All Posts in "Day: January 17, 2022"

Tinubu’s Trajectory To The Throne (Part 1)

Tinubu's trajectory to the throne (Part 1) - The Nation Newspaper
By Dr John Ekundayo
“When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go . . .” – Barack Obama
Can a kingmaker, in a twist and turn, become a king?
Seemingly, the first personality that made the tag: “kingmaker” popular was Richard Neville, the 16th Earl of Warwick. Hence, kingmaker first found its way into the lexicon in 1599, but was rather popular in the 19th century as a proper diction with global acceptance and recognition. According to a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) 2010 report, it has been subsequently used by politicians who help others attain power. Traditionally, the original kingmakers wanted to be king but were restrained legally, culturally and politically. Historically, Sonia Gandhi, a political kingmaker, was expected to become Indian Prime Minister in 2014 after her party won the election, but rather declined to mount the saddle.
Mr. Lee Jay-oh, a conservative South Korean politician who was nicknamed a kingmaker. According to him: “I helped him (Lee Myung-bak) become president, but I’ve never wielded undue power.” This is according to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report. He was widely reported as a close associate and confidant of the then South Korean President, Lee Myung-bak. In the process of time, Lee Jay-oh ended up throwing up his hat into the ring as a presidential aspirant of the ruling party in his country as there was no seeming cultural or constitutional constraint convincing him otherwise. Lee Jay-oh was so much concerned that South Korea was drifting and needed electoral reforms that would jettison the one term five-year rule for a two-term four-year rule. He had his own strong reasons. However, when the chips were down, he was a gallant loser!
In another political scenario, in another Asian country, there was a man, who was determined, against all odds, to make a remarkable difference. Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, a physician, politician, author and statesman, eventually, after a series of political twists and turns, became Malaysia’s 4th Prime Minister holding office from July 1981 to October 2003. As at the time of being in the saddle in the South East Asia country, he was in the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). Doctor M, as he was being referred to by his many admirers and adherents, was the father of modern Malaysia and was in strong competition (in terms of initiating policies and programmes to better the lots of Malaysians) with Lee Kuan Yew (LKY), former Prime Minister and later Minister Mentor of neighbouring, Singapore. His administration ushered in unprecedented and unique socio-economic and political development of Malaysia that could nor be gainsaid or jettisoned even by bitter critics of his style.
Dr M, bowed out gracefully, after winning five consecutive general elections, with an emotion laden speech that enacted tears from the eyes of party stalwarts and stakeholders. However, he turned into a kingmaker! He literally hand-picked his successor, Abdullahi Ahmad Badawi, who later got the boot as a fallout of strident criticism and opprobrium of Doctor M. Badawi, described as a “good man” by this columnist PhD’s supervisor, a Malaysian, was not a good leader as perceived by many political seers and analysts. Doctor M would not open his eyes for Badawi to run the country, he laboured so much to build, aground, Najib Razak took over the baton from Badawi in quick succession.
However, corruption marked and marred the tenure of Najib, the 6th Prime Minister of Malaysia. The opposition gathered together akin to what took place in the formation of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in Nigeria in 2013 (albeit in different political context), and in a jiffy, called on Dr. M to come lead them with certain caveat which he obliged to as he wanted eagerly to rescue his beloved country out of apparent economic and political rot. In essence, a king that turned, in a political twist and turn, to a kingmaker, was now being toasted and tossed to be a king upon the same political throne!
 Yes, Dr. Mahathir, the 4th and 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia, broke records in a seemingly uncommon and unique political lexicon – a king, a kingmaker and then, a king! Thus, in the most often quoted saying of Barack Obama: “There is nothing impossible to they who will try . . .”
Tinubu: Any Sin In Having A Dream?
