The Nation Newspaper

Tag: after

  • 30 years after

    30 years after

    •FRSC should move into regulatory functions, and leave the brick-and-mortar road safety works to state agencies

    If the Nigerian federal polity were well structured, there would have been no need for a Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), established in February 1988, vide Decree  No. 45 of 1988, as amended by Decree No. 35 of 1992, both warehoused by the National Assembly as FRSC (Establishment) Act 2007.

    FRSC was an answer to the decay in the old central police, which vehicle registration traffic arm had gone to seeds, much like most of its other arms. It also followed another Federal Military Government’s initiative, under Gen. Yakubu Gowon, which established a National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) in 1974, though nothing much followed that initiative.

    Pre-1988, the latest road safety initiative came from Oyo State in 1977. Then, the state government established a Road Safety Corps (popularly dubbed “Maja-maja” by the local populace), following the endless carnage on its roads. Prof. Wole Soyinka, then at the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Osun State,  (now Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU) gave that campaign a popular fillip. Though bad politicking led to its scrapping in 1983, it was a final model that eventually triggered the FRSC, established by the government of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, in 1988.

    This rich background is imperative to demonstrate the crisis that carnage on Nigerian roads had become, necessitating a central body to streamline about everything on road safety: from vehicle registration, to driver testing and licensing, research to focus on reasons for road accidents, putting up trauma and first aid centres in aid of road accident victims, public enlightenment blitzes to sell the imperative of sanity on Nigerian roads, and seasonal advocacy for safe driving.

    Since FRSC debuted 30 years ago, it has made tremendous contributions in these areas, particularly in research and advocacy, and in mainstreaming the consciousness of road safety. One of its principal successes was mainstreaming the use of the seat belt, in so short a time, on the Nigerian roads.

    The roads are still far from being safe, given the poor state of many roads nationwide. Drivers are also still far from safe driving, given the recklessness of many of them, especially the commercial drivers (who over-speed); and those of trailers, tankers and other articulated vehicles, who still turn the roads into regular shrines, on which they shed innocent blood.

    Still, no one could doubt the presence of the FRSC marshals nationwide, as they battle against the scourge, even if a good number are compromised from the high moral heights of the very beginning, when Prof. Soyinka was the chair of the FRSC Board, and Dr. Olu Agunloye, was first Corps Marshall.

    Nevertheless, as the years wear on, it is becoming increasingly clear that the FRSC might be far better as a national traffic and road safety regulatory agency, that researches and set standards for lower bodies engaged in the day-to-day nitty-gritty of maintaining sanity on the roads.

    Many a time, FRSC has clashed with state governments like Lagos, on rights to produce vehicle plate numbers. The reason is that for Lagos, that enterprise is a gold mine, given the stupendous volume of vehicles on Lagos roads. Lagos somewhat muscled its way into that lucrative market, forcing some form of commercial cohabitation.

    Lagos trauma centres also appear to trump FRSC ones, erected on highways in aid of road accident victims. Other road safety hardwares also seem to follow in this negative direction. This is clearly because of FRSC’s apparent poorer funding from the federal purse; in comparison with the cash Lagos shelled on its traffic hardwares and trauma centres. As one of just many federal agencies, perhaps FRSC is low on the scale of preference?

    That has reduced its operational efficiency and effectiveness — despite its clear strivings — made no better with the reported corruption and abuse by some of its marshals.

    Still, over the years, the FRSC has gathered rich competence on road safety research, advocacy and standardisation.  As a federal regulator and standards setter, all these would aid it to help mainstream a national good road safety culture in the states, without necessarily competing with state agencies. That way, it would just busy itself with policy, and closely supervise their implementation.

    To fully deploy its operational staff, it could help midwife putting in place state traffic agencies; or, for those states that cannot afford a full shop, outsourcing services to those states, to cut down costs, in a win-win arrangement.

    These services, regulatory and outsourcing, would go a long way to maximising FRSC’s cognate experience in road safety and allied matters in the last 30 years; and also secure its relevance in the years to come.

  • Now, it’s the day after! 

    After the May 29 inauguration festivities., it’s expected that our new President, Muhammadu Buhari is up at work right now, sifting through the paperwork plucked out by the just past administration. We expect enhanced and prompt work ethics, a clear and urgent regime of administrative procedures; a stubborn devotion to tough actions; a relentless cleansing of our filthy institutions…and so on and so forth – because the helmsman is the last man in the office, and the first to arrive; because he wakes up early to listen to news (what the world is saying, apart from what is being fed him). Well, that is what we believe.

