Unlocking developing countries’ potentialities for business and investment growth would always certainly depend on learning from past mistakes and creating the right policy frameworks to drive expansion and sustainability. Political players in Africa have a lot to learn about making the people’s interest the centre-piece of business policies by creating a level-play ground for all, irrespective of political leanings and peregrinations. There is an urgent need to put an end to the detrimental and rabid primordial sentiments that pervade Africa and inhibit the ease of doing business on the continent. Forward-looking governments globally would necessarily attune themselves to expanding the frontiers of ensuring the ease of doing business. A number of executive orders along that line were issued last year by the federal government under the acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, a development which received national and international plaudits. Take a look at this: Washington Post has been a source of almost constant irritation for the US president, Donald Trump – a torn in his flesh. This tabloid is owned by Jeff Bezos who is, officially, the richest man on the planet, as of today. Bezos definitely cannot be a friend of Trump, not in the current situation. But guess what, Bezos’s rising wealth is “a result of a surge in the value of Amazon shares – fuelled by a stock market rally that owes much to Trump’s corporate tax cuts, which came into force at the start of the year,” according to The Guardian. In Nigeria, Mr. Segun Adebutu, the multi-talented Nigerian business magnate does not need to be a friend of the president or promoter of any party in power for his multi-million dollars investment in the energy landscape to flourish. That is how a nation should work. Do you know that Bezos is also investing $33 million to fund college scholarships for 1,000 undocumented immigrant (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – DACA) high school students who live in the US – a development that Trump may not like? But the nation’s interest is more important than that of the President. While Nigeria’s energy sector is plagued by several problems, largely caused by the undue influence of political power players and lack of best practices, it was a comment by former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the commissioning of Adebutu’s “new wonder” – Petrolex’s multi-million dollar tank farm in Ibefun, Ogun State, last year, that should get us thinking. With Professor Osinbajo in attendance, Obasanjo urged the federal government and Nigerians to leverage on the tank farm to tackle supply and distribution of petroleum products in the country. He expressed deep concerns based on his experience of the impediments associated with investing in Africa, especially in Nigeria, even as he insisted: “We should make use of this facility. If not utilised, it will be a waste to the nation and a waste of investment put into it. Government should support private sector initiative….Private sector initiative without government support will amount to nothing. I will urge Segun Adebutu to hold the government on their promise to help private sector initiative.” The former president is experienced enough to know how a government’s negative actions could badly affect businesses. Remarkably, Adetubu has shown such uncanny capacity, wisdom, drive and purposefulness to sit at the top of big global players like Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic and Jeff Bezos of Amazon. The difference, however, is the friendly and conducive business climates and supporting infrastructure that allow these other players to soar to any heights. More than 70% of problems that inhibit business growth in a place like Nigeria are eliminated in other climes. It is, therefore, difficult to navigate the complex Nigerian energy landscape, laced with several impediments and mines, without government’s support. But despite these challenges, if you think investing in the Nigerian troubled streams is pure folly, then you are probably underestimating the vision, vigilance and audacity of Segun Adebutu’s rising potentialities to be a dominant player in Africa. Unlike a few other business players who have risen to regional prominence through a back-to-back support from political power brokers, Adebutu has not been seen around Abuja’s corridors of power that much to be labeled “state-made.” In essence, the audacity that comes with such massive and patriotic investments has, no doubt, factored in how to mitigate challenges. With its vast richness in oil and natural resources, Nigeria still remains a key nation on the global oil chessboard of the 21st century and holds a strategic position as, arguably, the leader of the black race. Pivotal to the country’s strive to wriggle out of its numerous challenges is the active involvement of patriotic and visionary private sector players. The big foray of Adebutu into the downstream sector with a mega world-class tank farm, in addition to a refinery that will come on stream in a few years, readily comes to mind as one of those strategic private investments that we need to solve problems and unlock more potentialities in the downstream sector. It is expected that the country will speed up reforms in the oil industry with the recent passage of the first phase of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB), which is awaiting the assent of the President. Private players like Adebutu would be able to add greater value to the sector and grow their investments with limitless possibilities. And when fully operational, it is hoped that the law will help to institute best practices in the industry, overhaul the sector and put Nigeria in a good stead to attract more investments. There is about $2 trillion oil investments expected in Africa by 2036 that Nigerian can significantly tap into. The onerous task of nation-building is, by far, beyond the government or the lawmakers alone. As a matter of fact, it is a collective effort – a responsibility Adebutu himself has come to demonstrate by words and deeds. To commit an investment worth over $330 million in a nation where the ease of doing business is 145 in global index, is indicative of a great level of love of country, sacrifice and patriotism. This outstanding investment is more than validating it as “a solution-driven company….positioned to drive increased efficiency and consistent value creation across the West African downstream oil and gas value chain through strategic investments and the delivery of superior quality products and services.” That Petrolex has come to create over “10,000 new direct and indirect jobs,” when the unemployment figure in Nigeria is becoming unbearable, hitting 16 million, is great news. Adebutu is an irrepressible philanthropist; that his company’s extensive social investment programme would impact more than two million lives, and will maintain a very healthy balance with the environment, is a beautiful music to the ear. The people of Lagos have every reason to be happy too: the tank farm is “equipped with state-of-the-art technology that can help to decongest Apapa and Ibafo tanker traffic by 60%, thereby eliminating hazards associated with storage and transportation of petroleum products in those areas.” In a few years, if business-support infrastructure can improve in Nigeria and we can fully reform the energy sector and put in place best practices that allow investments to thrive unhindered, someone like Adebutu will compete favourably with the best of the world. He has got what it takes with his rising chains of businesses. Aside being the Chief Executive Officer of Petrolex, this consummate businessman sits atop several other companies and the popular Premier Lotto Nigeria Limited as the Executive Director. He also has business interests in shipping, construction, real estate, agriculture and entertainment. Very encouraging to see Adebutu urging other private investors and entrepreneurs to follow suit by going to Ibefun in Ogun state, where Petrolex mega oil city is located, to invest their capitals. He knows that no nation or society can develop without the private investors. Businesses create jobs and pay taxes; and, this should make it natural for government to want to help them to thrive. The government really does not need any persuasion to do what is right. If government supports Adebutu to become our own Jeff Bezoz, the country will be the better for it.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has intervened in the Retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) of the inter-bank Foreign Exchange Market to the tune of $304,400,000.00. Figures obtained from the Bank indicate that the sum, as in previous interventions, were in favour of interests in the agricultural, airlines, petroleum products and raw materials and machinery sectors. The Bank’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Isaac Okorafor, confirmed the figures, saying that the objective of the CBN is to boost liquidity, production and trade. He explained that the CBN would continue to ensure liquidity in the interbank sector of the market as well as sustain its interventions in order to drive economic growth and guarantee market stability. Okorafor expressed optimism that the Nigerian economy stood to gain massively from the Bank’s forex management strategy as could be seen in the accretion to the foreign reserves, which now stands at over $40 billion. Meanwhile, the naira exchanged for N361/$1 in the BDC segment of the market today, Friday.
