Isola Moses | ����

Over two decades after what many Nigerians have described as the “evil annulment” of the overwhelming electoral victory, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtd.), ex-Military President, also known as IBB, has acknowledged that late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola (1937–1998), actually won the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election in the West African country.

��ñ���� reports former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, who disclosed this Thursday, February 20, 2025, in Abuja, FCT, while reviewing IBB’s autobiography, said the former Military President, some also called “Evil Genius”, admitted that late Chief MKO Abiola won the June 12 Presidential Election.

Babangida’s book is entitled: “A Journey in Service”.

Late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola��

Osinbajo affirmed that IBB penned that MKO Abiola, who contested the Presidential Election on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), secured the majority of votes, and the geographical spread to be the president.

The “Evil Genius” also described his administration’s willful annulment of the June 12 Presidential Election, adjudged as the freest and fairest ever in the political history of Nigeria, as the most challenging aspect of his life thus far.

Babangida finally declared in the book: “There was no doubt in my mind; MKO Abiola won the election. He satisfied all the requirements.”

The former Military President, however, noted that he was happy that ex-President Muhammadu Buhari later acknowledged that Abiola won the election, and subsequently honoured him with the greatest national title of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), which is for Presidents.

How Buhari conferred GCFR on late Abiola: Tinubu

It is recalled that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, current Nigerian President, in 2018, had announced that former President Buhari had affirmed that Abiola, indeed, won the 1993 Presidential Election.

Asiwaju Tinubu said this while addressing guests during the events to mark the 10th Bola Tinubu Colloquium that commemorates Tinubu’s 66th Birthday celebration at the Eko Hotel and Towers, Victoria Island, Lagos.

President Buhari, by declaring June 12 as Democracy Day and awarding�� Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) to late MKO Abiola, has confirmed that Abiola won the 1993 election, Tinubu stated.

Tinubu, a former Senator and Governor of Lagos and one of the pro-democracy activists who spent years in exile, and was part of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), disclosed the affirmation in a statement 2018, titled, “The Immortalisation of Chief MKO Abiola”, issued by Mr. Tunde Rahman, then, his Media Officer and one of his current Presidential Media aides.

According to Tinubu, Buhari administration’s award of the GCFR signified an acknowledgement that late MKO Abiola should have been allowed to serve as president after winning the free and fair expression of the popular will of the people.

Buhari had declared June 12 as new National Democracy Day with effect from 2019.

Besides Chief MKO Abiola, who was posthumously awarded the highest award of GCFR, erstwhile President Buhari also said Abiola’s running mate in the election, Amb. Babagana Kingibe, and late human rights lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) were vested with Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON).

‘Posthumous awards for Abiola, others good news’

Speaking on Buhari’s declaration of June 12 as the country’s National Democracy Day, Tinubu had said that the official announcement was a good news for democracy and a proud moment for Nigeria.

Buhari ‘s decision has corrected the wrongs of the past, stated he.

Tinubu had stated: “Along with all democratic and fair-minded Nigerians, I welcome the news that June 12 will replace May 29 as Democracy Day.

I too applaud Buhari for making this courageous and rightful decision.

“He has shown all Nigerians and the world that we have the moral fortitude to objectively face our history, learn from it and improve our society by virtue of this learning.”

He equally noted: “June 12, more than any other day, symbolises the struggles and sacrifices made by countless Nigerians to establish democracy as our way of national governance.

“Chief MKO Abiola and others gave their lives that we might have democracy, that the will of the people will be sovereign and not suppressed by the will of the few.”

Asiwaju Tinubu�� averred: “This proclamation by Buhari will forever immortalise the sacrifices made by these patriots who gave off themselves in service of such a noble and rightful purpose.”

He added: “This fulfilment comes with a civic responsibility. We must consecrate this new holiday and ourselves so that we make it a living holiday.

“More so than ever before, the spirit of June 12 must live within us. It must guide our politics and how we govern ourselves.

“We must continuously dedicate ourselves to the freedoms and rights as well as the duties that democracy bestows on us all, political friend and foe alike.”

Sunday Dare

The book, “The Architect of Renewal: The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Story”, is a discourse on history as it affects contemporary issues.

It is a deliberate presentation of a rich background to an era that is just beginning.

It could, therefore, be called, history in progress—a literary contradiction that explains an immediate past which has laid a foundation for an unfolding future.

The authors are simply saying: if you want to be sure of what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can do for Nigeria, or who he really is, then, follow our scrutiny as we walk down the terrain that exposes his farsighted pedigree.

This book is also a biographical composition that captures a life in leadership.

It is neither a history book in the traditional sense nor a hypothetical analysis.

Rather, it masterfully examines the political life of an enigma called Bola Ahmed Tinubu by interpreting and offering perspectives on issues that mark him out as a leader that can be trusted.

