Dr. Stanley Macebuh (1942-2010): Celebrating His Writings

                                                                                                                       TRIBUTE 
By Taju Tijani

How do we begin to celebrate an icon of excellence, indomitable intellect and a master craftsman? Who will deny the unparallel contribution of Dr. Stanley Nkachukwu Macebuh to a refine public intellection and nuanced journalistic discourse? To what depth can we plumb our memory and remember the footprint of this apostle of polished writing? An art that is becoming gradually extinct in a nation where scholarship, brilliance, originality, fecundity, perfection and fine writing are being corrupted by the rising gravitational pull of survival. 

Late Dr. Stanley Macebuh

Not for Stanley Macebuh. His quickening passion for hardwork, distinction, and excellence first gained him a first in English at the University of Ibadan. The stricture of profundity in intellectual pursuit enabled him to gain a doctorate at 26 from the University of Sussex. By 1968 Stanley was Dr. Stanley and a member of the prestigious Faculty of English Department at the University of California, Berkeley. Stanley as an academic had the brain, call it the software, to make imprint on the faculty canvas of the best seat of learning from Ox-Bridge to the renowned Ivy League of America. Seeing his untapped, soaring intellect, Dr Patrick Dele Cole persuaded Macebuh to return home. He took a gamble and returned to Nigeria leaving behind brilliant teaching career in Berkeley. 
The Guardian newspaper was to be the launching pad for the limitless breadth of his awesome intellect. There his genius flowered. He used journalism as a crusading tools to discover the truth about power, politics and politicians. He shattered the canons of imperious arrogance among the Nigerian elites. He reduced the high and mighty to plain Mr in his experiment to deflate the colossal ego of our super rich. That aside, his intelligent, patrician eyes were on the ineffable purity of a new journalism discourse, even though he knew that he lived in a heady, adversarial atmosphere. He guarded the grove of public communication, or if you like English language, with such professional exertion that Rutam House became a fertile soil for journalism high fliers. 
Today, I am writing to the hearts and minds of those who enjoyed the gem of invention and illumination Stanley Macebuh brought to the darkest alley of journalism. We, the connoisseurs of his rich and varied journalistic heritage have come together to honour our creative high priest by binding together the collage of his journalism oeuvre in book form. We had fetishised Stanley Macebuh, the language alchemist, in learned discussions, panegyrics, essays and articles but the time is now to memorialise and immortalise his name inside the pages of a book in the form of his collected writings. This book is a collection of Dr. Stanley Macebuh's writings from the Daily Times, The Guardian newspaper, The Post Express, The Sentinel Magazine and his column in Thisday. In addition, we have about 50 tributes from friends, fans and Nigeria's best public commentators.
As a product of his journalistic constituency, I am forever plagued by conscience that not much had been done to honour Stanley in death. The life of people like Stanley Macebuh radically challenges our concept of national heroes and heroines. He was not given any national award. He did not amass wealth. At the end, his life was a story of uncompromising principle that was very much a product of rigid integrity. A man with such faithful confidence in character over wealth is disdainful to politicians who love parasites, sycophants and flatterers.
Let us celebrate his life together and pay our respect to a man who brought delight to the life of the mind in his intellectual pursuit. The book of tribute is being co-ordinated in Nigeria by Dr. Raphael James, the Director of Center for Research, Information Management and Media Development in Lagos. CRIMMD is a non-political, non-governmental, non-profit making but standard research development institution. CRIMMD specialises in information management, media and political research, biographical and autobiographical writings, documentations and public exhibitions. Dr. James is also the founder of the Photo Museum of Nigeria History, the Publisher of African Dame and a recipient of many prestigious awards for selfless service to humanity.
In the diaspora of London, there will be a launch of his collected writings followed by a public lecture on Stanley Macebuh's life and his contribution to public intellection and purity of word. Here, the idea is to construct an identity of honour, respect and gratitude to public communicators who live to educate, entertain and encourage us with their own ideas and interpretation of our muddled up society. I am only encouraged that the social solidarity enjoyed through the social media will make this a distinct success. My pain is in vail for this folksy legend and master of letters. 
What better way to celebrate our kinship loyalty to a man who gave us the finest, as succinctly crafted in the words of celebrated public commentator, Sonala Olumhense : " In my view, that is why every journalist alive today is a professional relative of Stanley’s: you are either someone that he has inspired, or you are standing next to someone with a direct bloodline. For the past generation, journalism has been Stanley’s trade." Programmes of event in London will be announced as soon as the books arrive from Nigeria. Meanwhile, those who through kind heart will bless the efforts of ordinary Nigerians who are planning a tribute for Dr Stanley Macebuh's legacy could contact Dr Raphael James. 