Literally, any man or woman can have a dream. However, dreams should be shared only at the appropriate time. Biblically, Joseph ran into a troublesome time when, basking in the unique encomiums poured upon him by his father, who preferentially made him a coat of many colours, as a mark of distinction and dignity. Thereafter, he elatedly and enthusiastically expressed his dreams of reigning and ruling over his household despite being almost the youngest – he was senior only to Benjamin in the hierarchy, by age! He nearly lost his life; nevertheless, his dreams came to pass beyond all wildest imagination as he ruled over not just his nation but presided over the most economically and politically powerful nation of the world of his time – Egypt. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accountant, politician, senator and former Governor of Lagos State, is a political juggernaut, apparently a “man of timber and caterpillar” (apology to the late Dr. Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe of blessed memory). Asiwaju Tinubu who is arguably enigmatic and apparently controversial to some critics, was recently in the news. He was in Aso Rock, the seat of power, to jaw jaw with President Muhammadu Buhari and more importantly intimating him with his “categorial” (in his own diction) intention to contest in the presidential election of 2023. The die is cast!
In a widely published and publicised press briefing, Jagaban, as Tinubu is widely referred to by his adherents and admirers, declared that the ambition of becoming Nigeria’s president has been his lifelong dream. This columnist has written in times past of the need to tickle Tinubu into the ring of presidential aspirants.
 It is not just Tinubu, this columnist has declared over major media platforms (TVC New Breakfast, Channels TV Sunrise, and Arise Morning Show), as many people, who possess the political personality, profile, pedigree and profundity should throw their hats into the ring! The more, the merrier!! Enough of “accidental presidents and governors” all over Nigeria’s political landscape!!! How? For instance, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, after being released from prison in 1998 had the leadership of the country thrusted on him without his demanding or desiring it! Hence, Nigerians should not blame him; he did not prepare for the onerous duty of a democratic leader. He was a military leader. He did his best, though, like one of my mentors would say; his best was not enough! Obasanjo, to his credit, gave us some enduring institutions.
 Moreover, Dr Jonathan Ebele Goodluck also was another “accidental president” thrusted on Nigerians due to the ill health and eventual demise of Alhaj Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who succeeded Obasanjo. Neither of the duo had a vision of becoming president. This must not be allowed to happen in our polity whether at local government or state or federal level again! Enough of “unwilling and/or accidental” governors or presidents!! It is gladdening to read the swelling list of aspirants from the APC and PDP knowing with electioneering antecedents in Nigeria, that either of the candidates from the two most popular parties will emerge as the president aftermath of the election in 2023. It is the desire and demand of this columnist, as a followership scholar and leadership development consultant, to see more people come into the ring to battle for the tickets of both the APC and PDP.
Followers: What Is Expected Of You?
Any aspirant could have a dream; you cannot stop a person from dreaming but followers in Nigeria should be interested in the trajectory of such personalities to the throne. Followers: it is high time we collectively and collaboratively, in a coordinated fashion, jettisoned venison from politicians. All sorts of “dainty meats and fresh mints” should be discountenanced. The followers, potential and registered voters, should rather engage the aspirants to see what they carry on their inside!  A man or woman that could not run his company or business sustainably, has no business in vouching to become the president of Nigeria!
Moreover, there should be more interface with all aspirants: anyone among aspirants shunning debates, dialogues and discourses about salient issues of state should be discarded as the polls. Simple and straightforward! Potential followers should go forward to acquire their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and registered voters should endeavour to update their PVC’s status.
 In addition, the professional bodies (Nigeria Bar Association, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Medical Association, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Institute of Directors, etc.) and labour unions (Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress) should encourage, enlighten, educate and embolden their members to peacefully and proactively participate in the forthcoming elections with Ekiti and Osun States gubernatorial elections taking place this 2022.
Conclusion
In this series: Tinubu’s trajectory to the throne, this columnist, with the space allotted, will delve into his pedigree and profile in subsequent editions juxtaposing it with issues of state demanding urgent answers. Meanwhile, to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Pius Anyim Pius, Governor Dave Umahi, and hosts of other who had declared and are preparing to declare their intention to run, my counsel will be that offered by the 44th President of the United States of America (USA), Barack Obama: “Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.”
John Ekundayo, Ph.D. – Harvard-Certified Organizational Strategist, and also a Leadership Development Consultant, can be reached via 08155262360 (SMS only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com
Online Editor by — January 17, 2022 in Opinion 0
Gov. Abiodun  Has Transformed  Ogun State-Dangote,Emiefele

