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  • The President and his women

    On August 21, President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated his 43 team of Ministers, among them were seven women. In this report, Olayinka Oyegbile, Deputy Editor, profiles the women of history

    THE way women are regarded in the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has been ambivalent and unclear. He has many times run into storms of controversies concerning his perceived views of the womenfolk and his aides have had to issue statements trying to explain his stand. But the explanations most times clear no doubt in the minds of observers. However, the most telling testament of his regime about his views on this may perhaps be his classic answer to a question while on a visit to Germany in 2016. He had been asked what his reaction was to the allegation that his government had been hijacked by a so-called cabal, an allegation that was equally echoed by his wife, Aisha.

    In reply to the question, President Buhari told the audience which included the German Chancellor Angela Merkel that “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room.” This response was greeted with shock not only because it was made abroad but because it was made in the presence of one of the world’s most powerful women! This has today become a butt of many jokes at public functions by citizens and stand up comedians.

    Last week therefore when the president constituted his cabinet the focus was on the women who made the team. In the last cabinet there were only six women, while this time around despite the increase in the number of cabinet ministers, the women folk was only able to add one: they now have seven slots in 43.

    In fairness to the president, he never at anytime promised to make any appointment to favour women more than others. However, in November 2018, in the run-up to the election, the President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation had promised 35 per cent participation of women in the Federal Government if he was re-elected. The organisation, had as part of events to officially launch the President’s 2019 campaign tagged ‘Next Level’ listed its promises in a chart titled ‘Next Level road map’ via a Twitter handle, @TheNextLevelNG.

    However, on July 23 when President Buhari sent his list of ministers-designate to the Senate, there were only seven women on the list. These were Hajia Sadiya Umar-Farouk, Hajia Maryam Katagum, Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor and Senator Gbemi Saraki. Others were Ramatu Tijjani, Dame Pauline Tallen and Hajia Zenaib Ahmed, who is not new in the cabinet. She is playing along in the second coming of the president, but this time more powerful. All the other six women are new in the federal cabinet except Tallen who was a minister of state during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s first coming in 1999.

    THE PRESIDENT’S NEW WOMEN ARE:

    ZAINAB AHMED

    She is unarguably the most powerful woman, if not minister, in the new dispensation. As minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, she is returning to a familiar turf. The trained accountant first made her way into the cabinet in 2015 when she was appointed as the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning. In September last year, she stepped in as substantive Minister of Finance when the former occupant Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who had been embroiled in an alleged forged National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate scandal unceremoniously resigned and went back to England.

    Ahmed who hails from Kaduna State, had her secondary school education at Queen Amina College, Kaduna, and got her Accounting degree from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981. She from there proceeded to the then Ogun State University, Ago Iwoye; now Olabisi Onabanjo University for her MBA. Since she is coming in not as a fresher and with a three-barrelled portfolio, she is expected to be a formidable force in the formation of monetary, budgetary and planning policies of the federal government. She has a minister of state for buget in Clement Agba.

    SADIYA UMAR FAROUQ

    She is making her debut in the cabinet as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. In view of the level of conflicts that have seized the country at its jugular in recent times, the creation of this ministry is coming at the right time. There have been Boko Haram killings leading to the proliferation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and camps, which have brought untold hardship to citizens.

    Farouq is coming from a background that eminently qualifies her for this new assignment. She is a former Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI). At the commission, she was reputed to have developed a strategic roadmap of action to reposition the Commission as a government agency responsible for coordination, protection and assistance of persons of concern.

    The road map is to draw up modalities for assisting those in distress. The indigene of Zamfara State is also an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. She holds the university’s Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, specialising in Actuarial Science. She also holds the institution’s two Master’s degrees in International Affairs and Diplomacy as well as in Business Administration (MBA).

    MRS MARIAM YALWAJI KATAGUM

    The new Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment was until her appointment an Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO, the world cultural and education body. She was appointed as Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO in June 2009.  The widely experienced diplomat has served on a number of national and international committees and panels. These include as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the African World Heritage Fund (2009  2011); Chairperson of the West Africa Group in UNESCO (2009-2012); Chair of the E-9 Group at UNESCO (2010-2012); Member, representing Nigeria, on the UNESCO Headquarters’ Committee (2011-2013); Temporary Chairperson of the PX Commission of the Executive Board, 191st Session (2013) and Chairperson of the Preparatory Group, of the  Executive Board, 197th Session (2015).

    She is also an alumnus of both Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and University of Lagos with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English, a Graduate Certificate in Education and Masters in Administration and Planning, respectively. She has served as Member and Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and Member, representing Nigeria on the UNESCO Executive Board.

    SHARON IKEAZOR

    Posted to the Ministry of Environment as a Minister of State, Ikeazor was until her new placement the Executive Secretary of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD). She was appointed in September 2016.  The University of Benin trained lawyer is reputed to have bagged the appointment based on her sterling performance at PTAD.

