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Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • Communication tax: Telcos urge Senate to reduce governance cost

    Lucas Ajanaku

     

    TELECOMS companies on Thursday urged the Senate to cut the cost of governance to fit into the revenues accruable from existing taxes and oil receipts rather than resurrecting the nine per cent Communication Service Tax (CST) which the eight Senate rejected.

    Acting under the aegis of Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), the carriers urged the Senate to expand the tax net instead of imposing a tax that will further impoverish the people.

    Its President, Olushola Teniola,  said since 2016, the economy went into recession and experienced low gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate coupled with government recurrent expenditure that now exceeds oil revenue.

    Teniola said: “Therefore we understand that measures to shore up government income by way of taxes should be explored.

    “However, government needs to also consider a reduction in the cost of governance that will fit within the new government revenue generated through taxes and oil receipts.

    “It is inconceivable that a CST of nine per cent that was put aside which is a direct copy of Ghana’s CST is now being pushed through the National Assembly without due consultation with all stakeholders and it is especially targeted at the telecoms and ICT sector.

    “The impact of the adoption of nine per cent CST is that it is a double tax on voice, text messages and data service as five per cent value added tax (VAT) already applies on these services. This represents an additional burden when applied to a subscriber base of 173million. If the passage of this bill goes through, it would negatively impact Nigerians and foreigners that use these services.”

    He said the implementation of this CST would take  affordability of data services out of the reach of the citizenry.

    “Therefore, ATCON recommends that government reconsiders the passing of the bill, as it would add to the burden of the already suffering Nigerians. It is deemed as an additional  multiple tax, loss of revenue to the industry and can lead to loss of jobs in the sector.

    “We reiterate that the burden of shoring up government revenue should be across all segments of society in the way other climes use VAT and not to be targeted to a specific sector,” he said.

     

  • NACCIMA seeks inclusive growth, youth empowerment

     Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

     

    THE Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), has  commended the handling of the economy by the current administration  but however, decried inflation rate of 11.02 per cent as at August fueled by high food prices at 13.17 per cent in the same month.

    Its National President, Hajiya Saratu  Iya Aliyu in a congratulatory message to mark the nations 59th independence  said economic growth appears to be slowing down at  1.94 per cent   while inflation remains in double-digits at 11.02 per cent fueled by high food prices at 13.17  per cent.

    She regretted that the unemployment rate has been rising, standing at 23.1 per cent  as at the third quarter of 2018 signifying that 20.9million people are unemployed. The NACCIMA chief said industrialisation also appears to be progressing at a slow rate, with industries contributing about 23 per cent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    Read Also: NACCIMA President welcomes signing of AfCFTA

    She encouraged the government to do better and work towards the goal, noting that  public discuss have remained largely the same with internal security, corruption, infrastructure, diversification of the economy, ease of doing businesses and macroeconomic stability dominating the space.

    Others are youth empowerment, social welfare, environmental degradation, climate change and regional economic integration.

    She said: “While our Association applauds the gains made by the Federal Government in its fight against corruption, foreign exchange stability, focus on improving ease of doing business, increased capital expenditure, and a focus on Agro value chains. There is still more work to be done, to achieve  inclusive economic growth, co-prosperity, and sustainable development with the potentials to “unleash the giant Nigeria truly is”.

     

  • States generate N1.6tr, says FIRS chief

    REVENUE collection and generation from states across the country rose from N800.02 billion in 2016 to N1.6 trillion last year, the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Mr Babatunde Fowler said on Thursday.

    Mr. Fowler, who is also the Chairman, Joint Tax Board (JTB) added that the cash represented 46.11 per cent increase.

    He spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital during the Northcentral Zone regional launch of the New Tax Identification Number (TIN).

    He said the increase in revenue collection by states was underpinned by the economic policies of the Federal Government, adding that the policies have resulted in the expansion of the national tax base from 10million to 20million. He said this also expected to rise to 45million by the end of the year

    According to him,  there was growth in the collections by FIRS from N3.30 trillion in 2016 to N5.32 trillion in 2018, the highest ever and representing 53.81per cent while non-oil revenue climbed to N2. 85 trillion,  an equivalent of 54 per cent of total revenue generation.

