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Tag: next level

2019: Buhari unveils ‘Next Level’, Atiku ‘People’s Policy’

PDP candidate to launch document on Facebook Monday

APC govs gather in Abuja for campaign today

Party’s NWC meets Wednesday on campaign structure

Analysis: Issues that will shape the contest

All is set for the 2019 presidential battle with President Muhammadu Buhari launching his campaign tagged “Next Level” today.

He is beating the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the game.

The Presidential Candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar will on Monday unveiled his Policy Document.

Also, the President may by Monday announce members of the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Although the list of members of the Council was kept under wraps last night, our correspondent gathered that it may be chaired by the President who will be assisted by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, co-chairman and governors as coordinators.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi retains his portfolio as the Director-General of the campaign.

This is coming as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will today lift ban on campaign for 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections slated for Feb. 16, 2019.

A statement by Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, INEC Director Of Voter Education and Publicity, yesterday in Abuja said that political parties which fielded candidates for both elections would commence campaigns across the country.

Investigation by our correspondent show that President Buhari has adopted “Next Level” as the theme of his campaign in order to give Nigerians a peep of where he is taking the nation to in the next four years.

It was learnt that all APC governors have been invited to the launching of “Next Level” at the Presidential Villa by 4pm today.

As at press time, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha was busy with logistics for the launch which is being coordinated by the Vice President.

A top source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “Next level is the theme of President Buhari’s campaign. It is about the next set of ideas and programmes we are taking the country to.

“The President will on Sunday reel out all his achievements; he will present his score card and manifestoes coded the “Next Level”.

“The launch of Next Level is to prepare the ground for a nationwide comprehensive campaign. We will surely take the battle to the PDP and other parties.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) has been constituted with the President as the chairman, supported by Osinbajo, many co-chairmen, APC governors, the National Chairman of APC, ministers including Adamu Adamu (Education) and Hadi Sirika (Aviation) and other party leaders like Farouk Adamu.

“Hopefully by Monday, the list of the PCC members will be out. We have kept the list under wraps because we know PDP has been spying on us.

“Even the launch of Next Level has caught many unawares because we felt we should beat the opposition to its game.”

A source in the PCC of PDP said the party’s presidential candidate will on Monday unveil his Policy Document.

Although Atiku was in Yola last night, he was being expected in Abuja on Monday to present his manifestoes allegedly drafted by a 400-man team in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) about three weeks ago.

The source in PDP said: “The Policy Document is more of a farewell to disunity, poverty, unemployment, insecurity and underdevelopment in Nigeria.

“It contains practical and measurable solutions to all problems facing this country.”

Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC will meet on Wednesday on the setting up of a reconciliation committee and work on campaign structure for victory in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

A member of the NWC said: “We actually scheduled a meeting for Tuesday but due to the public holiday, we may meet on Wednesday.

“The NWC will use the session to raise a reconciliation committee on issues arising from the primaries and how to keep the party united for 2019 poll.

“We know there are some challenges but we will try as much as possible to appease the aggrieved in order to move forward.

“We are expected to consider proposals for campaign structure in a manner that APC will be in good stead for a resounding victory in all the 36 states and the FCT.”

The Next Level document obtained yesterday gave insights into Buhari’s new economic drive with employment as a major thrust.

Some of the highlights include the following:

*Engagement of 1m N-Power graduates

* Skill up 10 million Nigerians under a voucher system in partnership with the private sector

*Anchor Borrowers Scheme to support input and jobs to 1m farmers

*Livestock Transformation Plan to create 1.5million jobs

*Agriculture Mechanization Policy to create 5m jobs

*Provision of $500m innovation fund to tech and creative sector to create 500,000 jobs

*To train 200,000 youth for outsourcing market in technology, services and entertainment

The document said: “Soft loans of up to N1m to small traders, artisans (carpenters, tailors, mechanics, hairdressers, barbers, plumbers, vulcanisers etc) and commercial drivers (Taxis, Keke, and Motorcycles).

“Next level will take current number of 2.3million traders, farmers, artisans under Trader Moni, Market Moni and Farmer Moni schemes to 10million Nigerians under the People Moni Scheme.

The President also pledged to raise power generation to 11,000 megawatts.

The document added: “A minimum of 1,000 MW new Generation Incremental Power capacity per annum on the grid to bring a total of a minimum of 11,000 MW.

“Distribution to get to 7,000MW under Distribution Expansion programme.”

On security, the document indicated plans to “decentralize funding of police operations and foster true community policing by implementing direct transfer of funding to Police Divisions.

“Execute the second phase of the Farmer-Herder and National Livestock Policy to end the decades-long conflict between farmers and herders.”

He has also promised more inclusion in government.

It said: “To achieve 35 % in female appointments. More youth appointment for boards, special mentoring programmes in governance with young graduates working with ministers and other senior government appointees.”

On Education, there is a plan in the Next Level to “remodel and equip 10,000 schools per year.”

Atiku to kick-start campaign with ‘people’s policy launch’

In the meantime, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar will tomorrow kick-start his 2019 presidential campaign with an address to Nigerians on Facebook at 12 noon.

Atiku will be using the platform to present his vision for Nigeria and his action plan to achieve it, as encapsulated in his policy document.

A statement by the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation yesterday said the policy document will be uploaded on his website (www.atiku.org) for all Nigerians to access at no cost.

The statement added that Atiku’s decision to kick-start his presidential campaign with the launch of his policy document is to reiterate his commitment to run an issue based campaign.

“The intention is to take our policy directly to Nigerians and to register the belief of Atiku Abubakar that it will take the collective efforts of every Nigerian to rebuild the country. That is why we want Nigerians to access the policy directly and ultimately take ownership of it.

