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Nigeria and Cameron’s corruption label

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 13, 2016
Anatomy of corruption in Nigeria

Preamble

The title of today’s article is not a coinage of this columnist. It is rather the title of a book jointly written by 14 likeminded world class Nigerian lawyers of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) cadre and Professors of Law.

This is therefore an unconventional review. The book which contains 468 pages and 11 chapters is a compendium of well-researched articles authoritatively written by the contributing gurus.

It is about the monster called corruption, its genesis, its causes, its varieties, its devastating effect on the society and the possible solutions to it.

Preface

In the preface to the book written by its Editor, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, of Al-Ghalib Chambers, it is stated that corruption which is as old as formation of the society by man has been promoted to state craft and described as the single most debilitating cankerworm eating deeply into the fabric of the nation and destroying it almost endemically.

Mallam Ali quoted former President Olusegun Obasanjo as saying at the inauguration of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission in 2001 that:

“With corruption, there can be no sustainable development, nor political stability. By breeding and feeding on inefficiency, corruption invariably strangles the system of social organisation. In fact, corruption is literally the antithesis of development and progress.”

And quoting the Transparency International, he also writes in the same preface as follows:

“Corruption corrodes the fabric of society. It undermines people’s trust in political and economic systems, institutions and leaders. It can cost people their freedom health, money-and sometimes, their lives.”

Mallam Ali then reveals a disturbing instance of corruption perception index released in 2015 by the same Transparency International in which Nigeria was rated number 136 of 167 countries with a score of 25 per cent and concluded that the publication of such frightening reports contributed to the thought leading to the writing this book.

Foreword

The foreword to the book is written by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, GCON, who states inter alia as follows:

“This book (Anatomy of corruption), no doubt provides the appropriate reference to the conceptualisation of corruption, casting a glance to the past of this menace, identifying the present state of affairs of the cankerworm and projecting the death of the cancer should be doing in order to finally nail the coffin of corruption in Nigeria, and give it the desired burial”.

He writes further thus: “In our fight against corruption in all its ramifications, all hands must be on deck and we must collectively save our country from the jaws of the corrupt. All sectors of the society must be fully and totally committed to the anti-corruption crusade.

“The Nigerian judiciary will continue to be in the forefront of the fight against corruption by ensuring that the cases brought to the courts are determined with dispatch; to this end, there is in place a fast-track mechanism to ensure that cases of corruption are determined with little or no delay.

“There are challenges of infrastructure, resources and manpower but we are resolved, as an arm of government, to play our part and write our names in gold when the history of this struggle in Nigeria is chronicled.”

Recommendation

Observing that the contents of the book touch almost all Nigerian professions, including academia, artisanship and business concerns, Justice Mohammed says: “I recommend this book to all Nigerians (home and abroad), especially jurists, legal practitioners, academics, media practitioners, students, politicians, business people and indeed, all lovers of our dear country, Nigeria.

We must all stand to be counted in this battle to rid our nation of this destructive menace called corruption”. Genesis

Comment

No one can say, with precision, when corruption began on earth or where it emanated from. But we came to learn that as far back as the time of Egyptian civilisation, the Egyptians used special preservatives to spare their dead from complete corruption and that corruption of the upper class in the Roman Empire led to the collapse of that Empire.

We also learned from history that the famous Greek philosopher, Socrates, was put to death because the ancient Athenians believed that he was spreading corruption among their youths.

When the late vociferous lawyer and human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi, made a queer but thought-provoking statement in a public lecture at Ansar-ud-Deen College, Isolo, in 1974, he hardly envisaged today’s situation of Nigeria.

He said: “It is criminal to be law abiding in a lawless society”. By what currently obtains in the country, sheer impunity seems to have put that statement in the front burner with unintended authority. Thus, it can be concluded that corruption is the tap root of a poisonous tree with no depth measure.

