₦airaland Forum

9TH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: THE FUTURE IN BLEAKNESS
Osobu Suuru Alexander
It takes some spiritual callings and fortifications to make some futuristic pronouncements and declarations; usually the exclusive privilege of prophets. From this foregoing, I do not qualify a bit to make any prediction as I am not a prophet nor a prophet’s son.
However, I deem myself qualified to speak on political matters especially the ones relating to Nigeria as a Nigerian, political scientist cum administrator and political analyst. Be you prophet, prophet’s son or Nigerian by whatever profession, we are all qualified to make constructive contributions to the development of the political entity called Nigeria without fear or intimidation whatsoever from any angle.
Having said this, 9th National Assembly (NASS) as expected is elected to function as an independent institution but co-operatively to make laws that are expected to move the country forward. Beyond law making, there are other statutory functions (i.e. oversight functions, screening of nominees etc) that are expected to be carried out by the legislative arms of Government and these are expected to be carried out by the institution without unnecessary interference.
Developed countries have strong institutions which hold onto the tenant and statutory of the constitution- constitutionalism. Therefore, the independence of such institutions is sacred as there is no room for powerful individuals as it is the case in under-developed countries. It is never far from the truth that Nigeria has successfully produced too many powerful men that have eaten so fat and their weight is crushing Nigeria to her early, premature death. 9th NASS is not devoid of such men who are suffering from obesity as a result of over-feeding and their weight shall certainly crush the legislative arm and invariably Nigeria if drastic actions are not taken by Nigerians.
9TH NASS BURDEN- The Former Governors and Dep. Governors
It is gradually becoming a political tradition in Nigeria that Governors retire from being a Governor to the upper legislative chamber (House of Senate) in Nigeria. 8th NASS had 15 (fifteen) and 2 (two) former Governors and Deputy Governors respectively. 9th NASS followed similar path as we have 14 (fourteen) former Governors and 1(one) former Deputy Governor. For the sake of posterity, these are the names of former Governors and Deputy Governor in 9th NASS:
Orji Theodore Ahamefule fmr Governor (Abia) 2007-2015
Kalu Orji Uzor fmr Governor (Abia) 1999-2007
Enyinnaya Abaribe fmr Dep. Governor (Abia) 1999-2003
Gabriel Suswan fmr Governor (Benue) 2007-2015
Kashim Shettima fmr Governor (Borno) 2011-2019
Nnamani Chimaroke Ogbonnia fmr Governor (Enugu) 1999-2007
Danjuma Goje fmr Governor (Gombe) 2003-2011
Rochas Okorocha fmr Governor (Imo) 2011-2019certificate not yet issued
Ibrahim Shekarau fmr Governor (Kano) 2003-2011
Gaya Kabiru fmr Governor (Kano) 1992-1993
Tanko Al-Makura fmr Governor (Nasarawa) 2011-2019
Ibikumle Amosun fmr Governor (Ogun) 2011-2019
Aliyu Wamakko fmr Governor (Sokoto) 2007-2015
Ibrahim Gaidam fmr Governor (Yobe) 2011-2019
Adamu Aliero fmr Governor (Kebbi) 1999-2007

