Edo: Shaibu’s burden of bearing his cross

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September 18, 2023

By Tony Iyare

On Thursday, as we celebrated the “Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross”, somehow my mind was transfixed on Philip Shaibu, Edo State Deputy Governor, and his travails. Who will save him from a self inflicted conundrum? For weeks, we’ve watched the unfolding ‘roforofo’ fight and muzzle flexing between Shaibu and his erstwhile close ally and boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki that has not only seen governance nosedived to mere fiddlesticks in our beloved state but took shine away from the 60 years anniversary of our historic referendum that saw the birth of the Midwest (now Edo & Delta states) in 1963.

As a close observer of his blissful political career from a rosy nursery, I cannot but weep for Shaibu, who’s now groaning under the sword of Damocles.

My heart bleeds for Shaibu even as I’m in a quandary on why a young man with a promising political future would invite wrath and odium unto himself. He must now be gnashing his teeth as he confronts the burden of carrying his jaded cross.

Unlike Our Lord Jesus Christ who transformed the cross by dying on it to cleanse our sins, Shaibu’s burden of bearing a cross could be the dawn of political Siberia. How are the mighty fallen, tell it not on Dennis Osadebey Avenue.

It will be Intriguing to see how Shuaibu saunters through his debacle even after withdrawing his ill advised suit against Obaseki and other principal officials from the court. He’s not only stripped of his larger than life image of a political dinosaur but now has to operate from a less fancied office on the precinct of Government House. In short, he’s now been made to devour the humble pie.

Here was Shaibu who had a flowery leeway with Obaseki and was endowed with privileges and power that no Governor either in the history of Edo or the country has ever conferred on their deputy, yet he squandered it on the altar of pride, ego tripping, pigheadedness and inordinate ambition. Unlike many of his colleagues who largely partake in governance from the sidelines or merely go to “read newspapers in the office,” he was graciously allowed to oversee revenue generation, politics, sports, local government and other allied matters apart from his constitutional function of presiding over boundary matters. No sooner, the swell of power, influence and cash from these privileges made Shaibu carry on with a bloated swagger.

He was deluded by the trappings of sharing the limelight with his boss and began to naively perceive himself as a ‘Co-Governor’.

As if on a race for pre-eminence with Obaseki, who allegedly leased the GRA Benin City home of former Military Vice President, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, which now serves as his private residence, Shaibu also acquired the home of late revered Nationalist and Elder Statesman, Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro on 10 Aideyan Street also in GRA. In a sane country such a property would be a monument.

He also bought the neighboring house as part of his move to fortify his new palatial abode. No one would fault Shaibu for nursing an ambition to be Governor akin to looking for a pin in a haystack but plotting behind the back of his boss and amassing arsenals without Obaseki’s knowledge was reprehensible.

I do not know how many Governors would have taken an inch of Shaibu’s affront. Obaseki was even gracious to have bent over backwards and tolerated Shaibu’s excesses for this long. Perhaps it was cobbled as some playbook for their mutual survival as they wrestled powerful forces in the state. Unfortunately, the Deputy Governor was numbed to appreciate that he longed crossed the line. Against the run of protocols, Shaibu usually strolled into public functions and Exco meetings long after the Governor would have been seated and the day’s proceedings began.

Although Obaseki’s cantankerous mien is a put off, his problems particularly with henchmen of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) like Chief Dan Orbih, leader of the legacy group and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike were largely on account of Shuaibu’s nuances. Even when Obaseki sought PDP ticket in his strive for political survival, haven been denied a second term birth on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he insisted on running with Shaibu.

It was really to my chagrin that I saw a widely advertised press statement personally signed by Obaseki defending his deputy against a fellow Governor.

Shaibu is the classical case of “those whom the gods wish to destroy are first made mad”. As a young man thrust into fame in a country where many of his contemporaries are beset with harsh economic realities, he ought to have reflected on this popular literary phrase which first appeared in exactly this form in Reverend William Anderson Scott’s book, “Daniel, a Model for Young Men” in 1854 and later in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “The Masque of Pandora” in 1875. Shaibu allowed the grandeur of power to get a better part of him.

He became oblivious that the Governor’s Office in which the buck stops at Governor Obaseki’s table, is one. By treating his boss with disparagement and levity, Shaibu may just have crossed the Rubicon on his way to political Golgotha.

While I do not wish to undermine the efforts of the elders who are working to broker a truce, it will be inconceivable to expect Obaseki and Shaibu to be back to their old churning relationship before their term winds down on November 12, 2024.

At best Obaseki will be advised to dine with an unruly Shaibu only with a long spoon. He may want to heed the admonition by Our Lord Jesus to forgive those who offends us 70 x seven times but which Governor will not glide with trepidation seeing a disloyal deputy under his nose? I doubt whether the elders can in all honesty counsel Obaseki to give warm embrace to a poisoned chalice.