“Our campaign offers a simple message: united, the people of Nigeria can begin anew, creating a prosperous and secure future and a better life for every Nigerian.

“On the first working day of the campaign, the PDP and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar will put forward his plan to get Nigeria working again.

“We have chosen to do this by having the PDP presidential candidate speaking directly to the Nigerian people on Facebook. This medium came about as part of the telecommunications revolution that he helped start as Vice President in 1999-2007.

“We have also chosen to have our candidate speak online as it facilitates the ability for anyone to download a copy of his policy document at no cost, as we intend this to be the policy of every Nigerian.

“Our policy document focuses on creating jobs, ensuring security, growing business, developing power and water infrastructure, agriculture and education and how we will empower women.

“Our policies outline the goals and methods for developing and revitalising Nigeria as the foundation of our campaign.

“This policy document is being launched to encourage a dialogue with the people of Nigeria, inviting everyone to join us in helping to get Nigeria working again.

“The PDP presidential candidate looks forward to conducting vital discussions as he travels across the length and breadth of Nigeria, meeting and talking with stakeholders: farmers, small business people, workers, students, mothers, and children.

“We recognise that this will be a vigorous and hard fought election. We are completely confident that with peaceful, free and fair elections, we will be victorious.”

Buhari campaign groups ready

The President Buhari support groups such as the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) is set to kick off the campaign with what they call the ‘Buhari Connect’ meant to showcase the achievements of the President in the last three and half years.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, told The Nation that the lifting of the ban by the electoral management body does not make it mandatory that parties should commence campaign immediately as they cannot determine for the parties when to start their campaigns.

He said “Campaigns are not starting tomorrow (Sunday). What has happened is that the ban on campaign is officially lifted and parties are now free to begin their campaigns. You know, INEC can tell you when not to campaign, but they cannot determine for you when to start.

“They have lifted the ban and parties are now free to go out there and openly campaign for the elections. Within the next one week, we will roll out our campaign plans.”

Director of Strategic Communication of the President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation, Festus Keyamo (SAN) could not be reached for his comment on plans for the President’s campaign as calls to his phone and SMS sent to him were not answered as at the time of this report.

The party and the campaign organisation were yet to constitute a formal campaign organisation as at yesterday 17 to carry on with the campaign.

But the Buhari Media Organisation(BMO), one of the President’s support groups said it has lined up an open-air event to kick-start the campaign today at the Unity Fountain, Abuja where it intend to highlight and promote the achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The show, with the theme, ‘BUHARICONNECT’ and the slogan ‘THE PEOPLES PRESIDENT’, it said will attract Ministers, Governors and other top echelon of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

A statement by the Secretary of the organisation, Cassidy Madueke said the variety show will also be an opportunity to highlight the achievements of President Buhari with testimonials from the beneficiaries of the administration’s Social Investment Programmes, including poverty alleviation, school feeding, Tradermoni, women empowerment, Anchor Borrowers and cash transfer programme.

The show will also feature appearances by political leaders and top government officials at the event which kicks up at 1pm today.

The INEC in a statement by Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, announcing the lift of ban on campaigns said that political parties which fielded candidates for both elections would commence campaigns across the country today.

He said that the commencement of campaigns was in line with the Timetable and Schedule of Activities issued by the INEC. He added that it was also in accordance with Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) which provides that “the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.”

“Political Parties are expected to conduct their activities in an organized and peaceful manner, devoid of rancour, hate and/or inflammatory speeches.”

He reminded political parties and their candidates that campaigns for Governorship and State Houses of Assembly would commence on December 1.

November 18, 2018
Taking Lagos tourism to next level

Truth be told, one outstanding aspect of the leadership style that has given Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode the winning edge over his contemporaries is his approach to governance. In fact, one unique feature of his achievements attests to the fact that he had a thorough thinking through, on what to do with the instrument of political power even back in 2014 before he became the governor.

That reminds one of the late Steve Jobs, who said the key element to the success of Apple Computers was traceable to the in-depth planning stage with his team of top technocrats and technologists before they hit the ground running. Similar thing could be said about the accountant-turned-politician, over three years down the leadership line.

For instance, his ‘I BELIEVE’ spectacular musical concert held in 2014, soon after he clinched the gubernatorial ticket on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) marks him out as one who understands the ever-increasing power of the Entertainment/Tourism industry. Ever since, his administration has followed suit with the One Lagos end-of-year musical concerts as well as the Lagos-at-50 extravaganza featuring the brightest and the best Nigerian acts, such as Olamide, Wizkid, and Davido. So remarkable is his focus on entertainment/tourism that French President, Emmanuel Macron came all the way down to Lagos, where he danced Shaku-Shaku steps at the African Shrine, before his country won the prestigious World Cup. What does that tell us? That tourism goes beyond a merry-making matter.

So compelling is the growing influence of the sector that the United Nations designated 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. As one of the world’s largest economic sectors, Travel and Tourism creates jobs, drives exports, and generates prosperity across the world. Tourism provides an enormous opportunity to further showcase the tremendous economic, social, cultural, environmental, and heritage value that the sector can bring.

On his part, Ambode understands the impact of tourism in galvanising a hitherto oil-dependent economy like that of Nigeria. He must have had the requisite knowledge, like the former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, (16 September 1923 – 23 March 2015), that worldwide, the tourism industry has experienced steady growth almost every year for several decades. Available figures show that International tourist arrivals increased from 528 million in 2005 to 1.19 billion in 2015. Figures were forecasted to exceed 1.8 billion by 2030. Indeed, tourism in Singapore is such a major industry and contributor to the economy, that it attracted 17.4 million international tourists in 2017, more than 3 times of Singapore’s total population. The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017 ranked Singapore 13th out of 136 countries overall, which was the third best in Asia only behind Japan (ranked 4th) and Hong Kong (ranked 11th).