    Fowler explained that the new TIN Registration System was underscored by a common desire by stakeholders to drive the financial regeneration of the country. This desire, he added, will be strengthened by the new system, which will lay the foundation for government at all levels to have access to the funding required to drive socio-economic growth and development exclusive of aids, grants and borrowing.

    Fowler said the choice of Kwara for the Northcentral regional launch of the new system was strategic.

    The state, he explained, has, over the last four years, been a leading light in ensuring sustainable internally generated revenue (IGR) profile for the itself and the region.

    “Having achieved a 221 per cent increase in its collection from N7.1 billion in 2015 at the time of attaining its autonomous status to N23 billion in 2018, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS)  has become a benchmark for revenue authorities not just within the Northcentral region,  but nationwide as well.

    “It is worthy of note that KWIRS is the only state revenue agency in the country to have been ISO certified,  with ISO 9001 for Quality Management System and ISO/IEC 22301 for Business Continuity Management System,” Fowler said.

     

     

     

     

  • Glo offers subscribers Keke Marwa, other prizes in promo

    Our Reporter

     

    Globacom has launched a new promo which will see many of its customers across the country receiving the tools that will help them start Small and Medium Scale (SME) businesses ranging from milling to transportation, sewing and other cottage businesses.

    The promo titled: Recharge and Win Big and tagged: My Own Don Beta is offering subscribers carefully selected prizes that will give them life-changing opportunities, empowering them to create wealth and become employers of labour.

    The prizes include tricycles popularly called Keke Marwa or Keke Napep, which are mostly used as a means of transportation in Nigeria and power generators that come in handy for diverse kinds of businesses especially against the backdrop of the power challenges in the country. Also, to be won are industrial sewing machines for tailors and fashion designers and grinding mills that can empower beneficiaries to do oil, cereal, cassava and other heavy crop milling and commercial large volume blending.

    Read Also: Globacom wins brand of the year 

    The new promo was unveiled in Lagos in the presence of several top level government officials, educationists, community leaders, socialites, students, youth leaders, influencers and entertainers. They included the Director, Consumer Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mrs Felicia Onwuegbuchulam; Coordinator, Lagos Zonal Office of National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mrs Priscillia Onuzulu; ex-International, Austin Jay Jay Okocha; Iyaloja General, Folashade Ojo; member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Adedeji; Dean, Student Affairs, University of Lagos, Prof Ademola Adeleke, and his counterparts from the Lagos State University, Dr Olufemi Obayori,  and Yaba College of Technology, Mr O.R Balogun.

     

  • How APC candidate Lyon can win Bayelsa, by ex-agitator

    Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

     

    EX-MILITANT leader and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Eris Paul, popularly known as Ogunboss, has warned leaders of the party against carefree attitude in their approach to win the November 16 governorship election.

    Ogunboss particularly urged the national and state leaders not to underrate the Peoples Democratic Party and its leader, Governor Seriake Dickson.

    Speaking in Yenagoa, the state capital, the ex-creek warlord insisted that winning the forthcoming election would go beyond the popularity and wide acceptance Chief David Lyon.

    He said the APC must avoid non-chalant attitude, overconfidence and embrace hard work, early preparations by quickly setting up campaign structures in units, wards and the state levels.

    Ogunboss, who hails from Southern Ijaw observed that the APC has so far dominated the political stage of the state following the acceptance of its candidate and political errors of the PDP.

    But he said the APC should be serious from the beginning to the end and stop parading itself as if it had won the election.

    He said: I am shocked when some party faithful claim that we have gotten the crowd, the numbers and even the publicity is on our side. But that does not get the job done. The might, the crowd, the number  and media publicity are good designs. A good design in politics is a great combination of common sense, but not enough to say you have already arrived.

    ‘Yes, you have the chances and opportunity that are knocking on our door as APC, but the most common way people give out their chances is by thinking they have arrived when they have not.

    “Elections are won by structures not by number of defectors. The same way theatres and actors were required for the creation of the world, so are structures required to win a governorship election.

    ‘What are our structures? Where are our theatres and actors to win the elections? Good designs are not foundations of a map. A map is not the territory it represents, but the ground it occupied. Dickson is not an easy target in an election.

    “I repeat, Dickson is not an easy fight during an election. You’re going to territories that were once structured by PDP and they are surviving like an old monuments or quaint customs’.

