Sunday, 16 August 2015
How I escaped Orkar’s coup – Ibrahim Babangida
Ahead of his 74th birthday today, erstwhile military president, General Ibrahim Babangida had an interactive session with journalists in Minna, Niger State. In the revealing interview he opens up on his response to the coup plot led by Major Gideon Orkar in April 1990, the Dimka coup plot earlier in 1976, his assessment of the unfolding Muhammadu Buhari led administration and of his thoughts towards his one time friend, Chief Moshood Abiola among other things.
Excerpts
By Wole Mosadomi
SIR, is it true that you are from Ogbomosho, a claim that is backed by assertion that your second name ‘Badamasi’ was coined from the Yoruba name Gbadamosi? Please can you clear the air?
),
I appreciate your concern. I had to answer the question way back in November 1962. I answered the question during my final year in secondary school when I had to answer that question and 52 years later, I am glad I am answering the same question.
The truth is that I hail from here, Niger State. My parents were from between Wushishi and this town (Minna). My grandparents travelled to settle down here and I think that that says it all but there is nothing wrong in being from any part of the country. The truth is that I hail from Niger State.
Indigene of Niger State
My grandparents and great grandparents moved from somewhere to settle down in Niger State. There are some who still call us settlers in Niger State and that we are not indigenes of the state because our grandparents came from somewhere to settle here but having lived all my 74 years in Niger State, I think I am more than qualified to be called an indigene of Niger State.
What is your reaction to reported claims by U.S. officials that Nigerian troops were not properly trained to fight Boko Haram?
I must admit that a lot of us were trained in America, so it is not anything new to talk about training because they knew they had trained people. I was trained in America, I was in a place called Portsmouth in Kentucky where I did my senior officers course, so you can see that a lot of us were trained in America. They are right but there is an old saying that says, no matter the sophisticated weapons we have, the man behind the weapon really matters. I appreciate what they are trying to do.
Are you satisfied by the Federal Government’s renewed fight against insurgents? ( cuts in sharply)
Yea, they have to be fought. I think the renewed effort and fight the Federal Government is doing is commendable.
But it was thought that the insurgents had been routed at the end of the Jonathan administration. So, what do you think may have happened that gave them fire as President came on board?
I think there is a general misunderstanding of the whole concept of insurgency. You can call it anything, instability, terrorism. The fact is that we are not fighting a regular army where you can confront them with sheer use of force and weapons to overwhelm the enemy.
No, we have gotten a small trained army whose tactics is to inflict maximum casualty on his so-called enemy, inflict casualty on him when and where he least expects it. The army is not fighting a conventional war and that makes it exceptionally difficult. They blow out bridges, they go as far as blowing up barracks. This is an unconventional war. I think the soldiers are trained for it and they know this is the sort of thing they do. I think the public should be educated about this unconventional war.
How do you feel celebrating your 74th birthday, given that several attempts were made against your life while you were in service?
I will continue to be grateful to God and it strengthens my belief that no matter what happens, if God doesn’t will it, nothing will happen to me.
Gratitude to God
So it is a matter of believing that no matter what happens, either good or bad, nothing happens without the approval of Allah.
I am grateful to God for sparing my life up to this time despite what we went through. Those who participated in combat will say the same. God has kept me and I remain grateful to Him and grateful to you all for your support.
Don’t you think that it is necessary to have a body of elder-statesmen to proffer advice to successive administrations especially given the situation Nigerians found themselves after the recent transition?
I think one of the most unique things in Nigeria is that this is one African country that is specially blessed. There are about seven of us (former leaders) alive today and every one of us has his experience in one way or the other but the other good thing is that there is a forum where we all meet the current leadership, chat with him, talk about the situation in the country discuss and offer solutions to any problem confronting us. All of us are always free, we are very accessible to government, so we can either put across either in writing or talking.
In your opinion what are the key areas the present government should focus so that the country will move on?
I must commend the present leadership for identifying even before and after the election some of the problems facing this country. Number one has to do with security and the president talked about it extensively.
Security of the state
The security of lives and property, the security of the state, the security of this environment called Nigeria has been identified.
And the second one has to do of course with the way we live, the way we walk and the way we behave which is corruption. The third one has to do with the economic development of the country. We should support the President towards achieving these objectives.
Talking of corruption, what is your reaction to the President’s vow to recover stolen funds from the nation’s treasury?
During the tenure of my boss, President Obasanjo, he had a similar strategy and to be fair to him, he made a lot of recoveries, so we should support this present Federal Government in trying to do the same to achieve the same objective. If that objective is pursued, I believe it will achieve some degree of nrecovery of stolen funds. You talk about oil theft, I am sure President Buhari is resolute to stamp out all those and to bring to book all those who have tampered in stealing our oil.
What is your reaction to the Federal Government’s assertion that it could negotiate with Boko Haram?
The President has got it right by saying he will talk to people who are credible who have been identified as some of the leaders of the insurgency but so far, apart from one or two names, we do not hear any other name.
Democratic practices
I don’t think the government will like to talk in a vacuum, to talk to people who are not worth talking to as far as these issues are concerned. So the government is right in being careful to identify and talk if there is anything to talk about.
How do you feel as a leader of a former leading party that you are now in the opposition and secondly, do you think the PDP can come out of the waters in 2019?
I think one of the good things we are experiencing in this country is that for 16 years there has been democracy and democratic practices in the country. A lot of things must have gone wrong somewhere and the right judges are the people and the people have spoken. I think it is natural they needed a change after 16 years and they did what is right, they did not go wild, they did not fight anybody, they used their ballot papers to change the government. I think this is the beauty of what happened. I look forward to such practices in the next 50 years of democratic practice in this country. I hope they learn from their mistakes, what they did wrong, what they did right and what they can do now to re-launch their party.
One of the major challenges your administration faced was the Gideon Okar coup where people thought death had finally gotten you. How did you escape?
I can remember very well that I had some loyal officers who were supposed to be my protectors and my body guard.
Initially they told me to leave but I told them no, I am not leaving anywhere but they remained steadfast and later I took my family outside Dodan Barracks and I joined my guards. So we went out of Dodan Barracks and we went to a safe house where we got in contact with loyal troops. May God bless Sani Abacha. Sani Abacha was the chief of army staff. He got in touch with me, I got in touch with him and we sat down and talked on what we were going to do. Abacha and I rallied the loyal troops and then I left my safe house and joined Abacha in his house. That was how I escaped.
How will you rate the role of the media in the just concluded general elections?
I think the media has been fair and that is my rating. Very unusual but you are fair. You didn’t show or play partisanship, you saw and said it the way it was. I have seen the media during a lot of other elections but this particular one you were very, very fair. And I hope that will be the trend.
What is your assessment about the performance of the present administration so far?
So far, I am confident that they are doing well.
Sound advice
They have identified the problems and they look resolute in confronting these problems head-on and there are a lot of people in the society who are offering a lot of sound advice on what to do.
Are you missing your friend MKO Abiola?
Let me see, last week, I dug out one of the letters he wrote to me and I read it, so that shows that I still miss him.
What is your best food?
I eat everything legal that is not against my religion, I don’t eat pork meat. I eat cereals, carbohydrate, give me anything I will eat it.
Recently, your political god son was being drafted into the contest for the president of FIFA (cuts in sharply)
I will vote for him. (Prolonged laughter). No doubt, he made a very good outing, that is talking about his personal interest in sports especially football when he was a governor.
The Enyimba Football Club during his tenure as governor was brought into limelight. He was very much interested in soccer and if he is as such recognised in this country and outside, there is nothing wrong in trying his hand to be recognised in the world and that was why I said if I have a vote, I will cast it for him.
Pastors, Yoruba Kings Lied To Jonathan — Okogie
Former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, talks about former President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential ambition, President Muhammadu Buhari’s corruption probes and religious leadership, in this interview with LEKE BAIYEWU
What do you want Nigerians to learn from the 2015 elections?
I think the first lesson Nigerians will learn from the election is that God was on their side. They prayed for change because it felt as if everyone was fed up with what was going on, and they got the change, they were looking for. But the problem is, are we really experiencing the change now? In less than four years’ time, (President Muhammadu) Buhari’s tenure will be over. Are we really feeling anything? The only thing people are talking of now is probe, probe and probe. Probe is not the only thing that we are expecting. We want to see change in the dividend of democracy; we want to see change not just in corruption. Corruption is not something to wipe out during this man’s time, I can assure you that. He can only try to lessen the rate of corruption.
Now that Buhari is the President, do you see him as a repentant dictator?
