OPEC Secretary General meets Nigerian Ambassador

Vienna, Austria, 30 August 2016--OPEC Secretary General HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo met with HE Gazing Jessy Napmwang Dangtim, Charge d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Austria and Slovakia, at the OPEC Secretariat.

Mr. Dangtim, who was accompanied by the First Secretary at the Nigerian Embassy, Mr. Charles Oko, congratulated the Secretary General on his new position. He said Nigeria is proud of Mr. Barkindo’s appointment as the head of the Organization, adding that he is ideally suited to meet the challenges facing the global oil market today.

The Secretary General said he was grateful for the support and looked forward to working with OPEC’s Member Countries. He recalled OPEC’s ‘founding fathers’, who he described as “visionaries” who saw the wisdom of working together in order to support and promote market stability. Today’s challenges, he said, are a reminder that producers need to “return to basics” and further enhance efforts at working cooperatively.

The Secretary General noted that the oil industry tends to move in cycles, which is a constant challenge to market fundamentals. As a result, he said, it is the general consensus of the industry that some form of coordination is needed among producers.

The officials discussed other issues as well, noting that one of the main challenges ahead is continuing to strive for stability in oil producing countries like Nigeria. Such efforts are essential to ensuring a reliable supply to the global market.

The Secretary General also said he supports Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to diversify its economy, expanding its agricultural sector. The future of Nigeria looks bright, he said, particularly if the continued pace of diversification can be sustained.

source: opec.org

OPEC Secretary General meets Algerian Ambassador in Vienna

23 August 2016, OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo received Algerian Ambassador to Austria, HE Ms Faouzia Mebarki, at the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna.

Ms Mebarki began by passing on her congratulations to Mr Barkindo following his assumption of the role as Secretary General of OPEC and, as Algeria’s Ambassador to Austria, she offered her full support to him and the OPEC Secretariat.

Mr Barkindo said the Ambassador’s visit was an important and timely one given the current oil market situation and the upcoming International Energy Forum (IEF) Ministerial meeting in Algiers at the end of September.

He commented that these remain “challenging times for the global oil industry” and it was important for all stakeholders “to work together towards the stabilization of oil markets.” He said the IEF meeting in Algiers was an ideal time to meet and exchange views on the current market situation and bring together both producers and consumers.

Ms Mebarki said that her country and government looked forward to welcoming Mr Barkindo as their guest in Algiers.

Mr Barkindo concluded by conveying his appreciation for Algeria’s continued support of OPEC and stressed how important “Member Country support and guidance” is in his role. He looked forward to fruitful collaboration with Algeria, and all OPEC Member Countries, in the coming years.

source: www.opec.org

Understanding Buhari‘s Economics

Countries that rely heavily on oil and have not saved enough money for the ‘rainy days’ are today facing serious economic challenges. Nigeria is one of them. These challenges are peculiar and require some painful and creative off-the-shelf measures.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic management system involves the application of the already known economic variables and some off-the-shelf approaches that are centered on what the masses understand most- money in their pockets and food on their tables.

Looking at the composition of the Buhari Economic Management Team (EMT) headed by Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; one will see a shift from how the previous economic teams were composed. The Buhari economic management team does not only have a weekly meeting but consults with experts from various fields of knowledge and also seeks diverse opinion from the ordinary people. Speaking at the recent EMT meeting, Vice President Osinbajo said "we will continue to engage with experts and other stakeholders so we can measure progress of the economic policies that have been put in place. The challenges are many but the opportunities are much greater, we are clearly on the path to building an economy that will create jobs and ensure inclusive growth."

President Buhari’s approach to Nigeria’s current economic challenges is designed not only to achieve revival and diversification of the economy but also create productive jobs to replace menial jobs and develop skills for many young Nigerians. Noteworthy in this regard is the recently launched ‘N-Power’ programme, which will create not just thousands of jobs but productive and sustainable ones. It will help young Nigerians to acquire and develop life-long skills and acquire the right tools and equipment for their businesses. For instance, mechanics will have modern workshops with jumpers and chargers, tire care, pressurized air and hand tools. Welders will have solar and wind powered welding machines; fashion designers will have smart workshops etc. N-power will also facilitate the establishment of inventions and innovation centers for computer scientists, operations researchers, architects, engineers, lawyers, etc to form hubs for startups. Furthermore, it is heartwarming to note that one of the most important strategies of the Buhari government to tackle unemployment is through agricultural entrepreneurship programme for youths. Enthusiasts of agro-entrepreneurship are suggesting that the government should go into partnership with private sector to establish poultry, fisheries, dairy, snail farms, plantations, etc in various locations across the country. The pilot phase should start with youth corpers/graduates. They should be trained-on-the-job on how to manage the farms. After intensive training, the farms should be transferred to them for management as entrepreneurs. The scheme should involve local councils and state governments who are to provide land and local support, the private sector provides the fund while the federal government stands as the guarantor of fund. This can be done through the issuance of either callable, par value or coupon rate bonds. The private investors or financial institutions are not to give money directly to the governments in order to receive the bond-certificate. It would rather be a batter arrangement where the investors- either financial institution or private individuals would setup the farms and put in place all structures required in a modern farm. After this, a bond certificate equivalent to the cost, which will be determined by both parties and experts, will be issued to them. 

The youths, to whom the farms are to be transferred, should gradually refund the fund back to the government; so as to make the scheme a revolving one, and to eliminate any form of mismanagement or corruption.

The Buhari government is facing unprecedented oil price crash; ripples from mismanagement of the past and high public expectation. Gladly, the government is painstakingly putting in place the building blocks for the right fiscal stimulus, diversification of the economy and creation of sustainable productive jobs. 

