Heart surgeon, Masoud Pezeshkian, was sworn-in as President of Iran on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. His primary concern seemed to be about lifting the unilateral sanctions the United States, US, had imposed on his country. Reviving the economy is fundamental for the citizenry and the sure way of winning their hearts.

However, he would have been forced to have a change of heart within 24 hours. The first major challenge he is faced with now is how to react to Israel’s assassination of Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh. The latter had accepted Iran’s invitation to attend his swearing-in ceremony. At the occasion, Haniyeh who had been well received, flashed the victory sign. But the very next day, Israel assassinated him in Tehran.

Unless Israel makes propitiation, President Pezeshkian would have no choice but to order a retaliation. Haniyeh had been his guest and he had the duty to protect him. Also, Israel by the assassination, had violated Iran’s sovereignty. On both scores, Iran seems duty-bound to defend its honour.

A similar scenario had played out after Israel attacked the Iranian Embassy in Damascus on April 1, 2024. It killed 16 persons, including Iranian Generals Mohammed Reza Zahedi and Mohammed Hadi Rahimi. On April 13 and 14, Iran sent armed drones, ballistic and cruise missiles into Israel. On that occasion, it deliberately used slow missiles that got to Israel in five hours, thereby giving the latter and its allies, enough time to shoot almost all of them down. This time, it remains to be seen whether Iran would adopt a similar method, or use its hypersonic missile which can hit Israel within 17 minutes.

Also, by killing Haniyeh, Israel has deliberately wrecked the peace process in Gaza. The US, Israel’s chief guarantor, rather than be sympathetic, told the United Nations Security Council it was not sure about Haniyeh’s assassination, but that the killing would not stop the peace process.

But the reality is that the assassination would hinder the peace process and make it much more difficult. This is partly because Haniyeh was not an armed combatant nor was he given to the idea of destroying Israel. I had wondered how he was able to survive in the Hamas leadership given the fact that he did not hide his preference for a two-state solution in which Israel and Palestine would live peacefully within secured borders. Despite his parents having been expelled from their ancestral homes by Israel, his being born and growing up in the Shati refugee camp, his imprisonment thrice by Israel and expulsion to Lebanon, he still held to the basic principles of peace for all in the Middle East. This year, three of his sons and three grandchildren were killed in Gaza in an Israeli air-strike. Despite his travails and personal tragedies, he insisted that negotiations and reconciliation were the proper route to take in the Middle East. The murder of such a moderate can only give rise to more militant figures in the region.

Haniyeh lived in Qatar, a tiny, rich and quite sensible country that has been at the heart of the on-going peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas. It was a clearly frustrated Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani who in reaction to Haniyeh’s assassination wrote: “Political assassinations and continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue, lead us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side?”

The assassination is coming just days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned from a triumphant visit to the US. There, the American Congress opened its hallowed chambers to him. As American parliamentarians lousily applauded every sentence of Netanyahu, sometimes even when he was midway, I wondered if they realised that they disgraced their country and demeaned its democratic credentials by opening their parliamentary doors to controversial Netanyahu.

In an escalation, the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights in Syria has also been attacked allegedly by Hamas. Earlier, on July 19, 2024, a drone by the Houthis in Yemen struck Tel Aviv killing a man. Next day, Israel attacked the Yemeni port of Hodeida allegedly causing over a $20 million damage.

Now, the stage is set for a regional war in the Middle East. On the eve of the assassination, the US and the United Kingdom were rushing troops to the region. On that day, three US ships, USS Wasp, USS Oak Hill and USS New York were streaming towards Lebanon with 2,200 soldiers on board. US Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, in knowledging that his country was sending those ships said: “If Israel is attacked, yes, we will help Israel defend itself. We’ve been clear about that from the very beginning.” On its part, the UK already has its Royal Navy and Royal Air Force operating in the region. Perhaps, buoyed by these actions and steps, Israel, that day, attacked Beirut, the Lebanese capital.

If these actions escalate, there is likely to be a regional war in the Middle East. One that will pitch Israel and its European and American partners against Iran and its allies. Such war will immediately suck in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, the Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Anwar Allah –Houthis in Yemen, the Syrian military, Hamas and possibly, Fattah in the Palestine.

However, there is the question whether Europe on whose soil the War in Ukraine is being fought, would want to open a second front in the Middle East. Except for mercenaries, they do not have boots on the ground in Ukraine, would they send troops to fight on the side of Israel? I doubt it.

The US since its military defeat in Vietnam has been careful about committing its citizens to battle. Its involvement in the Libyan War, was from the air. Yes, it had troops in the Iraqi and Afghan wars, but these might have seemed to be easy wars. Despite this, it relied heavily on the use of mercenaries, especially of the Blackwater company which due to its atrocities against civilian populations, changed its name, first to Xe, and now, Academi.

One country that thought it could start a war because it had American and NATO backing, was Georgia. But neither the US nor Europe was willing to commit their troops to fighting the Russians, so the Georgian War which began on August 7, 2008 lasted just nine days. I doubt if they would ever send troops to fight in the Ukrainian War as French President Emmanuel Macron once canvassed.

Israel might just find that in the event of a regional war, NATO would not send troops to fight on its side. Israel is like an animal skin drum, beating too loudly; it may just go burst.

The job of a presidential spokesperson is a tedious one. It is not for the faint heart. It could be catastrophic when your statement is quoted out of context. Even when you did brilliantly in strategic engagement, you are rarely applauded. Most times, banana peels seem deliberately thrown on your path so you can slip on them. This is the life of a presidential spokesperson, which is daunting in this era of social media. This is aside from the intricacies inherent in the job, especially when the citizens do not align with the policy direction and statements of the president. The incumbent, Ajuri Ngelale, started the job on a fast note. And a very turbulent one.

The appointment of Ngelale as the presidential spokesperson on July 31 2023, indeed jolted many. Who the hell is he, and how did that happen when it is a known fact that the “Lagos boys” control the media? They wondered what magic he would bring to the table, considering the enormity of the task. Some questioned his age. (he is the youngest to hold that office in our recent history). Some also questioned his accent. (That is the hilarious part). They also mentioned his trajectory in the media space against the backdrop of his previous journalistic practice being solely in the electronic media. The print media is generally accepted as much more rigorous than the electronic segment. So, so much is invested in conceiving, rationalising, researching and communicating that news feature, opinion article, essay, or column which aims to fill an entire page or half of a newspaper. His ability to engage the virile Nigerian press was equally interrogated. (he is their darling now).