One thing people don’t understand about Buhari is that he is not a dictator; he is a disciplinarian. That is who Buhari is. This is not his first time of being the Head of State. Even in the Army, he did not like things to be done anyhow. Look at when he was the Head of State – remember Tunde Idiagbon and Operation War Against Indiscipline – he (Buhari) was a disciplinarian and you could feel it in the air. You dare not throw (pieces of) paper around, people will shout at you. But now, we are not seeing this kind of change.
Don’t you think people would have continued to tag him as a dictator if he had issued such orders now?
No. What happened during the time of Idiagbon and himself; he was the Head of State but he delegated the civil jobs to his vice. That was the command. What is his vice (now, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo) doing? All that most people have been reading about him is that he visited places; that is all we have been reading. Is that the work for a vice? It is true that the vice should do whatever his boss asks him to do but is it only ‘if there is crisis anywhere, go there?’ That is the impression most people are now having about his vice. But there is much to do.
When the Peoples Democratic Party criticised Buhari for being slow in governance, the Presidency claimed that Buhari was busy clearing the mess left behind by the last PDP-led administration.
He has four years; before you say Jack Robinson, a year will be gone. Almost 100 days are gone now. All we are hearing is probe! Probe! Probe! Probe is not the whole thing we are looking for. It is good; it is part of the cleaning but it is not one-tenth of the cleaning that should be done. Look at the country, it is still dirty. Nothing seems to be moving. You are a Nigerian; I am a Nigerian, we cannot see it.
Do you think the President can move faster than this?
Of course! Even if he has not gotten his ministers in place, he can still do a lot with his assistant – his vice. Who is helping him to change the service chiefs, removing (sacking) this and putting (appointing) this? Who is helping him to do that? But he is doing it because he feels it is necessary. There are many things that people are expecting from him.
But it appears that he wants to first pay attention to the biggest problems – corruption and insecurity. Are you saying they don’t need urgent attention?
The emphasis right now is seen to be on one side; it is 80 per cent on corruption. The only side that I can give the remaining 20 per cent to is Boko Haram. That is all. If you come to this area (somewhere in Ikoyi) at night, it is dark. You will think you are in hell. And there is a police station not far from here. That was why when they were constructing this building, I told them to fix all these street lights you are seeing just to throw light around. I am paying for it. This is a government job but I cannot allow people to be dying or be kidnapped unnecessarily. Why am I here, when I call myself a man of God? For example, this month, I am paying N99, 000 all because of all this mess. This is just a street.
Insecurity is still there. Even if you say you want to handle corruption and insecurity, there will still be a parallel line of duties: ‘Oh my vice, help me to look at this side while I focus on that.’ I read in the papers that the service chiefs have been asked to ‘finish’ Boko Haram in three months; have they got the necessary instruments? That is one thing. The equipment, are they ready? And are they properly trained for it (terror war)? It is one thing to sit down and say this must be done, that must be done; another thing is action. We need actions now, not words. There are too many words. I think as an ex-military man – a soldier is always a soldier — he should come out really to say this is what we want to do. At least, let people feel that the trait is still there. If I remove this (my) robe tomorrow, my conscience will still be telling that ‘don’t forget what you were before.’ You have already imbibed it; it is there; it is now part and parcel of you. We want to see more of this (action).
I don’t know how people will take it but look at (former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde) Fashola; he was going round. He was not just sitting down in a place, he moved. That is why Lagos is what it is now. I know that the APC has a manifesto and blueprint. In their states, it is only the stupid governors that will not follow the blueprint. And that is why anywhere (state) you go to, you can see the signs that there is progress. It was not like that in the PDP. Challenge me if you can!
With this example, do you believe that Nigerians are better off under APC?
You mean the entire country?
Yes.
How many months have they spent?
But you just said it is a party with a blueprint, which the PDP lacked.
I said only a stupid governor will not follow the blueprint. How many of them are following the blueprint? ‘Let the money come out. Let them release the money,’ that is what we are hearing. Then, you will hear ‘there is nothing in the purse.’ Why do you go for elections if you know there is nothing in the purse? What did you do with the money? How did you campaign and win? Did you use stones or air?
Although there is a new administration, what are the things you feel the last administration left undone?
Jonathan was like a bird in a cage when he was there. Every time I still recall when he was vice president and he asked me to pray for him. I warned him, ‘I am not a seer; I am not a prophet.’ He said a simple thing, ‘Bishop, please pray for me.’ And I said, ‘What do you want from God?’ I asked, ‘Why are you asking me to pray for you?’ He said, ‘Don’t you know I will be running for election? This is 2011.’ I said, ‘Don’t worry about 2011. You have won the election but you will not rule.’ He shouted, ‘Why?’ I said, ‘Simply because the people around you do not want you to rule.’ And that was exactly what happened. When he first started, all the dead woods that Nigerians were talking about – that he made ministers – he relieved them of their duties. But unfortunately, he made the greatest mistake; he brought them back with different portfolios. And that is what Buhari too should watch out for. Whether it is Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba, he has to be very careful. They are still there; they are watching like hawks. I think he is looking for saints as ministers. You watch the kind of saints he will get as ministers.
Does it mean you agree with Prof. Wole Soyinka that Jonathan was caged by those around him?
Truth is bitter but it must be spoken. Whether it was spoken by Wole Soyinka or Okojie or anybody, it is the same truth. What is wrong with us in this country? We always like to either sidetrack the truth or sweep it under the carpet until it becomes big. Then, we start shouting. I did not know Soyinka said anything like this. It is the truth.
But somebody like Prof. Tam David-West believes that if Jonathan was upright, he would not have allowed people with questionable character to surround him. Do you agree with him?
Let me give you an example from the Bible: Look at the time of Moses. You know how powerful Moses was. God was behind him but the Israelites were often against him. They wanted him to do their will; one against so many, because he had the all powerful God. If you are a leader – you call yourself a leader – and you are not close to God, you are useless. One with God is always majority.
Does that mean Jonathan was not with God?
I don’t know. I am not the one to judge. I don’t know but you can see from the actions. You can see what went on. You said I said what Soyinka said. He didn’t confer with me; I didn’t confer with him anywhere. I told him (Jonathan) when he was vice president that this is what was going to happen. What else do you want? You want God to come down and say so. One Father Mbaka said something like that. Suddenly he changed and he was very apologetic and everybody started castigating him. You cannot hide truth. There is no way, it will come out.
Should some of the blame go to the religious leaders for the role they played in the last election, as Jonathan went to several other clerics for prayers but it appears that they did not warn him like you did?
I went to him – as the vice president, not as the president – for something and after our discussion he said so (to pray for him) and he got my reply. Meanwhile, this (2015) was when the pressure was getting to his throat and almost engulfing him. That was when he started going around. And those he went to, if they were really men of God, they knew where the truth lied but they never showed him the truth. Did you see the photograph I saw; you saw him in the midst of obas; you saw the way they pointed their sticks (at him). If you are a Yoruba man, do they (monarchs) pray with that kind of thing? No way! ‘You want prayer? We will give you prayer.’ This means they were deceptive. I am not ready to do that kind of thing. If it is the last bullet, I will rather die and meet my God. This is one thing that is wrong with this nation: we have many people that are ready to do anything because of money. They don’t think about their neighbour.
If you think these clerics deceived Jonathan… (Cuts in)
I don’t know. I did not say they deceived him.
But you said they did not tell him the truth.
Yes. From the results, they did not tell him the truth and he will regret it now.
What then can you say of the Christian Association of Nigeria and how Christian leaders relate with politicians?
I was one of the founders of CAN. I was the President of CAN for eight good years – myself and Mr. C. O Williams. He is dead now, may his soul rest in peace. He was a Methodist. When we were there, anybody, any Christian that had any problem, no matter what part of country, must contact the secretary before coming to me. You will also find out that we didn’t depend on anybody except God. If we wanted to travel, we sourced for funds. After coming back, we gave reports; ‘This is what we spent.’ But no sooner than I left that place that the katataka (disorganisation) started. It was Sunday Mbang who took over from me. That was when the whole issue started. CAN was no more CAN, it was just an empty thing. Its operations started well but suddenly it started to fail. Then, people started shouting, ‘Catholic has done it (led the association); Methodist has done it; we too must do it.’ That is not how it was done; we always did it by election and the election was always on our own.