It is instructive, therefore, that his administration is consciously investing huge resources to develop an enduring infrastructural architecture. Such would ensure that the state’s tourism potentials are fully harnessed for all round economic growth and development. He made this known during the Lagos Tourism Summit with the theme “Destination Lagos: Towards A Sustainable Tourism-Driven Economy” at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, last April 16.

The good aspects of his administration’s policy thrust in this direction are predicated on safety and security; the provision of functional and diverse venues for the arts, culture and festivals. Not left out are the creative industry, recreation and wildlife. Let it be noted however, that much needs to be done in the areas of partnerships with the private sector and also the mass media in projecting, promoting and propagating the ideals of this noble cause.

One has noted with great delight the bold bid by the state to reclaim 50 hectares of land at the Oworonshoki end of our lagoon. The government has also cleared a whole stretch of coastal land at Badagry, Epe and Marina.This move, according to him is to ensure that the prime waterfront at these areas are not taken over by shanties and slums. In addition, more funds are being committed to providing jetties and expanding access to waterways.

It is with leadership foresight that the administration has embarked on some ambitious road, fly-over and modern bus terminal constructions. In his words: “We are preparing the grounds for a major source of employment and prosperity. When you see us continue to plead for the control of wasting federal assets like the National Arts Theatre, National Museum and National Stadium and possibly declare our intention to have the Muritala Mohammed International Airport concessioned to us; we are focused on our tourism sector.” This is great vision at work.

Little wonder that he confessed that the tourism sector contributed about N800billion to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2017. And this figure is expected to double or treble in the next five years. This is possible if there is adherence to the Tourism Master Plan, which is focused on six key sectors including Culture and Heritage, Film, Art and Entertainment, Business Tourism, Nature and Adventure, Medical and Wellness, Beach and Leisure.

If all these are carried to the letters, the likes of Nike Art Gallery, owned by Nike Okundaye, which is arguably one of the top African art galleries, meant to inculcate the core principles of cultural heritage to the people of Nigeria will receive more visits patronage. So also would top-range hotels, such as Eko Hotels and Suites, Sheraton Hotel and Tower, the George Lagos, and Eastgate Hotel, Lekki enjoy wider appeal.

In fact, exotic beaches and places, such as the Whispering Palms, La Campaigne Tropicana, Oniru Beach, Elegushi Royal Beach, Atican Beach Resort, Eleko Beach, Tarkwa Bay and the iconic Badagry with the first storey building and the slave port would come alive as tourism destination of choice.

And since Lagos State is promoting national unity; with it as a melting pot for people of diverse ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, cohabiting peacefully it should take interest in those people’s annual festivals, as it is with Eyo Festival, to upgrading them to international standard.

For the state to match up with other leading world tourism destinations like Miami; São Paulo; Dubai, Singapore and Tokyo as well as African cities such as Cape Town, Cairo, Marrakech and Accra, the right infrastructure has to be put in place. Tourism is big business and the earlier many of us get actively involved the better it is for us and the country.

September 5, 2018
Obaseki ‘ll take Edo to next level, says ex-lawmaker

A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Razaq Bello-Osagie, has lauded the choice of Godwin Obaseki as candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he is the best man for the job, because he will build on the foundation laid by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Razaq said the decision of the party leaders’ to pick on Obaseki was because of his track record as someone who understands the workings of the economy.

He hailed leaders of the APC for ensuring a free, fair and transparent primary and for their efforts at reconciling aggrieved aspirants.

The former lawmaker urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari. He said Nigerian economy was already in dire straits when Buhari took over power.

Razaq said the President is making the right moves to bring the economy on a firmer footing, through the crafting of sound economic policies now at different levels of implementation.

His words: “The nation is currently faced with a plethora of challenges occasioned by accumulated years of poor leadership, mismanagement and massive looting of our common patrimony by those who were entrusted with leadership positions.

“What we have witnessed during those holocaust years was a wholesale collapse of our value system, culture of impunity and an appetite for primitive acquisition by those in authority”.

July 1, 2016
Ki-Moon: Let’s take climate change to next level

•175 countries sign Paris Agreement

United Nations Secretary –General Mr. Ban Ki-Moon has urged member-nations to take steps to actualise their commitments to climate change, saying, “it is time to take climate action to the next level”.

Ki-Moon spoke following the signing of the Paris Agreement on climate change, by 175 countries, last week at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

“We need to accelerate the speed, scope and scale of our response, locally and globally,” Mr. Ki-Moon told participants at the Climate Action Summit 2016 in Washington D.C. It was a two-day meeting aimed at strengthening the multi-stakeholder approach to climate implementation.

“It was to deepen and expand the coalitions of government, business, finance, philanthropy, civil society and academic leaders launched at the Secretary-General’s Climate Summit 2014 in New York.

“I have been looking forward to this event because it is about solutions – innovation and imagination; collaboration and partnerships between the public and private sectors. Today, as never before, the stars are aligning in favour of climate action. Everywhere I look, I see signs of hope,” he said.

The summit focused on six high-value areas of multi-stakeholder partnership: sustainable energy; sustainable land-use; cities; transport; and tools for decision-making. The UN chief emphasised that strong partnership would be needed at all levels to tackle those challenges.

“No sector of society and no nation can succeed alone. I encourage you to collaborate, innovate and invest. Together we can build the world we want,” he said.

The signing of the Paris Agreement on April 22 received overwhelming support from all regions of the world; never before had so many countries signed an international accord in one day.

Adopted in Paris by the 196 Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at a conference known COP 21 last December, the Agreement’s objective is to limit global temperature rise to well below two degrees Celsius, and to strive for 1.5 degrees Celsius. It will come into force 30 days after at least 55 countries, accounting for 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, deposit their instruments of ratification.