* Taju Tijani wrote from London, tajutijani@hotmail.com

Okowa’s clueless government and Onuesoke’s incessant attacks on Delta APC

                                                                                                                     OPINION

By Charles Onokuta

That it is an open FACT that a medical doctor and a traditional ruler were kidnapped in the face of renewed violence in the state. Gov. Okowa has shown enough inability to provide adequate security for Deltans which is why trigger happy agitators in Effurun and other parts of the state are wrecking havoc on innocent citizens with little or no solution by Okowa as Chief Security Officer.

Governor Okowa of Delta State

It has become obvious that Chief Sunny Onuesoke, the self acclaimed Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, is worried about the dwindling popularity of his principal in recent times.
In his latest onslaught on the convener and Director of Strategic Political Communication of Rescue Delta Media Group of Delta State All Progressives Congress, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Onuesoke accused him and the APC of consistent attempt to ridicule the efforts of government and the governor in the management of state affairs and financial resources.
In response to Onuesoke’s wailing and unfair criticism of Delta APC, the RDMG wishes to state as follows:
1. That it is not possible for the APC and her media team to praise or commend Governor Okowa and his administration when it is glaring and obvious that poverty and criminality have escalated since May 29, 2015 till date.
2. That it is an open FACT that a medical doctor and a traditional ruler were kidnapped in the face of renewed violence in the state. Gov. Okowa has shown enough inability to provide adequate security for Deltans which is why trigger happy agitators in Effurun and other parts of the state are wrecking havoc on innocent citizens with little or no solution by Okowa as Chief Security Officer.
3. That Delta State at the moment is owing a whopping N1.5 trillion and the governor failed to clearly articulate how these debts will be paid so as to guarantee prosperity and development in the three senatorial districts. Over N5 billion is devoted to service debts monthly in Delta State. What a pity!
4. That Okowa and his kitchen cabinet refused; for reasons best known to them, to probe the Delta power IPP project which sunk over N80 billion of state government financial resources.
The company, DavNotch Nigeria Ltd, and former Speaker Victor Ochei were paid N25 billion upfront towards the actualization of the power project but nothing happened on site till date. APC DELTA demanded from Okowa to probe this scam and high level corruption. Onuesoke said since Okowa did not award the power IPP contracts it will be unconstitutional for the governor to probe the looters. And yet he says Okowa is not confused!
5. That the fraud associated with Asaba International Airport construction and upgrade contracts awarded so far should undergo forensic audit so as to expose the monumental fraud therein. But alas, Mr Onuesoke preferred to attack our request by saying that APC and its media team have no right whatsoever to request for probe of over inflated contracts and looting of Delta State funds through upfront payments for contracts not executed.
7. That the sacked 3,000 young workers of the Delta State government by Gov. Okowa is in total conflict with his “PROSPERITY FOR ALL DELTANS” electioneering campaign slogan. APC Delta consistently urged Okowa to recall these frustrated and hungry workers back to work. In response, Mr Onuesoke on behalf of the state government said that our request is irresponsible and unconstitutional.
8. That we told the governor to probe DESOPADEC and Chief Williams Makinde over the alleged reckless looting and mismanagement of the commission’s funds as a result of series of protests by youths and leaders of beneficiary communities across the state. Again, Onuesoke preferred to say that our position is irresponsible and unconstitutional.
9. That we told Deltans and Okowa administration that the STEP, SMART, etc so called prosperity programmes of the state government are bedeviled with falsehood and corruption and that those undergoing the KANGAROO training are starving to death and uncared for. Again, Onuesoke carpeted the APC saying that the trainees were in paradise; only for the S.A. to Governor Okowa on Political Affairs, Kent Okiemute Kigho to rush to Songhai camps to calm the nerves and rising temper of the frustrated youths.
10. That we said the series of problems facing the Okowa administration ranging from corruption to fake empowerment training programmes without hope of adequate funding of participants to establish small scale businesses after training is a pointer to the fact that Gov Okowa lacked vision, confused and without moral integrity to govern the state.
11. That Gov. Okowa blunt refusal to probe corruption in the state agencies, commission, ministries, department and parastatals is a strong indication that the governor is not only corrupt but also lost focus and bereaved of ideas to move the state forward. This again irritated Onuosoke and called APC and Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe all sorts of unprintable names.
12. That the sack of the democratically elected Chairman of Uvwie LGA, Engr. Henry Baro by the state governor in connivance with the DTHA Speaker, fractured constitutional provisions and that the panel constituted to probe the alleged financial allegations against the Uvwie Chairman ought to present its finding to resolve issues raised.
Till date and after eight months Okowa’s panel failed to submit any proof of financial fraud against Baro. The crisis is escalating and becoming a threat to public security. This also is one of the lapses in Okowa clueless leadership and tyranny in the state.
Yet, Onuesoke says Okowa actions and tyrannical government cannot be questioned by Deltans.
12 (b). That Law faculty of DELSU is about to collapse as NUC is set to withdraw accreditation. Okowa is doing nothing about it until the students are provoked to violence and demonstrations. Yet Onuesoke says APC and Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe observations are useless and irresponsible!
12(c) That OKADA riders are in pains and agony over huge taxes and annual ticket fees (N135, 000 per annum) to operate. We decided to ask Okowa: “Where is PROSPERITY FOR DELTANS?” Again, Onuesoke countered out outburst saying that the state government must tax Okada riders to generate revenue to develop the state.
Whereas Okowa failed to probe and recover the over N80 billion SCAM in Delta Power IPP project. Poor OKADA riders are the only hope of the state government to generate revenue. What a pity!

