The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Illegal

  • ‘Africa loses $50b to illegal cash outflow’

    ‘Africa loses $50b to illegal cash outflow’

    Former South African President, Mr Thabo Mbeki, has said the continent lost about $50 billion  through illegal financial outflow of funds.

    Mbeki spoke at a High Level meeting on “Tackling Illicit Financial Flows and Inequality in Africa”, on the sideline of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Africa in Abuja.

    According to him, the main channel through which money is being syphoned out of Africa, is through the commercial firms in the continent.

    “Annually, the continent is thought to lose about $50 billion.

    “This is about the same amount the continent receives in terms of annual foreign direct investments.

    “While it is often assumed that these outflows are linked to practises such as bribery, corruption or money laundering, studies have shown that it is not criminal activities but tax evasion that is responsible.”

  • Don’t legalise illegal refineries

    It started last month and it has not quite gone. Filling stations across the country were closed because they had no products. Drivers sat for up to eight hours waiting for fuel. Other stations upped the price as much as 50 per cent.

    This scarcity has brought up the issue of whether or not the several illegal refineries in the Niger Delta should be legalised.

    The illegal refineries are scattered all over the Niger Delta, especially in states such as Bayelsa and Rivers. At the refineries, sights of men pouring oil under locally made burners to keep the fire going are common.

    Security agents, especially the Joint Task Force (JTF) have burnt down hundreds of such oil refineries in recent months. The operators are fond of replacing the refineries quickly. Last year, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps destroyed 813 illegal oil refineries and arrested over 1,590 oil-related criminal suspects. 1,549 of the suspects were undergoing prosecution as at the beginning of the year. 44 had been convicted. This year, the Navy said it has destroyed over 200.

    Minister of Finance Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the country is losing 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily to illegal bunkering and oil pipelines’ vandalism. That means a whopping 20 per cent of the daily production capacity of two million barrels is creamed off by daredevil criminals. She spoke during her appearance before the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Appropriation/Finance in Abuja on July 16, last year.

    She said: “We are losing revenue; 400,000 barrels of crude oil are lost daily due to illegal bunkering, vandalism and production shut-ins. I have to clarify that it is not as if the entire 400,000 barrels is stolen, no. What happens is that whenever the pipelines are attacked and oil is taken, there is a total shut down. All the quantity of oil produced for that day will be lost because it means government cannot sell it and it means a drop in revenue.”

    The Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, sounded a note of warning, saying a further revenue drop could hurt the nation’s economy beyond repair.

    Rewane said: “If indeed about 400,000 barrels of crude oil are lost every day, that’s about 20 per cent of daily oil production. Remember, crude oil is the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy. If they take away 20 per cent of your salary, you know how that will affect you. Nigeria cannot survive on what will be left if that amount of revenue is lost every day.”

    Rewane’s stance makes more sense when juxtaposed with the fact that although the government has repeatedly maintained that it is committed to measures to diversify the economy, oil export still accounts for more than 80 per cent of nation’s revenue and 95 per cent of the foreign exchange income.

    Many in the Niger Delta are poor and the pollution of their land and fishing waters have contributed to their woes. This state of things is said to be responsible for the massive theft in the area, which has, however, further worsened the pollution in the land.

    One of those leading the campaign for the legalisation of these refineries is Edward Oforomeh, a lawyer and former police superintendent.

    This is his argument: “We have been reading every day, every day that they have been destroying the refinery, destroying the refinery. And they come back. Is this not a vicious cycle? We are just going around the periphery of the whole issue. Solve it by legalising them, licensing them so they would be able to contribute to the coffers of the government.”

    This argument obviously does not take into cognisance the other side of the coin. It also raises posers. Will someone who is sued to stealing fuel for free want to buy from government? What are the health hazard of this crude method of refining fuel? Does legalising the practice bring about no harm to the environment? Are we sure this will curb the loss of much as $1 billion a month to oil theft? What about environmental impact assessment? Will the untold pollution associated with the unrefined method stop?

    We dare say to regularise the illegal market will contribute to impunity.

  • Govt to sanction illegal job agencies

    The Federal Government has threatened sanctions against unlicensed Private Employment Agencies (PEAs) to check unfair practices.

    Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, called on the unlicensed PEAs to regularise their operations with the Ministry or face the wrath of the law.

    Wogu, who made this known in Abuja, explained that towards this end, a National Workshop on Strengthening the Role of Private Employment Agencies (PEAs) in Human Resources Development being organised is expected to hold between April 2 and 3 in Lagos.

    According to him, the Ministry, in collaboration with Human Capacity Providers Association of Nigeria (HUCAPA), is organising the national workshop as part of efforts at achieving the laudable objectives of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration for the labour and employment sector of the national economy.

    Wogu pointed out that in addition to reducing the incidences of unfair labour practices, the workshop is geared towards strengthening relations with all PEAs while promoting productivity and decent work.

    He listed other objectives of the workshop as addressing the emerging trends and challenges in the recruitment industry while also providing a platform for interaction between regulators, operators of recruiters’ license and applicants.

    The Minister further said the workshop was being organised according to the mandate of the Ministry to license qualified firms, including those providing security services to operate as labour contractors and private employment agencies.

  • Navy: we’ll eradicate oil theft, illegal bunkering

    The Navy said it had arrested 21 suspects and seized two vessels at the waterway and creeks of Agbami Oil field and Obi Creeks in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa.

    A statement on Tuesday by the Flag Officer Commanding the Central Naval Command, Rear Adm. Sidi-Ali Hassan Usman, said the suspects were Nigerians.

    The statement said the vessels lacked the necessary permits to lift crude oil.

    “The two vessels were laden with 2.1million litres of crude oil at the time of arrest. The vessels were intercepted at separate points along the Ebi Creeks and Agbami Oil Field between December 26, 2013 and January14.

    “They were unable to tender relevant documents such as Nigerian Port Authority bunkering permit and the NNPC nomination for crude oil lifting.

    “And they lack the certificate of registration with the Joint Military Task Force. They did not have the Naval Headquarters approval for the movement of petroleum products within the command area of responsibility.

    “The determination of the Nigerian Navy and the Central Naval Command to completely eradicate oil theft, illegal bunkering and other illegality in the Nigeria waters is total.”

    The Navy also vowed to sustain the tempo of activities in the waterways and creek in the Niger Delta.

     

  • Confessions of man who owned illegal refineries

    Confessions of man who owned illegal refineries

    He relocated to the creeks of the Niger Delta in 2010. His business was to locate, break pipelines and steal petroleum products from them. He was also part of the brains behind many illegal refineries that now dot the creeks. In fact, he was an expert in the crude cooking business.

    However, Tubokeyie Dauyeibo, who hails from Peretorugbene in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, decided to quit the illegal venture of pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering and refining of petroleum products mid-2011. From an economic saboteur, he turned his arsenal against pipeline vandals and oil thieves.

    He formed the Movement for Eradication of Local Refineries, Pipeline Vandalism (MELPV) to tackle growing economic menace in the region. He told Niger Delta Report that he has the key to stop the economic sabotage.

    On why he decided to abandon the creeks, he said: “I was part of the illegal business. There was a time the Nigerian army ordered people involved in the illegal business to leave it and come out of the creeks. I came to the conclusion that this business we were doing affect the government.

    “So, l told my boys that l was no longer interested in it and asked all of them to join me in searching for another legitimate means of livelihood. I withdrew all my workers from the creeks in 2011. From there, l wrote to Mr. President, the Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs and the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

    “They also acknowledged my letter in a reply they sent to me. They said they liked the idea and expressed willingness to work with me. That was how l started the movement after voluntarily withdrawing from pipeline vandalism.”

    Dauyeibo actually wrote a letter to all the stakeholders involved in the war against economic sabotage. The Ministry of the Niget Delta Affairs replied one of his letters. The Minister, Elder Godsday Orubebe, in a letter signed by the Director, Strategic Services, O.F Agabi, commended Dauyeibo for voluntarily withdrawing from the illegal business.

    A copy of the letter said: “I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 15th November, 2011 addressed to Mr. President and the Honourable Minister on your voluntary withdrawal from illegal local refinery business.

    “I am further directed to commend your spirit of patriotism, unsolicited disposition towards the oil sector reforms and transformation agenda of the present administration. Indeed widespread sabotage, crude oil theft and illegal refinery constitute a huge drain on the amount of derivation fund that could have been given to the Niger Delta states to improve the welfare and livelihood of all citizens in the region.