Shuaibu ought to have learnt from the grace and humility of his immediate predecessor, Dr Pius Egberanmwen Odubu whom in spite of efforts by some fifth columnists to undermine his office, deny him second term and non-support of his political ambition by then Governor Adams Oshiomhole, he never raised his hands against his boss. In spite of eliciting the support of many members of the cabinet who casted lot for Odubu to succeed his boss, Oshiomhole opted instead for Obaseki, a technocrat and then chairman of the Economic Team.

Odubu was undaunted by other challenges. He was unfortunate to serve under a boss who was as busy as a bee and was always itching to work for 30 hours in a day and scoffed at devolving powers to anyone.

Oshiomhole always felt he could be his own minder, security man, driver, speech writer, spin doctor and often times rendered his tea boy jobless by walking briskly to the kitchen to make his tea and fetch some snacks. Many at times, he would complain that the convoy was too slow and instantly take on the wheels and be the pilot. Unlike Shaibu who took full charge as Acting Governor when Obaseki was away, Odubu never had any such opportunity. But he never shred the cozy relationship with his boss.

Shaibu could also have taken a cue from his other predecessor, Chief Mike Aiyegbeni Oghiadomhe who later became chief of staff to President Goodluck Jonathan. Oghiadomhe as deputy to Governor Lucky Igbinedion, who had predilection for the game of golf, also had some leeway but he carried on with humility. Igbinedion who loath the work on his table coming between him and golf, would normally ask Oghiadomhe to take charge particularly in the evenings when he withdrew to savour his favorite sport. This accorded Oghiadomhe some influence and means which opened his floodgates of relationship with Goodluck Jonathan, who was then enduring a cold shoulder as Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State until fortune smiled on him.

What has now turned out as Shaibu’s nemesis was his belief that he could rupture the political consensus that the Edo governorship seat should rotate amongst the three senatorial zones of a state whose indigenes share common ancestry. He also felt he had enough resources and grit to ride roughshod of the demands of the people of Edo Central Senatorial Zone who say it’s their turn to be Governor on the basis of “equity, fairness and justice”. Shaibu had thought that since Obaseki was not looking his way for successor, it was better to go back to the APC and consummate his ambition. He must have reasoned that he would get the warm embrace of Oshiomhole, his mentor and prodigal father.

Shaibu must have been shaken to his marrows from the leper’s embrace that he got instead from Oshiomhole who made it clear that APC was not an IDP camp for displaced politicians. Oshiomhole’s discomforting words that, “I come from Iyamho, a small hamlet and would be happy to see us produce another Governor but Nigeria does not work that way,” may have nailed Shaibu’s political ambition in the 2024 Edo governorship race. And his upbraids for Shaibu to be loyal to his boss was loathsome.

Shaibu who can be described as Oshiomhole’s protégé owes his meteoric rise to the now Senator representing Edo North Senatorial zone. As majority leader in the Edo State House of Assembly, he doubled as a member of Oshiomhole’s kitchen cabinet when the latter was Governor. As a loyal foot soldier, Shaibu was later elevated to the House of Representatives from where he became running mate to Obaseki as part of the matrix to balance technocracy with politics.

But he never bat any eyelids when he galvanized the movement to cut Oshiomhole to size and prevent him from assuming the role of a godfather in Edo politics.

Against the wishes of Oshiomhole, who as APC National Chairman scuttled his second term ticket, Obaseki with support from Shaibu rallied a rainbow coalition to guarantee victory in the crucial 2020 governorship election. But consolidating the gains of that victory has been a sore point.

Tony Iyare, a Communications & Development Expert is a former Special Adviser to Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Media & Publicity

UNICAL Se£ual Harassment Scandal: Why Minister Swallowed Her Vomit

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Akinwale Kasali

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September 18, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs has swallowed her vomit. She walked back on her ill-advised comment and interference on the University of Calabar’s se£ual harassment scandal which involved Professor Cyril Ndifon, the now suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law.

Kennedy-Ohanenye was seen and perceived to have over-stepped her bounds when she initiated calls to the Professor and the victims, and even, allegedly, asked that the report of the investigative panel set up by the University’s authorities, be sent to her.

She allegedly, also, assured Ndifon of her support, and was alleged to have put the victims under pressure to recant their allegations against the Professor.

The Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, Professor Florence Obi, was forced to speak out.

However, on Sunday, the Minister had a rethink and apologized for her unbecoming behaviour.

The apology came when about 500 Women Groups and Activists petitioned the President, Bola Tinubu, against her. In a bid to calm the situation which was threatening to become a political volcano against her, she walked back on her previous comments.

In a Press Statement she wrote: “I wish to express my sincere apologies to those who were offended by my comments and actions regarding the se£ual harassment scandal at the University of Calabar.

“This is extremely regrettable as my intentions were sincere and aligned with my consistent advocacy for the welfare of Nigerian women and the pursuit of justice.