Ajuri Ngelale reminds me of John Dewey, the renowned American philosopher and advocate for education, politics, and ethics. He asserted that complete democracy was to be obtained by extending voting rights and ensuring a fully formed public opinion, accomplished by communication among citizens, experts, and politicians. This is what Ajuri Ngelale has done in one year. He radically departed from the perception that presidential spokespersons are meant to be attack dogs. His preference for a genteel approach has paid off, saving the president some bullets through his pragmatism.

I have followed Ajuri Ngelale closely since his appointment. At some point, I feared for him for obvious reasons, with due consideration for the enormity of the task at hand. The conversations around the removal of fuel subsidy was the litmus test.

I recall that his press statements were philosophical. An attribute that is not associated with previous presidential spokespersons. Instead of a straight statement defending the president’s decision, he availed any analysis that encouraged critical thoughts on the president’s decision. For example, he stated, “Tinubu was the “implementer” of the subsidy removal, but the plan was already in place before he assumed office.” In a recent interview he granted, he stated, “I raised that because many people are of the understanding that the president on his own said it’s gone, and it was just his policy.

Yes, he is the implementer, but it was envisaged before he got there, so there was a deadline on which the payment for the subsidy would be removed by June 1, 2024. Mr. President made the pronouncement on May 29, 2024. As of June 1, he is now in the seat and getting the report. I think, to some extent, that maybe he wouldn’t get it as a president-elect. However, now he is getting the full rush of it.”

This response pattern takes us back to John Dawey’s analysis that “complete democracy can be achieved when there is a fully formed public opinion, accomplished by communication among citizens, experts, and politicians.” You can question several attributes of Ajuri Ngelale. But it would be best if you respected his competency and grasp of fundamentals in strategic communications. I think he engages rather than informs. He puts the conversation in perspective for progressive education, emphasising understanding and action as learning goals instead of rote knowledge. Rote knowledge is the process of memorising information based on repetition. That was the trend.

But Ajuri Ngelale changed the rule, and the president is pleased with his efforts so far, culminating in his subsequent appointment as the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action. In the annals of your democratic experimentation, this is the first time a presidential spokesperson holds a strategic portfolio alongside his portfolio. The expectations of Nigerians from presidential spokespersons have been limited to information dissemination alone.

However, more emphasis should be placed on public engagement and enlightenment. This is what Ajuri Ngelale has done differently.

It has been a year of turbulence for Ajuri Ngelale as the presidential spokesperson. But he has carried on with the job calmly and decorously. There has been no established confrontation in his public engagements since his appointment. He has proceeded with finesse, avoiding distractions and controversies. But for a few instances, however. The reason is simple. It also takes us back to John Dawey’s philosophy. This informs us that “Communication is consummatory as well as instrumental. It is a means of establishing cooperation, domination and order. This is a sublime strategy that any presidential spokesperson should resonate with. Ajuri Ngelale took a first in this regard, and it is commendable.

There are takeaways from Ajuri Ngelale’s one year as the president’s spokesperson. Presidential spokespersons are not mediums for information dissemination alone. They are also a medium for strategic engagement with the public on behalf of the president. As such, they must understand the issues beyond word values to sustain the conversation. The overarching objective is to sensitise and not inform. This has been the turbulence of Ajuri Ngelale as the presidential spokesperson in the past year.

It takes much effort to weather the storm. It is a terrain that requires brilliance and mastery. I congratulate Ajuri Ngelale for holding the aces thus far.

Ocheja, a military historian and doctoral researcher, is an alumnus of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says security agencies have identified a senator who sponsored protests in the nation’s capital.

On Thursday, a youth-led nationwide protest against the rising cost of living kicked off.

Speaking after a security council meeting in Abuja, Wike said the unnamed senator provided food for the protesters.

“We also have information that a senator had to invite some security agencies to lead some of them to go and provide food for the protesters,” the minister said.

“That is sponsorship. A senator providing food for protesters.

“At the appropriate time, security agencies will invite the senator and find out how you will be sponsoring this kind of thing against the government of the day.”

Wike said there is intelligence suggesting that protesters want to destroy public property on Friday.

“You saw what happened today where some people tried to move into Eagle Square,” he said.

“Miscreants may not have succeeded in what they wanted to do, but we have intelligence that they are coming out tomorrow to destroy property that will lead to loss of lives.

“The security agencies will not allow that. Every protester, please, go to the MKO Abiola stadium and do your protest. That is what the court said.

“See what happened in some of the states today. Now, look at the loss of lives. If such a thing happens in the FCT, what do you think people would say? Here we have the international community carrying out their businesses.”

The protest is expected to continue on Friday.

[TheCable]

One year, two months in office,  Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Emilokan’ Presidency faces its toughest challenge with the planned nationwide youth hunger protest scheduled to begin Thursday, August 1, 2024.  It is planned to last 10 days, through August 10, 2024.

The hashtags for the protests include - #Endhunger, #Endbadgovernance, #DaysofRage and #Revolutionnow.

The youth-led action against the hardship ravaging the country is giving the presidency the jitters, considering the morbid fear of assumptive possibility that youthful exuberance can go into overdrive, resulting in precipitate violence.

There is also the potent possibility that overzealous police officers and other security agents, may attack peaceful protesters to provoke violent resistance with a view to achieving a predetermined  end. The orchestrated scenario, by various security agencies, of the inevitability of the protests turning violent is suspect.

If intelligence indicates to the security agencies possible breach of peace during the protests, is it not their responsibility to pre-empt it and as well develop contingency plans against its eventuality?

Fearmongering is least expected from security agencies. One wonders why security agencies should be preoccupied with truncating the right of the people to protest, a right even acknowledged by the Presidency.

If the protests hold and the security agencies fail to contain any possible violence, then their leaderships should be held accountable.

There is a lesson to learn from the recent resignation of the head of the U.S. Secret Service for its failure to prevent the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the presidential candidate of the Republican party.

