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New Naira Policy: El-Rufai  Should Be Investigated

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The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has called on Security Agencies to investigate the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

SOKAPU, in a statement signed by its Spokesperson, Luka Binniyat, said it is shocked by the utterances of the Governor of Kaduna State since the new Naira Policy.

El-Rufai, and a couple of other State Governors, did not only drag the Federal Government to the Supreme Court, the Governor has been unsparing in his criticisms of President Muhammadu Buhari and his Government. He has, also, openly asked his subjects in Kaduna to defy the President and continue to use the old denominations of 500 and 1,000 Naira  notes as legal tender.

In the wake of the new Naira designs of 200, 500 and  1,000 Naira notes, in November 2022, the Central Bank of Nigeria had given until January 31, 2023, for the old notes to seize being legal tenders. The FG then obeyed a Supreme Court order which extended it to February 15, 2023. But gave that as a deadline. The case is still in Court. And the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has appealed.

A few days ago, considering the unprecedented suffering of the people which has led to hunger, anger, violence and deaths, Buhari, in a National broadcast extended the use of the old N200 note, only, as a legal tender till April 30.

But thar has not helped matters for the masses as even the old N200 which the President ordered to be reinjected into the economy is as scarce as the new Naira notes.

Governor El-Rufai has been up in arms, and asked  Kaduna State to keep using  all the old denominations as legal tenders. He asked that the President’s order be ignored. He said the policy was targeted at the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. And has, literally, accused Buhari of sabotaging Tinubu. He points at a Cabal in the Presidency which members are not only opposed to Tinubu, but who also wants an interim Government. Tinubu is of same opinion.

Not a few people are shocked by El-Rufai’s choice of words, and have asked that he be called to order. Many say his utterances are treasonable.

SOKAPU has just joined in asking that he be investigated. Following is SOKAPU’s statement on El-Rufai’s vehement opposition to the Naira crisis.

“The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has been observing the curious ongoing drama between governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State and the Federal Government over the new Naira policy and we feel it right to make our input as it affects the wellbeing of our members.

El-Rufai, as it looks, is heading a gang of disgruntled APC governors bent on reversing the controversial Naira redesign and they have managed to get the Supreme Court to order a temporary stop to it.

“President Muhammadu Buhari and Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emiefele have refused to heed to the order of the Supreme Court  in toto.

“However El-Rufai’s has gone overboard in his reaction to the response of Buhari to the Supreme Court order.

“In his broadcast to the State last night, el-Rufai sounded desperate; he became unduly emotional and abusive and spoke with a lot of bracadacio in the typical  manner that has been his public image. He even alleged that there was a plot to stop the 2023 General Election and its place an an Interim Government installed.

“He called on Kaduna State citizens to disobey the directives of President Buhari. He insisted that the N500 and N1000 notes are still legal tenders in Kaduna State, contrary to the position of the Federal Government and promised dire consequences on anyone who refused to make transactions with them in Kaduna State.

It will therefore look like el-Rufai has declared himself a rebel. If this is not treason, then we need another definition of the word.

“The desperation of el-Rufai is not ordinary and we suggest that he should be investigated.

“His rantings and threats sounded populist and he wants to be taken as a sudden repentant tyrant who has suddenly become the champion of the oppressed.

“SOKAPU cannot be fooled by such theatrics and dubious show of concern by a man who’s morbid hate for Southern Kaduna in words and actions is already well documented for generations to study.

“If El-Rufai has such goodwill towards the people of Kaduna State why has he not approached the Supreme Court to force the Federal government to wipe out the so-called bandits that have taken over a large portion of Kaduna State creating their own government right under his nose?

“We are yet to see el-Rufai make a case at the Supreme Court forcing the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to give relieve materials to the millions of IDPs in Kaduna State.

“El-Rufai’s who has attained notoriety for snubbing and disrespecting court rulings that orders him to stop certain wicked actions against citizens of the state, does not have the moral qualification to go before any court of law to champion anything on behalf of the same people who are still under the jackboot of his suppressive policies.

“SOKAPU does not know el-Rufai for charity towards his electorates; we have  no records of him on empathy and sympathy to the suffering people of Kaduna State.