Then, they started asking government to come and help them to hold elections: ‘We need money because CAN is going to hold election.’ Of course, he who pays the piper calls the tune. And unless a free and fair election is held in CAN, CAN will be no CAN anymore. God cannot deal with falsehood, impossible. When you struggle for position — the power that God didn’t to give to you, you struggled and you got it — who gave you the power? It’s the devil. And the devil will be happy. What really pains me is that the people they (some clerics) are deceiving, they cannot use their inner eyes to know that these people are not speaking the truth. That is the problem. Nigeria is a very beautiful nation with so many people who are ready to move this nation forward. But those who are ready to destroy the nation are few. You can know from their utterances.
When is it too risky for religious leaders in their dealing with politicians, especially those in public offices?
They should speak the truth and nothing but the truth. But people are not ready. ‘What do I get?’ ‘I want my reward here now,’ like teachers used to say in those days. ‘I want my rewards now; I don’t want it in heaven. I don’t know whether there is heaven, just give me now.’ Look at the number of churches we have in Nigeria, for example. On this street – I don’t want to mention names – there are three churches. We have a church here, another one behind me and another one just right there on this same street. And there is a law in Lagos State that says two churches cannot be on a street. They are now talking of noise making; who makes the noise? Before, they used to accuse the Muslims. They brought it (the complaint) to us while I was in CAN. I said ‘Gentlemen, before we do that; before we criticise, it is like somebody pointing an accusing finger at his neighbour; look at the position of the remaining for fingers.’
Look at this small street, there are three (churches). Before the end of the year, we may have another one. I remember asking one of them who was coming out of that place, ‘I am a Christian and you are a Christian. Look at one, two and three; what is wrong with us? I worship in my little chapel here, do you hear my voice?’ He said ‘Bishop, you see, this is the problem with you Catholics.’ I said, ‘I am not talking of Catholics or no Catholics.’ He said anybody could do the way they wanted and I said okay. Let us wait and see what the Lagos State Government will do to them. They (churches) could not talk because Fashola wasn’t a Christian and he was hitting some of them. Now, Fashola is no more there; a Christian is now there and they are now spreading their wings.
Are you aware that the new administration recently sealed up some churches, mosques and hotels for noise and environmental pollution?
He has not done anything yet. He is just beginning. Just like schools, people are now seeing churches as a good avenue for making money, because of telling lies. Tell me of any church in the Lagos – I don’t know of other parts of Nigeria – apart from Catholics that will not tell you ‘we can work miracles, we can cure you, we can remove the devil or your enemy is after you.’ Some of them curse. Is that a church instituted by God? Only God has the right to curse, no human being has that right.
Why can’t religious leaders scold the elite among their congregation whenever they err rather than giving them special treatment?
He who pays the pipers calls the tune. Because they are the ones who pay the pastors or whatever they call themselves, anything they want, the pastor must give. And the more he attends to them the more money he gets. That is what the pastor is looking for; that is why he started his church. Do you blame him? He knows he is doing the wrong thing but because of the money he won’t stop. When we were in CAN, we went to the Corporate Affairs Commission and told them that they had no right to deal with spiritual matters. We had the body of Christians called CAN and we have a body for the Muslims. ‘If somebody comes to you and say he wants to register a church, say no, go to CAN or the Islamic body.’ But they (the CAC) never agreed. That was how the corruption came up. So, once a church is registered, the man can be a businessman; he can be a trader; he can be a rogue; he can be anything; he is registered. Let them continue. What business do they have in registering churches? Look at the atrocities now about marriages. They get man and woman and say ‘repeat after me: for better, for worse.’ After six months, he tells them ‘you are dissolved, go.’ Is that marriage? Where is the love? Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. You cannot mix both together. That is the problem.
What Buhari should do with Tompolo, Asari — Dein of Agbor
Emma Amaize & Theresa Ugbobu
One of the monarchs that have carried himself with admirable gait and candor in Niger Delta, nay Nigeria and the world is His Royal Majesty, HRM, Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi, Dein of Agbor Kingdom, an Igbo town in Delta North Senatorial district, Delta State.
Born June 29, 1977, the 38 –year-old monarch, who became the world’s youngest monarch when kingmakers installed him in 1979 at the age of two years, four months, has demonstrated wisdom beyond his age. The Guinness Book of World Records captured the rare feat in its 1981 edition.
He has avoided scandal like a plague and rarely grants press interviews. However, he broke his time-honored silence, last week, when he played host to a team of Vanguard, led by the Editor of Niger Delta Voice in his palace. Excerpts:
WHAT was childhood like, how did you grow up?
As many people know in Nigeria, I crowned at the age of 2 years, 4 months and not too long after that for security reasons, I had to travel abroad. As at the time that I was crowned, I will take as honour to Nigeria because honour to anybody in Nigeria is an honour to the country.
The Guinness Book of Records recorded the country as having the world’s youngest crowned monarch at the time. I grew up in the United Kingdom; it was very interesting and as far as am concerned, that was the building block of who I am today.
Security reasons
Rather than growing up with silver spoon in my mouth, which I would have grown up with had I been here with my father, instead I grew up in a country where I had to be very silent about who I was for security reasons. However, the relevant authorities, royal palace and queens’ palace knew who I was and where I was. The headmaster in the schools always knew who I was, but thanks to those who made it so and I am very grateful for this, I was able to grow up pretty normally without the rest of the children knowing who I was and I have always enjoyed that. Therefore, it was somewhat a strong training ground for me. I finally came back to Nigeria in the year 2000; I had been to Nigeria previously on two occasions for short visit. The final coming back was after I aged 15, I had become very pro- African after understanding that Africa is actually the cradle of civilization. Africa is where the great stories of the Bible mainly took place, Africa is where you can find the Garden of Eden, we are great people in Africa and at 15 years, I dedicated my life to making sure that the world one day will recognize Africa as it was in the distant past.
So, it has been a very interesting life, it has taught me one thing, we are all human beings, those in position of power and leadership are simply in a position of trust, our people trust us and we must dedicate our lives to serving them. Once again, being abroad taught me that even it is once every year, those in leadership should go somewhere where nobody knows them.
Arguments and problems
It will make them to remember that we are all the same, I drive and I go out incommunicado on my own, we all bleed, we all cry, we all have good days and bad days and we will all join our ancestors one day. Therefore, what we do in life is cherish what we have and people around us and stop the war, the arguments and problems, be your brother’s keeper, these things are part of my growing up and what made me who I am today.
There was a report then that the Oba of Benin took custody of you then, can you confirm this?
Certainly, you can imagine that the Oba of Benin and Ooni of Ife were quite instrumental with the government of the day in making sure that I was crowned. Many people do not understand that the relationship between Benin and Agbor kingdoms is a very ancient one.
We are direct blood brothers, so at that time, there was a lot of pandemonium, my life was at risk, the safest place for me then was to have stayed with my brother, the Oba of Benin. Therefore, I was there briefly before they finally took me abroad.
At what point in your life did you find out that you are a king?
From the moment I was born, I knew that I am a monarch to be, just like my son, he carries his royalty very well.
There was this succession battle while you were outside the country, how did it play out?
First, there was never anything like a succession battle, so you have two assumed facts that are very incorrect. We have a tradition here that dates back to 721 BC, which is our first dynasty of which I am the 19th monarch. From 1270 AD, the monarchy here is hereditary, so if you know that there is a hereditary monarchy and there was a vacuum, then there cannot be a succession battle. The interest then was simply a matter of the Regency Council; a regency council had to be in place to manage the affairs of the kingdom.
Of course, the regency council is just like an authority, an agency, it is something that happens whenever there is a vacancy anywhere in this country, so everybody was very interested, that was simply what it was.
Can you recall while in the UK how you carried yourself knowing you are a king?
The same way I have always carried myself with the knowledge and responsibility that I have people that are relying on me. It is the same way that I still carry myself knowing that if I embarrass myself, I embarrass my people.
Interest in parties
Anybody in a position of power should know that, I have always kept myself very quiet; I have never been interested in parties and going out with friends and or that. My interest is to serve my people and how best to promote Africa. We produce the resources; Africans feed the world, so it has always been very important to me that Africans should organize themselves so that we regain back our glory from the days of Egypt. Unfortunately, every nation goes through its bad stages. Africa has gone through its bad stage of slavery and it disorganized us. During slavery, they carried away the best and fittest of our people, they took them away to build Europe for them, build America for them, we are proud of these things, but at the same time, we, as Africans have to look back and start doing for ourselves what we have done for others.
Therefore, in England, I have my friends, I have my Indians friends and African friends too and I enjoyed it because it was a period of learning for me, just like any other young man at the time.
What are the odd things that you have had to go through in life?
