26012020 - How bad an example was set in Zamfara

More documents

Recommendations

Info

PAGE 16 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 26, 2020 ADETUTU AUDU 08023849036, 08112662587 •Francis Atuche Funke Akindele’s ex-husband’s latest move Francis Atuche finds a new thing Francis Atuche, the former Managing Director of the defunct BankPHB, has found a new thing outside the banking industry. The retail store, Hubmart, which he recently established, has become a Mecca for shoppers in Lagos. The mall boasts of exquisite range of products, including renowned local and international brands, and it is built in choice locations deliberately to offer customers world-class shopping experience. Not only this, Atuche, who is the Senior Adviser, Homeland Real Estate Company, is also a big player in the real estate industry. In 2009, BankPHB, led by the Delta State born ex-bank chief, was declared distressed and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested him. Subsequently, he was detained at the Ikoyi office of the Commission and arraigned alongside his wife, Elizabeth, and Ugo Anyanwu, a former chief financial officer of the bank. The EFCC also sealed off several houses traced to him. The trial lasted about ten years. Ifeanyi Aderafasin a proud mom Ifeanyi, the wife of Senior Pastor, House on the Rock,Paul Adefarasin, is a proud mom. Her son, Alvin, made her proud as he bagged a master’s degree in international business with merits. The elated mother couldn’t hide her joy and she shared it on her social media page. According to her, “it is good to watch your children grow and to reap the harvest of your years of labour and sacrifice. Thankful to God for watching and keeping Alvin and causing his ways to be prosperous”. Property merchant, Kehinde Oloyede, of the Kendoo Investment, fame has launched himself back to political reckoning. The son of one-time Iyaloja of Oshodi and ex-hubby of Nollywood screen goddess, Funke Akindele, is eyeing the number one seat in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State. Before this latest political move, he has aspired twice to become a House of Representatives member in the same zone. Oloyede may clinch his party’s ticket as sources said he is hobnobbing with the powers-that-be in the area. •Kehinde Oloyede Seyi Tinubu expectant This is definitely one of the best home front. moments for the CEO & President of The father of one is expecting his second Loatsad Promomedia, Seyi Tinubu. child. Apart from garnering accolades for his The tiny-tot, sources squealed, is billed job, the son of a former governor of Lagos to arrive in the middle of the year. State and National Leader of the ruling Seyi married Layal Holm in Italy in party at the federal level, APC, Asiwaju 2016. The couple already have a threeyear old daughter, Bola Tinubu, is not lagging behind in the Noella. •Seyi Tinubu
Two tributes in one – Ajibola and Attah “Lives of great men remind us that we can make our lives sublime. And departing, leave behind us; footprints on the sands of time” - HW Longfellow, 1807-1882, VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS. For me, this is already a happy year. Most newspapers now have annual awards for various individuals for different reasons. I have been opposed to the idea when it first started. To some extent, I am still very much in doubt regarding whether we are doing the right thing. Mainly, I object because the criteria, just like those of the National Awards, are not often clear. Individuals with absolutely atrocious or questionable records of achievement have been honoured. Governors are the most notorious in this regard. Some of the exgovernors who made the list in the past are now in jail for embezzling public funds. Easily debunked ‘Unusual Transformation’ in a particular state has not stopped a propagandist from receiving encomiums as a great achiever. Certainly, annual awards have been abused and the history of Nigeria distorted. We have given honour to several who are not due. “Heroism is a special quality reserved only for a few” - Ken Jones, VAN- GUARD BOOK OF QUO- TATIONS, VBQ, P 90. Heroes are always very few in any country. Politicians come ten naira a dozen – and most are bloody nuisances. Great wars are fought infrequently now. So, conquerors seldom emerge as often as they once did. The heroes of the 20th century and the new millennium – Ghandi, Dr Martin Luther King Jr, Mandela and our own trio of Ahmadu Bello, Awolowo and Azikiwe (in alphabetical order) - were not warriors. Ahmadu Bello, Awolowo and Azikiwe are not celebrated today for their political acumen – because the First Republic disintegrated on account of their mismanagement of events. Millions of Nigerians lost their lives. Judged strictly on the outcome of their politics, our fathers would be regarded as failures. But, they got us independence. That made them heroes. It is now up to us what we do with the Republic. James Madison, 1751- 1836, one of the fathers of the US, was asked after the Constitution of America was completed, “Sir, what have your wise men recommended for us?” His answer