Conclusion:
Mr Sunny Onuesoke should be reminded that not everybody sees Okowa and PDP administration from his own perspective. What is uppermost to Deltans is job creation, deconjestion of the Labour market, infrastructural development, quality health care, free education at all levels in the state, good roads, clean environment via environmental services, economic growth and quality living standards for all and sundry.
It is not enough to steal the peoples’ mandate, it is very important that resources of the state are properly managed to impact on the living standard of Deltans. Deltans are wondering why Okowa is deaf and dumb to calls for transparent leadership.
The acute corruption and looting of the state resources must stop and a probe panel inaugurated to investigate alleged financial frauds in DESOPADEC, Asaba International Airport construction and upgrade, the State Revenue Board, Delta State power IPP project and other cases of alleged misappropriation of funds.
Until Gov Okowa take decisive and proactive steps to expose corrupt public officers in various department and agencies, the credibility of his administration will remain questionable.
Mr Onuesoke wailing and firebrand press statements and releases; attacking APC and Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe will continue to be exercise in futility.
Gov Okowa is confused, frustrated and lacks moral integrity to provide good governance in Delta State.
Deltans will have to wait a little more for APC to lay a solid foundation for development and socioeconomic remodeling of the State.

* Onokuta is the Deputy Media Director of Rescue Delta Media Group. He writes from Asaba, Delta State and can be reached at: rdmgreporters@gmail.com.

US donates 24 armoured personel carriers to Nigeria

 As part of its effort at supporting the fight against Boko Haram, the United States' Government on Thursday donated 24 Mine-Resistant, Armour-Protected (MRAP) Vehicles to Nigeria.

The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle, presented the vehicles to Nigerian Government at the 9 Brigade Parade Ground in Ikeja, Lagos.

Represented by the U.S. Defense Attache, Col. Patrick Doyle, Entwistle said the gesture was part of his government’s continued support for Nigeria in the fight against insurgency.

``The sacrifices that have been made by Nigeria to help the Nigerian people and the West African countries in the fight against Boko Haram is commendable.

``I believe that the U.S. commitment to Nigeria is second to none.

``We will continue to support the Nigerian Government in its fight against Boko Haram.

``We are, therefore, presenting these 24 vehicles to the Nigerian Army to aid them in their assignments,’’ he said.

Entwistle said that his government was donating the vehicles through its Excess Defense Articles Programme, adding that the Nigerian Government arranged for the transportation of the vehicles to Lagos from the U.S.

The Envoy also said that it would be the responsibility of Nigeria to repair some of the vehicles that were not in good condition.

