The Nation Newspaper

Tag: change

  • Tools for the needed change

    The aura of electoral victory that heralded the emergence of General Muhamadu Buhari has the president of Nigeria cannot be waved away with a stroke of the hand. No, it was a victory birthed by a groaning of a people desirous of a change in their livelihood and the leadership of their country. The change movement meant different things to different people. Yet in all the differences, they agreed on one thing – that General Buhari was the man for the job. That agreement resulted in a change of government and birthed a new Nigeria with a different political order.

    The elections and the inauguration of the new government were only the first steps in the quest for a changed nation. Having received the mandate and trust of Nigerians, the President must therefore display  and act with the acumen and wisdom needed to lift the country out of its current and existing doldrums and guide it towards a promising and rewarding future. This is a task that requires prioritization and effective delivery for two reasons. One, there is hardly no part of the Nigerian national life that is not near comatose. Two, the comatose has existed for so long that it had created a convoluted and complex web of mediocrity and paralysis.

    Consequently, President Muhammadu Buhari needs to be tactical in his approach, prioritize his tasks and focus his strengths on sectors capable of creating domino effects on the other sectors with minimum inputs. There are three major sectors capable creating the needed effects in the national life: Education, Agriculture and Power, in that order.

    A country’s educational sector is the bedrock of its national life. It is the essential foundation on which every other sector can be built and established. Like a strong defensive midfielder is a key factor for the success of any football team, a strong educational sector is the only factor for a change in our national life. Education drives invention, patriotism, loyalty, competence and excellence. The seemingly failure of Nigeria as a country is deeply rooted in the collapse and ruin of its educational sector.

    Most people rush to associate Nigeria’s problems with corruption, yet incompetence plays a greater role in the nation’s woes. Most graduates are semi-illiterate and the country has the highest rate of out of school children in the world. Our schools have failed to develop with the trend – they are still deep in teaching the 21st century students with 20th century teaching scheme. Other populous countries around the world, such as China, India, Pakistan and even the US, focus on technical and vocational education. Yet, technical and vocational education is dead in Nigeria. It has been 29 years since the 170 million populated nation produced a Nobel Laureate and our schools have failed to produce another.

    Agriculture and power go hand-in-hand because they are the root of the collapse of country’s economy. Nigeria’s discovery of petroleum led to a reckless neglect of the country’s agricultural sectors. Before drilling and exploration, we had planting and harvesting. The nation was driven on the inflows from the sale of agricultural produce. Nigeria currently produces the top 10 most sought after crops in the world on a subsistence level. We have failed to harness our agricultural prowess and sacrificed its abundance on the altar of sweet crude. We have replaced the pyramids of groundnuts with tank farms, silos and barns with petrol stations and tanker garages. Now, the country is on a food importation binge because our production is low and it is still crude and undeveloped. Where Vietnam has built silos with capacities that can supply rice to Africa for 10 years non-stop, Nigeria’s yam and cassava are either getting spoiled or left for rodents to eat.

    And power! Electricity is a key driver for any economy. After the deregulation of the power sector and the billions of petro-dollars sank into it, there appears to be no end in sight for the country. Even though the generating companies seem to have been working to capacity, the discos seem not to have been ensuring that all the watts of power generated are distributed for use due to their own economic advantage. The decadence of Nigeria’s power sector cannot be over-emphasized – our economy is currently powered with diesel generators. Big shame.

    Good education, agriculture and power sectors will fix this country; they will combat terrorism, corruption, incompetence, greed, lawlessness, lack of patriotism and other social vices. Revamping these sectors will ensure an equal distribution of development across every region of the nation and create job for the youth. With the right policies and people, we can combat brain drain and bring Nigeria’s investments in the diaspora to the homeland.

    If PMB is going to succeed, his administration must focus on these sectors and make them his priorities. He will need to select the right persons to head these sectors and support them with the political will to drive the change. Obafemi Awolowo’s success in the old western region was driven by an inseparable combination of the premier’s strong political will and the assignment of competent men to drive his agricultural revolution and free education programmes. PMB must also find the same combination.

    PMB’s pool for the right hand is already defined – the senate just screened his ministerial nominees. Based on the resume, precedence and performance at the ministerial screening, it would not be wrong to conclude that PMB’s only requirement is to ensure that these sectors are assigned to nominees with deep experience and rich technicality and not as political compensations. Only thoroughbred academicians and administrators should be appointed minister for education, successful farmers and policy makers appointed as minister for agriculture and transparent and technical individuals as minister for power and steel.

    Per analysis of the resume and precedence of the ministerial nominees, Professor Isaac Adewole seem to be the most qualified academician and school administrator for the job of revamping the  education sector. His performance at the Senate screening was a glimpse into his cerebral power. Adewole displayed a vast understanding of the challenges facing the primary, post primary and tertiary educational system sector and proffered an outstanding way out of the quagmire. A research into his tenure as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan revealed a testimonial to his capacity in school administration. His unionist background, will naturally play a key role in negotiation with educational staffers.

    In the same vein, Audu Ogbeh is the perfect fit for the agriculture sector. He is a successful farmer with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by everyday farmers. A review of his farming history revealed a capability to transform subsistence farming into mechanized and industrialized farming. A combination of his agricultural exploits and past experience as a minister will aid him in the effective discharge of the duty the required of a minister for agriculture. Finally, Zainab Ahmed’s precedence with Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) qualifies her for the power sector. A brief look into her activities in NEITI revealed that she is a respected name in the global EITI for her transparency, zero tolerance for corruption and technical capacity – characters required for the revamping of the power sector. Also, her display on the floor of the Senate indicates that Zainab Ahmed is a strong-willed personality capable of handling such sensitive sector, the immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fasola will also be the right tool for the Power Ministry.

    PMB has the brightest chance to set Nigeria on the path to greatness once and for all. One can only pray that he gets his priorities right and appoints the right hands for the required job. After five months into his tenure, he cannot afford a misstep in assigning portfolios to his ministers. Nigerians will soon start asking questions about the promised change – and four years is almost over.

     

    • Dr  ( Engr)  Yusuff  teaches Electrical Engineering at Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa
  • Can Buhari’s ministers CHANGE Nigeria?

    Can Buhari’s ministers CHANGE Nigeria?

    President Muhammadu Buhari has a duty to fix the ailing sectors and restore public confidence. It is a huge task that demands commitment, patriotism and speed. What are the areas that need urgent attention? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the agenda of change and how the administration can bridge the gap between expectation and reality.

    Expectations were high on May 29 when President Muhammadu Buhari took over from his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. That was almost six months ago. Now that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) is about to be constituted, following the screening of ministers by the Senate, the people anxiously waits for the dividends of change.

    The President rode to power on the back of popular support.  Ahead of the general elections that drew the curtains on the 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hegemony, the country was in a fix. The sleeping giant of Africa was at crossroads. The fragile edifice was about to crumble.

