BREAKING: Shehu Shagari Dies at 93

The Nigeria's second civilian president, Chief Shehu Shagari, whose civilian tenure was sandwiched between two military rulers in an era rocked by coups, has passed on at the age of 93.

Nigeria's current President Muhammadu Buhari, who unseated Shagari 35 years ago, said on Saturday, 29th December 2018, he mourns "the departure of a patriot, who served Nigeria with humility, integrity and diligence."

Chief Shagari's grandson, Mr. Bello Shagari in a Twitter post said, he died on Friday, 28th December 2018 in Abuja, the Nigeria's capital city after a brief illness.

Chief Shagari had an ambivalent relationship with the military, which initially favored his ascension to power but held him in solitary confinement for three years after toppling his government.

After military ruler Olusegun Obasanjo lifted the ban on political activity in Africa's most populous nation in 1978, Shagari beat regional political veterans in a hotly contested election the next year. The polls followed 13 years of military rule by four different men.

At his swearing-in ceremony, Chief Shagari said the military had "succeeded in large measure in unifying us."

It had been less than 20 years since the West African powerhouse had earned its independence from British rule, and it struggled to forge national unity within the colonial borders which tied some 250 ethnic groups together.

Those years saw a civil war, a toppled civilian government and a series of military administrations including that of Gen. Yakubu "Jack" Gowon, in which Shagari served as a civilian finance minister.

Shagari is said to have been the first boy to go to school in his northern village of Shagari in the northeastern state of Sokoto. He started out as a science teacher before entering politics. From 1954-1966 he was a member of the House of Representatives and later held a variety of ministerial posts under both civilian and military governments.

Even though the military had voluntarily paved the way for democratic rule, the threat of its interference loomed over Shagari's time in office.

The oil-rich nation's economy suffered from a sharp drop in global crude oil prices, fueling discontent. On Dec. 29, 1983, Shagari announced austerity measures in a country already suffering from high unemployment rates and general disillusionment after the oil boom of the '70s.

Chief Shagari's administration also was marred by corruption scandals. Even though the public considered him to be honest, his inability to rein in his government's avarice was sharply criticized.

On New Year's Eve in 1983, a group of military plotters toppled his government, describing Shagari's administration as "inept and corrupt." Buhari, then a military officer, took over the nation.

Chief Shagari, who had been elected a few months earlier, seemed to have seen it coming.

"My greatest concern is that democracy survives in Nigeria," he told a biographer just before the coup.

It was not until Buhari returned to the presidency in 2015 that Nigeria saw the first peaceful transfer of power from one party to another.

TECH I On INEC's Tracking Devices, Electronic Collation

By Fred Doc Nwaozor



The last time I checked, even a dummy could testify boldly that technology is at the moment gradually dominating the entire system, hence the compelling need for every institution cum economy to be tech-driven.

It could be this conspicuous fact that informed the recent avowal of the Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It has been in the news that the electoral umpire is looking forward to ensuring that virtually all the impending 2019 elections are tech-driven.

Recently, precisely on 12th July 2018, the commission led by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu graciously introduced a new innovation that would help to track the location and movement of any vehicle conveying sensitive electoral materials to its target location.

The INEC boss disclosed that aside ensuring tight security in the transportation of the materials, the commission would equally be tracking all the vehicles carrying them. He said “All we are doing is to maintain our stand on transparency and openness even as we also guard against infiltration.”

According to him, another cogent reason the authority was determined to keep its plans and programmes was that it did not want failure of any form, especially on issues bordering on delivering of voting materials. This implies that cases including late arrival of materials, among others, would soonest be a thing of the past.

The plan to implement vehicular tracking devices come next year was reiterated two weeks back – on December 12, 2018 – when the INEC elatedly signed a Memorandum of Understanding with some key vehicle cum traffic unions domiciled in the country, which included the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), among others.

Tracking devices are veritable tools that have, for years now, been in use. It was primarily invented for the purpose of fighting crimes and allied matters. For instance, if a certain programmed device is stolen by anyone, it can easily be traced, hence recovered, by the concerned authority such as the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).

I have before now severally hammered on the urgent need for the various law enforcement agencies like the NPF to fully inculcate the use of tracking devices into its day-to-day bid in tackling different forms of grievous social ills, especially at this era when several criminals have gone so digital in their numerous nefarious activities.

It, therefore, suffices to opine that the INEC under the watch of Prof. Yakubu has thus far done well by thinking it wise to come up with this laudable initiative. However, in its quest for thorough utilization of the said electronic device, it’s required to take into cognizance some inevitable factors.

First, it’s expected to set up a special unit at its various states’ jurisdictions that would tactically handle every matter concerning the technicalities of the awaited practice. Such a unit must boast of the required materials as well as experts to ensure its holistic functionality and sustenance throughout the elections.

Among all, on no account should an outsider be contracted or hired to be in charge of the proposed unit, thus the commission needs to ensure that some of its staff in the technical section are duly trained and imbued with the requisite skills. Additionally, well tested softwares must be made available for the exercise to permit adequate monitoring of the moving vehicles.

Similarly, sometime last year, 20th March 2017 to be precise, the INEC during a media parley chaired by Prof. Yakubu, the authority disclosed that the results of the general elections would be collated and transmitted electronically towards replacing the existing manual mode of collation.

The commission’s Chairman stated thus, “INEC decides to securely transmit results from all polling units to central database such that only viewing access is allowed at the ward and local government levels, which ultimately eliminates manual collation processes.”

The INEC Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mr. Chidi Nwafor who’s reportedly a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), informed the gathering that the electronic system in question has a flexible dashboard with real-time user interface showing graphical presentation of status of the results collated per given time.

He equally went further to disclose that the e-collation system has four procedures as follows: the results from polling units would be entered into the e-collation application on the smart card reader; secondly, the results would be transmitted to a central server; thirdly, they would be auto-collated and can be viewed at the ward level and can also be scanned at that level; and lastly, the results’ audit and confirmation shall take place at collation centres at LGAs, state and national levels.

With the analysis and explanations above, it’s imperative for the electoral umpire alongside other concerned bodies to acknowledge wholly that this is not rocket science, hence the compelling need not to place frivolities ahead of priorities as we eagerly await the innovation.

The commission has apparently discovered as well as test-run the viability of the impending electronic collation system, but it’s more pertinent for it to painstakingly consider the possible technical challenges that await its full implementation and usage.

In a country like ours where we are continually being taken aback as regards factors like power supply, software management cum maintenance and what have you, the concerned authorities ought not to be reminded that the aforementioned plans are greatly in need of unequalled pragmatic approach with a view to ensure their apt and adequate implementation as expected by the electorate.

It’s on this premise I urge the INEC as led by Prof. Yakubu to look inwards toward ensuring that the best brains herein are consulted as well as deployed in its seeming frantic efforts to conduct elections whose outcome would stand the test of time. Hence, the cognoscenti must not be relegated to the background in this regard.
As the voters’ hopes are already raised by the electoral umpire, the latter shouldn’t hesitate to collaborate with all the needed entities so that the uplifted optimism of the former wouldn’t be dashed come February 2019. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, tech expert, policy analyst & rights activist,
and National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement, writes via
frednwaozor@gmail.com; Twitter: @mediambassador

TECH I FG's Tour On Automobile Hub

By Fred Nwaozor




The last time I checked, Nigerians in their number were earnestly awaiting the era when the acclaimed giant of Africa would be spotted on the world map as regards automobile industry.

The aforementioned quest is not unconnected with the recent deal struck by the Nigeria’s government and its German counterpart. It isn’t equally unconnected with the candid body language that accompanied the pact.

It would be recalled that recently, on Monday, 3rd September 2018 to be precise, the Federal Government (FG) under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari graciously signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Volkswagen Group with a view to developing an automobile hub in the country.

The two are reportedly to come up with an enabling policy framework on the proposed project. The epochal move was an offshoot of the recent visit of the German Chancellor, Mrs. Angela Merkel to Nigeria, precisely in Abuja – the country’s capital city.