    Read Also: ‘APC can’t displace PDP in Anambra’

    “This is time to break thumbs, smatch quaint customs, kick structures to build structures or its medicine after death. Efforts and courage alone is not enough to win an election, this is time for direction, know your job, go down and kickstart the job. You have a task that challenges your human excellence and definitiveness, because no fixed purpose in any struggle is lost”.

    Ogunboss also called on the Chief Dikivie Ikhiogha Committee on peace and reconciliation to reach out to known party chieftains that may have become aggrieved before and after the Governorship primaries of the party to shealt their swords and work for the victory of the party.

    “Though every member of the party have the right to be aggrieved if wronged,  the preparation of the party and the setting up of a peace and reconciliation committee should be seen as an indication to embrace dialogue and work for the victory of the party”, he said.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Youths vow to work for Diri’s victory

    Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

     

    YOUTHS in Bayelsa State have vowed to work for the victory of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Douye Diri and his running mate, Senator Lawrence Ewrujakpor in the November 16 governorship election.

    The youths, who blocked major roads in Yenagoa, the state capital, yesterday at a rally to declare support for the PDP, insisted that Bayelsa remained the stronghold of the party.

    They described other parties as opportunists.

    The youths, who inaugurated a platform, Douye Diri Youth Network (DDYN), under the leadership of Ebilade Ekerefe, said the PDP would win the coming election because of the character of the party’s candidate and its achievements in the state.

    Diri, his running mate, the Director-General of his campaign outfit, Dr. Nimibofa Ayawei, Deputy Director-General, Collins Cocodia and the Speaker of the  House of Assembly, Monday Obolo, attended the inauguration.

    Ekerefe said the crowd of youths that turned up for the inauguration was a clear demonstration that the PDP would retain Bayelsa without deploying violence.

    He said the youths were ready to defend their votes  and ensure that the state was not surrendered to rudderless people.

    Read Also: DSS quizzes Bayelsa activist on Assembly crisis

    He said the membership of their network was widely spread cutting across all the wards, constituencies and local governments promising to mobilise all the youths to identify with the vision of Diri.

    He said: “What you see here is a clear demostration that we will win this election and we will win without violence. It is a clear demostration that the people are ready, the youths are ready to defend their votes. It is a clear demostration that we will never surrender our state into the hands of people who do not mean well for us”.

    In his remarks, Diri said he and his running mate possessed the requisite capacity, intelligence, experience and educational qualifications to govern Bayelsa.

    Diri said: “We have a profile in leadership. You must first of all follow, and we have followed. If you look at the profile of my running mate, it is intimidating. He was a former commissioner, a lawyer, a former legislative aide in the National Assembly and a Senator”.

    The candidate referred to himself as a teacher, who taught in public schools and brought up professors and doctors.

    He said having championed the cause of the Ijaw nation as an active member of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), he would deploy his experience to tackle the problems of oil exploration and sustain the agitation for resource control.

    He said the opposition candidate lacked the required knowledge to govern a complex state like Bayelsa and urged the people not to elect him.

    Diri said: “So, we are here to continue and to add to what the current governor has done and the only way is that Bayelsans will no longer go back to Egypt, forward ever backward never. We want to see our youths having skills and running businesses.”

     

     

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  • Akinfenwa dies at 89

    Emmanuel Oladesu

     

    SENATOR Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa is dead.

    The elder statesman passed on at a private hospital in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. He was 89.

    One of his daughters  confirmed his demise on telephone last night.

    She said: “It is not a rumour. He has passed on. He died in a private hospital in Ibadan. He was 89.”

    Akinfenwa was a progressive politician. As a teacher, he joined the Action Group (AG) Youth Association, led by the late Chief Remi Fani-Kayode, and later, Ayo Fasanmi, along with his bosom friend, the late Chief Adebayo Adefarati.

    He was among the activist teachers who mobilised pupils against Premier Ladoke Akintola, when he came to Atakumosa Grammar School, Osu, to commission the school laboratory.

    He nearly lost his life thereafter when political thugs, sympathetic to the defunct Nigeria National Democratic Party (NNDP), attacked him.