    Despite her new assignment at the Environment Ministry, she recently promised that, “If one pensioner complains to me, I will blow the alarm and we have to continue doing that work. To the pensioners, let me say that you now have a voice at the Federal Executive Council. I may be at the Ministry of Environment. But Pension issues, whether Military of Civil, I am still madam pension. My father taught us to hate injustice and fight against social injustice. Non payment of pension after a man or woman has worked several years is grave social injustice.”

    At her new ministry she has to fight for environmental justice for the whole country.

    GBEMI SARAKI

    Senator Gbemi Saraki is a scion of the powerful Saraki dynasty of Kwara State. Against the run of play, she lined up against her brother, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, to join the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) whirlwind of O to ge (Enough is enough) that dislodged the hold of her family’s political structure in the state. She is to function as minister of State in the Transport Ministry.

    She attended University of Sussex, United Kingdom and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. In 1999, she was elected into the House of Representatives to represent Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency, Kwara State.

    She is reputed to be one of the most philanthropic politicians from the north central on the account of the number of people whom she had awarded scholarships. She is a grassroots mobiliser and manager of resources, an asset that would serve her well in her new ministry.

    RAMATU TIJANI

    The new Minister of State at the Federal Capital Territory Ministry is coming to her new assignment with a solid pedigree. A banker of many years, she is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University. She has a first degree in Urban and Regional Planning, and Masters Degree in Public Administration from Nasarawa State University, Keffi. With her background in urban and regional planning coupled with public administration, the former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Woman Leader is expected to function flawlessly in her new assignment. She has lived for long in the federal capital territory and this is expected to inform her duties to make the city better. She is also currently doing her Ph.D in Security and Strategic Studies.

    PAULINE TALLEN

    Mrs. Tallen designated as Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development is making her way back to the federal cabinet for a second time. In 1999, she was Minister of State for Science and Technology during the first tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In 2007 she became Deputy Governor of Plateau State, thus becoming the first woman to hold such a post in the north. In 2011, she contested the governorship seat against former governor Jonah Jang and lost.

    She is immensely popular in the state, especially in the fractious Jos North local government which was a hotbed of crises during the tenure of Jang. In fact, it was reported that in the heat of one of the crises in the local government, she was the only government official who visited the place and was welcome by the warring parties with open arms. She is reputed to be a bridge builder and peace maker extraordinaire. She is a graduate of Sociology from the University of Jos. The one-time commissioner is not new to administration. She is also a close friend of the president’s wife.

    Speaking during her maiden visit to the ministry after being sworn in, she said, “This is a holistic ministry as the woman takes care of the home, children and husband. I am giving you all a charge that things will be done different henceforth. We are all resolved to work as a team from our recent retreat. This ministry is multi faceted and has a lot of responsibility to touch the lives of the vulnerable. We have the mandate to of the ministry and demand of the president.”

    SHE SURELY HAS HER PLATE FULL.

    THE TASKS AHEAD

    These seven women who have been saddled by the president among a majority of men to walk along with him to deliver the much talked about NEXT LEVEL of the administration, are really going to be under pressure to deliver and show that the place of women is not only in the “other room” but at executive and policy tables. The tasks ahead of them are no doubt enormous and herculean.

  • Donations to peace institutions ought not to be criminalised -Atiku

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Monday said that donations to institutions for promoting peace in Nigeria and Africa ought not to be criminalised.

    Abubakar, in a statement issued by his Media Office in Abuja,  said that presidential libraries in America and other parts of the world were funded by donations from civic-minded individuals.

    He said that the his attention was drawn to alleged publication capable of causing disaffection between him and  former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    He denied media reports that Malam Babalele Abdullahi, his son-in-law, donated cash to the Olusegun Obasanjo Library.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Abdullahi, did not donate any money in cash to the Obasanjo Library.

    “Yes, he did facilitate a donation of N50 million to the Obasanjo Presidential Library, but so did many other individuals, including civic-minded traditional rulers, state Governors, bankers and captains of industry.

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    “This is because the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library is a non-governmental organisation that plays a pivotal role in promoting peace and stability in Nigeria, and that should be applauded,” he said.

    Abubakar added that for the avoidance of doubt, Abdullahi’s donation of N50 million was made via a bank transfer, in full compliance with the law.

    ”The sources of these funds are completely legitimate and have been conclusively proven to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissione (EFCC).

    “Let it be known that the government established the EFCC to be an investigative body and not a propaganda or enforcement arm,” he said.(NAN)

  • Yishau’s novel opens up the Nigerian system

    In The Name of our Father by Olukorede Yishau is a typical example of what literature depicts. The author highlights disturbing issues in Nigeria ranging from deceit to greed. What is most beautiful about this fictional piece is how the author succeeds in bringing to the spotlight topics people shy away from.

    For example, the ill-treatment of Nigerian journalist, religion and fraud (ie. fraudulent religion). These two issues are delicate topics in the Nigerian society that can cause an uproar if addressed, hence, the attitude towards them. However, in subsequent paragraphs, this essay shall be examining these themes and others in the text.

    The novel, In The Name of our Father, tells the story of a Nigerian journalist whose manuscript puts him in a lot of trouble that would have claimed his life. Justus Omoeko gathers his findings on a popular religious leader after one of his members reports him for his fraudulent acts.