“I stand for all Nigerian women and I stand for justice; and it is my hope that we can work together to actualise the dream of a country where women’s rights are respected and protected, and where our daughters feel safe in institutions of learning.

“Whereas the United Nations’ definition of sexual harassment is ‘se£ual advances, requests for se£ual favours and verbal or physical conduct of a se£ual nature, whether implicitly or explicitly’.

“The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Florence Obi has said that the university management would investigate the allegations but that the students would be required to provide evidence to back up their complaints.”

The Minister had commented On the August 14th incident where female students of the Faculty of Law at UNICAL held a peaceful rally against the varsity’s Dean, Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, whom they accused of harassing them.

Amidst the protest from the students and comments from various Human Rights groups, Kennedy-Ohaneye, made a controversial statement that since a female student admitted in a leaked phone conversation with the Minister that she was not ra**d, it means she was not se£ually harassed.

This was the beginning of the Minister’s crisis with activists and several Women Groups who said that the Minister wasn’t gender sensitive and was not championing the cause of the women folks.

This for them meant that only r**e (penetrative se£ual intercourse) is the only form of se£ual harassment recognised by the Minister.

Ndifon has denied the allegation, claiming that the protest was sponsored by lecturers in the faculty who did not like his style of leadership, although the varsity suspended him.

But another Professor at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Sinem Abasi Ekong has narrated Ndifon allegedly ra**d her 20-year-old daughter in his office, alleging that Ndifon tore her daughter’s answer script during a test and subsequently used that to trick her daughter to go to his office, where he allegedly ra**d her twice.

OPINION: Kongii And The Illegitimate Sovereign (A Fable)

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The Source

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September 18, 2023

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By Steve Osuji

AN IMPOSTER AND USURPER: Once upon a time in a faraway land, there lived a king who hijacked the stool. It happened that the throne was vacant and all the heirs began to joust for the grand stool. A particular parvenu in the land who had no known link to royalty nor to the kingdom for that matter, jumped into the ring.

People merely mocked the upstart, sniggering that he must be suffering an extended hang over period. He would be better when he is relieved of his inebriation, they laughed.

But mockers were still at it when the imposter morphed into a monarch. This will not stand, they said, stomping on their walking stick!

But the kingmakers had sold out. They were suborned with gifts nobody gave them before. They were shown wonders they never saw before and their minds were distorted beyond repairs. You really cannot blame them.

Most of the elders of the land were swept away by a flood of patronage they didn’t see coming. Things happened too fast for most of them. The mere concept of Chief Jagba, the imposter, on the throne of Jankara was at best a bad dream in Jankaraland until it became a reality. It is said that the spirits, even witches and wizards of the land couldn’t divine what happened.

But King Jagba was ensconced on the throne of Jankara anyways. He made his co-travellers chiefs, prime ministers and consorts. They ruled the land and hold court but the people do not have any impulse to be in the King’s court. There’s a king in the palace but no king in their hearts.

King Jagba co-opted most of the elders and wise men in the land except a few. But the fall of a particular sage by name, Kongii caused a storm that threatened the entire Jankara land. Kongii was a wizened, bushy, gray-haired man (not unlike a giant gnome) who would touch the century milestone age if he stretched out his hand properly enough.

That’s how old Kongii was. Kongii was loved not only in Jankara but far and wide across lands and seas wherever the sun shined on the universe. He was not merely loved, he was almost held up among the pantheon of great deities.

He was indeed a man of great learning, wisdom and an iron-cast moral authority.

Kongii was not royalty but he was a walking throne and sceptre all by himself. Great sovereigns across the seven seas deferred to him and sought not only his counsel but his good face. One word of condemnation spelt the beginning of the downfall of a monarch. Just as one word of laudation raised the worst monarchical profiles.

All this was before Jagba smashed, grabbed and made away with the totem of Jankara kingdom.

While Jagba schemed and eventually grabbed the Jankara’s crown, Kongii didn’t make nary a whimper much unlike him. Jankara people, known as Jankariwos, were sure that the coup in the palace would not stand. Unless Kongii was no more living, that potentate would soon be routed from desecrating the land.

Woe alas! when Kongii eventually spoke, he chided the people as deploying fascisistic methods against King Jagba! Aree!

Something must be amiss! Someone must be misquoting our Kongii. Could it be that he has become too old, or too wise and knowledgeable for we the ordinary mortals in his much advanced age? Perhaps he speaks in tongues now having finally morphed into the realms of the spirit world?

Poor Jankariwos were yet floating in an ocean of confusion when Kongii spoke a second time. This time he was unequivocal.

King Jagba is more deserving of the crown than everyone else. In fact the mass of the people clamouring for a supposed bona-fide candidate merely seek to shock and awe the people of Jankara kingdom to submission. The kingdom has been in a state of suspended animation since then. If Kongi could fall, then the kingdom has fallen the people surmised … now Jankaraland had a King without a sovereign. Though the king be dressed in the most colourful of robes, the people only see a shadow, a shroud of incubus. In the Palace, there was a king but in the hearts of the people, there was no king.