Tomorrow, January 27, it would be exactly two years since Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello was sworn-in as governor of Kogi State. Ever since he was sworn-in, Governor Yahaya Bello has engaged in the serious business of governance. He has seen and experienced first hand what it takes to govern one of the most volatile states in Nigeria. During his inaugural ceremony at the confluence stadium, Lokoja, the state capital, Bello declared: “we are ready for action,” adding: “we must and will be that generation of Leaders who made the entirety Kogi’s Resources work for the entirety of Kogi’s People.”
Of course, just like many new Nigerian leaders with tall and beautiful ideas of turning society into Eldorado until they eventually face the reality of governance, Bello’s vision is no different. Two years down the line of implementing his big vision for the confluence state, concerned Kogites and others Nigerians are asking, how is the ‘New Direction’ government of Yahaya Bello has so far fared on various fronts of governance? Has he able to deliver his promises? Surely, let’s the available facts speak for him without bias.
In a write up published before the inauguration of the current administration, titled: “Challenges and Opportunities awaiting Bello as Wada hands over a troubled state, I painstakingly outlined many challenges that would likely confront the ‘New Direction’ government which I acknowledged as surmountable with rights people around Bello. In the piece, political instability, bad state’s economy and rising wave of insecurity among others were some of the examined challenges inherited by Gov Bello’s administration. Also discussed, is what I tagged the ‘Golden opportunities’ which the Bello’s government is blessed with. Today, virtually all the predictions are coming to pass.
Bello and economy
It’s an undeniable fact that on assumption of office in January 2016, Bello met a terrible state of the economy, with a devastating structure. The state, which was generally regarded as civil servant state with over 80,000 workforce was facing a serious threat of total collapse. The former governor of the state, Capt. Idris Ichala Wada, had earlier lamented before he handed over power to Yahaya Bello that the average total annual revenue accruing to the state from federation account and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was about N80 billion but that 90 percent of it goes into salaries while the state was left with only 5billion. As such, Bello met the state with workers owed several months of salaries, while internal and external debts were left blooming, yet infrastructures across the state were in a state of dismal. As if that was not enough, internally generated revenue was very meager with over-bloated wage bill. Also, a decline in monthly allocation from federal government to the state occasioned by the national economic recession that nearly shut the nation down.
Of course, no sane and serious government that want the state to move forward would allow such undesirable trend to continue without finding a workable solution to the problem. For this reason, Bello quickly undertook staff audit to save his government from the impending collapse. Also, it would be recalled that part of the reason why the bailout fund was not released to the previous government was the inability to determine the real state’s workforce that will assure the federal government that such fund will not go into the ghost individuals when released.
Furthermore, in concurrent with the staff screening exercise, Bello engaged in an aggressive push for an increased IGR for the state by granting autonomy to the state Board of Internal Revenue Service, renovated their offices across the state, built a befitting multi-story corporate headquarters for the Board, equipped it with personnel and facilities for improved performance.
As a result, just in November last year, the Executive Chairman of Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, Dr. Yakubu Oseni revealed that the state’s IGR has increased to 1 billion naira adding that, “before we took over, the state was generating N300 million monthly…” It’s also evidently visible that Infrastructure across the state is recording a new look as several projects are under construction while some have been completed. For instance, all dilapidated roads across the state capital have been renovated while the long-abandoned advanced Diagnosis Center has been completed. In late 2016, Bello flagged off 10 billion road projects across the three senatorial districts of the State; and in August last year, the governor also flagged-off the construction of over 200 blocks of classrooms in 80 primary schools across the 21 local government of the state. Also, as a transportation business man himself, Bello remodeled the state transport service and acquired more buses to boost its operation. Currently, some major towns and the state capital have been given a facelift with solar powered street-lights, while the demolished roundabouts are being quietly reconstructed among other developments across the state. Security under Bello
There is no doubt that the state was fast becoming a hub for all forms of criminalities before Bello took over office last two years. Since his assumption as the Chief security officer of the confluence state, he has significantly strengthened the security architecture of the state; improved intelligence gathering; beef-up security personnel by building Army Forward Operational Base to check security threat in the state and equipped police to clampdown kidnappers, armed robbers and other forms of criminalities across the state. Governor Bello ensured that all security personnel alleged to have been compromised by some individuals were quickly redeployed from the state. Also, in his wisdom, he ensured that all bushes along the federal highways across the state that served as hideout for armed robbers and criminals are cleared regularly. As a matter of fact, this is the first time such idea is being utilized to stem the incessant cases of armed robbery on the Nigerian highways. The ‘New Direction’ government has also tackled the incessant herdsmen/farmers clashes with diplomacy. Bello also boosted community policing by recruiting youths and equipping the local vigilante service with 260 Motorcycles and 10 trucks to check-mate crimes in the state. And, just recently, the state government inaugurated Kogi Geographic Information Center to further strengthening the security of life and property in the state. As a matter of fact, today, there is relative peace and security in the state as compared to the situation before he assumed office in 2016.
