Tag: Ehi Braimah

Majek Fashek, the rainmaker, is gone – Ehi Braimah

By Ehi Braimah

It’s been raining lately in Lagos but when it rained last Tuesday morning, the feeling was quite different. Something was clearly amiss. The downpour had an unusual ring to it: there were loud claps of thunder with dark clouds hanging menacingly overhead; the rains came down in torrents but it was a brief spell. When the news broke that it was finally sunset for Majekodunmi Fasheke (Majek Fashek), it was easy to connect the dots. The “rainmaker” had passed on. Majek died in New York, USA on June 1.

Growing up, we were told comets were seen only when great men departed this world but in the case of Majek, he had an uncommon mystical connection to weather elements. It was difficult to explain but each time Majek staged a performance, it would rain cats and dogs. The news of his demise was also heralded by heavy early morning downpour. Now that Majek is gone, who will send down the rain? Majek, although you’re gone, we need plenty of rain water in many communities without access to water; we need rain water for electricity; farmers need rainfall for bountiful harvests; our plants and gardens need rain water to nurture their green environment and survive. The streams, rivers, lakes will dry up without rain water. To achieve a balance in nature’s ecosystem, we need rain water ooo! Majek, are you there? Can you hear me?

Majek who passed away at 58 had too many things in common with Robert Nesta Marley (Bob Marley), the Jamaican singer, songwriter and musician considered as one of the pioneers of reggae who died on May 11, 1981. Apart from having similar dreadlocks, they had distinctive vocal abilities and creative song writing styles. Majek was an extra-ordinary talent and home boy. It is therefore not surprising his passage has attracted a flood of fond tributes. Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo state, described the reggae crooner as an enigmatic talent. “I mourn the death of a quintessential maverick musician and Edo son,” Obaseki wrote in his Twitter handle to honour Majek. “Fashek who took the world by storm with his enigmatic talent remains one of the finest cultural icons of his age, and he would be remembered for his disarming craft and skill,” the governor added.

Majek was a shining star in the musical firmament. However, in the twilight of his career, those stars that we were used to no longer glowed; Majek had become a shadow of his former self and to all intents and purpose, he struggled to live. Majek started his musical career from the church where he attempted to play the trumpet until he met his band mate Amos McCroy – now a Pastor – who taught him how to play the guitar.

Majek relocated from his Benin base to Lagos with McCroy, Black Rice and George Orwell to form the Jahstix Band. The life of musicians revolves around a closely knitted fraternity where individual talents are explored to produce hit songs. At this time, you would find the trio at Japex Studio in Anthony Village. Majek became the resident producer at the Studio until he was signed on by Tabansi Records in 1988 where he released his first wave making album, “Prisoner of Conscience” the following year.

The nine–track album contained several hit songs but it was “Send down the rain” that brought Majek instant recognition and fame. The song not only dominated the airwaves but it fetched him six awards including “Song of the Year”, “Album of the Year” and “Reggae Artiste of the Year” at the famous Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) music awards in 1989. Now you can understand why the heavens opened up at Majek’s prompting each time he sang this song; that was how he got the moniker, “rainmaker”.

Immediately I heard the news of Majek’s death, I called my brother Kunle Onime, an entrepreneur, showbiz promoter noted for the highly successful Lekki Sunsplash concerts of the ‘90s and chief executive of 97.1 FM, the first reggae radio station in Nigeria based in Abeokuta, Ogun state. “Majek was a raw talent,” remembers Onime. “Apart from singing, he could play any musical instrument. Majek never wrote down any song; they came naturally to him. His stage craft was breathtaking; he had the rare gift of superlative performances that held his audience spell bound. Anytime Majek performed, the audience went wild with excitement and they yelled for more,” Onime added.

From Tabansi Records, Majek moved to CBS/Sony Music in 1989 where he released two equally successful albums, “I & I Experience” and “So Long, Too Long” between 1989 and 1992. In “I & I Experience”, one of Majek’s songs was “Free Africa, Free Mandela”, the reggae maverick protested the continued incarceration of Nelson Mandela of South Africa who became the global symbol of the apartheid regime. Majek worked directly with Laolu Akins who was A & R (Artiste & Repertoire) Manager of CBS/Sony Music at the time. Laolu was the phenomenal drummer in the sensational BLO group of the ‘70s – “B” stood for Berkeley Jones (guitarist); “L” for Laolu Akins and “O” for Mike Odumosu (bass guitarist).

