“It is totally false to suggest, as we are apt to do, that Nigerians are fundamentally different from any other people in the world. Nigerians are corrupt because the system under which they live today makes corruption easy and profitable; they will cease to be corrupt when corruption is made difficult and inconvenient….The trouble with Nigeria simply and squarely is a failure of leadership. There is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian character.

There is nothing wrong with the Nigerian land or climate or water or air or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership… I am saying that Nigeria can change today if she discovers leaders who have the will, ability and the vision”, Chinua Achebe, in his book, The Trouble With Nigeria.

“Nigeria could, however, follow another path. Its potential is huge. Its tremendous wealth, if properly channeled, holds out the hope that a stable government could unleash the unquestioned energy and talent that pulsates through the rich ethnic mosaic. The human capital is there. Thousands of Nigerian professionals are well educated and skilled enough to drive the country forward. Anyone who visited Nigeria’s markets and witnessed its people endure the constraints of bad government and the sinking economy can testify to the country’s resilience.

“Nigerians spend a good part of their lives trying to get the better of the government for their own benefit or that of their family, their village, or their region. Rare is the head of state who acts on behalf of the entire nation. The people are not so much governed as ruled. It is as if they live in a criminally mismanaged corporation where the bosses are armed and have barricaded themselves inside the company safe. Nigeria’s leaders, like the colonialists before them, have sucked out billions of dollars and stashed them in Western banks”, Karl Maier, in his book, This House Has Fallen—Nigeria In Crisis.

IN the last couple of years, Nigeria 

has been confronted with enormous national crisis that could only be compared with the crisis of the 1960s, which eventually led to the civil war. In fact, if one reflects on what the country went through from after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election up to the demise of General Sani Abacha, one must thank God that Nigeria still survives as one united nation.

Nigeria’s problem is not just economic. Indeed, it is largely political. Nigeria is still undergoing the crisis of nation building.

It is important that Nigeria policy makers appreciate the enormity of the crisis of nation-building still staring at us as a nation. I don’t like to sound alarmist or pessimistic but some of the unresolved conflicts in our country have the potential of escalating into unimaginable proportions at any given time. 

The events leading to the return to democracy in Nigeria could only be understood as a divine intervention. Before then the fate of Nigeria, as a country, was precariously hanging in the balance. The country was a pariah nation among the international community. The economy was in doldrums. 

The Obasanjo presidency experienced chaos in many fronts. These included communal violence, notable cases include Ife-Modakeke, Umeleri-Agulri, Huasa-Zango-Kantaf, Kuteb-Jukun clashes, etc. There was also the Bakassi issue, the Niger Delta crisis and ethnic separatism.

The second major crisis of the Obasanjo presidency was the issue of oil subsidy which was triggered by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, then led by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. The strike action paralysed the country for days, if not weeks. Then President Olusegun Obasanjo was forced to set up a special committee on the review of petroleum products supply and distribution. The committee was inaugurated on August 14, 2000 by the then Secretary to the government of the Federation, Chief Ufot Ekaette. 

To be concluded…

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said yesterday the Police have arrested some of the real sponsors of rioters who hoisted foreign flags and called for a change of government in the country in states such as Kano, Kaduna, and Zamfara, among others.

The IGP spoke as the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, disclosed that sponsors of foreign flags by the rioters had been identified to live abroad.

This is even as service chiefs, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christoper Musa, and Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, warned that the military will not stand idly by and watch the country slide into anarchy.

These came yesterday, as the protest in Port Harcourt intensified, with the protesters marching to the private residence of Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and blocking the popular East-West road and other major roads in the state to traffic.

However, there was a thaw in Kano, where the state government modified its dusk-to-dawn curfew between 6 am and 6 pm, and Kaduna, where the curfew imposed by the state government brought about a lull in the city.

Abuja and Lagos were also calm yesterday.

We’ve arrested real sponsors of rioters carrying foreign flags, calling for change of govt — IGP
IGP Egbetokun also disclosed that funders of the violence and subversion both within and outside the country had been tracked, with their accounts blocked and sources of funding stopped.

Egbetokun and other security chiefs spoke at the joint media briefing summoned by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa at Defence Headquarters in Abuja yesterday, noted that the Police had been careful in managing the crisis without deploying water cannons, live and/or rubber bullets but only teargas.

He said the reported shooting of an innocent protester in Kubwa, Abuja, was not the handiwork of Police operatives but armed robbers or armed hoodlums.

“Since August 1, nobody has fired gunshots and we didn’t use force on innocent protesters. We only provided security for them. Even amid the protest, we have arrested several armed robbers, and criminal elements who stole and committed other offences.

Police arrest 6 Spaniards, 76 others in Kano, trail sponsors

Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Garba, also yesterday said his command arrested no fewer than six Spanish nationals in connection with the protest.

CP Garba, who made this known in a phone interview with Vanguard, said the command also arrested 76 others, including the tailor sewing Russian flags, saying the command is on the trail of the sponsor.

“We have arrested six Spanish nationals and 76 others, including the tailor. We recovered 23 Russian flags, we are trailing the sponsor.

“They have been transferred to Force Headquarters because it has to do with sedition and national security,” the CP stated.

Immigration places sponsors of protest on the watchlist

On her part, the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, revealed that Diaspora sponsors of protesters have been placed on the agency’s watchlist.

Nandap, who didn’t reveal any name, added that the watch-listed individuals will be arrested on their arrival in the country.

She said: “We have diaspora sponsors, they are on our watchlist. They are watchlisted, any attempt they make to come into the country, we’ll be notified and they will be picked up and handed to the appropriate authorities.”

