In the 21st century, rating effective leadership is based on leaders’ possession of “soft skills”. Leadership today is no longer rated by intimidating or swaying charisma like that of Adolf Hitler. Soft skills, according to Joana Marques in “Leadership Today” include purpose, morality, values, vision, authenticity, empathy and emotional intelligence, spirituality, and trust among others.
Proponents of liberal systems such as democracy agree to the importance of teamwork and collective responsibility. They believe that individuals in a group or organisation should work in collaboration and be allowed to be a part of the decision-making process after which every individual becomes responsible for the decision taken by the group or organisation: good or bad.
If you have witnessed any event of the Federal Inland Revenue Service where the Executive Chairman, Muhammad Nami, and his Management team were in attendance, you would have noticed a demonstration of emphasis on collective ownership of the decision-making process. Nobody, not even the Executive Chairman, takes the glory of the job well done. And Nami does not shift the blame to any of his team members should anything go wrong. That is leadership at its best.
After witnessing Nami’s leadership approach in an FIRS event recently, a Leadership Coach, Linus Okorie, noted that he was inspired by how the Chairman introduced and interacted with the FIRS Management team. It was a brief show, but it demonstrated the relationship between Nami and each member of the FIRS team. The Executive Chairman knows each member of his team to their third names. He had given each of them a fun name to reflect their behaviours during Management meetings. There is one he called the Class Prefect; another he called the Accurate Timekeeper. Nami presents the members of FIRS Board and Management as a team where everyone is important irrespective of the position one occupied. “This shows teamwork. This is great and commendable,” Okorie noted before commencing his presentation on effective leadership.
To build a team with team spirit might sound simple, but it involves intricate details. You need to get the right people together and influence them to give their best for the achievement of the overall objective of the group or organisation. This is where the current leadership of FIRS has scored high points and it is manifesting in their outputs in terms of revenue collection despite the COVID-19 challenges.
Nami has two things working for him: purpose and humility. It does not matter the type of organisation you have been appointed to or the level of responsibility you have been charged with, leaders of whatever category must learn to have purpose. It is this that will galvanise all cooperating factors for goal attainment.
Today, there is some level of public confidence with the FIRS unlike what was obtainable in the Service a few years ago. This is because someone who has his agenda clearly defined has taken over the leadership position. Nami took over in the organisation fully prepared and had his vision marshalled out at the outset.
Second, the FIRS Chairman is an unassuming tax professional. He believes that everyone has a part to play and he works to bring out the best in everyone. No matter the level of knowledge they have acquired, you hardly catch a good leader using his intelligence to flog his followers; instead, he uses his wealth of knowledge to build-up followers.
Reports coming out from the revenue authority have confirmed that Nami has been able to bring the staff together to work in one direction.
It is instructive to note that Nami was inaugurated with a Board. This means that no single person, not even the Executive Chairman, takes certain far-reaching decisions alone. The Board has to sit to take decisions on critical issues like project funding, staff recruitment and promotion.
Second, Nami has taken the initiative to re-build the FIRS structure consisting of six Groups headed by Coordinating Directors. The structure was not like this in the recent past. This is making decision-making process in the FIRS to be goal oriented. And it is also good to learn that the Management of the Service sits to take decision on how the organization is run. A good example is how the FIRS took some decisions during Coronavirus lockdown.
The FIRS as a tax agency interfaces with the taxpayers to get them to pay their taxes. With the impact of COVID-19 on businesses across Nigeria, it became certain that peoples’ livelihood had been affected; so the FIRS needed to provide some palliative measures to cushion the effect of the pandemic. There was the need also to continue engaging the taxpayers so that the tax revenue would not drop too drastically.
A statement by the FIRS noted: “During the lockdown, on 31 March 2020, the Management of FIRS in a virtual meeting, committed to provide palliatives to support the taxpayers pull-through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic even as the Service struggles to raise revenue for the country.”
The palliative measures include: Taxpayers can now take advantage of the FIRS simple, user friendly and robust e-filing process to submit their documents online instead of visiting the tax offices. Dedicated email addresses for each of the offices are available on the FIRS website: Late Returns Penalty (LRP) has been waived for taxpayers who pay early and file later. Supporting documents can also be emailed to the dedicated email addresses or submitted later to the tax offices by those who are not able to use the email facility; Remittance of VAT on or before 21st of every month has been extended to the last day of the month; Taxpayers facing challenges in sourcing for FOREX to offset their liabilities are hereby given the option of paying in Naira at the prevailing Investors and Exporters (I & E) FOREX window rate on the day of payment.
Others are: The period to file PIT returns for Foreign Affairs, Non- Residents, Military and Police has been extended to the 30th June 2020 and Field Audit, Investigations and Monitoring visits have been suspended till further notice.
The Service also launched a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and took measures to ensure the safety and well-being of staff, taxpayers, stakeholders, and visitors.
It is pertinent to acknowledge that to get a workforce of about 10, 000 people drawn from various inclinations across the country to think and work together in one direction cannot be a tea-party. It takes the leader who is ready is to listen to his followers to lead effectively.
Another courageous action that the Nami-led FIRS took was the peaceful retirement of staff who had reached and passed their time for retirement. It was a courageous decision because previous administrations attempted to do it but they lacked the will to do so.