Entwistle said that the U.S. government was currently downsizing its troops, and had decided to donate some of its MRAPs to his partner countries like Nigeria.

He disclosed plans that Nigeria would soon be receiving an additional eight MRAPs.

The Minister of Defence, Brig.-Gen. Dan Alli (Rtd), represented by Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu, Chief of Training and Operations at the Defence Headquarters, commended the U.S. government for the donation.
Alli said that the donation would not have come at a better time than now, especially as Nigeria was grappling with the problem of insurgency.

``We express our most profound gratitude to the U.S. government for this donation.

``Well, like Oliver Twist, we still want to call on the U.S. government to support us in providing the necessary spare parts for the vehicles,’’ he added. (NAN)

Delta Govt plans ‘Embedded power’ supply for communities

 . Newworld Safugha, Delta state Commissioner for Energy

Delta State Government plans to operate embedded power supply that will supply communities with electricity power generated within the community, which the people will pay for.

Energy Ministry Commissioner, Mr. Newworld Safugha told journalists in his office Thursday Morning in Asaba that the “Embeded power supply” concept is an off grid power generation system of power supply that is not off-loaded into the national electricity grid. “This year, effort will be focused on embedded power generation that consumers of power will have to pay for. It will be a community thing to keep power supply steady. The power will be generated and consumed by the communities where the power is generated who must also be willing to pay for such power supply services,” Safugha said.

He revealed that investors from outside the country are already showing interest in the embedded concept of power supply. They want to come in and invest. “And we are telling them to come down and make effective commitment to the concept,” the commissioner said.

He congratulated Deltans for the current experience of enjoying regular power supply. Specifically, Safugha praised the partnership between the Ministry and the Benin Electricity that made  the power supply possible. “As far as government is concerned light is available for every delta community. Recall that power in Nigeria has been privatized. But as a government, it is our duty to ensure that Deltans have and enjoy light. Our promise before Christmas was that the Ibusa axis has been fulfilled. Before long Ogwashi-uku , Ubulu-uku, Ubulu-unor among others will soon be connected to the national grid,” Safugha said.

He explained that the assurance stemmed from the commitment made to government by BEDC which has started enumeration exercise in that axis. The commissioner also revealed that the Ministry of Energy has decided to hold regular monthly meetings with BEDC, which will also have members of the Delta state House of assembly committee on power in attendance. The idea is to keep tabs on BEDC to ensure that power supply to Deltans is improved and sustained.

In answer to a question, Safugha said it was the last administration that recommended that the Independent Power Plant Project (IPP) at Oghara be sold. And this administration is going ahead with that, and shall keep the people informed when the process for its sale kicks off.

He clarified that the fire that invaded the IPP at Oghara did not burn any substantial part of the plant. “It is only some materials that were affected by the fire,” he declared.

On the reactivation of street lights in the state, Safugha announced that the generators powering street lights have not been removed as they are still in the locations. “Before long all the street lights that have not been lighted will be lighted. However, take note that we are taking the street light restoration in phases. We have started restoring the lights, but we shall do that of the express way in Asaba from the Niger Bridge head to issele-Asagba in due course,” he assured.       

Welcome to the beginning of a New Year of the continuation of CHANGE in our beloved nation.

Read President Buhari's New Year Message To Nigerians

President Buhari

I am aware that Nigerians have experienced a number of significant hardships over the past months.

Living in the State House has not alienated me from your daily sufferings. I am aware of the lengthy queues at fuel stations and of the difficulties businesses have faced in acquiring foreign exchange.

These challenges are only temporary; we are working to make things better. When I presented myself to you as a presidential candidate and asked you to vote for me, I wanted to be a leader who keeps his promises.

I wanted to be a leader who restores the people’s hope in those elected to serve them. I wanted to be a leader who initiates positive and enduring CHANGE.

I am still totally committed to being that kind of leader. Unforeseen circumstances and other distractions notwithstanding, I shall still do my utmost best to keep every promise I made to Nigerians during my election campaign.

In the past seven months since our inauguration on May 29, 2015, my administration has focused on laying the right foundation for the CHANGE you voted for during our historic presidential election. Nigerians will in due course begin to enjoy the fruits of all our ongoing work.