Moral: when a king is illegitimate, the kingdom is voided. You can buy the stool, the kingmakers and all the elders and wise men of the land but you can’t buy legitimacy.

THE CRUSHING WEIGHT OF ILLEGITIMACY:

No matter how hard you try, an illegitimate state of mind is a forlorn, melancholy situation. This is at the core of the Bola Tinubu Presidency. This government cannot take off or function because it’s being crushed by the deadweight of illegitimacy. When you have no moral authority, when a sovereign is forever seeking to please, to be understood and be affirmed, such a one has no mind of its own, it acts on impulse all the time.

ANOTHER JAMBOREE TO NEW YORK:

Last week, we pointed out President Tinubu’s junket to India in the guise of attending the G20 Summit. We wager that Nigeria probably had the largest contingent to India in a summit Nigeria was not officially invited. In serious countries, just a video goodwill message to the G20 would have sufficed. But no less than 50 people were in India with the president under the guise of seeking foreign investors. But that’s a fat lie, we merely wasted scarce forex on a binge.

Here we go again, the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA) meeting holds in New York, United States from tomorrow, 19th September.

Only about a five-member contingent would have sufficed. But we see a horde of over 70 people going to New York. There are six State Governors, seven Ministers about five senior aides including the Chief of Staff and the National Security Adviser (NSA). As it had been in the past, Nigeria is bound to have the largest contingent at the 78th UNGA. We shall soon constitute a nuisance there, milling around noisily and shopping like children of bandits.

This had always been our story since the eras of Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari and yet again, now under Tinubu. Tinubu’s people are telling us that he inherited a failed economy; they tell us to tighten our belt. But only the people are yoked by austerity, government officials are living even larger than before.

It doesn’t matter to the government that we suffer acute forex crisis, officials globetrot and burn scarce forex as if it were some sacred incense.

NOTHING CONCRETE DONE, THINGS STILL TOPSY-TURVY:

There’s still no palliative to the mindless yanking of so-called fuel subsidy. Inflation escalates, naira crashes daily, fuel and cooking gas prices inch higher.

Apart from our vanishing economy, at the level of wielding presidential authority to quickly impact the state, it still seems like there’s no president in the land. Two examples will illustrate this point.

One, 31 days after eight National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members travelling from Akwa Ibom to Sokoto were abducted by bandits in Zamfara State, the hapless youths still languish with kidnappers.

Not a word from the NYSC management, from Akwa Ibom State Government nor from the Presidency. The parents of these youths have been abandoned to negotiate ransom with bandits. Bandits remain on rampage around the country without let.

The NSA, Mr Nuhu Ribadu is busy shuttling the world with the president while the security situation worsens. No fresh ideas or roadmap is presented or pursued.

The second example is that within the week, the President appointed Mr. Zaccheus Adedeji as Chairman of FIRS and Mr Yemi Cardoso, one of his lapdogs as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Of course, Cardoso is not the fit and proper man for the job, but the issue at hand is that Tinubu has completed the personal capture of the economic superstructure of Nigeria. His cronies now head the economic ministry and coordinates the entire economy, they also head the CBN, FIRS, Customs, Immigration, while he’s Petroleum Minister.

Fact: Tinubu’s cronyism is worse than Buhari’s.

FINAL VERDICT: Tinubu has brought nothing new to government and there’s no plan yet that he’s on to something new. Those deluding themselves that there’s some work or reform going on to make things better in the next few months should perish the thought. There’s nothing going on here…

Osuji, an accomplished Journalist, Writer, Columnist, was Special Adviser, Media, to former Imo State Governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha

Edo: Why Gov Obaseki Locked Deputy, Shaibu Out Of Government House

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Ayodele Oni

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September 18, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The final eviction of Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu, from the Government House, Benin city, was on Monday effected by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

A letter was, last week, written to the Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office ordering him to relocate to a building outside the Government House.

The Deputy Governor had earlier withdrawn a case he filed at the Federal High Court to a speculated plan to impeach him following intervention by prominent indigenes’ of the State.

However, on Monday, Shaibu got to his office in the Government House only to be locked out.

The gate to the office of the and the main entrance leading to the storey building was secured with chains and heavy padlocks.

Shaibu and his aides waited for about an hour and left. He was reported to have made frantic calls trying to reach the Governor but to no avail.

Sources revealed that Shaibu had some discussions with the State Commissioner of Police and the Director of State Security Services, (DSS) alerting them of how he was locked out from his office.

The Deputy Governor was said to have summoned the Government House Camp Commandant, Ibrahim Babatunde, (SP) and asked him why he was locked out of his office and was told that it was a directive from above, adding that the CSO in Government House, Wabba Williams, will be in a better position to explain.

