Clay Richie

  COVID-19 hit harder than Mike Tyson in his prime. Everything from manufacturing, retail, oil and gas, hospitality, aviation, hospitality, and construction got hit hard. The economic shutdown brought about lower production, supply, and demand.

  The controversy over the revised (and perhaps questionable) 2020 version of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) has taken on a life of its own. “Comply or be doomed,” the leadership of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) was quoted as saying a few days ago. “Away with the amended version of the old Act, part of which seeks to bring the secular into non-secular matters,” the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is shouting from the rooftops. There is, as yet, no official position from the Muslim leadership, but there may yet be some response from that quarter; especially when we consider that there is hardly any religious group without factions and denominations that someone may decide to merge tomorrow, based on a provision of this new law which allows the CAC to merge organisations with “similar aims and objects.”

  The so-called Igbo struggle is an enterprise. Individuals from the south-east, who find themselves in position of political influence, hawk the ‘’Igbo agitation’’ as merchandise in self-seeking ventures. These politicians pursue personal gains robed in the collective agenda. And this is largely because of the people who have become addlepated by barbiturated sentiments, conspiracy theories, and nerve-raising nothings.

  Two can play the game. That should sum up the politicking surrounding the disinvitation of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, for the 2020 annual general conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) where he was to be a guest speaker. If he was “cancelled” simply because of the allegations that he does not obey court judgments, it would have been more manageable. But by throwing the highly sensitive and divisive southern Kaduna crisis into the mix, the campaigners poured fuel into fire. Inevitably, our fault lines were swiftly magnified. Muslim advocacy groups soon entered the fray and some northern lawyers announced they were pulling out of NBA.

  Intended Federal Government Control of Water Resources is Going Too Far. Call to Resist the National Water Resources Bill, 2020 The requirement for licensing is the most legally oppressive manner to take over the natural resources of a people. The preamble of the 1969 Petroleum Act vests the control of the exploration of petroleum and ownership of all on-shore and off-shore petroleum resources in the Federal Government of Nigeria

  The situation at the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), as reflected in its recent presentation to the Senate’s Joint Committee on Finance and Planning, represents the corruption, mismanagement and ineptitude in virtually all federal revenue-generating agencies. The DPR, one of the agencies that have failed to remit good money to the Federation Account as expected, was queried by the Senate for sending a meagre N44.5 billion into the Consolidated Revenue Fund out of the N2.4 trillion it generated in 2019. The situation at the DPR is mind-boggling.

  Fellow Nigerians, please permit to offer a quick apology. I had planned to conclude Chief Bode Akindele’s serialised tributes this week, but man proposes, and God disposes. A matter of urgent national importance necessitated this sudden change of plans.

  The headlines, especially in the Western press, suggest that Africa is back again in the news for the wrong reasons.  Misery has really never been too far away, but in the last few years foreign journalists looking for stories of deaths, diseases and destruction on the continent have had to find another hobby, the trendiest of which is Trumpoline, a riveting show from the White House. 

  The invitation admittedly extended to the Army by Enugu Police Commissioner ahead of the deadly shooting at Emene was too prompt and bears stark evidence of premeditation for lethal violence against the Igbo element on the part of the Commissioner of Police.

  “There are ambassadors who are here years, and pass on, and no one notices that they were ever here, that certainly wasn’t the case with Amb. Adefuye” – J. Peter Pham, Director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council, Washington, DC.

  Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq has become a household name in the country, apparently because she is in charge of a ministry in which everyone has a stake. Covid-19’s emergence shortly after the Muhammadu Buhari administration created the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development – the name is a mouthful – and spelled its mandates was enough justification for its raison d’etre. Many Nigerians today need humanitarian assistance, as every part of the country faces one disaster or the other.

  Governments across the African continent have tried their best but failed and now it is time for Africans to ignore them and build a new nation through the power of the private sector. Africa is where it is today because governments have been the ones making all economic decisions and this has not brought any economic growth for years.

  With little more than six weeks to the Ondo State gubernatorial election scheduled for 10th October, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu should ordinarily be focused on his re-election bid. But as governors are wont to do on the eve of either their re-election or departure from office, Akeredolu decided to conduct local government elections last Saturday. In the end, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state was declared winner of all 18 chairmanships and 194 of the 198 councillorship seats. While this is a familiar story, we should all be concerned by the bastardisation of local government administration that has gone on for the past 21 years in Nigeria.