Odd things, I have not had odd things in my life. As I said, I have always kept myself to myself; I try to stay away from contention and problem. From when I was very young, I have never really been with people of my own age because I find them talking about girls constantly, about cars and parties. It is quite boring to me, especially when people are dying and need help. I will rather be talking about how to rebuild Nigeria, how Nigeria can take pre-eminence in not only Africa, but in the international world.
We are hoping that our present President, Muhammadu Buhari will follow up on what former presidents of Nigeria have done and improve on it. I think here in Nigeria, we like to talk about negative things too much and when you talk about the negative too much, you will be surprised that you encourage the negative to happen, this is a great nation, and we have many things to celebrate, let us talk about the positive things in life and celebrate them.
What is the strangest thing that has ever happened to your in life?
The strangest thing that has ever happened to me in life, it to be in a country that is very rich and the people are very poor. The strangest thing I have ever seen is to have such a great nation, to have such a great people, Nigerians are very intelligent people, if you go anywhere in the world, check their great institutions and achievements, you will find that there are one or two Nigerians behind the feat.
Who played the role of father to you after the death of your father?
Once again, as you mentioned earlier, Oba of Benin has played that role for me, his cousin in London, Dr. Robert Obaze also played that role. Equally, the Ooni of Ife has played that role; the Emir of Kano has played that role. In current times as I always joke with him, I call him big bros; the Sultan of Sokoto has recently been a very big brother since he ascended the throne of his ancestors.
Chief Alex Duduyemi is another man that has been a great influence in my life, I cannot forget the former president of this country, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, is a great father to me. He is somebody that I turn to when I have difficulties or I need to discuss things, I enjoy his company, I enjoy his wisdom and I thank God that he is still willing and able to fight for this country the way he had fought.
Having spent a good part of your life abroad, what are you missing now you are in Nigeria?
I am missing good roads, instead of five hours from Lagos to Agbor, I would rather if the road is good want to spend two hours, I enjoy driving, I love powerful cars, it gives me pleasure but we do not have good roads. If we have, I will like to drive myself while my chiefs can follow me, although they might not like the fact that I am driving. However, somebody has to relax somehow; but certainly, I miss the fact that we do not have good roads because without good roads, we lose many lives.
I miss constant electricity, I feel sad that so many successful business executives in this country, rather than spend their profit on building a stronger company, they have had to dedicate so much of their profit to buying diesel and I think it is counterproductive. I also miss a lawful society, disciplined police force, but we are working towards that, I think everybody is sitting up now that we have a very strict president, we thank God for that. This is the follow up from President Obasanjo that we have always wanted.
How has it been occupying the sacred throne of your fathers for about 15 years effectively?
It has been challenging, I have been on the throne for about 36 years now, not 15 years effectively as you said. In Africa, the young ones are supposed to be seen and not heard, but circumstances have brought a situation where the young ones are now heard, many elders are not comfortable with this, many elders would prefer to talk to the young ones and be talked back at.
Silence in His presence
I say this is not the best, the young have the strength, I have always said that when I meet God, his ears are going to be full because I have so many questions to ask and I know I will be given the liberty to ask those questions.
Because God gave me eyes, mouth, nose, ear and brain to use, He did not give them to me to be silent in His presence. So similarly, I find it difficult to see something wrong and not say something, I will not find out that you are involved in bribery, 419 and other crimes and you expect me to keep quiet, it does not matter if you are my brother or sister. I must say something though I try to be diplomatic about it. It does not matter if you are the governor, I can tell you that the former governor of Delta state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan had his earful with me because he had a duty, we have federal character, and we have to recognize our brothers and sisters, who are all indigenes of the state. Just because I am the king of Agbor does not mean that I am better than others are.
That was why at the height of the Niger Delta problem, I volunteered and took myself to the creeks. Very few people knew that. I saw that the country was burning, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan then was very sceptical, saying His Majesty, what of if you go down there and they kidnap you and I said they would not kidnap me because these are young men and they see me with them.
Huge potential
So I took the risk, I took it for the nation, for the good of all because I could see young men that were on a dying situation. Not understanding how to move forward was causing destruction and that destruc-tion would affect all of our lives, that was what inspired my trip to the creeks. I was very shocked when I got to the creeks, I went with one of my subjects, who is now a chief, Rear Admiral Elumah (retd), I thank God I had a naval man to help navigate the water. The other person, who is an army general, was not too comfortable on the water, but I thank God that we got there and I saw that there is huge potential in the creek. We can turn the creeks into Miami and California, it is beautiful there but unfortunately, oil has caused so much damage.
And indeed after hearing all the horror stories of kidnap and all that, as my boat was going this way, I saw Dokubo-Asari going the other way and I was wondering what have I gotten myself into, but while I was expecting to see a very huge leader of the militants, a very violent person, I was completely proved wrong. An amiable, respectful and soft spoken and humble Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, walked in and we sat down and discussed.
He told me what their grievances are and he took me to his house, which he had built to make a statement that it was possible to develop the creeks. After showing me the house, he asked me if the state government cannot do likewise and I remember that very clearly, his intention of building that structure was to prove that if he can do it, what is stopping government from doing it. In addition, he took me round several projects in the creek communities, which both the state and federal governments have been doing, many of which remain uncompleted.
I can tell you, these were what made the boys bitter and I took that away with me and until this day, I will never forget how they shouted, how they hollered, the Dein of Agbor in the creeks! Nevertheless, why not, is this country not my own as well. If Nigeria is embarrassed, will I not as a Nigerian abroad be embarrassed, I will not want them to single me out when I am travelling because I am a Nigerian to search me and suspect everything about my passport.
People see Tompolo from different perspectives depending on what they know of him, how do you see him which year was this famous voyage?
It must have been around 2007 or 2008 at the height of the problem. Many Nigerians I have noticed in the 15 years I have been here comment on people they have never met before. If I listened to people before I met Obasanjo, I would not have met him because I have heard all sorts of horrible things about him. However, when I met him, I found out that he loves Nigeria and is a good person. I have said this earlier.
The same thing with the young man Tompolo, he is fighting for his people, he might not necessarily be doing it in the best of ways, but his intention is simply struggling for his people. Now, can you imagine if we do what is correct, as President Obasanjo had tried to do, as Jonathan tried to continue and I am sure this present regime will also continue, will we not be able to tap minds like Tompolo, Dokubo-Asari instead of exerting their energy against the country? Tompolo is a man that is soft- spoken and respectful. My advice is not to judge people before you meet them and find out who they really are.
Brother’s keeper
Let us be our brother’s keeper. What happens if Dokubo-Asari with all his fire and strength is fighting to push Nigeria forward, I think we will all enjoy it, these are very strong people, let us not always give a negative picture of our people and the worst thing you can do in life is to judge somebody before you ever met him. We do it far too much, it is a very dreadful thing, discuss with somebody first. I did not know who I was going to meet when I ventured into the creeks and as I told you, I was very shocked at how quiet Tompolo is. I have never heard an angry word from him, he speaks with such a silent voice that you start to wonder that when a quiet person blows up, the world trembles.
Therefore, please Nigeria, Buhari is a very quiet person, let us not upset the man, when your brother does something that is wrong, do not embarrass him in public.
I want better things for Nigeria because we are a great people. I am commending the effort of Jim Ovia, who is from here for going to build a petrochemical plant of 1.5 billion US dollars in Akwa Ibom state. I hope Akwa Ibom governor will remember that it is an Agbor man that has invested in Akwa Ibom and that he will equally encourage his people to come and invest here in Agbor kingdom. Dangote, I thank you, you have been able to build yourself to the level that you are, creating many jobs, you are a role model, and we need men like these. We should be celebrating as a people; we should stop the bickering and fighting.
Bickering and fighting
We should not be saying that I am a Yoruba person or an Hausa person first before we are Nigerians. America’s power is because you have Chinese, Germans, British there and once you become a citizen of USA, first and foremost, you are a citizen of USA no matter where you come from, that is what a great nation is built of, we must put down this tribal propensity and recognize that we are nothing but brothers and sisters.
What are the unique things about Agbor Kingdom?
Agbor kingdom dates back to 721 BC with three dynasties, which is one unique in Agbor kingdom. We have old ties with the ancient Egyptians and the world is proud of our history and contributions. In Belgium, you must be 36 years old of age before you can be given a national honour, but Belgians were so impressed of the things that I, as the symbol of Agbor kingdom is doing that they made a ratification of their law to give me their national honour at a young age 27 years. For me, that is something I will always respect and cherish and the glory is for Agbor kingdom. Again, my dear brother and friend, a father figure to me, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo made me the youngest Chancellor ever in the world. That is not only celebration of Agbor kingdom or Delta state, but Nigeria.
