Friday 30 September 2016

Kaduna Appoints Actuaries As Pension Reform Law Takes Effect 1st January 2017

Governor Nasir El-Rufai
The Pension Reform Law of Kaduna State, passed in 2016, will come into force on 1 January 2017. By that date, all public sector workers will migrate to the contributory pension scheme which replaces the defined benefits scheme. The current government inherited arrears of pensions and gratuity amounting to N14bn. The sheer size of this outstanding liability underlines the challenge with the defined benefits scheme which tends to subject the pensioner to hardship, and is prone to fraud.


Lagos signs MoU with AWIEF on $300m fund to empower women entrepreneurs



Lagos State Government on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) expected to facilitate the process of ensuring that women entrepreneurs have access to $300 million fund to boost their businesses.

Nigeria @ 56: Prospects and challenges



By Kayode Olaitan

Unarguably, every October 1 remains a unique and memorable day for all Nigerians, as they joyfully commemorate the country’s independence on Oct. 1, 1960.

Precisely 56 years ago, Nigeria became an independent nation after over a hundred years of British colonialism, and the country formally ceased to be a British colony and transmuted into a self-governing nation.

Analysts note that in spite of the country’s chequered political history, marked by certain uncertainties such as a four-year civil war, military coup d’états, insecurity and economic recession, among others, Nigeria embarked on a steady journey to nationhood.

Nigeria’s hope of becoming a greater nation, however, rose at Nigeria’s 55th independence anniversary due to a change in government which led to the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Solanke Vs Benson: A Lifetime Story Of Tradition, Love, And Hatred



It was probably the first celebrated case where a daughter will defy her father in the choice of marriage. It was in the days when a woman, educated or not, really had no say on the choice of who she marries. But this 18 year old daughter of a very affluent Yoruba chief defied her father’s choice of husband. The father had chosen a prominent politician of those days, Chief TOS Benson, a dashing and flamboyant politician, to marry his stunningly beautiful daughter, Folake Odulate. But she would have none of that. Rather, she would go on to marry her heartthrob, Toriola Solanke, a medical doctor whom she fondly called a “gentleman”.

Thursday 29 September 2016

PHOTO NEWS: Feed the Future - Nigerian Agricultural Policy Project

The First Conference of 'Feed The Future' with the theme - Promoting Agricultural Policy in Nigeria: Challenges and Opportunities was launched in Abuja by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh.








Fashola’s Speech At The Power Nigeria Exhibition Held At Eko Hotel



Ladies and Gentlemen:

The number and array of exhibitors at this event clearly speaks volumes about the investment appetite for Nigeria’s power sector.

More than anything that I could possibly say about the attractiveness of the Nigerian power sector; these exhibitors cum investors, who have voted with their feet by coming here, say it all.

''Change Begins With Me'' Not To ''Tame'' Nigerians – Lai Mohammed



Our attention has been drawn to a story by The Economist, datelined Lagos and featured in the paper’s print edition of Sept. 24th 2016, entitled: ''Nigeria’s war against indiscipline, Behave or be whipped''.

Contrary to the newspaper’s self-professed belief in ''plain language'', the article in question, from the headline to the body, is a master-piece of embellishment or dressed-up language. It is loaded with innuendos and decidedly pejorative at best and downright racist at worst.

The Economist wrote that President Buhari wants to ''tame'' Nigerians with the ''Change Begins With Me'' Campaign. For those who are the owners of the English language, the use of that word is unpardonable, The verb ''tame'' suggests that Nigerians are some kind of wild animals that must be domesticated, and the usage reveals the mindset of the authors of the article: a deliberate put-down of a whole people under the guise of criticising a government policy.

Wadi Ben-Hirki : A Selfless Jewel


A nation which seeks to better its future must invest in the children which will lead it to its future - Wadi Ben Hirki

To some, dedication towards a course might seem a major huddle to scale but to WADI BEN- HIRKI this comes naturally. 

As a devoted humanitarian, this young lady has touched so many lives in Nigeria through the Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation established to cater for disadvantaged children in the society. 


Often described as the 'Mother Theresa' of our time, Wadi is a selfless, unassuming, affable and outspoken young lady with a heart of gold.  

Her vision to create a platform to support the less privileged is not only limited to Nigeria but by extension Africa and ultimately globally.

                          

Nigerian makes history in UK varsity


IGNATIUS Akpabio has joined the distinguished and inspirational line of young Nigerians proving that we are some of the best in the world. In a tradition of excellence that is well-earned, Akpabio topped an international faculty of post-graduate scholars to clinch the prestigious British Petroleum (BP) prize for the best project on the course at the School of Computing Science and Digital Media’s annual awards ceremony, 2016, of Robert Gordon University, RGU, Aberdeen, UK. 