was “a republic if you can keep it.” We did not keep the First and Second Republics in Nigeria. We are on the Third and in mortal danger of losing that one also. We are deficit in heroes. That said, there are some recipients of awards who in any society will qualify to receive the esteem due to all those who have served well. This year VANGUARD served up two of such individuals who, if only Nigerians have not lost the reading habit, would be accepted as genuine heroes when they read about their contributions. I have written so many times about Attah; it is only fair for me to start with the other authentic legal hero. Whenever somebody undertakes to write a history of Nigeria’s Ministers of Justice and Attorney Generals of the Federation, AGF, it is unlikely that he will find any other appointee in that role whose record of achievements come close to those of Prince (Justice) Alhaji Bola Ajibola, CFR. In fact, it was Prince Ajibola who got me to start taking a Which way, Nigeria? “If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” ? Martin Luther King Jr. One in every 13 chil dren born in the world by 2050 will be a Nigerian. So, how do we ensure that that the Nigerian child is provided for and prepared for the future. Forward planning is key and they say if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. In thirty year's time, it would be a comfort to know that the Nigerian child is prepared for the future. Right now, not much investment has been made to provide for the present,talk less of the future. In a country where 80 million of its population is existing under a dollar a day and in abject poverty, it will be a pipe dream to think, that subsequent government have put the interest of the nation ahead of their selfish interest, alas, it is not the case. We only have ourselves to blame if we think that everything will come out in the wash and magically it will turn out fine. Time to snap out of this pipe dream, it is a fantasy and idle wish. The facts are there for everyone to see, time to remove the blinkers and take a reality check. The children of Nigeria has never had it so bad. Their development has stunted over the decades, the abuse of the most vulnerable section of the population is beyond the pale of decency. The cruelty and abuse of young people by adults is abysmally shocking and we wonder why we have maladjusted adults. The cycle of deprivation will continue until the commitment to change the narrative and second and deep look at the President (General) Ibrahim B Babangida, IBB, regime. I was on my way to the Ministry of Justice Library at Marina, Lagos in search of the Company and Allied Matters Act, CAMA, Decree 20 of 1990, when I read a statement by Vice President Osinbajo to the effect that no government, including Babangida’s own, had done as much as Buhari had done for Nigeria in the first two and a half years. I knew Osinbajo, like just about everybody in Buhari’s government, was not telling the truth. Divinely, an avalanche of evidence tumbled in less than one hour after reading the VP’s declaration. I asked the attendant for 1990 Decrees, but, she brought 1989 Decrees. I was going to send it back when it occurred to me to read the 1989 decrees and the institutions that were created that year. Despite being an adult who prided himself on reading widely, I was surprised about my ignorance regarding the achievements of IBB’s regime and the key role played by Ajibola in crafting those decrees. I asked for a photocopy of the list of 1989 Decrees. Shortly after, 1990 Decrees were brought and I suddenly realised that most of us had been most unfair to IBB. Time did not permit me to go through other decrees passed from 1985 to 1992. I later spent several weeks in the libraries in Abuja and Lagos. I began to shortlist those needing special attention. Nearly 50 pages of my book, IBRAHIN B BA- BANGIDA 1985-1992: LET- TING A THOUSAND FLOWERS BLOOM, were already written, and I had gathered sufficient materials for a book 1000 pages long, based on the decrees passed and the institutions created by the time I met Babangida for the first time. Unlike most other books written on the subject, this one was completed without seeking an interview with Babangida. The facts will speak for themselves. In the book under reference on pages 39 to 41, the following was written on Ajibola. Space did not permit me to write more. Perhaps, one of these days, I will, at my own expense, write an entire book on Justice Ajibola. For now please accept this summary and you can understand why this honour break the cycle. Nigeria is the third most populous nation in the world and so what can be done to prepare our young for the future? First, it has to redouble its commitment and dedication to protect and promote the rights of children, it has to ensure that every child has access to the basic essential care; housing, food, health care and education. This is the very least but very important. Investment in children services and specialist trained enforcement agencies. The next decade should be dedicated to the needs and promotion of the Nigerian