Our correspondent NAS GILL looks at the raging communal conflict that has defied solution for over 13 years in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State. The bloody clashes have claimed no less than 30 lives.
There seems to be no end in sight to the bloody conflicts that have pitched the neighbouring communities of Ebom, Ebijakara, and Usomotong, all in Abi Local Government of Cross Rivers State,against one another for many years now.
The latest of the clashes took place on December 16, 2019 leaving scores of people dead.
Property estimated at millions of naira were destroyed.
The clashes have their origin in claims of ownership of farmlands.
Repeated efforts by government and the security agencies to resolve the issue have not succeeded.
Cross River State Police Commissioner, Nkereuwem Akpan, confirmed the latest clash, saying security had been reinforced in the area.
The paramount ruler of Abi Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Solomon Osim Edward, also confirmed the incident which, according to him, occurred as he returned from a meeting of traditional rulers in Abuja to his domain in Usumutong.
In a telephone interview, HRH Solomon Edward described the magnitude of the conflict as frighten ing.
He advised the state government to ensure the return of Ebijakara people to their ancestral home from where they were allegedly sacked by the people of Ebom community in 2005.
This, he said, was one of the solutions to the incessant bloodletting.
His words: “Since they were sacked from their ancestral home 13 years ago, they have been staying in neigbouring communities but majority of them are staying in Usumutong.
“The people of Ebom who have issues with them have not been comfortable with them around.
“They (Ebom) had attacked Usumutong community in 2018 and in 2019 when my house was completely razed down.
“Now, the people of Ebijakara want to go back to their ancestral home and I believe the government should do something in that direction to bring the crisis to an end.”
Asked if he has met with the state governor on the issues, the traditional ruler said: “During the pre-2019 elections campaign, the governor promised to address the situation and even build a new palace for me but nothing has been done since then.”
The royal father regretted the renewed clash and appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the communities.
Police Commissioner Akpan deplored the clashes and pleaded with the elite in the affected communities to foster peace among the people.
A source recalled how “many lives were lost and several houses razed” during the December 16 clash.
He said: “Heavy and sophisticated weapons were used by all sides in the fight.”
Going down the memory lane, another source claimed that in 2005, the people of Ebijakara were sacked from their ancestral land by their Ebom neighbours in a communal war that left over 20 people dead and all standing structures in the community levelled.
The source, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “The attack was launched by Ebijakara people over farmland but Ebom people regrouped and overpowered them.
“Thirteen years after, they are engaging themselves again. Unless the government takes the initiative of resettling these people, it will be difficult to stop these recurring conflicts in the area.”
Nelson Oda from Ebom community told our reporter on the phone that normalcy has returned to the community following the December attack .
“As I am talking to you, everywhere is peaceful. Our people are not intending any crisis,” he said.
“We are expecting our people as they normally do during this season to return home and we associate with ourselves and display our culture as we normally do at this time of the year.”
Asked about what brought the peace to Ebom community in particular as he claimed, Nelson said his people are peace-loving and so they called themselves together and have discussed how to ensure that the security situation succeeds.
“Right now as I am talking to you, there is no security person in Ebom but people are going about their businesses and there is peace all around my community.
“Ebom people are peace-loving and they will not come and make trouble with you if you don’t come after them. We are a peaceful community in Abi local government area as a whole but people often come to torment us.”
On the allegation that the Ebom people are resisting plans by the Ebijakara people to return to their ancestral home after many years living outside, he said: “The issue has come on board and the state government directed a settlement and Ebom mapped the area for Ebijakara to return but they refused and rejected the area shown them.
“Since they don’t want that particular area that was pointed out for them, it means they don’t want to go back. They are rather conniving with Usomutong people who are now in the forefront with Ebijakara to fight Ebom people. Usomutong are the people now fighting Ebom”.
He claimed that the first salvo on December 16 was fired by Ebijakara and Usomutong.
“They came after Ebom. They entered our farms, attacked our people, killed some of them, uprooted farm crops and left,” he said.
“They forgot that there was an agreement that was signed for peace in the area. Ebom people are human beings also and had to protect themselves. They could not continue to watch the continuous loss of lives.”
Nelson commended the state government for its efforts to bring the Ebom and Ebijakara people together.
He said: “The people of Usumotong jumped in and have continued to fight us. There are some politicians who bought arms for them and they are planning to attack Ebom people.
“So, Usumotong people are now the problem and that is why peace can never ever reign in that axis. The paramount ruler of Abi local government is from Usumotong and that is part of the reasons they (Usumotong) believe that they have influence in government and are not encouraging peace.
“As I am talking to you now, they are secretly re-enforcing themselves to attack our people. So, Usumotong people are the problem because they don’t want peace. If Usumotong people want peace, there will be peace.”
Everywhere appears to be calm for now,although there is tension about the possibility of a fresh crisis.
Insurance operators are yet to find partners for merger, acquisition in the ongoing recapitalisation. Omobola Tolu-Kusimo reports that this necessitated the six months’ extension granted by the regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) for the exercise.
NINE months after the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) ordered insurance and reinsurance companies to recapitalise, only prospective mergers exist, The Nation has learnt.
This necessitated the shift in deadline for recapitalisation from May 20, 2019 to December 31, 2020 by the regulatory authority, NAICOM.
NAICOM on May 20, 2019 mandated the 58 existing insurance companies and two reinsurance companies in the country to increase their paid up share capital. The minimum paid-up share capital of a Life insurance company was raised from N2 billion to N8 billion; Non-Life insurance from N3 billion to N10 billion and Composite insurance from N5 billion to N18 billion. Re-insurance companies were directed to raise their capital base from N10 billion to N20 billion.
Findings showed that the companies have been unable to commence any merger or acquisition given the initial 13 months’ period for the exercise to be concluded. Only a few companies have indicated a standalone plan having, according to them, met the required capital.
Based on this, the industry for several months pressured and appealed to the commission for an extension of the June 2020 date and last week, the Commission succumbed to the plea and extended the date by six months.
The Acting Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Sunday Olorundare Thomas, in an interview with The Nation, said the commission extended the date to encourage consolidation.
He said the decision to extend the date from May 20, 2020 to December 31, 2020 was not out of pressure but “Listening to sense of reasoning”.
He disclosed that the operators have three years’ extension but they were granted only six months.
He said: “We extended the date not out of pressure but because we wanted to encourage consolidation. The operators started late and we found that the time may not be sufficient for consolidation to take place.
“Also, the operators have to contend with regulations on recapitalisation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). So, it is not a matter of pressure on us. After all, the operators asked for three years but we gave them only six months’ grace.
“At present, operators are still prospecting so we only have prospective mergers and acquisition. We believe the extension was necessary because we don’t want a situation where we will not be able to achieve consolidation,” he added.
Business mogul set to break jinx of locally refined fuel
Dangote Group, a conglomerate straddling the manufacturing, consumables, oil and gas, petrochemical, fertilizer and agricultural, among other sectors, has grown over the years to become Nigeria’s largest indigenous privately owned company.
Though founded in 1978 with the aim of providing local, value-added products and services that meet the basic needs of the populace, it has currently expanded tremendously with operations in 16 other African countries.
Aliko Dangote
Dangote Group has four listed companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) including Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc (DSR), Dangote Cement Plc (DCP), Dangote Flour Mills Plc (DFM) and the NASCON Allied Industries Plc.
However, in April 2019, the Group, made a corporate disclosure to sell Dangote Flour Mills Plc to Olam International for about N130 billion or $361.11 million.