Shaibu was said to have put calls to Wabba Williams who promised to be on his way to see Shaibu, but never came.

Shaibu said no letter has been transmitted to him to relocate from his office, arguing that the letter to relocate was directed to civil servants, not to him as Deputy Governor.

Tinubu Appoints Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, LP Datti’s Elder Brother, Special Adviser

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The Source

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September 18, 2023

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By Gideon Njoku

This may come as a surprise to a number of people, especially, Obidients, but President Bola Tinubu has tapped, and appointed Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, as one of his Special Advisers.

The President appointed him the Special Adviser, Political, to the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.

Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed is the elder brother to Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25th 2023 Presidential Election. He was, also, a constant, hard, critic of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s Government.

The new appointee accepted the appointment and described it as an honour. He, also, said this was no time for “fence-sitting” criticism.

His words: “It is time to make it public that I have accepted the call to serve as Special Adviser (Political) to the VP, @KShettima. This is not the time for fence-sitting or criticism when you can be useful in turning the country round. I am honoured and humbled. Please pray for me and Nigeria.”

A former Ambassador who commented on Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s appointment and acceptance said: “Politics is above sentiment and emotion, it’s a game of interest and calculation.

Congratulations Doc!”

His younger brother, Peter Obi’s Presidential running mate, Datti, has not commented, nor have Obidients.

Obi In Bangladeshi Says, ‘SMEs Are Key To Global Economic Growth And Rapid Expansion

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The Source

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September 18, 2023

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The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has underscored the importance of Small and Medium Enterprises SMEs to global economic growth. He also explained why small businesses are the engine of growth across the globe, especially in areas of job creation, innovation, and domestic investment.

Obi’s position was contained in the remarks he made over the weekend at a global conference organized by the Bangladesh Government in conjunction with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The Labour Party standard bearer argued in his address at the international conference that SMEs are emerging as the undisputed engine of rapid economic expansion and growth globally.

Buttressing his position with various data, Obi noted that “World Bank records (2020), show that SMEs account for roughly 90% of businesses and more than 50% of jobs created globally. While formal SMEs contribute up to 40% of national income (GDP) in developing and emerging markets (DEMs), their impact and contribution are significantly higher when informal ones are included (World Bank, 2020).

According to the former Anambra state Governor, ‘In Bangladesh, SMEs contribute about 40% to GDP, in Nigeria 48% and China 60% with about 7 out of every 10 formal jobs created by SMEs.

It has the same immense impact in India where SMEs account for over 40% of the total workforce.

Obi urged the Commonwealth nations to pay very special attention to small businesses, which have proven to be the fulcrum upon which sustainable and inclusive growth and development can be achieved across Commonwealth countries.

He noted that “If we enhance the functionality and impacts of SMEs across Commonwealth countries through formalization and internationalization, we would have done it across the world with lives, communities, and economies positively impacted.

“Endowed with a population of about 2.5 billion people, a home to over a billion young consumers and exports of over $1 trillion, the need for better support for SMEs cannot be over-emphasized.”

He further explained that small businesses, especially in developing and emerging markets, face many challenges arising from a lack of formalization and internationalization. He revealed that many small businesses are not registered and licensed and lack international affiliations, export less than large companies, and barely exploit the benefits of international trade, which limits the growth opportunities of both the SMEs and the countries.

“To harness the full contributions and impacts of SMEs, Obi admonished that reforms such as proper formalization and internationalization are needed to address the identified challenges.

“Formalization involves bringing SMEs into the formal economy through registration of their businesses and complying with legal and regulatory requirements.

“Expectedly, the process of formalization will be beneficial not only to the SMEs but the overall business environment and economic stability as significant segments of SMEs operate in the informal sector due to a lack of resources or awareness of the formalization benefits.

Noting that this limits their access to credit, markets, and government support which consequently results in reduced investment, innovation, and growth opportunities.

“Proper formalization and internationalization of SMEs particularly in today’s globalized economy therefore require urgency and full support of all stakeholders as it allows SMEs to tap into global markets, access international resources, and grow their businesses with immeasurable positive global impacts,” Obi said.

Mr Peter Obi (right) interacting with the Honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H. E. Sheikh Hasina (left) and the Chairman, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Lord Marland of Odstock at the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Forum, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, last week.

Obi further explained that this is critical especially to Commonwealth nations, as the Commonwealth controls a combined wealth of about $150 trillion, which is over 10 times their combined GDP of about $14.5 trillion today, and over 30 times the global trade and export value of about $4.8 trillion.

Arguing further on these untapped benefits, Obi said that the Commonwealth, despite controlling one-third of the global population only contributes below 15% of the World GDP of $100 trillion and with a global GDP per capita of $10,700; while that of the Commonwealth is $3500. “This shows a huge growth potential, which can be enhanced by investment in SMEs where the bulk of the youths are domiciled, especially within the Commonwealth family.