    The economy was on its knee. The mono-economy that thrives on oil had been hit by the global meltdown. The failed budgets had exposed imprudent management on the part of government. The country was battling with poverty, misery, decayed infrastructure, soaring unemployment, power outage and large scale corruption. The atmosphere of insecurity was not investment-driven. The protracted energy crisis has led to a high cost of production and crippled the manufacturing sector.

    Buhari offered hope. His party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), rolled out a roadmap for a welfare state. Although the party was not categorical on its ideological leaning, many felt that it was a left of the centre party genuinely committed to leadership renewal and service delivery. APC’s manifestos portrayed it as a credible alternative platform to voters who opted for regime change on poll day.

    When the APC unveiled its plans for the nation in Abuja, it attempted to provide answers to some puzzles. The 10-point road map, according to the party, was meant to herald a welfarist state. The highlights of the manifestos include job creation, free and qualitative education, better housing plan, improved funding for agriculture, security. Others are social security for the poor, technological driven industrial estates, allowances for ex-corps members for 12 months and war against corruption.  Many Nigerians hailed the manifestos, but, the PDP frowned at it, dismissing it as unrealistic. Its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, described it as a road map to anarchy, adding that it will lead to doom.

    However, APC Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, assured that, when they are implemented, the road plan would halt the cries of despondency, unlike the Federal Government’s hypocritical transformation agenda, which has become a disaster, owing to faulty implementation. The party official, who described the manifestos as the outcome of national need assessment, stressed: “We commissioned a survey on what is wrong with Nigeria; what exactly Nigerians need. Unemployment, corruption and insecurity are the major problems confronting Nigeria today. So, the road map is a result of what Nigerians need. We are after a new Nigeria. This is a new Nigeria we are creating in which the people will be the beginning and the end of all developmental programmes”.

    Party leaders believed that the manifestos were achievable goals. In fact, former APC National Interim Chairman Chief Bisi Akande said the APC-led states have been implementing them, adding the next stage is their replication at the federal level by the APC-led Federal Government.

    Many Nigerians applauded the plan, which, in their view, underscored the APC’s strategic planning and vision for a brighter future, although the party kept a sealed lip on its implementation strategies. The party did not promise what it could not achieve. For example, throughout the campaigns, APC leaders avoided the contentious national question.

    However, between May and now, there have been obvious gaps between expectation and reality, despite the promise of fundamental changes to socio-economic structures and articulate measures to halt the national drift. Although President Buhari has taken bold steps to restore public confidence in government, critics have pointed out that he has been moving at a snail-speed.

    The President has been criticised for the delay in setting up a cabinet of talents. He has also come under attack for not putting in place an economic team, making experts to conclude that the administration aptly lacks economic direction. Acknowledging that his administration has been objectively slow, Buhari quickly rationalised that he has been slow, but steady.

    Many reasons were responsible for the President’s inability to hit the ground running, following the change of baton. Buhari, according to the Presidency, needed to clean up the Aegean table. Besides, the President inherited an economy in ruins. The decline in the price of crude oil from $120 per barrel in June last year to $48 per barrel poses a challenge.

    According to Presidency sources, what the Federal Government has done was to re-assess the economic situation, reduce the cost governance, select the best of talents as ministers and put the round a peg in a round hole and embark on the full implementation of the road map to deliver the dividends of democracy to the generality of Nigerians.

    In his first one hundred days, President Buhari declared his assets. He also facilitated bailouts for distressed states to halt the cash crunch. This, according to experts, has offered a temporary relief to the 27 states on the verge of liquidation. The President has also moved swiftly to block financial loopholes by insisting on a Treasury Single Account. The anti-corruption mantra is also achieving results. Government is on the trail of looted funds. The Commander-In-Chief has also successfully crossed the bridge from dictatorship to democratic constitutionalism. Buhari has given a marching order to the Armed Forces to crush Boko Haram insurgency before December. So far, the appointment of credible Nigerians as ministers has elicited commendation. On the shoulder of the new team rests the arduous task of assisting the President and the nation to realise the vision for change.

    CHALLENGES

    To reposition Nigeria and deliver the dividends of change and democracy to the common man, the Buhari administration should urgently focus on the critical sectors for surgical operation. The areas highlighted by experts include the economy, with special emphasis on diversification, power supply, resuscitation of the oil sector, employment generation, promotion of agriculture, security, anti-corruption war, unfinished business of electoral reforms.  Nigerians expect the government to cut down the cost of governance by avoiding the duplication of ministries and departments. The administration should also show the example that will change the perception of public office as an avenue for private accumulation and financial aggrandisement.

    ECONOMY

    The prevailing macro-economic indicators point to an economic in distress. It has made the rebasing of the economy by the previous government, which now put Nigeria as the 21st biggest economy in the world, as a fabrication and figment of hyperactive imagination. The economy is biting harder. Its fragility is underscored by the declining Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Unless urgent steps are taken to stimulate or re-direct the economy, the current status suggests a prelude to recession. It is very confounding. There is a decline in oil earnings, following the drop in oil prices from $120 per barrel to $48 per barrel. The currency has been under pressure since the oil price collapsed.

    Some experts even suggest that the naira may have suffered 25 percent devaluation. Last week, the suggestion by former Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi , the Emir of Kano, for outright devaluation inflamed economic passion.  In the World Bank’s ranking of world economies, Nigeria is 170th. Nigeria’s debt profile is soaring, with the Federal Government said to be spending N500 billion for servicing in the first two quarters.

    A gloomy picture is painted daily by economic analysts. Inflation rate is rising. The common man is at the receiving end as he bears the burden of the surge in prices of food items. Bankers have cried out that savings are going down and withdrawals going up, with implications for investment and productivity.

    According to the World Bank, Nigeria is under the yoke of extreme poverty with over 70 percent of its 170 million population living on $1.25 (about N250) per day. This is compounded by lack of access to social amenities, including healthcare, sanitation, and portable water. Millions are battling with homelessness.  Unemployment is growing in geometrical proportions. The manufacturing base cannot expand under the unbearable atmosphere.

    “The cost of doing business in Nigeria is high,” said Dr. Rasak Odunlade, a public affairs analyst, stressing that this may discourage domestic and foreign investors. “The truth is that businesses here face very high costs, the most obvious being the high input cost of power where manufacturers and other businesses pay twice the rate per kilowatt hour than the grid to provide continuous power they need. Foreign investors have a choice and if we don’t measure up, the investment and jobs go elsewhere. Similarly, our companies struggle to export with a high cost base,” he added.

    Nigeria needs a very focussed, patriotic and efficient economic team. The team should restore order into a state of economic pandemonium and hullaballoo. The miracle cannot be achieved overnight, owing to the many years of neglect, inaction, ineptitude, mismanagement and decay.

    But, it is possible to halt the drift. Financial operators have pointed out that as the government pursues the anti-corruption and terror wars, equal attention should be given to the economy. The Registrar of the Institute of Business Development (IDB), Paul Ikele, advised government to initiate people-oriented policies and programmes to stimulate the economy and reduce cost of production by fixing power and other infrastructures.

    “The local currency, the naira, is still losing value. Unemployment is rising dangerously. Manufacturers are either closing shops or putting their expansion programmes on hold due to rising production cost that has in turn triggered infrastructure challenges, particularly power,” he lamented.