The Immigration boss said the agency had in response to the protest, deployed more officers to borders, both land and airports, to ensure effective manning of those entry points.

She said the agency had also stepped up surveillance to prevent foreign intervention in the country.

In his remarks, Director-General, Department of State Services, DSS, Yusuf Bichi, said the agency has uncovered some sponsors but declined to give further information.

Bichi, represented by the Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, said some accounts had been blocked.

He said some of the persons operating such accounts are staying abroad, adding that they are being monitored.

The D-G said the identity of sponsors of the foreign flags distribution would soon be made public.
Similarly, Chief of Defence Staff, General Musa, disclosed that the constant briefing of the media showed the respect and love the security agencies have for the country and their commitment to their task.

“The only people we are after is the enemy of the state who should be ready to face the law. We will not relent in pursuing those who continue to encourage subversion. We will remain professional and our men on the fields will remain professional as well,’’ he said.

Also speaking at the briefing, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, disclosed that long before the protest, the Nigerian Army had deployed troops due to security challenges across Nigeria, noting that the Army stood assured of protecting Nigeria’s democracy, peace and harmony and will not shift ground on that.

While advising youths in the country to desist from violence as the act was needless, Lagbaja said the Nigerian Army will not watch the country slide into anarchy, adding “We will continue to partner with other security agencies in maintaining peace and stability.’’

Protesters in Rivers block East-West road, others, march to Wike’s private residence

In Port Harcourt, protesters blocked a section of the busy East-West Road, NTA Road and other major roads in the state.

Sensing a possible breakdown of law and order, the state Police Command restricted the protest to two venues, including the recreational Isaac Boro Park and the Pleasure Park, both in the centre of the state capital.

Also, protesters who defied the appeal of President Bola Tinubu to end the protest, split themselves into groups, burning more tyres and threatening any vehicle without green leaf on its bonnet to clear and park.

As early as 9 am yesterday, protesters had blocked the Obiri-Ikwerre axis of the East-West Road and the Rumuokoro end, leaving motorists stranded and causing a traffic snarl.

The protesters sang anti-government songs and called on President Tinubu to resign.

One of the protesters simply identified as Igbaki, vowed: “We will not get tired of this protest till day ten. We are tired and hungry and we say no to bad governance in Nigeria.

“The President’s broadcast is nothing to write home about because he didn’t address any of the issues we raised for embarking on this protest. Tinubu must go, he has failed Nigerians and the entire world.”

Some of the protesters made quick business, selling leaves to owners of vehicles trapped in the gridlock for between N100 and N200, while others attempted to force the drivers to join the procession.

The other group of protesters converged on the federal secretariat and moved to the Ikwerre Road axis of Diobu in Port Harcourt as traffic built up in the area, while many vehicles made u-turns to avoid harassment.

Some of the protesting groups had youths between the ages of 10 and 13 years brandishing green leaves, planks and other dangerous weapons, threatening innocent people on the road and looting items, particularly edible goods displayed on the roadside for sale.

Despite their ages, they were also singing the “Tinubu Must Go” songs and looking very frightful. It was learnt that some of the protesters marched to the private residence of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to register their presence.

Reacting to the development, the spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the restriction of the protesting venue was informed by the fact that the youths were infringing on the rights of others.

“We have restricted the protest to the Isaac Boro Park and the Pleasure Park to prevent a breakdown of law and order. As we speak, they have started infringing on the rights of others and we (Police) will not allow that. We are calling on them to stay in these two venues or else anyone that flouts this order will be arrested and prosecuted,’’ she warned.

She also dismissed reports that the FCT minister’s residence at Ada-George in Port Harcourt was attacked, saying nothing of such happened.

Also dismissing the rumour, the national coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, CBRPAC, Prince Wiro, said there is no iota of truth in the story, adding that bloggers and social media platform owners should be careful with the kind of information they push out for public consumption, especially during sensitive times as the one the country is at the moment.

“That information is not correct. The protesters were coming from the Choba axis of the Ada-George Road. When they got to Minister Wike’s house, they stopped at the right lane of the road. The minister’s house is on the left lane. There was also a very heavy police presence there.
“What they did was that for the 15 minutes or so that they spent on that lane, they were reciting the former national anthem ‘Arise O’ Compatriots, Nigeria’s Call Obey” and raising green leaves to the sky with unusual excitement.

“They did not spend more than fifteen minutes because there is no way they could have gained access to the premises with such heavy presence of armed policemen.”

Sources alleged that some of the business interests belonging to the minister had the presence of heavily armed security personnel on guard with Armored Personnel Carriers, APC, on display apparently to ward off any eventuality or infiltration by hoodlums.

Calm returns to Kaduna as soldiers, and security operatives enforce a 24-hour curfew

Kaduna was calm yesterday, following the 24-hour curfew imposed by the state government to douse the protest that turned riotous on Monday.

There was a scarcity of bread, rice and other essentials in Hayin Banki and other neighbouring communities, as the popular Kawo weekly Talata (Tuesday ) market could not hold due to the curfew.
Women were seen going around the community in search of bread and rice, which were scarce as retail shops were either shut or could not get enough supply of bread from the bakery.

The Police in Kaduna, whose operatives were spotted enforcing the curfew, except for those on essential duties, such as medical personnel and journalists, said they arrested 39 suspects, including a tailor who was sewing Russian flags for the protesters.

“These individuals, seen displaying Russian and Chinese flags, mobilized and engaged in the vandalism of private and public properties. Among the damaged properties were a Hilux vehicle belonging to KADVS, a Toyota Yaris owned by a journalist, and the KASTLEA office in Zone 6, Zaria, which was set on fire,” spokesman of the Kaduna State police command, ASP Mansir Hassan, said.