The effective and efficient implementation of our 2016 budget proposals will address many of the socio-economic issues that are of current concern to our people. One area in which Nigerians, especially those in the northeast, have already begun to experience major CHANGE is in the war on terror.

I commend our Armed Forces for significantly curtailing the insurgency which has ravaged the northeast of Nigeria over the past few years.

However, there is still a lot of work to be done in the area of security. Our Armed Forces will maintain, consolidate and build on their successes in the war against Boko Haram and violent extremism.
This government will not consider the matter concluded until the terrorists have been completely routed and normalcy restored to all parts of the country that have been adversely affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

Our crackdown on corruption will continue to be vigorously undertaken. I urge the courts to support our efforts and help in the recovery of stolen funds by speedily concluding trials and showing that impunity no longer has a place in our country.

There is much work to do in other areas as well and I have charged all my ministers and other appointees to ensure that Nigerians experience positive changes in their lives in 2016. We must reduce our country’s reliance on oil. We must diversify our economy.

And we must do all we can to promote job creation. Our challenges are many but our determination to succeed is strong and unshaken. So too is our confidence in God. I wish you all a very"

Happy New Year.
MUHAMMADU BUHARI

The new country we truly need, by Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi

                                                                                               OPINION

By Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi -

 When I survey the state of the world, I am reminded of the words of Charles Dickens when he wrote the following in A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”

It is the best of times for researchers, commentators, observers etc as events in all parts of the world fill the airwaves about Syria, Paris, Iraq, Mali, Maiduguri, Yola, Kenya, and the filth called presidential campaign in the United States. So much to comment upon. But the content of the events fills me with horror. World leaders are clueless about how to respond to challenges and fear seems to rule the world. It is indeed the worst of times.

But, today, in this our own corner, we come to celebrate. At the back of my mind is the lamentation of a former foreign diplomat, who served in Nigeria, who told me “you Nigerians achieve so little but celebrate so much”. This is not the case on this occasion. We are not just celebrating a man, we are celebrating a Nigeria that once was, with the hope of a regeneration.

In 1959, a young Ijaw boy (now a venerable old man), aged 24 years, left what is now Akwa Ibom, travelled to Ilorin, then Lagos, then Ibadan and then Zaria, back to Lagos and then back to Ibadan where he had stayed for the rest of his life. There was once a country (my compliments to Chinua Achebe).

That is not all. He met a Yoruba lad, the late Lawrence Arokodare, in 1962. They bonded, looked out for each other, worked together, established a joint company in the 60s and, till today, that company is still thriving as a joint venture despite the death of one of the partners. Hear what Rev Etteh has to say about his partnerships: “People who work and live with me have seen the spirit that operated in Lawrence and I, that we, when we started our journey together in life, gave no precedence to strife and discord, we were completely unaffected by tribalism or prejudice.

This is one reason I still take care of my late partner’s family; they still invite me for any events and special occasions that may arise. I care about Lawrence’s wife and his children. I don’t have a bias over anything or anyone that still belongs to him till this day. Both of us were known back in the 60s and 70s as people who accommodate all tribes, …” There was once a country.

Yes, there was once a country, where a Mazi Mbonu Ojike, an Ibo, would be a Deputy Mayor of Lagos, where a Umaru Altine, a Fulani, would be a Mayor of Enugu, where an Eyo Ita, an Ibibio, would be Leader of Government in the East, where Professor Kenneth Dike, an Ibo, and Professor Tekena Tamuno, an Ijaw, would be Vice-Chancellors of the University of Ibadan. In 1962, the political crisis erupted in the old Western Region when the state of emergency was declared in the region, Chief (Dr.) Majekodunmi was appointed the Administrator and a young army Captain, Murtala Mohammed, was appointed his ADC.

I was in Ibadan then and saw both of them worship in Christian churches. In 1966, when Chief Obafemi Awolowo was released from prison in Calabar and flown to Lagos, it was a young Major Murtala Mohammed who volunteered to drive him to Ikenne. In 1975, when the then Brigadier-General Murtala Mohammed took over the reins of government, his ADC was Lt. Akintunde Akinterinwa.

Both of them died together in 1976. Yes, there was once a country. There was once a country when, in 1957, one Felix Okonkwo was appointed a member of the Northern House of Chiefs. According to Senator Ben Murray Bruce: “So integrated was Okonkwo into Kano society that he was known….as Okonkwo Kano” (Thisday, November 30, 2015). What a country we once had.