“Two of the world’s largest emitters – China and the United States – have pledged their continued commitment and collaboration,” Ki-Moon had stressed, noting that leaders must turn the “promise of Paris” into action and implementation as soon as possible.

The UN chief also announced that in September, on the margins of the G20 meeting, he intends to co-convene a meeting in China similar to this one to further solidify coalitions.

Also speaking at the event, the President of the World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim said there is no time to waste. “Political agreements are critical, but they are just the beginning. We must regain the sense of urgency we all felt on the eve of COP21. Inaction means we will not meet our targets set in Paris, and the global temperature will soar above 2 degrees Celsius. That would spell disaster for us, for our children, and for the planet,” he warned.

Kim highlighted the World Bank Group’s Climate Action Plan, developed soon after the Paris agreement, which aims to increase its support in a range of areas – from water to crowded cities and from forests to agriculture.

“One part of our plan is to help countries put a price on carbon, which will create incentives for investments in renewable energy and in energy efficiency,” he explained. He added: “In many parts of the world, we have seen the price of renewables like solar and wind falling fast – so fast that they are now competitive with fossil fuels. Private sector investments are pouring in. But we need to expand these breakthroughs and help countries establish the right policies that will drive down the cost of renewable energy even further.”

May 19, 2016
‘Our agenda is to take Kogi to next level’

The emergence of Governor Idris Wada as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for next month’s governorship election in Kogi State was not without challenges. In this interview with reporters in Lokoja, the state capital, he speaks on the intrigues and challenges that characterised the governorship primary and his chances at the poll. JAMES AZANIA was there.

How did you survive the hurdle to become as the PDP governorship candidate?

For me, everything I do, I put God first. I have a very plain heart and a very clear agenda for transformation of the state and the essence of my desire to seek a second term is to be able to consolidate on some of the things I have done so far, to ensure that we put the state on a path of sustainable development. So, with that determination, I was not deterred when challenges started coming in the course of the primary; I was not under any pressure or stress because of my faith in God Almighty and the clear and transparent agenda that I have for the transformation of our state. A lot of efforts were put in by the national leadership of our party, the elders at the state level, to try and broker peace to ensure that we stick together as a party and face the challenges of the primary. So, in Abuja several meetings were held to try and come up with a consensus candidate, but it did not work. Afterwards, we had no choice but to go and test our popularity with the delegates. Thus, I willingly subjected myself to the process. With the grace of God Almighty and the trust our members have in me, we went for the contest and the rest is history. But, I think it’s a credit to the PDP that we went through that process and came out basically unscratched, because there were three aspirants; one of them is working very closely with me and we are still talking with the other one. I have also set up reconciliation committees, to talk to various aggrieved groups within our party. This election is critical to the survival of the PDP. So, it’s about the PDP and not me as an individual.

With the picture you have painted, will it be right to say that the PDP is going into this election as a united party?

Yes, it is going into this election as a united family. Of course, in the party, like in a family, it is almost impossible to have 100 per cent carriage of people on one platform. There may still be a few issues that are not fully resolved. But, substantially, we will go into this election as a united family, because members know that the success of the PDP in this election is critical to the survival of our party nationally.

Following the flag off of your campaign in Ayingba recently, how would you assess your chances of re-election in November?

The impression I had during the flag off was that of being highly overwhelmed. We started the process of this rally abruptly. We concluded on our campaign time-table and decided that we will start with zonal rallies in the three senatorial districts; we just decided on Ayingba as the place to start and few people were tasked. We inaugurated the campaign committee a few days before the rally. But, the kind of turnout we witnessed was overwhelming; we have never seen that kind of crowd in a rally inAyingba. Even in 2011, I didn’t attract that level of popularity. We were all there. There was nowhere to pass, nowhere to park, people waited. When I went in and had a meeting at the university with the vice chancellor and the leadership, then we went to the traditional ruler before the campaign started. What this portends is that our people are beginning to see that this government has a clear agenda for the development and transformation of the state. They can see sincerity of purpose in the style of my administration; everybody is relaxing in the state now, nobody is afraid or under tension that the governor is going to victimize them or officials of government will victimize them. There is heightened security arrangement in the state; it’s very clear. Of course, there are minor crimes and all that, but you cannot foreclose such. We have worked hard to ensure peace and security in this state. We are also working hard on agriculture and infrastructure, as well as human capital development, education, health and industrialization. You can see sincerely that there is a sustainable path of development and transformation of this state and they are coming out now to show their support by coming out for this kind of rally. You could see they were not a rented crowd. We don’t have the money to rent crowd. There are 239 wards. So, I was highly encouraged and confident that our people are appreciating our efforts and they will support us into the next election.

What new things are you bringing to the table?

When I came in, I had a think-tank that produced a blueprint for transformation of this state. So, we have in mind a 10-year plan for the transformation of Kogi State. I know the maximum tenure I have is eight years, but by the time if we implement the 10-year agenda and you finish eight years it will be sustainable. Even if somebody comes and say I am not going to complete the next two years, substantially, a lot of the work has been done to put this state on a modern platform for development. So, it’s not about new things, it’s about consolidating what we are doing, so that in four years we would have done a lot of the things we have planned for the state in agriculture, industrialisation, education and health. These are key and critical elements of our economic and social agenda for the people. So, what I need to do is to work out on the implementation, work out on the improvement and work out on making sure that there is buy-in by all the critical stakeholders for the transformational agenda I have for Kogi State.

What is the true situation of the bailout funds concerning Kogi State?

