keep on going whatever life throws at you. God is building you up for greater things; He can only do that if you are willing to come out of your comfort zone.

    What are your hobbies?

    I play Tennis, Squash, badminton, Golf, Skiing and Mountain biking.

    What is your definition of success, career-wise?

    I define success as when you have goals and you set those goals and you’re able achieve those goals within a given timeframe. That’s my definition of success. Success for me is not a monetary issue; it’s more of a developmental issue. For me achieving all that you set out to achieve right from the onset of my career. I believe I am still work in progress, but I am happy and content with my success career wise thus far.

    What’s your sense of style?

    I’m cosmopolitan. If I’m abroad I dress as such. Like if I’m in London, I dress like a Londoner and if I’m in Spain, I dress like a Spanish person and if I’m in Nigeria, I try to wear Ankara and Nigerian clothes that makes me conform to the psyche that I live within.

    Finally, what is your advice to upwardly mobile executives who suffer burnout as a result of work-related issues?

    I think regular medical checkup is very important especially when you’ve been a CEO for a period of 10 years and you’re approaching middle-age it’s very important to do checkup and stick to a good diet and a goof form of exercise, especially when you’re very busy and you’re a workaholic like me. You have to make time not find time because there is never a time for you to do things you have to force it upon yourself to do some level of activities. Even if it’s just walking helps instead of sitting down all day and enduring all forms of drudgery. If you’re working from your home (WFH), it’s very bad. You need to get off the computer and walk round the house too every few minutes like I’m walking around taking this interview. It’s good to be active and stay active. I think it makes you youthful and bring the spirit, mind, body and soul together. So, that’s my advice.

  • Collapse of local government responsible for banditry, kidnapping, others — Rep

    Collapse of local government responsible for banditry, kidnapping, others — Rep

    Dr Alex Egbona represents the Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency of Cross River State in the House of Representatives. In this interview with NSA GILL, he identifies the undercurrents of the bad security situation in the country and counsels President Muhammadu Buhari on what he needs to do immediately to tackle the challenge.

     

    How do you feel about the level of insecurity in Nigeria?

    I don’t think there is anybody in this country who is not worried about what is going on in Nigeria today. We have not had it this bad before. I cannot remember any time in the life of this country that security operatives, I mean policemen and soldiers, would be a target for armed bandits. I cannot remember any time that armed boys would have the effrontery to overrun a police station, set it ablaze and kill the policemen. There is hardly any day that you would not hear of killings or kidnapping. It has now become a new normal for gunmen, and you people in the media will always call them unknown gunmen, to sack a police station. They now feel very free to go after policemen and other law enforcement agents. If you are not worried about what is happening in Nigeria, then I doubt if you have blood running in your veins. It is very scary that we can no longer sleep with our two eyes closed. Our country is in flames everywhere and it gives me serious concern.

    So, what do you think should be done?

    I have a simple solution. I believe that if our president and governors and local government chairmen will pay attention to this, we will be out of this mess in no distant time. Have you noticed that the people who are kidnapping and killing are doing so because of money? They want money. They are jobless and so that makes them angry. Each time they abduct, the next thing you will hear is ransom. It has become a trade for them because they have not been given jobs. So, if government can create jobs for them, or provide the enabling environment for them to eke out a decent living, they will be too busy to think of committing crime.

    Take your time and look at the people who are involved in these criminal activities. They are the youths, most of who have left school and are still unemployed after many years. They leave their villages and their local government areas and enter the cities in search of opportunities. In the process, they join gangs, and before you know it, they have turned into killers and kidnappers. The local government system has the capacity to absorb most of these boys. If the federal government can create an atmosphere for our unemployed youths to return to and maximise opportunities in the local government, things will get better.

    I was once a councilor. In my time, we were autonomous. The local government could embark on projects and there were opportunities for everybody who wanted to live a decent live in the village. Councilors had the opportunity to make things happen. As a councilor, I constructed culverts and bridges in my ward. Those things are still standing today, decades after I left office. The local government system should be revived and made to work. Let Buhari make a pronouncement that all unemployed graduates should return to their local governments and register and get ready for jobs. They will all go to their villages.