Foreign Perception

Appraising the foreign perception of Nigeria in relation to corruption, one of the contributors to this book, Adebayo O. Adelodun, (SAN), succinctly captured the comment of a Singaporean journalist who covered the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Nigeria in December 2003 as follows:

“Blessed by nature but undone by man, Nigeria has been described as the Cinderella who never made it to the ball. Corruption is endemic in this West African nation. Corruption stifles economic growth. A country’ position on the corruption table is closely correlated to its poverty rating. Hence Nigeria is among the poorest countries in the world. It is the world’s sixth largest producer of crude oil, yet, most of its petrol is imported…Those in official positions squeeze the people. Even when the government decides to help out, the poor don’t benefit. The money set aside doesn’t get to the people as it is hijacked along the way.”

Prescribing his own solution to the cancerous social virus called corruption, Adelodun writes:

“In fact, it is high time for Nigeria to adopt the Chinese and Saudi Arabia models for punishment of official corruption. The penalty is death sentence. This may appear drastic but we all agree that the situation in Nigeria requires drastic suggestions and measures.

“The Nigerian legislature is expected to borrow a leaf from those countries. We must reform our laws on corruption and input provisions to protect and reward whistle blowers and informants. We must insist on minimum standard on moral behaviour in public offices.”

He also has advice for Nigerian citizens as follows:

“The citizenry should be encouraged to see corruption as a stigma on their reputation. Focus should change to the fact that corruption makes us poorer as a people. The little resources (available) can go round if not for corrupt practice of greed and selfishness.

“The citizens must be ready to play the role of whistle blowers and informants for the agencies that are saddled with the responsibility of combating corruption”.

Head knock for Nigerian Judiciary

In his own contribution to the book, Adebayo Olanipekun, S. A. N., gave a painful knock to the judiciary on the head for being an aiding factor in making corruption a monster that it is in Nigeria.

He states that: “Our criminal justice system is skewed in a way that it does not deter corruption but rather has the opposite effect of encouraging it.

Situations where a poor boy who stole a hen is sentenced to two years imprisonment and a high-ranking public officer who embezzled N23 billion is given an option of paying N250, 000 fine cannot be said to deter corruption”.

He quoted a onetime Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapha, where the latter, at the SERAP’s 9th Roundtable conference in 2012 gave a keynote address as follows:

“…When the rule of law is weak, corruption will remain a nagging problem. Corruption in the Justice sector is a keystone to corruption throughout the society. Without an honest criminal justice system, the wealthy, especially the corrupt, can escape the consequences of their crimes.

Impunity reduces the perceived cost of corruption. The risk that corrupt activities will result in imprisonment and accompanying public humiliation is minimal. The gains of corruption are therefore not discounted and there is thus, little reason beyond personal integrity not to engage in corrupt acts”.

Talking about the importance of the Judiciary in the fight against corruption, he quoted Nigeria’s first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs. Folake Solanke, as saying: “Nigeria is sick and needs urgent treatment. The judicial system is the only method by which erring members of the society can be made accountable and be made to pay the penalty of any wrong doing. Yes, there is corruption in the land and only the court can purge the society. But alas! What about the judiciary itself”.

Role of the media

And commenting on the role of the media in fighting corruption in the society, Adenipekun says: “Nigerian Media are manned by Nigerian citizens. As watchdogs of the society, Journalists are expected to bridge the gap between the government and the society”. He quoted a London Times editorial of 1851 which articulated the role of the Media as follows:

“…The Press (being a professional whistle blower) lives by disclosures…for us with whom publicity and truth are the air and light of existence, there can be no greater disgrace than to recoil from the frank and accurate disclosure of facts as they are. We are bound to tell the truth as we find it, without fear of consequences-to lend no convenient shelter to act of injustice and oppression, but to consign them at once to the judgment of the world”.

Other contributors to the book are as follows:

Adebayo Adenipekun (SAN); Professor Bolaji Owasanoye of Nigerian Institute of Legal Studies; Hon. Justice I. T. Muhammad (Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria); K. K. Eleja & Co Chambers; Professor Mojeed Olujimi Alabi of the University of Ilorin; Prof Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), of Nasarawa State University, Nasarawa State; Prof Wahab Egbewole of the University of Ilorin; Awa U. Kalu (SAN) of the University of Lagos/Abia State University, Uturu; Justice S. D. Kawu, Chief Judge of Kwara State and Dr. Hammed A. Hannafi.

