The Nation Newspaper

Tag: manager

  • Ambode as resilience manager

    If resilience is elasticity to manage change, then the inclusion of Lagos State in the circle of 100 Resilient Cities (100RC), a project of the U.S.-based Rockefeller Foundation, is a testimony to the administrative adroitness of the Akinwunmi Ambode administration.

    As Governor of Lagos State at a historically significant juncture when the state is celebrating its 50th anniversary which will climax in May, Ambode is particularly positioned to manage its colourful complexity.  ”Being a part of the network of 100RC comes at a good time when our state is hoping to join the leading city-states of the world. We are open to new ideas, new technology and new methods,” Ambode declared while receiving the 100RC Certificate of Admission at the Renaissance Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, on February 7.  The 100 Resilient Cities include places in Africa, U.S.A., South America, Europe, Asia and Middle East.

    A report said: “President of 100 Resilient Cities, Mr. Michael Berkowitz, said out of the over 1,000 applications received and three rounds of selection process, Lagos was chosen for its innovative leadership, infrastructural strides and influential status not just in Africa but in the world.” Indeed, a city’s resilience is driven by its Chief Resilience Manager. In the case of Lagos, Ambode’s gubernatorial role makes him the chief driver.

    It is a reflection of Ambode’s administrative innovativeness and infrastructural imagination that the eve of the 100RC ceremony witnessed the inauguration of a 12-member Economic Advisory Committee at the Lagos House, Ikeja. Ambode’s words to the team: “Let me crave your indulgence to present a picture of what we are confronted with. Our 2017 budget earmarked about N500 billion (about US$1.6 billion) as capital spending.  Whereas our recent infrastructure needs analysis shows that over $30 billion would be required to achieve the 30 most impactful projects for the state over the next five years. It is evident that government cannot address this from current resources. A key task of this committee is therefore to provide specific advice on the overall finance strategy to bridge the massive infrastructure gap.”

    A report provided further elaboration: “Highlighting some of the key functions expected of the Economic Advisory Team, Ambode said they would be expected to bring an independent perspective on economic and business issues with a primary role of offering advice to his administration under the four strategic 2012-2025 Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) pillars of economic development; infrastructural development; social development and security as well as sustainable development. The governor said whilst the committee is independent and largely constituted by members from the private sector, the need for integration and collaboration to ensure that the views are taken on board necessitated in having three members of the State Executive Council, led by the Commissioner for Finance in the team.” Considering the country’s recession challenges, this move demonstrates Ambode’s resilience consciousness.

    On the eve of the 100RC event, Ambode also unveiled his administration’s plan to phase out yellow buses popularly known as Danfo. Hopefully, this is a well-thought-out plan that will reform the city’s public transport system without creating a crisis of reformation. Ambode focused on the challenges of urbanisation at the 14th Annual Lecture of the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) held at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

    Ambode observed: “The issues lying at the heart of urban policy making in any city, old or new, developed or developing includes infrastructure, employment, population growth, economic sustainability and environmental viability. In addition to these, there are the classic urban challenges of overcrowding, unplanned and chaotic growth, insufficient provision of municipal services, from policing to healthcare to education to electricity and sewage – all of which are top of the agenda in many African cities.”

    He continued: “There is perhaps no better classic example of where these challenges of rapid urbanisation come to life than in Lagos. It is estimated that 86 immigrants enter Lagos every hour -the highest in any city in the world – and they have no plans to leave… This ever increasing population of the state however means that we have to be “on our toes” to provide facilities for this more than 23 million population.”

    It is noteworthy that Lagos was in 2015 listed 12th among the world’s largest 35 cities.   Evidently, a megacity needs mega governance because it has to grapple with mega challenges. In the light of its status-related difficulties, Lagos also needs mega resilience. Indeed, its recognition as an important resilient city is evidence of the extent of its resilience.

    Designed to “help cities around the world become more resilient to the physical, social, and economic challenges that are a growing part of the 21st century,” the 100RC project has its definition of urban resilience, which provides a context for the listing of Lagos:  ”Resilience is about surviving and thriving, regardless of the challenge…  Urban resilience is the capacity of individuals, communities, institutions, businesses, and systems within a city to survive, adapt, and grow no matter what kinds of chronic stresses and acute shocks they experience.”