    “We look forward to the continuation of a close-working and mutual beneficial relationship as we partner for the development and progress of the Niger Delta and the nation in general.”

    Despite acknowledging his letter in a response dated April 11, 2012, the ministry according to Dauyeibo had done nothing to consult the movement. He said unless the Presidency through the relevant ministries and state governments consult his movement, the illegal business of economic sabotage would continue to blossom.

    For instance, he described the business as quickest way of becoming overnight millionaires. He recalled that he used to make N5million monthly from the business.

    “I was making a lot of money when l was doing the business. In a month, l could make up to N5 million. I had about 65 workers. My first operation was in Mbiama, Ahoada East Rivers State behind, Odiege community.

    “But you see l lost most of the money to military activities. The Joint Task Force (JTF) used to come and burn our refineries and equipment and we had to spend a lot of money to replace them. We make and spend the money. I was only able to acquire land and build a house.

    “I was both in the business of taking the crude oil and refining it. My refineries were also in Mbiama. But now, l have closed all of them because l don’t want to do the business again. We have all the ideas and techniques of breaking pipelines to take the crude oil, build the refineries and refine the oil,” he said.

    He further lamented that the government had allowed economic sabotage to be entrenched in the region. He described the business as a festering sour, adding that over 7000 youths were doing it.

    He said military actions would not end the sabotage. Besides, he complained that most operatives of the security outfits, who claimed to be fighting the menace were encouraging it through taking of bribes. He said he once gave bribes to some military officials to escape with his products.

    He said: “Over 7000 youths are doing this business in the region. We have the power to bring all of them out. This government in Bayelsa State can take advantage of our movement to improve the revenues accruing to the state. I advise the governor to consult and empower our group to move into the creeks.

    “I know many of the people involved int his matter. For instance in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, if you can get five of the camps, the business will close. JTF can only burn boats, ovens but after that these people buy more to re-establish themselves.

    “If you burn 20 today, tomorrow over 40 will spring up. It cannot solve the matter. If some people in the bush can get a salary of N30000 monthly, most of them will leave the business. The moment there is empowerment; this problem will be reduced because there is no job anywhere.

    “Military action through navy, JTF and civil defence cannot stop this business. Most of them are collecting bribes from people who are doing this business. I used to also give bribes to them. You must give them what you bargain for.”

    He gave an insight on the methods of building refineries and the risk involved in operating them. But, he said continuous improvements in the construction of the refineries had reduced the risks associated with the business.

    He said: “To build the refineries, we buy plate. Take to the creeks and begin to build it. When we construct it, we begin to feed crude oil into it and begin to cook it. The first product that flows out during the refining process is fuel. When the fuel is flowing out, gas is also escaping through the air.

    “If you are not careful in managing the fuel and gas, it will result to explosion. But the equipment has so much been modernised and upgraded that it hardly triggers explosion. We can build every local refinery.

    “I have also witnessed explosion many times. I have also seen many people roasted in the explosion. I witnessed over 30 persons perish from such explosions. I felt bad because they were burnt.

    “That was why l told my people that l would no longer do the business and l wrote to the government to announce my voluntary withdrawal. I did the business a year and four months and l made millions.

    “When you use fire to cook the fuel, the fuel cannot bring any fire because it is as cold as ice. After the fuel, kerosene then after kerosene is coal tar. That is always the waste. We throw it away. We always dig pit to throw it away.

    “The pipelines are buried inside the ground. When you are looking for it, you cannot get exactly where the pipelines are. We used rods to test the ground and locate the pipelines. So, immediately it touched the pipeline, you will know.

    “After locating the pipeline, the next thing is to work on it to open the point. After that, you will begin to load with hosts. You connect our hose to the pipeline and load almost 15 meters away from the pipeline. We used different sizes of local boats to load.

    “Sometimes, military people used to storm our loading point and we would abandon our facilities and run away. But none of boys had been arrested or shot by the military people. Wherever there is pipeline, as far as there is a river, we are capable of vandalising the pipeline. No pipeline is safe in this region.”

    The former pipeline vandal said there were many buyers for the illegal products. According to him the existence of the buyers encouraged the business. He insisted that local and international markets for illegally refined products had continued to expand.