“SMEs in Commonwealth countries are essential drivers of economic development and poverty reduction. Formalization and internationalization are crucial pathways to unlocking their potential, fostering innovation, and increasing competitiveness.

While noting that the challenges are many, Obi stated that supportive policies, capacity-building initiatives, and strategic partnerships can empower SMEs to thrive in the global economy.

“And by investing in the formalization and internationalization of SMEs, the sustainable socio-economic growth and development of Commonwealth Organisation and Countries can be significantly enhanced.

To achieve this the Presidential Candidate said it will require a high level of involvement of all stakeholders particularly the Commonwealth Organisation and the Government of Commonwealth Countries,” Obi stated.

On the sidelines of the conference Obi in a meeting with the Honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H. E Sheikh Hasina, congratulated her and her team for what they have been able to achieve in their nation, with the support of SMEs in the last 15 years noting, however, that more still needs to be done.

Obi at the meeting corroborated with the Managing Director of City Bank in Bangledesh, Mashrur Arefin, that 80% of job creation and a higher percentage of growth in Bangledesh today are created by SMEs. He said, “This shows an example of what I have said over the years. In 2009 when I visited Bangladesh, their GDP was $102 billion, with a GDP per capita of $688. Today, their GDP is $460 billion and a GDP per capita of $2700. Their unemployment rate in June 2009 was between 9 and 10%, today it is below 5%. The poverty rate also greatly reduced and they have maintained growth of over 6% within the said time.”

“Your Political Appointments Are Lopsided”, MURIC Chides President Tinubu

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Akinwale Kasali

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September 18, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Islamic Group, Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has once again criticized President Bola Tinubu over his recent political appointments. The Group alleges it is one sided.

MURIC through its Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said that the fact that President Tinubu is a Muslim doesn’t mean the Group cannot criticize and call him to order if he is doing something wrong.

MURIC alleged that the appointments of the President favours mainly Yorubas and Christians, at the expense of other tribes and religion.

It advised the President to ensure balance in coming appointments.

Making an appeal to the President, Akintola said that all regions, faiths and sections must benefit from political appointments made by his government while no ethnic group or faith is seen to be favoured above others.

In a Statement, the controversial MURIC Executive Director said, “ “We are shocked to our marrows that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been appointing Christians and Yorubas mainly to key positions since the inception of this administration at the expense of Muslims. For instance, five out of eight security chiefs appointed earlier are Christians. Ministerial posts have not been different.

“All five key appointments made by President Tinubu to revive the economy were given to Christians and Yorubas mainly. These new appointees include the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, the newly nominated CBN Governor, Dr. Michael Cardoso, Hon. Zacch Adedeji, Acting Chairman, FIRS, the Chairman, Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele and Mr. Tope Fasua, Special Adviser on Economic Affairs.

“Many competent Muslims who campaigned and voted Muslim-Muslim ticket during the Presidential election were ignored. It is interesting to note that some of those Muslims are eminently qualified to hold key political offices since there are professors, engineers, medical doctors and holders of doctorate degrees among them.

“To add salt to injury, one of the best Muslim ministerial nominees, the man who championed the Muslim-Muslim ticket and mobilised the whole North behind Asiwaju has been jettisoned. Also, Professor Ali Isa Pantami who took the communication and digital economy to enviable heights during the last administration was ignored. Where, then, is our Muslim President taking Nigerian Muslims?

“MURIC rejects this trending narrative that makes competence the raison d’etre for concentrating appointments in any particular tribe, religion or group. Government’s tentacles should be spread nationwide in the search for competence. Neither should the need for skills be used as a cover for the marginalisation of some sections of Nigeria”.

He added: “We assert clearly, emphatically and unequivocally that competence is not the monopoly of any tribe, faith or group. Talented Nigerians are to be found everywhere if sincere searches are conducted.

“Besides, Government should take the lion share of the blame if competent hands cannot be found in any section, creed or group for certain assignments. It means the government has not, ab initio, allowed educational and training facilities to be fairly and evenly distributed, or that government has failed to consciously integrate all segments of the Nigerian society. All sectors must therefore have equal opportunities to participate in governance.

“This regime must be wary of allegation of nepotism which the previous regime was accused of. Nigeria is a vast country with talented men and women in all nooks and crannies. Government must not just pick the low hanging skills or those on the water surface. It must send its underwater swimmers to dive below the surface in order to bring the gems to dry land.

“Our message to President Tinubu is this (and we want the President’s handlers to take this to him) the cacophony of voices of dissatisfied Muslims has reached an unbearable crescendo such that MURIC is now constrained to speak up. People are complaining, particularly Muslims from the North and South West and they can only be ignored at the risk of foregoing 2027.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is our Muslim brother but that should not stop us from criticising him if he does the wrong thing. The Prophet (SAW) said, “Help your brother when he is wronged and even when he is wrong…”

He said that it is also traceable, as well known authors on social media are exchanging lopsided lists either tilted in favour of Christians who did not vote for the Muslim-Muslim ticket or in favour of Yorubas only. Such lists raise questions of nepotism and that of marginalisation of the same Muslims who stood behind Asiwaju and voted massively for him.