    DIVERSIFICATION OF THE ECONOMY

    A financial expert, Dr. Alaba Olusemore, warned against the danger of over-reliance and over-dependence on a single product for national earning. Olusemore, the Managing Director of Nesbet Consulting, said: “The monolithic nature of the economy is unsustainable. We must immediately begin to initiate and sustain policies directed at economic diversification. We must look at manufacturing and agriculture, which have the potentials to create employment opportunities.”

    AGRICULTURAL INCENTIVES

    An economist, Olaotan Kuku, agreed with Olusemore. He noted that the economy is in deep woods. But, he added that diversification is challenging, stressing that the moribund non-oil sectors will require financial rejuvenation. Kuku, who teaches economics at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, stressed: “Agriculture should be made attractive and it can only be attractive if it is profitable. Farmers’ farm produce rotten away on the distant farms, in the absence of feeder roads. There is lack of immediate market for the products, which are mostly perishable. Government can assist in facilitating the marketing of agricultural products.  Canning is also very important. Youths will not embrace agriculture, if the rural areas are unattractive because of lack of social amenities and if agriculture is unprofitable.”

    He added: “There is need for government to make land available for agriculture.  Those involved medium and large-scale farming should have access to mechanised farm tools-tractors, ploughs, and seedlings-in each of the local governments. Farmers should able to rent these implements at a subsidised rate to encourage them. Loans should be given to farmers. In the North, fertilisers should be made available and the corruption associated with its distribution should be curtailed.”

    DEVELOPMENT OF SOLID MINERALS

    Reality should now dawn on Nigeria that it cannot be salvage by oil. Government should see the futility of dependence on the acclaimed black gold. Nigeria should emulate other countries that are reaping the fruits of diversification. Examples are China, India, Mexico and Indonesia. In China, government is making money from 171 mineral resources. They include coal, copper, aluminium, lead, zinc, and mercury. Its industrial products are competing favourably in the world market. Nigeria has natural endowments, which remained untapped. These resources include bitumen, tin, copper, zinc, coal, gold, celica, clay limestone.

    Others are limestone, laterate, cassilitrite, koolne stones, columbite and marbe. They abound across the states of the federation. “Nigeria can earn more from solid minerals than oil,” said Prof. Olugbenga Okunlola, the President of Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society. The University of Ibadan don lamented that, despite Nigeria’s natural endowment, efforts have not been made to harness the natural resources outside the oil-sector.

    He pointed out that, of the 44 non-oil resources available, at least, 20 are of economic value. “We suffer in the midst of plenty. If government puts just about 10 per cent of what is in oil and gas into the solid mineral sector, our national income will be more than triple. The MDAs in the Ministry of Steel and Mining will be richer than the NNPC. We are talking about 44 minerals with many more being added. In 2006, we were talking about 34 minerals. In eight years, we are talking about 44.

    “If we have adequate data acquisition, we will have more minerals that will generate more incomes for us. If there is close monitoring, no gold will be smuggled out. Investors will come in. So, we are endowed and it is a shame we are not tapping into them.”

    On rice importation ban, Kuku warned that Nigerians may starve, unless local production is boosted. “If local production is boosted and there is enough to consume at home, government can begin to impose higher import duty and tariff to discourage import,” he said.

    TOURISM

    Tourism is a veritable source of income. Nigeria appears to be waking up to the reality. However, the atmosphere of insecurity is detrimental to its growth.

    INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT

    President Buhari should focus on the repositioning of the power sector. He should also come up with a definite policy in the oil sector. Generally, there is the dearth of infrastructure facilities. Many roads are still death traps. A proactive measure is also required to sustain the environment and prevent the yearly flooding, which often displaces people from their homes and farms.

    POWER

    The energy crisis has become a national albatross. Power generation and distribution are a mirage. Although there was a glimpse of hope when President Buhari was inaugurated, the relative electricity supply has now been displaced by acute darkness. This explains the limitation to the efficacy of presidential body language. The saving grace is the generator. Yet, not all Nigerians can afford it. The Ministry of Power recently painted an awful picture. Power supply is fluctuating. From 4,005.53 megawatts (mw) last month, it dipped to 3,619.70 mw. If the power challenge is resolved, it will boost productive activities in the manufacturing sector. In particular, it will be to the advantage of the informal sector. Artisans will be busy. The cost of production will not hamper business operations.

    Despite previous investment that went down the drain, there is need for another round of huge investment in the crucial sector. The weakened manufacturing base is attributed to huge cost od logistics and production. This has led to capital and investment flight. To the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), the high cost of production, which is traceable to the cost of alternative sources of energy, affects the profitability of manufacturing operations and product competiveness. The Chairman of MAN, Apapa branch, Babatunde Odunayo, said the expansion programmes of the sector are hampered, making it difficult or impossible to assist in resolving the challenge of growing unemployment.

    Reflecting on the power sector, Eko Distribution Company Deputy Managing Director Ramesh Narayanan listed the factors that inhibit the supply chain at the level of power generation, transmission and distribution. The impediments include inefficient and outdated technology and the dearth of national grid. “This is responsible for the bottleneck hindering access from power source to the point of use, resulting in poor quality of supply,” he said.

    Government is contemplating increased electricity tariff. This may constitute an untold hardship to Nigerians, who are already suffocating under the comatose economy.

    The new minister of power has a lot of work to do. Power generation, transmission and distribution are critical to the survival of the economy. It is a core infrastructure that is non-negotiable. Unscrupulous elements sabotaging government’s efforts should be shown the way out.

    OIL SECTOR

    There are certain problems associated with the ailing sector. Paradoxically, the sixth largest producer of crude oil is also an importer of oil for domestic consumption. Few months ago, the premium spirit was scarce in the market, with the agony of long queues at filing stations staring the government in the face. The amount of crude oil being lifted and actual earnings from the crude oil is unknown. Until recently, multiple bank accounts of the NNPC were confusing about the motivation for opening them. Refineries are at a low ebb, despite the huge investment on turn around maintenance. Oil theft has become a lucrative business, fuelling suspicion of an institutional cover-up. Last year, Sanusi cried out that a huge amount of money meant for the NNPC was missing. It generated controversy. But, it has not been resolved.

    Already, the NNPC group Managing Director, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu, who may double as the Minister of State for Petroleum, has embarked on miniature reforms in the sector. He has reduced the number of subsidiary heads from eight to four. In his view, cutting costs will reduce efficiency and profitability. But, the sector may be sitting on a keg of gunpowder. Marketers appear to be cooperating avoiding strikes that could threaten steady supply of petroleum. But, the subsisting rift over the non-payment of their outstanding M200 billion claims on subsidy is not over.

    One of the cardinal decisions the government must make revolves around fuel subsidy. When the former CBN governor called for its removal last month, it provoked arguments. Some experts argued that it will create more hardship for Nigerians. But, others also argued that the fuel subsidy is to exclusive advantage of few oil barons and collaborators who are holding the sector in it jugular.