Ikogosi Warm Spring - Mysterious, Yet Therapeutic




"Nigeria is a great country blessed with abundance of nature's wonder pieces. I have traveled to about sixteen countries of the World but I have not seen a place where cold and hot water meet. I am seeing it live here and it is real. This is wonderful".

That was the comment of Mr. Bimbo Aduroja, a tourist while savoring nature's gift at the place where cold and warm water meet in Ikogosi Spring Resort, Ikogosi in Ekiti State.

Wednesday 28 September 2016

PHOTO NEWS: Archbishop of Canterbury welcomes Emir of Kano to Lambeth Palace

Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, met with His Royal Highness The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II at Lambeth Palace on Tuesday 27th September 2016 in the United Kingdom.





Nigeria Partners Cuba On Research And Innovation



The federal government is to partner with the Republic of Cuba on science and technology especially in the production of vaccines drugs,health care and such other areas in which Cuba is known to have excelled.

Tuesday 27 September 2016

Tourism Is The New Oil In Nigeria


Nigeria’s future is bright, as the country diversifies its economy away from oil, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said in Lagos on Tuesday.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the 2016 World Tourism Day in Eko Atlantic, the city that is being built on reclaimed land on the Bar Beach, the Minister said there is no better testimony to Nigeria’s bright economic future than the new city.

India seeks new cooperation with Nigeria


India’s Vice-President Hamid Ansari has said his country was exploring new areas of cooperation with Nigeria.

At a reception held for him at the Indian High Commission in Abuja on Monday night, Ansari reiterated that India was Nigeria’s biggest trade partner as both countries shared similarities in different areas of development.

“I don’t have to educate you on the current levels of our relationship; we are Nigeria’s biggest trading partner.

“Nigeria is a major supplier of energy to us, but above all there is a convergence of interest on global matters which is extremely important.

“Both of us play an important role on the world stage in decisions that have been made; we contribute the maintenance of peace in different parts of the world.’’

Both countries, he said, have common aspirations and a vision of a future image.

He said that the diversity of India was replicated in Nigeria in terms of languages and culture; “we both have a dedication to develop our societies’’.

“I look forward to meeting with dignitaries and exploring new areas in which we would cooperate with each other in terms of the agreements that were made earlier,” Ansari said.

He added that both countries cooperated in the areas of business, energy, defence and security, education, among others.

“The corporation is substantial, it is diverse. The contribution of Indian teachers in different parts of this country in educating the citizens will never be forgotten.

“Similarly, the training that members of the armed forces of Nigeria obtained in the past and continue to obtain today in defence institutions in India, and the corporation that is developing in that field is something which will be long remembered.”

Ansari is on a five-day visit to Nigeria and Mali, where he will hold bilateral talks with the leadership of the two countries.

His visit to Nigeria is at the invitation of his Nigerian counterpart, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

Ansari will also hold talks with President Muhammadu Buhari, the President of the Senate, Sen, Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Yakubu Dogara, and deliver an address at the National Defence College of Nigeria.

He is also expected to meet with the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwumi Ambode, and deliver an address at a business forum at the University of Lagos.

Ansari is expected to be in Mali on Thursday to meet with the president, the prime minister and also address the National Assembly of that country. (NAN)

Think outside the box!


By Afam Nkemdiche (Opinion)

The ongoing discussions on Nigeria’s economic recession have been quite revealing. Most discussants now seem persuaded that it is time Nigeria abandoned orthodoxies, and resort to thinking outside the box. Nothing instructs better than firsthand experience.

Thinking outside the box is not an option for Nigeria in her present state, it is the only option. My reasons are contained in a 2014 article, entitled, “The Eclipse of Economics,” reproduced below:

“Surely, Nigerians still could recall the passionate debate over the International Monetary Fund Conditionality. Nigerians, both the educated and the not-so-educated had responded to the 1986 debate as a people who truly believe they shared “one nation and one destiny.” In a way, the debate debunked the myth that the game of football has the monopoly of exciting nation-wide patriotic passion in Nigerians. Evidently, they are many a topic about which Nigerians could be nationalistically passionate; the voices which had argued “N0” “No” “No” to the IMF conditionality had been just as loud and many as those which had said “Yes” “Yes” “Yes.” To date, I still wonder how the Federal Government managed to pick out the winning voices from the deafening cacophonies. However, it was good the debate happened.

If we tasked our collective memory further, we would recall that the principal argument against the IMF conditionality had been at once simple and compelling: No underdeveloped country has succeeded in joining the league of developed countries simply by implementing those controversy-arousing conditionality. Without a doubt, this is a thought-provoking statistic, to say mildly. It is on the cards that Nigeria’s 28 years experience with the IMF will not change that benumbing statistic. A number of leading intellectuals have put the blame on the doorsteps of the laws and assumptions that inform the policies of the IMF and other international financial institutions. Few excerpts would suffice.