MURIC also stressed that thepervading hunger everywhere in the land may force some regions to seek a pound of flesh in 2027 if they are denied political appointments where it matters. In particular, President Tinubu should ensure that the North, which was his strategic ally in the 2023 presidential election, is not stinted of political appointments, otherwise he will destroy the thin veneer of solidarity which currently exists between the North and the South West.

“We remind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that all regions, faiths and sections deserve political appointments. The Tinubu administration must not be the exclusive preserve of the Yorubas at the expense of other tribes, nor the monopoly of Rome at the expense of Madinah. No region must be sentenced to hunger, starvation and political isolation.

“Tinubu’s next appointments must see a shift in body language. All regions, faiths and sections must benefit from political appointments made by this government while no ethnic group or faith is seen to be favoured above others.

“Meanwhile we in MURIC accept full responsibility for the dilemma facing Nigerian Muslims as their Muslim-Muslim ticket has turned into a ‘Christian majority government’. We admit being in the forefront of the campaign for a Yoruba Muslim presidency which has become a bone in the throat of Yoruba Muslims in particular and Nigerian Muslims in general.

“With heavy hearts, we tender unreserved apology, first, to the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for what we led him to even though he showed no interest at the beginning, and to other Nigerian Muslims particularly those who have been accusing us of misleading them”, the statement reads.

Assault On Ondo Commissioner: Suspects To Face The Law

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Ayodele Oni

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September 18, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government and the State Police Command have condemned an attack on the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Adebunmi Osadahun by a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akoko area at the weekend.

The Commissioner was reportedly attacked by the APC Chieftain following disagreement over sharing of some palliatives.

The State Commissioner for Information, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, assured that necessary section of the law would be applied against the Commissioner’s attacker.

Ademola-Olateju, in a statement on Monday stated that “Anywhere in the world, assault is a criminal offense. Assault on a Government official on duty is not only criminal, it is an affront on the Government, and it is a very serious charge.

“The State Government condemns in unequivocal terms the assault and bodily injury inflicted on the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Adebunmi Osadahun by a man said to be a politician from Iye Akoko, in the course of palliative distribution in Akoko North West local government.

“Investigation into the incident has begun, and the full weight of the law will be applied to the assailant, if found guilty.

“We remind the public that the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law prohibits all forms of violence against persons and provides maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishments to offenders.

“There are better ways to seek remediation or express concerns where necessary. In the distribution of palliatives, we will continue to do our best possible to reach the most vulnerable in our communities and we ask for your understanding and support. We urge Ondo State residents to be law abiding at all times.”

The State Police Command in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami- Omisanya, said “The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, CP Asabi Abiodun psc, has condemned the attack on Dr Adebunmi Osadahun, who is also the Commissioner for Women Affairs in the State.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the Commissioner who was in the Akoko area to see to the distribution of State palliatives was attacked by the assailant named Awolumate Olumide, while having a meeting with some of their Party members in the Area.

“The CP has ordered that a thorough investigation be carried out and the case transferred to the SCID, Akure for further probe into what led to the assault.”

High Cost Of Governance: Tinubu Breaks Records

By

Tosin Olatokunbo

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September 18, 2023

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will go down in history as the leader with the largest cabinet in the country.

On Sunday, the president again, made two new appointments after he named Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim as the Minister of Youth and Ayodele Olawande, minister of State For Youth.

Ajuri Ngelale, Special Assistant to The President on Media and Publicity said in a statement on Sunday that the two appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate.

He said, “Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim is a young medical doctor and most recently served as the President of the Progressive Young Women Forum (PYWF). She has also served as the Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Mr. Ayodele Olawande is a community development expert and youth leader in the governing All Progressives’ Congress (APC). He most recently served in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Innovation from 2019 to 2023.

“President Tinubu charges the above-mentioned nominees to ensure that they consistently reflect the dynamism, innovative zeal, and unyielding productivity that are synonymous with the young people of Nigeria as they discharge their duties.”

The new appointments come on the heels of criticism against his government for making too many political appointments since coming to power on May 29, 2023.

Before the latest appointments, the president had earlier appointed 45 ministers into his cabinets aside from the retinue of aides who now work with him and Vice President Kashim Shetima.

Speaking on the large cabinet, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar cited, for instance, the appointment of 15 media aides as unnecessary.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the February 25 presidential election, stated that the media aides were appointed purely on propaganda, and nothing else.

Atiku spoke through his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, in a statement on Sunday.

Apart from the former number two citizen, not a few Nigerianss have trenchantly criticised President Tinubu for having a big cabinet, which, they claimed cannot be supported by the current economic situation in the country.