But on the realisation that his dream of building a FIRS system that would guarantee career progression would be hampered, those directors that had served up to eight years and above had to retire peacefully. Nami consulted the FIRS Management and Board and upon their approval, he effected the staff retirement. This action has been applauded by staff because it brought relief and hope to them that they are more likely to be promoted when they are due.
It is no surprise that within a short period in the office, Nami has been able to get the FIRS back on the trajectory of growth. Since his assumption of office late last year, the Nami-led FIRS has been able to take some far-reaching decisions and recorded a number of remarkable achievements starting with the hosting of the FIRS Management Retreat and also Group Retreat for the first time since the past seven years.
. Caleb, a Human Development Specialist, wrote in from Kubwa, Abuja.
President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana has tendered an apology to President Muhammadu Buhari over the demolition of a building on the premises of Nigerian High Commission in Accra, Ghana.
In a telephone conversation today, June 24, the Ghanaian leader told President Buhari that he has directed full investigation into the incident.
Information reaching us at the Greenbarge Reporters showed that some suspects have been arrested in connection to the demolition, and will be arraigned in court shortly.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has described some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Demicratic Party (PDP) as tax collectors.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, who made this known today, June 24, said that the governor spoke in Port Harcourt while announcing his decision to pull out of the reconciliation efforts of the Edo State Chapter of the PDP.
The governor was quoted as saying that he such members of the PDP NWC are sycophants and tax collectors who would never tell the truth, adding that instead of the NWC to carry everybody along in Edo state, they resorted to using the media to blackmail him.
“I told them that in Edo State, we must handle the issue carefully and carry everybody along. They must respect human beings and not behave like tax collectors. They said because an order was obtained from a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, then I am responsible.
“I have had sleepless nights to resolve the issue in Edo state. The Governors of Edo, Adamawa, and Delta states, know what I have done to resolve the issues in Edo state.
“As a result of this senseless accusation, I have pulled out of Edo State settlement. My integrity matters. I have also directed my lawyer to write ThisDay Newspaper on the publication they made against me in their Tuesday, 23rd June, 2020 edition.
“I know the members of the National Working Committee of PDP who connived with ThisDay. They are tax collectors. Let them challenge me and I will come out with more facts. Nobody will rubbish me by raising false accusations against me. I will fight back.”
Governor Wike said that he would no longer participate in any reconciliation and wondered why the NWC wanted to consult governors of the party.
He questioned why the NWC did not consult with governors in the case of Bayelsa State even as he warned that if PDP is not careful, the crisis in the All Progressive Congress (APC) would be a child’s play.
“I am brought up not to accept injustice, and that is why I keep speaking out on national issues. Nobody in PDP can intimidate Rivers State.
“Nobody can threaten me because I said things must be done constitutionally. I will always continue to satisfy my conscience.
“From now on, I want to concentrate on the development of Rivers State.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is angry with Justice E. A Obile of the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court who stopped the embattled Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki from participating in the party’s governorship primaries coming up on Thursday, June 26.
The party therefore asked the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to sanction the judge, whom it accused of assuming wrong jurisdiction in a case which sought to bar the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, from participating in Thursday’s Primary election of the party. It asked that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court should be advised to reassign the suit to a judge of the Federal High Court sitting at the Abuja Division of the Court.
In a petition sent to the CJN today, June 24, the PDP specifically requested that “immediate disciplinary action be commenced against Hon. Justice E.A. Obile of the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court for invidiously assuming jurisdiction and taking sides in the political conflict in Edo State with a view to disrupting the political process”
The petition, which was signed by Dakzel Longii Shamnas, an official of the legal department of the PDP, alleged that Justice Obile “did not approach the matter with circumspection, thereby playing into the hands of politicians.”
According to the petition, Obile ought to have declined jurisdiction on the matter because “the headquarters of the PDP is in Abuja. The screening of candidates for the gubernatorial election which the plaintiff is complaining of in the suit took place in Abuja. The headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is in Abuja.
“On the other hand, the primary election is to take place in Benin City; and the 8th Defendant (Governor Godwin 0baseku) sought to be restrained from contesting the primary election is also based in Benin City. Thus there is no nexus between the facts of this matter and Port Harcourt. These facts ought to have been taken into consideration by Hon. Justice E.A. Obile in Iine with the dictates of the extant practice and procedure of the Federal High Court in volatile pre-election matters such as the instant case.
“Hon. Justice E. A. Obile while going through originating processes before assuming jurisdiction, should have recognized that the Port Harcourt Division of Federal High Court was chosen to make it impossible for the Defendants to appear before the court and to have tall hearing m the matter. This is reinforced by the applications for abridgment of time and substituted service as well as the time-bound nature of the primary election.”
The party stated that “the intention to deny the defendants fair hearing is also borne out of the fact that the Plaintiff applied for and was granted substituted service of the processes of the court as well as abridgment of time. The orders were made on the 22“ day of June 2020, the primary election is coming up on the 25“‘ day of June 2020 and the 30days for the Defendants to respond to suit was abridged to two days, thus the matter is coming up on the 24‘” day of June 2020 while the primary election is holding on the 25″ day of June 2020 leaving only one day for parties to take further legal steps. The orders were made by a Judge of the Federal Hugh Court who should be cognizant of its implications.”