    He said: “We have many buyers that used to patronise us. Some come from the sea. They come with vessels to load. Vessels can reach the areas that are close to the sea soil. They come there to load. We also used small boats to load the products and take them to the vessels close to the sea.

    “Even the white men come load the product. If they can stop the channel where vessels come through, the business will collapse. It is the market that is encouraging the business because when you cannot sell your products, the business will collapse.

    “The buyers strengthen the business of vandalism and illegal refining of products. We have a business chain. Some vandalise to get the product, others refine while other come to buy. So we have a chain of three channels.”

    On why he joined the business in the first place, he said: “I went to Government Technical College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State from 2006 to 2009. After the school there was no work. I looked for jobs but could not get any. So I decided to join the business. I used the experience I gained in technical school as a welder to begin the business. I started in 2010 and stopped in 2011.

    He gave more reasons why he stopped the illegality. He said: “But when l started the business and discovered the infections and effects it had in our health and environment, l decided to stop it. We want the government to empower us so that we will have no reason to go back to the business.

    “When I was doing the business, l noticed the pollution. The river, the mangroves and the fish were collapsing. The land became infertile and was unable to produce food and even the ground was caving in. We were doing the business because of money but when we saw the environmental impact, we discovered it was bad and l decided to leave it.

    “Illegal refineries affect the country and at the same time affect the Niger Delta region. Government depends on it for revenue but when we take it, it affects the government and when we consider it, we also know that it affects the government. We have to partner with the government to stop the menace. We can also talk to others who are still doing the business to stop it.

    “Niger Delta is in danger if people refuse to leave the business. If the government does not act quickly to stop the business, it will bring problem to the Niger Delta.

    “I see earthquake coming to the region because all the areas where this thing is done is collapsing. It will ruin all the underwater assets in the region. Fish has left our waterways because of this business. Many have also died. It has affected the farming system. There will be serious environmental disaster.

    “I am a welder by profession. What l do since l left the illegal business is to survive on my skills. I thought of how to help my country having been in the creeks and knowing how entrenched the illegal business is, l decided to form the movement to fight it”.

    On whether he could stop the sabotage, he added: “This movement is founded to stop illegal bunkering activities taking place all over the Niger Delta. It is also designed to discourage the setting up of illegal refineries that now dot the creeks of our blessed region.

    “I can stop pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering with my experience not by violence. The federal and state government including all agencies involved in war against oil theft should consult our movement.

    “They should come and carry us along and with our experience we can stop this menace. JTF cannot be ahead of us, we should be ahead to stop this thing. We know how to stop the buyers.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Edo sues Fed Govt for alleged illegal local govt deductions

    Edo sues Fed Govt for alleged illegal local govt deductions

    The Edo State Government has sued the Federal Government over alleged unauthorised deductions made in the joint account with its local governments sometimes in 2007 and 2011.

    The suit filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja was initiated by the state’s Attorney General and its 18 Local Governments against the Incorporated Trustees of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Minister of Finance and the Accountant General of the Federation.

    The suit is challenging the constitutionality of the deductions, which the plaintiffs argued, were done without their consents.

    The reliefs sought by the plaintiffs include an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from further tampering with, or taking steps to tamper with, or in any manner howsoever, from making deductions at source from the allocation or amount standing to the credit of the local governments in the Federation Account or in the “State Joint Local Government Account” without their prior consent and/or authorisation.

    They also seek an order directing the defendants to refund to the Plaintiffs all deductions made at source without their prior consent and/or approval from their share of revenue from the Federation Account between the months of March, 2007 to July, 2007, and the months of April, to August, 2011, calculated at N865,094,834.34. 6.7.

    The plaintiffs are also claiming N50billion representing general, aggravated, punitive and exemplary damages against all the defendants jointly and severally for the alleged illegally deductions.

    They are seeking:

    •A declaration that having regard to the provisions of Section 162 (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) of the 1999 Constitution, the defendants are not

    legally competent to make deductions at source from the Federation Account, for any purpose whatsoever, any amount standing to the credit of the local governments, which is their share of the amount distributed among the Federal, State and Local Government Councils without the prior consent and authorisation of the 1st Plaintiff. that having regards to the clear and unambiguous provision of Section 162 (6) and (8) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as altered, the Defendants cannot legally tamper with the amount standing to the credit of the 2nd to 19th Plaintiffs which allocation is to be kept in the “Edo State Joint

    Local Government Account” and is meant to be distributed amongst them on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the Edo State House of Assembly.