    For clarification, “chronic stresses” which are said to “weaken the fabric of a city on a day-to-day or cyclical basis,” include “high unemployment, inefficient public transportation systems, endemic violence, and chronic food and water shortages.”  Further clarification:  ”acute shocks” which are described as “sudden, sharp events that threaten a city,” include “earthquakes, floods, disease outbreaks, and terrorist attacks.”

    A list of resilience challenges facing Lagos: Chronic Energy Shortages, Coastal Flooding, Disease Outbreak, Infrastructure Failure, Overpopulation, Overtaxed/ Under Developed/Unreliable Transportation System, Poor Transportation System, Rainfall Flooding, Rising Sea Level and Coastal Erosion.

    No doubt, Lagos has its share of “chronic stresses” and “acute shocks”; but it is surviving, and it is thriving. At this point in its evolution, the centrality of a capable resilience manager cannot be overemphasised; and with Ambode at the helm, the signs are that the megalopolis will continue to survive and thrive.

    Less than two years in office, Ambode is impressively focused on remodelling Lagos and making it a model megalopolis. It is a reflection of the city’s resilience that the country’s other states cannot resist applauding Ambode’s governance model.  Lagos State is working because Ambode is working.

    The rhythm of resilience is the rhythm of dynamism; and only the dynamic remain resilient. In the final analysis, the internationally recognised resilience of Lagos is a useful lesson for the rest of the country.

  • Manager, two others arrested for ‘defrauding’ Chinese firm of N50m

    • Suspect in property acquisition spree

    The sales manager of a Chinese firm that undertakes sales, distribution, supply and marketing of agro-allied products such as pesticide and other agricultural chemicals, Femi Eric Omotunde, has allegedly been arrested by operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Arrested with the middle-aged suspect were his alleged cohorts, namely: John Olawale Olamiyan, identified as the warehouse chief security and Saidu, a co-security personnel of the company with head office at Plot 817, Ifeanyi Uba Crescent, Omole Phase II, Lagos and branch offices in the Western, Eastern, Southern and Northern parts of Nigeria including Kotangora, Niger State.

    According to a source, the Assistant General Manager of Eagrow Nigeria Company Limited, Mr.  WU Hongzhou, through the company’s lawyer, Deji Roland and Terry Badmos Adeniji and Co., petitioned the Inspector General of Police.

    On several occasions, it his said that the AGM undertakes internal auditing of stock in the warehouse.  On one occasion, specifically October 20, 2015, he discovered that some staff of the company, including Omotunde, Olaniyan and Saidu, who are sales manager, warehouse chief security and security man respectively, had allegedly fraudulently sold goods worth approximately N50 million with the money paid into their individual bank accounts.

    The source disclosed that further investigation by the AGM showed that Omotunde has since 2014 operated two bank accounts to perpetrate the fraud and that the suspects individually lodged several sums into the said accounts amounting to N50 million.

    He gave the account details as follows: Keystone Bank; Name: Femi Eric and First Bank Plc; Account Name: Omotunde Femi Eric.

    It was also revealed by the AGM that one Alhaji Sanusi paid N10 million into Omotunde’s First Bank account, representing sales of goods bought from the company, which caused the company great financial loss.

    Omotunde was arrested on December 3 while in a meeting at the company’s head office in Lagos.  According to the Deputy General Manager, Jackie Guo, represented by Lin Guoliang, the company discovered the fraud because it audits the accounts every year. It discovered that there was low patronage and low income in the statement of account and goods from the year 2013 to 2015.

    He said the company usually counts goods every one or two months. The warehouse, he said, is small and goods are packed in palates. Each palate contains 100 cartons of goods coming in and going out.

    It was discovered that there was a hole inside the warehouse through which goods were siphoned.

    Mr Guoliang said: “We suspected Femi and the security men, and when the police arrested him, he confessed. We also discovered that he inflated transport fare, put additional cartons in the ones distributedto customers. Instead of 100 cartons, he packaged 110.

    “He also brought his own truck to convey the goods from the warehouse in Kotangora to Sokoto and sold it to one Alhaji Mohammed based in Sokoto. The 100 cartons he supplied to him cost N900, 000, which was paid into his personal account, and nothing was paid into the company’s bank account.

    “Femi also allegedly sent 100 cartons to one Daniel of 1K Agro located at Road Block, Zuru, Kebbi State in 2013 and 400 cartons worth N3, 000, 000 which was paid into his personal account.

