EMMERSON MNANGAGWA: NEW HOPE RISES FOR ZIMBABWEAN

EMMERSON MNANGAGWA: NEW HOPE RISES FOR ZIMBABWEANS

By Collins Ughalaa

“During the Mugabe era we were very oppressed. Everywhere there were spies and you could not discuss anything in public. There was no justice, no equality. When Mugabe committed a crime it was not a crime. He was a liar and a thief", said Toka Manzi, a 23-year-old Zimbabwean labourer.

Since early November 2017 the attention of the whole world has been fixed on a South African country of 16 million people called Zimbabwe. The former President of the country that has been ravaged economically for decades, Mr. Robert Mugabe, resigned from office after a bloodless coup d'etat which was described by the United Nations as the legitimate expression of the will of Zimbabweans, given way for his estranged former VP and strong ally, Barr Emmerson Mnangagwa, to emerge his successor.

Zimbabweans have been happy for the removal of Mugabe who did not handled the country well as a leader, despite that he led his country to independence from British imperialism. This perhaps explains that not everyone who is involved in or leads the struggle to independence is good at leadership or possesses the requisite leadership credentials to transform the potentials of his people to their joys and development. African leaders are guilty of this, though late Nelson Mandela of South Africa and very few others have proved that not only were they warriors of their people, they are also leaders. But in the mould of Mugabe is the outgoing President of South Africa, President Jacob Zuma, who though been amongst the people that led his country to end apartheid has not proved his mettle at leadership, per se.

The joyful mood of the people of Zimbabwe over the removal of Mugabe is very symbolic in many ways. It was like the mood of Nigerians when the Maximum ruler, General Sani Abacha, died while making plans to perpetuate himself in office. But as represented by Toka Manzi's comment quoted at the beginning of this article, the people of Zimbabwe feel that Mugabe was an oppressor. And his removal by the Zimbabwean Army, his subsequent resignation and the swearing-in of Mnangagwa as President represents new hope for the best educated Africans, that at last they have a fresh window of opportunity to get things right.

I have heard many posit that the removal of Mugabe and installment of his former Vice President and strong ally during the Rhodesian Bush War, Emmerson Mnangagwa, is another mistake by the people of Zimbabwe. According to them, President Mnangagwa was Mugabe's VP since 2014 and he brokered the power sharing deal in 2008 when the presidential election put the country on the edge, and so was part of all the mis-governance and atrocities that was committed by Mugabe in power. People in this school of thought believe that Zimbabweans may have made another mistake. They also add that though Mugabe has been ousted the system in Zimbabwe has not changed as the Army which was a great parcel of the Mugabe's repressive regime still holds sway. They posit also that since the Army is still around in Zimbabwe's leadership, there is nothing much to expect from the new President.

Many people do not agree with this. Personally, I believe that the Zimbabweans have been presented with a fresh opportunity to get things done well and climb up the ladder of development. Do I expect that things will change 100% within a period of 2 years or four years or five years? No. What I believe is that Zimbabweans have the rare chance to rewrite their history, and history will record all their effort to get things done. Getting this done will require so much and I have hope that Mnangagwa will change a lot for Zimbabweans.

The whole world is watching Zimbabwe and their new President. For me, what is more important is having the opportunity and getting started. I don't expect to see Mnangagwa accomplish all the dreams of his 16 million people in four years. That would amount to expecting magic to happen. What I expect him to do is to start the process which will be built upon by successive governments in order to achieve the Zimbabwe of their dream. There might be mistakes and temptations along the way, but with clear vision, commitment and transparency, the people of Zimbabwe will be placed on the path to greatness and bliss. Also, I expect that the new President will pluck what Nigerian politicians call the low hanging fruits that would solve some immediate problems and relieve his people and reassure them that they can believe in him.

