Fellow Nigerians, let me confess straightaway that I have a special space for 2BABA formally known as TUFACE IDIBIA. It is impossible to meet this perfect gentleman and not fall for him. I’ve come to know him reasonably well since his days with the Plantashion Boyz when I invited and took some of the hottest artistes to the Obafemi Awolowo University for the biggest show ever, the Ovation Concert. It was a night to remember for many students who were fortunate to attend the event that evening. One thing that always stands 2BABA out is his humility. He is humble to a fault. He has of course been very nice to me generally. Our paths have crossed in far-flung places like Canada and Australia and the love and respect between us is always palpable.
Therefore, when news broke about two weeks ago that he was planning to lead a nationwide protest against the Buhari government, I was genuinely and seriously stunned. Never did 2BABA cut the image of a radical in my view. At best, I knew him to sing love songs and offer subtle criticism of government policies or human suffering. He is one of the most comfortable singers in Africa and my opinion was that he could not be expected to risk anything that would jeopardise his comfort zone. But after watching his recorded videos concerning the planned protest which had gone viral on social media, my incredulity started turning to credulity and credibility. So 2BABA was going to do what some of us had attempted in the past, activity that had landed me in detention at CID Alagbon detention centre Ikoyi, and later forced me to exile in London for three solid years under the dreaded regime of General Sani Abacha, I soliloquised.
Holy Jesus, I screamed. This was it and let’s see how it would play out, I thought aloud as I journeyed around Africa in connection with my job. As days climbed days, we his admirers waited with bated breath. Will government listen to the cries of the people or will government get angry and summarily massacre the citizens in a shooting spree? I doubted such possibility at this time and age and knew 2BABA to be too gentle to cause unnecessary mayhem in the land of his birth, or indeed anywhere else. I decided to encourage and support him him with my modest social media presence. Something needed to be established once and for all; that no Nigerian should be deprived of his right to participate in a peaceful demonstration in our dear country. Freedom of expression and association continue to be fundamental and inalienable rights of every citizen in our democracy and, more importantly, under our Constitution.
Anyway, the dream of witnessing a revolution led by 2BABA, the most unlikely candidate for such venture, opened my eyes to fresh realities. I was cocksure that 2BABA and company would never be deterred or scared by the fear of some armed security guys. It was not I thought going to be a protest that would die with only a whimper, ending up as all noise and sound but no fury. I also trusted that those organising the peaceful demonstration would have to do something about the real risk of breakdown of law and order by hoodlums and political flunkies who would be manipulated to disrupt and distort the noble aims of the organisers.
Barely hours to the start of the protests, news filtered in again that 2BABA and his friends had called off the demonstrations. Who was pulling my legs, I imagined/ The news soon spread like wildfire. There were speculations that 2BABA had been threatened by some government agents. No one could verify the authenticity of all the conspiracy theories. The video lackadaisical video that 2BABA put out did nothing to dispel the views and theories, one way or the other. What was important was that another opportunity to galvanise Nigerian youths into taking their destinies in their own hands had just evaporated into thin air. 2BABA came out in yet another broadcast to warn his friends not to come out on the streets. Many of those who expected some action were obviously disappointed. Some even attacked him as a lily-livered man who promised what he could not deliver. As for me and my house, I knew all the things that could have transpired and how tough it would have been for many of the silver-spoon kids who were largely his followers to follow through on their threats.
That is why I have started out in my headline by describing this generation of youths as an ajebota one, youths who grew up on bread and butter and not village-trained ones who fed on dusty rough meals like us. We should not have expected them to have the kind of tenacity we enjoyed in our time from secondary school, through to University and teaching, when we confronted tear gas and bullets on the streets. This particular generation is blessed with computers, smartphones and social media. They can hide behind some tiny screens to throw darts and arrows at their perceived enemies. We were being stupidly optimistic to have expected so much more from them. However, I was not too surprised or utterly disappointed. I was happy 2BABA had stirred the hornets’ nests and for whatever it is worth, my belief is that it is going to wake up the Buhari government from its deep slumber and seeming reticence or complacency, whatever word you can find in the lexicon. The time has come to, at least, tickle this government and hope that something good can still come out of them.
That symbolic act for me was still an achievement. The future of Nigeria lies in the hands of the youths. I’m not so interested in their street protests but in the efficacy of their votes. For far too long, the Nigerian youths have failed to make use of the power and strength of their majority population to affect their nation positively. I am in a way part of a guilty generation of youths that failed our nation in that way. Another generation is now behind ours. All we continue to hear is that the ancient generation has refused to hand over power, firstly to us, and now, to them. But they studiously forget that they have to go all out to wrestle for power. The youths of Nigeria have always suffered from self-doubt by singing the same endless chorus of “It is not possible, it is not possible for us to take power…” However, we must be reminded that this ancient generation that we speak about did wrestle power from the colonialists in their youth.
The youths don’t seem to realise that when one of their own comes out to contest, they are the first to shoot him down and say he lacks experience. However, what they call “experience” is mainly the ability to have looted enough funds while serving in one government position or the other and coming back years later to buy everyone with this loot. If elections were held tomorrow, I won’t be surprised if our youths vote again for men in their seventies under one excuse or the other. I can speak authoritatively on this as someone who came out genuinely to champion the cause of the younger generation a few years ago. Everyone else was qualified to run for presidential election but not a publisher. A Soldier, Police officer, Customs officer, Teacher, and others were eligible because they had somehow served in one government or the other but not an international Publisher who on account of his job had been able to be close to governance in many countries. Many, in fact, took delight in poking fun rather than look objectively at the credentials and programmes of each candidate objectively, thoroughly and dispassionately. They did not consider any guiding principle or ideology. They were hoodwinked and mesmerised by the old foxes who had amassed wealth legally or illegally. At the end of the day, they were sorely disappointed.
The story of Nigeria is not about age or generation alone. President Goodluck Jonathan, if we are to believe his official records, was not that old when he became President. He is easily the most experienced leader Nigeria could ever have in terms of service at the highest level of each tier of government. He rose through the ranks going through the gamut of governance as Lecturer, Agency Director, Deputy Governor, Acting Governor, Governor, Vice President, Acting President and substantive President. What more could we have asked from a candidate? But he still could not take us to the promised land. After him, we have now tried a man with the age and wisdom of Methuselah in President Muhammadu Buhari but it is still no longer at ease. What then is the solution and what is the future of Nigeria?
As always, I will propose a few things. My humble thesis that while it might not really matter in all instances, a country like Nigeria once again deserves some injection of youthfulness in governance. It seems that we have once again returned to the nascent days of our struggle for independence from our colonial masters, except that the independence that we now seek is from a corrupt, incompetent and twisted gerontocratic oligarchy. Anyone above 60 to 65 may soon become a liability to the nation. Those who made retirement age to stand at 60 and, with certain exceptions 65, were not stupid. The law of diminishing return begins to set in once you cross that age barrier.
I wish and hope that Nigerians would support some bright and smart Nigerians in the next dispensation.
Buhari for a variety of reasons does not deserve to run again but it is his prerogative to run if he so chooses. If he does not, then within his party, the coast should be clear for younger folks to run. The baton could go to the likes of Yemi Osinbajo, the current Vice President, Bukola Saraki, the current Senate President, Nasr El Rufai, Nuhu Ribadu, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode. From PDP
I can think of Godswill Akpabio and Ben Bruce and from the currently non-aligned, Oby Ezekwesili, Donald Duke and Fola Adeola stand out. There are so many others from APC, PDP and the other fringe parties.
Running a nation is not rocket science. What matters most is performance over and above our obsession with fighting corruption. Corruption would reduce when we bring on board competent and hardworking men and women who love their country and are willing to perform and not just attain power for self-aggrandizement and the fun of it.
Please, note that I can’t be bothered about party affiliation for now. I’m more interested in performance only. I’m also disinterested in zoning formula. I don’t really care where our next President comes from.
We have wasted enough time and resources on primordial sentiments and we should move forward or perish in the process of sticking to our old ways of doing things. If we truly wish to get Nigeria out of this quagmire, we should be prepared to do the unusual and go for radical reforms. We all seem to know what is wrong with Nigeria but refuse to do the needful. This is one of the reasons I am happy with the Ajebota generation as they seem to care less about those primordial ethnic and religious feelings that have for so long been a huge divisive setback to our progress as a nation.
We must seek very modern, well-educated, urbane, civilised, exposed, energetic, accomplished, detribalised, visionaries as leaders. Please, note that I did not say a saint because we are not likely to find one anywhere. Murtala Mohammed was no saint but in the few months that he governed he brought discipline, respect and performance to Nigeria. Enough of experimenting dangerously as time has already left us behind. We need to search critically and frantically from every part of Nigeria and beyond since God has blessed us with incredible talents.
Next we must reduce the cost of governance drastically because our country is haemorrhaging heavily and it is being killed quickly. The atrocious resources we waste on public office holders can never augur well for our nation. Under President Buhari, a man who is well known for frugality, the cost of running the presidential villa has been most disappointing and embarrassing. Nigeria needs to declare a state of emergency on the current spending spree or collapse under the weight of our reckless profligacy.