    Another area of focus should be the health and capacity of the refineries. Should Nigeria continue to import fuel as outrageous costs when the refineries can be rehabilitated and bridge the gap? What has happened to the huge investment on maintenance? Which is a better option-importation of refined fuel or domestic production and distribution? What time frame is apposite for full domestic production?

    ROADS

    The new minister of works has a lot to do. Lamentably, federal roads in many states are an eyesore. Many of them are abandoned projects. Project sites have been deserted by contractors. Where they stay back, there is hypocritical commitment to the job. The Federal Government owes huge amounts of money to states for federal roads constructed by the states. The most embarrassing is the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway. Since 2003, the rehabilitation of the road has been on-going. Commuters suffer traffic gridlock which could last for between six and eight hours. Besides, many accidents have been recorded on the road because it is not motorable.

    SECURITY

    The eyes of the world are on Nigeria as it grapples with the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast. But, other zones also have its fair share of insecurity ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping. Prominent Nigerians have only regained their freedom from abductors after paying fat ransom.

    Many lives have been lost in the North, no thanks to the dreadful sect. The fate of the abducted Chibok girls still hangs in the balance. Their whereabouts are unknown. Many of their parents are dying of psychological trauma.

    Many have been displaced from their homes and they now sojourn in refugee camps. The camps are not even insulated from terror attacks. Many investors have attributed their inability to explore investment opportunities in Nigeria to the unfavourable climate.

    President Buhari has taken proactive steps. Following his inauguration, he directed the relocation of the Army headquarters to the battle front in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. Now, he has directed the Armed Forces to end the menace in December. The Commander-In-Chief is with justification ambivalent towards the option of dialogue.

    In his view, dialogue could only be meaningful, if the abducted girls are still alive. The Army has recorded tremendous success in the onslaught against the enemies of the state. But, the war has not been won. The Minister of Defence will inherit the burden. The President has visited the neigbouring countries-Cameroun, Niger and Chad-to solicit their cooperation for the sustenance of the Joint Task Force. The joint task force should be re-invigorated.  More weapons should be procured from the right sources in aid of the war. In the past, Boko Haram was taking the battle to Nigeria. But, as Nigeria started taking the battle to Boko Haram, the sect now is on the defensive by going after soft targets.

    Recently, the Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, alleged that some powerful and influential forces in Borno and Northeast were undermining the fight against terror. Government should not take it lightly.

    When the war is won, the work of reconstruction and rehabilitation should begin in the far flung region.

    STATE POLICE

    Central to the maintenance of security, law and order across the state is policing. Currently, under the lopsided federal structure, governors, who are honorary chief security officers of their states, rely on the police under the supervision of the distant Inspector-General of Police. The governor in distress has to appeal to the Commissioner of Police, who in turn has to obtain the approval of the IGP before obliging the governor.

    During the ministerial screening in the Senate, Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who is now a minister, decried the unhealthy arrangement, saying that it is counterproductive. The agitation for state police and community policing is on the burner again.

    Those against it said that the police can easily become the willing tool on the hand of governors to intimidate and harass the opposition. But, the advocates of decentralisation and devolution of power said that it will enable state authorities to prevent crime and ensure law and order. There is also the argument that the current police structure needs help, in terms of equipment, logistics, and morale to combat crime and protect life and property.

    ANTI-CORRUPTION WAR

    Corruption has dented the image of Nigeria. The giant of Africa in population is also a continental giant in reckless behaviour. Despite the activities of the anti-graft agencies and courts, unpatriotic Nigerians exploit the loopholes in the legislations and the alleged vulnerability of few judicial officers to undermine the war. It is, therefore, gratifying that the Sagay Committee was set up to offer a novel legal framework on the anti-graft war.

    Government should be courageous to implement the recommendations of the committee. APC National Legal Adviser Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) noted that the anti-corruption

  • Here come the change agents

    Here come the change agents

    How youths can become change agents was the focus of a discussion at a conference organised by the Lagos Area Unit of Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) at the College of Medicine of the Lagos State University. SAFIYYAH ABDUR-RAZAQ reports.

    The Malaria Research Centre (MRC) of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) in Ikeja was filled to on Sunday. All guests and members of the audience seated quietly, waiting for the arrival of the special guest of honour and the keynote speaker – Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule.

    No sooner did she arrive that the event started.

    It was the annual conference and inauguration of executive members of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit.

    In her lecture on the event’s theme: The change that matters, Dr Adebule said Muslim students should show good examples through their conduct and relationship with people from diverse religious affiliations. She said the students’ group must work hand-in-hand with the government to bring about the needed change.

    Dr Adebule said: “In line with the theme of this event, it is our duty as the government to lead by example and be responsible. To achieve our aims, every member of the society must support the government, because we cannot do it alone. We must be the change we want to see. It is your responsibilities as citizens to pay tax, obey the law and follow due process. These are the changes we are clamouring for.”

    Describing Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as a tolerant leader, who would not engage in religious discrimination, she praised the efforts of MSSN members in the struggle to allow the use of Hijab (Islamic veil) in public schools in Lagos. She promised that the present government would revisit the matter assuring the students them of a positive outcome.

    In his address, the MSSN Amir (president), Mallam Kamil Kalejaiye, said the peaceful change of government showed the nation was overcoming its fundamental challenges. He urged governments at all levels to be alive with their responsibility, stressing that investment in education must be increased to drive change needed.

    He said: “We are convinced that we may not get the change that matters in the absence of good governance and legislation in all states of the federation. It is impossible for a nation with good governance not to witness positive changes. With good governance, which means observance of the rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, equity and inclusiveness, effectiveness and accountability, we believe the country can witness the positive changes.”

    Chairman of Management Board, Vanguards Academy, Dr Zafaran Adeniyi, captivated members of the audience with his thought-provoking lecture, where he explained that change did not mean a peaceful change of guard and reduction in fuel pump price; he said change would only occur if the plight of the masses remained the focus of the leaders.

    He decried people’s care-free attitude, which he said gave leaders to loot the nation dry. He said people must get involved in governance to bring leaders to accountability.

    He said: “Our care-free attitudes as Nigerians and imposed ignorance have always been exploited by our so-called leaders, who have brought untold hardship to the people. It has given them the freedom to self-enrich in the face of staggering non-performance and inefficiency. Yet, the shameless among them to still go around campaigning for re-election.”

    He told President Muhammadu Buhari to prepare for tough times ahead, saying the president emerged at a time the structure of the country had collapsed. He said Buhari alone could not re-build the nation, stressing that it would be a tough battle for the president to put things in order.

    Adeniyi advised youths to portray the changes they desired. He added: “Change does not just happen. Everybody must appreciate that we all have roles to play if we want to bring change about. We must change our lawless attitude and the objective that drives our politics. We must also change our unruly behaviour in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in our homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.”

    The highpoint was the inauguration of new members of the MSSN executive. Dr Adebule advised them to keep the association vibrant and improve on the achievement of their predecessors.

    The new Amir is Mallam Saheed Ashafa, while the Amirah (female head) is Hajia Hafsa Badru.

