Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Seme Customs record monumental seizure of artefacts


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”.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Indefinite nationwide strike hits National Museums



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 17th, 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.

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.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

National Museums’ workers begin indefinite nationwide strike, Nov 20


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.

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 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.   

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.

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…

Monday, November 18, 2013

ECOWAS sends humanitarian support to Mali


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.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

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


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 …

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Museum brouhaha gets to a head


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 37th most corrupt country in 2011, came close to repeating the score in 2012, when our beloved nation clinched an uneviable 35th 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.

It could be recalled that NCMM workers went on strike from January 10 to the 17th, 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.

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 humanityIt 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 37th most corrupt country in 2011, came close to repeating the score in 2012, when our beloved nation clinched an uneviable 35th 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.