The security agencies have had enough notice of the protests. Perhaps attempting to scare the protesters is part of the multiple strategies being adopted by a scared Presidency to ward off this public demonstration of anger over hunger in the land.

The  EMILOKAN ENSEMBLE  has been striving, mightily, to deploy all the tools of propaganda to abort the protests. There is the political dimension that adopted a demonisation of the opposition, particularly the Labour Party (LP) and Peter Obi, its presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, as sponsors of the protests to destabilise the government. This is a cheap blackmail and  a product of infantile reasoning.

First, it is Tinubu, who destabilised his own government with his mouth on May 29, 2023, day one of his assumption of office with his ill-thought out, cavalier declaration: “subsidy is gone“.  

He has been flailing, unsuccessfully, for damage control from the consequent fallout of that flippancy, till today.

Secondly, conflict is an integral component of democracy and the duty of the opposition is to exploit the failure of the party in government with a view of selling itself to the people as a better alternative for their vote in the next election and to form the government.

It is, therefore, legitimate, whether or not LP and Peter Obi are sponsors of the protests. Did they put those three potent words in Tinubu’s mouth?  

Is the opposition responsible for his policy decisions, actions and somersaults which have only aggravated the damage of May 29, 2023 that heralded hardship in the land?

What has emerged before the public is an over hyped Tinubu Presidency that is bereft of ideas on how to get out of the morass it has sunk itself.  

In recent days, the president has been engaging groups and all manner of people at the Presidential Villa for advice and for them to make a plea to their constituencies not to embark on the protests.

The group of traditional rulers  at the Villa, in various esoteric regalia, some looking like clowns or masquerades, provided a hilarious relief!  Not that politicians have regard for them, though, as some governors wont blink an eye to suspend or depose a traditional ruler.

There is also the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the tempestuous former governor of Rivers state who, in the guttural voice of Lagos hoodlums, was belching hell fire banning protesters in his Abuja fiefdom.

Of course, it was an over-reach as he has no authority to make or enforce such redundant declaration. But then, Wike has to play lickspittle to ingratiate himself with President Tinubu for federal might protection so as not to be buried, politically, in Rivers state by a young Governor Sim Fubara.  

Among the disparate groups seeking the president’s attention to be counted as part of Stop The Protest Brigade is the National Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council Worldwide ( NENYLCW ). Two of its leaders, Aare Oladotun Hassan, President and Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, General Secretary, were featured on Arise TV’s The Morning Show programme on Monday, May 29,  2024.

It was obvious their TV appearance was a strategy of angling for the president’s attention so as to be invited to the  Presidential Villa  and for  possible largesse from such visit. However, they could not establish the number of ethnic youth groups in the organisation they claim to represent!

It is a season of playing smart, joining the bandwagon. But Arise TV’s anchor, Dr.  Reuben Abati, could not resist a pun at the duo: “With your bear(d), you say you are youth, but the United Nations has an age definition of youth. Anyway, you are as young as you think you are,” the two guests laughed it off, sheepishly!

Rallying these disparate groups to dissuade the protesters is a manifestation of the desperation of the Presidency to abort the protests. It is a lot of comedown for the Emperor of Lagos to be literally on his knees, begging and praying, that this cup might pass him by.

The City Boy swagger is gone, at least, for now. He had to eat the humble pie. Even if the protests get suspended, turn out a yawn and fizzle out, the point has been made, and made emphatically, about the reality of hunger ravaging the land.

In addition to hunger, there is also unanimity about the insecurity devastating the country. It is no excuse that Tinubu inherited insecurity. His job is to alleviate it, not for it to worsen.

Anyway, wasn’t his party, the All Progressives Party ( APC ) and President Muhammdu Buhari, that he foisted on the nation, who allowed insecurity to escalate nationwide?  

All the groups trotted out by the Presidency, including the traditional rulers, were only pleading for patience from the people for more time to allow the president to get his act together, to tackle the twin evils bedevilling the nation.

Various groups and prominent individuals have made similar pleas before. For instance, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and two-time governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba, had much earlier pleaded with the nation to give the Tinubu Presidency up to one year to tackle the punishing high cost of living and  insecurity which have  turned Nigeria into a killing field.

We have since passed the one year mark, yet no respite. For the Tinubu Presidency, it is like the Yoruba saying: Kaka ko san lara iya aje, obirin lo nbi, eiye npelu eiye (There is no appropriate English translation, but it can be improvised as: rather than things getting better, they are getting worse). 

That is the sad reality of Nigeria under Tinubu Presidency. It is a numbing paradox that Bola Ahmed Tinubu fought a  triumphant political war to clinch  the presidency only to turn out, so far, as  an unmitigated disaster in managing victory.

Dr. Bisi  Olawunmi,  a Senior Lecturer at Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State is a former Washington Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Fellow, Nigerian Guild of Editors. Phone (SMS ONLY)  08033647571 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Though somehow a painful exit yet, celebrating the Life and Legacy of the Elegant Stallion, Onyeka Onwenu (1952-2024)

Nigeria mourns the loss of a music legend, actress, politician, and human rights icon, Onyeka Onwenu, who passed away on July 30, 2024, at the age of 72. Fondly known as the "Elegant Stallion," was a trailblazer in the Nigerian music industry, with a career spanning over four decades. She was a talented singer, songwriter, and performer, known for her powerful voice, captivating stage presence, and iconic hits that continue to inspire new generations. Onyeka's exit from this world left an indelible mark on the Nigerian entertainment industry and beyond. Her sudden departure has left a void in the hearts of her fans, colleagues, and the nation.

Born on January 31, 1952, in Arondizuogu, Imo State, Nigeria, Onyeka was the youngest daughter of Nigerian educationist and politician D.K. Onwenu. She was raised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after her father's untimely death when she was just four years old. Onyeka's mother, Hope, played a significant role in shaping her early life and nurturing her talents.

The music superstar holds a BA in International Relations and Communication from Wellesley College, Massachusetts, and an MA in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research, New York. Her academic background laid the foundation for her future endeavors in music, television, and politics.

Her music career began in 1981 with the release of her debut album, "For the Love of You." She went on to release several critically acclaimed albums, including "Endless Life," "In the Morning Light," "One Love," and "Dancing in the Sun." Her music was a unique blend of traditional Nigerian sounds and modern styles, earning her numerous awards and accolades.