Nigerians, those who spoke to the magazine on the issue, said are angry because of the serious economic problem they are going through due to the austerity measures imposed by President Tinubu since he came to power.

The president has cited the dearth of enough resources for introducing some austerity measures such as the removal of subsidy on petrol and the naira.

Not a few Nigerians now consider the president to be insensitive by the number of ministers and aides he has appointed, saying his administration has not demonstrated that it understands what they are going through.

“These ministers and aides will be paid using taxpayers’ funds. The funds are not even available now, considering what the country is going through. We need to live within our means, and the government must take the lead in this regard,” Jacob Adeola, a political analyst said on Monday.

The Nigerian 1999 Constitution (as amended) gives the president the power to nominate at least 36 ministers, one from each state in the country, and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

The provision, according to keen watchers of the polity in the country, has been capitalized on by the leaders to appoint unwieldy aides to work with them as soon as they come to power.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan appointed 36 ministers to his cabinet, while ex-President Muhammadu Buhari appointed 44 ministers.

Apart from the resources that are used in paying their salaries and allowances, many of these aides and minsters are considered to be performing the same roles in government.

For instance, they are questioning why the president had to appoint two Ministers of Youth. ‘They are doing the same job” the analyst said.

“This is the first time a president in the country will appoint two ‘Co-ordinating Ministers’ in his cabinet. We have Dr Pate as the coordinating Minister of Health and Wale Edun as the Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy. What are they co-ordinating that one minister cannot do?” he said.

He explained that “the president already has a chief of staff, apart from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The president has also recently appointed Muri Okunola, the Lagos State Head of Service as his Private Secretary. What will all these people be doing apart from living large on the small resources in the country?”

He warned that the appointment is likely to engender struggle and conflict of interest among the various government officials to the detriment of the country.

Meanwhile, supporters of the president insist that those who worked for him to win the election need to be settled one way or the order. This is the reason why President Tinubu has to appoint more ministers and aides, they said.

Atiku Accuses Tinubu Of Appointing 15 Media Aides For Propaganda

By

James Orji

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September 18, 2023

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has lashed out at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of trying to use his media aides for propaganda.

Prank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communication to the former number two citizen said on Sunday that President Tinubu has appointed 15 media aides since coming to office on May 29.

He spoke amidst concerns among Nigerians that President Tinubu’s cabinet has become too bogus considering the country’s current lean resources.

His government, according to critics, has become insensitive considering the austerity measures it has introduced, forcing many Nigerians to tighten their belts due to scarce resources.

Speaking, Shaibu stated that the intention of the All Progressives Congress-led government is to use the many media assistants to unleash propaganda on Nigerians.

For instance, he cited the recent claim by the administration that the United Arab Emirates, UAE, has lifted the visa ban it imposed on Nigerians after President Tinubu met its leader last week.

The report turned out to be a lie as the government of the oil-rich Arab nation has yet to confirm the report.

The media aide to Atiku in a statement on Sunday, warned that the administration will still lie on many issues that border on the country.

Among others, he said, the administration will soon claim “to have attracted foreign investments amounting to $100bn but will fail to provide key details. It is all propaganda. It is all a load of baloney.”

According to him, “In India, he claimed they had received pledges of over $14bn just as his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari, claimed in 2018 that he had secured pledges of up to $6bn. This is nothing but audio investments.

“Last month, the NNPC claimed to have obtained a loan of $3bn with which it would help stabilise the naira. We raised the alarm that it was all a ruse to deceive Nigerians. Now, we have been justified as the naira is now approaching $1/N1,000 on the black market.

“After his trip to the UAE, Tinubu claimed the visa ban had been lifted immediately. Now, they have shifted the goalpost after the UAE authorities revealed that the news was false. This is the sort of embarrassment Nigeria will continue to attract in this season of balablu.

“The report by FTSE revealed that Tinubu’s so-called FX unification policy was failing and Nigeria was degraded from a frontier market to unclassified. Having failed to bring economic rebirth, he has now recruited over 15 media aides instead of recruiting more economic experts.”

He listed the president’s media aide to include “Ajuri Ngelale (Special Adviser Media and Publicity); Tunde Rahman (SSAP Media); Tope Ajayi (SSAP Media and Publicity); Abdulaziz Abdulaziz (SSAP Print Media); Otega Ogara (SSAP Digital/New Media); Segun Dada (SAP Social Media); Nosa Asemota (SAP Visual Communications); and Sunday Moses (PA Videography).

Others are Taiwo Okonlawon (PA State photography); Moremi Ojudu (SAP, community engagement southwest); Tanko Yakasai (SAP, community engagement northwest); Chioma Nweze (SAP, community engagement southeast)., Abiodun Essiet (SAP, community engagement north-central); Abdulhamid Yahaya Abba (SAP, community engagement northeast); and Emmanuella Eduozor (SAP Multimedia content production).