    As he has said repeatedly, so much is riding on Muhammadu Buhari’s second coming in the hearts of ordinary Nigerian people. The expectations that their lives and that of their children will change for better are quite high. What he has not said repeatedly is the cause: the psyche of the Nigerian people has been thoroughly bashed and marched by wrong-headed actions, lousy lifestyles and insensitive statements of past administrations that we now throw a song and dance when elected officials stress themselves to do the simplest things we voted them to do. We hail them when they build roads and bridges (as we were expanding a village); we dance when they commission a complex of shops and renovate a thriving market.

    Our people have been so severely traumatised that we rejoice when we see electricity for four hours in four days! “At all at all na him bad” has become our wailing defence of our leaders’ mediocrity and lack of vision.

    It is always convenient for the critic to lay into our perennial national woes and boundless energy in pauperizing our people in spite of our embarrassment of riches. We never get tired of telling sick stories of our repeated struggles with unending failures in leadership succession. The circle of self-oppression has been so vicious that ordinary folks turn on each other, snatching whatever they can from the weaker ones. We have all lost it so much that some don’t care whether they die while aggressively thrashing all that their religions warn them about afterlife and hellfire. The common joke is that what we are living with here in Nigeria cannot be much worse than hell anyway. Well, perpetuation of wickedness (either from the leadership cadre or amongst the teeming followership) cannot be an excuse for survival. They push us down (perhaps because we mistake them for leaders), but we choose to stay in the mud on our own accord. People who made great nations didn’t have it on a platter of gold, or with stars guiding their efforts. No. They rose from the same mud as we are now, and clawed their ways to greatness, first in their individual capacity, and thereafter corporately. While at it, they insisted their leaders live by the same dictates and toiling that confronted them. They chose to conduct themselves and their businesses with integrity, fair-mindedness, shrewdness and self-discipline. Without an exception, they held a healthy fear of a Supreme Being whose pleasure they craved while doing thing right and proper. Call it what you may, these nation builders were no saints; they didn’t always get it right; even in retrospect some of their actions might be defined as bigotry, inhuman, self-serving, churlish, etc. In their bumbling trek to greatness, they could not be charged with docility, cowardice, frivolity, profligacy, etc.

    As the new leader said in his gruelling English: “We have an opportunity, let us take it”. President Buhari has shown a resolve to turn his back on the woes of our past and the fabricators of our anguish – in a colourful turn of phrase, he calls all that folly “the past is prologue”. So, let’s begin to write new chapters and fresh pages in rebuilding our nation. Let us as family units decide, like Daniel did when he found himself at the King’s succulent table while in Babylonian captivity. Let us tighten our belt, ignore the enticing lure of quick fixes and fast money, and plug our mindset into doing things right and proper… Dragging ourselves away from past deals that contributed to ruining this nation, and reverse tendencies and indulgences that needlessly gulp our finances and energies. When we seek after the common good; when we open up our hands to help and inspire others; when we desire that nothing corrupt or improper would be seen or found in our lives and conduct; when we look beyond immediate or clannish gains and perks…when we do the right things which deep in our hearts are as clear as the November Sun; then we can justifiably expect no less from those who lead us.

    We, the led and the leading, will have seized this latest opportunity to make our country stand strong and proud; her citizens well fed and protected; her children bubbling with great ideas and enterprise; her women building great homes and wonderful institutions; her men building strong structures and doing great exploits at home and abroad. In no time, the world will see the works of our hands, and give the glory to the Almighty God that we all serve in different tongues and tablets. That will be a great nation indeed.

    May He bless our President, our Nation and our People.

    When we seek after the common good; when we open up our hands to help and inspire others; when we desire that nothing corrupt or improper would be seen or found in our lives and conduct; when we look beyond immediate or clannish gains and perks…when we do the right things which deep in our hearts are as clear as the November Sun; then we can justifiably expect no less from those who lead us. 

     

    • Akintunde-Johnson, a journalist writes from Lagos

  • The Monday after

    What would Hardball not pay to acquire some special powers that would make him capable of embedding in the lives of men of power and influence? Imagine, dear reader, what juicy morsels of information I would regale you with everyday. Imagine that I was fly on the wall, the ubiquitous gecko or even a lice, tucked somewhere in the crease and crevice of that high office of the president.

    It would have been most interesting to find out what our brand new president, Mr. Muhammadu Buhari, would do in office on his first day in Aso Rock. Hardball would have loved to record it for you minute-by-minute, breath-by-breath and motion-by-motion. Of course, no president would want to miss the very first day in office. Not after contesting for such an office four times would he miss the first glorious day at work.