:From all accounts, el-Rufai’s most important concern is the flow of raw cash for seamless spendings during elections.

“But there may be more than meets the eyes. It has been said that there are a few powerful individuals and  families that have stashed away billions of stolen Naira which they can’t put in the bank without raising suspicion.

“So, we want to appeal to our members not to be charmed by El-Rufai’s bravado towards the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Government as a genuine act of concern to the citizens state.

“An insolent and insubordinate governor cannot pass for a good man.

He cannot hide under the cover of the suffering we are going through as a result of the new Naira policy and wage his war. Enough of the hypocrisy!

“At this point SOKAPU wants to register its fears and concern towards the 2023 general elections which is a few days from now.

“The Federal Government must find immediate remedial measures to cater for millions of families that can hardly afford to find money to feed and carry out essential services of life.

If the Naira scarcity continues this way, a good percentage of the voting population will not be able to vote because of transportation challenges, something must be done about it.

“We are also yet to get assurance that INEC can handle logistics in the movements of election material and take care of its ad-hoc staff under the situation that we have found ourselves.

“However, it suffice to say that Southern Kaduna stands for a free,  fair and credible elections. If the inconveniences and suffering caused by  the new Naira policy is truly to stop vote buying and other criminality during the forthcoming elections, it is an inconvenience that we should bear for the meantime until after elections. Southern Kaduna has gone through extreme suffering, abuse and suppression in the past eight years impossible to imagine under modern times. We cannot therefore afford taking the risk of opposing any measure that will ensure that  we elect  leaders of our choice; not a leader that will be foisted on us through corruption to continue with the ongoing abuse of office.”

2023: The Economist Endorses Obi, Says Atiku No Better Than Tinubu

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The Source
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Bola Tinubu-Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar

Six days to Nigeria’s 2023 Presidential Election, one of the most influential magazines in the World,  London-based The Economist, says Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, LP, is the best choice for Nigeria.

The Internationally revered newspaper described Obi as a sprightly 61-year-old while Bola Tinubu, Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was described as “an old-school politician who, at 70 years old, is unlikely to shake things up”.

The Economist also said that Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is no better than Tinubu, stressing that the former Vice President has grandiose ideas for industrialization and one million new police officers but no plan for how to pay them.

In the article titled ‘Nigeria desperately needs a new kind of leadership’, The Economist said: “Obi, a sprightly 61-year-old former state governor who is leading in the polls, offers an alternative.

“Most striking, he has urged people not to vote along ethnic or religious lines but to favour competence.

“Should they do so, it would mark a radical shift in Nigerian politics. He has also warned his supporters they should expect no money in return for their votes.

“Obi talks of supporting business, freer trade, and getting a grip on Nigeria’s mounting debts. He diagnoses the country’s failings more precisely than his rivals, though he is not much better at explaining how he would fix them. His promises to scrap the staggeringly wasteful petrol subsidy and rationalize the Central Bank’s many exchange rates echoed by his opponents.

“Obi is not entirely a new broom. He was Abubakar’s Vice Presidential Running mate in 2019 before switching parties. He has faced questions over undeclared offshore assets. (He says he earned the money in question before he took office as governor.) Even if he wins, his Labour Party is very unlikely to gain a majority in the National Assembly, so governing will be hard.

“But he is the only candidate to offer Nigerians much hope of change. In a country that has been badly and repeatedly failed by its leaders, he is easily the best choice.”

The Economist said Nigeria has been cursed with bad rulers but Obi, a third-party Presidential Candidate, offers a measure of hope.

“Africa’s most populous country is in desperate need of it (hope). The economy, the continent’s biggest, bursts with youthful potential — half the country is 18 years old or younger,” the newspaper said.

“A flourishing Nigeria would boost the whole of Africa. Instead, it is dragging it down.

“Nigerians are poorer now than they were in 2015, when the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari, took over.

“At least, 60 million (and rising) survive on less than the equivalent of $2.15 per day. Buhari’s protectionist policies have made things worse.

“In addition, the country is beset by violence.”

Transcorp Appoints Osakwe As Non-Executive Director

By
James Orji
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Transcorp Hotels Plc, a leading hospitality brand has appointed  Udechukwu Obi Osakwe as a non-executive director, effective February 17, 2023, subject to the approval of shareholders.