    “The company also discovered that Femi allegedly used the money to build a mini-estate in Kotangora, Niger State,” said Guoliang, adding: “He also built a four-bedroom duplex in Minna, Niger State and bought two plots of land undeveloped in Kotangora. He also had an uncompleted building. He also bought a trailer and car, and there were deposit slips made by customers to his account.

    “When the security man noticed that what Femi was doing was illegal, he used his phone to take pictures and capture them whenever they were carrying out the goods.”

    Guoliang revealed that the fraud made the company to close down, and the staff of 20 were sacked, adding that such fraud can discourage foreign investment in Nigeria.

    Following the arrest by the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), many Agro- allied companies are reportedly scrambling to also get the suspect arrested once he is through with the security enforcement unit of the Lagos State Police Command.

  • ‘I lost my wife, manager and two kids in one day’

    ‘I lost my wife, manager and two kids in one day’

    Master guitarist, Bob Aladeniyi was a prominent member of King Sunny Ade’s band in the early ’70s, until he broke away to form his own band. Now in his 60s, Aladeniyi, who recently lost his mother, spoke to Taiwo Abiodun on his relationship with Sunny Ade, his late mum, music and the auto crash that all but wiped out his whole family.

    For three months, leading to the final burial of his late mother, Guitar Lecturer – for that’s what Bob Aladeniyi is fondly called by his friends and admirers, serenaded his neighbours with sounds of his guitar every morning, waking them up with its twingy- twining sounds, accompanied by sonorous soul-lifting songs. Aladeniyi daily sang his mother’s praises, poured eulogies and chanted her panegyrics.

    When The Nation met him at 7am, as appointed at his Owo home, a couple of weeks back, he was as usual, strumming his guitar and singing in honour of his late mother. Asked why he chose to start his day, singing his mother’s praises, he said “I’m doing this in honour of my mother because she is gold. Besides, I will not have time to play this week, for musicians will come and play for me, just like I have been playing at other people’s burials. I’ve done this daily for the past three months and will continue until she is buried next week.”

    For a bit more introduction, Bob Aladeniyi played with the likes of late Fatai Rolling Dollars during the latter’s first time-out; he also played with legendary juju maestro, King Sunny Ade in the late ’60s and ’70s, before breaking out to form his own band.

    In the beginning

    Born on September 15, 1950 in Owo, Ondo State, Aladeniyi said, “I started playing guitar at age 16 in 1966. It all started one day that year, when I took my little savings and went to buy a box of guitar and notes in UTC in Lagos. That marked the beginning of my career, as I started playing, practising and improving, until I met and joined the late Fatai Rolling Dollars in 1967. Rolling Dollars, by the way, was a guitar wizard; so when I joined him, I improved in my skills and gained more experience. In 1969, I left Fatai Rolling Dollars band to join King Sunny Ade, popularly known as KSA.”

    First time in London

    Due to his dexterity on the guitar, Aladeniyi soon became very popular in juju music circles. He said, “Anytime we went out to play in clubs like Kakadu or Q Club or Young Social Club then on Ikorodu Road, fans looked forward to seeing me; and once they set eyes on me, the atmosphere always became electric, with the fans going into a frenzy. Immediately, words would go round that KSA’s guitarist had arrived and people would start buying tickets. Often, it was usually a case of ‘no Bob, no ticket sales.’ There was another popular soloist with us then, Dele Akande, who died last year; we met at Rolling Dollars, before he later joined us at KSA band.

    “I played what we called ‘ juju guitar’ in an album we waxed in London, and in a track ‘Seinde’, where we sang Seinde’s praises (Seinde was one of the most popular medical doctors in Lagos then). We also waxed ‘Asiko Laiye Eda kan Ko mola,’ E kilo fomode’ A fai ba won Ja won nbinu,’ among others that were big hits. When we staged our shows in St Macras in London in 1971, we were hailed to high heavens. That was our first time of playing on a travel tour, but it was an unforgettable experience. My boss, KSA usually led both in songs and in guitar. He was called the greatest musician from Africa, the greatest Master Guitarist and dancer, for he was indeed a great entertainer, composer, skilled dancer and he toured the world. He still is, and retains great humility.

    Why I parted with KSA

    As with every student, it got to a time when Aladeniyi thought it was time to chart his own course. So he approached King Sunny Ade and intimated him of his plan to form his own band. “When it was time for me to establish my own band, I told my boss KSA but he said no. He said I was still very valuable to the band and shouldn’t leave.”