    First day, what historically significant day it is. Hardball could write a book on it. It is not only of utmost significance that he misses not this day, the time of arrival, the manner of arrival, the mode of dressing and  speech and body language to the ground staff would all be matters of great import. He is coming in with a distracting retinue shuffling after him?

    He does not want to arrive late on first day. He must set the code of dressing and the tone of speech and conduct. Would he spend a few hours doing the extended greeting routine or taking a salubrious walk around the exotic grounds? Or would he alight sharply from the car and walk briskly to his office barely nodding acknowledgements to greetings from Aso Rock denizens.

    Now in the power office: Monday June 1st, 2015. The president takes his seat. Being a Muslim, he would have had his morning observances much before dawn so no question of beginning with a prayer session as a Christian president may have done. Of course, his close aides would immediately gather and try to lay out both the plan of the complex and the work plan. Would he sit back and listen to them for the next few hours or would he rather seek a few hours to allot his time, gather his thoughts and marshal his day? Would he embark on an elaborate tour of his pristine environment? Would he call a meeting of the key Aso Rock old guards for a welcome pep talk?

    The day, the day, what really is the task for the day? There are of course, urgent appointments to finalise and announce. Of course, the stream of visitor would commence without let; especially party wigs who seek final inputs in the hot lists. Would he break for prayers; would he break for lunch; what time would he be done for the day and head home? Some former occupants Hardball knew never closed; they ‘worked’ and wearied themselves as if the country would collapse if they closed for work at 5 .00 pm.

    How would it be for Mr. Buhari and most important, how would the first day be? What an interesting day this special day could be in the life of a man. It’s a day of destiny isn’t it?

  • The Monday after

    Hardball is no sorcerer; neither does he have a crystal ball. Indeed, much of what he has is intellectual rascality and what he likes to call ‘embedment’ – the art of sneaking into the ‘minds’ of issues, events and people. Now, articulating this piece before the Saturday, March 28 presidential polls, Hardball seeks to embed (or fast-forward) into Monday, March 30, 2015. Here we go:

    It’s morning of Monday morning, say about 7am to 8am; the news is abroad. The big news which was speculative yesterday Sunday is now definitive and bold. You know the news of course: it is proclaimed loud and bold. The newspaper headlines are particularly creative in a crazy way; each paper seeking to outdo the other in its projection of the BIG NEWS!

    Yesterday as the last of the numbers trickled in, the picture was being formed. Results from city centres had been in almost immediately showing pointers to winners and losers. But the far north, the riverine areas and the uplands are still being collated. But on Monday, the result must be called! If the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) would not do so, the media would broach it and that is what the headlines have done.

    What would the headlines look like? Who can hazard a guess? Well Hardball cannot because that would be pre-emptive; it would flout the electoral laws and principles of good faith. But you would sure see something like: “Lagbaja floors Tamedun!” “It’s a sham!”, says XYZ party. Would there be skirmishes and scuffles from some parts of the country? Surely, but what part would depend on which party wins.

    We do not expect any upheavals even to the magnitude we had in 2011 post-election because we expect to have learnt from that episode. Secondly, the whole world is not only watching the process minute-by-minute through all sorts of online streaming devices, the critical world audience have their observers on ground taking notes and filing reports. There are also the diplomatic corps doing their own monitoring of the polls and post-poll manifestations in all its ramifications.

    Most remarkably, we have also learnt that the US and some of her allies have kept some rapid response forces all around us to intervene at a snap of the finger if need be. There is therefore, enough checks and deterrence for trouble makers and people who want to win by wading through the blood on innocent citizens if that is required.

    INEC must be allowed to do its work to a logical conclusion and whoever is aggrieved must resort to the courts and not the streets. This election may well present to Nigeria’s democratic process, its next big leap in which case, we all would be winners. How do I mean: if perchance, the party in power (for 16 years) loses, that would be the first time in the electoral history of Nigeria. That would open an entirely new democratic vista for us all. And the loser may well turn out the victorious if he manages it well.

    How is it for you today, dear reader?

  • SURE-P: Three years after

    Three years ago, Nigeria was in the frenzied grip of another sort of campaign. There were intense arguments for, and against the planned removal of fuel subsidy. By January 2012, organised Labour paralysed the country with a nationwide strike that had echoes of similar work stoppages in the preceding decade when fuel prices were increased rather peremptorily. In the heat of the debate, anyone could have been forgiven for being cynically dismissive of the federal government’s insistent pledge of what it would do with its own share of the savings from the partial withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

    Now, three years later, it is fair to ask whether the cynics have seen their worst fears materialise. On the contrary, there is growing evidence that the federal government is keeping faith with its pledge of judicious use of its accruals arising from the fuel subsidy removal.