While the book dwells mostly on the past, it speaks boldy about the future which has since begun.

After intellectually scrutinising the central theme of the book, which is examined from diverse angles, it is without doubt that the authors intended to send a strong and truthful message of reassurance to the people of Nigeria that despite the uncertainty of the present, things will surely work again. The message is captured from a Biblical perspective revealed in Psalm 30:5.

It states clearly that though “weeping may endure for a night, joy will surely come in the morning.”

In other words, though hunger and frustration may walk tall in our land today and breed hopelessness at the moment, soon the reverse would be the case.

Written by people who believe in the Tinubu identity, people who have caught the vision and are ready to run with it, the book has 10 short chapters. The narrative is in simple, easy to grasp expressions.

Every chapter seeks and presents answers to one comprehensive question: does President Tinubu have the required experience, a tested competence, the stamina and the bold gravitas to rescue Nigeria from several years of economic, political, ethnic and social stagnation?

In chapter one, titled: Foundations of Governance – Bola Tinubu’s Path to Leadership, the authors write that irrespective of different opinions held by different people and the questions that have followed, President Tinubu possesses such political pedigree that groups him among the best in Nigeria and elsewhere.

They boldly state that while certain political leaders have at several times found themselves in power without any preparation, the case of President Tinubu is different because he has been proactive in his preparation for any office he has held in the past.

The book reveals that Tinubu believes in testing his abilities by rising from the ranks.

For instance, before seeking any political office, he is known to have been involved in democratic struggles and daring political scuffles under the military.

This activism helped him create unbreakable social and political networks across the country.

So, Tinubu’s journey to the Presidency was not a sudden one.

It did not start on the eve of the election: It is a product of accumulated efforts, sleepless nights, a life in exile, and an undying vision.

This chapter tells a story of President Tinubu’s democratic struggle on the platform of NADECO—the National Democratic Coalition, his election as a Senator, a life in exile, his return and emergence as Governor of Lagos State.

It is here the authors present him as a man of innovative initiatives, especially on the economic front.

It was through his unrivalled economic skill that the Internally Generated Revenue of Lagos State moved from six hundred million Naira a month to over five billion Naira—an uncommon feat by every standard.

It is clear from this chapter that President Tinubu has a tested competence that prepared him for Nigeria’s Presidency.

With increased revenue, he was reported to have changed the economic development landscape of Lagos State within eight years.

Described by the authors as “a bold, optimistic, staunch believer in competency and man of his convictions”, Tinubu is presented as a symbol of hope in the midst of frustration, someone who plans and sees beyond mounting frustrations and hardships.

Chapter Two of the book focuses on “Grassroots Mobilisation — The Core of Tinubu’s Political Style”.

Here, the authors write about Tinubu’s political heritage which they believe is deeply rooted in his unrivalled ability to properly identify and engage the micro-components of the masses, and acknowledge them as constituting the essential parts of the political group in the society.

The book describes President Tinubu as possessing acclaimed street sense, innate grasp of what politics should deliver, acute knowledge, and understanding of the political ideology best suited for Nigeria, a knack for building and fostering coalitions, and a fastidious disposition towards enhancing the happiness and wellbeing of the greatest number in his society.

The book, in this chapter, outlines the various strategies usually deployed by President Tinubu for political mobilisation.

The authors discuss the various political alignments which President Tinubu identified with in his bid to build coalitions across the country. With significant growth and expansion of his political networks, the authors state that he has been recognised as the “foremost face and driver of progressive politics” in Nigeria since the death of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

In the opinion of the authors, the President also qualifies as the “most significant, political protege of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.” Most importantly, the book attributes Tinubu’s unprecedented grassroots mobilisation and building of coalition to his beloved mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the Iyaloja-General of Lagos State.

In Chapter Three, the book deals exclusively on “Building Coalitions – Tinubu’s Blueprint for Political Success”.

This chapter is, in a way, an extension of chapter two. Names are mentioned and examples are given.

Here President Tinubu is described as “a deep political thinker and exceptional strategist with a reputation for tackling difficult and nearly impossible political tasks.”

The book reveals that President Tinubu’s dexterity “at building coalitions and strategic alliances attests to his resilience and courage in the face of all odds.”

Vision and Charisma – Understanding Tinubu’s Leadership Qualities is discussed in Chapter Four under different sub-headings. These are, Man of the year: the change mantra; a visionary inexplicable; a futuristic vision; vision characterised by empathy, Tinubu’s Akandeism; fearless in the face of tyranny; greatest of all time; the power of charismatic grooming; Nigeria like Lagos: BAT model, BAT vision: a timeless solution of all time.

This chapter states in summary that although Nigeria is currently facing economic, security and political challenges, it is blessed with a leader with the competence to guide the troubled nation through turbulent times.