One of the things I would like to see in Zimbabwe is electoral reforms. Granted, the new Zimbabwean President has on Friday during his swearing-in on Friday before 70,000 people promised to deliver free and fair elections and that the peoples' voice would be heard. This gives fresh hopes for the peace and political development of the people, especially as they prepare for the general elections next year, 2018.

The imperative of having free and fair elections in Zimbabwe as promised by President Mnangagwa was expressed by Elias Mudzuri, the Vice President of the opposition party, MDC, when he said on Friday: “It is important that we go into elections and the people are allowed to express themselves".

Born on September 15, 1942, President Emmerson Mnangagwa had played several roles in Zimbabwe, apart from being a strong ally to Mr. Mugabe. He was Minister for Rural Housing in 2005 and became Vice President in 2014. And as Minister of State during the Gukurahundi massacres that claimed thousands of lives of the people from Nebele, he courageously put the blames on the laps of the Zimbabwean Army. Add these to Mnangagwa's power sharing deal of 2008 to save his country from precipitation, you would see an honest and courageous man.

As a lawyer with huge political experience, honesty, vision and courage, which are political capital, I expect to see sweeping economic and judicial reforms delivered to the people of Zimbabwe. The hope of reforms in the economy was highlighted by the new President when he told his people that he would initiate land reforms to correct Mugabe's land policies that led to the violent seizure of thousands of white-owned farms from 2000. He said he would not reverse it but promised to compensate those affected. This will no doubt stimulate economic activities and restore hope and confidence in the people and their government.

The new hoped-for economic activities that will accomoany the economic reforms will create jobs for Zimbabweans, because no meaningful economic reforms would make sense if it cannot deliver jobs for the millions of Zimbabweans roaming the streets due to Mugabe's anachronistic policies.

The new Zimbabwean President is not aloof. He understands that job creation and meaningful employment is a critical factor in galvanizing the people to a great Zimbabwe. He has accordingly promised he would create jobs and make efforts to attract foreign investors to rejuvenate and grow the economy that has been stifled for decades.

Related to this is the hope that the new President will run an efficient fiscal regime that would see the advancement of their currency so that the people will have a good exchange rate and drive the economy. The economic reforms will also not make sense if the people are not empowered to drive the economy.

There is also the need to tackle head on the skyrocketing inflation in Zimbabwe that has defied Mugabeism. The people will have faith in their economy the day they begin to witness good exchange rate for their currency and gradual and steady decline in their inflation statistics to allow local participation.

As President Mnangagwa settles down for business, he is expected to build on the quality of education in Zimbabwe and ensure that the quality does not go down. May God help him to select efficient and dynamic cabinet members that will hell him deliver.

But like the thirsty Zimbabweans, Imo people who have suffered anachronistic policies under Governor Okorocha's regime are yearning for a vista of opportunity in 2019 to reject everything associated with the Governor. This will include rejecting his son-in-law Uche Nwosu or any other person he may anoint to succeed him. Despite the differences in political leanings, Imo people agree that they do not want the Governor's inlaw. They are not also amused by the succession politics of the Governor and therefore do not want any succeasor he might anoint.

This is the only way to truly rescue Imo State and chart a new course for the people of the state.

Babangida Returns To Nigeria After Medical Trip To Germany

Former military ruler, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), has returned to Nigeria from a three-week trip to Germany for medical treatment. Babangida arrived Minna Airport on Friday at about 3:30pm. Rumours of his death were awash in the social media last week before it was refuted by his son, Mohammed Babandgida. Niger State governor, Abubakar Bello, said the country still needs Babangida, around for his counsel. Governor Sani Bello who welcomed the former military leader said “despite unfounded rumour about the life of our national icon, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, we are grateful that it pleases Allah (SWT) to preserve his life and bring him back safely and healthier to continue in the good work of nation building. “General Ibrahim Babangida remains one of the few leaders in this country that we still need around to tap from their wealth of experience and knowledge and we are grateful he is back and kicking like the old soldier he is. “Your safe return has finally put a lie to the rumour and the evil machinations of those who are playing God. We are grateful to Allah (SWT) that he has silenced them,” he said.