Abiodun: Ogun will assume oil producing status soon - News Across Nigeria
President of Dangote Industries, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele have said that the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has turned the state to an investment friendly zone.
They spoke during the commissioning of the 42-kilometer Sagamu Interchange–Abeokuta dual carriageway by the President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Dangote said: “Prince Dapo Abiodun is coming with a lot of private sector experience and we as industrialists in the state don’t even have to tell him what we need; he is one of us”
He said Abiodun fixed the abandoned road linking Ogun State from Epe side of Lagos. “That road has been abandoned for many years. You can see how he quickly moved into action to fix that road.”
He also described the governor’s emergence as a breath of fresh air for so many investors currently investing in the state.
“I think having Prince Dapo Abiodun there as the Governor is attracting a lot of investors to the state. Any serious investor doesn’t have to think about it. They should just move there and invest,” says the CEO.
Emefiele recalled that upon assumption of office, Abiodun approached CBN with his development blueprint for his state.
He said:“I must say he has done an excellent job, beginning with the very impressive IGR growth that stands out from most across the country.
“This is primarily because he has been able to attract more investors to establish in Ogun State. I would like to congratulate him and his people and I think what this does is it gives more and more people in the private sector the tonic to want to come into governance”
Online Editor by — January 17, 2022 in News 0
How Petroleum Act Will Strengthen Nigerian Economy-Kyari

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Mallam Mele Kyari,has said that the new  Petroleum Industry Act will provide business opportunities that will enable the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) earn more revenue for the country.
Kyari,who disclosed this while addressing staff of the organisation in a townhall meeting held at the NNPC Towers, at the weekend, also highlighting the significance of the PIA to the NNPC and  the Nigerian economy.
He  said the new legislation has raised shareholders’ expectations on the company, even as it has given it a wide room to make progress.
He added that  the PIA had put “all money-making options on the table; it is up to us to take advantage of it”.
He said  due ti the new legislation, NNPC Ltd would not only shed some of its toxic liabilities but will be the largest and most capitalised company in the whole of Africa and, potentially, the most profitable on the entire continent.
He implored employees of the organisation to ensure the company becomes a commercially viable entity and a multi-billion-dollar company that will continuously deliver value to its shareholders.
Online Editor by — January 17, 2022 in Oil&Gas 0
NDLEA Spends N200m  Security Vote Without Budgetary Allocation -Senate