Osakwe’s appointment comes following the retirement of Alexander Adeyemi from the Board after serving for close to your years.

Osakwe brings to the Board his extensive experience in Finance and Management Consulting, having held critical roles across the public and development sectors. He is an experienced Chartered Accountant, Finance Director, and strong finance professional with a demonstrated history in the Management Consulting Industry. He has worked with Donor Organizations such as the World Bank (IDA), AfDB, Global Fund and the GAVI.

With more than 30 years of private and public sector professional experience covering management consultancy and oversight of financial management operations, with the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria, and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (Treasury House) Abuja, Osakwe is a great addition to the Board of Transcorp Hotels Plc.

Osakwe holds a B.Sc in Accountancy from Anambra State University of Technology (ASUTECH), Enugu, and an MBA in Finance from the University of Nigeria (Enugu).

The Board of Transcorp Hotels expressed optimism that Osakwe’s invaluable experience and commitment to corporate governance would be of great benefit in driving sustainable business growth for the company.

The Board also expressed its appreciation to Alexander Adeyemi for his excellent contributions and commitment to the growth of the Company and wished him success in his future endeavours.

Transcorp Hotels Plc is listed on the Nigeria Exchange Group (NGX). The leading hospitality brand is the owner of the award-winning properties, Transcorp Hilton Abuja and Transcorp Hotels Calabar. Transcorp Hotels also owns Aura by Transcorp Hotels, an online platform for booking homes, hotels and experiences.

Fidelity Bank: Court Vacates Contempt Order On MD, Secretary

By
James Orji
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An Ikeja Chief Magistrate Court sitting has vacated its ruling that convicted and sentenced the Managing Director and Company Secretary of Fidelity Bank Plc to six weeks in prison or a fine of Four Hundred Thousand Naira respectively for contempt.

The Chief Magistrate, Lateef Owolabi vacated the order in a Suit No: MIK/4726/22 between Justin Ahmed, (judgement creditor), Prince Enabulele Osazee, (judgement debtor) and Fidelity Bank Plc, (1st Garnishee/Applicant).

The court in an earlier ruling delivered on February 6, 2023, held that the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Nneka Chinwe Onyeali-Ikpe and the Company Secretary, Mrs. Unuigboje Ezinwa should be committed to six weeks’ imprisonment over alleged disobedience of a garnishee order of the court restraining the bank from allowing a judgement debtor access to his account.

However, at the resumed proceedings on the matter on Feb 15, 2023, the court vacated the committal order on the premise of facts presented before the court that the alleged acts of contempt were not deliberate but arose out of communication gap between the said parties and the erstwhile counsel. The court in its ruling also stated that the error or sin of the counsel should not be visited on a party or litigants. The court also noted that the monies which was the subject matter and fulcrum of the contempt proceedings has since been paid to the judgment creditor.

“From the materials presented before this court by the applicant, this application falls within the classic rule where the error or sin of the counsel should not be visited on a party or litigants. Moreover, the applicant has averred that the monies subject matter, the fulcrum of the contempt proceedings had since been paid to the judgment creditor. Having fully discharged this payment to the satisfaction of the judgment creditor, this court should not be seen to cry more than the bereaved”, Mr Lateef Owolabi held.

The solicitor to the bank explained that Fidelity Bank, being a law abiding institution that will never or under any circumstance, directly or indirectly denigrate the integrity of the nation’s judiciary, had upon receipt of the garnishee order nisi on December 22, 2022, conducted a search immediately, and the result showed several accounts bearing similar names to the Judgment Debtor’s (Prince Enabulele Osazee). To prevent the bank from erroneously restricting the wrong account, the bank filed an affidavit requesting additional account details to enable it ascertain the correct account(s) to restrict.

He further stated that, on January 16, 2023, the bank received the Judgment Creditor’s affidavit showing the account number of the Judgment Debtor. Armed with the correct account number, the bank immediately identified and placed a lien on the Judgment Debtor’s account. Unfortunately, during the intervening period, the judgement debtor had carried on depositing and withdrawing from his account.

