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FROM THE NEWS ROOM NIGERIA NOW 3 JULY 2017

NIGERIA NOW 4 JULY 2017

echoes“Abiola could have chosen to abandon the mandate in or- “I am delighted to see Labour do so well. All over the world, peo-der to build and resuscitate his disrupted business, but he ple are rising up against austerity and massive levels of incomeopted for the path of the true “Omoluabi.” He refused to and wealth inequality. People in the U K, the U S and elsewheresacrifice honour for an ephemeral mess of porridge. One want governments that represent all the people, not just 1%. I con-enduring truth that June 12 demonstrated is that given in- gratulate Jeremy Corbyn for running a very positive and effectivespirational, visionary and sincere leadership, Nigerians can campaign.”rise above divisive, primodial sentiments to demonstratehigh patriotism and a belief in merit in their voting patterns.” U S senator Bernie Sanders, the former Democratic presidential candidate, on the outcome of the recentAll Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, snap election in the U K.Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, extolling the virtuesof Chief M.K.O Abiola, the undeclared winner ofthe annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential Election“While we do not see this clamour for Biafra as an issue over “The simultaneous targeting of Qatar and Iran should forever put anwhich a single drop of blood should be shed, we at the same end to the false flag that this is a battle between Arabs and Persianstime, insist that the Igbos be allowed to have their Biafra and or else between Sunni and Shia Muslims. Qatar is both an Arab andfor them to vacate our land peacefully so that our dear country a Sunni country, and is today a target of the most pernicious block-Nigeria could enjoy lasting peace and stability.” ade and defamation by its own Arab and Sunni neighbours, while plane loads of foods are being flown to Doha from Iran and Turkey.”Coalition of Arewa Youths, in an open letter to theActing President, Yemi Osinbajo Hamid Doobashi, an Iranian professor at Columbia University, on newest crisis in te Middle EastNIGERIA NOW 5 JULY 2017

EDITORIALTIME TO VANQUISHBOKO HARAM ONCEAND FOR ALLWhen on December 24, 2016 President Mu- hammadu Buhari announced to an elated particularly Jere, Konduga and Damboa, attacking vil- nation that the murderous Boko Haram lages and carting away food, carrying out murderoussect had “finally been crushed,” we all heaved a sigh of raids, and even ambushing military-escorted convoysrelief, believing that the end was nigh for the bloody of travelers.insurgency in the North-East which has claimed over The sad turn-out of events is, to say the least, worri-20,000 lives, destroyed incalculable amount in prop- some and unfortunate. It is quite anti-climatic thaterty terms, displaced millions, shattered the peace of the spectacular successes achieved by the military arethe nation and posted the country firmly on the global being gradually reversed. The occasional explanationsmap as a strife-riven entity. and excuses issued by the military high commandIt soon turned out, however, that we celebrated too convinced no one. It simply does not make muchsoon – that what happened and elicited the presiden- sense that Boko Haram that were all but vanquishedtial chest-beating was not more than a triumph in a appeared to have launched a come-back.key battle, which does not necessarily translate into It is very tempting to share the sentiment expressedwinning the war: “Camp Zero,” the operational base of by the Chadian President, Idris Deby, that the illness,the insurgents had just been invaded and captured by and consequent long absence, of President Buhari hasthe Nigerian military. The Information Minister, Lai negatively rubbed off on the war against insurgency.Mohammed, went on to claim that the sect had been Buhari, as attested to by all, had given his all – moral“technically defeated” and that they no longer occu- and material support, military knowledge, leadership,pied an inch of Nigerian soil. It was a no mean feat, no etc - to ensure that Boko Haram has become a tin ofdoubt, and perfectly deserved the outpouring of joy the past. The Multinational Joint Task Force he mobi-and generous adulation on our gallant soldiers. But lized at the sub-regional level appears to be gripped bycertainly, as they say in East Africa, it is not yet Uhuru! inertia while he is away in the UK tending to is health.Happenings almost immediately thereafter have Almost the same thing can be said of the Nigerianshown that Boko Haram still constitutes a clear and military who have inexplicably started to suddenlypresent danger to the peace, stability and tranquility exhibit a strange lack of urgency and enthusiasm toof the nation; and that particularly in Borno State – finish up the job.the epicenter of the insurgency – it is very much alive Accordingly, we call on the Acting President, Yemiand kicking. It has continued to target worship places, Osinbajo, to do whatever he can towards ensuring thatmotor parks and villages in the outskirts of Maidugu- the fast-derailing war against insurgency is back onri. The University of Maiduguri has been the hardest track pronto. As the de facto and de jure command-hit – it suffered eight attacks in as many weeks, and er in-chief, the buck stops on his table. Therefore, hethe casualties include a veterinary medicine professor must take steps to re-mobilize, galvanize and moti-killed in a dawn suicide attack on a mosque. Then, on vate our armed forces and other security personnelJune 7, insurgents brushed aside the holy Ramadan and deploy them for the final battle against the Bokofasting and launched a series of deadly attacks on the Haram killers. History will not be kind to him if theNorth-eastern city, which put a lie to the claim by the sect is allowed to successfully re-group - as it seemsmilitary that the sect was a spent force that posed little to be down now – while he continues to treat suchthreat. an urgent matter, like the war against insurgency, inIndeed, Boko Haram insurgents are believed to be his usual over-cautious and don`t- rock-the- boat ap-still visible in some of the Local Government Areas, proach! NIGERIA NOW 6 JULY 2017

EDITORIAL RECALIBRATING THE ANTI-GRAFT WARTackling corrupt persons, groups and organizations result of the enormous publicity given to the cases in the was the main selling point of Candidate Muham- media even before they are heard in court. Legal prosecu- madu Buhari in the build-up to the 2015 elections, tion is often mired in controversies, exposing the inade-hence the signature project of the 2-year old APC ad- quacies of prosecution teams or shoddiness in investiga-ministration. Many Nigerians were persuaded that with tion by the agencies.Buhari, reputed as squeaky-clean and legendary aversion Most worrisome in the past few months is that the an-to graft, there would be real effort to address one of Nige- ti-graft war has repeatedly suffered setbacks in courts,ria`s most pressing problems. particularly in cases involving the so-called PoliticallyLegendary, truly in the beginning, Buhari`s Big Brother Exposed Persons. Several of the cases have been thrownaura that loomed large and “body language” tended to out by the courts, others appear to have run into a judicialserve as a disincentive to those who thrive in graft. Also, cul-de-sac, or are trapped in the labyrinth of the snail-the anti-corruption outfits, particularly the Economic speed process our criminal justice system is notorious for.and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), suddenly There are strong evidences to suggest that the bulk of thecame alive once again and many who soiled their hands problem is really self-inflicted: poor investigation, shoddywith ill-gotten wealth began face justice. or outright lack of capacity on the part of the prosecution,Now, midway into its reign, all is not well with the much- inability to build a water-tight case against the accusedhyped anti-corruption war. Many Nigerians are alarmed persons, etc. The investigatory and prosecutorial capabili-that the anti corruption crusade appears to be unravel- ties of the agencies simply leave much to be desired.ing. It is clear that Nigerians support and monitor the an- But then, we are not unaware of the complex web of con-ti-graft war and look forward to its success, hence their spiracy associated with corruption cases and trials, in-anxiety and fear at every turn – particularly when things volving lawyers, judges, accused persons and their allies.do not go as expected. These individuals and groups boast of enormous war-In the first place, the crusade lacks coherence and co-or- chest and resources which they willingly deploy, hencedination, makes no effort to mobilize or involve the peo- can go to any length to thwart and sabotage the efforts ofple. It seems to limit itself to exposing, apprehending and government at fighting corruption.processing alleged offenders, rather than being a concert- There is also the peculiar adversarial jurisprudential sys-ed effort, involving individuals and institutions, aimed at tem, which places seemingly impossible obstacles on thenipping graft in the bud, not merely chasing suspected prosecution and allows a lot of room for corrupt personspersons and groups. As a veritable social problem that and their accomplices to maneuver. This calls for urgenthas infected the social fabric of society, corruption can reform of the nation`s judicial system and legal frame-best be fought from its roots, through measures aimed at work. Before then, however, the anti-corruption architec-preventing its occurrence in the first place. We expect that ture, machinery and personnel should be comprehensive-by now there should have been in place an all-embrac- ly overhauled for better efficiency. All this should comeing and all-encompassing campaign against corruption of under a well-thought-out and people-driven campaignwhich the graft agencies are only a part. against corruption which should beam its searchlight onBut, even ongoing efforts by the anti-graft agencies to en- all nooks and crannies of the federation.sure that suspects face the music is replete with problems. Buhari once told a foreign television network that, “if Ni-There have been the usual allegations of witch-hunting of geria does not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nige-opponents and those not in the good books of govern- ria.” Accordingly, the anti-corruption crusade must suc-ment. There are allegations that those accused of corrup- ceed for Nigeria to survive.tion are unduly subjected to “media trial,” apparently as a NIGERIA NOW 7 JULY 2017

HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRSNorth-East: 6m People In Need Of ProtectionKey Protection Considerations for IDPs Movement In and Out A Surge inof Camps was developed in November, with the aim of providing Securitya standard framework for security actors (including members ofthe armed forces, the police and CJTF) to strike an acceptable bal-ance between freedom of movement for persons of concern andB security in and around the camps.Y the turn of 2016, 5.45 million people were dividuals were reached, 53,000 in Gombe and 193,000identified as being in need of protection and in Yobe. Nearly 60% of individuals reached by protec-assistance, in the North-East states of Borno, tion actors were female and over 55% were children.Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe. The Protection Sector The 2016 Humanitarian Needs Overview establishedin the 2016 Humanitarian Response Plan envisioned that a total of 2.73 million children were in need ofassisting 1.64 million of the most critically vulnerable protection services and the Humanitarian Responsepersons for which it regained at leastbv $31 million. Plan envisioned targeting 820,765 of them for as-The Sector reached a total of 1.73 million persons over sistance. In 2016, Child Protection actors reachedthe year, exceeding its initial target due to the scale 326,879 persons in need, broken down to 163,297up of emergency operations when critically affected boys and 163,605 girls.areas within Borno State became newly accessible to The 2016 Humanitarian Needs Overview establishedpartners in the middle of the year. Protection inter- that a total of 1.5 million people required protectionventions in 2016 were implemented by 38 partner services for needs relating to sexual and gender-basedinstitutions including, state and federal government violence and the Humanitarian Response Plan envi-institutions, national and international NGOs and sioned targeting 600,000 of them for assistance. Inmultiple UN agencies. Breakdown of the beneficiaries 2016, the Gender-Based Violence Sub-Sector reachedof the protection interventions are as follows: 272,595 521,029 individuals, broken down to 247,721 women,were adult men, 534,499 were adult women, 415,201 88,381 men, 117,480 girls and 67,447 boys.were boys and 510,958 were girls. The protection sector working group (PSWG) devel-The overwhelming majority of these activities were oped an advocacy paper on Enhancing Security and BYcarried out in Borno, with 1.47 million persons Protection around IDP settlements in April to ensure Akanimo Sampsonreached in the state. In Adamawa, around 339,000 in- that efforts by security and humanitarian actors toNIGERIA NOW 8 JULY 2017

HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRSminimize risks to IDPs in formal/informal settlements are Housing, Land and Property Sub-Working Group was acti-impactful. This tool was widely shared with partners and vated in Borno State in November, chaired by the Ministryinterlocutors and protection actors carried out advocacy of Land and Survey, with PROTECTION PROJECTIONSand awareness creation activities. Governments of Nigeria, FOR 2017The Protection Sector findings in the 2017 Hu-Cameroon, Chad and Niger and key protection stakehold- manitarian Needs Overview (HNO) reveals that 6.7 mil-ers convened in a two-day Regional Protection Dialogue lion people are in need of protection in the most affectedsummit in June which year? to discuss protection needs states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, broken down to 3.8and incidents, including cases of refoulement, leading to million persons in host communities, 1.8 million IDPs andthe adoption of the Abuja Action Statement. 1.1 million returnees. The HNO also shows that 2.1 millionA ministerial-level meeting was thereafter held on the fi- children are in need of protection services and 1.7 millionnalization of a Tripartite Agreement between Nigeria, people are in need of GBV services. The number of IDPs isCameroon and UNHCR for the safe and voluntary return expected to riseof Nigerian refugees back from Cameroon. The Action throughout the year as the military makes progress inStatement was widely shared with protection actors and liberating and securing additional areas. Although somehas been used for the revision of the protection strategy protection needs remain the same, assisting returnees willof the Sector in November 2016. Concerning return and require some different/additional measures.relocation of IDPs within Borno, Operational Standards Return of displaced populations across the North-East:for Relocation of IDPs in Newly Accessible Areas in Borno Returns will continue to be a major trend in 2017. Whilewere developed in August in order to provide guidance for some IDPs will be able to return to their homes; othersthe planned and ongoing relocation of IDPs within newly will be stranded in secondary displacement. This second-accessible LGAs by the Nigerian military. Further, a Return ary movement requires new approaches in understandingPolicy Framework for IDPs in Borno State was developed trends in displacement; humanitarian response in new sitesto clarify and promote protection principles relating to the and engagement with communities to ensure that returnreturn of IDPs. solution to areas of origin are achieved. Risks of potentialKey Protection Considerations for IDP Movement In and tension and conflict between those who are returning andOut of Camps was developed in November, with the aim others who never left will likely be visible due to percep-of providing a standard framework for security actors (in- tions of association with Boko Haram.cluding members of the armed forces, the police and CJTF) Reconstruction and rebuilding: In the newly accessibleto strike an acceptable balance between freedom of move- areas, comprehensive reconstruction and rebuilding ini-ment for persons of concern and security in and around tiatives will be needed to restore essential services, recon-the camps.Protection mainstreaming initiatives were struct shelters, support civilians to work on their farms andscaled up, including through two Global Protection Clus- implement livelihood activities, restore law and order, sup-ter Workshops on protection mainstreaming at the Nation- port co- existence and peace building initiatives, addressal-level and at Borno State-level in April, which targeted potential conflicts and tensions and mitigate security riskssector leads, government agencies & NGOs and the release from mines and other explosives. Women, children, theof the Conflict and Protection Trends containing specific elderly, persons with disabilities and minority groups willmainstreaming recommendations to sectors in November. continue to require attention to address their specific vul-Comprehensive assessments were undertaken by the sec- nerabilities.tor, including notably two Rapid Protection Assessments Host communities will continue to extend their solidarityin Borno in May & June, a Participatory Protection Assess- to IDPs, however tensions between host communities andment in Adamawa in August and a Sexual & Gender-Based IDPs may become exacerbated as time goes on and resourc-Violence (GBV) Assessment in September. es are scarce. There may be negative perceptions towardsAmidst protection findings that IDP women and girls were humanitarian programs that solely target IDPs. Opportu-forced to engage in transactional sex in exchange for food nities for durable solutions for both displaced communi-and authorizations to leave IDP camps, the Sector engaged ties and the affected population will increase. The “Buhariin targeted advocacy and coordination, including in the Plan” brings together several initiatives by the government,development of an Advocacy Note on Sexual Exploitation allowing opportunities for investment. However economicand Abuse (SEA) and an Action Plan, finalizations of refer- decline and recession will be an ongoing challenge whichral pathways for SGBV survivors in Borno, Yobe and Ad- may significantly hamper the Government’s capacity to ful-amawa States and providing trainings on protection from ly implement its reconstruction plans and activities.SEA for the Food Security Sector and military conducting Source: PSWG 2016 Annual Reportcamp coordination camp management (CCCM) for IDPcamps in newly accessible areas. NIGERIA NOW 9 JULY 2017

HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRSAssiatou's Horrific  NightmareIn April 2014, Boko Haram kidnapped 276 female students fromChibok, Borno State, making international headlines and caus-ing international outcry. Since then, many other school girlshave been abducted.ASSIATOU was seated in her classroom listening in a house until they were divided into two groups. to her teacher talk about Boko Haram atrocities, Assiatou’s mother and other older women were let when the sound of gunshots interrupted the go but Assiatou and the younger girls remained un-class. Boko Haram fighters had just entered the town der captivity.of Damasak, in North-East Nigeria. It was November They were then taken to another location where they2015.Her words: ‘’They were heavily armed. People were were taught a radical version of Islam and trainedrunning everywhere, fleeing and screaming. I aw them in the use of weapons.“I am Muslim but I couldn’tburning people alive.” see Islam in any of things they were doing,” says As-Assiatou was 13 years old at the time. She fled from her siatou. “Islam has never advised to marry womenclassroom and made it home where her mother had against their will or to slaughter human beings. Theybegun searching for her. ‘’Take off your uniform!’’ her slaughter men and keep women alive to take owner-mother told her. She didn’t want her to be identified as ship of them,” she says.a schoolgirl. Assiatou thinking of the young female stu- Female members of Boko Haram were in charge ofdents, who were abducted by Boko Haram in April 2014. indoctrinating the kidnapped girls and were taskedTestimonies from former Boko Haram captives have re- with teaching them how to use weapons. Some, likevealed that the girls are abused and married despite their Assiatou, were even taught how to make suicide beltsyoung age, and in some instances are used to carry out and how to carry out possible attacks.suicide attacks. Aid workers met Assiatou, now 15 years “First, we were shown videos of attacks and killingsold, in a decrepit house in Niamey, Niger, where she and and then we were trained to use arms,”says Assiatou.her family found refuge. Like Assiatou, they are an esti- Watching videos of humans being slaughtered andmated 96,940 Nigerian refugees that have fled to neigh- learning how to use weapons was not all Assiatoubouring Niger to escape the extremist group’s violence, was forced to do. She became a wife without giv-according to the most recent data released by Interna- ing her consent; married off to her Quranic teachertional Organisation of Migrants’ (IOM) Displacement during one of the classes.Tracking Matrix. Until now, Assiatou has been unable to speak of theAccording to Assiatou, ‘’they caught us’’, while looking sexual abuse she endured.From the little she candown and scratching a wound on her shin. With her frail share, Assiatou reveals that during an eight-day peri-silhouette and hair wrapped in a veil, Assiatou speaks in od she was forced to perform sexual acts with a mana low and hushed tones. She feels ashamed of her ordeal she didn’t agree to marry. The few times she dared toat the hands of Boko Haram. Her mother encourages resist, he threatened her with a gun. “I carry this inher to speak up.“She must tell what happened. People my skin every day. What this man did to me is worseneed to know. She cannot be afraid,” her mother says. than what you can imagine,” she says.Less than two BYAfter they were kidnapped by Boko Haram, Assiatouand her mother were kept together with other women weeks after being married off, Assiatou managed to Akanimo Sampson escape when her so-called husband left the town NIGERIA NOW 10 JULY 2017

HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRSAssiatou with several members of Boko Haram to carry out an ram has kidnapped/recruited/Shanghaied many young attack in Diffa, South-East Niger, on February 6, 2015. men as well and forced (also enticed) them into service. Assiatou escaped with three other girls. This was I would guess far more young men than young women. something they had been plotting for days. As she was The press doesn’t make so much of a story about that be- the second spouse, Assiatou was assigned daily chores. cause, I assume, it’s not as salacious as kidnapping young When she went to throw away the dirty water used to girls as “sex slaves” or “wives,” Hansen said in an email wash he dishes, she never went back. Interview. “We must have walked from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm More than 2.6 million individuals are currently dis- when we finally reached the Nigerien border,” recalls placed - internally and across borders - in the Lake Chad Assiatou. “We had found the courage to leave but we were still petrified. We were praying not to run into Until now, Assiatou has been them [Boko Haram] on our way to the border.”Once unable to speak of the sexual the girls finally crossed the border, they separated and abuse she endured.From the each of them went to look for their own families. “I little she can share, Assi- never saw again the girls I fled with,” recounts Assi- atou reveals that during atou. an eight-day period she was Assiatou and her family now live on the outskirts of forced to perform sexual Niamey. Although they feel safer, they live in precar- acts with a man she didn’t ious conditions with no electricity or running water. agree to marry. The few Assiatou is one of several thousands of victims of vio- times she dared to resist, he lent extremism in the region. Boko Haram’s seven-year threatened her with a gun. insurgency has left an estimated 20,000 people dead, mainly in North-Eastern Nigeria. While media often report stories of women and girls kidnapped by Boko Haram, Williams Bill Han- sen,teacher at the American University of Nigeria, criticises what he sees as partial coverage. “Boko Ha- NIGERIA NOW 11 JULY 2017

PROLOGUETHE game is on. We, the editors at Nigeria Now are already the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as Premier of seeing the inside from outside. Political parties and 2019 the region, harnessed resources from cocoa to build the famous Uni- power seekers are preoccupied with the quest for polit- versity of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. Sim- ical power. To this end, the landscape of the country is ilarly, the Great Gamji, Sir Ahmadu Bello galvanised resources fromcharged backstage with a high tempo of political manoeuvres and groundnuts and cotton to build the first university in the defunctmanipulations. Northern Region; Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in his ca-Typical of Nigerian political elite, defection is currently the norm. pacity as Premier of the region. The country witnessed a buoyant andThe South-East zone, the hotbed of Biafra agitation, appears to be dependable economy. Nigeria’s balance of trade was assuring then.the worse hit with the gale of defection from the Peoples Democratic Before Oloibiri, the Bayelsa State community where oil was discov-Party (PDP) to the governing All Progressives Congress (APC). Sad- ered in commercial quantity, the Nigerian youths were known forly, the Igbo political elite does not appear to have any clear agenda their ingenuity and creativity. The educated among them were deter-for 2019.Though it is not yet their turn to produce the president, the mined to make their marks in their chosen fields of endeavour andIndigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Nnamdi Kanu, appears career. Those who could not go to school took to agriculture, trade orto hold the ground in Biafraland. A number of power seekers are skill. It was almost a taboo for a young man to come out from schoolcovertly and overtly turning to IPOB for endorsement. and head straight to politics without first making a mark either in theIf what is happening in the East keeps flowering into 2019, its likely public or the private sector. The decadence today is quite lamentable.to adversely affect the voting trend in the other geopolitical zones Could the discovery of oil and gas in Nigeria really be a curse?.across Rivers Benue and Niger. And, the controversial Quit Notice Since the abortion of the First Republic by the military in 1966, thehanded down to the Igbo people by Arewa youths has become a kind country has been turned into a mere consumer-nation instead of theof stimulus for the Biafraxit. Similar exit sentiment is brewing among producing nation she had been. Unfortunately, the oil and gas sec-the Oodua in Western Nigeria, while some fragments of insurgents tor that made Nigeria and her citizens live a parasitic life has beenin the Niger Delta axis are toying with the idea of a republic of their declining. Budgetary implementations are characterised by precari-own. There are deep cracks in the walls of Nigeria. How the political ousness and extremity of pecuniary difficulties. The Naira, Nigeria’selite, the traditional establishment, elders and even political parties currency has been nose-diving to a level of economic discomfort.angling for power seek to cement the cracks will determine what ul- The central government appears to be at the cross-roads with thetimately becomes of the country. present economic realities.It appears Igbo leaders are coming to terms with the seemingly neg- The view of our editors is that because of the materialistic assump-ative effect of the Biafra agitation. They are currently battling to cage tions Nigerians have about governance, many of the plural politicalKanu by offering him a ticket to the National Assembly to enable parties and their power seekers do not appear to be in tune with thepush for his pet dream through the democratic process. In Anambra current economic realities that are engulfing every segment of theState, Governor Willy Obiano is dangling a Senatorial ticket to Kanu economy. With the unpredictable oil prices, following continued oilon the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), a discoveries in some other countries, the plundering and illegal oilseeming pro-Biafra party with a link to the late Ikemba Nnewi, Eme- bunkering in the Niger Delta and the tendency of the oil region toka Ojukwu. APGA and the Chekwas Okorie-led United Progressive easily cycled into insurgency as well as the Boko Haram insurgencyParty (UPP) are positioning themselves as Biafra parties, all in a in the North-East, parts of the North-West and the ethnocentric con-fiendish bid to win the soul of Eastern Nigeria in 2019. flict in the North-Central, presidential aspirants aiming at Aso Rock,However, while the IPOB has become a strong street political force Nigeria’s Presidential Villa in 2019, must be prepared psychologicallyin the East, could the Igbo leading politicians flooding the APC be to inherit a system that may have just little, if not nothing, tricklingpositioning themselves for a Vice-Presidential slot or just emptying from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).into the party as a safe anchor from the rampaging Economic and In the same vein, any governor in 2019 that will be deficient in vi-Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)? If Ndigbo are scheming for sion, enterprise, resourcefulness, transparency, ability to diversifyProf. Yemi Osinbajo’s job, where will that leave the political poten- his/her state’s economy and dexterity in managing and multiplyingtates of the South-West zone? resources will feel terribly disappointed.By 2019, Nigeria will be 59 years old as an independent nation-state. The electorate is not ready to take excuses from chief executives whoPrecisely, that will be on October 1, 2019. At 59, any citizen who does will fail to deliver on their mandates merely on the grounds that notnot feel insulted, if addressed as a child or even a boy or a girl, must much is received from the Federal Government. Governors must bebe singled out for some kind of a special case study in psychology. mentally articulate, resourceful and disciplined to guarantee efficientAt independence on October 1, 1960, Nigeria held a lot of optimism and effective diversification of their moribund economies.for its citizenry. At that historical epoch, those at the helm of affairs For now, public functionaries that will succeed in the next dispensa-manifested vision, mission, patriotism, altruism and transparency. tion are likely to be those that will maintain a very reasonably safeThen, oil and gas had not become the mainstay of the country’s econ- distance from sycophants whose only contributions to governanceomy. Attention was maximally focused on agriculture and revenue are mischief, treachery, gossip, blackmail and opportunism.so generated translated to quantifiable development projects.Income from palm produce was used to build the first indigenous BYUniversity in Nigeria; the University of Nigeria, Nsukka under the Akanimo Sampsonfirst Premier of the defunct Eastern Region, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe. InNIGERIA NOW 12 JULY 2017

COVERCOVER HOW THE Northern voters being NORTH WILL VOTE accredited before exer- cising their civic rights in BY A. G. UMAR KARI the 2015 elections. NIGERIA NOW 13 JULY 2017

COVERIn 2015, Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Con- gress made a clean sweep of the North. The President got and seized control of the Plateau. In the aborted Third Repub- majority of the valid votes cast in 16 of the 19 states, losing lic, General Babangida`s twin parties, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC)narrowly in Taraba, Nasarawa and Plateau States. So emphatic shared the region between themselves almost equally.was his victory in the Northern states that his main rival, Pres- Since 1999 the character of the average Northern voter has atident Goodluck Jonathan, could not muster 25 per cent of the best been fickle. No single party has enjoyed an enduring ac-votes in most of the North-West and North-East states, as well as ceptability among the region`s voters, although between 2003in Niger State of the North-Central geo-political zone. Also, in and 2014 the PDP was in control of most of the states andthe gubernatorial polls, the APC seized all the states up the River boasted majority of federal legislators. But that did not pre-Niger, except Taraba and Gombe, and got most of the National vent Obasanjo and Jonathan from losing the overall North-and States Assemblies seats. Considering that APC`s victory hap- ern votes in the 2003 and 2011 presidential polls. Of course,pened at a period when most of the states were controlled by the they squared off against Buhari, arguably the most acceptablethen ruling People`s Democratic Party, the scale of PDP`s loss politician among Northern voters ever. In the current Fourthwas as catastrophic as it was unimaginable, while the scale and Republic, Northern states have tended to shift their politicalscope of APC`s gain was simply spectacular and unprecedented. allegiance.But, that was 2015, when the Buhari phenomenon raged like Preferences for parties and individuals have changed dramat-wildfire, and when the APC was a voluptuous and irresistible ically from one election to another. Even the so-called Middlebride, in contrast, to the PDP regarded as a hideous plague to be Belt states, such as Plateau, Benue, Kwara and Kogi, have notavoided as it were in Northern Nigeria. The million dollar ques- been immune to the political oscillation trait – they were PDPtion, now, is: can the APC repeat its feat of 2015 and maintain its for very long, but at present they are in APC. States such asdominance of the North, or will it suffer the same fate as PDP - Kano and Bauchi have often exhibited a pattern of sophisti-get worsted instead? cation in voting for different parties within a matter of daysThe political history of the North hardly gives a clear clue as to and of inflicting crushing electoral defeat on powerful andwhat will likely happen. In terms of the voting behaviour of the influential political figures. Indeed, it is only Borno and Yobeelectorate, the region has been a kind of an electoral shopping States that have remained consistent. They have always voted against the PDP, even when it was at its strongest.Buhari will always be a formidable opponent, In 2019 several issues and fac-and not just on account of incumbency, but tors will be at play as par howbecause he is still popular among die-hard sup-porters who readily advance excuses in his de- the North will vote. A key andfence. There is also the chance that the APC decisive factor is President Muhammadu Buhari himself: whether or not he will seek for re-election – in the light of hisgovernment will up its game in the coming ill-health – and what becomesmonths and in the end post a respectable or of his cult-like followingeven stellar tenure. among majority of Northern voters – vis-a-vis his perfor- mance in office this far. Buharimall, where several parties manage to get a cut of the overall votes will always be a formidable opponent, and not just on accounthaul. The North is not only a demographic behemoth in terms of of incumbency, but because he is still popular among die-hardsize and population, it is strikingly diverse in terms of ethnic, lin- supporters who readily advance excuses in his defence. Thereguistic, religious, sectarian and ideological composition with as is also the chance that the APC government will up its gamemany interests as there are groups. It never voted as a bloc, except in the coming months and in the end post a respectable orin 2015, where for a number of reasons – most of which no longer even stellar tenure.suffice – there was for the first time a pan-regional convergence The reality is that right now the masses of the people whoof opinion and a near-consensus in favour of a Buhari candidacy trooped out and voted Buhari to power in the North in 2015among the elite and masses alike. are not so much opposed to him as frustrated and disappoint-In the First Republic, the North shared its votes between the ed in what has become of his government of change, hence arearistocratic Northern People`s Congress and the radical North- still more likely to trust him than any other leader, particular-ern Elements Progressives Union, with tribal groupings such as ly if there is a flicker of hope that he will improve. But Buharithe Borno Youth Movement, United Middle Belt Congress and has been ill, and may simply be contented with finishing hisIlorin Talaka Parapo getting a little in the bargain. In the Second term in office. Judging from his kind of person, typical actionsRepublic, President Shehu Shagari`s National Party of Nigeria and attitude toward politics and politicians, he may not even(NPN) had to contend with Aminu Kano`s Peoples Redemption care who succeeds him.Party (PRP) and Waziri Ibrahim`s Great Nigeria People`s Par- If Buhari chooses to be out of the way, it will be an open racety (GNPP). Solomon Lar aligned with late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as far as the North is concerned. Who will finally breast the NIGERIA NOW 14 JULY 2017

