12012020 - Northern youths disown critics of Amotekun S/W security outfit

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PAGE 26– SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 12, 2020 ALLEGED ROT IN NDDC: Names of contracts’ beneficiaries must be published, PANDEF insists •Says N-Delta govs may have abdicated role in Commission By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, Niger Delta Deputy National Secretary of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, the umbrella body for monarchs, leaders and stakeholders of the coastal states of Niger Delta, Mr Ken Robinson, speaks on issues in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. Specifically, Robinson asks why governors of the region have not been playing or allowed to play their lawful role in the running of the NDDC. “The NDDC Act provides that there shall a Niger Delta Development Advisory Committee referred to as ‘the Advisory Committee’ which shall consist of the governors of member-states of the Commission, and two other persons as may be determined, from time to time, by the President,” he says in this interview. “The Advisory Committee is charged with the responsibility of advising the Board and monitoring the activities of the Commission, with a view to achieving the objectives of the Commission. But the question is, has this been happening?” Excerpts: WHAT is PANDEF position on the standoff in NDDC, where an Interim Management Committee is in charge and the Board screened and approved by the Senate is technically disbanded and not inaugurated? PANDEF supports the order for a forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission by President Muhammadu Buhari. This position was reached at the end of the Forum’s National Leadership Retreat held at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in October last year. We, however, further requested that the names of all beneficiaries of contracts of the Commission during the period under review should also be made public, so that the people of the Niger Delta and Nigerians as whole would know those who have contributed to the problem of critical infrastructure in the region. We also asked that the probe should be extended to all national and regional interventionist agencies in the country, like PTDF. PANDEF’s backing of the probe of the NDDC was informed by the appalling and rather vexing state of infrastructure in the region, and the Commission’s failure to fast-track the development of the region. The NDDC has been characterized by non-performance, poor management of resources and reckless perversion of its set objectives. The region is littered with abandoned projects; huge amounts of money are said to have been released to people for contracts that were never executed. The forensic audit should, therefore, be holistic; there should be no sacred cows. Anyone found wanting, should be made to bear the consequences of his or her actions or in actions. Has PANDEF any objection to President Buhari’s stance that the Board is going to be reconstituted? PANDEF has no particular interest in who becomes Board Chairman, member or Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, provided decisions are made in line with exact provisions of the law establishing the Commission. Ourshared concerns are the socio-economic issues of poverty, youth unemployment,the dire state of infrastructure and environmental challenges facing the region. And the inefficiencies and improprieties of the interventionist agencies that were established to address the decades of neglect and underdevelopment of the region, which is largely due to government’s indifference to the development of the region. Recall that in 2016, unrelenting attacks by aggrieved youths on Nigeria’s strategic oil and gas installations, the bulk of which are located in the coastal states of the Niger Delta region, snowballed into yet another crisis in the volatile region. At the peak of the crisis, oil production was drastically reduced from about 2.3 barrels per day to mere 800,000 barrels per day (bpd); in view of the economic ramifications of the situation, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari employed various strategies to arrest the situation. None of the strategies – including the option of force through the deployment of troops and militarization Unfortunately, in spite of the gains arising from the subsisting relative peace in the Niger Delta, the Nigerian government has not reciprocated the gesture of the region stored, and it has been sustained. The oil production benchmark for the 2020 National Budget is kept at 2.18million barrels per day. Unfortunately, in spite of the gains arising from the subsisting relative peace in the Niger Delta, the Nigerian government has not reciprocated the gesture of the region by addressing the genuine demands of the Niger Delta people as encapsulated in the 16-Point Demand that was presented by PANDEF to the Federal Government on November 1, 2016. So far, has PANDEF any axe to grind with the Minister of Niger Delta, Obong Akpabio,in his handling of NDDC and Minis- emmaamaize@yahoo.co.uk •Robinson of the region – was effective enough to douse the tension in the Niger Delta. It was at that point that PANDEF, under the able leadership of Chief (Dr.) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, the National Leader of the people of the South-South geo-political zone, stepped into the fray to calm tempers in the region through various engagements with critical stakeholders. The intervention of PANDEF convinced the armed agitators to halt attacks on oil and gas facilities to give room for dialogue. The relative peace that ensued yielded the expected result for the Federal Government as Nigeria’s revenue earning capacity from oil and gas was retry of Niger Delta Affairs? We do not have any axe to grind with the Honourable Minister of Niger DeltaAffairs, former Governor Godswill Akpabio, in his handling of the Ministry and the NDDC, or any other matter, at the moment. And we should not, because having been a governor of one of the states in the region for eight years, we assume the Honourable Minister sufficiently understands the peculiarities and challenges of the region, and thus will act accordingly. As critical stakeholders of the region, PANDEF is committed to working with both elected and appointed public office holders from the region to better the lot of our people. We will have issues with anyone that fails to deliver on the mandate of his or her office to the region, particularly those occupying offices with strategic relevance to the development of the region. It must be appreciated that the peace and development of the region is paramount,and that the Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs has critical role to play in this regard. It was for this reason that increased budgetary funding for the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, and interventionist agencies in the region like the NDDC and the Presidential Amnesty Programme, was one of the issues in the 16- Point Demand PANDEF presented to the Federal Government on November 1,2016. What agenda will PANDEF set for the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and NDDC this New Year? The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs needs to adopt a more coordinated approach in tackling the security and development issues in the Niger Delta; work in synergy with all critical stakeholders in the region, and create opportunities for broad public engagements to engender public confidence. The people of the Niger Delta want to see less of politics and primordial interests, they want to see greater commitment to the delivery of the dividends to democracy, and the commencement of processes to fast-track the socio-economic development and transformation of the region. Both the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the NDDC should give greater attention to the development and empowerment of ordinary Niger Deltans, especially rural women and youths, to check the growing rate of youth delinquency. The indiscriminate award of contracts and wastage at the NDDC should stop. The priority of the NDDC should be on completing existing projects rather than starting new ones. And most importantly, we want to see concrete efforts at addressing the dire state of infrastructure across the region, particularly roads this year. We want to see the commencement of work at the various sections of the East-West Road, and other critical roads in the region. How do you expect the Presidency and Senate to resolve the seeming row over the right leadership for NDDC...Interim Management or Approved Board at the moment? There should have been no squabbles over the right leadership for NDDC, in the first place. It became an issue because of conflicting interests among top officials of government. How else would one describe what unfolded? However, the President’s statement that the Board would be recomposed and inaugurated after the forensic audit seems to have doused tension. The worrisome part in all of this is that it further reveals the patronizing attitude of the government in handling the affairs of the NDDC and other development agencies in the Niger Delta region. However, if this whole brouhaha was about correcting the ills of the past, and repositioning the NDDC for greater service delivery, then good. But if this is another exercise to witch-hunt perceived political opponents and intractable allies, then it would be unfortunate Sincerely speaking, based on the laws guiding NDDC, is there anything wrong with the composition of the Board that the President said will be reconstituted? We are not aware of the reasons for which the President said the Board would be recomposed. But we know there are varied opinions on this subject matter in the region. As PANDEF’s interest is the unity, peace and sustainable development of the region, and the consequential improvement of the socio-economic livelihood of the people of the region, we remain committed to fostering these ideals and, conscious of the very unique challenges of the region, we are detached on issues like this. However, the NDDC Act states that the office of the Chairman shall rotate amongst member-states of the Commission in alphabetical order starting from A to Z. Accordingly, the NDDC Board chairmanship position has been held by Abia State, Akwa Ibom State,Bayelsa State,and Cross-River State, in that order since its establishment. The states yet to occupy that office are Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers. But another section of the Act provides that the appointment of the Managing Director, and the two Executive Directors of the Commission, who shall be indigenes of oil producing areas shall start with the member-states of the Commission with the highest production quantum of oil and shall rotate amongst memberstates in the order of production. The President, therefore, needs to be properly guided and ensure strict compliance with the NDDC Act in resolving the matters relating to the Commission, in the best interest of the region. While we implore for understanding and mutual respect from the people of the region; it is instructive that we remain mindful of issues that would divide us, and not create situations that would be detrimental to the peace and progress of the region. What is wrong or right with the current structure? It is true that the NDDC Act does not provide for an Interim Management Committee,but this is not the first Interim Management of the Commission. The President has said the Board would be recomposed, and that the Dr. Joi Nunieh led Interim Management Committee would be in place until the forensic audit is completed. We would, therefore ,further appeal to the various interests within and outside the region on this matter to give peace a chance, and allow the forensic audit to take place in a conducive atmosphere. We cannot continue to dwell on the argument of what is wrong or right. It is people of the region that bear the brunt of these political disagreements.