According to the PDP, the interim orders granted have the effect of disposing of this suit as the entire suit would be overtaken by events and become academic after the 25’“ day of June 2020.
“The Defendants believe that the above actions, especially the sweeping ex parte orders, are not mere errors of judgment, but coldly premeditated moves aimed at denying the Defendants fair hearing and pandering to the interest of politicians with all the devastating consequences for the polity.”
A suit instituted by one of the governorship aspirants of the PDP, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, had asked the court to bar Obaseki from participating in the forthcoming PDP primary election of the PDP for Edo State.
A major reason given by Ogbeide-Ihama was that Obaseki recently joined the party and only those who purchased the forms during the stipulated window should be allowed to participate in the primary election.
Ogbeide-Ihama also prayed that the primaries be put on hold pending when the court would hear the motion on notice.
The judge, E. A Obile, however, did not grant that prayer. The judge asked that the motion seeking to bar Obaseki be served on the defendants including Obaseki via newspaper publication.
The Rise and Fall of the New Nigerian Newspapers, a 271 page book, written by Gausu Ahmad, Associate Professor of Mass Communications, Bayero University, Kano (BUK, is a welcome addition to the growing list of literature on that great institution, established by the Premier of the defunct Northern Region, late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto. Gausu Ahmad, who cut his journalism teeth at the New Nigerian Newspapers, is eminently qualified to shed more lights on that great newspaper that has been in abeyance. He has the advantage of an insider who also brings his scholarly and journalism training to bear on his subject. The book which is divided into six parts has sixteen chapters.
As expected Gausu Ahmad explores the theoretical insights in mass media studies including media political economy theory as well as the contemporary global trends in the newspaper industry. He also addresses the political development of Nigeria, socio-cultural development and military incursion in politics. While looking at the global trend, he indicates that threat to newspapers started long ago with the advent of radio followed by television. Now the social media has further eroded the influence and power of newspapers. Gausu Ahmad also traces the development of the press in Nigeria starting with the colonial times and moving forward to the era of anti-colonial agitation up to independence and the era of military incursion into politics, as well as the civilian era.
The author reviews press freedom within the milieu of colonial, post- independence, military and civilian rule. On the other hand, he harps on the role of the media and government relations, emphasizing that they help disseminate policy, promote initiatives, release information to public and test reactions to new laws. He also examines press freedom as it affects newspapers during the period earlier stated. Generally the 50’s were period of anti-colonial agitation and the press played their nationalistic role to the hilt. On attainment of independence, the press tended to be voices of regional governments while at the same time remaining nationalistic in their approach to issues.
Before the advent of the New Nigerian, the war of propaganda among the regional governments and the federal government as well as between the regional governments was intensive. The Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) controlled the Federal Government and was at the receiving end of a hostile southern press. In this war the north was the underdog. The Daily Times, Tribune, the West African Pilot and the Daily Express were concentrated in the West. The East had the Nigerian Outlook. As is common knowledge, the Nigerian Citizen was the forerunner of the New Nigerian. The Nigerian Citizen had earlier been set up by the Northern Regional government in Zaria, where it was published twice weekly.
To stem the tide of negative reporting about the north emanating from the Southern press, the Premier of the defunct Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello decided to establish a newspaper that would report the north objectively and without bias. In short, he wanted a medium that would tell the peculiar story of the north shorn of all prejudices that were prevalent in the southern press. At inception, Sir Ahmadu Bello had enjoined the newspaper “to tell the truth about the north to the world and in return tell us the truth about the world.” Sir Ahmadu Bello declared that the setting up of the newspaper was borne out of necessity because nowadays “if you do not blow your trumpet, nobody will blow it for you for the simple reason that they are too busy blowing theirs.”
It is pertinent to note that hardly had the founder of the newspaper, Sir Ahmadu Bello, turned the sod of the newspaper in 1966 than he was caught-up in the vortex of a bloody military coup which claimed his life. Yet the New Nigerian had the unique advantage of being at the centre-stage of the cataclysmic events which enabled it to capture the tragic and dramatic events in greater detail. Its accurate and objective reporting and commentary on the coup gave it an edge over other newspapers, and helped to cement its reputation and integrity. Moreover, the author notes that the masterful coverage of the civil war by the New Nigerian further established the newspaper’s reputation and catapulted it to national prominence.
Still, even though it was billed to be the mouthpiece of the north, yet its founding fathers had emphasised that the newspaper must avoid generating sectionalism, be it at state, religious or ethnic level, but should instead promote a harmonious relationship between all the diverse people of Nigeria. It is to the credit of the managers and editors of the newspaper that they were not only faithful to the dream and vision of Sir Ahmadu Bello but that they went on to build a reputable newspaper anchored on truth, objectivity and accuracy. Because of this, the newspaper was respected by both friend and foe. Due to its reputation, the newspaper commanded the respect of both the public and the authorities who also came to depend on it for support on vital issues.