  • ‘Adewole is a catalyst for change’

    ‘Adewole is a catalyst for change’

    The United Forum for Osun Youth has backed the nomination of the outgoing vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof Isaac Adewole.

    In a statement  by the publicity secretary, Saka Kikelomo, the forum expressed respect for President Muhhamadu Buhari for discovering what it described as “this valuable asset whose experience in the field of medicine and education span well above three decades of meritorious and outstanding career.”

    The forum said with the choice, the president has demonstrated his strong determination to bring the much desired change which has remained elusive to Nigerians in the past by bringing on board “this uncommon technocrat of great value and integrity.”

    Prof. Adewole along with other nominees are to appear before the senate this week.

    Also, a group of professionals, Forum for Unity and National Service (FUNS), has asked those against the nomination to drop their objection.

    In a statement in Ibadan at the weekend, Iyiola Balogun and Moses Akinyemi, Chairman and Secretary, lauded the president “for looking beyond the orbit of politics to fish out Prof. Adewole for inclusion in his cabinet.”

    It appealed to those it described as “aggrieved politicians, who feel shortchanged by Adewole’s appointment to see the perceived momentary denial of political patronage as part of their own sacrifice to the on-going political evolution, transformation and national integration being championed by President Buhari.”

     

  • Simple ways to be the CHANGE

    “Let us do our duty in our shop or our kitchen, in the market, the street, the office, the school, the home, just as faithfully as if we stood in the front rank of some great battle, and knew that victory for mankind depended on our bravery, strength and skill. When we do that, the humblest of us will be serving in that great army which achieves the welfare of the world.”  – Theodore Parker

    It was Nigeria’s 55th Independence Day Anniversary on the 1st of October 2015. And there has been a lot of talk about change with the new government. As we celebrate another anniversary we must all work on ourselves and become the change we desire to see through an attitudinal change. I decided to take up the challenge and come up with simple ways that we can all be the CHANGE.

    Stop complaining about Nigeria and do something about it!  Be the CHANGE! And get involved in INSPIRING CHANGE!  For any complaints you hear about Nigeria, see if you can come up with at least three constructive SOLUTIONS – become a solution oriented Nigerian. Imbibe the QUEUE CULTURE (line up at the bank, line up at the airport, line up at the bus stop, line up at the hospital, line up at the supermarket, line up at the stadium, line up at the mall, line up at school, line up wherever you are expected to line up)  Stay on the queue at petrol stations even more so when there is fuel scarcity   SPEAK UP when fellow Nigerians jump the queue and insist that the person joins the queue. Also remember to speak out at the top of your voice when foreigners/expatriates jump the queue! Do not let them get away with it! ADD YOUR VOICE when someone else speaks up to a fellow Nigerian about jumping the queue. Do not litter the environment   Do not throw your trash in the gutter

    Do not throw your empty pure water sachet on the streets   Do not throw out litter (empty bottles, empty can drinks, sweet wrappers, biscuit wrappers, banana peelings etc.) from your car. Keep the trash in your car. Always keep nylon bags in your car for trash so that they are readily available when you need them. When in your car put all your trash in the nylon bags. And when you get home trash the nylon bags in the trash bin.  Dispose of waste properly and KEEP NIGERIA CLEAN!   When people throw litter on the ground SPEAK UP and say to them “Keep Nigeria clean or I will tell Buhari O!” Always use waste bins, refuse bins, trash bins, paper baskets etc. to dispose your trash or litter. If bins are not readily available TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for your trash/rubbish, keep your litter until you get a waste bin to use   Do not drive against traffic   When in the same vehicle with friends, family and fellow Nigerians encourage them not to drive against traffic. For those that insist on driving against traffic say or shout out to them –”Na you dey spoil Nigeria O!”

    OBEY the traffic lights and the highway codes. Always use your seat belt. Encourage fellow passengers to use their seat belt. Do not drive your car carrying a baby or a child on your laps. Children should be belted in their seats. Children under 12 years of age should always sit in the back seat of the car.  ENGAGE friends and family members when they allow a child that is under 12 years to sit in front and politely explain to them that they are endangering the child’s life. Dump the road rage and become a better road user. Become a better driver on Nigerian roads.  Stop for pedestrians at the Zebra Crossing. If you are in the same car with friends, family and a fellow Nigerian encourage him/her to stop for pedestrians at the Zebra Crossing.

    Switch off your phones (or put on vibrate) at meetings, conferences, church services, the mosque etc.   Do something GOOD daily for a fellow Nigerian that will take you out of your comfort zone. Stop urinating in public (women are tired of seeing indecent expo).   Use the toilet at a petrol station, shopping mall, public toilet, fast food joint (buy something from the fast food joint to make them happy and to ensure they don’t get upset with you using their toilet).  And please make sure you keep the toilets clean for the next user.  Where possible do not cross the express way. Place a high VALUE on your life! USE the pedestrian bridge where it is available. ENCOURAGE fellow Nigerians to also use the pedestrian bridge especially women crossing the expressway with their children. Do not defraud your employer of time and money.

    Get to work ON TIME. BE PUNCTUAL! Get to meetings (seminars, workshops, conference etc.) on time!   Do not abuse your staff that is time wise, money wise, emotional wise, sex wise etc.  Employers BE FAIR to your employees. Be a TEAM PLAYER and cooperate with your fellow workers at your work place. Get your work done on time and do it correctly the first time. Always see yourself as SELF-EMPLOYED no matter the job you do. This will ensure that you always give your best. Follow and obey safety rules and procedures (i.e. at home, at work, at play and at school). Learn BASIC FIRST AID treatments. It will POSITION YOU to be of help to a fellow Nigerian or even save a life, in the event something happens.     Stop abusing the Naira. Buy a wallet or purse to put your Naira notes. Take responsibility for any torn note that comes your way. Buy cello tape and fix it before you spend it and send it back into circulation.

    COURAGEOUSLY oppose what is wrong in Nigeria. Learn to OVERLOOK insults from other road users (bus drivers, conductors, and other motorists) by saying nothing and if you just must talk you can say “I no get your time today!”  Or “I go get your time tomorrow you hear!” . Use the words “Thank you”, “Please” and “I am sorry” regularly and when needed. And you will get on well with most Nigerians. “Sorry, make you no vex” has solved a lot of problems and issues people have with fellow Nigerians. Work at becoming a better person and the end result will be a better Nigeria for you and me. Do not take what is not yours – time wise, moneywise, material wise, sex wise etc.  Do not cheat during exams.    Do not help fellow Nigerians to cheat during exams. Do not give expo to your children. Do not use expo! Avoid examination malpractices in any form or way. Do not pay for a “SPECIAL CENTRE” for your child or guardian during external exams. Do not use forged certificates. RESPECT people regardless of what kind of work they do or their social status in life. Understand that there is dignity in labour.

    BE POLITE and COURTEOUS to fellow Nigerians regardless of their social status in life. It shows you are cultured.  Be extremely SECURITY CONSCIOUS.  VOLUNTEER your time at a hospital, time with the Road Safety, to teach students in a school in your neighbourhood.