The next leader must demonstrate practical ways of bringing our infrastructural deficit to a reasonable level. It has become obvious that a typical politician would only come to waste four to eight years and this is not the type of leaders we need. If we fail to act and only succeed in bringing another ceremonial leader to Aso Rock, then it means Nigeria is jinxed, doomed and sentenced to eternal damnation and perdition. We should then blame no one for our woes but ourselves…
The Second Coming Of Goodluck Jonathan |By Dele Momodu
Fellow Nigerians, before I get into my main gist of today, let me quickly apologise for my inability to write this column last week. Truth is I had a mental block, pure and simple. Contrary to speculations that I couldn’t write because my great heroine, Hillary Clinton, lost her election, I was just so physically and mentally fatigued because this is one year that I’ve worked so hard on every project at hand. There was no doubt that I was solely disappointed that Donald Trump won the American presidential election but I was able to adjust quickly. My darling mum had taught me about the wisdom of the ancient. You can put your all into any project but the results ultimately remain the exclusive preserve of God. Only God determines the winner or the outcome.
GEJ Turns 59 Today There is so much to learn from the political trajectory of Nigeria. What happened in America had happened repeatedly in our dear beloved country. I will explain in a jiffy. Who would have expected Alhaji Shehu Usman Shagari to defeat a political colossus like Chief Obafemi Awolowo? Who would have expected a Shagari to beat a political philosopher like Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe so black and blue? Who would have expected a stupendously wealthy man like Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, without any political experience to take on the likes of Baba Gana Kingibe and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and come out victorious? What Abiola did in Jos at the National Convention of the Social Democratic Party in 1993, when he mesmerised and hypnotised the party chieftains was what Donald Trump did recently in the United States of America when he razzle-dazzled the Republicans and virtually hijacked their party. Trump was lucky that he and Abiola belonged in different realms and climes. Abiola was not able to realise his dreams of running government like a business but Trump is set to take power and display the wizardry he flaunted endlessly before the elections. The world is waiting to see if Trump would plunge America into the abyss or perform the miracle of turning water into wine.
The main reason many of us non-Americans opposed Trump so vehemently was because of his supposed bigotry and divisive rhetoric on all fronts. But on a personal note, I’m not too bothered. I have learnt my lessons. Politicians can tell any ignominious lie just to grab power. Voters can believe obvious scams and vote for artful pretenders out of foolish emotions and live to regret it. There is nothing we have not seen before. It is very obvious even this early that the millions of Americans who voted for Trump may never get a quarter of what he promised. Every man has the right to change his mind or beliefs and no one can hang him for it. Trump obviously knew what the Americans wanted to hear and knew how to sell a dead horse at a premium. That is politics. His message resonated with his core base no matter how retrogressive it sounded.
As a matter of fact, it became even more attractive the crazier it sounded. Politics and religion are quite similar in that they thrive on pure faith. The same Trump that appeared a rabid hater of President Barack Obama has since visited his “sworn enemy” in the White House. You would have expected both former warriors to exchange some terrible blows but far from it; they came out behaving like two newly joined love birds. Trump now says Obama is actually a nice guy. Obama also reassures a jittery nation and a confused global community that Trump would actually behave decently and that their allies have nothing to fear. The two opponents must have known that it was all a game all along while their followers actually believed and embraced the charade. One of the things I love about America is the ability of its leaders to rise above pettiness. Every leader comes in after a bitterest electioneering campaign to embrace the one who lost. I do not hear sing-songs of wasting too much energy on the past. Who would have thought Obama and Bush would become as close as they are now? American leaders are wise enough to know that we are all actors and must quit the stage after playing our assigned roles. \
We may have sharp differences but we must be able to calculate the cost of war-war against the price of jaw-jaw. When tomorrow comes, I’m sure Donald Trump would have calmed down and welcome everyone in the true tradition and character of America. No American leader can ever be allowed to transfigure into an Adolf Hitler or a Benito Mussolini. Americans collectively are stronger than their leaders. This is one of the major reasons I’m not worried about Donald Trump and his tantrums. If he returns to the giddiness of his pre-election period, Americans across party lines would know what to do. That is the power of their democracy. This now brings me back home. I have been reading about the rising profile of our former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and wish to state without equivocation that no one should rule him out of the 2019 presidential race. I first hinted this possibility about two months ago and wish to reiterate that Nigerians should prepare for the shock that awaits us.
The story of Donald Trump should bring us back to our senses. Nothing is impossible. The second coming of Goodluck Jonathan may be so far-fetched or even belong in those categories of impossibilities but I wish to plead with our government and my fellow citizens not to rule it out. As one of those who made our modest and humble contributions to the coming of this Buhari government, I’m pleading with trepidation. Jonathan’s popularity is rising not because of anything he has done to atone the sins that must have led to his waterloo but as a result of what our change government has failed or refused to do.
The obsession of our government with going all out after Jonathan is the main reason the Otuoke man is beginning to smell like roses after the odoriferous position he landed himself last week. Only if our government had succeeded in maintaining the economy it met, Nigerians would have been ready to enter fire with Buhari. But there are just too many unresolved problems and challenges. The excuses that Jonathan and company left this peculiar mess behind has refused to fly. The groans might not be loud enough to reverberate all the way to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, as of now, but trust me it may become deafening, sooner than later. I do not care if men and women of power dismiss my submission with a wave of the hand but they should mark my word, there is a thickening conspiracy in the clouds.
It would be a shame if we inadvertently play into the hands of those hovering and ready to pounce on Buhari. I read about “persecution complex” long ago and I understand how it works. If you beat your own child so ruthlessly as if you want to kill him, the tilt of public opinion would always go against you. Many would wonder why you want to kill your own child. In our anger, let us pick our fights. There is too much tension in the land. I would be delighted if anyone could educate and convince me that Nigeria has gained much more than we’ve lost to this war of attrition. If we haven’t, we may need to retrace our steps urgently. The BBC reported on Friday how Jonathan caused a stir in Sokoto State during his visit to the state to pay his respects to Ibrahim Dasuki, the late former Sultan of Sokoto. According to the report, Jonathan was received by a large crowd of admirers, some holding banners bearing the words “Come Back Baba Jonathan”.
The same voices that chanted “Sai Baba” and “Jonathan Must Go” are now fiddling with the tunes of the possibility of a Jonathan to stage a comeback. Here lies the irony of political triumph and the paradox of high expectations. The euphoria and momentum that saw the exit of Jonathan and the emergence of the Buhari change administration has since begun to wane following the inability of the new government to hit the ground running with the tenacity of a government in a hurry! There are many who believe that the poor management of the ensuing economic recession didn’t help matters. Suddenly, Nigerians who had high hopes and voted massively for change are now caught in a limbo between confusion and uncertainty.
As it stands today, the average Nigerian is confronted with the reality of an economic recession they never planned for; a situation they did not experience under the Jonathan administration and under previous governments. Many of President Buhari’s supporters are worried that the humongous goodwill that engineered the Buhari change mantra is now being frittered away at the speed of light. The unfolding plot has now thrown up former President Jonathan as a new protagonist in Nigeria’s theatre of the absurd. For many of us who are ardent students of history, we have since learnt that nothing is impossible in the game called politics. Will history repeat itself again? Time is pregnant with answers!
Africa must not go the way of Britain | By : Dele Momodu
Fellow Nigerians, the shocking exit of Britain from the European Union has compelled me to choose this important topic today. I had voted on Thursday in London to keep Britain in the EU but the proponents of Brexit won the day, unfortunately.
Prior to that important day in the British calendar, I had listened keenly to both sides of the arguments. There were no doubts that each side had their valid reasons for wanting to stay or jet out of the union.
But I was more persuaded that Britain stood to gain more by remaining in a larger clime than being a tiny insignificant island on its own, especially now that the world has become a global village due to the advent of the internet, social media and information technology generally. All that is now history.
Britain has chosen to take a monumental risk. There is nothing wrong with taking risks. It is part of growing up as a people. They will learn from it in the long run, either positively or negatively. But I love bigger dreams.
The USSR was once very powerful but it had its influenced greatly whittled down after its cataclysmic breakup. I’m sure the old people of USSR would wish to turn the direction of the clock backward and bring back those good old days.
Russia has been fighting back trying to bully and re-annexe its old family members once upon a time. But it is no longer a simple matter. No matter its regret today, it must live with the consequences of allowing a once powerful nation to dismember itself in a fit of recklessness.
That is why all those calling for the collapse of Nigeria as one nation should take a pause and think through the acute frustrations that may have necessitated their clamour for confederation or outright secession and consider the consequences.
I’m almost certain that if a referendum is to hold in Nigeria today to consider a renegotiation of the statehood of Nigeria many would vote for an immediate dissolution without a blink. What is very unfortunate is the fact that this decision would not be based on any hard fact or guarantee that this action would bring long-lasting peace or progress to the reconfigured nation-states.
