mauricearchibongtravels

2014-02-28T09:29:00.000-08:00

In Parakou: So hot was my soup, I forgot my notebook!

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG (+2348056180050), mauricearchibongtravels@gmail.com

For a chronic ulcer sufferer, sampling foods, which a travelwriter must do, could sometimes pose a serious challenge. Across Benin Republic, ginger is a popular ingredient of the locals’ cuisine.

Me! MAURICE ARCHIBONG at Grand Auto Gare, Parakou.
All Rights Reserved.

So, whereas the soup (sauce) used to lubricate the swallowing of pounded yam (Igname pilée) might not be loaded with pepper (piment), the ginger content could still make it too hot; for some.

This was my experience eating at a little roadside restaurant (Marquis) near the Parakou office of Benin’s Ministry of Culture and Promotion of Indigenous Languages. Wow! Some Beninese do know how to prepare l'igname pilée, often accompanied with groundnut soup (la sauce arachide).

Interestingly, whereas pounded yam is seen as somewhat special, even exotic, by some Nigerians, this meal is a commonality in many parts of Benin. So ordinary is igname pilée that most diners’ stomachs are filled with just 200F (N70) worth. Such is the situation that no average diner could ingest more than 500F (N175) worth.

With regard to meat (viande), the price also starts from 200F. The diner has an option of beef or chicken and the price could rise as much as mille francs (1,000F or the equivalent of N350), depending on the size.

In any case, I had ordered 200F worth of pounded yam and beef of the same amount. When the dish arrived, the sight of the pounded yam left me instantly salivating. Promptly, I washed my hands preparatory to making the mound of igname pilée before me disappear.

But, after swallowing the second morsel, I felt some stings inside my mouth. The irritation came from the ginger used to spice up the soup. As I continued, the sting got worse, but I was determined to demolish the stuff. Though I managed to finish the pounded yam, the ginger also made sure it hit me real hard.

With phlegm running down my nostrils and my tear-filled eyes now blood-red, eating the meat was merely going to complement my ordeal. So, I gave up that part of my lunch. Yes, I literaly saw pepper on that day.

So rattled was I, that I needed to leave the eatery immediately before others saw an old man crying after a meal. Having previously suffered similar ordeals in the past in different parts of this world, I always pay as soon as my food was served in case I needed to rush out of the restaurant.

Since I had already paid, I rose from the wooden bench on which I sat and went outside to blow my nose and expel the load of saliva that now filled my buccal cavity. After that, I mounted an okada (called Moto in these climes) and left. That I could forget my notebook, which could be likened to an officer’s service pistol, at the pounded yam joint as I took flight; might help clue the reader in regarding what I went through!

Fortunately, when I rode back to the restaurant, the attendants, who were earlier alarmed at my distress now appeared bemused. “Yes, we found your notebook and kept it for you”, one of the young women offered in response to my enquiry.

Irritatingly, I had to spend 400F (about N140) to and fro as okada fare to recover my notebook after a meal that cost the same amount. But, words cannot describe my relief at recovery of this important document, which carried many notes that were scribbled as I travelled along.

Surprise, Surprise! Would you believe that I returned to that same marquis four more times for igname pilée before leaving Parakou? Such is the attraction of pounded yam in Benin for you! What is more?

I still eat igname pilée across former Dahomey because, reflective of the hospitable disposition of the average Beninese, many restaurateurs usually prepare a pot of pepper-free soup. Just ask for sauce sans piment to mix with your ewedu and voila, even an ulcer sufferer can eat without tears.

More thrill, frills of trip to Parakou

Welcome, once again to the northern Beninese Republic settlement of Parakou, administrative capital of Department de Borgou. Benin’s Borgou was once part of Borgu in today’s Nigeria, until international politics led to a border that cut part of the area in question into two different countries.

In any case, Department de Borgou could be likened to what is called State (Lagos, for example) in Nigeria. Benin Republic comprises 12 such Departments, against Nigeria’s 36; not counting-in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Ville de Parakou (Parakou City) stands more than six hours’ drive north of Benin’s economic capital, Cotonou; and, I was among scores of Nigerians that travelled up here for a workshop. At some point, travelling toward Parakou, I actually wondered, which was likely to interest the reader more between this settlement’s lore and the roadside blurs.

Interestingly, we had passed this way before and even went all the way to Malanville, on the northernmost fringes of Benin from where we crossed into Gaya in Niger Republic. But, that is not our story for today. Yes, between Cotonou and Parakou, Benin throws up numerous fascinatings sights.

Setting out

We had arrived at Carrefour Etoile Rouge (Red Star Circle) about 11am, but it was already too late to catch the last morning bus. So, it was up to us to defer departure till the next morning or go by what might end up a Night-flight as Nigerians are wont to call night-time road travel.

Considering that the event I was billed to attend would open the next morning, leaving the following day would mean losing out on what transpired on day-one of the two-day programme. So, grudgingly, I boarded the huge antique bus as there was no option of a smaller vehicle. Fortunately, owing to the plenitude of passengers, the bus soon had enough commuters to fill all its seats; which means we were soon going to be on our way.

Fare, getting there

On the day we set out of Cotonou, the fare to Parakou was 5,500F (roughly N2,000) in the 50-seater mammy wagon, which despite its antediluvian look, actually offered what could be described as smooth enough ride all through. Although I was comfy enough in my seat, the entire vehicle’s aisle was, however, taken up by all sorts of cargoes that rose from the floor to the ceiling, almost.

On the positive side, however, there was nothing like the nuisance called Attachee, countless passengers loaded on the bus that crowd the aisle of so-called Luxury buses in Nigeria. Inside many of the rickety contraptions we call Luxury buses, some daring Attachee determined to make life difficult for full-fare paying passenger often perch on the arm-rest of the latter’s chair and would remain there no matter how much you complained.

Nice town, vicious mosquitoes

This is Parakou, where the mosquitoes (Les Moustiqué) are extra vicious. Considering that, I ended up in hospital after my trip to Parakou, you certainly don’t want to find out how wicked these blood-suckers are. I had travelled some eight hours to get here. On hitting town, I had visited a few lodges and had been discouraged by either the environment or price, until I eventually located Hébergement Sika, situate on one of the roads surrounding Stade de Parakou (Parakou Stadium).

It was well past 11pm by the time I was shown into my hotel room. Dog-tired, I must have dozed off before hitting my bed. However, persistent stings from mosquitoes interrupted my sleep so much, I was forced to get up and set the blades of the ceiling fan rolling. But, the vile creatures were not detered.

At some point, I was left with no choice than to get up and spray the room with a can of insecticide, one of the items I usually travel with. Consequently, I would lose about 30-minute sleep, but I didn’t mind; knowing full-well that sometimes, things have to get worse to get better.

Due to the welcome security situation across Benin, I felt safe coming out of my room to sit all alone in the lodge’s reception area around 3am, waiting for the odour of the pesticide to wear out. Eventually, I returned into the room and did enjoy sound sleep till daybreak. However, the damage had been done because at dawn, when I woke up, I sensed a bitter taste in my mouth.

My appetit for food was also gone. I made a mental note to get some anti-malarial drug, but owing to the crowded nature of my days, I never got around to doing this. Moreso, I was eating normally again, apparently courtesy of the mineral supplement caplets I take. So, I had enjoyed more than a week’s stay in Parakou; only for the malaria to finally hit me weeks after, while I was in Accra, Ghana!

A day after I entered Parakou, I had gone to the town’s central motor-park (Grand Auto Gare) to find out, if there were still salon cars that ply the Cotonou-Parakou route. There were! And, guess what, the fare was the same 7,000F (less than N2,500) that obtained here, when we passed this way on 29 December, 2010.

However, we would end up paying double (N5,000) to avoid having to share the seat next to the driver with a second passenger. And, we had to do the same on our latest outbound journey. This practice of carrying six passengers in seats meant for four was evocative of the situation along Owo-Lokoja, Okene-Lokoja, Ikom-Ogoja et cetera in Nigeria as well as Sanve Condji-Lome and Lome-Cinkasse routes in Togo.

Shamefully, the muse that engaged my mind as I pondered on this issue; was: If Nigeria’s Road Safety Corps, Police, National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) et cetera condon the carrying of passengers in excess of normal capacity; then where are you coming from to criticise the practice in Benin and Togo.

The Nigerian scenario is made even more depressing because fuel prices are cheaper, and fares are always higher! Interestingly, the somewhat barbarous practice is not tolerated in Ghana, where fuel pump prices are higher than what obtains in Nigeria. Curiously too, only three passengers (not four or five as in Nigeria) sit per row in Ghana’s tro-tro (mini-bus).

Yes, we’re still on Parakou. While the fare and vexious punishment meted to commuters remained immutatus, the condition of the road network had changed. Unlike the bumpy ride we endured along the once dusty route, the Cotonou-Parakou road was now cheeringly smooth. Yes, Parakou and every part of Benin throw up many thrills, but you sometimes have to take the bitter with the sweet. Oui, C'est ça la vie (yes, such is life).

Accommodation

The weather was cool and the air crisp when we hit Parakou. Harmattan was in the air. So low was the ambient temperature that I found it unnecessary to switch on the ceiling-fan in Room 104 at Hébergement Sika; after checking in.

My comparatively large room, roughly 12-feet by 12-feet, inside a bungalow, where I counted at least five other similar facilities the following day; had a bed, desk/chair, wardrobe, fan, TV, and bathroom/toilet en suite.

Yet, it cost a paltry 6,500F (roughly N2,200) per night to sleep here. Moreover, the immediate and surrounding environments were spick and span and water flowed from the shower. Also, the frequency of blackout was not as bad as the situation in some neighbouring countries. This must explain why tourists find Benin Republic a welcome destination!

Aside from Hébergement Sika, where I put up, Parakou boasts numerous other hotels and lodges. These include Hotel de Ville, Hotel Alafia and Hotel la Colombe et cetera. Located in the Banikanni neighbourhood of Parakou, Hotel Alafia is a four-floor affair.

The room tariff varied from 8,000F (less than N3,000) to 25,000F (over N8,000). In between, there were categories that cost 11,000F (less than N4,000) and 15,000F (N5,000). If you don’t have the stamina to climb all the way to the last floor, then you should be prepared to cough out more than 8,000F since rooms for that amount are on that floor.

We ended up moving on and looking elsewhere because of fear of the enervating climb to the last floor of Hotel Alafia, where the 8,000F rooms are. However, an advantage offered by Hotel Alafia is proximity to Parakou’s Grand Marché and City Centre (Centre de Ville).

Moreover, the tourist in need of roadside eateries and cafétariat would further love Hotel Alafia, whose surroundings throw up open-air teashop (mai-shayi), kunu (a sort of ogi/akamu/eko or pap) vendor and kose (akara or fried bean-balls) seller et cetera.

Parakou Sites

Parakou throws up a public sculpture in the centre of each of its many roundabouts (Carrefour). Among Parakou’s roundabouts is Carrefour Hubert Manga, in honour of a former President of Benin Republic, who probably hailed from these parts.

This Benisese town’s other attractions include Musee de Plein Air (an open-air museum) on Tchatchou road. For the tourist in search of enlightenment amid entertainment, Parakou’s open-air repository, which boasts a very large ground, where numerous craft-shops, bars and eateries abound; is highly recommended.

Additionally, Parakou is home of a sprawling emporium, where used clothings (Friperie) are sold.

It is called Marché Kobo-kobo and stands near the local Cimataire Militaire Francais (French Military Cemetery). Furthermore, this settlement also boasts a decades-old public university (Université de Parakou) as well as over 15 private universities, according to Mr. Sariki Chabi Bouni Adamou, Secretary (Secretaire) of Nigeria’s Hausa/Fulani Community.

The tourist may want to visit Internationale Arzeke de Parakou (International Market Parakou), which stands near Carrefour de la Colombe. The city’s Grand Auto Gare (principal motorpark) is located between the international market and the roundabout called Carrefour de la Colombe.

Barely 200m from Carrefour de la Colombe, the sightseer is likely to behold Carrefour de la Municipalité (Municipality Circle). Carrefour de la Municipalité is also called Carrefour de Trois Banques because three major banks’ regional headquarters surround this roundabout in whose centre a tower stands.

Epilogue

Although it wasn’t my first, this latest trip to Parakou further opened my eye. But, first of all, let me add that the programme, organised by the Association of Nigerian Women in Benin (ANWIB) that prompted this trip, enabled me to enjoy some glimpses of two very important public servants in Benin.

It was during that sojourn, made possible by Mrs. Cecilia Gbemisola Obisakin, wife of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s envoy, Amb. Lawrence Obisakin; that we saw for the first time, Benin Republic’s Minister of Family and Social Affairs, Physically Challenged and Old People, Mrs. Marie Laurence Sranon Sossou.

Similarly, we got also images of the Mayor of Parakou, Hon. Soule Alagbe, who, it is worth pointing out; is Dean of the Corps of Mayors in the neighbouring country. In other words, Hon. Soule Alagbe is “the Mayor of all mayors”, and like Madame Ministre, Mrs. Marie Laurence Sranon Sossou, this mayor contributed to making the programme a resounding success.

2014-02-14T04:16:00.000-08:00

SHOCKING!

Whereas Briton KC Murray lost his life over Nigerian artefacts, native museum officials abandon objects seized more than 4 months ago at Seme border

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG (+2348056180050), mauricearchibongtravels@gmail.com

More than four months since 18 artefacts were seized from a suspected trafficker, the objects are still lying at Government Warehouse Seme because no official of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) would come forward to collect them.

Shockingly, it has also come to light that a curator of one of Nigeria’s National Museums actually said it was impossible to facilitate transfer of the artefacts as there was no money to procure fuel for the vehicle that would have been used for the journey!

One of the seized artefacts.
PHOTO: MAURICE ARCHIBONG. All Rights Reserved.

Interestingly, a distance of less than 100km separates Onikan, where Lagos Museum is located, and Seme Border. Initially, museum officers had blamed their inability to go for the objects on an industrial action by NCMM workers at the time.

Although Nigeria’s NCMM employees launched a nationwide strike last 20 November over allegations of corruption and ineptitude on the part of the government agency’s director general, National Museums had reopened since December.

Going by theme and style of execution, the seized brass sculptures, which include a pair of leopards, a huge python, a bare-breasted maiden on her knees bearing a present of kolanuts, a Portuguese soldier, and an intricately crafted gong; all hint at Bini (ancient Benin City) Art.

From a privileged preview by this writer last November, the averagely heavy (over 10kg) artefacts, appeared to be precious shrine/palace objects. If none of the 18 objects turns out to be some priceless antique pieces, then they must be excellent imitations.

Whereas this writer gave the phone numbers of two NCMM top-shots to the public relations officer of the local customs’ command, Mr. Ernest Ollotah, since October last year; a museum official finally turned up with a letter at Seme border on Thursday, 13 February; more than 130 days since the seizure was made by Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) personnel covering Seme area!

Mr. Ollotah, told us during a telephone conversation on Friday, 14 February; that: “They (NCMM) brought their response to a letter we sent to them on these objects to our office yesterday (13 February)”. The customs letter to NCMM was delivered weeks earlier.

Tuesday, 4 February 2014 marked 121 days since the artefacts were impounded, and during an earlier conversation, on that day, Ollotah had revealed: “On 4 February, I had, again, called head of Lagos Museum, Mrs. (Edith) Ekunke to find out when they were coming to pick the artefacts. The woman confirmed they had received our letter and added that the museum had sent a reply to us. Lagos Museum curator said their reply was basically a request to customs to inform museum of a date to come for the artefacts’ collection. However, we have not received their reply as we speak (7 February)”.

On 21 January, 111 days since the items were intercepted, we had returned to Seme Border; where the local custom’s chief, Comptroller Willie Egbudin, confirmed the items were still in the custody of his para-military agency. During a brief chat with this writer, who was led to Egbudin’s office by Ollotah; the area controller revealed: “I have just been briefed of the artefacts’ seizure only today (21 January, 2014)”.

Egbudin added that, after being informed, his command planned to send a letter to the NCMM to come for the objects’ collection. This comptroller further revealed that, from information given to him by subordinates, the suspect that was conveying the artefacts had been arraigned in court.

Although the identity of the male suspect was not revealed, Egbudin said he learnt the man was no longer in detention, having been granted bail when he was arraigned. By some uncanny coincidence, however, both then local customs controller and the officer-in-Charge of Government Warehouse Seme, Othman Saleh and A. Odediran respectively; were redeployed from Seme within a month after the monumental seizure was recorded.

Although handing-over and taking-over processes by the outgoing and incoming officials might have contributed to the months-long delay before the incumbent controller was briefed, Ollotah told his boss that NCMM chiefs, when he first contacted them in late October 2013, lamented they could do nothing as National Museums across Nigeria were on strike.

Following persistent calls, Ollotah said he was subsequently informed that the industrial action had been called off. But, when he asked when museum officers were coming to collect the artefacts; the local customs’ PRO claimed a management staff of Lagos Museum pleaded with him to convey the objects to Onikan because the museum had no money for fuel!

To worsen matters, discrepancy now shrouds the actual number of artefacts seized. Whereas this writer counted 18 objects during a 22 November, 2013 visit; the content of an official memo leaked to us claims; “Number of items seized: 10”.

Numerous attempts to speak with Nigeria’s Culture and Tourism Minister, Chief Edem Duke, regarding the perceived abandoned artefacts have thus far proven futile. Although the minister took one of our calls, meaningful conversation was made impossible due to network challenges.

Although we succeeded in speaking with Dr Musa Hambolu, NCMM Director of Planning, Research and Publications; and, Mrs. Edith Ekunke, Curator of National Museum Lagos; every effort to reach Mr. Yusuf Abdallah Usman, NCMM Director General drew blank as he would not take our call.

Nigerian museums’ British nexus

Many would be bewildered, that indigenous leaders of Nigerian museums could ignore 18 artefacts at a border post for more than 120 days, whereas a Briton, Mr. KC (Kenneth Crosthwaite) Murray practically lost his life in 1972 to efforts at preserving African art objects.

Born in England in 1902, Mr. Murray initially worked as art teacher in the British colonial service. Nigeria’s legendary artist Ben Enwuonwu was one of Murray’s pupils at some point. In 1943, Murray was appointed founding chief of Nigeria’s museum service and he subsequently retired in 1957, after the launch of Lagos Museum earlier that year. However, he was recalled and reappointed Director, Department of Antiquities, following the retirement of his successor, another Brit, Bernard Fagg.

From an article published in Nigerian Heritage and entiled Kenneth Murray, Father of Museum Movement in Nigeria, by Vicky James; we learnt that, long after retirement, Murray was still working for

Nigeria

. In fact, he died; at the age of 69 on Saturday, 22 April, 1972; while on his way to install exhibits for the new Benin Museum building.

Apparently fearing for the safety of some precious artefacts, he chose to ride in the Volkswagen bus conveying specimens of Benin Art from the national collection; and, reportedly died after a fatal collision due to an attempt by his driver to overtake a truck at a bend on the Ijebu-Benin road. The tragic accident, it could be recalled, occurred less than three weeks after Nigeria changed from Left to Right-hand drive.

In appreciation of Murray’s 40 years of dedication to Art and Education in

Nigeria

, he was honoured with a traditional funeral, apparently as he would have liked. In fact, during his lying-in-state at the Lagos Museum; an Egungun (masquerade) appeared at his coffin’s side.

Additionally, two groups of drummers as well as hundreds of Nigerians and Ghanaians accompanied his body to attend a Requiem Mass at the Saint Saviour’s Church. The way into the church was paved by members of various associations he had helped to found. Murray’s remains were eventually interred at Ikoyi Cemetery on 4 May, 1972.

Apart from KC Murray, as the late man was fondly called, many other deceased Britons must be turning in their graves over perceived crass negligence on the part of current NCMM fat-cats regarding these 18 artefacts. Nigeria’s National Museums, which is a unit of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), evolved principally from the efforts of British citizens.

In fact, two Britons, Messrs Murray and Bernard Fagg, an archaeologist, were the first two chiefs of the NCMM, after the institution was created in 1943. Collectively, Murray and Fagg steered the NCMM ship successfully for almost 25 years: from 1943 to 1967. Furthermore, today’s famed Igbo Ukwu Art owes largely to excavations carried out by a British anthropologist Thurstan Shaw.

Shaw was Professor of Archaeology at the University of Ibadan from 1963 to 1974. For his efforts, the native community in today’s Anambra State town of Igbo Ukwu conferred on British-born Shaw an Igbo chieftaincy title: Onu-nekulu-ora (World spokesman of Igbo Ukwu).

Aside from the fore-runner British citizens, which included and Mr. Frank Willet, whose work led to the emergence of Nigerian museums and the popularity of ancient Nigerian Art; latter-day arrivals like Keith Nicklin also left indelible marks. The late Mr. Nicklin, it is worth reminding, spearheaded the reconstruction of Oron Museum, which had been set ablaze after being looted during the Nigerian civil war: 1967-1970.

Britain and Benin Art

Benin Court Art includes a Memorial Head, Queen Mother Head, Oba’s Horn Blower and Leopard (usually made of brass or bronze). However, the Queen Idia plaque, a 16th century ivory sculpture depicting facial features of the mother of Oba Esigie, one of the kings of ancient Benin Kingdom; is arguably the most popular of Nigeria’s classical antiquity pieces.

Queen Idia plaque was adopted symbol of the second World Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC), which took place in Lagos, Nigeria in 1977. Interestingly, however, the original Queen Idia, believed to be one of the artefacts looted from Benin during the British invasion of 1897, can only be viewed in the UK, since it is now part of British Museum’s collection.

Are Nigerian museum objects safer abroad?

Are Nigerian antiquities safe at home or are they better-off overseas? This is a question many observers have difficulty coming up with a simple “yes” or “no” response to.