The former Governors and Dep. Governors are usually burden as most of them have never contributed meaningfully to debates or sponsored bills in the NASS. In fact, some of them hardly attend plenary sessions let alone debate issues because the House is just a guesthouse away from their states. They have gotten so much wealth that they look down on NASS budget as a child’s play but they smuggled themselves there to still have some political relevance and some powers to manipulate most of the corruption cases that usually hang on their necks after leaving office as Governors.
However, they get controversial on issues that antagonize their interest and they are ready to spend money like ‘fish’ in order to bring the matter to their favour. More so, they usually still want to be ‘the alpha and omega’ in their respective states especially to the stooges they have successfully installed while leaving office and this usually leads to chaos and underdevelopment of their respective states. 9th NASS shall not really make any meaningful contributions to make the lives of Nigerians better as the burden within is usually a force that is capable of crushing itself and surely shall pull some strings with their ill-gotten wealth and scuttle meaningful development.
LACK OF INDEPENDENCE
9th NASS shall not be able to function optimally with the deserved constitutional and political independence as it is quite evident that its activities take off on the note of political party and executive interferences. Considering the supremacy of party, nothing would have been wrong for the ruling party giving directives to its members on who should be their leaders in the NASS but it is absolutely and constitutionally wrong for the Executive and Presidency to dictate to the NASS who their leaders should be and it is the beginning of losing its independence in making decisive policies that will better the lives of Nigerians.
The theories of Separation of Powers; Checks and Balances as proved by Baron De Montesquieu and Rule of Law as proved by A.V Dicey were not just theories from the blues. These were theories that emanated as a result of the complexities in human existence and development which were intended to make the ruled and the rulers accountable, answerable and never to exercise absolute power as this corrupts quickly and leads to atrocities against humanity usually genocide is inevitable. Over time, history has shown how some individuals (Hitler, Stalin, Idi Amin etc) outgrew the laws, muzzled the laws, distorted process of the law and gagged institution of the law and eventually this led to destruction of lives and property. This is evident in WW1, WW2, and Rwanda Genocide etc. As a matter of fact, “Power Corrupts Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely” Lord Action (1887).
The height of the bossy interference was displayed by Mr. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mahammadu Buhari when he had a closed door meeting with Ahmad Lawal and Danjuma Goje (Senate Presidential aspirants), emerging from the meeting Goje announced his withdrawal from the election. I am not saying lobby, persuasion are no longer diplomatic tools needed in democracy but it is mind boggling that some hours later after Mr. President involvement in this whole saga, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) suddenly withdrew from Goje’s corruption case of #26b (twenty six billion naira). The masses suffer when political offices become a tool of negotiation, persuasion and pacification and it is a sad development for Nigeria and the Senate leadership should be ready to be gagged as there is always a time to pay back ‘Greek Gift’ that usually comes with strings as 9th NASS already took the walk into lack of independence through the godfather-President that wanted some particular candidates over others- the beginning of rubber stamp NASS.
Likewise, similar act occurred in the race to the leadership offices of the House of Representatives, people have been bought over, threatened and promised and this eventually worked out according to Presidency’s desire and the political gladiators within the folks of the ruling party, APC.
9TH NASS AND RACOUR
9th NASS shall not be devoid of rancors rather rancors shall court 9th NASS just like the previous ones, not necessarily because of the assemblage of men and women but necessarily because the seed of rancor has been sown by the unnecessary interference of external bodies in the election/selection of 9th NASS leadership. Ali Ndume might have ostensibly and defiantly contested and loss with 28 (twenty eight) votes as against the winner, Ahmad Lawal with 79 (seventy nine) votes but Ndume remains a force in 9th Senate who despite losing could still pull some strings that are capable of destabilizing the Senate. I foresee a situation where the vindictive chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomole shall as usual use his ‘tout’ strategy to sanction Ndume which shall lead to rancor within the party and 9th Senate. 9th Senate leadership would also see Ndume as a spent force hence, his non involvement in Senate caucus matters and this shall be detrimental to the stability of the 9th Senate.
In like manner, the shocking nomination of Ike Ekweremada for the office of Dep. Senate President and his eventually loss to Omo Agege is another point of rancor. Even though, it’s evident that not all the PDP members voted for their own man but it shall remain a reference point in supporting or opposing issues in 9th NASS. More so, Omo Agege is never a saint as posterity waits to judge him bitterly even in the hands of the APC members over the snatch of Mace in the 8th Senate. Likewise, similar issues shall play out in the House of Reps as independence has been sold out and the power that be shall control its affairs from behind the scene. Umar Bago might have lost out but the battle line in the Green Chamber had just been drawn.
Rancor shall arise from the sharing of juicy committees’ posts as federal character shall not be respected and the SE shall feel alienated even when truly they shall be alienated and the PDP shall fight to keep the deal struck with Ahmed Lawal to become Senate President which is evident in the 79 (seventy nine) votes he garnered as opposed to the stance of the APC national chairman Adams Oshiomole, who does not want PDP sharing from the NASS juicy committees positions. Both houses shall have bloody plenary sessions as members shall often times involve in physical fights due to regional marginalization in committees juicy posts and unsettled matters arising from endorsements and counter-endorsements.
The likes of Dino Melaye Shall arise and the factor of ‘Dinos Likes’ shall trouble the water of 9th Senate and this shall also affect the House of Rep as they are more younger and exuberant. They shall throw blows and chairs and there would be blood on the floor. Eventually, there shall be impeachment in the leadership as many fall-outs shall occur even in the process of fight for independence and voice for the 9th NASS. Delay in budget passage shall cause rancor even beyond the border of Nigeria and this shall partly be caused by the delay in presentation of budget by the executive and ‘budget padding’ shall take another dimension as constituencies projects and allowances would dominate the floor of the 9th NASS.
2023 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Politically speaking, there is no permanent enemy or friend, the only thing that is permanent in politics is interest. Virtually, all actions to be taken from day one of 9th NASS shall have the political undertones of 2023 presidential elections as old friends shall become new political enemies, as old enemies shall be born new political friends. Political structures shall be dismantled and new ones built, political tentacles shall be spread even to every nook and cranny of the country. There shall be political witch-hunting, EFCC shall become more active especially against the perceived enemies of the political power-bloc, companies shall fold up as a result of political persecution, socio-cultural groups and religious bodies shall become mouth piece for incendiary, there shall be political thuggery, there shall be political intimidation and there shall be political assassinations. All these for the soul of Nigeria in 2023, at the tail end of 2022 there shall be massive defection as third force shall spring up.
Therefore, 9th NASS shall be a rubber stamp, a toothless bull-dog that cannot bite and it shall be so enmeshed in 2023 politics that the institution would forget its mandate and lose its focus. At the end, there shall be DISSAPOINTMENT more than the 8th NASS. Nigerians brace up!

A coven of vultures
Scavengers!

Searching through the
Rubbish
Feeding upon the
Carrion

Appearing clumsy but
Homily
Like friends of hope to
Leaders in the corridor

Lazy creatures
Bald heads and necks
With sonorous voice
Blaring trumpets to
Gargantuan, banditry
Political gods

Tummy;
Bloated and protruded
The dividends of
Political sycophancy

They are political
Hyenas!
Politically made
Opportunists!
Artificially hatched
Parasites!

Feeding fat on
Carcasses
Where they did not hunt
With hypnotising smiles
Forevermore!

Till carcasses abound
Unwavering loyalty!
Political vultures!

Suddenly!
They divorce
Their pay masters
To carcasses-recession!

Away they fly!
With sniffing noses
Perching
On the roofs
Old political foes
New political friends
Interest;
Forever permanent!

Political sycophants!
Scavengers!
Availability of
Carcasses
A catalyst to
Trumpeting
Doxologies to
New political gods

Political jackals!
Political vultures!

They are
Shadowy personae
Forevermore!
Crafty
Swooping
On carrion

TO OUR DEAD Osobu Suuru Alexander
Adoration and glory Just like unto the Lord It’s a taboo Speaking evil against our dead
Acumens, accolades And doxologies To our dead
Our dead spend more Than the living The living carry The bills unimaginably tall
More dignified to be dead Than living Unpalatable to the seeds in my abode
Bitter the taste of beef As sweet as honey After our dead soared beyond The world unknown
A lean figure Kwashiorkor-bloated tummy Marasmus-cheeks Inside a fat casket Adorned with metal gold
A massaging casket Unto the dead While alive the bed-bug mortal enemy In the hut
More dignified to be dead Than living Unpalatable to the seeds in my abode
Seeds are crying A tear not unto the dead Gargantuan religious, Traditional and societal rites
Fat honorarium; In the cathedral Blood of many dogs for the ancestors
Economic battered lean clients Awaiting pounded yam, Calabash of palm-wine to appease The ancestors Through their oesophagus- Temples
What belongs to Caesar Must be given to Caesar!
It’s dignity to our dead Unpalatable trepidation to the seeds In my abode

