The Nation Newspaper

Tag: events

  • Four must-attend 2026 events in Nigeria

    Four must-attend 2026 events in Nigeria

    As Nigeria strides into 2026, the year promises a vibrant mix of sports triumphs, cultural spectacles, political milestones and entertainment showcasing the nation’s diversity and energy.

    From athletic feats to festive parades and high-stakes elections, here are five key events to mark on your calendar.

    1. Access Bank Lagos City Marathon (February)

    The iconic Lagos City Marathon returns, drawing thousands of elite and amateur runners to the bustling streets of Nigeria’s commercial hub.

    This World Athletics-labeled event not only promotes fitness but also boosts tourism with participants from across Africa and beyond competing for glory and prizes amid cheering crowds.

    2. National Sports Festival (September, Enugu)

    Dubbed Nigeria’s “Olympics,” the 23rd National Sports Festival heads to Enugu State, uniting athletes from all 36 states in a multi-sport extravaganza.  Expect fierce inter-state rivalries, talent scouting for international competitions, and a celebration of grassroots sports development.

    Read Also: With Traces of time, Calabar carnival excites connoisseurs

    3. Lagos Fashion Week (October/November)

    Africa’s premier fashion showcase returns to Lagos, spotlighting innovative designers, sustainable trends, and global influences.  This platform elevates Nigerian creativity on the world stage, attracting industry leaders, models, and enthusiasts for runway shows and networking.

    4. Calabar Carnival (December)

    Africa’s biggest street party closes the year in Cross River State with the month-long Calabar Carnival—vibrant parades, colorful costumes, music, and dance competitions.

    It is a cultural explosion promoting unity and tourism, drawing international visitors to experience Nigeria’s joyous festive spirit.

    2026 offers something for everyone—whether you’re a sports fan, culture enthusiast or politics watcher, Nigeria’s calendar is packed with unmissable moments.

  • Behaviour, events and functions

    The true test of civilization is not the census, nor the size of cities, nor the crops, no, but the kind of man the country turns out.

    • Ralph Waldo Emerson

    A foreigner in that gathering could not but leave with the impression that Nigerians are a noisy and unruly lot, people lacking in self-respect and personal discipline.

    • Eniola Bello

    We have all been lied to about the concept of African Time; which the majority have adopted as a practical way of life-taking a cue from our leaders and those in charge. The Special Guest of Honour at many occasions is usually a very highly placed government official. Such a person characteristically arrives exceedingly late at events.

    It means nothing to such a one that without their presence, the event would not properly take off. Meanwhile, citizens of even the smallest African country have respect for time, as do their presidents, leaders and officials.

     

    The correct term for our national malaise is nigerian time, not african time.

    In fact other Africans come to Nigeria and waste precious time here whenever they have to attend events in Nigeria.

    It is of no import making reference to the actual event that Eniola Bello was referring to in the excerpt below the header. Fact is, he could have been referring to ANY gathering of Nigerian big wigs, social or official, ANYWHERE in the country.

    He is also right on the mark, when he talks of the impression that is made on a foreigner.

    A certain foreign writer and journalist published a book on Nigeria after his trips to the country, each involving long stays.

    In that book, the writer stated categorically that ‘Nigeria is under-developing’.

    He spoke extensively on several issues in our polity but the one that lingers is in the opening. Here, a vivid picture was painted about events on a certain Democracy Day, the first; in May 1999.

    He described how unruly crowds who were outside the Eagles Square venue of the presidential swearing-in, suddenly caught sight of vans bearing the program of events for the day. He described the typical scene: the crowds went crazy, and ran as if on cue, after the vans. They began struggling for the programs like tigers.

    At a point, the vans were forced to drive away from the venue WITH THE CONTENTS, to avoid the milieu. But the people there, incredibly; gave chase: – leg attempting to be faster than automobile – just to grab a souvenir program. “My dividend of democracy”.

    May 29 2019 – check out the behavior of people at this year’s edition of the event: nothing would have changed, the commotion is certain. It’s now a part of [the] events. A very sad part of events, indeed.

     

    Is that what they are calling an investment?

    Personal and inter-personal relationships seem, on the one hand to be constant, and on the other, ever-changing with changing times.

    Not many years ago, the craze was for a foreign-based spouse (husband).

    For the away-Nigerians, their dream was to come back and pick an authentic Nigerian girl for wife.

    They snag was always the papers. The foreign-based man would have been out long enough to have become a citizen or at least to legitimize his stay. His local bride on the other hand might never have left her locality in Nigeria. Her first trip to Lagos or Abuja would probably be to the consular visa office.

    The chances of such a one getting even a visitor’s visa tend to zero. And so with her fresh new passport stamped DENIED, boldly across the pages, the damsel would sit and wait for the next visit of her husband. She would wait and wait, and wait some more. Some ladies would tarry as long as seven years waiting for a phantom husband to return in person, possibly to furnish the embassy with more convincing documentation.

    Most always these Christmas Holiday Husbands never return for their wives.

    Suitors come and go, the lady religiously says no (“my husband is America”) and gradually she transforms from being a Christmas Bride to a Grassroots Widow.

    These days it would appear that the venue has shifted home, and that the parameters have changed. But the long waiting game remains a constant, this time, for a different reason.

    We are probably used to the common sob story of guys who sponsor the education of young school-leavers they meet and propose marriage to. All too often, after the exposure/ maturity acquired in the course of higher/ tertiary education, the girl would graduate and REFUSE to get married to the long-suffering suitor.

    But a male friend has hold me that the Aro Mental hospital in Abeokuta has several female inmates who lost their minds after investing in a suitor who not only dashed their hopes, but also emptied out their purses!

    There is a lady wanting counselling on her relationship issues. She says that the guy she has been dating for 5 years now has made no progress whatsoever towards concretizing the relationship.

    Worse still, at the turn of the year 2018, which would now be their fifth as a ‘couple’, the guy called the lady and told her that if she should meet any man wanting to marry her now, she was free to!!!

    At this point you wonder – although they say it all the time that love is blind, surely even the blind can see from the guy’s statement that the very long courtship is well and truly over.

    Not quite so for the sister. She tells us we don’t really understand. She says she has invested so much in her guy, that in leaving, she would lose everything.

    A closer look at the plight of several single ladies today and you find very many of them trapped, but caught in the trap that ONLY THEY made for themselves.

    Can you imagine that a young lady would go to the bank and empty out her life savings to send a boyfriend abroad for a Master’s degree! Just on a flimsy promise to marry her. The lady herself has only a first degree. Of course, the outcome is predictable, with the first winter breeze, the guy finds warmth in the arms of a Stephanie, or a Kimberley!

    You sink huge sums of money into a business venture you know next to nothing about. You go into partnership with a man you are merely dating. You say you trust him very much-after all he has ‘promised’ to marry you.

    Lady, may I please ask you: your man promised WHO? He has never met your family, yet he has every access to your money! Then several years later, and with many business ventures gone bad; you’re now in debt and with nothing forthcoming from your guy, you suddenly ‘discover’ the glaringly obvious fact that your relationship is long dead. But leave, you cannot. You say you have ‘invested’ your all, in it. Sister, you just sold yourself dummy. It is a real pity. It’s time to Wake Up. WISE UP!

     

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  • Events, cases that shaped Judiciary in 2017

    Events, cases that shaped Judiciary in 2017

    Last year was eventful for the Judiciary. Its hallmark were forfeiture orders, appointment of new Lagos and Federal High Court Chief Judges and Justice Isa Ayo Salami’s rejection of his appointment. ERIC IKHILAE, ADEBISI ONANUGA, JOSEPH JIBUEZE and ROBERT EGBE review the issues and cases that shaped the year.

    It was a busy 2017 for the judiciary. Several developments made headlines. Some of the major cases and issues are:

    Saraki

    On December 12, the Court of Appeal in Abuja voided the acquittal of Senate President, Bukola Saraki by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) following his trial on an 18-count charge of corruption and false assets declaration.

    The court, in a unanimous judgment on an appeal filed by the Federal Government, set aside the June 14, 2017 judgment of the CCT, which upheld Saraki’s no-case submission.

     

    Salami rejects appointment

    Former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, rejected his appointment as the head of the committee set up by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to monitor the prosecution of corruption cases in courts – Corruption and other Financial Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO).

    Although the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and Chairman of the NJC, Justice Walter Onnoghen regretted Justice Salami’s rejection of his appointment, he approved the appointment of Justice Suleiman Galadima in his (Justice Salami’s) place.