In 1985, I spent about a month visiting the British Museums, including London’s Museum of Natural History. Wherever we found Nigerian antiquity, the object was well looked after. Apart from excellent display or storage of the artefacts under controlled ambience, various alarms and other security devices as well as insurance also protected each object.

In September 2000, spent two days in the company of Dr. Hans Joachim Koloss, then Director of the Africa Section of Germany’s Ethnographic Museum located in the Dahlem Dorf neighbourhood of Berlin.

My visit coincided with a long-running exhibition, which brought on view hundreds of antique objects from Nigeria as well as other African countries. Reflecting Germany’s deep interest in Africa, that Ausstellung of principally Cameroon (Kamerun) artefacts, opened in this ethnographic museum, launched in 1873, as far back as 1926.

During my tour, with the privilege of having Dr Koloss as guide, when I discovered that numerous antiquities of Nigerian origin formed part of the major exhibits; I had turned, somewhat reflexively, on Dr. Koloss, for explanation as to why these antiquities, which included many bronze and terra cotta sculptures from Benin, Ife and Nok; had not been returned to Nigeria.

In response, Koloss, who was installed an African chief by Oku Community in Cameroon, where he once lived and worked for decades, simply asked for my candid opinion as to the wisdom or otherwise of returning the works to Nigeria.

Holding my ground, apparently for patriotic reasons, I reminded this curator of various international bodies’ position, which is that illegally acquired artefacts should be returned to their native lands.

But, Koloss, who probably knew that I was aware of the curious exchange of two Nok terra cotta pieces between a former Nigerian president and an ex-French leader, tactfully dropped the debate. Aware that the man was also abreast of reports of brazen theft of antiquities plaguing Nigerian museums, I decided to not discuss the issue of return of antiquities to Nigeria any further.

If these items hadn’t been taken to what now appeared safe havens, would they not have been sold or mishandled by people supposed to preserve them? This was the muse that rankled in my mind.

Nigeria is worst-hit

Nigeria is the hardest-hit country as far as antiquity looting and trafficking are concerned, going by an expose on Nigeria’s antiquity flight, published in the African Art News, co-written by Simon Robinson and Aisha Labi. “Over the past two decades, museums (in Nigeria) have been robbed of hundreds of their most valuable items”, according to these authors.

The duo recalled an infamous burglary, in 1994, (actually one of three within 12 months); when thieves in collusion with a museum guard drugged the other guards and went on to smash the glass of 11 unsecured, and uninsured, display cases at the National Museum in Ile-Ife.

“Their haul, which included some of the best-known examples of 12th and 13th century Ife terra-cotta and brass heads, was worth an estimated $200million (roughly N30billion)”, the same article revealed.

Although some seizures are recorded by various agencies at different ports, from time to time, speculation is rife that countless pieces of antique objects are still slipping through Nigeria’s borders.

Penalty

Nigerian law forbids selling, buying or export of any antique object. However, the penalty for breaching law could be described as laughable. Section 21 of Decree 77 (1979), which deals with Nigeria’s Antiquity Law, bans the buying or selling of antique object; has it that any person deemed to have contravened this statute would be liable, on conviction, to a fine of N2,000 (less than £10).

Observers believe mild penalty prescribed by law is one of the reasons antiquity traffickers persist. Smugglers and collectors of antiquity also do not see much to deter them, moreso as efforts to prosecute an offender is often cumbersome and protracted.

In one instance, it took museum authorities six years to get an Abeokuta Court in Ogun State, south-western Nigeria, to grant the NCMM custody of some antique items seized from a smuggler at Idiroko, another south-western Nigerian border town next to Igolo in Benin Republic.

Smugglers are also probably unperturbed by the provision of the law, which states that the culprit would pay a fine, five times the value of the antiquities. In one legal tussle, the items the smuggler was going to take out were worth N9million. On conviction, he should have paid a fine of N45 million; but, how many of these vermin, who were driven into smuggling by poverty in the first place, could cough out such staggering sum? The thinking is that the culprit would simply have gone in to serve his term, and return to antiquity trafficking, a more vicious and hardened character, after being released from jail.

Perceived administrative flaws on the part of NCMM management complement smugglers’ nuisance regarding antiquity flight. To get to the point of preserving and displaying objects for public education and entertainment, a museum must collect such.

To curb the flight of Nigerian heritage objects, NCMM used to collect objects from registered agents, dubbed artefact rescuers. However, the NCMM has been owing 40 of these rescuers about N190million (barely £800,000) since 2009.

During chats with this writer, some of these agents averred that, failure by the NCMM to pay them for almost five years has probably encouraged those who stumbled on antique pieces to look to foreign buyers.

Vanishing treasures

In 1997, during an International Council of Museums (ICOM)-organised “Workshop on the Protection of the African Heritage Working Documents”, the then Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Dr. Yaro T. Gella, raised due alarm over the spate of looting of the Esie steatite (soapstone) sculptures in a paper titled “Thefts in Museums: A Report on the Nigerian Situation 1993-1997”.

In that paper, Dr. Gella revealed that Esie Museum had “become a target for looters”. According to Dr. Gella, “On 25 March 1993, 13 statues were stolen after the museum’s main door was forced open and the guards beaten into submission. On 13 May 1995, the same museum was once again broken into and the security staff again attacked. On this occasion, 21 statuettes disappeared”.

Sadly, the disappearance of Nigerian museum objects had been taking place at least 100 years before 1997. Apart from the looting of Benin palace artefacts during the 1897 punitive expedition instigated by Consul James R. Phillips, a 1938 report written by E. H. Duckworth, an Inspector of Education in the then colonial Nigerian government; had revealed: “A few years ago, one of the shrines outside the town (Ife) possessed a collection of over 40 terracotta heads. Now, they have all been stolen or broken”.

In deed, a critical loss was recorded in 1910 during the sojourn of Leo Frobenius in Nigeria. Frobenius, a German-born anthropologist, ethnologist and explorer had visited Ife in the course of his exploration in Nigeria between 1910 and 1912. In Ife, Frobenius had unearthed some spectacular finds, one of which was “Ori Olokun” (“Ori” means head, while “Olokun” is the Yoruba water deity). On his way back from Ife, Frobenius had been accosted by then colonial Resident in Ibadan, Mr. Charles Partridge, who compelled the German explorer to surrender most of his haul. Curiously, however, 100 years after that encounter; the whereabouts and what happened to the original object Frobenius was made to hand over remains a mystery.

To date, the illegal trade in cultural property thrives, going by statistics which indicate that antiquity trafficking is not about to abate. Some 84 years after Frobenius’ interception at Ibadan, in November 1994 to be precise; “The French police seized three terracotta heads stolen from the National Museum Gallery, Ile-Ife, Nigeria”. “Looting in Africa”, the second volume in the series, "One Hundred Missing Objects", published in 1994; led to the recovery or locating of some missing antiquity including the three terracotta heads found by the “Office central de lutte contre le trafic des biens culturels (OCBC)”, according to ICOM (International Council of Museums). The items were returned to Nigerian on 31 May, 1996.

Another seizure, on 15 October, 1996; featured a trove consisting of terracotta and bronze sculptures, traditional spears, woodcarvings and other archaeological pieces. The items, whose collective value was put at above N100million, were to be flown to Belgium, when they were impounded. Only six days before that incident, 33 ritual mortars worth N3million were intercepted as they were being taken abroad illegally.

On 16 October, 1996 Nigeria recorded one of the most disturbing seizures. It involved 77 objects, stuffed in nine cartons. Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments’ authorities put the value of these antiquities at over N1billion. The antique pieces, destined for Germany, were impounded at the cargo section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

Similarly, a dozen artefacts with an estimated worth of N335,000 were seized at the Kamba border post in Kebbi State on 12 March, 1997. In his statement to security agents, the suspected smuggler, a 24-year old Nigerian, claimed he was travelling to Lome, Togo to apply for visas to visit Europe. He said it was his search for presents for prospective hosts in Europe that led to his removal of 12 antique pieces from a technical college in Andoka, Benue State. The objects were consequently impounded, since the young man had no clearance papers covering their exportation.

Although, many seizures were recorded from January to April 1997, the interceptions peaked in the first month of the second quarter where, within one week (17-24 April), five seizures were recorded at Nigeria’s extreme south-western frontier, called Seme Border. One of these seizures (on 21 April), involved a 42-year-old Gambian, from whom 12 items of antiquity were recovered. Barely three weeks later, on 12 May, two bronze bangles were seized from a US-bound passenger, who turned up at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos with clearance papers for a pair of bronze manilas measuring 10 by 10 inches but attempted to take out two 12 by 31 inches and 12 by 32 inches pieces, instead.

For more, order your copy of Museums in Nigeria and Other Lands, now!

Our support to every Nigerian in need has made us very strong

2013-12-16T12:28:00.001-08:00

Our support to every Nigerian in need has made us very strong – NYD President, Onyeke

Wife of Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Mrs. Cecilia Obisakin (2^nd from left); Mrs. Ojeleye (1^st left), NYD President Emmanuel Nwachukwu Onyeke (3^rd right), Mr. Ohaegbu Benjamin (2^nd right); and, Mallam Saliou Karim (1^st right) at Nigeria House Cotonou on Tuesday, December 3, 2013.

The President of the Benin Republic Chapter of Nigerian Youths in Diaspora (NYD), Mr. Emmanuel Nwachukwu Onyeke, has identified succour to distraught compatriots across the neighbouring country as the source of his body’s galloping popularity.

Speaking with mauricearchibongtravels in the Beninese economic capital, Cotonou, recently; the NYD President said: “No Nigerian has ever been abandoned by us. Since our association began operating in Benin about five years ago, we have always assited anyone that cried to us: provided the person seeking solace has genuine reason”.

The NYD, working hand-in-hand with Nigerian Embassy Cotonou, has helped to secure the release of detained compatriots, according to Onyeke. Aside from working to free detained Nigerians, Onyeke added that, NYD frequently provides funds to stranded ones to facilitate their return home.

Apart from the NYD President, mauricearchibongtravels also met three other executive members of the body in Cotonou. The trio: Mr. Abdullahi Sanusi Koguna, Mr. Ohaegbu Benjamin and Mallam Saliou Karim are Vice President, Secretary and Director, Admin/Finance; respectively of NYD.

The NYD chiefs were at Nigeria House, Cotonou; on Tuesday, 3 December, 2013; to deliver 10 bags of rice to the Association of Nigerian Women in Benin Republic (ANWIB). The donation was NYD’s contribution to ANWIB’s noble efforts to succour widows and orphans, among others.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s envoy to Benin Republic is Ambassador Lawrence Obisakin. This ambassador’s wife, Mrs. Cecilia Gbemisola Obisakin, is the arrowhead of ANWIB. Mrs. N. Ojeleye, ANWIB Chairperson at Nigeria House, Cotonou; accompanied Her Excellency, Mrs. (Dr) Obisakin in taking delivery of the rice donation by NYD.

While expressing gratitude to the NYD executives led by the President, Mr. Onyeke, for their donation; Mrs. Obisakin said: “I am impressed by your generosity and your gift will go a long way in helping those in need, where our events will take place”.

Aside the 10 bags of rice, ANWIB had buses-load of other gifts; all of which were freighted to the Beninese city of Parakou and subsequently presented to, among other beneficiaries, an orphange (Orpheinat) run by the Catholic Mission in Tchatchou, near Parakou.

The NYD scribe during a chat with mauricearchibongtravels inside the office of Mr. Onyeke, said the association “has been in existence since five years ago”.

When asked how come we never heard of its existence, this was the interjection of NYD Vice President, Mr. Koguna: “We have been more interested in working than merely blowing our own trumpet. May be some people in Nigeria have never heard of us, but I can assure you that all our compatriots in Benin Republic are aware of our existence because of the things we have been doing. The NYD, working with the embassy, has touched many Nigerian lives in Benin Republic”.

Speaking further, Ohaegbu, who described the NYD as “an association whose presence is acknowledged by Nigerian Embassy Cotonou”, added that the body “was formed to bring all Nigerian youths together, thus fostering national unity; to impart on Nigerian youths resident in Benin Republic the need to positively re-brand their country’s image in the foreign land; and, to guide them to abstain from crime”.

Seme Customs record monumental seizure of artefacts

2013-11-27T11:37:00.003-08:00

Seme Customs record monumental seizure of artefacts

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG

The Seme Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) recently intercepted 18 artefacts at the border between Nigeria and Benin Republic. Nigeria’s extreme south-western frontier is popularly, though erroneously, called Seme; and that land borders Krake, the Beninese south-eastern fringes.

Iconic Bini leopards among the seized artefacts.
PHOTO: MAURICE ARCHIBONG. All Rights Reserved.

Apparently, the artefacts were about to be exported, but the customs aborted the alleged illegal trafficking as the objects’ trans-border freighting were not backed by relevant documents. Although contemporary artefacts may be taken outside Nigeria, provided such export is backed by an Export Permit, it is illegal to trade in antique objects.

If the seized objects, all metallic, which have since been transferred to Government Warehouse Seme; are not priceless antique pieces, then they must be excellent imitations. Some of the items’ style hint at ancient Bini Art.

From privileged preview by mauricearchibongtravels, the artefacts; many of them very heavy, appear to be precious shrine/palace objects. The seized artefacts include a pair of leopards, a huge python, a bare-breasted maiden on her knees bearing a present of kolanuts, a Portuguese soldier, and an intricately crafted gong.

From Seme Customs’ PRO, Ernest Ollotah, mauricearchibongtravels gathered that the items were intercepted on 3 October, this year. Mr. Ollotah, a Superintendent of Customs, added that one suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure. However, he could not confirm whether the suspect had been arraigned in court or released.

According to a Chief Superintendent of Customs, Mr. A. Odediran, who is Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Government Warehouse at Seme, the haul is the first since he assumed duty as OC Warehouse, more than a year ago. As at mauricearchibongtravels’ latest visit to Seme, on Friday, 22 November, the artefacts were still in the custody of Seme Customs.

Before our departure from that frontier post, Lagos Museum Curator, Mrs. Edith Ekunke, could not be reached, despite dialling the lady’s number numerous times. Fortunately, we were able to contact the Director of Research, Planning and Publications at the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Dr Musa Seyi Hambolu; who assured that he would get in touch with Lagos Museum curator with a view to collecting the seized objects.

According to Seme Customs Area Controller (CAC), Othman Abdu Saleh, “the artefacts, which were detected and seized during an intensive search operation based on intelligence, is valued internationally at about $16,870 (over N2 million)”.

Meanwhile, Comptroller Saleh, recently declared that the local Customs Area Command “has intensified its anti-smuggling patrol to further prevent acts of smuggling this Yuletide period, when import and transit activities within the land frontier are expected to be on the rise”.

To facilitate his enhanced anti-smuggling drive the CAC has not only directed total deployment of all patrol vehicles, logistics and personnel; he has also ordered the cancellation of all passes and permits for absence to every personnel of the command.

Saleh said these were necessary because “the command could not afford to disappoint the Federal Government of Nigeria as well as Comptroller General of Customs, Dr Abdullahi Dikko Inde, who is committed to the realisation of the full potentials of the service”.

Saleh again: “The CGC has also reiterated the Customs Service Managements’ zero-tolerance to smuggling to all officers and men of the command, while urging them to strictly keep to duty shifts’ roster to ensure round-the-clock full presence of the command’s personnel”.

Saleh said this, while addressing senior officers of the command recently. He also emphasised the need to discharge customs duties at the border without compromise, even as he urged personnel “to rededicate themselves to the national goal”. Aside from the record artefact seizures, Seme Customs also aborted illegal importation of other items, including vehicles, textile, rice, vegetable oil, second-hand clothes, shoes and bags; according to Saleh.

Seme’s proximity to the commercial city of Lagos, “being the busiest border in West Africa and a hub in the Trans West African trade, places a great challenge on customs’ personnel serving at this frontier post. However, challenges are meant to be surmounted and we are professionally prepared” to contain every challenge, Saleh vowed.

Speaking further, Saleh remarked: “We must not be taken unawares at our duty posts either at this period or at any other time as management expects us to be very much at alert. We are expected, at all times, to discharge our duties with utmost vigilance and uncompromising tenacity”.

Concluding, Saleh enthusiastically remarked: “We wish to express our appreciation for the solidarity, co-operation and support from other security agencies in the Seme/Badagry axis. Worthy of note is the invaluable support received from officers and men of the Nigerian Army (242 Reece Battalion), Ibereko and 15 Field Engineer Regiment, Topo; the Nigeria Police (Seme Division); the Department of State Service (DSS); the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security organs”.

Indefinite nationwide strike hits National Museums

2013-11-20T21:28:00.001-08:00

Indefinite nationwide strike hits National Museums

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG

On Wednesday, 20 November, 2013; the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) made good its threat with the launch of a nationwide indefinite strike by workers of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM).

Paradoxically, this work stoppage comes barely a week after Mr. Yusuf Abdallah Usman, the immediate-past director general of the NCMM, held a major press briefing; where he claimed all was well with the Commission. We were not invited to the press conference, but according to feedback mauricearchibongtravels got from some of those that attended, Mr. Abdallah Usman had blamed disgruntled elements for perceived misinformation about the situation at the NCMM.

However, the current strike is confirmation that Usman fed his guests with a misrepresentation of the true situation. In any case, we would have shunned any invitation to that charade because Usman’s tenure as Director General (DG) had elapsed since 4 November, 2013. In that circumstance, his act; if it did not constitute an illegality, threw up another question: how was funding for the jamboree sourced? And, who gave approval for that expenditure?

This latest strike means a shutdown of every museum, zoo and other outposts run by the NCMM across the country. The role of a museum in the local tourism industry could hardly be exaggerated, because the museum could make the difference to the vibrancy or otherwise of the local tourism industry and vice versa.

Unfortunately, the strike is bound to take enervating toll on Nigeria’s tourism industry. Imagine the many foreign tourists already in the country that would have loved to visit our museums but cannot do so because of a strike. Aside from foreign tourists that are already here, there must be others, whose planned trip to Nigeria would now be put on hold, pending resumption of work at Nigeria’s National Museums.

All of these translate into huge losses for the nation, not to talk about its blighting effect on Nigeria’s image. However, it must be pointed out, that the ongoing work stoppage could have been averted, were some of the issues raised by AUPCTRE addressed. Embroiled in controversies over the last eight years, the NCMM is an agency of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation.

The current indefinite work stoppage is sequel to a 21-day notice served on NCMM director general. In a memo, dated October 30, in which AUPCTRE issued the mandatory 21-day notice of its plan to embark on industrial action, the labour activists demand; among others: “The whereabouts of N225m handed over by Mr. Akin Roberts”; “The whereabouts/balance of N47m posted into IAMS accounts in December 2011 out of which only N16m was expended for the payment of arrears…”; “The whereabouts of money budgetted for staff training in 2013 as no visible training has taken place”; “Reversal of lease of DG, NCMM Quarters on Adeola Hopewell, Victoria Island for N24m”; and, “Reversal (of sale) of portion of land in MOTNA, Jos for construction of a filling station”.

It could be recalled that NCMM workers went on strike from January 10 to the 17^th, 2013. And, no fewer than 10 strikes or rumours of strike have hit the NCMM in the last six years. Usman had been NCMM DG in the last four of those half-a-dozen years.

Several key political office holders and civil service top brasses, including head of service of the federation; minister as well as permanent secretary of the ministry of tourism, culture and national orientation; were each given a copy of that warning.

Labour held rallies Wednesday at National Museum/NCMM stations in Benin City, Jos and Lagos et cetera, to flag off their nationwide indefinite strike. In Lagos, labour activists addressed workers at NCMM station in Onikan on 19 November. Proactively, authorities of the Jos-based Institute of Archaeology and Museum Studies (IAMS) had fast-tracked semester examinations, to ensure that academic programmes were not disrupted by the strike.

Speaking on the eve of the commencement of the strike, Secretary of AUPCTRE, NCMM Chapter, Mr. Adogah Abdullahi, declared the protest was inevitable; following failure by the Commission’s management to meet any of their demands. “Please, be informed that our strike, earlier slated for January, 2013, will now commence tomorrow (20 November)”, Abdullahi had told mauricearchibongtravels during a telephone conversation last Tuesday.

A circular was sent to labour executives at each NCMM station to “hold congress and direct workers to stay home in observance of the strike”. The union executive explained that the strike, earlier called for January this year, was suspended because of promises made to NCMM workers by Mr. Abdallah Usman, the now out gone director general; following intervention by Tourism and Culture Minister, Chief Edem Duke.

“Shamefully, none of the promises made to us, which led to the suspension of our plans to strike in January was fulfilled. These promises were made, more than nine months before Abdallah Usman’s tenure came to an end on 4 November”, Abdullahi rued. Expatiating, the labour scribe added that the strike was necessary “to achieve a better, efficient and corruption-free museum system”.

Mr. Abdallah Usman was forced on the nation, while Senator Jubrin Bello Gada was Tourism and Culture Minister; and, many museum watchers still remember, how; during Gada’s tenure, hundreds of millions of naira were diverted and allegedly spent on dubious projects.

Catalogue of curios

It is worth pointing out, that the NCMM has been accephalus since Abdallah Usman’s term elapsed on 4 November. Going by bureaucratic convention, an acting DG should have been named for the NCMM on or before 4 November, but more than two weeks since Usman’s exit, the Commission has been rudderless.

Meanwhile, mauricearchibongtravels had gathered from impeccable sources that the out gone DG had been served a letter to handover on Wednesday, 13 November; but he chose to scorn that memo, which emanated from the office of the Permanent Secretary.

The NCMM is in a quandary, despite boasting four substantive directors; viz: Dr Musa Hambolu, Dr Barth Chukwuezi, Bode Oke and Oluremi Adedayo; Director, Research, Planning and Publications; Director, Educational Services and Training; Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA); and, Director, Monuments, Heritage and Sites (MHS) respectively.