In vacating the order on February 15,2023, the Chief Magistrate held that based on the materials before the court, the applicant has been able to tether the law to the facts to warrant the grant of the relief sought on their own strength and not based on lack of opposition.

Naira Swap: Charge APC Governors For Treason, Group Urges FG

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

A Civil Society Organisation, Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy, has said Governors of All Progressive Congress (APC) who  ordered their subjects to disregard the Presidential directive on Naira swap should be charged with Treason.

A statement released by the Group’s Legal Adviser, Kalu Kalu Agu, alleged that the Governors violated the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic Of Nigeria (as amended).

“As a Civil Society Organisation, we sincerely align ourselves to the position of Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu and others when they asserted that Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are committing Treason against Nigeria’s sovereignty”, the statement reads.

“Nigeria, being a sovereign nation, has the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as its grundnorm, specifying in clear and unambiguous terms how Nigeria should be governed.

“The 1999 Constitution assigns different roles to the three tiers of government, namely: the Federal Government, State Government, and the Local Government.

“By the express provision of Section 4(2) of the 1999 Constitution, the National Assembly shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation or any part thereof with respect to any matter included in the Exclusive list set out in Part 1 of the Second Schedule to the Constitution, while Section 5(1)(a-b) of the Constitution donates the Executive Powers to the President and the President shall exercise the laws made by the National Assembly and shall extend his powers to the execution and maintenance of the Constitution, all laws made by the National Assembly and to all matters with which the National Assembly has power to make laws.

“To make the powers of the President clearer, Section 130(1) of the Constitution provides thus: “There shall be for the Federation a President” and Section 130(2) provides that “The President shall be the Head of State, the Chief Executive of the Federation and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation.

“Having set the background, let us take a cursory look at paragraphs 6 and 15 of Part 1 of the Second Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, which are items in the Exclusive list and as has been demonstrated above, it is the President, not the State Governors, that has the exclusive powers to execute items in the Exclusive list.

“The items in paragraph 6 of the Exclusive are banks, banking bills of exchange, and promissory notes, while the items in paragraph 15 of the Exclusive list are: Currency, Coinage and Legal Tender.

“It is also very clear from the above cited provisions of the Constitution that it is incumbent upon the President to execute all other laws enacted by the National Assembly and in this case, the Central Bank of Nigeria Act (CBN Act).

“From the provisions of the CBN Act, it is abundantly clear without any equivocation that it is the CBN that has the responsibility and power to issue a Legal Tender for Nigeria and to redesign any denomination of the Legal Tender, fixing of deadline for cessation of validity of any Legal Tender under the directive of the President pursuant to sections 19()(1b) and 20(3) of the CBN Act.

“Arising from the above provisions of the laws, can the Central Bank of Nigeria on its own volition call for Legal Tender redesign and deadline for the use of old Legal Tender without the approval of the President? The answer with respect is a capital NO!

“How then will the APC GOVERNORS be issuing contrary directives on the use of old Naira Notes when they do not have such powers either donated to them by the 1999 Constitution, the Acts of the National Assembly or even a law from their States Houses of Assembly?

“The contrary directives issued by the APC GOVERNORS that the old Naira Notes should continue to be a Legal Tender in their various states when the President had through the CBN issued a directive in that respect are treasonable.

“The contrary directives from the APC GOVERNORS are not only unconstitutional, unlawful, and illegal but also highly inciteful, thereby aiding the populace to wage war against the Federation.

“The APC GOVERNORS cannot hide under the IMMUNITY CLAUSE as enshrined under section 308 of the 1999 Constitution to be engaging in treasonable activities against the Sovereignty of this nation.

“Consequently, the APC GOVERNORS should know that times do not run out against any crime committed against the Federation.

“As a Civil Society Organisation, we respectfully call on the security agencies in the country and all international organisations including foreign embassies to take notice of all the treasonable activities of the APC GOVERNORS instigating the citizens of this country through their unguided and inciteful speeches to take up arms against the Federation.

“They should be held responsible for all the crises that broke out as a result of their inciteful pronouncements against the policy of NAIRA REDESIGN, which has occasioned wanton destruction of lives and properties across the country.