     

    Appeal Court to get 14 new Justices

    The CJN and the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa confirmed, on December 14 this year, the elevation of 14 judges, including Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court to the Court of Appeal. The elevation, already approved by the NJC, if confirmed by the President, as required, will raise the number of the Justices of the Court of Appeal to 100.

     

    NJC okays sack of Ademola and Tokode

    On December 7, the National Judicial Council (NJC) announced its recommendation for the compulsory retirement of Justices Ademola F. A. Ademola and O. O. Tokode of the Federal High Court.

    Justice Ademola last sat at the court’s Abuja division, while Justice Tokode was at the Benin division before their compulsory retirement.

     

    Supreme Court sacks Hembe, Sen Danladi

    The Supreme Court, on June 23 last year, sacked Senator Sani Abubakar Danladi, representing Taraba North Senatorial District, Taraba State and replaced him with Isah Shuaibu Lau.

    The court also sacked a House of Representatives member, Iorwase Herman Hembe, representing Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal Constituency of Benue State and replaced him with Mrs. Dorothy Mato.

     

    Ex-PDP chair’s son’s death

    Trial began on December 7 in the case of Maryam Sanda, wife of Bilyamin Bello, the late son of former Chairman of the Haliru Bello; her mother, Maimuna Aliyu; brother, Aliyu Sanda and one other, Sadiya Aminu before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Jabi.

    Maryam is charged with culpable homicide, punishable by death under Section 221 of the Penal Code Act.  She is accused of causing her husband’s death “by stabbing him on the chest and other parts of the body with a knife and other dangerous weapons, which eventually led to his death.”

     

    Diezani

    On January 6, last year, the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the forfeiture of $153,310,000 (about N46.6billion) allegedly diverted by a former Petroleum Minister, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke.\

    The EFCC said the money was stashed in three banks in Nigeria, namely Access Bank Plc, First Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc. The former minister is said to have connived with the banks’ executives to hide the loot.

    On February 16, the court ordered the final forfeiture of the $153million.

    On August 28, the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of N7.6billion allegedly stolen and hidden by Mrs Alison-Madueke. Justice Abdulazeez Anka granted an application by EFCC seeking the money’s final forfeiture to the Federal Government.

    On October 3, Mrs Alison-Madueke asked the court to order the Federal Government to facilitate her return to Nigeria to face trial.

    She asked for an opportunity to defend allegations against her in a charge filed against Belgore and Suleiman.

    On November 1, Justice Aikawa held that the application was “bizarre”, “misconceived” and lacking in merit. He dismissed it.

    On October 11, the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of 58 houses belonging to Mrs Alison-Madueke.

    Justice Anka held that the properties should be forfeited since no one came forward to claim or justify ownership after the interim forfeiture order was advertised.

    On December 5, the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the temporary forfeiture of two penthouses valued at $4.760m allegedly belonging to Mrs Alison-Madueke. The properties are: Penthouse 21, Building 5, Block C, 11th floor (Bella Vista Estate) Banana Island, Ikoyi, and Penthouse 22, Block B (Admiralty Estate) also in Ikoyi, Lagos. Justice Olatoregun ordered that they be forfeited to the Federal Government.

     

    Adegboruwa vs Magu

    Last February 20, human rights lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa withdrew his suit asking the Federal High Court in Lagos to restrain Mr Ibrahmi Magu from parading himself as the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Adegboruwa’s lawyer, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, told Justice Mojisola Olatoregun that he had pleaded with the plaintiff to withdraw his suit because, among others, “Magu should be supported in the fight against corrupt practices in the country.”

    Justice Olatoregun consequently struck out the suit.

     

    Adegboruwa’s case

    Justice Oluremi Oguntoyibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos on February 24 withdrew from the trial of activist-lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa. She said she would return the case file to the Chief Judge for re-assignment to another judge. Justice Oguntoyibo said she was withdrawing from the case for “personal reasons.” EFCC arraigned Adegboruwa for allegedly dealing in a seized property.

     

    2016 corruption index

    Nigeria ranked 136th of 176 countries in the 2016 corruption perception index, according to the Transparency International (TI) report.

    The country ranked 28 in the score, having scored 26 in 2015, 27 in 2014, 25 in 2013 and 27 in 2012.

     

    Lawyers to Supreme Court

    Justice Onnoghen asked the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to nominate lawyers for appointment as justices of the Supreme Court.

    NBA recommended nine senior lawyers for appointment as Supreme Court justices, including former NBA president Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), former Abia State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Prof Awa Kalu (SAN), Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), Yunus Usman (SAN) and Babatunde Fagbohunlu (SAN). The shortlisting was said to have been done by a committee chaired by NBA president Abubakar Mahmoud.

     

    Ex-JTF commander

    EFCC on February 3 re-arraigned former Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Atewe for alleged N8.5billion fraud. Atewe was charged along with former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi.

    The prosecution, which also named Kime Engozu and Josephine Otuga in the charge, said NIMASA, under Akpobolokemi, approved billions of naira to several military personnel, who were purportedly engaged to patrol the creeks to prevent pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering. The funds, EFCC said, were allegedly diverted to private accounts through fraudulent means.

     

    Ozekhome’s account

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on February 7 ordered a temporary forfeiture of N75million found in the account of an activist-lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN). On April 3, the court defreezed the account. EFCC said it froze Ozekhome’s GTBank account because the N75million Fayose paid him was suspected to be proceed of crime.

     

    Belgore, Suleiman

    The EFCC on February 8 arraigned a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mohammed Dele Belgore at the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged money laundering. He was arraigned along with a former minister of National Planning Prof Abubakar Suleiman before Justice Mohammed Aikawa on a five-count charge.

    EFCC accused them of conspiring to directly take possession of the N450million, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act. They pleaded not guilty.

     

    Ex-NIMASA D-G

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on February 21 dismissed a no-case submission made by former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) acting Director-General Calistus Obi. Justice Mojisola Olatoregun ordered him to open his defence.

    EFCC arraigned Obi on eight counts of converting N378,810,000 from NIMASA.

     

    Obanikoro vs EFCC

    Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and his family on February 22 sued EFCC at the Federal High Court in Lagos over the seizure and detention of their property. They sought a declaration that the forceful seizure of their personal effects constitutes a gross violation of their rights.

     

    Ex-NAMA MD

    On March 10, the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the temporary forfeiture of N3.5bilion and $67,586.27 in the accounts of former Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Managing Director Ibrahim Abdulsalam and other officers. The others are former NAMA General Manager, Procurement, Olumuyiwa Adegorite, former General Manager, Finance, Segun Agbolad and former acting General Manager, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Bolaniran Akinribido.

    The rest are Director of Finance Clara Aliche, Adegorite’s wife co-director of Multeng Travels and Tours Ltd, Joy, Abiodun Sessebor, Randville Investment Ltd, Multeng Travels and Tours, Delosa Ltd, Airsea Delivery Ltd and Sea Schedule Systems Ltd.

     

    Sagay vs Senate

    Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) chairman Prof Itse Sagay (SAN) had a running battle with the Senate in 2017. He said the Senate lacks the authority to summon him, being a private citizen. Sagay said the lawmakers were embarking on a “futile” exercise that could have “embarrassing consequences” by asking him to appear before them.

     

    INEC officials

    On April 5, the EFCC arraigned three Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials for allegedly receiving bribes from former Petroleum Minister Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke to compromise results of the 2015 general elections. Christian Nwosu, Yisa Adedoyin and Tijani Bashir were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos. They allegedly collected N264.88million bribe on March 27, 2015 from the minister ahead of the election.

     

    Ex-Naval chief

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on April 6 ordered the forfeiture of N1.8billion recovered from a former Chief of Naval Staff, Dele Ezeoba. Justice Muslim Hasan ruled on EFCC’s application praying for a permanent forfeiture N1,825,000,000 allegedly diverted fraudulently by Ezeoba.

     

    Patience Jonathan’s account

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on April 6 de-freezed a bank account belonging to wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience with over $5,842,316.66 (about N1.7billion) lodged in it. Justice Mojisola Olatoregun-Ishola defreezed the account  based on an application filed and argued by Mrs Jonathan’s lawyer, Mr. Adedayo Adedipe (SAN), said his client was not a party to the suit.

    On November 14, the Federal High Court in Lagos granted an order temporarily freezing N350million allegedly traced to Mrs Jonathan. The money is in an account domiciled in Stanbic IBTC, EFCC said. Justice Hadiza Rabiu-Shagari granted EFCC’s ex-parte application filed by its lawyer Mr Rotimi Oyedepo.