child. Invest more in schools, education, training, employment, housing,social and health care. Help families that are struggling and provide help and assistance for those who need guidance and education on how to be good parents or carers. One the most positive developments in Nigeria today is that people are beginning to report to authorities whenever there is a case of cruelty or domestic violence. It has helped saved lives and help send messages to abusers that they will be reported and they will face the full weight of the law. We have to change our If anybody deserves a Medal of Honour for almost working himself to death during the Babangida years, it must be the Minister of Justice and Attorney General One the most positive developments in Nigeria today is that people are beginning to report to authorities whenever there is a case of cruelty or domestic violence. It has helped saved lives is deserved. I need to add that till today, I have never met the man. I hope to see him on the award night and “prostrate” before one of my own heroes. “PRINCE BOLA AJIBO- LA, SAN, - Minister for Justice and AttorneyGeneral. If anybody deserves a Medal of Honour for almost working himself to death during the Babangida years, it must be the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. “Omoba Bolasodun Adesumbo Ajibola, CFR, SAN, Justice of the International Court at the Hague, was born into a Royal family in Abeokuta, Ogun State on 22nd March, 1934. lt would not have occurred to his parents that their son was going to play a major role in transforming Nigeria and helping the entire world as well. “He attended Owu Baptist Day School for his primary education and naturally proceeded to Baptist Boys' High School for his secondary school education. “Baptist Boys High School will rank high among the secondary schools whose alumni played significant roles in shaping Nigerian history in the twentieth century. Among its alumni were: General/President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, etc. [ Abami Eda Fela Ransome Kuti or Anikulapo too]. “He went abroad and received his law degree at Holborn College of Law, University of London and was called to the English Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1962. He returned to Nigeria to practice law, specialising in Commercial Law and International Arbitration. “Once again, with the ben- SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 26, 2020, PAGE 17 efit of hindsight, it was not • President, Nigerian Bar surprising that Babangida Association. appointed someone highly • Judge, Constitutional experienced in commercial Court of the Federation of law and arbitration to head Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry of Justice. The Sarajevo. changes IBB had in mind • Judge, World Bank, Administrative Tribunal. called for a great deal of mediation between various • Member, Governing contending stakeholders in Board, International Maritime Law Institute of the In- the "Nigerian Project" at home and abroad which the ternational Maritime Organisation, United Nations. Military President envisaged at the time. Ajibola was "Granted, some of these a tested hand at forging appointments were made compromises when competing interests were at stake government. But, they con- after he left Babangida's and none having absolute firm the extra-ordinary qualities of the man who drafted right on its side. How Babangida got to know about the decrees to back up the him remains a mystery till numerous measures taken today. But it was akin to during the years under consideration in this book. No searching for a lost coin on a sandy beach. Minister of Justice and Attorney General had come “Only a lawyer who understood that the customary adversary situation which ocments at home and abroad.” close in terms of achievecurs in most legal disputes “On no account should could not operate at that anyone go away with the point in time in order to idea that everything about move the country forward Justice Ajibola had been and that mediation was paramount could help us. This time and space constraint at summarised. I was under was not the conflict between the time of writing the book. right and wrong, which is That was all I could tuck in. easily settled. Most policy I apologise for that”. changes being considered FOR OBONG VICTOR involved deciding between ATTAH, THE LAURELS various claims to "rights" - JUST KEEP COMING however defined. Some of “What are millions of those "rights" had for historical reasons been accepted not had a single hour like men, who all their lives have almost as justified. The his compared to this one change being proposed by man” - Wilhelm Heinse, the economic technocrats 1749-1803, German Philosopher, VANGUARD BOOK and the International Monetary Fund, IMF, were calling into question stakehold- 2. OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p ers' entitlements to those Obong Attah has had several days in life; the VAN- rights which, in any case, were no longer affordable GUARD Award Day on for a nation in financial distress. them. He deserved all the ac- March 20, 2020 