Though quotations from their writings cannot be accommodated here, all of them are nevertheless veritably quotable in their respective fields as they will be found in their respective contributions to the book.

Public Presentation

The book: ‘Anatomy of Corruption’ will be publicly presented at Ladi Kwali Hall of Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, on Tuesday, May 17, 2016.

The Chief Guest at the occasion will be the Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON

The Chairman of the occasion will be the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, GCON.

The Guest Speaker will be Prof. Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate while Chief Presenter will be the Chairman of Skye Bank Plc, Otunba Tunde Ayeni.

The book will be reviewed by Prof Ademola Popoola of the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, and the Chief Host the President of Nigerian Bar Association, Augustine Alege, SAN.

May 13, 2016
Photo: Buhari meets Cameron

President Muhammadu Buhari with British Prime Minister David Cameron after the opening of the Anti-Corruption Summit in London .

May 12, 2016
Corruption: Presidency tackles Cameron

The Presidency last night faulted Britain’s Prime Minister, David Cameron over his description of Nigeria and Afghanistan as ‘fantastically corrupt’ nations.

He made the remark at an event marking the Queen’s 90th birthday at the Buckingham Palace.

Cameron said: “We’ve got some leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries coming to Britain… Nigeria and Afghanistan, possibly the two most corrupt countries in the world,”

The UK will host world and business leaders at an anti-corruption summit in London on Thursday in London, towards galvanizing a global response to tackle corruption.

President Muhammadu Buhari and other world leaders are already in London for the summit.

But after Cameron’s comments at the Palace, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby came to the rescue of President Buhari by saying: “But this particular president is not corrupt… he’s trying very hard,”

Also faulting Cameron’s comment, Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said: “It is certainly not reflective of the good work that the President is doing. The eyes of the world are on what is happening here.

“The Prime Minister must be looking at an old snapshot of Nigeria. Things are changing with corruption and everything else. That, we believe is the reason they chose him as a keynote speaker at the the pre-summit conference.

“Thank you to the Archbishop. We very much cherish the good relationship between our two countries and nothing should stand in the way of improving those relations.” He added

May 10, 2016
Anti-Corruption War: Saraki seeks private-public partnership

Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Monday called for closer collaboration between private organizations with the Federal Government for an effective fight against corruption.

Saraki gave the charge when he played host to the executive members of the Institute of Directors (IOD), led by its President/Chairman of Governing Council, Mr. Samuel Yemi Akeju, in his office in Abuja.

He said it is part of the 8^th Senate’s Legislative Agenda to contribute maximally towards the elimination of corrupt tendencies in the country.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, said that Saraki told his guests that the Executive arm of government is on the same page with the National Assembly in resuscitating the economy, ensuring adequate security and alleviating unemployment across board.

The Senate President was quoted to have said, “Our agenda in the Senate and that of the present administration is geared towards improving the economic situation of our dear country, adequate security and fight against corruption.

“The fight against corruption is key to this administration and we are in full support of this task. I want to call on the Institute of Directors of Nigeria to join the fight in every capacity to bring to normalcy ways of doing things and take our nation out of economic doldrums.”

He recalled that the 8th Senate from inception have been an inclusive Senate.

He said, “We had meetings with players in Public and private sectors on how to amend our outdated laws and make them acceptable and blend with the modern trend.

“That is the major reason why we seek collaboration and support of private organizations and bodies like Institute of Directors of Nigeria in ensuring that government’s actions and approaches are directed towards providing better lives Nigerians.”

Akeju was quoted to have said that the 8th Senate since inception has lived up to the yearnings of the people in terms of professionalism and legislation adding that if sustained, it will give room for best practices in all ramifications of governance.

Akeju who unfolded the purpose of the visit to the Senate President said the Institute has agreed to present a draft Bill to the National Assembly on the workings of the Institute saying the Bill when passed into Law will further boost the day to day activities in the business world.

He said that the IOD, as a foremost organization in the country, will continue to play the leadership role saying over the last two years, the Institute has inducted over 800 Directors just as he suggested a mandatory membership for lawmakers in the National Assembly.