ASP Hassan, who debunked the story that hoodlums seized an Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, belonging to the police, explained further that the Police, in collaboration with other security agencies, had intervened to restore order in the state.

He added: “During the confrontation, the suspects became hostile and resorted to using stones, catapults, and other weapons. The police managed to calm the situation with minimal use of tear gas.

“In total, 39 suspects were arrested at the scene, including a tailor who was sewing the foreign flags for the group. The police recovered 38 Russian flags, one Chinese flag, two catapults with a bag of stones, and various vandalized items.”

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Ali Dabigi, while commending his officers, issued a stern warning to all residents to adhere to the imposed curfew. He assured that violators will face arrest and prosecution by the law.

“The CP also appealed to all citizens to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies during this critical period. The curfew is in place to protect lives and property, and ensure the swift restoration of peace in Kaduna State.’’

Gov Yusuf relaxes curfew for 12 hours daily in Kano

In Kano, Governor Abba Yusuf yesterday relaxed the 24-hour curfew in the state for 12 hours daily.
The governor announced this after a security council meeting with security heads in the state to review the security situation.

The governor said the curfew was relaxed from 6 am to 6 pm, adding that this was to allow residents to go about their day-to-day activities and legitimate businesses.

He said the curfew will resume fully after 6 pm to 6 am.

He said, “We reviewed the security situation at the security council meeting and decided that the curfew be relaxed from 6 am to 6 pm to allow people to go about their day-to-day activities. The curfew will take effect from 6 pm to 6 am.’’

He commended the security agencies for their role in ensuring the safety of lives and properties as well as the recovery of looted properties, saying that about 60 percent of the looted properties had been recovered.

Recall that Governor Yusuf had declared the curfew last Thursday evening after the protest was hijacked by hoodlums who turned violent, maiming residents and looting properties.

Protest in Abuja loses momentum as govt restrictions take toll on demonstrators
In Abuja, the protests significantly dwindled ebbed, with only two women, Ene Obi and Hauwa Mustapha, seen holding a sit-out at the Moshood Abiola stadium yesterday.

This marks a significant decrease in participation, as protesters face challenges accessing the central business district due to government restrictions.

The government-approved MKO Abiola National Stadium has failed to attract protesters, who believe it limits their visibility and impact.

Instead, security personnel dispersed demonstrators from various locations, enforcing a court order to confin the protest inside the stadium.

Ene Obi, one of the organizers, vowed to continue the sit-out, criticizing the government’s response to their demands.

“Look at the president speaking to Nigeria. It was an empty speech. What are you telling us? Not even one of the demands has been met. Bring down the prices of petroleum products. This is the same government that fought against the removal of fuel subsidies. And the same president has used it to punish Nigerians.

“We are mothers. What they are doing is setting our children against us. Even the police and security agencies – which of them is going to a different market? Their money is useless. They are turning our children against us. The mothers in the land are wounded, with no employment.
‘’Many of our children have gone to school but have no employment. They said you need to appoint one minister from every state. We don’t have a minister of state in the constitution. And they are even creating more seats for more ministers to come in.

‘’There are no signs from the government to show us that they can bring down the cost of governance,” she said. The protest, now in its sixth day, has been marked by violent clashes with police, who have fired tear gas at demonstrators.

Vanguard News Nigeria

When we were small children still in primary school, we would gather once a week under the big umbrella tree on the left end at the approach of the school compound, to tell stories under the auspices of very strict teachers who would later turn out in life to be very good people. Those teachers, they did their best to educate us and oftentimes, we misunderstood them.

Always, the tortoise would feature as the central character in these stories; it was the good, the bad and the ugly, blessed with a lot of craftiness to amuse and to deceive, mostly to its benefit.

In today’s Nigeria, GSM has displaced the tortoise. If there is a problem because of bad governance, it is because there are tools for mobile communications. When a man and his wife are having problems in their relationship, it’s because there is mobile technology to put a wedge between them as they can stay on the same bed chatting with their phones instead of chatting with each other.

Nigeria is going through heady times and again mobile technology has found itself in the midst of discourse. The hunger protests which began last week have only reminded us how very fragile even our most reliable infrastructure can be but fingers were also pointed at the government for supervening in the activities of the operators by slowing down the speed of the Internet. It didn’t occur to anybody that services may have been zonked by the huge communications hitting the network at the same time or some base stations may have gone out because of the inability of their owners to power them with diesel. But the government was already on the downside of credibility and the people went headlong for an easy prey.

It was therefore reassuring that Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy would rise to quickly dispel such rumour, and his position was validated by Engr Gbenga Adebayo, President of the Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), who explained that there was never such conspiracy with government to stymie the health of the Internet. Yet mobile technology remains in the midst of discourse and it is now responsible for all our problems like the tortoise of old.

But I see a more deep-seated problem. Also last week, MTN, which had to quickly close its offices nationwide for fear of reprisals after disconnecting about 6m lines for failure to meet the SIM-NIN linkage policy standards, released its half year report. The company reported a loss of N519.1bn after tax. Ironically, the company is making more money, a revenue of N1.53 trn between January and June, this year which marks 32.6 percent appreciation, compared to N1.15 trn of H1 2023. Company chief executive Karl Toriola said the macroeconomic headwinds haven’t changed at all.

“The country has been dealing with rising inflation and continued depreciation of the Naira against the US dollar and other currencies,” Toriola observed.

The conditions cannot be dealt with overnight but something tangible has to be done in order to ameliorate the plight of those whose voices of pain have been very loud recently.