The  Senate is investigating  how  the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) spent N200 million on  security votes without budgetary provision.
The lawmakers relied on the 2016 report of Auditor General of the Federation to probe the NDLEA, the Senate Committee on Public Account Chaired by Senator Matthew Urhoghide, noted that there was no appropriation for security vote  by the National Assembly.
But the agency defended its action in a written submission.
It said: “Tere was no enough allocation for security vote and being Agency that carry out  most of its activities on information and intelligence, the management has no option than to make provison from its recurrent allocation for security and information from sub-head.”
According to the agency,”A sum  of  N169,336,264.36  (One  hundred  and  sixty-nine  million,  three  hundred and  thirty-six  thousand,  two  hundred  and  sixty-four  naira,  thirty-six  kobo)  was  spent  on Security  Votes  in  2015.  Further  examination  of  the  agency’s  Budget  for  that  year, revealed that there was no appropriation for Security Vote  by the National Assembly. The  Chairman/Chief  Executive  should  produce  the  authority  for  this  expenditure or recover  the sum  of  N169,336,264.36  and  forward  relevant  details for verification.”
 The agency,in another query,spent N135 million on security vote against N103 million budgeted which resulted into N32 million excess.
It  reads: “The  sum  of  N135,301,756.93  (One  hundred  and  thirty-five  million,  three  hundred and  one  thousand,  seven  hundred  and  fifty-six  naira,  ninety-three  kobo)  was  spent  by the  Agency  as  against  the  sum  of  N103,216,923.00  (One  hundred  and  three  million,  two hundred  and  sixteen  thousand,  nine  hundred  and  twenty-three  naira)  appropriated.
“This  resulted  in  excess  expenditure  of  N32,084,833.93  (Thirty-two  million,  eighty-four thousand,  eight  hundred  and  thirty-three  naira,  ninety-three  kobo)  on  Security  Vote  for the  year  2016,  contrary  to  the  provision  of  Financial  Regulation  313  which  states  that ‘no  expenditure  on  any  subhead  of  the  Recurrent  Estimates  in  excess  of  the  provision in  the  Approved  estimates  or  Supplementary  Estimates  may  be  authorised  by  any officer  controlling  a  vote  without  approval  of  the  National  Assembly.’
“Financial Regulation 419  also  states  that  ‘officers  controlling  votes  are  solely  liable  for unauthorised expenditure  in  excess of  the sum  allocated.’
“The  Chairman/Chief  Executive  should  justify  the  excess  expenditure  of N32,084,833.93.”
Also in its written response, the agency said: “There was no excess spending of security votes as claimed by the Auditors. In 2016 year of assessment, the sum of N103 million was spent that year leaving untilized balance of N785,189.57.”
Online Editor by — January 17, 2022 in News 0
 NITDA Empowers 60 Rural Women In Jigawa

NITDA Trains, Empowers 60 Rural Women On ICT In Jigawa – Independent Newspaper Nigeria
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
has trained and empowered 60 rural women on Information and Communication Technology in Jigawa State.
Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi,  who disclosed this at the weekend,explained that the gesture was part of efforts to bridge the digital gap in the country through the implementation of the national digital economy policy and strategy.
He maintained that the acquisition of digital skills across different walks of life would play critical role  in  achieving the goal of 95% digital literacy level in the country by 2030.
NITDA, in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, convened a four-day capacity building of women on ICT Techprenuership in Dutse, Jigawa State capital,where 60 brand new HP laptops were presented to all participants who were drawn from various local government areas across the state.
The Governor of Jigawa State, Badaru Abubakar,who was represented by the Special Assistant on Economic Empowerment, Mallam Muhammed Sheikh Mujaddadi commended NITDA’s commitment to innovation-driven enterprises for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to thrive.
He advised participants to make good use of the tools received from NITDA by ensuring that they are self-reliant in the digital world.
In his remarks, The NITDA boss, who was represented by the Supervisory Department’s Desk Officer, Folayan Micheal Oluwasegun, admonished all participants to apply the knowledge gained in their various fields.
“The aim of the training is to equip the women on how to utilise modern ICT tools in doing their online businesses,” the Director General said.
Online Editor by — January 17, 2022 in IT&Telecoms 0
How CBN,  Farmers’ Partnership  Boost Nigeria’s    Food Production

2,000 farmers to benefit from Osun/AFEX/CBN cocoa production partnership - Vanguard News
The Advocates of Social Justice for All (ASJA) has  lauded the strategic partnership between the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria under the Anchor Borrowers Programme of the Federal Government.
It said the partnership has increased rice and other cereals production in the country,according to a statement  by Felix Adadu, its Executive Director.
He  expressed confidence in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and the laudable initiatives of the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, which,he said, has helped to strengthen the economy and the well-being of ordinary citizens of the country.
He added that:”The strategic partnership between the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria under the Anchor Borrowers Programme of the federal government is ingenious and potentials to increase rice and other cereals in the country” .
According to him,the intervention of the CBN is gradually returning Nigeria to the era of the rice pyramid, creating jobs and stimulating the economy.
He said the provision and sale of rice paddy at subsidized rates to farmers across the country is another indication that the CBN has positioned itself as a contributor to sustainable growth and development in the country.
He emphasized the need for stakeholders in the agricultural sector to see the Central Bank of Nigeria as a worthy partner in the government’s efforts towards harnessing its agricultural potentials towards food security and sufficiency.
Online Editor by — January 17, 2022 in Agriculture 0
NPDC Gives Scholarships To Sixty Communities In Edo,Delta