It’s noteworthy that under the bilateral arrangement, the automobile firm is expected to implement a phased approach in relation to the assembly of vehicles down to positioning the nation as an automobile hub in the entire West Africa region.

Lest I forget; in regard to vehicles’ assemblage as mentioned in the pact, the government must take into cognizance that there’s need to go extra mile towards reviving the country’s dying pride if we’re really ready to invest in this sector. As we might have forgotten in haste, it’s highly imperative to recall that some of these vehicles – particularly Peugeot products – were being assembled here but the activity has now regrettably gone into moribund.

This, therefore, implies that the FG is required to look inwards with a view to resuscitating and boosting the aforesaid practice, which is currently considered as a lost glory. In a bid for an automobile hub, we must make frantic effort to reawake the seeming dead foundation.

The pact equally includes raising a training academy in conjunction with the German government with the sole aim of equipping pioneer employees of the impending industry with requisite skills as well as imbuing them with the needed industrial qualities.

Definitely, establishing an academy to train the indigenous prospective workers that would kick start the hub is a welcome development. It’s thus needless to state that the MOU included the key recipe with regard to the awaited industry.

However, the bitter truth is that such an approach is liable to collapse on arrival if the stakeholders involved failed to consider the essential factors required for its functionality. Hence, the parties in charge of the initiative must leave no stone unturned towards doing the needful.

It’s similarly pertinent for the government to acknowledge that such an academy deserves to be sustained in the long run. In view of this idea, the institute shouldn’t be utilized only in the case of the ‘pioneer employees’. Thus, it ought to be retained with a view to training subsequent intakes as well as upgrading the skills of those already absorbed in the system.

Recalling other clauses contained in the pact, it’s worthy of note that the FG on its part is to ensure that the Nigerian Automotive Policy, which is currently under consideration, gets a speedy approval from the apt quarters. The policy, though still in the pipeline, includes the gradual transition from the importation of used cars to the manufacturing and distribution of new passenger vehicles.

It’s not anymore news that overtime issue regarding policies has bedevilled most of the activities taking place in the country. Acknowledgement of this recurring decimal indicates that the concerned stakeholders are required to go extra mile in their move to ensure that the lofty motive of the FG is duly actualized.

It’s on this premise that I suggest the authorities involved painstakingly consider all the needed parameters as they prepare the policy. Every required factor, ranging from setting up the hub, training academy, in-service workshop/training, to working incentives cum environment, must be holistically looked into so that nothing absolutely would be missing in the process.

In the same vein, the legislators need to be duly lobbied in a quest to witnessing a healthy deliberation. In his words, an Adviser in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Bisi Daniels disclosed that the government was committed to providing a conducive legislative environment for the production of automobiles in the country.

I deem it fit to advise that such a commitment must be fully put into action if the FG is truly determined to create an industry where Nigerians as a people could boast of production of automobile machines that can be presented as well as used anywhere in the world.

As regards the sealed deal, the Minister of the said ministry, Dr. Okechukwu Emelamah strongly affirmed that the MOU was a major step in the FG’s quest for a robust automotive industry in the country, hence assured that the government was damn prepared to achieve the tech-driven objective.

The gospel truth is that, everything centres on the political will that accompanies the quest. Against this backdrop, for the tour in question to arrive at the desired destination, the government must not claim ignorance of the fact that what’s primarily of importance at this point is to support the recently embarked journey with the required will.

Inter alia, for a thorough emergence and sustenance of the incoming industry, the country’s education sector must also be involved. Hence, our technically-inclined students need to be brought closer to realities. It’s appalling and pathetic to note that our teeming graduates in the field of Mechanical Engineering and allied disciplines cannot present the mechanism that constitute main parts of an automobile let alone manufacturing them.

It’s no longer news that in recent times, successive governments had made various lofty moves but en up not actualizing the object of the initiative, owing to their inability to accompany the approach with candid practical steps. It’s thus unnecessary to remind the government that it’s expected to make a difference by acting differently.

As the Buhari-led administration is ostensibly determined to create a technology-driven economy herein, it must do everything humanly possible to separate priorities from frivolities. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator, of Right Thinkers
Movement writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com

A Tale Of Johnbull

By Godwin Babatunde



Nothing was attractive anymore about my dress code. I had just one old generation red tie, a pair of black shoes with a dead sole, a white short-sleeve shirt with worn-out neck because of too much washing, and a pair of black trousers I borrowed from a friend.
I left the home hurriedly, looking old fashioned like a primitive headmaster.

‘O God please, help me because I am tired of searching…’, I prayed as I reached Bimco PLC, a first class company in the Insurance industry.

My first appearance gave the Human Resources Manager (HRM) a wrong impression of me. I became a victim of my own profession. A popular maxim I used to know flew to my mind. It says, “Beauty is greater recommendation than any letter of introduction”. I was really ugly in appearance.

‘Bad dressing! Very bad appearance!! Don’t you think you are an anagram of confusion and a compendium of several misalignment of corporate procedure?’ the HRM remarked sharply, as I stood before him.

I just kept calm like the biblical Lazarus that returned from the spirits. Fear started raising false alarm in my mind. My conscience started accusing me. I developed cold feet while my head was hot.
Nevertheless, that was a battle I must win since I needed the job desperately.

‘A dying lion must fight to the last’, I encouraged myself.
I stared at the man, pot-bellied and mustached, sitting before me.
‘Isn’t this man a Nigerian?’ I asked musingly and rhetorically.

There, I stood before a man, an opportunist, I guessed, reading sluggishly the CV of a Sociologist.

It was clear that I had Second Class (upper division) far and better than Mr. Alagbor, who got a Third Class grade in Political Science, yet, he got the position of the Administrative Manager in Bimco PLC.

Such is the character of a society that negates the principles of merit and competence - the wise stood aloof and watched the fool rule.

I started accusing the society of playing the game of ‘man-know-man’.
But, whom did I know at Bimco except Alagbor, who made partial introduction at the gate, that I was his childhood friend. So what?

I began ruminating again within seconds, like a goat chewing the cud in the midst of greener pastures; I saw the state failed woefully. Mediocre developed wings to fly while merit was dragged to helpless quagmire.

I saw shadows that resembled hungry, angry, and jobless teeming youths reached alarming proportion. They roamed the streets aimlessly, like stray puppies, until they got the job of thuggery or prostitution, as the case may be. Whilst, others played the game of drug addiction in frustration.

The shadows bade me bye and left. Sooner or later, I realized I was in a trance.

Babatunde wrote in from Lagos via
pauldegreat@yahoo.com

TECH I N-Power And Osinbajo's Tech-Driven Assertion

By Fred Nwaozor




Many within the shores of Nigeria may still be ignorant, or perhaps claim ignorance, of the term ‘N-Power’. Hence, it’s a youth empowerment scheme sponsored by the Federal Government (FG) as the slogan goes ‘Empowering Nigerian youths for posterity’.

N-Power is targeted to address the challenge of youth unemployment while linking its core and outcomes to fixing inadequate public services and stimulating the larger economy. It aspires to provide a platform where most Nigerians can assess skills acquisition and development.

Its target beneficiaries are Nigerian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35. The modular programmes under the scheme ensure that each participant learns and practices most of what is necessary to find or create work. It’s broadly classified into two categories namely, N-Power Graduate Category and N-Power Non-Graduate Category.

Three weeks back at the 2018 Convocation and 70th Foundation Day Ceremonies of the revered University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, the Nigeria’s Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo boldly and proudly described the ongoing N-Power initiative as a veritable technology platform that’s boosting the education sector.

Prof. Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari as the Visitor to the institution, said “The N-Power employment and training scheme of the Federal Government provides a technology platform to boost education”. He categorically boasted that it offers a technology platform to train teachers quickly and efficiently, aside the existing traditional training institutes.