In 1971, Arthur Burns, then Chairman of the United States of America’s Federal Reserve Board, had remarked that “the rules of economics are not working quite the way they used to. “The following year, Milton Friedman, another authority on the subject, in an address to the American Economic Association said, “I believe that we economists in recent years have done vast harm – to society at large and to our profession in particular – by claiming more than we can deliver.’’ Six years following in 1978, the cautious tone had changed to despair when the then United States of America’s Treasury Secretary Michael Blumenthal declared: “I really think the economics profession is close to bankruptcy in understanding the present situation, before or after the fact.”

Barely a year after, his cabinet colleague, Juanita Kreps, in relinquishing the commerce portfolio said rather bluntly that she found it impossible to go back to her old job as professor of economics at Duke University, because “I would not know what to teach.” These damning comments on the subject of economics by internationally distinguished members of the profession have continued.

In the 21st century one does not need to be an economist to know that “the rules of economics are not working quite the way they used to.” The seemingly intractable global crises engendered by grossly distorted distribution of the world’s commonwealth are the empirical evidence. What went so terribly wrong? We are naturally led to puzzle. Just as logically, we are led to look to history for possible answers. As early as in the days of Adam Smith had it been evident that economic rules were essentially bounded by time. Thus a set of economic rules that had served a generation of mankind well, may well prove counter-productive in another generation.

This inherent limitation in economic laws was conclusively demonstrated by Thomas Malthus’ Law of Diminishing returns on agricultural production. The famous economist had believed that the geometric growth rate of human population in relation to the arithmetic growth of food production of his day was given for all time! All wrong; thanks to technological developments. Today in some countries manufacturers are given huge financial incentives to limit their production output, while in other countries surplus food products are dumped into the oceans, or are treated with health-compromising preservatives to enhance their self-life. The resultant psychological and ecological consequences of these unwholesome acts have new reached emergency proportions.

Truth is, in an age of plenty economics as a tool for distributing a common wealth has been utterly eclipsed. Graphically stated, there now could never be an intersection between the effective aggregate supply/demand curves. Indeed, no less a personage than John Stuart Mill had made the point back in 1848 in his Principles of Political Economy.

Distribution of material wealth fell outside the bounds of economics, the great 19th century economics reformer had averred. Latter day masters like Thorsten Veblen, Joseph Schumpeter among others similarly concluded respectively: distribution of material wealth was determined more by expediency and less by the science of economics. Therefore, the continued application of economic laws in administering the world’s resources would guarantee three principal things, viz:

• Unidirectional flow of material wealth,
• Un-abating intra-national and international conflicts, and
• Huge environmental challenges.

Indeed, combating the trio is the greatest challenge of the present age. Goaded by the richest nations of the world, the United Nations Organisation had made, and is still making a great play of combating this challenge, except that the UN is acting in denial.The world body regards only the last two components of the challenge, viz: un-abating intra-national and international conflicts and environmental challenges as effective threats, while it looks to unidirectional flow of material wealth as a mere maladjustment in economics.

Afam is a Consulting Engineer in Abuja

Monday 26 September 2016

Amaechi To Focus On Safety, Security To Boost Air Travel In Nigeria


The Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi has restated that his administration would focus on the safety and security of the country’s airspace, and that this has become necessary, as the nation cannot afford any mishap.

Speaking recently in Lagos, he said that, “safety and security is non negotiable”. He stated that achieving safety and security in the aviation industry is the key driver to growing the sub sector rapidly.”

Amaechi said that safety and security has become pertinent because of the myriad of security challenges globally, stating that the country is trying to be proactive to forestall such challenges.

According to him, “the aviation industry in Nigeria has not been without its peculiar problems in the recent past, which includes but not limited to weak airlines and decaying infrastructure”.

“The ministry of Transportation in collaboration with relevant parastatals and agencies have drawn up short term plans that are currently being implemented of which the traveling public will take notice of the improvements”, he added.

He said that adequate technology will be used to bolster the security at the nation’s airports and that it will also be complemented with customised training to personnel.

“Subsequently in accordance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Security Program (NCASP) and International Aviation Organization (ICAO) annex 17, the Federal Government is looking to overhaul and streamline the security apparatus at the nation’s airports for a seamless and more effective security surveillance and enforcement.”

“This will also improve facilitation and passenger experience. The use of appropriate technology and customized training for security personnel will play a major role in this process. The purpose of all these measures is to work smarter in achieving stated goals and targets. “

“With regards to the operators and service providers, they must operate within the ambit of Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations and International Civil Aviation Organization Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) or face the full wrath of the law and extant regulations. This has become necessary, as we cannot afford any mishap. Ladies and gentlemen, safety and security is non-negotiable.”