2019 GENERAL ELECTION: A MORE DESPERATE POLITICAL CLASS FOR POLITICAL POWER March 12, 2019 Procyon News By Osobu Suuru Alexander The 2019 general election has taken place in Nigeria even though the process has not generally ended as many states (Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Kano Plateau and Sokoto) ended inconclusive and results collation suspended in Rivers state. This arguably might be seen as a step to strengthening a democratic process where all electorates’ voices or votes matter to determining the outcome of election especially where election is keenly contested and in the real sense of it, election should not just be a walkover through the processes of manipulations, mutilations of results sheets, snatching of ballot papers and boxes, political thuggery, assassinations etc. However, the overall electoral processes in Nigeria is still largely characterised by these social vices of manipulations, thuggery and assassinations which is largely caused by monetisation of political offices, poor security institutions and its misuse by desperate politicians and officers within its ranks, general belief of the political class who see election as a ‘do-or-die’ affairs in Nigeria, lack of independence of electoral institution amongst others. The 2019 general election has not actually seen any major improvement from what we saw in 2015 under Attahiru Jega and this does not necessarily mean that the head of the umpire; Yakubu Mahmood is less brilliant but it suggests in a way that the political class in Nigeria is still ever desperate to acquire and retain power even with million lives and blood of Nigerians. Between 2015 and 2019, like never before we saw money bag-politics where bags of money was practically moved to polling booths and electorates were made to show their ballots papers strategically to political parties agents and get paid. This was witnessed in the elections in Ekiti, Osun and other states where elections have been conducted recently. Nigeria has also witnessed misuse of security apparatus which has been since 1999 when we returned to democracy, but a serious democratic nation would have reduced this menace but unfortunately, it happened in 2019 because people in power irrespective of political parties benefitted immensely from it and the implication of this is a broad day light invitation for coup. We saw how soldiers and other security agents took over streets and even INEC’s office in Rivers state and other states where heavily militarised under the watch/ command of federal or state Governments officials as the case might apply. The obvious implication was the political apathy recorded across the states of Nigeria as Nigerians were hell-scared to die even though they would eventually die by the stray bullets of soldiers and hoodlums on the pavement of their houses under the supervision of Governments officials. Blood flowing on the streets of Nigeria in the name of election, many Nigerians died including a serving Hose of Rep member; Tope alias ‘Sugar.’ Before the election, we have had killings and reprisal killings especially in Kaduna state where ordinary misunderstanding between two market women could easily degenerate into religious war because everything about the state ranging from human interactions to Governments’ relations is determined by religion. The killing spree continues even after election as this is gradually becoming a way of life and none of these killings takes place without political undertone. Violence is gradually becoming an essential ingredient in our political life in Nigeria as hardly could we conduct any election without perpetration of violence even in the LG election that is expected to be the smallest tier of Government. Eventually blood flows and lives are lost! All these are pointers to the desperation for power by the Nigeria’s political class who don’t mind killing all the citizens except their immediate family members to acquire and retain political power. And here we are after they have acquired the political power! To every sense of developments, be it social, political or technological there is always room for evolution that is improvement/moving from one level to another and a typical example is technology where a phase is seen as analogue and today, we are in the era of digital even though we don’t know where Nigeria is sitting. The umpire; INEC has carried out many electoral activities such as new voters registrations, transfers of voters’ cards, political/electoral education etc with the aid of budget which is the people’s tax. Therefore, 2019 general election was generally expected to be a great improvement from what it used to be unfortunately, the reverse is the case even though the institution; Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) tried its little best in terms of policies and social arrangements but we saw that some of these policies and arrangements somersaulted as they were not fulfilled. A good example is the failure to meet the promises to the physically challenged people, Albinos etc and this affected the participation of these groups of people who are also entitled to perform their civic responsibilities without disenfranchisement. Besides, the umpire also gave room for some of these manipulations as some of its personnel are on the payroll of these desperate politicians. How could we explain people being recruited as ad-hoc staff of INEC without formally undergoing the necessary trainings but got on the list because the LG Chairman, Governor or one Minister has forwarded the name while those who were initially shortlisted and attended trainings were shocked to see their names removed on the hour of reporting for assignment in order to collect both sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials. In 2019 general election, most of the international observers have spoken and the statements have all been pointing to the fact that there were irregularities. These are obviously seeing in the high militarisation, violence, ballot box snatching, killings etc and this is gradually defining us amongst the comity of nation. The choice is in our very hands as this level of desperation by the political class must be totally eliminated in order to have a democracy where lives are sacred, where elections outcomes are the true reflection of the people’s wish, where security agents are more professional in the conduct and exercise of their roles, where political parties see governance as a clarion call to serve people and where electoral body is truly independent of unnecessary interference. Recommendations 1. Adopt modern technology, it is easier said than done, the fact remains that going fully digital in our electoral process won’t be an easy task as it requires huge amount of money, the data management and right expertise to manage it is another area that must be put into consideration. The type of technology and the technical knowhow is as important as the election itself. But I have always believed that if some countries in the world are doing it then we could and Nigeria as giant of Africa must as a matter of fact go technological! One bitter experience people had in this election was the untold hardship they suffered from the sudden February 16th postponement as many as travelled to their villages to vote but if we have modern technology this would be avoided; accidents that claimed many lives in the process of travelling for election would be avoided; money would be saved; adopting modern day technology would make us have our elections in one day instead of using one month and paralysing the nation’s economy; wastage of materials would be avoided, imagine over eighty (80) million ballot papers printer and less than thirty (30) million was used as a matter of fact it is unimaginable. Going fully digital would make us avoid violence, thuggery and snatching of ballot boxes because it would be useless to snatch the machines as data would have been saved on the central database. 1. Demonetisation of the nation’s politics is a step that must be taken and prior to 2015, all hope was hinged on Buhari as the man that could do this! We are still waiting patiently for him to take the step even though I know it a process of the laws that requires other arms of government but he must initiate the bill to that effect. Still a mind-boggling matter what people holding political offices take home every month that’s why people would do anything including taking lives to acquire and hold onto power otherwise check out the reason people would swore on their graves that their business associates, friends, sons in- law etc would be the ones to succeed them in office. 1. Electoral education must be taken serious in Nigeria and I should as serious as the election itself. All relevant institutions must be committed to this assignment starting from INEC to National Orientation Agency (NOA) to political parties etc. 2. The legal framework of the electoral process must be strengthened, regrettably, Mr. Buhari refused to sign the electoral act before the 2019 general election hinging his reason on closeness to election period even though, it’s a public knowledge that the document was returned back on several occasions to the National Assembly 3. Training and re-training of electoral personnel is an integral part of electoral process which helps capacity building and administrative comparison especially when it is international training and networking. 4. Knowledge and information sharing should be a constant practice and culture within the electoral umpire. This was more pronounced under the leadership of Attahiru Jega probably partly responsible for the level of success he recorded. 5. Involvement of stakeholders is also important, bringing expertise who are knowledgeable in this act is important and it must be said that international observers are part of the stakeholders who help build electoral process as their recommendations in most cases are genuine and useful. Osobu Suuru Alexander donalexander88@yahoo.com