The two immediate questions which I need to address are: What changed? And what is the way forward?

For clarity, let me register this fact. The volume of cross-country movements or migrations is greater today than when Revd Etteh left Upenekang in what is now Akwa Ibom State. There are more cross-cultural marriages now than then. That institution of immense potentiality at birth, the National Youth Service Corps, should take credit for these cross-cultural developments. But, and this is the crucial question: Are we more integrated, more united, today than in the 50s, 60s and 70s?

The answer is a categorical no. We must resist the temptation to manufacture evidence. The evidence is all around us. We have fought a civil war, there are continuing threats of secession, there are loud cries of marginalization coming from all over the country. Or as the 2014 National Conference put it “since independence, millions of Nigerians of different tribes and faiths have lost their lives, and that children have been orphaned, women have been widowed, men, women, boys and girls have been maimed, hopes have been dashed, dreams have been shattered and properties have been destroyed, on account of conflicts brought about by the absence of genuine national integration and in total disregard of the tenets of our faith to truly love our neighbours as ourselves”.

New words have crept into our political lexicon such as power rotation, our turn, quota, catchment area, federal character, etc. From the beginning of political activism in Nigeria, until 1999, roughly for a period of about 150 years, there were several federal elections involving the founding fathers, namely Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Shehu Shagari and not once was an election fought on the basis of “its our turn” or “power rotation” or any such abracadabra lexicon.

Zoning syndrome
Yet, in 1999, the military government at that time decided to award the Presidency to the South-West on a rotation basis thereby introducing a new pernicious term into Nigerian politics. Can we get back the Lawrence and Etteh Nigeria from the post 1999 malaise? Of course, politicians will be politicians and will use anything to sell themselves. But there is hope out there if only we look out for it.

Something has escaped the notice of everyone. Oh yes, everyone can recite the fact that General Buhari ran for office in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015. The implication of this has escaped all but a few. My interpretation is that by running against Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, and Jonathan, General Buhari explicitly rejected the rotation and zoning syndrome in Nigerian politics.

My interpretation is further buttressed by the fact that in every political party, their primaries had candidates from different zones. Dr. Alex Ekwueme contested against Obasanjo in the PDP, Atiku contested against Jonathan in the PDP, while Okorocha contested against Buhari in the APC primaries. So, there is still a silver lining out there.

More evidence that all is not lost. Mrs Grace Brent, a lady from Osun State, was elected a senator from Adamawa State. Pastor Ben Akabueze from the South-East was, for 16 years, the Commissioner for Economic Development and Budget in Lagos.

But we must resist the temptation to misinterpret data. In the last election, in Lagos, Chief Oghene Eghoh, Mrs Rita Orji and Mr. Tony Nwoolu were elected into the House of Representatives to represent their constituencies. This has been touted as evidence of new nationalism. It is nothing of the sort.

Their constituents were primarily from their ethnic stock. Of what benefit is that. Even the Pharisees do the same. It is when a different ethnic group picks you as its representative that a new nationalism is born. Yes, there was once a country.

But I have not addressed the issue of how did we get from the Nigeria of Lawrence and Etteh to where we are now, although you might have guessed.

Politics dragged us there. Drawing from Etteh’s memoirs, you can tell when the rain started falling on our heads. He remembered when in the 1960s, his friend, Lawrence, got the company where he worked, Ove Arup & Partners (OAP), to invite Etteh to Ibadan to take a job only for some people to castigate Lawrence for not recommending a Yoruba man for the job.

The date of the incident is instructive. 1963/64 was right in the midst of the political crisis created in the Western Region after the declaration of the state of emergency in the West by the Federal Government. The Yoruba of the West were feeling very much under siege. Of course Nigerian history then became an apt illustration of the Swahili proverb which says, “You don’t need to teach anyone how to fall into a ditch. Just take the first off the edge and other steps will follow”. Nigeria descended into insurrection in the West, two coup d’états, and a civil war. From then on, Nigerian politics became deeply rooted in ethnic-driven sentiments.