Bello and ethnic politics
Kogi, a microscopic of Nigeria has witnessed unprecedented political instability since its creation. The state, which was created in 1991 by General Ibrahim Babangida Military administration, composes of multi-ethnic groups with three dominant ethnic groups just like Nigeria. Since its creation, there have been a recurrent power struggles among the three dominant ethnic groups, notably, Ebira, Igala, and Okun. However, one section has consistently commanded superiority over others which over the years resulted in unending political upheaval. The recent shift of power from the acclaimed largest ethnic group in a circumstance that remains mysterious has further left the state in a political volatility.
For those who are conversant with the Nigerian politics would acknowledge the current uproar being generated in Kogi state under the present administration as not unusual. It’s understandable that whenever political power accidentally shifted from the so-called dominant ethnic group, it usually induces political instability and unnecessary tension.
For instance, when Jonathan accidentally emerged President of Nigeria, there was persistent pandemonium in the nation’s polity. When Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Southern Kaduna also inadvertently catapulted to number one citizen of the state, Kaduna almost went on flame until the man eventually died in a bizarre plane crash with former national security adviser, Andrew Azazi. And, when Garba Umar of Taraba replaced the brain-damaged late former governor of Taraba state, Danbaba Sutai, hell was almost let-losing in Taraba metropolis. These are a textbook examples of politics of ethnic dominant that has taken root in the Nigerian political settings.
However, what might somewhat differentiate the current Kogi state scenario from the above examples is that the central senatorial district of the state who is the present accidental beneficiary of power shift is not really a minority in the state, but flawed census figures created that impression. And, the hard-line inclusive leadership style of Governor Bello may likely alter the narrative of politics of ethnic dominance in Nigeria.
Governor Yahaya Bello, a 42-years-old chartered accountant has learned fast the art of inclusive leadership. Ever since his assumption, he has consistently ensured that equity, fairness, inclusiveness are his guiding principle of governance.
Projects, appointments, and other state’s benefits are equitably shared, spread across the state. He ensures a good relationship with some opposition politicians, crushing political godfathers, empowered traditional institutions, and strengthened community dialogue. As a matter of fact, Bello is bridging the gaps of ethno-religious divides with his inclusive style of leadership.
The drawback
Man is fallible no matter how much he may try to be perfect in his dealings. Bello is not different. As such, considering the environment in which Bello rode to power and the nature and character of the state, he is somewhat trying his best.
However, there are numerous areas in which the governor has erred and needs to be corrected as a matter of urgency. One of such is the worrisome screening exercise saga.
When the governor commenced the exercise in the early stage of his administration, many well-meaning Nigerians applauded him for venturing into such difficult task, even when his faith at the election tribunal was not yet decided. Many Nigerians, including this writer, had thought the exercise (the longest in the history of Nigeria), when finally completed will permanently put to rest the decade-long problem of non-payment of workers’ salaries in the state. But, the reverse seems to be the case as genuine workers are still being paid in percentage and some are owed months of salaries.
Also, it’s surprising that despite the enormous supports from President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government on agriculture, the state remained backward in the sector. I have witnessed how Kogi citizens are consistently directed to register via an online platform for agricultural aid from state government, yet none has been granted to the people especially the real farmers at the grassroots who mobilised themselves for the programme. However, it’s encouraging that recently, the state government launched what it called ‘Confluence Rice’, which the governor described as “a great success in ensuring self-sufficient in food production in the state” but available facts show that such claim does not actually reflect the reality of Agricultural sector in the state. For instance, since the launching of ‘Confluence Rice’, many Kogites are still searching the markets frantically to purchase the product but nowhere to be found. Little wonder, some Nigerians have described it as deceptive.
Moreover, it’s disheartening that the take-off of the well-conceived industrial park that would have put the state on the path of industrial revolution and massively engaged youths in the state was abruptly cancelled without any convincing reason.
The recent opening of a multi-million naira mansion by the Governor, in his hometown, Okene with fanfare portrays his government in bad light, even though we cannot accuse him of using public fund to finance his house project. But with the condition of the majority of workers and Kogi citizens in general, such action suggests that the Governor is playing with the sensitivity of the masses who are still wallowing in a state of hunger.
As Governor Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello clocks two years in office, there is a need for him to pause, reflect, and amend any areas some patriotic Nigerians have identified as loopholes in his government. Bello must ensure that he redouble his efforts in the areas of Agriculture, industry, education, and health-care. He should, as a matter of urgency, reconsider the take-off of the construction of the postponed Industrial Park in the state; sustain the momentum in securing the state from all security threats; integrate any previous administration’s policy that is useful for the masses; for instance, payment of WAEC fees for the secondary school students in the state. This is one policy of the previous administrations that requires commendation because it had helped thousands of downtrodden families in the past.
Bello must as well ensure that his government reduces its spending on social activities that have no sustainable impact on the masses. And, above all, he must, by all means, quickly resolve the unending lingering face-off between government and labour unions by prompt payment of all genuine workers in the state.
May God strengthen, protect, and guide him as he continues to steering the affairs of the State.