Why Nigerians are talking about 2023 now Many politicians and analysts may have been shocked over last week’s comment by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Lagos State governor, that it was premature to be talking about 2023 at this point of Nigeria’s political development. Asked about his opinion on who should succeed President Buhari in 2023, the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress said “that time is not now; we have just finished one election and Mr. President is busy sorting out the budget, working for the people of this country…Of course, restlessness of politics is going to be there, but any lover of this country will not talk about the succession plan yet.” Whereas Tinubu’s reasoning that talking about politics now could be at the expense of governance is persuasive, the political ambition of the man himself in the elections of 2023 has been a subject of public discourse in the country in the last 5 years. How can the same person be seen to be condemning the trend? Is he merely playing politics? PhD,Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos 08116759758 Acknowledgements and gratitude (2) Still, we must keep hope alive and begin to lift ourselves by our own bootstraps since politicians do not really care about us, a reflection of their extremely low mental magnitude. It is sad that elections in Nigeria have mutated into the caricature of recycling some of the worst citizens in positions of power. But since nothing under the sun lasts forever, the possibility of positive change remains. But wishful thinking and prayers will not bring the kind of change Nigerians are yearning for. It can only be brought about by a moral and attitudinal revolution led by a few dedicated people who are willing to be the vanguard of the oppressed and downtrodden. Who knows - 2020 may herald the dawn of a new era in Nigeria’s economic and socio-political evolution. On a more personal level, my private and professional life was relatively stable in 2019 except for few challenges which made me to appreciate better the precariousness of human existence. I had a successful surgery to remove a small ulcerated lesion on my face. But generally speaking, my health condition was good notwithstanding the occasional malaria caused by mosquito. Of course, the inclement financial situation particularly for those of us receiving salaries was a Some people are likely to answer the question in the affirmative because Tinubu’s plan to contest the Presidency in 2023 is an open secret. Only, last month, Abdullahi Umar Farouk, a senior legislative aide to Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives was quoted to have said that Tinubu would succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 in recognition of his contribution to the development of the country’s democracy. Farouk, a threetime member of the House of Representatives from Kebbi State, stated this at the inauguration of the national executive committee of the Tinubu Media Team, TMT2023. So, do the restless politicians Tinubu says are distracting President Buhari include his own supporters? Evidence that not many believed in Tinubu’s admonition is immediately supplied by the stance of the General Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare who had earlier revealed that it was his own turn to become President after Buhari. Bakare source of concern for me. It is depressing to note that in terms of real value my emoluments as a full Professor is somewhat less than what I was paid a decade ago as a Senior Lecturer. In fact, a senior journalist who visited me late last year was shocked when he saw my salary. He told me that senior journalists earned much more than that, but Nigerians do not know that lecturers are among the most underpaid people in the country today. Now, without the help of others I would not have achieved anything last year. Human beings are fundamentally social beings, a fact confirmed by our greatest invention, language. We need each other to be fully human. Indeed, at the very beginning of our lives conception requires something from a woman and a man, which implies that at least two people are needed before a human being can be formed. Our inexorable social nature entails that we depend on another to thrive and achieve our ambitions, and dreams. This means that we cannot develop our potentialities without the assistance of others. Therefore, we be humble and grateful to the individuals who assisted us in the journey of life. It cannot be overemphasised that thankfulness is at the very core of respect for others. Just as gratitude was not just making a prediction, he also backed up his point that it was important for Buhari to influence his successor in 2023 so that his legacies would remain intact. According to Bakare, “God is into succession; anyone in government that does not concern himself about succession is destroying his own legacy because the person coming after you can just mess up everything… Let us ask God for grace of accurate succession; that Buhari will not hand over the baton of government and governance to thieves and perverts, to corrupt and power-drunk individuals, but those who are true patriots, who will serve like our founding fathers served.” The pastor sounded quite genuine in imploring the President to institutionalize a system of succession in the country and join the league of strong world leaders like the late Deng Xiaoping