By Bala Ibrahim.

For the late part of Monday, 07/10/24 and the early hours of Tuesday, 08/10/24, the rumour mill was busy with stories, to the effect that, the Cameroonian President Paul Biya had died. Although no details were given on the time or place of his alleged death, because he has not been seen in the public since his official visit to see China over a month ago, the alleged death was easily believed by many. The news was moving from mouth to ear with caution, circumspect and complete carefulness. Everyone was being close-mouthed, because, Paul Biya is more or less seen as a symbol of personal durability.

He was born on the 13th February 1933 and has served as the second President of Cameroon since 1982. Previously, he held the position of the fifth Prime Minister of the country from 1975 to 1982. Despite his old age and long years on the throne, Biya is viewed and feared by many, as a mortal with an immortal soul. In Cameroon, the subject of his death is a technical taboo. No one is permitted to talk about the likelihood of Biya dying. To speculate his death, is akin to speculating the demise of the nation. Such is the kind of fear injected in the minds of the people of Cameroon, as far as Paul Biya is concerned.

And, lo and behold, within hours of the circulation of the rumour, the Cameroonian authorities came out with a statement, banning the media from discussing the health status of the President, particularly the rumours of his death. Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji, told regional governors that the stories of Biya’s death disturb the tranquillity of Cameroonians. “Any debate in the media about the president’s condition is therefore strictly prohibited.” -Atanga. The Minister threatened that offenders will face the rigor of the law. I hope that rigor of the law would not catch up with me in Nigeria. In any case, I am not among the death speculators, I am only analysing the immortality of mortality. Period.

Paul Biya is 91 years old and has been in office for more than four decades. Yet, he is branded a mortal that is destined to be immortal. As Africa’s oldest head of state and the second longest-serving in Cameroon, Biya has been struggling to suppress a jihadist violence around Lake Chad, just as the country is also wrestling with a complex and often violent crisis around its English-speaking regions, including my country, Nigeria. With regards public appearances, Biya is known as a habitual non-attendee at many gatherings of African leaders. He is a leader whose absence at functions is considered normal.

However, despite the Governments denial of his death, his disappearance from the public eyes is now sparking the demands from some citizens, for proof of his well-being and a confirmation that indeed he is alive, as claimed. Since the country gained independence from France in the early 1960s, the Cocoa and oil-producing Cameroon, has had just two presidents, with Biya as the second and longest serving. The country, which shares borders with Nigeria through Adamawa state in the north-east, Akwa Ibom in the south south and Benue State in the north-central, is also strategically located as the gateway to the landlocked Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR).

The history of Paul Biya touches on how he rose rapidly as a bureaucrat under President Ahmadou Ahidjo in the 1960s, as Secretary-General of the Presidency from 1968 to 1975, and then as prime minister. He succeeded Ahidjo as president upon Ahidjo’s surprise resignation in 1982 and consolidated power between 1983–1984. Paul Biya staged a coup in which he eliminated all of his major rivals. Under Biya, some political reforms were introduced in the context of a one party arrangement in the 1980s, before the country accepted the introduction of the multiparty politics in the early 1990s. Biya won the 1992 Presidential election under serious controversy and was re-elected by large margins in 1997, 2004, 2011 and 2018.

Although Nigeria and Cameroon have enjoyed a long history of mutual respect, there is still the unsettled thorny issue of border claim between them and one that occasionally results in disputes. The Nigerian government claimed the border was that prior to the British–German agreements in 1913, and Cameroon claimed the border laid down by the British–German agreements.

The border dispute worsened in the 1980s and 1990s after some border incidents occurred, which almost caused a war between the two countries. In 1994 Cameroon went to the International Court of Justice, ICJ. After eight years of adjudication, the ICJ ruled in Cameroon’s favour and confirmed the 1913 border made by the British and Germans as the international border between the two countries. Nigeria confirmed it would transfer Bakassi to Cameroon. In June 2006 Nigeria signed the Greentree Agreement, which marked the formal transfer of authority in the region, and the Nigerian Army partly withdrew from Bakassi.

However, there are still some disquiet there, because, although the ICJ ruling instructed Nigeria to relinquish possession of the Bakasi peninsula, it did not require the inhabitants to move or to change their nationality. And amongst those picturing Paul Biya as the idolizing image of immortality in mortality, are the people of the Bakasi Peninsula. Is it for reasons of patriotism, or for the fear of fascism?