Welcome to our world. The company making more money is also making heavy losses. But here is one line of thought. If MTN Nigeria with its experienced Board and sound management could be running losses, it means more things are happening in the telecommunications industry than people would ordinarily want to look at, just like every other sector of the economy that is challenged.

ALTON’s Adebayo sketched a status of the industry when he called on the Nigerian government not to use the telecoms sector as a palliative to solve the current economic challenges confronting the country. Speaking at the Groupe Special Mobile Association (GSMA) digital economy report launch which happened recently in Abuja, he observed that, plus the economic situation of the country that was in dire straits, the telecommunications sector pays over 45 associated charges in form of taxes to the Nigerian government. Unfortunately, the demands of the operators have not always been met with speed and understanding. He pegged his point on the tariff review that has become contentious.

“The price review should be a simple regulatory process. The public debate this has gained makes it appear the industry is insensitive to people’s concerns.

“While the government tries to provide incentives for the public on account of ongoing macroeconomic headwinds, the telecoms sector should not be used as a palliative to solve the people’s problem. We must price right to sustain the industry; we must price right to have the right investment.”

Adebayo’s position should be very concerning although there are so many concerns at the moment which call for immediate attention. There are protests in different parts of the country over hunger issues that are not addressed. Some corporate players are bailing out of the country and some people in opportunistic positions to advise the government simply sneer at the development and say Nigeria is doing well.

Really? We are not a nation of figures. We hold statistics in contempt. But even from this position, I will suggest that happenings in the telecommunications sector do present us with a graphic template to confront some of the challenges facing the nation. Resolving these issues will percolate on the larger economy.

Minister Tijani believes there are tons of problems troubling the sector more than tariff review. We can only advise urgent action by the government and the industry to resolve these issues. Even without having to regurgitate some of his recent presentations, Tijani has been talking a lot about a digital economy whose success, I am sure, will be anchored on a strong telecommunications industry.

Technology can play the role of the tortoise here, ever present in every story, in every strand of development. Unfortunately, the cunning, hard-shelled animal that we used to pick in rubber plantations are going extinct, in the same way that technology grows into irrelevance and yesterday’s longings. The telecommunications sector has so much to offer us as a nation; its state of health should be a primary concern to all, especially the government that is building our future around it.

The presidency has faulted former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s warning to the service chiefs and the military over their engagement of the #EndBadGovernance protesters.

On Tuesday, Abubakar wrote on his X page that whoever “authorised the use of lethal force against peaceful civilian protesters would be held responsible for committing crimes against humanity”.

“I wish to convey a stern caution to the distinguished service chiefs and military commanders of Nigeria’s armed forces that those who authorise the use of lethal force against peaceful civilian protesters will be held responsible for committing crimes against humanity, even in the years following their retirement from service,” he wrote.

“The constitutional right to engage in protest is firmly established within our supreme law and reinforced by the judiciary. It is the solemn duty of the government and security agencies to ensure a safe and protected environment for individuals exercising their right to peaceful protest.”

Abubakar’s warning came on the heels of the allegation that security forces used live bullets against protesters who have been demonstrating against the rising cost of living in the country since August 1.

However, in a statement, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said the former vice-president’s warning ought to be to those looting during the protest in Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, and Jigawa states.

Onanuga said the security forces have “remained professional, even-handed, and observed every restraint in the face of extreme provocation by the protesters”.

“We are surprised that Alhaji Atiku is still relying on Section 40 of our constitution (as amended) to justify a protest that is now clearly a riot, a rampage in some parts of the country,” the statement reads.

“Section 45 of the constitution says the right of assembly and the right of freedom of expression are not absolute. They can be abridged and fettered in the interest of public peace, public safety, law, and order. The Service Chiefs reiterated the rights of Nigerians to protest and gather freely.

“They, however, reinforced their constitutional duty today when they said they cannot sit by idly and watch hoodlums destroy the country and its democracy.

“The service chiefs and the officers and men of our security outfits should be commended for their patriotic duty to our country.

“As a supporter and enabler of the destructive ‘protests’, Alhaji Atiku certainly wants the sinister protest to continue despite the red signals from the streets.

“A tweet that condones the destruction of private and public property and investments of citizens is unbecoming of a former vice president of Nigeria.

“Alhaji Atiku ought to have risen above the sentiment he expressed and put the interest of our country’s stability ahead of whatever advantages he hoped to reap from the insurrection on our streets.

“We encourage Alhaji Atiku to borrow a leaf from opposition figures in the United Kingdom who have rallied behind the government to condemn the ongoing riots in the UK, calling for the arrest and prosecution of those behind the wanton destruction of public and private assets.

“Such nationalistic temperament as displayed by opposition figures like Rishi Sunak, the immediate-past Prime Minister of the UK, is expected of Alhaji Atiku.”

[TheCable]

In April 2013, Barack Obama was forced to apologise for describing California’s Kamala Harris as “the best-looking attorney-general”, also calling her “brilliant”, “dedicated” and “tough.”

The first black US president was nevertheless widely castigated for detracting from a woman’s brains by focusing on her beauty. Harris, the first female US vice-president, recently became the presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee after a faltering Joe Biden chose not to seek re-election, and endorsed her. If she wins the presidency against Donald Trump in November, Harris would become not just the US’s first female president, but also its first of Caribbean and Asian descent.

Even as the Democratic political leadership — including, significantly, Bill and Hillary Clinton — enthusiastically endorsed Harris’s nomination, Obama waited a week to do so, demonstrating once again his narcissism and “head negro in charge” syndrome. As the monarchical former president harboured delusions of being a kingmaker, the delay raised unnecessary doubts about Harris’s candidacy.