    The former school principal joined the Committee of Friends, which metamorphosed into the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    Akinfenwa was appointed Commissioner for Education in 1979 by second Republic Old Oyo State Governor Bola Ige.

    In 1998, he wanted to be governor of Osun State, but was advised to step down during the selection process moderated by Afenifere.

    In 1999, Akinfenwa was elected into the Senate from Ife/Ijesa District on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). He was the AD Senate Leader. However, he lost re-election in 2003.

    Akinfenwa and his compatriot, Chief Bisi Akande, competed for the national chairman of the party. The contest split the party and the pan-Yoruba organisation.

  • Gbajabiamila to members: you can’t walk away after signing register

    THE days when members sign attendance register in the Chamber and walk away is gone for good, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila told his colleagues on Thursday.

    Gbajabiamila spoke while ruling on a Point of Order by a member,  Haruna Dederi, who observed that the quorum was not formed on the floor as members debated a motion on drug abuse.

    Dederi, while speaking on the Point of Order, noted that members were very few in the Chamber and a quorum of 120 members was not formed.

    But, Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu said a quorum cannot be determined by the number of members in the Chamber.

    According to him, “some members have come, signed in the chamber and left for committee assignments and oversight.”

    House Leader Ado Doguwa said it is an established tradition, admitting that the number of members in the Chamber did not reflect quorum.

    Gbajabiamila, who said the House would have to suspend its rules, if the debate would continue, noted that the usual excuse to continue plenary when the quorum is not formed is wrong.

    He referred members to Order 4 Rule 2, saying the House should keep to the spirit of the rule.

    Read Also: Gbajabiamila, Sanwo-Olu, Adebule mourn Oniru

    The order says:

    • The quorum of the House shalt be: one-third of all the members of the House.
    • If any member draws the attention of the Speaker to the fact that a quorum of the House is not present, or if, from the number of members taking part in a division, including those members who declined to vote, it appears that a quorum is not constituted, the Speaker shall cause members to be summoned as if for a division.
    • At the expiration of 15 minutes from such order, the Speaker shalt count the House and, if a quorum is not then constituted, shall adjourn the House forthwith.”

    Gbajabiamila said that things should be done in conformity with the rules of the House.

    “If the intention was that people should come at 10am, sign and go; then, we’re kidding ourselves. We cannot be conducting sitting with 10 members. Hon. Elemelu, I hereby rule you out of order.

    “On the issue of committee work, I’m inclined to agree with that. That’s important and part of sitting of the House. But just to play safe and for future, move for suspension of the rule so we can continue.”

    Also yesterday, the House resolved to probe all the roads constructed by the Federal Government across the country since 2007 to date

    The decision followed the passage of a motion by Dachung Musa Bagus, titled: “Motion on the daily death of Nigerians as result of bad roads in Nigeria” under Matters of Urgent Public Importance at the plenary.

    The House mandated the Richard Olufemi Bamisile-led Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), to investigate all roads constructed by the Federal Government since 2007 till date and report by to House within few weeks for further legislative action.

    The House urged the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works and Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), to include the construction and rehabilitation of the bad roads in the country in the priority list for the 2020 budget.

    Bagus, while moving the motion , said: “Notes the challenges caused by poor nature of our roads in the country, which are in  deplorable condition which make it difficult for road users and commuters to without recording avoidable loss of life and enormous damage to  vehicles.

    “Also notes that, most Federal Highways were constructed in the 1970’s and since then, no major quality construction or rehabilitation has been carried out on these important links.

    “Further note that these federal highways have been death traps, most of the routes that link the states to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, are on the verge of being cut off from being part of the federating units of Nigeria.

    “We are concerned that, if urgent measures are not taken to rehabilitate roads to improve the economic and commercial activities of the people in terms of infrastructural development, they will continue to wallow in abject poverty which can lead to the total collapse of the social infrastructure.

    “This can threaten the existence of some States as federating units of the Federal Republic of Nigeria if severed from the road network to the FCT.”

    Bagus raised concerns over the avoidable deaths being recorded on the highways due to the deplorable conditions of the roads.

    According to him, despite the billions of naira invested on repair, road accidents have claimed more lives than the dreaded Book Haram insurgency.