The true situation with regards to Kogi State is that we were one of the first states to comply with all the documentary requirements of the CBN for this state. We applied for about N86 billion because this is a window that is rare in the economy of Nigeria; for the Federal Government to offer you a 20-year loan at nine percent. Given the interest rate of commercial loans, it as an opportunity to aggregate all our financial challenges and take this loan to clear outstanding commitments and move forward. After assessment, it was reduced to about N50 billion, because the issues of pension, gratuity and bonds are not included. The priority is to restructure commercial bank loans. Kogi State had the lowest commercial bank loan in Nigeria. What we owed banks at that stage was N860 million.

The next stage was salaries of workers. So, in our state we looked comprehensively at the loans. For some years we have been paying percentage salaries because the money from local government as a tier of government comes directly from federation account, and because our local governments are generally overstaffed because of our own social setting — this is a civil service state — I have hesitated to take any step that will lead to relieving workers of their jobs. I felt that whatever we have it is better we make sure that it covers as many people as possible; so we tried to pay something to workers. What we have done is to calculate some of the shortfalls in percentage payment and to utilise this loan to pay the workers, so that those who have lost some money over the years will be paid back. So, that was approved for our local government employees and our teachers and also for the civil servants that were being owed about two months’ salary. It’s actually one month, because we use money from other sources to pay salary, that’s why we are applying for two months, to sort out ourselves in terms of civil service. We are basically up to date in the civil service, but when you add workers of the state government, local government workers and then teachers, these are the three components of our bailout. We now returned the documentation, then the CBN sent us an email, saying they want to have biometric data on all the teachers and all the local government workers that we are claiming for, and we supplied. We have done biometric verification… then later they said they want BVN (Bank Verification Number) of these people, so we said, look BVN has just come in, many have complied, but there those that have not complied. So, we have notified them to go and get their BVN. But, that does not disturb the processing of the funds, because our workers are in expectation. They were threatening to block this highway to express their anger over the delay in payment of their salaries; because once you have now published N50 billion for Kogi State, if you go back it will cause a lot of industrial problem. So, I spent one week in Abuja pursuing it.

I can tell you now that we are very close and by the grace of God within the next three weeks or two we will be able to access this loan and come back and fulfill out our financial obligations to workers.

There are insinuations that the opposition parties are working against it because they feel it might shore up your popularity…

That is politics; we are in politics. You can expect that from the opposition. They will do anything to make sure that they ensure that the PDP does not win the election. So, if they can use their clout at the federal level to stop us accessing the funds, they would do so. But, it’s a message to our workers that this a government that cares for about them; we are prepared to take a 20-loan to sort out their financial affairs. Any party who is blocking such effort by government is not a party they should support. They should support a party that cares about them. I have been very prudent with the management of the resource of this state; not taking loan anyhow. If I had taken N300 million loan and built things everywhere anyhow, by now that would have been restructured to 20 years. States that borrowed anyhow, their finances have been restructured. Those of us who were prudent have shown diligence in the management of public finance are now being made to look… and not to benefit from this window which President Muhammadu Buhari has opened for Nigerians. You are workers too, you may not be working for government, but you should recognise this sincerity. Our state could not have been approved for this kind of amount if we had over borrowed, if already half of our allocation is for paying interest and going into financial banks, we would have not qualified. We won’t be able to amortize the loan over the next 20 years. So, our efforts need to be recognised and not serve as punishment or for any political shenanigans. So, I praise President Buhari for opening this window to enable us restructure our finances, carry our workers along on a progressive agenda for our country.

The APC challenge is real in Kogi State. What strategies is the PDP employing to overcome it?

We recognise the APC challenge, particularly when they have the federal government. My appeal to President Buhari is to please create the enabling environment, an equitable environment, level playing field, for us to test our popularity and acceptability by the electorates. Let’s not have overwhelming federal presence in this election. It’s a state election, it’s not a federal election. Let the people freely express themselves, let’s have unbiased security and environment for us to test our popularity.

So, the challenge is real, but I am confident that with what we have done and with what we plan to do for our people over the next four years, with the peaceful environment our people have, progressive agenda of my government and administration and with sincerity of purpose and honesty, I am confident that our people, looking at what will we do over the next four years and what we are doing now, will re-elect us to remain in-charge of the affairs of our state.

Power shift has become an issue and is being used as a bargaining power by the political parties. How is the PDP going to implement it if re-elected?

My position on power shift or power rotation has been consistent since I came into office. Within the first 100 days, I made a speech, outlining my vision for the state. I made it very clear that I want us to unite our people for a common purpose of leveraging on the human and natural resources of our state for transformation and moving the state to the next level; to make our state one of the 10 states to be reckoned with in Nigeria. So, I started on the platform and agenda of bringing our people together, trusting each other, that we are all equal before God and we are all equal stakeholders in the affairs of the state. I noted that what has made power rotation a dream rather than a reality is because it always comes into the political agenda whenever people are running for governorship. If they are running for House of Assembly or National Assembly, you don’t hear about power shift or power rotation. It’s only when people are running for governor and this topic comes up every four years.

After we win the election, everybody forgets about it and people are running away from it. So, my position is that we should make it a continuous agenda, a topic for discussion, a topic for continuous engagement of the stakeholders from all the three zones, including the minority tribes in each of these zones, because each of these zones has a minority tribe. We are all talking of Igala, Igbira and Okun, how about the minorities among them? We have Bassa, we have Koto, and we have Ebira in Ajaokuta… a mixture of Igbira and Igala people. We have various minorities, we have Akpayan, we have micro groups, mini groups within these broad tribes and people that we have in the state.

So, what are the social implications? What are the political implications? What are the economic implications?