Zayyad I. Muhammad Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com 08036070980

Adamawa: the Politics of Nuhu Ribadu’s Return to APC

The return of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a national issue, but it has come along with some serious political hullabaloo in Adamawa state.

Adamawa APC is fragmented into three groups: Governor Muhammad Jibril Bindo group headed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the former Governor Murtala Nyako group led by his son, Senator Abdul-Aziz Nyako, while the third group, popularly called Abuja/Buhari group is led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engineer David Lawal Babachir.

The Atiku/Bindo group has never hidden its opposition to Nuhu’s return to APC, because they see it as a serious trap to them in the games of 2019; as the Babachir and the Nyako groups who are oppositions within for the Bindo/Atiku group have not shown any open resistance to Nuhu’s moves. Is Ribadu member of any of the group? Is there a link between Nuhu’s return to APC and the politics of 2019 in the state? Is the Abuja group behind Nuhu’s return? 

Nuhu may not be a direct member of the any of group- but the Abuja group led by the SGF will feel very at home with Nuhu Ribadu because he is a stakeholder of one of the legacy parties- the defunct ACN. He can be an excellent ‘game-changer’ for the group when it comes to the 2019 governorship elections. Beating Governor Bindo in 2019 governorship election will require a miracle if the governor can sustain his current infrastructure development drive especially in the opening up of new roads and urban development, moving away from the era of sharing the state’s commonwealth among family, friends and elites. Furthermore, like a ‘political-conqueror’- Bindo has never lost an election. Governor Bindo’s greatest mistake was his sidelining of the members of the legacy parties- ACN, CPC and the ANPP.

It will be unsurprising if the Abuja group is among those that pressurized Nuhu to return to the APC; Nuhu can be a special political weapon for the group in another way- President Muhammadu Buhari may be keen to give Nuhu Ribadu an important appointment, because Nuhu was very instrumental in the merger that produced the APC. So, if the group effected Nuhu’s return to APC and he eventually gets any appointment, it will have a prime addition to its connections. 

Many people will view Nuhu’s return to the APC as the continuation of the pursuit of his political ambition. But Nuhu is a man that has unique charisma, credibility and is loved by many Adamawa people; his return to APC may turn out to be purely for the best of the party and Adamawa state in general. 

Does Atiku have something to fear with the return of Nuhu to APC? - Yes and no! Atiku have proven to be the only man that always survives and pulls weight in Adamawa politics whichever way the tide turns. Nuhu cannot in any way present a threat to Atiku- a savvy politician, but Nuhu’s return to the APC will definitely alter the present permutations and settings in the Adamawa politics; which Atiku absolutely enjoys. Little wonder Nuhu’s return has sent jitters to the Bindo and Atiku group.

The Nyako group still feels betrayed by Governor Bindo and its main political crave is to have Senator Abdul-Aziz Nyako as governor, if Nuhu Ribadu has returned to the APC to contest the 2019 governorship election, the Nyako group will be not be comfortable with him, but if his return is just to join the party’s front men, the group will be happy, because Nuhu was among those individuals that vehemently opposed the impeachment of Murtala Nyako, though Governor Bindo also did that as a senator from Adamawa North.

Whichever way, the pendulum swings- Nuhu Ribadu’s return to the APC will be highly welcome by the APC national caucus and it will definitely view Nuhu’s return beyond the mere Adamawa local politics, because Nuhu is a strategist with international status, credibility and he played an outstanding role in the formation of the APC. Furthermore, the APC will love to deny the PDP the honour of having a ‘Nuhu Ribadu’ in its fold. Nevertheless, Nuhu’s return to the APC will continue to generate some interesting political ripples in Adamawa state. And, it is good for democracy and real spirited politics. 

Zayyad I. Muhammad Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com 08036070980.

Rotimi Amaechi, Hadiza Bala and Buhari’s Government

Recently, at a small private event, I overheard a very important figure in Nigerian politics and in the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying: “Amaechi is one of the very few people that Buhari will give whatever they want”. Curiosity pushed me to ask the bigwig why he said that. “Amaechi bravely went through the ‘Bermuda Triangle’ of Nigerian politics during the 2015 elections, and had the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the elections, Amaechi’s story would have been better not told”, he replied.

If President Muhammadu Buhari will give Rotimi Amaechi, his Minister of Transport, whatever he wants, reasons for this are definitely beyond just being brave and resolute during the 2015 elections, but some other qualities in governance; doggedness in the pursuit of what he believes in and his sterling performance as Governor of Rivers states from 2007-2015. After all, President Muhammadu Buhari is known as a man who is never carried-away by ‘flashes’ of politicking.

Curious to know more about some hidden attributes of Amaechi that endears him to Mr. President considering Buhari’s cautiousness in picking close political allies, I contacted few people in government. Some who know Amaechi and many that have followed and observed his way of doing things since his early political career as secretary of the now defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State; Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili 1992-1994; Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly 1999-2007 and to his becoming the governor of Rivers state through his determination in the pursuit of his case up to the Supreme Court.

Majority of them said Amaechi extremely abhors injustice, loves quality leadership and always prefers putting the right people in the right jobs. Well, these qualities including Amaechi’s braveness before, during and after the 2015 politicking must have been the ones that attract President Buhari to him.

The appointment of Hadiza Bala Usman as Managing Director (MD) of Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) has generated some grumbles from few quarters- many suggesting that, Hadiza was appointed because Amaechi and Governor El-Rufa’i are friends and President Buhari will always give the duo whatever they want. Most people forgot that Hadiza Bala Usman is a young goal-getter in a class of her own and, Buhari is man of thoroughness and operates in a style that Operations Research scientists call ‘System Thinking’- a serial approach to governance- where each development sector is connected and will influence each other within a well-planned government. Amaechi’s recommendation of Hadiza is purely based on Buhari’s cardinal belief which Amaechi also shares- the need to bring on board young adventurers, silicon-valley-like-thinkers; men and women who can move the government at the speed of the imagination of most Nigerians; individuals whose sense of judgement is centered on the challenges of un-locking the future for ordinary Nigerians.