    Asked if the rumour that KSA sent eminent personalities to beg him to return to the band was true, Aladeniyi nodded in the affirmative. “It is true that KSA sent important dignitaries to my hometown in Owo to plead with me to return. Yes, the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuade Olubuse, the late  Kabiyesi Olowo of Owo, the late Oba Ogunoye were contacted by KSA to call me back, but I explained to them that I had bought my own instruments and there was no going back. That was how I formed my band, The Bob Aladeniyi Band. Although the rumour also went around that we fought, but that’s not true. How can you fight your boss who had been nice to you? The fact is that it was time to quit and I quit.”

    His many nicknames

    Aladeniyi’s popularity also earned him many appellations, including Juju Lecturer, Oga Guitar, Guitar Wizard amongst others. He however says the one that has stuck with him till date is Juju Lecturer. I have taught many how to play the guitar, including Segun Awe, who played with Chief Ebenezer Obey; Monday John, another Obey guitarist respected my brain in guitar playing, while Shina Peters is like a son to me. Many university and polytechnic students who studied music have also passed through me at one time or the other because once in a while, I got invited to their institutions to take them in practical sessions.”

    Between Obey and KSA

    Though Bob has played with the two great musicians, he says they are both great in their own ways. “Each possessed his own different talent. When you talk of entertainment, KSA is unrivalled; and if you’re talking about a great composer, Obey is simply great. They have different talents, so I really can’t say who is the boss between them. KSA is a great guitarist, who could play for hours, dance till tomorrow. He is a talent to the world of music. He has been playing guitar before I joined him. He is also a multi-instrumentalist. In Nigeria and Africa, no man can beat him with his ‘rubber’ legs and in guitar. I repeat: nobody can compete with him! He is just a gift.”

    Bob on Nigerian music today

    Aladeniyi condemned the types of music being played today, saying ‘They are just playing Saje music (gutter songs). I can’t stand it. Imagine; they are now blending our juju with hip hop because they have no music to play. Juju music is still relevant; that is why all these boys are now playing them and remixing them into hip hop. What are they singing? Is it the music you cannot have children listen to that is music? Pick one KSA album and listen to its lyrics, listen to its ballad, guitar or instrument, then you’ll know what good music is. Again, pick Obey’s records and you’d find that they’re evergreen. Compare them with the rubbish they are playing today. Mark my word, all these types of music will soon fade away. It’s a matter of time.”

    My pains

    Life is a roller-coaster they say; and Bob Aladeniyi has had his fair share of the downsides. Each time he remembers the incident that almost wiped out his entire family in an auto crash, he always feels sombre; even as he gives thanks to God for preserving him. He recalled that he almost died in an auto accident in 1978: “I thank God my band is still on, I believe it was the work of enemies who attacked me on July 15, 1978 when I was returning to Lagos from Benin where I had gone to play. I was in my Peugeot 504 saloon car with my late wife, Alaba and her babies; Segun Aganga (my band manager) was also in the car and we had almost arrived Ikorodu before the accident happened.”

    He recalled with pains and emotions how he “drove into a Bedford lorry carrying logs of wood. My boys had gone before me to Lagos and I was coming behind them. I was the only one who survived, though with scars, as I had a lot of stitches on my cheeks, mouth and body afterwards. The scars are there till today.  Of course the car also perished in that accident. The accident was so fatal that all Nigerian newspapers carried the news.”

    Music runs in the family

    Aladeniyi revealed that the music profession runs in his family. “My son who is still a student at the University of Ilorin plays guitar and he teaches others. My two female children also play music; it is a legacy in our family and we are known for it. Gone are the days when they say musicians are beggars, today lawyers, medical doctors and other professionals want to sing. Music is like spirit, you don’t know when you will just start singing.”

    I smoked marijuana

    “There is no need to lie that I didn’t smoke igbo (Marijuana) while I was young. I smoked a lot of marijuana, cigarette and took alcohol to make me feel high, before getting on stage. However, KSA never smoked. He was just a talent; and that’s proof that you really don’t need drugs to perform well. Drugs don’t pay; you don’t need to get high to be able to perform, as the repercussion is always deadly. I also don’t smoke anymore; besides, I’m in my late 60s.”

    Parting shot

    Always remain grateful to your benefactor. When things got rough for me, KSA bought musical instruments worth two million naira for me and I bounced back. He’s a really nice boss and we are still very close. I know how much he gave me towards my mother’s burial. I also thank God that I was able to build my own house; that six of my children are graduates today and most importantly, that I’m still alive.”