I dare say that whatever entities are created would soon find themselves bedevilled by the same assumed ills that would have caused the cataclysm and collapse in the first place. I’ve always said that if Nigeria should fall into the temptation of falling apart, we may find up to a thousand countries within a country.
The reason is very simple. We are all very strong-headed and self-opinionated. We want things our own individual ways. Any other way is no way. That is why we use religious, ethnic, political and social excuses to cause mayhem in our polity when the real reason for our disaffection is our personal ambition and greed.
It does not matter to us that the ultimate result of our actions would be to the detriment of the generality of the people as long as we perceive that in the long run there would be something in it for us. That is the way we are. But this selfish attitude must change. Some of the greatest countries on earth – USA, China, India – are all massive.
This is not to say smaller countries cannot make it. It is this ‘smallness is good’ mentality that is one of the reasons that I find the success of Brexit in the British referendum amazing. I still cannot fathom how a nation that once prided itself in controlling an empire that spanned almost all the continents of the world would now reduce itself to one that is content to remain in its little corner of the world fighting imaginary enemies.
Whatever your view is, at least in their own case you will find that the reason why the majority chose to go the way they did was largely as result of patriotic zeal rather than self-gratification.
My spiritual instinct always tells me that Nigeria was not created big for the fun of it. It was for a purpose, and it is one that we shall realise in the fullness of time. Why should we use our own hands to destroy such a formidable nation because of the rascality of a few people? I love every Nigerian and it never bothers me if anyone loves me in return or not.
We can never grow if we allow politicians to separate us for personal aggrandizement. I grew up in the university township of Ile-Ife learning about the strength in unity and diversity. This is not a contradiction in terms. It is what makes cosmopolitan cities and countries survive what would otherwise be loaded time bombs in their corporate structures and existence.
I do not know what our students read nowadays but one of my favourite books was ‘Africa Must Unite’ by Dr Kwame Nkrumah, a former President of Ghana. I don’t know what inspired him to come up with that thesis but I was undoubtedly inspired by the position canvassed by him.
You can imagine my excitement when the countries of West Africa decided to come together and promote economic ties and freedom of movement of their diverse citizens. But decades after this glorious union, we are yet to take full advantage of that beautiful vision of the founding fathers of ECOWAS. It is pertinent for Africa to embrace the foresighted advice of Dr Nkrumah.
Africans should stop waiting for crumbs from donor nations. Africa is richly blessed with human and mineral resources. The expertise required to develop can be sourced from different parts of Africa. I believe that our human resources capabilities are one of the best in the world.
If properly harnessed and channelled to productive sectors of the African economy, the people of the continent would be much better for the effective and efficient utilisation of the.
The investments we desperately seek in Europe and America can be found in Africa. African leaders must be willing and ready to provide the enabling environment for business to thrive.
One of the ways in which the continent of Africa can tap into the rich collection of human talent that abounds within its fold is to positively encourage migration of its citizens from one country to another by removing all impediments and obstacles that would militate against free movement and by implication wealth creation.
There is no reason or basis for some African countries to waive visas for European and American countries while insisting African passports must go through the horrendous process of obtaining visas. It is demeaning in all its ramifications. For a start African passport holders must be allowed to enjoy visa-on-arrival facility in every part of the continent.
This should be the goal of the African Union. It is gratifying to know that one leader has decided to take the giant leap.
It has been announced and widely-circulated that from July, African passports would now be able to fly into Ghana under a visa-on-arrival program. Nothing could be more reasonable. How can we have an African Union that lacks simple cohesion amongst itself?
We must salute the vision of President John Dramani Mahama for pushing such a laudable agenda in this age of global xenophobia epitomised by the Brexit campaign in Great Britain and the emergence of the openly racist and bigoted phenomenon that is Donald Trump in the USA.
In this regard, President Mahama has demonstrated an uncommon courage by breaking down one of the walls of superstitions that have divided us for far too long.
Just imagine what Ghana stands to gain by throwing its door open to all African countries.
Firstly, tourism will definitely enjoy an unprecedented upsurge. The visionary President of Ghana is not just waiting for this upsurge in tourism he has gone a step further by creating the necessary infrastructural support that would cater for them.
This is starting from the airport which is being upgraded not just in terms of bricks and mortar but also by the deployment of state of the art equipment guaranteed to create a first and lasting impression on the western tourist that has been greatly misinformed about the backwardness of the African man.
You are first greeted by a screening point which employs computer and laser technology to check your temperature against fevers that may portend that the passenger may be harbouring some deadly disease.
Then you proceed to E-gates where your passport is quickly scanned and your details registered electronically. That is not all. On leaving the immigration side you are greeted by several porters ready and willing to assist with trolleys for which you do not have to pay one cedi.
The free trolleys are everywhere and in essence you are spoilt for choice. Then comes the icing on the cake in terms of your airport experience. Cool air form strategically and aesthetically placed air-conditioners cool and calm you down as you await the prompt and seamless delivery of your luggage from carousels which function properly and whose numbers have been increased to cope with the anticipated increase in the number of tourists and other visitors.
As if that is not enough, as a transit passenger you do not have to exit the immigration hall before proceeding to your next flight thus making your trip to even other vistas a seamless one.
Secondly, the visa on arrival scheme will ensure that potential investors would be able to come in at the shortest notice and without much ado. The scheme is therefore such a brilliant move that should be advocated and emulated by others.
To enhance Ghana’s growing reputation as probably one the fastest growing economy in Africa, President Mahama has continued to concentrate on the generation of more power that would drive the industrial and agrarian revolution that he envisages for his country.
Although the country has a challenge in getting gas for its power plant, the President has nevertheless been creative in directing increased power output in the country such that the country is now 70% sufficient in meeting its power needs.
The President is unrelenting in this regard and is already considering and thinking of ways of implementing other sustainable, alternative power sources as oil becomes a volatile commodity to deal with.
The foreign investor is also assured of a stable political climate. The rule of law prevails and the sanctity and respect for the judiciary is undiminished.
President Mahama does not just accord respect to Parliament in faithful adherence to the doctrine of separation of powers, he eschews interference whether direct or indirect in the affairs and internal dealings of the legislature.
Businessmen especially foreign investors applaud his unique style of governance which gives them every assurance that their investment is safe and is not subject to arbitrariness and capriciousness.
Governments around Africa have several lessons to learn from the Ghanaian practice of true democracy which is obviously responsible for the economic uplift that Ghana is presently enjoying.
Africa must not go the way of Britain.
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The task ahead of you is not a mission impossible -Dele Momodu writes Buhari again.
Your Excellency, it’s been months since I wrote my desperate memo to you. I wish to thank you once more for reacting promptly and swiftly at that time and for giving me the honour and privilege of meeting you in your office. I remember presenting you a special compilation of my articles, especially the many admonitions to your immediate predecessor, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
After handing over the book to you, Sir, I promised to continue acting in my self-appointed capacity as Special Adviser because of the need to tell you what those very close to you might not be able to say. They might be afraid of you and your reaction. Dele Momodu
The truth is you are a plain and simple man imbued with a mission and a passion to save this great country but you cannot do it on your own. You can only do it if people close to you, who should be advising you, tell you as it is so that you can do that which you were elected to do.
Sir, it is on the above basis that I’m back today for reasons some of which you probably know already from your own personal observations and readings. But before I go further, kindly permit me to set some records straight before some conspiracy specialists step forward to ascribe other people’s opinion to me. I shall clearly expose my personal views and state where I belong or stand for any avoidance of doubt. Everywhere I go people refer to me as Buhari’s man and ask “what’s your Baba doing ooo?”.
I seriously have no problem with that. I’m proud that I joined so many other Nigerians as well as foreign friends in supporting a man of impeccable pedigree and solid integrity. No matter your view of President Muhammadu Buhari, one thing his bitterest enemies give to him is the fact that he is way above the level of most mortals in matters of uprightness.
This is why many of us volunteered to scream your name to high heavens and we were ready to follow you to Golgotha. Many of your opponents have not gotten over the thrashing you gave them and would forever seek everything and anything to smear you with. It is therefore not surprising that there has been so much noise about what you’ve done or left undone. Whether they are right or wrong in their assessment, I feel it is right and proper to let you know what people are saying about you including your most ardent fans and supporters.
Sir, please, let’s not dismiss them as mere rabble-rousers. A groundswell of public opinion can easily metamorphose into an ocean of disenchantment and cataclysmic confusion. In short, I believe your enemies are skilfully setting you up for failure in order to be able to taunt your supporters later by saying we “we told you so!” In this regard it is pertinent to always bear in mind the Yoruba saying ‘ehin kunle l’ota wa, ile ni a se ni ngbe’! Loosely translated it means “the enemy lurk outside in the backyard but your foe resides inside your house.”
What is the matter this time? Many Nigerians are lamenting that the change you promised them is fast becoming a mirage. It is certainly not what they are seeing right now. They insist that your style and methodology appear too slow for a nation in dire straits and in need of urgent and miraculous deliverance. They are not happy that you are no longer the prudent man they used to know.