     

    NBA leadership’s sack

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) leadership on April 12 claimed it was not in contempt of court by refusing to vacate office following a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the associations constitution. Justice John Tsoho declared the association’s 2015 amended constitution illegal for non-compliance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and for not being registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The judge granted the plaintiff’s reliefs, including an injunction restraining NBA and its officers from conducting the association’s affairs on the basis of the constitution.

     

    N449m found in Lagos shop

    Justice Rilawan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Lagos on April 19, ordered the temporary forfeiture of N449,750,000 found in an abandoned Bureau de Change shop on Victoria Island in Lagos.

     

    INEC staff convicted

    On May 3, the Federal High Court in Lagos convicted an INEC staff for allegedly accepting over N70million bribe from former Petroleum Minister Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 general election results. Justice Mohammed Idris convicted Yisa Adedoyin for receiving cash payment of N70,050,000.00 after he pleaded guilty to an amended charge.

     

    NIMASA D-G Omatseye’s acquittal

    On May 11, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, overturned the five-year conviction of a former NIMASA Director-General, Temisan Raymond Omatseye, for an alleged N1.5billion contract scam. The court set aside the May 20, 2016 judgment of Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia which convicted Omatseye on a 27- count charge bordering on bid rigging and contract splitting.

     

    Fani-Kayode re-arraigned

    The EFCC on May 15 re-arraigned former ministers of Aviation and Finance, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and Senator Nenadi Usman for alleged N4.6billion fraud. They pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge of laundering.

    The defendants were first arraigned on June 28, 2016 before Justice Muslim Hassan. But, on March 16, he recused himself from the case after Fani-Kayode accused him of likely bias.

     

    Ifeanyi Ubah’s arrest

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on May 25 ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to charge Capital Oil and Gas Ltd Managing Director Dr Ifeanyi Ubah within 48 hours or release him unconditionally. Justice Idris held that Ubah’s detention without charge violated his rights. He knocked the DSS counsel for lying on oath in a bid to justify Ubah’s illegal detention. The Service arrested Ubah on May 6 over alleged “economic sabotage” and “illegal sale of petroleum products stored in his tank farm by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC”.

     

     

    Surety jailed

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on June 13 sent  Ibikunle Olusakin to seven years imprisonment for presenting forged documents to the court when he acted as surety for a suspect.

     

    Tompolo’s suit

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on July 5 dismissed a suit by a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), who was declared wanted on February 12, 2016. He was charged with an alleged N45.9 billion fraud. He sought an order “nullifying, voiding, striking down and expunging sections 221 and 306 from the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 to the extent of their inconsistency with the 1999 Constitution.” Through his lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, he said the sections were unconstitutional because they prevent a court from entertaining any objection to a criminal charge or an application for stay of proceedings pending appeal.

     

    Senator’s 12-storey building

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on October 4 dismissed an application by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi to release his seized 12-storey building. He represents Delta North Senatorial District.

    He prayed the court to discharge an interim order made by Justice Anka forfeiting the property.

    EFCC accused the Senator of defrauding Delta State of N1.5billion and laundering part of it through a company, Suiming Nigeria Ltd and that he acquired the property with part of the money. Justice Anka held there was no abuse by the commission in “attaching” the property.

     

    Agbakoba sues Fed Govt

    In October, Dr Agbakoba sued the Federal Government over alleged violation of the Federal Character principle in the composition of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) board. He said none of the persons appointed to fill the nine positions were from the states that make up the Southeast geo-political zone. According to Agbakoba, more than one person were appointed from other geo-political zones in violation of the constitution.  Members of the board include Dr Tajuddeen Umar (Northeast), Dr. Maikanti Baru (Northeast), Mr. Abba Kyari (Northeast), Mr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse (North Central), Mallam Mohammed Lawal and Mallam Yusuf Lawal (both Northerners). Others are Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu (South-South), Dr. Thomas M.A John (South-South), and  Dr. Pius O. Akinyelure (South-West).

     

    Paris/London Club loan

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on October 13 ordered the temporary forfeiture of N1.4bilion, being part of Paris/London Club loan, to the Federal Government. EFCC said N1,442,384,857.84 was fraudulently obtained from the states through the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

     

    Osborne Tower’s Flat N7b

    On  November 9, EFCC accused former National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General Ayodele Oke of fraudulently converting the agency’s funds. It alleged that Oke’s wife, Folasade, used part of the funds to buy Flat 7B in Osborne Towers on 16 Osborne Road, Ikoyi, where large sums of foreign and local currencies were recovered. The Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the flat’s temporary forfeiture to the Federal Government. It was later forfeited permanently.

     

    Nnamani’s arrest

    On December 4, the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the arrest of former Enugu State Governor Dr Chimaroke Nnamani. Justice Chuka Obiozor issued a bench warrant for his arrest after Nnamani failed to turn up for his re-arraignment.

    EFCC first arraigned Nnamani 11 years ago on 105 counts of alleged money laundering and economic crimes involving about N4.5billion state funds.

     

    Lagos director’s ‘N28m’

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on December 7 ordered the temporary forfeiture of N28.5million allegedly stolen by a Director of Accounts in the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) Mr Anifowoshe Muhammed Jamiu Alade. EFCC said the sum recovered from him “is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: stealing.” Justice Aikawa ordered the interim forfeiture to the Federal Government of properties recovered from Alade.

     

    Fanta/Sprite Vitamin C controversy

    Last March, a Lagos High Court ordered the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) to place written warnings on Fanta and Sprite bottles against drinking them with ascorbic acid, commonly known as Vitamin C.

    Justice Adedayo Oyebanji awarded costs of N2million against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for failing to ensure health standards.

    The court held that high levels of benzoic acid and sunset additives in the popular soft drinks could pose a health risk to consumers when mixed with vitamin C.

    The NBC, which insisted its products are safe, has appealed the ruling.

     

    Cynthia Osukogu’s killers

    A Lagos State High Court in Igbosere on March 23 convicted Okwumo Nwabufo and Olisaeloka Ezike who were charged with the murder of a postgraduate student of Nasarawa State University, Cynthia Osokogu.

    The judge, Justice Olabisi Akinlade, ordered that Nwabufo and Ezike be hung by the neck until they are dead.

    Osokogu, then 25 years old, was lured from Abuja to Lagos on July 21, 2012 by Nwabufo, who she met and befriended on Facebook.

    The men assaulted before killing her.

     

    Justice Nganjiwa’s corruption charge quashed

    On December 11, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, struck out the criminal charge filed by the EFCC against a judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa.

    The EFCC arraigned the judge for allegedly receiving a total of $260,000 and N8.65m gratification to enrich himself as a public official.

    His trial began last June 23 before Justice Adedayo Akintoye of the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere.

    On November 22, the judge excused herself from the trial following a petition written against her by Nganjiwa, alleging the possibility of bias.

    However, following an appeal by his lawyer, Chief Robert Clark (SAN), the appellate court struck out the charge.

    The court agreed with Clarke that a judge could not be prosecuted until such judge had either been dismissed or compulsorily retired by the National Judicial Council.

     

    Rickey Tarfa

    EFCC on December 12 opposed a no-case submission filed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Rickey Tarfa.

    The anti-graft agency arraigned Tarfa on March 10, 2016, on a 27-count charge which was amended to 26 counts.

    It was also alleged, among others, that Tarfa offered N5.3million gratification to Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in order to compromise the judge.

    The trial began in March 2016 before Justice Adedayo Akintoye of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere.

     

    Lagos, Federal High Court get new Chief Judges

    On October 20, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode swore in Justice Opeyemi  Oke as the 16th Chief Judge of Lagos. She succeeded Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade who attained the mandatory retirement age on Sunday September 24, 2017.

    Justice Oke joined the Lagos State Judiciary as a Senior Magistrate in 1986, rising to Chief Magistrate Grade 1 in1996. She was also a Deputy Chief Registrar of the High Court of Lagos State between 1993 and 1994. She was appointed Judge of High Court of Lagos State on July 19, 1996.

    On September 16, Justice Onnoghen swore-in Justice Abdu Kafarati as the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. He succeeded Justice Ibrahim Auta.

     

    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia’s trial

    The trial of a federal high court judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, which began  in November 2016, continued to make headlines in 2017. EFCC arraigned her and Chief Godwin Obla (SAN) for alleged bribery and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

     

    Evans

    The Lagos State government on August 30 arraigned suspected billionaire kidnapper,  Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a. Evans, before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court for alleged kidnapping of one Dunu Donatus.