     

     

     

  • Davido, manager robbed in South African

    Davido, manager robbed in South African

    HKN Boss and one of Nigeria’s superstars, David Adeleke, aka Davido, was last weekend, robbed in South Africa. The artiste, who made this known via a snapchat video, said that the incident took place as himself and his manager made their way to their hotel.

    According to the artiste, the robbers made away with their watches, jewelry and passports. However, no injuries were sustained and no lives were lost in the unfortunate incident.

    “My manager lost his $60,000 watch. It’s crazy,” Davido said in a Snapchat video. “They didn’t see it though,” he said, brandishing his custom made HKN Chain.

    Only recently, Davido pampered himself with a brand new Audi R8 which he was reported to have acquired as an early birthday gift for himself.

  • LCCI gets corporate communications manager

    LCCI gets corporate communications manager

    The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has appointed  Segun Alabi its new Corporate Communications Manager.

    LCCI Director- General Mr. Muda Yusuf, in a statement last Monday, said Alabi is a talented corporate communications professional, who has gained diverse experiences in the Pay T.V, manufacturing, financial and real estate sectors.

    He said Alabi would  be an added value and a real asset to the Chamber. “As we continue to support, promote and represent the opinion of the business community, as well as contributing to the growth of our economy.”

    Before his appointment, Alabi served as Head of Corporate Affairs at Forthright Group of Companies, overseeing public relations and communications functions of the organisation. He has focused on media relations, image architecture, internal communication, perception management and social media management at various levels. He is also a consummate corporate communications professional, who possesses the qualities of a communication connoisseur, with a canny ability to manage and disseminate information to a competitive advantage.

    Upon starting, Alabi said: “I am excited about joining the LCCI during this crucial period of entrenching positive change in all facets of our economy. The task ahead is not only to make the image, but also to sustain the already made image of the chamber, as well as improving on it.”

    Alabi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria and a Master’s degree in English from the University of Lagos, specialising in Language Use and Communication.

  • LCCI appoints Segun Alabi as corporate communications manager

    LCCI appoints Segun Alabi as corporate communications manager

    The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has appointed  Segun Alabi as its new Corporate Communications Manager.

    LCCI Director- General Mr. Muda Yusuf, in a statement on Monday, said Alabi is a talented corporate communications professional, who has gained diverse experience in the Pay T.V, manufacturing, financial and real estate sectors.

    He said Alabi will be an added value and a real asset to the Chamber, “As we continue to support, promote and represent the opinion of the business community, as well as contributing to the growth of our economy.”

    Before his new appointment, Alabi served as Head of Corporate Affairs at Forthright Group of Companies, overseeing all public relations and communications functions of the organisation. He has focused on media relations, image architecture, internal communication, perception management and social media management at various levels. He is also a consummate corporate communications professional, who possesses the qualities of a communication connoisseur, with a canny ability to manage and disseminate information to a competitive advantage.

    Upon starting, Alabi said, “I am excited about joining the LCCI during this crucial period of entrenching positive change in all facets of our economy. The task ahead is not only to make the image but also to sustain the already made image of the chamber, as well as improving on it.”

    Alabi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria and a Master’s degree in English from the University of Lagos, specialising in Language Use and Communication.

  • Etihad appoints manager for Africa

    Etihad Airways, the national airline for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced the appointment of Bradley Edwards as its new Regional Business Development Manager for the Sub-Saharan Africa & Indian Ocean region.

    Based at Etihad Airways’ new offices in Sandton, Johannesburg, Bradley will oversee key sales strategies across seven countries in Africa with the objective of accelerating the growth of Etihad’s revenues through expanded distribution and segmentation strategies, which increase awareness of the airline and its market share across the region.

    Maurice Phohleli, Etihad Airways’ Vice President Africa Sub-Sahara and Indian Ocean Islands, said: “We are delighted to welcome Bradley to our regional team. Our growing commitment in Africa has seen our regional team grow in order to serve our customers and partners even more efficiently.”

    An alumnus of Henley Business School, Bradley completed his Master of Business Administration in 2013. He also studied Tourism Management at the University of South Africa and Technikon Witwatersrand.

    Bradley has worked in the tourism sector for over 15 years. Prior to joining Etihad Airways, he held various managerial positions at Comair Ltd, British Airways PLC Group and South African Airways, driving sales strategies and ensuring route profitability.