    Let’s take a sampler from infrastructural development. In 2006, the federal government awarded the dualisation of the Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja highway. But the project languished in the doldrums owing to inadequate geological surveys occasioning poor design, and majorly the abject lack of funding, as the annual budget of the Federal Ministry of Works could hardly make any impact. Contractors abandoned their various sites on the Lots. Since 2012, following the launch of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) by the federal government, the story of the project has changed dramatically: the Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja expressway is now a reality.

    Similarly, for more than two decades, the Benin-Ore-Sagamu expressway had collapsed, and the remedial patchwork that often was carried out on that critical arterial road was as laughable as it was dangerous. SURE-P funding is now making a huge difference that is clearly measurable in the reduced travel times on that route. The Benin-Ore part of the expressway has been totally reconstructed, while work is proceeding determinedly on the Ore-Sagamu axis. Indeed, the story is the same with the on-going total reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, which has a basket of funding to which SURE-P is contributory.

    Move over to the Loko-Oweto bridge that connects Nasarawa and Benue states, and SURE-P funding is the reason why the project is already more than 65 per cent complete, not to reference the hundreds of direct and indirect jobs being created in the process. Furthermore, the SURE-P wallet is one of the assured sources for financing the much-delayed Second Niger Bridge, the ground-breaking ceremony of which was performed this year by President Goodluck Jonathan. After many sorrowful years for commuters, the East-West Road was at about 22 per cent completion in early 2012 when SURE-P was created. Within two years of injecting funds, the East-West Road has notched more than 70 per cent completion with a new lot added, not to mention overcoming the havoc wreaked by the floods of 2012.

    The Lagos-Kano rail line that represents the Western line of Nigerian Railways is active today with regular commuter and cargo traffic, because of massive supplementary funding by SURE-P. The Eastern corridor, which runs from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri has also witnessed tremendous rehabilitation, on account of SURE-P financing. But one must also add that the brand new standard gauge rail line from Kaduna-Abuja is a dream come true, because SURE-P weighed in with funds. It is also deploying resources of up to N10 billion in support of the Abuja light rail project that is expected to ease intra-city transportation upon completion.

    The 21-member committee that manages SURE-P as a unique interventionist agency was established on February 13, 2012, after the smoke cleared from the protests against the partial withdrawal of subsidy. The mandate is judicious and transparent application of the federal government’s 41 per cent share of the subsidy savings. The funds are domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). All the 36 states of the federation and the 774 local governments are entitled jointly to 54 per cent of the subsidy savings, while the remaining five per cent goes to Ecological Fund, as well as cost of collection.

    SURE-P started receiving funds in July 2012. From then until now, it has received a total of N441 billion. The programme has an annual allocation of N180 billion, but its receipts so far have been N126 billion (2012), N180 billion (2013), and N135 billion (2014). SURE-P operates through specialised sub-committees and project implementation units that are embedded in, but insulated as much as practicable from the stifling bureaucracy in relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). SURE-P does not choose or award contracts on behalf of the MDAs. However, projects and programmes that are targeted for funding are evaluated by SURE-P in-house technical staff and outside consultants where necessary, to certify work done, before payment certificates are approved. The payment certificates are then forwarded to the Federal Budget Office, which scrutinizes the certificates, before advising the CBN, which credits the contractor’s account. This approach, no doubt, has boosted the confidence of contractors handling the infrastructure projects, hence the rapid milestones they have achieved in so short a time.

    SURE-P is focused primarily on critical infrastructure projects and social safety net programmes, which directly and positively impact on the people. The infrastructure projects include roads, bridges, and railway. On the other hand, the social safety net programmes cover mass transit; maternal and child health; community service, women and youth empowerment (incorporating the Graduate Internship Scheme); public works (under the aegis of the Federal Emergency Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA); vocational training, as well as culture and tourism.

    If SURE-P can crow about its achievements in infrastructure intervention, it can crow even louder about the impact of aspects of its social safety net programme, which are not as visible as roads and bridges. Let us take it for granted that the major works in railways and on roads and bridges are generating jobs. Yet many more jobs are being created in the course of executing the social safety net programmes. No fewer than 12,400 youths have been engaged in maintaining 40 priority federal highways nationwide under the FERMA Public Works project. In the same vein, more than 120,000 jobs have been created for the youth, women, and physically challenged across the federation, under the community, social, women and youth empowerment programme. This is just as thousands of graduates have taken advantage of the Graduate Internship Scheme that prepares them for employment, even as they receive monthly stipends.