Onyeka's acting career spanned over two decades, with notable roles in films like "Nightmare," "Widow's Cot," "Rising Moon," "Half of a Yellow Sun," and "Lion Heart." She won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in "Widow's Cot."

Onyeka worked as a newsreader and reporter for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) before transitioning to presenting her own shows, "Contact" and "Who's On?" She also served as a judge on the reality TV show "X Factor Nigeria."

Onyeka was a member of the People's Democratic Party and contested twice for the position of Local Council Chairman of Ideato North Local Government Area. She was appointed Chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and later served as the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.

The legendary Onyeka was a dedicated human rights activist, advocating for women's rights, children's welfare, and social justice. She protested against her former employer, NTA, over their refusal to pay royalties on her songs, leading to a hunger strike outside the station's premises.

Onyeka Onwenu's legacy extends far beyond her impressive resume. She was a trailblazer, paving the way for future generations of female artists and politicians. Her music, acting, and advocacy continue to inspire and uplift people around the world.

The Elegant Stallion, Onyeka Onwenu's final performance was at the 80th birthday party of Mrs. Stella Chinyelu Okoli, a renowned Nigerian pharmacist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. Mrs. Okoli is the founder and current CEO of Emzor, a pharmaceutical company she started in 1977. The event was a celebration of Mrs. Okoli's life and legacy, and Onyeka Onwenu's performance was a testament to their friendship and mutual respect.

After her performance, the Nigerian music legend, actress, politician, and human rights icon, Onyeka Onwenu passed away in the very late hours of July 30, 2024, at the age of 72. Her sudden departure has left a void in the entertainment industry and beyond. The renowned Nigerian singer, Elegant Stallion, Onyeka Onwenu was reported to have slumped after performing at the 80th birthday party of Mrs. Stella Chinyelu, and multiple reports confirm that she was immediately taken to Reddington Hospital in Lagos. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, she could not be revived. The exact cause of her sudden illness and passing is yet to be confirmed.

Onwenu notably keeps her personal life private and has often refused to disclose private information regarding her ex-husband, a Yoruba Muslim. She is the mother of two children; Tijani Charles and Abraham

As news of her passing spread like the speed of light, tributes and condolences have been pouring in from fans, colleagues, industry leaders, and political figures, celebrating Onyeka Onwenu's life, legacy, achievements, and contributions to the entertainment industry, human rights, and Nigerian society. Her impact on Nigerian music, culture, and society will be remembered for generations to come. Onyeka Onwenu may be gone, but her voice, spirit, and legacy will continue to inspire and uplift generations, and never be silenced. Rest in peace, Elegant Stallion.

As the Music Director of Caleb Group of Schools, it is my immense pleasure to pen down my farewell message. I am elated to be here to witness all the graduands receiving honors. It is a great honor to share on such an important day. Since my arrival at the school last November, I have engaged in and had robust discussions with nearly 85 percent of the 2024 graduate class. I can confidently state that their intelligence is highly regarded. Furthermore, I am proud to say that they are destined for success. I am delighted to have met so many exceptional individuals here at Caleb. 

I want to sincerely commend the school's leadership for their unwavering commitment to the success of each student, most importantly our outgoing graduating students. Graduation Dayis a momentous life event that marks the end of the first phase of learning and is a time to celebrate students' accomplishments. 

In the words of Canadian philosopher and entrepreneur Matshona Dhilwayo, "One who sets records is great. Someone who breaks records is extraordinary. One who shatters records is exceptional." The fact expressed by Dhilwayo was inadvertently given credence in this outgoing academic session. The astounding quote is an appropriate word for this 2024 set of graduates. 

Permit me to ask, how exactly are you prepared for a brighter future? Before I delved into the answer to the aforementioned question, Vanni Kapoor once said, and I quote, "Education is the key to a bright future." It is worthy of note that Caleb Schools has prepared you for a brighter future. 

According to the Cambridge Dictionary if someone has a bright future, it is likely that they will be successful and happy. The article released by Forbes on Jan 15, 2023 Gen Z is struggling: 5Things They need for a bright future by Tracy Browser, PhD. 

1)Reflecting and Reevaluating 

2) Fostering Well-being 

3)Expanding Engagement 

4)Connecting with Colleagues 

5) Developing Financial Acumen.

The school has prepared you for a brighter future. The teachers teach you to be the best you can be in your future career. The parents are willing to encourage and guide you to select the best career you have a passion for. I am optimistic that the world will celebrate you; this is the first phase of your achievement. I commend you all for your immense contributions to the school. 

I am proud of your accomplishments here at Caleb. The baton of leadership is waiting at your doorstep. You have acquired skills, so do not look down on yourself. Be confident and have humility in whatever you do. Reflect on whatever you are doing and do not allow money to dictate your decisions. I boldly say that you are going places in life. I foretell your future will be bright and full of opportunities. 

I implore you to say positive things to yourself, figure out what pleases your mind, and follow directions from parents and teachers. Don't lose your originality; connect with other people in the world. Stop wasting your time on unprofitable things. Reflect on what you do every day. All of this prepares you for a brighter future. I send my heartfelt congratulations to all parents for their efforts and encouragement to their children. I want to urge the parents that we should not put our children under pressure and not take them for granted, and we should not allow our career to come before our children. 

I end on this note ; Your tomorrow will be brighter than today. Believe in yourself, be patient, and have focus on whatever you do. This is very important. Keep your ergo, set a standard, befriendly, and remember that you have a brighter future ahead. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Shosanya Babatunde Oluwaseyi 

Ph.D in view (Music education) 

Message from the Music Director Caleb Group of Schools.

(Address as Chairman of the Investiture Ceremony of the President and Chairman of Governing Council of CIPM, which held at Eko Hotels, VI, Lagos, on Wednesday, 31^st of July, 2024)

It is always a very deep and special pleasure for me whenever I have the opportunity to attend the CIPM or to be invited to any of her programs. CIPM is one organization that I have a significant relationship with, a relationship that spans many years. It is one organization I count as a partner in the struggle for transforming the public service system in Nigeria. This is why I am more than delighted to be witnessing, and chairing, this investiture of the new President and Chairman of the CIPM Governing Council. CIPM is strategic as the key umbrella body—the community of practice—for administering HR practice in Nigeria. Since its founding in 1968, it has consistently continued to push the frontiers and boundaries of the HR profession as well as being in the vanguard of HR management praxis in ways that has consolidated the status of its members, and its own status as a global organizational brand.