The Federal Government, through the minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, has ordered the nation’s security agencies to go after those propagating hate speeches, especially through the social media. The minister said that special attention would be given to notable Nigerians in the renewed crusade against hate speeches. In a statement in Abuja, Dan-Ali gave the directive at a meeting of the National Security Council presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, on Thursday. “The Honourable Minister expressed the need by the relevant security agencies to as a matter of urgency tackle the propagation of hate speeches especially through the social media particularly by some notable Nigerians.” The statement quoted the minister as saying that the Armed Forces is currently synergising with other security agencies through intelligence sharing and joint operations to address the various security challenges facing the country. In compliance with the presidential directive for the establishment of National Commission on the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the country, Dan-Ali said the ministry, in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser, has set up a committee to work out modalities to transform the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons to a national commission. He was also quoted as saying that during the period under review, the Military Pension Verification Exercise was conducted in all the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory. The process, he said, enabled the Military Pension Board to update its data payroll and ensure financial savings for the government. He was also said to have briefed the council on the update of the presidential visit to the Royal Kingdom of Jordan from December 2-3, 2017. “The visit provided an avenue for implementation of agreement for the procurement of Excess Defence Articles from Jordan. “The Agreement entails rebuilding and modernisation of some of our military platforms,” the statement added. The minister thanked Buhari for his continuous funding of the Armed forces to perform its constitutional role especially now that Nigeria is fighting multiple security challenges. He also informed the council that in line with the decision of the present government to increase the strength of the Armed Forces to address manpower problem, the three services have in the last two years enlisted and recruited qualified Nigerians. He added that the ministry is building befitting accommodation for members of the Armed Forces in the six geopolitical zones. Similar accommodations, he said, were built by Defence Headquarters and inaugurated in Abuja last month. This, he added, has gone a long way to solving accommodation problem and boosting the morale of personnel serving in Abuja. Others who attended the meeting were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Usman; Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ahmed Abubakar; and the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.
Zambian authorities have arrested a 42 years old Nigerian pastor, Isaac Julius Amata, for allegedly trafficking 26.29 kilograms of ephedrine, a medication and stimulant drug. Spokesperson for the country’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), Theresa Katongo said that pastor was arrested on Wednesday upon arrival at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, the country’s capital. The pastor was known for having predicted that President Edgar Lungu will win Zambia’s 2016 general elections.
File Photo: President Muhammadu Buhari delivering speech at UN General Assembly meeting in New York
President Muhammadu Buhari has been scheduled to deliver a lecture on theme: “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.” The lecture will be delivered at the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. A statement by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said that President Buhari, who is scheduled to fly into Addis Ababa tomorrow, will also hold bilateral meetings with some of his colleagues on issues of common interests. The statement said that this is the first time in the 54-year history of the AU that anti-corruption will be made a theme of the gathering of the regional leaders. It recalled that on July 4, 2017 during the 29th Session of the AU, African leaders unanimously endorsed President Buhari to champion the fight against corruption on the continent. It said that the endorsement was in recognition of his personal commitment and widely acclaimed anti-graft drive at the domestic level. “On July 25, 2017, the President in a letter to President Alpha Conde of Guinea, who is also the out-going AU Chairperson, formally accepted his nomination to lead members of the AU on this crucial crusade against a veritable socio-economic vice that is anti-development.” The statement said that Buhari thanked his colleagues for the honour, even as he reiterated his “commitment to contribute towards our collective efforts to strengthen good governance and development on the continent.” It said that apart from anti-corruption, other issues lined for consideration by African leaders and their delegations include, peace and security (transnational terrorism); institutional reforms of the continental body; free movement of persons; climate change; trade; aviation; education; gender and development. The Presidential statement said that the minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; the minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; the minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau; the Minister of State (Aviation), Hadi Sirika; the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu are in the President’s delegation to the Summit.[myad]
Chairman /CEO National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Abdullahi Mukhtar at Budget Defence at Senate Committee on Federal Character
The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Barrister Abdullah Mukhtar Muhammad, has told the Senate that the Commission does not rely on the intending pilgrims in the area of generating revenue for its services. He emphasised that the bulk of the fund used to purchase the new Commission’s Corporate headquarters was sourced internally through the service charge levied by on service providers rather than the Pilgrims. The NAHCON chairman appeared before the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter Governmental Affairs to defend the Commission’s 2018 Annual budget, which was put at ₦1.559.818.216 Billion and is made up of recurrent and capital expenditure. Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar said that the expenditure will take care of the salaries of staff as well as renovation and furnishing of the Commission’s newly acquired Corporate headquarters. This was even as the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter Govermental Affairs commended the Commission for its foresight and ingenuity in the acquisition of the Metro Plaza edifice. The commendation was made by a member of the committee, Senator Joshua Ladani, who represents Gombe South at the Upper Chamber. He said that the feat is not only good but a testimony of the commission’s commitment to achieving the Federal Government objective of self – reliance for the MDA’s.[myad]