The book discloses that with Tinubu as President, Nigeria now has someone who can guarantee quality of life for the citizens, “good living standards, social justice, financial re-engineering for prosperity and effective governance.”

Chapter Five of this slim-volume book examines: Resilience and Adaptability – The Personal Traits that Defined Tinubu.

This is scrutinised under certain catchy sub-headings: resilience: perseverance through adversity (NADECO), adaptability: evolving with the political landscape; Bola Tinubu’s activities in Abeokuta – Emi lokan declarations: May 29, 2023-September 13, 2024; and legacy of resilience and adaptability.

The authors recapture how Tinubu’s resilience in persistent reforms based on a clear vision, transformed Lagos into one of Nigeria’s most economically vibrant and politically stable states “with his visionary master plan, which his successors continue to implement and use as their playbook in administering the commercial capital of Nigeria.” They are confident that the President’s courageousness in implementing economic restructurings, “such as removing fuel subsidies and unifying exchange rates, demonstrated resilience in the face of opposition,” and that in no time, the outcome would gladden every heart.

The next chapter examines Economic Reforms – Tinubu’s Blueprint for Growth.

It presents President Tinubu as a thinker, who co-authored a book with Brian Browne, entitled: ‘”Financialism: Water from an Empty Well”.

This chapter, which is a continuation of the previous one, discusses Tinubu’s antecedents; the Lagos template; a new template for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), transparency in public account, budgetary system, macroeconomic reforms, the perspectives, the blueprint: a worldview before examining his presidential manifesto under three clear areas, comprising expansionary fiscal policy, import substitution policy, anti-inflationary fiscal policy.

This chapter cautions that President Tinubu’s vision of creating 50 million jobs for Nigerians should go beyond a policy, because its implementation is critical to the economy.

According to the authors, “the most sustainable approach to job creation is to support production and create an enabling business environment for the private sector.”

Globally, it is unquestionable that a blossoming private sector is a job creator for the people.

The book gives the assurance that as a political equivalent of a medical surgeon, President Tinubu understands the enormity of an ailment on his patient’s body, and is sufficiently strong-minded to deal with the situation in a way that would guarantee relief as he appears undeterred in his avowed commitment to rewriting history.

Education forms the subject of discourse in chapter seven under: Educational Advancements – Transforming the Learning Landscape.

It opens with the declaration: Tinubu: dogged about education; and goes ahead to discuss such issues as the national framework for education and the implementation of a mandatory health insurance scheme to cover at least 40 percent of the population within two years.

The President’s 80-page manifesto on Renewed Hope is also examined in this chapter. It focuses on education infrastructure, accreditation standards and curriculum, teacher training, school management, technical and vocational education, restructuring of tertiary institutions, student loans, special education fund, among others.

Chapter Eight of the book deals on Infrastructure Development – Laying the Foundations of Modernisation.

It draws inspiration from what Tinubu did in Lagos State as governor several years ago under the Lagos infrastructure experience, housing infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, the power initiative, infrastructure: a new paradigm, the infrastructure plan with emphasis on the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund.

These are analysed in manners that show the vision and the mission of the Tinubu’s administration in addressing these issues.

In Chapter Nine of the book, the authors treat the issue of Healthcare Initiatives – A Vision for a Healthier Nigeria.

They start the discussion on the Lagos template implemented by the then Governor Tinubu which included the blindness prevention programme, LASAMBUS Scheme, and environmental sanitation.

After a detail discussion, it is believed that the same template can work at the national level with some massive adjustment.

They believe that a national health policy should cover health sector governance and leadership, equity and equality, the next public health emergency which should include: disease surveillance and detection, emergency response, surge capacity, patient management system for routine and endemic diseases, access and distribution mechanisms for medical countermeasures, and systems to cater to inevitable mass fatalities when they occur.

The last chapter is a narrative on “Inside the Office – Personal Reflections on Working with President Tinubu”.

It is an account of a personal experience by one of the authors.

The Architect of Renewal: The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Story is an interesting literature.

It is basically a recap of the enormous achievements of President Tinubu as Lagos State Governor, and how that template would equally bring large-scale economic and social development to the centre.

The authors have also set standards that the President and his team would be required to cover in their service to Nigeria.

This book is a reassurance by the authors that like John Maxwell said, “a leader knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.”

President Tinubu knows the way, and will tenaciously pursue and execute a Nigerian Reforms Agenda to success.

The information in this book is meant to rebuild hope in Nigerians, that President Tinubu does not only mean well, he is equally capable of delivering on his promises.

On the whole, nothing ties the book together like these three quotes below.

They resonate loudly about the Man, our leader, Nigeria’s current President and Commander-in-Chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“He armed himself with quality education, built a sterling career in private and public sectors, rose from the ranks, led major democratic struggles and political battles, and established a rich network of allies and associates across Nigeria and beyond.”