“Majek was a vibrant musical talent and iconoclast,” recalls Akins. “After his stint at CBS/Sony Music, Majek headed to the United States to launch his career on the international scene. He was signed on by Interscope Records where he released “Spirit of Love”. When he returned to Nigeria, Majek was no longer himself; he demystified all the things that made him great. Instead of Majek becoming an object of pity, it was better for him to go and rest because he suffered intractable health challenges before he passed on,” Akins further reflected. “It was pathetic and wicked to recall how some people exploited Majek’s situation by using his name to fraudulently obtain money from sympathisers,” he added.

In his own tribute, Tony Agenmonmen, former Marketing Manager of Nigerian Breweries Plc and President/Chairman of Council of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), penned the following words: “The song that brought Majek Fashek into national limelight and fame was “Send down the rain”. There was indeed rain and plenty of it. The co-incidence became mythical. Majek was a bundle of talent and arguably Nigeria’s own version of Bob Marley. His voice was electric and his performances were awesome. It was his time, and it was his moment.

“Just when we thought we were going to have the music king for a while, something snapped and the Majek Fashek we knew was gone. In his place was a shadow. Efforts to bring our Majek Fashek back so many times failed. With his death, Nigeria, Africa and indeed the entire world lost a musical genius. Majek is gone, but he will live in our hearts and his music will endure,” Agenmonmen said confidently.

Also speaking on the passage of the reggae legend, Chief Tony Okoroji, Chairman of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), said, “In various ways, we will celebrate the life of this incredibly talented Nigerian. Everyone knows that Majek Fashek was not just my colleague, he was my friend. We shared many memorable moments together.”

In the statement released by Chief Okoroji, he also noted that Majek’s passing tore at his heart. ”But I’m consoled by the fact that there is no need to immortalize Majek; he has immortalized himself through his unforgettable songs and lyrics. We will celebrate Majek Fashek to inspire the young people in the creative industry. Hopefully, I will speak with Randy, Majek’s first son, who lives in New York,” the COSON Chairman added. Meanwhile, a condolence register has been opened at the reception of COSON House for tributes to honour the memory of Majek Fashek.

“Kpanlogo”, Majek’s brand of reggae music, made sense because it was a form of “protest” music. His songs projected him as a human rights activist fighting the cause of black people. Also in the reggae family in the 80s and ‘90s were Ras Kimono (of blessed memory); the Mandators, Evi Edna-Ogholi, Orits Wiliki and so on. Wiliki described Majek as a mentor and one of the pillars of reggae music in Arica while Abuja based avant garde entertainer Charly Boy said Majek was not only handsome and talented; his lyrics were powerful and revolutionary.

Majek obviously wowed and captivated music lovers – the outpouring of tributes reflect his prodigious talent and his ability to sing and put up top drawer performances like Bob Marley, his alter ego. Majek was married to Rita and the union was blessed with four children. He relocated his family to the United States a long time ago. His huge dream of playing on the big stage was the beginning of his problem. Although Majek played alongside notable global music icons such as Tracy Chapman, Michael Jackson, Jimmy Cliff, Snoop Dogg and Beyoncé, he became a victim of his own ambition. But even then, we cannot blame Majek for his setbacks or failing health. From the United Kingdom where he was receiving treatment, Majek travelled to join his family. It was an opportunity to make peace with his estranged family before answering the final call. Adieu rainmaker!

Braimah is a public relations and marketing strategist based in Lagos

June 4, 2020
The amazing potential of Nigeria’s untapped Blue Economy, By Ehi Braimah

One of the primary objectives of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) launched by the federal government three years ago was aimed at diversifying the economy. With the price of oil in the global market always going up and down like a yo-yo, we do not need a prophet to tell us that the time has come for us to beam our searchlight on the non-oil sector in the face of declining government revenue.

The 2020 national budget of N10.59 trillion ($29.42 billion) assumed an average price of oil at $57 per barrel if our production ranges between 1.7 million and 2 million barrels per day. That was not a bad projection although, on the face of it, the oil price benchmark appeared very ambitious. With the disruption wrought upon global markets by COVID-19 and multiple constraining factors, oil price crashed below $20 at one point with far reaching consequences for the Nigerian economy.

With the declining demand for our oil which accounts for 90% of export revenue, Zainab Ahmed, Minister for Finance, Budget and National Planning, has announced adjustments to the budget. She has also asked everyone to brace up for the inevitable economic recession that would follow. In the meantime, the Economic Sustainability Committee headed by vice president Yemi Osinbajo is working round the clock to come up with solutions to weather the economic crisis since the pandemic hit the world.