They think you’ve already capitulated by frolicking with members of the bourgeois class and junketing around the world while Nigeria burns like Dante’s inferno. They are miffed that you are still keeping the Presidential fleet when you are supposed to have sold most of them off, if not all. They are worried that the mandate of four years they gave you is being unwittingly frittered away and before you know it all the goodwill you garnered would have evaporated and vamoosed. Time, they say, waits for no man!
The economy and the free fall of the Naira have become worrisome. There are all manner of rumours that may make matters worse, if true, about the current state and status of our banks. Though the Central Bank of Nigeria has come out forcefully to dispel the dangerous rumours, they want you to unleash your economic master-plan as soon as possible, so that what was once a baseless rumour does not somehow become harsh reality.
They are expecting a blue-print that would guarantee a farewell to poverty. On this I agree with the opinion that something drastic has to be conjured up to arrest this drift to perdition. Nothing amplifies this monumental tragedy than the debit card fiasco which stipulates that Nigerians cannot live in a civilised world by walking into any international hotel or shop of their choice and paying with their cards. This is terribly depressing.
What this means in plain terms is that Nigerians must patronise the black market and run the risk of carrying cash recklessly whenever they travel abroad. It makes a mockery of the cashless society that the CBN has fought so hard to put in place and jeopardises your fight against corruption because government officials who travel abroad must of necessity carry large sums of cash if they are not to be embarrassed or even disgraced.
Sir, the most important thing is that this is not healthy at all. The last thing your Government should be telling the world is that we are so broke that we are on our knees. The world laughs at us and treats us with derision because we have resources other than crude oil which should make us one of the richest in the world if we properly harness them. We must stop giving the impression that we are so impoverished when it is leadership, brigandage and a lack of focus that has failed us.
The other matter that continues to embarrass Nigerians is the issue of Boko Haram. The matter is made worse by the fact that you are a retired army General who should know and have what it takes to drastically reduce if not exterminate the cankerworm. But rather the menace has exacerbated. It has snowballed into a seemingly unquenchable conflagration. I had argued repeatedly that the military alone cannot achieve this result. Intelligence seems to be the key word here. Also identifying and locating some of the cells and prominent sympathisers is crucial.
Those who arrogantly and naively say that no form of negotiation should take place are very far from the theatre of war. They have probably not heard of a group called IRA, the Irish Republican Army, that terrorised Great Britain for God knows how many years. I and my directors at Ovation International were lucky to escape a massive explosion that shattered the peace and tranquillity of London Docklands when a bomb went off inside the South Quay light rail station which was next to our office at Beaufort Court. The battle of wits and the war of attrition had to be fought using the carrot and the stick approach. It was the carrot approach that eventually succeeded and the United Kingdom has now been rid of that hitherto interminable scourge for many years!
The Boko Haram issue has defied every effort made so far and it is time to expand the options for the sake of our fellow citizens in the heart of this conundrum. When over 200 girls vanished into thin air, we were so sure they would return very soon but that has remained an illusion. This should tell us that this issue is not a joke and that we need to keep all windows open. Sir, Nigerians want to see government show a different approach and better compassion than what we had in the past. They are waiting to see how you will do this with minimum collateral damage.
Sir, you have a herculean task ahead but it is not a mission impossible. Other nations are experiencing almost similar challenges and they are forging ahead. The first indicator to exhibit our seriousness is when we stop the business as usual syndrome and tighten the belts of government officials and politicians. If the idea is to continue along the path of profligacy then Nigeria is contagiously jinxed. The Republic of Tanzania has already taken the lead. I will publish a report that has already gone viral below this letter as a veritable example of what is possible.
I wish you well as always Sir.
On The Trail Of Madam Diezani (Part 2) | By: Dele Momodu
Missed the Part 1 of this article? Click HERE
Fellow Nigerians, what you are about to read is an abridged version of what is probably the most anticipated story of the year. It has now given birth to a big bouncing baby christened The Boss newspaper, an online publication. The Diezani Alison-Madueke story has graced the cover of the first edition of what I believe will be a catalyst for unbiased investigative reporting in Nigeria. The Boss had long been conceptualised as a Leadership newspaper to occupy the void created by lack of true and credible investigative journalism in some traditional and online media. The original plan was to launch in December or early January.
But the Diezani Alison Madueke story changed all that. It was too compelling to restrict to the Pendulum column alone. And here we are with what promises to be an exciting addition to the media landscape in Nigeria and beyond featuring an enthralling cover story that will educate and entertain the readers.
After that effervescent introduction in Thisday, in which Nigeria’s most influential newspaper published the meeting between this reporter and the embattled former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, everyone requested for details of the encounter. Some unbelieving Thomases even suggested the story was pure fiction, or at the very best “faction” to borrow Kole Omotoso’s coinage.
They wondered why a more comprehensive interview could not be published, garnished with clear crispy pictures of Madame Diezani. It was obvious many had read the story in a hurry and did not assimilate the carefully worded tale of a woman in deep pain and anguish for variety of reasons. Of course there were insinuations that it was a public relations stunt but mercifully most readers thought it was a well-balanced story. It even went viral.
That meeting obviously impacted on her decision to open up eventually, two days after episode one. A call came through on Friday November 6, 2015, from a female aide of Mrs Alison-Madueke to request for a meeting the following day at 2.30pm at a location yet to be determined. The appointment was immediately approved. Later in the evening, this ubiquitous aide made yet another call shifting the appointment forward by a few hours to 11am the same Saturday. My response again was yes.
A text message flew into my phone very early Saturday morning. It contained the address and full postcode of a new venue different from the one of two days earlier. The venue turned out to be a popular restaurant near Regent’s Park, famous for its breakfast.
I was a bit surprised and disappointed at the choice of location. I was hoping she was going to give me access to her now famous apartment which was said to have been bought at a most staggering amount, or the new multi-billion dollar home that was rumoured to have triggered the alarm leading to her arrest, claims she would dismiss as tales by moonlight. After waiting for about 20 minutes or so, I heard some footsteps and the once most powerful woman in Nigeria surfaced. She looked slightly better than at our last meeting and I sprang to my feet as we exchanged pleasantries. I mentioned to her that she looks better and she said she’s been resting and gaining strength in preparation for her radiotherapy. She ordered full English breakfast while I settled only for cappuccino. But when the meal arrived she didn’t eat it because she has lost appetite for food generally and was more on fluids. She then asked for American coffee, water and fresh lime instead. She also ordered for tea at some point. Most of the time we spent talking, she coughed intermittently into a napkin and dabbed her mouth with it but she was clearly determined to pour out her obviously heavy mind despite the discomfort I could notice she was struggling to endure.
There were several off-the-record interludes. More than anything we were both careful not to discuss in detail matters which might impact on the cases and legal problems now bedevilling her. Getting and persuading her to talk in detail about a lot of issues was therefore very difficult. There were other reasons. First, was her obvious paranoia of the Nigerian press. She’s been bruised, battered and blistered, especially in print and on social media. She’s been scandalised, summarily tried and precipitously convicted by the media, according to her. On top of her problems, she’s having a running battle with the most dreaded form of cancer of the breast and she’s had to undergo surgeries to remove the lumps and later some chunky tissue. The treatments have not been that successful and it’s been a ding-dong affair for this once ebullient and elegant lady.
We had to give assurances of not sensationalising her story if granted access. Of course it has never been our practice to do so and thus this was not a problem. We promised not to embellish her stories in any way or reveal off-the-record discussions which were truly personal and confidential and had nothing to do with her travails. There was a strict proviso that no form of recording would be allowed and we had to adopt the novelistic style. The result of that covenant is what you’re reading today.
We knew it was going to be very difficult getting pictures in her present not too genial or glamorous condition. That was practically tough on our first meeting as she was just returning from her hospital rounds and looked totally exhausted. We however succeeded in getting a few pictures this time some of which we are revealing for the first time today in The Boss newspaper.
This is a story like no other and it cannot be told like any other. It is a tale from the super highway of power and the fast lane of confusion. Mrs Alison-Madueke had the world not just at her feet but firmly in her palm. She could apparently turn a certified pauper into a certificated billionaire within the twinkle of an eye. In short, she could make and unmake. Diezani was the subject of many fables. And this is the crux of the matter. Her closeness to President Jonathan was a subject of many speculations and I fired my first shot from that direction:
“Is it true that a sister of yours has a kid or kids for President Jonathan?” I asked. “That is totally untrue as I don’t have any such sister or relative!” she said. She wondered how people could fabricate such blatant lies.
I soon followed with what I regarded as an upper-cut: “It was said that you and the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan were in permanent conflict; why was it so?” She responded that their relationship was cordial enough and she gave the former First Lady the respect she should give the wife of her boss. She went further to say that “What people don’t know is that we’ve been family friends for long. My mum, Mrs Beatrice Agama, has always played the role of a godmother in the Niger Delta and all the militants love and respect her. I come from a royal and privileged background and lacked nothing.”