May 9, 2016
Buhari for London’s anti-corruption summit

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Tuesday travel to London to participate in the International Anti-Corruption Summit.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said that Buhari as an internationally recognised leader in the global fight against corruption will play a prominent part in the summit.

The summit will be hosted by Prime Minister David Cameron of Great Britain with many other Heads of State and Government in attendance.

President Buhari will, ahead of the summit’s opening, deliver a keynote address titled: “Why We Must Tackle Corruption Together” at a pre-summit conference of development partners, the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Transparency International and other civil society groups on Wednesday, May 11, 2016.

He is one of the world leaders scheduled to speak at the opening session of the Anti-Corruption Summit with others, including Prime Minister Cameron and the President of the World Bank, Dr. Jim Yong Kim.

Thereafter, President Buhari will join other participating heads of State and Government at special plenary sessions on Exposing Corruption, Tackling Corruption and Driving out Corruption.

In his address to the summit and interactions with other participating leaders, President Buhari will urge the international community to move faster on the dismantling of safe havens for the proceeds of corruption and the return of stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin.

He will also reaffirm his administration’s unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption and the Federal Government’s readiness to partner with international agencies and other countries to identify, apprehend and punish corrupt public officials.

President Buhari’s delegation to the Summit will include the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Alhaji Abubakar Malami and the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu.
Before returning to Abuja on Friday, the President is expected to have a separate meeting with Prime Minister Cameron to discuss ongoing Nigeria-Britain collaboration in the war against corruption and terrorism, as well as other issues, including trade and economic relations between both countries.

May 7, 2016
Stories about corruption these days make one sick -Jakande

He has his footprints all over Lagos State. Everywhere you go, from Badagry to Epe, Ajah to Isolo, his name resonates on the lips of the multitude of residents of the popular Jakande estates,one of the major achievements of the four-year tenure of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande as governor of Lagos State between 1979 and 1983.

More than 33 years after leaving office as governor of the state, Alhaji Jakande, fondly called Baba kekere by his followers, still derives joy in seeing his numerous legacies on the streets of Lagos.

In this brief encounter with the former governor in his home in Lagos, he said: “I am very grateful to God Almighty that He used me to make some progress and to address some problems of the day. Education was my priority. Housing was another area. And I feel grateful to God in these areas I was able to make appreciable contributions. For instance, there is hardly any occasion that someone would not come to me to say they went to my school. I really thank God for giving me that opportunity and I am happy about it.”

Speaking on the worrying state of corruption in the country, especially as witnessed among politicians in the last eight years, Jakande said the nation needs to call on God to save the country from the scourge.

He said:“Let me tell you, all the stories that one reads and hears about stealing and corruption in the country make one sick. It is a betrayal of the country and I feel very sorry about it. I feel very, very sorry about it. There is absolutely no reason for it. I just hope that God, in His mercy, will save us.”

On President Muhammadu Buhari’s effort to turn around the nation’s economy, Jakande said, based on the president’s record when he was a military head of state, he believes that he will succeed in his new responsibility.

“I know Buhari when he was in office as a military head of state. And I have the belief that he will achieve success in his position. He has set himself against corruption and I believe he will succeed,”he said.

He described as unfortunate, the spate of rancour between governors and their deputies, as witnessed in the last 16 years, and expressed surprise over the trend.

He said: “How can a governor and his deputy fight? Before the election, appointments must have been resolved, to which both the governor and the deputy are committed. I feel very surprised that such thing could happen. They must have discussed what to do, where to go and where not to go. But I believe that they will learn.”

Of his former deputy, Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo, who passed on recently, Jakande described his death as a big loss.

“A few days before his death, we met at a function. Chief Jafojo was a dependable ally. He was somebody I trusted a lot and he was a hard worker. I pray that his soul is blessed by the Almighty,”he said.

With the many legacies that are being attributed to him, what would he wish to be remembered for? The old man did not waste time before shooting back: “Service to humanity! I would love to be remembered that I came and I served my people.”

Asked if he has any regret, he said: “No regret at all. I have no regret and if I have to do all the things that I did all over again, I would do them the same way.”