In this context, I have no doubt that Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir already has his works—and objectives—cut out for him. His status as a distinguished Nigerian, a formidable HR thought leader, astute corporate lawyer and a management professional par excellence already situates him within the challenges that CIPM is currently facing, and how the organization could be positioned as a significant stakeholder in the overall task of institutional reform in Nigeria. In this regard, one must applaud the existing achievement and experiential framework of the preceding presidents, and especially the administrative and visionary efforts of Mr. Olusegun Mojeed, the immediate past president of CIPM, for a most remarkable tenure littered with spirited strides, innovations and commendable achievements and legacies. No avid watcher of Nigeria’s public administration, and CIPM’s role, can be in any doubt as to the depth of clarity amongst CIPM’s thought-leaders regarding what is next level for CIPM, especially at this momentous time in the profession’s annals. A time when the world of work is witnessing profound rethinking and reformulation to institutionalise the post-Covid new normal, and, at that, as we navigate the unfolding Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions.

I am going to use this chairman’s speech as an occasion to spotlight these challenges, and what CIPM is expected to contribute to making it a success; a success that CIPM itself can count on as part of its organizational milestone in Nigeria’s public administration trajectory. Specifically, I want to locate the public service system in Nigeria within the unfolding dynamics of HR developments and practices. This becomes auspicious because it immediately signals to the chairman the crosscutting dimension of the partnership and collaboration that are demanded of the community of service and community of practice—the Nigerian civil service leadership, the CIPM, and the larger public administration community—in institutionally reforming the Nigerian bureaucracy, and inserting its strategic and operational dynamics and processes into the current global trends in HR thinking.

My reform philosophy and advocacy have been hinged on an administrative axiom: if public administration fails in Nigeria, then all else—in terms of building a strong administrative and bureaucratic institutions that will carry the burden of good governance—has failed. This immediately underscores the fact that, given the still challenged state of the performance and productivity capacity of the public service, there is an unfinished business of institutional reform in the public service system to which all hands, including CIPM’s, must be on deck. This administrative axiom is complemented by the observation that it is practically impossible to identify any high-performing economies in the world today without simultaneously discovering that their performance and productivity are founded on the three key elements of knowledge, governance and human capital. This makes it imperative that the “people factor” plays a significant role in governance calculations and in human capital development that translates into the HR framework necessary for national productivity. This implies the transition from personnel management to strategic human resource management.

In linking the President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to the urgency of public service institutional renewal and reform, therefore, it becomes fundamental to conclude that the quality of democratic governance can only be directly proportional to the degree to which policy and managerial intelligence can be matched by dogged political will to commit to a radical transformation of the political service system through a rehabilitation of HR functions and processes in the workplace of the MDAs. The initial move in this direction was signaled by President Tinubu’s determination to constitute a government of national competence that would deploy expertise, technocracy and knowledge to energize intelligent policymaking. However, and beyond this, there is the need for the articulation of critical variables—public administration expertise, leadership sophistication, competent change management strategies and a reprofiled national value system—that would serve as the success factors for undermining the structural constraints that have hindered past and present reform efforts.

Indeed, given the trajectories of the current phase of institutional and governance reform that commenced in 1999 and reached a defining height in 2003, several cogent questions became imperative as the key to determining the direction the Nigerian public service system was heading. These questions include:

• What kind of public service Nigeria needs to successfully manage the transition from military authoritarianism to democratic governance; and

• What the appropriate personnel policies, pay structure, and operational cost ratios that are most cost effective will be, to achieve optimal productivity level in the national economy.

Unfortunately, and more than twenty-five years later, it would seem that for Nigeria, to quote the French critic and journalist, Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

This brief diagnostic analysis brings me to the challenge of the unfinished business of institutional reform that will task the collaborative partnership between CIPM, and the public administration community of service and practice with regard to the core elements of transforming the public service systems. Transforming the public service requires paying attention to workplace dynamics that have been subjected to myriads of changes, especially those that relates with the nature and frameworks of work itself. Given the changing demographics of employees and workers, the workplace now demands new orientations and innovation—like flexi-working—that take into consideration the new normal after the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of the Gen Z demographic. Such orientations demand the urgency of rethinking HR functions from multiple perspectives. This is even made more cogent by the fact that government has gradually ceased to be the employer of choice for most people given its lack of incentivization for working in the public service. To change this condition, and key into the unfinished business of reforming the public service, several issues come to the fore.

One, since the HR function is cogent in achieving performance and productivity, there is no doubt that the professionalization of the HR functions is fundamental to transforming the workplace. However, the core professionals need to know that to do this, human resource management can no longer be restricted as the exclusive responsibility of HR departments. Line managers and other managerial executives now require people management skills and competence to facilitate effectiveness and efficiency. This also relocates the HR function from the back to the front office. And rethinking the HR function implies a significant level of reform. For instance, at the basic level, it is no longer productive to treat HR in terms of personnel management, and its preoccupation with the passive role of privileging rules, regulations and procedures rather than developing and pursuing policies in manners that extract performance results and productivity bargains from people and from the processes. This automatically affects the current practice of staff performance appraisal which is very vague about what is being assessed and rewarded, or even how appraisal should be directed towards performance assessment and competences, rather than as a mere subjective protocol.   

Two, it has become almost impossible to think of public service transformation without inserting such reform within the public-private partnership (PPP) framework. Working within this framework demands optimizing the PPP contracts through imbuing public officials with commercial skills and competences that open up their capacities to engage with clients, customers and citizens, acquire knowledge of international business practices and labour laws, adopt multicultural sensitivities and multiple languages, and so on. This also brings in the growing consequences of involving artificial intelligences and robotics in upscaling the performance and efficiency of the public service system. The real challenge is how to translate the uncertainties that attend the deployment of artificial intelligence at the moment to real opportunities that will impact the public service system.