Now wait for the next shot! “You’ve been linked to so many young guys who made so much money from you and later absconded or turned against you… What was between you and Chris Aire, Kola Aluko, Jide Omokore, Tonye Cole, Dapo Abiodun, Wale Tinubu, Igho Sanomi and others?” I queried her.
Madame Diezani’s response was calm and unruffled: “I vehemently deny any intimacy or liaison with any of these gentlemen.” She noted that she is happily married like most of them are happily married and asserted that she is not the Scarlet Lady that people paint her to be. She sees those rumours as insults on accomplished women who cannot be seen in sensitive positions without running riotous with some men. She said it was important to put in context how she met most of them:
“I was the Chairman of the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board and I did my job to the best of ability and intentions. My boss and I were determined to empower Nigerians, especially the young ones, who had the brains and guts to dare.” She noted that in every government, some people must land the big jobs which every human being would love to have. She said “I chose to empower mostly Nigerians and took the power away from foreigners who used to dominate the sector. That was why we pushed for the Nigerian Content Bill, which mercifully we got through. So you cannot expect some forces not to hate me but I was shocked that Nigerians themselves were ready to crucify me mostly on rumours and not verifiable facts. Most leaders before me have suffered a similar fate so I take some comfort from that experience.”
We soon moved the discussion to the many allegations of financial impropriety under her tenure, especially the alleged disappearance of $20billion and other wasteful spending authorised by her. She observed that she could not go into any real details because of the criminal investigations in Nigeria and England as well as the civil case here. However she told me she would try and provide general details about these matters because it was important to shed some light on her own involvement from the vantage point of someone actually in Government who believes these things simply cannot happen.
She was visibly angry at the mention of the $20billion: “If there is one issue I must pursue in this world it is the biggest lie of this money. How can $20billion disappear just like that? Where did it disappear to? Is it possible that such an amount would not be traceable? This is more painful coming from someone I considered a good friend who should appreciate the gravity of such allegation. I challenge anyone to come forward with facts showing that I stole government or public money. I’ve never stolen Nigeria’s money…”
“Rather I worked hard to halt the rampant business of round-tripping. When I brought in Reginald Stanley to clean up the place, I requested for a list of the defaulters. There were about 92 of them and I made sure we sanctioned them. You can imagine the threat to my life but I was ready to defend the economic interests of my country. In fact, we were able to reduce the oil subsidy by about half. No one has applauded our effort.
“There were those who said the then Governor of Central Bank must have been angry at me because of the way the Presidency treated him. In all honesty, he was being blocked from seeing the President by some of Oga’s people (presidential aides) but it had nothing to do with me. I was the one who even told Oga about the development and Oga said he would meet him in London on one of his trips. Unfortunately my boss fell ill and was rushed to King Edward Hospital and the meeting was aborted.”
“Sanusi and I had been friends. There was no way I would have done anything bad to him. He even came to my house to inform me about his interest in heading the African Development Bank and we discussed for about two hours. I promised to support him and I spoke to Oga about it. We were together on the Reconciliation Committee that looked into the accounts of NNPC. Yes there were gaps but not on the alarming scale being circulated. Markafi (former Governor of Kaduna State) did a thorough job. You know he is a very sound accountant.”
What about the allegations that she owns choice properties everywhere? “It is so sad that anyone could say such about me. Let me say something to you, I live with my husband in the same house we’ve lived since we married in 1999. Ask anyone who knows us. Our house in Abuja was bought in 2007 by my husband and as an architect and lover of interior décor I did it up to our own taste. It is not over the top because I have good taste and appreciate bargains. I shop in regular shops like B & Q to do up all the places where I live. Anyone who tells you I have houses anywhere should feel free to publish them. That was how they said I bought an expensive property in Vienna. I went to court and I won the case. I never saw the house before except in picture. The house I stay in London is rented. As a woman I love to look good. Some of my dresses and jewelleries are often dumped on me by those I buy from and I pay them when I can…” Read the full story at www.thebossnewspapers.com
THE CHESS PLAYER CALLED PRESIDENT BUHARI
If you think you can predict and pre-empt President Muhammadu Buhari, please forget it. With his recent moves, it is obvious he is the master of the game. I wish to commend him on his Ministerial appointments and encourage him to ignore the harsh criticisms that greeted the portfolios assigned to some of the Ministers.
The most controversial is that of Mrs Kemi Adeosun and I totally disagree with those saying she lacks the experience or exposure to run the Finance Ministry. Leadership is about the ability to manage people and resources. It would have been impossible for Ronald Reagan and even Barack Obama to thrive in our clime with our type of attitude. Just imagine if David Cameron and Ed Milibands were Nigerians. Mrs Adeosun should not be distracted. Some of those clamouring for youth participation in governance should be proud of her towering achievements and meteoric rise.
What can I say about Mr Efficiency, Babatunde Raji Fashola? President Buhari has acknowledged brilliance and rewarded hard work by making this great man our de facto Prime Minister.
Congratulations to all Nigerians.
Let The Action Begin, Mr President | By: Dele Momodu
Your Excellency, please, permit me to congratulate you on your recent selection of some more distinguished Nigerians into your prospective cabinet. The nominations clearly vindicated the views expressed in my column last week about the quality and calibre of those earlier selected. Both lists generated some big controversy. Many argued that you merely recycled some old and antiquated politicians. Some claimed that the list was tarnished by the inclusion of persons tainted by allegations of corruption and that this dented your image as an anti-corruption crusader. Others wondered why it took you so long to appoint these men and women and some more merely dismissed your list of nominees as an anti-climax.
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You cannot absolutely blame your critics sir. It is the burden you have to carry and the heavy price you have to pay for raising the hopes of Nigerians from incurable pessimists to born-again optimists. What has happened is that some of our people still imagine that you have military and dictatorial powers and can hand pick anyone you want without consulting your party or the multitude of stakeholders that litter our political terrain. They are also unaware of constitutional hurdles in your path, particularly the fact that you must pick at least one Minister per State.
You cannot absolutely blame your critics sir. It is the burden you have to carry and the heavy price you have to pay for raising the hopes of Nigerians from incurable pessimists to born-again optimists. What has happened is that some of our people still imagine that you have military and dictatorial powers and can hand pick anyone you want without consulting your party or the multitude of stakeholders that litter our political terrain. They are also unaware of constitutional hurdles in your path, particularly the fact that you must pick at least one Minister per State.
In one of the much publicised phantom lists that circulated before your nominees were made public, I saw several names from the same State and knew something was definitely amiss.
If you had announced your cabinet much earlier some people would still have complained that you did not balance the selection well, that it was lopsided in terms of politicians rather than technocrats; that there were more Muslims than Christians; or more Northerners than Southerners and other sinister conspiracy theories. Such is life.
However, what I saw in your selection was a product of meticulous research, political configuration, ethnic harmonising, religious consideration, and so on. The only problem I have is about gender and youth. I believe there is a distinct lack of women on your proposed Team and this may send wrong signals as to your perception and proclivity in relation to women. Equally I feel that you have omitted to recognise that the future belongs to our youths and the sooner that they are involved in governance the better for our nation.
Please kindly recall that in years gone past, including during your first coming, most of our leaders were below forty and had been involved in government from their late twenties. The youths and women also did a lot to ensure your success at the polls and it would be sad if you fail to recognise their contributions to your Change campaign by neglecting to include them in your government. I hope you will compensate these two special groups in subsequent appointments because they are worthy of inclusion. Nigeria parades so many bright and talented women and youths who should not be relegated to the background. Indeed it would be a shame and travesty to do so.
I was very impressed with most of your nominees when I saw their names and alluded to some of those in your first list in my column last week. I was very certain they would shine brilliantly during the Senate screening exercise. I was happy to be proved right. I cannot obviously write about everybody but I want to single out a few more people who I know will be placed with significant responsibilities when your administration fully takes off within those coming on board.
Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu was outstanding in his performance. His deft handling of questions and his complete understanding of his brief was spellbinding. You could see that this was an accomplished technocrat in his field and a man that could be trusted to run the Ministry in control of the premier resource of the country. There is little wonder about the quality of his presentation to the Senate considering the fact that he was the Executive Vice Chairman and General Counsel of the multinational conglomerate, Exxon Mobil (Africa) before his appointment as Group Managing Director of NNPC.
He graduated with a first class degree in Law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and was the best graduating student from the Nigerian Law School, winning seven of the available nine prizes. Dr Kachikwu holds masters and doctorate degrees in Law from the Harvard Law School. Indeed he was the best graduating student in 1980 and set a record with a PhD/SJD Harvard Distinction at Doctorate level which he completed in record time.
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Kachikwu is a Fellow, Society for Corporate Governance (FSCG); Fellow Chartered Institute of Arbitration; and Fellow, Chartered Institute of Petroleum Policy.
Kachikwu is a Fellow, Society for Corporate Governance (FSCG); Fellow Chartered Institute of Arbitration; and Fellow, Chartered Institute of Petroleum Policy.
