26012020 - How bad an example was set in Zamfara

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.