60 Edo, Delta communities benefit from NPDC scholarship scheme
About  sixty  communities across Edo and Delta states have benefited from the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company Limited (NPDC) annual scholarship scheme organised for its host communities.
Mr Dahiru Abubakar, Manager, Community Relations Department, NPDC, made this known at the weekend during the conduct of the year 2020/2021 scholarship examination organised  by NPDC in Warri, Delta.
Abubakar,who was represented by the team Lead of the Warri Examination Center,  Mr Noble Imabibo, said the scheme was part of NPDC corporate social responsibility to its host communities.
He disclosed  that the scholarship examination was being conducted simultaneously at three centres in Warri, Delta State, Egbema in Imo State and Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He added:”The Warri center has about 170 candidates selected from 60 communities across Edo and Delta,  22 in Egbema and 145 in Port Harcourt centres.In total, we have 337 candidates from the different host communities sitting for the examination out of which successful candidates would be awarded the scholarships.
” Over 10,000 students have so far been awarded the scholarships since the programme started in the year 2000.The NPDC scholarship scheme has helped  to reduce youth restiveness in the communities and has helped in human capital development in the communities hosting its operations”
He  disclosed that plans were under way to create an online platform for the students to take the exams particularly now that the COVID-19 pandemic had made it almost impossible for people to interact physically.
Online Editor by — January 17, 2022 in Education 0
Lagos Plans Rehabilitation Of  600 Roads  In 2022

Lagos govt rehabilitated 524 roads in 2021, to fix 600 in 2022 - 9ja Breed
The Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC),says it will rehabilitate additional 600 roads in the state before the end of 2022.
 It  fixed 524 roads last year,according to
the spokesman of the corporation, Mr Samuel Ayetutu ,who also disclosed that over 1,000 roads were rehabilitated  between June 2019 and December 2021.
He said:“LSPWC has worked on about 1,000 roads, that is between June 2019 to December 2021, and this varied from total road construction to strategic and major rehabilitation.
“It also includes routine maintenance, some were internal roads within public facilities, some were estate roads. And some of the work were palliative work which were carried out to provide temporary relief, especially during the rainy season when there was no clement weather for full-blown operations.
“LSPWC usually spread its operations across all the 20 local governments areas, so we have every part of the state benefiting from all of these number of roads that have been mentioned which came to about 1,000.
“And if we break it down further to the year 2021 only, from January to December, about 524 roads were worked on following the same pattern of various levels of interventions,” he said.
According to him,six roads were fully constructed from start to finish while 111 strategic roads were fixed in 2021.
He  added that strategic roads were important long stretches linking communities, adjoining major roads and used to disperse traffic from major carriageways, constructed almost from scratch to finish.
“Our target for 2022 is to surpass the number of roads that were done in 2021, so we are looking at 600 roads in the minimum to be worked on.It will still follow the same pattern of sectional rehabilitation, full rehabilitation, strategic roads, internal roads, estate roads and others,” he said.
He stated that  the corporation was able to deal with the challenges of wet season repairs by using cold asphalt and interlocking paving stones.
He said the LSPWC has three asphalt plants in Ojodu, Imota and Badagry with a collective production capacity of 570 tonnes per hour, with 95 percent capacity, making a response to road repairs swift.
He, however, appealed to residents of Lagos state to take ownership of projects and protect the roads from all forms of abuses, warning that drain stuffing compounds and flooding caused quick road degeneration across the state.
“It is more profitable for all of us to treat the roads well,” he said.
He added that the corporation was collaborating with other relevant agencies of the state government to step up advocacy toward educating residents on the dangers of road abuses to ensure a change in attitude.
Online Editor by — January 17, 2022 in News 0