EKITI ELECTION: MONEYBAG POLITICS AND HOPELESS FUTURE
By Osobu Suuru Alexander
The much awaited Ekiti state election has come and gone as the APC’s Gubernatorial candidate; Kayode Fayemi was eventually declared the winner after the intrigues, drama and tensions that enveloped Ekiti state and Nigeria in general. However, the impacts and imprints of the elections might live with us for the next fifty (50) years to come in terms of election conduct, election monetisation, mistrust of electoral umpire, security institution amongst others.
Prior to 14th July, 2018, there have been allegations and counter allegations from the two (2) major political parties (APC &PDP) in the contest as other thirty two (32) political parties seemed unpopular. One of these major allegations has to do with how money was moved around in order to influence the outcome of the election. The spokesman to Governor of Ekiti state; Lere accused that eighteen (18) billion naira was moved to Akure airport by APC- led Federal Government which was dispatched into two (2) bullion vans that eventually conveyed the said money to Ekiti state.
The APC also alleged that a private helicopter landed in Ekiti state Government house and that the mission of the helicopter was to deliver money to Governor Fayose for the purpose of prosecuting the election in favour of PDP as a political party. At first, all these allegations seem as one of those common cheap campaign strategies usually deploy by politicians but most Nigerians received the shock of their lives when money was openly shared, used to entice electorates right at the polling centres.
Though, our democracy seems to be nascent in term of comparison to advanced countries hence, the encouragement that we would grow from the socio-political vices that have permeated the scenes of Nigerian politics which have manifested in form of corruption, mismanagement, misallocation, and misappropriation amongst others for almost twenty (20) years. The situation has taken a nose-diving dimension into a debasing, degrading and dehumanising case as electorates were bought over with money which a school of thought has hinged on the fact that there is creation of ‘artificial hunger’ by both Federal and Ekiti state Governments by deliberately not paying civil servants salaries compounded by the already battered and volatile economic situation of the country thereby living the haggard looking electorates vulnerable. However, there were few people who never sold their future for pot of cheap potage that obviously lack salt.
This is a call for concern to every lover on Nigerian democracy most especially academic scholars and activists as moneybag politics is a bad omen to democracy anywhere in the world. When the highest bidder takes the victory home then criminals would definitely be encouraged to go rob banks and innocent citizens and use the proceeds to buy elections victory therefore, our democracy would have no hope, no future and dividends for the poor masses who might have what to offer but lack the money to buy votes and the people who are supposed to be the centre of democracy.
If we failed to correct this anomaly in the political system right now, someday Evans; the billionaire kidnapper and the likes would be our leaders at National Assembly, State House of Assemblies, Government Houses and other political climes. This would also breed insecurity within the political space as crimes; assassinations, political thugerry, among others would be the order of the day.
It is high time Nigerians took the singular role of educating one another on the danger of selling their votes in this era of civilisation especially as National Orientation Agency (NOA) has gone into oblivion. Unfortunately for poor masses, they are always at the receiving ends no matter what, let’s go into economic calculation a bit of how money was shared in this election and how the poor masses who received less might also be the ones paying dearly in the next for year.
The poor electorates got between the range of three thousand (3,000) naira to ten thousand (10,000) naira depending on your bargaining power. While some middle men in the political business transaction got between the range of fifty thousand (50,000) naira to one hundred and fifty million (150, 000,000) naira. I know it sounds outrageous but be reminded that some people have no physical business in Nigeria other than politics. It is well!
Some few powerful power brokers got over five hundred million (500,000,000) naira to one billion (1, 000, 000, 000,) naira. Some of them were directly in charge of these funds and they decided what share should be theirs. I believe we are beginning to see why politics is a do or die affairs in Nigeria and why thousands of people are ready to sleep in coffins for days and drinking human blood in order to attain political power and forcefully retain it even if it requires everybody to die including their family members and this trend will continue until we demonetise our politics characterised with bogus allowances without tangible work for it. Politics in Nigeria is the biggest investment for those that are in power as over thirty billion (30,000,000,000) was alleged to have exchange hands in Ekiti election.
I pity Ekiti state people because the money some of them collected and thought it is free money; it is actually a ‘Greek Gift’ with string attached to it , some months and years to come they might pay dearly with deflated tummy from economic hardship that would hit them hard like never before. The money is investment of some few individuals who is anxiously waiting for their investment to yield bountifully unfortunately, the state allocations has dwindled over time due to the economic recession the country is battling with.
Finally, I would want Nigerian stakeholders and lovers of democracy to work on best modalities in which our balloting system (open secret ballot) could be improved upon. It is now evident that most of the money exchange took place at the polling booths and this is so perfectly executed as the political parties’ agents involved in the money racketeering would position themselves in a strategic corner where the electorates could show them the ballot papers and having confirmed the party thump-printed thereafter, they come and collect their pay meanwhile, over thirty thousand (30,000) security personnel were on ground while the business transaction go on unchecked.
It is disheartening to hear some of these issues when some countries have gone to the level of people dashing out from place of work to go vote and some people would be in the space (ie moon) and still participate in election by voting for candidates of their choice without much ado like the war-like situation will find ourselves in Nigeria. So pathetic!
Osobu Suuru Alexander- Public affair analyst, social/development worker and writer