Despite his huge corporate workload Kachikwu has found time to be a visiting professor in various universities in the world including Harvard. Kachikwu has more than thirty years experience in policy making positions in the petroleum industry in Nigeria and Africa. He has influenced over $10 Billion dollar investment from Exxon Mobil Group into Nigeria and other African countries and he has set major policy planks on government relationship, investment policy and corporate governance for Exxon Mobil in Africa. Kachikwu does not simply believe in and practice corporate social responsibility, as an individual he is also a philantropist of note. Kachikwu has singlehandedly financed the provision of tarred roads and other infrastructure in his Onicha Ugbo town and awarded several scholarships to his kinsmen.
You may wonder why I have waxed lyrical about Dr Kachikwu. It is not simply because he has been a publisher and journalist since 1989 having started Hints magazine, he is also the publisher of Complete Fashion magazine, and is heavily involved with Hello Nigeria Magazine. His literary accomplishments include the authorship of several law books. The reason I am totally enamoured by him and his inclusion in the cabinet is that Kachikwu is likely to be the pin-up man of this administration. How he is able to rescue our precarious petroleum industry by marrying some of the positive policies of the previous administration with his own avant garde futuristic policies will determine the success of this government.
The two days of Senatorial screening witnessed what I believe is the remarkable good sense of judgement displayed by President Buhari in choosing his Cabinet. The Senate was treated to intelligent discourse replete with provision of solutions for the myriad of problems besetting Nigeria.
Nominee after nominee demonstrated their confidence in their chosen profession and those who had formerly served in executive and legislative capacities gave insights into their stewardship and participation which left no one in doubt that they had contributed to national growth and would even do more under President Buhari.
The Senate, Nigerians and indeed the world watched and listened with rapt attention as stand out nominees like Kayode Fayemi, Babatunde Fashola, Amina Mohammed, Kemi Adeosun displayed their stellar qualities and proficiency. Even those nominees who were asked to “bow and go” because they had previously been distinguished members of the Red Chamber still displayed their competence and knowledge of their field and discipline. Senators Udo Udoma, Chris Ngige, Aisha Jummai Alhassan and Hadi Sirika were eloquent during their brief presentation as were others like Audu Ogbeh and Ogbonnaya Onu who for various reasons were given the same privilege as the former Senators. Lai Muhammed was also asked to “bow and go” probably because he is from the same State as the Senate President and has been a notable opposition spokesperson for more than 10 years.
Indeed his screening took the shortest possible time of the nominated Ministers so far examined. I was also glad that the security of our nation would partly be entrusted to Lt. General Abdurahman Dambazau (rtd). He was very robust and powerful in his presentation. One simply felt safe knowing that he is in our corner.
I was equally impressed by the contributions of the lawyers. You could see the way in which their minds worked and how they articulated their position in a legal fashion. I noticed that there is a significant number of high profile and erudite lawyers in the list of nominees. Day Two of the screening seemed to have been reserved for the lawyers as five of the six so far screened were before the Senate on that Wednesday.
The lawyers so far screened include two SAN’s namely Babatunde Fashola SAN, Abubakar Malami SAN, Ibe Kachikwu, Senator Udo Udoma, Senator Aisha Alhassan and Solomon Dalong. The big fish being awaited by most Nigerians is Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Lion heart himself.
At the conclusion of the screening exercise on Day Two the Senate approved and confirmed all the persons so far screened as Ministers. Given the excellence of their performance there was little cynicism that their confirmation was well deserved. Sir, I was visibly pleased about the class and capability of people that you have brought together to form your core team and happy for Nigeria.
Let the race begin…
THE AUDACITY OF ALIKO DANGOTE
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The invitation letter was as simple and humble as Alhaji Aliko Dangote himself: “My dear Chief… On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of Dangote Cement Plc, I would like to invite you to attend the forthcoming commissioning ceremony of our 3.0 million metric tonnes per annum Cement Plant in Mtwara District, Tanzania, by His Excellency, Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania…” The mail contained details of our chartered flight provided by ARIK, the sumptuous accommodation at Hyatt Regency Hotel and sundry other fine details.
The invitation letter was as simple and humble as Alhaji Aliko Dangote himself: “My dear Chief… On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of Dangote Cement Plc, I would like to invite you to attend the forthcoming commissioning ceremony of our 3.0 million metric tonnes per annum Cement Plant in Mtwara District, Tanzania, by His Excellency, Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania…” The mail contained details of our chartered flight provided by ARIK, the sumptuous accommodation at Hyatt Regency Hotel and sundry other fine details.
This was my fourth invitation from the Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc in a spate of three months for similar commissioning around Africa. I had been honoured to accept his invitation and be on his entourage to Ethiopia and Zambia but I missed the one to Cameroon due to circumstances beyond my control. I wasted no time in responding to the latest invitation and confirmed my interest pronto. I’m always happy to celebrate Nigerians who are doing great by breaking down barriers and demolishing long-held superstitions that led to the underdevelopment of Africa. Aliko Dangote is taking giant strides to remedy and reverse this position as quickly as possible.
The trip to Dar es Salaam was worth the effort. I had been a great fan of Tanzania for so long because of my love for its former leader, the great Mwalimu, Dr Julius Nyerere, of blessed memory. We landed around midnight local time on our ARIK Boeing 737-800 aircraft which was certainly appropriate for the occasion given the great effort being made by that airline to integrate Africa and Africans through its flights to diverse parts of Africa.
I was desperate to get to the hotel to finish my Pendulum column which I started on the flight but could not finish because the battery of my laptop packed up. Unfortunately, the visa on arrival procedure was a snail-speed affair and I could not get to the hotel early as planned. In the process, I had to rush my article and mixed up some of the paragraphs. My sincere apologies for the legion of errors that reared its ugly head. I am not going to blame the proverbial ‘Printer’s Devil’ for this.
We woke up early to prepare for our flight to the Mtwara region. Let me note that Alhaji Dangote is an incredibly energetic worker. He is also very courageous. His bold moves across Africa are amazing and he is going at the speed of light. His network of friends is even more remarkable as they cut across ethnic and religious divide as well as age and gender. His three elegantly simple daughters were on hand to work with their wonderful team.
Dangote’s exceptional and touching gesture of getting on our Aircraft, before he left for another engagement in South Africa, to thank us all and wish us a safe journey back to Nigeria, was truly humbling as he ensured that he acknowledged every single person. Superbly, he was able to identify each of us and warmly greeted all individually. He received a loud ovation from his appreciative guests, who had witnessed a business wonder in the heartland of Tanzania, for this grand gesture on his part.
The cement plant was as usual very inspiring, spectacular and outstanding. It reflected the audacity of its originator and Alhaji Dangote did not disappoint in his creation of a magnificent industrial environment. We all stood tall and proud as Nigerians. The few Tanzanians that I met and spoke with were full of praises for this gargantuan business effort. The President of Tanzania, Alhaji Dangote and Governor Nasir El Rufai (the cerebral orator) all gave beautiful speeches at the splendid occasion.
From Tanzania, the Dangote train is scheduled to travel to Senegal and South Africa for the commissioning of further business initiatives in the cement industry. Bon voyage.
Photos: Dele Momodu presents his new book to President Buhari
Seasoned Journalist and Ovation International CEO, Dele Momodu met with the president, Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa yesterday and presented his new book to him.
Dele Momodu writes farewell letter to GEJ
Our dear President, please permit me to write my last epistle to you as our leader and Commander-in-Chief. By this time next week, I expect you to have flown back to Yenagoa via Port Harcourt. How I wish I could have the opportunity of being on that last trip, not to mock you but to capture your swinging moods in those few moments of realising that the end has come eventually. I would love to know how many of your big friends would take the pain to follow you or if most would abandon you to your fate and move on pronto to the new brides.
Even as a writer with what I believe is vivid imagination, I’m not able to paint a picture of the sort of life or future that awaits you in Otuoke, Yenagoa, Abuja, Chad, Germany, Dubai or wherever you decide to hibernate in the short or long run.
Let us give thanks to God no matter the situation. You have been the luckiest man I know in Nigeria or anywhere else for that matter. You have been in high office for the past 16 years and I doubt if any other soul has had such uncommon favour. Therefore, it shouldn’t be any big deal to you, Sir. Though as a human being, one would still expect that you would feel the pain of rejection and dejection as they usually walk hand-in-hand like romantics do. It is sad that it had to end like this despite many warnings and prophesies foretold by me and a few others.
I’m not sure you saw or read any or all of the open letters published on this very page in the last five years or so. It was not that I was a busybody but I was genuinely concerned about the many afflictions that have kept our nation backward for so long. And my hope was that you would be able to fulfil a sizable proportion of your electoral promises of 2011. But that was not to be. Rather, your government waltzed from one crisis to another while you allowed yourself to be scammed by the scavengers of power who litter our political landscape.