A telephone enquiry regarding comment from the tourism and culture minister drew a blank. The minister’s Special Adviser (Media), Dr Taiwo Oladokun, was not forthcoming because “The Hon. Minister’s phone lines could not be accessed possibly due to GSM network challenges”.

When contacted on Tuesday, 19 November; Dr Barth Chukwuezi, NCMM’s Director of Educational Services and Training told mauricearchibongtravels: “He (out gone DG Usman) travelled”. In other words, the NCMM could go to hell because a man, whose tenure had elapsed, chose to ignore a simple directive from the de facto head of a ministry.

Thus, what should normally be a simple administative process has now morphed into such a perplexing curio that it requires a nationwide shutdown of national museums to address. It tells a lot about Nigeria, that consideration for fortunes of an individual should take precedent over the overall interest of the nation; this, in spite of the fact that Abdallah Usman’s performance as NCMM DG was at best calamitous.

2013-11-20T10:40:00.001-08:00

Meet Roseline Sanni Ajose (RSA):

Travelling Ghana, Britain, Nigeria and every where for movies’ sake

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG

RSA: Roseline Sanni Ajose
PHOTO: MAURICE ARCHIBONG. All Rights Reserved.

It was inside the office of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s envoy in Ghana, Amb Demola Seyi Onafowokan, that we met. Our encounter was simply fortuitous, for we hadn’t the slightest premonition of running into an epitome of versatility, when we went visiting the Nigerian high commissioner in Ghana on 11 October, 2013.

Fifteen years ago, when she was still a starry-eyed 15-year-old, the teenager was taken to London. Apart from recent visits to shoot on location in Lagos, this lady has been in the United Kingdom ever since. Her full name is Mrs. Roseline Sanni Ajose, but permit me to address this lady simply as RSA, henceforth.

It is not always you run into a London-based Nigerian-born actress and RSA is one of them. RSA is not your run-of-the-mill actress: she is a theatre nurse, movie producer, script-writer and more; all rolled in one. RSA is also founder of an outfit called Inspiration Production. And, when we asked; what’s that?

She told mauricearchibongtravels that, “Inspiration Production UK company was formed in 2009, with a view to making a difference in Nigeria’s movie industry (Nollywood)”. RSA added that, it is not enough to just complain all the time: “We established Inspiration Production as people often complained of poor production and quality of Nigerian-made films”.

However, “Inspiration Production”, she continued: “Was not created to only take Nollywood to new heights but also to inspire. This is a huge stepping-stone and we believe that it will be an angle to draw-in more Africans in the Diaspora. In a nutshell, our company is set to build and encourage new faces in the UK who aspire to become actors and actresses regardless of your race or background”.

As if these were not enough, RSA is also married and a mother of two. She is married to Mr. Kolawole Ajose. The world knew that the day the couple tied the proverbial nuptial knot. However, RSA would rather keep the names of her two kids out of this. Apparently, she is not only a devout mother; but also very protective of her babies and family. Family is special, and so is work. But, she makes sure neither infects the other.

What brought RSA to Ghana? She had heard countless people describe Ghana as “very beautiful”, and she was “visiting to see things first-hand”, she revealed. Was it her first sojourn in the former Gold Coast? “Yes, it’s my first visit”, she remarked. It was her premier tour, but we met on the lady’s third day since arriving in Accra.

Now, what was her impression after roughly 72 hours in Nkrumah’s country? Clad in a pink midi-length dress with conspicuous, intricately designed, silver ear-rings dangling from her lobes; RSA smiled and after a meditative pause, mused; “Yeah, Ghana is very nice. Lovely people, lovely food”.

It turned out RSA was not in Africa just to see Ghana. She was actually in transit en route Nigeria. For almost 16 years, RSA has not visited her hometown, Owo. Nonetheless, RSA’s love for her motherland, Nigeria, has not waned. Hear her: “My vision is to come and live in Nigeria, eventually”.

RSA had another reason, a professional motive, for coming to Nigeria. She came to push her first movie, Labo: Life is a journey. Shot at locations in Lagos and London, this film’s title derives from the Yoruba language phrase, Ile l’abo isimi oko. Directed by Femi Fadeyi, the movie’s subtitle, Life is a journey, more or less adumbrates the theme.

Cumulatively, how long did it take to put Labo together? “Shooting alone, took all of 12 months. But, from start to the finish, Labo gulped some 18 months before its premiere”, she recalled. Did you know that, of the plethora of movies Nollywood has spawned over the last 25 years or so, Figurine is RSA’s favourite. This was RSA’s coo: “O, I love Figurine”.

As to what she found particularly alluring about Figurine, RSA went on to reveal: “That film has a title and sub-title. I don’t know the meaning of the sub-title, which is in indigenous language, but we all understand figurine. I think it was this film’s title that inspired me to choose Labo: Life is a journey as title and sub-title for my own movie. I really love Kunle Afolayan’s work and I’m looking forward to working with him, someday”, she revealed.

RSA played Labo’s lead character, Omodesola (Dessy). Aside being one of the characters, script-writer RSA also doubled as Executive Producer. Like virtually every Nigerian-made movie in the last 20 years, Labo is also not on celluloid. “We shot with HD cameras, but in the UK it is already playing at many cinemas”.

Labo premiered in Britain months ago, but the movie’s UK re-run is slated for 28 December at Harris Academy Theatre Hall in Peckham, London. Furthermore, “the film is billed to premiere in Holland sometime in January 2014”, enthused RSA, who added that, Nigeria and Ghana premieres were also on the card for the first quarter of next year.

Apart from coming to raise awareness about Labo, RSA was also visiting Nigeria for the 2013 Nollywood Awards. Why was she interested? “Because I’m a Nigerian actress and Nollywood really, really, supported my film in London”, she remarked.

RSA again: “The Nigerian community and corporate bodies really did a lot for me. DSTV was there and they help to enhance the popularity of our work, so I’m proud to identify with what they do”. Shockingly, RSA had never heard of one of Burkina Faso’s claims to fame; Fespaco, the biennial filmfest held in Ouagadougou.

“I’ve never heard of it”, she confessed. Instead of embarrassment, RSA was as ever anxious to hear more about FESPACO. She queried: “When is their next festival? Because I’d love to go”. Apparently, she was already planning a visit to the Burkinabe capital for the next FESPACO.

After some five days in Ghana, RSA, came over to Lagos, Nigeria’s Centre of Excellence to push her movie. Want to meet RSA? Who wouldn’t! But, you might have to travel to Britain to see her. The lady returned to the UK on 16 November. She spent roughly two weeks in Nigeria before going back. What message was she taking to Nigerians in the UK?

“I’m going to encourage them (other Nigerians in Britain) to come home as often as possible. This is our home. We’ve got good food, the good life and rich history, so come home. This is what Labo is all about. If you want Nigeria to get better, then come home and contribute towards making it a better place. I’ll tell them not to sit in London and always criticise Nigeria as being bad. We’re not bad people and our country would get better with all hands on deck”, she enthused.

Aside trying to push her debut movie amid her other official and domestic engagements, RSA is already working on another film. “We haven’t given it a title, yet. But, it’s a foreign film”, she concluded with a cheery smile.

National Museums’ workers begin indefinite nationwide strike, Nov 20

2013-11-19T11:45:00.002-08:00

National Museums’ workers begin indefinite nationwide strike, Nov 20

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG

A nationwide indefinite strike by workers of Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) begins tomorrow. Embroiled in controversies over the last eight years, the NCMM is an agency of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation.

The indefinite work stoppage, called by the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE); is sequel to a 21-day notice served on NCMM director general.

Labour will hold rallies at National Museum/NCMM stations in Benin City, Jos and Lagos et cetera on November 20, to flag off their nationwide indefinite strike, according to Mr. Adogah Abdullahi, Secretary of AUPCTRE, NCMM Chapter.

In Lagos, labour activities addressed workers at NCMM station in Onikan on 19 November. Confirming the commencement of the strike, Abdullahi, declared the protest became inevitable; following failure by the Commission’s management to meet any of their demands.

“Please, be informed that our strike, earlier slated for January, 2013, will now commence tomorrow”, Abdullahi told mauricearchibongtravels during a telephone conversation on Tuesday. A circular was sent to labour executives at each NCMM station to “hold congress and direct workers to stay home in observance of the strike”.

The union executive explained that the strike, earlier called for January this year, was suspended because of promises made to NCMM workers by now outgone director general, Mr. Yusuf Abdallah Usman; following intervention by Tourism and Culture Minister, Chief Edem Duke.

“Shamefully, none of the promises made to us, which led to suspension of our plans to strike in January was fulfilled. These promises were made, more than nine months before Abdallah Usman’s tenure came to an end last 4 November”, Abdullahi rued. Expatiating, the labour scribe added that the strike was necessary “to achieve a better, efficient and corruption-free museum system”.

It is worth pointing out, that the NCMM has been acephalous since Abdallah Usman’s term elapsed on 4 November. Going by bureaucratic convention, an acting DG should have been named for the NCMM on or before November 4, but more than two weeks since Usman’s exit, the Commission has been rudderless.

Meanwhile, mauricearchibongtravels has gathered from impeccable sources that the outgone DG had been served a letter to handover on Wednesday, 13 November; but he chose to scorn that memo, which emanated from the office of the Permanent Secretary.

When contacted, Dr Barth Chukwuezi, NCMM’s Director of Educational Services and Training told mauricearchibongtravels: He (outgone DG Usman) travelled”. In other words, the NCMM could go to hell because a man, whose tenure has elapsed, chose to ignore a simple directive from the de facto head of a ministry.

Thus, what should normally be a simple administative process has now morphed into such a complex curio that it now requires a nationwide shutdown of National Museums to address…

ECOWAS sends humanitarian support to Mali

2013-11-18T03:05:00.000-08:00

ECOWAS sends humanitarian support to Mali

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is to deploy 20 members of its Emergency Response Team (EERT) to Mali within the framework of a regional humanitarian assistance for the country, just emerging from political and security crises.

The three-month field deployment, which begins today, beginning from 18 November, 2013; would be preceded by a four-day pre-Deployment Training (PDT) in Bamako, Malian capital. The PDT is being supported by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), which is funding the training as well as all-round flight tickets for the selected ECOWAS EERT members from their respective countries.

According to a release, reference No 321/2013 and dated 18 November; sent to mauricearchibongtravels, from the secretariat of the regional body; “Four of the ECOWAS EERT members being deployed will be seconded to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR to support its voluntary repatriation and reintegration programme in Mail.

The Malian minister of labour, social and humanitarian affairs is to inaugurate the EERT deployment, while an ECOWAS delegation to be led by the Commissioner for Human Development and Gender, Dr. Adrienne Diop, would discuss with Malian authorities, the modalities and way forward on the humanitarian support.

Following the 2012 military coup in Mali and the separatist insurgency in the north of the country, ECOWAS led efforts in mobilising an African-led support mission, AFISMA, which last July transformed into a UN mission, MINUSMA as part of international initiatives to resolve the Malian crises.

The restoration of relative peace paved the way for the holding of successful presidential election in Mali in July/August 2013, monitored by ECOWAS and other international observers. Municipal polls are expected to follow later this month in the country, still battling some humanitarian challenges.

Museum calamity: Tragedy long-foretold …No going back on Nov 20 strike - Labour

2013-11-14T02:12:00.002-08:00

Museum calamity: Tragedy long-foretold

…No going back on Nov 20 strike - Labour

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG

Prologue

I spent several hours on Wednesday, 13 November, 2013; trying to abridge an article to fit into available space in the Daily Sun of Thursday, 14 November.

The story that was finally published in my Travels section of the newspaper had actually been submitted much earlier, but; due to want of space, I had to revise the content.

As many a writer would agree, it is sometimes easier to write something fresh than to re-write a piece one had earlier worked on over and over. To make matters worse, the task had to be completed within a short while as deadline was almost upon the production crew.

In any case, we managed to do the best one could under the circumstances; and, the newspaper edition took up one full page in Daily Sun. Very generous of The Sun Publishing Limited, owners of Daily Sun, considering the going rate of adverts in any elite newspaper!

Below is the full version of that report:

Planned strike will go ahead

Amid frantic moves by forces within and outside the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) to abort a strike billed to commence on 20 November, executives of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE); have declared the protest will go ahead.

“There’s no going back. As I speak to you, none of our demands has been met. So, once the 21-day ultimatum expires on 19 November, the strike will commence the following day”, said Comrade Adogah Abdullahi, Secretary of NCMM Chapter of AUPCTRE; during a telephone conversation with mauricearchibongtravels last Tuesday.

Page 1 of the 5-page memo by AUPCTRE to then Tourism and Culture Minister Jubrin Bello Gada.

Where AUPCTRE’s threat is carried through and museum workers down tools from 20 November, the NCMM would have been hit by no fewer than 10 strikes in six years. Meanwhile, information leaked to mauricearchibongtravels indicate overtures had been made to an NCMM management staff believed to have warm relations with labour to “influence” some activists to back out of the proposed industrial action.

However, the consulted intercessor has thus far failed to deliver, despite promises to appoint him Head-of-Station; if he succeeded in ensuring the strike was called off. The man’s refusal to cooperate may have to do with concern for his place in posterity. Interestingly, the same man had been allegedly by-passed unjustly for promotion two times in recent years.

In a related development, an sms sent to a director of the NCMM has literally gone viral, shared by countless workers as another evidence of corruption within the system. For clarity, Mauricearchibongtravels has taken the liberty of editing the text message, but; what follows adumbrates the issue: “Sir, I applied for N200,000 for the repair of cages …” (but, a boss, names withheld) “collected N120,000 from me. Sir, I am not used to this kind of business. So, please help me collect the N120,000 to enable me do the work (properly)”.

Interpretation: N200,000 had been approved for the repair of cages at the National Zoological Garden Jos (NZGJ) but the welder/technician after collecting the money and endorsing receipt of same through his signature, was asked to handover N120,000 (60 per cent of the sum) to a big-man.

Now, if the welder kept quiet and decided to “manage” the remaining N80,000 to do the job; would that not be putting the lives of zoo visitors and workers at risk? Ca c’est la vie (Such is life) at the NCMM, for you. Crises-racked NCMM is an agency of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation.

Messrs Yusuf Abdallah Usman is NCMM’s immediate-past Director General, while Oluremi Adedayo and Barth Chukwuezi are Director of Monuments, Heritage and Sites (MHS); and, Director of Educational Services and Training respectively.

In normal climes, any public officer linked to any alleged serious fraud would strive to clear his/her name. To assist the affected official, authorities sometimes relieve that person of appointment pending the outcome of investigations. Unfortunately, countless public officers suspected of fraud in Nigeria refuse to walk away. Even after they had actually been indicted through independent enquiry, many have been known to dig in rather than go away quietly.

In the case of the NCMM, where incidents of looting are legion, with ample damning evidences; curiously, no public enquiry had been instituted to unravel the situation. Therefore, neither Mr. Abdallah Usman nor any of his perceived co-travellers on an alleged journey to “take the NCMM nowhere”; had been indicted.

In this light, the only alternative left to museum watchers seemed to be, to wait patiently for the four-year tenure granted Usman to run out. Normally, Usman might have been handed a second four-year term as director general of the NCMM, if he had recorded any groundbreaking achievement.

Sadly, Usman’s leadership was not only tainted with countless cases of alleged fraud, his performance was considered dismal. Therefore, had he left quietly when his term expired on 4 November, 2013; Usman would have spared himself and the nation more anguish. Instead, the man chose to cling on. He continued to occupy office illegally after his tenure had elapsed.

So, sordid details had to be revealed regarding how badly Mr. Abdallah Usman ran the NCMM, over the last four years; to buttress the submission against a second term as director general to this man. The catastrophy wrought on the NCMM and the nation generally by Usman’s maladministration could have been averted, had the powers at the time listened to wise counsel.

Yes, the tragedy was long-foretold. In a memo dated 11 November, 2009; entitled Re: Appointment of Yusuf Abdallah Usuman As Director General, National Commission for Museum (NCMM); the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE); labour balked at the appointment of Mr. Abdallah Usman; thus: “We write to express our concern over the recent appointment of Yusuf Abdallah Usuman, as Director General, National Commission for Museum and Monuments …”.

Going by this memo, reference AUP/FCT/23/III/09/195, which was signed by Comrade David Decker, then AUPCTRE Federal Zonal Secretary; and, sent to the then Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Senator Jubrin Bello Gada; labour stated: “Much as this Union acknowledges the prerogatives of Mr. President to make such appointments, we are not against the personality of the officer so Appointed”.

Nonetheless, AUPCTRE went on to add: “We are compelled to make the following observations: Yusuf Abdallah Usman is BSc holder from ABU (Ahmadu Bello University) Zaria 1983, and was employed in 1991 by the NCMM as a Chief Researcher on GL 14.

“It may interest you to note that he did not transfer his service(s) from any establishment. That is to say that, he was appointed as a fresher; He obtained an MSc from BUK (Bayero University Kano) in 2000, and attended Institute of Archaeology and Museum Studies (IAMS) Jos; with a dismal record of performance after the 9-month programme;

“From the records, Yusuf Abdallah is the most Junior Director in the NCMM and the process of his appointment as Director General runs contrary to the provisions of the guidelines for such appointments as contained in the Federal Government Circular Ref. No. SGF/OP/I/S.3/T.1 of 14 August, 2009; Paragraph (II):

“Such appointments which should be without prejudice to eligible serving officers competing for those positions must be based on strict adherence to the principle of Justice, equity and fairplay”.

AUPCTRE was not through: “It will not be out of place to categorically say that Yusuf Abdallah Usuman was most favoured by your office as the Hon. Minister, as recommended by the immediate-past Director General to cover some of his questionable acts that culminated into his failure, some of which we wish to highlight:

“Diversions of N15 million funds meant for the rehabilitation of Museum of Traditional Natural Architecture (MOTNA) Jos, which was directly under the supervision of Yusuf Abdallah Usuman, Director Heritage;

“Diversions of N20 million funds meant for Oke Idanre (Ondo State) World Heritage site; Diversion of N23 million funds meant for Koko Museums (Delta State) appropriated in 2007 Budget; Duplication of Koko Museums project appropriated in 2007 budgetry provisions and replicated in one of the projects to be executed with Presidential Intervention Funds (PIF) notwithstanding the fact that it was not part of the initial projects to be coverd by PIF;

“Questionable inculcation of Sokoto Museums amongst the PIF projects, knowing fully well that the PIF does not cover Sokoto Museums; The questionable leasing of National War Museums Guest House, Umuahia (Abia State) for the period of 10 years at the cost of N8 million without due regard and recourse to the Federal Government policy of due Process and the consent of the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) the sole authority vested with such powers;

“Hon Minister, we are compelled to believe that Yusuf Abdallah Usuman was planted to cover-up the immediate past Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, because on assumption of office, he has set in motion moves to remove some principal officers of the NCMM considered as clog (sic) in the wheel of executing the scripts written for him by his mentors”; the labour scribe charged.

For the record, Mr. Abdallah Usman, a wild-card literally, was forced on the nation as NCMM DG, during the tenure of Senator Jubrin Bello Gada as Minister of Tourism and Culture. In his memo, which has now proven prophetic, Decker implored: “The appointment of Yusuf Abdallah Usuman as the Director General, NCMM should be put on hold or cancelled on the grounds that it was done in utter disregard with (sic) the extant rules and without recourse to the Rule of Law, Natural Justice, Equity and Fairplay (considering that) the most junior Director was recommended for appointment, leaving out his seniors for no just cause”.

Concluding, Decker stated; “We humbly request to meet with your management on Monday, 23 November, 2009 at 10 am at your office”. It remains unclear what transpired at that meeting, if at all it took place. But, barely three months later, Comrade Decker was reported dead. He was said to have died from an accident along the Abuja-Jos route.

Interestingly, Mr. Samuel Sabo Bature, an accountant that was once put in charge of the graft-ridden National Zoological Garden Jos (NZGJ), has also died. Only recently, the Manager of NZGJ, Mr. John Aruwa, came under a hail of bullets as he was returning to the Plateau State capital on 25 September, 2013.

It is worth noting that by 11 November, one week since the four-year tenure granted Usman came to an end, no memo had been issued appointing an acting DG for the NCMM. This explains why Usman continued to show up in office.

In healthy climes, such a memo is merely routine bureaucratic exercise. Curiously, something that should be simple administrative practice requires threat of strike and public outcry to implement. Such is the situation in Nigeria …

Museum brouhaha gets to a head

2013-11-06T21:35:00.000-08:00

Museum brouhaha gets to a head

…Labour declares strike, Nov 20

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG

Corruption destroys lives and communities as well as undermines countries and institutions
- Transparency International

Whatever has a beginning must someday come to an end: so, the four-year term appointment of Mr. Abdallah Yusuf Usman as Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM); elapsed on November 4, 2013.

The expiration of Mr. Abdallah Usman’s tenure must mean monumental relief for NCMM staffers, majority of whom confided in mauricearchibongtravels, that never, in the 70-year history of that establishment has the Commission witnessed such catastrophic leadership.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
PHOTOS: MAURICE ARCHIBONG. All Rights Reserved.

It is worth recalling that, it was during the tenure of Senator Jubrin Bello Gada as Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation (FMCT) that Mr. Abdallah Usman was foisted on the NCMM. During Senator Gada’s tenure, hundreds of millions of naira were diverted and allegedly spent on dubious projects.

And, evocative of the ruinous tenure of his perceived mentor, Usman had also gone on to foster corruption to the extent that the NCMM became virtual mnemonic for shenanigans. Welcome to the NCMM, an agency of FMCT, where favoured workers do not have to observe due process.

Like their outgone boss, such ones do not have to come to work everyday. But, once funding arrives, the fat-cats in whose hands management of the NCMM has been put, show up; collect their booty and disappear never to be sighted again, until the next subvention had been remitted.

'It is worth pointing out, that Nigeria, which placed 37^th most corrupt country in 2011, came close to repeating the score in 2012, when our beloved nation clinched an uneviable 35^th most corrupt country in the world; despite commendable and observable efforts by the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan-led Federal Government to rein-in the cancerous menace'.