ABACHA LOOTS CASH TRANSFER: THE USAID-SMILE-CRS APPROACH
By
Osobu Suuru Alexander
It is no longer news that Nigerian leaders loot the country’s treasury in such a competitive manner that most often leads to recession and a state of economic comatose which usually have an untold hardship on the masses.
Since the demise of Abacha, the discoveries of loot by this leader has left many around the world wondering if a single individual could actually indulge in such a massive loot that even after twenty (20) years the country has not yet fully repatriated this maniac loot from foreign accounts where these monies are stacked while million of Nigerians live in abject poverty. It was confirmed recently by World Poverty Clock in Brooklyn Institute where Nigeria is rated as the poorest country with 44% of its population (89 million people) living in abject poverty thereby overtaking India which dropped from 240 million to 71 million people living in abject poverty.
Unfortunately, the common knowledge of the citizens and foreign Governments who assisted in recovery of this loot is that ‘the loot is re-looted,’ which is sadder than the real act of looting. According to Ayodele Atsenuwa, speaking in Abuja at a conference, ‘Tracking Noxious Fund’ organised by MacArthur Foundation and Kent Law School, he said, “adequate steps need to be taken to address the issue of top government officials relooting recovered loots.” Also, this view was corroborated by the human right activist; Femi Falana.
Thus, the Swiss Government brought some conditionalities for the $322 million Abacha loot repatriated recently by signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its Nigerian counterpart; that this money would be transferred into the poorest Nigerians’ accounts. This development was confirmed by Special Assistant to the President on Justice Reforms; Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu immediately Nigerian Government received the repatriated fund. However, the Swiss Government never decided that five thousand naira (#5,000) should be given to any individual, it is the decision of Government of the day and this amount of money to be given to an average poor Nigerian is quite insulting than alleviating.
THE USAID-SMILE-CRS APPROACH: WAY FORWARD
United State Agency for International Development (USAID) through its developmental program for developing countries brought Sustainable Mechanism for Improved Livelihood and Household Empowerment (SMILE) which is a policy driven under United State- President Emergency Plan for Aid Relief-2 (PEPFAR-2) and implemented in Nigeria by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Nigeria.
PEPFAR-2 as carried out in Nigeria by CRS is being implemented in five (5) states of the federation which include; Edo, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue and FCT and it has over Six Hundred Thousand (600,000) beneficiaries which include the Caregivers (CGs) and Vulnerable Children (VC). The entire body of project has its own internal mechanism to design, plan, implement, monitor and evaluate activities/interventions which is not the major focus but I digress.
The USAID-SMILE-CRS project has carried out Cash Transfer to beneficiaries on couple of occasions and the model adopted was almost to a state of perfection however, there were some few challenges which were subsequently improved upon. It is on record that thousands of Caregivers have benefitted from this well organised and coordinated project.
In the first tranche of Cash Transfer; banks were consulted and some means of identification and verifications were carried out through ID Cards, BVN etc and this helped in curbing out some sharp practices. In other cases, mobile cash disbursement was encouraged knowing the fact that the truly poor Nigerians might likely not have ID cards and bank accounts therefore, it becomes paramount to identify, locate and bring the cash to them at their door step. Will Government go to this length?
WHO ARE THE POOREST NIGERIANS AND HOW WOULD GOVERNMENT COLLATE THEIR DATA?
In the MoU signed with Swiss Government; the money is to be transferred to the poorest Nigerians’ accounts and how does Government know the Poorest Nigerians? Like in the USAID-SMILE-CRS approach, there was a Database which was put together overtime with the aid of software called National OVC Management Information System (NOMIS). With the data on this software you could easily generate information of any kind to make decisions and policies therefore, in those states where the project was carried out, you could generate those who are business people or the most vulnerable through NOMIS.
Therefore, it is pertinent for Government to begin looking into partnership with some of these reputable NGOs who already have Database of some of these poor and most vulnerable Nigerians who could benefit from Abacha loots. More so, a step Nigerian Government must take to begin to build its own Database for necessary decisions and policies in the nearest future.
Success stories have been coming forth on the Cash Transfer of USAID-SMILE-CRS project as the genuinely poor and vulnerable were the ones truly targeted. Some were able to pay school fees, some started petty business and these vulnerable households could now afford to do business with this cash and doing it with options of where and whom to buy from.
AVOIDANCE OF ABACHA LOOTS RELOOTED
There have been many criticisms in the political space we all share as many believe that this is a way of relooting the Abacha loots especially as general elections and electioneering is around the corner. Some are of the opinion that with the idea of transferring this money to the poorest Nigerians accounts, our political leaders will simply transfer this money to cronies’ accounts, pseudo accounts where this money will in turn be used by them for electioneering purposes.
It is also a general fact that Nigerian Government doesn’t have any known viable Database where the bio-data of the poorest Nigerians could be easily retrieved which is a cogent reason for the sceptism within the political system which to a very large extent is justifiable. However, it is advisable to abide by the MoU signed with Swiss Government by transferring this money to the poorest Nigerians, and this must be done with utmost transparency, integrity, and sincerity of purpose by truly having the NGOs that are genuine not NGOs from the blues that are owned by political allies and cronies of the people in corridor of power.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Partnership with NGOs such as CRS, Actionaid, Save the Children, Action Against Hunger, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, USAID etc who have the needed Database of poor Nigerians
Priority should be given to people with chronic diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, Cancer, Diabetes etc
Orphans , vulnerable children and their Caregivers should also be captured in this Cash Transfer exercise
Vocational skills and start-up equipment as condition for Cash Transfers to school drop-out citizens
Vocational skills and start-up equipment should be targeted at prison inmates
Unemployed Nigerian graduates should benefit immensely from this Cash Transfer
No beneficiaries should get less than fifty thousand naira (#50, 000)
In conclusion, Nigerian Government should learn from the success recorded on the SMILE project by adopting some of the methodologies. The Government should hand over these cash to NGOs to handle the disbursement to the poorest Nigerians while the Government provides guidelines, modalities and timeframe policies for the exercise to be carried out. Moreover, quality of the money should be put into consideration by disbursing tangible amount to beneficiaries who could use it for good business start up instead of looking at number of people who will get this money and it is not useful to them, at the end of the day the money ends up in beer parlour, betting centres and one day stomach infrastructure.