    He proceeds to publish the story as a novella when he starts receiving threats. The information in the novella is dangerous ones as it can tarnish the image of the religious leader in question, Prophet T. C. Jeremiah.

    As a way of fulfilling his threats, the Prophet reports the journalist to the Head of State accusing him of planning a coup alongside other military officers. Justus, who initially did not understand why he was being manhandled, was arrested by the Head of State and charged for planning a coup he knew nothing about. He survives countless near-death experiences and eventually comes out of it with a better knowledge of the country he lives in.

    A major subject of this novel has to be the Hunger for Power. The hunger for power pushes everybody – religious leaders and military leaders – to do anything possible to retain what they have. This makes the saying “power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely” true.

    The very moment Alani changes to Prophet Jeremiah is the very moment his hunger for power becomes evident. The thought of being in a spiritual position of leadership is already intoxicating. We can see this just immediately after his initiation when he strongly corrects Pastor David to refer to him as Pastor Alani.

    And even at that, he wasn’t still comfortable being referred to as a Pastor, he insisted on being called a Prophet instead. “You’ll add Pastor in front of it? No, I prefer Prophet” (pg. 38). This shows how hungry he is to be in a position of power.

    Worst still, Pastor David and other members of the brotherhood see the religious system as a business. They realise the power that they can get from occupying the position of a spiritual leader. It’s a whole new level of power to be a hearer and representative of God. The power that Alani’s concubine believes in, relies on and could pay for when she was pregnant for him. “There is a pastor at Agbelekale who can help us…the pastor has one spiritual soap like that. Once I bathe with the soap, the pregnancy will become history” (pg. 15).

    The power Prophet T. C. Jeremiah possesses that makes him get away with sleeping with members of his church and convincing them that it was all done “in the name of our father” therefore, it is not sin.

    The members of the brotherhood show the extent to which they are ready to seek for more power and the maintenance of the one they have already.

    Moreso, the situation where power-hungry men meet power-hungry men for power is the scenario that plays out in the Prophet’s relationship with political leaders.

    He had so much power that he could foresee if a staged coup would be successful or not. He could even work it a success for his clients. His clients were also power-hungry people like General Idoti.

    General Idoti, the C-in-C, would do anything to “silence forces of opposition” (pg 204) to remain in his position as the C-in-C. His hunger for power got him his position as C-in-C; “every other coup d’etat saw him playing an active part…the man he had overthrown was a civilian puppet…in which he was the secretary of defence” (pg 113).

    And his hunger for power was what made him consult Prophet Jeremiah, who has a reputation of causing good things to come to people. He performs a lot of miracles especially for women seeking the fruit of the womb. Ironically, he did not have a child from his union. And unfortunately, despite how much he tries to hoard his power, he eventually lost it.

    A greater part of the book reveals the fraud in religion. While religion is supposed to be engaged in out of free will, religious leaders like Pastor David, engage in deceit and diabolical powers to manipulate and hypnotise their members. Religion is now considered a business such that when Alani realises he has hit rock bottom, he turns around to be a Prophet and his social status elevates.

    And just like every business, there must be proper planning and back up. He joins a cult that promises to protect him from being discovered. In the cult are “many important people in society…the Head of Police. Head of Army. Head of orthodox churches. Some Chief Imams. Chief Judges and Chief Justices. Men of timbre and calibre. The ones who mattered in society…” (pg 93/94). In a cult-like this with the happening people as members, members have as much backing as they would ever need. Also, on his initiation day, he is given two instruments that would aid his “ministry”. One for “whatever you decree shall come to pass” and the other “you’ll have a lot of members in your minister”. With that, all he was to do was to say the right things and behave just like every other Pastor.

    The spiritual leaders also get involved in a manipulative sexual relationship with the women in their denominations. This was the situation Alani met Pastor David when he came back to Lagos. “By now Pastor David was staring lustily at Aduke. And in no time, their lips were married…Pastor David yanked off her blouse and fed his hungry mouth with the orange-like breasts…”. They invite the women to their office under the pretence that they were coming for spiritual counselling and prayers and afterwards start making sexual advances to them. These fraudulent relationships are what brings the downfall of Prophet Jeremiah. He asks to have a sexual relationship with one of the leader’s wife in his church. She reports to her husband and they leave the church with an underlying threat to reveal his crooked ways to the public. Even when it seems like he got away with it with the help of members on the board, karma still catches up with him.

    One won’t be discussing this book without mentioning the situation of journalism in Nigeria. The story of Prophet T. C. Jeremiah is a novella inspired by a report given to Justus about a real prophet. Angels Live in Heaven carried deep information about the Prophet and so, the Prophet would do anything to ensure it doesn’t get to the public. So, it was this information that put Justus in the trouble he got into. In order to fulfil his threats, the prophet “uses his contact with General Idoti to implicate him in the coup plot” (pg. 227).