    By far the most remarkable is the landmark success in the Maternal and Child Healthcare programme. The programme is designed to increase the supply of skilled health workers to offer maternal and child health services at the primary health care (PHC) level, undertake infrastructural renovations to PHC centres, raise supply of essential commodities at PHC facilities with a view to upscaling service delivery, and above all to increase demand for maternal and child health care services in underserved and rural communities by deploying conditional cash transfers. As at August, SURE-P had recruited nationwide 11,912 health care workers made up of 2,811 midwives, 3,133 community health extension workers (CHEWs), and 5,966 female village health workers.

    Three years ago, who could have believed that the successes recorded thus far by SURE-P were possible? No one can assert that SURE-P is perfect; but it has shown what 41 per cent has achieved, and what lies ahead. If only we could also tally the aggregate positive showing of states and local governments with their combined 54 per cent receipts, we would have a much happier picture that the firm promises of partial subsidy withdrawal are being kept.

     

    • Omafume, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja.

     

  • Why Ambode after Fashola?

    Why Ambode after Fashola?

    As the search for a successor to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola progresses, the need for us in Lagos to be very diligent in making a choice in 2015 becomes more pressing. This is because the next election in the state will determine many things. Our choice in 2015 will reveal, to the whole world, what our resolves are.
    2015 for Lagos is a time to decide whether to move and continue on the parts of development and unhindered growth we trod under former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu and continued under Fashola, or to swerve off and toe the opposite path.
    In making such a decision, many factors are to be stringently considered, according to pundits who have been having a field day discussing what the fate of Lagos State is likely to be after the 2015 election, depending on what choice we make as the voting public.
    Recently, I attended an inaugural lecture of an association of media practitioners where the guest lecturer, an American expert in electioneering, using Lagos State as a case study, said whoever is thinking of enthroning a governor after Fashola must seriously consider the fact that Lagos cannot go from having a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to having a mediocre as its governor.
    He also suggested that the ideal candidate need not be too old, but must be brilliant, innovative, matured, and had a brilliant career and such person must be prepared to handle the rigours of leadership in a populated state such as ours.
    For Lagos to continue on the path of greatness embarked upon since 1999, it is also instructive to consider furthermore the reputation of the man who will manage Lagos after Fashola. It was these criteria that forced me to commence, alongside my age mates, a peer search for the next occupant of Lagos House. After what I can boldly call a thorough check amongst those jostling for the job, across party divides, the mantle fell on a man befitting of the position of Lagos State governor in 2015 and beyond.
    The man on whom the mantle fell is Akinwunmi Ambode, former Auditor-General for Local Governments in Lagos State and Managing Consultant/CEO of Brandsmiths Consulting Limited, a public finance and management-consulting firm with enviable understanding of the Nigerian market.
    It wasn’t difficult for me and my peers, all professionals, to see the potentials that qualified Ambode as the best man for the job after Fashola because even his critics agree that he is an A-list candidate. With Akinwunmi Ambode as a candidate, any political party will only have to tell the voters what he has in stock for them to emerge victorious easily.
    Ambode’s credentials are unassailable dating back to when he was born in Epe, Lagos on June 14,1964. His educational journey traversed St. Jude’s Primary School, Ebute Metta, Federal Government College, Warri and the University of Lagos.
    What is more, he is a chartered accountant of note. A fellow of many professional bodies, he conveniently comes across as a man who should succeed a SAN in a state like Lagos. So with Ambode as candidate, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will simply be telling Lagosians to go from having a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to having a highly respected chartered accountant as its governor. That will not be a hard sell by any standard.
    He is also a determined character. A trait he started showing early in life. After losing his dad at a very tender age, Ambode, who had the second best result in the entire West Africa in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1981, went on to graduate with honours in Accounting from the University of Lagos at 21.
    He has a Masters’ degree in Accounting, combined with being a Chartered Accountant at 24. His brilliant career in Accounting later in life only confirmed his pedigree. In his insatiable quest for quality knowledge he has also had stints at reputable institutions, including Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield, England, the Institute of Management Development, Lausanne, Switzerland, INSEAD Singapore and Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Boston, U.S.A. Now, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
    And at a time when the best brains seek the multinationals to ply their trades, Ambode chose the civil service. Only a man with passion for selfless service would do that. And truth be told, there are few of them, not only here in Lagos but the entire Nigerian nation. So, if Lagos is now searching for a man with a career progression that has benefited his society and prepared him for leadership roles, Ambode fits the bill. A peep into his records of service, I am sure will attest to this.
    Rising from the humble position of a Junior Accountant, he became the youngest ever Auditor-General for Local Governments in Lagos State in 2001. Later, he was made the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance in January 2005. In February, 2006, he got the additional responsibilities as he was announced the Accountant- General in February, 2006.
    It was in these capacities (combining the positions of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Accountant-General) that he restructured the financial transactions of the state resulting in the state budget’s performance of over 80 per-cent that year.
    Not many will know because of his humble nature, that he is the brain behind the remarkable machinery that assisted in keeping Lagos running during the period when the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration unilaterally stopped allocation to local governments in the state.
    Writing years later in his book: Public Sector Financing, he revealed the strategies used to keep the state afloat in those dark days. The book simplifies government accounting system from the local government through the state to the federal level. Or, he may have to write another book specifically focused on how states and even individuals could survive the hard times.
    Little wonder that he gained recognition for outstanding excellence by the Joint Tax Board (JTB)/FIRS on the successful organisation of the 1st National Tax Retreat in Nigeria in 2005. All these no doubt have fully equipped him with leadership capabilities that the good people of Lagos state, being a microcosm of Nigeria could gain from.
    Moving on from where Fashola will leave the saddle in 2015, the next agenda for our great state should focus on how to look inward and be self-sustaining through creative and decent wealth creation. The great development architecture drawn by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Lagos State being presently actualised must be sustained.
    With the search for competence, capability and character to sustain the state beyond federal allocation as a factor as we seek the next governor of Lagos State, I strongly believe Ambode will fit into the policy established by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and re-enforced by Babatunde Fashola.
    Two other issues that kept coming up in the debate over who should govern Lagos next are senatorial zoning and religious affiliation. An Ambode candidacy will also lay all these to rest and pave the way for his party’s victory at the polls in 2015. His being a good Christian is another plus for him as this settles the ongoing agitation for a Christian governor for the state in 2015.
    On senatorial zoning, he is eminently qualified to represent Lagos East as he hails from Epe in the zone.
    Ambode certainly has the leadership qualities to build on the great works the amiable incumbent Governor Babatunde Fashola has achieved. Lagos will drink from his wealth of experience and commitment.
    — Akintayo writes from Ikorodu, Lagos.