Where should it go to first? Is it Okun or is it Igbira? And then,when does it come back to Igala land, is it Igala, is it Bassa Komo… all these details need to be discussed openly over the next four years, for us to have a clear framework on how the power rotation can be actualised. These thing was debated during the recent National Conference, so there is already some kind of framework which were presented by about 20 members at the National Conference. So, this topic has already been discussed at nationally. We can borrow from there and use it to guide our steps here in Kogi. I am a leader you can trust because once I take a position I will do my best as a human being to actualise it. So, I am asking our people to let us engage ourselves over the next four years, trust me to provide the environment and framework to have this discussion, arrive at a position we can that we can actualize power rotation agenda and it will happen by the grace of God and the cooperation of all our citizens.

For me, it is a matter of trust. Which of the candidates can you trust to deliver on this agenda?

October 15, 2015
Next level indeed

Nigerians devise new way to launder money: swallow dollars!

Some years back, gonorrhea was seen as a disease of the famous in the country. At least that was the way those selling what they regarded as its cure in Molue buses used to advertise the product/s. The reason why the disease was so regarded probably has to do with the temptations that come with fame, some of which are irresistible. Attraction to the opposite sex ranks high. Since the idea of asking people to zip up was not yet common then, chances of people contracting gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were very high. What the gonorrhea cure vendors were saying in essence is that should someone who is not too famous contract the disease, he or she had nothing to be ashamed of. He or she should just walk into any hospital or contact the local drug seller for solution. Today, despite the avalanche of churches and mosques, as well as all manner of campaign asking people to refrain from premarital sex, or have at most one sexual partner if they cannot flee from it, we have many cases of STDs

Just as these STDs used to be the disease of the famous; so was money laundering, at least in Nigeria. Mere mortals could not have engaged in it because the stakes were usually high. Hence, it was usually heads of state, governors, ministers, etc. that engaged in money laundering. Some of them, including highly placed Nigerians, have had their days in jail abroad for engaging in it. But what we hear these days is that because some of those countries that they used to stash the money (usually ill-gotten wealth) have tightened the noose on them due to fears that such monies could be used for terrorism or drug-related matters, these rich Nigerians have now devised a way to beat the new measures. They are now said to be ‘warehousing’ those monies in buildings that they constructed specifically for that purpose. If this is true, then it is only a matter of time for us to be led into the new tricks of our big thieves.

But, just as our big men are trying to find a haven for their ill-gotten wealth, some not-too-rich Nigerians came up with their own version of money laundering. According to reports, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) Joint Task Force (JTF) team has smashed a money laundering syndicate of six at a hotel on Airport Road, Ikeja, Lagos. They allegedly swallowed $156,000 cash in a money laundering bid.

What we were used to are stories about people swallowing hard drugs with the intention of taking them abroad to sell. Even when that started, it was strange to the rest of us who could never in our wild imagination have thought it possible or practicable for human beings to swallow hard drugs with the intention of excreting it later for monetary gains. That practice apparently is still very much with us as the law enforcers keep making arrests that are widely reported in the media. But with advancement in science and technology, it was only a matter of time for the appropriate machines to be developed to catch up with such characters. Of recent, security agents have begun to arrest people with suspicious huge foreign currencies at our airports, with the aim of exporting such huge sums contrary to the law. Again, this seems not to be enough. But, like the Abiku (Ogbanje) and his mother who continue to engage one another in a battle of wits, those bent on making money, no matter how, have continued to deploy their God-given talent for even more sinister purposes. Given this new dimension, it would seem killing for ritual purposes too would soon be on the decline because many of those in the act are also being caught. Perhaps these are the reasons that made some other people come up with the idea of swallowing cash.

Nigerians may not be the only nationals harbouring all manner of criminals, local and international, but we should hardly be surprised when our people are subjected to extraordinary frisking by security agents abroad because, if we have lost our own capability to be shocked, we should not expect others to be like us; and when they don’t, we should not be crying foul as if we do not know the extent some of us can go to get rich quick. It beats my imagination that people could be as ingenious as to even contemplate swallowing money. An equally baffled online commentator appropriately tagged it “Next Level Money Laundering”. I doubt if there could have been a better headline for the report.

I wrote on this same page that for everything that God or man has made, there is always an adulterated version. When we talk about money laundering, it was not something for the hoi polloi; it was and remains a crime committed by the rich and mighty. But the poor who want to do what the rich do but could not muster the huge amounts the rich launder allegedly came together, with six of them trying to export $156,000. Even at a generous exchange rate of N220 to a dollar, the total amount is N34.3 million. Is this sufficient for six men to take the risk of swallowing cash? Many of those who swallowed drugs died in the process; just as many who are crossing over to Europe from Africa in search of the elusive better life. Yet, none of these is sufficient to deter others from doing same. Swallow cash? This sure, is more than next level in need. It smells more of next level indeed.

The Nwosus, the police and jurisdiction

Even as the full and final report of what actually led to the abduction, on Monday, of Toyin, wife of the Deputy Managing Director of The Sun, Steve Nwosu, is yet to be released, one thing that has come out of it is the question of jurisdiction. According to report, when the marauders got to the Nwosus’ house, the husband placed calls through to the ‘Area E’ Division of the Nigeria Police Force in Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, but they did not respond on time because, according to them, the street where the Nwosus live is under Okota Police Division, which is outside their jurisdiction. I am not a policeman and therefore do not know how these things work. But I guess the divisions were created for administrative convenience and should therefore facilitate, rather than hinder efficiency. The Fire Brigade is a good example. When there is a fire incident, and you call the appropriate emergency numbers, fire fighters from as many as three fire stations could meet at the scene and collaborate to put out the fire. That, I think, should be the model. The police authorities could look at the issue again if that, strictly speaking, is not what obtains now.

It is gratifying that Mrs Nwosu was released at about 2.20 a.m. on Thursday. But the family might have been saved the agony if the police division initially contacted had responded swiftly.