  I am sure as the coming of tomorrow that whoever doubted the capacity and intention of the 6th edition of the National Broadcasting Code recently released by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), is already convinced beyond all reasonable doubt, as the cliché would canvass, of the strength of that instrument. In so short a time there is a big catch. Obadiah Mailifia, a former presidential candidate, who spoke on the platform provided by Nigeria Info 91.5 FM, is doing the rounds with the security organisations as he was alleged to have breached sections of the Code bothering on Hate Speech. The station is also to face the full weight of the law by coughing out a fine of N5m as against N500, 000 that was the fine for such malfeasance.

  President Muhammadu Buhari listed yesterday “nine priority areas” for the next 33 months. Buhari said the areas of focus would “guide policy directions” so as “to improve the livelihood of Nigerians.”

  Femi Fani-Kayode makes conceit solemn. He is the sui generis of narcissism. His arrogance dovetails with his foul temper and cutting tongue. There is no shade of modesty, temperance and grace in the son of Remilekun Fani-Kayode (Fani Power). The mealy-mouthed politician takes the “H” in hubris. He is the undisputed crown prince of double-speak.

  I admire Nasir el-Rufai, the Governor of Kaduna State for his intellectual abilities and what he has been able to achieve within the public space, but I am not his fan. I have had two rather disturbing encounters with him. The first I would overlook because at the time, I thought he spoke out of plain honesty. But there was a second encounter that I have never been able to get out of my mind. Sometime in 2013, I had taken permission from President Goodluck Jonathan to stay back in London for a few days to sort out some personal matters. The request was granted. The Presidential delegation returned to Abuja without me. A few days later on my way back home, aboard British Airways, guess who I ran into as I tried to settle down: Nasir el-Rufai. I was so excited to see him. He had just then published his impressive memoir: The Accidental Public Servant (Safari Books, 2013, 627pp.) I rushed to meet him and enthusiastically told him that I had read his book and that I was impressed. I ...

  Afamous Nigerian politician once said (in spirited defense of the Yoruba) that “before I became a Nigerian, I was Yoruba”. And another one said: “We will write this for all to read. Anyone, soldier or not that kills the Fulani takes a loan repayable one day no matter how long it takes”.

  My apologies, but when I saw the applause and staff guard of honour that greeted Foreign Minister Onyema’s return to office after testing negative to COVID-19, I wondered if that was the right way to express our emotions at such a time. This is not because we shouldn’t be happy and thankful when our loved ones escape death, but because this disease is still raging and there is still much mystery around it. Whether we cry when bereaved, or clap and shout in happiness at the good luck of our loved ones who survived, it seems to be like the dead mourning the dead, or the dead applauding for the lucky. I believe we need a lot of contrition, soberness, introspection, reflection and general feeling of caution around this Covid-19 matter.

  Some years ago, I was among those invited by the US Consul General to his residence in Lagos for a cocktail party as part of the celebrations of the American Independence Day. I stood at the back of the open arena next to one of the officials of the US Consulate. I later got into a conversation about political developments around the country and particularly the Niger Delta region with the nice, polite and informed American.

  In my last intervention on Nigeria’s education, an article which was widely syndicated, I remarked quite soundly that I can imagine the cloud of uncertainty and despair over most Nigerian students particularly those in their final year at a time their colleagues abroad were concluding examinations, moving to another level, concluding their academic programmes and even attending virtual graduation programmes, two months after the uncertainty and confusion is even more palpable.

  Government Subsidy systems promote inefficiency in production and efficiency in coercion and subservience while penalizing efficiency in production and inefficiency in predation” - Murray Rothbard (1926-1995)

  Iam eager to see how the current impasse between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will be resolved.

  At the ripe old age of 11, when people are typically most concerned with videogames, action figures and the onset of pubescence, I had a different set of, externally enforced, concerns. Born into a religious cult, I was going through an unusually early period of development and self-awareness that made me keenly, painfully aware that something was definitely off. 

  In Nigeria, oil is definitely the apple of our eyes — we don’t need to argue over that. But this piece of news should set us thinking once again: Apple, the American tech company, is now worth over $2 trillion. By contrast, the GDP of Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, is estimated at $448 billion. Of course, Apple’s market value and Nigeria’s GDP are not the same measurements. One measures the value of the stock and the other the value of economic activities. However, the real question is: with all our vaunted oil and gas resources, why is our GDP not in trillions of dollars? Why is poverty rate always 70 percent and above? And why is unemployment rate at 27 per cent?