COVER from all indications, the out- tape depends on a number of variables, however. Unfortunately, come of the 2019 polls will be the forecasts do not seem to be good for Buhari`s party, the APC. interesting, even if the elec- The party has suffered so much neglect since assumption of office tioneering process itself may that it is a much weaker and weakened version of the moving be less. More so that for the train that brushed aside every obstacle on its way to power in first time since 2003, candi- 2015. The process of picking a flag-bearer in 2019 will hardly be dates for various elective smooth, because the party is actually writhing in the throes of an positions in the North may unhappy marriage involving several big men with big egoes and literally and practically be ambitions, unwilling to concede space or influence to one anoth- on their own - without the er. The stage is increasingly getting set for a showdown, a rancor- larger-than-life and enig- ous and acrimonious parting of ways. It will be a political miracle matic figure of Muhammadu for APC to remain intact in the run-off to 2019. With APC in Buhari, one way or the other disarray and Buhari having possibly excused himself out of the deciding their fate. race and not likely to anoint and work for a successor, Northern votes are anyone`s for the taking. religious, sectarian and even sub-regional affiliations of However, the forecasts are even worse for the PDP. In most parts candidates will be high on the voters` minds. of the North, it is a bad brand, synonymous with corruption, hu- Yet, in 2019, the polity must contend with a likely despon- bris, mis-governance and, in the case of the North-East, the Boko dent, if not apathetic, electorate who for obvious reasons Haram insurgency. Besides, PDP leaders have either decamped, will not likely demonstrate the kind of frenzied enthusiasm are too scared of their past to venture out and politick, or are busy and passion shown in 2015. The voter turn-out may be tugging at one another`s jugular in the maze of ongoing fratricid- considerably less, even if Buhari runs – the average North- al feud between the Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff`s fac- ern voter feels shortchanged and his hoped dashed. In the tions. Besides, the party no longer controls power at the centre or North, just 48.16% of the voters turned up in 2015 (though states in the region, except in two, where its control is shaky. The there are strong reasons to suggest that the overall national party lacks a leader, a rallying point, who will galvanize a ground- voters register is padded). This could plummet further. swell of support. The PDP appears ill-suited to capitalize on the Again, from all indications, the outcome of the 2019 polls blunders of the APC, because, either it had committed worse in- will be interesting, even if the electioneering process itself fractions in the past or it simply lacks the courage, capacity and may be less. More so that for the first time since 2003, can- resources to do so. didates for various elective positions in the North may lit- More significant is the huge pall of uncertainty surrounding the erally and practically be on their own - without the larger- eventual fate of the party, to be decided by the Supreme Court than-life and enigmatic figure of Muhammadu Buhari, one and what happens thereafter. Truth is, the PDP, whether it re- way or the other deciding their fate. The most likely verdict mains one or is balkanized, is not an option as far as the average on how the North will vote in the 2019 presidential election Northern voter is concerned. is that the vast region will keep up with the trend of being This gives some hope to the new parties expected to emerge from an electoral shopping mall; votes will be shared, but mainly the anticipated APC divorce and the imminent break-up of the among candidates who hail from the region. PDP. The successor party or parties, depending on the personal- ities involved, strength and reach of the alliance, may reap boun- tifully from the misfortune of their predecessors. The shift may witness a re-alignment of forces and coming together of elements who had been together not only in APC and PDP, but also much earlier in the Second and Third Republics. There have been all manner of meetings and discussions, and several options are being weighed. It is also likely that some of the more ambitious gladiators could go solo, because reconciliation of contending interests and conflicting ambitions within an alliance can prove extremely difficult, if not impossible. The sentiment that power must remain in the North runs deep and will be a strong influence on Election Day; thus, permuta- tions and negotiations on who gets the ticket in each of the par- ties cannot afford to ignore this political reality, unless the party is not keen on Northern votes. The point is that the South was on the saddle for 14 of the 18 years since 1999, hence the North must be allowed to have eight uninterrupted years. This promises to be one of the issues that will sway Northern votes, as much as the personality, acceptability and political inclination of the candidates. Of course, primodial considerations such as ethnic,NIGERIA NOW 15 JULY 2017

COVER2019: South-West ThroughA Zoom LensThat the South West region was a significant and North East regions. Nevertheless, the region was South-west support game changer in the triumph of General Mu- believed to have made a crucial contribution to the his- helped him to win hammadu Buhari as president in 2015 has toric victory of an opposition party unseating a ruling the presidency innever been in contention. For one, the defunct Action party since the country’s return to democracy in 1999. 2015Congress of Nigeria, ACN was a major player in the For one, Buhari’s victory in the region was the first6 February 2013 fusion of the major political parties time he would win in any state outside of the Norththat gave birth to All Progressives Congress, APC. The since his serial contest for the presidency begun inother parties in the alliance were the Congress for Pro- 2003. This was especially important when it is realisedgressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party that despite his overwhelming electoral support in the(ANPP) some elements of the All Progressives Grand Northern part of the country, Buhari had always lostAlliance, APGA and the new Peoples Democratic Par- the presidential election.ty respectively. Also, the APC candidate victory in the South westACN was in control of the four States – Oyo, Ogun, helped the retired General to achieve the statutoryLagos and Osun, all in the South- West as at the time requirement of least 25 per cent of the votes in two-of the merger, thus, it was seen as mostly a regional thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states to be declared winner of theparty. APC won in four of the South West states in the presidential election.March 28 presidential election in spite of the massive Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former governor of La-deployment of funds by the then very desperate ruling gos State, founder and financier of the defunct ACN isPeoples Democratic Party, PDP. generally regarded as the architect of APC’s victory inBuhari’s victory in Ondo was a huge blow to Governor, the South West. But, beyond this, the former Gover-Olusegun Mimiko who was elected on the platform of nor also contributed to the emergence of Buhari as theLabour Party but decamped to PDP, months before the candidate of APC in the presidential primaries held inpresidential election. Even in Ekiti where the governor,Ayodele Fayose was the arguably the most virulent ofthe critics of APC’s presidential candidate, GeneralMuhammadu Buhari was able to get well over 40 percent of the votes. In all, the APC won the South Westwith about 52 per cent or 2.4 million votes, a real nov-elty considering Buhari’s past performances and enor-mous resources deployed by the PDP to win.Although, with just about 600,000 votes, the margin ofvictory of the APC candidate over his PDP candidatewas considered slim when considered against Buhari’soverwhelming victory in the North WestBuhari’s victory in Ondowas a huge blow to Gover-nor, Olusegun Mimiko whowas elected on the plat-form of Labour Party butdecamped to PDP, monthsbefore the presidentialelection. NIGERIA NOW 16 JULY 2017

COVER The Politics of the South- Lagos where he ensured that delegates from his part of west has since indepen- the country voted for the retired General against for-Emerging force in dence been dominated by midable opponents like former Vice President AtikuSouth-West politics the powerful and undy- Abubakar and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former gov- ing aura of Chief Obafemi ernor of Kano State. Awolowo, the region’s po- Thereafter, the former governor also deployed his litical patriarch and first widespread support in the South-West geo-political premier. So influential zone, political sagacity, large followership, war chest was Awolowo that even and the media which helped to actualise Buhari’s pres- after his death his name idency. For these contributions, Buhari gave Tinubu has continued to work the opportunity of nominating Professor Yemi Osin- magic among the Yoruba bajo as his running mate. speaking people. Reports later suggested that Tinubu himself had want- ed to be the vice presidential candidate, but was dis- qualified by the imperative of religious balancing. But he has remained an important leader of the party and one of those who will play a major role in deciding the directions of 2019 elections in South- west. Buhari and Tinubu have so far denied muted speculations of differences between them. Their challenge may not be unconnected with the usual intrigues within the in- nermost precincts of Buhari presidency, the so called legacy parties and the APC itself. That notwithstand- ing, Tinubu remains the single most formidable and influential politician in the South- west- unarguably, he is the new Awolowo of the former Western region. The Politics of the South-west has since independence been dominated by the powerful and undying aura of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the region’s political pa- triarch and first premier. So influential was Awolowo that even after his death his name has continued to work magic among the Yoruba speaking people. This explains why every politician in the region would want to be identified with Awolowo. The fact however is that Awolowo’s disciples splits into factions almost imme- diately after him demise and the relationship between and among the factions have been characterized by bit- terness, tension, and feuds. One of the prominent factions is the Afenifere whose members are mostly old brigade politicians in their seventies and eighties and who have retained deep sus- picion and angst toward the Northern “Hausa/Fulani oligarchy,” but whose political relevance has been fast waning. The Afenifere are opposed to political prag- matists like Tinubu, hence pitched their tents with Jonathan in 2015 and are now seduced to issuing pro- paganda statements in favour of restructuring of the country and what they fancy as “True federalism.” Tinubu may also contend with his erstwhile ‘boys’ such as ‘super minister’ Raji Fashola, former Ekiti Governor, Kayode Fayemi and incumbent governors of Ogun and Ondo States, Ibikunle Amosu and Rotimi Akeredolu respectively. There is no guarantee that in 2019 the quartet will be in the same boat with the Bourdillion Road godfather. The same can be said of other APC chieftains from the region, particularly federal appoin- tees such as communications minister, Adebayo Shittu. NIGERIA NOW 17 JULY 2017

COVEROther groups that can make waves in the South-West Olusegun Obasanjo led PDP administration (1999-in 2019 include the much depleted and divided PDP 2007) will certainly make his attempts to contest pres-represented by Fayose, Senator Buruji Kashamu, Iyiola idential election to be resisted by the North that wouldOmisore and Chief Bode George. feel shortchanged once again.Then, of course, there is the emerging Osinbajo factor. The South-West has always voted en-bloc, though itsWith Buhari’s ill health, the Vice President has become votes were divided in 2015. For now, it is difficult tomore visible and powerful. If anything happens and predict how it will vote in 2019. The way the region willBuhari is unable to continue to discharge his official go will depend on several factors such as the candi-functions, he will be on the saddle and the political cal- date, whether the APC remains intact till then, the op-culus changes. But even if that should happen, it will position parties and most especially, whether the APCbe very tough for Osinbajo in 2019. Apart from be- has delivered in the eyes of the South –west politicaling a nominee of Tinubu, the fact that the South-west elites and masses largely acknowledged to vote in theirhad earlier spent eight years of two terms under Chief overall enlightened interests. South-East In 2019 BY Akanimo SampsonTHE politics of the people of South-Eastern Ni- in the hands of his political masters, Arthur Eze and geria has often been characterized by a seem- the Uba Brothers, who sent him out of the party and ing erratic changeableness. Between 1999 and the governor`s office after just one term, then brought2015, the geopolitical bloc was predominantly Peoples Chris Ngige, who they eventually tried to oust, includ-Democratic Party (PDP), except in Anambra State ing conspiring to abduct, and get him resign at gunwhere All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) held point without success.sway, perhaps because of the cult-like influence of the What this implies is that the South-East is not a cohe-late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. sive political bloc. The elite there tend to thrive in theBefore the ongoing defection gale to the governing politics of self, without recourse to the collective. TheyAll Progressives Congress (APC), the Igbo power showed this between 1999 and 2003 when virtually ev-bloc was a safe political haven for the PDP. But, in ery of the five states in the bloc wanted to, and one after2007, out-going governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, jolted the the other, managed to occupy the Senate PresidencyPDP by seizing his Abia State, and neighbouring Imo that was zoned to the region.State for his then pet party, Progressive Peoples Alli- With the backstage schemes for 2019, it will seem asance (PPA), a rebel platform he floated apparently to if Igbo political elite and power seekers are returningsettle scores with Olusegun Obasanjo and his “garri- to their traditional political ally, the North. Sadly theson politics” brigade in the PDP establishment. Ikedi current defection gale to the APC bears little resem-Ohakim won the Imo governorship poll on the plat- blance to the NPC-NCNC alliance nor what the iconicform of the PPA, although the PDP had ostracized its K.O. Mbadiwe described as the ‘’accord concordial’’own candidate, Ifeanyi Ararume, who owed his status between the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN)vide a court order, something the party could simply and the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP), procured andnot stomach. Kalu delivered Abia to his political son, galvanised by the Great Zik in the Second Republic.Theo Orji, with whom they later had an acrimonious This time, the influx into APC is from all indications aparting of ways and since then maintain a cat and survival strategy. The Igbo political elite, most of whommouse relationship. Opportunism, feud and split be- pitched their tent with Jonathan and the PDP, havetween political godfather and godson has defined the been largely excluded out of the power loop. The Igbospolitics of the region in this republic. In Enugu, it was are not used to the politics of opposition and being leftfirst between Jim Nwobodo and Chimaroke Nnama- out of the baking of the national cake. Besides, mayni. At the end of his tenure, the latter foisted Sullivan have soiled their fingers while holding public office be-Chime only for the duo to end up as implacable foes. tween 1999 and 2015, hence are desperately using theIn Anambra, Chinwoke Mbadinuju had a rough deal APC as a shield to escape from the long arm of the NIGERIA NOW 18 JULY 2017

COVER law – particularly the almighty EFCC. The survivalist President, Ken Nnamani, one of the earliest political gambit will turn out to be an asset to the APC. It also heavyweights to berth at the APC shore, is a potential does appear that the gradually blossoming Governor Vice-Presidential candidate who can give Ndigbo a sense Okezie Ikpeazu/Orji Uzor Kalu alliance will deliver of belonging and hope for the Presidency in 2023. But he Abia to the APC. needs more than a push and local support from two for- Enugu State is already a playground of the APC, with mer governors from his home state, Nwobodo and Chime, high-profile gladiators like former senate president, former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Ken Nnamani, and Chime already in its fold. And in Eugene Odo, a serving senator, as well as other South-East spite of the seeming political deficit of Governor Ro- bigwigs like Senator Andy Uba, Ararume, John Nwanunu, chas Okorocha, Imo State appears safe for APC. Eb- Nkechi Nwaogu, Fidelis Okoro, Chris Agboti, young turks onyi State is even more interesting, because the gov- such as Tony Nwoye, and wealthy businessmen like Eme- ernor, Dave Umahi, has long ago publicly declared ka Offor, Ifeanyi Uba and Sam Onyishi, the promoter of his support for Buhari, should the president decide to Peace Mass Transit - all influential APCists. seek re-election. The APC in-road into the South-East began in 2011 when However, with the outcome of the May 30 sit-at-home Okorocha won the governorship election on the platform order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), it is of APGA. Given the fickle political character of leaders arguable that Nnamdi Kanu and his Biafra agitators are in the area, he later took a section of the party to join in a factor that could cause political upsets in 2019 in the forming the APC, a coalition of supposed progressives. region. This will, however, largely depend on whether The latest political development in the zone is not strange. the new kids on the political bloc will be ready and At the formation of political parties in 1998, the PDP was willing to participate in the process or even allow the at par with the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), initial- people do same. In a flux and fluid polity such as the ly known as All Peoples Party (APP). The star players in South-East, IPOB has what it takes to influence or up- the party then were Ken Nnamani, Ojukwu, former Imo stage things, including politics.. Governor, Sam Mbakwe; Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Arthur For now, it is safe to project that former Senate Nzeribe, Ben Obi, former Minister Ihechukwu Maduibui- ke; Joy Emordi, Max Ndaguibe, Josiah Odunna (the par-Nnanmdi Kanu ty’s national secretary), Prince Arthur Eze, and Gbazuagu Gbazuagu. Others were former Senate President, Evan Enwerem, Hyde Onuaguluchi, Ezekiel Izuogu, and cur- rent Science and Technology Minister, Ogbonnaya Onu. Typical of their slippery politics, most of them began turning to the PDP after the December 1998 council polls except Onu, Ojukwu and Mbakwe, though subsequently Ojukwu migrated to the newly-formed APGA, Mbakwe passed on, while Onu stayed put with ANPP till it fused into the APC. Before European colonization, Ndigbo were not united as a single people. They lived in autonomous local commu- nities. By the middle of the 20th century, their sense of ethnic identity, and the Igbo-dominated Eastern Region tried to secede from Nigeria in 1967 as the independent nation of Biafra. They number around 20 million. Interestingly, before the advent of colonialism, the Igbo largest political unit was the village group, a federation of villages averaging about 5,000 persons. Members of the group shared a common market and meeting place, a tu- telary deity, and ancestral cults that supported a tradition of descent from common ancestors. Authority in the vil- lage group was vested in a council of lineage heads and influential and wealthy men. The local elite tended to form larger political units, including centralised kingdoms and states.   For the Igbo, the road to 2019 is hazy. There could be re-alignment of political forces before the election year. NIGERIA NOW 19 JULY 2017