     

  • Dignitaries honour ex-NADECO leader Akinrinade at 80

    Bisi Oladele and Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan

     

    EMINENT Nigerians on Thursday relived the exploits of Lt. Gen. Alani Akinrinade in the military and the democracy struggle.

    This is as President Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, governors, monarchs and others paid glowing tributes to the elder statesman, who turned 80 yesterday.

    The torrent of tributes poured in for the octogenarian at the International Conference Centre (ICC), University of Ibadan, Oyo State where the birthday celebration was held. The ceremony was a toast of class, glitz and glamour, given the array of A-class guests that graced the colorful outing and the rich entertainment that marked it.

    Born on October 3, 1939, Akinrinade, joined the Nigerian Army in 1960, rose through the ranks and retired voluntarily as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on October 2, 1981 at 41.

    The environment was convivial for most of the guests who belong to the same generation. It was an auspicious time for many of them to throw banters and relive fond memories of their beautiful past. Wining and dining with their heart-robes, the dignitaries enjoyed what could be described as a reunion in celebrating one of their own.

    In his tribute printed on the programme, Buhari said that, as a junior officer to Akinrinade, he admired him, his exploits during the civil war and his post-war contributions to the “retooling of the Nigerian Army, and eventually, his emergence as Chief of Army Staff.” The president also hailed his contributions to the growth of democracy through the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).

    All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Tinubu, who was represented by Dr Oluyomi Finni, described the celebrator as a man living a Spartan life, marked by simplicity, happiness and self-contentment.

    The former Lagos State governor said Akinrinade deployed his all to accomplish any task given to him or goals he set for himself. “He served and continues to serve his country with all that he has: his intellect, energy, power, doggedness and commitment,” Tinubu said.

    He recalled that, since their paths crossed 30 years ago “in the field of struggle for the termination of military rule in Nigeria and political emancipation of Nigerians, the General has remained the same”. Tinubu said Akinrinade has remained “a true democrat, an unrelenting fighter for rule of law and social justice and a statesman extraordinaire,” adding: “He is very political though not a politician.”

    Read Also: Jurists, lawyers, labour leaders, others honour Adetola-Kaseem

    He recalled that Akinrinade was a NADECO co-founder who suffered in the hands of the military regime, stressing: “We were in the trenches together with Gen. Akinrinade. Together, we were forced on exile from where we continued the struggle. A combatant soldier who is no stranger to battles, he provided direction and leadership for us in the struggle against the annulment.”

    The APC chieftain emphasised that Akinrinade “deserves all the accolades he gets today (yesterday)”, pointing out that he was one of those who fought for the democracy that now thrives in Nigeria. He said: “For democracy, he suffered untold deprivation. He was hounded endlessly by agents of the military dictator. After the junta failed in the bid to track him down, his home was burnt, his business crippled… Notwithstanding all the tribulations, the General has remained who he is – humble, modest, firm and focused on changing our society for better.”

    Welcoming the guests to the ceremony that was described as a private event by the organisers, Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola described Akinrinade as “a soldier’s soldier, a democracy icon, a patriot, a proud father and family man, and a statesman at 80.”

    He said the celebration was an appreciation and recognition of the mercy and goodness of God to a life thoroughly sold out to humanity as well as a celebration of fulfilment of destiny.

    The governor added: “One of the proofs of God’s blessings to a man is for his children to gather, celebrate him and declare him blessed in his lifetime. Our General, today’s gathering by us, your children – biological, political and military – testifies to God’s goodness to you and our appreciation of your life of kindness, service, humility and selflessness.

    “An entry into the octogenarian class is a privilege and it is doubly so if such a life is still a rallying point for national and international engagements. The composition of this audience testifies to the enduring relevance of a man born in the ancient village of Yakoyo 80 years ago, but now celebrated across the world.”

    Tracing his career and active participation in the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria over the years, Oyetola described Akinrinade as “an Encyclopedia of Nigerian politics, having actively participated in the nation’s political evolution through the military days to the present democratic dispensation.”

    He added: “As a patriarch of the progressives’ family, ‘Gentleman’ Akinrinade continues to offer counsels behind the scenes to nurture our political family, strengthen our democracy and build a successor generation.

    “As his governor, I attest to Lt. Gen. Akinrinade’s credential as one of the selling points of the State of Osun. His profile and contributions are important chapters in the recognition of Osun as one of the States of Distinction in Nigeria.