My father was a one-time director in the Nigeria Shipping Line while my grandfather was a member in the Western House of Assembly. Not many monarchs can boast of these things, my people are amazing to have stayed 30 years without a monarch, remained together as a people and fought to keep their monarchy alive, which is a feat that not many nations have been able to go through.
Agbor kingdom is an amazing place; it is an amazing kingdom, as you know the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele is from Agbor. We have one of the most successful business-persons in Africa, Jim Ovia, from Agbor kingdom too. We are almost right in the centre of the country, Agbor is certainly where you must pass through to get to other parts of the country.
What are the challenges facing Agbor kingdom?
No road, education is not what it used to be, no electricity. In the time of our ancestors, we have water running, but now, no water, lack of understanding of ourselves, the same problems we have here in Agbor kingdom is the same in Nigeria.
How have you tried to solve them?
Government of the day, I am not attacking you, just do your damn job. I had numerous problems with the past governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. Like the present governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, he is the number one servant of the people. He is an amazing man, honourable, always trying to help his people. As a servant, you must do the will of your people, without the people; there will not be a nation.
If the people are not happy, it shows the governments are not doing their work and you are not taking the welfare of the people seriously, meaning you need to work hard.
Leading people
Leading people is difficult, we, as a people need to encourage the government, if you scold your baby negatively, he will not learn, but if you scold him positively, he will learn his lessons. We should encourage our govern-ment officials; our media should put a stop to negativity.
You tried to call warring NURTW members in Agbor to order and tackle cultists at a time, how did it go?
National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, was not helpful. Where an organization fails to understand they are managing people, then they have failed. In the area of cultism, you are from an age group when cult started, earlier it was for positive things, unfortunately our boys turned it to be negative.
Given an object, gun, which is for hunting to collect something that does not belong to you means you are a thief. Cults are not the actual problem, but the mind of our children. We no longer correct our children in our society; our boys roam round the streets for lack of job, lack of getting things to do with their lives and an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
What is wrong, we learnt that the Ekuku Agbor people are on a secession path from your kingdom?
You are not correct, the Ekuku Agbor people are very peaceful and loving people, it is just for few individuals who learnt oil was flowing in their place that decided to lead some people astray, saying that few people are enjoying the dividends from the oil company, Pan Ocean, while others are suffering. These few individuals are trying to make money for themselves while others do not know what is happening, not every Nigerian is corrupt but few Nigerians, not every policeman is corrupt but few police officers are.
One of the monarchs that have carried himself with admirable gait and candor in Niger Delta, nay Nigeria and the world is His Royal Majesty, HRM, Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi, Dein of Agbor Kingdom, an Igbo town in Delta North Senatorial district, Delta State.
Deinof Agbor
He has avoided scandal like a plague and rarely grants press interviews. However, he broke his time-honored silence, last week, when he played host to a team of Vanguard, led by the Editor of Niger Delta Voice in his palace. Excerpts:
WHAT was childhood like, how did you grow up?
As many people know in Nigeria, I crowned at the age of 2 years, 4 months and not too long after that for security reasons, I had to travel abroad. As at the time that I was crowned, I will take as honour to Nigeria because honour to anybody in Nigeria is an honour to the country.
The Guinness Book of Records recorded the country as having the world’s youngest crowned monarch at the time. I grew up in the United Kingdom; it was very interesting and as far as am concerned, that was the building block of who I am today.
Security reasons
Rather than growing up with silver spoon in my mouth, which I would have grown up with had I been here with my father, instead I grew up in a country where I had to be very silent about who I was for security reasons. However, the relevant authorities, royal palace and queens’ palace knew who I was and where I was. The headmaster in the schools always knew who I was, but thanks to those who made it so and I am very grateful for this, I was able to grow up pretty normally without the rest of the children knowing who I was and I have always enjoyed that. Therefore, it was somewhat a strong training ground for me. I finally came back to Nigeria in the year 2000; I had been to Nigeria previously on two occasions for short visit. The final coming back was after I aged 15, I had become very pro- African after understanding that Africa is actually the cradle of civilization. Africa is where the great stories of the Bible mainly took place, Africa is where you can find the Garden of Eden, we are great people in Africa and at 15 years, I dedicated my life to making sure that the world one day will recognize Africa as it was in the distant past.
So, it has been a very interesting life, it has taught me one thing, we are all human beings, those in position of power and leadership are simply in a position of trust, our people trust us and we must dedicate our lives to serving them. Once again, being abroad taught me that even it is once every year, those in leadership should go somewhere where nobody knows them.
Arguments and problems
It will make them to remember that we are all the same, I drive and I go out incommunicado on my own, we all bleed, we all cry, we all have good days and bad days and we will all join our ancestors one day. Therefore, what we do in life is cherish what we have and people around us and stop the war, the arguments and problems, be your brother’s keeper, these things are part of my growing up and what made me who I am today.
There was a report then that the Oba of Benin took custody of you then, can you confirm this?
Certainly, you can imagine that the Oba of Benin and Ooni of Ife were quite instrumental with the government of the day in making sure that I was crowned. Many people do not understand that the relationship between Benin and Agbor kingdoms is a very ancient one.
We are direct blood brothers, so at that time, there was a lot of pandemonium, my life was at risk, the safest place for me then was to have stayed with my brother, the Oba of Benin. Therefore, I was there briefly before they finally took me abroad.
At what point in your life did you find out that you are a king?
From the moment I was born, I knew that I am a monarch to be, just like my son, he carries his royalty very well.
There was this succession battle while you were outside the country, how did it play out?
First, there was never anything like a succession battle, so you have two assumed facts that are very incorrect. We have a tradition here that dates back to 721 BC, which is our first dynasty of which I am the 19th monarch. From 1270 AD, the monarchy here is hereditary, so if you know that there is a hereditary monarchy and there was a vacuum, then there cannot be a succession battle. The interest then was simply a matter of the Regency Council; a regency council had to be in place to manage the affairs of the kingdom.
Of course, the regency council is just like an authority, an agency, it is something that happens whenever there is a vacancy anywhere in this country, so everybody was very interested, that was simply what it was.
Can you recall while in the UK how you carried yourself knowing you are a king?
The same way I have always carried myself with the knowledge and responsibility that I have people that are relying on me. It is the same way that I still carry myself knowing that if I embarrass myself, I embarrass my people.
Interest in parties
Anybody in a position of power should know that, I have always kept myself very quiet; I have never been interested in parties and going out with friends and or that. My interest is to serve my people and how best to promote Africa. We produce the resources; Africans feed the world, so it has always been very important to me that Africans should organize themselves so that we regain back our glory from the days of Egypt. Unfortunately, every nation goes through its bad stages. Africa has gone through its bad stage of slavery and it disorganized us. During slavery, they carried away the best and fittest of our people, they took them away to build Europe for them, build America for them, we are proud of these things, but at the same time, we, as Africans have to look back and start doing for ourselves what we have done for others.
Therefore, in England, I have my friends, I have my Indians friends and African friends too and I enjoyed it because it was a period of learning for me, just like any other young man at the time.
What are the odd things that you have had to go through in life?
Odd things, I have not had odd things in my life. As I said, I have always kept myself to myself; I try to stay away from contention and problem. From when I was very young, I have never really been with people of my own age because I find them talking about girls constantly, about cars and parties. It is quite boring to me, especially when people are dying and need help. I will rather be talking about how to rebuild Nigeria, how Nigeria can take pre-eminence in not only Africa, but in the international world.
We are hoping that our present President, Muhammadu Buhari will follow up on what former presidents of Nigeria have done and improve on it. I think here in Nigeria, we like to talk about negative things too much and when you talk about the negative too much, you will be surprised that you encourage the negative to happen, this is a great nation, and we have many things to celebrate, let us talk about the positive things in life and celebrate them.
What is the strangest thing that has ever happened to your in life?
The strangest thing that has ever happened to me in life, it to be in a country that is very rich and the people are very poor. The strangest thing I have ever seen is to have such a great nation, to have such a great people, Nigerians are very intelligent people, if you go anywhere in the world, check their great institutions and achievements, you will find that there are one or two Nigerians behind the feat.
Who played the role of father to you after the death of your father?
Once again, as you mentioned earlier, Oba of Benin has played that role for me, his cousin in London, Dr. Robert Obaze also played that role. Equally, the Ooni of Ife has played that role; the Emir of Kano has played that role. In current times as I always joke with him, I call him big bros; the Sultan of Sokoto has recently been a very big brother since he ascended the throne of his ancestors.