COVERSouth-South:Back to the Basics BY Akanim..o..S..ampsonTHE South-South geopolitical zone, is in need of fresh political ethos. It was once a strong politi- cal ally of the North dating back to 1959, whenthe Second Republic Governor of Rivers State, the lateMelford Okilo, an Ijaw, won a parliamentary electionon the platform of the defunct Northern People`s Con-gress (NPC). It was when National Councile of Nigeriaand Cameroon was the dominant political party in theEastern Region and the people of the South-South a mi-nority.In the Second Republic (1979-1983), the South-South-Northern alliance earned the former Senate Presidencywith Dr. Joseph Wayas, from Cross River State on thesaddle. The return of civil rule in 1999 produced a newset of political gladiators as governors: Victor Attah(Akwa Ibom), the late Diepreye Alamieyesigha (Bayel- from the Buhari’s government, hence many pundits Oil platformsa), Donald Duke (Cross River), James Ibori (Delta), expect the state to reciprocate the gesture. From theLucky Igbinedion (Edo), and Peter Odili (Rivers). Of Chief Justice of the Federation to Head of the Civilthem all, however, it’s despite of being an ex-convict that Service, Chief of Naval Staff, and Chairman of theseems to maintain a stranglehold the politics of his state. Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), theGiven the undying hunger for the development of the state has not had it so good. To an extent, the same canoil region, and the desire to be within the power archi- be said of Akwa Ibom state. It’s gladiators are gradu-tecture at the centre in 2019, it is obvious that the South- ally betraying a fondness for the ruling party at theSouth, will split its votes, with majority aligning with a centre. Although Godswill Akpabio, is still the big boypro-North party, likely to be All Progressives congress of Akwa Ibom politics, but his grip is waning. Also,(APC). A close, state-by-state analysis bails this point In Bayelsa, the lords of the APC do not appear to haveout. an enviable past. Besides, the odds do not seem to fa-James Ibori is the major force likely to determine where vour the party. Bayelsa is the home state of GoodluckDelta would swing to. The complex ethno-linguistic Jonathan and barring any unexpected upset, the for-configuration and clientele power system in the state mer president still calls the shots. Another state thatgives the former governor an edge. This, he has demon- will likely elude the APC is Rivers, whose pugnaciousstrated since his return from jail in England. Edo is still a governor, Nyesom Wike, seems to be firmly in charge.safe terrain for the All Progressives Congress (APC). It’s However, the days when Rivers will harvest millions offormer governor, the swashbuckling labour leader, Ad- votes in one electoral haul are over. The improvementams Oshiomhole, was able to checkmate the dominant in the electoral process, and the size of the oppositionpolitical potentates in that state. With Tony Anenih in would ensure that in 2019 or beyond the votes fromretirement, Samuel Ogbemudia in the grave and PDP in Rivers will be within the realm of reason.disarray, Edo is not likely to oscillate out of the reach of By 2019 therefore, the South-South region is not likelythe broom. going to speak with one electoral voice. There are noCross River Governor Ben Ayade has also exhibited a pan-regional issues to serve as the common denomi-soft spot for the APC, and many are of the belief that his nator, nor single individual around which to congre-days in the PDP are limited. There has also been a rush gate. Local elite in each state are likely to broker dealsfor the ruling party among the political elite in the state. with their counterparts from other parts of the coun-More than perhaps any state down the River Niger, try, although oil and the environment will still featureCross River has enjoyed choice political appointments prominently in the deals. NIGERIA NOW 20 JULY 2017

BUSINESS AND ECONOMYExcitement Over Nigeria’s Maiden (SEC) on the need to issue the instrument in order to serve as an alternative product for investors.” N100 Billion Sukuk Issuance “In ensuring that the Nigerian Capital Market plays a signif- Munir Gwarzo, icant role in the success of Nigeria’s maiden sovereign Sukuk SEC DG: Ex- issuance, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) cited over Nige- supported the Debt Management Office (DMO) specifical- ria’s joining the ly in the area of capacity building and participation at the global Sukuk Capital Market Committee’s sub-committee on non-interest club. products” it said.Analysts say Nigeria’s maiden issuance of N100 “This journey has led to this historic proposed issuance of billion Sukuk is a major move that will spur Nigeria’s N100bn, seven-year Sukuk, which would not only the development of non-interest capital market facilitate the mobilisation and allocation of funds within theproducts as it will serve as an alternative for investors. economy but would serve to position the country as a gate-The Sukuk offer which will open later in the year, will be way for foreign and domestic investors,” SEC further noted.traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the NCC’s Danbatta bags ‘Tell CEO of the Year’ awardFMDQ Securities Exchange OTC platform.According to Debt Management Office, DMO retail andinstitutional investors will have opportunity of investingin the non-interest bond through First Bank and Islamicwealth manager Lotus Capital with minimum subscrip- Dambatta:tion of N10, 000.00 and multiples of N1, 000.00 there- The awardafter. is a push forDMO says the issuance of the Sukuk is part of its strate- NCC to dogic plan to develop alternative sources of raising finance morefor development through a wider pool of investors.“One of these is the issuance of a sovereign non-interestfinancing products (Sukuk) in the domestic debt market Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairmanwhich would not only serve as an alternative source of (EVC), Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC)financing for the government, it would facilitate the mo- has been honoured with the award of ”Tell CEO Ofbilisation of idle funds and more efficient allocation of The Year 2016” by Tell Communications Ltd, for regulatoryscare resources within the economy. consistency.Sukuk, a non-interest equivalent of bonds, is becoming Mr. Nosa Igiebor, President, Tell Communications said theincreasingly attractive as a preferred option for fund- NCC Vice Chairman was honoured for the improvementsing infrastructure development and indeed economic he has effected in the telecommunication landscape since hisgrowth across the globe. appointment about two years ago.The Security and Exchange Commission had, in 2013, He noted that the EVC had achieved this by building on thefacilitated Nigeria’s participation in the growing global legacy of his predecessors.Sukuk market when it issued rules on the issuance of the “Unlike the other public institutions; where a new executivenon-interest bond. comes in and tries to dismantle what he met on ground, ev-This enabled the State Government of Osun to raise N11 ery EVC of NCC that comes in and raises the bar from wherebillion for infrastructure development in the country’s he met it.first Sukuk issuance. “And that is what Professor Danbatta has done with the EightThe success of the bond, which was oversubscribed, is Point Agenda.believed to be the catalyst for the national N100 Billion, “In less than two years, Danbatta’s administration grew the7-year Sukuk issuance. country’s broadband penetration from 10 per cent to 21 perApart from helping to mobilize funds within the econ- cent, as currently reported by the International Telecommu-omy for development purposes, the issuance of the nication Union (ITU).Sukuk would also help to promote financial inclusive- “Under his administration, Quality of Service (QoS) is re-ness, according to analysts. ceiving a major attention,” said Igiebor who also noted thatPENCOM has also listed Sukuk instruments as an asset NCC, unlike other public institutions, had been profession-class in which Pension Funds Administrators, PFAs may ally run since inception.invest funds. This, he said, has made the regulator a reference point forSEC described the maiden Sukuk as a major milestone telecommunications regulation not only in Africa but glob-for Nigeria as it will catalyse the development of non-in- ally.terest capital market products. “In the last two years, there has been exponential expansion“The issuance of this Sukuk follows diligent advocacy of Nigerians’ access to broadband and internet penetration.efforts from the Securities and Exchange Commission In his response, Danbatta said the award was a positive testi- NIGERIA NOW 21 JULY 2017

BUSINESS AND ECONOMYmony to what the commission has been doing for Nigerians The AFI Plan which aimed to address the safety statusand a call to do more. of aircraft operations in the AFI Region is focused on“It is an encouragement, a massive pat on the back for NCC establishment and maintenance of sustainable oversightunder my stewardship, to even do more to transform the sec- system (infrastructure/capacity building) and assistingtor, so that it can impact positively on the socio-economy of states to resolve identified deficiencies.the nation, he said.“The quality of service has always been a challenge, and thereare factors that affect good quality of service. Maikanti Indonesian Firm To Build Refinery“There are technical factors, which the commission can do Baru, NNPCsomething about. In Nigeria GMD, Aas-“There are non-technical factors, which the commission has sures the In-to engage government at the three levels, in order to contain donesian firmthis multitude of problems that are affecting quality of ser- of support.vice.“The situation at the moment is that we have noticed someimprovement in the quality of service,” the EVC who dedicat-ed the award to the staff of NCC said.According to him, improvement being witnessed in quality ofservice was still far below the stipulated standard of the KeyPerformance Indicators (KPI) that had been set for operators.“So we have tried to ensure that despite the improvement wehave seen recently, we are putting in measures to ensure moreimprovements,” Danbatta added.NCAA Sets July Target for Certificationof Abuja, Lagos Airports To be fully An Indonesian firm, PT Intim Perkasa Nigeria certified in Ltd, a subsidiary of PT Intim Perkasa, Indonesia july has indicated interest in building a refinery in Nigeria in a move that may help actualize Government’sThe Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is plan to boost local refining capacity. working with representatives of the International Mr. Adi Hartadi, the Head of Investor Relations of PTPP Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Western and (Persero) Tbk, partners to PT Intim Perkasa Nigeria Ltd,Central Africa (WACAF), to ensure the completion certi- who disclosed this in Abuja during a business meetingfication of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, with the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian Na-Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, tional Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. MaikantiAbuja by July 2017. Baru, stated that the proposed refinery would be locatedMr Sam Adurogboye, General Manager, Public Relations, in Akwa Ibom State.NCAA who said this recently noted that the certification According to him, the refinery, a modular one, will haveof the two airports which is being done simultaneously is refining capacity for 10,000 barrels per day.already at the third phase and would be completed by July. Baru, who was represented by the Chief Operating Of-The certification of the airports is being done by the ICAO ficer (COO), Refineries and Petrochemicals Engr. An-WACAF, under its implementation of the Africa-Indian igbor Kragha, stated that the corporationplaced highOcean (AFI) Plan Aerodrome Certification Project. premium on investment in the nation’s refining sector. He stated that NNPC had a Greenfield Refinery Depart- ment that specialized in new refinery projects and also provides professional support to potential investors in modular refinery in the country in line with the Federal Government policy on modular refineries. He added that that NNPC would give necessary support to the Indonesian Company. The NNPC GMD noted that with the rate of growth in Nigeria’s population, the country would by 2025 required 40 million litres of pet- rol for daily consumption. Nigeria could also serve as a regional hub of refined pe- troleum products for West Africa and beyond if such investments in refineries materialize, he added. NIGERIA NOW 22 JULY 2017

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY people out of poverty, especially farmers in rural areas of Africa. We must give hope and turn agriculture intoAkinwumi Adesina Is 2017 World a business all across Africa to create wealth for African Food Prize Laureate economies,” Adesina said in response to the award. The World Food Prize award has become known as the Dr. Adesina “Nobel Prize’’ for Food and Agriculture since it was in- troduced in 1986. The Prize has been awarded to about 45 individuals for their outstanding contributions to food security around the world and Adesina becomes the 46th recipient and the sixth African to be so honoured. The award ceremony would take place Oct. 19. FG To Power One Million Homes With SolarThe President of the African Development Bank, Acting (AfDB) Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has won the 2017 World Food Prize Laureate. PresidentDr. Adesina, Nigeria’s immediate past Minister of Agri-culture, will receive a $250,000 prize for driving change Osin-in African agriculture for over 25 years and improvingfood security for millions across the continent. bajo(L)The World Food Prize organizers, said in a statement is-sued in Washington that Dr. Adesina stood out in efforts during theto make food available to Africans.It said: “awarded by the World Food Prize Foundation, commis-the $250,000 prize honors Nigerian Dr. Adesina for hisleading role over the past two decades in: significantly sioningexpanding food production in Nigeria; introducing ini-tiatives to exponentially increase the availability of cred- Tthe solar he Federal Government said it will expandit for smallholder farmers across the African continent; its ongoing Solar Home System programmeand galvanizing the political will to transform African project for to one million households and thereby cre-agriculture. Wuna vil-“The selection of President Akinwumi Adesina as the lage, Feder-2017 World Food Prize Laureate reflects both his break- al Capital ate new jobs.through achievements as Minister of Agriculture of Ni- Acting President Yemi Osinbajo who stated this atgeria and his critical role in the development of the Alli- Territory the inauguration of Nigerian Renewable Energyance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).“It also gives further impetus to his profound vision for Roundtable in Abuja said the government throughenhancing nutrition, uplifting smallholder farmers, and the Rural Electrification Agency is developing aninspiring the next generation of Africans as they con- energy database that will show community loca-front the challenges of the 21st century,” said Ambassa- tions and energy demand profiles.dor Kenneth Quinn, President of the World Food Prize Osinbajo narrated how the provision of such so-Foundation, in making public President Adesina’s name. lar energy to Wuna village in the Federal CapitalHe added that Adesina with the support of the Rockefel- Territory (FCT) is already changing the socio-eco-ler Foundation organised the 2006 Africa Fertilizer Sum- nomic lives of the people in the community.mit; led a major expansion of commercial bank lending “I was in Wuna to see it for myself. For the firstto farmers as Vice President of AGRA; and, as Minister time in their existence, the village now has runningof Agriculture in Nigeria, introduced the E-Wallet sys- water, solar powered. The school has power andtem, which broke the back of corrupt elements that had the school hall is now used as a community hall incontrolled the fertilizer distribution system for 40 years.’’ the evenings. Each home has four points of light. “As someone who grew out of poverty, I know that pov- “Children can now stay up and do some studyingerty is not pretty. My life mission is to lift up millions of at night. Many of Wuna’s women can now process their millet and yams at night. New jobs have been created, solar installers, maintenance, payment systems and so on. Osinbajo revealed that 20,000 more homes would be provided with solar electricity system in the firstNIGERIA NOW 24 JULY 2017