    I am proud to be the governor of a man who typifies the Omoluabi ethos, which our state holds dearly, and a fine gentleman who is a reference point in the military, statesmanship and progressivism.”

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi hailed Akinrinade as a detribalised Nigerian, but who is unapologetic about his nativity. He described him as a self-sacrificing, self-effacing man who never wants to be recognized for his exploits for mere self glory.

    Fayemi disclosed that the retired General paid for the first set of the equipment used to start Radio Kudirat, stressing that he deployed his resources, time, energy and commitment to the NADECO struggle.

    He said: “I am always credited for being the founder of Radio Kudirat. But, let me openly say here today that Gen. Akinrinade paid for the first set of the transmitters and other equipment used to start the radio station.”

    He disclosed that Akinrinade affected him positively in his growth trajectory. He said he was self-effacing to a fault, stressing: “He would rather operate in the shadows than call attention to himself. Yet, he is a patriot to the core, one who is never afraid of speaking truth to power and challenging any status quo that is not delivering development to the downtrodden.”

    Recaling that he met Akinrinade as a research student writing his doctoral thesis on defence planning in Nigeria, Fayemi said his relationship with the celebrator has since grown to become that of a mentee and an adopted son.

    Emphasizing his incurable optimism, Fayemi said his generation would continue to rely on the octogenarian’s rich counsel, vision and sincerity of purpose.

    His closest friend, Gen. Godwin Alabi-Isama (rtd), recalled fond memories of their activities in the military college and service. He entertained the guests with some of their escapades as young cadets in the military school and subsequent exploits during service.

    Speaking on the topic: ‘Akinrinade: the Early Years and the Making of A Soldier’s Soldier,’ Alabi-Isama said since they met at a train station while traveling to Zaria Military Training Depot in 1960, they clinched to each other like inseparable twins and have remained together till date just as they weathered storms and savoured pleasant moments together.

    He said: “We started our training together at Zaria Military Training Depot. From there, we proceeded to the newly built Nigeria Military Training College (NMTC) at Kaduna. We were the first set of Nigerian students at the college now known as the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA).

    “All through our military career and thereafter, Akinrinade remains a priceless value to the Nigerian military establishment in the areas of strategy, tactical war assault, psychological welfare and war plan manouvering of the first order.

    “He is a man of absolute courage and a very respectable General in Nigeria and anywhere in the world. He is always humble, and amiable.”

    Reflecting on his contributions to the unity, growth and development of Nigeria, a former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, said Gen. Akinrinade’s career as an army officer, active participation and leadership in the Nigerian civil war, which saw him lose many people who meant so much to him, seem to make him believe that only democracy can bring back the dream of a country they had.

    “He seems to believe strongly that democracy can recreate the Army he joined,” Akinyemi said, pointing out that the memory of the war seems to keep nudging him to work for the unity and progress of Nigeria.

    The former minister added that the nobility of the Army appears always in his character.

    “Generals always walk their talk. As soon as NADECO was formed, he committed himself and his resources to it, although  he knew that it would cause a negative reaction from the then military government. He dared it. He put his life on the line,” Akinyemi said.

    He recalled that Akinrinade participated in the NADECO protest in the rain in London and Washington.

    Former military governor of the defunct Western State, Brig.-Gen. Oluwole Rotimi (rtd), also showered encomiums on Akinrinade.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, gave royal blessings at the ceremony while Jimi Solanke thrilled guests to highlife tunes from the band stand.

    In a short interview with reporters, Akinrinade expressed satisfaction with the kind of life he has lived and the privileges he has enjoyed.

    He said: “That I survived till 80, I went through a few things that some other persons didn’t survive. I’m particularly pleased because at every stage of my life, I amassed people who not only care about themselves, but people who cared about me and have helped me up to this stage. I am grateful to all of them.”

    On how he managed to transform from a military man to a democrat, he said: “It wasn’t a transition. I was never a politician and I am still not a politician, but I think all of us have our own pain, what we do, what we think and what we will not do. I think rule of law, one-man-one-vote, government being accountable to the people, but essentially, I am a leftist. I believe in progressivism and that is what it is for me. I put human being at the center of every politics that we do. That is all I want to see.”