“ These plans include the expeditious completion of on going airports remodeling projects at Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt and the decongestion of airports access roads among several others. The new terminal in Lagos will generate additional 15 million passengers annually making a total of 30 million passengers yearly nationwide, the minister noted.

Speaking further, Amaechi said that the medium and long term plans will require significant investments to upgrade and expand infrastructures to meet current and future requirements.

He said: “As a result of limited resources for capital projects development, government is exploring the possibility of private sector participation to towards the realization of the industries’ potentials”.

Nigeria wants UN youth agency established


The Federal Government has advocated for the establishment of a youth agency by the United Nations to enable it cater for their “bulging” needs across the globe.

Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Foreign Affairs made the call at a news conference on the sidelines of the bilateral meetings at the 71st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Sunday in New York.

He said that President Muhammadu Buhari advocated this during his bilateral meeting of Heads of State and Governments with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

“Mr President was the only leader among the heads of state and governments that made the specific point that Nigeria will be pushing for the establishment of a UN agency dedicated exclusively to the youth.

“He also made a point on the importance of giving attention to the youth.

“A lot of countries including Nigeria, have a large population being below the age of 35 and we really have to address what they call the “youth bulge” in the area of education and job opportunities.

Onyeama recalled that under the tenure of the UN secretary general, a UN agency was created for the women and gender issues.

He said that Buhari expressed the belief that one was also required for the youth.

On the issue of stolen funds from Nigeria, Onyeama said that Buhari met with President Barack Obama, the Swiss President and Minister of Justice.

“Mr President and his Swiss counterpart looked at the modalities of restitution of some of the stolen funds totaling over 300 million Swiss Franc from Nigeria into that country.

“We are also already looking at how we are going to use some of these funds, particularly the one with the Swiss government for the benefit of the country.

“With the American government, we also discussed going forward and what we need to do and how they can help us trace looted fund and repatriation of those funds.

“It was interesting to note that President Barack Obama advised us to be careful with whom we employ to help us identify those stolen funds because there have been cases where some private legal practitioners and lawyers have been used to help us.

“His advice was that we should actually deal directly with the U. S government and I think this was a very important advice.

“I think that also is very good for us so, we cut off middle men and it also showed U.S. commitment in helping us in this context,’’ Onyeama said.

President Buhari, who has since returned to the country after five days of activities at the UNGA, declared that he had a very successful outing.

NAN

Sunday 25 September 2016

Entrepreneurs should create time for self-discovery


                Bukola Meshida Adefope CEO The Pegasus Company

Lagos-based performance coach and entrepreneur, Bukola Meshida Adefope, Chief Executive Officer of The Pegasus Company, is a woman who knows what she wants in life and goes for it. Little wonder she is doing what she knows how to do best. She founded and operated a design and print production company for 17 years, set up a printing press in Somolu, the most active print zone in Lagos, and the reality of running the business, the challenges with workers, clients and managing herself within the context of her multiple roles, informed her embarking on a self-discovery journey, which enabled her to tap into her personal essence. 

“This informed my setting up Optimal Performance Limited in 2012, to support other entrepreneurs to achieve the quantum results that I did. The journey so far has birthed my decision to align my several gifts in the areas of critical and creative reasoning from my study of Philosophy, with my Coach training, as well as my cumulative life experience, to set up The Pegasus Company, to fully and freely express these competencies, in fulfilment of my life purpose,” she said. 

So, what is performance coaching all about? 

A performance Coach is someone that cares that people create what they say they want from life, and they follow through on their goals. He/she listens to you completely, and tunes into the nuance of your voice, emotions and energy. The Coach not only listens to the words you say, but also to what is behind the words, as well as, the spaces between the words. Human communication is multifaceted, and problem solving requires clarity. The hallmark of a good coaching relationship is truthfulness and clarity, to get to the root of the problems. Only then can we find enduring solutions in life. Anyone that contacts a coach needs to get something done faster or with precision, and this can only be done with the guidance of a Coach. 

“My major source of inspiration is my various life experiences, and the information to which I had access, when I had to make major life decisions. While researching, trying to find answers to many of my challenges, as an entrepreneur, and my other life roles, I came across an article that changed my life forever. The Top Five Regrets Of Dying. This article was the wake-up call for me, and my life took an upward turn with this singular realisation. The events that have taken place in my life ever since have been phenomenal,” Adefope explained. 

According to her: “At this point in our existence, we need to break free from all the mental restrictions we have placed upon ourselves, as individuals and as a nation. And we must consciously allow ourselves the freedom to access and own our authentic selves to discover and express our God-given potentials to fulfil our predestined purpose, otherwise known as success.” 