Born on April 10, 1957, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the businessman, investor, and owner of the Dangote Group, has become a global figure and Africa’s richest man. For seven consecutive years, he has remained Africa’s richest with an estimated net worth of $14.1 billion.
Aliko Dangote has been selected by different organisations across the world for awards as Africa’s and Nigeria’s best in entrepreneurship, management and job creation, among others.
According to Forbes magazine, Dangote Cement produces 44 million metric tons of cement every year and plans to increase output by 33 per cent by 2020. Dangote also owns the world’s third-largest sugar refinery, and together, all of his publicly traded companies make up a quarter of the market capitalisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Currently, Dangote Group is building a world class oil refinery, petrochemical and fertilizer plants in Lagos. The 650,000 barrels of oil per day refinery is expected to begin operation this year.
According to the Head, Maritime and Ports Infrastructure, Dangote Group, Rajen Sachar, the refinery with a capacity of 650,000 barrels of crude per day is higher than the total demand of Nigeria, thus will catapult Nigeria’s position from a net importer of petroleum products to a net exporter of petroleum products.
The refinery will produce premium motor spirit (petrol), naphtha, jet fuel, kerosene and gas oil, he said, adding that the integrated refinery and petrochemical project is expected to generate 9,500 direct and 25,000 indirect jobs.
Currently more than 26,000 people are working at the construction level while on completion, about 80,000 people would be fully engaged, Dangote said.
The Phase 1 of his company’s fertilizer project estimated to cost $2.5 billion will manufacture three million tons per annum (3MMTPA) of fertilizer. However, this capacity is planned to be expanded and also produced to meet specifications of different soils, crops and climates.
The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, said though Nigeria is currently almost self-sufficient in fertilizer production, the size of the Dangote fertilizer plant is twice that of Eleme petrochemical and will generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
By the time these projects come on stream this year, there would be a harvest of jobs, economic growth and conservation of huge foreign exchange in-country as imports of petroleum products and fertilizer will drastically reduce.
Mike Adenuga
Bridging the telecoms gap
Is capitalism compatible with humanity? Not many will agree they are compatible. But for millions of users of the global service for mobile communication (GSM) across the country, the Chairman, Mike Adenuga Group of Companies, Dr. Mike Adeniyi Ishola Adenuga Jr. (GCON), it is possible.
With a vast business empire spanning the financial services sector and oil and gas, his foray into the telecommunications sector became the game changer as it liberated millions of Nigerians from the bondage of exploitation.
When he threw his hat into the uncertain telecoms ring, not many gave him a chance that he could make any meaningful impact as the industry was largely dominated by foreigners who did not only have the financial war chest but rich experience of successful operation in a couple of sister African countries and the Middle East.
Mike Adenuga
Though the third to roll out, no sooner had his firm, Globacom, began operation than it became the darling of subscribers, thus bestriding the telecoms space like a colossus, setting the pace for others that even had track records of successes before starting operation in the country. Today, Globacom has been adjudged as not only the most innovative network in Nigeria, but the fastest growing in Africa and the Middle East, with operations in Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic. It has also just won a licence in Cote d’Ivoire.
His telco, the second largest carrier in the country, set subscribers free from exploitation. At the onset, the other telcos had argued ferociously that it was impossible to do per second billing. Globacom said it was possible and today, the subscribers are better for it.
The cost of access to telephony starting with the acquisition subscriber identity module (SIM) card was very punitive. It was Glo that set the necessary machinery in motion that led to the crash in the cost of SIM cards. Today, SIM cards are practically given freely to would-be subscribers.
With dogged determination to ensure the availability of affordable telecoms services to every Nigerian and the entire African continent, through the availability of bandwidth, the telecoms giant built an undersea cable called Glo 1. The multi-million-dollar international submarine cable berthed in Lagos in September 2009.
The 9,800 kilometre-long cable from the UK through Mauritania, Morocco and 16 West African countries, with dedicated extension to New York, USA, was anchored at its landing station at Alpha Beach, Lekki, Lagos.
The Glo 1 cable has delivered transmission capacity that has radically changed Nigeria and Africa’s economic landscape by providing unprecedented high speed internet services and made telecoms services much faster, more reliable and cheaper for consumers.
With a current capacity of 640 Gigabyte per second and an ultimate capacity of 2.5 Terabyte per second, experts say its ultimate capacity is enough to cater for the required broadband capacity of Nigeria for at least the next 15 to 20 years. The facility will provide the needed opportunity for West African countries and indeed Africa to leap forward economically through an excellent communications network and a cost-effective voice, data, video and e-commerce services across Africa, Europe and the rest of the world.
With 99.9 per cent reliability, world-class long distance voice, video and data communications services for African customers, the undersea cable will support the large bandwidth requirements of direct consumers and other service providers. The cable will free up resources for other forms of investments, which governments and business developments need, through broad market coverage at high capacity and at a fraction of cost and time and also facilitate foreign investment and employment opportunities in the sub region. The Intrepid, the ship which brought the Glo 1 cable, later left for Accra, Ghana to complete the Phase One of the installation in other West African countries, including Senegal and Cote D’Ivoire.
The landing of Glo 1 in Ghana will also boost the preparation for the nationwide launch of Glo Mobile Ghana. Glo also said the Phase two of the submarine cable project will connect South Africa through Angola.
Femi Otedola
All eyes on oil magnate-turn-power merchant
Femi Otedola
Femi Otedola, is a businessman, philanthropist, and former Chairman of Forte Oil Plc, a downstream company. He also owns Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited – an upstream Services firm, with other business interests traversing power, shipping, real estate and finance sectors.
Born on November 4, 1962, the 57 years old was able transform the moribund petroleum products marketing company – African Petroleum Plc (formerly British Petroleum) into a viable and profitable venture, which he renamed Forte Oil Plc.
However, the billionaire businessman, in June 2019, divested his 75 per cent shareholding in Forte Oil Plc, to Prudent Energy and Services Limited at a cost of about $250 million, to focus on his power generation business.
Otedola through Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited, a subsidiary of Forte Oil Plc, acquired the Geregu power plant in 2013 during the privatisation of the power sector. Ever since, he has reportedly invested about $1 billion in the project increasing the capacity of power plant from 414 megawatts (Mw) at the time of purchase to 434Mw.
Although Otedola said he divested from Forte Oil to focus on his power generation business, expectation is that he would channel proceeds from the divestment to a new line of business this year. The new business window may likely be in the downstream of the petroleum industry. He has created a lot of jobs and this may increase this year as he unfolds his plans.
Allen Onyema
Big aviation player faces challenges
The aviation industry, like other sectors of the economy, experienced many ups and downs in the previous year as operators navigated many challenges to keep their businesses afloat.
With the industry’s high attrition rate for domestic carriers, running aviation business has come with a lot of pain.
As more carriers are struggling to remain afloat, Air Peace, the nation’s youngest airline, remains the largest domestic carrier by fleet numbers, size and scale of operations delivering on time departure on many domestic, regional and international routes.
With the carrier’s imprint in many airports, it has become a carrier of first choice and preference for many passengers.
Air Peace operations for 2020 remains promising. The airline’s ambitious plan for route expansion in 2020 covering domestic, regional and international would require it to get more aircraft, which could be purchased directly or through wet lease. Air Peace’s network of routes coverage, besides being the carrier to watch in 2020, has also changed the travel narrative following the carrier’s offer to evacuate over 500 Nigerians that were trapped in South Africa in the wake of the Xenophobic attacks in that enclave last year.