The number two citizen of the country disclosed thus “N-Power, our employment and skills training programme, now employs 500,000 young men and women who were hired using a technology platform developed by young Nigerians” as he went further to tender that under the initiative, the FG have had the collaboration of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Oracle Academy, Microsoft, Cisco Academy and International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation.

As we as a people have apparently come to realize that the modern-day education cannot be said to be whole if technology is missing or it fails to be tech-driven, it’s equally pertinent for us to acknowledge wholly that the best way to inculcate technology into a given system is to commence from the foundation.

In view of this, we mustn’t overlook the elementary study stage in the country known as the primary school coupled with the secondary. Time has really come for our young learners to be fully brought very close to technical knowledge to enable them squarely face the realities of life when they eventually encounter them in the near future. So, our various schools’ curricula need to be reviewed towards suiting this quest.

It’s noteworthy that China as a country is where she is today simply because the governments at all levels therein were able to engage the growing ones into technologically-oriented disciplines. Parents in such a nation are saddled with the responsibility of discovering the talents of their respective wards from day-one. By so doing, they would be duly encouraged by all means to develop the skills.

Talking about collaboration, it has also become imperative for the government, particularly the various coordinators of the N-Power, to start looking inwards with a view to ensuring that the country’s indigenous patents are given a sense of belonging. Time has gone when the universities among other tertiary citadels of learning were seen as places where only teaching takes place, forgetting that research works supposedly begin from such areas.

In the said speech, the law professor further hinted that in the next few years, both teachers’ training and teaching would be largely driven by technology with university education – especially scientific research – made easy by virtual reality and artificial intelligence tools.

It’s however worthy of note that such an anticipation can only be actualized by revisiting the extant policies that bind the system in question. The bitter truth remains that most of the policies guiding the country’s education sector are archaic and outdated, hence require urgent review towards overhauling them. This can be well achieved by wearing the required political will not unlike clothe.

I’m glad in his words, Prof. Osinbajo candidly acknowledged that there had been gap in the country’s educational attainment. He disclosed, therefore, that such lapse had made it clear that we have to change both the substance of education our children receive and the methods by which they are taught.

If this avowal actually came from a sincere mindset, then it’s needless to reiterate that there’s a compelling need to start taking our laboratories, libraries, workshops, learning curriculums, as well as other learning facilities very seriously as this is arguably the only way we could attain our dream society as regards education imbued with technology.

Regarding funding, Prof. Osinbajo equally noted that education could not be left to the government alone, opining none of the world’s leading universities depend solely or even substantially on government’s funding. He thus added that all have evolved innovative means of financing and investment to meet their funding needs and become financially sustainable.

If the above assertion holds water, then it’s unequivocally preposterous to include the said institutions in the ongoing Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy that forbids financial autonomy among the FG’s establishments. They ought to, henceforth, be liberated in this regard.

The public was equally notified by the vice-president in the said occasion that the government’s policy was to develop and introduce science, engineering, arts and mathematics education curriculum in primary and secondary schools. According to him, the curriculum covers training in skills in cross disciplinary, critical and creative thinking, problem solving and digital technologies, coding, digital arts, design thinking as well as robotics.

We must take into cognizance that no matter how much we make effort to inculcate technically-oriented teaching via introduction of viable policies, the rules and regulations can never be aptly adhered to if proper monitoring teams and mechanisms aren’t established in respect of such lofty motive.

Summarily, as the N-Power scheme ostensibly continues to gain momentum and reportedly gathers accolades, the government must comprehend that wholesome policies and enabling environments are the best factors that can make the acclaimed achievements of the initiative speak volumes. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, tech expert, policy analyst &
rights activist, writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com

Opinion I The Many 'Sins' of Nigerian Politicians

By Fred Nwaozor




We can’t boldly deny the conspicuous fact that the physiognomy of the Nigeria’s political terrain is freckled, yet millions are carried away by frivolities rather than being disturbed about how to eliminate the fathomless freckles.

It’s not anymore news that Nigerian politicians have from the onset been seriously feeding on the electorate’s ignorance, that, it has seemingly become not unusual to witness a scene whereby the former would be seen inducing the latter to support him at the polls with a mere peanut.

Insincerity has abruptly become synonymous with most politicians in this part of the world. They continually, especially during electioneering era, tender speeches they do not really mean. They pleasurably do so with the sole aim of luring the ignorant, or perhaps vulnerable, electorate into their nets.

This set of people is deceitful. They have inadvertently, or probably knowingly, seen deceptive utterances or actions as acceptable. They invariably nurture such perception, believing they would never be found wanting at any time because are ignorantly of the view that power revolves around them.

An average practising Nigerian politician is desperate, hence at all times displays actions that are inimical to humanity. Owing to this kind of lifestyle, which has apparently been absorbed as a norm by the actors, many end up committing all sorts of atrocities in their bid to secure victory during elections. The funniest part of this feature is that the persons who bear it see their desired political positions as their birthright.

Our present days’ politicians, unlike in the past, see themselves as businessmen instead of stewards, hence would continue to see any position they are occupying as their vineyard. Once they clinched any post they had been clamouring for, the first thing they do is to hurriedly host a revelry with the notion that the days ahead would witness tremendous harvest.

They are arguably not conscience-driven. Those who practise these dance steps are ostensibly so myopic that they have apparently forgotten the Law of Karma. To them, since they are in charge of ‘every law’, there’s absolutely no other law that can turn/work against them. This is the reason they often individually murder their consciences.

Though virtually every active and practising politician domiciled in the country is made up of these uncalled qualities, we ought not to forget in haste that there’s still a few that strongly believes in doing the needful although some tend to be negatively influenced in the long run.

Time has conspicuously arrived for our politicians to note that it pays to be ingenuous and do the right thing, and that the pains that accompany a fake life cannot be overemphasized. Hence, they are expected to wear good qualities like clothe.

Good and dependable politicians are delight to serve the people and consider themselves as servants. They therefore see the people as their paymasters. They represent the hopes, aspirations and the interests of every citizen in the concerned society.

A Politician’s idiosyncrasies are his characters that are natural while some of the qualities are as a result of external influences. Promising politicians’ qualities are often backed by skills, experiences, intelligence, and integrity. All combined together to achieve their goals. The best qualities of a politician are honesty, God fearing and loving.

A good politician captures the essence of truth, displays sincerity, candor as well as practises what he/she preaches. He makes decisions and accepts responsibility for his words and actions. He makes promises and keeps them. He’s somebody people rely upon. He loves people with all his heart, might, mind, soul and always striving to help them.

A good and responsible politician ought to appear as the image of his creator. He gives high regard for morality. He’s law abiding with no tendencies to corrupt even a single cent or kobo. The greatest strength of a good politician is deriving joy in serving people and not to steal tax payers’ money. He acknowledges that a fulfilling and meaningful life is created through service to others.

To be an effective politician, your followers must have trust in you. And the very best way for a politician to build trust is to display good sense of characters and qualities composed of values, ideologies, traits and skills. Thus, a good politician should be a well disciplined personality that understands the language of selfless service.

Among all, a good political leader ought to be willing to appoint or contract people with great technical experience to solve the societal plights his administration contracted. Responsibility and party loyalty is another good quality of a responsible politician in a democratic state. A responsible and real politician is nearer to his people and always willing to meet them to comprehend their problems.

Only fake politicians are seen by voters when an election is near or change parties as footballers change clubs. They will after taking the oath of office with the Holy book and lousy thanksgiving services, use their powers against the people’s interests rather than for public good, making them become barriers to the progress of their citizens.

As we undergo another pre-election era, the politicians who have ‘sinned and come short of God’s glory’ still have the privilege to seek for forgiveness by ensuring they henceforth become repentant creatures. The good news is that, Nigerians are damn ready to forgive them if their remorse is truly candid. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement
writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com

TECH I As France Returns Artefacts To Benin

By Fred Nwaozor




As countries all over the global community, particularly those on the African continent, are making frantic efforts to redeem and revive their respective technically-oriented heritage as regards culture and history, Benin Republic might soonest be wearing a cheerful physiognomy in respect of the struggle.