After so much ballyhoo about President Muhammadu Buhari’s proclivity at pampering his ethnic stock over and above the other ethnic nationalities, he finally attempted to defend himself against the charge of ethnic bias. His defence was contained in a homily at a dinner he hosted in honour of leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, January 18. I probably know the reason Buhari mustered the will to host his party leaders at this time, even when he has not been able to ensure a properly-convened meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of his party as the national leader in three years; or, cause the holding of the party’s national convention to, at least, ratify appointments into NEC positions; or, still, elect chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees. The dinner was to serve as a precursor to other dress rehearsals that will culminate in his final decision on the 2019 presidency. The visit of the seven northern governors, led by Mallam Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state, amid the anguish of a grieving nation over the episodic genocides unleashed on hapless Christian population in some northern states to persuade Buhari to run, was the first in the series. The media conference by his Special Adviser on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, wherein he propped up a thesis that sought to validate the fact that the president is healthy enough to re-contest in 2019 is another one. The president’s ill-health has presented as the strongest reason that could encumber him from throwing his hat in the ring once more. If his health is not good enough to carry him through, that could become his exit strategy. The third in the series of the dress rehearsals prelude to 2019 was orchestrated by Buhari himself: the January 18 dinner. Although, he has not declared his intention to seek re-election, yet the ticket of his party is secured in his hands. Except he exercises the right of first refusal, no one within his party, will gleefully jump in front of a moving train. To do so against Buhari, who is a power monger, would amount to committing political hara-kiri within the APC. Former vice president Atiku Abubakar, who is interested in contesting in 2019, was wise to resign from the party. Now, with the way Buhari tried to dismiss allegations of ethnic bias against him, it was clear that the season of verbal political exhortations and sweet talks is here again. And, without surprise, those who should speak truth to power in defence of the collective position of their people, especially the Igbo stock, have positioned themselves in the corridors of power to mollycoddle the powers-that-be in protection of their enlightened self-interests. Some so-called Igbo political leaders had, in recent times, gravitated from the PDP to the APC. Interestingly, the president took the joke straight to them when, in a manner I consider simplistic, he tried to absolve himself of ethnic bias by the fact that he appointed four substantive ministers from the southeast zone. I shuddered at that rationalisation. It does not matter whether the ministers appointed from the southeast are substantive or junior ministers, Buhari did not make the appointment at his own pleasure. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria compelled him to do so. Any other person, for that matter, in that office, would have been required by the constitution to appoint ministers from the thirty-six states of the federation, even if nobody voted for him or her in all the states in a zone. It is thus the constitutional right of the Southeast people to be so appointed and I am at a loss to read the president deploy that to mitigate the charge of ethnic bias, especially viewed against the backdrop of strategic appointments he made many of which were not constitutionally circumscribed. For instance, how many southeasterners are accommodated in the commanding heights of the nation’s security architecture where appointments are egregiously lopsided in favour of Buhari’s ethnic stock? The social media are inundated with the narratives of the nepotistic outlook of the president in the strategic appointments made at his pleasure. The chiefs of army and air staff are from the north, although it is argued that appointments in the military are based on seniority and hierarchy. The Inspector General of Police, whose promotion interestingly was made at the expense of twenty-one or thereabout senior officers who had to be compulsorily retired for him to be enthroned, is from the north. Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Comptroller General of the Nigerian Custom Service and Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, are northerners. The list is long. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s recent addition to the list of holders of PhD (in Christian Theology), in his trending evangelical treatise, spoke about Buhari’s “nepotistic deployment bordering on clannishness and inability to bring discipline to bear on errant members of his nepotistic court.” Obasanjo also indicted Buhari for his poor understanding of the dynamics of internal politics, which has culminated in a much more divided nation afflicted by widened inequality under his leadership. While I believe the Igbo leaders, who are not in support of Buhari for his anti-Igbo disposition arising largely from his claim that he got only 198,000 votes from them in 2015, would fight to the finish the nepotistic treatment the president has continued to mete out to the Southeast zone, I can imagine how ludicrous those who have moved to the APC, perhaps for “bread and butter” or for political survival to endorse Buhari, would feel now that the tides are against him. The Buhari presidency has become encumbered. The president has squandered so much goodwill on which he rode to power in 2015. Apart from his achievements in substantially degrading the Boko Haram terrorists and half-heartedly or selectively fighting corruption, it is doubtful if Buhari has any other redeeming legacies to his credit. Impunity and mediocrity have become governance characters. The agents of the executive arm of government continue to brazenly disobey court orders. Consider the impunity of the continued detention of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) and the leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky despite several court orders for their release. What of the impunity of Fulani herdsmen who continually maim and kill innocent farm/land owners in Benue, Plateau, Taraba and other places without any corresponding restraint by the federal government? At the APC dinner, Buhari claimed that he was aware of the problems of the country and that he would always reflect on the historical antecedents before arriving at decisions. He said he would not hurriedly take decisions for the sake of clear conscience. If the president is aware of the problems, must he reflect ad-infinitum on them before taking decisions? It is sheer mediocrity on display in governance to so over-reflect, instead of acting expeditiously, while the nation burns or slides into extinction. That attitude is suggestive of lack of governance ideas. It is mediocre decision by Buhari, who is not economy savvy, to appoint weak Nigerians, according to Obasanjo, who could not help him out, for instance, in the area of the economy, which is why there is worsening poverty in the land and Nigerians that have lost their jobs since 2015 have increased from 6 million to 16 million in number under his presidency. What can be more mediocre than a government that relishes only in bandying statistics of monetary accretion to the coffers without reflecting positively on the wellbeing of the people? This is, sadly, the story of Buhari’s presidency, which many suffering Nigerians do not want to continue beyond 2019. A vast majority of Nigerians hope he will exhibit his much-vaunted integrity by honourably dismounting from the horse and going home to a deserved rest. The world waits for Buhari to make his historic decision on whether to run or not in 2019, a decision that will, either way, profoundly affect the presidential power calculations. [myad]
Ojeifo, editor-in-chief of The Congresswatch magazine, can be reached ojwonderngr@yahoo.com
