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.’

BREAKING: George Bush Passes On @94

The 41st President of the United States of America (USA), Mr. George Herbert Walker Bush died Friday, 30th November 2018 at the age of 94.

Former President George W. Bush, who happens to be the deceased son, released a statement saying for himself and his siblings, "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died."

"George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for," he said of the 41st president. "The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens."

George H.W. Bush's Wartime Experience Shaped His Approach To Politics

There were fears that after his wife, Barbara, died in April, Bush might die too. He was admitted to the hospital with a blood infection on April 23, one day after the funeral for the former first lady, and remained there for 13 days. He also spent time in the hospital in May and June, but lived to be the first former president to reach the age of 94.

Rostrum365 reliably gathered that Bush was the patriarch of a political dynasty that included one son who served as president, another as a governor and a grandson who currently holds statewide office in Texas.

President Ronald Reagan greets President-elect George H.W. Bush at the White House on Nov. 10, 1988.
Charles Tasnadi/AP

The senior Bush had a lifetime of public service before he became president — as a young Navy pilot in World War II, Texas congressman, CIA director and faithful vice president to Ronald Reagan.

"His loyalty to Ronald Reagan was legendary," said biographer Timothy Naftali. "He did not always agree with Ronald Reagan. And he was so secretive about those moments where he disagreed, we don't even have good documentation — at least not available yet — on when he disagreed."

Bush famously disagreed with Reagan when he ran against him in the Republican primary of 1980. Bush branded Reagan's supply-side faith that government could slash tax rates without losing revenue as "voodoo economic policy."
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How Ronald Reagan Used An 'Invisible Bridge' To Win Over Americans

History would prove that assessment right. Reagan later had to reverse some of his tax cuts in the face of mounting deficits. But by the time Bush ran to succeed Reagan, he knew what it took to win the confidence of conservative Republicans.

"Read my lips," Bush pledged at the 1988 GOP convention. "No new taxes."

Bush trounced Democrat Michael Dukakis that year to win the White House. But he ultimately backtracked on his lip-reading promise. During 1990 budget negotiations with Democratic congressional leaders, Bush, like Reagan before him, agreed to a tax increase.

Bush talks with Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev during a signing ceremony at the White House on June 1, 1990. Bush and Gorbachev signed the foundation of a treaty for the first-ever cuts in nuclear missiles and a pact to slash chemical weapon stockpiles.

His press secretary, Marlin Fitzwater, recalled a budget meeting where the deal was presented.

"The minute I saw it, I looked around the table and the Democrats looked like the cat who ate the canary," Fitzwater said. "They knew they had negotiated a winner."

The tax hike cut the deficit, but it cost Bush dearly with conservatives. Years later, he would receive a Profile in Courage award from John F. Kennedy's grandson, who said, "America's gain was President Bush's loss."

Bush's most notable accomplishments in the White House came in the area of foreign policy. While Reagan is often credited with winning the Cold War, it was Bush who successfully navigated the aftermath. His low-key approach avoided inflaming communist hard-liners and allowed for the peaceful breakup of the Soviet Union.

"The soft landing that occurred, which was not inevitable, is in large measure due to George H.W. Bush's diplomacy," said Naftali.

Bush, who served as U.S. envoy to China as well as a globe-trotting vice president, had a thick Rolodex and plenty of experience working the phones. His lifetime of foreign contacts also came in handy when Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait in 1990. Bush methodically assembled an international coalition to push them back.

Bush poses with soldiers during a stop at an air base in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on Nov. 22, 1990.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP

A five-week bombing campaign was followed by a 100-hour ground assault that routed the Iraqis from Kuwait. Some wanted allied troops to push on to Baghdad and topple Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. But Bush said no.

"The president's decision was we are not going on to Baghdad," the late diplomat Lawrence Eagleburger recalled. "If we do, we will have violated the agreement we have with our allies, which was to bring Saddam out of Kuwait. It was not to bring Saddam down. And in addition, it will tie us into an area where we cannot be sure how soon we can withdraw."

Bush with (from left) his son Neal Bush; wife, Barbara Bush; daughter-in-law Laura Bush; and son former President George W. Bush at a reception in honor of the Points of Light Institute at the White House on Jan. 7, 2009.
Ron Edmonds/AP

Bush's son George W. would revisit that decision a dozen years later, with costly results.

The first Gulf War was a clear victory for U.S. forces. As commander in chief, George H.W. Bush saw his approval ratings soar to nearly 90 percent. His lock on a second term seemed so solid that many national Democrats opted to sit out the 1992 election, leaving it to the governor of a small Southern state to challenge him.

Bill Clinton of Arkansas had one big advantage, though: the economy, stupid. As the country sank into recession, Bush's popularity sank with it. There was no parachute or soft landing this time. He lost a three-way race in the November election, carrying just 38 percent of the vote.

More than two decades later, George W. Bush, who experienced his own roller-coaster ride in the polls, wrote an affectionate portrait of his father, titled 43 on 41.

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43 On 41: A President Traces The Life Of His Father

"I want people to better appreciate George Bush, as not only a great person but a very successful president," the younger Bush said.

Bush was also the linchpin of a political dynasty that now spans four generations — including a second son, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who ran for the White House and lost in the 2016 Republican primaries as Donald Trump became the dominant force in a GOP that had evolved far from where it was when the 41st president was in office.