    The federal government should make sure that local government funds are sent to the councils directly and the governors should be compelled to take their eyes off local government funds. Why won’t there be insecurity when all the graduates are now in Calabar and in other cities? They are the people doing kidnapping now. How can someone who graduated 10 years ago survive when he has no job?  The so-called gunmen and bandits you hear of today, you think they deliberately want to suffer and subject themselves to hard life inside the bushes and the forests? You think they are happy doing what they are doing? They want to survive and, unfortunately, they think that is the best thing to do. But if government can take them out of the bush and give them a source of livelihood, they will drop those guns. Nobody wants to suffer. They all want to enjoy the good things of life.

    Our governors feel free to talk about federal system of government only when it suits them. They will cry about true federalism when their interest is involved. Most of them are still pilfering local government funds, and that makes it difficult for the council chairmen to perform. Some of the chairmen only get stipends from their governors and that is it. The governor corners the money and uses it as he wants. They have killed the local government system.

    Read Also: Banditry in Northwest can ‘swallow’ Nigeria, Matawalle warns

     

    When last did you hear that a local government chairman is presenting a budget to the legislative arm? When last did you hear that a local government chairman is doing projects, employing people, grading roads, building markets, etc? These are all responsibilities of the local governments. See, as a councilor, I was able to employ people. I was able to provide start-up capital for those who wanted. Which councilor can do that today? Which councilor has sponsored a bye-law in decades? Do they even have a legislative assembly in the local governments?

    The governors have killed that tier of the government. When it is time for local government election, they hand-pick people and put them there. And because of that, the people cannot talk. The local government system has become an appendage of Government House. This is wrong. Mr President should stop this. Any state that is still pilfering local government funds should not be given the allocation. If the local government system comes back to life, criminality will stop or reduce very, very drastically.

    Some people say it is the reason for rural/urban migration…

    Yes, you find people in the cities because there is nothing for them in the local government. There should be a deliberate plan by the federal and state governments to make the local government system work. I repeat, all unemployed graduates should be told to go back to their local governments. An employment bureau should be created. The people should go and register and give their data. Those who can teach should be encouraged to teach. Those who can work in the farms should be given such opportunities. Those who can work in construction sites should be employed to work there. Those who want to learn trades should be assisted to learn. There should be something for everybody. The local government system has the capacity to absorb all these people. If this is done, the influx of people into the city will reduce. But what do you see today? Even the local government chairman, his concillors and even traditional rulers are all in the city. Why won’t there be crime?

    In Rivers State, there was something called school-to-land-programme. Of recent, we started hearing of the Songhai farm project. It is in Cross River. It is in Rivers and perhaps other parts of the country. The point I am making is that we should do everything possible to encourage our unemployed graduates to get into modern agriculture practice. The local government system should be encouraged to do this.

    When I was in the council, we floated a transport company and it was working. Have you seen this anywhere today? The level of unemployment is unimaginable. The governors should stop telling lies and face the real thing. If the governors are sincere, they can do a lot. Look at the natural resources we have in all parts of the country. In my state, you can take off these boys from the streets and help them to stand on their own through agriculture. We have solid mineral deposits. If we are sincere, some people will be doing piggery, some will do fishing, some will do cassava business, some will do rice farming and all that. The security challenges can be addressed if we are sincere.