Approaching 90, Alhaji Jakande’s routine remains tight as it used to be in his younger days. On this day, the sparsely-furnished waiting room in his home was filled with people waiting to see the octogenarian, each with one request or the other.

Surprisingly, it took the old man a few minutes to climb unaided to the second floor where his office is located. On his table was a huge file which he flipped through with deep concentration. Aside from the crowd of people waiting to see him, on the cards for the day was a meeting of the board of his company, John West Publishing.

Asked how he copes, he looked up from studying the file, a little smile on his face. “You walked right into it. At least you can see the people waiting to see me. I also have a meeting with the board of John West, which is my company. These are part of my daily routine,” he said with another bright smile.

For a former governor and a prominent politician with influence in Lagos State, Jakande’s Spartan lifestyle is a far departure from that of modern politicians. From the waiting room in his house to the reception in his office, there was no sign of modern furniture, except for a few tables and chairs.

A consummate journalist, Jakande said he fell in love with the art of writing while in school. According to him, “At school, I was fond of writing a lot. My teachers thought that was my calling and I agreed with them. That was how I came into the profession.”

May 7, 2016
‘Nigeria can only fight corruption with strong institutions’

Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Yobe East District in the Senate. The former Yobe State governor spoke with reporters in Damaturu, the state capital, on the challenges facing the Buhari administration. Correspondent JOEL DUKU was there.

What is your take on the Saraki saga?

It is an unfortunate development. Whatever the court decides, we will abide by it. The case is likely to end up at the Supreme Court; that is the worst that can happen. But, I can assure you that 99 per cent of the Senate is behind Senator Bukola Saraki, for a simple reason that we are all human beings and we do make mistakes.

When you stay as a governor for eight years or a big man for many years, there is no way you can account for every Kobo. So, if anybody wants to investigate you thoroughly, he will find a fault here and there.

Do you subscribe to the view that the trial is politically motivated?

I believe so. But, politically motivated from which angle? It looks like is a local political motivation from Kwara. Definitely, President Muhammadu Buhari has no hand in it and the Federal Government did not initiate it. It emanated from local politics in Ilorin. People made complains; they gave out details of what they thought Saraki had and didn’t declare at the time he was governor.

You said it will be difficult for somebody to be governor for eight years and not make mistakes. It appears former governors in the Senate are in solidarity with Saraki…

Of course, yes. You know that there are many former governors who are in the same shoes with Saraki. Their trials have been initiated, but were not publicised like that of Saraki, because he is the Senate President. Almost every former governor in the Senate, with the exception of Bukar Abba Ibrahim, has one case or the other with the EFCC or the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

It’s not easy to fight corruption, especially when it comes to an individual. That is why some of us believe strongly that corruption can best be dealt with through institutions. Lets strengthen our institutions, to discourage giving or taking of bribes. As a nation, it is usually better for the fight against corruption to be institutionalised. With what is currently going on, it has began and it will continue for a very long time.

The negative aspect of corruption is that people take the money outside the country; they will go and spend it elsewhere. It robs the country of the opportunity to use such funds for development. If they can steal and spend it within Nigeria, Nigerians will benefit.

But, there is this apprehension that if the verdict does not favor Saraki, the PDP will take control of the house…

How, Why? The APC is still in the majority, whether Saraki is in or out. There is no way the PDP can take over the Senate Presidency with the presence of over 60 senators from the APC, against 50 PDP senators.

The PDP assisted Saraki to win Senate Presidency, because so many of APC senators were at the International Conference Centre for a meeting with the President. That was how Ike Ekweremadu emerged as the Deputy Senate President. To be frank, we are not against Ekweremadu. I don’t mind him continuing as Deputy Senate President, because he is a decent human being. But, the is no way the leadership will be taken over by the PDP.

When you contested the presidency with President Buhari, you described him as unsellable and that you were compelled to step aside for him. Do you still hold that view?

(General laughter) No, I believe in Buhari. I believe in his leadership, because he has been tested and found to be a worthy leader. He is a leader who is incorruptible, honest, transparent, and straightforward. Besides, at that time I wanted to be president, do you want me to be praising Buhari or what?

So, are you praising him now because you are in the same political party?