This assertion isn’t unconnected with the recent approval cum pronouncement made by the young and vibrant French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron; and cannot equally be totally unconnected with the seeming sincerity that accompanied the avowal.

Two weeks back, precisely on Friday, 23rd November 2018, Mr. Macron who apparently has enormous passion in issues pertaining to culture and tourism, reportedly indicated his government’s willingness to return all the ‘stolen’ cultural artefacts to Benin Republic, the original home of the ornaments.

The decision, which Mr. Macron said should not be seen as an “isolated or symbolic case”, was informed on the receipt of the findings of a study he commissioned on repatriating African treasures held by French museums.

He therefore agreed to return 26 works, mainly royal statues from the palaces of Abomey – formerly the capital of the Kingdom of Dahomey – taken by the French army during a war in 1892 and now in Paris’ Quai Branly museum.

The president, who hoped that all possible circulation of these works are duly considered and returned, additionally proposed gathering African and European partners in Paris next year to define a framework for an “exchange policy” for African artworks.

It’s noteworthy that in recent times, calls have been growing in Africa for restitution of artworks to the continent, but it’s as well worthy of note that the French law strictly forbids the government from ceding state property to any nation or entity even in well-documented cases of pillaging. Notwithstanding, it seems Macron has broken that jinx.

In 2016, the Benin Republic demanded that France return her items including statues, artworks, carving, sceptres and sacred doors. While that request was initially denied, in November same year, President Macron raised hopes in a speech he delivered in Burkina Faso, pledging to repatriate African heritage to the continent.

Following the speech, he asked the French art historian, Mr. Benedicte Savoy and the Senegalese writer, Mr. Felwine Sarr to painstakingly study the matter. Their report, thereafter, was welcomed by advocates of restitution of works that were bought, bartered, looted, or in some cases stolen.

The said report proposes that legislation should be developed to return thousands of African artefacts taken during the colonial period to the nations that requested them. There are conditions, however, including a proper request from the relevant country, precise information about the origin of the demanded works, as well as the proof of the existence of adequate facilities such as museums to house them back in their home country.

In his further speech, Macron stated that museums would be invited to identify African belongings and organize possible returns and ought to quickly establish an “online inventory of their African collections”. He also called for in-depth work with other European states that still retain collections of the same nature “acquired in comparable circumstances”.

It would be recalled that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) convention against the export of illicit cultural goods adopted in 1970 called for the return of cultural property taken from a country but it didn’t address historic cases. Nevertheless, with museums fearing they could be compelled to return artefacts, some former colonial powers have sluggishly ratified the resolution: France only did so in 1997, followed by Britain, Germany and Belgium in 2002, 2007 and 2009, respectively.

The aforementioned report as was commissioned by Macron, opined that such collections were severely depriving Africans of their artistic and cultural heritage. It said “On a continent where 60 percent of the population is under the age of 20 years old, what is first and foremost of a great importance is for young people to have access to their own culture, creativity, and spirituality from other eras.”

As countries across the African continent are currently filled with the desire to see that their technically-oriented heritage are duly returned by their respective colonial masters, Nigeria shouldn’t place herself in abeyance. Since Nigeria gained her independence in 1960, successive governments have sought from Britain the return of the country’s looted artefacts but such quest had ostensibly failed on deaf ears.

Just recently, more than a century after the British soldiers ‘stole’ a collection of priceless artefacts from the Benin Kingdom in Edo State, a deal was struck between the Benin Dialogue Group (BDG) and the Britain towards ensuring that some of the most iconic pieces such as the Benin bronzes are returned on a “temporary basis” to form an exhibition at the new Benin Royal Museum “within three years”. But why must our looted treasures be loaned to us?

As the present Nigerian government led by President Muhammadu Buhari is seemingly concerned to diversify the country’s economy, it must expedite action to see that the tourism industry is fully resuscitated and boosted by ensuring all the looted artefacts are wholly returned to the country by the Britain. Aside the bronzes, there are many other precious works like the Benin ivory mask that are equally yearning for return.

Similarly, as was stated by the French leader, Mr. Macron in regard to creating an online inventory, the governments at all levels ought to acknowledge that it’s high time they fully embraced the Information Technology (IT) concerning tourism, hence should ensure their respective tourist centres cum possessions could henceforth be assessed online to enable outsiders or foreigners appreciate their worth. The features of the digital age mustn’t be overlooked.

All in all, as the Benin Republic is prepared to graciously welcome their stolen artefacts home from France, Nigeria needs to follow suit headlong. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of Right Thinkers Movement
writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com

SAD: Ex- Chief of Decence Staff, Alex Badeh Murdered

The former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh is dead.

According to Ibikunle Daramola, spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force, who made the announcement on Twitter late at the night of Tuesday, 18th December 2018, Badeh died from gunshot wounds he sustained when his vehicle was attacked while returning from his farm along Abuja-Keffi Road.

“It is with a heavy heart that I regretfully announce the unfortunate demise of former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, who died today, 18 Dec 18, from gunshot wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked while returning from his farm along Abuja-Keffi Road,” he said.

“On behalf officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar, commiserates with the family of the late former Chief of Defence Staff over this irreparable loss. We pray that the Almighty God grants his soul eternal rest.”

Bade was CDS between January 2014 and July 2015, after earlier serving as Chief of Air Staff between October 2012 and January 2014.

BREAKING: Diamond Bank Set To Merge With Access Bank

In a surprising - or perhaps shocking - style, the management of Diamond Bank on Monday, 17thDecember 2018 announced its proposed merger with the Access Bank.

A statement by the bank’s Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mr. Uzoma Uja disclosed that the transaction would be completed by the first half of 2019.

“The proposed merger will involve Access Bank acquiring the entire issued share capital of Diamond Bank in exchange for a combination of cash and shares in Access Bank via a Scheme of Merger,” the disclosure, sent to the Nigeria Stock Exchange, said.

Read the full disclosure below:
STATEMENT REGARDING SCHEME TO MERGE WITH ACCESS BANK

The Board of Diamond Bank Plc (“Diamond Bank”) today announces that following a strategic review leading to a competitive process, the Board has selected Access Bank Plc (“Access Bank”) as the preferred bidder with respect to a potential merger of the two banks (“the merger”) that will create Nigeria and Africa’s largest retail bank by customers.

The Board of Diamond Bank believes that the merger is in the best interest of all stakeholders including, employees, customers, depositors and shareholders and has agreed to recommend the offer to Diamond Bank’s shareholders. Completion of the merger is subject to certain shareholder and regulatory approvals.

The proposed merger will involve Access Bank acquiring the entire issued share capital of Diamond Bank in exchange for a combination of cash and shares in Access Bank via a Scheme of Merger. Based on the agreement reached by the Boards of the two financial institutions, Diamond Bank shareholders will receive a consideration of N3.13 per share, comprising of N1.00 per share in cash and the allotment of two (2) New Access Bank ordinary shares for every seven (7) Diamond Bank ordinary shares held as at the

Implementation Date. The offer represents a premium of 260% to the closing market price of N0.87 per share of Diamond Bank on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (“NSE”) as of December 13, 2018, the date of the final binding offer.

Immediately following completion of the merger, Diamond Bank would be absorbed into Access Bank and it will cease to exist under Nigerian law. The current listing of Diamond Bank’s shares on the NSE and the listing of Diamond Bank’s global depositary receipts on the London Stock Exchange would be cancelled, upon the merger becoming effective.

Diamond Bank expects the transaction to be completed in the first half of 2019.

We will keep the market updated with any new development.

However, financial experts and analysts have stated that the impending development will not affect depositor's accounts, hence urged the clients of the affected banks not to exercise any iota of fear.