Indeed, the author treats the main topic exhaustively relying on narratives from principal actors in the New Nigerian Newspapers who provide insight into the nitty-gritty of the newspaper’s operations. Besides, its founding fathers had created a template for its success by diversifying its source of revenue, with the aim of weaning the newspaper from government dependence. They had also created a succession plan and human resource development programme in the company to ensure a smooth transition of management at all times. It’s worth emphasising that the newspaper was the first to print simultaneously in both the north and south.
Still, as the author notes, the breakup of the monolithic northern region into states marked the beginning of neglect by its owners, that is, the Northern State governments. By 1975 the Federal Government had taken over 100% ownership of the newspaper. By the time the military handed over power in 1979, the new democratic government simply starved the newspaper of funds. Subsequent military regimes that came onboard fared no better. Things further worsened with the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) by the Babangida administration in 1987.
The author notes that with the introduction of SAP by the government and subsequent devaluation of the naira it became prohibitive to procure inputs for newspaper production, since everything was denominated in United States dollars. Lagging behind in new technology and modern production methods the newspaper became obsolescent. Thus it could no longer attract patronage from advertisers who by now had begun to demand for colour printing. In large measure, this contributed to a major loss of revenue from advertisers. Now the ownership structure of the newspaper greatly contributed to its abject situation. With government funding dried up the newspaper was left to its own devices. Its initial investment in property development and diversification of business failed to bring in the expected dividend. Again the careful succession plan laid out by the management was torpedoed by successive governments, preferring instead to pick and chose both the chief executive and editors.
Despite the countless challenges besetting the newspaper in the 90s and beyond, its editors were able to maintain a reasonable level of objectivity, accuracy and integrity. While some of the chief executives and editors were able to steer the newspaper in the path of accuracy and objectivity, others towards the end of its life totally deviated from the right cause, engaging in grovelling sycophancy and pandering to the powers that be. Regrettably, this further eroded whatever remained of its credibility and goodwill with the public. At a point in the life of the newspaper, it virtually made a somersault as its editorial integrity became questionable. It’s a sad commentary that from the Olympian heights of glory, the newspaper had compromised on truth and objectivity, and thereby diluted its reputation. Thus a newspaper which at the height of its glory sold over 100,000 copies daily could barely muster 1000 copies daily towards its twilight.
Furthermore, the author asserts that by the time the Federal Government decided to return ownership to the Northern states governments in 2006; the New Nigerian was far too gone for the 19 northern states to rescue the newspaper from the throes of imminent death. The north of 2000 was a far cry from the monolithic Northern Region of the 60s. There was a conflict of interest among its owners as some of them had already established their own newspapers. Because of the discordant voices from the north, the various state governments therefore felt they no longer owed any allegiance to the New Nigerian. So it was left to stew in its own juice. It is a grand irony that the New Nigerian which at inception was backed by the latest technology in modern printing shut down in 2013 after forty seven years of existence, relying on obsolete technology.
In summary, the author traces the fall of the New Nigerian to ownership structure with particular reference to the Federal Government which virtually starved the newspaper of funds. The demise of the New Nigerian was further hastened as a result of the crass negligence by the Northern State governments, its original owners. The Structural Adjustment Programme of the Babangida regime was like a dagger thrust through the heart of the New Nigerian. The government further compounded the situation by its decision to tamper with the succession plan laid out by the management of the company. Again failure to adhere strictly to professionalism further jeopardised the fortunes of the newspaper.
Yet it is curious that the author omits the rise of private newspapers in the north as the fortunes of New Nigerian began to dwindle. Although there’s no indication that the private newspapers would have overshadowed the New Nigerian if funding had been available to it. All these notwithstanding, the New Nigerian deserves a kiss of life. The author believes its owners should chart a new course for its revival.
Finally, the author has gone into great details to provide insight into the beginnings of New Nigerian, its early success story and the subsequent decline leading to its unfortunate closure. Even though well put together, still there’s need for adequate proofreading to remove errors and repetition in some cases. A well-researched book, the author provides anecdotes based on interviews with past chief executives and editors of the newspaper.
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed fear that member countries are at cross roads in the implementation of the Eco regional currency by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a result of possible none compliance with agreed processes of reaching the collective goal.
President Buhari who also expressed concern over the decision of francophone countries that form the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) to replace the CFA Franc with Eco ahead of the rest of Member States, said: “it is obvious that we are at a crossroads.”
The President delivered Nigeria’s position today, June 23, on the new regional currency at a virtual extraordinary meeting of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ). The meeting discussed the implementation of the ECOWAS Monetary Cooperation Programme (EMCP) and the ECOWAS Single Currency Agenda.
He recalled the history of the Eco where member countries decided to revert to a single track approach, giving up Eco which is the original idea of the WAMZ so the ECOWAS-wide programme could thrive.
‘‘In this regard, we have made remarkable progress including the adoption of the Exchange Rate regime, the name and model of the common Central Bank and the symbol.
“We have urged our Ministers towards an expeditious path to success. It, therefore, gives me an uneasy feeling that the UEMOA Zone now wishes to take up the Eco in replacement for its CFA Franc ahead of the rest of the Member States.
“This is in addition to deviating from the Community Act on a consistent attainment of convergence in the three years running up to the introduction of the currency, and our subsequent reinforcing directives.