    When asked if he was happy with today’s Nigeria, he said: “This is not the Nigeria of my dream. No, it isn’t, but I still believe that if we strive hard, like what we did today, if we can get together and have the elite acting, understanding themselves very deeply, their background , where they

    are coming from and what the wishes of their people are and if we can put that together, we can still build a Nigeria that is going to be very comfortable for us all. I still believe and I still believed in it.”

    Having worked so hard for democracy, Akinrinade said democracy is still unhealthy in Nigeria today.

    “It is little unhealthy, but it is still better that retrogression, but there is a lot more that we can do to make it better,” he said.

    Dignitaries at the event include former Governors Abiola Ajimobi,  Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Chief Bisi Akande (Osun), Chief Ayo Opadokun, Mr Bisi Olatilo, Mr Felix Adenaike, Prof Banji Akintoye, Prof. Isaac Adewole and Mrs Grace Laoye-Tomori.

    Royal fathers in attendance include the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Orangun of Oke-Ila,  Oba Dokun Abolarin and the Olokuku of Okuku.

    Others are Generals Raji Rasaki, Ike Nwachukwu, Lawan Gwadabe, T.Y Danjuma who supervised the cutting of the birthday cake, Maj.- Gen. Anthony Omozodje who represented the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai; Professors Wole Soyinka, Dibu Ojerinde, Wale Omole, Olu Aina; Chief Kola Daisi, Chief K.O Latunji, Chief Iyiola Oladokun,  Mr Adewale Raji;  Otunba Olabiyi Durojaiye; Dr Sunny Kuku; Mr Seye Oyeleye;  Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi; Otunba Dipo Onabanjo and Chief Imam of Yorubaland, Sheik Abdulrahim Aduramigba.

    Also in attendance were Prof. Niyi Akinnaso, Dr Seyi Roberts, Chief and Mrs Bashir Awosore, Ambassador Taju Bamgbefa, Mr Gbanga Oduwole, Kunle Oladele, Venerable Olu Oyetola, Dr Amos Akingba, Akogun Tola Adeniyi and Chief Oyekunle Alex Duduyemi. Others are Tunde Kelani, Dr Kemi Ogunbiyi, Chief Pius Akinyelure, Mr Muyiwa Ige, Mr. Sam Omatseye Dr Kunle Olajide, Otunba Deji Osibogun, Chief Taiwo Ayorinde and Chief Bashiru Awotorebo, among others.

  • Homeless

    IN a sense, it isn’t an exaggeration to say that the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and their deputies are homeless. According to an October 3 report, President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, live in their private homes, instead of official residences, five months after the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly.

    According to the report, “While Lawan still resides in his house in Maitama area of Abuja, Omo-Agege remains in his Guzape home also in the FCT.” Omo-Agege is the Deputy Senate President.

    The report also said: “It was gathered that Gbajabiamila still lives in one of the former official residences in the Apo Legislative Quarters, which were sold to members of the 6th National Assembly by the Federal Government. Wase lives in the Gwarimpa area of the nation’s capital.” Ahmed Idris Wase is the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    These presiding officers of the National Assembly are entitled to official residences like the heads of the other arms of the Federal Government, but their official residences are still under construction, more than eight years after construction work began. The cost of the official residences is “estimated at N27.1bn upon completion.”

    The presiding officers of the 9th National Assembly are in this situation because ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration had, on November 30, 2010, approved the sale of the official residences of the presiding officers of the sixth National Assembly in the Apo Legislative Quarters. The beneficiaries at the time were former senate president David Mark; former deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu; former Speaker of the House, Dimeji Bankole; and former Deputy Speaker, Usman Nafada.

    Those who sold these official residences and those who bought them were unthinking people in power.  By privatising these official residences, they showed that they could sell and buy anything.

    Since then, the construction of new official residences for the leadership of the National Assembly has been work in progress. “It was reliably gathered that construction of the official residences of the presiding officers of the National Assembly was slowed down for financial reasons,” the report said.

    It’s nearly a decade since the former official residences of the leadership of the National Assembly were privatised. They shouldn’t have been sold in the first place; and they shouldn’t have been bought.  The selling and the buying amounted to corruption. The sellers and the buyers were corrupt.