BREAKING: Buhari Presents 2019 Appropriation Bill Today at NASS

Amidst all uncertainties owing to the ongoing warning industrial action of the National Assembly (NASS) Chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), it is now clear that the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari will present the 2019 Appropriation Bill to the Joint Session of the NASS today being 19th, December 2018 as earlier requested by the Presidency.

The Money Bill is expected to be presented at about 11:00am.

The members of the both Chambers of the NASS comprising the Federal House of Representatives and the Senate are required to be present at the event.

Rostrum gathered from the insiders that the money bill is expected to worth about N8.7trn.

Rostrum365 promises to give you up-to date report as the occasion unfolds.

It would be recalled that the members of NASS Chapter of the PASAN embarked on a 4-day warning strike on Monday, 17th December 2018 in a bid to press home their working incentives that have reportedly been kept on hold. But the leadership of the union has announced that the president would not be prevented from presenting the appropriation bill as proposed.

BREXIT: Kate Hoey Warns EU and Ireland Conniving to Take Britain's Money

In what could be described as shocking, the Brexiteer, Mrs. Kate Hoey has claimed that both the European Union (EU) and the Republic of Ireland are “conniving” to keep the United Kingdom (UK) “as close as possible” with the Brussels bloc in an effort to “keep taking Britain’s money”.

The Irish border backstop has proven to be one of the most controversial elements in Brexit talks.

The backstop is meant to ensure no matter what happens with the rest of the negotiations, there would not be a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

But the Labour MP, Mrs. Hoey has warned that under Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal, it is “very dangerous” because Northern Ireland would be without a voice despite having to follow EU single market rules.

BREAKING: US' Interior Secretary, Zinke Steps Down Amidst Ethics Violations

Mr. Ryan Zinke would be leaving President Donald Trump’s White House administration amid pressure to step down from the Interior Department over allegations of ethics violations.

It was originally believed the United States' (US') Secretary of Interior would announce the decision on Wednesday, 19th December 2018 but in the morning of Saturday, 15th December 2018, the president tweeted: “Secretary of the Interior @RyanZinke will be leaving the Administration at the end of the year after having served for a period of almost two years.

“Ryan has accomplished much during his tenure and I want to thank him for his service to our Nation.”



The move arrived amidst vows from Democrats to launch numerous ethics probes, which would have resulted in costly legal fees for Mr. Zinke – a factor in his decision to resign from the department, Bloomberg reported.

President Trump also tweeted that a decision about his replacement would be announced next week.

Mr. Zinke, a former Republican congressman from Montana, is leaving his post weeks before Democrats take control of the House, a shift in power that promised to intensify probes into his conduct.

It would be recalled that He played a leading part in the president’s efforts to roll back environmental regulations and promote domestic energy development.

It's noteworthy that his departure comes amid a staff shake-up as Mr. Trump heads into his third year in office. The president on Friday, December 14, 2018 named Budget Director, Mr. Mick Mulvaney as new Chief of Staff, replacing Mr. John Kelly who would be leaving his post by the new year come 2019.

The interior secretary previously declared this year he was “100 per cent confident”, hence no wrongdoing would be found in the pending investigations against him.

Mr. Zinke faces a number of probes by federal investigators, including one involving dealings between a foundation he created and the chairman of an energy company.

“I’m 100 percent confident that every investigation will always end up in the same conclusion, which is that I follow all rules, procedures and, most importantly, the law,” Mr Zinke said in a November interview. “I have no desire to leave. I know I’m effective and doing the right thing.

JUST IN: Buhari Sets Up Committee On States' Legislature, Judiciary Autonomy

President Muhammadu Buhari has constituted an implementation committee on Autonomy of state legislature and state judiciary.

Femi Adesina, spokesman to the president disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, 9th December 2018.

He said the committee would drive the actualization of the autonomy granted to the legislature and judiciary at the state level.

According to the report, the committee would be chaired by Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and has representatives of state judiciary, such as N Ajanah, chief judge of Kogi state, and K Abiri, chief judge of Bayelsa state.

Other members are Khadi Abdullahi Maikano Usman, Grand Khadi, Gombe state sharia court of appeal, and Abbazih Musa Sadeeq, acting president of the FCT customary court of appeal.

Also represented on the committee are speakers of state houses of Assembly, and the Nigerian Bar Association, among others.

Adesina said the committee will monitor and ensure the implementation of financial autonomy across the judiciary and legislature of the 36 states.

The presidential aide said the committee would be inaugurated in due course.

BREAKING: Again, Buhari Declines Assent to Amended Electoral Act Bill

President Muhammadu Buhari has once again formally declined assent to the Electoral Act Bill as was newly amended by the National Assembly (NASS).

In a letter to both chambers of the NASS, President Buhari said passing a new bill with elections close by could ‘create some uncertainty about the legislation to govern the process.’

He also highlighted some parts of the bill that he said need legislative action.

Many politicians, including leaders of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had called on the president to assent to the bill.

A hint to President Buhari’s decision to withhold assent to the bill was first given by his aide on NASS Matters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang, who said earlier on Friday, 7th December 2018 that the president had sent the bill back to parliament.

The president had declined assent to the bill in previous times, citing “drafting issues.”

Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan last week said Mr Buhari should take time to study the bill and take a decision he is comfortable with.

It would be recalled that President Buhari had first in March this year withheld assent to the bill with reasons that the proposed law would usurp the constitutional powers of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to decide on election matters, including fixing dates and election order.

However, after a second communication from the NASS, the president again in September, 2018 declined to assent to the bill.

The letter stated among other reasons the legislative encumbrance such new act may pose for the 2019 elections which are a little over two months away.

Such encumbrance Buhari said may create room for ‘disruption’ and ‘confusion’ during the 2019 elections.

“Pursuant to section 58 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, I hereby convey to the House of Representatives my decision on 6th December 2018 to decline presidential assent to the Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 2018 recently passed by the National Assembly.

“I am declining assent to the Bill principally because I am concerned that passing a new electoral bill this far into the electoral process for the 2018 general elections which commenced under the 2015 Electoral Act, could create some uncertainty about the applicable legislation to govern the process. Any real or apparent change to the rules this close to the elections may provide an opportunity for disruption and confusion in respect of which law governs the electoral process.”

President Buhari was referring to 2019 General Elections just about 72 days away.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed presidential and National Assembly elections for February 16, 2019, while governorship and state assembly elections will hold two weeks after on March 2.

Noting that his decision was taken ‘in the best interest of the country and our democracy,’ President Buhari wants the National Assembly to ‘specifically state in the Bill that the Electoral Act will come into effect commencing after the 2019 General Elections.’

Asides election concerns, President Buhari also noted some legislative amendments the bill requires.

“It is also important for the following drafting amendments to be made to the Bill:

a. Section 5 of the Bill, amending section 18 of the Principal Act should indicate the subsection to which the substitution of figure “30” for figure “60” is to be effected.

b. Section 11 of the Bill, amending Section 36 should indicate the subsection in which proviso (provision) is to be introduced.

c. Section 24 of the Bill which amends Section 85 (1) should be drafted in full as the introduction of “electing” to the sentence may be interpreted to mean that political parties may give 21 days’ notice of the intention to merge as opposed to the 90 days provided in Section 84 (2) of the Electoral Act which provides the provision for merger of political parties.

d. The definition of the term “Ward Collection Officer” should be revised to reflect a more descriptive definition than the capitalized and undefined term “Registration Area Collation Officer”

The latest decline makes it the third time Mr Buhari withheld his assent to the electoral bill.

Prior to the decline, opposition and critics of the government have accused him of withholding his assent due to his fear of legalising the use of card readers for elections

INEC has been using the card reader for recent elections but the machine is yet to be incorporated into the country’s electoral law.

It's noteworthy that the NASS is yet to react to this latest development.

BREAKING: ASUP Commences Indefinite Strike December 12

AS the industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of Nigeria lingers, her polytechnic counterpart, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) says it would be commencing its own indefinite strike from December 12, 2018.