    Apparently, he had written an article some time ago titled The Coming Coup. The article had expressed his fears of another coup. This is very similar to George Orwell’s 1984 that foresaw some happenings in 1984 and yet was published in 1949. However, the C-in-C did not take it likely, not considering the possibility that it might be fiction. This exposes us to the kind of risk Nigerian journalists and writers are in for displaying their intellects. The arrest of Justus would definitely send a message to other journalists that if they want to keep their lives, they should keep their pen. Justus was to waste all the years of his life for a crime he never committed. Just because his pen predicted it.

    In The Name of our Father is a book that highlights Nigeria’s major problems, religion and the government. Although it may not be considered as a feminist novel but we can’t but take note of the helplessness of the female characters in the novel. Unconsciously or consciously, the author has used two of the female characters in the novel to take revenge for all others. Right from the very beginning, we can see how Alani handled Tosin pregnancy. She was left on her own to evacuate the pregnancy when it takes two to tango. Even when she dies, he cannot man up and accept that he is the cause of her death, rather, he runs away. So much for the love, he proclaims to have for her. He abandons his wife after the death of their son and goes to start a ‘new’ life. After which, he gets married again to a “daughter of the night” and still cheats on her with a female worker in his church. All these attitudes reveal how much men regard the feelings of a woman. As long as it went down well with him, her feelings didn’t matter. Even the manner in which Jonny, Nkechi formerly poor ex-boyfriend, comes to ask her out does not sit well. He lives her with no choice and gives the impression that women would only be with you when you are wealthy. Although Nkechi as a character is of that kind, however, Jonny could at least be more polite and respectful of her feelings and decisions.

    To repay for all of these moments, the author crushes Prophet Jeremiah by the actions of women. First of all, the baby he had with Nkechi, which was supposed to be the reason he’ll leave his wife, was not his child. His wife also left him, not just for any man but to a gentlemanly non-Nigerian man. His presence in her life was like a gift for all the difficult times she has had in her previous marriage.

    The themes in Olukorede Yishau’s In The Name of our Father are real. Things that happen in our everyday society. Everyday people pray for more money which equals more power. This is what Alani’s character reveals and we’re forced to ask ourselves if he really wanted money or he wanted power or power is just the extra package he got with his quest for money. From chapter two to twenty-four we are exposed to how religion, a sacred practice, has been abused and everything about it is now fraudulent. And then we come to the knowledge of how corruption has eaten deep into the Nigerian system that even the media (ie. Journalists and writers) is no longer as independent as it ought to. Patriarchy and all it represents are not left out in Olukorede’s novel. All of these and more open up the Nigerian system to our understanding.

     

    .. Okolie, a student of the University of Lagos, was runner up of the In the Name of Our Father Essay Prize organised by FinishedWorks’ Reading Cafe

  • Buhari greets Olubadan at 91

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with His Imperial Majesty, Ọba Saliu Olasupo Adetunji, Olubadan of Ibadan on his 91stbirthday.

    He wished him more years of good health and strength.

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, also joined Oyo State government, Council of Chiefs, royal family and all indigenes in saluting His Imperial Majesty’s visionary and purposeful leadership, which consistently promotes peaceful and harmonious co-existence, and respect for religions and diverse cultures.

    READ ALSO: Olubadan chieftaincy tussle: Ibadan high chiefs bow to Olubadan

    As the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan clocks 91, the President believed Oba Adetunji has successfully carried on with the legacies of his forefathers, dating back to the 16th century, with an intentional focus to uphold the beautiful traditions of hospitality, respect for authorities and communal development that has always defined the throne.

    The President extolled the royal father for his maturity and wise counsels to leaders and indigenes alike, nudging the younger generation on the path of good education and entrepreneurship.

    He prayed that the Almighty God will continue to protect Oba Adetunji and his family, and grant him more strength to look after his people.

  • Taraba Killings: Joint Panel still sitting, concluding reports – DHQ

    The Joint Investigative Panel set up by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja to probe the killings of three Police detectives and a civilian by troops attached to the 93 Battalion, Ibi, Taraba state, could not turned in its reports on Monday as speculated, The Nation gathered Monday.

    The Panel headed by Rear Admiral Ibikunle Olaiya is yet sitting at the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) headquarters, Asokoro, Abuja, it was learnt.

    The Panel is probing the circumstances surrounding the killings of the policemen and a civilian and the escape of a suspected kidnapper, Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume.

    Wadume was re-arrested in Kano last Tuesday by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT) headed by DCP Abba Kyari.

    Sources at the Defence Headquarters told our correspondent that the DHQ Panel is putting finishing touches to its report and had not communicated to the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin on the date it would submit its report.

    READ ALSO: DHQ on Taraba killings: Arrest of principal suspect key to investigation

    The source said: “You guys have been disturbing us since morning. The Panel is yet sitting. The work of the Panel is not something that will be turned in just within few days. Even if they have stopped inviting witnesses for cross examinations, don’t you think they need time to look at all the material evidence before them?

    “They also need time to sit and write their reports in a way that will meet the terms of reference of the Panel. I want to plead with you guys to allow peace to reign regarding this matter. When the time comes you will have all the materials you need. ”

    When The Nation visited the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, it was learnt that some Principal Officers in the Directorate of Defence Information (DDI) are currently attending the Nigerian Army Directorate of Public Relations combined 2nd and 3rd Quarter study period at the Headquarters of Division 1, Nigerian Army, Kaduna.