“The reforms his government has introduced are not quick fixes, rather, they are deliberate, albeit painful transformations. “He actively seeks to articulate the rationale behind his disruptive but rewarding decisions.

“That is a mark of responsible and responsive leadership, and not one rooted in deception and playing to the gallery.”

“True leadership is not for the faint-hearted, after all.

“It requires the capacity to take a studious look at available options and choose the path that leads to the general and enduring good, not necessarily one with the least resistance.”

Finally, this book, “The Architect of Renewal: The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Story”, is one of many yet to be written.

Our Hope is Renewed that a greater Nigeria is possible under President Bola Tinubu.

This book rekindles the confidence of Nigerians in their President as a man well-equipped for the job.

A long distance runner who will ride the storms, surmount the obstacles, and ultimately take Nigeria to the desired destination.

That destination is a better Nigeria.

*Text of the review of the book “The Architect of Renewal: Bola Tinubu Story”, on Saturday, November 23, 2024, in the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, FCT.

Isola Moses | ����

The Michael Imoudu National Institute of Labour Studies (MINILS) has decorated Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta,�� Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive�� Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), with the award of Fellowship of the Nigeria Institute of Labour (NIL) under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The telecoms sector regulatory Commission disclosed the recent conferment ceremony in Abuja, FCT, was part of the series of events marking the 40 Anniversary/Founders’ Day of the Institute.

Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, stated Issa Aremu, Director-General of MINILS, said Prof. Danbatta was being recognised for his and his team’s exemplary contributions to the betterment of the Commission and national workforce.

Alongside Danbatta, Usman Malah, Director of Human Capital and Administration of the Commission, who drives effectiveness of the workforce at NCC, was also honoured with a Fellowship.

On NCC’s initiatives to enhance welfare of Nigerian workers

Speaking at the event, Danbatta, represented by Malah at the event, underscored the significance of collectively supporting initiatives that enhance the well-being of Nigerian workers through increased access to affordable telecoms services.

The NCC Chief stated that only through a digitally skilled and informed workforce can Nigeria fast-track national productivity and development, alongside other initiatives being put in place by the Federal Government.

Danbatta also assured that the Commission would ensure affordable and ubiquitous telecoms services to improve the Nigerian workers’ daily activities.

Expressing gratitude for the recognition to him and Malah, Danbatta pledged his continued support to empowering the NCC staff in improving skills, education and sundry capacity-building activities, as well as stimulating the deployment of robust broadband infrastructure for facilitating job creation for Nigerians and improving national productivity.

MINILS applauds Commission for deploying telecoms to enhance productivity, efficiency

In his address on the occasion, Aremu, Director-General of the Institute, commended the Commission for promoting the deployment of telecommunications services to improve productivity and efficiency across different sectors of the economy.

Aremu stated: “We have witnessed the amazing transformation in terms of Broadband penetration, Internet subscribers, and many other achievements recorded under the leadership of Prof. Danbatta as the Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC and how the telecoms sector, regulated by the Commission he leads, have improved national productivity.”

The Director-General stated the EVC/CEO of NCC had played a pivotal role in transforming and advancing Nigeria’s digital space.

He equally acknowledged that Danbatta’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and creating employment opportunities in the telecommunications sector had earned him accolades nationwide.

The anniversary, which featured conferment of Fellowship of the NIL on other Chief Executives and Heads of Human Resources divisions of some government agencies alongside the NCC Management executives, not only celebrated the events of the past but also set the stage for a brighter future, said the Commission.

According to NCC, the event further showcased the importance of fair labour practices, knowledge and continued collaboration among various government agencies.

���� reports�� Prof. Danbatta, aside from the new Fellowship of NIL, is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Renewable and Alternative Energy Society, Nigerian Academy of Engineering, and Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.

Isola Moses | ����

In a move to protect consumers coupled with the growing pressure to curb the number of fake and deceptive product reviews on its Web site, Amazon is instituting a legal case against the administrators of 10,000 Facebook groups over claims that they have orchestrated the phony reviews for profit.

��ñ���� learnt Amazon alleged the defendants had recruited individuals who are willing to post misleading reviews on Amazon’s stores in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Japan in return for products and cash.

Photo collage: GI

The global technology giant and foremost online retailer, which reportedly been prodded by the US Congress to rein in the phony reviews, said it would use information discovered in this legal action to “identify bad actors” and remove the fake reviews, agency report said.

Dharmesh Mehta, Amazon’s Vice-President, Selling Partner Services, said: “Our teams stop millions of suspicious reviews before they’re ever seen by customers, and this lawsuit goes a step further to uncover perpetrators operating on social media.