“We also call on all the security agencies to live up to their primary duty of ensuring that lives and properties are safeguarded and ensure that these APC GOVERNORS do not derail this democratic process of transiting power to another democratically elected persons.”

Naira Swap: President Buhari Should Play Fatherly Role To Save Situation – Gov Akeredolu

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

For the second time in a week, Ondo state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has again appealed to President Mohammadu Buhari to find lasting solution to hardship occassioned by currency change.

Governor Akeredolu, in a statement he personally signed on Saturday, he said the gale of violence being recorded in some parts of the country, is one of the outcome of the policy.

The Governor notes that “The crises engendered by the policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria to redesign some currency notes, threaten to disrupt, not only the forthcoming general elections.

“The events of the past days, culminating in the intervention of the apex court in the land, and the increasing gale of violence sweeping through the country, portend serious danger to the current democratic governance.

“Consequently, this period invites all patriots to speak out with a view to proffering practicable solutions and not project cheap partisan interests.

“I seize this opportunity to appeal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to play the role of a Statesman at this crucial moment.

“It is apparent that the crises, which the current policy on currency swap has created, continue to spiral menacingly.

“There is incontrovertible evidence bordering on miscalculation, error of judgement and/or disinformation on the part of the policy makers, especially the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, on the failed implementation of the policy, the effect of which compels the whole country to groan, immeasurably, at present.

“There is hardly anyone who contends with either the statutory functions of the Central Bank of Nigeria or the occupier of the office of its Governor, one of which is the monetary policy.

‘It is also not debatable that the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is empowered, under our law, to exercise certain executive power.

“It can, however, not be the original intendment of the drafters of the relevant statutes that the implementation of any policy should occasion widespread hardship and pervasive agony in the land.

“The safety of the people is the supreme law. Any measure, purportedly designed to ameliorate their conditions, must not reduce the entire populace to a beggarly existence.

“There is pervasive discontent in the land. A policy, presented as currency swap, must not be construed by both the reasonable members and people of average intelligence in the society to convey the deplorable impression of contrived subterfuge manifest in the official confiscation of legitimate deposits of the people in banks, as a counter measure against electoral malfeasance, terrorism and banditry.

“Desirable as the policy appears to be, its implementation excites curiosity as regards the real motive of its drivers, especially at this time when the conduct of general elections is almost here.

“The mere knowledge that the N1000 and N500 notes represented 82% of the currency in circulation and that the N200 note, whose validity has been extended, by fiat, for another 60 days, represented 7%, expose the mendacious slant in the advice given to Mr President.

“This counsel clearly misrepresented, deliberately, the facts as they existed before the commencement of the implementation of the policy.

“The implementation of this policy has been woeful despite claims to the contrary.

“The suffering of the masses, occasioned by the non-availability of new notes to replace the old ones, equally decreed out of existence by presidential fiat in contravention of the CBN Act, 2007, could have been averted if the strategy of a gradual and systematic withdrawal of the old currency notes had been adopted.

“I make bold to assert that the unfolding events across the country show that the policy has failed significantly.

“It is, therefore, expected that the President will halt this needless drift into the abyss of chaos, more so, when the ruling of highest court still subsists.

“I call on the President to allow both the old and new notes co-exist until such a time when normalcy returns to the country.

“It will be a fitting parting gift for the people of this country, especially the downtrodden, who feel the negative impact of the poorly implemented policy.

“While the reasons adduced for the policy appear legitimate, there can be no justification for the confiscation of the lawful earnings of Nigerians.

“The negative impact which the mediocre and, I dare say, mischievous implementation of the policy by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria is having on the poor people and small business owners defeats all the good programmes of the Federal Government designed to elevate as many people as possible out of the morass of poverty.

“There is no shame in rescinding a decision adjudged not only unpopular and counter-productive, but which also bears the insidious seeds of potential conflagration in the land, one of the ostensible reasons for this ill-conceived policy.”

Ooni, Yoruba Obas Affirm Support For Democratic Process, Urge People To Vote For Change

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ooni of Ife at Ibadan Oba Meeting

By Ayodele Oni

Traditional Rulers from eight states in south west and Kogi have again ended another round of their meeting in Ibadan, Oyo state.