Obama had backed Hillary Clinton in her unsuccessful 2016 presidential bid (apparently in exchange for Bill Clinton’s full-throated endorsement of Obama’s re-election in 2012), rather than support his loyal vice-president, Biden. The Kenyan-Kansan was also reportedly among Democratic Party grandees who helped scuttle Biden’s re-election bid.

Harris and Obama have known each other for two decades, and she was the first prominent Californian politician to endorse his 2008 presidential bid. Both are biracial, with black fathers from Kenya (Obama) and Jamaica (Harris), and white (Obama) and Indian (Harris) mothers. Both of their parents separated when they were children, a period during which the two spent time in Chennai (Harris) and Jakarta (Obama).

Both became immersed in African-American culture: Harris through the historically black Howard University, and Obama through his wife, Michelle, and the black church in Chicago. Both showed huge political ambition, publishing political memoirs and deciding to run for president after just two years in the US Senate.

But the differences between Obama and Harris are also glaring: he is a natural politician, a charismatic campaigner with flowery oratory often not matched by bold action. Harris, in contrast, had to suspend her 2020 presidential bid after a lacklustre campaign that featured poor debate performances, dwindling funds and staff desertions.

She has been widely vilified for being an invisible vice-president who has spoken passionately for abortion rights but failed to tackle the migrant crisis at the southern border. Eighteen months ago, the New York Times disclosed efforts within the Democratic Party — rebuffed by Biden — to take her off the presidential ticket.

It is unclear whether Harris can win the support of undecided voters in the crucial swing states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada. Trump’s support is rock-solid among his cult-like Republican base. However, his xenophobic outbursts, deliberately mispronouncing Harris’s first name, and referring to her as a “bum” and “radical-left lunatic”, may alienate moderates and women voters already angered by the Republicans’ anti-abortion stance.

Harris will have to respond convincingly to Trump’s attacks on the Biden administration’s record on immigration and inflation, while touting successes on employment, the environment, infrastructure and student debt.

Some naively assume that if she were to become president, Harris — whose husband is Jewish — would change course on US policy towards Gaza. But the Israel lobby is simply too powerful a force in US politics. Despite his previous embrace of Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela’s visions, once in power Obama launched a military surge in Afghanistan, accelerated killer-drone warfare, established US military bases across Africa, and led the disastrous Nato intervention into Libya.

Harris is a similar establishment politician who, were she to win, would also feed the imperial American beast. Africans, Caribbeans and Indians should not expect much from her leadership, and must avoid repeating the disappointment of Obama’s early lofty rhetoric of racial solidarity.

• Adebajo is professor and senior research fellow at the University of Pretoria’s Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship.

Over the course of the last quarter of a century of the ongoing Fourth Republic since 1999, the practicing Northern politicians have all but systematically guaranteed that there are no respected elders or leaders of thought in the North anymore.

With that decidedly deliberate singular mission successfully accomplished, they likewise went on to systematically discredit the traditional institutions, alongside their respected rulers in almost similar fashion.

Thereafter, the same politicians equally dragged the member of Ulama, or the religious leaders, into the murky waters of their corruption-infested and morally bankrupt political space, such that the latter have effectively lost the respect and admiration of the population, along with their hitherto familiar age-old vice-like grip on the society.

Now, the long-abandoned masses are finally beginning to come to terms with the sad reality that the modern-day politicians are, in fact, the 'real enemy' on the ground, and are now beginning to explore a veritable means of exacting the dreaded proverbial revenge of the masses, by way of an unfortunate and ill-advised potential mass revolt that is always feared under such circumstances.

But the inexorable consequence of the actions of the politicians is that we no longer have the usual three - pronged fallback trident in the form of our respected community elders, traditional, and/or religious institutions in place to collectively rein in the aggrieved masses.

The teeming masses, as we all very well know - and we sure have them in their millions up North - are driven by their emotions, for the most part, rather than by any rational thought in their own reasoning and resulting actions. But, over the years, the politicians have progressively emasculated the familiar voices of reason that have always been relied upon to caution and make them see reason.

The Western - style democracy that we have now come to embrace for the entirety of the last twenty-five unbroken years of the Fourth Republic has obviously not been copied and pasted properly by our active politicians. This is particularly so here in Northern Nigeria, where the vast majority of the leading lights amongst its practitioners, with admittedly very few exceptions here and there, have largely turned out to be not only people without genuine leadership credentials, but also lacking in the required moral code that is essential for purposeful leadership.

To, therefore, formally conclude that our practicing politicians have been for us the equivalent of the proverbial bull in a china shop may not be far from the reality, truth be told; reason being that they have effectively succeeded in systematically destroying the very essence of the social fabric that has historically held our fragile society together and served it well for ages.

The final determination as to whether this objectionable act of theirs was by accident or design is still up in the air. But the fact of the matter is that they have slowly, yet meticulously, destroyed our social fabric, one strand after another. And we are all paying for such an unforgettable and unconscionable act of indiscretion on their part - all in the name of practicing their preferred peculiar and patented brand of politics.

Sadly, the chickens are finally coming home to roost, and our society has inexorably been the worse for it.

Hopefully, our politicians are now beginning to see and appreciate the full extent of the negative side of their continuing neglect of our gullible population that they have refused to educate and provide with life enhancing skills, in the form of the latest rounds of the hitherto unimaginable violent reactions during the ongoing protests in some of our states.

The same thugs whose services you love to engage for your familiar shenanigans during elections, and those teeming idle minds you perennially manipulate for your electoral benefits every four years, can equally be induced to inflict incalculable damage on the larger society during these kinds of wild protests that may very well have been engineered from

God - knows - where!

Talking generally this time around, our past false steps in the form of the continuing parental neglect for our children over the course of the last several decades are finally coming back to haunt and cause us predictable problems.