Allen Onyema
The move by the airline to come to the rescue of Nigeria and Nigerians when it mattered earned its owner, Chief Allen Onyema, recognition by the National Assembly.
His act of patriotic volunteer, besides earning him global acclaim, also positioned the carrier as an airline to watch in the comity of global aviation.
While riding on that global acclaim, scores of Nigerians excited over the patriotic service urged government to give the carrier the support it needs as an airline to watch in representing Nigeria at different fora.
As the airline was positioning for further business expansion, it experienced some challenges with an announcement by the Department of Justice in the United States of America on November 22, last year that its founder and CEO, Allen Onyema, had been charged in God’s own country with bank fraud and money laundering for moving more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts in a scheme involving false documents based on the purchase of airplanes.
The international airline’s Chief of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, was also charged with bank fraud and committing aggravated identity theft in connection with the scheme.
However, issues raised by the United States Department concerning Onyema are already being resolved at national and international levels, with sources familiar with the matter saying it is not likely to affect the brand.
While Onyema has declared that he complied with all international regulations concerning the matter, the airline has moved ahead to carry out its normal flight operations.
As Air Peace consolidates its operations, 2020 is viewed as yet another year that Onyema and his orginisation are projected to put Nigeria on the global space of aviation reckoning.
Indeed, 2019 was an amazing year in the Nigerian music industry that saw a new crop of talented artistes emerge. Leveraging on the internet, these rising stars inundated the industry with hit songs, bagged endorsements and performed at some of the biggest events. Their creativity is sure to earn them more recognition in 2020. OLAITAN GANIUwrites on the stars set to hug the limelight this year.
FalzTheBahdGuy
falz
FOLARIN Falana, who is more known as FalzTheBahdGuy, is the son of a lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana. As an actor, comedian and musician, the talented rapper is an all-rounder entertainer.
Falz began last year with a controversial single, titled ‘Talk’, is off his fourth studio, ‘Moral Instruction.’ The song, a follow-up to his hit song, ‘This Is Nigeria’, addresses some societal ills in the country.
In May 2018, Falz released a music video, titled ‘This Is Nigeria’, was inspired by Childish Gambino’s ‘This is America’. It highlights Nigerian issues, including corruption and bribery.
Months later, the song was banned by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), claiming it was a vulgar song. When Falz was asked about the development, he said: “If they ban this song, then I do not understand them because that song is definitely not a vulgar song”.
He later sued the NBC for N100 Million.
In 2019, he added a feather to his cap as a movie producer with his movie, ‘Falz Experience, The Movie’. Some of his works include ‘ Awolowo’, ‘Brother’s Keeper’, ‘Loving,’ among others.
Yemi Alade
30-YEAR-OLD ‘Mama Africa’ crooner, Yemi Eberechi Alade, who is more known as Yemi Alade, gained prominence a few years ago.
But Yemi has continued to dish out songs such as Ghen Ghen Love, Tangerine, Ferrari, Single and Searching and several others. And her fourth album, ‘Woman of Steel’, was released in 2019.
yemi Alade
In July 2019, Yemi became the first African female artiste to reach one million subscribers on YouTube. Her hit song ‘Johnny’ currently holds YouTube record for the most watched African female music video of all time. Yemi was featured on ‘Don’t Jealous Me’, a track from Beyoncé’s sound track album, ‘The Lion King: The Gift’. She appeared on the track alongside Mr Eazi and Tekno. Rolling Stone magazine revealed that Yemi also recorded a verse for an earlier version of ‘My Power’ in June.
She was awarded the Best Female MTV African Music Award in 2015 and 2016.
Victor AD
VICTOR AD is not new to the game. Born Victor Adere, he hit stardom in 2018 when he released the single, ‘Wetin
Victor AD
We Gain.’ The visual of the song garnered more than 9,000,000 million views on Youtube.
Riding on the success of the song, Victor AD, on January 26, dropped his third single, titled ‘Tire You’, featuring Davido.
At the Headies, Victor AD emerged as Best Pop Single award nominee (2019), Song of the Year (2019) Nominee and Next Rated Nominee (2019), while he won Best African Act 2019.
Burna Boy
AFRO-FUSION singer, Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy recently joined the league of top Nigerian singers that have been nominated in the Best World Music category. The list includes the likes of King Sunny Ade, Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti.
The 28-year-old singer was shortlisted for his album, ‘African Giant,’ in the Best World Music Album category.
Burna Boy
The vocalist was nominated alongside Angelique Kidjo, Altin Gün, Bokanté & Metropole Orkest, Nathalie Joachim and Spektral Quartets.
The question on the lips of Nigerians is whether Burna will break the jinx to win the Grammy.
Burna Boy’s grandfather, Benson Idonije, believes his grandson will bring home the Grammy award this year.
Idonije, in an interview, said his grandson is bigger than other music acts nominated in the Best World Music category at the 2020 Grammys.
“I think Burna will win his category because his music is stronger (than the music of others) and his image is bigger. I think that the whole trajectory is leading him to winning the Grammy. I am very optimistic,” he said.
Davido
Davido
OBVIOUSLY, last year was ‘A Good Time’ for Afrobeat superstar, David Adeleke aka Davido, as he performed across the globe.
For the New Year, the singer will be hitting several cities across the United States and Canada, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas, NYC, Boston, Toronto, Chicago and Atlanta.
The ‘Fall’ crooner’s latest album titled, ‘A Good Time’, features many A-lists acts, including Naira Marley, Zlatan, Popcaan, Summer Walker, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, WurlD, and many more. The album’s latest single, “Risky,” featuring Popcaan, was one of the best Nigerian songs of 2019.
Blaqbonez
In the beginning, a lot of people doubted his creativity until the international tabloid, The New York Times, profiled him as the new guard of music in Nigeria. Since then, Emeka Akumefule known as Blaqbonez, has
blaqbones
continued to prove that he is lyrically endowed.
Blaqbonez’z raps are smooth, simple, but with controversial punchlines. He went viral on internet when he branded himself as ‘Best Rapper in Africa.’ He became the trendy topics on social media for days. The Chocolate City signee recently released his extended play (EP), titled Mr. Bombastic, and headlined his first concert.
Rema
Rema
AFROPOP act, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, rose to prominence with the release of his song, ‘Iron Man’, which appeared on Barack Obama’s 2019 summer playlist. Since then, he has become a force to reckon with in the Nigerian music industry. The Edo native grabbed the attention of music lovers when he dropped his well-known single, ‘Dumebi’, which later topped several music charts in Africa.
To display his flexibility and innovation to the Afrobeat sound, he released two EPs, titled Freestyle EP and Bad Commando. The Mavin youngster was crowned as the Next-Rated Act at the last Headies Award.
Rema could easily be the rising star to step forward and become the next superstar
Naira Marley
Some perceive him as a bad influence on the youth, but to his followers, he is their semi-god. Nigerian musician, Afeez Fashola aka Naira Marley, is one of the celebrities who skyrocketed to fame through controversy.
Naira
The 25-year-old singer began the year as a rising act, but hit the spotlight when on May 20, 2019, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted him on an 11-count charge of conspiracy, possession of counterfeit cards and fraud. His arrest by the EFCC helped him find his way up.
“If I’m a bad influence, I’m still trying to work out what influenced me to be bad. Why don’t you all care? I’m a youth too,” he posted on Instagram.