Osobu Suuru Alexander
Political Scientist, Social/Development Worker,
Public Affair Analyst & writer

ABACHA LOOTS CASH TRANSFER: THE USAID-SMILE-CRS APPROACH
By
Osobu Suuru Alexander
It is no longer news that Nigerian leaders loot the country’s treasury in such a competitive manner that most often leads to recession and a state of economic comatose which usually have an untold hardship on the masses.
Since the demise of Abacha, the discoveries of loot by this leader has left many around the world wondering if a single individual could actually indulge in such a massive loot that even after twenty (20) years the country has not yet fully repatriated this maniac loot from foreign accounts where these monies are stacked while million of Nigerians live in abject poverty. It was confirmed recently by World Poverty Clock in Brooklyn Institute where Nigeria is rated as the poorest country with 44% of its population (89 million people) living in abject poverty thereby overtaking India which dropped from 240 million to 71 million people living in abject poverty.
Unfortunately, the common knowledge of the citizens and foreign Governments who assisted in recovery of this loot is that ‘the loot is re-looted,’ which is sadder than the real act of looting. According to Ayodele Atsenuwa, speaking in Abuja at a conference, ‘Tracking Noxious Fund’ organised by MacArthur Foundation and Kent Law School, he said, “adequate steps need to be taken to address the issue of top government officials relooting recovered loots.” Also, this view was corroborated by the human right activist; Femi Falana.
Thus, the Swiss Government brought some conditionalities for the $322 million Abacha loot repatriated recently by signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its Nigerian counterpart; that this money would be transferred into the poorest Nigerians’ accounts. This development was confirmed by Special Assistant to the President on Justice Reforms; Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu immediately Nigerian Government received the repatriated fund. However, the Swiss Government never decided that five thousand naira (#5,000) should be given to any individual, it is the decision of Government of the day and this amount of money to be given to an average poor Nigerian is quite insulting than alleviating.
THE USAID-SMILE-CRS APPROACH: WAY FORWARD
United State Agency for International Development (USAID) through its developmental program for developing countries brought Sustainable Mechanism for Improved Livelihood and Household Empowerment (SMILE) which is a policy driven under United State- President Emergency Plan for Aid Relief-2 (PEPFAR-2) and implemented in Nigeria by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Nigeria.
PEPFAR-2 as carried out in Nigeria by CRS is being implemented in five (5) states of the federation which include; Edo, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue and FCT and it has over Six Hundred Thousand (600,000) beneficiaries which include the Caregivers (CGs) and Vulnerable Children (VC). The entire body of project has its own internal mechanism to design, plan, implement, monitor and evaluate activities/interventions which is not the major focus but I digress.
The USAID-SMILE-CRS project has carried out Cash Transfer to beneficiaries on couple of occasions and the model adopted was almost to a state of perfection however, there were some few challenges which were subsequently improved upon. It is on record that thousands of Caregivers have benefitted from this well organised and coordinated project.
In the first tranche of Cash Transfer; banks were consulted and some means of identification and verifications were carried out through ID Cards, BVN etc and this helped in curbing out some sharp practices. In other cases, mobile cash disbursement was encouraged knowing the fact that the truly poor Nigerians might likely not have ID cards and bank accounts therefore, it becomes paramount to identify, locate and bring the cash to them at their door step. Will Government go to this length?
WHO ARE THE POOREST NIGERIANS AND HOW WOULD GOVERNMENT COLLATE THEIR DATA?
In the MoU signed with Swiss Government; the money is to be transferred to the poorest Nigerians’ accounts and how does Government know the Poorest Nigerians? Like in the USAID-SMILE-CRS approach, there was a Database which was put together overtime with the aid of software called National OVC Management Information System (NOMIS). With the data on this software you could easily generate information of any kind to make decisions and policies therefore, in those states where the project was carried out, you could generate those who are business people or the most vulnerable through NOMIS.
Therefore, it is pertinent for Government to begin looking into partnership with some of these reputable NGOs who already have Database of some of these poor and most vulnerable Nigerians who could benefit from Abacha loots. More so, a step Nigerian Government must take to begin to build its own Database for necessary decisions and policies in the nearest future.
Success stories have been coming forth on the Cash Transfer of USAID-SMILE-CRS project as the genuinely poor and vulnerable were the ones truly targeted. Some were able to pay school fees, some started petty business and these vulnerable households could now afford to do business with this cash and doing it with options of where and whom to buy from.
AVOIDANCE OF ABACHA LOOTS RELOOTED
There have been many criticisms in the political space we all share as many believe that this is a way of relooting the Abacha loots especially as general elections and electioneering is around the corner. Some are of the opinion that with the idea of transferring this money to the poorest Nigerians accounts, our political leaders will simply transfer this money to cronies’ accounts, pseudo accounts where this money will in turn be used by them for electioneering purposes.
It is also a general fact that Nigerian Government doesn’t have any known viable Database where the bio-data of the poorest Nigerians could be easily retrieved which is a cogent reason for the sceptism within the political system which to a very large extent is justifiable. However, it is advisable to abide by the MoU signed with Swiss Government by transferring this money to the poorest Nigerians, and this must be done with utmost transparency, integrity, and sincerity of purpose by truly having the NGOs that are genuine not NGOs from the blues that are owned by political allies and cronies of the people in corridor of power.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Partnership with NGOs such as CRS, Actionaid, Save the Children, Action Against Hunger, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, USAID etc who have the needed Database of poor Nigerians
Priority should be given to people with chronic diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, Cancer, Diabetes etc
Orphans , vulnerable children and their Caregivers should also be captured in this Cash Transfer exercise
Vocational skills and start-up equipment as condition for Cash Transfers to school drop-out citizens
Vocational skills and start-up equipment should be targeted at prison inmates
Unemployed Nigerian graduates should benefit immensely from this Cash Transfer
No beneficiaries should get less than fifty thousand naira (#50, 000)
In conclusion, Nigerian Government should learn from the success recorded on the SMILE project by adopting some of the methodologies. The Government should hand over these cash to NGOs to handle the disbursement to the poorest Nigerians while the Government provides guidelines, modalities and timeframe policies for the exercise to be carried out. Moreover, quality of the money should be put into consideration by disbursing tangible amount to beneficiaries who could use it for good business start up instead of looking at number of people who will get this money and it is not useful to them, at the end of the day the money ends up in beer parlour, betting centres and one day stomach infrastructure.