FG Appoints Chiedu Ugbo As Ag. M.D Niger Delta Power Holding Company

The Federal Government of Nigeria has dissolved the Executive Management of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd. Consequently, the Managing Director and all Executives of the Company are directed to hand over immediately to the most senior officer in their respective departments. Also affected is the General Manager Audit, who has been disengaged and instructed to handover to the most senior officer in the audit department. While appreciating their services, the federal government has appointed Mr. Chiedu Ugbo a lawyer as the Acting Managing Director of the company. Before his appointment, Ugbo was a Senior Special Assistant (Power and Privatisation) to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo.

Acute waist pain: Metu admitted in LUTH

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman, Olisa Metuh is now on admission at the Lagos University Hospital (LUTH), Lagos two weeks after he left the National Hospital, Abuja where he was once on bed rest. His lawyer, Emeka Etiaba (SAN) disclosed this Friday at the resumption of proceedings in Metuh’s trial before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja. Etiaba, who tendered a letter dated June 8, 2016 to support his position, said Metuh opted for LUTH after following his failure to secure the court’s nod to seek medical care abroad as was recommended by the National Hospital. The letter from LUTH, signed for Consultant Neurosurgeon by Dr. Olufemi Bankole, said Metuh was under observation and management by the hospital and would need to be confined to bed rest for some time. The letter was silent on the duration of Metuh’s admission. Metuh last attended proceedings on May 23 when his 4th witness, Anthony Okeke commenced giving evidence. He was to continue the following day, only for Etiaba to inform the court that his client was on admission at the National Hospital and was on bed rest. Although Justice Abang noted that the duration of his treatment was not indicated in a medical report issued by one Dr. O. O. Oyeleye, a Consultant Neurosurgeon at the National Hospital, Abuja, which Metuh submitted to support his request for adjournment, the judge adjourned to May 30. On Friday, Metuh was expected to resume his defence, but his lawyer to the court he was absent and was on admission in another hospital – LUTH. He tendered the letter from LUTH to support his claim, and urged the court to adjourn proceedings to a later date. Prosecution lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir queried the procedure adopted by Metuh, who relocated from one hospital to another without the knowledge of the court. “The last time we were here, this court was informed of the admission of the 1st defendant (Metuh) at the National Hospital, Abuja. I urged the court to take judicial notice of the fact that the 1st defendant is deemed to be on admission at the National Hospital. “If there is any case of referral for further evaluation of the 1st defendant, I would have thought that the hospital should have availed this court, out of courtesy, with a referral letter, showing the sequence of event, since the National Hospital earlier wrote this court about the admission of the 1st defendant. “The instant letter seems to be coming from LUTH. That creates doubt in my mind as to whether the information contained in it is reliable. The letter also did not show as to when exactly the 1st defendant shall be discharged for him to return for his trial, because the letter said he is under observation and management for the next few weeks. “The court has no idea when the 1st defendant was discharged by the National Hospital. One would have expected that the 1st defendant would have availed himself the opportunity of attending to his health between the last time we were here and now. The same issue of health came up when last we were here. “The letter is dated June 8. It is curious that on the eve of the resumption of the court’s business, another letter is written. The court being human being, like us, who are all mortals, we expect a demonstration of good faith such that will not give room for doubt. We most reluctantly concede to adjournment,” Tahir said. Responding, Etiaba denied the impression that his client was playing pranks. He explained that Metuh was actually ill and needed medical attention. Etiaba said his client could not procure a referral note from the National Hospital management, who he said claimed that their facility, being the best in the country could no reverse itself by referring Metuh to inferior Nigerian hospitals having earlier referred him for treatment abroad. “This trial will come and go, and God willing, we will all be alive to continue to work from the Bar. It is not a matter of life and death,’’ he said.