    • Simoyan writes from Lagos.
  • Buhari’s 10 major Independence Day Quotes

    Buhari’s 10 major Independence Day Quotes

    1. No temporary problems or passing challenges should stop us from honoring this day. Let us remind ourselves of the gifts God has given us.

    2. We have all the attributes of a great nation. We are not there yet because the one commodity we have been unable to exploit to the fullest is unity of purpose.

    3. That we have remained together is an achievement we should all appreciate and try to consolidate.

    4. Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank former President Jonathan for not digging-in in the face of defeat and thereby saving the country untold consequences.

    5. I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions.

    6. Every new government inherits problems. Ours was no different. But what Nigerians want are solutions, quick solutions not a recitation of problems inherited.

    7. There have been a lot of anxiety and impatience over the apparent delay in announcement of ministers. There is no cause to be anxious. Our government set out to do things methodically and properly.

    8. Impatience is not a virtue. Order is more vital than speed. Careful and deliberate decisions after consultations get far better results. And better results for our country is what the APC government for CHANGE is all about.

    9. Change does not just happen. You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring CHANGE about.

    10. We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behavior in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.

  • Akinrinsola: Ondo needs change, not continuity

    Akinrinsola: Ondo needs change, not continuity

    42-year-old accountant and businessman Odunayo Akinrinsola is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State. He spoke with reporters in Lagos on his ambition, vision for the state, the Mimiko admnistration and chances of the opposition party at the poll. EMMANUEL OLADESU was there.

    Why do you want to govern Ondo State?

    I am passionate about Ondo State, its development, its improvement and how it can move forward. Ondo is ready for change. It wants to move from where it is to where it should be.  I believe there should be a radical departure from what they call continuity in Ondo State to what we call change. Nothing is working in Ondo State. We have a governor. He is doing his bit. But, there are other channels of development we need to explore. Government should be brought nearer to the people. The people should be the focal point of development. The poverty level in Ondo State is at an alarming rate. People want to experience change in their way of living, thinking and all facets of life. Ondo State, which is blessed with natural resources, is lagging behind. All we centre our life on is the allocation from the Federal Government. The question is: do we have a working system? If we have a working system, definitely, we will move away from where we are to where we should be. We need to apply what I call the ‘Samanja approach-system, administration, management, accessibility, neutrality, justice and acceptance. Then, the most important is security, which we are all clamouring for. When these are present, investors will come. When the state is not conducive, how do we bring investors? We need to have a functional system so that when a government is leaving, the next government can build on what it has done. In Ondo State, you cannot project what you will do next month because there is no system. I have a passion for the poor in Ondo State; people who cannot afford three square meals. If I am privileged to govern Ondo State, I will touch the lives of the common people.

    What has been your contribution to the growth and development of your party?

    I am a loyal and dedicated member of my party and I am in touch with the grassroots. But, I prefer to allow the people; the party leaders and members to assess my contributions. But, I am emotionally attached to our great party, its leadership, its organisational structures and its vision for a better Nigeria.

    Could you shed light on the zoning arrangement in your party, if it exists, and the perceived zoning arrangement in the state?

    There are two political parties-the PDP and the APC. The perceived zoning os peculiar to the PDP. In my party, the APC, zoning has not come to play. There is nothing like zoning. We don’t have zoning in the APC. The perceived zoning in the PDP is about sectionalism.

    What is your chance in this race?  Is your district not a disadvantage to you?

    I have a bright chance. There are three senatorial districts-Central, North and South. I am from Ile-Oluji. I am not from the same senatorial district with the governor. The governor is from the Central. I am from the South.

    During the 2012 election, the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) opted for a consensus candidate. Will you support the option or primaries?

    We are preaching change in the APC. Our party is a dynamic party. The APC has gone beyond the option of consensus candidacy. The party is ready to provide a level playing ground for aspirants at the primaries to showcase their potentials, their popularity, their abilities, and their manifestos. If you have a good programme for the state and you able to sell them to the people in the way they understand and they will accept you, definitely, nobody in my own party will go against that. A level playing ground has been provided by the party. Sp, the idea of consensus candidate will not happen again in the party.

    So, our focus is how to improve Ondo State, how to industrialise the state, how to improve the condition of living of the people, how we can create employment, how we can make the state relevant in the country. So, we are not talking about consensus candidate. The APC is a different party. The APC is a reformed party that gives the chance to the people to aspire to leadership.

    What have you done for the people of your state that makes you think that they will vote for you?

    I have sponsored a lot of empowerment programmes which are not known to the media. It is because of my style of not playing to the gallery. I believe in the education and development of people. I have given scholarship to many people. I have extended a duty of care to widows in different capacities. I have impacted on my community without making noise. God has raised us to this level. There are 15 students on scholarship in the university. I don’t know the parents of eight of them. I have been touching the lives of people without publicity; the needy, the widow, the elderly ones. Next month, the empowerment programme will be expanded.

    Governor Mimiko has embarked on some people-oriented programmes…

    These are cosmetic programmes. They are not sustainable. When he started them, he had good intention. But, he later derailed. He lost focus. Mimiko was part of the PDP before. He became governor on the platform of the Labour Party (LP). He had good intention. He had good programmes. But, he is back in the PDP now. The question is: how many people have benefitted from the programmes? How many people are benefitting from Card Igbeayo?    How many people have started using the cards to access the medical facilities? Does it touch the lives of my people in the village? People need food on their tables. People need good medical facilities. Not that they should travel from far places to hospitals. If you have the card, if you are living in Idanre, if you are living in Igbokoda, you must travel down to Akure. How has this touch the life of the common people? That is the question we should be asking. When the system is not working, it is a problem. We need a total and radical departure from continuity so that we can move to the realm of change. That is why my campaign slogan is the wind of change. We are experiencing change at the federal level. We want it to move down to the state. We need change for better life, good living. We don’t need cosmetic programmes that have no effect on the people.

    Could you shed light on the cognate experience that has prepared you for the role you aspire to play? Also, how formidable is your structure?

    I was born with a sliver spoon, but I was not trained with a silver spoon. I picked my life from the side of the gutter. I schooled in Lagos. I have done odd jobs. I was a bus conductor in Lagos. I believe in hard work. I was a casual worker in Boulous. I worked in three different bakeries in Lagos. I have joined labourers on site where they were building houses before. I have always being doing something for money. I have always worked for money. I paid the money for my GCE examination. I got the money from the labourer’s job I did. I rose through the dink of hard work. So, the road has been rough. I studied Accountancy at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. After that, I attended many courses overseas. I did my masters’ programme in the United Kingdom. When I finished, I had no job. I found myself in the position of a graduate doing nothing. I joined my friend in logistic and supply management company. I was doing a voluntary job, trying to under-study him. It was without pay. Sometimes, he will tip me. He believes in me. Most times, he would ask me to lead the team. Later, I developed more interest in the job. The confidence came. The first job I did was with a telecommunication company. That shot me into limelight. I made money. But, I did not squander it. I looked at my future. Then, I started investing. Gradually, the dedication, determination paid off. My experience in the business world has given me enough ability to develop leadership qualities. If you can manage a business, you can manage a state. In the business world, there is no allocation from the Federal Government for you. You source for funds. You made profits. Holding political position is also business, but it is a different business. In business, you fight for contracts. In government, you get allocation, but it must be used judiciously and prudently.  Having gone to this level in the business world, I can use my experience to develop Ondo State. I will use my experience to plan the economy of the state, attract investors, boost the internally generated revenue, and boost the standard of living of our people.