“Proactive legal action targeting bad actors is one of many ways we protect customers by holding bad actors accountable.”

According to Amazon, the administrators of these groups solicit fake reviews for hundreds of products sold on Amazon, including car stereos and camera tripods.

The lawsuit identified one such group – Amazon Product Review – and said it had more than 43,000 members until it was removed from the Facebook platform earlier this year.

Changing nature of marketing

Lawmakers and regulators have pushed Amazon to take action against phony reviews on its site because of the changing nature of marketing in the modern world.

Experts said that traditional advertising no longer has the power it once did. Instead, consumers often find the experience of other consumers elsewhere to be more persuasive.

Regulators have also contended when there is a paid effort to promote a particular product in the guise of a consumer review, it is highly deceptive and violates any number of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations.

Amazon emphasised that it strictly prohibits fake reviews and employs over 12,000 people around the world to protect its stores from fraud and abuse, including fake reviews.

For example, it says an Amazon team is assigned to investigate fake review schemes on social media sites, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.

10,000 fake reviews

Since 2020, Amazon said it had reported more than 10,000 fake review groups to Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, according to report.

Of these, Amazon said Meta has taken down more than half of the groups for policy violations and continues to investigate others.

Fakespot, an app that identifies fake or unreliable reviews, says it has analysed 3,629 products and 19,321,997 reviews for Amazon products and found that just under 20% are “unreliable.”

A recent survey indicated that 2,000 US consumers reported spending an average of $899 per year on disappointing online purchases that failed to live up to reviews, with clothing, tech, and toys providing the most disappointment.

Gbenga Kayode | ����

Book Title: ‘Catalysing Nigeria’s Socio-Economic Transformation Through Broadband Infrastructure’

Author: ��Prof. Umar Umar Danbatta, FNSE, FAEng, FRAES, FNIEEE

Book Reviewer: Prof. Chidi Emmanuel Akujor, FAS, FRAS (UK), FNIP, FSESN, FRAES, FASN

Year of Publication: 2021

Pages: 531

Introduction

This is a book that has a total of 531 pages, including 27 preliminary pages. It is well-organised in 8 sections with each section corresponding fairly with 8-point Agenda of the Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) of the EVC/CEO’s first tenure.

The organisation of the book in time sequence makes for excellent reading and clear understanding of the activities of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in the last five years.

RELATED: NCC Unveils 5-Year Strategic Plan, Umar Danbatta’s Book, Global Connect Podcast

The foreword is beautifully presented by late quintessential elder statesman, Ahmed Joda, CFR.

It is unfortunate that he did not live to witness this great occasion. I shall proceed by looking at contents of the book in 8 sections corresponding to the 8 SVPs.

The contents

Section 1 exposes the meaning of broadband and broadband ecosystem and their benefits in enhancing socio-economic development (including GDP improvement), particularly in a developing economy like ours.

It explains in diverse ways that the broadband referred to here is: available, affordable and sustainable broadband.

The section compares Nigeria’s performance in broadband access and penetration with the rest of the world, and sets the tone for what NCC had intended to achieve in subsequent years as not just a regulator but as a vehicle for “transporting” Nigeria’s digital economic growth.

The major challenges bedevilling the telecommunications industry, which have impact on the quality of service, are identified and the efforts at addressing them are discussed.

The reward for the successes recorded in this sector includes multiple international awards and recognition so far accorded Nigeria, which are listed in this section.

It also describes the structure and mandate of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), including its enabling laws and sources of funds.

The major milestones and current/future critical projects and connectivity programmes of USPF have been listed.

Section 2 deals with the technical and non-technical issues to be tackled in order to improve the Quality of Service (QoS) in Nigeria.

It also identifies those factors that degrade the Quality of Service (QoS) and explains the efforts of NCC to tackle the problems, including the existence of QoS Task Force in the Commission.

More so, it explains the collaboration of the Commission with the relevant stakeholders and government agencies to improve the quality of service, particularly in the telecommunications sector.

Section 3 deals with optimal use and benefits of (radio) frequency spectrum. This section also explains the decisions and measures taken by NCC under the watch of Prof. U.G Danbatta to ensure better and more efficient use of radio spectrum.

It identifies and deals with roles of “disruptive technologies” like mobile internet, cloud computing, “autonomous” and “non-autonomous” vehicles in changing the world and the need to effectively prepare Nigeria for the emerging global competitiveness.

In doing this effectively, NCC takes some measures like “creating a framework for spectrum trading and a roadmap for infrastructure sharing and by discouraging anti-competitive conducts in the telecommunication sector.

RELATED: Book On Umar Danbatta’s Speeches, 2 Other Projects For Launch September 7

This section also identifies some of the landmark achievements of NCC so far. For example, NCC was able to achieve a remarkable broadband penetration of 33.70% (April 2019) compared with 8.50% (2015), surpassing a projection of 30%.