All the appeals I made in good faith were rebuffed and pummelled by some of your aides, friends and supporters but I did not mind them because I knew a day like this would come when I would sadly have the chance to say I told you so, even though it was my fervent wish that it would not happen that way. I am never one to gloat over somebody’s misfortune and I will not do so now although I have been proved right.
However, the time has finally come to rewind and remind you of those efforts a few of us made to avert the sort of repercussions that we are now witnessing. How I wished you had listened at the time. Those who called us unprintable names and lied through their teeth that you’ve truly transformed Nigeria more than any other Nigeria have since abandoned ship. For me and my house, it is a grand opportunity for us to see man in his true colour and in animal skin. I have decided to revisit those letters hoping the incoming government would learn useful lessons from your example and avoid similar pitfalls.
It is perfectly normal for governments to get drowned in the cacophony of adulations from soldiers of fortune that have no scruples, and feel no remorse, about running their country aground. But to everything there is always a season and a reason. We cannot rule out the hands of destiny in the affairs of homo sapiens. That probably explains the obduracy of your government to take on board all reasonable advice.
I will now quote as copiously as time and space permits from some of the letters I wrote to you with religious fervour. The first passage comes from My Kobo Advice For Mr President (ThisDay 08 December 2012): “Sir, let me say emphatically that the biggest problem with Nigerian leaders is that once they attain power, they vacate this earth and migrate to another planet far away from fellow citizens.
Leaders are elected to serve the people but in Nigeria we are compelled to serve our leaders… This is why it is difficult for most of you to know what goes on in the real world…
“I have decided to adopt a new approach in my column. I will take it upon myself to write this open letter as regularly as necessary and proffer solutions to different issues, in the hope that you will get to read it. I will tell you what your aides will never tell you. It is up to you to carefully read what I write and take your own decision. Let it be said that we told you but did nothing about it… I’m convinced that if you know the magnitude of problems confronting Nigerians you will work harder and change your style of governance unless you’re determined to fail spectacularly like others before you. I pray this will not be your portion…”
Sir, on March 1, 2014, I wrote My 20 Billion Advice to C- in-C. I doubt if you saw or read that as well but I will recap for the sake of this historical excursion:
“Our dear Commander-in-Chief, I write to you todaywith a bleeding heart. These past weeks have been extremely bloody in some parts of Nigeria. Every time I think of it, I get the feeling that those parts are not part of us. They belong elsewhere, probably in some
remotest corner of the world. Those hapless and helpless citizens cannot be our own the way that we’ve allowed them to be treated. They are total strangers in a foreign land. As such, we’ve not been able to offer them the protection they deserve and the succour they desire. They have been manacled, mangled, massacred so mercilessly and ruthlessly. They’ve been butchered like rams in abattoirs. I’ve seen lurid pictures of fresh corpses and bodies of innocent victims sent to early graves without reason…
“Sir, please don’t get me wrong. I’m not blaming you for this unprecedented crisis. It did not begin under your watch, although some may claim, uncharitably perhaps, that it has escalated under it. I cannot reasonably suggest that you’re uncaring and nonchalant about this monumental tragedy. I think the problem is that of miscommunication, as is so often the case with your administration and this has been amplified by your body language. The problem of this magnitude requires a more resolute and concerted response. You cannot treat cancer with Paracetamol.
“In seeking to secure another term in office, you have allowed some people to amass enemies on your behalf. They did not know how to persuade people with reason and dialogue as demanded by democracy… Every critic must be stricken down and criminalised by the attack-dogs. They dissipate energy on irrelevant things while the roof is on fire… This is what has led to the implosion and conflagration in your party, PDP…”
On March 29, 2014, I painted the following scenario about how the election of 2015 would pan out (it was titled The Anatomy of APC and PDP 2):
“The way it stands is that PDP is poised to present President Jonathan without any shade of doubt. The PDP primary is going to be a rubber-stamp and a coronation at once. They are not about to leave certainty for uncertainty. Ideally Jonathan’s re-election would have been an easy walkover but not anymore. He now has many forces to contend with. The first is lack of physical development or visible performance on ground. Four years are more than enough for a serious and determined government to set a new tone and tempo for true transformation or transfiguration. What we are witnessed is too much movement but so little motion.
“Secondly, he has also brought the roof crashing down by not trudging the path of frugality that was laid by his dearly departed boss, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. The simplicity of his boss was hurriedly jettisoned for a psychedelic style of governance. ..
“Thirdly, the President’s inability to deal concretely with the grave security threats and everyday carnage may turn out to be his major albatross… The fourth problem the President now has to face is how to neutralise the combined strength of the new opposition called APC. He can no longer gloss over the danger they pose to his second coming. As a scientist, I’m sure the President understands that politics is a game of numbers… Relying on election rigging is becoming obsolete and increasingly difficult. Social media and mobile telephony are breaking down those walls that aided electoral malfeasance in our recent past…”
Please, let’s fast forward a bit. On October 18, 2014, I wrote what many have termed a most defining article I called In Search of Mathematicians:
“Let’s break it down into simple Maths. Jonathan had a good spread scoring 25% or more in 31 States. Buhari managed to score 25% or more in 16 States and yet got a cumulative result of over 12 million votes. A good Mathematician should be able to help us here becauseI wish to show our President’s handlers that they will pay heavily for complacency if they assume and take it for granted that they can beat Buhari easily like PDP had always done in the past…
“My free advice to the Jonathan campaigner is simple; stop projecting our President as a sectional leader whose only qualification is where he comes from. Stop raining insults on Northerners and avoid maligning innocent Muslims. The religious card you wish to play will never play out in favour of President Jonathan… Our President’s handlers should worry more about how the goodwill of 2011 got frittered away in such a jiffy. Above all, they should urgently search for competent Mathematicians. Believe me, the figures are no longer adding up…”
Sir, from the above, which represents only a few of the strident appeals I made for you to rise above the babble of your so-called adherents and listen to the real people who wished you well, you could see that I tried my best for you. I warned of the danger signals and the portending clouds of doom overhanging your administration and the campaign it was pursuing but I was dismissed as an alarmist. I was labelled with many names and tags by your Party attack dogs, false devotees and even obviously sponsored internet trolls who effectively said I was a rabid supporter of what had been a lost cause before and would be a losing cause in the imminent elections.
Nevertheless, I persevered as did a few others, not because of anything other than that your success in government would be the success of Nigeria and that is what is most important to the generality of the good citizens of this country.
The rest is history. What has happened is the inability of your team to read the mood of the nation and make the necessary sacrifices. All religions speak about the efficacy of hearkening to admonitions. In the Ifa literary corpus of the Yoruba there are examples of those who called the Oracle a liar and suffered dire consequences. My ardent prayer for the incoming government of Buhari and Osinbajo is that they will not depart from listening to the sincere voices of their passionate Nigerian followers. They will not take our people for granted and they will not treat them with impunity or claim they know what is best for them when the people do not feel the same way.
As for you Mr President you have run your race ingovernment. God has been kind to you even at the end by giving you the grace to realise that you should concede defeat and congratulate your opponent. That has turned out to be an astute decision, a masterstroke and possibly the best thing that may ever have happened to you in all these lucky years of being at the helm of affairs of our great nation.
At the end of it all, I will leave you with this Ifa verse:
“Baba alawo a ku
Onisegun a rorun,,,” meaning the Oracle will die, the herbalist too must depart this world and in effect “everything must have an end”.
You came, you saw and it is left to history to determine whether you conquered.
I wish you the best as always.
Dele Momodu writes open letter to Patience Jonathan.
Acclaimed journalist and publisher, Ovation International Magazine, Dele Momodu has criticised Nigeria’s First Lady, Patience Jonathan over her verbal acerbic attacks on APC Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.
Mrs Jonathan during a recent political gathering had described General Buhari as brain dead and unfit to rule the country.
Momodu in his first letter implored Mama Peace to follow the steps of past first ladies who endured barrage of criticisms hurled at them and refused to join issues with their husbands enemies.
Read the full letter below:
I must also mention specifically Mrs Stella Obasanjo, whose husband has always had a running battle with the media and yet she maintained steady media frenzy in her own kingdom.
Momodu in his first letter implored Mama Peace to follow the steps of past first ladies who endured barrage of criticisms hurled at them and refused to join issues with their husbands enemies.
Read the full letter below:
“Your Excellency please let me start by emphasizing the fact that this is my very first letter to you since destiny elevated you and your husband to the highest positions in Nigeria.
It may be the last before your tenure expires on May 29, 2015, and another begins with you or someone else in the saddle. Despite all the controversies engulfing you and your husband, I had resisted the temptation of writing you in the past for several, if not many, reasons. Kindly permit me to expatiate a bit.
I’m a great admirer of strong, confident and energetic women who cannot be bullied by the galaxy of male chauvinists that litter the political landscape of Africa.
As someone who was brought up by my amazing mum, Omo Arotiwebiojo, an unlettered woman and petty trader, I knew what it took to survive in a particularly difficult terrain.
Indeed, whilst some have impugned you for your so-called lack of command of the English language, I have remained partial to you because, like most of us, English is not your first language, and your contributions have enriched our home-grown lexicon!