One area the federal government and Osinbajo’s committee should consider immediately as a major revenue alternative to oil is our blue economy. Unfortunately, Nigeria is not tapping into the potential of the blue economy but it is not too late to begin with baby steps. What is a blue economy? Navy Commodore Daniel Atakpa, the immediate past Commandant of the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic School and blue economy expert, answers the question as follows: “A blue economy is an evolving maritime ecological concept aimed at the sustainable exploitation of ocean resources for economic growth, citizenry well-being and national development. Nigeria stands to gain immensely if we adopt and implement a credible strategy for harnessing the resources of the blue economy considering that the country is strategically located within the resource-rich Gulf of Guinea.”

The oceans cover two thirds of the Earth’s surface and they are a precious resource. Emphasising the value of ocean resources, Natalie Parletta, a freelance science writer based in Adelaide — the coastal capital of South Australia — and adjunct research fellow with the University of South Australia, explained that the oceans are vital for planetary and human health. “Oceans help to buffer the impact of climate change. These delicate ecosystems also provide habitats for millions of species; more than half the oxygen we breathe and food for more than a billion people come from the oceans,” Parletta wrote in one of her essays published in Forbes and Cosmos magazines. She also noted that an ideal model of a blue economy revolves around decision making that integrates economic, social and environmental needs for optimal benefits for all.

Nigeria has a coastline of about 420 nautical miles and an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 200 nautical miles which translates to a maritime area of 84,000 square nautical miles, says Navy Commodore Atakpa. Nigeria is situated in the Gulf of Guinea and if we do the maths right by using one nautical mile as the equivalent of 1.852 kilometres, Nigeria’s maritime space (290 square kilometres) is about one third of our land area (924 square kilometres). In other words, Nigeria’s maritime space is the sum of the land areas of the following States and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory: Niger (76,363 sq km), Borno (70,898 sq km), Taraba (54,473 sq km), Kaduna (46,053 sq km), Lagos (3,343 sq km) and Abuja (7,315 sq km).

The current exploitation practice of the oceans in Nigeria is based on the traditional model: it is an unsustainable way of maritime practices of fishing, transportation and off-shore oil and gas exploitation. However, blue economy, according to the experts, incorporates the emerging sectors of marine biotechnology, deep sea mining, off-shore renewable energy and eco-tourism amongst others. These ocean resources are embedded in the Gulf of Guinea, a major natural endowment; it means Nigeria is ignorantly seating on a blue economy with massive economic potential for the country if properly harnessed.

We do not currently have a blue economy which began globally about 10 years ago. Even with traditional ocean economy which is the pathway to operationalizing the blue economy, we do not have reliable data. This is the time for policy makers to understand the concept of blue economy and embrace it as it is being done in other parts of the world. Three countries — Republic of Ireland; Republics of South Africa and Seychelles – provide exemplary models for the establishment of blue economy bearing in mind that the concept was operationalized in these countries in 2012, 2014 and 2015 respectively.

At the last International Maritime Week which held at Oriental Hotel in Lagos (September, 2018), it was agreed that Nigeria has what it takes to operationalize the blue economy and make it work for enhanced economic growth. It is evident that the absence of a strategic maritime economic blue print, flawed institutional framework, maritime insecurity, lack of data as well as withheld Carbotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) are the bane of the maritime economy. Across Africa, fishing is a major economic activity in the oceans, lakes, rivers and fish farms. According to a UNDP report, fishing — which is a major source of income for fishing communities in the continent — employs about 12.3 million people between the ages of 15 – 64 years either as full or part time.

Writing for Raconteur magazine, freelance journalist Jon Axworthy listed five African countries with blue economy potential as follows: Madagascar, Somalia, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria. Maritime transportation, deep sea ports, fishing, aquaculture and ship yards appeared to be common features in all the countries. However, sea cucumber farming is a big deal in Madagascar with 5,500 kilometres coastline.