No, we were in the same political party when I stepped down for him and condemned him. Because I wanted to be president, so I needed to get something against him, no matter how minor. But, now, we are on the same page; the same party and I really trust him.

Many people are disenchanted over the general hardship in the country. What do you think is the problem?

You know, when things go wrong for very long period of time, bringing the situation back to normal is usually not easy; it will take time. President Buhari now has in his custody the over N2.5 trillion he has retrieved from people who stole our money with impunity. What is now delaying things is the disagreement over the passage of the budget. It will be illegal for the President to spend any money without appropriation. He is waiting for appropriation, and I understand today that by this week he will sign the budget. Once this is accomplished, Buhari will be the most anxious to implement it. I know the kind of hardship people are going through. We the elected people know how it bites our pockets; everyday from Monday to Friday, I have to send between N300,000 and N400,000 to people in dire need in my constituency and other areas. I believe other legislators are also facing the same predicament. So, our hope is that things will be better very soon, Insha Allah.

You’re a three-time senator and former governor. There is this rumour that Governor Gaidam will contest your position, when he steps down as governor, being from the same zone. Are you going to relinquish the seat willingly?

Well, 2019 is still very far away. I haven’t thought about it at all. But, I can assure you, if the governor wants to have my senatorial seat in 2019, I will step down. I have had enough; I made my contributions; I have made my point; and I have a lot of other things to do, particularly educating my children, taking care of my farm, my constituency, my state and participating in national affairs. So, I don’t think there is going to be any controversy at all. If he wants it, I will step down for him, but if he doesn’t, I will consider contesting again.

People displaced by Boko haram insurgency in Yobe State are in dire need of rehabilitation and reconstruction. Can we know the position of the Northeast Development Commission Bill?

Well, Gujba and Gulani were once completely taken over by Boko Haram insurgents. For over two years, I have not been able to go to my village; this is to tell you how serious the situation was. Now, peace has returned, with the killing and disappearance of most Boko Haram insurgents. So, naturally, people are eager to go back to their villages.

It‘s fortunate that we could not hold election in some of the liberated communities, because pockets of insurgency in those locations then. But, they don’t have a territorial control of even a square inch of Gulani and Gujba local government areas at the moment.

As peace gradually returns, the state government is helping a lot in carrying food and all sorts of basic human requirements to those communities and people will use the facilities to clear their farms in this rainy season.

The Northeast Development Commission is being proposed as a permanent body, like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). It will attract budgetary attention and allocation every year. We have gone through the first reading and second reading, what remain is the third reading and passage of the bill.

May 5, 2016
ICAN proffers panacea for corruption

The National President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria ICAN, Otunba Femi Deru has called for the implementation of the International Public Sector Accountancy Standards (IPSAS) as a way to improve accountability and transparency of the nation’s funds.

Speaking during the Northern Zonal Districts Accountants Conference with the theme, “IPSAS Adoption in Nigeria: Implication on Accountability and Probity” held in Minna yesterday, Deru said that accountability and transparency is being taken for granted in the country adding that there is a need for people with public funds to be accountable.

He said that IPSAS can work in Nigeria pointing out that IPSAS is designed to work effectively and efficiently unless in an environment with fundamental problems.

The National President then disclosed that the institute has so far trained 4,000 Chartered Accountants and 18,000 Account Technicians from 1965 to date in global based practice.

He assured that the institute and its members would continued to adhered strictly with the global tenant and principles of the profession just as it will not compromised in anyway against the ethics establishing the profession.

Deru further said that the institute has contributed tremendously in both public and private sectors of the nation’s economy adding that it will not relent in its efforts in fighting corruption tendencies in all aspect of financial dealings to uphold the integrity of the accounting profession.

In his address, the Niger state Acting Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Ketso said that the adoption of the IPSAS in Nigeria will bring the nation into the current global trend of improving and reforming public accountability.

He pointed out while IPSAS offers numerous benefits over medium and long term; it is a complex and comprehensive change management process urging ICAN to come up with suggestions on engaging appropriate tools and strategies for the implementation.

“I am not unaware of the potential challenges with the adoption of IPSAS. It is a complex and comprehensive change management process. While it offers numerous benefits over the medium and long term, it also entails short term costs and challenges that need to be seriously addressed by the heads of all MDAs concerned.”