If truth be told, appointments at the federal level became a battleground between the East and the West as merit was thrown overboard. People now got the impression that what you got at the Federal level depended on the ethnic colouration of the Minister and Permanent Secretary. In other words, the descent of politics into ethnic quagmire was accompanied by a bureaucratic descent into ethnic quagmire and a descent in all spheres of human endeavor in Nigeria into ethnic quagmire.

What is the way forward?
Firstly, Nigeria is a complex country to manage. It is not a simple state. It is a state of nationalities, many nationalities. Some have suggested that we have about 360 nationalities. Others have suggested 450 nationalities——typical Nigerian hyperbole. Every village is now being called a nationality. Managing such a complex enterprise is going to call for compromises and an understanding that mistakes will be made and that when mistakes are made, they should be addressed. And it is important to begin from a historical perspective.

That Nigeria is a multi-ethnic state is a fact that cannot be denied. The following are the most populous and politically influential – Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5% (Nigeria Fact Sheet, United States Embassy).

It is counterproductive for anyone to deny his or her ethnic identity. But admitting one’s ethnic identity is one thing, while asserting that identity to the detriment of other ethnic identities is the problem. In other words, assertion of an ethnic identity is ethnicity and is acceptable. But a behaviour based on an assertion of one’s identity as if that is the only identity in a multi-ethnic state is ethnicism and unacceptable.

Prof. Akinyemi, CFR, delivered this lecture at the Maiden Edition of Engr. (Rev) Et Ikpong Ikpong Etteh (OFR) Annual Distinguished Lecture held, at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, on Wednesday, December 16, 2015.

Appeal Court upholds Gov. Ishaku’s election in Taraba

·         Says 'Mama Taraba', APC lack locus standi

By Suleiman Ibrahim, New Mail 

  

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday declared that Governor Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was validly elected in the April gubernatorial elections in Taraba.

Governor Darius Ishaku

The Appellate Court set aside the November 7, 2015 judgment of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal for the state which had declared Senator Aisha Alhassan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election.

The Court of Appeal panel of five justices, presided over by Justice Abdul Aboki, held that the decision of the tribunal was a nullity.

Senator Isha Alhasan

Specifically, the appellate court said the tribunal erred in law in its decision that Ishaku was not validly nominated by his party and not qualified ab-initio to contest the April 11 governorship election.

“We have duly read the submissions made by parties to the appeal and found out that the tribunal erred in its decision.

 “The Electoral Act and in fact the Constitution have not given such power to the tribunal to annul the victory of the appellant on the ground of improper conduct of primaries by his party.

“The PDP has admitted to have sponsored the appellant in its deposition. Therefore, the argument of the APC and its candidate of non-qualification of the PDP candidate are baseless,’’ he said.

Aboki said that INEC and any aggrieved contestant in the primaries of the party were the ones that had the locus standi to challenge the conduct of the primaries.

“INEC is superintendent when it comes to issues of who is qualified to contest an election not the respondent.

“Respondents have no locus standi in this matter. They cannot challenge the primaries because none of them is a member of the PDP.”

The court further held that nomination of candidate for an election was a domestic affair of a political party and the court had no jurisdiction to interfere in it.

Aboki held that the appellant met all the statutory conditions to contest the election.

“By the provision of the Electoral Act, the appellant is a citizen of Nigeria; he has attained the mandatory age of 35 years and he is a bona-fide member of a registered political party – PDP.

“The appellant was sponsored by a registered political party and he has the minimum educational qualification of School Certificate or equivalent,” he said.

Four other cross-appeals filed by parties were ruled in favour of Ishaku.

In one of the cross appeals, APC contended that the PDP candidate did not score the mandatory 25 per cent in two-third of the 16 local government areas of the state.

Justice Aboki, however, dismissed the argument, holding that it was not supported by documentary evidence from the card reader used in the election.

He also held that the relief was an afterthought because it was not contained in the processes filed before the tribunal.

“This appellate court will not allow any fresh matter to be introduced at this juncture. The pleading is hereby struck out for it is academic,” the justice said.

Speaking to newsmen after the session, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), counsel to Ishaku, expressed delight at the outcome of the appeal.

“We know right from time that injustice was done to our client by his removal by the tribunal,” he said.

On his part, Mahmud Magaji (SAN), Counsel to Al-Hassan, said the decision would be further tested at the Supreme Court.

“We still hold that the governor was not qualified to contest that election,” he said.