    Evans was arraigned alongside five other suspected members of his gang which included a woman, Ogechi Uchechukwu.

    The defendants were on October 19 re-arraigned on a two-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy and kidnapping.

    Evans is also facing two other kidnapping charges before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere.

    A fourth arraignment on a similar charge before Justice Adedayo Akintoye stalled following objections by Evans’ lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje.

     

    West Africa’s first DNA centre

    The commissioning of the “first state-owned DNA Forensic Centre in West Africa” by Lagos State Government coupled with the formal adoption of plea bargain by the state were another land mark events that shaped 2017.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who opened the facility, said it would go a long way in resolving crimes, paternity issues and others through technology which is the modern trend across the world.

    The facility provides crime scene processing; serological screening for blood and semen; DNA analysis of bone, teeth and hair; maternal and paternal relationship DNA analysis; expert witness and case handling services; paternal and maternal ancestry DNA analysis; cold case file review and mass disaster human identification.

  • AU, AFRIMA unveil exciting events calendar

    AU, AFRIMA unveil exciting events calendar

    With the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) scheduled for Friday, November 10 and Sunday, November 12 in Lagos, The African Union Commission, AUC, and AFRIMA’s international committee, have unveiled an array of activities and performers.

    Some of the events include the Africa Music Business Roundtable (AMBR) on November 10 which is a platform for African music executives, investors and artistes to chart a course for development towards the nurturing and packaging of music in a way that creates jobs and reflects positively on the GDP of the continent.

    International and African music brands and organisations will also showcase products and services at the 2017 AMBR exhibition. Some of the speakers billed for the Roundtable are General Manager, Sony Music, West Africa; Micheal Ugwu; Board Chairman of the Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition, South Africa; Dr Sipho Sithole, and Head of Public Relations and Special Projects, Universal Music; Ms Hadja Kobele.

    Also scheduled for Friday, November 10 is the Africa Music Village, an open music festival set to showcase live performances of over 40 African music superstars. The all-night event will feature performances from Nigerian pop-legend, 2Baba, Seyi Shay, Bongo-flava King, Diamond Platnumz, and a host of others.

    The main award ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, November 12 and will feature live performances and television broadcast to 84 countries on 109 television stations around the world.

    The annual AFRIMA is organised in partnership with the African Union to foster economic development and integration on the continent while showcasing the cultural heritage of Africa to the rest of the world. The awards platform achieves this by celebrating and rewarding the old and young music talents of African origin.

  • We need to tap the potential in events management

    We need to tap the potential in events management

    The event industry is a huge business generating about N30billion annually to the gross domestic product (GDP). Gbemisola Ope is the president of the Association of Professional Party Organisers and Event Managers of Nigeria (APPOEMN). In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she speaks on regulating the sector, her passion for the industry and sundry issues

    What is your area of specialisation?

    I am an event planner, event consultant and human resources management, and we do decoration. I have been doing this since 2004, about thirteen years now.

    What inspired you to go into this line of business?

    My mum has always been someone who entertains. She used to own a catering outfit and also if we had guests in the house, she always prepared food and from there the interest started. The business took off immediately after schooling in America. I then set up my events management company called Omega Events in America and then I moved back to Nigeria and I continued the business.

    What were the initial challenges?

    The initial challenges for me were breaking into the Nigerian market. I was used to everything being in order. You call a caterer, you order hundred plates of food and you get this. You tell people to come at 9am and they are there at 8.30. However, coming to Nigeria and telling a caterer I want white plates and I want you to be there at 9am and the caterer shows up at 10 am with white and green plates. So learning to mange that and changing my mindset were some of the initial challenges. However, I am a Nija girl and I had to remember that I was born and bred in Nigeria. I went abroad to school as a visitor, and I came back home.

    What did you study?

    I studied communications. I have always been a talker and I like being around people. I actually wanted to be an air hostess but somewhere along the line, I also thought of studying law. But I could not do this and communication became an option. I also ended up doing human resources and became a human resource manager.

    How has studying communication impacted on your business?

    What I noticed is that on the job, you need to talk to people, connect with them and that knowledge about communication has been very useful. With our members, I noticed that when I came in they were disgruntled. I had several meetings with them, did one-on-one and discovered that they wanted to be spoken to and they also wanted to be sure that they are relevant. So, that really helped.

    This is your first major conference and it is coming in the recession, what impact do you think it would have on the society?

    You notice that I have been using the word amazing. My members are amazing; you won’t believe that 80 per cent of what we have done is free. Every member that we have has donated either a service or a product. Everybody is excited; everybody wants us to get something out of it. It is an annual conference and next year, we are looking for major sponsorship from government and corporate bodies.

    What is life as president of APPOEMA like?

    It’s been very interesting and exciting. Someone once told me that uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. I didn’t notice this until I took over in July 2016 and also because I was a founding member, I understood the issues very well. I am quite passionate about the organisation and anybody that knows me, knows that I am a goal getter. I like to make attempts and getting where we are has always been uppermost in my mind.

    So, it’s been very difficult, especially with the negative feedback and other people trying to sabotage our efforts. In the beginning, it was distracting but I must say that I have a fantastic team of executives. They would always remind me of how to stay focused and the members have been extremely supportive.

    Our mission is to educate, advance, network and promote the events industry and its network of professionals along with related industries. We seek to become a chartered council with the sole responsibility of regulating the practice of the event management, associated industries and professionals in Nigeria. In addition, we also aim to give security and peace of mind to clients that our events are certified, monitored and accredited by the association to provide excellent service. The 2017 industry conference comes up in Lagos from September 14th to 17th. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Mrs Yewande Zacchueus, Hon Abike Dabiri and Mr Folarin Coker are some of the dignitaries who will be attending the programme. The roundtable session will focus on moving the industry forward, standardisation, as well as current industry-related issues. The goal here is to provide stakeholders with an insight on how to do business right in Nigeria. It will also try to educate them about the industry expectations as a whole, create awareness of the issues, as well as proffer solutions to them. There will also be an award night where 41 awards will be presented to deserving vendors and generally appreciating ourselves in the industry.

    It is the premier Nigeria national conference of event practitioners and it is themed Proudly Nigerian; Setting standards. The event will bring together key professionals from across the country and a spectrum of Nigerian service providers to share experiences, perspectives and the latest development in the event industry.

    We have been working hard to put regulations in place and helping to set standards. We also have a dispute resolution committee and if any member manages an event for you and you have issues with this and you report to APPOEMN, we would take it up and resolve it. We are heading to the point where we would be able to regulate the industry, eliminate the quacks and guide people who want to become professional event managers. This way you can be sure that customers would get the best from our members. As much as event professionals have their faults, the clients – the general public – has their faults as well. Amongst us, we have professionals that are doing classes right now and we are working with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) who would also help us check the people that we are checking also to make sure that the standards are right and remain the same. You find that a lot of young people who graduated recently are coming to the event sector as musicians, comedians, event planners, caterers and the industry is the biggest. It is made up of over hundred professions. As long as you are a service provider, directly or indirectly, you are contributing to the event industry.

  • Groups that shaped events

    Groups that shaped events

    All Progressives Congress (APC)

    Formed in February 2013, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the result of an alliance of Nigeria’s three biggest opposition parties  the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP)  and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to take on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 elections.

    Strengthened by the defection of five governors, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara State), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano State), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa State) and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto State) and the addition of other states by defection or favourable election tribunal decisions, the party approached 2015 with enhanced credentials. Despite acrimonious campaigns and the machinery of state deployed in PDP’s favour, APC withstood heat in the polity to retain seats and wrest control with Muhammadu’s Buhari’s emergence as president by almost 2.6 million votes as icing on the cake.

    As presidential nominee of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2003 and 2007 and presidential nominee of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011, Buhari contested and lost the presidential elections. The 2015 triumph was, therefore, a remarkable feat as many, including the candidate himself, had all but lost hope.

    The APC cause was apparently helped by PDP’s documented misrule in 16 years of the Fourth Republic with the serial gaffes of the incumbent especially telling. Election date postponement and desperate attempts at financial inducement of the electorate failed to reverse widespread disillusion as APC carried the day with its “change” mantra.

    When Jonathan conceded defeat on March 31, it was the first time in Nigeria’s political history that an opposition political party unseated a governing party in a general election and one in which power transferred peacefully from one political party to another. In addition, the APC won the majority of seats in the Senate and the House of Representatives, though it fell shy of winning a super-majority to override the ability of the opposition People’s Democratic Party to block legislation.