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY white sugar in the next five years,” he noted.phase of the sustainable renewal energy solution Besides the over 100,000 employment opportunities that will beproject of the government. generated from the sugar plantations in addition to job creation,He added: “The Wuna home solar project is an ex- sugar sufficiency and the extended values chain, the group willample of how we can creatively and aggressively establish integrated sugar mills, generate electricity, produce an-provide power to our people by this pragmatic ap- imal feeds amongst others.proach to our energy mix. Nigerian Yams Off To Europe Dangote New Plant Will Stop Sug- ar Importation Into Nigeria Dangote Nigeria on Thursday, June 29, began the exportation of yams to help to Europe and the United States, as part of moves to diversify stop its oil-dependent economy and earn much-needed foreign ex- impor- change. tation of Agriculture minister Audu Ogbeh flagged off the first consign- ment of the fibrous tuber from the port in the country’s econom-D sugar ic capital, Lagos. angote Group has signed a Memorandum of “Oil and gas cannot employ millions of people just like agricul- Understanding (MoU) with the Nasarawa ture, so we must work hard to move from oil to earning foreign State Government for the biggest sugar plant exchange from agriculture,” Ogbeh said on the occasion.in Africa. The Agriculture Minister disclosed that inspection charges onThe signing ceremony of the deed of acquisition, lease export produce would be reduced to encourage more overseasand development agreement took place at the National sales and greater competition, saying: “to make yam competitive,Sugar Development Council, Sugar House, Abuja, yes- we will work on the packages and the right types of trucks to beterday. used for transportation of the produce.”Speaking on the agreement, President/Chief Executive, According to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO),Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said the integrated Nigeria accounts for 61 per cent of the world’s total yam output.sugar complex to be located in Tunga, Awe Local Gov- But, Ogbeh maintained that not all the quantity of yam producedernment Area of Nasarawa State, comprised 60,000ha in the country yearly was been consumed, a situation he said,sugar plantation and two sugar factories with capacity causes mass wastage.to produce 430,000tpa of refined white sugar. But with food shortages in conflict-hit parts of the country’sThis represents about 30 per cent of the country’s con- northeast and food inflation nudging 20 percent, there are fearssumption and would be the largest plant in Nigeria. the policy could hit consumers in the pocket.The sugar project will also provide 30,000 jobs for the Yams, a staple food grown across Nigeria, have gone up in priceunemployed teaming youths in Nasarawa State. Dan- since last August when the country slipped into recession as agote said the Phase II of the project, when extended to result of low global oil prices.cover 100,000ha, would make the sugar plant the larg- Meanwhile, the National Association of Chamber of Commerce,est in Africa. Industry, Manufacturing and Agriculture said incentives wereAs part of measures to improve the life of residents in needed to produce enough yams for local and overseas con-the community, Dangote Group has already committed sumption.the sum of N250 million for community development “There may be an increase in prices at the short-term but theof Tunga in line with its corporate social responsibility prices will fall as more yams come to the market,” a NACCIMAinitiative. official said.“Agriculture is a key sector in the industrialisation of Denja Yaqub of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said the initia-any nation. tive could encourage farmers to increase output, earning foreignTherefore, Dangote Group in support of the Federal exchange for the cash-strapped economy.Government transformation agenda in agriculture de- Yaqub who said that the government needed to reduce fuel costsveloped a sugar backward integration project plan tar- for farmers, upgrade roads and improve storage facilities to cutgeted at the production of 1.5MT/PA from various sites waste in the supply chain and ultimately lower prices, added thatacross Nigeria in 10 years. ‘’the policy will also make our agricultural produce competitive“We are acquiring about 150,000 hectares for sugar in the international market.’’plantation in Adamawa, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kwara,Kogi and Niger states.“However, we intend only to concentrate on Adamawa,Taraba and Nasarawa states in the phase I of the sugarproject with a target to produce about 1.08m tons ofNIGERIA NOW 25 JULY 2017

INTERVIEW Reps Committed To Buhari’s Anti Corruption War Honourable Kayode Oladele is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes. In this interview with Nigeria Now, he speaks about the war against corruption under President Muhammadu Bu- hari and the legislative support for the for the whis- tleblowers policy among others. The Buhari Administration came into office in alone without taking the National Assembly on board 2015 with war against corruption as one of its to be able to carry out the fight. cardinal programmes. How well would you And of course, we also know that we need to carry the say the government has fared in this regard? people along, because no matter how strong your will For any anti-corruption war to succeed, you must have is, you cannot fight corruption without the involvement the political commitment. It goes beyond saying you of the people. That will be like trying to control erosion want to fight corruption because it has multi-faceted with palm tree leaves. So far, the fight has been consis- dimensions. When this government was campaigning, tent and areas that were previously seen as no- go- area one of its mantra was the fight against corruption be- now being investigated- the judiciary, the arms deal cause they knew very well that corruption has robbed etc- everybody is now being investigated. this country of many things. It’s not as if we don’t have But say the way the war is being fought is very slow, resources; but a lot of our resources are not in the com- because even though there have been arrests, arraign- monwealth; but in private hands. The kind of corrup- ments of suspects in court and exposure of corrupt tion that took place during the military era was un- dealings, there has been very little in terms of convic- precedented and we are all witnesses to what happened tions. in the Second Republic. As chairman of the House Do you believe that this is also due to inadequacy of Committee (Financial Crimes) I will tell you that the our laws or incompetence on thepart of the anti graft war against corruption did not start and end with the agencies as some haveargued? executive. The House, under the leadership of Speaker The law is not the problem when it comes to fighting Yakubu Dogara adopted a legislative agenda with an- corruption. You have to look at the criminal justice sys- ti-corruption as key deliverable. The Speaker knows tem in Nigeria- the onus, burden of proof- everything. very well that the executive couldn’t fight corruption We don’t have civil forfeiture system in Nigeria. Under the extant laws, you have to prove the guilt of a person and since weIt’s the commitment you put into it, because where don’t have civil forfeiture system, itthere is a will, there will always be a way. Look at it— is ‘prove beyond reasonable doubt.’the headquarters of EFCC under construction was al- So, what is happening right now ismost abandoned, though Ibrahim Lamorde did what due to slow space of the criminalhe could to move it forward, the administration of justice system. It has nothing to doGoodluck Jonathan did not give him the needed sup- with the anti corruption agencies. Cases are being adjourned end-port—the highest he would receive in a year would lessly and most of the people whobe N1.5 billion and at some point they were owing Ju- are involved have resources to hirelius Berger, the contractor about N5 billion. very strong lawyers who can go to court, seek adjournments and even take a very little aspect of the case NIGERIA NOW 25 JULY 2017

INTERVIEWon appeal up to the Supreme Court. HonourableBut the Administration of Criminal Justice Act was enacted Kayode Oladeleto take care of this kind of loopholes in the criminal justicesystem… put into it, because where there is a will, there will alwaysThe Administration of Criminal Justice Act is like a revolu- be a way. Look at it—the headquarters of EFCC undertion. At least, it has helped to shorten all that. But again, the construction was almost abandoned, though Ibrahimimplementation is in the hands of the courts. If you look Lamorde did what he could to move it forward, the ad-at section 40 of the EFCC Act which was formulated over ministration of Goodluck Jonathan did not give him themany years ago, (because it was amended in 2004) Section needed support—the highest he would receive in a year40 says that there shall not be any interlocutory appeal on would be N1.5 billion and at some point they were owingany matter relating to EFCC. But how was it implemented? Julius Berger, the contractor about N5 billion. But whenJudges say that section 40 violates the constitution and they this administration came into power, I worked with Na-even said that you have a right to appeal even interlocutory tional Assembly leadership to ensure that the N2 billiondecisions. So, though ACJA is there now, it depends on how proposed by the executive was raised to over N9 billion.it’s being implemented by the judges. And we are still saying we need more funds, becauseWould you support the establishment of such special more responsibilities are being added every day.courts?Not only am I supporting it, I have introduced a bill to that ‘‘Speedy trial should be the right ofeffect. We have a Special Criminal Court Bill now. I worked the accused person, but the accusedhand in hand with the Committee set up by the President to don’t even want speedy trials becausedevelop it before I introduced it. But some have also kicked they don’t want to be convicted. So,against it because they feel we are going to create another they do all sorts of things, they playbureaucracy. But we are not trying to create a bureaucracy all sorts of pranks, using the weak-or another court system. It’s still within the same system. All nesses in the criminal justice systemwe are saying is that there should be a division, a specialised to frustrate prosecution. So, it is notdivision within the judiciary to take care of that area. a question of the ICPC or the EFCC notWould you support the merger of all the anti graft agen- working. Don’t forget that the EFCC,cies — ICPC, EFCC and even the Code of Conduct Tribu- ICPC are not judges, they are prosecu-nal to reduce over-lapping functions and running cost? tors’’In my opinion, there is no basis for the merger. A committeewas set up by the administration of former President Good-luck Jonathan—the (Steve) Oronsaye Committee. I remem-ber that it made a case for the merger of EFCC and ICPC atthe time. But government’s white paper rejected that posi-tion. The former Chairman of ICPC also spoke against it. Ihave worked with the EFCC and I know that its mandateis to fight financial crimes in government agencies, as wellas in the private sector. In order to stabilize the economyand the banking sector, they fight cybercrimes, advance feefraud and all sorts of things which are not within the pur-view of public sector crimes. And when you look at publicsector crimes as well—the politically exposed persons, aswell as crimes within the Civil Service system, the ICPC’sfunctions are very clear and distinct from those of the EFCCin those areas.EFCC goes into. When EFCC is into a case, the ICPC willnot go into the same case. Even if the police is handling it,EFCC will not go into the same matter. So, I don’t see any-thing wrong in how they are now..EFCC has always complained about inadequate funding…Funding can never be enough. During the last adminis-tration, the funding was really poor. As a matter of fact,it got to a point that EFCC was almost grounded to zerolevel—because government was not committed to the fight.Commitment determines the funding—it’s not when youmerge them or they stand alone. It’s the commitment you NIGERIA NOW 26 JULY 2017

INTERVIEW Agribusiness Can Be The Soul Of Nigeria’s Development- Dangote Alhaji Sani Dangote, Vice President Dangote Group And President Nigeria Agric Business Group (NAGB)Calm, quiet and humble are the words that describes Alhaji Sani Dangote,Vice President of Dangote Group and President of Nigeria AgriBusiness Group (NABG).At a very short notice, he granted Nigeria Now Magazine an exclusive in-terview. Dipo Alaje spoke to him on a wide range of issue relating to Agric. The interview was revealing. Here is an excerpt.WAlhaji Sani Dangote,hen did you launch into Agriculture. tion of fabrics. I started engaging in Agricultural Eventually, I had a total chain from cottonVice President of activities in the 1980’s by buying farming to ginnery to spinning, weaving andDangote Group ultimately finishing. But things did not turn cotton from local farmers, paid and waited out too well and we had to close down some for some months to get the cotton ginned. of the facilities. I still have the ginnery in With the liberalization of the sector, I saw Malumfashi, Katsina State. an opportunity, bought over a company in Kano and converted the factory into a cotton In the 1980’s, I got involved in cocoa business i bought weaving facility. I subsequently bought over a the product from various states and brought them to ginnery and at that stage, I no longer had to Ikeja, Lagos, for processing into powder and cakes. wait on the queue to have my cotton ginned. But things changed (drastically), due to policy incon- From ginnery, I moved in to spinning, buy- sistencies. Over the period, I have been involved in ing yarns and ultimately went into produc- activities of buying and selling to local farmers. I have always had the mindset of how to process what was being bought. With years of this experience, I have acquired some knowledge of how farmers behave and how to posi- tively change their orientation to improve on the total value chain. What is Nigeria Agribusiness Group about. Nigeria Agric Business Group is made up of many agric - based associations, under one umbrella. It cuts across all sectors of agric business. (small, medium or large scale entrepreneurship), Small farmers holders’ institutions, academia, youths, women empowerment, processors, logistics as- sociations, suppliers, financial institutions and so on. Any organization that makes input into the to- tal value chain is expected to be part of NABG. The concept is one of its first kinds in Nigeria. It enables us to approach policies and issues affecting Agric Business under a common platform and try solve our own problems without having to (always) blame government or any external forces for our predicament. We look inwards to find solutions to our common problems. In NABG, A small farmer can be linked up with a big one for patronage, while the big famer is linked up with a food processor that can buy their products. We have over the years been able to draw in NIGERIA NOW 27 JULY 2017

INTERVIEWa lot of associations into the umbrella of NABG We need to start by producing more stockin a bid to improve the value chain.How can NABG help a farmer to transit from through the incentive of minimum pricesubsistence to mechanilization and ultimate- guarantee scheme, and when we start havingly a food processor. buffer stocks, more physical trading, rela-The whole agriculture activity in the country tive food security, when things become pre-has stagnanted for (almost) five decades. A veryhigh percentage has been on the subsistence dictable because of clusters of farmers andlevel, unconsciously subsidizing the elites. things become more physical and feasible,They have been producing at minimum yields Then we can begin to talk of Commodity Ex-under tedious hard work. They get little valuefor their hard work. We now try giving them change. I think the idea is premature for now.what they need to become business oriented.With this, they would produce more, get higheryield. Through better equipment, the work is made less I think we are trying to jump 10 steps ahead withlabour intensive. Ultimately, they would begin to see the planned introduction of Commodity Boards. I agreebenefit of their hard work. that it is good idea, but I think we have not gotten toUnder NABG, we bring the attention of government at that stage yet. Under a Commodity Exchange, youvarious levels to create a total paradigm shift from the do physical and non-physical trading. Someone canpast by bringing these small farmers into segment of clus- come to place order for 100 tons of maize at certainters, by utilizing some of the dams and water reservoirs price in May, against September harvest. Within thisavailable around the country, by linking them up with de- period, price can go up or down.velopment institutions, and raw material suppliers - all in Some people will definitely speculate by buying Sep-a bid to ensure that they can engage in farming activities tember stock in May, at 100 Naira per bag, and if byduring both rainy and dry seasons. next month the price comes down to 90 Naira per bag,This would enable them to cultivate three crops annually. purchase would be made, by August the price mayInstead of once in the rainy season. They are able to get a have become 150. This becomes an incentive to quick-better improved seedling, and adopt modern approach to ly sell and make profit, without having the physicalagriculture, better yield and consistent quality per hectare. product. In Nigeria today, we don’t have a system thatUltimately, they would have more money in their pocket. can facilitate this type of transactions, where you canWe are proposing to the government a public, private exchange documents and get paid for the difference.partnership that would work on the creation of a price Introducing a Commodity Exchange now may en-stabilization scheme. At the beginning of any season, courage unnecessary speculation within the industrythere would be a recommended selling price for every and result in confusion in the market.major crop in the system at the minimum and maximum We need to start by producing more stock throughlevel(s). the incentive of minimum price guarantee scheme,The minimum guarantee is that if the price reaches a cer- and when we start having buffer stocks, more physicaltain level, there would be an intervention through private trading, relative food security, when things becomepartnership with government, excess products would be predictable because of clusters of farmers and thingsbought, to maintain prices at the minimum. When it ex- become more physical and feasible, Then we can be-ceeds the minimum by one naira, it would be withdrawn gin to talk of Commodity Exchange. I think the idea isfrom purchasing and normal trading continues. premature for now.Whenever it gets to the ceiling-which is the maximum The current system of exporting products like cocoaprice, whatever was bought at the minimum would be in form of raw materials and later import them inre-introduced back to the market with reasonable han- form of finished products like chocolates and otherdling fees of a single digit percentage. This would serve beverages is not helping the economy. What is youras incentive to local farmers and agro processors, becausethey have a guaranteed minimum price. group doing about this. When you look at that idea generally, I think it doesThose in the processing industry can make predictions of not make sense. I think the government should takeprice ranges. This would prevent lack of continuity and steps to penalize exportation of raw cocoa beans. Theywithin the industry. It would encourage banks to assist in specify some kind of levy to be paid before cocoa isfinancing agriculture. exported in its raw state. They should also make cheapOnce everything is structured and things are done in ac- funds available to local processors to buy machinerycordance with best practice, there would be stability in that can be used in the production of by-products ofproduction while productivity would be increased. Ulti- cocoa. Incentives should also be given to some of themately, we would witness a reduction in prices of food companies willing to use these by-products for localcommodities and resulting in high patronage. consumption. Imported products like chocolate that can be pro-What is your opinion on the reintroduction of Com- duced locally, should also be discouraged with variousmodity Exchange Board by Government. NIGERIA NOW 28 JULY 2017