Nigeria also achieved a teledensity of 91% corresponding to 173.6million lines (April 2019).

The sector’s contribution to the GDP was about 14.30% (2020) compared with 8.50% (2015), which corresponds to a whopping contribution of N2.27trillion.

Section 4 exposes the imperative of using ICT to improve innovation and promote economic growth.

It explains a lot of the NCC’s interventions in the education sector. These include capacity building efforts using USPF support programmes and the activities of Digital Bridge Institute (DBI).

It also showcases the role of NCC in ensuring the deployment of ICT tools in the health, financial services, transport sectors, etc.

The aim is to ensure that ICT sector benefits from the deployment of broadband infrastructure for economic diversification and free us all from the stranglehold of crude oil.

A major work of NCC explained in this section is the promotion of research and innovation through collaboration with academia and the promotion of “hood, town and industry” collaboration.

This includes the award of generous grants to academia to pursue research relevant to the telecommunications industry.

In Section 5, the book explains in detail the collaborative efforts of NCC and the various stakeholders. This section succinctly lists the partners to include the three tiers of government and government functionaries, the licensees, different sectoral regulators, law enforcement and security agencies, investors in the industry, academia, the media, and other professional groups.

It describes the efforts of the Danbatta administration to initiate and manage inter-relationships with these relevant interests in order to sustain growth in the sector.

These “strategic co-operation and partnership are also needed to prepare the nation for other emerging technologies in the ICT sector.

The EVC explains the efforts of NCC to enhance “research and development” in our educational institutions and consequent linkage with industry. This is needed not only for capacity building, but to enhance research in the universities, polytechnics and other colleges.

It will help to make the educational sector competitive in the global milieu. In addition, the EVC enjoins the other agencies to support our higher institutions with complementary framework to ease infrastructure deficit.

This section also describes the essence of synergy between NCC and the financial sector represented by the Central Bank of Nigeria in order to achieve the nation’s quest for efficient and safe financial services.

It also explains the role of NCC, in collaboration with others in enhancing the establishment of Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT) coordination Centre.

Indeed, it is an intellectual treatise on the shades of cybercrime and how to stay safe (protect your identity and data) particularly, in the post Covid era.

In Section 6, Prof. Danbatta explains the centrality of the consumer to the work of NCC by the declaration: “Consumer is king”. The consumer is entitled to and desirous of a safe environment to live his or her life free from telecoms and cyber harassment or e-fraud.

NCC has been diligent in taking measures to stem ‘e-pollution’ which includes unsolicited messages, consumption of sub-standard devices, regulation of e-waste, prompt and efficient handling of consumer complains, etc.

This is even more relevant now that consumers are increasingly relying on telecommunication networks for financial transactions.

NCC, therefore sees the need to ensure and assure the consumer of the safety of personal data through constant and continuous consumer engagement.

This section also explains the efforts of Professor Danbatta to tighten SIM registrations and curb such practices as call masking/refilling and SIM boxing, which are avenues for perpetuating e-fraud.

Section 7 deals with the role of fair competition in stimulating growth in the telecommunication industry and ICT.

The benefits of instilling the spirit of fair, firm and forthright practices among the staff have also been cardinal to the work of EVC. These are practices that instill confidence in the cyberspace, which in turn, attract both local and national investors.

Here, we are given a new definition of poverty (information/ digital poverty), according to Subbiah Arunachalam, as “lack of access to the Internet in the developing world”.

It explains that ICT on its own does not imply development, but is an enabler of development provided the environment is conductive and non-restrictive to youth, women and all vulnerable groups.

When we improve ICT penetration and accessibility (including affordability, there will be stimulated growth in Agriculture, Trade, Finance, Transportation, Insurance, Educational delivery, etc.

Indeed, this is a necessary condition for growing the knowledge economy.

In the last section, Prof. Danbatta exposes the imperatives of ensuring regulatory and operational efficiency in achieving the “public good”.

It is clear that “public good” means achieving socio-economic upliftment of the average citizen. This is actually the essence of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 which followed the previous associated laws or decree.

But it in noteworthy that this is encapsulated in the NCC mission: “to support a market driven communication industry and promote universal access” and its vision: “To be a responsive world class communication regulatory organisation”.

The essence of the book

In my opinion, Professor U.G. Danbatta exposes himself as an unrepentant intellectual. On assumption of office he sets up a committee and articulates his vision and publishes it for all to see.

At the end of his first tenure, he has published a book that clearly says what his ambition was, and does a self-assessment of his mileage in that extraordinary leadership journey.

In this book, he has given a lot of credit to his predecessors, his Directors and other workers, members of the Board, and all others who in one way or the other have impacted his leadership.