All the persons Amaechi recommended to President Buhari are individuals who know their onions and what is expected of them. They know they are called to rebuild a system that will shift governance away from the traditional method of concentrating on only 'off-the-shelves' way of improving our society. They will not saddle themselves with mundane issues; but would rather be team players who bring new and feasible ideas that will trigger development in all spheres of the society. These people will help put in place, systems that will bring dynamism into governance.

Ameachi has proven to be one of those ministers that will make Buhari’s cabinet an engine-room to provide broad variety of services to Nigerians, ranging from health to industrial development, security, a sound legal system, and the provision of effective infrastructure; education system and human capital development.

Zayyad I. Muhammad Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com 08036070980.

Of Baru, Kachikwu, Buhari and the NNPC

President Muhammdu Buhari’s appointment of Maikanti Kacalla Baru as the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will have three implications- economic, political and staff’s mode in the NNPC.

The most important economic implication of Baru’s appointment is that the NNPC will continue to work without feeling a major shake in the change of baton in the corporation; because Baru has worked closely with Kachikwu and has contributed to the already setup machineries and reforms– the system will not witness any disruption in terms of new management. Furthermore, Baru’s appointment will definitely impact the orientation within the NNPC staff. Those who are advocates of having a GMD from within the NNPC will be relieved; those who share the passion for more private-sector-like-reforms will be at home with Baru. Furthermore, Baru’s appointment will boost staff morale and reassure them of career growth within the corporation.

No national assignment or appointment in Nigeria is free from political equations and analysis- notably the everyday discussions on marginalization or favouritism of the north or the south. Some observers have expressed the fear that Baru’s appointment may alter the gains made by Kachikwu in the engagement with dissidents from the Niger Delta region and the excellent moves in engaging the leaders of the region in order to halter the rise in attacks on vital oil and gas infrastructure. Baru’s appointment could in fact boost Kachikwu’s efforts; Baru’s intimidating experiences will further solidify Kachikwu’s achievements with the Niger Delta.

Baru’s appointment and that of the NNPC’s Board is in fact a kind of approval by President Buhari of Kachikwu’s work so far, especially as GMD of NNPC – Kachikwu a thoroughbred bureaucrat who found himself in the nexus of complex politicking and policy, public extreme expectation and performance will now have ample time in ‘Ministering’ Nigeria’s complex oil and gas industry; fully engage the Niger Delta and also see the activities of the NNPC from the angle of a Board Chairman- an angle that will give him an unbiased view and feedback of activities of the corporation.

With the four autonomous business units and project management office, Baru is lucky- he has his job description clearly cut for him: to work within the tenets of President Buhari’s anti-corruption war- cleanup the oil and gas; sustain the current level of transparency that Nigerians have never seen- e.g publishing of NNPC monthly account; keep up and bring-out the benefits of Kachikwu’s painstaking reforms. Baru will also utilize his in-house experiences to put the right people and policies in the right position and time.

Nevertheless, Baru has some painstaking tasks ahead in the area of touching the life of every Nigerian – which is NNPC’s Unique Selling Point (USP). Notwithstanding if he achieves 100% success in other sectors of the NNPC business, if the sector that touches the lives of ordinary Nigerian is not impressing; the entire nation will be on him. So the New GMD needs to pay special attention to sustaining the availability of petroleum products; drive more improvement and introduce corrective measures to some areas. Of recent, the PPMC under Ahmed Farouk has witnessed some heartwarming success- some depots which have not received refined products for many years have recently received and loaded products, especially PMS. Kaduna depot is wonderfully wetting the north with PMS, AGO, DPK and some petro-chemicals.

The trio of Buhari, Kachikwu and Baru being very passionate about reforming the oil and gas sector, should tackle downstream major problems- incessant illegal tapping of pipelines by oil thieves, sabotage, right-of-way incursions, slow detection of leaks and in-line equipment failure due to inaccessible sites, including the old-fashioned method of managing the pipelines and increase the capacity of our refinery, by going for modular, mini and mobile refineries: There are affordable 1,000 bpd – 30,000 bpd Modular refineries whose equipment units are pre-fabricated on skid-mounted structures prior to shipment to any location.

Zayyad I. Muhammad, Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980

Mr. President; SOS in IDPs Camps

Heartless people are stealing food items from the weak and vulnerable Internally Displaces Persons (IDPs) living with trauma of war in camps and camp-likes in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. President Muhammadu Buhari should, with full presidential might deal with individuals and organizations that are culpable of this inhumanity. Considering the fact that there are international aids agencies contributing to the funding of the supplies, it is a smear in the face of our nation and takes the level of corruption in the country to a new shameful height. 

Despite President Buhari’s genuine concern and efforts to cater for the IDPs, the conditions of Internally Displaces Persons (IDPs) in various camps and camp-likes in the northeastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa are not acceptable. These camps suffer from shortages of food- due to the alleged stealing of foods item by camp officials; unwanted pregnancies due to the taking advantage of helpless women and unhealthy conditions and inadequate health services.

A national daily of June 25, 2016 reported that ‘The Borno State government has introduced self cooking system for families in the camps after a committee it set up to tackle series of complaints bordering on corruption in the centralized feeding system failed to find a solution’. The report also indicated that ‘the Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA), Engineer Ahmed Alhaji Satomi said the World Food Programme, (WFP), has even threatened that it will not contribute to the feeding of IDPs in the state until the central cooking system was discontinued and the self-cooking system where families will be cooking for themselves is introduced’.