“I am informed that the French Ministers have approved a bill to reform the CFA Franc and most, if not all of the UEMOA Member States, have already passed legislations in their various Parliaments to that effect.
“It is a matter of concern that a people with whom we wish to go into a union are taking these major steps without trusting us for discussion.”
President Buhari, who assured ECOWAS leaders of Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS single currency, urged them to critically consider the recommendations made by the Convergence Council and take a common position to safeguard the West African Monetary Zone from the pitfalls of a questionable union.
He affirmed Nigeria’s support for a monetary union with the right fundamentals, which guarantees credibility, sustainability and overall regional prosperity and sovereignty.
According to the President, Nigeria also believes that given the potential contractions and even losses from the global Covid-19 pandemic, member states cannot but be too cautious about ensuring compliance with the set standards.
“We cannot ridicule ourselves by entering a union to disintegrate, potentially no sooner than we enter into it.
“We need to be clear and unequivocal about our position regarding this process. We must also communicate same to the outside world effectively. We have all staked so much in this project to leave things to mere expediencies and convenience.
“We must proceed with caution and comply with the agreed process of reaching our collective goal while treating each other with utmost respect. Without these, our ambitions for a strategic Monetary Union as an ECOWAS bloc could very well be in serious jeopardy.”
Following the words of caution raised by Nigeria and some other West African countries at the meeting, ECOWAS leaders resolved to convene an enlarged meeting of the regional bloc on the single currency issue.
A foremost Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist, Tony Elumelu is in celebration mood as his wife turned 50, the golden age.
Elumelu, writing in social media, said: “My Queen is 50! Join me in saying Happy Birthday to my wife, Dr. Awele Elumelu.”
Elumelu, who is the chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), hailed his wife on his twitter and Facebook page.
The multibillionaire businessman also let his fans know it’s time to show her some love with a beautiful portrait of his ‘Queen’ posted on social media platforms.
Dr. Mrs. Awele Elumelu, who is a general physician, is Trustee of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and a leading voice in Africa’s healthcare sector.
She serves as Chairperson of Avon Healthcare Limited and CEO of Avon Medical Practice, and leads the healthcare investments of African proprietary investment group Heirs Holdings.
A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has barred Governor Godwin Obaseki from participating in the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries. This was contained in court papers that surfaced overnight. According to the court papers, the suit was instituted by one of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the PDP, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama. He questioned the validity of the educational certificates of the governor. The aspirant asked the court to stop Obaseki from participating in the primaries on several grounds. Among such grounds were that he just joined the party and that only those who purchased the forms during the stipulated window before the waiver granted Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC), should be allowed to partake in the primaries. The primaries of the PDP is scheduled for June 25, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), fixed the main election for September 19, 2020.
This year, there was some feeling of nostalgia about May 29 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day. When a few persons called me to ask if there were special plans for Democracy Day on May 29, I had to remind them that Democracy Day was now June 12. On June 6, 2018, President Buhari proclaimed June 12 as the new Democracy Day. I guess with time, Nigerians will get used to the new order, and June 12 will “take root” firmly as new Democracy Day. Hopefully no government will show up in the future to reverse what may well be remembered as one of the good deeds of President Muhammadu Buhari. As events turned out, on May 29, this year, many state governors marked either their first or fifth year in office; other states talked about Democracy on June 12. Ahead of June 12 itself, the Federal Government released a document outlining the achievements of the Buhari administration in five years. On June 12, President Buhari addressed the nation. Other political leaders issued statements. But there was no celebration as we knew it. The entire country had been overtaken by the COVID-19 pandemic, with its social distancing, physical distancing, new normal regimental orders. The deadly disease overshadowed everything. As at May 29, 2020, Nigeria had recorded 8, 915 confirmed cases of Corona Virus with 259 deaths. By Friday, June 12, the number of cases in Nigeria had jumped to 14, 554 cases, with 387 fatalities. The total number of new cases rose to 681. This coincided with the disclosure that the report of the Economic Sustainability Committee chaired by Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo had projected a loss of 39.4 million jobs by December 2020 (an unemployment rate of 39.4%), a monthly revenue loss of N185 billion, a sharp fall in GDP rate, with many Nigerians likely to slide into extreme poverty. Twenty-one years after our return to civilian rule and 27 years after June 12, 1993, Nigeria is firmly at a cross-road. It is easy to blame the COVID-19 pandemic which since the first index case was reported in the country on February 27 has kept everything on hold. But if anything, what COVID-19 has done is to expose macro-level governance issues in Nigeria. May 29 or June 12, each with its own symbolism, both provide an opportunity for government at all levels to give account and submit a report card to the people. This was what President Buhari did in his June 12 national broadcast. Many took that speech with a pinch of salt. A few state Governors used the occasion of their first or fifth year in office or the June 12 day to render account, but for the most part, many state governments did not even bother. Commentators were also distracted. The kind of rigorous assessment that was expected did not happen. But a few states made an effort. On May 29 and June 12, I observed an attempt by the Governors of the following states and their supporters and friends to engage the public: Lagos, Ogun, Bauchi, Yobe, Delta, Kebbi, Kano, Kwara, Sokoto,, Enugu, Borno, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo. In addition, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), on June 