The beautiful lady described her growing up as interesting. She said: “Growing up in the company of five siblings, and being the second child and first daughter, was interesting. We lived on University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) campus, Nigeria’s most beautiful university campus. My parents parenting style was an optimal mix of liberalism and discipline. They taught us the way of the Lord, and gave us the liberty to live our lives, while guiding us. They set clear boundaries, communicated simply, clearly, and with lots of love. When we erred, we knew clearly we had a case to answer, and if we were to undergo caning, we were told what we did wrong, and why we would get three or six strokes of the cane, depending on the gravity of the offence. This taught me self-respect from an early age. 

“If you didn’t want to be caned or spoken to like a fool, just do the right thing and all would be well. They taught us the art of taking responsibility for our actions. I am grateful to them for adopting this style. They allowed us freedom of thought and expression, and this has helped shape me a great deal. When I come in contact with children of authoritarian or overtly permissive parents, I cringe at the possible outcomes.” 

Adefope continued excitedly, “I attended University of Ife Staff School, and enjoyed the arts. Classical Music was a staple form of entertainment at home. I listened to lots of G. F. Handel, Mozart, J. S. Bach, and the likes. My father is an Engineering Geologist, one of Nigeria’s finest violinists, and he sings so well. He had a Choral Group called Terra Choral Group, and they staged numerous concerts. I also sang in the Junior Choir for a few years before going off to boarding school. We watched movies like Hubert Ogunde’s ‘Aiye’, ‘Aropin n’ Teniyan’, and Patti Boulaye’s ‘Bisi Daughter of The River’ to mention a few, at the Oduduwa Hall.” 

On how life is as the sister to Banke Meshida-Lawal, she smiled and said that her younger sister has proved her mettle in makeup artistry and she is proud of what she has become. 

“Banke Meshida Lawal, fondly called Bankie Joe by me, is one of the most beautiful individuals God created. She’s such a blessing to this generation. She is an embodiment of grace and beauty, not just textural, but also internally. Relating with her is always interesting. There is never a dull moment with her.” 

Her role models are Anthony Robbins and Deepak Chopra. 

“Anthony Robbins is an extraordinary man. He is a blessing to this world, and he represents all I want from life. He just inspires me to awaken the giant within me, and this giant is wide-awake now, ready to take on the world. Deepak Chopra is also someone I admire so much. I have read all his books and one thing that cuts across his message to the world, is the message of love, compassion, empathy and spirituality. He inspires me to see myself as a spiritual being, and access my soul’s ability to transcend the weight of earthly burdens and rise above the many concerns of humanity.” 

She said she recently launched her Personal Development Audio series, which is her signature product. 

“The Pegasus brand encourages and supports individuals to tap into their authentic selves by embarking on the all important self-discovery journey, to freely express their gifts to the world, to make a positive change, living a life of meaning and purpose. I call on entrepreneurs to create time for the all-important journey of self-discovery, as it is the bedrock of living purposefully.” 

What is a normal working day like for Adefope? 

I wake up at 5.30 am every day. I write in the morning, create my presentations, sort out my creative writing duties, during children’s holiday period. Now that my seven-year-old has resumed school, I wake up a little earlier, say my prayers, and supervise the cooking of her breakfast and lunch before she leaves for school at 7.30am. It is a walking distance from the house, and that has taken away the burden of long commuting to a school that was far away from the house. I work from home, and only go out when necessary. I attend meetings, and other business or social engagements. On a regular day, I close at 6pm. On very busy days, I work round the clock, until the goal is accomplished. 

Talking about her fashion sense, she said that fashion for her, is self-expression. The way one dresses is a reflection of what’s happening inside. “My core fashion values are simplicity, comfort, functionality and elegance. I am a classic minimal fashion personality, a sign of grace and tasteful style and I dress conservatively. Clean, straight lines dominate my closet. I prefer to keep my outfit timeless and business-like. I’m not into loud, faddish trends.” 

Adefope is a University of Lagos graduate of Philosophy. She holds a DISC Personality Profiling Certificate, also a certificate in Entrepreneurial Management (EDC) of Pan Atlantic University, Poise Nigeria Elocution and Public Speaking, and several personal development courses. She is blessed with three children. 

http://guardian.ng/guardian-woman/entrepreneurs-should-create-time-for-self-discovery/

Office of First Lady


By Alabi Williams (Opinion)

There is no constitutional designation for the position of First Lady, but it exits as part of the organogram of any state house, be it in Aso Rock, or in the 36 states of the federation. Even local government chairmen and the sole administrators that are handpicked by governors, who are afraid to conduct council elections, parade their own first ladies. They are always there, ubiquitous and ready to create their parallel structures to service their ‘pet’ projects.