When parents in their millions fail to provide the required care, parental guidance and moral upbringing for the cherished children they have consciously brought into this world, it is only a matter of time before the entire society begins to reap its reserved comeuppance for such a profound neglect.

And when the inevitable begins to manifest itself, no one will be exempted from the wrath of these long - abandoned children, including our hitherto sacred places of worship, as we have just witnessed in the last few days.

May Allah SWT grant us the much-needed presence of mind and wherewithal to turn the corner at this critical and defining moment for all of us and make the necessary amends, before we all get consumed in the end. And every single parent has an important role to play in that regard, including everyone else in the neighbourhood.

That is what used to be the case when we were growing up; where your neighbour felt free to discipline you even before your own parents got to know about the specific nature of the wrong you might have committed to deserve the punishment. And the parents were very happy and appreciative of that, with no questions asked.

That way, our parents and grandparents collectively succeeded in putting the society in check with minimal fuss, and we need to begin to retrace our steps to revisit and reenact those good old practices, once again, in our own collective best interest.

Abdullahi Usman

3

The banking industry is always in the news for many reasons, but the last one week has offered enough to fill newspaper pages. While the government wants the banks to pay tax on the excess profits they made last year, a bank chairman openly upbraided some institutions for buying private jets for their executives. The two issues have dominated discussions in many circles and I was therefore not surprised that they did find their way, with a dose of humour, into a lively and educative webinar discussion organized by Coronation Group and Coronation Securities on Tuesday, August 6. The theme was ‘’Understanding Bank Capitalization: Rights Issues and opportunities for investors’’, and Dr Okey Umeano, the chief economist of securities and exchange commission (SEC) was the keynote speaker.

Discussants were Bolanle Adekoya, Partner in PwC; Head, Capital Market Accounts Advisory Services Practice for West Africa; Ayokunle Olubunmi, Head, Banking and Non-Bank Ratings at Augusto and Olusegun Owadokun, deputy chief executive of Coronation Securities. The star-studded event was moderated by Wole Famurewa, an anchor at CNBC. It was designed as a teaching session to educate investors, especially the retail investors, on the intricacies of the banking recapitalization, the significance of rights issues and how to make the right investment decisions. Coronation Merchant Bank is the issuing house to many banks, notably Access Holdings’ 17.77 billion ordinary shares offered as rights issue. The offer closes next week and there are indications that both the institutional and retail shareholders have been quite excited about the offer.

With the deluge of new equities coming to the capital market, the webinar was quite timely and Umeano did justice to the topic. He advised investors to carefully analyze the financial statements and other documents of the issuer, particularly the reasons for the offer before a final investment decision is made. ‘’Read all the offer documents sent to you and think in terms of diversification. You must always diversify your portfolio; so, bear in mind that rights issue could lead to concentration of portfolios’’, he told participants. He said that SEC and the CBN are collaborating and working a lot more closely, leveraging their respective IT capabilities, to ensure that the investing public is well protected and served. ‘’The two regulators are now working faster and better with the use of technology, and are committed to better services. SEC wants a very transparent market and continued education of the investors, and that’s why I commend Coronation Merchant Bank for putting together this webinar’’, Umeano said.

Umeano noted that the banks will have to raise about N4.2 trillion in new capital, mostly though public offerings and right issues. There may also be some M&As. He stated that rights issues have been the most popular and the most widely adopted of the three in the last five years for the following reasons: the issuer bears lower cost in right issue, not only in terms of fees, but also in advertising costs. Right issues do not bring new shareholders, and so the ownership structure is maintained; the register is easier to manage; they’re usually priced below market value, and if unsuccessful, there’s the option of selling the unsubscribed portion as a public offer. The chief economist reiterated that the issuer has a statutory obligation to disclose everything about the right issue to the investors, especially purpose of the offer; risks; timelines and post offer implementation plans.

To illustrate the potentials for banking growth, Umeano noted that the Nigerian economy is made up of a large portion of informal sector that is largely unbanked or underbanked. ‘’Banks should explore opportunities in the informal sector and in other parts of Africa which requires a lot of investment capital. He explained the roles of SEC as a regulator and the parts played by the various parties in an offer. He concluded that there is potential for growth in Nigeria’s capital market and the economy as a whole, and assured of regulatory support for banks during recapitalization. ‘’Banking is a growing sector; many applications for banking license are in the offing and those who have recently come into the sector are doing well’’, he concluded. In her contributions, Bolanle Adekoya asked investors to pay attention to ‘’the banks’ track records’’, adding, ‘’equity is a long-term play; look out for dividend payout records; educate yourself about our capital markets; some of our companies are undervalued. Rights issues help you to avoid dilution’’. She said that the capital market has the potential to contribute up to 30% of GDP. ‘’The banking industry has a good track record in rights investments’’, she concluded.

Olusegun Owadokun, Deputy Chief Executive, Coronation Securities, deepened the discussions by explaining that banks would actually prefer to grow their capital base organically by not paying dividends and reinvesting earnings. But since that is not always the case, and the shareholders deserve their rewards, rights issues are always the preferred option.

There were many questions from participants, who clearly were retail investors, during the Q&A; and the discussants were up to the task. One person asked, ‘’What is the guarantee that the capital the banks are raising would not be used to pay the windfall tax?’’. I added, quite mischievously, ‘’and also buy private jets’’. The laughter was loud enough to move the needle on the Richter scale! When the laughter subsided, Kunle Olubunmi of Augosto calmly explained that since much of the excess profits were not realized, the impacts of the so-called windfall tax would be minimal. He urged the investing public not to lose sleep over it.