12, published an advertorial titled “FCDA Continues to deliver on PMB’s Next Level Agenda”. The many claims made by these state governments need to be subjected to close interrogation and scrutiny. It is not enough to place adverts and congratulatory messages in the media: are the messages true? Are the claims verifiable? And those Governors hiding under the constraints of managing COVID-19 to sleep on the job, is anyone monitoring them closely? We often blame the Federal Government, but the real centres of failure can be found at the sub-national level. Before COVID-19 governance was a major source of anxiety in Nigeria. It is even more so now in the face of this man-eating pandemic, and will still be an issue hereafter. It is not possible in a short newspaper commentary to attempt a review of the claims made by the aforementioned states in terms of service delivery to the people. For this reason, I have chosen to focus on just one state: Kwara. This particular state featured prominently during the last general elections in 2019. The main battle in the gubernatorial election in that state was between the All Progressives Congress (APC) which had as its candidate, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which fielded Abdulrazaq Atunwa. At the end of the election, Abdulrazaq, the former, was declared winner with a margin of 216, 792 votes to wit: 331, 546 votes (APC) to 114, 754 votes (PDP). The APC candidate won in all the 16 Local Government Areas of the state. The PDP alleged that the election was rigged but what happened was not just an election, it came across as a battle for the soul of the State. For decades, Kwara politics had been dominated by the Saraki political family. That dominance was entrenched by Dr. Olusola Saraki, Senate Majority Leader in Nigeria’s Second Republic (1979 -1983) and the Godfather of Kwara politics for decades. In 2003, the immensely charismatic and popular Dr. Olusola Saraki “installed” his first son, Dr. Bukola Saraki as Governor of the state. The son will later replace the father as the Godfather of Kwara politics. The Saraki political machinery had a strong hold on the entire state, such that nobody could aspire to any position if such a person was not endorsed by the Saraki Godfather machinery. The ordinary people of Ilorin and other parts of the state depended on the Saraki family, and the man they called “Oloye” for their survival. Saraki, the father, did not disappoint them. His longevity as a power broker was a function of his mastery of populism and the common touch and his dexterity in building bridges to the centre. In the 2019 general elections, Dr. Bukola Saraki, the son who also became the Godfather, fell out with the ruling party at the centre, and back home, he and his chosen candidates faced a bigger opposition. The same APC machinery that Saraki had helped to strengthen in the state in 2015 was turned against him. The people were mobilized to reject the prevailing status quo. Atunwa was seen as Saraki’s candidate. He could well have had the making of a good Governor. But he stood no chance by association. The main slogan for that election was “O to o ge”. Literally, that was a statement of protest. It was an open rejection of the Saraki political dynasty and anything associated thereto. In a well-orchestrated, social media-driven advertisement of this protest, the people of Kwara were shown on the streets of Ilorin chanting and symbolically using the broom, the APC emblem, to sweep away the Saraki influence in Kwara politics. To an ordinary observer, something had changed. Saraki himself lost the February 23 Senatorial election. But was that enough? Will the new man in the saddle deliver? Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq was sworn in on May 29, 2019. Before long, an open quarrel had broken out between the state government and the Saraki family, particularly Senator Bukola Saraki. By February 2020, the public was inundated with stories about how the Saraki family had taken illegal possession of plots of land meant for the public, and how Senator Saraki as Governor had similarly seized government properties across the state. It was a very messy affair. Dr. Bukola Saraki was at the same time facing pressure from Federal Government agencies. There was trouble chasing him around in Abuja. Back home in his state, the new Governor seemed determined to embarrass him. I wrote a piece at the time, and in the concluding paragraph, I advised that Governor Abdulrazaq should face the business of governance, because at the end of the day, he will be assessed on the basis of his achievements, not his ability to humiliate the Sarakis. It looks like common sense eventually prevailed in the matter. I take special note of the fact that on May 29, the Governor of Kwara State was one of those Governors who had something to crow about. Of him, one Yahaya Seriki writes: “…the government of Abdulrazaq has brought to the state unprecedented developments whose demonstration is now found in the nooks and crannies of our state. There are not progressive claims; they are activities of physical verity. So far 56 percent of his cabinet is made up of women, first of its kind in Nigeria, and yet the most accentuated gender equality demonstration in the country as at present…his government refunded the 450 million naira that was allegedly diverted from the Universal Basic Education (UBE) funds by the previous government… over 8, 000 final years students from Kwara State across varying tertiary institutions in the country were duly paid their bursary…scholarship of 100, 000 Naira was earmarked to students of Kwara origin in law schools across the county and numerous primary and secondary education facilities being built, and some renovated… rehabilitation of Patigi waterworks…roads, healthcare facilities, sewage systems…” (The Nation, May 29, p. A5.). Two weeks later, on June 12, in a three-page colour advert titled “Democracy Day and a Dawn of Impactful governance in Nigeria, sub-titled “Ise’nlo”, meaning “work is in progress” the Kwara State Government offered a pictorial account of the infrastructure provided by the Abdulrazaq government in Kwara State. (see THISDAY, June 12, pp 55- 57). We are also told: “Abdulrazaq lives in his own house, drives his own car, and inspires his team to be prudent and people-oriented. And he is never tired of talking to any member of the public…” The Governor’s media spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaye in a piece titled “365 Days of Impactful Governance in Kwara would admit that “Kwara, for the record, is not yet an Eldorado. No such state exists.” But, he says, “the administration inherited and has rescued a state that once tottered on the brink of collapse – at least in the area of human capital development indices… just 12 months down the road, the Otoge leader has successfully exchanged the Kwara narrative. From instant payment of relevant