Until November 4, 2013 Mr. Abdallah Usman was NCMM helmsman; but, Mr. Oluremi Adedayo, Bode Oke and Dr. Barth Chukwuezi; Director, Monuments, Heritage and Sites; Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) and Director, Educational Services and Training respectively at the NCMM are still in service.

Outgone DG, NCMM: Yusuf Abdallah Usman.

When Abdallah Usman’s appointment elapsed, bureaucratic norm required that a memo should have been issued, asking the outgone DG to handover to an acting DG, pending the appointment of a substantive one. However, efforts to know who that acting director general is, have thus far proven futile because the response from the Federal Director of Culture, Mr. George Ufot, to our enquiry via sms was a terse: “I don’t know”.

In any case, there have been strident calls for Usman to go over the last two years. Meanwhile, the clamour against his re-appointment has waxed even more deafening. A body called Integrity Action Committee (IAC) of the NCMM recently issued a press release stating that it shall resist any attempt to impose Usman on workers for another four years.

In their latest correspondence to tourism and culture minister; a copy of which was sent to mauricearchibongtravels, via e-mail; IAC threatened: “We … the entire staff of the Commission (NCMM) will from this moment, resist any further attempt to forcefully impose Abdallah's despicable regime on us. We will not be sorry for whatever action we take next in this regard”.

Ponder on more excerpts from the IAC memo: “We have the profound joy of bringing to your notice, the expiration of the four-year tenure of office, granted to Mr. Usman Yusuf Abdallah on Saturday, November 2, 2013. With this occurrence, Mr. Usman Abdalah ought to have vacated office and an acting DG appointed for us to run our affairs.

“The continued presence of Mr. Abdallah Usman and his further representation of the NCMM is seen by the staff as an illegality. We have waited patiently and endured for long to see an end to his tortuous and criminal administration”.

It could be recalled that the Manager, National Zoological Garden Jos (NZGJ), Mr. John Aruwa, came under a hail of bullets as he was returning to the Plateau State capital on September 25, 2013. The NZGJ is at the heart of a recent outpouring of revelations regarding misappropriations, diversion and misuse of staggering sums of money.

Although both Mr. Aruwa and his driver escaped unhurt, it was gathered that a bullet pierced through the body of the automobile they were riding in. Mauricearchibongtravels has also been reliably informed that the NCMM management had, in a recent memo, directed Mr. Aruwa to suspend work on a so-called Picnic Grounds inside the NZGJ.

Interestingly, the authorities had also directed the zoo manager to recover some N450,000 paid to contractors for planting carpet grass. It is not known, if the zoo manager has complied. The NZGJ stands within the sprawling Jos Museum complex and insiders that spoke with mauricearchibongtravels on condition of anonymity, said the attackers’ motive remains a mystery.

Apart from the many startling incidents of looting at the NZGJ, the Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture (MOTNA) is another area through which money has been serially siphoned. Another sticking point in the sides of NCMM Management members is the lease of a Federal Government estate on Adeola Hopewell Street in Victoria Island, Lagos; without authorisation, and at a fee that many consider laughable.

For the record: successive Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); Head of Service of the Federation; Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation; Minister of Labour and Productivity; Permanent Secretary, Tourism and Culture Ministry; Permanent Secretary, Labour and Productivity Ministry; Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism; and, Chairman, House Committee on Culture and Tourism; among others, were briefed on the shenanigans at the NCMM.

Therefore, those that failed to act accordingly, even in the face of perceived overwhelming evidence, could in the future be held responsible for aiding and abetting corruption. Interestingly, not all public servants would be accused of ominous silence that could be misconstrued for complicity, here.

Instance: The response from the Office of The President of the Senate, NASS/SP/SA/COMPT/03/I/1168 dated October 2, 2013; to a letter entitled Monumental Corruption in the National Commission for Museums and Monuments”; signed by AUPCTRE Secretary, Comrade Adogah A. Abdullahi; reads inter alia: “The President of the Senate, Dr. David A. B. Mark GCON is in receipt of your letter on the above subject matter.

“Your letter has been referred to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism for further necessary action”. That memo was signed by Victor Abang, Special Assistant (Public Affairs) to the Senate President.

In another memo, dated October 30, 2013; AUPCTRE had issued the mandatory 21-day notice of its plan to embark on industrial action. In this memo, signed by AUPCTRE National Chairman and Secretary, Comrades Omonkhua Ikhuehi and Adogah Abdullahi respectively, and addressed to the director general, the labour activists demand, among others, “The whereabouts of N225m handed over by Mr. Akin Roberts”; “The whereabouts/balance of N47m posted into IAMS accounts in December 2011 out of which only N16m was expended for the payment of arrears…”; “The whereabouts of money budgetted for staff training in 2013 as no visible training has taken place”; “Reversal of lease of DG, NCMM Quarters on Adeola Hopewell, Victoria Island for N24m”; and, “Reversal (of sale) of portion of land in MOTNA Jos for construction of a filling station”.

As things stand, it is possible that the appointment of an acting DG for NCMM may stave off the November 20 industrial action. But, where Usman’s exit is not formally sealed, this could well be the excuse labour activists crave to down tools, again.

Epilogue

Local and international observers pointed out during discussions with mauricearchibongtravels that the NCMM scenerio lends itself as a veritable and verifiable index to bodies that work on national corruption rating. “Corruption is a major threat facing humanity … It generates popular anger that threatens to further destabilise societies and exacerbate violent conflicts”, according to the 2012 report by the global corruption watchdog, Transparency International (TI).

“Corruption”, TI continued; “destroys lives and communities as well as undermines countries and institutions”. It is worth pointing out, that Nigeria, which placed 37^th most corrupt country in 2011, came close to repeating the score in 2012, when our beloved nation clinched an uneviable 35^th most corrupt country in the world; despite commendable and observable efforts by the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan-led Federal Government to rein-in the cancerous menace.

Sadly, the brazen impunity of officials involved in legion cases of corruption as well as the seeming intractable nature of this scourge at the NCMM must be one of the reasons, Nigeria’s ranking might not get better next year; unless Usman’s departure was confirmed.

15-yr-old Nigerian student dies in Ghana

2013-11-04T09:39:00.000-08:00

Austine Chukwuebuka Ogukwe RIP

15-yr-old Nigerian student dies in Ghana

…Authorities say he drowned, bereaved dad suspects foul-play

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG

A 15-year-old Nigerian, Master Austine Chukwuebuka Ogukwe, has died in Ghana. Master Ogukwe was an SS3 student at Ideal College, Community 5 in the Ghanaian port city of Tema. Curiously, the deceased was enrolled at that institution only 12 days earlier.

Ideal College's signboard in Tema Community 12.

The late teenager was one of roughly 500 Nigerians among the 8,000 total student population of Ideal College, according to Mr. Joseph Essibu, Proprietor of this school, which has at least a branch in each of Ghana’s 10 federating units, called Regions.

The mortal remains of the deceased, who died on 15 October, 2013 are currently at The Police Morgue in the Ghanaian capital, Accra. From an autopsy carried out on 17 October, the authorities say the deceased died from drowning, but Mr. Obioma C. Ogukwe, father of the late lad, suspects foul-play.

Master Ogukwe was one of dozens of students taken out on a jogging expedition on that fateful day. Along the way, the 47 students, who were under the care of a solitary housemaster; detoured to a beach. At the end of their wash, it was discovered that Austine was missing. Hours later, his body was found, allegedly following a tip by some unnamed fisherman.

Although the police have launched an investigation into the tragedy, no arrest had been recorded eight days after the lad’s transition. During a brief meeting inside the Nigerian High Commission, Accra on Wednesday, 23 October, 2013; a consular officer confirmed that no arrest had, thus far, been made.

He revealed that about an hour before our arrival there, an official of the Nigerian Mission had contacted the director, Marine, Ports and Railways Unit of Ghana Police Service, Tema; in connection with this issue.

Faith shattered

It takes genuine faith in a nation for a dad to ship out all of his three children to study in some foreign land. Therefore, it must have been deep-rooted faith in Ghana that prompted Nigerian-born Mr. Ogukwe to enrol his three children in schools in Ghana.

Sadly, the alleged mystery surrounding the death of Austine, Mr. Ogukwe’s first son, has not merely shaken his faith in the former Gold Coast. With Ogukwe taking along his other two kids with him as he returned to Nigeria on Sunday, 20 October; it could be said that his belief in Ghana has been irredeemably shattered.

Swimming on Tuesday is taboo, here

Tema is part of Ghana’s Greater Accra Region and Ga is the name of the aborigines of these parts. Mr. Laud Nunoo is an ethnic Ga, and he told us during an encounter inside his office in the Tesano neighbourhood of Accra that it is taboo to venture into the sea on Tuesdays. This is the reason local fishermen do not work on Tuesdays.

Continuing, Mr. Nunoo, who works as an investigator with Corporate Protection Securities (CPS) added that, whereas entering the sea is not banned outright in Ga culture, anyone that ventured into a large body of water on that day, did so at their own risk.

Mr. Samuel Annan, a senior citizen of Ghana, who is half Ga; corroborated the information that the sea is a no-go area every Tuesday in these parts. In the same vein, Mr. Theo Alfred, a Ghanaian that lived in Lagos, Nigeria for several decades until he returned to resettle in Accra in 2004; confirmed that Tuesday is a special week-day here.

“It is true. We do not go fishing or swimming on Tuesdays”, said Mr. Alfred; who is also ethnic Ga and publisher of National Trust. Sadly, it was on a Tuesday that Ideal College’s Housemaster took 47 students to the Tema seashore.

How some schoolmates remembered Austine

Although Master Austine Ogukwe did not register for Fine Arts in the forthcoming WASCE, the deceased was gifted with drawing and painting skills, according to some classmates. The deceased was also described as “very friendly and lively” by many of his schoolmates.

Excerpts from the autopsy report

According to a police report’s history of the tragedy, “On 15 October, 2013, at about 7.50pm; one Doreen Essibu of Ideal College, Community 5, Tema; called at the station and reported that Austin Ogukwe went to keep fit with other students and their teachers. That after keep-fit, they went to the beach to swim and the deceased got drowned”.

That history is part of a report sequel to a post-mortem conducted by Dr. Alina Rodriguez Grinan, a pathologist at Ghana Police Hospital, Accra. The pathologist in her report identified “Drowning” as the “Basic cause” of death. The police report dated 17^th October, 2013; further identified “Asphyxia by submersion” as the “Direct cause” of Austine Ogukwe’s death.

The post-mortem also listed three marks of (possible) violence: “Contusion on the face, Contusion on the head and Contusion all over the body” of the deceased. Interestingly, the post-mortem with reference number PH/PM-1220-13, which gave the age of the deceased as 17 years; further states: “The body was that of an adult male”. However, the late teenager was 15 years old.

The morbid anatomist’s examination of the Thoracic cavity revealed: “The lungs were increased in consistency and volume. On cutting, sections showed serohematic fluid within the parenchymal tissue and part of the airways”. Furthermore, the “Heart is congestive and normal” and “The rest of all the organs were congestive”, according to Dr. Grinan.

But, Mr. Ogukwe is not impressed. In his view, many incongruities abound hinting at foul-play. He observed that, from pictures of Austin’s body that were taken at the beach, his boy couldn’t have died from drowning. The late boy’s stomach was flat, he pointed out. The grieving dad further wondered how the deceased came about what the pathologist’s report described as “Contusion on the face, Contusion on the head and Contusion all over the body”.

Moreover, the post-mortem, he added, failed to explain signs that blood flowed out of the boy’s ear. The report, he further pointed out, was also silent on blood stains on the face of the boy’s body. “The pictures the police showed me revealed that my son was foaming in the mouth as he died”, the grieving man lamented.

As if to add salt to an injury, the House Master that took Master Ogukwe and 46 other students out jogging on that fateful day was nowhere to be seen almost 48 hours after the late boy’s father arrived in Ghana. As the late boy’s dad put it: “The house-master was the person that led them (47 students) out on road jogging. Along the way, he diverted them to visit Tema Seashore. He asked those who wanted to swim to do so. I gathered that my son told him that he does not swim and does not like sea environment; that, he would rather have a phone game to play. He asked my son to wait-by and went away. He reportedly returned to be looking for my son”.

Ogukwe said he further learnt that about 7pm, some fisherman reportedly told some people he saw a body somewhere on the seashore. Curiously, however, the remains of the deceased were found about 2km from where they landed at the seashore. Many questions, few answers…

This probably prompted Mr. Ogukwe to take the matter to Nigerian High Commission Accra. In his complaint, dated 17 October, 2013; and, titled “Report on the asserted drowning of my son – Master Austine Chukwuebuka Ogukwe – at Tema Seashore”, the bereaved dad begged of the High Commissioner: “Please Sir, we want this to be fully investigated as the police and school authorities appear to be shielding the House Master and suppressing evidence”.

When contacted through a phone call, Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Ademola Oluseyi Onafowokan, said he had been given a report by his mission’s staff that were assigned to look into the matter.

Nigerians based in Ghana, while lamenting Austine’s passage; commended the Amb Onafowokan-led Nigerian Mission for rising to the occasion. However, the perceived haste that attended the autopsy ruled out the opportunity of possible imputs from the local Nigerian Mission’s authorities.

Investigations ongoing

On their part, Ghana Police have launched an investigation. Plans by police to visit the school came to light during a meeting in the residence of guardian of the late boy on Saturday, 19 October; when the late lad’s dad said: “The police have arranged to visit the school tomorrow (Sunday, 20 October) to talk with some of the students” that were on that outing.

We gathered from an encounter with some staffers of Ideal College, including Head Mistress, Ms Doreen Essibu; Mr. Chartey Isaac, Chaplain-cum-Counsellor; and, Pastor Doe; as well the school’s attorney; that personnel of Ghana Police Service eventually visited the school on Sunday, 20 October; where they engaged students that took part in the ill-fated exercise, which took place on a Tuesday.

We got to the premises of Ideal College, Tema; a few hours after the police investigators departed and also met the above-named workers as well as scores of students, including Priscilla Owusu (19), Bisman Owusu (19), Clinton Atubi (17), Bernice Okine (15) and Raphael Ugochukwu; that same day.

Curiously, none of the almost 50 students remembered the last time they saw Austine after their arrival at the beach. Interestingly, whereas some students had reportedly earlier said that the housemaster diverted them to the beach, one or two sought to stress that going for swimming was their idea. “We had been jogging for a while and were sticky from sweat, so we suggested going to the beach for a wash in the sea” is how they sought to put it.

Some observers expressed suspicion that the students may have been coached regarding what to say, and were now trying to revise the story. Interestingly, Ms Essibu had initially put up strong resistance when we expressed desire to meet the students. Her explanation was that the students were frightened when called out to meet with the police and that calling them out again for another drill so soon would only compound their trauma.

This made sense, except that the late boy’s siblings and parents as well as his larger family and friends seemed to have been denied Ms Essibu’s empathy. There was also the need to unravel the mystery shrouding the boy’s death in order to avoid similar occurrence in the future. In deed, this was agreed during a meeting at the residence of Austine’s guardian; the previous night. If there was neglect, then remedies ought to be made. But, there was nothing anyone could do at this point to bring the deceased back to life; we had rued at several fora.

In the end, the school authorities gave way following robust intervention from Mr. Adewoye, a consular official at Nigerian High Commission Accra, who came down to gather information regarding what actually transpired culminating in Austine’s passage.

On his part, regarding possible clues, Ogukwe added: “I have been around town shooting pictures of the beach, school premises and hostel, where my son stayed”. He expressed sadness that a female school administrator (later identified as Ms Essibu) had the audacity to confront him while he was on the photography.

Ogukwe wondered why the woman was angry at him for recording possible clues to resolving the mystery surrounding his child’s death. Consider this: “If I could take pictures during the autopsy process, despite the distressing sights, then what was the big-deal in shooting pictures of the premises of the school, whose authorities’ negligence led to the death of my son”?

Ogukwe went on to list some disconnect between the tale of the housemaster that took the students to the beach and what he had personally gathered. Hear the distraught father: “The housemaster went away after bringing the children to the beach. He was not on hand to supervise them, while they bathed in the sea. He later came back for roll-call and my boy was missing. This was on Tuesday, 15 October.

“He (the HM) did not contact the guardian (the day the body was found). Pictures of the body shows that foam was coming out of his mouth. The body was later taken to the morgue. Again, the guardian was not informed”, Ogukwe further pointed out.

How dad learnt of Austine’s death

“I was at work in my office in Lagos, when about 12.30pm on Wednesday, 16 October; I had a call from Ghana police telling me they were sorry my son was gone. I had to rush to Ghana and eventually made my way to Tema. I finally got to the morgue around 6pm and discovered that the school authorities were not there.

“I was now the one waiting for them, whereas they should have been the ones waiting for me. When they arrived, I finally saw the body. The wounds were frightening. I’m not convinced the death was caused by drowning. There were three major wounds that left me wondering, if such injuries could possibly have been sustained after contact with the seabed.

“Strangely, for someone that supposedly drowned, his stomach was flat and there were also blood stains on his face. Then I was told an autopsy was going to be conducted right-away. And, I wondered why the haste. This almighty autopsy, was it going to bring back by son? I did not really know what autopsy involves and had never witnessed one before. I thought an autopsy would reveal finger-prints, and so on; but, as the autopsy progressed, I wished I had not permitted it. The body was cut up and the tummy was empty. There was no water in the stomach”, the distraught father narrated.

The bereaved dad also expressed surprise that the housemaster that took the students on an outing deliberately avoided meeting him. Ogukwe again: “The housemaster did not show up until Friday (18 October), three days after the incident. Inside the office of a police officer in whose precint the tragedy occurred; the housemaster had said that he took the children out for jogging”.

Ogukwe said he could not understand how a roadwork ended up in a swimming exercise that allegedly claimed his boy’s life. Another mystery in Ogukwe’s view, is that the body was found some 2km from where the kids swam. In any case, how come the boy that drowned turned out to be the only one that refused to go into the water. Ogukwe said the housemaster could not confirm that his now deceased boy ever went into the sea, in the first place.

Ogukwe added that his findings revealed Austine and the 46 other kids were to have gone on the jogging exercise with two school masters. However, one of the duo opted out on grounds of health challenges. “The housemaster told the police that the other man had complained of stomach problems and did not show up for the outing”, Ogukwe said.

That was how the 47 children ended up with one supervisor for a roadwork that turned tragic following diversion to the sea. In Ogukwe’s view, the drowning theory sounded even more incredible, given the the housemaster’s declaration that he did not see anything that could have helped in unravelling the death of a lad that was under his care.

As regards the housemaster’s elusive disposition, when it came to meeting with the grieving father, Ideal College Proprietor, Mr. Essibu; reasoned: “The reason the housemaster did not show up is because you were very upset. The boy was your first son and the man was probably scared, not knowing what could possibly happen, if he met you”.

Proprietor promises school’s input to Austine’s funeral

On the issue of bringing Austine’s body home, Mr. Ogukwe said it behoved Ideal College authorities to bring their late student’s body to Nigeria. Since his family had enrolled a hale and hearty chap as student of Ideal College, it was the school’s responsibility to freight the late boy’s body to Nigeria; now that he had died while in their care.

However, Essibu said that might be difficult as none of Ideal College’s staffers ever visited Nigeria before. Moreover, he also voiced fears regarding the personal safety of any school staffer that might accompany the corpse to Nigeria, given the dad’s suspicion that there was more to Austine’s death than meets the eye.

Responding to this aspect, Mr. Ogukwe apparently sought to reassure Essibu; when he declared: “Since your hands are clean, you have nothing to fear. Painful as the death of a youngster could be, as you bring the body to Nigeria; I can assure you that your safety is guaranteed”.

Eventually, at the Saturday, 19 October meeting in the residence of guardian of the late boy, Mr. Essibu had promised that, the school will participate in Austine’s funeral. Hear him: “We will come to pay our last respects. So, students and teachers will attend the funeral. If there’s anything you want us to contribute, please let us know”.

At this point, Mr. Ogukwe said he needed first, to report to late Austine’s immediate and larger family members. As things stood, everyone was in shock and were anxiously awaiting explanations from him. Therefore, it was after he had briefed them that he could then transmit information on funeral arrangements to the school. Ogukwe went on to add that, even before bringing the body to Nigeria certain arrangements needed to have been concluded.

He told Essibu and others that the death of any youngster was a monumental tragedy in Igbo culture, therefore; he wanted a situation where arrangements would have been firmed regarding interment because he believes the family would prefer to bury the remains same day as it arrived in Nigeria, instead putting it in a morgue further prolonging the deceased’s survivors’ torment.

Eze Igbo in Ghana condoles with family, commends Nigeria High Commission

When contacted, Eze ndi Igbo in Ghana, Eze Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, said: “First of all, let me use this opportunity to express my condolences to the late boy’s parents and siblings. I want to say that my heart goes to them because as a parent, I can imagine their grief. May God grant them the fortitude to bear this loss”.

As to his own action on the matter, this is what he had to say: “I was in Nigeria, when the tragedy occurred. But, before my return from Nigeria, I learnt that the Nigerian High Commission was already on the issue. I want to seize this opportunity to commend the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana because they are doing very, very well”, Ohazurume 1 remarked.

Epitaph

Austine Chukwuebuka Ogukwe: Our beloved, lost in mysterious circumstances, May God bless your soul with peace-eternal …

Agony of a bereaved dad

The time was about 7.30pm on Saturday, 19 October, 2013; and, we were at the veranda of a bungalow in the Community 12 neighbourhood of Tema. The proprietor of Ideal College and the school’s headmistress, Dr. Joseph Essibu and Ms Doreen Essibu respectively, among others; had brought the belongings of the late Master Austine Ogukwe to the residence of the deceased student’s guardian.