  • Oyo politics after Lam Adesina

    Correspondent BISI OLADELE writes on the implications of the demise of Alhaji Lam Adesina for the progressive family in Oyo State and how Governor Abiola Ajimobi has been building on the legacies of the departed leader.

    A year ago, former Oyo State Governor Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina died, following a protracted illness. He died at St Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, where he was receiving treatment until he died on November 11, last year.

    Until his death, Adesina was the leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State. He started playing the role, since he was defeated in the 2003 election, which cut short his second term dream.

    Great Lam, as he was fondly called by his admirers, was loved by many. In his moderate Felele, Ibadan home, the former governor welcomed the great and the small. He wielded a great influence.

    Adesina was an astute politician. He was the rallying point for the old and new generation of politicians the elite and the unlettered. He was approachable, simple, unassuming, humorous, but firm. His principles were well known among members hardly did they flout them.

    He stabilised the party among emerging internal blocs and served as the judge on virtually all matters.

    So, when the curtain was drawn one year ago, political watchers feared a depletion or disarray in the party.

    Yet, events of the last 12 months have proved that the ACN (now All Progressives Congress) has the capacity to survive, even without its old leaders. It looks like a system that only needs to be sustained by principles of fairness, forthrightness and decency. Hence, Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Chief Michael Koleoso have paddled the canoe of the party without blemishes after Great Lam’s departure.

    However, the massive urban renewal exercise of the Ajimobi Administration, which peaked in the first quarter of the year, may possibly have taken more time, to accomplish, if Lam were alive. As an elder-statesman, residents that were dissatisfied with any policy of the current administration lodged their complaints to him. After educating them, he would convey their feelings to the governor and offer useful advice. Lam may have advised Ajimobi to move slowly as traders removed from the roads under bridges.

    As the governor ruminates over appointment of new members of the State Executive Council, Lam would have done a good buck of the fixing as he would have offered very useful advice to the governor in making his selection. His house would have become a Mecca of sort for political jobbers seeking position. In a way, Lam was largely handling the political aspect of the administration for Ajimobi when he was alive. The governor now takes care of both governance and full politics.

    That was the experience in the build-up to the 2011 elections when all political office hopefuls thronged his Felele residence.

    As the leader of the party, Ajimobi would have given him some concession, on a few candidates because it was believed that he knew the party and the members inside-out, having stayed so long in the progressive party.

    Today, however, aside the party leadership, a notable Islamic leader and a first-class traditional ruler seem to hold the ace in the administration.