The introduction of self-cooking is a good idea, but safety issues are of great concern because of the nature of the IDPs camps. Though, UNHCR Nigeria, Region Refugees Response Plan (RRRP January-December 2016) encourages self-reliance.

The government should also experiment a decentralized system of cooking for the IDPs, where contractors will be given the job of cooking for a certain number of people. For instance, if there are 5,000 IDPs in a camp. 10 0r 20 contractors can be engaged to cook for 500 or 250 people. However, the contractors should not be just ‘contractors’ (politicians or family and friends of those in authority) but well-established canteen or the popular Nigerian ‘mamaput’ operators. In each of these states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa with large IDPs, there are known women who are running successful local food cafeterias. These women can be organized and employed to serve as handlers of the cooking for certain number of IDPs in a camp. Furthermore, Kaduna and Osun states are running successful school feeding programmes. Their models can be copied.

The individuals from both federal and states government agencies currently handling the funding, supply and cooking of foods for the IDPs should be replaced- this measure will give IDPs the assurance that something new is being put in place. There is a need for refined systems, which separate those handling fund, those handling the food, cooking as well as those monitoring the feeding system.

The corruption in the IDPs camps has brought to the fore the need for the consolidation and hastening of the activities of various committees and agencies for quick rehabilitation and return of IDPs to their homes.

The majority of the people in the northeast have confidence in President Buhari’s political will to completely win the war against Boko Haram, and they are very happy with the level of successes recorded by the military so far. The people of the northeast are experiencing the difference between the sloppy handling of the war and the doggedness and commitment being shown by the Buhari government. But corruption by officials in the camps might set the IDPs in the northeast against President Muhammadu Buhari.

Zayyad I. Muhammad, Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980

Unpaid Salaries: What Governors Should Do

Despite the bailout fund from the federal government, many states in Nigeria still struggle to pay their workers’ salaries; some do not even pay. The dwindling federal allocation; poor innovation on internally generated revenue (IGR); bloated workforce and fraud-riddled workers' payroll are the main reasons behind the inability of many states to promptly settle their workers’ salaries. 

This is a critical situation that requires critical measures. Governors have to look at ways to generate revenue other than over-depending on the declining federal allocation. We must admit that many states do not have flourishing economic activities that are profitable and easy to tax without upsetting common people.

One trend in most states is, once IGR is mentioned, most states cast their mind to their old method of taxation - but our tax system in Nigeria has history of corruption and inefficiency, thus most Nigerians are sceptical of their states’ taxes and levies administration. States can generate new revenues and wealth through levies and taxations, but states need to move away from the ‘rocket-science’ approach to tax collection.

States should introduce a modified system of awarding ‘tax collection rights’ to investment firms. This should be modeled according to each state’s economy, culture, needs and environment - a state can enter into agreement with a firm to give government monies in advance for taxes from a certain sector, while the firm will collect the money by operating as a tax agent- the famous tax auction. For example, if it is projected that revenues from taxis, buses and lorry services in a certain local council can generate one million naira a month. An innovative investment firm will agree to give a state government, let say 800,000 naira in advance. Then the firm will collect taxes for taxis, buses and lorry services in the local council for that particular month. This type of arrangement can be implemented in many sectors of the economy of a state using what operations researchers call reductionistic approach- monthly, quarterly on yearly basis. A good investment firm will make the tax collection efficient and fair- by reaching agreement with tax payers on how to pay and enjoy incentives too. This type of arrangement can assist states to have tax efficiency and tax fairness- government will relieve itself from the burden of tax collection, it will have the needed revenues in advance ( could be up to 10 years advance payment) to help states temporarily relief themselves the burden of unpaid salaries.

Apart from innovation in taxes, states and even the federal government can look into leveraging from the assets they have. In many states, there are thousands of unserviceable vehicles, farm implements and many types of electrical equipment. Governments can make money by auctioning such items. Furthermore, many states have abandoned building- completed and uncompleted, fenced and unfenced plots of land. These assets are commercially viable. They can be leased or sold. Funds can be generated from the arrangement. In addition, the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) should discuss with regulatory agencies, CBN, quoted companies and pension fund administrators on how government can utilize unclaimed dividends, pension fund and CBN’s many intervention funds.

For States and LGA chapters of Labour unions, this situation calls for their creativity and sacrifice- the union and states governments should sit and design a model on how each worker will get at least, some parts of their salaries every month- critical situation requires critical measures. Instead of no pay every month, government and labour unions should design a formula on how each worker will get something from the meager funds available. Something is better than nothing, even if it is half salary. 

With the current hard situation many workers are facing, questions are being asked about the monthly dues workers pay? If these monies were being invested; then this is the right time for the labour unions to make use of the profit being generated to assist their members. But if the monies were not invested- a big lesson has been learnt.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980.

The PDP and the North

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is making frantic efforts to reposition itself, rebrand its image and recapture its lost fortunes and supporters, but the party is facing serious power wrangling.

The PDP seems to be focusing its attention to the North- it wants its National Chairman and the 2019 presidential candidate to come from the region. However, the party has been met with some setbacks in its recent attempts to start the process. Certain factors are responsible for that.

After losing the 2015 elections; without proper analysis of the situation, the PDP, in haste, asked its then National Chairman, Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu to resign. The PDP failed to see that its woeful performance in the north during the 2015 elections was strongly due to the unprecedented Buhari ‘Tsunami’, the failure of the then central government to effectively tackle the Boko Haram insurgency and the name Goodluck Jonathan.

It is commendable of the PDP to have realized early that its resurrection, re-imaging and a ‘restart’ must begin from the north. It was not a coincidence that Ali Modu Sheriff’s three months in office brought the PDP back to life in the north. Though, hate him or love him- Sheriff is one of those adventurous politicians in the north who have grabbed the nitty-gritty of the politics in the north and have connections in the south. So, for the PDP to really begin a new start, it must take advantage of some of its bigwigs in the north who have adept understanding of the nexus of Hausa-Fulani and the minority politics in the north. Late MKO Abiola’s inroad in the north was ‘motorized’ on the basis of utilization of the experience of individuals who understand that nexus.