    Managing the consequence of victory is the party’s immediate challenge, however. As the emergence of Bukola Saraki as Senate President proved, not all party members are willing to submit to the party’s wish. And none can pre-empt a governorship running mate when his principal dies mid-election as the case of Kogi State governorship hopeful, James Faleke evinces.

     

    People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

    PDP president rally
    PDP president rally

    After dominating the 16-year history of the Fourth Republic, the People’s Demococratic Party (PDP) finds itself in the opposition  a role it struggles to play, considering the hail of sour grapes from former party officials and leading figures since losing the March, 2015 general elections.

    After the 2015 showing and electoral reverses suffered by the party to date, it may remain in opposition for some time unless, by trademark arithmetic sleight of hand taken out in the (in)famous Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) election of May 2013, 16 years metamorphose into the 60 once predicted by former PDP national chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor.

    The ‘reign’ launched in 1998 when ‘the largest political party in Africa’ selected former military leader Olusegun Obasanjo as the presidential candidate in the elections of February 1999, with Atiku Abubakar (Governor-Elect of Adamawa State and a former leading member of the Social Democratic Party) as his running mate. The duo won and was sworn-in in May 1999.

    Chief Obasanjo’s two terms at Aso Villa barely inspired a people yearning for true democracy and its dividend after years of successive military dictatorship. Characterised by subterfuge, vindictiveness, contrived accountability and disguised corruption, the Obj years ushered in, via ‘do-or-die’ elections, Umaru Yar’Adua and his vice-president, Goodluck Jonathan. The latter, by uncanny stroke of luck, found himself substansively at the helm in 2010 through the progressives-backed doctrine of necessity following his principal’s demise.

    He rode to 2011 victory backed, again, by the progressives and a sentimental nation, but the beneficiary spurned the benefactor until the 2015 general elections loomed and the prospect of a 10-year democratic occupancy of the State House beckoned.

    By the time the dust settled on the March elections, APC won in 21 of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) while PDP claimed 15 states and the FCT. But the rhetoric of PDP’s election conduct runs deeper.

    After the Presidency mismanaged the Boko Haram insurgency through a slow and detached response, the North was all but lost. With the Southeast and South-south more or less in support, Jonathan turned, with his political lieutenants, to the Southwest.

    The PDP’s rather decadent approach tugged at the seams of societal fabric. Money, in local currency and foreign currency, was flung at the conundrum, youths seduced and ethnic jingo played up.

    PDP lost.

    Months after the election, the consequences unravel. Slush funds funneled through the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, were deployed for electioneering, it emerged. And Dasuki allegedly withrew from the Central Bank $2.1 billion meant for purchase of arms to combat Boko Haram in the Northeast. The money was distributed the funds to party officials instead.

    Chairman Emeritus of DAAR Communications Ltd., Raymond Dokpesi, former Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Shuaibu Salisu, and former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafawara, among others were named as beneficiaries.

     

    INEC

    The confrontation between Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Attahiru Jega, and Godsday Orubebe, a former Minister for Niger Delta Affairs and 2015 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent, may have been the highlight of the 2015 Presidential election.

    At the INEC collation centre in Abuja during conclusion of the polls, Orubebe held on to the microphone at a point and insisted that Prof Jega discontinue declaration of results, accusing Jega of refusing to accept a petition from the PDP protesting results from Kano, Katsina and Jigawa.

    Orubebe’s reaction mirrored a general frustration with election procedings by PDP officials used to domination until the All Progressives Congress (APC) upstaged them. In the event, violence, voter manipulation and compromised electoral officers sustained a culture of flawed polls. Elections in Akwa Ibom, Delta and Rivers States stand out for reference.

    During the election campaigns, Jega attracted criticism from the opposition and the party in power. Nominated in 2010 by President Goodluck Jonathan as replacement for Maurice Iwu subject to Senate confirmation, Jega became the new chairman of the electoral body.

    While his heroics exonerated him, Jega ould not spread himself beyond the headquarters. Once the oppostiton took over, justice was bound to arrive in due course, hence the scenario of the Court of Appeal upturning results and election tribunals voiding the elections of senators and representatives for failing to comply substantially with provisions of the Electoral Act.

    To the chagrin of hopeful democrats will a rerun galore now follow the oft-witnessed spectacle of card-reader malfunction and needless manual accreditation with attendant manipulation.

    He may have come recommended, but Jega’s successor, Mahmood Yakubu, crossed flak on his first assignment and superintended a similar outing in the next. INEC headquarters in Abuja was not spared after the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Halilu Pai, on the death, mid-election, of APC governorship candidate, Abubaka Audu, declared the gubernatorial election of November 21 inconclusive.

    Thus unfurled a chain of criticism that yokes jurispudents and legal gurus to uncommon ground. Audu’s deputy, James Faleke, said that he would not be available for the January 27, 2016 swearing-in with Yahaya Bello, the candidate preferred by APC as announced by party chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun. Faleke had, upon the death of his principal, Prince Audu, written INEC to declare him as winner of the polls, despite INEC having initially declared the poll as inconclusive.

    INEC said its hands were legally bound and so could not have changed the rules in the middle of the game. Its Director in charge of Voter Education, Publicity, Civil Society and Gender Liaison, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, said the commission decided to err on the side of the law as the guidelines were clear on situations that could warrant the declaration of an election as “inconclusive.”

    He said despite the fact that about 13, 227 voters out of 49, 000 registered voters participated in the supplementary election, “INEC had a constitutional duty to conduct that election within certain parameters or framework. He added that Faleke’s withdrawal would be correct within 45 days before the election, the time allowed for withdrawal, as long as the party forwarded the letter to the commission. Faleke went to court to assert his claim to the governorship ticket before the supplementary poll of December 5.

    In a twist, INEC also declared the Bayelsa election on the same day inconclusive. The volatile Southern Ijaw Local Council of the state was fingered as reason. Elections could not take place in the area, unlike other parts of the state, and the exercise was rescheduled for Sunday.

    Soldiersdeployed to the area, but the polls floundered the next day, forcing INEC to cancel the rescheduled exercise over widespread violence, ballot box-snatching and hostage-taking of electoral officials. The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Baritor Kpagih, said a new date for a fresh poll in the area would be announced in due course.

     

    Herdsmen

    As critical contributors to the economy and wellbeing of Nigerians, herdsmen generate more than a passing comment through their activities. Beef from the cattle they herd is reputed for its worldwide reputation of palatability and wholesomeness.

    But they can as well dish the most unpalatable stuff. Long have they maimed, killed and devasted farmlands south, west, north and east while grazing cattle. And long have they displayed little remorse after.

    Apparently tiring of the limited income earned from their part-vital, part-bothersome activity, however, some of them have lately taken to a crime synonymous with another region: kidnapping. Isolated crimes of the magnitude trailed by muted lament seemed to draw muted response, until a group of renegade pastoralists seized upon part-time farmer, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and distinguished Southwest statesman, Olu Falae, in Ilado, Akure, Ondo State.

    They spirited the septuagenarian after brutalising staff and ransacking the farm.

    In anguish the country followed developments, until Chief Falae returned for a ransom initially denied by a cluless police. Running the security apparatus ragged, the crooks promised to return. They did  in handcuffs when security agents embarrassed into action caught up with some of them. They were subsequently identified by their victim.

    A war or words has since ensued between kinsmen on both sides and beyond. Incensed by Falae’s treatment, Yoruba elders called for an end to the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the Southwest. Condemning the kidnap, the Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and the Association of Fulani Chiefs of South West Nigeria opposed the call.

    Former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwakwanso, also rejected the call as it countered the ties that bind the nation together. Afenifere faulted Kwankwaso’s call for education of the Fulani to end the nomadic lifestyle.

    Others suggested grazing reserves across the country since everyone ‘enjoyed’ (for a fee) the beef produced by the herdsmen.

     

    Fuel marketers

    About the most influential group in Nigeria’s contrived economic dynamics, fuel marketers are commended and criticised in equal measure. Despite the activities of the unscrupulous ones, their importance may not be understated in the petroleum products import and subsidy regime.

    Whenever they fail to load and distribute products because of unsettled subsidy claims  which was often in former president Goodluck Jonathan’s time  the economy reeled from their impact. Fuel queues materilised on the highways, inflation soared and the government scrambled to pay and curtail disquiet.