Three, to become the ultimate change agents in the reform of the public service, the HR manager is not only expected to facilitate the establishment of a new HR model that will harness the performance and productive capacities of the workforce. They are also essentially required to deepen the skills and competences with regard to risk management in ways that instigate action research as a component of management cum operation research and organisation development (OD) in the MDAs. This will also enable the HR to institute a learning culture that challenges the bureaucratic status quo, and helps it champions specific cultural transformations directed at translating desirable culture and public service values into public managers behaviour.

The CIPM is strategically located as a key stakeholder in injecting its organizational strengths into articulating a significant blueprint that insert the organization into a collaborative partnership needed to keep afloat the business of reforming the public service system. I have no iota of doubt that the new chairman will not only build on the existing architecture of achievements of the previous chairpersons, but also lay a few solid foundations of his that will keep the CIPM on course as a change agent in Nigeria’s effort to build a world class public service that backstops her democratic governance.   

Prof. Tunji Olaopa

Professor of Public Administration

& Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission,

Abuja

In the delicate dance between law enforcement and peaceful protesters, the role of police officers is pivotal. Their actions can either preserve the tranquility of demonstrations or ignite a powder keg of tension. 

The reason for the foregoing viewpoint cannot be farfetched as overzealous policemen and other security agents often exacerbate tensions during protests, especially when incidents result in fatalities or injuries. Their aggressive behavior can provoke demonstrators, pushing them toward retaliatory actions. When a protester is harmed or killed, emotions run high, and the actions of security personnel can either defuse or escalate the situation. Unfortunately, instances of excessive force, brutality, and disregard for human rights have fueled anger and mistrust between protesters and law enforcement.

Therefore, given the backdrop of the foregoing view, it is expedient for the Police and other security agents to be professional enough in the course of discharging their duties, particularly in the ongoing Hunger Protests across Nigeria so as to prevent the nationwide protests from becoming violent. In fact, it is crucial that security agents approach their duties with professionalism and restraint. 

As it is assumed in this context that the police and other security agents might have undergone training programs, it is expected that at this crucial moment that they should emphasize de-escalation techniques, empathy, and respect for citizens’ rights in the course of discharging their duties in the ongoing protests. This is as transparent investigations into any misconduct or abuse are essential. By fostering a culture of accountability and emphasizing community policing, security agencies can build trust and reduce the likelihood of confrontations. Ultimately, a commitment to professionalism and adherence to human rights principles can help maintain peace and prevent unnecessary violence during demonstrations. 

At this juncture, it is germane to opine that while officers exhibit high sense of professionalism, prioritize de-escalation techniques over force, they should equally engage in verbal communication with empathy, and understanding as they can defuse volatile situations.

In fact, as long as the protests prevail, specifically till August 10, 2024, the police and other security officials should be transparent while communicating with the protesters across the country, given the fact that clear communication about intentions, rules, and expectations fosters trust. Without a doubt, transparency helps prevent misunderstandings and minimizes the risk of clashes.

Analyzed from the angle of accountability, law enforcement agencies must be accountable for their actions, and body cameras (if equipped with), independent oversight, and swift investigations into misconduct are essential.

Again, building positive relationships with the community is crucial. Officers should actively engage with protesters, listen to their concerns, and address grievances, and they should remember that professionalism is not just a badge, it is a commitment to safeguarding democracy and ensuring that peaceful voices resonate louder than chaos.

In a similar vein, when security officials listen to advice, they gain access to diverse perspectives and insights. People offer advice with good intentions, hoping to contribute positively. By dismissing advice outright, security officials risk missing valuable ideas and information.

Again, the police and other security officials should throughout this protests listen, demonstrate respect for others' opinions and expertise. This is as such professional conduct fosters trust and encourages open communication. In fact, when people feel heard, they are more likely to engage constructively.

Good enough, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has urged police officers to be prepared, alert and professional during the protests scheduled for August 1 to 10, and added that the safety and security of the nation depends on the vigilance, gallantry, and readiness of officers in the police and other security agencies.

According to a statement on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, the IG spoke during a virtual meeting with senior officers. However, one hopes the IGP has in the same vein literarily drew the ears of his men, and urge them not to provoke the protesters by being overzealous and unprofessional in the cause of discharging their duties. 

At this juncture, it is expedient for this writer to confess that what inspired him to express this view is the violent experience that characterized the #EndSARS. It will be recalled in this context that the movement, which began as a call for the disbandment of Nigeria's notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), gained momentum in 2020. The protests were fueled by allegations of violence, exploitation, and human rights violations perpetrated by SARS officials. 

However, despite the peaceful atmosphere which initially characterized the protests, it is no more news that along the line that law enforcement agents provoked the protesters, and the protests expectedly turned violent leaving on its trail across the country tears, blood and massive destruction of government infrastructures. To aptly put it, the aftermath has been disappointing. At least 15 protesters arrested during the #EndSARS protests remain arbitrarily detained without trial in Lagos, with trumped-up charges ranging from theft to murder. The unprofessionalism exhibited by the police during the protests exacerbated the situation, perpetuating a travesty of justice. Therefore, no sane Nigerian would want what happened during the #EndSARS to repeat itself in the ongoing hunger protests. Therefore, the police and other law enforcement agencies should be well guided. 

In fact, the impact of #EndSARS is fading, and police brutality is once again becoming a grim reality for Nigerians. Recent cases of extrajudicial killings and extortion highlight that the police are failing to uphold international human rights standards. The protesters' demands for justice and accountability remain unmet, and the unprofessional conduct of law enforcement during the protests has only worsened the situation.

Given the foregoing, it is germane to opine that it is crucial for law enforcement to approach protests with restraint and peaceful dialogue. This is as violence begets violence, and a measured response can prevent further escalation, fostering an environment where grievances can be addressed constructively.

We met last on April 21. I went to Asaba from Lagos to promote my new book, Writing for Media and Monetising It, at Delta State University, which, according to JAMB statistics, is one of the country’s highest subscribers to Mass Communications in 2021.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was on the flight to Asaba that morning. I didn’t see him until we entered the arrival hall. He seemed to have added some weight for a man his height. I teased him about his robustly prosperous looks. He replied that journalists like me tend not to add weight because we’re too busy causing trouble, to which I replied that he should not go there.