Whatever the senior Bush's political shortcomings, hindsight has cast his presidency in a kinder, gentler light.

President Trump praised George H.W. Bush on Twitter as someone who "led a long, successful and beautiful life."
Author Interviews
From 2014: George W. Bush On His Common Enemy With His Father, Saddam Hussein

"Whenever I was with him I saw his absolute joy for life and true pride in his family," Trump tweeted. "His accomplishments were great from beginning to end. He was a truly wonderful man and will be missed by all!"

The White House also issued a statement saying, "Melania and I join with a grieving Nation to mourn the loss of former President George H.W. Bush, who passed away last night."

The statement also referenced George H.W. Bush as a president who "guided our nation, and the world, to a peaceful and victorious conclusion of the Cold War."

Bush was the definition of establishment success: Yale graduate. Prosperous business career. Forty-first president of the United States.

But to one admittedly biased observer, the elder Bush has always been shortchanged.

"As a result of him being a one-term president, historians hadn't paid much attention to him," George W. Bush told NPR in a 2014 interview. He called his father "one of the greatest one-term presidents in the nation's history."

JUST IN: Buhari Leaves Abuja For Poland Over UN Summit

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday, 1st December 2018 departed Abuja for Katowice, Poland where he is expected to attend the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP24) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Rostrum365 gathered that the summit, which will take place between December 2 and 4, 2018, will be held at the International Conference Centre in Katowice, Poland.

According to the statement issued by the president's Special Adviser (SA) on Media, Mr. Femi Adesina, the organisers say the conference is expected to finalize the rules for the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change under the Paris Agreement Work Programme (PAWP) – the rule book for implementation.

President Buhari who will be in Poland till December 4, will join 29 heads of government to speak at the summit opening on Monday, 3rd December 2018.

He will deliver a national statement highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to addressing climate change by implementing the goals set out in its National Determined Contributions.


Also, the president will use the occasion to accentuate Nigeria’s willingness to work with international partners to reverse the negative effects of climate change in Africa and the world over, while expecting that developed nations scale up their emission reduction activities in order to limit the increase in average global temperatures to well below two degrees centigrade between now and 2020.

The Leaders’ Summit is expected to adopt a ‘‘Declaration on Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia,’’ – named after the region of Poland.

As a member of the Committee of the African Heads of State on Climate Change – a group of 10 African countries that meets and takes positions concerning issues of climate change on behalf of the continent – Nigeria has been at the forefront of advancing policies and initiatives aimed at addressing significant challenges occasioned by climate change such as reviving the Lake Chad, halting and reversing desertification, flooding, ocean surge and oil spillage.

President Buhari will continue to champion these pressing issues at COP24 in Katowice, among others, as well as reiterate Nigeria’s position on the need for African countries to access financial resources, especially the Green Climate Fund to draw up climate change adaptation policies and actions for implementation.

The Nigerian delegation will also showcase the policy measures and actions of the Federal Government at ensuring environmental sustainability and effectively combating climate change through several side events within the Nigerian pavilion.

While in Poland, President Buhari will hold an interactive session with the Nigerian community in the country.

He is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the President of Poland Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

Accompanying him on the trip are Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Yahaya Bello of Kogi and Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger.

Others on his entourage include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, and the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibrin.

BREAKING: Super Falcons Clinches Gold in Ghana Over AWCON

The Super Falcons of Nigeria on Saturday, 1st December 2018 at about 8:35pm clinched the trophy of the African Women's Cup of Nations (AWCON) after a keenly contested final match with the Banyana Banyana of South Africa.

The match, which took place in Accra, Ghana, ended 4-3 over penalties after the full time and extra 30 minutes ended goalless.

This is the ninth time the Super Falcons would claim the trophy.

The Nigeria's Francisca Ordega was named the Woman of the match while the fine South Africa's was recognized a the Woman of the tournament.

POLITICS: INEC Opens Window For Guber, House of Assembly Campaign

The Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has on Saturday, 1st December 2018 lifted ban on campaign for the Gubernatorial and States' House of Assemblies elections ahead of February 2019, the scheduled date of the impending exercise.

It would be recalled that that of Presidency and National Assembly was opened two weeks back.

The INEC has warned the candidates involved to stick to the rules as they reiterated their willingness to do the needful as long as the campaign window remains open.

SPORT: Super Falcons Tackle Banyana Banyana Today Over AWCON Final

The defending Champions of the ongoing 2018 African Women's Cup of Nations (AWCON), the Super Falcons of Nigeria are to squarely face fierce rivals, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa in the final match holding today being Saturday, 1st December 2018 in Ghana, the host nation.

The match will kick off by 5:00pm Nigerian time.

Rostrum365 sport crew gathered that the Banyana are already looking forward to a tough final match with the Falcons at the Accra Sports Stadium.

It would be recalled that the South African women defeated the Falcons 1-0 in their opening group game in Cape Coast and they are confident they will beat the Nigerian ladies again today.

On their way to lifting the trophy two years ago in Cameroon, Nigeria defeated South Africa 1-0 in the semi final.

It's noteworthy that both sides are already through to the women’s world cup in France.

But South Africa will be without Vice Captain, Jane Refiloe for the final match. She will reportedly miss the final against Nigeria due to club commitments.
nyana’s matches at the tournament, has left for Australia to join her new club side, Canberra United.