The items, which included a huge cube crate, consisted of at least six boxes and bags. Meditatively, the late lad’s dad, Mr. Obioma Ogukwe, bent down and unzipped the side-bag of a large sturdy portmanteau among the lot. The side-bag he had opened contained at least two boxer-shorts and a top.

The father then lifted the top of the cube-shaped wooden box, and it revealed a collection of footwears piled atop other items we couldn’t see. And, we wondered if some of these were among clothings he wore on October 15, when tragedy struck.

Reflexively, a sigh escaped the mouth of the distraught father. And, he muttered; “Mmaun ana … (a spirit is gone)”. We were almost moved to tears. As Mr. Ogukwe stood over the late boy’s belongings with a distant gaze in his eyes, it probably took everything he could muster to avoid breaking down.

The man’s predicament once again brought to the fore, stark shortcomings on societies’ parts. In some climes of this same world, Ogukwe would have had immediate attention from a psychotherapist, following report of his son’s death. In Ghana, he should have undergone similar therapy as his suspicion mounted that the late boy did not die from drowning.

But then, we are citizens of member-nations of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States). So, as he grapples with coming to terms with Austine’s denouement, Mr. Ogukwe is virtually on his own as regards succour through psychotherapy.

Thankfully, however, Mr. Ogukwe is not alone: God is with him and shall grant Austine’s family and friends the fortitude to weather this loss.

Unravelling Ideal College, where late Austine Ogukwe studied

If the signboard at the junction leading to the premises of Ideal College in Community 5, Tema is anything to go by, then the average parent ought to be wary of enrolling children here. Not only is the signboard in tatters, some sick destitute is immediate neighbour of Ideal College’s signpost.

Aside from the fact that a possibly psychically/psychologically-challenged person lives in the immediate environment of Ideal College’s signboard, the surroundings of the school’s environment leaves much to be desired. There is an uncompleted structure, apart from piles of sand and block-making facilities. In other words, we are at a construction site.

On the other hand, students groomed by Ideal College for public examinations usually pass in flying colours. This must explain why this group of schools has blossomed from one high school to 12 branches within 12 years. It is also possible that the school’s marketing hype has also lured many parents/guardians to enrol children here, despite this institution’s unalluring premises.

Yes, countless parents and their children may have been attracted to Ideal College because this institution’s advertisements on radio and TV must rank among the most effective. Interestingly, our findings later revealed many people were taken-aback, shocked by what was on ground after personal visits to the school’s complex.

During our encounter with scores of SS3 students of this school, we gathered that the fee per session here is 3,600 Ghcedis (roughly $1,600). However, when we met with Mr. Joseph Essibu, Proprietor/Director of Ideal College, the man said the school fee is 600cedis or 1,000cedis per session for each day or boarding student respectively.

When told that his students had actually quoted 3,600cedis as what their parents pay per session, Essibu explained the extras accrued from the cost of books, boarding charges et cetera. In any case, at a total fee of the equivalent of almost N300,000; you’d expect state-of-the-art facilities at Ideal College. However, we met a far from satisfactory situation on ground.

At Ideal College Tema, we saw an antique wooden blackboard, whereas digital monitors and computers serve such purposes in some high schools, where similarly exorbitant fees are charged. Moreover, the class in which we sat held poorly-finished wooden bench-like seats for roughly 100 students.

And, with no fence or perimetre wall, the school seemed loose. Based on what we saw, it came as no surprise, when the query; “What was going on here”, rankled in our mind. We later learnt that parents and guardians were falling over themselves to send children here because of the near-zero failure rate in any exams that Ideal College students sat.

When taken up on the apparently insecure environment of his school, Essibu admitted this was due to the fact that the institution was at a temporary site. “The land is not our own, therefore, we are constrained. In fact, our fence is ordinary wire because we could not put up a block or concrete fence”, he explained.

Ideal College evolved from a WASCE remedial tuition centre, which Essibu floated in 2002. Before then, Essibu was a private home-tutor. “We started by teaching from house to house”, he disclosed. With 12 secondary schools established within a decade across Ghana; Mr. Essibu sits atop possibly the fastest-growing school chain in West Africa.

A 1996 graduate, who took his first degree in Agric Sciences from University of Ghana, Legon; Essibu told us he also holds a second degree in chemistry. However, he would later reveal that; at some point: “I taught Scripture Union at Cape Coast, every long vacation”.

Essibu said he went into education full-time in 2002 setting up second-chance centres to assist students meet basic matriculation requirements. After a while, he started grooming students for TOEFL, GMAT et cetera, apart from WASCE. And, before long, in 2005 to be precise; Essibu added regular secondary school programmes to the kitty. Following uncommon success rate among students trained at Ideal College, the school’s popularity shot sky-high.

Interestingly, during one of our encounters with Mr. Essibu, it practically dropped out of his mouth that he has not been at Ideal School Tema this year. This happened, when we asked the man, if he knew anything about the death of Austine Ogukwe. “O, I have not even been at Ideal College Tema since the beginning of this year”, he replied.

We were shocked and shot back: “You mean you have not shown up at a school, where you are director for almost a year? Essibu attempted a make-good, when he said; “O, I have not been there for some months”. So, where had he been directing his school from?

Essibu revealed he once took his family and went to live in South Africa. “But, after setting up the kind of schools that I have, I just couldn’t abandon them. That is why I returned to Ghana. I have been travelling. I had to be in South Africa and some other countries. To tell you the truth, I am handing over the running of the high school to other people”, he remarked.

When asked why, Essibu had this to say: “We have secured approval/license for our university and before the end of this year, we are starting our university”. Evidently, Essibu is about to open a university as well. Nigerians, he posited need a university from him, he intoned. To that, we couldn’t help asking Essibu, if he was one of those praying that Nigeria’s socio-political lingered ad infinitum (eternally)? “No, I’m not. But, your country’s population is so high and your students need universities to educate them”, he retorted.

But, the man seemed at sixes and sevens, when we asked Essibu, if he knew what Nigeria’s population was: “O, O … I’m not sure”, he muttered. “Nigeria’s population is around 150 million”, offered Apostle Chartey Isaac, School Chaplain that accompanied Essibu to our meeting. Did Essibu hear what Chartey said? The man’s response was, “Yes”.

At 150 million, Nigeria’s population was only slightly more than 10 per cent of that of China. We now put another question to Essibu: “How many Chinese nationals are currently enrolled at Ideal College and was he planning to open a university for these Asians, too”? We ended our chat with Essibu on this score.

However, we left somewhat depressed: With undergrads across Nigeria on forced vacation for four months because of strike by academic staff over government’s failure to fulfill its part of an agreement reached since during the Yar’Adua Presidency, Mr. Essibu and others are likely to find more students washing their way.

From the past

Mysterious death of another Nigerian student

Interestingly, the case of Austine Ogukwe is not the first one regarding the death of a Nigerian under mysterious circumstances, while studying in Ghana. Many respondents easily recalled that similar fate had befallen Stanley Chinenye Okafor.

Until his transition, under alleged mysterious circumstances on 7 February, 2008; Mr. Okafor, who hailed from Agbogugu, Awgu LGA of Enugu State, was a final-year student of geology (now in the Department of Earth Sciences), University of Ghana, Legon.

The late Stanley Chinenye Okafor.

During a chat with mauricearchibongtravels in Accra, Nigerian-born author, Mr. Kelechukwu Ike aka KK, recalled that Stanley Okafor died somewhere at Tarkwa, while on a field expedition. According to KK, who was also rounding up his first degree programme at University of Ghana at the time; 21-year-old Stanley Okafor was said to have fallen from some heights and consequently died from serious wounds sustained after hitting the ground.

Okafor’s lifeless body was later found on the floor of the hostel picked by the school authorities for the field-students’ lodging. He was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital and his remains were subsequently transferred from a hospital in Tarkwa to Legon Hospital.

Speaking further, KK added: “The corpse was later moved to Police Hospital at Cantonments in Accra for autopsy. After post-mortem, Okafor’s body was flown back to Nigeria for interment, which took place two weeks after he was confirmed dead”.

KK easily remembered this tragedy because he was one of those that accompanied the late Okafor’s corpse to Nigeria from Ghana. And, as time passed, the matter simply died. But, memory of the tragedy probably lingers on the minds of the deceased’s survivors.

In Ghana: Igbo king is now member of native authority

2013-10-17T02:50:00.001-07:00

In Ghana: Igbo king is now member of native authority

…Admitted to Ga Traditional Council

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG

A historic milestone in Ghana-Nigeria relations was clocked on Wednesday, 9 October, 2013; with the induction of Eze ndi Igbo in Ghana, Eze Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, into the Ga Traditional Council (GTC). Ga are the aborigines of Accra, capital city of Ghana; and, the Greater Accra Region; one of the 10 federating units of this much-loved neighbouring country.

Igbo 1, HRH Ibe Nwosu; flanked by Eze Okpotemba, Chief Dimgba (2^nd left) as well as Eze and Lolo Ihenetu 2^nd and 1^st right.
PHOTOS: MAURICE ARCHIBONG. All Rights Reserved.

Going by the Accra suburb once solely known as Lagos, renamed New Town; Oluwadare House on Kojo Thompson Road, built in 1924, as well as John Abokye House nearby; Enugu House on the Teshie-Nungua Road, all in Accra; and, Kano House in Cape Coast; some Nigerian settlers evidently made home in Ghana close to 100 years ago or even earlier.

Despite being part of various Ghanaian societies for centuries, it is doubtful that a Nigerian traditional ruler ever became a member of any native council in that country. However, that proverbial rubicon was finally crossed with the admission of Eze Ihenetu to the Ga Traditional Council, last week. And, the investiture, which threw up much euphoria, was, to put it simply; exciting!

Crossing the Rubicon

In his speech, after conferement, Eze Ihenetu aka Ohazurume 1; observed: “Today is a special day. It is a date that Igbos in Ghana shall always remember. It is a day that our descendants will forever be proud of. It is also a date that the Ga who welcomed us with open arms shall never regret”.

Acting President General of Ga Traditional Council, right with another royal personage during the event.

Continuing, Ihenetu, who prayed that God should continue to bless Ga rulers with wisdom and resources, so they would always lead their indigenes and foreigners living on their land well; added that admitting Igbos into Ga Traditional Council is further confirmation of the enviable hospitable disposition of the average Ghanaian.

Mauricearchibongtravels gathered that with this development, Igbos in Ghana have thus become part of the decision-making process within the GTC. It is worth recalling that, to whom much is given, much is also expected. The induction therefore had sombre moments, where Eze Igbo said elders of the GTC should feel free to call him or his followers to order, whenever necessary.

“Although I am king, in terms of age and experience, I and my people are still children compared to you. Therefore, there might be aspects of the culture that we are yet to fully grasp. So, should we ever err, please feel free to correct us”, he intoned.

Speaking further, Eze Ihenetu pointed out, that; positive repercussions would follow the endowment of a seat in Ga Traditional Council for Igbos resident in Ghana. Alluding to contribution toward community development, this Eze Igbo promised: “Whenever we are called upon, we shall play our part”.

Tokens from the rites of passage

During the colourful occasion, which was interspersed by several parades of dancers and melodious songs, Eze Ohazurume was presented with a certificate confirming his membership of the Ga Traditional Council. The ceremony also featured, among others, pouring of libation, visit to a sacred spot within the palace complex, where lengthy incantations were recited amid pouring of more libation after which Eze and Lolo Ihenetu were offered sips of a drink from that presumed fountain of wisdom.

At the sacred spot under an ancient tree, where the pact was formally sealed.

HRH Ibe Nwosu and Eze Uche IC Dimgba, Igbo 1 and Okptemba respectively, who among others travelled to Ghana to witness the august process; and, select few others were also allowed to partake of the special drink from the sacred place, said to be the source from which all powers derive.

Now, a toast to this: It was nice listening to the chorus of, Okorobia di nma, Eze Chuks, Okorobia di nma, anyi sokwa gi n’azu (roughly translated: King Ihenetu, a good man; we’re solidly behind you); by a troupe of Igbo women. But, the concerto became even more soul-lifting through the accompaniments offered by Yoruba minstrels on hand.

Yoruba minstrels who enriched the entertainment with their music.

In deed, this was a touching example of how much Nigeria stands to gain, if her various ethnic/religious groups would join hands and contribute toward national development. And, even this is applicable to countries across various borders, too.

‘Our people are republican’

Nonetheless, it must be pointed out that fear was raised that another Igbo person or group might later come to the Ga Traditional Council to ask for the same privilege accorded Eze Ihenetu. In fact, Eze Ndi Igbo Ikeja and Okpotemba Igbere, Eze Dimgba, personally expressed this view, when he declared: “Before we depart, I want to inform you that our people are republican. Therefore, somebody or another group might come here tomorrow to ask for admission to the GTC, too”.

Igbo women choristers.

Concluding, Okpotemba, who is also Vice President (South), Association of Ndi Eze n’uzo ije Worldwide; pleaded: “I hope you will not recognise those ones”. Responding, the Acting President General of GTC, who spoke through the MC; assured: “That will not happen. It is not possible, given the special rite that has been performed at the sacred spot”.

Attendance

The event, which took place inside the Palace of the Ga Mantse in the Kaneshie neighbourhood of the Ghanaian capital attracted hundreds of witnesses. Although the Ga hosts and Igbo made up the majority of the crowd, the guests also included Nigerians from other ethnic groups.

A view of other Nigerians during the investiture.

Apart from numerous Ghana-based Yoruba and Hausa-speaking folks, Igbos from the five states in Nigeria’s South-east geopolitical zone; viz: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, were all represented.

A snappy roll call of the Igbo personalities in attendance revealed: HRH Ibe Nwosu (Igbo I), Eze ndi Igbo Abuja, and current President Ndi Eze n’uzo ije (Association of All Ezes in Diaspora) Worldwide; Eze Uche Dimgba (Okpotemba); Chief Gilbert Onwurili (Onowu); Nze Kennedy Obi, Chief Johnson Isaac Chigbata, CEO, ICJ Farms Limited; Secretary of Ohaneze ndi Igbo in Ghana, Comrade Emmanuel Irechukwu; Elder Shedrack Okoro, Chairman of Imo Community; Chief Reginald Azubuike, Chief Ugo Onugu; Chief Douglas Emeka Onodugo; Chief Ernest Chibueze Ogbu (Nwachinemeru of Enugu); Chief Onogo (Ezedino obi), Chief Samuel Eke; and, Mr. Kelechukwu Ike, fondly called KK.

Igbo youths, Prince Anayo Nwaogu (2^nd left) and others at the palace party.

The Yoruba guests included Mr. Albert Bayo, a chieftain of All Nigerians Community (ANC) in Ghana and Mr. Taheed Owolabi, while Chief Nelson Okon, Chairman of South-south Community in Ghana also led select members to the event; where other Igbo-born personalities like Chief Godswill Chukwu; Chief Harrison Mba, Prince Anayo Nwaogu, Mr. Patrick Nwachukwu; Prince Kingsley Ugochukwu, MD/CEO of Ikeja, Lagos-based 100% Hotel & Suites; and, Valentine Dike of Corporate Protection Security; put up a strong presence.

Some members of The New Osadebe Band that entertained the crowd during a post-induction celebration at Eze’s Palace in East Legon.

Dignitaries on the Ga side included Nii Doodo Nsaki II, Acting President General (GTC); Nii Ayikai III, Nii Ayi Bonte II of Gbesie Traditional Area; Nomo Ogbeamey III (Sakumo Wulomo) and Naa Adokailey Notse II (Queen Mother).

A section of Ga elders at the ceremony.

Among other notable Ghanaian indigenes at the event were king-makers, clan heads, palace courtiers as well as a Ghalleywood star, Vivienne Achor, Production Coordinator of West Coast Entertainment (Gh) Ltd.

Below, are three more pictures from the event:

ZUNGERU: Amalgamation Centennial Prelude (1)

2013-10-06T02:50:00.000-07:00

Amalgamation Centennial Prelude (1)

Zungeru: Thrills, frills of Nigeria’s Amalgamation site, birthplace of Zik, Ojukwu

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG

Once upon a time, Zungeru was a cynosure of the British Colonial Office. Those days, this town; located in today’s Niger State, actually served as seat of the administration of the then British Protectorate of the northern parts of River Niger.

The primary school Zik attended in Zungeru.
PHOTO: MAURICE ARCHIBONG. All Rights Reserved.

This was after then Governor, Frederick John Dealtry Lugard, abandoned Lokoja, Kogi State; reportedly over torrid ambient temperature. But, Lugard would again pull stakes from Zungeru, taking with him the seat of government of the Northern Protectorate to a sprawling, virtual virgin-land further north.

It would seem that Lugard’s new administrative centre had no name because in its early days folks drawn there by work simply called this destination Gari Gwamanti. Gari Gwamanti (pronounced Gay-ree, Gua-manty) is a Hausa language phrase that translates as Government Town. That Government Town is today known as Kaduna, a Hausa word for Crocodiles because the river that straddles this terrain used to be infested with large numbers of that amphibious reptile.

Unlike Kaduna, then probably used only as farmland by Hausa and Gbagyi aborigenes, Zungeru was an already established Nupe settlement with traditional leaders; and, it is believed in some quarters that one of the reasons Lugard relocated to Kaduna was to avoid dealing with indigenous chiefs.

Many of Zungeru’s indigenes are always keen to remind any tourist that it was in their town, inside Lugard’s office that Nigeria’s Amalgamation papers were signed. There is no argument regarding Zungeru’s status of a former capital of today’s Northern Nigeria because Lugard actually operated from here, at least for a while.

Government House at Zungeru, which is one of Nigeria’s 65 Declared National Monuments, is an incontrovertible proof that Lugard once ran his government from this settlement. Sadly, however, like virtually all of this town’s claim to fame, which have disappeared over the last 100 years; Government House at Zungeru was no-where to be seen during our visit.

Although, pictures of Government House Zungeru can be found at Nigeria Archives, the structure is practically extinct. It is worth pointing out, that Government House Zungeru, is not the only Lugard-era legacy that has vanished in this town.

In any case, it would seem that Lugard did not only desire to ditch Zungeru, he appeared determined to punish the town, for yet unknown reasons; for, apart from moving the seat of government, Lugard even decreed the dismantling of a bridge on which he and his wife, Flora (nee Shaw), enjoyed romantic struts, when he had nothing to do or chose to do nothing. That bridge, Lugard’s Footbridge, is one of the many tourists’ attractions in Kaduna, today.

Mauricearchibongtravels went to Zungeru to capture the surviving vestiges of this settlement’s place in colonial times as well as fragments of Nigeria’s history, before they disappear completely. Although many of Zungeru’s antique objects/sites are already evocative of the dinosaur, gone, we captured the ruins of Lugard’s Office/Residence, Zungeru’s First Church and First Mosque, among others.

But, even these may not be around much longer. We discovered that the foundations of Zungeru’s monumental CMS (then United Mission Church) and its bell’s pedestal were considerably washed away by erosion. Going by an inscription on a plaque affixed to one corner of the building, this church’s construction began with a foundation-laying ceremony by His Excellency W. Wallace Esq CMC FRCS on 16 June, 1905.

Although the church’s original bell and furniture were still in use, erosion and dilapidation had taken serious toll on this structure. Completely gone is the office, where Lugard reportedly signed Nigeria’s Amalgamation documents on 1 January, 1914. Although a spot on bare soil is identified as where that historic treaty was made, there is no office on ground. Moreover, but for a few surviving columns, nothing remains of both Lugard’s Office and Residence.

In an exclusive chat with mauricearchibongtravels, Mr. Oluremi Adedayo, who is Director, Heritage, Monuments and Sites at the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM); said: “The site of Government House at Zungeru was declared a National Monument on 13 February, 1962” and that the building was erected “in 1902, the year that Frederick Lugard established the Administrative Headquarters of the Northern Protectorate”.

He added that, with the exception of its columns and the structure’s concrete foundation, Government House at Zungeru was completely dismantled in 1916, when the seat of government relocated to Kaduna. Aside the remnants of the building itself, this particular National Monument also includes 100ft of land on either side of the crest of the hill on which the house stood and that Government House at Zungeru is one of the 65 Declared National Monuments in Nigeria.

However, we found no attendant on ground during mauricearchibongtravels tour of Zungeru. In a normal setting, there ought to be a site manager at each of Nigeria’s National Monuments. Sadly, however, this is not the case due to want of funding, it would seem. Adedayo confirmed: “The Site of Government House at Zungeru has no Resident Manager”. He however stressed that the place is “under watch by the Heritage Staff and Curator of National Museum Minna”.

Zungeru is home of Lugard’s Mess. Lugard’s Mess is part of the complex, where the then governor’s office and residence stands. Interestingly, this mess boasts a swimming pool. This swimming pool and Lugard’s footbridge could be pointer’s to the syberite disposition of an administrator in whose hand Nigeria’s fate lay, at some point. Fortunately, unlike the bridge that was dismantled, the swimming pool at Lugard’s Mess had not (yet) completely vanished, even though we found it in decrepit state.

Zungeru is a prospective viable domestic tourism booster. But, to realise its tourism potential, this town’s monuments and other attractions must be properly documented, rehabilitated and projected. The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and NCMM ought to work hand-in-hand in this regard.

As seat of the Northern Protectorate, Zungeru naturally hosted the Office and Residence of Lugard, the Colonial Governor. That is how this town came by what some locals call Golden Gate. Evocative of the Golden Gate at Abuja’s Aso Rock, its Zungeru passage-way name-sake used to lead to Lugard’s office.

Apart from being where Nigeria’s Amalgamation Papers were signed, Zungeru is also important as birthplace of two of the nation’s most impactful citizens. Zungeru is the birthplace of Nigeria’s first, albeit ceremonial, President; Dr Nnandi Azikiwe. Zik (the late Owelle of Onitsha) was born in this settlement in 1904 and the block, where he did Class 6 as well as the primary school he attended, were still extant during our tour.