In recognition of the massive decline in corruption in public services since he took office in Nigeria in 2015, the African Union (AU) has scheduled to make President Muhammadu Buhari the first-ever Anti-Corruption Champion for the year 2018. Although the AU has appointed and mandated Champions for a number of concurrent matters of interest to the continent, this is the first the problem of corruption is getting this sort of attention. It is equally significant, for both the President as a person and Nigeria as a whole that the heads of African states settled for President Buhari to lead this war, an honest leader with very few, if any parallels on the continent when it comes to personal qualities of honesty, integrity and the abounding will to fight corruption. It was therefore not surprising that on July 4, 2017, at the 29th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, African leaders unanimously endorsed President Buhari to champion the fight against corruption in the African Union. The endorsement is, in addition, a recognition of the President Buhari administration’s commitment and glowing success in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. The 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of AU in January 2018 will meet under the theme “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation” and President Buhari is expected to play a lead role. Reacting to the nomination, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama said: “The endorsement is very significant because it is the recognition of the negative role corruption and bad governance had played. I think it is also significant that President Buhari was also asked to champion this because he has been a major inspiration to Africa in frontally combating corruption and bringing positive change towards building a sustainable and prosperous continent.” On July 25, 2017, a statement issued by the President’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, said President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted his nomination to lead members of the African Union on the anti-corruption crusade. In a letter of appreciation addressed to President of Guinea, Alpha Conde, who is also the Chairman of the Assembly of Heads of States and Governments of the African Union, President Buhari said: “While thanking you for the kind words and for the nomination, I wish to express my readiness to accept this new important role and to reiterate my commitment to contribute toward our collective efforts to strengthen good governance and development on the continent.’’ From the day he took power on May 29, 2018, President Buhari declared a zero tolerance for corruption. As candidate in that election, Muhammadu Buhari projected himself “as a no-nonsense and incorruptible leader and this sent a signal to looters of public funds, with many of them returning funds that had been stolen under previous the administration” even before they got invitations from investigation agencies. What has the Buhari administration been doing to warrant the AU recognition? To create a framework for prosecuting the war against corruption and institutionalizing probity from the beginning, President Buhari set up an Advisory Committee on War Against Corruption under a reputable anti-corruption crusader, Professor Itsay Sagay. Among its members, you have a famous criminologist, Professor Femi Odekunle. On assumption of office, the President cut down the number of ministries from 42 to 25 to reduce the cost of governance and directed that all top government officials to prioritize on foreign travels, and use only business class tickets at the most, instead of the statutory first class tickets. The anti-corruption battle is gaining ground with several high profile cases already in the courts. The administration is being guided by the rule of law in the prosecution of corruption cases. To drive the anti-corruption war and ensure that the laws are in compliance with international standards, the administration is working with the legislature to ensure that new laws are being formulated. These draft legislations that are now before the Parliament include Money Laundering Prevention Bill, 2017; Anti-Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Bill 2017(which is now awaiting assent); National Financial Intelligence Centre Bill 2017; Proceeds of Crime Bill 2017and Public Interest Disclosure Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters 2017. President Buhari enlisted the support of multilateral institutions like the World Bank and IMF, security agencies, Western countries and other friendly nations to source, locate and repatriate stolen assets. In the last year-and-a-half, Nigeria established a central register of company beneficial ownership information. Progress in being made in the establishment of database of registered companies, charities and trustees and the provision of access to lawyers and law enforcement agencies to beneficial ownership information for companies and other legal entities registered within Nigeria. The country today has an approved anti-corruption strategy document and a Whistleblowers Office for the recovery of of public funds stolen domestically and those transferred to offshore financial centers. Under President Buhari, this country has begun the implementation of bilateral arrangements that will ensure law enforcement in one partner country has full and effective access to the beneficial ownership information of companies incorporated in the other partner country. This applies to both locally registered companies and foreign companies operating in Nigeria. Nigeria has also began the full implementation of the principles of Open Government Partnership and Open Data Charter and has given full support and cooperation to the IMF Fiscal Transparency Evaluation and the AU African peer review mechanism. As a member of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI), Nigeria is now fully implementing the principles of disclosure required under the EITI through an enhanced disclosure on the payments to governments for the sale of oil, gas and minerals. On tax transparency, the Buhari Administration has committed to the Common Reporting Standard initiative and to joining the Addis Tax Initiative. Generally, the administration has given support to reviewing penalties and other actions against professional enablers of tax evasion, including for corporations that fail to prevent their employees from facilitating tax payment. It has also put in place policies to punish the corrupt and support the victims of corruption. The Buhari Administration has so far done very well in asset recovery, asset return and transparent management of returned assets. To this extent, several measures have been initiated for the strengthening of our asset recovery legislation, including through non-conviction based confiscation powers and the introduction of unexplained wealth orders. As part of ongoing capacity building and promote institutional integrity, a partnership has been struck between the UK Auditor General’s Office and the Nigeria’s Office of the Auditor General as well as between Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption Institutions and the UK National Crime Agency to build capacity to fight corruption while also improving professional standards. In addition, there has been increased international engagement with more than seven countries, namely the UK, United States, Switzerland, France, Italy, Island of Jersey and United Arab Emirates. It is clear from all that is said here that Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari has made very important progress in fighting the evil of corruption, lessons from which the President, as Champion is willing to share with sister African nations. President Muhammadu Buhari, who at a meeting with the leaders of Benue State said on Monday that he would not scale down his war against corruption has from the beginning, made the pursuit of corruption, the fight against Boko Haram terrorists, and the restoration of the economy his biggest priority. The entire continent stands to gain much from his experience tackling these issues in the most populous country in Africa.