     

  • No discipline, no change

    SIR: Nigeria’s level of discipline cannot carry and sustain the level of development she can attain and which the entire African continent and indeed the world look forward to. To grasp the thinking flow here, it will be appropriate to provide my understanding of the two key words: development and discipline.

    What is development? What is discipline? How exactly do they relate to each other in the development of society? The key issues in society development are people, resources, capacity and well-being. Indeed the ultimate focus of development is the well-being of people and that was why the late Professor Claude Ake said that development must come from within (the people), not without. Developed people are highly organized, they have high respect for the rule of law, they have high respect for their history and they protect common values and goods. They design, create, build and maintain their infrastructure and systems. An example of a developed people is the Peoples Republic of China.

    With respect to discipline, two exposures informed my understanding of what discipline is. In 1984, Nigeria experienced a programme called War Against Indiscipline (WAI) introduced by the then military government of General Mohammadu Buhari (GMB), now transmuted to President Mohammadu Buhari (PMB).  Among others, it required of us to be orderly in our daily public conducts. That was how I learnt to queue in public places like banks, post offices, students’ cafeteria and indeed all other places where many people are expected to access some public services.

    Lack of discipline or indiscipline can be seen in all acts like stealing of public and private funds, abuse of tribalism, refusal to carry out works based on the ethics of those works, giving undue preferences to people of your tribe (as practiced in Nigeria by the Hausa-Fulani, Igbo and Yoruba), disrespect for elders and the laws of the land, homosexuality, wearing bedroom clothes in public, over-dressing, giving and/or taking of bribe to do one’s job for which one is paid, sexual harassment, despoliation of the environment via pollution, urinating along the road, switching on of electric generation sets that disturbs the serenity of the neighbourhood, neglecting the minorities in Nigeria in having access to Federal offices and opportunities, speaking unofficial languages in the office to cheat others, etc.

    So, what is the relationship between development and discipline? When the level of discipline is high in any given society, this thinking believes that it will lead to high level of development in that society. Example is the level of discipline that exists in most advanced countries of the world; remove discipline, they crumble. In other words, when discipline falls, development falls; when discipline rises, development rises (all things being equal). This linear relationship between development and discipline is critical to understanding the reasons for the lack of progress suffered by most undeveloped societies of the world.

    Yet in these undeveloped societies, people remain very anxious for development. Their argument is that they have all it takes to become developed. They have people, resources, some level of capacity, infrastructure and systems; yet they are not developed. Some intellectuals in such societies even go as far as suggesting strong institutions as panacea; they forget that institutions that are administered by undisciplined minds cannot succeed.  Discipline is the engine room that makes an institution function efficiently and effectively and succeed. No discipline, no institution and no development.

    Lack of discipline killed Operation Feed the Nation (1976-1979), Green Revolution (1980-1983), WAI (1984-1985), MAMSER/DFRRI and Structural Adjustment Programme (1986-1993), Visions 2000, 2010 and 2020(1996-2010), NEEDS, SEEDS and MDGs (1999-2015). Lack of discipline killed NITEL/MTEL, NEPA/PHCN, NNPC and the Refineries, etc.

    We have an opportunity now to begin the search for discipline in the country’s development and that was the key factor which led to the election victory that transmuted GMB to PMB. PMB should keenly begin to dust-up the WAI files and thoughts so that Nigeria can have the discipline she needs to carry on her development efforts.  Without requisite discipline, Nigeria’s development cannot be achieved. No discipline, no change!

     

    • Okachikwu Dibia

    Abuja.

  • Embrace change, Kari urges insurers

    Embrace change, Kari urges insurers

    The insurance industry cannot be left behind from the wind of change blowing in the country, the new Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammed Kari has said.

    He made this statement while delivering a keynote address at the Investiture of Lady Isioma Chukwuma as the 47th President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN).

    While seeking support of the operators in piloting the affairs of his new responsibilities, he urged the CIIN to uphold and encourage its members to adhere to the observance of the industry’s codes of conduct and ethics for a healthy practice in the profession.

    He said as a regulator,  NAICOM is committed to high standards of professionalism and ethical behaviour in the industry so as to regain the confidence of policyholders and increase insurance contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    He said if the industry must win the public’s confidence,  operators must desist from unwholesome practices in the discharge of their responsibilities to the insured by playing as true professionals.

    He said: “Developments in the country obviously call for our collaborative effort to reposition the profession and the industry. We should not be unmindful of the perception of the profession by the public.

    “The apathy towards insurance and the way and manner the profession is being addressed, need a rethink from all of us. We all know the whys and let us discuss dispassionately and agree on the hows of correcting the wrong perceptions.”

    Kari referred to a paper presented by the Managing Director, Soveriegn Trust Insurance Plc, Wale Onaolapo’, titled: The test of professionalism in the insurance industry, 2006.

    Onaolapo summarised the common conditions in judging a profession as “an organised body of knowledge, client or member recognition of the authority of the profession, a code of ethics, and a professional culture nurtured by professional associations”.

    This conditions-are so basic that one wonders why we – would select to be in a profession, yet refuse to recognize its ethics, culture and its authority.

    He said the best approac  is  for the professionals to do it themselves. Left undone, the regulator has no option but to ensure it is done. There is need for a reawakening to ensure only trained personnel are allowed to practice. You will agree with me that insurance services are being rendered by persons and bodies without adequate-training.

    “We must embrace professionalism as core value in our industry. To achieve that, we must train all persons that carry our flags to our consumers. As the Professional arm of the industry, indiscipline and unethical practices by members should be of grave concern to the institute.”

    He stated that insurance practitioners and professionals should be seen to uphold the tenets of the profession, both in their words and actions adding that it is not enough for the Institute to breed and certify insurance professionals only, but must also ensure that they are regularly updated through training and retraining to enable them measure up with current global trends.

    He stressed that training should be of paramount importance to the institute for the development of practitioners.

    “To this end, we already have held preliminary discussions with the Rector of the Centre for Insurance and Financial Management Studies (CIFMS), towards developing acceptable curriculum for the training of different level of practitioners and an annual mandatory refreshers training thereafter.

    ‘’I would want to see the institute become a one stop shop for the teaching of good ethics and building good characters as it relates to the practice of insurance. Insurance practitioners should always imbibe the spirit of professionalism in their dealings. If we truly practice as professionals that we say we are, we should be mindful of our actions and how we carry ourselves. We should be seen as men and women of proven integrity, we should avoid unethical practices because it will not only send bad signals to the public, it will further erode the little respect left.’’