Aside Zik, erstwhile Biafran warlord Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was also born in Zungeru. Yes, Zungeru is where Ojukwu entered this world, in 1933. In its halcyon day, Zungeru was site of a large estate called Clerks’ Quarters, where government officials were accommodated. There were as many as 150 units at Zungeru’s Clerks’ Quarters, which was for intermediate-cadre staff, almost entirely blacks, who worked for the colonial authorities. Interestingly, Zik’s parents lived within this condominium.

Welcome to Zungeru

From a vibrant administrative hub barely 100 years ago, Zungeru has whittled into inconsequentiality. Zungeru is currently under Wushishi Local Government Area (LGA), whereas it was administrative centre for the entire Northern Protectorate about 100 years ago.

This is Zungeru, a classic One-horse town, as far as banking is concerned. The only financial institution in these climes is Unity Bank. With regard to rail services, Zungeru was a Dead-horse Town for 15 years due to the near-death of Nigeria’s railway service as well as the collapse of a bridge along the Lagos-Akere-Zungeru-Kano railway line.

Although many locals were quick to remind that “Zungeru was site of the first railway station in Nigeria”; for over a decade, their town was practically cut off from the world. Mallam Mamman, real name Mohammed T. Jubril, is a 61-year-old retired teacher. He recalled with sadness that the collapse of a bridge at Akere, which cut off Zungeru from the Zungeru-Minna-Kano route many years earlier; further worsened the community’s plight.

Since trains stopped coming to Zungeru, both passenger and goods’ freighting came to an end. This in turn made Zungeru Railway Station irrelevant and it wouldn’t be long before this station folded up. The death of Zungeru Railway Station would take severe toll on the local hospitality sector, leading to loss of jobs and, consequently, despair and despondency. As a result of the death of railway service in Zungeru, the local Railway Recreation Club no longer offered accommodation. Also, the Railway Rest House was no more in use. However, its bar and restaurant, we discovered, were still struggling to stay alive.

According to Mallam Mamman, a retired Head of School Services in Wushishi Local Education Authority (LEA), Zungeru’s inhabitants all rely on water got from boreholes, nowadays; whereas the town had pipe-borne water decades before Nigeria became an independent nation. Mallam Mamman should know: he worked in Zungeru as teacher at Central Primary School, and later; at the elementary school, United Mission School, where Zik’s education began, in the 1970s. Such is life in Zungeru for you.

Hear the lament of a native regarding Zungeru’s viccissitudes: “By 1905, Zungeru had pipe-borne water and 24-hour electricity. When Lugard was here, a steam engine powered by coal and fuel-wood generated power to light up the community. But, today; we have nothing. It’s so sad”. Little wonder why many of this community’s youth were angry, when we came this way in 2010.

Across Nigeria, dozens of cities with vast road networks have sprung out of what used to be barren lands a century ago, while Zungeru; the heart of northern Nigeria at a time, basically boasts only three streets, today. Take out Bank Road, where Unity Bank is located; and Nnamaye, named for Nnamaye River, which washes into River Kaduna; as well as Zungeru Road from the picture and Zungeru would be more like a village, these days.

Possible way out

As to possible solution, Zungeru resident Mallam Mamman, quickly volunteered: “The only reasonable thing to do is to restore and reconstruct all the heritage sites allowed to collapse in Zungeru. Assuming that the structures had been preserved and were still standing, you can imagine the number of tourists that would have come to this town during celebration of Nigeria at 50; and the difference it would have made to the economy and the inhabitants’ welfare”.

Nigeria turned 50 as an independent nation on 1 October, 2010. Next year, Nigerians are again celebrating. This time, the first Centenary of the Amalgamation of the British Protectorates North and South of the River Niger. It remains unclear what is being done to encourage tourism both international and domestic in this regard.

What does Zungeru mean?

Pray, what is the etymology of this town’s name? Natives, including Mallam Mohammed Yahaya, said Zungeru derives from Dungurum, itself coined from a Nupe language phrase. The lore of the root of Zungeru’s name mentioned Nda (man in the Nupe tongue) and Dungurum (a sort of traditional guitar or goje, molo aka kora). Nda, the man, was a fisher; but, he was also a popular guitarist (dungurum-player).

Daily, upon returning from fishing, Nda would play his dungurum to announce his arrival in order to attract buyers. And, soon; when asked where they were heading, some traders would respond, Nda-dungurum (to the place of the guitar-playing man). This was later shortened to Dungurum before Lugard and others corrupted everything to Zungeru, mauricearchibongtravels gathered.

Getting there, where to stay

The journey to Zungeru was not smooth, at all. We came in from Minna, capital of Niger State and left through Bida, where Palace of Etsu Nupe stands, which is why this ancient settlement serves as the spiritual hub of the Nupe nation. Roadside blurs as we shuttled included sights of numerous communities, markets and villages. Along Bida-Zungeru route, the wayfarer is likely to notice Badifu-Zhaba as well as Toroko and Wushishi, hometown of retired General Ibrahim Wushishi.

The Bida to Zungeru road also boasts a settlement called Lokongoma, and; at Yabatagi, which stands between Kele and Kuchita, we noticed that erosion had washed away one lane of a narrow bridge resulting in gaping craters. A disaster was waiting to happen here, we mused. After Kuchita Wawagi, lookout for Gbako, Ewanko and Lemu also on this route.

Coming from Abuja, we had first travelled to Bida through Suleja and went to Minna to spend the weekend before setting out for Zungeru. Between Suleja and Bida, the major settlements we saw on the way included Lambata, Agaie and Badeggi. Cheeringly, we also sighted numerous stations of the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) as well as paddy rice fields along the way.

Minna’s major motor park seems to be the surroundings of a Mobil filling station, whereas an Oando gas station’s environment serves that purpose in Bida. During a previous visit, in 2010; the fare to Zungeru from Minna, capital of Niger State was N200 per passenger over a distance of roughly 65km. Today, the same journey extracts N400. And, this is even as six passengers are cramped into seats meant for four. To make matters worse, the majority of bush taxis in Niger and surrounding States are compact VW Golf, Nissan, Toyota et cetera models.

If you ever need a place to stay in these parts, remember; Zungeru has only two lodges, Yanka Noga and Jamaa Guest Inn. Both are modest budget outfits with nothing to write about, really. Zungeru’s apparent importance and eventual abandonment are aptly captured in the book, Zungeru the forgotten capital of Northern Nigeria, written by Bamtsoho Mohammed, a retired Brigadier General of the Nigerian Army.

A happy ending

On a cheery note, after some 15 years since railway service disappeared from Zungeru, the town was agog six months ago; following the resumption of train services there; according to Mallam Mamman. He added that Zungeru was also lucky because for more than a year now, electricity supply has really, really improved. With these developments, it is hoped that the social and economic life of Zungeru’s inhabitants would be improving, soon.

Acknowledgement

During our visit and subsequent telephone conversations, mauricearchibongtravels spoke with dozens of respondents. However, Alhaji Salisu Madaki, District Head of Zungeru; Tanko Madaki, Adamu Bagudu, Mohammed Yahaya and Mohammed T. Jubril aka Mallam Mamman were particularly helpful.

More, from national museums’ can of worms

2013-10-02T23:17:00.000-07:00

More, from national museums’ can of worms

…National Zoo boss escapes death

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG

Unconfirmed reports indicate the official vehicle of the Manager, National Zoological Garden Jos (NZGJ), Mr. John Aruwa, came under a hail of bullets as he was returning to the Plateau State capital penultimate Wednesday, 25 September, 2013.

The NZGJ is at the heart of ongoing outpouring of revelations regarding misappropriation and diversion of staggering sums of money. Although both Mr. Aruwa and his driver escaped unhurt, it was gathered that a bullet pierced through the body of the automobile they were riding in. The NZGJ is under the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), which is an agency of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation.

The NZGJ is a unit of the NCMM’s Department of Monuments, Heritage and Sites (MHS). Messrs Yusuf Abdallah Usman, Oluremi Adedayo and Bode Oke are Director General; Director, MHS; and Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) respectively at the NCMM. Mauricearchibongtravels has also been reliably informed that the NCMM management had, in a recent memo, directed Mr. Aruwa to suspend work on a so-called Picnic Grounds inside the NZGJ.

Interestingly, the authorities had also directed the zoo manager to recover some N450,000 paid to contractors handling the “planting of carpet grass” at that picnic grounds. It is not known, if the zoo manager has complied. The NZGJ stands within the sprawling Jos Museum complex and insiders that spoke with mauricearchibongtravels on condition of anonymity, said the attackers’ motive remains a mystery. One source said that, going by the narration of the zoo manager, the assailants were suspected robbers clad in military fatigue.

Meanwhile, the litany of fraud and corruption in the NCMM has morphed into a never-ending story with the disclosure of more and more scams on virtually weekly basis. Apart from the many startling incidents of looting at the NZGJ, the Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture (MOTNA) is another area through which money has been serially siphoned.

At MOTNA, money running into tens of millions of naira had been spent over many years under the pretense of preservation of the replica of ancient Kano City Wall, there. The most recent MOTNA preservation effort gulped close to N10 million, yet all that money has practically gone down the drain since the tumbling-down Dick structure has again crumbled!

It would seem that, the more the amount of money voted for the maintenance of this wall; the more the fence seemed determined to collapse the following year, calling for yet more money to be commited to its protection: all to no avail. It is worth pointing out that, the NCMM has a unit called Centre for Earth Construction Technology (CECTECH). Whereas CECTECH could better handle maintenance of MOTNA structures, NCMM fat-cats continue to cling to that responsibility. Very interesting curio, if you know what we mean!

Lease of NCMM DG Residence at ridiculous price

Another sticking point in the sides of NCMM Management members is the lease of a Federal Government estate on Adeola Hopewell Street in Victoria Island, Lagos; without authorisation, and at a fee that many consider laughable. Recall: Until the relocation of NCMM headquarters from Lagos to Abuja, the Commission had an estate that served as residence for its director general.

Curiously, that compound escaped the radar during nationwide audit of Federal Government property. How the former residence of the director general of an important federal government agency could have been concealed remains a mystery. But, what has blown into the open and now threatens to drown the entire NCMM leadership is the fact that the property was leased out under alleged dubious circumstances, and for a laughable sum.

In a memo to the culture minister, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) claimed that the estate situate on Adeola Hopewell Street in the highbrow Lagos neighbourhood of Victoria Island had been leased out for two years at a ridiculous rental of N10 million: i.e an incredibly paltry sum of N5 million per annum.

Not surprisingly, insiders believe there was more to the transaction than meets the eye. AUPCTRE insists that N24 million had actually been collected for that transaction, but NCMM leadership chose to remit N10 million to the commission’s coffers. In any case, it is worth noting that the NCMM Management has thus far not come forward with any answer to this accusation.

Wiped out: Dad, mum and child chimps

Believe it or not, a whole family of chimpanzees has perished at the NZGJ. The victims are: Peter, Paulina and Rahina. Although the daddy chimpanzee, Peter, died more than 10 years ago; the daughter, Rahina, perished in 2009. Paulina, which died on 14 July, 2013; was mother of the late Rahina.

Sired by Peter, Rahina was one of numerous fatalities recorded at NZGJ in 2009. The wave of deaths was caused by contaminated water. Those days, NZGJ authorities fed the inmates with water fetched from a gutter. At some point, the water was contaminated, and the animals were simply drinking poison.

This consequently led to an epidemic that resulted in the demise of dozens of animals, aside from Rahina, at the NZGJ. It was after this disaster that NCMM authorities drilled a borehole at NZGJ. Interestingly, that source of water would become dysfunctional within a year. Ever since, NZGJ operatives have been relying on a borehole drilled at MOTNA for water for its zoo’s inmates. Such is the situation at Nigeria’s only National Zoo, for you.

More scandals

Aside from damning evidences of financial irregularities, serious incongruity also surges to the fore in the inventory of the inmates inside Nigeria’s National Zoo compiled by NZGJ managers, against that of independent observers. Although a list drawn by NZGJ managers shows 97 as the total number of inmates, we counted over 110 creatures here during our latest tour!

The reason for concealment of the true figure of inmates by NZGJ managers is best left to a conjecture. However, it could be a strategy to obfuscate the extent of fatalities inside this park. Such discrepancy, critics of the Usman-led NCMM administration, observed; “is simply another manifestation of incompetent leadership”.

This view was reiterated by executive members of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE); during a recent chat with Travels in Abuja.

Brazen impunity

At this national zoo, favoured workers have no need to observe due process. Such ones do not have to come to work everyday. But, once funding arrives, the top-dogs in whose paws management of the Jos-based park has been put, show up: they collect their booty and disappear never to be sighted again, until the next subvention has been deposited.

Why the world must show more interest

Nigerians must show more interest in the goings-on at their National Zoo, for it is a reflection, albeit microscopic, of the entire nation itself. So, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and Nigerian Field Society (NFS), et cetera as well as every humane person must be interested in developments at Nigeria’s National Zoo and the leit motif of those at the helm of affairs in the NCMM.

It is also worth reiterating that within 20 years, this National Zoo has practically morphed into a classic metaphor for Nigeria’s endemic corruption. It was here, that a worker that was sent on transfer blatantly shunned management’s directive. But, instead of being penalised for insubordination, this particular employee was practically rewarded with a promotion.

Not only that, this staff; whose co-workers had often complained was running the repository aground, was eventually crowned head of the National Zoo. Interestingly, it was a member of the then NCMM Management, Yusuf Abdallah Usman, who advised the woman, Mrs. Rahina Haruna Garuba, to ignore her transfer memo.

It is also instructive that Mr. Usman, then NCMM Director of Heritage, Monuments and Sites; would himself later be rewarded with appointment as NCMM DG. Following the transfer of Mrs. Haruna Garuba to the NCMM-run Institute of Archaeology and Museum Studies (IAMS) also in Jos, a veterenary surgeon; Dr. M.C. Ekwuonu, was directed to take over.

But, when Mrs. Haruna Garuba would not handover, the new appointee had difficulty assuming duty as there was no official document with which he could begin his assignment. Curiously, instead of NCMM’s managemnt compelling the woman to hand over to Dr. Ekwuonu; an accountant, Mr. Sabo Bature, was put in charge of Nigeria’s only National Zoo at some point.

When we met Mr. Bature during one of our numerous trips to Jos, he made serious efforts to explain that things were not that bad, there. However, when asked, if corruption and poor management were the reasons so many animals had died with dozens others looking malnourished and emaciated; the retort of an obviously irritated Bature was: “Animals die everywhere! So, there is nothing special about animals dying here”!

Mr. Bature later died and had since been buried. There’s more where these came from. Truly, the more you look, the more you see: such is the depth of our knowledge regarding the NZGJ and NCMM, for you.

Nihotour lauded for splendid summit

2013-10-02T23:01:00.000-07:00

Hotel registration to begin in Kogi soon

...Nihotour lauded for splendid summit

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG

Plans have been completed to launch a hotel registration exercise across Kogi State, according to Mr. Joseph Maiye Olowolaiyemo, General Manager of Kogi Hotels and Tourism Board (KHTB). There are currently over 100 hotels in the Kogi State capital, Lokoja, alone; and, during an exclusive chat with Travels, Mr. Olowolaiyemo revealed the exercise will begin in a fortnight.

Each hotel’s representative is expected to pay N2,000 for the hotel registration application form. After submission of application form and subsequent inspection, any hotel that deserves approval will then pay the registration fee proper. The registration fee ranges between N10,000 minimum and N120,000 maximum, depending on the number of rooms, facilities and other criteria; the KHTB GM added.

An earlier hint of this development was dropped by Mr. Olowolaiyemo during a two-day sensitisation workshop for hospitality and tourism stakeholders, which held at Confluence Beach Hotel, Lokoja on September 12 and the 13^th. Speaking during that summit, which revolved around the theme, Nigeria at 100: Transforming the tourism industry for national development, Mr. Olowolaiyemo revealed: “In my roughly 30 years in the (tourism) industry, this workshop is the best I’ve ever attended free-of-charge”.

The Kogi Tourism Board boss went on to commend the Dr. Munzali Dantata-led Nihotour for putting together the training exercise, even as he advised that such workshop should be held more often. The workshop was declared open by Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada, while the welcome address was delivered by Nihotour Director General, Dr Dantata. Furthermore, Kogi State Governor’s Cabinet was fully represented alongside other dignitaries that are members of the state’s Centenary Celebration Committee.

Among others, the workshop aimed at: Increasing public awareness on the rich tourism potentials of Nigeria with a view to harnessing them; Identifying the challenges confronting the Tourism Industry in Nigeria with a view to proffering solutions to them; and, Improving service delivery.

From the paper presentations and deliberations, participants noted and agreed that: For tourism to eventually take its rightful place and compete favourably at the international level, the issue of manpower training and development of the workforce must be taken very seriously; that there are abundant potential tourist attractions with very huge and viable investment opportunities in Nigeria, particularly Kogi State, which are waiting to be harnessed; that Lack of reliable tourism statistics in Nigeria has adversely affected proper planning and funding of the industry; that the roles of all tourism stakeholders should be well defined with effective synergy; that Tourist attractions in communities are potential catalysts for economic growth; and, that there was need to change the general orientation of Nigerians to tourism through legislation, educational curricula as well as encouraging domestic tourism, marketing/advertisement and so on.

The summit threw up many issues and sparked lively debates and discussions, which in part explains why the opinion of Mr. Olowolaiyemo that such workshop should be more frequent; was seconded by virtually everyone in attendance.

Due to want of space, we cannot delve into any paper in detail, but; in her lecture, entitled Quality Services in the Hospitality sub-Sector, NIHOTOUR’s Director of Planning, Consultancy and Information Services, Ladi T. Dakwo JP; observed: “Passion is vital. Hospitality and Tourism is not only about money. You must have a passion before you venture into hospitality and tourism”. To further drive in her point, she stressed: “Your passion will enhance good quality and good quality will ensure sustainability. If good quality is not there, people won’t come”.

She added that Nihotour is determined to push for quality service through emphasis on professionalism. “Training and re-training is important”, she emphasised, while advising hospitality and tourism outfit entrepreneurs to take advantage of Nihotour’s educational services. “Nihotour”, Dakwo continued, “also organises training in-situ, for operatives at work places”.

Lecturers and their papers

Three papers were taken on day one, while the remaining two followed the next day. An overview of the tourism industry in Nigeria, by Dr. John Adzer, an Abuja-based Tourism Consultant; was the first of the five papers presented during the two-day exercise.

Aside from Quality Services in the Hospitality sub-Sector by Dakwo JP, which was the fourth paper; the other three lecturers and their papers were, Exploring and promoting the tourism potentials of Nigeria for effective transformation by Philip E. Maga, Nihotour’s Academic Secretary; Challenges of accessing and utilising funds by the hospitality and tourism SMEs by Sunday Victor Jimoh, a Lokoja-based Hospitality Consultant; and, Concept of tour operation and tour guiding by A. M. Sheriff, Nihotour’s Director of Travel and Tourism Studies.

Although Mr. Sheriff was initially billed to present his lecture on day two, he had to swap places with Maga, who gave his lecture on the following day, instead. The event, which was attended by Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada; also featured addresses by Mr. Thomas Acholo, a Barrister and Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Kogi State.

Permanent Secretary, Kogi State’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Dr. Andrew Mubo Eniola, chaired the Technical Session on Day One, while Dr. S. Jerry Agbaji, Director (Tourism) in the same ministry, played that role on Day Two.

Apart from tea/lunch breaks as well as sightseeing, the paper presentations were also interspersed with interactive as well as Q & A sessions. Nihotour’s Head of Consultancy, Mr. Mohammed Olanrewaju, was on the committee that drafted the communique that trailed the two-day workshop.

Attendance

The workshop, which was covered by travel writers and journalists from dozens of media, both electronic and print; drew scores of participants from Kogi, Niger, Plateau and other neighbouring states. Also attended was a young man, who gave his name as Dave Oluseggun. Mr. Oluseggun. Oluseggun said he works for Qualba Services, an outfit established to promote “Quality life and business”. He also echoed the praises heaped on Dr. Dantata and the entire Nihotour team as well as relevant Kogi State authorities for making such an illuminating exercise possible.

mauricearchibongtravels: Fresh strike may hit National Museums, soon

2013-09-29T21:41:00.001-07:00

mauricearchibongtravels: Fresh strike may hit National Museums, soon: Fresh strike may hit National Museums, soon …N20m burnt on Damaturu retreat, another N10m blown on 24-hr summit By MAURICE ARCHIBO...

More, on National Zoo scams

2013-09-26T23:54:00.000-07:00

More, on National Zoo scams

Workers pocket millions, animals turn beggars to stay alive

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG

Welcome, once again, to Nigeria’s only national zoo, the National Zoological Garden Jos (NZGJ). Located near the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office in the Plateau State capital, the NZGJ has become synonymous with fraud and corruption.

The NZGJ is under the Department of Monuments, Heritage and Sites of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), which is an agency of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation. Messrs Yusuf Abdallah Usman, Oluremi Adedayo and Bode Oke are Director General; Director of Monuments, Heritage and Sites (MHS); and, Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) respectively at the NCMM.

At the NZGJ, many cages are empty because the animals that once inhabited them had since died. Inside the compartments, where a few specimens still abound, the creatures are traumatised. So forlorn and depressed are some of the inmates that they have lost their traditional characteristics. For example, in its natural environment, the lion is famed king of the jungle. But, at the NZGJ, where the lions; like other inmates, are starving to death; every lion has lost its notorious ferocity and is more like some timid pussy-cat.

We found two pairs of these felines at the NZGJ: a lion and a lioness in each of two adjacent cages. From the flacid features of these felines, especially the tiny waist-line of one of the beasts, we guessed the animals hadn’t been fed for a long time. So hungry were the lions, that even when we fetched out our camera to take its picture, the particular captive was too weak to be bothered. The poor lion simply starred morosely at us.