Osobu Suuru Alexander
Political Scientist, Social/Development Worker,
Public Affair Analyst & writer

Food Insecurity: The Usaid-smile Approach
By Osobu Suuru Alexander
Undoubtedly, the uncommon timidity
characterized by the potent threat of bullets,
guns and ballistic missiles in the hands of
terrorists (Boko Haram) has driven many
Nigerians into a state of psychosis. Worst still,
the non-availability of food which is being
manifested in lack of honey, tea, bread, butter,
sugar and even garri has further compounded the
social economic status of an average Nigerian
and this is never a less potent threat as many
Nigerians are faced with the fear of starvation
than terrorism.
Unfortunately, Nigeria is the most populated
country in Africa with over one hundred and
seventy million (170,000,000) people and the
sixth in the world. Nigeria has the most variable
farmland in Africa but still one of the most
importing countries of agricultural produce in the
world as it is evident that Nigeria spent over 1
trillion naira and 9 hundred billion naira in
importing food items in 2014 and 2015
respectively. In a bid to put a lasting solution to
this unjustifiable expenditure, United State
Agency for International Development (USAID)
through its project-Sustainable Mechanism for
Improved Livelihood and Household
Empowerment (SMILE) in Nigeria is gradually
laying a foundation to food security for many
Nigerians.
United State Agency for International
Development (USAID) through its developmental
program for developing countries brought
Sustainable Mechanism for Improved Livelihood
and Household Empowerment (SMILE) which is a
policy driven under United State- President
Emergency Plan for Aid Relief-2 (PEPFAR-2) and
implemented in Nigeria by Catholic Relief Service
(CRS), Nigeria.
PEPFAR-2 as implemented in Nigeria by CRS is a
great paradigm shift from PEPFAR-1which was
characterized by hands-out such as school bags,
sandals, books and even cash to caregivers but
at the end of the overall evaluation it was ZERO-
IMPACT project as the living standard of the
people worsened. Hence, the birth of PEPFAR-2
where teaching the caregivers on how to fish
instead of giving them fish and emphasis on
SUSTAINABILITY is the hallmark.
The USAID-SMILE’s distribution of agric-inputs
such as cassava stems, orange and fleshy sweet
potatoes (OFSP), modified pepper, tomatoes
seedlings to caregivers is a component of
Household Economic Strengthening (HES) which
is one of the thematic service areas of the
SMILE project in Nigeria. Beyond reasonable
doubt, agric-inputs distribution has impacted
households in particular and lives in general as
the living standard of the people has transformed
tremendously over time and obviously from the
impact of this simple practice.
Historically, Nigeria had done similar practices in
the past especially through its national program
in 1979 tagged ‘Operation Feed the
Nation’ (OFN) under Olusegun Obasanjo but
unfortunately and as usual, it turned out to be
‘policy-nightmare’ due to lack of monitoring
strategies and this has culminated into the
severe hunger in the land today and probably a
sort of famine we have never witnessed in our
land as predicted by United Nation (UN). Unlike
Nigeria, USAID-SMILE project in Nigeria put a
simple chain value-monitoring strategy in place
which has helped in the distribution of agric-
inputs, planting, tilling and harvesting so as to
ensure there is prevention of hunger in the land
and above all things, to show value for money.
Osobu Suuru Alexander is a Political Scientist,
Public Affairs Analyst & Writer
donalexander88@yahoo.com