Chief Alex Duduyemi is another man that has been a great influence in my life, I cannot forget the former president of this country, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, is a great father to me. He is somebody that I turn to when I have difficulties or I need to discuss things, I enjoy his company, I enjoy his wisdom and I thank God that he is still willing and able to fight for this country the way he had fought.
Having spent a good part of your life abroad, what are you missing now you are in Nigeria?
I am missing good roads, instead of five hours from Lagos to Agbor, I would rather if the road is good want to spend two hours, I enjoy driving, I love powerful cars, it gives me pleasure but we do not have good roads. If we have, I will like to drive myself while my chiefs can follow me, although they might not like the fact that I am driving. However, somebody has to relax somehow; but certainly, I miss the fact that we do not have good roads because without good roads, we lose many lives.
I miss constant electricity, I feel sad that so many successful business executives in this country, rather than spend their profit on building a stronger company, they have had to dedicate so much of their profit to buying diesel and I think it is counterproductive. I also miss a lawful society, disciplined police force, but we are working towards that, I think everybody is sitting up now that we have a very strict president, we thank God for that. This is the follow up from President Obasanjo that we have always wanted.
How has it been occupying the sacred throne of your fathers for about 15 years effectively?
It has been challenging, I have been on the throne for about 36 years now, not 15 years effectively as you said. In Africa, the young ones are supposed to be seen and not heard, but circumstances have brought a situation where the young ones are now heard, many elders are not comfortable with this, many elders would prefer to talk to the young ones and be talked back at.
Silence in His presence
I say this is not the best, the young have the strength, I have always said that when I meet God, his ears are going to be full because I have so many questions to ask and I know I will be given the liberty to ask those questions.
Because God gave me eyes, mouth, nose, ear and brain to use, He did not give them to me to be silent in His presence. So similarly, I find it difficult to see something wrong and not say something, I will not find out that you are involved in bribery, 419 and other crimes and you expect me to keep quiet, it does not matter if you are my brother or sister. I must say something though I try to be diplomatic about it. It does not matter if you are the governor, I can tell you that the former governor of Delta state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan had his earful with me because he had a duty, we have federal character, and we have to recognize our brothers and sisters, who are all indigenes of the state. Just because I am the king of Agbor does not mean that I am better than others are.
That was why at the height of the Niger Delta problem, I volunteered and took myself to the creeks. Very few people knew that. I saw that the country was burning, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan then was very sceptical, saying His Majesty, what of if you go down there and they kidnap you and I said they would not kidnap me because these are young men and they see me with them.
Huge potential
So I took the risk, I took it for the nation, for the good of all because I could see young men that were on a dying situation. Not understanding how to move forward was causing destruction and that destruc-tion would affect all of our lives, that was what inspired my trip to the creeks. I was very shocked when I got to the creeks, I went with one of my subjects, who is now a chief, Rear Admiral Elumah (retd), I thank God I had a naval man to help navigate the water. The other person, who is an army general, was not too comfortable on the water, but I thank God that we got there and I saw that there is huge potential in the creek. We can turn the creeks into Miami and California, it is beautiful there but unfortunately, oil has caused so much damage.
And indeed after hearing all the horror stories of kidnap and all that, as my boat was going this way, I saw Dokubo-Asari going the other way and I was wondering what have I gotten myself into, but while I was expecting to see a very huge leader of the militants, a very violent person, I was completely proved wrong. An amiable, respectful and soft spoken and humble Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, walked in and we sat down and discussed.
He told me what their grievances are and he took me to his house, which he had built to make a statement that it was possible to develop the creeks. After showing me the house, he asked me if the state government cannot do likewise and I remember that very clearly, his intention of building that structure was to prove that if he can do it, what is stopping government from doing it. In addition, he took me round several projects in the creek communities, which both the state and federal governments have been doing, many of which remain uncompleted.
I can tell you, these were what made the boys bitter and I took that away with me and until this day, I will never forget how they shouted, how they hollered, the Dein of Agbor in the creeks! Nevertheless, why not, is this country not my own as well. If Nigeria is embarrassed, will I not as a Nigerian abroad be embarrassed, I will not want them to single me out when I am travelling because I am a Nigerian to search me and suspect everything about my passport.
People see Tompolo from different perspectives depending on what they know of him, how do you see him which year was this famous voyage?
It must have been around 2007 or 2008 at the height of the problem. Many Nigerians I have noticed in the 15 years I have been here comment on people they have never met before. If I listened to people before I met Obasanjo, I would not have met him because I have heard all sorts of horrible things about him. However, when I met him, I found out that he loves Nigeria and is a good person. I have said this earlier.
The same thing with the young man Tompolo, he is fighting for his people, he might not necessarily be doing it in the best of ways, but his intention is simply struggling for his people. Now, can you imagine if we do what is correct, as President Obasanjo had tried to do, as Jonathan tried to continue and I am sure this present regime will also continue, will we not be able to tap minds like Tompolo, Dokubo-Asari instead of exerting their energy against the country? Tompolo is a man that is soft- spoken and respectful. My advice is not to judge people before you meet them and find out who they really are.
Brother’s keeper
Let us be our brother’s keeper. What happens if Dokubo-Asari with all his fire and strength is fighting to push Nigeria forward, I think we will all enjoy it, these are very strong people, let us not always give a negative picture of our people and the worst thing you can do in life is to judge somebody before you ever met him. We do it far too much, it is a very dreadful thing, discuss with somebody first. I did not know who I was going to meet when I ventured into the creeks and as I told you, I was very shocked at how quiet Tompolo is. I have never heard an angry word from him, he speaks with such a silent voice that you start to wonder that when a quiet person blows up, the world trembles.
Therefore, please Nigeria, Buhari is a very quiet person, let us not upset the man, when your brother does something that is wrong, do not embarrass him in public.
I want better things for Nigeria because we are a great people. I am commending the effort of Jim Ovia, who is from here for going to build a petrochemical plant of 1.5 billion US dollars in Akwa Ibom state. I hope Akwa Ibom governor will remember that it is an Agbor man that has invested in Akwa Ibom and that he will equally encourage his people to come and invest here in Agbor kingdom. Dangote, I thank you, you have been able to build yourself to the level that you are, creating many jobs, you are a role model, and we need men like these. We should be celebrating as a people; we should stop the bickering and fighting.
Bickering and fighting
We should not be saying that I am a Yoruba person or an Hausa person first before we are Nigerians. America’s power is because you have Chinese, Germans, British there and once you become a citizen of USA, first and foremost, you are a citizen of USA no matter where you come from, that is what a great nation is built of, we must put down this tribal propensity and recognize that we are nothing but brothers and sisters.
What are the unique things about Agbor Kingdom?
Agbor kingdom dates back to 721 BC with three dynasties, which is one unique in Agbor kingdom. We have old ties with the ancient Egyptians and the world is proud of our history and contributions. In Belgium, you must be 36 years old of age before you can be given a national honour, but Belgians were so impressed of the things that I, as the symbol of Agbor kingdom is doing that they made a ratification of their law to give me their national honour at a young age 27 years. For me, that is something I will always respect and cherish and the glory is for Agbor kingdom. Again, my dear brother and friend, a father figure to me, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo made me the youngest Chancellor ever in the world. That is not only celebration of Agbor kingdom or Delta state, but Nigeria.
My father was a one-time director in the Nigeria Shipping Line while my grandfather was a member in the Western House of Assembly. Not many monarchs can boast of these things, my people are amazing to have stayed 30 years without a monarch, remained together as a people and fought to keep their monarchy alive, which is a feat that not many nations have been able to go through.
Agbor kingdom is an amazing place; it is an amazing kingdom, as you know the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele is from Agbor. We have one of the most successful business-persons in Africa, Jim Ovia, from Agbor kingdom too. We are almost right in the centre of the country, Agbor is certainly where you must pass through to get to other parts of the country.
What are the challenges facing Agbor kingdom?
No road, education is not what it used to be, no electricity. In the time of our ancestors, we have water running, but now, no water, lack of understanding of ourselves, the same problems we have here in Agbor kingdom is the same in Nigeria.
How have you tried to solve them?
Government of the day, I am not attacking you, just do your damn job. I had numerous problems with the past governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. Like the present governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, he is the number one servant of the people. He is an amazing man, honourable, always trying to help his people. As a servant, you must do the will of your people, without the people; there will not be a nation.
If the people are not happy, it shows the governments are not doing their work and you are not taking the welfare of the people seriously, meaning you need to work hard.