By Abba Anwar

Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina State has once again demonstrated his unwavering commitment to tackling insecurity and promoting economic growth through the domestication of the National Policy on Nano, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (nMSMEs).

Katsina state, under Radda, is the first state in the country that domesticates the National Policy on nMSMEs. This bold move underscores his administration’s dedication to empowering youth, fostering entrepreneurship, and stimulating economic development. With this unwavering move he beats the imagination of many of his colleagues, governors across Nigeria.

Few months into the domestication period, governor Radda recently celebrated the unveiling and graduation of 217 young entrepreneurs from Katsina State Employability Project, purposely designed to address youth restiveness, criminal activities and creating corridor for growth and development.

During the graduation celebration, that took place at Kofar Bai Conference Hall, Katsina, the governor reiterated his commitment to economic growth, when he reveals that, “Katsina state is the first in the country to domesticate the National Policy on MSMEs and develop our State nMSMEs Policy.”

To comply with the global best practices, this initiative gives priority to areas that have to do with modern technology and Artificial Intelligence. Those graduands acquired skills that include, web development, social media and email marketing, graphics and product design and entrepreneurial development.

This speaks volumes of how focused and committed the governor is. Which undoubtedly places him above many governors in entrepreneurial development and youth inclusion in the state economy, governance and social cohesion, among many others.

As the only governor in Nigeria with the distinction of having led the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Governor Radda brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. His vision for Katsina State’s economic development is anchored on a multifaceted approach:

1. MSME growth
2. Skill acquisition
3. Job creation
4. Poverty alleviation
5. Improved standard of living

The establishment of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) marks a significant milestone in Governor Radda’s quest to drive MSME development and youth empowerment. Under the able leadership of Hajiya A’isha Aminu as Director General, KASEDA has recorded remarkable achievements, including:

– Launch of Dikko BDS Corp

– Training of numerous entrepreneurs

– Selection and Needs Assessment of Businesses with Growth Potentials

– Capacity-building training for KASEDA pioneer staff

– Partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI) yielding the N5 Billion MSMEs Revolving Matching and Managed Fund

– Study tour to Lagos and Abuja to learn from similar agencies

– Ongoing training of 3 youth at Social Innovation Academy, Uganda

All within a period of one year! This is amazing from all standpoints.

Governor Radda’s commitment to transparency and accountability is evident in his directive for quarterly progress reports from KASEDA, ensuring the agency remains focused on its objectives.

The Katsina MSMEs Policy, carefully crafted to align with the National Policy on MSMEs and the Katsina State Development Plan (2024-2043) Framework, serves as a blueprint for sustainable economic growth. Key components include:

– Promoting entrepreneurship education
– Enhancing access to finance
– Improving business environment
– Encouraging innovation and technology

His leadership has instilled a sense of hope and optimism among the people of Katsina State. His administration’s strides in MSME development and youth empowerment offer a replicable model for tackling insecurity and promoting economic growth.

As we celebrate these achievements, we urge other state governments to draw inspiration from Governor Radda’s visionary leadership. His commitment to empowering youth and fostering entrepreneurship will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on Katsina State’s economic future.

Having studied his giant strides in all facets of life, as a governor, especially in the area of entrepreneurial development and youth empowerment, I have the following suggestions for sustainability purpose and good tracking system. Hence the following suggestions:

Short-term Suggestions of 0-2 years period. See below:

1. Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track KASEDA’s progress. As the governor paves way for this, right from day one.

2. Develop a mentorship program pairing successful entrepreneurs with start-ups.

3. Organize regular entrepreneurship fairs and exhibitions.

4. Collaborate with financial institutions to provide access to affordable credit.

5. Intensify skills acquisition training programs.

Medium-term Suggestions of 2-5 years. See below:

1. Develop industrial clusters and specialized economic zones.

2. Establish partnerships with international organizations for technical assistance.

3. Create a venture capital fund to support innovative start-ups.

4. Develop an e-commerce platform for MSMEs to access global markets.

5. Introduce business incubation centers.

Long-term Suggestions of 5+ years. See below:

1. Develop a comprehensive entrepreneurship curriculum for schools.

2. Establish a Katsina State Entrepreneurship Development Fund.

3. Create a network of business ambassadors and investors.

4. Develop strategic partnerships with neighboring states for regional economic growth.

5. Establish a research and development center for innovation.

My governor may need the following Cross-Cutting Suggestions again. See below:

1. Ensure inclusive participation of women and youth in MSME development programs.

2. Leverage technology for efficient program management and service delivery.

3. Foster partnerships with private sector stakeholders.

4. Develop a robust database of MSMEs for targeted interventions.

5. Encourage sustainable and environmentally-friendly business practices.

I personally believe that, by implementing these suggestions, Katsina State can:

– Enhance entrepreneurship culture
– Increase job creation
– Stimulate economic growth
– Improve living standards
– Reduce insecurity

These recommendations will help Katsina State sustain and build upon the progress made in MSME development, ensuring a brighter economic future for its citizens.

Kudos to Governor Radda for his unwavering commitment to the people of Katsina State!

Abba Anwar writes from Kano and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com

By Henry Akinduro

In 2021 the then Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, bringing to a close a 20-year effort to reform Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, with the aim of creating an environment more conducive for growth of the sector and addressing legitimate grievances of communities most impacted by extractive industries.

A lot has changed in the sector domestically and globally since the reform efforts began. The number of indigenous oil and gas firms has grown, but so has the number of oil-producing countries in the region. Militancy in oil-rich communities, while remaining, has diminished. Concerns over climate change have fueled aggressive efforts to reduce global consumption of fossil fuels—driving divestment from oil and gas by companies, institutions, and countries.

The PIA represents an effort by Africa’s leading oil-producing country to respond to this changing environment. In 2019, the oil and gas sector accounted for about 5.8 percent of Nigeria’s real GDP and was responsible for 95 percent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and 80 percent of its budget revenues. In addition, because the law is far-reaching in its remit, it is complex and not easy to summarize.

If properly and vigorously implemented, the PIA can represent the gold standard of natural resource management, with clear and separate roles for the subsectors of the industry; the existence of a commercially-oriented and profit-driven national petroleum company; the codification of transparency, good governance, and accountability in the administration of the petroleum resources of Nigeria; the economic and social development of host communities; environmental remediation; and a business environment conducive for oil and gas operations to thrive in the country. However, these results are conditional on Nigeria’s political and oil industry leaders overcoming some key challenges that are discussed following the summary of the key provisions of the act.

The PIA overhauls the regulation and governance of the oil and gas industry. The law provides for two regulatory agencies—the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, (NMDPRA)—that will be responsible for the technical and commercial regulation of petroleum operations in their respective sectors, and have the power to acquire, hold, and dispose of property, as well as sue and be sued in their own name.

The law commercializes the perennially loss-making state-owned enterprise, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), turning it into the NNPC Ltd, a quasi-commercial entity the ownership of which shares shall be vested with the government, and the ministries of Finance and Petroleum shall hold the shares on behalf of the government. Per the PIA, the president of Nigeria will appoint the president of NNPC Ltd as well as heads and members of the regulatory agencies.

Separately, the minister of petroleum, then, will head the industry with a wide range of powers to formulate, monitor, and administer government policy under the PIA.

Importantly, the PIA provides that 30 percent of the profits of the NNPC Ltd will fund a new entity, to finance exploration in other basins in the country (Frontier Exploration Fund). Ten percent of rents on petroleum prospecting licenses and 10 percent of rents on petroleum mining leases are also assigned to Frontier exploration. The act is unclear on whether there will continue to be exploration in existing basins.

The relationship between oil and gas host communities in Nigeria has historically been very poor. The PIA aims to address this problem by creating the Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF) whose purpose will be to, among others, foster sustainable prosperity, provide direct social and economic benefits from petroleum to host communities, and enhance peaceful and harmonious coexistence between licensees or lessees and host communities.

Specifically, the law stipulates that existing host community projects must be transferred to the HCDTF, and each settlor (or oil license holder) must make an annual contribution of an amount equal to 3 percent of its operating expenditure for the relevant operations from the previous year.

The management committee of the trust must include one member of the host community. In addition, the act stipulates a penalty for failure to comply with host community obligations, including revocation of license.

Henry Akinduro is the chairman of Total Grace Foundation.