Food Insecurity: The Usaid-smile Approach
By Osobu Suuru Alexander
Undoubtedly, the uncommon timidity characterized by the potent threat of bullets, guns and ballistic missiles in the hands of terrorists (Boko Haram) has driven many Nigerians into a state of psychosis. Worst still, the non-availability of food which is being manifested in lack of honey, tea, bread, butter, sugar and even garri has further compounded the social economic status of an average Nigerian and this is never a less potent threat as many Nigerians are faced with the fear of starvation than terrorism.
Unfortunately, Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa with over one hundred and seventy million (170,000,000) people and the sixth in the world. Nigeria has the most variable farmland in Africa but still one of the most importing countries of agricultural produce in the world as it is evident that Nigeria spent over 1 trillion naira and 9 hundred billion naira in importing food items in 2014 and 2015 respectively. In a bid to put a lasting solution to this unjustifiable expenditure, United State Agency for International Development (USAID) through its project-Sustainable Mechanism for Improved Livelihood and Household Empowerment (SMILE) in Nigeria is gradually laying a foundation to food security for many Nigerians.
United State Agency for International Development (USAID) through its developmental program for developing countries brought Sustainable Mechanism for Improved Livelihood and Household Empowerment (SMILE) which is a policy driven under United State- President Emergency Plan for Aid Relief-2 (PEPFAR-2) and implemented in Nigeria by Catholic Relief Service (CRS), Nigeria.
PEPFAR-2 as implemented in Nigeria by CRS is a great paradigm shift from PEPFAR-1which was characterized by hands-out such as school bags, sandals, books and even cash to caregivers but at the end of the overall evaluation it was ZERO- IMPACT project as the living standard of the people worsened. Hence, the birth of PEPFAR-2 where teaching the caregivers on how to fish instead of giving them fish and emphasis on SUSTAINABILITY is the hallmark.
The USAID-SMILE’s distribution of agric-inputs such as cassava stems, orange and fleshy sweet potatoes (OFSP), modified pepper, tomatoes seedlings to caregivers is a component of Household Economic Strengthening (HES) which is one of the thematic service areas of the SMILE project in Nigeria. Beyond reasonable doubt, agric-inputs distribution has impacted households in particular and lives in general as the living standard of the people has transformed tremendously over time and obviously from the impact of this simple practice.
Historically, Nigeria had done similar practices in the past especially through its national program in 1979 tagged ‘Operation Feed the Nation’ (OFN) under Olusegun Obasanjo but unfortunately and as usual, it turned out to be ‘policy-nightmare’ due to lack of monitoring strategies and this has culminated into the severe hunger in the land today and probably a sort of famine we have never witnessed in our land as predicted by United Nation (UN). Unlike Nigeria, USAID-SMILE project in Nigeria put a simple chain value-monitoring strategy in place which has helped in the distribution of agric- inputs, planting, tilling and harvesting so as to ensure there is prevention of hunger in the land and above all things, to show value for money.
Osobu Suuru Alexander is a Political Scientist, Public Affairs Analyst & Writer
donalexander88@yahoo.com

Food Insecurity: The Usaid-smile Approach
By Osobu Suuru Alexander
Undoubtedly, the uncommon timidity characterized by the potent threat of bullets, guns and ballistic missiles in the hands of terrorists (Boko Haram) has driven many Nigerians into a state of psychosis. Worst still, the non-availability of food which is being manifested in lack of honey, tea, bread, butter, sugar and even garri has further compounded the social economic status of an average Nigerian and this is never a less potent threat as many Nigerians are faced with the fear of starvation than terrorism.
Unfortunately, Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa with over one hundred and seventy million (170,000,000) people and the sixth in the world. Nigeria has the most variable farmland in Africa but still one of the most importing countries of agricultural produce in the world as it is evident that Nigeria spent over 1 trillion naira and 9 hundred billion naira in importing food items in 2014 and 2015 respectively. In a bid to put a lasting solution to this unjustifiable expenditure, United State Agency for International Development (USAID) through its project-Sustainable Mechanism for Improved Livelihood and Household Empowerment (SMILE) in Nigeria is gradually laying a foundation to food security for many Nigerians.
United State Agency for International Development (USAID) through its developmental program for developing countries brought Sustainable Mechanism for Improved Livelihood and Household Empowerment (SMILE) which is a policy driven under United State- President Emergency Plan for Aid Relief-2 (PEPFAR-2) and implemented in Nigeria by Catholic Relief Service (CRS), Nigeria.
PEPFAR-2 as implemented in Nigeria by CRS is a great paradigm shift from PEPFAR-1which was characterized by hands-out such as school bags, sandals, books and even cash to caregivers but at the end of the overall evaluation it was ZERO- IMPACT project as the living standard of the people worsened. Hence, the birth of PEPFAR-2 where teaching the caregivers on how to fish instead of giving them fish and emphasis on SUSTAINABILITY is the hallmark.
The USAID-SMILE’s distribution of agric-inputs such as cassava stems, orange and fleshy sweet potatoes (OFSP), modified pepper, tomatoes seedlings to caregivers is a component of Household Economic Strengthening (HES) which is one of the thematic service areas of the SMILE project in Nigeria. Beyond reasonable doubt, agric-inputs distribution has impacted households in particular and lives in general as the living standard of the people has transformed tremendously over time and obviously from the impact of this simple practice.
Historically, Nigeria had done similar practices in the past especially through its national program in 1979 tagged ‘Operation Feed the Nation’ (OFN) under Olusegun Obasanjo but unfortunately and as usual, it turned out to be ‘policy-nightmare’ due to lack of monitoring strategies and this has culminated into the severe hunger in the land today and probably a sort of famine we have never witnessed in our land as predicted by United Nation (UN). Unlike Nigeria, USAID-SMILE project in Nigeriaput a simple chain value-monitoring strategy in place which has helped in the distribution of agric- inputs, planting, tilling and harvesting so as to ensure there is prevention of hunger in the land and above all things, to show value for money.
Osobu Suuru Alexander is a Political Scientist, Public Affairs Analyst & Writer
donalexander88@yahoo.com

A Tribute to Kika
The dust has forever
Settled
Even in the prime
Time

When blossom the
Flower
And glowing the
Sun...

Testimonies
Un-defiled
A young lip
Traversing a Bosom
Path

Leaping out
The universe
The toddling
Steam
Evaporating

Like the
Cloud
After the
Rain

When her salt
About to
Savour
Her bees
About to
Comb

And her ray of
Light about to
Beam and illuminate
Her generation!

Tears of families
And folks
Rolling down
The cheeks have
Formed an ocean
At the jaw

Dropping like
Ice

Yet not metabolic
Enough
To resurrect

Dust; we were formed
Dust; we will form
Kika; where art thou?
Your dust has
Forever soared unto
The Bosom of
The Lamb

Without wrinkle
Or blemish

A fulfilment of
The inevitable
Close of the
Age!

Kika; our dearest
Great!
Adieu! Adieu!!

By
Osobu S. Alexander
donalexander88@yahoo.com
NB: it is pertinent to note that I have never met Kika here on earth but surely we will meet in the Bosom of Christ someday (not soon). But a student; Yemisi AJE-OJO who I taught sometimes in Nigeria (now based in UK) wrote something inspiring about her as they were friends. So, I wrote this tribute for our dearest Great Kika. RIP! Yemisi please, accept my condolence.