The National President of ASUP, Usman Dutse disclosed this on Wednesday, 5th December 2018, explaining that the decision was informed by the failure of the Federal Government (FG) to meet the demands of the polytechnic lecturers.

Mr. Dutse said the resolution to commence the strike was reached at the union’s 93rd National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos last week.

He noted that the 21-day ultimatum issued by the union on October 2, has since elapsed and an extension of the ultimatum to November has also elapsed, yet the union did not go on industrial action. It suffices to say that the union has been pushed to the wall.

“Government has failed to implement and fulfill agreements it reached with the union as contained in the memorandum of understanding signed,” Mr. Dutse lamented.

Among other things, Dutse said that “the issue of the funding of the institutions has always been a major concern”.

“The institutions are not funded. The states are even worse because state governments just establish schools without actually funding those schools. So, no infrastructure is in place,” Dutse said.

Also, the bill to review the Act on the establishment of polytechnics in Nigeria, according to Dutse, has not been passed by the National Assembly despite several efforts by ASUP to get the lawmakers to pass the bill. Dutse said perhaps the strike would help in fast-tracking the passage of the bill.

Another cause of agitation for the polytechnic lecturers is the issue of owed salary and allowance arrears, which in some states had risen up to 14 months.

“We have states that are owing about 14-month salaries. Some owe eight months. Benue, Ogun, Osun, Edo, Kogi are owing up to as long as 14 months,” Dutse said.

The last industrial action by ASUP was in November 2017, but following prompt action by the federal government and the agreement to implement the recommendations of the 2014 NEEDS assessment, the strike was suspended 15 days after.

The proposed strike by ASUP will, no doubt, do further damage on the Nigerian education sector. The ministry of Labour and Employment led by Dr. Chris Ngige and its Education counterpart under the watch of Mr. Adamu Adamu have so far reportedly not been able to get the university lecturers to suspend their own strike.

It's noteworthy that the latest meeting between the FG and ASUU representatives on Tuesday, 4th December 2018 ended in another deadlock.

TECH I Dissecting Osinbajo's Avowal on FinTech

By Fred Doc Nwaozor



I pay great attention to leaders of honour whenever they speak in the public domain. I invariably do so, because I’m strongly of the notion that I could deduce something of societal importance from their words.

In the maiden edition of the African Investment Forum (AIF) as organized by the revered African Development Bank (AfDB), which held few weeks back in Johannesburg, South-Africa, in his speech, the Nigeria’s Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo tendered an avowal that caught my attention.

He declared categorically that time had come for the banking sector in Nigeria, Africa in general, to invest in Financial Technology (FinTech) as he stressed the need for the banks to carry out urgent reform so as not to be caught off-guard by rising innovations in fintech space.

Prof. Osinbajo who noted in strong terms that the effect of new innovations in fintech was unavoidable, stated “They have to invest in some of the fintech companies, and they have to see this revolution as inevitable. I think what we are seeing today is the reform around that space. And many of the banks are looking up and understanding that this is going to happen, and it’s already happening”.

It’s noteworthy that the AIF is a meeting place for investors who are keenly interested in Africa. It, thus, showcases bankable projects, attract financing, as well as provide laudable platforms for investing across multiple countries.

The President of the AfDB, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina had in his opening address, disclosed that the goal of the forum was to allow investments land smoothly on investment runways in Africa, adding the forum was a 100% transactional platform to develop projects, fast-track the closure deals and improve the business environment for investments to thrive on the continent.

Fintech is the new technology that aims to compete with the traditional financial methods in the delivery of financial services. It’s a modern industry that uses technologies to improve activities. It’s simply a buzzword within the banking sector. It’s the simple task of replacing paper-based processes with software and applications.

Those days, fintech – which is primarily the use of technology across all financial functions – was mainly used for back-office activities by leveraging software to help bank personnel handle accounts, execute transactions, and manage client databases, among others.

But nowadays, fintech has transformed how banks operate. It’s not anymore relegated to the gloomy corners of back offices. It has, therefore, taken centre stage by making itself indispensible to client-facing processes. Every needed digital transaction is currently possible.

The role of mobility in the fintech revolution cannot be overemphasized. The penetration of Smartphone provides clients with an easier method to interact with banks, hence gain real-time views into their bank accounts. However, as mobile apps grew in sophistication, so did client demand for intuitive banking services.

To assert the least, the emergence of digital services in the banking sector coupled with the invention of mobile devices has significantly transformed the very nature of banking globally. Clients no longer have to contend with long queues and wait all-day to deposit cash, conduct trades or even request cheque books.

Ironically, this commendable innovation generally referred to as fintech has intriguingly constituted tremendous stress and troubles among bank clients in this part of the world, perhaps owing to inability of the key players in the said sector to duly and tactically key into the inevitable revolution. This could be what prompted Prof. Osinbajo’s avowal at the AIF.

The drivers of the Nigeria’s banking sector must wake up to their responsibilities as regards fintech. They need to acknowledge the fact that the tool in question has at the moment obviously changed the game for the financial services industry by the introduction of chat bots for client service, machine learning and AI fraud detection, Omni-channel banking, biometrics for stronger security, and block-chain for digital transactions.

It’s worth noting that Omni-channel banking style alone has made establishment of more bank branches in several localities an obsolete practice. As banking shifts from being a branch-specific activity to one that permeates all digital channels, the importance of having multiple brick-and-mortar bank offices decreases.

Research shows that the adoption of Omni-channel banking is driving many banks to reduce the number and size of their branch offices. For instance, survey indicates that in Europe alone, nearly 9100 bank branches were shut down by the end of 2016 as a result of higher adoption of electronic payment system and online/mobile banking.

The amazing merit of this mechanism is that it reduces the cost of banking, thereby yielding more profit in the business. Hence, investors or prospective ones are encouraged to capitalize on this.

Sometime ago when I encountered problem with my Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card as regards online payment, I had to go to the nearest branch of the concerned bank to lay a complaint and equally fix the fault. You wouldn’t believe that I had to wait for many months before the plight was solved. Ordinarily, such an anomaly is something that ought to be addressed right in my bedroom without contacting any banking personnel.

It’s thus needless to reiterate that it has become imperative for the Nigeria’s banking sector to make strategic investments in innovative technologies towards upgrading their operations and delivering seamless services for higher client retention.

The government on its part, via the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), ought to introduce wholesome cum relevant policies and review them regularly with a view to ensuring that the various banks are invariably equal to the task. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of Right Thinkers Movement
writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com

#WisdomTablet (2) I What You Didn't Know About Women

By Fred Nwaozor

Every woman, even the married ones, looks forward to
being admired by the male folks. A woman, irrespective
of status, age, or affiliation, earnestly wants to receive a
warmth admiration from someone of opposite gender.
Such phenomenon, which you were yet to know, is
natural, and not manmade.

For a man who admires a woman and intends to tender a
proposal, do not be beclouded with Fear of the Unknown.
Intriguingly, that lady you think would embarrass you if
you asked her out for a date, or tendered that proposal you
have been nurturing, is on the contrary looking forward to
seeing a man that would come with such idea/interest.

So, be bold enough to walk up to any lady that pleases your
heart and soul. What matters most is, before you approach a
woman, endeavour to know what she's made of, to enable you
realize the kind of language to employ while you are with her.
You are required to use a language and attitude that could
impress her person if you truly want her to give your speech a
second thought. You must use a language she understands.

The truth is, every woman on earth would be glad to realize
that a certain man admires her, but luring her into your net
would depend on the tactics you deployed in the process.
Thus, do not hesitate to let a woman know that you admire
her, but ensure that you are well equipped before asking her
out for a date.

But while you do so, endeavour to be genuine and real because
fake life does not pay. #ThinkAboutIt

Follow me: @mediambassador
http://facebook.com/fred4nwaozor

APC, Oshiomhole And The Distressed Governors

By Fred Nwaozor

Even an outsider in the Nigeria’s political sphere wouldn’t claim ignorance of the melodrama being acted by the current National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the governors of Imo, Ogun and Zamfara States in the persons of Rochas Okorocha, Ibikunle Amosun and Abdul-aziz Yari, respectively.