The PDP must bring on board people from the north to help the party to ‘come to life’ in the north. Most of the party’s fortunes in the north are lost. Thus, the party needs someone who understands how politics play out in the north. Apart from having a chairman who has such capacity, the PDP also needs its founding members who understand the fundamentals of northern politics. People like Sule Lamido, who is a product of the Aminu Kano radical politics of the north. Lamido is from the core Hausa-Fulani states and has large followers. When Sherrif visited Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State on Monday, April 25, 2016, the mammoth crowd Sule Lamido attracted was a strong political statement. Furthermore, his ‘cousins’ in the northeast will have nothing against him. The middle-belt and many northern minorities share his politics of radicalism. Lamido greatest shortcoming is the corruption case hanging on his neck. But with his excellent performance as governor of Jigawa State and his name is known throughout the country, just some ‘little packaging’ is what he needs.

The PDP’s resurgence depends on whether it recaptures its fortunes in the north and how well it takes advantage of its bigwigs from the region. However, for the PDP to make a full come back, some external factors has to play to its advantage; Buhari’s cult-like popularity and supporters in the north fades out; the APC grossly mismanages its political fortunes. Some members of the New PDP from the north pulls out of the APC – the outcome of the case against Senate President Bukola Saraki in the Code of Conduct Tribunal will determine that; the APC fails to ‘settle’ the disgruntled members of the New-PDP in the north - many members of the New PDP in the APC from the north feel that the Buhari government has not offered them something tangible, claiming that most of Buhari’s appointments have gone to people he personally knows and those connected to his friends, confidants or relatives. These new-PDP members are also of the belief that, their members from some states in the south who got appointments from Buhari are simply fortunate because Buhari have no option- he does not have longtime confidants from those states.

Nevertheless, PDP’s future depends on whether it recaptures its lost fortunes in the north and how well it takes advantage of its experienced members who have gone through mills of the politics of the north.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980.

Aisha Buhari and the North East Development Commission

Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, the Wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has shown passionate support for the bill for creation of the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

Aisha’s unique interest in the NEDC Bill has aroused few questions: is Aisha’s exceptional interest in the creation of the commission because she is from the region? Is it politics or mere show off that she cares? Is it because she is the wife of a President who is very loved and cherished in the North East; thus, she has to show commitment to the cause of the people having been ravaged by the Boko Haram War?

People who know Aisha can certainly attest to her passion for the welfare of women and children- especially those that have been ravaged by the Boko Haram crisis. So, she will fully support the creation of a commission that will provide comprehensive and feasible post-war programmes and projects to restore communities to their pre-war peaceful and productive status. Most people believe that, the Wife of the President support the creation of the commission because peace is gradually returning to most of these areas and the government of Nigeria is planning on how to smoothly return internally displace persons (IDPs) to liberated areas.

The role of such commission will be critical in sustaining the fragile peace and long-term stability, as well as provide a well-planned guide and procedure in the design of projects and programmes for communities’ protection and avoiding future conflicts in these communities.

Mrs. Buhari, a Master’s Degree holder in International Affairs and Strategic Studies and granddaughter of Alhaji Mohammed Ribadu, Nigeria’s first Minister of Defence, she definitely knows that restoring communities in the North East to their pre-war peaceful and productive status cannot be successful without putting in place a structured commission to coordinate programmes and projects. Furthermore, programmes and projects for the Northeast need to be carefully-designed in such a way that there is a strong synergy between affected states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe including Bauchi, Taraba and the federal government of Nigeria, while also involving donor agencies and NGOs in the areas of funding, monitoring and evaluation.

At the First Public hearing of the bill, Aisha said “I believe that for rapid development to come to the region, a concerted and organized effort must be made”. Most people in the northeast agree with Mrs Buhari, because the military is winning the war, the ideal step to take next is the application of soft approach to winning wars- programmes and projects to tackle the original factors that facilitated the growth of Boko Haram and helped the group in its recruitments and indoctrinations i.e. abject poverty, illiteracy and the absence of employment opportunities in these states.

The North East Development Commission Bill seeks to empower the commission to “receive and manage funds from the allocation from the federation account and international donors for the settlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads, houses, and business premises of victims of insurgency; and for other matters connected there with”.

Mothers will definitely support the creation of such commissions, not only for the North East, but anywhere in Nigeria when the need arises. With such unalloyed support shown for the creation of the commission by Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, the people of the northeast will be happy and hopeful, that the bill will sail through and the commission will be made up of not only the right people but people with a passion for the rehabilitation of the war-ravaged northeast. 

Since, the mother of the nation has accorded her 100% support, when the commission is finally created, its management it will for sure strive for a collective and transparent approach, efficiency, and effectively utilize opportunity to easily mobilize substantial amount of funds for the commission. After all, Aisha’s philosophy is: If there is no corruption in governance and public life, there would be enough resources in any nation to meet the important needs of the common people, including women and youths.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980.

Governor Bindow, Babachir and the Opposition Within

The Adamawa state governor, Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla Bindow is facing a formidable opposition, or better said, a ‘threat’ within his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Bindow’s two adversaries within the APC are the former governor Murtala Nyako and son-led group and the ‘Abuja Group’- aggrieved members of the legacy parties, led by Secretary to the Federal government (SGF) Babachir David Lawal. The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) still remains an outside threat which cannot be written-off, though it seems to have no clear leader and is a ‘sleeping giant’.

Each of the groups is mainly composed of elites. Political fight among Adamawa elites is not new; but it takes different dimensions depending on the political leanings of the sitting governor. Elitism is so much rooted in the politics of Adamawa to the extent that most political fights are centered on ‘government patronage.’