The ‘Marlian’ crooner went on to release his mega single, Am I A Yahoo Boy, featuring indigenous rapper, Zlatan, and then followed up with a danceable song, ‘Soap,’ which became the street anthem.
His song usually comes with witty bars and punchlines powered by his husky tone. Naira Marley’s latest song, ‘Tesumole’ produced by Rexxie, comes with dance steps. And to wrap up the year, he recently dropped an EP titled, ‘Lord of Lamba’ (LOL), while his first concert, MarlianFest, which held on December 30 sold out.
Wizkid
Wizkid
AYODEJI Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has said he would be getting married this year.
On December 24, 2019, Wizkid, in a series of tweets, hinted that he would settle down with a woman.
“Next year! I’m getting married,” he said.
The singer, who will clock 30 on July 16, declared that he will be dropping his last album as Wizkid. He hinted he may be having a rebranding of his stage name from Wizkid to a new name he has not disclosed.
The multiple award-winning artiste had earlier vowed never to settle down with anyone woman.
Many of his followers think Wizkid is under pressure as his music counterpart, Davido, announced that he would be getting married to Chioma.
In 2018, Wizkid dropped several songs and extended play, titled ‘Soundman Vol. 1’. The seven-track musical project, comprising songs like Jam ft. Chronixx, Blow ft. Blaq Jerzee, Cover Me ft DJ Tunez, Mine ft Kel P, Ease Your Mind, Thankful and Electric.
Tiwa Savage
SHE rocked 2019 with the release of a superb song titled ’49-99 off The Shift’ album. Tiwatope Savage, who is simply known as Tiwa Savage on the song, tapped the line of the Afrobeat legend, Fela Kuti’s ‘Shuffering and Shmiling’, to render a smooth tune.
Tiwa, 39, sings in English and Yoruba and her music is a blend of Afrobeats, R&B, pop and hip-hop.
Tiwa savage
Her contributions to the Nigerian music industry have earned her several achievements.
In November 2018, Savage won the Best African Act at 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards, becoming the first woman to win the category.
Recently, the mother of one has been rumoured to be in a romantic relationship with 29-year-old singer, Wizkid. They shared a kiss during a performance at Starboy Fest in Paris, France, before they performed a song titled ‘Malo’.
“We are friends, very good friends. There are a few benefits; we do shows together, we do music together, we make money together,” the Mavin queen said.
Born in Isale Eko, she relocated to London at the age of 11 for her secondary education. Five years later, she began her music career doing back-up vocals for artistes such as George Michael and Mary J. Blige.
T Classic
T classic
FAST-RISING singer, Tolulope Ajayi who is popularly known as T Classic, invaded the music circle with his hit song, titled ‘Fall in Love,’ featuring Mayorkun.
T Classic, who started having interest in music at an early age, released his sophomore single ‘Nobody Fine Pass You’ and has continued to garner attention from troves of online listeners with his freestyles.
Terri
His popularity came when ‘Starboy’ Wizkid featured him on a monster single, ‘Soco.’ Terri killer tunes on his verse of the song granted him the “next superstar”
Since then, the 26-year-old has become one of the most sorted after singers in the Nigerian music circle. Terri later signed under the imprint of Stayboy record label. His groovy single titled “On Me”, is currently enjoy airplay across radio stations. Hopefully, 2020 looks brighter to this talented act.
Jems
TO kick off the year, she infected the airplay with her smashed single, ‘Try Me.’
The recording artiste and songwriter, Temilade Openiyi, who is simply known as Tems seems to be aware of the male-dominated scene and is ready to take charge with her soft delivery. She rode on with her single, ‘Looku Loooku.’
Definitely an attention-grabber, Tems performed on several big stages, including Gidi Culture Festival 2019 and Homecoming alongside talented acts like Niniola, Rema and Skepta.
Barry Jhay
CASH Nation Entertainment singer, Barry Jhay, has successfully built for himself a robust reputation among his peers in the Nigerian music circle.
Born Oluwakayode Junior Balogun, Barry Jhay, is a recording artiste who hails from Ibadan, Oyo State. He shares the lineage with the late Fuji music icon, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister. Barry Jhay, who blends the Fuji and Afropop genres in his songs, has churned out songs, including Aiye, Don Pablo, Olodo, Ogara and more.
The youngster was crowned by City People Music Award for Best New Act of the Year, The Headies Award for Rookie of The Year.
Lyta
SINGER and song writer, Lawal Raheem, who is professionally known as Lyta, has had his low and high moments. The 20-year-old Kwara State indigene was forced to quit his record label, YBNL, by the famous indigenous rapper, Olamide.
Though he tapped the fame when he featured his boss, Olamide, in a song, ‘Time’, but after dumping his former record label, Lyta has continued to press on with his music career. He released a few songs, including Monalisa, featuring DMW act, Davido, and worked with Jaywon on the remix of Aje. He’s certainly a must-watch act!
Fireboy DML
YBNL singer, Adedamola Adefolahan aka Fireboy DML, absolutely had a fast and furious year.
The talented vocalist and composer had a breakthrough with his popular track, ‘Jealous’.
The youngster, who described his genre of music as Afro-Life, fired up with his debut album, ‘Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps.’ On the album, Fireboy proved his distinctiveness as he displays a diverse approach to the Afrobeat sound. His style of lyricism is perfectly blended with his sharp voice.
No doubt, he has penetrated into the hearts of fans, especially females.
Joeboy
CALL him an internet magician and you won’t be wrong. Joseph Akinfenwa Donus simply known as Joeboy tried his luck by leveraging on Mr Eazi’s emPawa initiative to film his music video for ‘Baby’ and turned out to be well accepted by fans. The video got 16 million Youtube plays and stayed at the top 10 of Apple Music’s charts in Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya for weeks.
The 22-year-old singer pressed forward to drop another hit single, ‘Beginning’, which is currently enjoying massive airplay. Joeboy’s songs sound melodious and are easy to listen to. With just a few singles to his credit, it’s worth seeing how far he goes.
On assumption of office on January 16, 2019, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu inherited an internal security apparatus challenged by the prevalence such anti-social activities as kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, cultism, communal feuds, rape and cybercrime across the country.
Also inherited by the IGP was the challenge of a force that was demoralised and lacking in motivation, logistics, right orientation, and appropriate strategies to depend on for optimal performance of their duties.
However, with barely a year in the saddle, IGP Adamu has made efforts to reverse the trend through a community-based, intelligence and technology-driven style, recording remarkable achievements in spite of limited resources.
Once on board, he set out to redefine policing, motivated by the fact that security presents a key component of the change mantra of the Federal Government in the drive to take Nigeria to the next level.
Adamu, an ardent believer in community policing, had on April 5, 2019 launched ‘Operation Puff Adder’ as an operational intervention blueprint to stabilise the internal security space within the shortest possible time frame.
The police, working with the citizens, traditional institutions and governments at all levels, recorded an appreciable level of success with the operation, as several high-profile anti-banditry, anti-kidnapping and anti-robbery operations were successfully undertaken by police operatives across the country under this framework.
The police succeeded in an unprecedented manner in destroying the operational bases of criminals hitherto considered as no-go areas for security operatives.
Adamu’s achievements with Operation Puff Adder to a great extent restored citizens’ confidence in the Nigeria Police and, according to him, provided them with the opportunity to emplace long-term policing plans with a view to strengthening their achievements on sustainable basis.