At one time, when there was an issue between two former first ladies, Hajia Turai Yar’Adua and her successor, Patience Jonathan, over a piece of choice land in Abuja, tempers flared over why that office should exist in the first place, and why it was being flaunted rambunctiously in the faces of Nigerians. Some Nigerians did not even attempt to hear the details of that face-off, but were peeved by what appeared to be an obnoxious use of an office that was not provided for in the Constitution. Spare them the details! Why should two first ladies fight over a piece of land, to the extent that it became a subject of national embarrassment? That led to another round of debate on whether we really need the Office of First Lady.

The arguments went back and forth, with proponents making a good case with that of the United States, where the First Lady remains very visible, active, even though not constitutionally empowered. The U.S. first lady, according to Wikipedia, is the hostess of the White House, the seat of government and she is in charge of all social and ceremonial events of the White House. She has her own staff, and that includes the White House Social Secretary, a Chief of Staff, Press Secretary, Chief Floral Designer, Executive Chef, among several others. There is an office, even though unofficial and there are activities to be carried out, as well as, monies to be spent. The office, by last check, does not come with a salary, yet, the first lady is expected to be very gorgeous, and charming.

The details of the sources of wealth of a U.S. first lady are not very clear, but the occupant of that office, as well as, her husband are very mindful of ethical issues. The office is one of influence and if care is not taken to preserve its integrity, the first lady could make a fortune by fixing meetings, arranging contracts and living on percentages. The details are not very clear, but access to official money is watertight and reason why American public keep guessing how their first ladies dress well and look good. And in extreme cases, citizens are provoked to ask for sources of wealth. The point is that even in the U.S., this debate is still work in progress.

Here at home, if you ask me, I think it will make more sense to officially create an office for the first lady, so that we are able to track the activities and what it costs to run the office. The office exists as a structure in the office of chairman of the local government, governor and president. It is there physically and draws resources from the state. It will be in the interest of transparency to make the office accessible to auditors.

The case at hand is that of Mrs. Patience Jonathan, who is alleged to have amassed huge sums to her personal benefit, while she was the occupant of an office that does not exist constitutionally. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is now on her case, working to establish that her assets, some of which have been frozen, were not earned legitimately, and that she profited unjustly from her position as first lady. My concern here is not whether anybody is guilty, because that is the job of the judiciary. My concern is that the system makes it possible for any first lady to benefit unduly from where she is put. In local parlance, they say you cannot live so close to the river and wash yourself with spittle. The office of first lady is a big office and not just that of the one at Aso Rock. If we are privy to know what first ladies have helped themselves with in all the 36 states and local governments since 1999, maybe that of Patience would be mild. We are talking of a period, when there was no accountability and transparency was zero. Between 1999 and 2003, it was an era when there were no checks, no EFCC. There was no BVN to trace who was transferring what sums out of state houses. Wives of governors ran their own projects and foundations. Nobody asked where they got monies to run their activities. It was the era of overseas training for wives of governors and even wives of council chairmen.

The field was wide open in those early years and remains so, even in this era of change for any wife to peddle influence and extort monies. During elections, wives of governors could be very influential. If you want to run for an office and you have the ears of the first lady of your state, it will give you some advantage. But you have to appreciate her kindness one way, or the other. The story is told of some who brazenly put a price on every intervention or assistance they render. If such payments are huge enough at the end of the day to put up a state of the art hotel in say, Yenagoa, or Port Harcourt, how will the EFCC classify that to be a product of theft or ill-gotten wealth? In the listing of offices in part 11 of the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 constitution, as amended, for the purpose of code of conduct, the office of the first lady was never mentioned. It does not exist. But we know it is the unofficial number two position, before that of the vice president, or deputy governor. Some deputy governors take orders from their Oga’s wives and woe betide anyone who challenges their majesties. Their husbands are emperors and they too are in charge.

Going forward, we expect to see serious changes. When the wife of the current president, Aisha Buhari promised not to collect toll from visitors to Aso Rock, before they are allowed to see Mr. President, we looked forward to breathing fresh air. But there are many ways tolls can be mounted. If the wife of a president launches a book, for instance, and governors and other politically exposed persons come to make huge donations, such are ethically suspicious. The code of conduct in the Fifth Schedule of our constitution is very clear about gifts in public offices. The wife of Mr. President generously makes trucks and trucks of donations of essential commodities to camps of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). Good intention, but what are the sources of these donations, that are clearly not appropriated in the 2016 budget? If they are gifts from businessmen and so-called philanthropists, who also happen to be patrons of government, then care must be taken, so that in future, when auditors pry into the books, nobody will cry that they are being witch-hunted.