Garba Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity.[myad]
Until I am convinced that Nigeria is not being transformed by President Muhammadu Buhari, there is no ground for me to dissociate myself from the millions of voices of Nigerians calling for the continuity of this government. Simply, the world knows that Nigeria was living in a “fool’s paradise”, when the past governments refused to allow Nigerians face the economic reality for a very long time. Maybe if they had done, by now, Nigeria would have been greater than it is and Nigerians would have forgotten the economic hardship they are facing now. But it will be over with the steady and resilient policies being pursued by the incumbent federal administration. Again until I am convinced that the period between 1999 and 2015, years of democratic experiment indeed, were not the best period to have instituted the solid foundation for Nigeria’s development, there is no ground to dissociate myself from the million of voices of Nigerians solidly standing against the return to old democratic experiences as defined by the past governments. It must be clear that I am talking about government and not individuals. Furthermore, until I am convinced that the testimonies from developed countries and world economic analysts that Nigeria has been placed on the track of development by the government of the day are mere jokes, there is no ground to dissociate myself from the millions of patriots who wish my country the best under the hands of the best patriots who have conscience and faith and believe in fate. Finally, until I am convinced that Nigerians made a wrong choice in 2015, there is no ground to dissociate myself from the millions of patriots who want President Muhammad Buhari to continue as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after the 2019 presidential polls and even beyond. That is why I used “run” three times for this title. But I am convinced that he will never seek a third term. I am convinced that he will be the best president Nigeria has ever produced by 2023. And I am convinced that Nigeria will be great under him despite the adversities staged by those who are opposed to the betterment of Nigeria. They are not fighting him, they are fighting the majority of the citizenry and assuredly, the one with God is majority. It is, indeed, not easy to rule Nigeria. If all the past presidents of Nigeria were to be gathered in one room today to give their experiences, none can give accurate account due to the heat in the seat of leadership. The post-colonial leaders, those alive amongst them today, would testify that it has not been easy for the leaderships since then. I am convinced that they had thought that it would have been as easy as saying “Nigerians can govern themselves.” And from Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe until President Buhari, tirade of hostility amongst Nigerians over leadership has continued basically due to the misunderstanding of unity in diversity and the outright shortsightedness or unabated greed cum self self-centredness of some of the past leaders. Every leadership is looked at from its ethno-religious affiliation, not on the basis of party, education or even credibility. Other citizens from other ethno-religious groups often tend to see nothing good in such leadership. Each leadership, from independence, has faced threats from within, though propelled contentiously by foreign factors, all often targeted at destabilizing the focus to develop the country. In some cases and out of jealousy, past leaderships would attempt to frustrate the successors who may be progressive in governance. Different strategies are often employed to achieve such motives. Beyond doubt, I cannot be more convinced that another four years for the present administration will yield more positive results in the transformation agenda. Nigerians must come together in this trying moment for this progressive government and stand for the truth that our growth in underway. It has actually started. So we must give this government another four years. Patriots must not be carried away by distractive sentiments accredited to a former Speaker of the House of Representatives Gali Umar Na’Abba against the president, though he may be right that some party members have hijacked and pocketed the party. Or should patriots take serious statements accredited to Dr. Junaid Mohammed on the 2019 presidential reelection decision. As for the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, he is entitled to his opinion. I am convinced that leadership in Nigeria can be so sweet that Obasanjo sought for a third term and crushed all the strong contenders for the 2011 presidential polls. However, every Nigerian enjoys freedom of speech. Some Nigerians are out there to discredit the government of President Buhari. They have caused many troubles to distract him. They are using the gullible amongst the citizens to cause havocs. But they will fail by the power of the God of Nigeria and Nigerians. That is why I sympathize with the Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, who recently spoke for maturity and patriotism by acknowledging the nation’s difficult times when some people are making political capital out of killings, using “the orgy of bloodshed to advance their political interests,” yet portraying it as a failure of the Buhari-led administration.” Adesina finds “plenty of prejudice in Nigeria, prodigious quantity of insularity, animus, antipathy against anyone that is not of your ethnic or religious stock, or that belongs to a different political orientation or persuasion. “If you meet him, kill him, if you can’t catch him, poison his footsteps,” seems to be the singsong among some people. And as the build-up to general elections, next year gathers momentum, matters are made worse. Nothing can be more convincing. It is true that everything has been politicized, including wanton killings. There is strident attempt to defame, demean and de-market the Buhari government. Those behind it, he said are the crooks, thieves and freeloaders who want business as usual. They hate probity. Their souls abhor accountability. They prefer the plunder of the past years, and can’t wait to see that epoch return. They engage in all sorts of misinformation, disinformation, hate speeches and fake news. “In or out of government, I stand with Buhari”, Adesina proclaimed. They turned the country into a wasteland, leaving an economy primed for recession. He trusts the President who has made massive investments in infrastructure, roads, rail, power, agriculture and mining with the stock market recently recording N15.78 trillion, N1.3 trillion spent on capital projects in 2016 and almost the same amount for 2017. He said that although President Buhari has not thrown his hat officially into the ring for a second term in office, the oppositions are in mortal fear of him running, thus are out to dissuade, malign, paint him black and devalue him before the electorate. And what a marvelous prophetic proclamation: “But they don’t know that there are many devices in the hearts of men, but only the counsel of God shall stand. If God has ordained President Buhari to be in power beyond 2019, human effort to stop it can only end in futility.” Yes, Buhari is the solid ground for Nigeria. And yes for our children and generations yet unborn, he is engendering a new country whose builder and maker is God. I re-echo my call on Nigerians to stand on this solid rock to further rescue our dear country beyond 2019. The supports by the APC leader, Bola Ahmad Tinubu and the Yoruba have been great, indeed; let that be sustained for our dear country. But in the event that he decides not to run, let him nominate a patriot who will doggedly follow his footsteps. It will be a thing of joy to fully support his nomination. Already, the leaders of APC in the Southeast have re-endorsed him for 2019. National vice chairman of the Southeast APC, Emma Eneukwu, said that four years were not enough for Mr. President to complete his transformational agenda for Nigeria, hence the need for another four years to make Nigeria truly great. The Southeast APC implored Mr. President, as a just and fair-minded leader, to make history by supporting the zoning of the office of the president in APC to the Southeast at the end of his second tenure in office as President in 2023.
Muhammad Ajah, an advocate of humanity, peace and good governance can be reached on mobahawwah@yahoo.co.uk.[myad]
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
The Federal Government, through the minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, has ordered the nation’s security agencies to go after those propagating hate speeches, especially through the social media.
Zambian authorities have arrested a 42 years old Nigerian pastor, Isaac Julius Amata, for allegedly trafficking 26.29 kilograms of ephedrine, a medication and stimulant drug.
In recognition of the massive decline in corruption in public services since he took office in Nigeria in 2015, the African Union (AU) has scheduled to make President Muhammadu Buhari the first-ever Anti-Corruption Champion for the year 2018.
Segun Adebutu’s Audacity in Nigeria’s Troubled Streams, By Sufuyan Ojeifo and Ariyo Dare-Atoye
Unlocking developing countries’ potentialities for business and investment growth would always certainly depend on learning from past mistakes and creating the right policy frameworks to drive expansion and sustainability. Political players in Africa have a lot to learn about making the people’s interest the centre-piece of business policies by creating a level-play ground for all, irrespective of political leanings and peregrinations.
There is an urgent need to put an end to the detrimental and rabid primordial sentiments that pervade Africa and inhibit the ease of doing business on the continent. Forward-looking governments globally would necessarily attune themselves to expanding the frontiers of ensuring the ease of doing business.