The Nyako and the Babachir groups share almost same interests apart from belonging to the APC. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s alleged over-bearing influence on Bindow’s government and the obvious sidelining of Nyako and Babachir political associates is one of the main reasons for the current political hostility between them and Bindow. The Nyako and Babachir groups will definitely work together to accomplish their common goals.

Before becoming the SGF, Babachir was said to have called Bindow on phone many times, but the governor ignored the phone calls. Thanks to providence- few days after the incident, Babachir was appointed SGF-. The political hostility between Babachir and Bindow became very obvious during Babachir’s daughter wedding. There was a visible absence of Bindow and his entire government- some political observers said that it was even a command from the Governor that no government appointee should attend the wedding. It was so bad that Bola Tinubu, APC national leader had to use the vehicle of one of his friends when he came to Yola to attend the wedding.

For the Nyako group, they definitely have to be aggrieved. In the build-up to the 2015 elections; a very small committee was setup to shop for a saleable governorship candidate- three names emerged- Dahiru Bobbo former Director General of National Boundary Commission, Boss Mustapha, APC chieftain and Tahir Mamman former DG, Law School, Yola campus. Bindow’s name was not even in the list. The Nyako group had to field Bindow during the primaries because they did not have an option, because among all the contenders, it was only Bindow who openly opposed Nyako’s impeachment and the group felt they could be at home with him. Atiku in his political reasoning opted for Ibrahim Yayaji Mijinyawa, probably because of loyalty. In fact, the APC governorship primary election was a contest between Atiku and Nyako. Governor Bindow won ‪APC governorship primaries solely by relying on former governor Nyako’s political structures. And twice, Bindow beat Atiku Abubakar’s preferred candidate Yayaji Ibrahim Mijinyawa in the primaries. 

Though, the Nyako/Atiku rivalry dates back to 2003, Governor Bindow could have taken ‘advantage’ of both sides and simply used the presidency’s influence to reconcile Atiku and Nyako and remain the ‘son’ of both camps. After all, when the chips are down; everyone answers his father’s name. Well, Bindow is not to be blamed entirely, because no right-thinking politician can ignore Atiku’s well-established vast political structure, immense war chest and history of successes in political legal battles that easily scares off his opponents. Some political observers are of the view that Governor Bindow appears ‘self-assured’ in the murky waters of Adamawa politics, because he thinks, once one has Atiku’s group by his side- most political opponents can easily be dealt with. There is even insinuation that Bindow has started reaching some of his governor-colleagues to support Atiku’s quest for presidency come 2019. Well, it is politics.

There is need for Bindow to look inwards and start re-engaging all APC stakeholders, instead of just local government party chairmen once in a while. Looking at the current atmosphere of Adamawa political settings, the Babachir and Nyako group may have an edge over Bindow if they play their cards together and smartly, they will sway aggrieved members of the APC; they may also have ‘Abuja’ as all three senators from Adamawa are not Bindow’s men- Abdul-Aziz Nyako is Nyako’s blood son, Ahmed Abubakar Mu Allahyidi is Nyako’s relative, while Binta Massi Garba was very close to Nyako.

Both supporters and antagonists of Governor Bindow share a common view- they agree that Governor Bindow has performed and is doing excellently well in terms of critical infrastructure development, but he has a shortcoming in payment of salaries for primary school teachers, health & LGA workers and the failure to manage the widening division within his own party. There is ample time for all the groups to consider reconciliation, realignment and the spirit of give and take, most especially with the forthcoming June 2016 local government elections.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980.

As Buhari Welcomes China, Lets Beware of the Chinese

China has knocked on the doors of many African countries, Nigeria inclusive. Gladly African leaders have opened all the doors for them. Africa has opened its doors to the Chinese in a quest to tap from the mouth-watering offers from them. Most development enthusiasts admire the growing Afro-Sino relationship and the way China is ‘helping’ many African countries in the development of their economies and infrastructure. However, keen watchers of the Chinese’s explore of Africa have an aversion to the way the Chinese approach Africa. They come with everything- The Yuan, labour force, machinery and even their language- the Mandarin. I admire mandarin- sweet language.

Nigeria occupies a special place in China’s relationship with Africa, because of the country’s potentials and market size. Nigeria can thus take advantage of its special position in China’s relationship with Africa. When dealing with the Chinese, the Nigerian government and private entrepreneurs should specifically not forget the need for local content development. And, we should be aware that the Chinese are not coming for nothing, mutual benefits and sharing of responsibilities should be key.

For example, instead of flooding the Nigerian markets with cheap Chinese textile, the Nigerian government should implore Chinese investors to build textile factories in Nigeria or help to revive the moribund ones. We have many cotton farmers, fertile land, thousand of skilled textile workers and a very large market. President Buhari was very right when he said to the Chinese investors: “Do not see Nigeria as a consumer market alone, but as an investment destination where goods can be manufactured and consumed locally”

The currency (Yuan) deal between Nigeria and China will surely boost Nigeria’s economy- Nigerian businesses that import from China will have access to the Yuan easily. However, we should look at other ways to use the Chinese to make Nigeria a manufacturing nation. For instance, Nigerian can push for major Chinese investment in agro-allied industrialization being that based on the prevailing economic reality; agricultural development should be our main target now. Nigeria should use the relationship with the Chinese to advance building prototype agricultural equipments and machinery. Plants and factories for the manufacturing of these can be established in Nigeria. It pains to see that millions of tonnes of tomatoes and other perishable crops get wasted in northern Nigeria due to the absence of simple preservation and packaging equipment.