Hilary Clinton and her husband, former President Clinton had to explain over and again that their Foundation did not engage in quid pro quo arrangements with benefactors. It is a big integrity issue in saner climes, but here, we carry on as if only Patience Jonathan and those who have fallen out of government are the ones who are susceptible. You cannot keep yam with a goat and expect it not to eat. You must keep the yam from harm. The opaqueness of the system we operate makes it easy to blur the lines between crime and punishment. Even the assets declaration process prescribed in the constitution is malleable. Many people in government operate foundations and pet projects to hide their sins from the public.

In conclusion, let this exposure on Patience Jonathan not be limited to her, so that more persons can learn lessons.

Patience and a Nigeria that works


By Laolu Akande 

An ideal situation is one where things work most perfectly, and as desired. It is where and when expectations and fulfillment dovetail. We all live for ideals. There is a way the quest for the ideal gravitates our lives towards feats and accomplishments that otherwise could have been missed. Imperatives on the other hand are the unavoidables, necessary and required things or better still, actions that must be taken. But in order to attain ideals, there would always be imperatives on the way, some of them possibly unflattering and inconvenient.

For example in 1776 when the American elite of the day took a firm decision to declare independence from King George III of Britain, they fashioned out a well crafted vision of freedom, liberty and equality which the emergent United States of America would represent and advance. That was a noble ideal. But they had to fight fatally and fiercely, for a total of 8 years in all, to clinch their ideal of independence. The war, which British historians named “revolt of the colonies,” but which their American counterparts rather called “war of independence,” (or American Revolutionary war, was the imperative)

Nigerians voted for President Muhammadu Buhari, in good part, because as a people we had gotten to the point that majority of us could no longer tolerate the astounding level of corruption in government and the then seeming intractable security catastrophe in the Northeast. For good measure, the Buhari/ Osinbajo ticket also did an excellent job during the campaigns, depicting the possible economic resurgence that could be attained in the country and how. The ideals were very clear, agreed and well embraced. What many of us possibly did not imagine were the imperatives that would have to be confronted on the journey to the ideal.

One lesson I have surely learnt in public service in the last 15 months is the virtue of patience: it’s the useful conduit between ideals and imperatives. But mine is a story for another day. It is the ideal relationship that ought to exist between a master/superior and his/her servant that I want to talk about in laying a background to say some other things.

The master hires a servant and assigns a duty, expecting performance as soon as possible. That is the ideal. The servant tackles the assignment but there is a time lag between effort and result, including certain unpleasant imperatives which prolong the expectation of the boss, and the boss becomes understandably impatient, questioning the servant.

Let us assume that this looks like what is happening in our country today. The people are the masters, those of us in the Buhari administration are the servants. We got the message, the expectations were that there would be swift turnarounds and the prosperity promised would kickoff much earlier.

Yet, the master cannot in good conscience ignore what the imperatives are, nor the explanations of the servant, especially if there is trust between the boss and the servant. Clearly, Nigerians have shown tremendous trust in President Muhammadu Buhari. Indeed, at the recently concluded Aso Rock Retreat on the 2017 Budget last week Thursday, one of the invited economic experts, after making his presentation regarding how best to steer the country out of recession said to the president “it is better to be trusted than to be loved.”

Now, to get the Nigeria of our desire, the ideal, there has to be some urgent imperatives, especially in the economy. No one in all truth can deny the main causes of our present economic condition. It is not about a blame game but it is what it is. Even the immediate past Finance Minister made it abundantly clear that some of the things that had to be done when the economy was buoyant were simply left undone because of lack of political will.

What then is the Buhari presidency doing now? One critical imperative is economic diversification. Diversification in our national lexicon has become an overused and hackneyed word, except that now we are left with no option really. Besides, we have a President who means what he says and is getting results. Even if little, lights of hope are being sighted in the area of agriculture and Agro-Business. For instance, because of the deliberate policies of the Buhari administration, some of the states are advancing in rice production, and the country is targeting self sufficiency by 2018. (This will also reduce foreign exchange pressure.)

Let us take the example from Kebbi State where the CBN Anchor Borrowers programme launched by the President late last year is churning out exciting news. According to media reports, 78,000 farmers got some soft loans under the programme leading to the creation of over 500,000 jobs and the emergence of 40,000 millionaire-farmers this year alone. BusinessDay actually did a front page lead story last week September 15 thus: RICE PRODUCTION GAINS TRACTION IN NORTHERN STATES with one of the riders saying 40,000 millionaire rice farmers emerge in Kebbi State.