A number of executive orders along that line were issued last year by the federal government under the acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, a development which received national and international plaudits.
Take a look at this: Washington Post has been a source of almost constant irritation for the US president, Donald Trump – a torn in his flesh. This tabloid is owned by Jeff Bezos who is, officially, the richest man on the planet, as of today. Bezos definitely cannot be a friend of Trump, not in the current situation. But guess what, Bezos’s rising wealth is “a result of a surge in the value of Amazon shares – fuelled by a stock market rally that owes much to Trump’s corporate tax cuts, which came into force at the start of the year,” according to The Guardian.
In Nigeria, Mr. Segun Adebutu, the multi-talented Nigerian business magnate does not need to be a friend of the president or promoter of any party in power for his multi-million dollars investment in the energy landscape to flourish. That is how a nation should work. Do you know that Bezos is also investing $33 million to fund college scholarships for 1,000 undocumented immigrant (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – DACA) high school students who live in the US – a development that Trump may not like?
But the nation’s interest is more important than that of the President.
While Nigeria’s energy sector is plagued by several problems, largely caused by the undue influence of political power players and lack of best practices, it was a comment by former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the commissioning of Adebutu’s “new wonder” – Petrolex’s multi-million dollar tank farm in Ibefun, Ogun State, last year, that should get us thinking. With Professor Osinbajo in attendance, Obasanjo urged the federal government and Nigerians to leverage on the tank farm to tackle supply and distribution of petroleum products in the country.
He expressed deep concerns based on his experience of the impediments associated with investing in Africa, especially in Nigeria, even as he insisted: “We should make use of this facility. If not utilised, it will be a waste to the nation and a waste of investment put into it. Government should support private sector initiative….Private sector initiative without government support will amount to nothing. I will urge Segun Adebutu to hold the government on their promise to help private sector initiative.” The former president is experienced enough to know how a government’s negative actions could badly affect businesses.
Remarkably, Adetubu has shown such uncanny capacity, wisdom, drive and purposefulness to sit at the top of big global players like Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic and Jeff Bezos of Amazon. The difference, however, is the friendly and conducive business climates and supporting infrastructure that allow these other players to soar to any heights.
More than 70% of problems that inhibit business growth in a place like Nigeria are eliminated in other climes. It is, therefore, difficult to navigate the complex Nigerian energy landscape, laced with several impediments and mines, without government’s support.
But despite these challenges, if you think investing in the Nigerian troubled streams is pure folly, then you are probably underestimating the vision, vigilance and audacity of Segun Adebutu’s rising potentialities to be a dominant player in Africa.
Unlike a few other business players who have risen to regional prominence through a back-to-back support from political power brokers, Adebutu has not been seen around Abuja’s corridors of power that much to be labeled “state-made.” In essence, the audacity that comes with such massive and patriotic investments has, no doubt, factored in how to mitigate challenges.
With its vast richness in oil and natural resources, Nigeria still remains a key nation on the global oil chessboard of the 21st century and holds a strategic position as, arguably, the leader of the black race.
Pivotal to the country’s strive to wriggle out of its numerous challenges is the active involvement of patriotic and visionary private sector players. The big foray of Adebutu into the downstream sector with a mega world-class tank farm, in addition to a refinery that will come on stream in a few years, readily comes to mind as one of those strategic private investments that we need to solve problems and unlock more potentialities in the downstream sector.
It is expected that the country will speed up reforms in the oil industry with the recent passage of the first phase of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB), which is awaiting the assent of the President. Private players like Adebutu would be able to add greater value to the sector and grow their investments with limitless possibilities.
And when fully operational, it is hoped that the law will help to institute best practices in the industry, overhaul the sector and put Nigeria in a good stead to attract more investments. There is about $2 trillion oil investments expected in Africa by 2036 that Nigerian can significantly tap into.
The onerous task of nation-building is, by far, beyond the government or the lawmakers alone. As a matter of fact, it is a collective effort – a responsibility Adebutu himself has come to demonstrate by words and deeds. To commit an investment worth over $330 million in a nation where the ease of doing business is 145 in global index, is indicative of a great level of love of country, sacrifice and patriotism.
This outstanding investment is more than validating it as “a solution-driven company….positioned to drive increased efficiency and consistent value creation across the West African downstream oil and gas value chain through strategic investments and the delivery of superior quality products and services.”
That Petrolex has come to create over “10,000 new direct and indirect jobs,” when the unemployment figure in Nigeria is becoming unbearable, hitting 16 million, is great news. Adebutu is an irrepressible philanthropist; that his company’s extensive social investment programme would impact more than two million lives, and will maintain a very healthy balance with the environment, is a beautiful music to the ear.
The people of Lagos have every reason to be happy too: the tank farm is “equipped with state-of-the-art technology that can help to decongest Apapa and Ibafo tanker traffic by 60%, thereby eliminating hazards associated with storage and transportation of petroleum products in those areas.”
In a few years, if business-support infrastructure can improve in Nigeria and we can fully reform the energy sector and put in place best practices that allow investments to thrive unhindered, someone like Adebutu will compete favourably with the best of the world. He has got what it takes with his rising chains of businesses. Aside being the Chief Executive Officer of Petrolex, this consummate businessman sits atop several other companies and the popular Premier Lotto Nigeria Limited as the Executive Director.
He also has business interests in shipping, construction, real estate, agriculture and entertainment.
Very encouraging to see Adebutu urging other private investors and entrepreneurs to follow suit by going to Ibefun in Ogun state, where Petrolex mega oil city is located, to invest their capitals. He knows that no nation or society can develop without the private investors. Businesses create jobs and pay taxes; and, this should make it natural for government to want to help them to thrive. The government really does not need any persuasion to do what is right. If government supports Adebutu to become our own Jeff Bezoz, the country will be the better for it.
Ojeifo and Dare-Atoye write from Abuja via ojwonderngr@yahoo.com[myad]