The Nigeria Police under Adamu, also set out to address the welfare concerns by restoring confidence and integrity in the promotion process in the Nigeria Police. Under this policy, he said they discouraged the abuses associated with special promotion and stabilised the promotion system by upholding the principle of merit and seniority.
Adamu also set out to enhance the knowledge of personnel across all ranks with the delivery of tailor-made training packages to strategic police managers as well as operatives of the Action Units of the Nigeria Police comprising the special forces, anti-robbery squads, police mobile force, anti-kidnapping units, Intelligence Response Team and the special tactical squad of the force.
Similar specialised trainings were also held for detectives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department all in a bid to enrich their professional horizon and align their orientation towards the dictates of policing Nigeria in the 21st Century.
In relation to manpower gaps, the recruitment process of the 10,000 Police Constables approved by the Federal Government under the 2019 batch was successfully completed, and the shortlisted candidates are currently undergoing training at various police training institutions across the country.
Furthermore, in appreciation of the need to enhance the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police, he acquired new sets of policing assets comprising of patrol vehicles, electronic surveillance vehicles, civil disorder management trucks and special operations vans and completed the Nigeria Police National Command and Control Centre (NPF-C4i) and the first phase of the Nigeria Police Crime and Incident Data Base (NPC & IDB) Centre projects.
Going forward, Adamu says the force has outlined a strategic policing plan predicated on the full adoption and integration of citizens-oriented, intelligence-led, and technology-driven policing practices.
According to him, they are challenged to project into the future and emplace strategies that will aid sustainability in their operations.
For him, the agenda of the Force in the upcoming year will focus on five thematic areas, which include improving the overall efficiency of the Force through capacity building in policing technology, intelligence, investigation, prosecution as well as crime prevention and control through a more robust visible policing architecture; full implementation of community policing strategy and the strengthening of other strategies with a view to aligning them to projected crimes and thereby remaining ahead of criminal elements and sustaining the current gains we have recorded in our internal security management functions.
Others are boosting of their special operations capacity; enhancement of logistics and operational base through a well-thought out re-equipment plan that will lead to the acquisition of more operational assets to support their special operations, bridge operational gaps and strengthen the safer highway and safer city initiatives across the country; training and human capacity development; improvement of the welfare of officers and enhancement of post-retirement conditions through the push for an improved police pension entitlement.
Acknowledging the efforts of the current IGP to check the rise in crime, President Muhammadu Buhari had recently promised more funding for the Nigeria Police.
The President, who spoke when he recently commissioned police operational vehicles, the Nigeria Police Force Crime and Incident Database Centre, and the Nigeria Police National Command and Control Centre at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, said he was conscious of the funding limitations of the Force and its threat on the optimal delivery of police services for the citizens.
Buhari said the police has keyed into the Federal Government’s Next Level agenda to strengthen institutional capacity towards addressing internal security challenges and advancing his vision of a highly equipped and modernized police force.
He lauded the efforts of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to guarantee efficiency in the Force despite limited resources.
“I am particularly impressed by the technology led, intelligence driven models which he has combined to bring about the stabilization of security situation in the country,” Buhari said.
He said he was aware the IGP inherited an internal security situation that was rife with the activities of bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers and other highly organised criminals in some parts of the country.
He said the nature of these crimes affected public confidence in the capacity of the police to protect them, but expressed confidence that with the strategies put in place and the quality of the leadership being provided, the present police force would check the problems and restore confidence.
He lauded the police for their many breakthroughs and recoveries across the country in several intelligence-led and well coordinated police operations.
Adamu, who replaced Ibrahim Idris last January, had his full appointment as the 20th indigenous Inspector General of Police confirmed by President Buhari, on May 23, 2019.
Going forward, with achievements recorded so far in 2019 despite limited resources, and promises of more support by the Federal Government in the bid to check crime in 2020, IGP Adamu is clearly a public officer to watch out for this year.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1983. He attended the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna in 1981 as a member the 29 Regular Combatant course where he became a Cadet Sergeant Major (CSM). He has held administrative and instructional appointments since his commission into the Nigerian Army 36 years ago.
Upon his promotion to the rank of Major General, he was appointed the Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji.
Thereafter, he was appointed Director of Procurement DHQ before he was appointed as Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTNF) under the auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic; an appointment he held until he was appointed as Chief of Army Staff in July 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He took over from Lieutenant Kenneth Minimah as the Chief of Army Staff at the height of the Boko Haram insurgency, when the Islamic sect was already occupying a substantial part of the Northeast and spreading its bloody campaign to other parts of the country.
Appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari, who came to office in 2015 on the premise of combating insecurity and defeating the terrorists’ group, Buratai took up the challenge of mobilizing and leading a highly disillusioned Nigerian Army to frontally tackle the rampaging terror group that was already gaining mileage.
Not only were the men at the frontline worn out, there was also the challenge of poor weaponry and low morale among personnel as a result of poor welfare.
However on assumption of office, Buratai took up the task of reengineering the Nigerian Army to make it more professional and responsive to national security challenges.
Today, the Nigerian Army in conjunction with other services and security agencies has continued to carry out sustained operations against Boko Haram and other terror groups, especially, the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP).
The Nigerian Army under Buratai has tactically defeated the Boko Haram terror groups and reduced its hitherto bloody attacks to mere feeble attempts at soft targets, which are readily repelled.
Under his watch, security relations with neighbouring countries like Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic has remained relatively cordial, which has also assisted in stifling the activities of the sect and other trans-border criminalities.
It also worthy of note that since he took over as COAS, internal security in Nigeria has improved drastically from what it was in 2015, although there are still potential threats that may require continuous review of military operations.
Buratai in a bid to win the war against insurgency through citizens’ collaboration also employed non-kinetic measures towards gaining the trust of the populace and eliminating the ideologies of the terrorists.
The Nigerian Army since 2015 has witnessed a lot of reorganisation and redeployment in a bid to improve its overall operational responsiveness and professionalism.
There has also been a massive increase in theater training for troops in the frontlines to afford them the required capabilities to operate and conduct effective operations.
Special attention was also given to providing local and foreign training opportunities for all cadres of officers and soldiers.
In Year 2018 alone, a total of 156 personnel attended foreign courses while 2,390 have attended local courses and training programmes, ranging from master’s degree programmes to workshops and conferences.
The NA has also hosted over 300 local and international conferences, seminars or summits either solely or in-conjunction with other bodies.
Most importantly, there has been concerted attention on the improvement of the welfare of personnel. The provision of adequate healthcare to NA personnel and their families has increased tremendously since 2015, and this has impacted on the morale of officers in the frontline.
For instance, in 2018 alone, 36 officers, 144 soldiers and seven family members of personnel have benefited in the Nigerian Army Medical Evacuation both within and outside the country.
Today, according to the Defence Headquarters, no inch of the country is under the control of Boko Haram or any other terror group, unlike what it was in early 2015 before Buratai was appointed the Chief of Army Staff.
Acting Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed recently during a press conference in Abuja, that the terror group has been forced into the Tombus Island on the fringes of the Lake Chad and does no longer operate in Nigeria.
According to the Defence spokesperson, “Boko Haram is not occupying any part of this country. I want to make it clear that Boko Haram and ISWAP have been defeated and pushed into what we call the Tumbus.
The Tumbus are the islands between Nigeria and neighboring countries of Niger and Lake Chad where they have their enclave and from where they come out and carry out attacks on soft targets. Boko Haram is not holding any inch of the country.”