    People have accused Mr President of not taking charge…

    Mr President has his own role to play. But the governors and local governments also have bigger roles to play. The citizens also have roles to play in all of this. I agree that Mr President has not acted well; he has not taken charge as would have been expected. Mr President needs to wake up and take charge. I agree. I know that Mr President has a lot of good programmes aimed at reducing poverty in the country. But again, look at the drivers of those programmes, how are they driving the agenda of the President? Just recently, the sum of N20,000 was approved for payment to local women in the country. People were shortlisted as beneficiaries for the first phase. Their phone contacts and account details were collected. But when it was time to pay, those in charge decided to carry cash to go and pay instead of paying into the bank account of the people directly. They did this because they had ulterior motives. They ended up conniving with people of their ilk to steal what was meant for the poor, local community women. There are other programmes like this from the Buhari government but the people who drive the processes are the issue. Some of these civil servants are very corrupt and they do so brazenly. And people will still point fingers at the President.

    Like I said, the President also has his own blames. Now, we are talking of Abacha loot. Why can’t the federal government take a good chunk of that money to create employment channels across the country and make sure that these boys are taken off the streets? Before you know now, that money will end up in the hands of a few people who will either go and bury the money or go and invest it outside Nigeria again. Some Nigerian leaders are too greedy and selfish. They amass so much wealth and create a bad name for Mr President. That is also one of the reasons why these boys do the things they are doing. They will see how some people are living in affluence, yet many Nigerians can hardly afford a meal per day.

    I know of many graduates who do menial jobs to survive. I know a young man in Abuja, a graduate of Accounting, who sells windscreen wiper blades in the traffic. You will see him run after drivers on the road and you won’t know that he is a graduate. Those in this group are even very few. His co-graduates are the ones abducting and killing; just that he and very few others have chosen not to toe that path. But there must be a deliberate effort to clean up these boys and give them hope. They will surely drop those guns if they see sincerity on the part of government to give them a new life.

    But how do we deal with the criminals who have refused to drop their guns?

    We have security agents who have the duty to advise Mr President on what should be done. I am not sure what we are going through is beyond the President or our security chiefs. All I would say is that the federal government should equip the security agencies to fight this battle to the end. We have no choice but to win the war against insurgency and criminality. Our children will not forgive us if we cannot fight and win this battle.

    I expect Mr President to act like the military man that he is. I expect the security chiefs to look at Mr President in the face and tell him exactly what needs to be done to stop this national embarrassment. There is always a solution to problems like this and of course you know that thoughts on security solutions are not things you share in the media. But I have confidence that Mr President and his men will resolve this crisis and restore normalcy in no distant time.

    Let us start from the local governments and ensure that they enjoy full and unhindered autonomy. Let’s take deliberate steps to create opportunities for our unemployed graduates. Then the youths themselves should also be ready to grab those opportunities when they come. Buhari has a very good heart. His lieutenants need to help him to succeed. We all have roles to play and the moment we play our roles, things will get a lot better.

  • My worst day in office as Anambra fire service boss –Agbili

    My worst day in office as Anambra fire service boss –Agbili

    Controller-general, Federal Fire Service (FFS), Dr Liman Ibrahim, had during a recent event to commemorate the 2021 International Fire Fighters Day charged Nigerians to desist from attacking firefighters and destroying fire trucks during fire emergencies. He said Nigerians should instead appreciate and support firefighters who put their lives on the line to save other lives and properties. In this interview with EMMA ELEKWA, the Director of Fire Service in Anambra State, Dr. Martin Agbili shares his 24 years experience in fire fighting and his achievements in four years as the Sheriff of Fire Service in the state.

     

    WHAT informed your decision to join the Fire Service?                                                             

    I joined the Fire Service 24 years ago, but took over the mantle of leadership in 2017. My interest in the job didn’t just start today. The man that assisted me in securing the job was CFO Sir Moses Ezekwo, who is now late. In fact, I started seeing him right from the time we were living in Enugu.

    There was this big gully close to our house which always experienced fire outbreak because all the oil coming out from the Nigeria Railway Corporation passed through the gully to settle there. As a result, there was always heat there, and once it heated up, it ignited fire.

    The primary school I attended was also very close to the scene. So, once we heard the siren from the fire service truck, I’ll come out to watch them.

    There was always one particular man I was interested in. Although I din’t know him or his name, one thing I like about him was the way he ran around in the process of putting out the fire.