    Lam was a staunch critic of the leader of the Accord Party (AP) in the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja. He had attributed the his loss in the 2003 election to Ladoja, whom he accused of rigging him out against the wish of the people.

    The AP leader has been criticising the Ajimobi Administration, since the beginning of the year. Both Ajimobi and Ladoja fell apart politically last year, due to irreconcilable differences.

    If Lam is alive, Ladoja would have received more verbal attacks from the deceased as he will reel out data on how the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor allegedly destroyed all his legacies when he succeeded him in 2003. He never spared Ladoja and he brooked no criticism from the AP leader. Lam’s death obviously created more breathing space for Ladoja.

    For instance, when the National Assembly election favoured the ACN in 2011, even before the governorship election in which Ladoja (AP) was a candidate, Ajimobi (ACN) was a candidate and Adebayo Alao-Akala flew the flag of the PDP. Lam, while addressing reporters at the Southwest Secretariat office of his party on Old Ife Road, Ibadan, he tongue-lashed Ladoja and Alao-Akala, saying it was “pay-back time” for what they did to him in 2003. Alao-Akala was Ladoja’s deputy governorship candidate in the 2003 election.

    “Both of them rigged me out in 2003. Now is the pay-back time for them. They have already lost this election because the, people of Oyo State have rejected them,” Lam said.

    Adesina also criticized the PDP. In spite of the fact that the party has not been able to pick its pieces in the state, Lam would have sustained its derogation and criticism of its activities, if he is still alive.

    The planned national conference is one development that would definitely have attracted strong comments from Lam Adesina. His view on such important matters which were strong, were always sought by reporters. Lam was a reporter’s delight. His orientation as an activist made him so.

    Members of the older generation of politicians are gradually passing away. Unfortunately, not many cerebral politicians are seen on the political stage in Oyo State again.

    The people of Oke-Ogun, the northern part of the state, are surely missing Great Lam. Lam had a strong political bond with them. They trusted and loved him till the end. Chief Koleoso, with whom he led the party, until his death, hails from Oke-Ogun. They must have missed his visits, friendship and political relationship.

    Though Lam and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, were not in very cordial terms towards the end if his Administration, the monarch and Lam found a common ground again in 2011, to the dismay of many watchers. Therefore, Lam’s hands of fellowship cut across boarders, giving him out as a true leader.

    As the APC faithful and the people of Oyo State remember Great Lam, it is expected that the party will continue us to build leadership on the principles of the deceased who was a man of integrity. Party men, he would emphasize, must subject their personal interest to that of the party. He would advise legislators to vote along party lines and remain faithful to their oath of office.

    He enjoined politicians to keep a simple life and keep service to others as their top priority. Lam urged party faithful to shun corruption but to live a type of life that would ensure they enjoy peace after leaving office.

    It is expected that the APC would keep these ideals as it soars in the administration of the state.

     

  • Soyinka: Why Presidency is after Amaechi

    Soyinka: Why Presidency is after Amaechi

    Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka yesterday hinted at the root of the rift between Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the Presidency.

    The elder statesman, who said he had been contacted by both factions before he addressed a joint news conference with activist Femi Falana (SAN) in Lagos, disclosed that the Presidency was unhappy over “conflict of interests on certain resources”.

    Soyinka said a special adviser in the Presidency, whom he did not name, visited him and outlined the official rationale for the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) debacle. He said the conflict over certain resources, was implied as the root of the division between the NGF and the Presidency.

    He said he passed the details from the encounter to Amaechi, who denied all the allegations.

    The playwright added that the core issues were the threat to democracy.

    Soyinka said: “Before the press conference held by Femi Falana and myself-that is, even before the Rivers Assembly fracas-I had been canvassed by opposing sides of the face-off, both via telephone and physically.

    “One such visit, perhaps the most significant, was made by a Special Adviser in the Presidency who outlined what can be regarded as the official rationale for the Governors’ Forum debacle.

    “In the process of this exchange, he did make certain complaints against Governor Rotimi Amaechi, including charges of a conflict of interests over certain resources. This was implied as the root of division between the NGF and the Presidency.

    “I wrote down details, informed the emissary that I would pass on these accusations to Governor Amaechi-which I did. That Amaechi hotly denied them and offered contradicting facts, which he urged me to verify, remains utterly irrelevant to the democratic core of the conflict-and this has been made clear to all interventionists:

    “The arithmetics of democracy involved in figures 16 and 19 at the time, and now, with increased confidence in impunity, the figures 27 and 5.

    “Whether or not it is democratic, even cultured proceeding that a state governor is barred from public access anywhere within his own zone of constitutional authority, with the massive security apparatus of the centre, on behalf of an unelected individual.