counterpart funds, which have brought back development partners, and taken the state off the UBEC blacklist, Abdulrazaq is taking steps to stabilize and reposition the state for growth.” In yet another report, the Kwara State Director General of the Kwara State Bureau of Lands, Hon. Bolaji Edun, wrote in April, that Governor Abdulrazaq has signed 175 Certificates of Occupancy, and taken steps to strengthen the ease of doing business. I hope one or two of those 175 Certificates went the way of the Sarakis as a peace-making overture! There are obvious lessons to be learnt from the Abdulrazaq story in Kwara state. Here is the example of a Governor who almost lost the plot by focusing on perceived enemies. His saving grace is that he changed track and tactics and chose to focus on what is important. That is why he has a story to tell one year after assuming office. Many Nigerian Governors simply do not know what they are doing. They are confused. COVID-19 is their come-uppance. It has exposed their ignorance and incompetence. There are Governors who are obsessed with petty squabbles, even over the management of COVID-19. They have nothing to show, nothing to celebrate, they call themselves “silent achievers.” I have a strong aversion to that phrase. If the achievement is loud enough, everyone will see it. Nigeria faces a big challenge at the sub-national level. With the survival challenges that COVID-19 has brought upon us, the Nigerian people must indeed “take responsibility” and that includes holding those who lead us to account. It is not a task that can be left to our lawmakers who from Abuja to every part of the country are a self-seeking bunch. We can restructure, reduce the cost and size of government, but if the wrong set of people continue to rule, Nigeria’s journey will remain recursive. The big, defensive response that I get to this is: “Look at America!” My response: Trump-ism is a virus worse than COVID-19.
Kebbi State Governor and chairman of the progressive governors’ Forum, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu has said that despite the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari is the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he doesn’t want to be giving directive on how its affairs should be run.
“At all times Mr. President has shown that he is a democrat: he is not running the party. Yes, he is the party leader, but he allows the party organs to do and decide what should be done. He is very hesitant to use his standing even as party leader, talk less of his authority as Mr. President of the country to direct things, but at all times, he has been alive to the issues.”
Governor Bagudu, who spoke to newsmen today, June 22, after a private meeting by the progressive governors with President Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja said that the President gave the party’s gladiators enough encouragement to address the challenges facing the party presently.
“I believe that whatever needs to be done, including the possibility of calling any of the organs of the party that is necessary for the resolution of lingering issues will be done immediately.
“Let me again say that the party is never a perfect assembly. There will always be issues and that is why we talk, but yes certainly, organs of the party need to meet and Mr. President, without directing, is always supporting the necessity of party organs meeting appropriately.”
Governor Bagudu said that he, the Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong and the governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar were in villa to discuss party issues with the President.
He said that the position of the Progressive Governors is to support all steps to unify and bring about peaceful resolution in the party.
“Mr. President listened attentively and discussed with us as a father, as a party leader and he gave us all the assurance we needed to know that resolution of contentious issues will soon be arrived at.”
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President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana has tendered an apology to President Muhammadu Buhari over the demolition of a building on the premises of Nigerian High Commission in Accra, Ghana.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is angry with Justice E. A Obile of the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court who stopped the embattled Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki from participating in the party’s governorship primaries coming up on Thursday, June 26.
The Rise and Fall of the New Nigerian Newspapers, a 271 page book, written by Gausu Ahmad, Associate Professor of Mass Communications, Bayero University, Kano (BUK, is a welcome addition to the growing list of literature on that great institution, established by the Premier of the defunct Northern Region, late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto. Gausu Ahmad, who cut his journalism teeth at the New Nigerian Newspapers, is eminently qualified to shed more lights on that great newspaper that has been in abeyance. He has the advantage of an insider who also brings his scholarly and journalism training to bear on his subject. The book which is divided into six parts has sixteen chapters.
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed fear that member countries are at cross roads in the implementation of the Eco regional currency by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a result of possible none compliance with agreed processes of reaching the collective goal.
A foremost Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist, Tony Elumelu is in celebration mood as his wife turned 50, the golden age.
Kebbi State Governor and chairman of the progressive governors’ Forum, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu has said that despite the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari is the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he doesn’t want to be giving directive on how its affairs should be run.
FIRS: The New Spirit Of Teamwork, By Olufunke Caleb
Proponents of liberal systems such as democracy agree to the importance of teamwork and collective responsibility. They believe that individuals in a group or organisation should work in collaboration and be allowed to be a part of the decision-making process after which every individual becomes responsible for the decision taken by the group or organisation: good or bad.
If you have witnessed any event of the Federal Inland Revenue Service where the Executive Chairman, Muhammad Nami, and his Management team were in attendance, you would have noticed a demonstration of emphasis on collective ownership of the decision-making process. Nobody, not even the Executive Chairman, takes the glory of the job well done. And Nami does not shift the blame to any of his team members should anything go wrong. That is leadership at its best.