    He continued: “Perhaps, by these remarks, I may have started setting the agenda for the in- coming President and Chairman of Council. Lady Isioma Chukwuma is a woman well known within the industry and beyond, and I believe she would be able to consolidate on the achievements of her predecessor as well as confront the various challenges bedeviling the industry at the moment.

    ‘’She is in a position to give the insurance industry purposeful and disciplined leadership. cal behavior in the insurance industry so as to regain the confidence of policyholders and increase insurance contribution to the GDP. If we must win the public apathy to the business of insurance. we must’ desist from unwholesome practices in the discharge of our responsibilities to the insured by playing as true professionals.’’

  • As if there is no change in the air

    The recent expression of worries of members of the National Peace Committee (now re-named the National Peace Council) at the end of a meeting with President Buhari provides a subtle demonstration of the desire to tolerate the culture of impunity

    The more things change, the more they remain the same? This question cannot be more apt than it appears to be in today’s Nigeria. Many pundits are already describing the durability of old habits in the country as a manifestation of the Nigeria Factor, a psycho-social condition that  gives Nigerians across the social spectrum oversize energy to make the wrong thing look right without blinking; to do the wrong thing and expect the right result; etc. How else does one explain the behaviour of some members of the Peace Committee or of the Senate that is still not totally out of the woods from the crisis some of its members foisted on the body of the country’s upper legislative chamber a few weeks ago?

    Immunity or the flair to soar above the rule of law has been a part of the Nigerian condition for a very long time. It did not come with the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan nor with the first post-military civilian regime midwifed by General Abdulsalami Abubakar. Immunity in political, social, and economic matters was present during most of the decades of military rule. Military dictators fired tenured civil servants with enthusiasm and without any reference to the law of the land.  There were also military governors who flogged civil servants; shaved the heads of journalists; and ordered some public servants to do frog jumping. What got worse over time and especially during the post-military civilian regime since 1999 is the desire of elected political office holders or appointed ones to do whatever appealed to their fancy, without worrying about how such behaviour advances the cause of accountable, ethical, and elegant civic life.

    The recent expression of worries of members of the National Peace Committee (now re-named the National Peace Council) at the end of a meeting with President Buhari provides a subtle demonstration of the desire to tolerate the culture of impunity. Some of the statements of Bishop Kukah in particular should worry lovers of democratic governance. In his assurance to citizens about the objective of the meeting the National Peace Committee held with President Buhari, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto said: “I think what we are concerned about is the process. It is no longer a military regime and under our existing laws, everybody is innocent until proven guilty. . . .Again, our own commitment is not to intimidate or fight anybody. The former president’s commitment and what he did still remains spectacular and I think that President Buhari himself appreciates that. So, our effort really is to make sure that the right thing is done.”

    As much as the Bishop tried to assure citizens that the NPC is not worried about the federal government’s decision to put on trial those under investigation for looting the nation’s treasury, there are still questions that are not answered by his clarifications on the purpose of the special meeting with President Buhari. What has the president done since his assumption of office to suggest that he is likely to act in contravention of the principle of rule of law or to ignore ‘doing the right thing’? Have any citizens approached the National Peace Committee that their rights have been violated? Since when did the NPC, a group cobbled together before the 2015 presidential election, become a group for promotion of human rights in place of the constitution and the judiciary? Are there any suggestions that those being prepared for arraignment in a matter of weeks may be unable to protect their rights, should President Buhari’s government put them on trial without just cause? Perhaps, the NPC needs to give citizens more information about details of the negotiations that made the result of the presidential election acceptable to former President Jonathan, if only to assure citizens that the Committee/Council is not to become a non-elected and informal layer in the governing process.

    Now that President Buhari has given the National Peace Committee a new name, is this an indication that the body has been given a new lease of life? In what specific areas is the National Peace Council to look for peace? What exactly has broken that the NPC is now being charged or re-charged to fix? The nation and the entire world had amply congratulated former President Jonathan for accepting the results of the 2015 presidential election. What other matters are yet to be resolved after the graceful departure of Dr. Jonathan at the end of the inauguration of President Buhari? What is the cause of democratic governance going to gain from NPC becoming a permanent feature of the political culture? Is the extension of the tenure of the Peace Council an indication that the war in Nigeria is not just the one with Boko Haram but others within the polity that are yet to be named?

    Furthermore, is the re-naming of the Peace Committee an attempt to turn the ad hoc group into a standing body to settle issues outside the judicial framework? Shouldn’t members of the committee give the new president the benefit of the doubt that he ought to know what is right to do before accusing or arraigning any citizen on charges of corruption? Is it too much to expect that President Buhari can understand without being prodded that the government he now heads is not a military regime, months after he had contested and won a national election? Once a new government is in power, such pre-election groups set up to advise outgoing and incoming administrations should be allowed to move off the political and media radar, particularly once they had fulfilled the objective for which they were created. Shouldn’t members of the Peace Committee/Council have been thanked for a job well done and given the time to face their regular responsibilities in the various sectors of the society from which they were recruited?

    There is also a report that the Senate has decided abruptly to end public hearing on review of its members’ salaries and allowances. The Senate has chosen to refer matters of salary review to its own committees while some of its members are noting that the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission is the sole authority to determine how much lawmakers earn. It is reassuring that the Senate is now preoccupied with the matter of process. Other senators seem to have concluded that having pruned down the budget of the national assembly from 150 billion to 120 billion naira, there should be no need for any review of the salaries and perquisites of lawmakers. In the tradition of maximising the use of power entrusted to individuals and groups in an ethos characterised by immunity, the Senate is acting as if it wants to avoid being monitored by citizens who initially showed concerns about the oversize pay and benefit package of lawmakers.

    Is the Senate leader’s decision to move debate over salary/allowance review from public gaze an attempt to sweep the matter of legislative finance under the mat? The culture of the last national assembly was similar in many ways to that of the executive of the time. During the Jonathan era, it was not unusual for lawmakers to summon members of the executive for fact-finding and for such office holders to refuse to heed such calls with impunity. For four years, the lawmakers kept with impunity the details of their salaries and allowances away from the public. It is therefore not unlikely that the decision to halt public hearing on salary and allowance is being made with the belief that there is nothing citizens can do to make senators change their mind on how much they want to be paid.

    What senators should not be allowed to forget is that the game has changed. The voters that brought the lawmakers to office are starkly different from those that were claimed to have voted for many of them four years ago. In 2015, majority of voters got fed up with the ethic and style of governance and lawmaking in the last six or more years and thus voted for a new governance ethic. The mandate given to majority of the lawmakers last April, just like the one given to President Buhari, is one that requires transparency and accountability. If there are lawmakers who believe that they can muscle their way into any level of salary and allowance they feel can carry “increasing obligations to their constituencies,” they will need to remember that the constituents they now have will like to be consulted fully on all matters including how much their representatives take home as salaries and allowances. Should the nation’s revenue profile require any form of rationalisation that may affect any kind of allowance for lawmakers personally or for their constituencies, legislators and the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission need to be made aware of the principle that ultimate sovereignty lies with the citizens, not their representatives in the lower or upper House.