September 20, 2015
IDL takes CSR to next level

Many businesses pursue corporate social responsibility (CSR) that can best be termed pet projects. One big company that has taken a bold move to improve the condition of its host community is Intercontinental Distillers Ltd (IDL) which has built classrooms for its hosts, TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become more mainstream as forward-thinking companies such as Intercontinental Distillers Ltd (IDL) producers and marketers of such leading quality drinks that satisfy the needs of its customers as Chelsea London Dry Gin, Squadron, Eagle Aromatic Schnapps, London Dry Gin, Samba Coconut Liqueur, Veleta Sparkling Fruit Drink, Teezers, Action Bitters among others has embedded CSRinto its core values to create shared value for organisations in its host community.

Giving back to a receptive community such as Ota in Ogun State was not a difficult task for IDL when it donated a block of four classrooms and two offices to Ilogbo Asowo Community High School, Ilogbo in Ota, Ogun State , as its contribution to improve the standard of education in the school. The initiative was facilitated by the Onilogbo of Ilogbo, Samuel Olufemi Ojugbele, after a passionate appeal to IDL to provide more classrooms and offices for the school to cater for its ever increasing population.

Since the inauguration of the block of classrooms coincided with the 72ndbirthday celebration of the Onilogbo, it was as like a special birthday gift to him.

With this, the company has displayed its commitment to giving back to its host community in a special way. The project was completed on schedule in spite of prevailing economic difficulties and constraints.

Managing Director, IDL, Chief Patrick I. Anegbe said the company believes that business is not just about making profit but also touching the lives of the communities where it operates in a positive way, hence its involvement in various CSR initiatives over the years.

He said: “The gesture is a way of identifying with the progress of the Ota community. It is our hope that the project would go a long way in improving the standard of education in the community.” He however, advised the students to take care of the building, stating that it is theirs and that of their future generations.”

The Oni-logbo of Ilogbo, Oba Dr Samuel Ojubele, who facilitated the project for the school, expressed gratitude to IDL. “I am happy and fulfilled that my wish for this school has become a reality. I felt for the children when I visited the school. Their classrooms were crowded with more than 100 of them, I decided to invite Chief Anebe, IDL boss who asked me to relax that his company will award the contract and then the contractor came and this is the result. The project took only three weeks” he said.

The monarch added at the tape cutting ceremony that he couldn’t have wished for a better birthday gift and that he is sure that with the new block of classrooms, pressure would be eased from the existing structures. Thanking the organisation for the love it had shown, he urged other companies to emulate gesture, stating that there are other needed facilities like toilet, library and a standard laboratory.”

In the same vein, the principal of the school, Pastor Femi Awosode expressed gratitude tothe firm, adding that he was pleased with the new development in the school. “This is a wonderful development happening in my time as principal of this school, IDL is a very responsible cooperate organisation and I am happy with their contribution to the school.” he said.

An elated Olowolafe Abimbola, an SS1 student, thanked IDL and the monarch for building a beautiful structure for the students. “This is the only beautiful structure we can boast of. We are indeed very grateful to the company who has done this for us,” she said.

Abimbola added that the challenge of having to learn with 299 more students under the same roof has been overcome. “The learning condition here has not been friendly; sometimes some of us who sit at the back do not hear what the teacher is saying. Our Kabieyesi has promised to help us talk with more people that will transform our school and make it conducive for learning. I pray that the company that has started this good work will not collapse,” she added.

For Afolabi Samuel, a JSS3 student of the school, this is one of the best things that has happened in the school. “Nobody has ever thought of doing this for us before now. At least, this building is going to make our school compound beautiful beautiful. I want to thank God for making this a reality for our school, tIDL and the Kabiesi himself,” he said.

Before now, findings have it that the community was in a deplorable state and wasn’t functioning well enough to meet the needs of its residents, then IDL immediately went into action, providing extension of treated drinking water from the factory to Igboloye Community in Ota and a borehole.

The company donated a 500 kva transformer to the same community, a block of three classrooms and computers to Iganmode Grammar School, renovated a block of five classrooms for St. Michael Primary School, and renovated a block of three classrooms for St. Peters Primary School 2, all in Ota community.

Apart from these donations, the company has succeeded in completing an assembly hall for Customs Secondary School, Idiroko, it has donated a set of computers and printers to the Special Marshal Unit of the Federal Road Safety Corp, Ogun State Command, a 5.5 kva generator to the National Identity Management Commission, N250,000 to Ogun State Sports Council towards the National Sports Festival. Now, the Ota community has been upgraded with the help of IDL.

Today, IDL has grown to become the market leader in wines and spirits sub-sector of Food and Beverage industry in Nigeria employing over 800 staff directly and many more indirectly.

The Chairman, Ogun State Teaching Service, Otunba Timothy Adebowale, has asked the students to take advantage of the new learning facilities to better themselves.

May 8, 2015
Aregbesola: Taking governance to next level

We are in deep trouble, can’t you see?” the weather-beaten fellow whispered to his mate.”

“But how?” whispered back his mate.

“How do you tackle a man who is so determined, so driven? They say he hardly sleeps. That once his mind locks on an idea that can help the masses, he gets so excited and can’t sleep until he gets it done.

“Really? Maybe he’s not a true politician?”

“Yeah! That’s the trouble. Such men spoil the business of politics for us. They open the eyes of the people to what can be done, what is achievable.”

His mate stood, head drooping, “What manner of calamity is this one? That won’t allow us to chop?

The two fellows were huddled under a weather-beaten umbrella. A rainstorm was afoot and the tattered umbrella flapped mournfully in the wind. It definitely won’t provide enough protection for them when the storm breaks in earnest. But they were too deep in their sorrow to fully realize that now.