The meeting, which was held last Thursday was presided over by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and had first class monarchs from the states in attendance.

In a communique at the end of the meeting, the Royal Fathers “affirmed their faith and support for Nigeria’s unity, peace, prosperity and progress and pledged to support the democratic process based on free choices according to universal adult suffrage freely exercised by the people.

“Expressed their concern about the recent hardship suffered by the people due to perennial fuel scarcity and the Naira redesign policy an urged more humane handling of these challenges to free the people from high-handedness, poverty and want

“In the run-up to the 2023 General Elections, they pledged their support for the success of the elections. They urged the people to exercise their civic duties peacefully to engender a desired change in the country.

“To this end, the Traditional rulers appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), the security agencies and other institutions involved in the general elections to support and uphold the right of every Nigerian to freely cast their vote without let or hindrance to guarantee the sanctity of the electoral process.

“The meeting granted Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, (APC), an audience and expressed satisfaction with the briefings he gave concerning his aspiration.

“They acknowledged Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s solid democratic credentials and unwavering commitment to the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria and affirmed the preeminent qualification of HE Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the highest office of Nigeria.”

Tribute: Ogechikamma –  God’s Time Is The Best

By
The Source
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0
Peace Anyiam Osigwe

By  Tetsekela Anyiam-Osigwe

During this difficult time in our lives, we are involuntarily called, once again, to examine life in all its complexity. This moment implores us to remember that we are not all-knowing. It reminds us of the deep uncertainty that God tells us that we must confront on our early sojourns while having an unshakable faith in Him and the mystery of our existence: the uncertainty of who we are and what we are, of what we know and what we do not know, of why we are here and what we are here for; the uncertainty of what we leave behind and why we leave those things behind.

Two things were deemed the most important to Peace Marie Ogechi Anyiam-Osigwe (PMO) and she would tell anyone this freely: family and being the undiluted creative pushing for Africa to be fully recognised in the global film industry.

Both saw her give more than herself, even and especially at the expense of herself. She leaves both behind, perhaps with the knowledge that only God and now she has, of God’s own plan for the manifestation of His glory within those she loved and the legacy she so earnestly and faithfully crafted. For her, family was and remains her father’s greatest legacy to her.

In a predominantly patriarchal society, Papa made her believe it was not about gender but about personality and carriage. Even in the midst of seven older brothers, she found herself standing on an equal footing.

She never felt small or inferior. If anything, she was rightly emboldened to cement her place as an irreplaceable member of the family, becoming a mother, an aunt and a positive change agent cultivating a deeper sense of togetherness.

The only thing that equalled her commitment to family was her passion for the film industry. More than anyone else, she promoted the creative industry not only in Nigeria but also in Africa. Last year, she celebrated nearly four decades within this industry. She remained at the forefront of the process of expanding the business of film in Africa and making the industry a major contributor to the national economies of African countries and a global player on the world stage.

As one of the African film industry’s leading lights, she cultivated the next generation of African filmmakers while rewarding the current generation of filmmakers across the country, the continent and the diaspora, who, in many ways, had started this journey with her.

Several national and pan-continental programs and initiatives were created with her at the helm; consciously, productively and constructively bridging the divide between African filmmaking communities and the rest of the global marketplace.

She did not just do one thing but did it all: CEO and founder of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), founder and chair of the African Film Academy (AFA), president of the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria, a Nigerian national honour recipient as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), a former financial director of the Filmmakers Cooperative of Nigeria (FCON), a past vice-president of the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria, a TED Fellow, a jury member of international film festivals, a former creative director and co-founder of the Africa International Film Festival, a published poet with three books to her name, a former television talk show host, the owner of a publishing company, the owner of a film studio, and a producer and a director of multiple Nollywood films.

Despite everything she had going on personally that could and would have stopped any other person, she relentlessly maintained her unyielding commitment to the creative industry. In a given year, she might have had to be in Berlin, then would go on to receive an award in California, then make a speech in Washington D.C, fly to Kigali to make yet another speech before finding herself on a flight back to Lagos to meet with her home-based team.