Leading people
Leading people is difficult, we, as a people need to encourage the government, if you scold your baby negatively, he will not learn, but if you scold him positively, he will learn his lessons. We should encourage our govern-ment officials; our media should put a stop to negativity.
You tried to call warring NURTW members in Agbor to order and tackle cultists at a time, how did it go?
National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, was not helpful. Where an organization fails to understand they are managing people, then they have failed. In the area of cultism, you are from an age group when cult started, earlier it was for positive things, unfortunately our boys turned it to be negative.
Given an object, gun, which is for hunting to collect something that does not belong to you means you are a thief. Cults are not the actual problem, but the mind of our children. We no longer correct our children in our society; our boys roam round the streets for lack of job, lack of getting things to do with their lives and an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
What is wrong, we learnt that the Ekuku Agbor people are on a secession path from your kingdom?
You are not correct, the Ekuku Agbor people are very peaceful and loving people, it is just for few individuals who learnt oil was flowing in their place that decided to lead some people astray, saying that few people are enjoying the dividends from the oil company, Pan Ocean, while others are suffering. These few individuals are trying to make money for themselves while others do not know what is happening, not every Nigerian is corrupt but few Nigerians, not every policeman is corrupt but few police officers are.
Thursday, 13 August 2015
MUST READ | APC PRESS RELEASE] Don’t truncate the fight against corruption – APC warns.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned against any attempt to truncate the ongoing fight against corruption under any guise, while also expressing total support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s determination to end the scourge of corruption in the country.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party appealed to all Nigerians, especially opinion leaders, to ensure that their actions and utterances do not give comfort to those who have looted the commonwealth.
”Our party promised Nigerians change, but the change that we promised and which Nigerians desire so much cannot be achieved if we allow the resources that belong to all Nigerians to be appropriated by a few. How do we upgrade our decayed infrastructure and provide jobs for our people when the money meant for that has been squirelled away by a few?
”President Buhari has promised to break the vicious cycle of corruption that has held Nigeria down. How can he do that if he allows those who have looted the treasury to escape justice, and then use their ill-gotten wealth to fight the government? How can he do that if he turns a blind eye to the monumental cases corruption in all sectors.
”We know that fighting corruption in a society where the cankerworm has eaten deep into its fabric will not be easy. We know that corruption will always fight back. But there is no other choice than to confront and destroy this monster once and for all, lest it destroys Nigeria,” it said.
APC said the President’s sincerity of purpose can be seen from his statement that any of his party members who is found to be corrupt will not escape justice.
”Therefore, those who are shouting themselves hoarse by saying the Buhari Administration’s fight against corruption is selective or is a distraction are only seeking to sabotage the epic battle.
”If they have any case of corruption against any member of the APC, they should forward their evidence to the appropriate anti-corruption agency. But to take to the airwaves and the pages of newspaper to use their paid agents to launch a campaign against the anti-graft fight is to fight against the very existence and survival of Nigeria.
”The danger in truncating the fight against corruption is that it will consign Nigeria to poverty, insecurity and unemployment in perpetuity. That is why we are restating our unalloyed support for the President, and urging him not to be deterred or distracted by those hiding under sophistry to weaken the fight,” the party said.
It said those who are engaging in nitpicking on the anti-corruption fight are simply implementing a well-oiled plan to make enough noise by accusing the Buhari Administration of being selective, and hope to create enough confusion and distraction to hoodwink unsuspecting Nigerians.
”We are glad that most Nigerians have lent their support to the government’s fight against corruption, going by their interventions on the Social Media which has now become a people’s parliament of sorts, and other fora. We urge them not to relent in their support, irrespective of the antics of the naysayers,” APC said.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed
National Publicity Secretary
All Progressives Congress (APC)
Lagos, Aug. 13th 2015
President Buhari sacks MD, NPA
President Muhammadu Buhari has terminated the appointment of the Sanusi Ado Bayero, managing director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).
According to Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, the termination of Bayero’s appointment is with immediate effect.
“He is to hand over the management of the NPA and all government property in his possession to Habibu Abdullahi who has been reinstated as managing director of the NPA by President Buhari,” Adesina said.
“President Buhari wishes Alhaji Bayero well in his future endeavours.”
Bayero was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan in the twilight of his administration
According to Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, the termination of Bayero’s appointment is with immediate effect.
“He is to hand over the management of the NPA and all government property in his possession to Habibu Abdullahi who has been reinstated as managing director of the NPA by President Buhari,” Adesina said.
“President Buhari wishes Alhaji Bayero well in his future endeavours.”
Bayero was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan in the twilight of his administration
Bishop Kukah And His Peace Committee Really Need To Have A Seat, By Jude Egbas
As I understand it, the job of the National Peace Committee (which is led by a former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and whose de facto spokesperson is Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese) should have been over with the outcome of the presidential elections and the eventual handover of the reins of national leadership from Goodluck Jonathan to Muhammadu Buhari.
But last Tuesday, bedecked in cassocks, babariga, bling-bling and suits, they hurtled to the presidential villa to overreach themselves once more.
The peace committee has a problem with the way the incumbent is going about his corruption war and said so in unmistakable terms.
“It is no longer a military regime and under our existing laws, everybody is innocent until proven guilty”, Bishop Kukah thundered to the press as cameras clicked and tapes rolled.
“I don’t think any Nigerian is in favour of corruption or is against the President’s commitment to ensuring that we turn a new leaf”, Kukah said blithely. “What we are concerned about is the process”.
Last week, the National Peace Committee (NPC) initiated a rather clandestine meeting between immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari. Reports suggest the NPC is proposing a soft-landing for erstwhile officials of the Jonathan administration and maybe, for the man himself. The NPC has been left antsy with the intensity with which Buhari is going through the books.
All of these nonsense really has to stop.
A peace committee is what it is–a body set up to keep the peace. A peace committee doesn’t go about telling Presidents how to govern or delineating for same, which policies not to pursue. The terms of reference of a committee like Abdulsalami’s revolves around making sure there is no break down of law and order and I don’t see how a President who promised to recover loot and fight corruption during the electioneering campaigns, shouldn’t be allowed to carry on with that job description.
The peace committee is constituting itself into a nuisance around the corridors of power and there comes a time when they really have to know when to stop.
But on Thursday, Bishop Kukah was back on air to make a case for his committee.
As a guest on a ChannelsTv breakfast program, Sunrise Daily, Kukah rehashed some of the bare-bone lines he reeled out to the press some 48 hours before. My take-aways from his rather whimsical on-air outing are as follows:
1. President Buhari has to start governing and leave his anti-graft war on the back burner.
2. The September date for the appointment of Ministers isn’t exactly what the APC promised Nigerians during the campaigns. In any case, why is the APC expending so much energy on fighting corruption when there’s a country to run?
3. The press is prejudiced like the rest of the Nigerian people and both categories are always on the lookout for scapegoats to hang their woes on. Hence, the delirium in blaming Jonathan for the present woes of the country
4. If Jonathan hadn’t conceded defeat with that ‘historic’ phone call of his, the country would have gone up in flames and Buhari wouldn’t be where he is, the ChannelsTV presenters wouldn’t be sitting in that cozy studio of theirs and as Bishop Kukah, he wouldn’t be discussing with the TV station from his Skype-enabled computer.
5. Jonathan has done his best for Nigeria and should be accorded some respect as the hero who saved an entire nation–170 million strong–from erupting in flames; when he accepted that he had been roundly beaten at the ballot.
6. If Buhari insists on his probes, who is to say he wont be the victim of a probe himself when he leaves office? When will the cycle of probes end and that of governance begin?
The very notion of the ongoing probes into the activities of the past administration, appeared to leave Kukah uncomfortable and irritated. He couldn’t mask his disgust. He stopped short of calling for the deification, canonization and veneration of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
And for a member of the clergy, it was quite a sorry sight to behold.
Make no mistake, Jonathan’s concession phone call will go down in our country’s annals as one of the best acts of statesmanship this side of the Atlantic. For a continent famed for its sit-tight rulers, the former President deserves his place in the pantheon for throwing in the towel when he did. It was an act that doused plenty of tension in the land and helped prevent another blood-bath we could ill afford. Many Nigerians recognize that phone call as uncommon in these shores and have applauded deservedly.
But calling to concede shouldn’t preclude a successor from fulfilling his campaign promises. Buhari rose to power at the center thanks in large part to his ascetic, anti-corruption disposition. His number one campaign promise everywhere he showed up during the stump, was to fight corruption and block leakages. He parroted the same anti-graft lines on national and international television. He was Mr. anti-corruption and Mr. anti-corruption was Buhari. Nigerians could barely distinguish the two.