We laughed and parted ways outside the terminal building. And then, on July 26, news broke that he had died only days after arriving in London. A few days earlier, he shared a video of himself looking slimmer than when I saw him in Asaba in April. He videoed himself singing on a London street with his family, and everyone looked happy.

Gone too soon

He was 52 and only reelected to the Senate last year under the Young Progressives Party (YPP) platform before he defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Ubah was the fourth member of the current National Assembly to die this year, bringing to 29 Federal lawmakers who have died in office from 2015 to date.

The others who died this year were Isa Dongoyaro, APC member of the House of Representatives representing Garki/Babura Federal Constituency, Jigawa State, who died on May 10; Ekene Adams of the Labour Party, representing Chikun/Kajuru, Kaduna State, who died on July 16; and APC member Musiliudeen Akinremi, representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Oyo State, who died on July 10.

It’s not just the number of deaths that is striking. None of all four legislators who died in office this year was up to 55. The outlier was the Federal legislator Abdulkadir Jelani Danbuga, an APC member from Isa/Sabon Birni, Sokoto State, who passed away in October at 64. He died three months after he was sworn in, bringing the total dead in one year to five.

At 52, Ubah was the oldest federal lawmaker who died in office this year. Dongoyaro was 47; Adams 39; Akinremi 51.

By life expectancy projection, you could argue that for a country with a life expectancy of 52 years, the average age of the deceased legislators shouldn’t be too unusual. Yet, if a company specialises in life policies for lawmakers, the recent events may force it to review its premium.

Beyond the numbers

There are 469 lawmakers in both chambers of the National Assembly, with the states proportionally represented in the Senate. Representation in the House of Assembly is based on population (favouring the North), among other factors.

However, the constitutionally provided numerical advantage for the North only partially explains the higher proportion of legislators who died in office from the region since 2015.

When I raised the trend of sitting legislators dying at relatively your age, one immediate response was that it’s the prayers of discontented, ordinary citizens at work. Divine recompense, if you like. Why wouldn’t the discontents come out to vote or hold their representatives to account instead?

I have only anecdotal evidence to support my theory, but the trend elsewhere does not support the view that the deaths of our lawmakers in office are the outcome of spiritual warfare. If religion or culture plays any role at all, it reinforces conditions that not only potentially increase the chances of early deaths but also increase the casualties among the affected population.

Different elsewhere?

What do the statistics elsewhere show? According to the Congressional Research Service, 84 U.S. Congress members – 69 Representatives and 15 Senators – died in 39 years between 1973 and 2012. The average life expectancy was 72, similar to that of white males in the larger population.

In 2015, relevant data about members of the British House of Commons between 1945 and 2011 showed that mortality among the 650 members was 28 percent lower compared to the general UK population. The figure in South Africa showed that in its Fourth Parliament 2009-2014, out of 103 members of parliament replaced, 18 passed away, four of them in car accidents.  

The common causes of death in these countries range from coronary artery disease to cancer, especially in the U.S. and the UK, to complications from HIV/AIDS in South Africa to diabetes, kidney-related diseases and accidents.

Because of the availability of data in these countries, it is possible to determine the cause of death and take steps to enhance safety, well-being, and longevity. It’s different in Nigeria, where disclosing the cause of death is treated as taboo.

Cost of taboo

The norm, not just in the legislature but in the broader population, is not to discuss it – an attitude more prevalent in the predominantly Muslim North, where deaths are accepted as “the will of God”, and any discussion of a post-mortem is out of the question.

Such cultural attitudes, reinforced by religion, tend to encourage poor record keeping and further nudge the population to ignore pre-existing health conditions in the fatalistic belief that “something must kill a man” when early detection or greater care could have prevented fatality. A cultural taboo that is useless to the dead and increasingly expensive for the living needs to be reviewed.

It’s bad enough that sometimes bereaved families have to bear the avoidable losses of loved ones. In the case of legislators, the death of sitting members also has consequences for the constituents and the electoral management body. The constituents are deprived of representation, and the electoral management body has to conduct by-elections.

In the last election cycle in 2023 alone, N335 billion was budgeted for elections. Still, that sum, later supplemented with N18 billion due to inflation, was not entirely for the general election but also for by-elections that have become a norm.

Court-determined results, political appointments, and, increasingly, deaths have increased legislative turnover and turned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) into one of the world’s most overworked and undervalued election management bodies. It’s a thankless job.

New approach

We can’t continue this way. Small changes could start with journalists understanding that it is vital to get and include the cause of death in their reports instead of allowing prevailing taboos to take them hostage. Of all five deaths, including Ubah’s, there was not a single case in which the press reported the possible cause of death.

The data of consequential deaths for Nigerian lawmakers cited earlier do not include deaths of sitting members in state houses of assembly, seven of which occurred in the last nine years, bringing the total recorded in that time to 36.

Knowing the cause might not raise the dead; it might help the living take greater care.

The process for replacing dead legislators also needs to be reviewed. We have a system that makes everything expensive and unnecessarily complicated. The Constitution stipulates a by-election on top of other by-elections to fill vacancies for political appointees and court-ordered reruns. Three senatorial by-elections in any state are equivalent to the cost of a governorship election.

Beyond the tears

One way to reduce such unnecessary costs is to use the example of Germany, New Zealand or South Africa, where the next candidate on the party’s list takes the deceased’s place. Or to allow the party to nominate the replacement for the deceased since a candidate holds the seat at the party’s pleasure.

Beyond the tears of this mourning period, we should find a sustainable way to fill parliamentary vacancies. That’s one way to honour the memory of Ubah and the other dead members of the National Assembly.

Ishiekwene, Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP, is the author of the new book Writing for Media and Monetising It.

As Nigeria battles, unarguably, its worst financial crisis since independence, it is only apposite that the most pragmatic way to pull the country’s chestnuts out of the raging economic inferno, to borrow a cliché, is to put round pegs in round holes. The appointment of Ms. Omolola Oloworaran as the new Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) ticks that box.

To understand why her appointment matters, there is need to appreciate what is at stake and the centrality of the pension industry in resolving Nigeria’s extant economic quagmire even if not wholly, at least partially.

Prior to the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004, daunting problems, including inadequate and untimely budgetary provision, beset the discarded Defined Pension Scheme (DBS). With rising life expectancy and poor implementation, particularly in the private sector, it was not surprising that government’s budgetary pension deficit climbed to over N2 trillion by June 2004. That was unsustainable and at that point, the pension industry had collapsed, literally.