This was, in many ways, her breakdown point, but she wanted to, and she did, continue. She often said she could not stop; that the work was not complete. Indeed, she was the personification of resilience. Perhaps most importantly, she simply wanted to do it for African cinema. It was not about her individually. It was not even about the money. It was about the passion to promote and celebrate creative excellence in Africa.

At every opportunity, she was speaking to anyone who would listen about the potential for African cinema to be a creative heavyweight in the world.

She never knew, until she began this journey, that her body could generate a much-needed extra supply of energy as far as she was doing exactly what she was passionate about. This is why we cannot even begin the process of fully comprehending her immense contribution to her community, the country, the continent, and the world at large, which produced an unrivalled legacy of accomplishments globally and within the creative industry for nearly four decades.

One might never know what she was going through internally because her strength knew no possible bounds. In many ways, this is why her transcendence is too difficult to understand, but perhaps this is also why, as difficult as it may be, she would implore us to try to accept the unthinkable. Perhaps there are some things, the knowledge of which is reserved for those blessed and privileged enough to attain perfect alignment with the Chi and ultimately reach a divine and conscious unity with God.

Therefore, it is the case that we must be resolved, and never resigned, armed with the belief that earthly life in all its perplexity will always be a complex phenomenon in which the puzzle is never meant to be solved by those left behind.

Yet, to the degree that we are assured in the divine knowledge that there is indeed a Supreme Being who governs the universe, we should remain hopeful in the knowledge that “Ogechikamma,” it is God’s time that is the best.

When I had to give her an answer about life over ten years ago at such a naive age, I said this in part: Life is a string of moments. Actions define moments. Decisions define actions. Character defines decisions. Personality defines character. And death is outlived by personality. It is not until now that I am realising why she told me that she held onto that so deeply.

She willingly surrendered to God’s will in everything, letting Him drive her moments, mediate her actions, guide her decisions, shape her character, and direct her personality. When the time came for Him to decide to bring back his daughter into His heavenly presence, she knew that those she was going to leave behind will eventually understand that as far as God remained at the wheel of earthly life, death was only transitory. It was another moment, orchestrated by God, in the long string of moments that define life.

Indeed, Ogechikamma, it is God’s time that is the best.

She fiercely believed that there was a Chi in everyone – that God manifests Himself within man, so that man was blessed with the presence of God within himself.

She believed that the Chi brings hope and that the Chi controls human destiny. She said it was evident even in her name, “Ogechi.” So, even if we might like to have things done on our own time, even if we do not understand our present reality, even if we struggle to comprehend the ‘why’ and we fail to make sense of the ‘how,’ we must be reminded that it is always subject to the will of each individual’s Chi.

And, in our asking God of the why, in our need to understand this ultimate test from the Chi of the universe, perhaps the answer is not for us to know exactly. Even if it is hard, we cannot question anymore. In her own words, the Chi never promised an easy ride. The Chi never said to us that life is going to be easy; what the Chi did say to us was that this is what we have at the moment. Deal with it, cope with it, and in time, we will come to understand it, knowing full well that Ogechikamma, it is God’s time that is the best.

May the Chi be with her as she begins her eternal journey, shining always in the light of God’s everlasting presence. May God, in this everlasting presence, hold her closely as she dwells forever in His heavenly place. May God, in His infinite mercy and bountiful love, also give us all – her children, her family, her friends, and her colleagues – the strength we need during this very difficult period. Beyond it, may He find us worthy enough to receive the blessing of the divine knowledge and complete acceptance that truly Ogechikamma, it is God’s time that is the best.

Tetsekela Michael Anyiam-Osigwe is a PhD student at Princeton University in United States

Rejection Of Old Naira Notes: Governor Abiodun To Revoke C of O of Organizations, Malls, Rejecting Old Notes

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Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has sternly warned organizations, Malls, Supermarkets and Filing Stations rejecting the Old Naira Notes in the State.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Governor has threatened to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy, C of O, of any one found  rejecting the Old Notes.

A defiant Abiodun who has ignored the Nationwide Broadcast of President Muhammadu Buhari who stated that the Old Naira Notes of N500 and N1,000 cease to be a Legal Tender made his threat Social on his Twitter Handle on Friday.