This particular example goes to prove what the rice farmers told Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in May during a meeting at the Presidential Villa to discuss the Agric policies of the Buhari presidency. According to Mallam Aminu Goronyo, the President of the Rice Farmers Association, before the coming of the Buhari presidency, “farmers in Nigeria were considered useless people on the streets, but now farmers are kings.” Indeed if we can get 78,000 people on a soft loan programme and 40,000 made a million or more in profits in a few months, certainly within a year, that is significant it’s only a tip of the iceberg.

The Vice President himself had assured the farmers then at the May meeting that the Buhari presidency has a clear idea on how to execute its agricultural policy to achieve self-sufficiency in food production, and diversify the economy in the process. The results are trickling in. These are the facts, all we need is patience. This is only one example.

Facts are sacred, opinions are free, the fact is that already now in Nigeria, there has been a certain turn around that has happened in the affairs of the federal government today when compared with the past. It cannot be denied, nor gainsaid for instance that the affairs of Nigeria is now steered by a fiercely honest leadership.

A decisive message has reverberated across the country that the days of corruption with impunity are over. The mindless bleeding of the nation’s resources is being terminated. These are significant outcomes that Nigerians yearned for and it’s already in the bag.

Laolu Akande is Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity, in the Office of the Vice President

Why Lagos is experiencing influx of investors, tourists daily - Ambode


Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Saturday said the State has witnessed significant influx of investors and visitors in recent times, saying it was largely due to the aggressive upgrade of infrastructure, especially road construction and rehabilitation.

Governor Ambode, who spoke in Somolu Local Government at the climax of the inauguration of 114 roads constructed across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), said each infrastructure provided has further improved the status of Lagos, both locally and internationally.

The Governor who was represented at the commissioning of two of the 114 roads-Okesuna and Anifowoshe roads, in Somolu LG by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mr. Folarin Coker, said from provision of security apparatus, roads, ‘Light Up Lagos’ project and other infrastructure has further improved the confidence of tourists and investors in the State.

According to him, “Construction of 114 roads not only gives access, but further boosts the State’s economy, social welfare, creates employment and provides other benefits within the state.”

In Isolo LCDA, Governor Ambode inaugurated Panada/Lafenwa Road, off Mushin Road, in a ceremony attended by the Oba of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Adelaja, All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Lagos State, Chief Henry Oladele Ajomole, party chieftains.

The Governor, who was represented by the APC South West Women Leader, Mrs. Kemi Nelson, said that the construction of the roads across the 57 Councils has made the Lagos economy the most viable in the country assuring that no effort would be spared to make life more comfortable for residents.

Earlier in her welcome address, Sole Administrator of the Council, Hon. Abimbola Osikoya, thanked the governor for the promise kept in the construction of the road, noting that the road had been unmotorable and would no doubt improve the economical pursuit of the residents of the area, especially because of its proximity to the popular Aswani Market.

At the inauguration of Olorunfunmi Street in Oworonsoki and Okeowo-Somorin Street in Ifako-Gbagada, both in Kosofe LG, the Governor said the selection of 89 local contractors to execute the project was a deliberate strategy to empower the people and stimulate the local economy.

The Governor was represented by a member of the House, Hon. Bayo Oshinowo.

A House of Representatives member, representing Ikeja Constituency, Hon. James Faleke lauded Governor Ambode’s effort at turning around the face of Lagos.

Faleke who spoke at the commissioning of Abiodun Jagun Street and Ishola Bello Street, both in Ojodu LCDA, where he represented the Governor.

“We cannot help but commend the efforts of our astute governor in this state. Governor Ambode has demonstrated that he is a man who thinks outside the box. He has been able to make judicious use of funds even in these very trying times,” Faleke said.

In Ikeja Local Government, Governor Ambode who inaugurated Onilekere Street, where he was represented by Iyaloja- General, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, said Lagosians should expect nothing but a better and safer Lagos in the next three years.

During the commissioning of the road in Olu Akerele Street, also in Ikeja LG, former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji lauded Governor Ambode’s administration for taking the dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

At Apapa LG, Governor Ambode through the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Ade Akinsanya and a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Apapa Constituency 1, Hon Mojisola Lawal, commissioned 648 meters North Avenue Road and 227meters Caulcrick Road.

In his address, Sola Administrator of Apapa Local Government, Mr. Tunde Alao, commended Governor Ambode for the initiative to engage indigenous contractors, describing it as wise economic decision especially in the face of the dwindling rate of Naira against the dollar.

Governor Ambode also inaugurated Jinadu Street and Folawiyo Bankole Street in Itire-Ikate LCDA and was represented by Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi.

Saturday 24 September 2016

PHOTO NEWS : 'Uncommon Transformation' : Akwa Ibom State

As Akwa Ibom state celebrates 29 years of its existence as a state , we bring you images of some developments witnessed by the state in the last 10 years.