    Before you knew it, he would have jumped out from the truck, running up and down to ensure that the fire was quicly put off. I just fell in love with the man. I then told my parents that although I would love to become a medical doctor, I liked fire fighters.

    After the creation of Anambra State, the man (Ezekiel) became the first director of fire service in the state. He was a native of Nise in Awka South Local Government Area of the state. Meanwhile, I became a friend to the son. We attended the same secondary School in Awka.

    As soon as I finished secondary School, there was an opportunity of employment into fire service in the state. The man asked if I was interested in fire service and I said yes. That was how I joined fire service in 1997.

    Even as the director, the man was still fighting fire in the state. He was a very free minded but strong man. I doubt if any of his successors could do what he did. I learnt a lot from him because he really trained me and watched me grow to a certain level. The same passion he worked with, the same I carry on with in my duties. The way he fought fire is the way I do. So the passion for the job started in the 80s when I didn’t even know I would join fire service.

     How was the service before you came on board and how is it now?

    The fire service of then and now are not the same. There have been a lot of innovations. Before now, people didn’t know much about fire service in the state. One of the things we were able to do was to increase our public awareness campaign. We believe the first thing to do apart from fighting fire is preventing the fire from occurring. And the only way we can achieve this is through fire safety sensitization. On that, we have been able to achieve 80 per cent.

    People have known about fire service. We have been able to visit churches, markets and companies to educate and sensitize them about what fire safety management and prevention is all about, because that is the primary thing fire service stands for.

    Besides that, we have increased in terms of manpower. His Excellency, Governor Willie Obiano, has done a lot for the agency through the plea of heads of fire service. For the first time in the history of the agency in the country, the hazard allowance for fire fighters, which had always been N10 every month, was upgraded. That was in 2019. The governor, after seeing the need for an upward review, decided to change the narrative and increased the amount to N20.000, which is the highest you can get anywhere around the country. Of course, this is in addition to the monthly salary of fire fighters in the state. Some other states still pay N10 and some N5, which is very funny.

    Moreover, recently, the governor gave approval for the employment of 120 fire fighters into the organisation after we cried out to him over lack of personnel. For the first time in the history of the state, such bulk number of officers was engaged at the same time. Before then, it had been long recruitment was done in the agency. Again, the governor went ahead to assist us in the procurement of fire equipment, because most of the fire trucks we were using were not only outdated but aged; some were 20 years old. He also approved the repairs of some of them that were still good for use.

    If you visit the major markets in the state, you will notice the construction of overhead tanks in the markets. He also installed what we call fire hydrants in those markets. We went ahead to train some security men and leaders in the market in first aid fire fighting before the arrival of fire fighters. You can only do this with the aid of fire hydrants and hose which have been installed.

    After the Onitsha fire incident, we now have fire station units within some of the major markets. We have at Onitsha main market, Ochanja and Ogidi. We’re looking forward for more. The governor has also assisted us in building more fire stations. At present, we have one in Aguleri and one at the new international airport.

    Read Also: LASG warns against attack on firefighters

     

    Another thing in the pipeline is how we can inculcate into the school curriculum fire safety so we catch pupils and students young in the work of fire fighting. We believe involving them at that stage would go a long way in reducing cases of fire outbreaks as they contribute more to fire incidents.

    We’ve been trying to meet up with the international standard. Currently, Anambra State remains No. 1 in fire fighting in the entire Southeast. If you add South-south, our position won’t exceed No. 3.

    These feats couldn’t have been achieved without some challenges…

    Yes, amidst all these achievements, we have a challenge with funding, though this is not peculiar to Anambra State. The truth is that government has not been able to fund fire service the way it ought to. Why Anambra ranks first is that we’ve been able to maximize the little support we’ve received from the government.

    Funding determines a lot of things. For example, it is lack of funding that causes the breakdown of our trucks. And when they break down, repairing them takes time due to the bureaucratic bottlenecks in the system. Running the day to day activities of the office requires funding. Before now, we could delay in responding to fire incident due to lack of diesel. That has, however, been taken care of as we are presently allowed to visit certain designated filling stations to refill our truck tanks. But we still need funding for more trucks.