Yes, inside the NZGJ, supposed kings of the jungle seemed so subdued they could not roar, even if they wanted to. At Nigeria’s National Zoo, each lion has lost every authority and is completely at the mercy of attendants. Instead of kings, lions inside the NZGJ are more like slaves at the hands of zoo keepers, who determine whether these captives should even eat, at all; and, when.

Similar is the plight of a cheetah, here. The cheetah is the fastest animal in the wild, but the one we found at NZGJ looked so dull it could barely walk, let alone sprint. Unlike the average cheetah in the wild, the one we found inside the NZGJ was not fleet-footed, at all. Now weak and emaciated, due to chronic starvation, you could count this poor cat’s ribs.

In the wild, many animals are either herbivores or carnivores, but starvation has forced some inmates of the NZGJ to become omnivores. Like cockroaches, many animals here eat anything. Records show that some had even died after being forced by starvation into ingesting polythene sheets (nylon bag)! An example is a waterbuck that was found dead on 29 April, 2012.

“There were blackish spots on the liver and its spleen was inflamed and discloured”, according to an NZGJ doctor’s report. The vet further noted in the post-mortem: “Allotriophaga was observed with massive ingestion of polythene bags”. In other words, because nutrition, which is key to any creature’s survival; “was compromised over time”, the waterbuck became so famished it resorted to ingesting rubbish, including polyethylene sheets.

Inside another cage, we found a lone mongoose crawling back and forth. Given its long tail and entire length, this mongoose’s space was too small, but that was just one of its many problems. Like other creatures inside the NZGJ, this mongoose was starving too. As we watched the distraught animal literally running from pillar to post, endlessly wandering to and fro; the muse that crossed our mind was: could it be wondering whether it was not an error to describe its uncaring human hosts as “superior animals”?

Inmates turn jesters, beggars to stay alive

At the NZGJ, we found dozens of various species of Primates: baboons, chimpanzees, monkeys; and what have you. Akin to other captives at this zoo, these Primates were also famished. Hungry beyond imagination and stripped of their dignity, various monkeys reflexively shot out their palms at the sight of any visitor to beg for food. Sadly, acute hunger had also turned some of these creatures into obligate entertainers or circus animals.

In deed, some monkeys out of desperation to remain alive, seemed to have grasped comprehension of the English and Hausa language word for dance. If you have a few fingers of banana in your hand, the monkeys at NZGJ instantly come alive before you can finish saying dance! They lung into girations with gusto: the monkeys vigorously demonstrate their acrobatic skill with the hope of being offered banana, peanut, anything; as reward.

At other cages further inside the grove, we found some Marabou Storks. In their natural habitat, these fowls are bright and beautiful. A Marabou Stork is normally colourful, but at the NZGJ, many of the ones we saw looked obviously desolate, even doomed. We saw two storks that could barely lift their head: this duo was not only permanently bowed, but ostensibly broken.

Unlike the monkeys that can dance for food or stretch out their palms to beg, the fowls appeared condemned; to have resigned to the fate of approaching death to free them from further anguish. In deed, the fate of inmates of this Jos-based National Zoo reminded of En attendant Godot (Waiting for Godot) by Irish-born writer and Nobel Literature Prize winner, Samuel Beckett.

This is Nigeria’s only national zoo, where the life of an inmate counts for nothing! At the NZGJ, visitors are confronted with man’s inhumanity to lower animals …

The Nasarawa State connection

Meanwhile, more than 15 of the 30 animals sent by Nasarawa State Government to the NZGJ for preservation have died, despite more than N50 million spent over the last six years for the upkeep of all inmates at that repository.

Investigation revealed the NCMM remits N200,000 to the NZGJ monthly, while this zoo gets another N1.5 million quarterly from Nasarawa State for the maintenance of its animals, which were transferred to the NZGJ in 2007. In other words, the NZGJ gets a total of N8.4 million per year.

Sadly, inmates at NZGJ have been dying in their droves despite the N8.4 million annually remitted for the animals’ upkeep. Interestingly, Nasarawa authorities continue to disburse N1.5 million every three months to the National Zoo, despite the depletion from deaths of its livestock here.

This development is spin-off of a 2007 Letter of Introduction with reference number S/SSG/GA/47/Vol.1/X and dated 3 October, which was sent to The Curator, National Museum and Monuments, Jos. That memo, which emanated from Office of Nasarawa’s Secretary to the State Government, stated; inter alia: “On an official mission to your establishment to discuss the possiblity and terms of temporary relocation of some wildlife animals and birds from the temporary sanctuary in Lafia pending the construction of a permanent Zoo/Museum complex in the state”.

Interestingly, though the letter was received by Jos Museum authorities on 4 October, 2007; another memo, bearing a list of 30 animals was fired from Nasarawa Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources barely four days later. And, by 2 November, 2007; all the animals had been tranferred to the NZGJ.

However, death began to ravage the wildlife within 48 hours of arrival in Jos. According to a Jos Museum memo, “Five gazelles were later brought by (a chief veterinary officer in Nasarawa civil service): one had rectal prolapse – was managed, but later died. The nursing gazelle was weak – later died, despite medication. (In the same vein), the kid of the deceased mother gazelle (also) died. There are only two gazelles left”.

The catalogue of tragedies continued: “Also, two of the Nile Crocodiles died, possibly due to stress of transportation and restraint”. Summary: Five animals had been lost before you could say NZGJ! Sadly, the majority of the Nasarawa livestock sent to NZGJ had perished by 31 August, 2013. Also ravaged by death is the collection of the NZGJ. By 3 June, 2012; 12 specimens had died in as many months. Painfully, the lost animals included a lion and a lioness. Between 3 June, 2012 and 31 August, 2013; 10 more deaths had swept through the NZGJ collection.

National Zoo or bastion of corruption?

At Nigeria’s national zoo, half-a-million naira has been known to vanish before a German-speaker could say, In einem Augenblick (in a twinkle of an eye). Going by a document, which Travels was privileged to see; there was a case where N450,000 was paid to a company with no fixed address in May, this year.

Messrs A Greenland Garden was paid N450,000 within seven days of filing its Quotation For Planting Carpet Grass on 22 May, 2013! Apart from N90,000 that Greenland Garden collected for supplying carpet grass, the company smiled home with another N80,000 for “Tilling” and an additional N50,000 for “Removal of Stumps of wood”, after charging the NZGJ “N85,000 for Labour”.

Yes, the nation has been severely fleeced by NZGJ managers and their Abuja-based benefactors through millions of naira allegedly paid out on suspected dubious grounds. We further gathered that staggering sums of money had been withdrawn allegedly for the procurement of animals, but subsequent investigation revealed some of these inmates were actually gifts.

For example, N200,000 was allegedly diverted under payment for a pair of dwarf cattle, which; an insider of Jos Wildlife Park revealed, was a present to the NZGJ. Again, we gathered that another N200,000 had disappeared as cost of buying a pair of donkeys, which were bought to feed lions and hyenae inside the NZGJ. However, the lions and hyenae are frequently fed with carcasses of animals crushed to death by motorists on Jos roads and other highways in Plateau State.

The feeding of animals with unwholesome meals is one reason many inmates here are sick. Such is the situation at NZGJ that two zoo workers are down with tuberculosis possibly contracted from infected inmates. Furthermore, NZGJ managers want Nigerians to believe it spent N800,000 on the purchase of two female horses! A document revealed the NZGJ paid out a whooping N500,000 for a female horse.

It is also worth reminding that N45,000 was spent on procurement of “goats for breeding”. However, two of the three goats recently acquired have already vanished from the zoo! Altogether, N1.49million was spent on the purchase of 18 animals for NZGJ between September 2012 and August 2013. Curiously, however, the stock at the NZGJ has been dwindling, instead of rising despite all these procurements. In a report to NCMM headquarters, NZGJ managers claimed that only two inmates (an ostrich and a water tortoise) had died at this zoo between September, 2012 to date; whereas over nine animals had been lost at this garden in the period under review!

From my Mailbox: 250913, A twist in the tale

2013-09-25T09:23:00.001-07:00

RE-AMID LOOTING SPREE: ANIMALS DYING IN DROVES AT NATIONAL ZOO

My attention has been drawn to a feature published in the Daily Sun of September 19^th, 2013 (pages 42-43) with the above headline in which some issues on financial transactions were reused purportedly initiated by me. The said feature, which portrayed me at the centre of the storm, was written by one Mr. Maurice Achibong.

It is very necessary for me to react in order to put records straight and disabuse the minds of members of the public. I Mr. Choji Bwosh, Accountant, National Zoological Garden, Jos wish to categorically state that I have never known Mr. Maurcine Achiboing before and still do not known him, neither have I met him before. This entire lies are just a pigment of the imagination of Mr. Achibong

Mr. Maurice Achibong, in the said feature, alleged that I wrote a memo to the Director General of the National Commission for Museum and monuments. Exposing, in his words, staggering incidence of fraud at this facility. Let me unequivocally emphasize that I am not the author of the purported memo and had never contemplated writing any memo of that nature. It is surprising and disappointing that he could just wake up from sleep and cook up bundles of lies.

Mr. Achibong's feature was a calculated attempt to discredit my personality and cause friction between me, on one side, and the managements of the National Zoological Garden and its parent body, the National Commission for Museum and monuments, on the other

His kind of journalism grossly undermines the tenets of the fourth realm of the estate, hence I humbly request the Nigeria Union of Journalist and the Nigerian Press Council to call him to order to check him from dragging the esteemed image of the profession in the mud.

Let me also demand from Mr, Maurice Achibong an unreserved apoiogy immediately or I request my lawyers to commence a court process against him.

Permit me to use this opportunity to urge the management of the NCMM headed by Mr. Abdallah Usman not to be deterred by such distractions as they continue to discharge their duties, I strongly commend him for the good work he is doing and pray that God will continue to bless him.

Mr. Choji Bwosh, Accountant, National Zoological Garden Jos.

Some twist in the tale …

The above reaction from Mr. Choji Bwosh reached me on Monday, September 23, 2013: five days after the report was published. My initial reaction was to ignore Mr. Choji, but lest our silence be misconstrued, it became necessary to make some clarifications, now. Other revelations may follow in due course, should the need arise.

Mr. Choji had called me on phone several times on September 19, 20 and the 21^st and all he requested of me was to state, in a follow-up report; that we never met, and that he did not give me any document. As transcripts of our telephone chats would prove, if it came to this; at no time during our conversations in those three days, did Choji claim not to have written the documents from which excerpts were quoted.

It is also worth pointing out that, another Jos Museum staff and labour activist (name withheld) had called, apparently on Choji’s behalf, to express fear that my report may cost the accountant his job. Like Choji, this labour activist never questioned the authenticity of the document we quoted from. Again, like Choji, the unionist pleaded that we should state in a follow-up report that I never met the accountant, and that Choji did not personally avail me of any memo.

Since our investigations had already turned up numerous incontrovertible evidences of fraud at the National Zoological Garden Jos, we had no need to meet Choji and did not need him to furnish us with any document. In fact, the NZGJ is just one of the ducts through which hundreds of millions of naira have been siphoned over the years by crooks in the NCMM. MOTNA (Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture) is another illegitimate goldmine, and we are revisiting this aspect, soon.

Curiously, four days after the report in question was published and after Choji and I had spoken severally, the man stated that I woke “up from sleep and cook up bundles of lies”. Interestingly, akin to the poorly-written memos from Mr. Yusuf Abdallah Usman, the NCMM DG; Choji’s complaints are also error-ridden: “FOURTH REALM OF THE ESTATE” and “This entire lies are just a PIGMENT of the imagination”. What a mess! How did these characters get into Nigeria’s federal civil service?

Death threats are nothing new to workers that exposed corruption in the NCMM. It could be recalled that Comrade Bongo Bassey was once threatened at Jos Museum. In the same vein, Comrade Adogah Abdullahi also had cause to raise the alarm over threat to his life, too.

To be candid, most a man will cave-in under pressure from harassment and intimidation, but through his apparent volte face, Choji has diminished from hero to zero. We feel wont to see Choji’s rejoinder as a mere after-thought contrived to distract attention from the main issue: that money was being looted and/or misused at the NZGJ. The nation should beware of ploys like this.

Choji wants Nigerians to believe he is “at the centre of the storm”. He is not and the nation should remain alert and not lose sight of the substance, here. The principal issue is that, going by available documents, huge sums of money had been diverted and/or otherwise disbursed/spent in an unlawful manner at the NZGJ.

We advise Choji to head to court and facilitate the total exposure of the countless shenanigans perpetrated under the watch of Yusuf Abdallah Usman. We stand by our story. And, stand even ever-ready to disclose more of the fraudulent practices at the NZGJ, and the NCMM generally.

MAURICE ARCHIBONG

Amid looting spree: Animals dying in droves at National Zoo

2013-09-19T22:32:00.003-07:00

EXCLUSIVE

Amid looting spree: Animals dying in droves at National Zoo

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG

Nigeria’s only National Zoo, the National Zoological Garden Jos (NZGJ), has morphed into a metaphor for corruption, mauricearchibongtravels can authoritatively reveal. Launched in 1956, the NZGJ is located within the sprawling Jos Museum complex in the Plateau State capital.

Beside dozens of visits over the last 20 years, our latest visit to the NZGJ lasted several days, 8 September to the 11^th this year; and, we were confronted by shocking shenanigan right at the entrance! Yes, we encountered the fraud that this supposed sanctuary has evolved into, even before we gained access to see the animals.

Admission fee to the NZGJ is N50 or N100 per child or adult visitor respectively. Being something of a numismatist, I enjoy keeping tickets collected during my visit to a museum, zoo et cetera; as memento. So, after parting with the N100 requisite gate fee, I was forced to request a receipt as the man that collected the money showed no inclination to giving me one.

“I don’t have the (ticket) booklet now, but you will get the ticket before you leave”, the man told me. In order not to appear difficult, therefore giving the impression that I did not trust him, I chose to wait and see. As I headed to what should be the entrance, I was directed to enter through a different route, a wide-open gate. In the past, that gate served as exit but nowadays, it serves for both ingress and egress. The reason would hit me later.

There is a revolving metallic device at the entrance to the animals’ abode. Normally, this equipment records the number of people that passed through it. Consequently, the authorities could tell how much had been realised by multiplying the visitors’ number with the fee. As regards knowing how many visitors were minors, against adult viewers, the number of ticket leaflets sold ought to help iron that out as there is a different booklet for N50 ticket, apart from the N100 ones.

But, to obfuscate the figure of visitors and how much was collected at the box office, viewers are diverted to pass through a gate that cannot record the number of people that went in. To further perfect the fraud, NZGJ managers and their agents often refuse to issue a ticket to visitors: this was my experience on Monday and Tuesday, 8 and 9 September respectively. On both days, I had arrived at the NZGJ before 10am.

On emerging from the zoo, after spending about an hour observing the inmates, I looked around hoping to find the man that promised to give me a ticket for the N100 entrance fee I had paid. Alas! The man was nowhere to be seen. Since I was planning to return to this zoo the next day, 9 September, 2013; I left. When I came back the following morning, there was a woman in charge of gate-takings. The reason I returned was principally to take pictures. The fee for taking still photographs at this zoo is N400. After paying N400 to the woman at the entrance, and seeing that she was also determined not to issue a receipt for this payment, I had to demand that document.

In response, she glibly remarked; “Oga, na wa for you, o. The man with the booklet is not around. May be, before you come out, he might have returned”. Again, I went into the zoo. Some two hours later, when I came out, the woman that had collected my money was still around. But, when I requested for my receipt, she said; “The person that has the ticket has not yet come back”. To avoid pressing, lest my cover got blown; I left.

So, in two days, I had parted with N600 (two Entrance fees, N200; plus still Photography fee, N400); yet there was no receipt to show that I even paid one dime. Evidently, the nation had been severally robbed, for; most of the other visitors’ payments had been similarly diverted into private pockets.

But, rather than allow myself to be depressed by the robberies I suffered at the hands of NZGJ operatives, I was practically excited and determined to unravel the true situation, here. I subsequently lunged into an investigation to find out more as to what was actually going on at this repository. In the end, our interest and diligence would yield bounteous harvests!

The NZGJ is under the Department of Monuments, Heritage and Sites of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM). Embroiled in controversies over the last eight years, the NCMM is an agency of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation. Chief Edem Duke is Tourism and Culture Minister, while Messrs Yusuf Abdallah Usman, Oluremi Adedayo and Bode Oke are Director General; Director, Monuments, Heritage and Sites (MHS); and Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) respectively at the NCMM.

Believe it or not, official documents we stumbled on; confirmed: “Misuse of Public Funds” at the NZGJ. This disclosure came from a 15 May, 2013 memo to the NCMM DG, Mr. Abdallah Usman. In that letter, from Jos Zoo Accountant, Mr. Bwosh Choji; the attention of the NCMM DG was drawn to staggering incidences of fraud at this facility.

According to the said memo, a certain staff, Mr. Steven Maren, “is with the tickets and collecting revenue since 9 April, to date”. There’s more: “The fund is now being spent, based on instruction of the manager”. Furthermore, “Madam Jemilah Khalid gave the sum of N450,000 to Miss Mary Ohaegbu without following due process: no application, no records of the financial transaction. The manager has been giving verbal instruction to spend fund raised from gate-takings”, according to the memo sent to Usman.

Take Two: “The manager collected the sum of N550,000 as honorarium for NCMM directors in Abuja”. The sum of N200,000 was collected on 13 September, 2012; while another N350,000 was allegedly siphoned on 12 March, 2013. “The collections were done without any application”, we gathered. Take Three: “In December 2012, the manager brought tickets from (NCMM) headquarters, Abuja … The tickets were being issued … without involvement of the Accounts Department … It was one zoologist (name withheld) that was collecting the sales returns”.

Take Four: “Fumigation of the Zoological Garden” left NZGJ treasury N350,000 poorer. “The sum of N350,000 was collected by Mr. John Aruwa on 4 December, 2012; for fumigation of the zoological garden”. As if these were not enough, another memo revealed that N450,000 was paid out for the planting of grass at NZGJ picnic grounds!

Apart from the 15 May memo, the NZGJ Accountant had fired another letter, entitled Observations on Revenue Remittances, to that repository’s Manager; on 2 September, 2013. The overture of the 2^nd of September missive, which reads: “I have been observing non-compliance with financial regulation on revenue remittance before disbursement”, summarises the messy situation regarding book-keeping at the NZGJ.

To prove his case, Bwosh went on to list the sordid details: “It has been the practice to spend money collected from our revenue point, without it passing through Account Office for proper recording before expenditure”. According to this accountant, public funds were being used to buy GSM phone-recharge cards for personal calls; and, that the Revenue Officer has been keeping public funds at her residence for weeks in contravention of “Financial Regulation 72, Section 11, sub-section 1120”.

Bwosh again: “On 2 September, 2013; Mrs. Jemilah Khalid came to the office and collected the sum of N35,000 (revenue collected over the weekend at the zoo) from Mr. Abdul, an Accounts Staff, on duty at the Zoo Gate”. The NZGJ Manager allegedly gave instruction via a phone call to Mrs. Khalid to take the said N35,000 to her home for disbursement, according to Bwosh’s memo.

“On that same day”, Bwosh continued, “the sum of N20,500 was disbursed by Jemilah Khalid in her house”. Of this amount, N2,500 was given to the Zoo Manager, John Aruwa, as reimbursement for recharge card; while N18,000 was paid to Mary Ohaegbu to take care of weekly purchases for the zoo. Again, the accountant went on to stress: “These payments were made without following financial regulation: no application, no approval; and, no voucher was raised”.

To make matters worse, payment of public funds were made in an individual’s private residence. Citing relevant sections of the financial rules, Bwosh charged: “Under no circumstance shall payment be made, for voucher not yet raised (FR 72, section 6, sub-section 601 and FR 72, section 7, sub-section 708). An officer that takes public money to his/her house is deemed to have done so with fraudulent intention (FR 72, section 7, sub-section 1106)”.

It is worth noting that the 2 September, 2013 complaint from this accountant came less than a week after Bwosh issued another memo, Revenue Report 2013, to the NZGJ Manager. In that memo, dated 28 August, 2013; Bwosh complained: “I wish to observe that the sum of N41,000 was disbursed without my knowledge … This payment was made without following financial regulation: no application, no approval; and, no voucher raised”.

More, to ponder on: “On 27 August, 2013; a vendor with the zoo, Mr. Harka, came to my office to ask for receipt for the sum of N5,000, which he said he paid to Mr. Adamu Lawan, the auditor. I called the auditor to clarify and the auditor said he collected the money and gave it to Mrs. Jemilah Khalid. The auditor called Khalid in my presence and he told me that Mrs. Khalid said she had not issued any receipt for that money”; Bwosh’s memo further revealed.

Animals dying in droves

Meanwhile, staggering fraud and mismanagement have led to the loss of some 24 animals in as many months at the NZGJ. The roughly 24 deaths in two years at this national zoo bring the total number of fatalities here to over 100 animals in 10 years. Shamefully, the NZGJ has thus become a killing-field, instead of the sanctuary it is supposed to be for its inmates.

Aside from loss due to deaths, several animals have also simply vanished. An example is the discovery, on Thursday, 12 September, 2013; that a he-goat, which was procured to sire offspring by she-goats in the zoo; was nowhere to be found. Similarly, a kid (baby goat) had disappeared from this repository’s collection barely two weeks earlier. Furthermore, two pythons had also died at National Zoo Jos within two weeks. The latest snake casualty perished on 8 September, while the other died exactly a week earlier (1 September).

As if these were not enough scandals, the only royal python at Nigeria’s National Zoo has also died. Curiosly, after the death of this reptile, the disappearance of the baby-goat was attributed to the royal python. In other words, the ghost of the royal python had swallowed the kid!