    •A declaration that being members of the ALGON, without more, does not entitle the 1st defendant, in collaboration with the 2nd and 3rd Defendants, to unilaterally invade and tamper with the 2nd to 19th Plaintiffs, allocation from the Federation Account, or “State Joint Local Government Account” under the thin guise of deduction at source for alleged liabilities to third parties, without the prior consent and/or authorisation of the 1st Plaintiff and the Edo State House of Assembly.

    •A declaration that the provisions of the Constitution of the 1st defendant (ALGON) does not entitle the 1st defendant in collaboration with the 2nd and 3rd Defendants to invade and tamper with the 2nd to 19th Plaintiffs’ allocation from the Federation Account, or from the “State Joint Local Government Account” under the thin guise of deduction at source for liabilities to third parties, without the prior consent and/or authorization of the 1st Plaintiff and the Edo State House of Assembly.

  • Enyimba warn over alleged illegal transfer attempt of Henry Uche

    Enyimba warn over alleged illegal transfer attempt of Henry Uche

    Former Premier League champions, Enyimba of Aba have warned that any club or group that does transfer dealings directly with their midfielder, Henry Uche does so at his peril because he is still under contract with them.

    In a press statement signed by the Chairman of the club, Felix Anyansi Agwu, the Peoples’ Elephants said it was wrong for the advisors of the out of favour Super Eagles’ player to contemplate selling him to another club without due recourse to Enyimba.

    Enyimba have threatened to drag such person, body or organisation to FIFA and other relevant agencies to get justice if Uche’s return to Nigeria is not facilitated and formal transfer negotiation re-open with the club.

    According to the press release: “Our attention has been drawn to the illegal transfer attempt of our player, Henry Uche who is under contract with us, to Bucaspor of Turkey.

    “We are shocked that well-established FIFA international transfer guidelines have been ignored and the player has sneaked out of the country to go and sign for a foreign club without direct consultation and negotiation with us. Such a blatant disregard to the rules of player transfer is one we find unlawful and totally unacceptable. It amazes us that no formal approach was made to us and yet the player has been allowed to travel abroad in an attempt to sign contracts with a new club.

    “We strongly condemn this action of Henry Uche and his agents and warn that any club interested in his services must deal with us directly. Henry Uche has abandoned his duties with Enyimba International FC since his invitation to the Super Eagles camp last December and made several efforts to renege on his contractual obligations.

    “He is therefore acting illegally and no club should engage any further in this unlawful transfer attempt by the player. He is wanted in the team and must follow international club transfer protocols and obtain our express permission before embarking on a trip abroad.

    “Again, we warn that any persons involved in the unauthorised sale of Henry Uche must stop forthwith, any further transaction with the said player and facilitate his return to Nigeria with immediate effect.

    “We shall deem any further failure to deal with us directly in the transfer of the player as a clear violation of FIFA Regulations on player transfer and petition any persons or organisations involved to the world football governing body for swift disciplinary actions.

    “Henry Uche is our bonafide player and therefore any formal transfer agreements have to be reached between Enyimba International FC and any club interested in him, not between his agents and a buying club.”

  • FCT warns against illegal document on parks

    The FCT Administration will not release any title document on any park and garden within the 8,000 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory.

    The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed made this disclosure, while receiving the 17-member delegation of the Indian Defence College that was in Abuja on a study tour of Nigeria, at the FCDA Conference Room, Central Business District, Abuja.

    The minister revealed that all Certificates of Occupancy meant for the parks and garden in the territory are domiciled in the Department of Parks and Recreation in the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council.

    Senator Mohammed reiterated that no title document on any of the gardens would be released to the Park Operators because such areas are only being sub-leased and would be taken back at the expiration of the lease period depending on activity on such areas.

    According to him, the activity on such parks determines the lease period, which is being graduated between five and 35 years that is the maximum.