He wrote, “ The Ogun State Government will be revoking the Certificate of Occupancy, of any corporation or store that rejects old naira notes from members of the public in the State in exchange for goods and services.

“Commercial outlets are hereby reminded that there is an existing court order by the Supreme Court, the apex court in Nigeria, directing that old notes remain legal tender.”

The Governor had earlier warned that the State Government will shut any bank which refuses to accept old naira notes in the State.

It would be recalled that the Ogun State Government had earlier filed an application at the Supreme Court, seeking to join Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states in a suit against the Federal Government of Nigeria over the naira redesign policy.

The State, in a motion on notice filed by its counsel, Afe Babalola and Co, on February 13, sought to be joined as fourth plaintiff/applicant, in a suit number SC/CV/162/2023.

The applicant in the notice further stated that it sought to be a co-plaintiff for the just and effective determination in the suit instituted by the other three plaintiffs.

Datti Baba-Ahmed Says Governor El Rufai’s Comments On Naira Are Treasonable

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Labour Party, LP, Vice Presidential Candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed has frowned at the statement the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El Rufai made over the Nationwide Broadcast made by President Muhammadu Buhari on the redesigned Naira notes as treasonable.

The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, had in a state broadcast to the people of Kaduna on Thursday faulted the President on his directive to re-introduce just the old N200 banknote as part of measures to curb the cash crunch in the country.

El-Rufai, who said the old N1,000 and N500 are still legal tenders in his State, stated that the aim of the Naira redesign is to scuttle the general elections in order to allow an Interim Government led by a retired Army General.

However, speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the LP Vice Presidential Candidate said the Governor’s comments amount to treason and wondered why the Presidency is silent.

He argued that there is only one authority in Nigeria which is the President and wondered how a Governor could counter the directive of the President.

“Anybody who commits this kind of indiscipline under our leadership the full weight of the law should bear on him. We have been more than bewildered at the failures we have witnessed in the past few days. However, it is more of an act of treason, so to say it is an act of treason. If an elected governor of a constituent part of a sovereign country will give direct instructions to the contrary of what is the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government.

“Why as a Commander-in-chief you give a clean executive constitutional order and a State Governor goes out to say that you should continue to exchange those currencies? This is to say that there are two authorities in a country,” Baba-Ahmed said.

The Kaduna State Governor had stated that the development was meant to ensure that the Presidential Candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other candidates of the party lose.

He claimed that those who lost out in the party’s primaries were behind the plot.

He said, “It is important for the people of Kaduna State, and indeed Nigeria, to know that contrary to the public pronouncements and apparent good intentions, this policy was conceived and sold to the President by officials who completely lost out in the gubernatorial and presidential primaries of the APC in June 2022.

“Once Asiwaju Bola Tinubu emerged as the candidate in June 2022, and subsequently did not pick one of them as his running mate, this currency redesign policy was conceived to ensure that the APC presidential candidate is deprived of what they alleged is a humongous war chest.

“They also sought to achieve any one or more of the following objectives: create a nationwide shortage of cash so that citizens are incited to vote against APC candidates across the board resulting in massive losses for the party in all the elections; ensure that the cash crunch is so serious, along with the contrived and enduring fuel shortage existing since September 2022, that the 2023 elections do not hold at all, leading to an Interim National Government to be led by a retired Army General; sustain the climate of shortage of fuel, food and other necessities, leading to mass protests, violence and breakdown of law and order that would provide a fertile foundation for a military take-over.

“Indeed, two of the presidential candidates and a running mate of the opposition parties own or have preferred access to some of the licensed banks. For that reason and by various clandestine arrangements, these politicians have access to hundreds of millions of these new notes, while the traders, merchants, students and other citizens are queuing for days to withdraw a few thousand naira just to buy food and necessaries.

“Within two to three weeks of implementation, it was clear to everyone that the architects of this policy can see that it is our people that are being affected and not the politicians. It is quite unfortunate that many politicians who either own banks or have privileged access to money are so insulated from the pains of talakawa that they are recklessly endorsing a policy that is being badly implemented.”

It would be recalled that El Rufai had earlier said that there are some forces in the Presidency who are controlling the affairs of the country, and working against Tinubu’s victory at the polls.

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