To make matters worse, Paulina, a female chimpanzee that had morphed into an icon of the Jos-based zoological garden had also joined the staggering list of casualties, which as one critic of this repository’s attendants, observed; “is engendered by the ostensible incompetence of the incumbent NCMM leadership as well as NZGJ managers”.

A memo with reference number NZGJ/T.F 10/Vol. 1/12 and dated 17 July, 2013 confirms Paulina’s demise; thus: “I hereby release to you our dead chimpanzee fondly called ‘Paulina’, which died at the ripe age of 60 years on 14 July for the purpose of Taxidermy and preservation after which it shall be returned to National Zoo”.

This memo, signed by John Aruwa, NZGJ Manager, was addressed to the Director, Natural History Museum at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife; in response to a request from the latter. Curiosly, this request from OAU was made the same day that Paulina died: 14 July, 2013!

But, there is a more intriguing issue, here. On 11 May, 2013; the NZGJ authorities threw a party to celebrate Paulina’s 50^th birthday. That golden jubilee fecilitation was reported in some media. Curiously, however, by the time Paulina died, on 14 July; she had suddenly aged by another decade! We are here refering to a part of the memo that reads: “Paulina, which died at the ripe age of 60 years on 14 July”. This apparent fraud was ostensibly contrived to mislead and thus give the impression that Paulina died from old-age.

Reacting to a complaint by the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE); dated 26 April, 2013; the House of Representatives’ Committee on Culture and Tourism, via a memo dated 9 May, 2013; had demanded explanations from the NCMM DG.

Mr. Usman’s response to the legislators’ letter, with reference number NASS/7HR/CT.23/Vol.2/124; was a three-page memo, CAA.168/Vol.1/106, dated 14 May, 2013. Regarding labour activists’ alarm at the wave of deaths blowing through the National Zoo, Usman stated; “The majority of animals in the Jos Museum Zoo are very old. Financial constraints have prevented the Commission (NCMM) from acquiring young animals to replace the old ones”.

Now, compare Usman’s submission with the assertion of a veterinary surgeon, Dr Oludairo Oladapo Oyedeji, then Principal Veterinary Officer at NZGJ. In his defence, after being slammed with a query; Dr Oyedeji in a letter dated 7 June, 2012; had pointed out: “From the post-mortem reports, we lost two striped hyenae, two mongooses, and one monitor lizard basically due to nutritional deprivation”.

While an animal was lost to sudden death, which also afflicts humans, the vet doctor added; “Nutrition accounts for over 85 per cent of management costs”. Nutrition, this vet continued, “is key and very important in any production outfit like the zoological garden. If nutrition is good, balanced, adequate and consistent; over 90 per cent of production problems are already solved”.

Oyedeji again: “But, when nutrition is compromised over time, it results in many other problems; especially decrease in immunity from which any disease condition can set in, causing the death of the animal. Due to poor feeding of zoo inmates, we had to deal with many disease conditions among the inmates”.

The summary of Oyedeji’s memo is that the majority of fatalities at this national zoo arose from “Chronic malnutrition and starvation as well as delay in the release of funds for teatment purposes”, contrary to Usman’s claim that the inmates died from old age. This revelation also unravels the lie in the fabrication that, “Paulina died at the ripe old age of 60 years”.

Dr Oyedeji’s letter is one of countless NCMM memos that mauricearchibongtravels managed to access in years-long investigation of massive corruption in this Commission. It is worth pointing out that NZGJ fatalities include exotic species like lions, boa constrictor, pythons, ostrich, stripped hyenae, mongoose, patas monkeys, monitor lizard, baboons, and water buck. This is even as two baby lions that disappeared from this zoo since 2008 have not been found!

Contrary to another claim by Usman, the staggering number of animals that have perished at this zoo, has nothing to do with inadequate funding. Although there is enough funding for proper maintenance of the inmates, sadly, however; the bulk of the votes for their preservation is often simply looted or misappropriated. Too much abracadabra is going on at the National Zoo, and that has been the norm here for almost a decade.

From memos made available to mauricearchibongtravels, the NZGJ once had two veterinary surgeons: Dr Oludairo Oyedeji and Dr A. M. Fasure. But, during our latest tour of this zoo, neither doctor could be reached. “Fasure was transferred to Makurdi and Oyedeji is on leave”, a guide told me.

For the record, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); Head of Service of the Federation; Minister of Tourism and Culture; Minister of Labour and Productivity; Permanent Secretary, Tourism and Culture Ministry; Permanent Secretary, Labour and Productivity Ministry; Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism; and, Chairman, House Committee on Culture and Tourism; among others, had been informed of the corruption ravaging the NCMM through series of memos over the years. And, for posterity’s sake, the role of every principality in this saga is being documented.

Fresh strike may hit National Museums, soon

2013-09-16T11:29:00.002-07:00

Fresh strike may hit National Museums, soon

…N20m burnt on Damaturu retreat, another N10m blown on 24-hr summit

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG

The National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) is on the boil again, mauricearchibongtravels can authoritatively reveal. Rarely far from controversy over the last eight years, the NCMM is an agency under Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation.

Mr. Yusuf Abdallah Usman is Director General of the NCMM, some of whose workers have threatened to resume long-suspended strike, where lingering grievances were not addressed. It could be recalled that, for two weeks, beginning from 19 March, 2012; National Museums across the country were bogged by a strike called by the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE).

Similarly, national museums had also been shut over labour unrest in 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008. In a memo, dated 3 September, 2013; members of AUPCTRE (NCMM Branch); threatened: “This union … will be forced to resume suspended strikes, if the issues … are not (expeditiously) resolved”. The labour activists have called on the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, “to, as a matter of urgency, look into the conversion of a portion of NCMM land in Jos into a filling station”.

Other issues raised by the union include “how N20 million (meant for) Amichi Project was misappropriated” as well as alleged embezzlement of N9million under the guise of furniture procurement. The AUPCTRE letter further alleged that the Usman-led NCMM leadership blew a whooping N10 million on a one-day conference involving less than 40 participants! Furthermore, another N20 million had been burnt on a different workshop that took place in Damaturu, Yobe State. The labour activists are also angry that the NCMM DG spent a further “N20 million on sensitisation programme”.

“The purported return of N248 million (unspent vote) by the headship of NCMM … (to federal treasury) in January (whereas) the total amount of money in NCMM account was N388 million” is another reason AUPCTRE members are spoiling for war. Wary of being victimised, museum workers that spoke to Travels did so on condition of anonymity.

Many of these respondents were dumb-founded by the disclosure that NCMM Management had almost N250 million unspent-vote, when basic stationery, such as typing sheet, envelops and file-jackets as well as toner for photocopiers were lacking at almost all national museums across the land. Moreover, numerous NCMM workers owed various allowances for more than two years said it was heart-rending that the Usman-led management preferred to return N248 million, while museum workers groaned under impecuniosities wrought upon them by what they described as “a wicked leadership”.

In the same vein, President of the Artefact Rescuers Association of Nigeria (ARAN), Mr. Agbo George, expressed shock that NCMM, which had been owing the body’s vendors N198 million since 2009; preferred to return unspent vote to settling its indebtedness to artefact rescuers. “The NCMM management’s refusal to pay us has encouraged antiquity flight and therefore loss of invaluable heritage objects”, George told mauricearchibongtravels during a chat in Jos.

Lease of DG Residence at ridiculous rental

Until the relocation of NCMM headquarters from Lagos to Abuja, the Commission had an estate that served as residence for its director general. Interestingly, the compound curiosly escaped the radar during nationwide audit of Federal Government property. How the former residence of the director general of an important federal government agency could have been concealed remains a mystery.

But, what has blown into the open and now threatens to sack the entire NCMM leadership is the fact that the property was leased out under alleged dubious circumstances, and for a laughable sum. In its latest memo to the minister, AUPCTRE also claimed that the estate situate at 47 Adeola Hopewell Street in the highbrow Lagos neighbourhood of Victoria Island had been leased out for two years at a ridiculous rental of N10 million: i.e an incredibly paltry sum of N5 million per annum. Not surprisingly, insiders believe there was more to the transaction than meets the eye.

AUPCTRE insists that N24 million had actually been collected for that transaction, but NCMM leadership chose to remit N10 million to the commission’s coffers. When contacted, for clarification over what was actually paid for the 24-month lease, the NCMM Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA), Mr. Bode Oke, said he was not aware of the history of that transaction as it was never discussed at any Management meeting that he attended.

Pressed to explain how a business transaction that yielded N10 million or N24 million could have eluded him, given his office as director of finance, Mr. Oke had this to say: “My friend, you know that ordinarily, I should not speak with you, at all. I therefore advise that you contact the DG. If he directs me to speak with you, then we will get relevant files, cross-check, and then get back to you”.

Poised to return to the trenches

AUPCTRE’s latest memo also reminded the minister, that; in at least two letters, dated 13 June, 2012 and 2 July, 2012; labour had asked for “the constitution of a panel of enquiry” to look into allegations of massive fraud and corrupt practices on the part of NCMM leadership. Now, having waited more than 12 months to no avail, it might be forced to call another strike; AUPCTRE warned.

Basically, AUPCTRE’s complaints over the years revolve around the same issues. Aside from those already mentioned, there is also the matter of “Missing lion and recurrent deaths of animals at National Zoological Garden Jos”. According to the labour activists, the wave of deaths blowing through Nigeria’s only National Zoo “is as a result of malnourishment and inadequate care on the part of the Zoo manager”. AUPCTRE had also severally reiterated alarm over alleged threat to its members’ lives as well as non-payment of Transfer Allowance to deserving NCMM staffers.

One of the recent memos, entitled Corrupt Practices in NCMM: The Hon. Minister and National Assembly Dimension, dated 17 June, 2013 was jointly signed by Comrades Omonkhua Ikhuehi and Adogah A. Abdullahi; Chairman and Secretary respectively of NCMM chapter of AUPCTRE. Going by the said letter, AUPCTRE members are piqued that 12 months after the attention of the minister and members of the House Committee on Culture and Tourism were drawn to alleged shenanigans, Usman, the NCMM DG, had not been sanctioned, in any way.

However, AUPCTRE’s appeals have not always fallen on deaf ears. In response to an 26 April, 2013 complaint, the House of Representatives’ Committee on Culture and Tourism, via a memo dated 9 May, 2013; actually demanded explanations from the NCMM DG. The legislators’ memo, with reference number NASS/7HR/CT.23/Vol.2/124, signed by Clerk of the House; states: “The Committee awaits response from you not later than Tuesday, 14 May, 2013 before 1.30pm; to enable it act accordingly”.

Interestingly, Mr. Abdallah Usman had responded in good time, through a three-page memo with reference number CAA.168/Vol.1/106, dated 14 May, 2013. No pun intended: but, the long-standing differences between AUPCTRE and the NCMM Management have spawned so many badly-worded exchanges that one could find enough material for the kernel of a collection to start a Museum of Awkward Correspondences. Although both sides’ submissions have shed some light on the issues, their letters, which are often riddled with bad grammar and misspellings; have willy-nilly provided clues to the shortcomings on the part of either disputante.

For example, Mr. Usman’s letter to the House Committee on Culture and Tourism threw up the following howler: “No formal approval HAVE been granted to any of the ventures”. This was part of Usman’s refutation regarding allegation that a portion of Jos Museum land had been leased out to a company that has built a filling station on that estate.

On the issue of alleged threat to the lives of AUPCTRE members, Usman literally detonated another howitzer: “Management is awash of the regular recourse by AUPCTRE to … crying WOLVE where there is none. It is instructive to note that no LIVE of any union leader … is being threatened”.

Usman again: “It might interest you to know that the issue BEEN presented before you …”. Not to be outdone, AUPCTRE “is surprise and disturb”, while challenging claims by NCMM Management that N250 million was returned to FG coffers.

To be fair, Usman couldn’t have recorded only negative strides since assumption of office as NCMM DG four years ago. But, for more than two years, we sought, to no avail; to meet him to spell out his successes. Finally, our attention was drawn by an NCMM staff to a paid advertorial in one publication. Excited, we rushed to read Usman’s catalogue of his contributions. And, alas! Even this advertorial is marred by more IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) of the grammatical kind!

If poorly written correspondences from ordinary trade union activists are inexcusable, then gaffes and other blunders in official documents from the exalted desk of a director general in Nigeria’s federal civil service can only be condemnable. Usman, the NCMM DG, is currently pursuing a doctorate degree; therefore, his spelling of staggered as STARGGARD; must elicit worry over the future of this country. On a less depressing note, there must be some area Usman might excel in, but museum work ostensibly isn’t his forte.

Conclusion

Respondents pointed out that, where the allegations raised by AUPCTRE were not investigated and those found culpable dismissed and prosecuted, if need be, it would be a glaring proof that the current federal administration’s anti-corruption posturing is no more than mere make-believe. Consequently, other civil servants will feel encouraged to indulge in similar faux pas.

Apart from the minister, a copy of the 3 September, 2013 memo was also served on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); Head of Service of the Federation; Minister of Labour and Productivity; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Tourism and Culture; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity; Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism; and, Chairman, House Committee on Culture and Tourism; among others.

Therefore, those that failed to act accordingly, even in the face of perceived overwhelming evidence, could in the future be held responsible for aiding and abetting corruption.

NTDC Management visits The Sun Abuja bureau

2013-08-31T11:51:00.001-07:00

NTDC Management visits The Sun Abuja bureau

The Director General and some members of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Management visited the Abuja office of The Sun Publishing Limited during their recent familiarisation tour of select print media outfits in the nation’s capital.

R-L: NTDC DG, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo with Executive Director (Special Services) of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Eric Osagie.

PHOTO: NTDC Press

Nigeria’s leading print media pledge support to NTDC…Mbanefo, Nigeria’s tourism chief visits Lagos Gov Fashola

2013-08-27T12:33:00.000-07:00

Nigeria’s leading print media pledge support to NTDC

…Mbanefo, Nigeria’s tourism chief visits Lagos Gov Fashola

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG

The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, paid a courtesy call on Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, recently.

Gov Fashola (right) with the NTDC DG, Mrs. Mbanefo.

PHOTO: NTDC Press

Throughout that visit, Mrs. Mbanefo and members of her delegation were warmly received by Gov Fashola as well as Mr. Disu Holloway, Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations, among others.

Meanwhile, the majority of Nigeria’s most influential newspapers and magazines have thrown their weight behind NTDC’s efforts to vigorously promote tourism in Nigeria. The NTDC DG got this assurance during her recent tour of various print media houses in Abuja.

The NTDC DG had visited the Abuja offices of The Sun, Leadership, The Guardian, Tell, The Nation and Champion during that tour. When she called at The Sun Publishing Limited, Mrs. Mbanefo, who plans to visit other media establishments in the near future, was received by the Executive Director (Special Services), Mr. Eric Osagie.

Speaking during her visit to The Sun, the NTDC DG said the support and cooperation of all stakeholders, including renowned media organisations like The Sun, was needed to realise her mandate of promoting and developing tourism in Nigeria.

Welcoming Mrs. Mbanefo, Mr. Osagie; while extolling The Sun as one of the most widely circulated newspapers in the country, which also touches on the grassroots, just as the NTDC boss’s hopes to develop tourism at the grassroots; pointed out that, the lady “couldn’t have started her media familiarisation tour at a better place”.

Speaking further, Osagie expressed his hope that the sun will shine on the NTDC, even as he aired the desire of Nigeria’s Voice of the Nation to be NTDC’s number one partner in every ramification.

Mr. Osagie, who went on to voice that he was impressed at the pace at which things are moving in the NTDC since Mrs. Mbanefo assumed duties, commended the director general for her desire to create jobs for the nation’s teeming youths via plans to build six tourism centres across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The NTDC DG has repeatedly pointed out that, job-creation is inevitable, to stem the tide of insecurity and other social vices associated with unemployment, which have plagued the nation over the years.

During her stop at Leadership Press, Mbanefo who took time off to explain her policy drive to some members of the editorial team, led by the outfit’s group Executive Director, Mr. Michael Okpere, pointed out that she is presently restructuring the NTDC after which she intends to grow the tourism value chain (TVC). She opined that this will consequently translate into reinventing the tourism industry.

Speaking further on her goals, the NTDC chief seized the opportunity to inform her hosts about the forthcoming Stakeholder’s Meeting, billed to hold on 9 September, this year. The NTDC DG intends to use that platform to officially unveil her policy thrust and address other pertinent questions raised by journalists, we gathered.

Responding, the Editor of Business Leadership, Mr. Isaac Aimurie, observed that “emphasis should be laid on the development and promotion of Parks as core destinations for tourists, while those that offer support services should also be integrated and carried along in the new initiative”.

In her reaction to this suggestion, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo stressed that, for now, she was focused on consolidation and expansion of deliverables, adding that the forthcoming Stakeholders’ forum will involve a holistic approach aimed at deploying all means towards the actualisation of a viable and vibrant tourism industry.

The actualisation of a viable and vibrant tourism industry called for focus on revenue generation and job creation, she pointed out, even as the NTDC DG reminded that, this “conforms to the transformation agenda of Mr. President”.

When she and her crew, visited the office of Champion newspapers, Mrs. Mbanefo again reiterated her request for media cooperation. At that destination, the Bureau Chief, Mr. Malachy Uzendu, while expressing his joy at the visit, declared that every previous DG of the NTDC had enjoyed a very cordial relationship with the newspaper and that Mrs. Mbanefo was only following suit.

Reminding the visitors that the present Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku, was once a Champion Reporter, Uzendu went on to add that his outfit has come a long way, even as he also assured the NTDC DG of “maximum support”.

According to a release from NTDC Press, “the Senior Associate Editor of Tell magazine, Mr. Anayochukwu Agbo, promised on behalf of his magazine, to render positive, in-depth reportage of NTDC’s activities”. The release further stated that “Mrs. Mbanefo brings fresh impetus to the job, given her private sector background”.

On his part, the Abuja Bureau Chief of The Nation newspapers, Mr. Yomi Odunuga, while welcoming the NTDC delegation in his office, alongside some members of his staff, including the Managing Editor of Northern operations, Yusuf Alli; noted that The Nation “remains a pan-Nigerian paper committed to the development of the country, just like NTDC”.

Mr. Yusuf corroborated this position by asserting that “The Nation will give maximum support and cooperation, while advising that fairness should be employed in the placement of adverts in newspapers by NTDC in order to avoid discrimination and hard feelings”, according to the NTDC Press statement.

The NTDC boss, who revealed she came to seek friendship and support and to also use the opportunity to invite her hosts to the forthcoming stakeholders’ forum holding in Lagos, added that the platform will address all queries with regard her policy direction since major players like, Tour Operators, Travel Agencies, hospitality outfits, Police and relevant security agencies, such as Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service and other para-military organisations will be in attendance.

When she called at The Guardian House in Abuja, Mrs. Mbanefo re-echoed her position on the aforementioned issues. The NTDC DG was received at The Guardian by the Deputy Bureau Chief, Mr. Madu Onuorah, “who affirmed that the paper was ready to cooperate with her in the drive to make resounding impact in tourism development, just as he assured that they will also participate in the planned stakeholders’ forum in Lagos”, the statement concluded.

NTDC, Heritage Bank sign MoU

2013-08-27T12:02:00.001-07:00

NTDC, Heritage Bank sign MoU

The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, met with Heritage Bank executives during her latest visit to Lagos.

The NTDC DG, Mrs. Mbanefo, flanked by Mr. Sekibo (left) and Mr. Adeseun.

PHOTO: NTDC Press

The high point of that meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NTDC and Heritage Bank. Among Heritage Bank top brasses that received the NTDC DG were Mr. Ifie Sekibo and Mr. Niyi Adeseun, MD/CEO and Executive Director respectively.

While promising mutual benefit from the partnership between NTDC and Heritage Bank, the MD/CEO of the latter also seized the opportunity of Mrs. Mbanefo’s visit to present copies of some books published by his financial institution to the tourism chief.

Warm welcome for UACN Property top-shots at NTDC

2013-08-26T04:01:00.001-07:00

Warm welcome for UACN at NTDC

Two heavy weights of the UACN Property Development Company, Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran and Mr. Yemi Ejidiran, Managing Director and Director, Business Development, respectively; received a very warm welcome when they visited the headquarters of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), recently.

Above: The NTDC Director General, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, flanked by UACN PDC MD, Mr. Ogunniran (left) and Mr. Ejidiran during the latters’ visit to Nigeria’s Tourism Village.

PHOTO: NTDC Press

Chief (Mrs) Mary Adam, teacher par excellence goes home

2013-08-25T04:46:00.000-07:00

Chief (Mrs) Mary Adam, teacher par excellence goes home

The late Chief (Mrs) Mary B. Adam.
PHOTO: Dr Winifred Akoda Archive

Chief (Mrs.) Mary B. Adam, an educationist and administrator of many schools is dead. Mrs. Adam (nee Ikpeme) died on 26 July, 2013 in Lagos at the age of 72.

A teacher par excellence, Mrs. Adam taught and administered many schools in different parts of Nigeria. Prior to her retirement, while head of the Family Support Programme (FSP) Primary School in Calabar, Cross River State; she had taught at St. Louis Primary School, Kano; and, Command Children’s School in Minna, Niger State.

An indigene of Eniong Abatim near Calabar in Cross River State, the late Mrs. Adam was born on 29 November, 1940; and, had her early education at Holy Child Convent School, Calabar. She later attended Holy Child Teachers’ Training College, Ifuho, Ikot Ekpene in the 1960s.

The late educationist subsequently obtained an NCE (National Certificate of Education) in 1994 from the University of Calabar. She had earlier bagged an Associate Certificate of Education (ACE) from the same institution in 1989.

The mortal remains of the late Chief (Mrs.) Mary Adam will be interred at her home in Ikot Nkebre Layout, 8 Miles, Calabar on 30 August, 2013; after a funeral service at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Old Town Parish, Calabar.

The late Mrs. Adam is survived by four children, one of whom is Dr Winifred Akoda, Head of the Department of History and International Studies at the University of Calabar.