INTERVIEW these products, .It is like earning more money. When import is substituted from local content contribution, fiscal policies. it is like building a platform that can be self-sufficient, Agriculture is currently being looked at as an alter- export can earn more money in future. native source of income for the government, what is The little funds available can be utilized in areas where your opinion on this. we have no competition and competitive advantage, An alternative source of income as it is current being with virtually no opportunity to produce locally. By referred to simply means more earning in dollars from doing so, the funds available would be more than suf- Agriculture. There are many products that can earn ficient for local needs. the country foreign exchange like cocoa, soya, gum I am not against the stabilization of the naira, but what arabic, and cashew. I am for is to have an exchange rate that stimulates We need to bring in a policy that incentivizes exporta- export driving activities and stabilizes the rate of ex- tion of certain products that have about 90 percent lo- change, so that imports and exports can be consistent cal content. The good thing about agriculture is that it and predictable for people to make plans and projec- touches from the bottom to the top. It does not matter tions. if you are an illiterate or a professor. You can be part of How can your group protect our local farmers from the value chain with whatever level of education you the invasion of foreign investors in our agricultural have. It involves multiple activities, and is not restrict- sector. ed to any region or race. All parts of the country have The focus must be taken seriously. With the right poli- one agricultural produce or another that can add val- cy of government and consistency the issue of protect- ue to the chain. ing our local farmers would be addressed. If the focus The most important thing is not the primary pro- is sustained, we would see a lot of Dollar influx. duction but the processing of these products. We are The local farmers are protected when they form a currently importing some of these consumer products cluster. They become empowered and can compete that are by-products of some of the crops produced more favorably, they can do things collectively and locally. get maximum benefits. Protecting them is like givingThe good thing about agriculture is that it touch- them capacity so that they cannot be trampled upon.es from the bottom to the top. It does not matter Providing them with irrigation scheme and fundingif you are an illiterate or a professor. You can be at reasonable rate, linking them with food processorspart of the value chain with whatever level of ed- would go a long way in helping them.ucation you have. It involves multiple activities, What are the challenges of your group.and is not restricted to any region or race. All NABG is just about 3 years old. I think government isparts of the country have one agricultural pro- realizing the group’s importance. They are recognizingduce or another that can add value to the chain. the potentials of the group, because all the agric value There should be two steps. We either earn more Dol- chain in the country can be accessed through NABG. lars, or try and reduce the demand for the dollar, so The major challenge is the time being taken for the re- that the little one we have would be sufficient. This can alization of our full potential. But I think we just need be done by substituting the product that we import to be patient, continue working together and try to with local production. If we have only 100 million increase the momentum. Under NABG, the structure dollars, instead of demanding all these products that and identity of member associations are retained. It’s we produce, we can substitute the import of some of just a platform for all associations to come together, to deliberate and discuss common issues. We are trying to pay a courtesy visit to members of the National Assembly so that we can discuss some of the challenges we are facing. What is your vision for NABG. I want to ensure that NABG stands the test of time. We are all associate members who trust and believe in the overall vision of the group, which is mainly to find solutions to common problems of all stakeholders in the Agricultural value chain. We intend to positively turn around things in Agricultur so that people would be able to make decent money. I see Agriculture as the only consistent and reliable avenue that can ensure a realistic and sustainable eco- nomic growth. I see NABG participating directly in the economic development of this great country.NIGERIA NOW 29 JULY 2017

HEALTHTwining Effectof the MeningitisEpidemic BY Ibrahim MusaNigeria has been a theatre of a cocktail of epidemics, in to have a field day due to lack of herd immunity. there was nopredating the 1914 amalgamation of its Northern and Unless similar concertedmeasures are put in place to evidence sug-Southern protectorates. Considering the uninspiring forestall such an evolving trend, it will continue in a cy- gestive of thelevel of development and rudimentary understanding clical manner unabated. It is sad that globally, vaccine disease in thisof science, back to the pre-colonial era, the extent to stocks for serotype C are scarce and take longer time part of thewhich we were depopulated by the epidemics menace to produce large quantities to satisfy acute or increased world- notcan only be a matter of conjecture. demands. even in theThe narrative was not too different in other climes. For Therefore, the early warnings ought to have pushed Ni- copious docu-instance, the pandemic of Spanish flu in 1918, affected geria to consciously leverage on its preparedness mech- mentations ofabout 500 million people, leading to the deaths of be- anism and liaise with GAVI (the vaccine alliance) to get the Surgeon/tween 50 and 100 million people across the world. This its vulnerable population immunized with appropriate Explorer -underscores the vulnerability of the human population vaccines, as a time-tested ffective preventive measure. Mungo Park.to threats of infections over time. In the absence of this, we are have been left with a dev-However, in the last few decades, things have changed astating consequence of an epidemic that leaves in itsremarkably with efficient diagnostic tools and potent trail, within 6 months, 1069 deaths, 13,420 reporteddrugs. This has revolutionized healthcare and ushered cases and several other patients with disabling compli-us into precision medicine. Infectious diseases have cations.now taken a second slot in the ladder of killer diseases, It is quite refreshing to emphasize that meningitis maylosing the lead position to chronic and degenerative dis- symbolize sub-Saharan Africa- but the disease was noteases – aptly coined as diseases of affluence. originally indigenous to this subcontinent. The firstWhen an outcome is linked to affluence, it does not documented 32 cases were in the 1905 in Zungeru,require a psychic octopus to predict that it is mutually within the present day Niger state. Prior to that, thereexclusive with poverty. The picture may be true in oth- was no evidence suggestive of the disease in this part ofer developed climes but Nigeria and the sub-Saharan the world- not even in the copious documentations ofAfrica where our diseases pattern is still locked in the the Surgeon/Explorer - Mungo Park. So, it was hypoth-Omran’s “age of pestilence”. esized that the disease came to the West African sub-Experts had warned of the looming meningitis epi- continent flowing from the clashes of the Mahdi armydemic in Nigeria, way back in 2013. They had predicted and Anglo-Egyptian forces in the Sudan.with accuracy that with an unlikely Neisseria, we would Some of the mercenaries that supported Mahdi in hisencounter the Meningitides serotype C, relatively un- lost battle were from present-day northern parts of Ni-common here. The projection was predicated on the geria, and it was likely that they brought the virulentdynamics that the conjugate vaccine (MenAfriVac) had strain along, while returning back home after the war.since brought the commoner serotype A under control Alternatively, the disease could have reached Nigeriain Nigeria. And, as in the balloon effect, the moment through the Muslim annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Atserotype A becomes less prominent, serotype C moves that period people used camels and horses to travel NIGERIA NOW 30 JULY 2017

HEALTHMeningitis through Chad, Timbuktu, up to the coastal area bor- cines production. It does not make economic sense topatient receiving dering the Red sea on their way to perform the annual be entirely dependent on foreign donors to fight what istreatment Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Travellers might have been primarily our own problem. We also need to invest and infected along that route, either in Sudan or Egypt, and improve our housing, providing adequate ventilation, as therefore served as the source of the disease into our part of the strategy to see an end to this recurrent horror sub-continent. in our lives. What is disturbing however, is not the history of the dis- Dr. Musa is a Kano-based medical practitioner. This ease, but why we are stuck with it while areas from where piece was contributed before the Federal Government an- it originated have since dealt a blow to it. Nowadays, ep- nounced that the epidemic had been brought under con- idemic meningitis is seen mainly in what is designated trol on 29 June, 2017. as the meningitis belt; a vast area that stretches from Senegal in the West coast to Ethiopia in the East coast. It is imper- ative that It is quite refreshing to emphasize that meningitis countries may symbolize sub-Saharan Africa- but the disease was within this not originally indigenous to this subcontinent. The belt should first documented 32 cases were in the 1905 in Zungeru, try and do- mesticate within the present day Niger state. itd vac- NIGERIA NOW 31 JULY 2017

HEALTHBiosimilars For CancerTreatment UnderwayThe World Health Organisation (WHO) is launchinga pilot project for prequalifying biosimilar medicinesthis year, a step towards making some of the most ex-pensive treatments for cancer more widely available in low- and middle-income countries. BY Akanimo SampsonTHIS coming September, WHO will be invit- product may change during manufacture and no bio- ing manufacturers to submit applications for therapeutic product of the same category is exactly the prequalification of biosimilar versions of two same as another.products in the WHO Essential Medicines List: rit- It is therefore more difficult to make a comparisonuximab (used principally to treat non-Hodgkin’s lym- between a biosimilar and its original, than it is be-phoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia), and tras- tween chemically identical active ingredients in a fullytuzumab (used to treat breast cancer). synthesised medicine. For that reason, WHO mustThe decision comes after a two-day meeting in Gene- accompany global policies on expanding access tova between WHO, national regulators, pharmaceuti- biosimilars with rigorous guidance on the way thesecal industry groups, patient and civil society groups, medicines are quality-assured before they enter mar-payers and policymakers to discuss ways to increase kets.access to biotherapeutic medicines. WHO also plans Every year, billions of dollars’ worth of medicines andto explore options for prequalifying insulin. other health products are purchased by internationalBiotherapeutics are pharmaceutical products derived procurement agencies for distribution in low-incomefrom biological and living sources. They include ther- countries. Prequalification is a service provided byapeutic vaccines, blood, blood components, cells, WHO to assess the quality, safety and efficacy of thosegene therapies, tissues and other materials. products that address global public health priorities.Several biologic medicines are ‘specialty drugs’, highly If the products meet international standards, they arepriced and effective in treating medical conditions for listed on the WHO web site as eligible for procure-which no other treatments are available. Gene- and ment, giving purchasing agencies a range of quali-cell-based therapies are among these pharmaceuticals. ty-assured diagnostics, medicines and vaccines from Some biotherapeutics are effective treatments for cer- which to choose. Many low-income countries also usetain forms of cancer, chronic diseases such as diabetes, WHO’s lists of prequalified products to guide theirCrohn’s disease and other autoimmune conditions, in- selection of medicines, vaccines and technologies forcluding lupus , and various forms of rheumatoid ar- national procurement.thritis. Biotherapeutic medicines, which are produced fromAppropriate regulation of biosimilars is of paramount biological sources such as cells rather than synthesisedimportance for the quality, safety and efficacy of the chemicals, are important treatments for some cancerstreatment. As their source is biological, or living, the and other non-communicable diseases. Like generic NIGERIA NOW 32 JULY 2017

HEALTHCancer Patient Every year, billions of dollars’ worth of medicines and other health products are purchased by inter- national procurement agencies for distribution in low-income countries. Prequalification is a service provided by WHO to assess the quality, safety and ef- ficacy of those products that address global public health priorities. medicines, biosimilars can be much less expensive evaluation of similar biotherapeutic products to en- versions of innovator biotherapeutics. They are usual- sure that WHO’s guidance to national regulatory au- ly manufactured by other companies once the patent thorities reflects recent evidence and experience. on the original product has expired. As the patents of “Biosimilars could be game-changers for access to some biotherapeutics have expired, more biosimilars medicines for certain complex conditions,” said Dr are being produced. Like generic medicines, biosimi- Suzanne Hill, WHO’s Director of Essential Medicines lars could help to increase access to treatment in low- and Health Products. “But they need to be regulated er-resourced countries and provide a solution to esca- appropriately to ensure therapeutic value and patient lating health costs in high-income countries. safety.” “Innovator biotherapeutic products are often too ex- Increased use of biosimilars will also require patients pensive for many countries, so biosimilars are a good and their physicians to understand and trust that the opportunity to expand access and support countries benefits of this type of medicine substantially out- to regulate and use these medicines,” said Dr Ma- weigh any risks. WHO will be looking to countries rie-Paule Kieny, WHO Assistant Director General for with positive experience of biosimilars and partners Health Systems and Innovation. for support in educating prescribers and patients on If WHO finds that the biosimilars submitted for pre- the benefits of these medicines and in advocating for qualification are comparable to originator products greater awareness of biosimilars. in terms of quality, safety and efficacy, the medicines In addition, WHO will advocate for fairer prices for will be listed by WHO and become eligible for pro- all biotherapeutics to ensure that these treatments can curement by United Nations agencies. Many low- and truly benefit public health. This will include support middle-income countries also rely on WHO prequali- to countries to develop price-setting strategies that fication before buying medicines. An additional bene- foster sustainable markets to deliver treatments to pa- fit of WHO prequalification could be to increase com- tients, savings to payers and incentives to producers to petition and further reduce the price of medicines. keep manufacturing the medicines needed. WHO will also review its 2009 Guidelines on the NIGERIA NOW 33 JULY 2017

AGRICULTUREFood Security: AfDBInitiates Feed AfricaOVER 300 million Africans do not have enough inflate prices. This is what the AfDB plans to reverse BY food to eat. Like HIV/AIDS, the troubling is- with the help of its Feed Africa initiative. sue of hunger is a global pandemic. Experts The initiative which is running from 2016 to 2025, Akanim..o..S..ampsonhave been busy shouting that agricultural develop- has 18 action points designed to boost the agriculturalment is intricately connected to food sustainability sector to a level which, in the first instance, feeds theissues. If that is the case, then Africa has the potential population, and second, turns the continent into a netto be the food basket of theworld. The continent has food exporter. As part of the strategy to boost produc-around 60% of the globe’s uncultivated arable land, tivity and strengthen markets, specific plans includeand a similar proportion of her peoples are working in the large-scale dissemination of productivity-boost-the agricultural sector. ing technology, the development of enhanced seedsYet, the continent has some of the world’s worst nu- specific to the African setting, and the expansion oftritional outcomes. Some 25% of children are stunt- information and communications technology (ICT)ed, almost every country in the continent suffer from platforms to support financial transactions and dis-micronutrient deficiencies, and accounts for over 300 seminate information.million of the 795 million people in the world that do Such plans have been made possible by the rapid ad-not have enough food to eat. vancement in agricultural technologies over recentAccording to the  Food Sustainability Index (FSI), years and, as techniques pioneered in developedpublished in 2016 by  The Economist Intelligence markets are translated into the African context, caseUnit with the Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition, studies from across the continent deliver proof of thethe two largest economies in Sub-Saharan Africa–– potential impact of technological progress. For exam-Nigeria and South Africa––rank at the bottom of the ple, the adoption of the “push-pull” system––whichindex for nutritional problems. North Africa fares only accommodates the mixed cropping systems tradition-slightly better, and Egypt, whose economy is compa- ally used by smallholders and relies only on low-cost,rable in size to fourth-placed Israel, ranks a lowly 20th locally sourced inputs- has led to a threefold increasewhen it comes to nutritional challenges. in maize yields in parts of East Africa.The AfDB’s strategy to address these worrisome chal- However, although investment in agri-tech can in-lenges is to focus on boosting the productivity of the crease agricultural productivity,  the AfDB acknowl-agricultural sector. It takes issue with the fact that edges that technology alone will not fix Africa’s fooddespite its wealth of arable land and growing labour security challenges. Indeed, unless farmers are inte-force, Africa still imports two-thirds of the food it con- grated into food supply chains, they have no incentivesumes. Imported food is often cheaper than the home- to increase their output. Hence, the Feed Africa initia-grown alternatives because poor rural infrastructure, tive also advocates public investment in rural transportoutdated farming practices and undeveloped supply infrastructure, storage facilities and agro-processingchains erode the productivity of food production and industries. Such investment could vastly improve the NIGERIA NOW 34 JULY 2017