This testimony and many others, lend credence to the fact that the Nigerian Army has lived up to its constitutional responsibility of protecting the country’s territorial integrity and enhancing national security under the current Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant Buratai.
In the new year, the popular expectation is that the terror group that has tormented the country for more than a decade will be completely routed and the North East can once again breathe the air of peace and complete freedom like the remaining parts of the country.
Without Senate confirmation, Ibrahim Magu, a Commissioner of Police, has served four years as the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Magu as the EFCC chairman on November 9, 2015 following the removal of the former chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde.
But the Eighth Senate under the leadership of Bukola Saraki declined to confirm his nomination twice.
In explaining his rejection when he was first considered on December 15, 2015, the leadership of the Eighth Senate had said it refused to confirm Magu based on security report available to the senators.
This was in apparent reference to the mandatory report usually issued by the Department of State (DSS) on nominees for top public office appointments.
Former Director-General of the DSS, Lawal Musa Daura, was reported to have written to the Senate, to prevail on the lawmakers not to confirm his appointment. Going by convention, the Senate has the powers to confirm or reject the nomination of a candidate as EFCC chairman.
Some governors and former governors are said to be among those against Magu’s substantive appointment. A clique within the Presidency is also said to be against his appointment.
Magu’s appointment was one of the controversies faced by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari during his first term.
Lawyers say there is a lacuna in the law because it does not state how long a candidate nominated for the position can remain in acting capacity. This was what facilitated his staying on the job without Senate confirmation.
A Federal High Court in Abuja last month dismissed suits seeking the removal of Magu as acting chairman of the EFCC. The suits were challenging Magu’s status as acting EFCC chairman, despite the non-confirmation of his appointment by the Senate under the leadership of Bukola Saraki.
The plaintiffs had argued that based on Magu’s rejection by the Senate, he should not be allowed to continue to serve in that capacity.
But delivering her verdict, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu said the law does not provide a specific duration for which an individual can serve as acting EFCC chairman.
Magu’s case is a bit complex. If the Senate had promptly confirmed his appointment four years ago, he would have completed his first tenure or about to complete it and would be hoping for a re-appointment for another tenure by the President. But his non-confirmation by the Senate has thrown a spanner into the works of a routine job by the President.
Six months after the swearing-in of President Buhari for a second term, the matter is far from being resolved and Magu’s fate remains uncertain.
The President is still weighing his options on the Magu case. The forces against him are as powerful as those backing him. Politicians, it is said, have been mounting pressure on the President to drop the acting EFCC chairman.
But he appears to enjoy the confidence of the President. Prof. Itse Sagay, who heads the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), has made a case for the appointment Magu as the substantive chairman of the commission.
Sagay made the endorsement when he led his team on a solidarity visit to the EFCC boss at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja November, last year.
Sagay’s words: “When something is good; when you see high quality, merit, dedication, and somebody who is courageous in the fight against corruption, I think it will be stupid to say you are looking for something outside.
This is not a turn-by-turn thing. It is a thing of merit. You must work for it and achieve it. In our view, the Acting chairman deserves everything, including his being given a substantive appointment.”
He equally expressed optimism that the Ninth Senate would do the right thing by confirming Magu when his name is forwarded to it by President Buhari, saying there would not be any reason for the legislators to reject Magu’s confirmation.
This brings to the fore the position held by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) and Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) that Magu does not require the confirmation of the Senate to be in office.
Some legal practitioners have advised the Senate to reject any fresh request for Magu’s confirmation until the Presidency apologises to the National Assembly and indeed Nigerians for the misleading position it (the Presidency) held about the powers of the Senate to approve his appointment.
They are of the view that it would be a moral burden for the same Presidency, which earlier said that Senate’s confirmation was not required, by virtue of Section 171 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) to return to the same chamber seeking Magu’s confirmation.
The Section 171 Subsection (1) says: “Power to appoint persons to hold or act in the offices to which this section applies and to remove persons so appointed from any such office shall vest in the President.”
A Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Mr. Festus Oguche, said Sagay’s comment appeared to have woken the sleeping dog. He also wondered what informed the persistent demand for Magu’s confirmation without first clearing allegation of corruption against him.
He said: “It appears that the Magu chairmanship issue has reared its ugly head again. One begins to wonder what informed this insistence on him, particularly from the authorities.
“I do not think it has anything to do with his performance as I am yet to see any feat in the anti-corruption war that makes him indispensable as a person, if at all there is still such a war going on.
“But the question then becomes the purpose and tenacity of the current move. Is it meant to renew or extend his tenure in an acting capacity or to formalise his appointment in a substantive capacity? Again, he is yet to be cleared of the allegations as contained in the report of the DSS against him, which are all hanging on his head like the Sword of Damocles.”
Oguche said while also wondering if the National Assembly would be exercising its legislative powers appropriately if it gives its nod to the executive’s request.
He also expressed uncertainty whether the new tenure will dovetail into the one he had in acting capacity or would be a new one that could make it possible for Magu to secure more tenures.
An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Mr. Daniel Makolo, also described the development as both a moral burden on the executive, as well as the failure to observe global standards and best practices by a government that rode to power on the wings of integrity.
He said: “Being boastful is one thing, the actual display of the position you boast of is another thing. For one to fail the examination he sets is the ninth wonder of the world. How long is Mr. Magu allowed to act under Nigerian law? Is it forever?”
Makolo said the DSS, which is part of the Presidency, questioned his fitness to occupy the office, and the Eighth Senate agreed with it.
I celebrated Christmas as every year at my residence in Lagos. My youngest son, Kingsley, joined me for the Christmas holidays from his university.
We had a good meal prepared by my specialist cook, Anthony, and after watching a very interesting movie on History Channel “Ancient Aliens,” I went to bed.
As the chairman of our landlords association, I had to show my face at the street carnival in my area. This was after I watched my friend, Prophet Sheperd Bushiri, praying for the New year in Pretoria in front of a packed full stadium.
Since South Africa is an hour ahead, I tried to get some additional blessing at midnight Nigeria time from my other great friend, Prophet T.B.Joshua, but there was no candlelight service this year.
Then I had to sit and comfort my four Alsatian dogs. They were highly disturbed by the noise of the crackers and the fireworks. I feared for my oldest dog, ‘Balewa’ (Bingo in Papa Ajasco). He nearly had a heart attack.
I watched the Royal Variety show and went to bed at 2 am. The year2020 is going to be a very interesting year for me. As the country manager and board director of PetroNor E&P Ltd (joint venture between Petromal Abu Dhabi and Nor/Hemla), I am looking forward to a busy and good year.
We signed the taking over of Pandora’s shares in the Aje oil field in Badagry and are closing two more oil block deals in the coming months.
On the music scene, I have the outstanding 10 shows in China, the nights to be shared with the ‘Jacksons’. Marlon Jackson called me in the afternoon to wish me and my family all the best for 2020.
We signed a contract in Dubai for the opening ceremony of the Hainan Island tax and duty free zone, (six times the size of Dubai). There after, I shall take my 13-piece band on a tour in Europe. I have postponed the offers to perform in Europe due to my busy schedule in the oil industry last year.
I always start my year in thanking God for having made it through the last year and my resolutions are mostly the same every year: to work hard, to play my flute minimum three hours a day; to eat healthy food only (no red meat as I have done since 1971), to work out regularly (I walk my dogs in the morning and 11 pm, lift weight and spend 30-45 minutes on my bike).