    Nigerians who expected last March’s change in government to cause a change in the fuel supply mix have found the going rough. After a lull, the period of scarcity returned towards the end of the year  a most auspicious time for subsidy removal, considering the history of fuel price hike.

    The government’s recent announcement of imminent reversion to the fuel pump price of N97 from N87 stoked speculation. Whether caused by falling oil crude oil prices which demanded commensurate reduction in the retail rate or political considerations, according to critics, the initial N10 reduction was hailed as palliative amidst economic hardship.

    With the price of oil crashing further and President Buhari’s team grappling to right an economy gone wayward, the government would have to find a way to lower the cost of production, especially when subsidy payments are estimated to constitute a hefty chunk of the country’s budget.

    Marketers blamed the recent scarcity on the government’s insincerity in settling subsidy claims when it knew about outstanding claims at the inception of the administration while the government retuned the gesture. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) blamed the persistent fuel crisis on continuous vandalisation of pipelines, sharp practices by oil marketers and delay in the payment of outstanding subsidy claims to the marketers. Unscrupulous marketers were also involved in hoarding, sharp practices and diversion of petroleum products for sale in black markets across the country.

    Nonetheless, the government scrambled to pay off the marketers with the recent release of N407.07 billion for subsidy claims covering 2014 and the current year. The effect may be some time in coming, however, as sharp practice prevails, particularly after the government announced imminent removal of the subsidy early next year.

    Biafra agitators

    Until recently, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and erstwhile leader, Ralph Uwazuruike, championed the call for a separate country for the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria on the basis of marginalisation. Despite run-ins with the authorities and killings suffered, MASSOB claimed it was a peaceful group seeking amicable solution to an identity predicament.

    But accusations of a loss of focus dogged the MASSOB leadership until partisanship conduct in the run-up to the 2015 general elections compounded disenchantment. Many saw a connection between the group and factions of the Odua People’s Congress (OPC) in relationship to the army of campaigners for former president Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election. Nationalist agitators merely sustained their fire until pecuniary gains emanated, came the contention.

    Disillusioned Biafra-seeking youths aligned with another group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by the United Kingdom-based Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu recently set up a pirate radio station, Radio Biafra, which has been broadcasting at various frequencies around the world.

    The Nigerian Government, through its broadcasting regulator, the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigerian (BON) and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), sought to clamp down on the pirate radio without success until broadcast material aligned with sentiment. In November, Biafran independence protests erupted in the South-south and Southeast on a scale beyond national imagination.

    Dismissed until then as an errant group, the separatists manage to seize attention, if not territory. Speaking through the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, the Federal Government initially described the agitation as “completely legitimate” and noted that the basic cause was “economic”. But the government recanted.

    Shaken by the resoluteness of the demonstrators in Port Harcourt, Onitsha and other cities, the government wielded the big stick. But the protests got worse following the arrest and prosecution of Kanu, whose pirate radio the government accused of spreading hate and violence.

    Igbo elders pleaded with the youth to allow them discuss the issue of neglect of the region with the authorities in power, but they refused, insisting on the unconditional release of Kanu who went on trial for treason.

    Shunning warnings by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, the agitators blocked the Niger bridgehead and vowed to stay there for three days until Nnamdi Kanu was set free. They caused a traffic gridlock at the Asaba and Onitsha axes of the bridge and held up travellers for several hours.

    Then the protesters set ablaze a truck and mosque in Onitsha. A joint operation by soldiers and the police eventually dislodged the protesters, leaving nine persons dead and over a hundred people were arrested.

    Next move, the government’s: FG urged An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court to terminate further hearing on the charge, saying it has concluded plans to take the matter before a higher court. The court last Wednesday struck out the one-count criminal charge preferred against Kanu, following an application by the Department of State Services (DSS) to withdraw the charge.

    IPOB protesters appear undeterred, marching at the Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos, with youths bearing the Biafran flag and wearing its T-shirts storming the market Thursday afternoon in their thousands.

    Beyond economics, some of the factors that preceded the Civil War of 1967-1970 obviously linger. Led by Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the secession arose from economic, ethnic, cultural and religious tension in the country. Two and a half years of war  in which a million civilians died in fighting and from starvation resulting from blockades  ended with unconditional surrender and avowed reintegration.

    Conditions are eerily similar today, but the result need not be. An identity crisis is closely attended by resource control and marginalisation  issues that the government would have to address while containing the aggression.

     

    Ibrahim al-Zakzaky’s Shiite sect

    The Nigerian Army’s reported shooting of 35 followers, including three undergraduate biological sons, of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim al-Zakzaky following pro-Palestinian procession in Zaria on July 25, 2014 drew worldwide sympathy and caused the government to set up a committee to investigate the action.

    More than a year later, the cleric and his group grabbed the headlines for reasons as painful. Soldiers on the convoy of Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai, last weekend engaged sect members who blocked the highway on a public procession in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    The sect claimed that it was decimated. The COAS said his convoy acted in self-defence after pleas to clear the road were rebuffed.

    Security forces invaded Sheikh al-Zakzaky’s house on December 12, 2015 in retaliation for the alleged assassination attempt. There was unverified number of casualties, which the army claimed was due to resistance from the Islamic Movement’s followers. Sheikh al-Zakzaky was arrested.

    Sect members subsequently protested in six northern Nigerian cities against the military crackdown while Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani weighed in, phoning President Buhari on the incident which the Federal Government termed “a military affair”.

    Zakzaky attended traditional Quranic and Islamic schools in Zaria and the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. Secretary-general of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) in school and later Vice President (International Affairs) of the National Body of the MSSN, his activity in the society saw the conception of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

  • Afe Babalola: Two events that shaped my thinking about education

    Afe Babalola: Two events that shaped my thinking about education

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who is a confidant of Aare Afe Babalola said, shared some  secrets  where during the convocation of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) where the monarch was bestowed with a honorary doctorate degree alongside three others. ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA reports.

    The cordial relationship between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, and founder of the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola has spanned 50 years. Years ago, the Alaafin had conferred on Babalola the Aare Bamofin of Yoruba land. And years later, an honorary Dr of Letters was bestowed on the monarch by the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti. It was at the ABUAD convocation lecture held at the varsity’s auditorium.

    Oba Adeyemi praised Aare Babalola for establishing a university as a legacy and making same a model for functional education in Nigeria.

    But Oba Adeyemi was not the only recipient of an honorary degree. The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters.

    Former Justice of the Supreme Court and former Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) Emmanuel Ayoola (rtd) was honoured with honorary Dr of Law, while the immediate past INEC chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega received an honorary Dr of Public Administration.

    Oba Adeyemi therefore called on other recipients of the awards to join him on the podium to seek long life and sound health for Babalola, a session which was led by Bishop Kukah.

    Babalola explained to the large audience that the establishment of ABUAD was simply by accident.

    “Some 10 years ago, if anyone had told me that I would veer into education and establish a university that would be described by UNESCO as a world-class I would have told him it would never happen. Reason: I was comfortable, happy and enjoying the beauty of legal practice but God sent former President Obasanjo to convince me to accept the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos which was (then) besieged by corruption and fractionalisation,” he said.

    As Pro-Chancellor, Babalola was able to convince some blue-chip companies on the need to put in one or more facilities. The once-crisis-ridden leadership tussle of the institution stabilised.

    “The leadership style of the chairman was exemplary. The leadership style of the Council was charatcterised by optimum time and resource utilisation and a good team spirit,” Babalola quoted Jega as saying in the report.

    “These two events affected my thinking about education positively and I vowed to establish a university that would be an example of what a university properly called should be,” said Babalola.

    Continuing, he said: “I headed to this place which was then a thick forest some six years ago. This is the story of how ABUAD came into existence,”

    Today; ABUAD is being described as the ‘Fastest growing private university in Africa, a model and a reference point for tertiary education by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, described Aare Babalola as the biggest employer of labour, after Ekiti State government. In addition, Fayose said Babalola also remits the highest tax to government coffers. In view of the foregoing, the governor vows that the state government would support the institution, particularly Babalola’s earlier request for more land for expansion..

    “I want to thank Aare Afe Bablola for openly supporting my government all the time. Therefore, there is the need for us to also create an environment for ABUAD to do better. The university is yearning for more land for expansion.

    “With the level of development in the university, I am of the strong view that in 10 years time, ABUAD may turn out one of the best in Africa.”

    Jega described Babalola as a selfless Nigeria who is being reputed for his generosity and large-heartedness. As a first time visitor, Jega said he was awed by the rate of infrastructure in the institution, an evidence of a founder who is committed to bringing about a reform in the nation’s education sector.