    Senator Mohammed disclosed that since inception, the FCT Administration has been able to develop 30 percent of the Federal Capital City comprising of 250 square kilometers.

    “Accordingly, the FCT Administration has out of 79 Districts of the Federal Capital City developed 11 with 68 districts still undeveloped,” he stressed.

    The minister noted that India and Nigeria have similarities especially on their demographic challenges, which his administration is determined to turn into its utmost advantage.

    He lauded the sound diplomatic relations between Nigeria and India including their economic ties, which both nations have exploited to the benefit of their citizens.

    The leader of delegation of the Indian National Defence College, Air Vice Marshal IP Vipin appreciated the warm reception accorded his team.

    AVM Vipin who praised the rapid development being witnessed in Abuja within the short time of its conception, remarked that India and Nigeria have long standing history and would work to strengthen it.

  • 50 illegal structures demolished in Ibadan

    Over 50 illegal structures in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have been demolished to pave the way for the government’s urban renewal programme.

    The structures were on major roads in Sabo. Over 40 of them were Suya spots on the Adamasingba-Ibadan Recreation Club-Jembewon road.

    Motorists often experienced traffic jam on the road, as traders encroached on it.

    When The Nation visited the area yesterday, owners of the demolished structures were removing valuables from the ruins.

    The Commissioner for Environment, Lowo Obisesan, described the area as an “eyesore”.

    He said the demolished structures had no water and toilets, adding that the area was indiscriminately littered with refuse.

    Obisesan said the demolition was in line with the ongoing clean-up of Ibadan.

    He said: “Before the demolition, we held meetings with leaders and youths in the area, so that they will not think we want to chase them away from the area. We explained our reasons for the demolition to them to forestall any revolt that may jeopardise the existing peace in the state.

    “We gave owners of the demolished spots three areas where they can relocate to in Ibadan. The areas are TCTC motor-park; the Eleyele Water Works, where we have about six acres of land; and the former airspace, now acquired by the government.”

    The commissioner said the demolition would be extended to the other side of Sabo, where the Ibadan Golf Club is situated.

  • ‘Illegal’ structures go as varsity clears twin-campus

    ‘Illegal’ structures go as varsity clears twin-campus

    I attended the fifth edition of “The Bola Tinubu Colloquium” held as part of activities marking the former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu 61st birthday of last Thursday. What a time it was! For once I was in an event where the guests were not in a hurry to leave because of the issue at stake: How does Nigeria move forward?. It was also an opportunity to see that we have youths that are ready to take the bull by the horn and cause a change in this country. The theme of the colloquium “Beyond mergers: A national movement for change. A new generation speaks” was quite apt and did they speak!

    Five of Nigeria’s highly-talented youths spoke that night. Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Costello, a civil rights and democracy activist; Femi Edun runs an investment banking firm; Kolawole Oyeneyin is a business strategist; Myani Bukar is a lawyer while Olubankole Wellington, popularly known by his stage name Banky W is a rhythm and blues singer. Edun took the podium first to address the audience made up of governors, ex-governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives and Houses of Assembly and other distinguished ladies and gentlemen. I looked around before the colloquium kicked off to see if members of my target community – undergraduates – were present but I seem not to notice any. So I quickly did a mental check and the reporter in me said I should start taking notes so that I can “address” them today on the critical issues raised.

    Femi Edun, who was the lead speaker, spoke eloquently on the growing gulf between the rich and poor and the growing poverty rate in the country and the need for equity, justice and fairness. Quoting statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics and other sources and doing a comparative analysis of Nigeria and countries like Brazil which we were benchmarked with at independence, Edun stressed that we failed and proved the bookmakers who had placed their bet on us wrong. He called for a new era of change where the youths would play a role.

    In an emotion-laden and passionate voice that actually moved the crowd, Oyeneyin, who spoke on the topic, “Beyond Merger- Responsibility of Older generation to the younger generation said many youths were angry with the country our leaders left for us. To him, the situation is like a time bomb waiting to explode – if nothing is done to address it.

    “We are a generation that have never witness a good Nigeria and I speak for myself and people within my age bracket. We have kept so much in our heart as young people and I think time has come for us to speak out”. And speak out he did.