    On taking up his new position, Bradley said: “I’m honoured to be joining Etihad Airways’ regional team. The increase in regional demand presents some exciting opportunities for the industry and I look forward to engaging with various stakeholders to meet this growth.”

    Bradley will report to Maurice Phohleli, and work very closely with the local South African team headed by General Manager, John Friel.

  • FIVE STAR MUSIC, MANAGER PART WAYS

    FIVE STAR MUSIC, MANAGER PART WAYS

    THE management of Five Star Music has removed its manager, Soso Soberekon, over the rumoured death of an artiste, Skiibii Mayana. This was made known when Skiibii Mayana and his mentor, Kcee visited Wazobia FM on Wednesday for a live broadcast.

    According to the duo, their appearance on the morning show hosted by Yaw, was to clear the controversy surrounding the alleged death of upcoming act, Skiibii.

    Kcee explained that he was in Norway at the time of the incident, lamenting that he was not around to manage the situation, which he claimed was blown out of proportion.

    He blamed it all on Soso, saying the manager should have confirmed the report before releasing it to the media. Soso, he added, owes the entertainment public an apology since many people were affected by the news.

    “Soso has been… We’re still very angry with him, and we have made it a must for him to apologise to everyone affected, especially to the fans and Linda Ikeji who first broke the news,” Kcee stated.

    The Limpopo crooner said Skiibii is recuperating, the budding artiste will address the public and apologise to his fans when he’s back on his feet.

  • ‘My wife, a better manager than I’

    ‘My wife, a better manager than I’

    Femi Falana (SAN), renowned human rights lawyer and activist, is founder, Falana and Falana Chambers. Falana has been in active legal practice since early 80s, during which time he has earned some plaudits as well as suffered a lot of privations more than he is willing to admit. In this interview with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf he speaks on his over three decade’s career in the legal profession, his management style, relationship with his staff, among others

    TO say that Mr. Femi Falana is a legal colossus is certainly stating the obvious. Truth is the Ilawe-Ekiti born activist has come to symbolise for many, the quintessential lawyer every aspiring member of the learnered profession wants to be like.

    The reason for this is not far to seek: This man has paid his dues as well as won numerous awards locally and internationally for his activism. Falana is renowned for providing free legal services to the poor and disadvantaged and had suffered long spells in detention under Nigeria’s past military dictators. Thus, he has become a household name today for managing one of the successful law firms in Africa as well as a mighty force to reckon with both within and outside the shores of the country.

    Falana who set up private practice, Femi Falana Chambers, which later became Falana and Falana Chambers in 1991, after cutting his professional teeth at the Chambers of Alao Aka-Bashorun, a renowned legal activist in 1983, is a force to reckon with on account of his growing fame and popularity in the legal profession.

    An individual many in the corridors of power love to hate for being a dyed in the wool critic, Falana has stood true to his ideals over the years.

    Drawing inspirations from other leading lights like the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi and other kindred spirit, Falana’s decision to join in the struggle for the emancipation of the downtrodden in the society has always been for clearly altruistic motives.

    His petit size notwithstanding, Falana has always been vocal, fighting for the cause of others.

    The stormy petrel as many of his fans are wont to call him, even as a student leader at the then University of Ile Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, he stood his ground against oppression from the successive military governments.

    As a youth corps member, he handled the case of seven University of Ibadan students who were arrested for protesting for their rights.

    He succeeded in securing their freedom and he became a human rights activist as early as 1983 when he took bail for the students who had been unlawfully remanded in prison custody.

    Falana revealed that this incident led to his not being issued a discharge certificate by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) after his one year mandatory national service.

    “I was a student leader at that time and we had to address the welfare of citizens. We had to address the future of the Nigerian youths, we had to fight for free education, against commercialisation of education.

    “In order to secure the struggle I was attacked by the government, my life was at risk while in school. The NYSC refused to release my certificate because of my struggle for a good society.

    “But I didn’t have to beg anybody. I didn’t need it to work because the chamber that employed me knew that I had completed my service. They knew that my service was not extended only that I was being punished by the Nigerian State unjustly for fighting for the right of the people. So I had no problem at all and I didn’t get the certificate until about 18 years later during the proceedings of the Justice Chwukwudifo Oputa Panel on Human Rights Violation in 2001.