AGRICULTUREAfrican children competitiveness of Africa’s farmers and allow small- cant difference to development outcomes.with empty bowl holders to make incremental improvements to their The countries that performed best on the FSI tend to farms’ productivity. be those with positive track records of government Drawing investment into agri-tech solutions and action, but worryingly, African countries performed market structures will certainly go some way towards poorly in policy-related categories. For example, Ni- boosting farming productivity. This would by exten- geria, South Africa and Ethiopia are three of the bot- sion contribute to Africa’s ability to feed its growing tom five countries for property-rights protection, and population sustainably. But investment is no magic the bottom three in terms of policies to protect small- bullet. The experience of other developing countries holders against land grabbing. This matters for food teaches us that  public policy is just as important as sustainability, because workers are unlikely to scale up capital investment, and it is only when this investment production at their farms if they are not legally enti- takes place in the context of supportive governments tled to them. that it can be leveraged to a level that makes a signifi- There is, therefore, a risk that the effectiveness of the AfDB’s Feed Africa initiative––and the impact of tech-the two largest economies in Sub-Sa- nological advances more generally––will be thwartedharan Africa––Nigeria and South Af- by unfavourable laws, regulations, policies and in-rica––rank at the bottom of the index stitutions at a national level. Progress on addressingfor nutritional problems. North Afri- these issues has been mixed across the continent, withca fares only slightly better, and Egypt, some governments making concerted efforts to devel-whose economy is comparable in size op effective supply chains for home-grown food, whileto fourth-placed Israel, ranks a low- others continue to shut farmers out of markets by re-ly 20th when it comes to nutritional taining their outdated systems of land ownership.challenges. It is hoped that the Fee Africa initiative by the AfDB, should also be a veritable vehicle to drive policy re- form in the continent. NIGERIA NOW 35 JULY 2017

AGRICULTURETowards ClimateSmart AgricultureCountries are busy sharing lessons on howto tackle the challenges climate changeposes to agricultureIN a seeming frantic effort to move towards “cli- and food production systems in the face of climate BY mate-smart” agriculture, countries have shared change and fostering adoption of climate smart agri- new experiences on how to produce food in ways culture, particularly among vulnerable, smallholder Akanim..o..S..ampsonthat help farmers cope with the impacts of climate farmers.change and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in ag- For example, rice-farming techniques that use lessriculture. water were introduced several years ago in five Tanza-The exchange took place at a special April 26, side- nian regions - Morogoro, Iringa, Lake Zone, Shinyan-event during a session of the Food and Agriculture ga and Mbeya - are used now by around 30 percentOrganisation’s (FAO) Executive Council. of all rice producers in those areas. The farmers haveWhile countries are embarking on the implemen- already seen their yields increase while using fewertation of the Nationally Determined Contributions water resources - which is particularly important for(NDCs) - the actions nations are taking under the these drought-prone areas - and are eager to switch toParis Agreement - the event provided an opportuni- new varieties of rice seeds.ty to learn from countries who have championed cli- Conservation agriculture practices, implemented inmate-smart agriculture in different regions. the Lake Zone, have also shown their efficiency. TheseClimate-smart agriculture is, however, an approach have included the use of improved seed varieties ofaimed at transforming food systems. It involves pur- cassava, maize, sorghum and cotton, which are toler-suing sustainable productivity increases while imple- ant to droughts and water scarcity, and the use of or-menting climate adaptation strategies and reducing ganic fertilisers such as manure to increase soil fertili-greenhouse gas emissions where possible, to achieve ty. As a result, the productivity in the areas practisingfood security in the face of increasing climate change. conservation agriculture has increased by about fourEmbracing climate-smart agriculture at a political times compared to the traditionally cultivated areas.and field level in Tanzania to transform people’s lives National researchers have also developed specialIn Tanzania, estimated loss in the agriculture sector breeds of high-yielding dairy cows and introduceddue to climate change is about $200 million per year. them to livestock farmers in the field enabling them toTo tackle this problem the government has brought cut down the number of cattle while increasing theirthe climate agenda in line with agriculture develop- income. This, in turn, has helped reduce greenhousement and food security policies, and climate change gas emissions in livestock production and preventconsiderations are now mainstreamed into national grazing damage to crops.development planning and budget allocations. The Coping With Natural Disasters In Vietnamcountry also intends to invest more in research on In Vietnam, about 700 000 hectares of rice and otherclimate-smart agriculture to inform decision-making food crops were heavily damaged by climate-inducedand involve private partners to catalyse additional in- natural disasters in 2016. As a result, rice productionvestment in the sector. fell by 800 000 tonnes, and about 1.1 million people inThe national policy focus in Tanzania has hence shift- affected areas were put at a greater risk of fooded towards building the resilience of agricultural NIGERIA NOW 36 JULY 2017

AGRICULTUREFarmers at work insecurity. trees. Such agroforestry systems help farmers diver- To reverse the dire situation, numerous climate change sify their income, control soil erosion, and improve adaptation and disaster risk management measures ecosystems and the environment. In addition, they have been implemented at national, subnational and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester local levels. carbon. For example, rice cultivation area in several Central Integrating crops or forests with aquaculture is also provinces has been converted to other crops such as widely practised in Vietnam. For example, the ecolog- fruit trees and grapes, which require less water for ical shrimp-mangrove forests in the country’s coastal raising and can serve as an alternative source of in- provinces provide sustainable livelihoods for vulnera- come for farmers. When weather permits, the land ble coastal communities while protecting natural re- can be easily switched back to rice production. sources. Furthermore, organic farming products can On sloping land areas of Vietnam’s Northern moun- fetch premium prices due to the high food safety stan- tainous regions and Central provinces, annual food dards employed in their production. With more than crops are intercropped with forests, fruit or industrial 180 000 hectares of the shrimp-mangrove forests hav- ing been cultivated to date, farmers are receiving a sta-Climate-smart agriculture is, how- ble income of $1 600 per hectare per year. Meanwhile,ever, an approach aimed at trans- the coastal protection value is estimated at about $800forming food systems. It involves per hectare per year.pursuing sustainable productivity In household pig production, livestock farmers are be-increases while implementing cli- ing encouraged to use bio-digesters, which allow themmate adaptation strategies and re- to convert wastes into biogas used for daily cookingducing greenhouse gas emissions and lighting. They also create a nutrient-rich slurry forwhere possible, to achieve food se- fertilising paddy rice fields. More than 35 000 bio-di-curity in the face of increasing cli- gesters have already been installed, which resulted inmate change a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. During the FAO-hosted event, the participants also highlighted the importance of embedding cli- mate-smart agriculture in national policies and pro- grammes and promoting climate-smart practices in the field through training and farmer field schools in various ecological zones. They also stressed the need to provide accurate climate information to farm- ers and investing in evidence-based research on cli- mate-smart agriculture. NIGERIA NOW 37 JULY 2017

VIEW POINT SDGs And The Excluded Akanimo Sampson sources for health.Citizens, especially women and The group also has begun training health care workers on integrated com-children, living in hard-to- munity case management, and they are helping to constitute and resuscitatereach communities are the community structures such as the Community Development Communitiesmost affected by development (CDC) for proper management and leadership of communal health facili-challenges.They are the vul- ties. They are also promoting the participation of women who are the vulner-nerable segment that is dying able groups in these structures.of preventable diseases like In line with the national task sharing policy of the Federal Governmentmalaria, meningitis, diarrhoea. which is: To meet the universal health coverage and the health needs of theThey lack access to quality Nigerian population through the mobilisation of available human resourcesand useful health information to ensure equity, accessibility and effectiveness in the delivery of essentialand services health care services, the group is currently recruiting volunteers who will be trained as Community-Oriented Resource Persons (CORPs) to provide the most basic health care services in their communities and write referrals for severe cases. The group has renewed their commitment to SDGs 3, 5, and 6 — good health and well-being; gender equality; and clean water and sanitation. ‘’We will extend the SDGs benefits to those most in need by giving priority to the ne- glected, and in support of the hard-to-reach with quality health information and services’’, the group said. To, therefore, assist the government to reach more of the excluded citizens in Nigeria, all faith-based groups and NGOs involved in the SDGs should emulate the good initiative in Benue.W M Maiduguri On My MindE are not still getting it right. So, it seems. AIDUGURI is the capital city of Borno State in the North-EastThe gains of the Sustainable Develop- axis of Nigeria. It has been suffering from serial attacks from thement Goals (SDGs) is not going full circle. Boko Haram, an insurgent group. Last June, the city witnessed aSomething needs to be done. Very urgently. barrage of gunfire between the armed security forces and the insurgents. Tens of citizens have died and scores injured in the process. It is quite worrisome that the June attacks are coming just over one month after the Federal Government made an exchange with the insurgents of cashObviously, there is a need for the gains of the SDGs to and prisoners for 82 Chibok school girls. The security implication tends tobe distributed equitably. The juice is not going round, be that the insurgent group has been strengthened by the cash and theirand some sets of humanity are being excluded. freed experienced leaders. It also seems that from their perspective, it is vitalAccess to windows of opportunities and development to appear strong after the negotiation to militate against Abuja’s internation-benefits from the SDGs, as a matter of fact, has to ally publicised moral victory.reach everyone. Close attention as a matter of top pri- Abubakar Shekau, the insurgents’ leader released a video on June 9 claim-ority has to be given to not only the marginalised but ing responsibility for the June 7 attack. Several of the insurgents were seenalso to the hard-to-reach. driving camouflaged technicals into the Borno capital. They also displayedCitizens, especially women and children, living in weapons which they claimed to have captured from the security forces.hard-to-reach communities are the most affected by This first large-scale attack on Maiduguri came more than 18 months afterdevelopment challenges. They are the vulnerable seg- such a rattling attack, and perhaps, also the first time in more than a year thatment that is dying of preventable diseases like malaria, the insurgents have displayed such sophisticated weaponry.meningitis, diarrhea. They lack access to quality and Amnesty International Nigeria issued a statement on 9 June saying thatuseful health information and services. the 7 June attack was the deadliest this year. The organisation reported thatThank goodness in Nigeria, some humanitarian Boko Haram has staged 10 different attacks killing 57 people in the last threegroups are rising to the challenge. They are making months alone.the hard-to-reach a priority by supporting them with The June 7 attack which took place simultaneously with four suicide bombsbasic health care services. in different parts of the city tends to indicate that the crisis in the North-EastThrough their DFID-funded partnership for improved is far from being over. It seems the insurgents are entrenched to continuechild health, a Christian group has already identified their insurgency in the area and the greater Lake Chad Region, the axis of a266 hard-to-reach settlements in Benue State, where disturbing humanitarian crisis.there is poor or no access to water, sanitation, health And except there is a renewed and intense military offensive, the menace isinformation, health commodities and low human re- likely to end too soon. NIGERIA NOW 38 JULY 2017

SPORT Soccer Viewing Centres on the Boom They come in all shapes and sizes, and they are tucked away in all manner of places, including of the viewing center, this reporter gathered that most popular joints, gardens, hotels, eateries, ram- operators usually make between N50, 000 and N100, 000 per week. shackle little rooms, parlous, canopies and rickety An operator of a football viewing centre at Zango area zinc or plank-enclosed structures. Then there is the of Bwari, in F.C.T, Mr. Nelson Anthony, disclosed that inevitable high-screen television set – flat, plasma, starting up requires minimal capital, adding that there home-video type or even projected images on white are several matches during the weekends. He said: ‘’in background. The audience often huddle themselves some weeks, there are midweek matches. The average up on wooden benches or plastic chairs, or even watch cost of viewing a match is N100. So, if your center is big proceedings while standing on their feet. Outside, a enough to accommodate 100 people, you will be mak- generator roars, but often not loud enough to drown ing N10, 000 per match.’’ the intermittent loud and wild cheers and endless ar- “I make over N120, 000 from tickets, food and drinks guments inside. because people come with their friends, relatives and Welcome to the world of the frenzied soccer crazed; even children to watch the Super Eagles. This is a big those young and not-so-young who prefer to beat boom for us. It might sound selfish but the truth is I their chests as Red Devils, the Gunners, Madridistas, pray this crisis continues. Our market is the European Cules of the Catalan Giants and the Blues fans. Champions League and other various local leagues in Welcome to a typical football viewing centre. It is more Europe, especially the English Premier League and the than that really – much like a football ‘Cathedral’ of Spanish La Liga. I generate at least N30, 000 from ev- sort to the many unapologetic supporters of Arsenal, ery EPL match. That’s how lucrative this business is. It is Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, also less energy-demanding and maximally profitable’’, Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germaine, Bayern Munich, he said. and Juventus, among other elite European clubs. Like other ventures, the football viewing business has A recent finding suggests that soccer viewing centres some operational and maintenance costs to be incurred. are miniature stadia. They are found in every town Usman Sadiq, a youth who operates a football viewing and city and most villages throughout the nook and centre in Kubwa, a satellite town in Abuja, said he de- crannies of the country. cided to venture into the business after endlessly search- During weekends and in mid-week when major com- ing for white collars jobs without success, adding that a petitions and tournaments are held in Europe and football viewing operator who aims to maximize profit other parts of the world, teeming football lovers, re- must bear the cost of DSTV subscriptions, repair of fur- gardless of gender, religion, race and age, troop to niture and fuelling generators among others inevitable various viewing centres to pay unreserved allegiance expenditures. by cheering their favourite football clubs and interna- ‘’With the erratic power supply across the country, no tional teams to victory in mouth-watering ties or local viewing center can navigate the challenge of running derbies. more on generator. And fueling the generator with ei- At the viewing centres, it is not uncommon to see ther PMS or diesel costs a lot, especially if not regulated. emotions run high, even as tempers get flared as die- Monthly DSTV subscription is another operational cost hard fans of opposing teams try to justify or ques- you can’t avoid. Presently, monthly subscriptions costs tion some disputable actions and calls of the players, between N16, 000 to N24, 000, depending on the pack- coaches and the centre referee during a live match. age. Again, If you are operating from a rented proper- Investigations by Nigeria Now revealed that in most ty, a hall or enclosed space, you would have to pay a centres, the UEFA Champions League, Spanish La monthly or yearly rent that may run into half a million Liga, the English Premiership, Italian Serie A, French (N500, 000) per year depending on the area.” Ligue 1 and the German Bundesliga are often the He further disclosed that if an operator is not fortunate,BY ivy leagues that have mass appeal. As such, are often another operational cost that may eat deep into the......Abdulsalam Mahmud broadcast by TV right-owners, such as Multichoice business revenue is multiple taxes, especially the kind DSTv. paid in cities such as Lagos, ranging from excise tax to Depending on the time of the season and the capacity Value Added Tax, environmental sanitation tax, busi- NIGERIA NOW 39 JULY 2017