Another area that Nigeria can utilize its relationship with the Chinese for mutual benefits is in building modular petroleum refineries – the recent call by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for investors to invest in the oil and gas sector by co-locating refineries within premises of any of the four existing for state owned refineries – with mouth watering incentives is a major boost in this regard. The Chinese investors can within short period come-up with modular refineries. The NNPC can encourage investors to site more than one refinery per refinery premises. This will make investors feel more welcome and boost investment, competition and improve refined products supply for national consumption.

There are already good reports that the Yuan deal is yielding positive results- as pressure on dollar is easing. Thus, we should look to explore other aspects of currency agreement to help leapfrog the economy of Nigeria. Nigeria can also use the Chinese to harness the country solar and wind energy. Nigeria can negotiate with the Chinese investors to site critical manufacturing industries that will free large chunk of foreign exchange. For instance, the Chinese can collaborate with Nigeria investors to build solar panel and wind vends producing factories accompanied with tax waivers for some years. Thus, the solar panels and wind vends can be used for electricity generation in many states of Nigeria, especially rural areas.

There have been concerns about the Chinese exploring all beneficial avenues of agreements they sign with African countries, while most Africa countries do not. We cannot blame the Chinese; they negotiate their way to get what they want, while African political leaders negotiate while keeping our minds on one or two things. For example, on the currency deal between Nigeria and China, we keep on emphasizing on the benefit of easing pressure of foreign exchange for import purposes; while there are hundreds of other benefits of currency agreements which we can gain from on the long term.

The budding Afro-Sino rapport is a gold mine for Nigeria because of our potentials and strategic position in Africa, however we might find ourselves shortchanged if we do not, in our local parlance; ‘wise up’ and beware of the Chinese.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980

Between Buhari and Budget ‘Paddlers’

There are three of groups of people who padded President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2016 Budget. The budget he christened ‘budget of change’. The first of group is mainly made up of few civil servants who are used to and live on being ‘budget rats’ and have been milking the nation for only God knows how long.

The second group is opposition politicians who are bent on seeing the APC government fail and also ridicule Buhari’s honest attempt to bring something new to Nigerians. The third group is the most dangerous- they are insiders, they are APC members who want to use the passage of the budget as a ‘political commodity’ and a bargaining tool to achieve some political and personal goals.

President Buhari said that he has never heard the word ‘budget padding’ until now. Most Nigerians, likewise have never. And this is because the perpetrators of the act had been milking the nation via that way and succeeding. In fact, the main reason this dastardly act came to the open is because the third group who wanted to exploit the passage of the budget as a bargaining tool, have become very desperate and was looking for an easy way to achieve their goals.

Since the President is hearing budgeting padding for the first time, he should employ his presidential powers to deal with the ‘paddlers’. For the civil servant, it will be very easy to deal with them; those found to have put a single ‘foreign’ digit in the budget should face the appropriate punishment as stipulated in the civil service rules. For the opposition who wants to prove to Nigerians at all cost that APC’s advocated change is not feasible, the president should not give them any chance to have their way- thus, the provisions in the budget should be implemented to the last word. For the insiders- APC members, dealing with them is the simplest. The President should maintain his stand on non interference in matters such as party and court cases neither should he give in to attempts to get something from the executive in return for parliamentary approval of executive proposals. He should also maintain his well-cherished stand of operating a government based of system thinking.

All said and done, the arduous task before the president is to put in place a mechanism to avoid future occurrence and save the nation embarrassment.

What the Mr. President needs to do are: whenever a budget is compiled and have passed through the rigorous checks of the Ministry of Budget and Planning and the budget office, there should also be Presidential special aides/team whose role will be to scrutinize the entire provisions of the budget for the president. Such team can also be doing same on other documents for the president. Secondly, before the president presents the budget to the National Assembly, he should make the national document accessible to all Nigerians- if anything new is inserted, the president and Nigerians will easily know.

Above all, Nigerians expect Mr. President to ensure paddlers of his first budget-the budget of change, should not go unpunished.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980.

How to Get Rich from Buhari’s Government

Some people oppose the Buhari government because they think people cannot get rich from his government. Some people love Buhari so much because they think that people cannot make a penny from the government. They are all wrong, at the same time, they are all right depending on the prisms they are seeing things. 

Some Nigerians question whether the practice of self enrichment from government coffers that flourished in the last administrations will continue under the Buhari government. Certain factors trigger such a question: President Muhammadu Buhari is fighting corruption the way it ought to be fought. Many Nigerians believe that the only way to get rich in Nigeria is through the government. Over the years, Nigerians have seen fellow citizens become overnight millionaires by simply being part of or connected to the government. 

Can people make money from the Buhari government? The answer is yes. People can become wealthy, or even super rich courtesy the Buhari government, but it will be through legal, legitimate and clean process and not the usual corrupt and opaque way of making money from the Nigerian government. 

To get rich from the Buhari government, people must have smart brains, honesty and the passion to contribute to the country’s development through innovative ideas that will be sold to the government through due process. The government of Buhari has so far made it clear that it is no longer business as usual. Just being smart enough to illegally squeeze money from the government, politicking and using extreme unconstructive criticism to blackmail the government into giving out contracts can longer earn one a dime from the government. Certainly, these old crude gimmicks cannot yield fruits under Muhammadu Buhari watch.

The Buhari government wants programs, projects and initiatives that will improve governance, fight poverty, improve revenue generation avenues and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians. Smart thinking people with silicon-valley-like brains who can design programmes, ideas and projects to help the government improve the methods of getting more revenue from other non oil sectors (solid mineral, taxes, agribusiness, ITC and export of goods and services etc) are the people that will enjoy the Buhari government. In fact, more people can make more money from Buhari, than the very few that got dishonestly rich in the past. But intelligence, legitimacy and public good are the signature. 

I am of the view that the style of the Buhari government is that if you want to do business with the government, you have to work hard and intelligently design and present brilliant ideas that will improve good governance and add value to the nation and her people. 