of China; Nelson Mandela of South Africa; and Goh Chok Tong of Singapore, but the Presidency has since distanced President Buhari from getting involved in determining his successor. This was clarified by Femi Adesina, a presidential spokesman, that whereas Buhari might be interested in who succeeds him, he will not manipulate the process. It can therefore be argued that is a sign of intellectual and emotional maturity, ingratitude is, in an important sense the negation of what makes us civilised human beings. Ingratitude is inimical to genuine friendship; it blocks the flow of kindness by discouraging the desire to lend a helping hand when the occasion demands. Consequently, there is no end to the expression of gratitude for acts of kindness and support. Unfortunately, even among family members and friends, there is a tendency to take kindness for granted. This natural but irrational attitude stems from thinking that, since he is my wife, husband, father, mother or friend as the case may be, such act of kindness is “not really a big deal” because it is what is naturally expected of him or her. In my opinion, taking kindness for granted is wrong. So, if someone does something for you irrespective of how close the relationship you share with the person might be, it is always right to thank that person. By so doing, you are letting the person know that you value what she or he did and that you are not taking it for granted. The world would be a more humane place if everyone lives by this simple principle. As is the tradition in this column for some years now, I wish to thank those who contributed positively to my life in the preceding year. I begin from the place where I earn my legitimate “stomach infrastructure”, namely, the University of Lagos, Akoka, an institution I have grown to cherish since my undergraduate years in the mid-1980s. I am grateful to the amiable hardworking Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe. Prof. Ogundipe has always been nice to me and I appreciate it. I wish Indeed, there is already a group known as the Pathfinder Consortium working for a presidential aspirant in the 2023 elections. One Shodipe-Dosunmu, the Director-General of the Consortium says the group was formed to seek support for and campaign for the candidacy of a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George. A major newspaper in the country has also claimed to have been told by Chief George himself of his plan not only in the race but also against the All Progressives Congress chieftain, Asiwa- SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 12, 2020, PAGE 27 admonition, ju Bola Tinubu, at the presidential poll in 2023. What against the admonition of bassadors of Nigeria (TAN) this seems to suggest is that the then President began as some people already lining far back as 2012 to mobilize for him to contest the up against Tinubu are doing so because they disbelieve the sincerity of his call political rallies all over the 2015 elections. They held for restraint and caution nation collecting signatories of those who were al- over 2023. One analyst imagines that many crises legedly pleading with currently going in the country concern 2023 and that in an election that was 3 Jonathan to show interest those involved are linked to years away. The Buhari the same APC leader. The support groups have not act crises rocking the APC differently in the last 5 chapters in Edo and Osun years. Interestingly, both states are among areas that Presidents Buhari and have been so mentioned. Jonathan pleaded with the The argument is that the enthusiasts in vain to allow caution against distracting them govern. Even the President Buhari does not strong argument that the appear to have been extended to Governors ing less than 90 days before law disallows electioneer- Obaseki and Oyetola who voting was patently ignored. If so, how can Tinu- are currently being distracted by APC factions. bu succeed in stopping his numerous admirers from also jumping the gun? Tinubu’s Bakare’s recommendations and the presidency’s response have clearly established that discussing the 2023 elections and In fairness to the political stalwarts, an appeal to them to adhere to either the electoral law or political decency cannot persuade them as politics is the only thriving industry in Nigeria today matters pertaining to them has since kick-started and no one can stop Nigerians from the political culture of politics, politics and politics without governance. Ingratitude is inimical to genuine friendship; it blocks the flow of kindness by discouraging the desire to lend a helping hand when the occasion demands him resounding success in his efforts to make our university among the best worldwide. I thank Prof. Ben Oghojafor and Prof. Oluwole Familoni, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services) Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Academics & Research) and Prof. L.O. Chukwu (Director, Academic Planning) respectively for their assistance and friendly disposition towards me. Prof. Andrew Ugboru, a plastic surgeon at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, is hereby acknowledged for the surgical expertise he displayed in my treatment at the Medical Centre. Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof. E.O. Adeboye; Profs. Muyiwa Falaiye (Director, Institute of African and Diaspora Studies); Iyoola Oni, Obasoro-John, and particularly Dean of Student Affairs, Ademola Adeleke, were really gracious to me and I thank them. My sincere gratitude goes to Simon, Dee Tony, Prof. Dave Aworawo, Drs. Henry Ogunjewo, Isaac Nwogwugwu, Seyi Kenny, and Obi Iwuagwu; Profs. C.C. Anunobi, N. Nwokoma, Chimdi Maduagwu (Co-Director, Confucius Institute, In Osun, loyalists to Minister Rauf Aregbesola, a Tinubu man are at loggerheads with Governor Gboyega Oyetola while in Edo, loyalists to Adams Oshiomhole another Tinubu ally are not allowing Governor Obaseki to have a breathing space. The bone of contention in both cases as we hear, has to do with alignments for the 2023 elections. In the circumstance, telling anyone that it is premature to talk about 2023 will not fly. In truth, party loyalists in the country have never listened to the voice of reason concerning the need to let the nation develop. Rather they are forever scheming for personal gains at the expense of national development. This they have always done even in breach of electoral rules and guidelines. During the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, a group known as the Transformation Am- University of Lagos), Uche Udeani, (Director, Distance Learning Institute), Adeyemi Daramola, Oko Okoro, Hope Eghagha, Iwu Ikwubuzo, and Victor Ariole. I deeply appreciate staff of the Philosophy Department (both teaching and non-teaching), especially members of the Accreditation Committee led by Dr. C.T. Osegenwune, for their wonderful work during the exacting accreditation exercise last November. The visiting accreditation panel led by Prof. Jerome Okonkwo handled the exercise very professionally: as the Chief Servant of the Department I thank them from the bottom of my heart. Other good friends who made last year a relatively pleasant experience include, but not limited to, the following: Jello, Chief Raphael Obidubah, Nduka Iheanacho, Emeka Udeani, Stevoo, John Jogging, Bede Egbufor, Bishop Njoku, Jake Epelle, the entire staff and Board of Trustees of The Albino Foundation, Bunmi, Otumba & Mrs. Meshioye, Hajiyah Ajoke, Hajiyah Mariam, Kalu Onuma, and Dr. Robert Obioha. My coresidents in Block C, Highrise – thank you very much for your good neighbourliness. I sincerely appreciate the assistance I received from my doctoral students - Waheed, Kelechi, and Sufiyanu. Lugard, Matthew, Ben, Debo, Lekan, Wasiu, Eko-For-Show, and James were good to me and I thank them. My elder sister, Ihuoma, who has just been appointed a Judge, and her husband, Dee Sam, are hereby wholeheartedly acknowledged for being there for me. Congratulations big sister for your well deserved elevation to the elite rank of the bench. I wish our parents were alive to witness our elevation to Professor and Judge. Now, it is with regret mingled with sadness that I In fairness to the political stalwarts, an appeal to them to adhere to either the electoral law or political decency cannot persuade them as politics is the only thriving industry in Nigeria today. For some time now, a fact of life in this country is undoubtedly that one can only get favours of any type through political patronage. For admissions into schools, employment into government offices that are done secretly and even promotions in Ministries, Parastatals and Departments are all premised, these days, on partisanship. In addition, it is only politicians who get regular illegal pensions, bogus gratuities and humongous severance allowances. Why for goodness sake, would politicians and their private armies not start from now to talk about 2030 and beyond? remember the death of my immediate elder sister, Miss Felicia Ngozi Anele, who died late December 2017. She was a good woman, but unfortunately she allowed undesirable elements, including wolves in sheep’s clothing called “men of God” to mess up her life. From her death I learnt that it is not just enough to be a good person; one needs to be mentally vigilant and alert at all times also. Uncle Sam Amuka (Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers); Eze Anaba (Editor, Vanguard); Adekunle (Deputy Editor); Wale Akinola (Editor, Sunday Vanguard) and all the staff of Vanguard Media Limited - I wish you all the best. My dearest wife, Ijeoma, and my two sweet daughters, Nwanyioma and Nwadiuto; words cannot capture fully what you mean to me. Ij baby, evidently I am not a perfect husband. But there is no perfect husband (or wife) anywhere for that matter. About twenty-one years of living together is not a joke, because it shows commitment and resilience. Because three of you are in my life, I have good reason to be happy and thankful. To my readers, particularly those that criticise my views with sound reasoning and relevant facts, I am grateful for you are part of the reason I write every Sunday. To those who insult me for criticising President Muhammadu Buhari, I can only say that you are still at the intellectual level of Homo Neanderthalis and, as such, cannot grasp the underlying rationale behind my attitude to this lousy caricature of a democratic government. Anyway, you are wasting time because your ad hominem criticisms cannot stop me from speaking out clearly against mediocrity and incompetence. I wish every person of goodwill, peace, profound excellent health, contentment, and lasting happiness. Concluded.
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12012020 - Northern youths disown critics of Amotekun S/W security outfit

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