    Visitors without prior appointment were not allowed into the premises of the DIA at Asokoro, but a source said members of the Panel are yet going about their assignments within the building.

  • Match-fixing: The myth, reality and players behind the illicit ring

    What would drive an accomplished coach, player or administrator to fix a match? To answer this question, Taiwo Alimi reports that illicit manipulation of matches is as old as organised sport and that it has eaten deep into football fabric- home and abroad.

    AS team manager of Nigeria Premier League side Gateway Football Club from 2003 -2005, Nigeria international Tajudeen Disu experienced match-fixing face to face.

    The current supervisor of sport, Surulere Local Government was in charge of day to day running of the Ogun State owned team while it was in the Nigeria elite league.

    Disu witnessed dirty manipulation of league matches at home and away grounds at different times.

    Once, he was accosted by an officiating referee on the eve of a home match in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to bribe his team with N200, 000 to secure a penalty the next day. With N400, 000, the referees were ready to award the home team two fraudulent penalties and an assurance that his team walked away with the three points at stake.

    So, when he was asked if match-fixing is real, the former captain of the defunct Abiola Babes and holder of two FA Cup titles did not flinch before answering. “Yes. It is real. It is rampant and existed long before now. It is in our league and it stared at me in the face while I was managing Gateway FC. In my presence a referee has ordered penalty replay three times until a goal was registered.”

    Sometimes the host team is responsible for fixing a match and other times the away team could be the fixer. “As soon as a referee gets to a match venue, host club will whisk him off to an unknown hotel. Referees are given women (prostitutes), cash and freebies to manipulate matches. For a while, there was a fixed rate of N200, 000 for penalty and if you want two penalties as security for maximum points, you have to part with N400, 000. They come to you with confidence. Sometimes I feel like punching them.”

    The U.S trained claimed his team’s relegation in the 2005 NPL season was due to his ‘not playing game’ with referees.

    The Flying Eagles class ’83 defender added that match-fixing is more common now. “That the standard of leagues in Nigeria is low is a pointer that there is corruption, the higher the corruption the lower the standard.”

    In 2013, Nigeria football witnessed match-fixing at a bigger level when four National League (Second division) teams agreed to fix their matches. One Premier League ticket was at stake.

    With Plateau United Feeders and Police Machine looking to move up on last day round of matches, Plateau United were 7-0 up at half time against Akurba FC, and Police machine 6-0 ahead against Babayaro FC, then the games went from the bizarre to the truly ridiculous.

    Plateau United went on to score 72 goals in the second half to claim an unprecedented 79-0 win, which was enough to finish ahead of Police Machine, who could only manage a 67-0 victory, a game in which someone scored 11 goals, three own goals, and saw four strikes within sixty seconds.

    The Nigerian FA banned all four teams for ten years due to the ‘shameful incident.’

    SAMSON SIASIA

    Last week, FIFA (Football world ruling body) handed a life ban to Nigeria famous coach Samson Siasia, following his indictment as a collaborator in fixing a 2011 Nigeria-Argentina friendly match in Abuja.

    FIFA had said in a statement that Siasia was “guilty of having accepted that he would receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics.”

    The statement reads, “The formal ethics proceedings against Mr Siasia were initiated on February 11, 2019, and stem from an extensive investigation into matches that Mr Wilson Raj Perumal attempted to manipulate for betting purposes.

    “This large-scale investigation was conducted by FIFA via its competent departments and in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders and authorities.

    “In its decision, the adjudicatory chamber found that Mr Siasia had breached Act. 11 (Bribery) of the 2009 edition of the FIFA Code of Ethics and banned him for life from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level.

    “In addition, a fine in the amount of CHF50, 000 has been imposed on Mr Siasia. The decision was notified to Mr Siasia today, the date on which the ban comes into force.”

    However, in stout defence of his reputation, Siasia had said that he never got any communication with FIFA before the decision to ban him was reached. In response to the fact that the football world body said it sent him a mail, the coach said he seldom check is email and as such didn’t get to know about it. Observers also think the allegation against him was too weighty for the world body to have just depended on sending an email without making phone calls or sending him surface mail through courier service to his physical address with them.

    INTERNATIONAL

    MATCH-FIXING

    Adegboyega Onigbinde, FIFA and Confederation of African Federation (CAF) instructor experienced match-fixing at international stage.

    The two-time coach of the Nigeria national team (Super Eagles) in 1984 and 2002 got the bitter pill of match-fixing, what he calls; ‘a megabuck industry’ at the Africa Cup of the Nations (AFCON) and the FIFA World Cup. “Match-fixing is real, big and big people play in it,” he said.

    The octogenarian, attested to an international ring fixing matches at global stages. “When my team played Argentina at the Korea/Japan World Cup, I am very sure the match was fixed. Some of my players were paid to destroy my team. They turned my first team against me in dressing room. I smelled a rat and I told the whole world but I was not taken seriously. We could have won the match against Sweden if I had used the boys I fielded against England. I got a draw with England because I weeded out these elements.”