After witnessing Nami’s leadership approach in an FIRS event recently, a Leadership Coach, Linus Okorie, noted that he was inspired by how the Chairman introduced and interacted with the FIRS Management team. It was a brief show, but it demonstrated the relationship between Nami and each member of the FIRS team. The Executive Chairman knows each member of his team to their third names. He had given each of them a fun name to reflect their behaviours during Management meetings. There is one he called the Class Prefect; another he called the Accurate Timekeeper. Nami presents the members of FIRS Board and Management as a team where everyone is important irrespective of the position one occupied. “This shows teamwork. This is great and commendable,” Okorie noted before commencing his presentation on effective leadership.
To build a team with team spirit might sound simple, but it involves intricate details. You need to get the right people together and influence them to give their best for the achievement of the overall objective of the group or organisation. This is where the current leadership of FIRS has scored high points and it is manifesting in their outputs in terms of revenue collection despite the COVID-19 challenges.
Nami has two things working for him: purpose and humility. It does not matter the type of organisation you have been appointed to or the level of responsibility you have been charged with, leaders of whatever category must learn to have purpose. It is this that will galvanise all cooperating factors for goal attainment.
Today, there is some level of public confidence with the FIRS unlike what was obtainable in the Service a few years ago. This is because someone who has his agenda clearly defined has taken over the leadership position. Nami took over in the organisation fully prepared and had his vision marshalled out at the outset.
Second, the FIRS Chairman is an unassuming tax professional. He believes that everyone has a part to play and he works to bring out the best in everyone. No matter the level of knowledge they have acquired, you hardly catch a good leader using his intelligence to flog his followers; instead, he uses his wealth of knowledge to build-up followers.
Reports coming out from the revenue authority have confirmed that Nami has been able to bring the staff together to work in one direction.
It is instructive to note that Nami was inaugurated with a Board. This means that no single person, not even the Executive Chairman, takes certain far-reaching decisions alone. The Board has to sit to take decisions on critical issues like project funding, staff recruitment and promotion.
Second, Nami has taken the initiative to re-build the FIRS structure consisting of six Groups headed by Coordinating Directors. The structure was not like this in the recent past. This is making decision-making process in the FIRS to be goal oriented. And it is also good to learn that the Management of the Service sits to take decision on how the organization is run. A good example is how the FIRS took some decisions during Coronavirus lockdown.
The FIRS as a tax agency interfaces with the taxpayers to get them to pay their taxes. With the impact of COVID-19 on businesses across Nigeria, it became certain that peoples’ livelihood had been affected; so the FIRS needed to provide some palliative measures to cushion the effect of the pandemic. There was the need also to continue engaging the taxpayers so that the tax revenue would not drop too drastically.
A statement by the FIRS noted: “During the lockdown, on 31 March 2020, the Management of FIRS in a virtual meeting, committed to provide palliatives to support the taxpayers pull-through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic even as the Service struggles to raise revenue for the country.”
The palliative measures include: Taxpayers can now take advantage of the FIRS simple, user friendly and robust e-filing process to submit their documents online instead of visiting the tax offices. Dedicated email addresses for each of the offices are available on the FIRS website: Late Returns Penalty (LRP) has been waived for taxpayers who pay early and file later. Supporting documents can also be emailed to the dedicated email addresses or submitted later to the tax offices by those who are not able to use the email facility; Remittance of VAT on or before 21st of every month has been extended to the last day of the month; Taxpayers facing challenges in sourcing for FOREX to offset their liabilities are hereby given the option of paying in Naira at the prevailing Investors and Exporters (I & E) FOREX window rate on the day of payment.
Others are: The period to file PIT returns for Foreign Affairs, Non- Residents, Military and Police has been extended to the 30th June 2020 and Field Audit, Investigations and Monitoring visits have been suspended till further notice.
The Service also launched a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and took measures to ensure the safety and well-being of staff, taxpayers, stakeholders, and visitors.
It is pertinent to acknowledge that to get a workforce of about 10, 000 people drawn from various inclinations across the country to think and work together in one direction cannot be a tea-party. It takes the leader who is ready is to listen to his followers to lead effectively.
Another courageous action that the Nami-led FIRS took was the peaceful retirement of staff who had reached and passed their time for retirement. It was a courageous decision because previous administrations attempted to do it but they lacked the will to do so.
But on the realisation that his dream of building a FIRS system that would guarantee career progression would be hampered, those directors that had served up to eight years and above had to retire peacefully. Nami consulted the FIRS Management and Board and upon their approval, he effected the staff retirement. This action has been applauded by staff because it brought relief and hope to them that they are more likely to be promoted when they are due.
It is no surprise that within a short period in the office, Nami has been able to get the FIRS back on the trajectory of growth. Since his assumption of office late last year, the Nami-led FIRS has been able to take some far-reaching decisions and recorded a number of remarkable achievements starting with the hosting of the FIRS Management Retreat and also Group Retreat for the first time since the past seven years.
. Caleb, a Human Development Specialist, wrote in from Kubwa, Abuja.