I can therefore imagine what you and our dear beloved President must have gone through together, in thunder, lightning, rain and sunshine.
The hurly-burly of life must have thrown you hither and thither when there was no one else around to share in your secret pain and anguish.
But it must have pleased God in His infinite mercy to raise you and your husband up, like Jesus did to a dead Lazarus, as original examples of uncommon transformation.
I must say, Ma, that I have a soft spot for you for other reasons. I was told on good authority that you were a more formidable politician and mobiliser of people and resources than your husband.
A few of your friends often regale how you have been a solid pillar and a rock of Gibraltar behind the love of your life, Dr Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan.
It is said that you’re willing to sacrifice your all for his sake and he has also reciprocated by according you humongous respect and granting you such vast powers that make onlookers see you as a de facto President in your own right. To God be the glory.
I vividly recollect your relationship with the former First Lady, Hajia Turai Yar’Adua. You gave her tremendous respect and your taciturnity was legendary.
Not much was heard from you at that time and not many, except probably Bayelsans, ever suspected that you had so much buried inside your heart and that you were only waiting for the opportuned time to vomit them.
Even in the days of tribulations when the cabal held sway and grabbed our nation by the jugular, you and your husband handled the volatile situation with maturity and remarkable equanimity.
Some of us were ready to fight your battle, and risked our lives, because we saw you as the underdogs who must be rescued from the fangs of the political hyenas.
We were further emboldened by the facts of your husband’s man-in-the-street story, a fairy-tale of sorts about a man from the Otuoke manger who had no shoes. We were not just titillated but fascinated by such flashes of inspiration.
Against all odds, your husband became the substantive President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria after the demise of President Yar’Adua.
Nigerians were happy about the smooth transition of power and they even boasted that for the first time we had not just another graduate but a PhD holder as President.
Sooner than later, as time sped by, it was time for your husband to run his own race. Nigerians from all walks of life queued behind him and he won without much ado.
The goodwill he garnered was awesomely massive and the people were very expectant about the “fresh air” promised by him. Of course, to whom much is given, much is expected.
It is nearly four years since that momentous occasion and it is time for a re-examination and re-election. But what should have been a simple walk-over for your sweetheart seems to have developed k-leg.
While your husband and those close to him would want us to believe he is Nigeria’s best President ever, many Nigerians feel he has under-performed and would want to try someone else.
I have seen you and your husband waka up and down this nation campaigning like no man’s business. Many have likened the exercise to a student engaging in last minute agberu (memorising) after failing to do so all along. This is the crux of my epistle to you today.
I have read and heard so much about you as a very powerful First Lady. I know that when you are at that level, not many people can tell you the gospel truth. No one wants to offend those in power. But I have decided to tell you the bitter reality once and for all.
I’m not writing out of any malice, since none can exist between us. But for the sake of posterity, which I know beckons as always; the fact must be told to you. The summary of what I’m about to say is that you and your husband have frittered away most of your goodwill.
Had you retained your humility in power, may be you could have avoided this commotion and conundrum of trying to achieve in two months what you couldn’t in about five years. You would probably have avoided the tragedy of trying to manipulate the electoral process, buying more time and doing a catch-up on lost grounds.
If the actuality must be told Ma, the whole trouble started the day you publicly ridiculed the Governor of your home state. It was reported that you yanked a microphone out of his hands and lambasted him like a recalcitrant school boy.
In order not to cause mayhem right there, the Governor was said to have left you to your tantrums and went home quietly like a penitent student. That day, you sowed the seed of discord that would later germinate and snowball into a consuming fire.
Though the Governor and your husband like true gentlemen chose to carry on their damaged relationship as if all was well, but the worst was on the way.
The battle for the soul and control of your state would later spread to Abuja where your husband began to see the Governor as an enemy who must be cut down to size.
In the process of trying to achieve that dream, more Governors joined the fray and in a jiffy, the centre could no longer hold. I do not want to go into some obvious details as I’m sure you know about the intrigues of power more than me. But I must give one more example of how you laid the foundation for today’s grand alliance against your husband.
Let me put it this way. Never in the history of Nigeria have I read of a First Lady responding to criticisms in the frontal manner you attacked Professor Wole Soyinka over an issue that you could easily have ignored.
That singular act of unrestrained combativeness was one of your worst public relations gaffes. Wole Soyinka is one of those global icons that you can’t take on and win.
If for nothing, here was a man who at about 76 years of age trekked under the scorching sun of Abuja to defend the rights of your husband when many of the acolytes around you today were nowhere to be found.
You were not supposed to repay such selfless gestures with verbal blows. That was when you finally lost me and I’m sure many others.
Let me remind you that virtually all Nigerian leaders have been disparaged at one time or the other.
It is one of the heavy prices to pay in compensation for the privileges of leadership. Just imagine how much some of us attacked President Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan, General Sani Abacha and others over the June 12 crisis.
None of their wives ever hit back at the critics no matter the degree of provocation. In fact, they acted perfectly normal and even tried to build bridges of friendship instead of bombing the castle.
I remember with fond memories, Dr (Mrs) Maryam Ndidi Babangida, who remained graceful to the very end. Mrs Maryam Abacha endured the most blistering attacks against her husband in life and death.
She has since reconciled with many of her husband’s vociferous enemies. Hajia Turai Yar’Adua was subjected to virulent criticism by many, and I confess I was one of her knockers in the dying throes of the cabal, but she wisely kept her own counsel and declined to join issues with anyone.
When it dawn on her that the battle was lost and won, she packed her baggage out of Aso Rock without as much as a whimper.
If Justice Fati Abubakar was a selfish woman and a poor adviser to her husband, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, she would have insisted that they should not quit power within the one year he promised to hand over to a democratically-elected President.
That government had more than enough resources to buy the ubiquitous array of mercenaries but General Abubakar chose to go in peace and not in pieces.
It was such a rarity in Africa and till this day the General is still enjoying a standing ovation for his vision.
I must also mention specifically Mrs Stella Obasanjo, whose husband has always had a running battle with the media and yet she maintained steady media frenzy in her own kingdom.
She was everyone’s friend and continues to be fondly remembered even in death. I recollect one occasion when we travelled to Beverley Hills, USA, with her, and her simplicity just wowed everyone.
She made sure we jumped in the cars and buses and headed out to a night club owned by Don Cornelius. She was so down to earth. On her last trip to Ghana before her unfortunate death, I had gone to pay her a visit at M-Plaza hotel where she and President Obasanjo stayed.
Despite my frosty relationship with her husband, we sat in one corner chatting away as the President attended to his own visitors. She never got involved in our endless battles with Baba.
I have cited these examples to show that you and your husband are not alone in the barrage of criticisms and attacks. You must rise up way above such pedestal. But sadly, you have not been able to allow any comment pass you by, no matter how mundane.
I decided to write this open letter after the spate of vocal terror you deployed in the last few days against your husband’s opponents.
In case some praise-singers told you lies that what you did was right, I wish to assure you that you’ve done almost irreparable damage to your husband’s presidential campaign.
I will now proceed to paraphrase about three of those satanic verses that escaped from your tongue this week alone, but not in any particular order.
The first shocker was when you said before a crowd that those shouting the mantra of Change are not serious and that as a matter of fact they should be stoned anywhere they shout Change!
I thought it was a joke until the video went viral. The next one was when you spoke dispassionately about how your husband should be praised and thanked for improving the welfare of the menacing Almajiri kids in Northern Nigeria but you then went astray by insensitively and inconsiderately saying that the Northerners are fond of bearing children with reckless abandon and throwing them on the streets to fend for themselves. You went further to say such things don’t happen in the part of Nigeria you come from. I think that wasn’t very nice or tactful.
The last straw for me was when you declared matter-of-factly that your husband’s main challenger, Major General Muhammadu Buhari should not be voted in because he is “brain dead”, according to you.
That was extremely malevolent and sinister, to say the least. It is not an elegant language to be used by any lady not to mention the First Lady and certainly not about a former Head of State of the same country that you are governing and from whose citizens you are seeking a second term in office.
However, I believe that this may have been an innocent quip. Whilst some may be willing to forgive such naivety, it is essential for you to quickly assure Nigerians that you meant no harm and that despite the ill-feeling and bitterness that politics and electioneering may engender you wish no evil to any man least of all your husband’s leading rival and contender.
There is nothing wrong in admitting your mistake of commission or omission. It is actually a sign of strength.
In conclusion, I think you need to offer urgent apologies for those unguarded, unbecoming statements and try to be more circumspect in the future.
One of your best appellations that I love most sincerely is that of Mama Peace. Please, don’t change it to Mama War …!
May God continue to bless you and yours.
Dele Momodu shows off his APC branded shoes.
That renowned writer and publisher of Ovation Int’l magazine, Dele Momodu is a stalwart of the All Progressive Congress (APC) party, is like stating the obvious.
His posts on social media especially during this pre-election period is a testament to this fact. The politician showed off a pair of stylish men’s shoes branded with the APC logo.