    Onigbinde further claimed there was foul play in the 1984 AFCON final in Cote d’Ivoire. According to him, “In 1984 Nigeria came second under my watch at the finals of AFCON against Cameroon in Cote d’ivoire, I lost that match because the administrators traded the match and I will reveal their names soon.”

    The Eagles lost the finals against the Indomitable Lions 3-1.

    In 2014, Nigeria was again in the eye of match-fixing storm when self- confessed fixer Wilson Raj Pemural, in his published memoir said he “helped” the Super Eagles to get to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

    The then president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima said the matter would be investigated but nothing came out of it.

    Onigbinde, who willingly bowed out on FIFA assignments after 20 years,   said the Nigeria local league is enmeshed in match-fixing. “I don’t bother myself with what is going on there. You can see what goes on at match venues. Referees are bought and matches are sold to the highest payer.”

    RAMPANT IN AFRICA

    Austin Popo, the General Secretary of Nigeria Players Union strongly believed Nigeria and some African countries are vulnerable to match-fixing due to poor economy and remuneration of players and coaches.

    In January 2019, former Kenya national coach Paul Nkata and his assistant, George Mandela, were sacked by Kenyan club Kakamega Homeboyz over match-fixing allegations.

    Club owner Cleophas Shimanyula said the vice is out of control in the Kenyan Premier League.

    “In so many clubs in the Kenyan Premier League there is match fixing, but in our team, it had roots. Its only that other clubs fear speaking out,” Shimanyula stated.

    “We have all the evidence and I wonder why the federation has not taken action on Nkata and Mandela.”

    He alleged that Nkata was involved in a betting ring and helped pay his players to flunk games. “He used to give players Sh150, 000 or Sh50, 000 and because the players earn less, they will take the money and do as they are instructed since he (the coach) is their boss. I won’t blame players as much. The coach used to substitute Allan Wanga (their top striker) to avoid scoring goals that could have led to him losing bet.”

    Shimanyula claimed an influential criminal betting ring rules Kenya league.

    Tijani Babangida, Nigeria international and current president of Players Union corroborated Shianyula’s declaration.

    He said, “It is a serious problem locally because players are poorly paid and sometimes they are caught in the web of aggressive betting agents and big time investors. It is an entrapment.

    “However, this is only a tip of the iceberg when you look at what happens across Europe, United States, and Asia, not only in football but in boxing, cricket, athletics and the Olympics. Match-fixing is a megabuck business and it is taking away sports’ credibility, the bigger the stake the higher the fix.”

    Tip of the iceberg

    According to the April 30, 2019 edition of LawInSport (a bi-weekly bulletin), nearly all football leagues in Europe, Asia and America has been investigated by a combine force of FIFA, UEFA and INTERPOL for match-fixing related cases. Amongst them are Estonia, where in 2014, a life ban was imposed on three elite division soccer players on suspicion of match-fixing while two players from the first division were suspended until the end of the year and a second-division player given a life ban.

    In 2005, the ‘Whistle Scandal’ involving millionaire investors bribing two referees to fix results rocked Brazilian football.

    In 2011, the Calciopoli scandal led to the arrest of 40 players and collaborators in separate match-fixing cases in Italy.

    Same year, Singapore was named as the centre for a vast network of fixers and 14 people were arrested there in September.  Wilson Raj Perumal, the Singaporean kingpin was fingered as the main fixer in a bribery of 11 players in the Finnish league.

    China elite club Shanghai Shenhua were also stripped of the 2003 title and 33 players and officials banned for match-fixing.

    In 2011, Turkish top club Fenerbahce was involved in a major match-fixing scandal and Aziz Yildrim, its president was convicted for fixing six matches and offering payments to players and club officials. The scandal exposed 17 fixed matches.

    Last October, French authorities began investigating allegations from the Oct 3, Champions League game in Paris, where PSG won 6-1 over Red Star Belgrade. L’Equipe newspaper reported that a Red Star Belgrade official was suspected of betting five million Euros ($5.8 million) on Red Star losing by five goals.

    FIFA have described match-fixing as a ‘disease’ that could kill football.

    The stake is also getting higher as organised football gets bigger.

    INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organisation) estimates the size of illicit match-fixing market to be around $500bn dollars.

    MODUS OPERANDI

    The main player is the fixer backed by big money bags who are the principal investors. Interpol believed that this racket is controlled by mafia-like criminals with loads of cash and influences to lean on.

    There are many fixers on the field and they are the main agents that make contacts. Fixer is like the man next door, a fervent fan or a bookie, an agent, or even another athlete. He starts by getting closer to a player, coach or administrator. Once this is done, he moves in to gain confidence of the party in question. Once he has gained their trust he will direct them to ensure a specific outcome  such as making sure a minimum number of goals are scored in a particular match. The fixer’s main contact on the pitch will deliver a pre-arranged signal, such as getting booked in the opening five minutes, to show the fix is on.