To continue my humanitarian projects and help as many as possible needy human beings as I can afford. To give has become a very important part of my life; I do it without publicity.
2019 was a difficult year. Because of the election and waiting for ministers to be appointed, the oil and gas industry went to sleep and applications and biddings (I bid for flared gas in the bidding round) were just not processed.
The delay of my shows in China also gave me some stress because I was ready and my musicians and dancers were not happy because of the delay. The entertainment industry is a mirror, a reflection of the health of a country and since Nigeria is in a recession, it affected show business in general.
My law suits for the Bonga oil spill and the Ogoni clean up did not move a bit during the whole year. Postponement after postponement because the courts were busy with election cases. I would state that 2019 was not a great year for me in Nigeria.
Top designer Funmi Ajila-Ladipo: I plan to rebrand
I have a whole lot of plans for the new year and that includes to rebrand and unveil the regalia ready to wear brand and the birth of Salewa & Ajila brand to the world. I will also be working at increasing the Regalia scope, dive into more areas, and achieving higher grounds.
Funmi Ajila-Ladipo
I had a good turnout last year and that was because we birth new ideas. I have no regrets about last year but very thankful to God for His mercy and goodness.
This year, I look forward to more work, plenty of orders and new ideas. I have always maintained a steady and healthy relationship with both family and friends but I hope to do more this New Year by God’s grace.
I believe in family reunion. That’s because we did not choose the particular family we come from but God chose for us since He knows best.
Your family can either make you or break you. And at the end, your family and friends would be the ones to cover you no matter what. I believe whatsoever a man soweth, that he would reap. Family and friends are important; they make you tick.
Love will definitely find me this year
Ara
— Famous lady drummer Ara I celebrated Christmas with my family. Mum, son, and siblings. I celebrated new year with my son, mum and siblings, then spent some reflective hours alone. My new year resolution is to go for it this yes.
Last year was really tough. However, I have no regret. Love will definitely find me this year. I also intend to be more deliberate in my dealings with family, friends and business partners.
Actor/director Bolaji Aromire: I look forward to improving my relationships
My Christmas was a home family affair; we were home all through and enjoyed the holidays with neighbours.
The New Year day was like another day for me. I slept at night and woke up the next day. I worked the whole of the New Year eve, and mu plan for the new year is to improve on my productivity and get Yotomi to everyone.
I don’t have any New Year resolution; I make resolutions immediately there is a necessity for it.
Bolaji Aromire
Last year was a recovery year; it was ups and downs. It was a period of learning, rearrangement and settling for moving on. There were a lot of achievements and I have taken every regret as a learning step.
This year, my work will be known, Yotomi Tv is coming to everyone home. This is the year we take over our mantle as the number one Yoruba cultural entertainment TV channel.
I look forward to improving the love between me and my children, Olivia and Jesse, and the rest of the family follows.
Ace musician Adewale Ayuba: I plan to take Fuji music to global heights
Adewale Ayuba
The Christmas season was very busy for me. I had shows in Lagos, Osun Ogun and Kwara states. I didn’t have time to rest or sleep well. But I have just arrived the United States of America where I can have the time to rest a little. I am here to see my children who are in schools here and also more importantly to rest.
My new year resolution is to work harder than before, especially in trying to make sure that Fuji music is more internationally known.
I will not be back in Nigeria until after a few weeks. I am presently in New York but will move around a little too to other parts.
I stand resolute in speaking truth to authority —Eedris Abdulkareem
This past Christmas ad always, we shared love and brotherliness which, to me, is the true essence of all religious celebrations.
And yes, of course, my musical evangelisation for a better nation and the brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God, which continued throughout the Yuletide, is still ongoing.
And let me also use this auspicious occasion to wish everyone, especially my numerous fans, a bountiful and fulfilling new year and decades ahead.
As for my plan for the New Year, it is simple. I aim to remain consistent and undeterred in my God-given vocation and mandate of standing up for truth and justice by speaking truth to authority through my music.
Eedris Abdulkareem
Last year was turbulent to some extent for me because I lost my beloved mum in 2019, and for me, that was a very big blow, but in all things we give God the glory.
Aside that, it was a good year creatively for me and my Lakreem Entertainment crew, though we are still enmeshed in bad governance as a nation and that made the previous year a little unnerving too. I pray Nigeria gets it right soon.
I look forward to a lot of innovations in the creative sector with the sincere hope that our young acts get their acts right, lyrically. I think we should start a lyrical paradigm shift.
I am a deeply committed husband and father and in all things, my family comes first. So, I look forward to spreading universal brotherliness around and sharing a higher quantity of love and compassion with family and friends. I am a lover, a lover of good things, a lover of truth and justice, and a lover of humanity.
And that’s why I always stand for the people because love encompasses me and everything I do. I pray that this year, love will help us conquer all and that Nigeria will be better off at the end of it all.
With Nigeria’s population expected to rise rapidly from a base of 180million this year , stakeholders are calling for measures to tackle hunger and to achieve self-sufficiency in a number of key staples, such as rice, and to develop the agribusiness sector and export markets. DANIEL ESSIET looks at the sector’s expectations from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono.
FOR a populous country like Nigeria, agricultural security is as important as national security. Given the successes achieved so far, the agricultural sector is poised to reinforce its role as a key economic contributor.
That the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, said with the phenomenal increase in rice production and processing in the country, Nigeria will be exporting the commodity in the next two years is a cheery news.
This means that the government will be working with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) to boost agricultural exports, especially national rice production.
The participating enterprises must have export capacity, prestige and good infrastructure in the service of rice production and business.
Priorities will be given to those who want to seek new partners in new markets. However, production is set to sustain its upward trend as farmers improve inputs and farming methods.
With strong growth spurred on by rising investments and exports, experts said the agriculture sector could be one of the key propellants of national economic growth this year.
For stakeholders, charting the course for improving yields, profits and credit flow will go a long way in boosting agricultural growth.
The expectations are that the agriculture and the food industry should dramatically adapt and evolve to meet the growing diversity of consumer demand, especially in highly demanding markets in Europe and United States.
This will mean increased production, improved hygiene, quality, and variety – all while maintaining a commitment to safety, traceability, and the sustainable use of natural resources.
While wholesale inflation continues to be low, Nigerians are confronting the pressures of food inflation, particularly on the prices of grains already beyond the comfortable zone.
To address this, stakeholders want the government to respond to the challenges facing the agricultural sector.
The government should not only respond to the immediate challenges facing the farmer and the agricultural sector but also reboot the agricultural policy to create an ecosystem for the future of agriculture.
Rice production
The projected demand for rice will outstrip supply unless something is done to reverse current trends of slow productivity growth and inefficient.
Stakeholders say the government should aim at increasing the area for rice production, increase investment in irrigation, mechanised production and processing, and use scientific and technological advances to improve rice varieties.
Currently, rice yield is around two to three tonnes per hectare per crop, well below the world average of 4.2 tonne.
Stakeholders say the sector needs new varieties with higher yields, good quality, and short maturity duration, as well as advanced production processes that are input-efficient and cost effective.
Raising productivity
Currently, farm yields are quite low compared with those in other countries. Therefore, increasing the productivity of land is critical in a situation where the demand on land for non-agricultural purposes is growing rapidly.
A consultant to the World Bank, Prof. Abel Ogunwale, said Nigeria agriculture must move from a production-driven enterprise to a demand-driven one.