  I have spent quality time reviewing the presentation of the Hausa-Fulani community in Southern Kaduna, debunking claims of genocide against the Christian natives in the area. Aside, they insist they are neither minority nor settlers in Southern Kaduna as proclaimed by the Christian community. Speaking last Sunday, the Hausa-Fulani community under the umbrellas of Coalition of United Muslim Group, Kaduna State; Muslim Youth Foundation of Southern Kaduna; Nasihatu Ahlizzaman; Southern Kaduna Muslim Forum; and Zumunta Youth Development, Kasuwan Magani, assert that Muslims constituted 40 per cent of the population of Southern Kaduna, “while the Hausa-Fulani are majority of about 30 tribes that make up Southern Kaduna.”

  The Bini word “Nosagie” (“Osagie” for short) translates roughly as “the one sent by God”. For incumbent Edo governor, the invocation of “Godwin” undoubtedly served as a talisman in his electoral conquest of 2016. 

  We talk a lot about food price inflation being a major problem in Nigeria, and while many Nigerians appear to have some appreciation of the issue, I am not sure that most people in the country really understand how bad things are. The latest figures mean that a loaf of bread which costs ₦100 today, will go for ₦115 in a year’s time. Or remain at ₦100, but with reduced quality.

  Life matters but not to those who see people as a minority. They deliberately suppress people's right to live in a society where all rights ought to be equal. They mute these rights in every sphere of life; morally, financially and economically – even in terms of protecting the people which is the primary responsibility of any serious or responsible government.

  Fellow Nigerians, I am at pains to point out that our failing country is a crime scene. I am not kidding. There is no better description for what our beloved fatherland has become. For emphasis, the entire Nigerian landscape of 923,768 km2 (356,669 sq mi), making it the world’s 32nd-largest country is a mammoth crime scene. Some would agree with me this is unarguably the biggest crime scene in the world. There is no denying that what we have on our hands is a country that has receded from those basic values that make other countries tick; that have put them on an enviable pedestal such that they are now reference points for others to emulate.

  There is a hardly a day that goes by now, that we don’t read in the media of billions of naira being stolen by an agency in the central government. The whole thing is sickening. The rate at which money is being stolen in the central government has become like a curse. It is as if there is a competition among top government officials on the amount of how much you could steal. The main reason is that there is too much money in the centre and there is lack of coordination. Someone even suggested that we don’t have any leader in the centre. In an ideal situation it should not be tolerated. I think the time is ripe now to ask how come the central government has so much money while the states and the local governments are on financial ventilator. The last time we examined the formula for revenue allocation was in 1980. And the report was never implemented till today. The military came in 1984 and bungled everything. The present revenue allocation formula favours the centre because it w...

  Nine months after the curtains were drawn on the Bayelsa governorship polls, the electorate still can’t be too sure who they voted for or who will be governor. Lawyers have become the new voters and courts the new electoral umpires; yet neither the lawyers nor the courts can say exactly where all this would lead or swear that they are in control of the outcome.

  A few weeks ago, I was engaged in a minor argument with an old friend of mine. His stand was that integrity and honour were dead in Nigeria, even among children. He used many short stories and anecdotes to prove his point and despite my concerted effort to prove otherwise and restore some hope, my friend stuck to his belief that the only thing that would restore sanity in Nigeria was the mass elimination of what he called the ” old brigade who have held this country by the balls for decades ”

  When it comes to elections, Nigerian politicians have always played by their own rules. It is therefore no surprise that many of them no longer believe in securing electoral victory with votes of the electorate. Now, they register their own political party or secure the endorsement of one of the numerous briefcase parties, get their name on the ballot and then wait for the election to be over before employing judicial ambush. Lawyers in their service look for any technicality with which to approach the courts to seek ‘redress’. Unfortunately, too many of these characters succeed in receiving judgements that do not in any way advance the course of our democracy and electoral jurisprudence.

  Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in the 2015 elections was a watershed moment for the majority of Nigerian’s who worked tirelessly on the ground and on social media. It had implications for democracy in Africa and beyond. The world watched as PDP – another ruling political party in Africa – was booted out, this time in Nigeria – the most populous nation.

  The news is downright depressive. Nigeria’s unemployment rate climbed to 27.1% in the second quarter of 2020. Let’s do the math: With a labor force of 80.2 million, that means about 21.7 million Nigerians are out of work. Of course, this statistics is based on survey that may not represent our reality regarding unemployment across the country. 

  President Muhammadu Buhari thanked his immediate predecessor, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday for the “stamina displayed” in resolving the crisis in Mali.