    Several people can act in order to allow for a fix to happen. As in the case of Nigeria Football League, referees, players and coaches are mainly targeted as the ones with the most direct involvement.

    Goalkeepers are mostly vulnerable and bought to allow a goal from a certain player or a pre-defined score line while concealing pretty well their intentions.

    LawInSport report noted that coaches can also be involved in these schemes. “Coaches use different tactics: resting key players, strange substitutions to reduce the performance of their own team.”

    “Match officials are also a common target for fixers. Small decisions, such as changing the side of a throw-in, conceding a corner or allowing an off-side position to be played can bring significant upheaval to a game.”

    This is common in the Nigeria league.

    Greed

    Onigbinde however laid the blame on greed of coaches and players. “I spent 25 years in CAF and 20 years in FIFA and got a plaque from FIFA commending my works. Though they wanted me to continue I willingly quit. For people like us the world feel that we are fools but who is laughing now. Fixers capitalize on the greed of coaches and players but when they are found out it brings shame.”

    For Disu, some policy of the FA encourages match-fixing. “The Nigeria FA leaves indemnity

    Key figures in alleged match-fixing

    DAN TAN

    Allegedly the ringleader of a global match-fixing network, Tan was arrested in Singapore in September along with 13 others. His network was allegedly responsible for rigging hundreds of matches worldwide, although he may not face trial. Interpol described him as “mastermind and leader of the world’s most notorious fixing syndicate.”

    WILSON RAJ PERUMAL

    A convicted match-fixer, Raj Perumal is understood to have rigged a series of fixtures over the past 30 years. He fled to England from Singapore after skipping bail in 2009 on charges of running over a police officer and spent a year in a Finnish prison after being convicted of bribing 11 players in 2011. The fixer at the centre of the recent allegations described him as “the king, my boss”

  • IPOB lawyer regrets attack on Ekweremadu

    Legal adviser to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB), Vincent Obeta, has regretted the attack on former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu by IPOB members in Germany.

    Ekweremmadu was attacked in Nuremberg, Germany, and the group further threatened to attack Southeast governors and other Igbo leaders anywhere abroad.

    Obeta, who spoke at Christ Redemption Church on the Enugu Campus of the University of Nigeria (UNN), said Ekweremadu played a vital role during the struggle for Kanu’s release.

    He noted that when he secured Kanu’s bail from the Magistrates’ and High Courts, he envisaged it would be difficult for Kanu to be released despite the court order but most Igbo leaders he called did not listen to him, hence he approached Ekweremadu.

    Obeta said: “Once I got the bails at the Magistrates’ and High Court, it was obvious that the Federal Government would not release Nnamdi Kanu or obey the court judgment in that respect. I became very frustrated and resorted to Igbo leaders but most of the persons I reached out to did not listen to me until I contacted Ekweremadu and he agreed to help.”

    Read Also: IPOB, Ohanaeze in war of words over Biafra, Ekweremadu

    Senator Shehu Sani has described the attack as a wakeup call for leaders in the country.

    Sani, at the weekend, said: “I condemn the attack of my friend and brother, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in Nuremberg, Germany, but it should be a wakeup call to everyone that if the state makes it impossible for people to express their opinion peacefully, legitimately and legally, it is pushing people to be hunters rather than protesters, to be mobsters, rather than “criticisists”.

    “To protect our constitution, our democracy, there is that very need to respect the rule of law. State apparatus must not engage in indiscriminate arrest of people expressing their opinion, and using force to crush peaceful dissenters without expecting people to take the vigilante option in terms of defending their rights and getting to people in position of authority.

    “Those who took to thuggery outside of the country were inspired by the way protesters and dissenters were treated by the state. There is no difference between the way my friend and brother was treated in Nuremberg, with the way protesters were treated in Lagos and Abuja by the state apparatus. So the state is the main culprit in terms of inspiring people to take the road, other than the one that is legitimate, legal and lawful.”

  • We’re childhood friends, Keyamo speaks on photo with suspect arrested by FBI

    Minister of State for Niger Delta affairs Festus Keyamo, has confirmed that he is friends with Jerry Ikogho (pictured wearing glasses), one of the cyber fraud suspects apprehended by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

    A picture of Keyamo and Ikogho has been trending online, sparking different reactions.

    Ikhogo is number three on the 77-man list of Nigerian fraud suspects released by  the FBI on Thursday.

    Keyomo confirmed to TheCable that he and Ikogho were born in Ughelli, Delta state, and grew up as childhood friends.

    According to him, the picture was taken in 2011 at the burial of the father of one of the two other men who appeared in the picture.

    The senior advocate said the suspect is from “a decent home”, adding that he hoped that the American authorities got their facts right.

    Read Also: Ministerial List: Profile of Festus Keyamo

    He explained that Ikoago left Nigeria for the United States about a decade ago.

    “He is my childhood friend. We were born in the same town (Ughelli). We attended same church from birth. His parents and mine, best of friends, till tomorrow. His siblings and mine too. Only left for the US about 10-12 years ago,” Keyamo said.