    “This is my first time here but I must confess I am dazed by what I’ve seen. This shows an example of a man so committed to quality education. I think if we can have few of Afe Babalola in Nigeria, the country would be a better place,” Jega said.

    Kukah enjoined all to support Babalola in ensuring that ABUAD fully attained its set objectives.

     

  • New events centre opens in Ibadan

    New events centre opens in Ibadan

    Event planners in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have welcomed a new event centre into the city.

    The new event centre, Bashmol, which is tucked in Abayomi Estate on Old Ife Road, came with state-of-the-art facilities for users.

    With different sizes of halls and conference rooms accompanied with large parking spaces and security, Bashmol Event Centre adds to the beauty and economic life of the serene area with loads of incentives to all users.

    Aside providing a 250 KVA power generating set, the centre has its own 200 KVA transformer to strengthen and plug shortfall in public electricity.

    The Business Development Manager of the centre, Mr Olayiwola Suara, said the centre would meet the needs of those seeking decent, convenient and modern venue for their social, religious events and offer dial events in Ibadan.

    “We are just excellent in all key areas,” Suara said.

    He assured event planners and celebrators that maintenance and quality of service would be sustained.

    The event centre opened for business on July 26.

  • Managing events, making money

    Managing events, making money

    Events management is on the rise. With parties here and there, event managers are required to ensure things go well. The job potential in this social segment is huge, writes OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE.

    Events’ management has assumed a new dimension. Unlike before, weddings, birthdays, political gatherings, funerals, conferences and anniversaries, among others, are now handled by experts. People often talk about how some events were so professionally handled that they become the talk of the town.

    Such flawless, exciting parties are normally handled by those who have been trained and garnered experience.

    Oftentimes people never get to see them because they work behind the scene, coordinating and ensuring that nothing is missed out, not even the minutest of details. The event management professionals also give advice to the celebrants, especially on matching budgets with invitees, on whether the numbers should be increased or reduced.

    Event management involves all cadres of professionals with varied educational backgrounds such as engineers, caterers, artisans and lawyers, among others depending on the event. For instance in conferences and exhibitions, the event managers design and build the exhibition stands and lightings, put all the necessary electrical, mechanical and information technologies in place.

    The event managers have regular and ad hoc members workers. The ad hoc staffers are hired for specific events and their jobs terminate after the event. Some schools run professional courses on event management but some acquire the knowledge by hands-on training. An event manager can be paid between N1 million and N10 million and more depending on the events and the personalities involved.

    Event managers are needed in almost any kind of business – entertainment, finance, government, retail, fashion, sport, music, among others, so their day to day job can be filled with a huge range of exciting challenges and unique situations.

    Events usually require many different teams to come together. It often includes several external suppliers. Successful events depend on the team with every member doing his/her job to standard with flexibility and commitment to good cross-team communication. If you love being part of a team and working with people to create something unique, events could well be the path for you.

     

    Creative thinking

    The event industry is all about exceeding the expectations of all parties involved in the events, and design is one of the key ways to impress. Event managers need to be real outside-the-box thinkers who have a dynamic approach to problem-solving. Design is essential to an event’s success, whether you have the creative spark that can give event guests a memorable experience, or the perfectionist’s streak that crafts brand awareness right down to the colour of name badges.

     

    Strong leadership

    An event management team needs strong leadership to be at its best – negotiations between clients, suppliers, company or venue staff requires flexibility, quick thinking, buckets of initiative and exceptional decision making. A particular ability to spot good compromises and know what is essential to the success of the event marks out an excellent event team leader.  It takes a good event manager and leader to take on the challenge of directing a complicated event whilst managing the expectations of several different stakeholders.

     

    Opportunities

    Some event management companies have the trappings of royalty and take care of event from the conception period to actual delivery. In this business your efficiency is the perfect way to get an introduction to the industry and give you a head start in beginning a career.

    Event management is a fast-paced, varied, and highly employable field. Even in times of economic recession, events remain invaluable to companies as a sure way to build brand reputation, drive consumer confidence and give people experiences to remember.

    Managing Director of Pink and Blossom, Mrs. Nkechi Iheanacho, an Industrial Chemistry graduate, said she has always loved to organise things and started when her elder sister was about to get married. “My business actually took off as an off-shoot of my sister’s wedding. I not only took care of the catering of the traditional wedding but also the decorations and ancillary services including the white wedding. After the wedding people started making inquiries about the organiser of the event, it took quite a while to convince some of them that handled it. Those who believed encouraged me with jobs such as birthdays for their kids and spouses and end-off year parties.”

    I didn’t look for start-up capital because my initial clients paid up-front, so l can say that l started with zero capital. My drive and love for putting things together kept me going. At the initial stage, I had no steady staff. I only used ad hoc staff but now as a full-fledged event management company l have at least 15 permanent staff. I engage ad hoc staff if l get several jobs at the same time or a very big job because sometimes I have as much as 30 people working on a project, she added.

    I have never had any problem paying my staff, from nothing we have grown to picking up jobs of over a million naira and our balance sheet is good. When we get jobs that require for instance a marquee we outsource some of the engineering, electrical, plumbing jobs and concentrate on our core competence which is food and decoration she added.

    On the skills needed she said there is a place for everybody. “This is one business that accommodates the graduates and highly skilled artisans who are barely literate. Everybody have a place but the most important thing is for each cadre to know its onions and stick to it. If everybody is a Ph.D holder, who will do the cleaning, decorations and other menial jobs involved? If for instance, you are handling a cross cultural wedding, you will need to spice it up with engaging somebody that can code-switch in the two languages. Event management is about innovation and competitiveness; you must try to please your clients against your competitors. The interesting part of this business is that it involves a lot of coordinates, a great employer of labour at short notice and pays the bills,” she said.

    The Managing Director of Event Plus, Mrs. Evelyn George who studied Law but fell in love with event management, had a stint with an event management company for two years and left after acquiring some skills. “Though l took additional correspondence courses, it was only for effects to be a step higher in terms of the newest skill and technology. We have handled some high octane jobs running into millions of naira with great panache. I started the business with about N200,000, which I used to buy some special chairs and distinctive table wares for weddings and other colorful events, otherwise one can start it even with zero capital. The highest value in this business is your network of friends and associates and your core-competence. Sometimes a contract can be sub-contracted to you if your colleagues note what area you are good at, integrity is also key,” she said.

    On her workforce, she said there are 10 core members of staff but makes use of ad hoc staff depending on the volume of job and skill needed for the job. She also confirmed that it is a business for everybody, stressing that no skill is wasted in the innovative business.

    Rose and Pink Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Peter Eton said event management is an all season business that does not go out of fashion. He started his company some three years ago with his wife and they have not looked back ever since. He said they divided their business into segments and hired the best hands to coordinate it. While he takes care of doing the master of ceremony and decorations his wife takes care of food and drinks where she displays her natural culinary abilities in cooking food  as she read hotel and catering management from the Polytechnic.  He said they are able to take-up jobs from any part of the country as she is capable of cooking almost all the major food and delicacies of the major linguistic groups in the country.

    “When l lost my job as a result of rationalisation where l had worked for over nine years, we came to the conclusion that the only way out for both of us was to run a business which did not require a fortune to start. We started with less than N100,000 from our savings, organising end of year parties for schools and birthdays for some children of the rich, chieftaincy programmes, promotions and even political campaign programmes, from there we built our clientele.

    “Our events have colour to it because we have traditional dancers that we trained to sing and dance according to the dictates of the event. With benefits of hindsight there is no business we would have done with so much ease in addition to being financially rewarding.”

    On whether a practitioner needs a professional qualification in events management to be successful, he said no, adding that the first demand is interest, ability to organise programmes successfully, dexterity in organisation and ability to deliver within a short period.

    Eton said they bought their first van after doing their first five major jobs. He noted that one gets to a point in the business that he cannot do without heavy vehicles that can move equipment around and even a warehouse.

    “Another important thing is to exhibit the highest level of integrity with your clients. When somebody entrust huge cash to you with the belief that you will deliver; you will have no choice but to deliver. Before you grow big enough to have your marquee or build your own event centre where you hold your events, you must be at home with good event places in your location. Sometimes your client can live you with the choice of finding a suitable place for a particular event,” he added.

    Event management has gone beyond cooking but now depending on the level of the engagement, you go beyond that to meet up with the expectations of your client.