This will also require getting the end-user industries involved in planning agricultural production, crop portfolio and supportive policies. He said it was important to get farmers to understand the demand-side dynamics.
The stakeholders want the minister to work with the private sector to improve seed quality and agronomic practices using technology.
Rural infrastructure
Though the economy is growing fast, it has failed to achieve complete food security leaving the rural economy in crisis.
Experts say factors such as rising population, urbanisation, declining crop land, crop production and biodiversity are affecting agriculture and food security.
They say the country has to develop infrastructure for the rapid propagation of the highly cost effective crop production technologies.
What experts such as the Team Leader, International and Rural Development, Livelihoods Support and Development Centre, Prof Kola Adebayo, canvass is promoting rural prosperity to tackle food inflation.
To combat food scarcity and consequent soaring prices, he says immediate steps should be taken to raise agriculture output substantially. He is of the view; rural prosperity will increase food security and drive rural incomes.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), came under fire recently when he appeared before the Senate for his screening ahead of his re-appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He told the lawmakers that he deliberately disobeyed some court orders because it was in the interest of the public to do so.
Malami said this while responding to a question by the Senate Minority Leader, Eyinnaya Abaribe.
The senator asked him why he disobeyed court orders by refusing to release persons granted bail.
Malami said his duty to protect the overall rights of Nigerians overrode the need to respect individual liberties.
According to him, Sections 36, 37 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution demand respect for individual liberties but he argued that such rights were not absolute.
He cited a Supreme Court ruling on the Federal Republic of Nigeria VS Asari Dokubo.
Malami said: “I concede that I have a responsibility as AGF to protect individual rights but looking at the provisions of Section 174 of the Constitution, I want to state further that the Office of the AGF is meant to protect the public interest.
“Where the individual interests conflict with the public interest of 180 million Nigerians that are interested in having this country integrated, public interest must naturally prevail.”
Malami’s response, however, did not go down well with some senators, who insisted that the Constitution remains supreme.
Malami echoed the President’s statement at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 2018 annual general conference. The President had said: “Rule of law must be subject to the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest.”
Prominent lawyers had faulted President Buhari for the statement, just as Malami was criticised.
The NBA said of Buhari’s statement: “The association completely rejects the presidential statement subordinating the rule of law to national security.
“The NBA restates that the rule of law is central to democracy. Any national security concerns by the government must be managed within the perimeters and parameters of the rule of law.”
NBA also frowned at the “growing trend whereby government decides on which court orders to obey”.
Before his release after four years in detention, former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), was granted bail by several courts, including the ECOWAS Court, but the Federal Government defied them all.
Publisher/politician, Omoyele Sowore, was re-arrested in court a day after he was granted bail, which drew national and international condemnation, including by United States senators.
Prominent Shi’a Muslim leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, is still in detention, with Malami saying only the Kaduna State government could determine his fate.
The increasing disregard for judicial authorities and rule of law was apparent in the manner the former Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen was forced out of office, despite his pending cases.
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Diego Garcia-Sayán, said Onnoghen’s removal may constitute a grave attack on judicial independence.
“Any decision to suspend or remove a judge from office should be fair and should be taken by an independent authority, such as a judicial council or a court,” he said.
The AGF came under serious rebuke by several rights groups both locally and internationally for his failure to obey court orders.
It took intense pressure for the Federal Government, through Malami, to order the release of Dasuki and Sowore. It happened days after Malami said he could not direct the DSS to release Sowore.
Malami, through his spokesman, Dr Umar Gwandu, had said: “When parties submit their issues for determination to a court of law, they lack exclusivity of decision over such issues without recourse to the court.
“We remain guided by the established tradition and will not take a unilateral decision without recourse to the rule of law.”
Malami then appeared to contradict himself when he directed the release of Dasuki and Sowore.
Malami said: “Whilst the Federal High Court has exercised its discretion in granting bail to the defendants in respect of the charges against them, I am also not unmindful of the right of the complainant/prosecution to appeal or further challenge the grant of bail by the court having regards to extant legal provisions, particularly Section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
“However, my office has chosen to comply with the court orders while considering the pursuit of its rights of appeal and/or review of the order relating to the bail as granted or varied by the courts.”
His use of the expression “my office has chosen to comply with the court orders” underscored Malami’s and the Federal Government’s penchant for picking and choosing which orders to obey.
Malami’s other perceived failures, according to his critics, include the glaring lack of coordination, direction and strategic approach to the operations of the relevant government agencies involved in the fight against corruption.
In this regard, critics were quick to point to the conflicting roles of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), and the DSS.
Such conflict was seen when the DSS raided the homes of judges without carrying the EFCC along.
Malami has also been criticised for his controversial handling of the case involving Abdulrasheed Maina, who was accused of diverting huge Police Pension funds, declared wanted, but was later elevated and surreptitiously reinstated.
According to Malami’s critics, he ought to be at the forefront of the prosecution of high profile suspects to show the government’s seriousness in this regard.
A former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, once drew Malami’s attention to the flaw in his approach and asked him to lead by example.
In 2017, Malami disagreed with the Acting EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, accusing him and the commission of frustrating the anti-corruption war.
In a statement issued on August 23, 2018, Malami alleged that Magu and the EFCC leadership have “manipulated and misused intelligence to the detriment of the fight against corruption and financial crimes in Nigeria.”
He also accused them of working to prevent the lifting of the country’s suspension by the global financial intelligence gathering body – Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units (Egmont Group) and ensure the country’s formal expulsion.
To observers, Malami should exercise better control of agencies under him and ensure they comply with the rule of law.
Analysts say the rule of law record of the Federal Government, with Malami as the chief law officer, has been poor.
Going forward, they say in 2020, he must ensure that the Buhari administration sheds the toga of impunity with regards to the rule of law and disrespect for court orders.
Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, urged the Federal Government to respect the rule of law in the new year.
He said: “We thank God that after so much pressure, the Attorney-General finally directed the DSS to release Omoyele Sowore and Sambo Dasuki.
That is the way to go! We are aware that there are some people, including Sheik El Zakzaky, who are still being detained even after they have been granted bail by the courts.
“In the spirit of the New Year, which I believe should usher in attitudes of reconciliation, harmony and peace, we appeal to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to once again take the bold step of instructing the release of all of them.
“By so doing, the government would be sending a strong signal to all and sundry that it is truly committed to the rule of law.”
On the need for the Federal Government to abide by the rule of law, activist-lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) said: “The rule of law predominates over national interest.
“Without the rule of law, there can be no nation-state. Without a nation-state, there can be no national interest. The rule of law is the father of national interest.
“As proposed by Professor A.V. Dicey, it means equality before the law by all persons, observance of all laws by persons and authorities and, of course, obedience to court orders made by competent courts of law.
“Once a court of law has made an order for the release of a citizen on bail, the president, government and all authorities must obey the order of the court.
“It is not for the government to pick and choose which order to obey and which not to obey in the so-called name of ‘national interest.’
“This is because in arriving at a decision to release an individual on bail, the court must have first heard the facts and argument of the case of both the government and the citizen.”
Human rights lawyer/Access to Justice Convener, Mr Joseph Otteh, said: “Even in war situations, the rule of law can still prevail, even if some rights are denied individuals for strategic reasons.
“But not in peacetime, not when a country is not facing a national emergency or crisis. It is unattainable completely to say that you want to sideline the rule of law to what some people in power refer to as national security (or national interest).”