But now a blaring transistor radio from across the street began relaying some news items in which the governor’s name was mentioned. The two fellows stilled themselves to listen: “Governor Aregbesola has doubled the amount paid all government workers for the 13th month salary…”

“Did I not say it just now? This man has spoiled our business.” It was the first fellow.

“This one has come to turn things upside down,” ejaculated his colleague.

But all around them were shouts of joy.

Aregbesola had done it again.

What manner of people are these umbrella people who are made sad by people’s joy?

The energy with which Aregbesola carries on people-oriented programmes is a constant source of sadness for weaklings whose only mission in politics is to corner the public treasury and enslave their own people.

Aregbesola is not a weakling. His is Spartan discipline, not given to drinking or smoking; such a combination is a guarantee for success. When such a disciplined mind is coupled with intelligence and abundant energy, you have a “Power House”. Unfortunately in our world which is still low on the level of evolution, such powers can be used for good or evil.

Nigerians today are witnesses to the magnitude of havoc such evil geniuses can wreak.

Aregbesola’s is different. He’s among those rare human blessings who direct their tremendous energy towards the good of man. And all sane societies who desire progress treasure –and nurture— such assets, no matter their foibles as humans. Societies that fail to nurture such men do so at their own peril.

Self-discipline is the magic by which Aregbesola functions as governor, Professor of Philosophy, Makinde, the DG/CEO, Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance, Osogbo, once attested.

Though he does not go around with the familiar symbols of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Aregbesola is suffused and driven by the spirit of Awoism: democratic socialism. Armed with his six-point Integral Action Plan “to eliminate poverty, unemployment, hunger and promote education and communal peace,” Aregbesola has tackled challenges in the State Of Osun head-on.

First, he made the “Omoluabi” slogan of his government. Omoluabi is the quintessence of the Yoruba person; a person of impeccable integrity. By holding up the Omoluabi concept as something to strive for by citizens of the state, Aregbesola addressed a fundamental necessity of true development: the refinement of the human mind. A truly great nation or state can only be built by men of character, integrity.

The Omoluabi concept was later made more concrete with the inauguration of two clubs: The Omoluabi Boys and Girls Club, and the Omoluabi Youth Club. Speaking at the launch which was attended by Professor Akinwunmi Ishola, renowned Yoruba playwright and author, Aregbesola stressed the need to create a society of virtuous and progressive people rather than one of delinquents and retrogressive elements, noting that the best way to do this is to begin from the cradle since studies in socialisation and culture affirm that civilisation begins from birth.

Aregbesola noted that no matter the investment by a government on infrastructure, if the moral of the people is not invested in, it will be in vain because uncultured people will destroy any good thing that the government might have done.

In line with this philosophy, the governor has waged an all-out battle against corruption in his government. One result of this is the doubling of the tax revenue accruing to the state. This was achieved through the blocking of leakages in the tax collection process.

According to Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, Commissioner for Finance, Economic Planning and Budget, “The approach we adopted was to plug loopholes and stop the losses incurred through manual collection and manual processing. The approach paid off with 100% jump in revenue earnings.”

Recently too, the state held a week-long workshop on budget preparation for senior civil servants in the state.

As part of efforts to reduce unemployment, Aregbesola partnered with an indigenous firm to establish the Omoluabi Garment Factory. Apart from encouraging the production and use of local materials to make school uniforms and other wears in the state, it will ultimately train 3,000 to be tailors and provide employment for thousands of Osun residents.

Under the Osun Youth Employment Scheme — O’ YES—thousands of youths are being trained in different vocations to make them not only independent but also employers of labour .Recently, 410 youths graduated as farmers from the Osun-Odua Farmers Academy. These youth farmers are to enjoy a year tax holiday as a way of enabling them to stabilize and grow.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the young farmers, Aregbesola noted that it was an opportunity to hoist aloft for all to see the “fruits of responsive and responsible governance that only the healthy tree of focused and visionary leadership can yield.”

The announcement of the 100 percent monthly basic as the 13th month salary last December is unprecedented in the state. And it was announced on a day another unprecedented gesture was extended to workers: vehicle refurbishing loans to no fewer than 9, 435 workers.

Chairman of Trade Union Congress Francis Adetunji; Chairman, Joint Negotiation Council Bayo Adejumo and Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress Saka Adesiyan, lauded Aregbesola for the gesture, calling it the first in the history of the state.

Speaking on the third anniversary of the administration, Special Adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Environment and Sanitation, Bola Ilori, commented: “Aregbesola is indeed a blessing to the State of Osun, going by what we are witnessing today. In just three years, infrastructural developments are massive, road constructions are going on in all nooks and crannies of the state.

Efforts on cleaner environment have reduced hospital patronage for diseases-related cases by 50 per cent, face-lifting of the environment through urban renewal programme are on, and farmers are getting soft loans and other inputs to carry on their businesses.

No single case of flooding has been reported since the government started dredging of streams and rivers in the flood-prone areas when it came on board; schools are being constructed everywhere, enabling environment is being created for investors.

Jobs are being created, modern markets are being built and a whole lot more like that. The governor has indeed done well and we can only continue to pray for him for more success.”

You must also have heard of Opon Imo, that computer device for students in the State of Osun. It is unprecedented in the whole of Africa. It is yet another clue to how Aregbesola’s mind works. While lesser minds divert state money into buying bullet-proof vehicles and allied frivolities, this visionary looks far ahead into the future.

Spare no pity for those pitiful fellows under that weather-beaten umbrella. They won’t survive the gale that now threatens. It will sweep off all the dead woods of the past to usher in a new dawn of which prodigies like Rauf Aregbesola are the prophets…

• Aminu, former Chief Of Staff to Chief Adefarati, former Governor of Ondo State, sent this piece from Ibadan.

January 17, 2014