SPORTness premises tax, etc. Collins, a business man, disclosed that the fiery ar- Football viewing centerSpeaking further, Sadiq explained that the nature of a guments with other club supporters and interactionsoccer viewing center is such that fans unconsciously leap among friends are the reasons why many wealthy menfor joy when a goal is scored, saying ‘’some viewers jump also keep a date at various viewing centres on matchon top of the chairs while others even carry the chairs days, noting further that, ‘’lack of access to cable tele-around in celebration. Hence, after each match view, there vision and huge financial burden of monthly sub-are likely to be broken seats that would need repair or re- scription are what normally drives many soccer en-placement.’’ thusiasts to patronize football viewing centres.’’On the repair of appliances and hygienic sanitary condi- It would be recalled that the recent electrocution trag-tion, he said: ‘’by the time supporters freely tamper with edy that claimed the lives over 30 football fans, after athe electrical appliances such as television sets, fans or high tension cable fell on the roof of a football view-even switches and sockets in the viewing center, there ing centre in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, and the 2014would be need for more repairs, which translate to avoid- insurgents’ attack on a viewing centre in Damaturu,able cost. And of course, you can’t really avoid this one. in Yobe State, where youths had gathered to watch aDefinitely, after every matchthere should be a lot of de- “I make over N120, 000 from tickets, food and drinks be-bris littered around and per- cause people come with their friends, relatives and evenhaps, stains on the walls. So children to watch the Super Eagles. This is a big boomthere should be a paid staff for us. It might sound selfish but the truth is I prayon standby to clean the ven- this crisis continues. Our market is the European Cham-ue regularly. Also, painting pions League and other various local leagues in Europe,of the venue may be required especially the English Premier League and the Spanish Latwice a year or so.’’Affirming that it is possible Liga. I generate at least N30, 000 from every EPL match.to start on a small scale, an That’s how lucrative this business is. It is also less ener-operator of three football gy-demanding and maximally profitable’’,viewing centres at Mararaba,a suburb of Nasarawa State,James Dickson told Nigeria Now that some major hotels World Cup match are two tragic events that threat-have carved out a section for clients to unwind and cheer ened the serenity of the business.their club sides during league and competition matches. In order to guarantee the safety of human lives, stake-He added that after getting an ideal location and adequate holders have appealed to the government to evolvespace, a prospective operator needs only to have wooden security measures at various soccer viewing centresbenches, carpet, standing fans or ceiling fans, air freshen- across the country.er, a good generator or possibly a UPS in case of power Some soccer fans who spoke to Nigeria Now also cau-outage to keep the television running. Other things re- tioned operators of football viewing centres to adherequired are cable television and dish with monthly sub- to strict building regulations, and avoid erecting theirscription, two big television sets with high resolution, makeshift structures under high tension cables.bulbs, extension sockets, and printed tickets to identifypaying customers. On why some football lovers who havecable television subscription in their homes still relishthe pleasure of watching matches at a viewing centre, Mr. NIGERIA NOW 40 JULY 2017

SPORTConfronting A PlagueAnalysts posit that FIFA should lead efforts to end racism in footballagainst the background of recent incident involving Ghanaian striker,ISulley Muntari n September 2016, Federation of International Football, me. I’m not a victim, but if you stop the matches I’m convinced that the world governing body for soccer dispatched a letter these things won’t happen anymore,” Muntari said of decision of the to members of its Task Force Against Racism and Dis- referee, Daniele Minelli after the match. “That’s where I got angry,”crimination living in different parts of the globe that their the player who said the decision of the umpire left him feeling like ajob was done. The task force was set up by FIFA in 2013 to criminal added. The one match ban on the Ghanaian midfielder washelp develop recommendations on how to tackle seemingly overturned about a week later following outcries from International Federation of Professional Footballers, FIFPro, United Nations High Commission for Human Rights and the Italian Footballers’ Union and other organizations. But the incident has again helped draw global attention to the fact that the ugly issue of racism in football is alive, well and kicking. From Ar- thur Wharton who signed for Darlington FC in 1889 and is believed to be the first professional black player in Britain, players of colour are now very common feature in top club sides and national teams across Europe . But this has done little to reduce incidents of racism. “What happened with Muntari is a very important episode. But only because he reacted. Sadly, this kind of thing is all too common,” a sociologist and writer Mauro Valeri noted Italian football’s racism problem. “And it is not just Serie A and B. In junior football there have been 80 regis- tered cases of black players being abused in the last two years. Usually by parents of their opponents and almost invariably nothing is done about it,” he added. In a study done by Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE), in association with the SOVA Centre in Moscow, 92 incidents of dis- MUNTARI criminatory displays and chants by Russian fans in and around theintractable scourge of racism in football. But the decision to stadium, against a total of 83 for the previous two seasons put togeth-disband the task force was roundly criticized by many of the er were catalogued during the 2014/2015 season.members and other stakeholders in football. Lack of appropriate sanctions by football authorities of the differentOsasu Obayuiwana , a journalist who was a member of the countries have been blamed for the persistence of the problem. ManyTask Force described the disbandment of the Task Force a football associations have enacted laws and guidelines on how to deal“grave mistake” in an article early this year. He especial- with fans involved in racism during matches. But such laws are mostly queried the claim that the Task Force has “fulfilled’’ its of the times not enforced.‘temporary mission,’ when FIFA has failed to take any strong, FIFA had already indicated that the Italian football authorities aredirect action to change the attitude of several Football As- likely to face disciplinary action over the treatment of Muntari.sociations and Federations towards racism, particularly in Obayiuwana noted that while many countries where the incidents ofcountries like Spain, Italy and in several parts of Eastern Eu- racism are prevalent may not have the political will to confront therope?” The April 30 Italian Seria A game involving Ghanian problems; FIFA can wield the big stick which will lead to sustainedfootballer, Sulley Muntari proved Obayuiwana right. The change. “FIFA has an obligation to do better. At the moment, it is just32-year-old Pescara player was subjected to ‘monkey chants’ not doing enough, when it has the power to do a hell of a lot more,” hefor most part of the game by fans of the opposing Cagliari. said. The question is will the Muntari episode mark a turning point inHis complaints to the referee to take action against the unruly how the football governing body is treating the issue of racism?fans not only fell on deaf ears, it earned him a yellow cardfrom the umpire.Muntari’s decision to walk off the pitch some minutes to the “Why did he turn on me instead ofend of the match in protest earned him a second yellow card stopping the match? The fans messedand an automatic one-match ban. “Why did he turn on me up, but the referee should have doneinstead of stopping the match? The fans messed up, but the something different, not accuse me.referee should have done something different, not accuse NIGERIA NOW 41 JULY 2017

COMMENTARIAT Segun Adeniyi’sPandora Box and 2019Chidi Amuta, the academic and geo-ethnic champion, who wrote the Foreword to class. Olusegun Adeniyi`s book, “Against the Even more significantly, Adeniyi has stirred the hornet nest: he has by design or default touchedRun of Play: How an incumbent president was on the raw nerves of certain feuds and rivalriesdefeated in Nigeria,” rightly observes that “in that will certainly outlive the Buhari presidencyidentifying the factors that powered Muham- and continue, perhaps ad infinitum. At least, theymadu Buhari to power, the book also contains will have implications for the 2019 general elec-enough suggestions about the forces that will de- tions. Take the inherent tension within the rulingtermine the life span of the presidency.” All Progressives Congress, for instance, which rootThe book actually has the potential to do much the book traces to the jostling for positions priormore than that. Just media featuring of snippets to the 2015 polls among the party`s leading lights:from it has elicited so much controversies, con- Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Bukola Saraki, etc. Abubakar Umar Karisternation and recrimination. And that`s even These are big men with big egos and big ambitionsbefore copies had reached bookstores and news- who hardly see eye to eye. Indeed, A P C has large-stands. There has been a flurry of accusations, ly remained a collection of disparate groups ratherdenials, threats and rejoinders. Indeed, seldom than a cohesive party. Some say it is a ticking bomb,has a publication generated so much interest and which implosion is only a matter of time.heat – at least, since el-Rufa`i`s ‘Accidental Pub- The opposition PDP fares even worse. The entirelic Servant’ and Obasanjo`s ‘My Watch.’ But then, book is about its spectacular unraveling. Ratherthose two are biographies of and by personalities than recover from its defeat, it seems to be sinkingwho savour the limelight and who as a matter of deeper into crisis, if not gradually inching towardchoice and habit thrive in and court controver- extinction. Its leaders – the principal characters insies. the book – are still in disarray and tugging at eachAdeniyi is a dispassionate and largely neutral other`s throat, which was the main reason for theaccount and interrogation of the factors, issues, party`s defeat. Some have jumped out of what theyevents and personalities that contributed to the regard as a sinking ship.electoral ouster of Goodluck Jonathan and his In response to revelations in Adeniyi`s book, Jona-People`s Democratic Party from power in 2015, than, whose benefactor, Obasanjo, regretfully real-something quite unusual and unprecedented, ized was “not up to the job (of president),” has beenhence it happened “against the run of play” as blaming everyone but himself for his (and party`s)they say in soccer parlance. But really, Adeni- predicament, sometimes resorting to crass illogic,yi did not so much pen an extremely shocking as in the assertion that “you can make a politicalexpose on Nigerian politics as open a Pandoras agreement and change your mind, so long as it isBox: dark secrets are laid bare in lurid detail, the within the law.”Nigerian politician’s inordinate and unbridled With a mindset such as this, which is shared byquest for power, unchecked greed and irrespon- many among the members of the political class, itsibility come out in bold relief, and the book also will not be a surprise if in 2019 and beyond, againstreveals the country`s governing elite`s utter lack the run of play or not, we have outcomes similarof principles, aversion to what is right and no- to what swept Jonathan and the P D P out fromble, and strong tendency to betray one another. power.On the whole, thebook reads like Adeniyi did not so much pen an extremely shocking expose on Nigeri-Byzantine-era-like an politics as open a Pandoras Box: dark secrets are laid bare in luridtales of intrigues, detail; the Nigerian politicians inordinate and unbridled quest forsomehow bor- power, unchecked greed and irresponsibility come out in bold relief;rowed, imbibed and the book also reveals the country`s governing elite`s utterand elevated to an lack of principles, aversion to what is right and noble, and strongart by our political tendency to betray one another. NIGERIA NOW 42 JULY 2017

HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRSDisplacement Crisis: Africa Tops Global IndexAFRICA is facing an internal displacement 737,000 people internally displaced.Precisely, 1.1 crisis. A leading source of information and million displacements were caused by disasters trig- analysis on internal displacement, the Inter- gered by rapid onset natural hazard events, and 93nal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) says per cent of these were related to floods.the continent needs to improve her collective under- It seems displacement due to slow onset disastersstanding of its causes and consequences, and of the was not captured in the 1.1 million figure and, if theyneeds and coping strategies of those it affects. were, it would have increased significantly. For in-According to the Africa Union (AU) Rapporteur on stance, in Ethiopia, drought-induced food and liveli-Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Migrants and IDPs, Maya hood insecurity and communal tensions over scarceSahli Fadel, ‘’conflict, violence and disasters force water and pasture displaced over 390,000 people be-millions of African from their homes, communities tween August 2015 and May 2016.and livelihoods each year’’.For Fadel, the number of And, environmental rights activists have been warn-people living in displacement across the continent ing that climate change is expected to increase thewas more than the entire population of Kinshasa. It risk of disaster displacement in future, as extremeis, however, the capital city of the Democratic Re- weather events become more frequent and intense.public of the Congo. The city has a population of This includes an increase in drought and heavy rain-10,076,099. fall in Southern and East Africa, more intense rain-This implies that displacement is a dangerous phe- fall in West Africa, and more frequent heat waves innomenon in Africa. In 2015 alone, there were 3.5 North Africa.million new internal displacements of people in the  In total, 12.4 million people were living as Internal-continent. While the numbers are rising and the ly Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Africa as a result of needs of millions go conflict and violence. There is no similar cumulative unaddressed, internal figure for disaster related displacement at the end ofNigeria accounted for more displacement continues 2015. However, the total of 12.4 million conflict IDPsthan 30 per cent of all con- to receive insufficient represents 30 per cent of the total number of conflictflict-related internal dis- political attention and IDPs globally (40.8 million people) and twice the to-placement in Africa. Precisely, commitment. tal number of African refugees (5.4 million) East Af-1.1 million displacements were IDMC which was set up rica accounted for more than half of the total becausecaused by disasters triggered in 1998 at the request of unresolved displacement and ongoing conflicts inby rapid onset natural haz- of the international Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. The figures under-ard events, and 93 per cent of community to fill an state the total number of IDPs.these were related to floods. important knowledge The figures in the report paint an incomplete pic- ture. Key gaps include information on internal dis- gap on global scale and placement caused by slow onset disasters and de- patterns of internal dis- velopment projects. The total cumulative numberplacement, says in 2015, conflict, violence and disas- of people living in displacement following disastersters caused 3.5 million new displacements in Africa is also unknown although case study evidence sug-(with some people being displaced more than once). gests their number is significant. These blind spots inThis means that an average of 9,500 people a day had the data hamper efforts to prevent or reduce furtherto leave their homes, communities and livelihoods. displacements and provide effective protection andPreliminary estimates for the first half of 2016 sug- assistance to people who are already displaced.gest this year will be no better. Policy-makers therefore, need to understand the in-Already, 2.4 million internal displacements were teraction of multiple drivers of displacement whichcaused by conflict and violence, making the conti- includes conflict, natural hazards and environmentalnent second only to the Middle East for violence as degradation. They can frustrate IDPs’ ability to re-a cause of flight. turn home or rebuild their lives elsewhere as a sus-Nigeria accounted for more than 30 per cent of all tainable solution to their situations.conflict-related internal displacement in Africa, with NIGERIA NOW 43 JULY 2017

EDITORIAL 2019The Political Chess Game Begins BY Abubakar Umar KariThe politics of 2019 will certainly be shaped by the agitation for Biafra. Ever sensitive them say they do not subscribe to, or are implaca- and divisive, “Biafrexit,” has since the bly opposed to it. Some see it as a ploy by the Igbo elite to up the ante in their quest for power and rel-ouster of President Goodluck Jonathan and his evance in the build-up to the 2019 elections. Oth-People`s Democratic Party, become so vociferous ers look at it differently: as a clearest evidence yetand unrelenting, triggering centrifugal forces and that the Igbos are not politically astute, or are con-substantially heating up the polity. The Biafrexit fused – clamouring for secession and at the sameagitation has further thrown up debates on the time wanting the presidency of Nigeria to be ced-kind of federal system we operate and the need to ed to them. Worse still, is allowing anarchists andrestructure the Nigerian state. One of the planks rabble-rousers to set agenda for the region. Manyupon which the Biafrexit proponents hinge their Nigerians now view the Igbos and their place andargument is over alleged marginalization of the future within the Nigerian set-up in the context ofSouth-East region. the Biafrexit agitation.The Igbos of the South-East constitute one of Activities of neo-Biafra groups, particularly thethe pillars of the tripod upon which the country Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, led by Nnamdirests. Whatever defines their politics impacts on Kanu, have gradually alienated the zone from thethe nation`s political edifice in the same manner Nigerian mainstream. Added to this has been theundercurrents from the annulment of the June loud silence of the region`s leaders, thus sending12, 1993 presidential election continued to rever- shock waves across the country.berate up to 1999 and beyond. It is the same way The inexplicable inertia and reluctance to speakthe Boko Haram insurgency haunted the Jona- against the excesses of the agitation and its impli-than administration till the end. Both by design cations as a clear and present danger to national se-and default, the neo-Biafra agitation has grown curity and peaceful coexistence, has been baffling.and festered and assumed a life of its own, be- This lends credence to the growing perception thatyond the control of its original authors. the elite in the region are in bed with Kanu and hisThe Biafra agenda, championed by the region`s companions, or, they see nothing wrong in the trea-youth, is obviously seen by the rest of the country sonous shenanigans of the neo-Biafra movement.as the ultimate Igbo Agenda, although many of NIGERIA NOW 44 JULY 2017

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