    “Can’t deny him. It’s a family relationship from birth. He’s from a decent family. Hope they got their facts right. The wife has sent the charge to me.

    “The authorities clearly stated that he may not have known of the fraudulent schemes, but he helped one or two of them to transfer funds illegally for a fee. And he didn’t declare excess money at the airport. Wish him well.

    “In fact, that picture is even at the burial of the father of the guy on the far right about 8 years ago. The guy is in the same childhood group like all of us. Likewise the guy on the far left, a lawyer, who died at the National Hospital here in Abuja about 5 years ago.”

  • Fashola, Aliyu, a perfect team

    Former Head of Yobe State Civil Service Ibrahim Abdulrahman has described the choice of former Deputy Governor Abubakar Aliyu and Babatunde Fashola as ministers in the Ministry of Works and Housing as a wise decision. He described the duo as a perfect team for the transformation of infrastructure in the country.

    Abdulrahman said he had known Aliyu since 1999 when he served under him as a supervising engineer in the Ministry of Integrated and Rural Development in Yobe State when he was the permanent secretary.

    He said Aliyu  was “a competent but a dedicated engineer who is always punctual, and proactive to any assignment giving to him”.

    Abdulrahman added: “When in set out to get a competent engineer, we had two candidates. One had HND, The current minister of State, Works & Housing had HND plus degree in Civil Engineering. We conducted an interview and from the look of things, he proved to be a more competent and more perceptive of what the government wish to do at the local level.

    “After the ministry took off, we made request to the government base on his own assessment which we sent him to the rural communities and those assessment were correct because there was no time that we went back to review his assessment. The costing was so clearly done by him. When we started construction, contracts of each construction site were giving a time limit. For instance, from A-B should be finished in three week or so. He proved not only to meet the date lines but actually completed the jobs before date lines.

    “First, his material assessment was correct. Secondly, he was a competent engineer. Thirdly, he never relents and make sure he reaches his objectives clear. As time progressed, government was aware of the impact we made in the communities.

    “We actually had no problems of funding because Bukar Abba graciously approved every fund that we made request and the Abubakar D. Aliyu did all the work with dedication and precision with all his staff and by the time we completed the project, we invited journalists to look at what we did and make their own assessment. That was the first impact of the Bukar Abba Ibrahim administration and everyone was talking about his government that he is transforming Yobe State rural communities”.

    On Aliyu’s appointment, he said: “Not only has President  Buhari made  the right choice, the president  has got the right man in Engineer Aliyu. He is always punctual. He insists on completing any job giving to him before completion. He is always proactive in all his assignment and I am sure him and Fashola will make a perfect team because I know that Fashola is also a very serious minded person. I am sure they will work as a team.”

     

  • Ex-communication minister Shittu: I’m shocked Buhari didn’t return me

    Immediate-Past Communications Minister Adebayo Shittu has said that his exclusion from President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial list was shocking.

    Shittu who told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja he did not expect that he would not be reappointed, said as a Muslim.

    “I took it the way it came.”

    The 43-member Federal Executive Council (FEC) was inaugurated by the President in Abuja on August 21.

    The cabinet is made up of 14 former ministers, 29 new ones and seven females. Eighteen former ministers did not make the list.

    The former minister told NAN: “Of course, I expected that I will be reappointed (as minister) but when it didn’t happen, as a Muslim, it didn’t take me five minutes before I accepted that what has come, it’s the will of God.

    “And I have also found comfort in a Quranic verse when God promised that what is to come later is better than what is with you now.

    Read Also: Why I withdrew suit against APC – Shittu

    “So for me, it says we must accept that there is always something better with God which he gives to his beloved.

    “I see myself as a beloved of God.

    “I have come a long way and I have served at the state and national levels and the experience that I have garnered over the last three and half years cannot be purchased from the stores or from the market.”

    He said that as public officer, one must always have it in one’s mind that “whatever has a beginning will necessarily have an end.

    “And it is not how long one stays in public office but how well you are able to distinguished yourself,” he said.

    Shittu, who is a lawyer, said he had decided to return to his profession.

    He said: “I want to thank God that I am one politician who has a second address in the sense that, if I am not a minister, I will be doing some other productive things which will also contribute to national development.

    “Of course, I would have wished that I have other opportunities to serve.”

    I believe the chapter of my public service is not closed.

    “By the grace of God, I will continue to be relevant in national development.

    “As a lawyer of about 40 years, I now have my chambers opened in Abuja. So, I am back in practice,” he said.

    Shittu, who thanked God for the opportunity to serve as minister, also thanked the President for the appointment.

    He said: “I have been a local politician for almost 40 years before the opportunity to serve at the national level. I really appreciate it and I want to say that I am eternally grateful to Mr. President.

    “So, for me to have been in office for three and half years, I think it is a rear privilege for which I will continue to thank God and to continue to thank Mr President.”

    Shittu, who was the youngest lawmaker at the age of 26 to be elected into the Oyo State House of Assembly in 1979, aspired to run for Oyo State governor under the All Progressives Party (APC).

    He was disqualified by the APC leadership for skipping the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).