Immigration Recruitment Scam: Abba Moro overruled Jonathan, reversed employment of victims’ relatives – Paradang

A former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, David Paradang, has narrated how former Interior Minister, Abba Moro, reversed ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive to employ relatives of the deadly 2014 Immigration recruitment victims. Mr. Paradang said the former minister described the employment of some family members of those who died in the stampede, as “illegal”. Only those who were qualified for junior positions out of 45 total family members of 15 victims, were given jobs, he told a court trying Mr. Moro on Friday. Mr. Paradang did not say the exact number of those employed. It was also unclear whether former President Jonathan was consulted by the former minister before the employment offers were cancelled. Mr. Moro and four others are facing an 11-count charge of money laundering, arising from the conduct of the tragic recruitment. They are accused of defrauding 676, 675 applicants of N676. 7 million being the aggregate of N1000 paid by each applicant to the recruiting agent, Drexel Nigeria Limited, a company Mr. Moro had ties with. Despite the huge amount realized from applicants, the recruitment was poorly organised, resulting in deadly stampedes across the country. Mr. Paradang, who is the first prosecution witness in Mr. Moro’s trial, told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday that after a presidential directive of employment to victims’ relatives, Mr. Moro ordered the withdrawal of offer letters. “At the close of the day, we had 15 casualties and the office of the State Security Services later called to inform us that they were 165 persons injured nationally,” he told the court. Soon after the compilation of names of victims, the service received an order from the presidency, which was flouted by Mr. Moro, Mr. Paradang said. “Immediately after the letters were sent, the board (board of the Interior Ministry) asked them (the fresh applicants who were relatives of the deceased victims) to bring back the letters of appointment. The ministry said that the appointments given to them were illegal,” said Mr. Paradang. Mr. Jonathan had ordered the immediate employment of three family members each victim, while a fresh recruitment was to be conducted. The former president also handed out cheques of N5 million each to families of the deceased. It is also unclear whether the monies were cashed.

PDP could have produced Senate president, others — Akpabio

Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, while reflecting on what happened before June 9, which culminated in the election of Saraki as Senate President, said with what was on ground at that time, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would have produced the Senate President and other principal officers. He said though his party had the number of required senators needed to produce the Senate president, following the absence of some All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmakers, it decided to put the interest of the nation first. Akpabio who noted that some intrigues played out prior to the election of Saraki as Senate President, said: “You (Saraki) were jittery and sweating on that day. If we had wanted to take over the Senate, the PDP would have done that. We had the chance to take all the positions but because we are not greedy, we decided to allow the APC take over.” Speaking on the general state of affairs in the country, Akpabio warned that if something urgent was not done, Nigeria would be plunged into crisis. He said: “In the South-South, people have abandoned their homes because of activities of Niger Delta Avengers. The North is in turmoil; the South-East is boiling because of agitation. The South-West is the only peaceful area, but they still send mercenaries to other areas to fight. “I want to urge the APC to market this country very well. The way the APC is saying the country is full of criminals, investors will not come here to invest. They must change the way they talk about Nigeria. Things need to change.”