The scene that could best be described as intriguing isn’t unconnected with the primary elections conducted recently by the APC under the watch of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), particularly as they concerned the governorship race in the aforementioned states.

It’s not anymore news that the governors in question were ab initio reportedly making frantic effort to foist their favourite candidates on the ruling party for the forthcoming guber polls in their respective states.

Their dreams apparently became futile few weeks back when Mr. Oshiomhole publicly informed the teeming Nigerians via a press briefing that he had refused to please a few members of the APC who felt they could maneuver the party’s activity, thereby displeasing the majority who ought to be the prime determinant of the party’s doings.

Oshiomhole’s unequivocal declaration triggered mixed feelings among the overall party faithful and the entire Nigerians, especially those who initially presumed the boss was the governors’ instrument. As some were busy commending the former Edo State governor, some others opined he had shortchanged their interests hence condemned the move in its entirety.

In his words during press briefing, Mr. Oshiomhole told the world that the NWC led by him had fairly chosen to dance to the tune of those they felt had the support of the party’s majority. He therefore notified that since the said aspirants emerged victoriously at the party primaries that took place in their various states, their names would be outrightly forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s substantive candidates for their respective states’ guber elections.

The wishes of the trio or distressed governors, which was tagged by the NWC as that of the minority, was finally silenced when the electoral umpire eventually published the comprehensive list of the candidates for the impending gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in the 36 states across the federation.

Since the emergence of the latest development, the trio has ostensibly insisted on its struggle. On his part, Gov. Okorocha alongside his allies has frantically vowed to confront the outcome through any available legal means towards ensuring that his son-in-law, Mr. Uche Nwosu becomes the guber flag-bearer of the APC.

It would be recalled that in his speech, Mr. Oshiomhole had asserted that Okorocha was making effort to create a “political dynasty” in Imo whereby all political offices in the state come 2019 would be virtually occupied by his relatives or whosoever that’s ‘ordained’ by him.

Funnily enough, reacting to the insinuation, the governor concurred with the assertion, stating he was only ensuring that after his exit as the Imo number one citizen, the state would be managed by his likes or those who mean well for the Eastern Heartland; a claim that has reportedly resulted in uncontrollable laughter in different quarters within the state.

The issue at hand is that Oshiomhole has been accused by the trio of manipulation. It’s equally in the know of the public that the boss had been accused of collecting N50m bribe to alter the APC primaries held in various states. The allegation had since been refuted by the accused person and the Department of the State Service (DSS) has as well reportedly interrogated him in that regard.

As various concerned groups and individuals have called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to thoroughly investigate Ohiomhole, it would also be imperative for the exercise to be extended to the aggrieved bigwigs of the APC. It’s already rumoured in some quarters that a certain governor allegedly offered the boss a sum of $500,000 but “he rejected it”.

It’s noteworthy that millions of Imolites – both home and abroad – have already applauded the APC’s guber candidate for Imo, Sen. Hope Uzodinma for ensuring that Gov. Okorocha didn’t succeed in his dogged bid to build a ‘political dynasty’ in the ancient state.

It’s similarly worth noting that most of the accolades were allocated to the revered Imo Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere whose unequalled cum unquenching determination and vigour led to the current joyous scene.

However, now that the APC as a family has thus far been inconsequentially overstressed by those who were meant to cater for her welfare, it’s pertinent for the leadership of the party to go back to the drawing board with a view to restrategize if they are really looking forward to embracing victory at the fast-approaching 2019 general elections.

Since the downpour is eventually over as anticipated, the best thing that could happen to the ruling party at the moment is to ensure that all major injuries incurred so far are reasonably healed prior to the awaited polls. To actualize this, some vital tools such as apologies, promises, hand of fellowship or what have you, which invariably beget sense of belonging, mustn’t be relegated to the background.

Hence, it isn’t all about constituting a reconciliation committee but doing the needful headlong. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor is the National Coordinator,
Right Thinkers Movement

Column: The Crises of University Education in Nigeria: The Genesis

The tertiary education system in Nigeria is riddled with so tremendous problems, starting from under-funding, to strikes, infrastructural decay, and corruption for which Nigeria is king from a general global perception. All these problems cumulate in the alarming fall in generally accepted international standards. Everyone is worried especially as the world community is now very skeptical about the standard of knowledge and degrees emanating from our educational system. And this has been compounded by incessant strikes and insincerity on the part of the nation’s leadership. Whereas the United Nations recommend that 26% of national budgets be allocated to education, Nigeria has hardly ever funded the education Ministry by even 10% of her annual budgets.

However, my contention in this paper is that the fall in the standard of tertiary education does not start from the tertiary level itself; it starts from the primary and secondary school levels. No solid teaching or learning ever takes place in our public primary and secondary schools any more. Many teachers go to school once or twice a week in most of them and are not well motivated to teach correctly. No child ever fails a class any more. Whether you pass or fail, you move to the next level, unlike in the past when pupils were made to continue repeating their levels until they were found worthy to move on to the next. Again, there is also this fact that after the secondary school certificate examination in Nigeria, the next idea that comes to the mind of every child is the JAMB. For every parent and child, it appears so automatic, no other option; whereas in many other countries not every child who leaves the secondary school applies to go to the university.

The questions we should ask ourselves are: who are the eventual candidates for our universities? How do they gain admission? With what knowledge and certificates do they gain admission and are they qualified at entry? Are they not products of our secondary schools where no effective teaching takes place and which are poorly managed? We should stop blaming the fall in standards on the university alone. The fall in standard already started in the primary/secondary school.

In well organized systems, the counseling process is so effective that the pupil is long made to know his actual vocation before the end of his final year at school. It is not everyone that has the calling for university education. Our 6-3-3-4 system of education adopted in the 1980s is simply cosmetic and our Guidance Counselors are lacking in their roles in this direction. It is under these conditions that a candidate enters the Nigerian University and the golden rule of garbage in garbage out automatically applies. It would be foolhardy to expect miracles. What would one expect from a weak base in any enterprise, as opposed to a solid base which ensures a sound academic pursuit?

Tertiary institutions grow at a more astronomical rate in Nigeria than in any other country in the world, but I want to limit my discourse to the university system. In the past one decade, the number of universities in Nigeria has doubled from some sixty universities to well over 120. The only rational behind these increases is mere political considerations of quota and not necessarily of real contextual situations. No cognizance is taken of whether there is qualified manpower to pilot the affairs of those institutions. That is not important for as long as a “son of the soil” will be the Vice-chancellor and education brought home to the State with every Tom, Dick and Harry given admission on Local Government quota basis, as if one from State A cannot study in other states B, M, X, Z, Y as the case may be. It has reached the extent whereby teachers are all sourced from within the State. It is no longer question of University but now of Stateversity. No more cross-ventilation of ideas but that of recycling prevailing knowledge within a locality. This reminds me of the pressure mounted on Imo State citizens to go home by a sister state when a university was founded at Owerri for Imo State.

In my last university overseas, expatriate staff was from 32 countries and foreign students from 112 countries totaling a population of 2914 students. It is not same as when the students of a university come from only one country and perhaps from the few local government areas that make up a particular state! There can hardly be any cross-fertilization of ideas.