    We are still facing the challenge of manpower. The work of fire service is a very tedious task which requires enough manpower. Every fire truck needs at least six fire men to move on with. But you’ll see two or three officers manning the truck. Even with the 120 newly recruited personnel, we’re still challenged with manpower because more fire stations are being created. Meanwhile, some officers who are due for retirement are exiting. Presently, our number is not up to 200, including the 120. We are considering engaging young people as volunteers, but we’re still working on the modalities, including incentives, because it is becoming increasingly difficult to engage people in volunteer work in this part of the world. There may be need for a budget for that in view of the challenge of engaging people on freewill volution. Though those who assist us in fighting fire before our arrival could be seen as volunteers, we’re thinking of making it more formal.

     Your men had many times been accused of late arrival at the scenes of fire incidents. How are you tackling this obvious challenge? 

    We’re well aware of such complaints. Fire fighters are generally accused of late arrival, even in developed countries. Reason is that fire service stations are not everywhere. I think one sure way of tackling this challenge is to establish mini fire stations across the state. This will go a long way in reducing the distance fire fighters normally cover whenever fire occurs. We need fire fighting units. For example, we don’t have stations in Awka North. That is why we emphasise on fire prevention. People should adhere strictly to fire safety rules by ensuring they avoid anything that can trigger fire outbreak.

    Mind you, our calculation of arrival time at fire scenes is different from that of victims of fire incident. We calculate arrival time from when we were alerted of the fire incident, not when the fire started burning. Our major challenge is always the distance between the fire station and where the fire outbreak occurred. Besides, we always tell the public that fire fighters are not the cause of the fire. We’re only coming to assist them in fighting the fire which they themselves caused. Rather than inform us immediately they noticed the fire, they would be running helter-skelter trying to quench the fire. They only remember to alert us when the fire gets out of hand. We are not spirits. We are only aware when we are informed.

    Another ugly experience we encounter, which ocassioned the allegation of late arrival is the periodic attacks on our officers and destruction of our equipment. One wonders what those who engage in this nefarious acts tend to achieve. If they end up destroying our trucks, what then are we going to fight the fire with?

    Which particular day would you say was your worst in this profession?

    To be honest with you, I have lots of ugly experiences in the job. But the heaviest of them all was that of October 16, 2019, the fateful day we witnessed a fire outbreak in Onitsha. It was my worst day because at a time, I really contemplated quiting the job as a result of the lots of bad calls I received. I was called all sorts of names. My name and pictures went viral.

    That was when some people called for my sack. If you google my name now, you’ll see the ‘sack him’ story. Of course, his excellency never did anything like that. People were calling me within and outside the country. The pressure was so much on me. But when I remembered that the governor and the people of the state didn’t do anything to me and lots of people who still believed in me, I couldn’t afford to disappoint them.

    But the truth is that if I had my way, I would have left the state. On second thought, reflecting on what I’ve achieved and where I’m heading to, I said no. Meanwhile, within that time, many organisations were calling me to work for them, especially when they heard that I had been sacked. I think I received about five different invitations for interviews which I didn’t even apply for. To tell you the truth, one of the biggest of them was Dangote. To be frank with you, I don’t know why God kept me in Anambra fire service till now. If not God and humanity, maybe I would have left.

    To my workers and fellow fire fighters, I wish to share my experiences with them as a way to motivate them. I’ve passed through lots of huddles in the cause of fighting fire since 1997. I’ve endured a lot. I’ve sustained injuries in the line of duty.

    I remember one of the days I sustained a burn injury. I also remember the day I entered the pit toilet to rescue a baby, precisely July 3, 2000. Although the baby died, it was one of the biggest risks I’ve taken in fire service. I thought I would never make it. But by the grace of God, I came out alive. It was a successful operation.