US Vice-President Kamala Harris has picked Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota, as her running mate in the forthcoming presidential election.

Harris announced her choice of Walz on Tuesday.

Waltz caught the attention of Democrats after he called Donald Trump and JD Vance “weird”.

“He’s just a strange, weird dude,” Walz said of Trump during a fundraising event.

The 60-year-old politician led Minnesota through the 2020 protests over George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.

Walz also deployed the national guard to help quell riots that broke out during the demonstrations.

“As a governor, a coach, a teacher, and a veteran, he’s delivered for working families like his,” Harris said.

“It’s great to have him on the team.”

Harris became the official Democratic presidential nominee on Monday after securing the support of 2,350 delegates, the threshold required to earn the nomination.

President Joe Biden said one of his best decisions was picking Harris as his vice president.

The 59-year-old is the first Black woman and first Asian American to lead a major-party ticket.

Harris and Walz will now face Trump and Vance in the November polls.

[TheCable]

Since May 29, 2023, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu became Nigeria’s president, virtually all Nigerians have been experiencing significant socio-economic challenges that have deeply affected them, including this writer. From rising unemployment rates to soaring inflation and inadequate access to healthcare, the struggles of everyday Nigerians have become more pronounced. As the Tinubu-led government embarks on its journey, there is an urgent need for it to adopt a more human-centric approach in its governance. This is a call for the government to wear a human face by prioritizing empathy, inclusivity, and accountability in its policies and actions.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is not an exaggeration to opine that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has faced significant criticism regarding its approach to governance, particularly concerning its perceived lack of empathy, inclusivity, and accountability in policies and actions. Observers have noted that the government’s focus does not adequately reflect the needs of its diverse population, and its programs often appear detached from the realities faced by the common citizen.

Empathy, a crucial element of effective governance, seems to be lacking in the Tinubu-led government. The policies and initiatives rolled out frequently fail to resonate with the struggles of the average Nigerian, leading to widespread disenchantment among various communities. There is a growing sentiment that the government has not prioritized the welfare of its citizens, as reflected in the economic challenges and social issues that continue to plague the nation.

Inclusivity is another area where the administration has been found wanting. Despite calls for policies that encompass a wider range of perspectives and experiences, many marginalized groups feel sidelined. The government’s decision-making processes often do not reflect the diverse fabric of Nigerian society, resulting in policies that may benefit only a select few rather than the broader populace.

Accountability is essential for building trust between the government and its citizens, yet reports indicate that the Tinubu administration has struggled to uphold this principle. There have been concerns about the government’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law, with instances of neglect and failure to act in cases that require decisive and just intervention. Such shortcomings raise questions about the government’s ability to hold itself accountable for its actions and decisions.

Given the foregoing, it is not a surprise that not a few Nigerians are presently urging the Tinubu administration to address these critical issues of empathy, inclusivity, and accountability to foster a more harmonious and thriving society, particularly as his speech on Sunday, August 4, 2024 to calm the nerves of #EndBadGovernce protesters which commenced on August 4, 2024 was widely critiqued to be empty as it did not address the core demands of the protesters.

Therefore, recommitting to the values that prioritize the welfare of all citizens is imperative for the government as it aspires to build a truly democratic and just nation.

Paradoxically, Nigeria, with its rich cultural diversity and abundant resources, has tremendous potential for growth and development. However, for many citizens, the reality is starkly different. Economic policies often seem disconnected from the lived experiences of the people. The rising cost of living, coupled with inadequate infrastructure, has left many struggling to meet basic needs. Youth unemployment is alarmingly high, pushing many young Nigerians to seek opportunities abroad, often risking their lives in the process.

Furthermore, issues such as inadequate healthcare systems, lack of access to quality education, and widespread insecurity continue to plague the nation. In light of these challenges, the government’s role in addressing these issues cannot be overstated.

The reason for sounding critical in this context cannot be farfetched as governance is not merely about policies and decisions but about people. The true essence of leadership lies in understanding the needs, aspirations, and challenges of the populace. A government that wears a human face is one that listens to its citizens, engages with their concerns, and actively works to improve their quality of life.

At this juncture, it is germane to urge the government to from henceforth be engaging with communities across Nigeria to understand their unique challenges. Not only that, policies should be crafted not in isolation, but through consultation with citizens, civil society organizations, and local leaders.

Again, government should henceforth begin to focus on social welfare by prioritizing social safety nets to support the most vulnerable populations. This includes improving access to healthcare, education, and affordable housing. Investing in these areas will yield long-term benefits for the nation.

In a similar vein, the government should also focus on youth empowerment programs. The reason for pushing for the foregoing efforts from the government cannot be farfetched as given the fact that with a large youth population, programs aimed at skill development, entrepreneurship, and job creation cannot be dismissed with mere wave of the hands. In fact, providing opportunities for the youth will not only curb unemployment but also harness their potential for national growth.

Still in the same vein, there is need for Tinubu-led to strive for transparent governance. Promote transparency and accountability in government dealings. Citizens should have access to information regarding government budgets and spending. Engaging the public in oversight through citizen-led initiatives can foster trust and improve governance.

On security and stability, address the root causes of insecurity, which often stem from unemployment, poverty, and social injustice. A holistic approach that involves dialogue, community engagement, and effective law enforcement is essential for lasting peace.

As the Tinubu-led government navigates the complexities of governance, it has the unique opportunity to make a profound impact on the lives of Nigerians. Wearing a human face is not just a moral obligation; it is a strategic necessity for sustainable development and social cohesion.