    On the number of staff, he said he has 12 permanent staff but makes use of casual staff a lot in such areas as ushers, service hands, electricians and plumbers to ensure that no service is disrupted.  We are never in lack of good hands; this is one business that when people see you setting up a stand you will readily have hundreds of applicants trying to get an opportunity to be part of it. One other good thing about this business is that it can accommodate as many event mangers as possible. Nigerians celebrate just about anything and if you have a good record and deliver on your promises you will never be in short supply of jobs, he said.

    On how much somebody needs to start the business, he said depending on the entry point, one can start with any amount or even zero capital if clients trust you enough to give jobs and mobilisation fee.

    On the stream of income, Eton said he is happy he chose the line of business as he can’t complain especially in the face of the harsh economic condition in the country.

     

  • Groups who shaped events

    Groups who shaped events

    Some groups of individuals and organisations, by their actions for good or for ill, shaped the news during the year and got the newshounds racing after them.

    APC

    SIGNS that the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) is losing its grip on the nation’s politics at the centre became obvious with the emergence of progressive politicians under the banner of the All Progressives Congress(APC).The party was formed when three political parties, namely Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN), Congress for Progressive Change(CPC) and All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP) as well as a fraction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) merged into what has turned out to be the biggest threat to PDP’s long stay in power.

    Since the APC was registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on July 31, more and more PDP stalwarts have joined its fold. The latest is the defection of five aggrieved PDP governors and 37 members of House of Representatives.

    Political watchers have described the coming of APC as the most political masterstroke of the year, not only because it has put paid to the possibility of a one-party system that the ruling party was almost foisting on the polity, it has emerged as a vibrant opposition putting the ruling party on its toes and most importantly, it has come to offer the most convenient alternative for change as Nigerians await 2015 general elections with bated breath.

    With the emergence of APC and its continued spread all over Nigeria, political observers are already reckoning that the pendulum could swing in its favour in 2015 elections.

    Peoples Democratic Party

    About 15 years after it was formed, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has ruled the country for 14 years, and prides itself as Africa’s largest party, has suffered significant reversal of fortune since its rancorous special convention at the Eagles Square, Abuja on August 31. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, seven governors and other aggrieved chieftains of the party had stormed out of the convention to form another faction of the party called the New PDP.

    Members of the splinter group included deposed former Secretary of the party and former Governor of Osun State, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola; erstwhile National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje and former Kwara State Governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, among others. The seven governors, otherwise called the G7, are Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, Sule Lamido of Jigawa State and Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State.

    Giving reasons for breaking away, the group, among other allegations, claimed that the list of delegates for the election of national officers of the party had been manipulated by the leadership of the party to favour their candidates. Baraje, the leader of the break-away faction, accused the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, of running the party like a personal fiefdom without recourse to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party and the illegal dissolution of the Adamawa State chapter of the party by Tukur to cause confusion.

    While talks were initiated by the Presidency with the splinter group, ‘irreconcilable differences’ led to the merger of the group with the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC) on November 26, 2013, hinging their decision on their bid to rescue the country from the jaws of PDP. Two members of the faction, Governors Aliyu and Lamido, however, did not defect with their counterparts, citing ongoing talks with President Goodluck Jonathan as reason for remaining in the PDP.

    The biggest blow was dealt on the party on December 18 when 37 members of PDP in the House of Representatives, including the Chairman, House Committee on Publicity, Mr. Zakari Mohammed from Kwara State and Dakuku Peterside from Rivers State, defected to APC. The defectors in a letter to the Speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, cited the divisions and factions in the PDP as reasons for pitching their tents with APC. There seems no end in sight yet to the crisis rocking the party that prides itself as the biggest political party in Africa as there are speculations that more members may dump it for the increasingly popular APC.

    ASUU
    The 2013 academic session was ruffled by a face-off between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government (FG) over the latter’s non-implementation of an agreement the two parties reached in 2009. The deadlock led to a strike action by ASUU, which commenced on July 1.
    In the botched 2009 agreement, ASUU claimed it was owed N87 billion. The agreement also included payment of funding requirements for revitalising the Nigerian university system; provision for progressive increase of annual budgetary allocation to education to 26 per cent between 2009 and 2020; transfer of landed property to the universities; payment of earned allowances as well as amendment of the pension/retirement age for academics on the professorial cadre from 65 to 70 years.
    Fruitless meetings, including a 13-hour parley presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, were held to resolve the matter with the FG insisting on fresh negotiation of terms, which ASUU rejected. The breakdown in negotiation later culminated in a threat issued by the Federal Government, asking striking lecturers to resume duties on December 9 or risk sack. But the prolonged strike humbled the FG. In a dramatic twist, the FG by popular demand bowed to ASUU when it announced the payment of N200 billion into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The amount was meant for the renewal of infrastructure in public universities in the country.
    ASUU finally signed a new agreement with the Federal Government on December 11, while the strike was called off on December 17, thus ending the five-month face-off.
    BOKO HARAM
    Despite the claim by security forces that Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, had been killed in a shoot-out, the Islamic sect has yet to quench its thirst for killing innocent people, especially in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria. In the latter part of the year, it continued its reign of terror, launching deadly attacks on both civilian and military base, especially in Borno and Yobe states.
    There were also the most heart-rending killings of innocent students. The insurgents invaded schools in Yobe during the night during the year and mowed down students in a most heartless manner.
    One of the sect’s most unforgetable killings were those of Ibadan bean sellers who were ambushed at a road block mounted by the insurgents and massacred. The episode created some anxious moments; but for the deft handling of the Oyo State government, it could have elicited reprisal attacks.
    The latest of the onslaughts was the one carried out on the on the 202 Tank Battalion in Bama, Borno State with explosive devices. Five aircraft were destroyed in the attack.

    CIVILIAN JTF
    Worried by the spate of killings by the sect, some youths in Borno State volunteered to dare the deadly sect in order to stop the orgy of violence. Armed with bare sticks, knives and swords, they resisted the sect members who wield improvised explosives and guns.
    Although, the CJTF has restored relative peace by checking the free reign of the Boko Haram sect, it is not without some casualties as the quite courageous group became the target of the sect. The confrontation between the two groups left in its wake the death of 25 CJTF members between September and October.

    ASSOCIATED AIRLINES PLANE CRASH
    Notwithstanding some renovations carried out at the nation’s airports, the nation was thrown into another round of mourning barely two years after a Dana aircraft crashed in Iju-Ishaga, a suburb of Lagos. This time around, a charted aircraft (Embraer 120 jet) operated by Associated Airlines and conveying the remains of former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, crashed into the fence of a building near the Murtala Mohammed Airport on October 3, 2013, shortly after taking off from the airport.
    The incident claimed the lives of Ondo State Commissioner for Tourism, Mr. Deji Falae, renowned funeral manager, Mr.Tunji Okusanya and his son, among others. Agagu’s son, Feyi, and a few others survived the crash.
    Preliminary reports released by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) later revealed that the crash was caused by human and mechanical errors.

    SUPER EAGLES
    It was celebration time for Nigeria on February 10, 2013 when the Super Eagles beat Burkina Faso to emerge winners of the 2013 African Cup of Nations which took place in South Africa.
    During the finals, the Super Eagles defeated The Stallions of Burkina Fasso by 1-0 in an explosive match with Sunday Mba scoring the winning goal in the 40th minute. The trio of Sunday Mba, Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike displayed outstanding performance during the tournament.
    It was the third time Nigeria would win the trophy, having won it previously in 1980 and 1994 while Burkina Faso’s appearance at the finals was the first.
    Before the tournament, not a few Nigerians had written off the Super Eagles on the grounds of lack of cohesion. However, the team’s head coach, Stephen Keshi, who captained the team to victory in 1994 in Tunisia, reengineered the team for a spectacular outing at the championship to clinch the coveted trophy for Nigeria.
    The team became the recipient of cash rewards from President Goodluck Jonathan and many corporate organisations.

    GOLDEN EAGLETS
    Nigeria recorded yet another victory in world championship football when it made a mince meat of Mexico, winning by 3-0 in the 15th edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup on November 8 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
    The Golden Eaglets launched into early lead following a first half own goal by Erick Aguirre. The team fired on all cylinders resulting in second half strikes from Kelechi Iheanacho and Musa Muhammed to secure a fourth title on Asian soil.
    Aside the superlative performance of the highly talented lads, Nigeria holds the record of the highest goals in a single U17 World Cup tournament with 26 goals, setting aside the record set by Germany in Mexico 2011.
    The team members and their trainers were later hosted to a lavish reception for their brilliant performance with mouthwatering cash rewards.