In a country where leaders not only jettison the projects of predecessors but cancel previous projects, this is unprecedented.

The EVC has not forgotten his original constituency, the academia. Indeed, the word “academia” was mentioned 25 times and only trailing “National Broadband Plan” mentioned 31 times.

This connection with the word “academia” is obvious, because the availability of ubiquitous broadband to the academia is a game changer for vibrant and competitive teaching and research activities in our educational institutions, particularly if we are able to fund the last-mile connections between our campuses and the national fiber optic cables, which mainly run on the highways.

Also, the government of the day deserves some commendation for appointing Prof. Danbatta, a core professional as the EVC and renewing it for a second term. When a round peg enters a round hole, the result is a fitting production orifice.

Finally, who is this book for? ��I am convinced that it is more than a collection of speeches and presentations. It contains so much data, graphs, sketches, plots etc. The list of useful abbreviations of phrases relevant to the industry is provided.

Furthermore, the language is very simple while the organisation and the printing are superb.

It will be a very handy document for all industry players, international partners and all telecoms enthusiasts who need a lucid explanation of the interplay of forces between the telecommunications and ICT arena.

For my colleagues in academia and fellow students (postgraduate and undergraduate), it is a practical handbook and guide to telecommunications and ICT in Nigeria, and their relationship with global practices.

I sincerely recommend this book to all.

��

Reading Sam Omatseye’s commentaries has always been an excursion into knowledge, except in the few instances in which he himself has been poorly briefed about the subject matter, then Sam can easily become one of the actors in the comedy of errors that politics in Nigeria has unfortunately become.

Such has been the case with some commentators recently mobilized to weigh in on the Cross River North Senatorial debacle.

Unfortunately, journalism has been described as history in a hurry, allowing some practitioners limited time and circumstance for due diligence before publication.

Like the story of a benighted king who can only hear with the left ear, some columnists are condemned to suffer the indignity of delivering judgement after hearing from the man sitting on their left, only to discover the full expanse of the truth in rejoinders.

As Shakespeare would say in Julius Caesar “men may construe things after their fashion, clean from the purpose of the things themselves”.

The full story of Cross River North Senatorial by-election reads like the Epics�� of Gilgamesh, of the ancient Greek Odyssey or Dante’s Divine Comedy, with accompanying sub – themes of heroism, chivalry ….

It is not a straightforward story as has been recounted in recent newspaper reviews that have unfortunately sought to impugn the integrity of INEC or the courts.

It is the story of intrigue, grit, greed and blood. It is the tale of carpet baggers storming through the city gate without a stitch of moral fibre or a whiff of political philosophy.

It is above all a dramatic rehearsal of the battle of 2023 in its stark complications.

The narrative being circulated about the Primaries of the PDP in Cross River North mocks the true events and objective reality.

For the innocent reader to follow the true trajectory of the tragic tale one must necessarily have to begin from the beginning.

For the records, after the conclusion of the PDP elective congresses for Wards and Local Government chapters in March, 2020, some members of the party, acting at the behest of their paymaster, wanted the party to use a contrived list of delegates instead of the authentic list of elected statutory delegates from the March, 2020, congresses for the Cross River North Senatorial District primaries.

Hon. Jarigbe went to the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt division, in suit no. FHC/PH/CS/125/2020, to ask for declarations touching on the validity of what list was to be used at the Primaries.

The suit was filed in Port Harcourt because the courts where on vacation at that time, and the Port Harcourt division of the Federal High Court had the jurisdiction to hear matters from Cross River State during the period of the courts’ vacation.

The court granted Hon Jarigbe’s reliefs, as it found that, the lists of delegates presented by him were the ones authenticated by INEC and approved by the National Organising Secretary of PDP.

The judgment was appealed against, and the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt affirmed the decision of the lower Court.

Following the judgment in FHC/PH /CS/125/2020, the PDP through its appointed 5-member Electoral Committee conducted its primary for the Cross River North Senatorial District with the authentic list of delegates approved by the court. The primary was monitored by INEC and Hon. Jarigbe won the said primary.�� INEC and the Electoral Committee prepared their reports, and both reports showed that Hon. Jarigbe won the primary and was the validly nominated candidate of the PDP.

Despite these reports, some members of PDP at the national level submitted the name of Dr S.A. Odey to INEC. And this prompted Hon Jarigbe to seek redress in Court in suit (FHC/PH/CS/137/2020) filed on 11th September 2020, in Port Harcourt, (still during the courts’ vacation).

The matter was later transferred to Calabar after the expiration of vacation and the suit no: changed to FHC/CA/CS/105/2020.

The innuendo that, Hon. Jarigbe was forum – shopping can only be baseless and mischievous.�� Rather, it was his opponent, Dr. Odey, who filed on 21st September, 2020, suit no: FHC/CA/CS/86/2020, in Calabar division in spite of the fact that the Calabar division was on vacation and not sitting at the time.