By adopting a more empathetic, inclusive, and accountable approach, this administration can bridge the gap between the government and the governed, fostering a sense of trust and partnership. In doing so, it can help transform challenges into opportunities, ultimately leading Nigeria toward a brighter, more equitable future. The time to act is now, Nigeria deserves a government that truly understands and prioritizes the well-being of its people.

In the realm of communication, cartoons wield a unique power. They distill complex issues into simple yet impactful visuals, transcending language barriers. Recently, I stumbled upon a thought-provoking cartoon by Nigerian actor and film maker, Frank Donga. This cartoon, shared on his social media handle, paints a vivid picture of Nigeria’s hunger crisis.

The cartoon, created by Frank Donga, captures the essence of Nigeria’s hunger situation. At this juncture, it is expedient to dissect the elements in this context.

Donga’s characters are gaunt, their ribs protruding. Their sunken eyes reflect despair and deprivation. These figures represent the millions of Nigerians facing food insecurity, while the central motif is an empty plate. It is not just a symbol of hunger; it is a mirror reflecting the harsh reality. Families across Nigeria struggle to put food on their tables, grappling with rising food prices and scarcity.Without a doubt, Donga’s attention to detail is striking as it amplifies the urgency of the hunger crisis.

In fact, Donga’s cartoon is not merely an artistic expression; it is a call to action, and it truly speaks truth to power as it implicitly criticizes policymakers, and why are our leaders not addressing this crisis? Why do they dine in opulence while their citizens starve?

As a mass communication tool, the cartoon highlights the media’s responsibility. It urges journalists, influencers, and citizens to amplify the hunger issue. Therefore, Donga’s use of satire compels us to pay attention.

Again, by sharing this cartoon, Donga invites collective responsibility. We must move beyond tribal sentiments and unite to tackle hunger. It is not an isolated problem; it is a national emergency.

Without a doubt, Frank Donga’s cartoon transcends humor; it is a poignant commentary on Nigeria’s hunger situation. As mass communicators, we must heed its message. Let us amplify the voices of the hungry, advocate for policy changes, and work toward a Nigeria where no one goes to bed with an empty stomach.

The reason for the foregoing view cannot be farfetched as, sometimes, a cartoon speaks louder than words.

Without a doubt, political cartoons are essentialelements in the context of political journalism. This is as they offer a lustrouslycoloredoption to news reporting, providing light relief from the ever-increasingly disconsolate political dissertation. In fact, given the ability to distil news and opinion into a caricature, cartoons present reachable and instant commentary and analysis of current affairs.

Therefore, it is not a misnomer in this context to opine that cartoons are a unique form of journalism which contrast with conventional forms of communication. The images can cast a powerful interpretation on the day’s news.  They explain and explore stories in manners that articles cannot. Not only that, it is adjudged to be more effective than writing or video, and they capture the imitable human nature of their subjects in order to humanize the topic they depict.

Therefore, it is expedient to explain that the cartoon been critiqued in this contextis been conveyed to other X users is by the comment: “Be patient! We are working to make things better for you.  Calm down! The country is broke. Are you blind? Work hard. Don’t be lazy. Don’t let our enemies use you against us. Oya, go & wait outside. I’ll throw some rice to you from d window. Nobody should sit near my new Benz o!” Expectedly, not a few of his followers responded to the cartoon as they tweeted back.

Against the backdrop of the foregoing view, John Bishop tweeted, “Perfect summary of the Nigerian and most African leaders”. Dgreatasiwaju@Dgreatasiwaju1 tweeted, “You just narrated a country called Nigeria, the way their leaders treat them”. In order not to sound boring in this context by reciting the responses to the Donga’s cartoon and comment on his X handle, it is germane to opine that the cartoon also reminds one of how the Senate President, GodswillAkpabio, recently mocked Nigerians who planned to take part in the nationwide protest against economic hardship, saying he and other members of the National Assembly would be “Eating” while they (Nigerians) protest.

It was reported in the media that the Senator made the acerbic and mockery comment at the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities, Youths and Women Group Sensitization Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Without a doubt, the cartoon resonates in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s speech on #EndBadGovernance protest in paragraph 6 where he said, “Under the circumstances, I hereby enjoin protesters and the organizers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity. Nigeria requires all hands on deck and needs us all – regardless of age, party, tribe, religion or other divides, to work together in reshaping our destiny as a nation. To those who have taken undue advantage of this situation to threaten any section of this country, be warned: The law will catch up with you. There is no place for ethnic bigotry or such threats in the Nigeria we seek to build”.

Unfortunately, not a few Nigerians are unanimous in their views that contemporary political leaders in Nigeria who are wont to plead that Nigerians should exercise patient and bear with them as a better Nigeria is in view are not in any way leading by example as their collective lifestyles and utterances do not suggest that they are equally heeding the call for austerity.

In fact, Nigeria’s economic hardship has become an unwelcome companion for millions of citizens. As the cost of living soars and poverty levels remain distressingly high, the people look to their political leaders for solutions. But mere promises and rhetoric are no longer enough. It is time for Nigerian politicians to lead by example, demonstrating their commitment to shared sacrifice and empathy. Therefore, there is an urgent need for austerity measures among political leaders.

The foregoing call cannot be said to be a misnomer as not a few Nigerians are at the moment facing a cost-of-living crisis that has left families struggling to make ends meet. While public officials enjoy substantial earnings, ordinary citizens grapple with hunger, unemployment, and inadequate healthcare.

Against the backdrop of the foregoing view, it is not an exaggeration to opine that the disconnect between the ruling class and the masses has fueled frustration and anger, leading to mass protests across the country as been witnessed, particularly on August 1 and August 2, 2024. In fact, these demonstrations reflect the collective cry for change, accountability, and genuine leadership.