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980. 

How to Rehabilitate the North East

President Muhammadu Buhari has indicated that his government will soon inaugurate a committee for the rehabilitation of the Boko Haram-ravaged North East, Nigeria. This is a good move. Unveiling comprehensive and feasible post-war programmes and projects to restore communities to their pre-war peaceful and productive conditions is what most people in the northeast are expecting from the federal and state governments. 

Furthermore, people of the northeast are hopeful that the committee will have powerful individuals who can use their influence to drive up the rehabilitation process. But the committee should not just be made up of powerful individuals but also people with a passion for the rehabilitation of the war-ravaged northeast. President Buhari’s plan to inaugurate such a committee may have been necessitated by some basic rationales- a collective and transparent approach, efficiency, and the opportunity to easily mobilize substantial amount of funds. 

As the military is winning the war, the ideal step to take next is the application of soft approach to winning wars- programmes and projects to tackle the original factors that facilitated the growth of Boko Haram and helped the group in its recruitments and indoctrinations i.e. abject poverty, illiteracy and the absence of employment opportunities in these states.

The proposed committee should coordinate funding and execution of projects and programmes to help in the restoration of basic infrastructure, integration of lives and livelihood of the people, the quick rehabilitation of farm land; the local economy; places of worship, health-centres, bridges, boreholes, schools, etc. Efforts should also be made to create productive employment for the teeming unemployed citizens and those engaged in unproductive-manual jobs. 

Any plans for the Northeast has to be tied to agriculture. Agriculture is the easiest way to touch and re-integrate the people in the region while also quickly rehabilitating the land, the people and the local economy from the 'scars' of Boko Haram’s senseless war. 

The committee, working in tandem with NGOs and states government, should identify the most affected communities, rehabilitate and also provide them with basic infrastructure that was hitherto not available in the communities. For instance, if Madagali in Adamawa state is affected by the war, the committee should work with the Adamawa state government to rebuild Madagali’s schools, water supply, arable land, market, rural electricity, in fact the entire basic infrastructure. 

If this is done, the lack of clear direction most war-torn communities suffer will be completely eliminated. Hundreds of communities can be restored at once, because most of affected communities are compact and reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of a community may not be an expensive project. 

The Borno state governor, Kasim Shettima’s efforts in rebuilding communities through the ministry charged with reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency is an excellent model to copy. 

If communities ravaged by Boko Haram senseless war are reconstructed, rehabilitated and resettled, it will fast track the healing of scars of the war, restore basic infrastructure and local economies, including returning these communities to their pre-war or even better conditions. 

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980.

Governor Bindow and Cheap Loyalty

What is the loyalty of a state governor worth? This is the question being asked by many observers inside and outside of Adamawa state, after the governor, Muhammad Umaru Jibrilla Bindow revealed that his unalloyed loyalty currently lies with former vice president Atiku Abubakar because of the latter’s 500 million naira donation to his governorship campaign during the 2015 general elections. Political pundits and the lay-man view the acclaimed loyalty from different perspectives. The lay-man sees it from the perspective of the monetary benefit of 500 million naira donation, while political pundits see it as being beyond mere 500 million naira donation.

In retrospection, Governor Bindow won APC governorship primaries solely by relying on former governor Nyako political structures- twice, Bindow beat Atiku’s preferred candidate Yayaji Mijinyawa in the primaries. The Nyako group had to support Bindow during the primaries because they did not have an option, because among all the candidates, it was only Bindow who openly opposed Nyako’s impeachment. On the other hand, Atiku did not show any enthusiasm in support of Nyako. Basically, the APC governorship primary election was a contest between Atiku and Nyako. After all, the duo of Bindow and Yayaji Mijinyawa did not have the capacity to beat people like Boss Mustapha, Dahiru Bobbo and Tahir Mamman.

Despite Bindow’s victory at the polls, former governor Nyako is still pursuing his court case in his attempt to upturn his impeachment by the former Adamawa State House of Assembly. The implication is that, if he wins, he will return as governor and Bindow will automatically lose the governorship seat.

In order to save his political career and governorship seat, Mr. Bindow is left with the only option of relying on Atiku for political structures and guidance including access to Atiku’s legal team. So the main reason for Bindow’s unalloyed loyalty to Atiku is to tap from Atiku legal purses of experience and successes, including the strong political structure.

The implication of Bindow’s publicly declared loyalty to Atiku is the continued political rivalry between Atiku and Nyako. The battle may get fiercer and expand sooner or later as Bindow had made some political miscalculation at the course of forming his government- for instance; the Adamawa chapter of the legacy parties (CPC, ANPP and ACN) that formed the APC were not adequately taken care of in terms of government appointment and patronage.

Atiku’s seeming over-bearing influence on Bindow’s government and the obvious sidelining of Nyako’s men may lead the Nyako group to team with the aggrieved bigwigs of the of legacy parties to fight Bindow. But for the Nyako group to effectively mount a good challenge against Bindow, they need a strong leadership to rally around- probably Senator Abdul-Azeez Nyako. Though, no right-thinking politician can ignore Atiku’s well-established vast political structure, immense war chest and history of successes in political legal battles that easily scares off his opponents. However, Atiku’s decision to support Yayaji Mijinyawa who has least experience and weakest political contacts among Atiku’s political sons and daughters has seriously affected Atiku’s hitherto political family’s cult-like loyalty.

Governor Bindow’s loyalty to Atiku goes beyond the 500 million naira campaign donation, if there was such donation. Governor Bindow’s uncommon loyalty to Atiku is an attempt by the governor to face the Nyako challenges by using Atiku’s many available political and legal structures. However, the common people’s loyalty is the most important weapon Governor Bindow direly needs.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980.