He also filed suit number FHC/CA/CS/87/2020 (on 28th September, 2020) and fraudulently obtained 2 ex parte orders for his name to be published by INEC as PDP’s candidate for the Cross River North Senatorial District bye election.

Dr. Odey filed these cases despite filing an application to be joined as a party in suit no FHC/PH/CS/137/2020 which later became FHC/CA/CS/105/2020.

At the same time, a member of PDP sued INEC and Hon Jarigbe in the FCT High Court, Abuja praying the court to disqualify Hon. Jarigbe as a candidate for the Senatorial District bye election.

The court of course did not see any merit in the suit and dismissed same.

The claimant, now appellant, appealed the judgment to the Court of Appeal which in like manner also dismissed the appeal.

The court of appeal affirmed Hon Jarigbe’s candidature and consequentially ordered that he be given all the rights and privileges of the candidate of PDP.

And by this token, the certificate of return, since his party, the PDP, won the Cross River North Senatorial District bye election.

It must be stated that in the Abuja cases, both at the High Court and the Court of Appeal, Hon Jarigbe was both a Defendant, and a Respondent respectively.

Hon Jarigbe never complained that INEC did not monitor the primary.

Rather, it was Odey who alleged that, the state REC had the power to appoint monitors rather than the national headquarters of INEC.

It is also important to note that the prevailing hackneyed narrative has failed to

make mention of the burning issue of conflicting result sheets which emanated�� from the primary held on 5th September, 2020.

It must also be stated for the records that, Hon Jarigbe was never disqualified to contest the primary and by extension, the bye election.

The Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal both in the Port Harcourt division of both courts set aside any purported disqualification of Hon. Jarigbe.

This is the correct position of the facts as borne out by the records of the court and not the red – herring that is being recently circulated in the media.

What has become more interesting is that while Dr S.A.Odey is squabbling with Hon. Jarigbe, the Judiciary and INEC, the candidate of APC in the rerun elections, Mr Joe Agi, SAN, has filed a petition challenging the bye – election in which the PDP emerged winner.

Being abreast of the fine points of the matter, Agi has sued both Dr. S.A.Odey and Honourable Jarigbe as 1st and 2and respondents with the PDP as the 3rd respondent.

Simple legal jurisprudence will tell you that a party cannot win elections with two candidates.

His first ground is that the PDP has no candidate, while the second is that Dr. S. A. Odey lied under oath since he claims to have unassailable evidence that Dr. Odey has a criminal conviction hanging on him like the Sword Of Damocles.

It is germane to take a few salient and critical facts in our stride as we consider the merits of this case.

The first is that before the Primaries, a federal high court authenticated the delegates list that is legitimate and gave a direction for its use in the primaries.

Unfortunately, Dr. Odey’s faction using the machinery of state and the police shot live ammunition at the authentic delegates who they sought to replace with their own hirelings. Secondly, the INEC Monitor rejected the contrived delegates list as presented by the Chairman of the Electoral Panel, himself a long-time friend of the Governor of the state.

Thirdly, Honourable Jarigbe emerged the winner of the primaries conducted with the legitimate delegates list. This is why the report of the INEC Monitor and a faction of the PDP electoral panel returned the name of Hon Jarigbe as duly elected.

The PDP in Cross River State stands today at the cusp of an implosion by a clash of authoritarian and liberal forces within its own self.

So much bad blood has welled up in the confrontation that the APC can now quite easily seize the crown without breaking a a sweat.

Yet, members of the party can still all work together as a family that they have always been by allowing justice and equality to prevail.

Mgbeje, a civil servant writes from Nyanya.

Book Title:���������������� ��������Be(com)ing Nigerian

Author:�������������� �� ����������������Elnathan John

Published Date: ������January 6, 2019

Publishers:�� �� �� �� �� �� Cassava Republic

In Be(com)ing Nigerian, Elnathan John, the author, provides an affecting, unrestrained and satirical guide to the Nigerians you will meet at home and abroad, or on your way to hell and to heaven.

The volume is a searing look at how power is abused, negotiated and performed in private and public sectors of the economy: in politics, business, religious institutions, and in homes.

From the exploration of religious hypocrisy to inequality in matters of the heart, the collection is a jab at Nigerian society, and what it means to be a Nigerian.

Beyond poking fun at the holders of power, it is also a summons, provocation and call for introspection among all levels of society.

As is often said in Nigeria, when you point with a finger at someone, there are four others pointing back at you.

This engrossing read is a must-have for seasoned Nigerian-watchers and a uniquely informative guide for newcomers to Nigeria, with its tongue-in-cheek look at Nigeria’s relationship to itself and the world, both culturally and politically. (Uwadis.com)