It is therefore uncharitable of anyone to now suggest that Buhari’s present corruption war is a distraction especially when a large chunk of the voters who got the man elected, aren’t complaining and are cheering his gumption and intrepid demeanor; every step of the way. If voters wanted the same tainted, timorous leadership that brought the country to its present sorry state, they probably would have stuck with Jonathan or the APC hierarchy would have settled for an Atiku Abubakar, for instance.
In any case, to get the job done the way he has promised he will, Buhari has no choice but to fight corruption and clean up the Augean stable–exactly what he’s been doing. He’s set out his stall to fight the monster called corruption and should be left alone to do so. The President has also said he isn’t going to witch-hunt anyone and that he’s simply focused on recovering stolen funds.
At a time when they should be tending to their flocks, going about their normal businesses or assisting the President with useful tips on how to recover stolen loot just so we can make life better for the lot of the citizenry, the country’s elders chose to file to Aso Rock to lecture a President on how best to do his job and how not to fulfill his cardinal campaign promise.
Worse, they unleashed an unsavory spokesperson on us all.
The National Peace Committee really has no job to do at this time and that body should be dissolved forthwith. We appreciate the job its members undertook in fostering peace during and after the elections and we’ll beckon on them when next we require their services.
This we promise.
*Jude Egbas is on Twitter as @egbas
Wednesday, 12 August 2015
APC Coupist Call For Abrogation Of The 1999 Constitution: Voice Of Jacob, Hand Of Esau (READ)
The attention of the leadership of International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety) is drawn to a public statement made by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 2015 gubernatorial aspirant of the Party in Bauchi State, Northeast Nigeria, Dr. Ibrahim Yukubu Lame in which he called for “establishment of emergency powers for President Muhammadu Buhari” above the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu Lame, who is also a former Minister for Police Affairs, further recommended for extra constitutional processes of fighting corruption to ensure speed and results. To him, the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and her processes are very slow. The referenced public statement was widely published in a number of print media including the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper of Monday, August 10, 2015.
We see Dr. Ibrahim Yukubu Lame’s call as not only ill-conceived, coupist and treasonable, but also a “voice of Jacob, a hand of Esau” situation. That is to say that he is not alone in that infamous statement and may most likely have gotten the blessings of his federally ruling political party and the Presidency. The riotous statement of his is a gross violation of Section 1 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, which forbids governing Nigeria or any part thereof except in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
Few years past under the Obasango’s corrupted and bastardized constitutional or presidential democratic government, a similar script (third term or tenure elongation) was prepared by his Presidency and a similar riotous character was hired to present it as a personal statement for the purpose of putting same into public consciousness.
In a matter of weeks, the statement spread like a wildfire and became a national debate. It later moved to the National Assembly and grounded the all-important national legislative businesses. The infamous plot was oiled by then Presidency costing Nigerians billions of naira.
Today, they are at it again. This time around, it is a constitutional abrogation project or theory with Dr. Ibrahim Yukubu Lame hired as its hypothesis experimenter.
It is on indisputable record that the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and his Party-APC has since 29th May 2015 observed the fundamental provisions of the 1999 Constitution in gross breach with impunity. Most of their conducts so far are clearly repugnant to the Constitution.
In other words, the 1999 Constitution under which President Muhammadu Buhari became the 6th electoral President of Nigeria has been enslaved and treated leprously. As we write, the Director General of Nigeria’s Secret Police, the Department of State Security Services (SSS), Retired Director Lawal Musa Daura and the acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. Amina Zakari are occupying their positions in gross default or breach of the 1999 Constitution.
There are several other gross breaches of the Constitution including gross lopsided federal appointments and composition, which grossly violate Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution. Others are unconstitutional use or deployment of the operatives of the SSS to harass, intimidate, arrest and detain a number of Nigerians with trumped up or “trial by ordeal” accusations including INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners; deliberate usurpation by the SSS, with presidential backing, of the constitutional and statutory duties of the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices & Related Offenses Commission including dabbling into fraud and other white collar and non political crimes constitutionally and statutorily left in the hands of the NPF, etc.
It is also constitutionally riotous and saddening that close to three months in office, President Muhammadu Buhari has not constituted a federal cabinet. Till date, the all-important offices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) are constitutionally vacant.
Nigeria has never experienced this democracy sole administrator-ship since the adoption of presidential democracy in 1979 and the return to electoral civilian administration in 1999.
It is therefore, not surprised observing the unhealthy turn of events under the Buhari’s Presidency particularly its manifest coup against the 1999 Constitution. These explain why we hold that the APC chieftain’s riotous statement is the voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau.
There is also a clear link between the riotous statement and the militarist antecedents of President Muhammadu Buhari. Under his military’s inglorious epoch, “emergency presidential powers” was the norm.
The 1979 Constitution, which gave birth to the 1999 Constitution with modifications; was brutally corrupted and bastardized to the extent that it was coded with “ouster clauses” including “presidential emergency powers” such as infamous Decrees Nos.2 & 4 of 1984. It is the same “emergency powers” that are now seemed being demanded presidentially through the backdoor.
On the other hand, it saddens our heart that leading civil society organizations and activists based in the Southwest, who used to be “Nigeria’s social saints” have slumbered and turned their “activism machineries” into “executive” or “consultancy rights activism”. It is no longer “street activism” but “INEC-CSOs Situation Room Interface” or “CSOs-National Assembly Interface”.
READ ALSO: DSS Interference In Elections: Full Text Of The ‘State Of The Nation”Document By 39 Senators
The likes of popularly respected Femi Falana, SAN, who used to approach law courts from left, right and center, on matters of unconstitutional conducts by political office holders, have suddenly hung his wigs and gowns in the face of these manifest constitutional infractions. In their days, questions pertaining to “abuses of the spirit and letters of the Constitution” by political office holders were frequently sought and obtained judicially.
Today, it is only the “letters of the Constitution” that are looked at, and even at that, their gross
abuses no longer constitute “presidential and impeachable breaches” under the Buhari’s Presidency.
abuses no longer constitute “presidential and impeachable breaches” under the Buhari’s Presidency.
Another trigger of these social maladies is the corruption and bastardization of the country’s media industry by corrupt former and present political office holders particularly the print and electronic segments. Today, the referenced media segments have turned to propagandist or alarmist industry, oiling these monumental constitutional infractions with impunity. The roles of the mass media (sustenance of constitutional democracy, rule of law, good governance and human rights) contained in Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution have brutally been murdered.
We, therefore, call on the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the riotous statement of Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu Lame and prosecute him for treason if found culpable. Even if he denies the riotous statement by reprobation; a common feature of the country’s political office holders; circumstances leading to its issuance or utterance, including where he made it, when he made it, who he made it to, the media he made it to and recording gadgets used, etc should be thoroughly investigated and popular findings made.
The riotous statement under reference is grossly repugnant to Section 1 (2) of the 1999 Constitution. By that Section, Nigeria or any part therefore shall not be governed outside the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. Dr. Yakubu Lame’s “emergency presidential powers” recommendation is totally extra constitutional and amounts to recommendation for a military coup or anarchist governance of Nigeria.
We advise President Muhammadu Buhari again to follow at all times the dictates of the 1999 Constitution or step down inexcusably.
Signed:
For: International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety)
Emeka Umeagbalasi, B.Sc. (Hons) Criminology & Security Studies
Board Chairman (+2348174090052 (office)
emekaumeagbalasi@yahoo.co.uk , info@intersociety-ng.org
Uzochukwu, Oguejiofor-Nwonu, Esq., (LLB, BL), Head, Campaign & Publicity Department
Obianuju Igboeli, Esq., (LLB, BL), Head, Civil Liberties & Rule of Law Program
Chiugo Onwuatuegwu, Esq., (LLB, BL), Head, Democracy & Good Governance Program
For: International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety)
Emeka Umeagbalasi, B.Sc. (Hons) Criminology & Security Studies
Board Chairman (+2348174090052 (office)
emekaumeagbalasi@yahoo.co.uk , info@intersociety-ng.org
Uzochukwu, Oguejiofor-Nwonu, Esq., (LLB, BL), Head, Campaign & Publicity Department
Obianuju Igboeli, Esq., (LLB, BL), Head, Civil Liberties & Rule of Law Program
Chiugo Onwuatuegwu, Esq., (LLB, BL), Head, Democracy & Good Governance Program
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)