is one of “The legal aspects of Babangida's social and eco- more. I have reasons to becolades he had received and nomic transformation lieve he will get more. Real called for a law-giver with cream rises effortlessly to the the sagacity of Solomon or top. The recognition this Suleiman. Nigeria had only year by VANGUARD is just Bola Ajibola to turn to. like pouring more on a cup “Listed below are some of running over. So, now, I have the accomplishments which another mission. It is to invite all the well-wishers of this one personality packed into a lifetime. Most people Obong (Dr) Victor Attah to would have regarded themselves accomplished if they same time, I must stress that the Award Night. At the achieved only ten percent of since he is not the only recipient of the awards, the them. • Arbitrator International Court of Arbitration of Therefore, those wanting to invitations will be limited. ICC, Paris be present at the occasion are France. requested to get in touch • Legal Consultant, Masons Solicitors & Co., Lon- Seats will be allocated strict- with me as soon as possible. don. ly on a first come and first • Exxon Houston, Texas, served basis. There is no USA need to bother Obong about • Association of Arbitrators of Nigeria. same page. I thank you this matter. We are on the all. mind-set that we have children because we have a source of income but that we have them because we want to love and care for our children. This is no pipe dream. We need some radical change because the lives and the future of Nigerians depends on it. The federal government are making some movement in the right direction but not nearly enough;0.6 %of its GDP on education and public health. It is not enough, nowhere near. Accessing all the areas no matter how remote is the key to ensuring that no child is left behind, investment in a child means unlocking the potential of every child is transformative and a benefit to the child and the country. Let’s start with 2020 to 2030 being the decade of the Nigerian child. A man without ambition is dead. A man with ambition but no love is dead. A man with ambition and love for his blessings here on earth is ever so alive - US Visa and birth tourism Trump administration has decided after three years of issuing a travel ban on seven Muslim majority countries, it is planning on expanding the ban to include four more countries including Nigeria. The administration has not looked favourably at Nigeria , was described with such derogatory terms, not one that I will repeat here. They cast aspersions and tarred all Nigerians with the same brush, they as well pull up the welcome rug and tell us that Nigerians are not welcome. Thousands of Nigerians have made the US their home and have contributed to the economy and progress. So why do Nigerians feel the lure to go to the states? Actually why not. You would hope that Nigerian dollars is as good as anyone, wouldn’t you? Some have come to expect that no matter how much insults, the Nigerian will dust it away and move on regardless. When someone says you are not welcome and you say you will go anyway. There must be something in America that keeps Nigerians going regardless. Nigeria accounts for the third highest number of US visa overstayed last year. The visa application is more stringent; even after indefinitely suspending its visa interview waiver for Nigerian applicants (the waiver allowed frequent travellers renew their visa without going through in-person interviews each time), the US also raised visa application fees for Nigerians by including additional “reciprocity fees” ranging from $80 to $303 depending on the class of visa. And even though the Nigerian government immediately slashed visa application fees for American applicants in a bid to get the US to reverse its price increase, the reciprocity fees remain in place. The clampdown measures have resulted in Nigeria recording the largest global drop-off in visitors to the US. There is more to come: stopping the US birth tourism and whatever the US administration may come up with next, it is up to Nigerians to make up their mind if the infringements will be enough to find a different country to go to.
Page 2 and 3: PAGE 2—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 2
Page 10 and 11: PAGE 10—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY
Page 14 and 15: PAGE 14— SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY
Page 20 and 21: PAGE 20 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUAR
Page 24 and 25: PAGE 24 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUAR
Page 30 and 31: PAGE 30 - SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY
Page 32 and 33: PAGE 32 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUAR
Page 36 and 37: PAGE 36—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY
Page 42 and 43: Viewpoint By Victor Fagbulu As Ogun
Page 46 and 47: 46 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 26,
Page 48: SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 26, 2020 S

26012020 - How bad an example was set in Zamfara

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?