So, the 2004 Pension Reform Act, which established a uniform contributory, private sector managed and fully funded pension system for both the public and private sectors, was a bold fiscal policy to cure the malaises in the industry. Being mandatory, the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) compelled employees and employers in the public and private sectors to collectively save a minimum of 18 per cent of an employee’s monthly emolument – 10 per cent by the employer and 8 per cent by the employee – into a Retirement Savings Account (RSA), from where employees will be paid retirement benefits.

The Act established the National Pension Commission (PenCom) as the body to regulate, supervise and ensure the effective administration of pension matters in Nigeria. The result was phenomenal. National savings increased dramatically leading to a jump from a N2 trillion budgetary pension deficit two decades ago to a N19. 787 trillion Assets under Management (AuM) as at April 30, 2024. Not only that, data from PenCom indicated a record total monthly inflows of N8.18 trillion. With the proportion of total pension assets to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) standing at 8.39 per cent as at March 31, 2024, the success of the CPS is staggering.

Today, PenCom is the most thriving government’s fiscal agency and it is imperative, particularly at a time like this, that the chief regulator must be someone with the axiomatic Midas touch.

This is where Ms. Oloworaran steps in. Reputed for her visionary leadership, analytical mindset and strong work ethic, she is a financial expert. An accounting graduate from the University of Ilorin, she not only holds a Master degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the Manchester Business School, she is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI) and a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). She recently completed the Transforming Business Using AI (TBAI) program at the Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires (INSEAD), a non-profit graduate business school that maintains campuses in France, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.

With over 20 years of cognate experience in the financial services industry, she began her career at Citibank and subsequently worked at Renaissance Capital (RenCap – an investment bank), FDHL Limited (a consulting firm), and Stanbic IBTC Bank before joining First Bank of Nigeria Ltd, where she is currently the Group Head of First Shared Services (FSS).

In all these institutions, she carved a niche for herself as a strong advocate for business growth through innovation, process reengineering, and client service reimagining by instituting strategic business solution-based operations. Whether it is establishing startup operational processes or managing internal, industry, or regulatory-driven initiatives in the banking industry, she has the knack for excellence.

For instance, she is reputed for strengthening collaboration with stakeholders, playing a pivotal role in several industry and Central Bank initiatives at the various banks she worked, including the introduction of federal government’s bonds and treasury bills trading in 2006, implementing internal policy documents for margin trading in 2008, developing market guidelines and accounting entries for repo trading in 2013, deploying the improved Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) SWIFT-based settlement system, the Scripless Securities Settlement System (S4) in 2013, and the introduction of the e-Naira, among other initiatives.

In doing all this, she demonstrated vision and leadership, overseeing the effective, efficient, and optimal utilisation of resources – human and capital – in responding to competitive pressures and in the process, earning for herself nomination and subsequently winning the First Bank Group CEO’s Award – 2022 and the Beyond Excellence Award in Stanbic IBTC.

With good industry experience encompassing regulatory compliance and operational risk, inflow management including pension receipts, strategic planning and policy development, client services, transaction banking operationalisation, treasury and investment banking operations, document and records management, she spearheaded initiatives that enhanced various innovation and automation projects, including Straight Through Processing (STP) initiatives, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Client Services Transformation, records digitisation, and system/process redesign.

These skill sets will, no doubt, serve her well at PenCom. As someone who is very passionate about people and has been involved in mentorship programmes and direct interventions, nurturing exceptional talents and enabling an empowered workforce in the banking industry, Omotola, will indubitably bring her strategic thinking skill, visionary leadership, strong work ethic, integrity and ethical standards to bear on her new job.

Notwithstanding the successes already recorded by her predecessors – Muhammed Ahmad (pioneer DG), Chinelo Anohu-Amazu and Aisha Dahir-Umar – Oloworaran, who has the advantage of two decades cognate experience in Nigeria’s financial sector, has her job cut out as so much is expected of her.

The pension industry has become the bulwark of the country’s flailing economy and has the capacity of providing answers to most of Nigeria’s economic woes because pension funds contribution has significant positive effect on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Besides, the scheme mobilises long term savings for investment thus providing capital for infrastructure projects, business expansion, and job creation. By stimulating entrepreneurship and creating jobs, the Contributory Pension Scheme is the only recipe for economic stability and development.

Not only that, experts aver that pension funds serve as a buffer against the corrosive impact of inflation, with diversified investment portfolios outpacing inflation over the long term. At a time when headline inflation is 34.2 per cent, a 28-year high, the resilience of the CPS ensures that retirees maintain their quality of life despite economic fluctuations.

The tasks before Oloworaran, therefore, include deepening the market by pulling more people into the pension net. In October 2023, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management disclosed that out of 73 million Nigerian workers, only 10 million have enrolled in the CPS leaving out about 63 million workers.

There is also need to review the contribution rates in accordance with the Act to ensure that retirees maintain their desired standard of living. Though the Pension Act stipulates a minimum contribution of 10 per cent by the employer and 8 per cent by the employee, presently the employers only contribute 7.5 per cent, same with employees bringing the total to 15 per cent.

The issue of non-payment of accrued rights by government is one problem that has deleterious impact on the scheme. Right now, the government is owing almost a two-year backlog of accrued rights, which means that no worker who retired within same period has been paid retirement benefits. While the issue remains a slippery slope, the incoming DG must deploy all her skills in persuading an obviously illiquid government to timeously release the accrued rights to mitigate the sufferings of retirees.

To blunt the edge of the incessant agitation by the police for exit, Oloworaran must seek, urgently, presidential approval of special gratuity for police retirees at the rate of 300 per cent of their last annual gross pay so that the balances in their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) will be channeled towards their monthly pension payments. Fortunately, all stakeholders in the industry are agreed on this and the request letter has been on the presidential desk since the time of Muhammadu Buhari.

Managing the country’s huge pension assets is no mean feat. The good news is that Ms. Omolola Oloworaran has what it takes to excel. All she needs do is apply herself to the job. Fortunately, she has a solid reputation for doing just that. Nigeria’s economy and her longsuffering retirees will be better for it.