    “Even after the Rivers crisis has been resolved, this notorious proceeding will not be permitted to fester unchallenged.

    “For the rest, since beneath the surface of most Nigerian conflicts will be found inordinate greed for public resources, it is perhaps pertinent to remind ourselves that oil is not the only marvel to emerge from the Delta swamps.

    “There are also exotic creatures-mermaids, manatees, even mammy watas and hippopotami. However, unlike crude oil, which can be refined, you can extract a hippopotamus from the swamps, but you cannot take the swamp out of the hippopotamus.”

  • Name Osun airport after Sir Adesoji Aderemi

    SIR: Osun State in the last two and half years has witnessed transformational development. The on-going physical developments are having salutary effects on the lives of the populace. One of such remarkable project is the Osun Airport. Though some critics say that the airport development should not be a priority for the state, I however affirm that we should join the league of other states like Gombe, Akwa-Ibom, Katsina etc. that have benefitted through the services of airports. Every state in Nigeria is in a hurry to catch up with 21st century. Osun should not be an exception. We should be seen as a people who mastered their moment.

    The issue however is the naming of the airport after the late acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 Presidential election, Basorun M.K.O Abiola. The naming of the airport after him leaves Osun bare, as if there are no worthy indigenes – living or dead that could be accorded such honour.

    One of such notable personality of Osun origin, that Osun airport could be named after is our own late illustrious father and distinguished traditional ruler of his time – Sir Adesoji Tadeniawo Aderemi – K.B.E, Ooni of Ife (1930 – 1980). Sir Aderemi was the first indigenous governor of the old Western Region. Alayeluwa Adesoji Aderemi was during his lifetime, excellence-personified. He made royalty a thing of pride. He exuded aura, dignity and intellectual prowess particularly during the London Constitutional Conferences that heralded our independence.

    He remains up till date, the only indigenous governor of his era that no administration, either at state or federal levels, have so considered fit of a befitting immortalization in whatever form. Sirs Akanu Ibiam and Kashim Ibrahim – indigenous governors of old Eastern and Northern regions respectively, have been honoured and immortalized by their people and government through one landmark edifice or the other. But here we are, our own revered late Sir Aderemi of blessed memory, remains uncelebrated; un-immortalized, so many years after his glorious transition.

    Even, in his native Ile-Ife – The Source – nothing worth-while has been done to immortalize this great son of Yoruba race, nay Nigeria. This is why it is important that a gargantuan project like the on-going Osun Airport, should, as a matter of long overdue honour, be named – Adesoji Aderemi Airport. It is not too much to do so.

    The late Chiefs Obafemi Awolowo and Ladoke Akintola, both of whom are great sons of Nigeria, had a university each named after them. So is Olabisi Onabanjo in Ogun State. If we cannot rename Osun State University after the late Aderemi, please let us give him the honour of having the Osun Airport named after him.

    Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola should also go a step further by renaming Osun College of Technology, Esa-Oke after the late Cicero, Uncle Bola Ige; the Osun State Polytechnic Iree, after late Chief S.M Afolabi, Osun College of Education, Ilesa after late Sir. Odeleye Fadahunsi and College of Education, Illa-Orangun after Chief Adebisi Akande while he lives.

    The late Chief M.K.O Abiola, we shall remember forever and for good. I am, like many other Nigerians, a great admirer of the late philanthropist and business mogul, and will even recommend that our country be renamed after him. Osun State government should get something else to honour him in death as we did, with our massive vote during the ill-fated June 12, 1993 Presidential election.

    • Olumide Lawal

    Ede, Osun State.

  • Bauchi names major street after Maigari

    Bauchi names major street after Maigari

    Bauchi State governor Isa Yuguda has named a major street in Bauchi after Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) boss Aminu Maigari to mark Nigeria’s 2013 AFCON success.

    “The government and people of Bauchi State are delighted with the Super Eagles’ triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. The success was certainly the result of hard work, as well as team-work, determination and dedication,” Yuguda said when he received the AFCON trophy at the Government House in Bauchi on Tuesday.

    “We are all very proud of the team, as we are sure all other Nigerians are proud of the team. I wish to recommend to the three arms of government – executive, judiciary and legislature – the same spirit of team-work, because that is the surest route to success.”

    Governor Yuguda also noted that the triumph was a pointer to the bounty harvests that could be derived from peace and unity.

    Present at the occasion were members of the Bauchi State Executive Council; NFF President, Aminu Maigari; NFF executive committee member, Felix Anyansi-Agwu; NFF general secretary, Musa Amadu and Eagles assistant coach Daniel Amokachi.