The Acting Governor however stated that the state have become IPSAS compliant adding that effort is on to ensure the publication of IPSAS compliant financial statements especially with the pressure from the legislature.

The Conference Chairman, Dr Salisu Abubakar that IPSAS are a set of Accounting Standards issued by the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) for use by public sector entities around the world in the preparation of financial statements.

May 3, 2016
Nigeria’s problems temporary, says Osinbajo

Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday restated the resolve of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to instituting a new culture of probity and accountability in governance.

He declared that it is now a new day in Aso Rock.

Osinbajo spoke at The Platform, a public engagement forum organized by the Covenant Church led by Pastor Poju Oyemade.

The theme was ‘What do we have in our hands, tapping into dead capital’.

The Vice President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, said: “Nearly a year on, there are many problems and many have asked where is the change? Is this the change we voted for? Even some fifth columnists in our midst have suggested bring back corruption.

“The government of President Muhammadu Buhari is completely and irrevocably committed to change.

“We believe that though it may not be easy, though the early signs may be confusing and sometimes discouraging, there has never been a better opportunity than now to turn the country in the direction of success.

“Today we have the best opportunity in decades for profound change. It is an opportunity in a generation. A revolution whose time has come!

“Everything around us tells us that the moment is now! Can this change happen? Yes it can! Yes it must! What do you have in your hands to make it happen? We have a country that is tired of corruption, tired of leadership without values, tired of an economy that is neither designed to accommodate enterprise, nor to create opportunity and wealth for the majority. ” He said

He said that the “new day in Aso Rock” is that of a Presidency that is committed to ensuring a departure from the past culture of corruption and profligacy in government.

Osinbajo said: “The government of President Muhammadu Buhari is completely and irrevocably committed to the Change promised Nigerians

“We have a leadership, a leader that is ready to challenge the rotten system, one that has said he is ready to kill corruption rather let corruption kill us.”

“We believe that though it may not be easy, though the early signs may be confusing and sometimes discouraging, there has never been a better opportunity than now to turn the country in the direction of success, ” he added

He told the gathering mainly comprising of youths that the Federal Government was not unaware of the nation’s challenges and that the youths must believe the problems facing the nation in the area of power, availability of petroleum products, infrastructure and agriculture are surmountable and resolvable.

Osinbajo also told them of the determination of the Federal Government to leverage technology under a number of initiatives he unveiled intended to create the enabling environment that would stimulate youth entrepreneurship and innovation.

“The key to change and our future prosperity lies in innovation and is critical to our development,” He said

Informing the forum of the Buhari presidency’s plan for technology and innovation, he said that government would be establishing an Innovation Fund this year which would deploy significant resources for the aim of creating opportunities to the youth to access fund for innovation and entrepreneurship.

He highlighted other plans as follows:
– Establishment of technology innovation hubs across the country; 2 super hubs ( in Lagos and Abuja) and 6 regional hubs in the six geo-political zones in partnership some major technology companies;
– 65,000 young Nigerians to be trained in hardware and software services and in animation;
– to create a reservoir in technology capacity that can be exported annually abroad like the case of India;
– on June 23, 2016, Federal Government would launch a Presidential Technology Innovation Initiative targeted at 50 Nigerians engaged in innovative start-ups to be mentored by major technology innovation companies
– bursary award to 100,000 STEM undergraduates developing their interest in programming, robotic and animation technology, in addition to deploying technology in the training of the 500,000 teachers that are expected to be employed under the social investment of government this year,
– VP’s Office to institute a literary prize in poetry and short stories during independence anniversary to encourage field of humanity/arts

Prof. Osinbajo also used the occasion to implore millions of youths in the country to join the vanguard for change under “a New Tribe of Nigerians” saying “we must not blink, no shaking until we turn this country around.”

The Vice President also commended the conveners of the platform, Pastor Poju Oyemade and his team for their tenacity and unwavering belief in the nation’s development.

He noted that “the Platform has through the years become a foremost opportunities for ideas and intellectual innovations in Nigeria.”

April 30, 2016