    “Between 1984 and 1999 when we had uninterrupted military dictatorship of 15 years, my right to liberty, my right to dignity and freedom of movement was seriously abused and of course my right to life was endangered. I faced a lot of risks, but it’s just by sheer luck that I am still alive. I was charged on many occasions, even for the most serious offences under the criminal law such as treasonable felony.

    “There was a time no landlord would give me a house for fear of being either intimidated by the government or having their houses bombarded although some of these embarrassing situations also contributed to my effort in ensuring that I owned my own property or else one would have had his family thrown out. So it has been a very challenging journey.”

    Naturally, you would expect that for a man who has recorded such remarkable feat in a profession with the highest attrition rate especially for individuals who like Falana are tagged ‘enemies of the state’ because of their perceived antagonism of bad government policies, he would have a very high opinion of himself, but not for him is such immodesty.

    He attributes his successes thus far to providence.

    “Whatever success I have recorded is by God’s grace. But I can tell you that the secret is hard work, and dedication. Actually, my wife, Funmi joined me to manage the office and that gives me time for my other national commitments.”

    But as to why he yielded the management of his law firm to his wife, the former president of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers as well as former chairman of the West African Bar Association, WABA, deadpans: “My wife, Funmi Falana, a partner at the Falana and Falana Chambers is the head of the chambers. I discover that she is more meticulous and more organised than I am. And don’t forget, she is a lawyer. So, she manages the chambers.  I only give a helping hand every once in a while.”

    On his relationship with his staff, he said he doesn’t apply the stick and carrot approach. Rather what obtains is a close-relationship with his members of staff.

    “We are very close. We’re friendly and we encourage staff to discuss their problems and we look for solutions to them. We could do much better.”

    On his management mantra, he said respect for others is paramount.

    “We delegate functions and simply supervise, and at other times we try to micromanage. And of course, it has worked for us tremendously.”

    He wa,s however, quick to add that “In fact, in legal practice there is nobody who can do it alone. And I’m very happy that we have very competent colleagues in the office who put in their best at all times.”

    As the boss around, the toughest decision he has had to take over the years was letting staff go.

    “Asking a very close colleague to leave the chambers is always a very tough decision or when you lose a very close colleague.”

    But thankfully, he said the relationship with old staff has always been cordial.

    “We have very good relationship with old staff. As lawyers, we still give cases to some of our colleagues who have left for their own practice. We discuss and there are times we also handle cases together even when they have left.”

    For aspiring young lawyers desirous of going into private practice, he said their watchword should be focus and determination.

    “It is for them to define their goal and then work towards achieving the goal. They must learn to respect colleagues who work with them and be free with them as well as ensure that they are close.”

    On insinuations that lawyers hardly retire, he would not subscribe to that.

    “Oh, there are lawyers who retire. There is no way you won’t retire in an underdeveloped society like our own. Why shouldn’t a lawyer retire?”

    As to whether he has an exit strategy or succession yet, he answered in the negative.

    “I haven’t seriously addressed that,” he confessed.

    “Right now my wife works in the chambers. I have two children who are lawyers but neither of them wants to practice law. And I’m not losing any sleep over that, you know because my father wasn’t a lawyer. I haven’t addressed the question of exit strategy. I believe that water would always find its level…(laughs).

  • School manager appeals to Rivers politicians

    Excited by light of the outstanding performance recorded by the pioneer set of graduands of the Ambassador Nne Furo Kurubo Model Secondary School, Eleme, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, the Administrator of the school, Mr Shantaram Hegdekatte, has urged that politics should not be brought into education.

    The school was established by Governor Rotimi Amaechi in 2011 to serve as a model for secondary education.

    Hegdekatte said the 148 graduands were among the 700 pupils admitted into the school solely on merit out of the 7,000 that wrote the entrance examination.  They were admitted into SS1 for their senior secondary education.

    He said they recorded almost 100 per cent pass in the 2014 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

    “No money, no political influence played a role in the intake of students and employment of teachers. It was all done on merit,” he said.

    Given the impending change in government that would happen in the state next year, he advised politicians in the state vying for various political offices not to politicize the educational system.

    Hegdekatte, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Educomp Global, manager of the school, said: “I humbly request that education should not be politicized. Politics should not be brought into schools and colleges.”

    He added that the pupils’ performance was a proof that the teachers and management worked hard to impact knowledge in them.

    The Indian manager said that teachers of the school are made up of expatriates and Nigerians with a minimum of Bachelors Degree certificate.