Look beyond APC for solutions to economy, Senate tells Buhari

The Senate has vowed to hold accountable every appointee chosen by President Muhammadu Buhari to help him address the nation’s myriad of economic problems. President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, who made the declaration at the celebration of one year of the 8th Senate, sought the support and co-operation of the President to discharge this oversight task. Lambasting his colleagues for failing to take steps to come up with the necessary policy and legislation to put the economy on the right track, Saraki implored the President to look beyond his party, All Progressives Party, APC, to get the best brains to help him run the economy. He said: “We are confident that one year after, the President must by now have better clarity on the capacity of his appointees. The Senate would not hesitate to hold any appointee accountable for the work he has accepted to do. “We would like to seek Mr. President’s support and co-operation to enable us discharge this oversight task. “We have failed to take the necessary steps in policy and legislation that would set us on the path to developing the kind of economy we desire.’’ Senate worries over worsening economy, unemployment, militancy, others Saraki expressed concern about the worsening economic situation in the country, which had culminated in retrenchment, rising cost of living, unemployment, insurgency and renewed militancy in the Niger Delta. He said further in his address to his colleagues in the chamber: “These are serious challenges that require all hands to be on deck. There is no other time in our history than now, when the business of government needs to be conducted with great inclusiveness. “We must find a way to bring the best brains in our country on board wherever they may be found. Even those who did not vote for us but believe in the change that we all believe is necessary to move our country forward should be given a seat at the table. “If we are able to mobilize the best human resources that God has bountifully blessed our country with, I have no doubt that with God on our side, we shall overcome. “We note the Federal Government’s plan to invest N500 billion in social protection programmes in the current budget. We want to urge the government to ensure that appropriate mechanism is devised to ensure that the benefits of these programmes get to those who are genuinely in need. “It is important that, as we move forward in this fight, considerable attention is paid to strengthening the anti-corruption agencies to enable them discharge their functions with greater efficiency and fairness. “We want to assure Mr. President that the Senate will continue to play its part in the fight against corruption, which we believe is cardinal in our desire to improve governance in our country. We will also continue to broaden the scope for increased openness and accountability that we have promised at the legislative level. He tasked the Federal Government on fight against mass poverty, saying: “While government has made progress in the fight against Boko Haram and in the fight against corruption, the fight against mass poverty remains a daunting challenge. Rising cost of living, increased cases of retrenchment and corresponding rise in unemployment, inability of state governors to pay salaries and upsurge in ethnic-based agitation potentially deny government the full credit of the great strides it has made in other areas. “The same energy that has been invested in fighting corruption and Boko Haram must be invested in taking care of the people, in making life easier and better for them. We need to begin to assure Nigerians that the sacrifice that they make today will not be in vain. We need to begin to show them that there would be light at the end of the dark tunnel. So, we must not relent in our efforts in this area over the next years ahead. Speaking on the Nigrer-Delta militants, the Senate President said: “I cannot end this address without a note on the on-going security challenges we are beginning to witness in the Niger Delta area of our country. “We urge the warring militants to embrace our democratic institutions and channel their grievances through appropriate quarters as we can ill-afford further damage to the ecosystem of this all important region and any more disruptions in the system. “In the same vein, we also encourage government to adopt dialogue and engagement as a more lasting option towards resolving this challenge. We also call on the leaders in the area to play their part and ensure through mediation that this menace is comprehensively quelled. “The collapse in oil price has, without doubt, brought huge shock to our economy on a scale that perhaps, has never been experienced before. This requires us to develop creative strategies that would stimulate business and investments into other sectors. “For decades, we have talked about the need to diversify our economy. But we have failed to take the necessary steps in policy and legislation that would set us on the path to developing the kind of economy that we desire. “The Ease of Doing Business Report that ranks our country 167 out of 189 countries is not likely to attract business into our economy. This Senate understands this. With the support from our international development partners, the organized private sector, we commissioned an expert report which identified 54 extant laws that must be reviewed and brought in line with international best practices in order to open up our economy for private investments and business. “For too long, Nigerians have challenged us to justify our presence in this chamber. Many have wondered what exactly we do here or why we should be entitled to certain privileges. I believe that the best answer we can provide to all these is to continue to seek ways that would enable the ordinary citizen feel the impact of the Senate in their lives. “I dream of a day when the poor woman sitting in her house in rural Awka would be able to see the benefit of our work on her life. I dream of a day when a child going to school in Gusau would feel the benefit of the laws that we make. “I dream of a day when a young lady in Osogbo would be able to say how the Senate has helped her small business. I dream of a day when a farmer in Ogoja would see how those of us gathered in this chamber have helped to improve his life. I am confident that if we continue on the path that we have walked in the past year, that day will come soon. “