    With a youth population of 67 million, he said it is sad that the present political structure in the country is built in such a way that the youth have been cut off from governance. But he noted that change would come if young people are brought on board, considering that they have the intellectual and human capacity to understand the time we are in and they can make politics to look “sexy” which drew laughter from the audience and every speaker after him used the word one way or another. He charged the leaders to kill the mentality that youth are leaders of tomorrow. “Tomorrow is already here”. He said the youth must be part of the ideology, stressing that they must not be left out in decision making.

    Mrs. Abiola-Costello, who spoke on “Millennium Development Goals- where is Nigeria?” said the country was lagging behind in the implementation of the eight goals, but, in her view, the Southwestern states have done so well compared to their counterparts from other geo-political zones.

    Bukar argued that most internal conflicts, where citizens kill one another, often arise from countries’ inability to effectively define who a citizen is. Buttressing his point, he recounted personal experience in the conflict flashpoint of Jos. He praised the effort of the National Assembly to replace state of origin with residency in the Constitution. “Indigineship should be replaced with residency; Federal Character principle should be done away with. Land ownership should be revisited,” Bukar said. He urged the youths to be interested in, and involved in the task of nation building. He praised the attempt by the opposition to form a formidable party, but warned that they should be interested in the country’s growth, failing which the youths will cease to collaborate with them.

    Wellington urged the youth to be involved in the political process, by first, registering to vote, and actually voting for the right candidates. It is either they do that, he said, or they sit back and let someone else “steal your voice”. He said the youth should continue to protest peacefully against misrule, using social media as a tool. “Become fully involved in the political process. Use whatever voice or platform you have constructively,” Wellington said.

    It wasn’t an entirely youth show as Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, who was chairman of the occasion is faulted the way President Goodluck Jonathan treating the threat posed by the Boko Haram insurgency. “Let’s face it. This nation is on the brink. There are those who don’t understand this, who won’t accept this. I feel very sorry that they will wake up and find out that we have fallen over the brink. It is not what we envisaged during our struggle for independence.

    “It is not what we envisaged when we struggled to overthrow dictatorship and install the rights and dignity of human beings and citizens in the society. But, whether we like it or not, it has come upon us. My problem with the government right now, especially the President of this nation, is that he doesn’t seem to realise it. He has not taken the people of this nation into confidence. By now, it is my belief that the President should be addressing the nation – and in great details – explaining why, if he agrees, that this nation is at war and that certain things have to be done to ensure that we pull back from this second round of what is moving towards a civil war. That, of course, is if he and his government accept this,” the eminent scholar said.

    There was a softer side to the colloquium as well, especially when Tinubu mounted the rostrum. In his view, Nigeria is drifting apart because “we have leadership that is dividing us more and more every day”. He called for value reorientation among the leadership and suggested a reversal to the old national anthem that de-emphasises differences. “We must question ourselves in Nigeria. I disagree with my brother and friend Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who says youth may form your own party. Politics is not economic policy where you can change a bank note. “If only to merge, some people are already forging names, and trying to prevent the creation of APC. You can imagine what you will go through”, he said.

    Being the master political strategist that he is, he invited the youth to “come and join us. You see, with a wife like this (pulling Senator Oluremi his wife closer), is politics not sexy? Join us, its sexy here on our side”. This drew a prolonged laughter from the audience.

    He hammered on the point that the issue is not so much about age as having the capacity to perform. “On your side, it is a challenge that you have to face. It’s not a question about age. We have seen example of age. The present President is a young man, but he has been appointing an 83-year-old man to be chairman, not just of board of trustees, but of Ports Authority where high decisions, articulated, modern, 21st century information technology are needed. How do you modernise? So, youth belong here.

    “We can see the live tweets of this event (the event was being tweeted live and beamed on the screens). So, it’s not about age. There are a lot of educated relics. I have not seen anything higher than Ph.D. in the academic curriculum of universities. So, we have a Ph.D. man (holder) there now. What will do it for you are strong determination, perseverance, courage and boldness. If we fail to join the movement, we’ll fail to continue to interrogate our leaders, and fail to do what you did during the oil subsidy removal.”

    And what is the conclusion? The youth have the numbers and the strength, but not the deft political strategy needed in a clime like ours; that is where a synergy of the old and new becomes imperative. And with what I saw that night I think it is more “sexy” on this side.