I have also heard it argued in a Federal Government University that a particular student should go and look for admission in his catchment area, notwithstanding that his score would give him admission. Instead, candidates with as low as mark as 180/400 were admitted leaving the person with 280/400 not admitted just because he/she came from another state. For as long as merit is thrown to the winds in such exercises, we would only be chasing shadows in getting good candidates for the ivory tower. But we want our children admitted in Universities in South Africa, Britain, the USA where they are not citizens but refuse admission to fellow Nigerians for reasons of discrimination! If other countries of the world were to do that, people like us would not have studied overseas because we were non citizens. And experience has shown that you acquire more knowledge the more you interact with people of diverse cultures. Even this same discrimination is being applied as in the course of the just ended strike by ASUU where the Minister of education would be pleading the cause of only Federal Universities as if all the other universities should be allowed to produce any quality of graduates they like, no longer question of universal standards. For him, State or even private universities are not the concern of the federal government for which it superintends the education Ministry. Nonetheless, his portfolio is not the Minister of Federal Institutions but the Minister of Education for the entire nation!

Also, in Nigeria, having university education has become a status symbol and most parents do not have any qualms about buying their children’s admission into the university. The consequence is that the number of people who vie for university education is over bloated, far more than the facilities available would sustain. For some candidates, it has become a do or die affair as they have sat for this same examination for upwards of three to four times, after which they want to gain admission by all means (foul and crook). They now look for touts who readily accept bribes and perhaps eventually get them placed for courses they did not bargain for. They cannot eventually cope well and surely become “sorting experts”. And so “sorting” retains a status and kills the system.

The establishment of a university should be matched with real needs. When there is a Faculty of Medicine in Abia State, it becomes just unnecessary to have same faculty in the four sister states around it. A few specialized universities in particular zones could be established for serve the needs of the entire nation instead of the proliferation of non-viable institutions that cannot pass accreditation. Universities of Science and Technology ought not to be proliferated as just a few of them need to be established in the entire country. Thus, numerous students, no matter their places of origin would go there to acquire the best of knowledge aided by the best library books in those specialized areas. Concentration of technical manpower would better be guaranteed, instead of scattering these institutions in areas where adequate manpower can hardly be guaranteed. Standards fall because we continue founding institutions without any guarantee of any one of them being standard in content.

Also, the fact of founding universities as a means of job creation has lowered the quality of staff needs as many university teachers are not qualified to teach in the ivory tower since teaching in the university is not the same as teaching in the secondary school. One gets qualified for it by getting specialized in specific areas of research. In many countries of the world, the ability to be a university teacher is determined by rigorous interviews where many candidates are subjected to talk on their specific areas before a panel. It is not question of letters of introduction from a Senator, or the Minister or Commissioner meant to influence the recruitment. Whoever is best qualified, be he a foreigner or indigene is recruited to teach.

Miracles should not be expected from the university. The golden adage of “garbage in, garbage out” normally applies. No one should expect wonders from bad candidates pushed into the university system. One would say in conclusion that greater care and attention should be given to basic elementary school training as a panacea to good products being “garbaged “into the university system. I would even recommend that the high school system be re-established so that the High School certificate or the Advanced level GCE or equivalent certificates be made the pre-requisite for university admission as in many parts of the world. And we should pay greater attention to primary / secondary education levels to be able to produce good candidates for the university system because, unless we admit good university materials, we may not possibly produce good university graduates.

Okeke, is a professor of French & Applied Linguistics.

SAD: OPC Founder, Frederick Fasehun Dies @83

The Founder of the revered Yoruba socio-political organization Oodua Poeple's Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun has passed on at the age of 83.

The OPC, the Yoruba socio-cultural body known as Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), and the lawmaker representing Lagos West in the National Assembly, Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adeola have mourned the deceased who was also the National Chairman of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Dr. Fasehun, who died in the morning of 1st December 2018.

In separate condolence statements, the groups and the senator described Fasehun’s death as a great loss to Nigeria and the Yoruba race especially.

They also lamented that one of the foremost agitators for Nigeria’s return to true federalism, since the military aborted the First Republic through a bloody coup in 1966, had again died without the hope of restructuring realised.

Spokesman of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin said: “The famous medical doctor and founder of OPC was a dogged fighter, who played pivotal role, particularly in the resistance to the annulment of June 12 1993 elections and generally in all struggles for emancipation in his lifetime.

“His death at this crucial time in the life of our country was a big blow to the struggle he devoted most of his adult life to. As we cannot question God for taking him when it pleased Him, we pray that his soul will find a comforting testing place.”

Dr. Kunle Olajide, who spoke for YCE, said Nigeria has lost another irreplaceable political, social and intellectual giant.

He said: “One wouldn’t have imagined that Nigeria and the Yoruba race especially would lose a great gem at this crucial state of the nation, when we are moving towards what appears to be an unforeseen circumstances and future that would require the experiences of sages like Fasehun to tackle.

“Dr. Fasehun was a nationalist to the core, who believed in true federalism and fought for it throughout his life. Unfortunately, Nigeria was not restructured as he would have wanted until his demise yesterday.”

The YCE scribe, however, said the only good Nigerians could do to remember Fasehun’s memory was to use the next general election to elect someone with a true agenda and vision to restructure Nigeria.

The Aare Ona Kakanfo, Chief (Dr.) Gani Adams, who is also the national coordinator of OPC, said Fasehun left behind a worthy legacy.

“It was with shock that I received the sad news of the passing of our Papa and founding father of OPC,” he said. “This, no doubt, is a moment of great grief for the entire OPC family, Yoruba nation, Nigeria and the world at large. But it is also clear that the deep sense of loss over the demise of our beloved leader is shared by many like me. I hasten, therefore, to address this statement to commiserate with the immediate family over this painful bereavement.

“Papa Fasehun in his life time made outstanding contributions to the nation’s progress in many capacities, and no doubt left behind a worthy legacy through his careers as a renowned medical doctors and politician, among others.

“He exhibited very good leadership qualities, wisdom and wealth of experience, which he indeed put to use in the discharge of his responsibility, as well as upholding the institution’s tradition of excellence, while alive.”

Meanwhile, Senator Adeola, in a condolence message signed by his Spokesman, Kayode Odunaro, said the OPC founder stood for truth and also fought for human rights throughout his life.

The chairman of Senate Committee on Local Content said his senatorial district had lost a prominent Nigerian, who stood for truth and fought for the rights of his people in Nigerian federation. His role in the fight to enthrone democracy against military rule in Nigeria remains indelible in history.

In another condolence message, former Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George described Fasehun as a quintessential embodiment of principled and unswerving advocate of protecting the weak and defending the trampled.

He said: “He was a Yoruba Elder with complete attributes of the Omoluabi culture. But he was also a Nigerian patriot, who fought for justice, truth and democratic ethos. He was a restless and fearless activist, who lived a simple and incorruptible life, pursuing his mission with balanced commitment, with the purity of affection and with a broad nobility of character.”

Meanwhile, Pro National Conference Organisation (PRONACO) said it received the news in shock.

A statement signed by Wale Okunniyi said: “To us, another unfortunate political vacuum has been created in Nigeria by the sudden demise of a Yoruba nationalist, Dr. Fasehun. However, we take consolation in the fact that posterity, in our humble estimation, shall be kind to him, notwithstanding his latter days political challenges, for rising up to lead millions of Nigerians and Pro democracy activists in association with other compatriots to confront military autocracy in Nigeria, when it was most dangerous to do so.”

Dr. Frederick Usiotan Fasehun was born on September 21, 1935 to the illustrious family of High Chief Columbus Akindojutimi Fasehun, the Lomofe of Ondo Kingdom, and before his demise, the High Chief Odunwo designate of Ondo Kingdom, and Madam Olakuojomu, a scion of the Jomu Warlord family of Ondo Kingdom.

He attended St Stephen’s Primary School, Ondo and Ondo Boys High School, Ondo. Dr. Fasehun also attended the University of Aberdeen, where he bagged his MB.ChB. He later became the first African to bag a PhD in the Chinese medicine of Acupuncture from the University of Nankin, China.

He was Nigeria’s foremost anaesthesiologist, the first to supervise a surgery without putting the patient to sleep at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital in 1977.

He was a Fellow of Royal College of Surgeon, Fellow of West African College of Surgeon, a teacher and mentor of many Professors of anesthesia. He was the author of ‘The Complete Book of Acupuncture.’