  Controversial as Prince Arthur Eze has become in his desperate bid to become the godfather of Anambra State which has earned him the moniker of “Money Miss Road”, he may not be a fool, after all. Aware that his mission of taking a handful of obscure traditional rulers from Anambra State on Wednesday, August 5, to the Presidential Villa with the sole purpose of criticizing Governor Willie Obiano before President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, August 7, was dangerous, he carefully made sure that his half-brother, Dr Robert Eze who is the monarch of Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government Area, did not make the trip. Dr Eze received the 12 traditional rulers in his palace while they were on the way to the airport, but did not follow them to Abuja.

  Sorry about your man” “Thank you” “You know I used to think that this COVID-19 thing is a kind of scientific joke, but now I am beginning to take it seriously.” 

    On the 7th of August 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari assented to the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 (CAMA 2020), which in effect repeals the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990[1](the “Repealed Act”). By popular opinion, the passage into law is a welcome development and both the 9th Assembly and the President are duly commended.

  Indeed, the Nigerian university system is no stranger to crises.  If it is not fight for university autonomy, underfunding , political interference, lack of respect for agreements, it is some mundane “ego” issues . These crises have been linked to the declining of standards and output of public universities in Nigeria. The latest in the cycle of crises is the announcement by the Registrar of University of Lagos  who doubles as Secretary to Council that the Vice Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe has been removed from office by the University Governing Council in an emergency meeting held on 12th August 2020. This has created tension in the University and may  have wider implications if not checked. 

  Once in a while the unexpected happens in life and there is drama. If it is very unexpected, it can be called high drama. It is too early to say whether the issues surrounding Mr. Ibrahim Magu, until recently  acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is just drama or if it qualifies as high drama. 

  Historically, the Nigerian media were designed to expose corruption, demand accountability and promote transparency. In the 160 years of its founding, our media have played pivotal roles at every point of the country’s transition. The media played a huge role in the country’s agitation for independence, galvanising the population to rally around the singular agenda of independence from the colonial masters. Through the turbulence of successive military regimes, interspersed with short bursts of attempt at democratic rule, the media stayed the course.

  Glaringly, the arbitrariness and public contempt in the operations of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulation Agency (PPPRA) under this government is fast becoming at best callous and at worst criminal.

  2006 was a defining year for affirmative action in Shell Petroleum Development Company – the Anglo Dutch Oil Multinational which is the largest international oil company in the country.

  Dr Obadiah Mailafia, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), shook the airwaves recently when he told a radio station that a northern governor is the commander of Boko Haram. He also said the terrorists were flying freely during the coronavirus lockdown. “We have met with some of their high commanders, they have sat down with us not once, not twice,” he said in the interview that was also on video. “They told us that one of the northern governors is the commander of Boko Haram in Nigeria. Boko Haram and the bandits are one and the same. During this lockdown, their planes were moving up and down as if there was no lockdown.”

  How can members-elect of the Edo State House of Assembly, most of whom are yet to be legally inaugurated, impeach a properly elected and inaugurated speaker and his deputy? That is the scenario playing out in this once peaceful state, troubled by so much tension and violence. The truth that must be told is that 12 of the 17 pro-Oshiomhole members-elect opposed to Governor Godwin Obaseki, who carried out the purported impeachment of Francis Okiye, were surreptitiously and illegally sworn in last week. So, all their actions are a nullity. The law of our land does not make provision for the swearing in of lawmakers in private homes. The purported inauguration of pro-Oshiomhole members-elect was even done by the deputy clerk of the Assembly. Is the clerk lifeless?

  President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration appears more determined than ever to rely on repression as a means of responding to dissent and public criticism. Its record of failure to uphold human rights and the rule of law has been too consistent: empty promises, more excuses, ambivalence, intolerance, and state-sanctioned brutality.

  Overwhelmed with disbelief, I chuckled multiple times as I read the ‘monumental’ Reuben Abati’s opinion piece published by Sahara Reporters on August 4, 2020, titled: Nigeria and Chinese Loans. Unfortunately, the piece was a monumental misadventure in dissecting the trending issue of Nigeria and Chinese loans and the terms of the loans. More tragic was Abati’s inglorious, uncalled for, cut and join attempt to portray the minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as the shady villain that has plunged Nigeria into his imaginary intractable apocalyptic debt mess with China. 

Many people are incensed at the injustice whereby a boy in Yobe who scores 2 in the National Common Entrance can be deemed to have passed, whereas, a girl in the very same state has to score 27, or else she would have failed. In this very same exam, a child (boy or girl) in Anambra who scores 138 is deemed to have failed. None of this is new, as many are aware this has been going on for decades and/or have experienced it. For how long shall this and such practices continue?