In the case of Somalia with 3,000 kilometres coastline, the report indicated that their rich fisheries-based economy is threatened by the criminal activities of pirates thereby forcing foreign vessels to avoid Somali waters. The Kenyans are encouraged to eat more fish because the country lies within the lucrative tuna belt and it is estimated that there are between 150,000 and 300,000 tonnes of fish swimming through the country’s expansive 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone (EEZ). South Africa’s blue economy strategy is anchored on “Operation Phakisa” (Phakisa means “hurry” in Sesotho, one of the country’s traditional languages) and their area of focus is the growth of domestic shipping (marine transport and manufacturing) because, from about 13,000 trade cargo ships that visit South African Ports every year to deliver imports and export local produce and minerals, only a handful are registered under South African flag, Axworthy noted in his special report on Africa’s “five champions” of the blue economy.

Nigeria’s biggest economic potential in the traditional ocean economy, Axworthy further revealed, is in shipbuilding and repair yards in addition to aquaculture, deep-sea development and seafarer training. But due to lack of investment in these areas, Nigerian maritime operations have continued to lose money to foreigners. Ideally, oil export revenues should stay with us if we have a national carrier but we also lose significant revenue because of foreign ships lifting oil from Nigerian ports.

These are challenges we must address for a successful blue economy model. First, the federal government should understand the concept of blue economy and buy into it; second, establish a legal and institutional framework and muster the political will to adopt changes required to foster a blue economy; third, government should appoint experts to come up with a blue economy strategy, and four, a new Ministry of Blue Economy (MoBE) should be created to implement the strategy. The proposed strategy must be “inclusive, environmentally sound and sustainable”. There is no doubt marine activities will boost Nigeria’s revenue, a position canvassed by Olisa Agbakoba, senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He estimated that Nigeria’s maritime economy has the capacity to create over 40 million jobs and generate N7 trillion revenue annually (Agbakoba, O., “Strategic Action Plan for Nigeria’s Maritime Sector”, Law Blog, 26 May 2015).

As a blue economy expert, Navy Commodore Atakpa says it is important that we worry about dwindling land-based resources and rising global population. By 2050, the global population is projected to be in the region of 9 – 10 billion people and Nigeria is expected to have a population of about N400 million people. The oceans would provide the shock absorbers the global population needs to survive. The experts have indicated that because of its resource endowment, the oceans can provide a means of livelihood for over three billion people.

Two years ago, Bjorn Gillsater, head of the Word Bank–UNHCR Joint Data Centre on Forced Displacement, attested to the value of ocean resources in his contribution to World Bank’s blog. “Blue economy is an asset that provides food, jobs, water and it is a source of economic growth,” Gillsater wrote. “It provides the source of livelihood for hundreds of millions of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world. By one estimate, it generates $3 – 6 trillion to the world economy. If it were a country, the oceanic economy would be the 7th largest in the world,” Gillsater stated.

However, exploiting the oceans comes with its own challenges – the precious resource is suffering from the effect of human activities. According to Gillsater, these problems have large implications in the global food supply chain and pose risks to human health. “Almost a third of the global fish stock is over fished; climate change is impacting the ecosystems in both the oceans and the coastline,” Gillsater stated, sounding a note of alarm. Developments at some of the coastal areas have caused irreparable erosion; pollution and marine litter from both land and marine sources threaten the health of our oceans including its biodiversity.

The exploitation of ocean resources is receiving global attention. When the United Nations launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) five years ago with 169 targets to drive the goals, “Life Below the Oceans” was created as Goal No 14 (SDG14). This goal focuses on the sustainable management and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems. It also covers conservation and protection of ocean and aquatic life. The UN designed the 17 global goals to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all” and as a successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The expectation is that these goals would be achieved by 2030. According to Navy Commodore Atakpa, the UN recognises blue economy as an ecological economics development strategy that is re-enforced by SDG14 which advocates the sustainable use of ocean resources.

As part of the global response, Gillsater noted in his blog post that the UN, World Bank and 15 other global stakeholders agreed on a joint road map for global development of the blue economy concept and countries such as Canada, Fiji, Germany, Grenada, Kenya, Norway, Portugal, Sweden are providing leadership at national and global levels. To facilitate action for SDG14, the road map framed activities for the blue economy in five areas: harvesting and trade of marine resources; extraction and use of marine non-living resources; use of renewable non-exhaustible natural forces (blue energy); commerce and trade in and around the ocean, and those activities that indirectly contribute to the economy such as carbon sequestration, carbon protection, waste disposal and biodiversity.

The SDG office at the Presidency is expected to play an active role when a national policy framework to establish the blue economy is put together and it is essential to note that SDG14 will be very significant in this regard. Collaboration and engagement with states in the coastal region and agencies such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) will be helpful, too. It is also advisable for the SDG office to engage the services of a blue economy expert to articulate SDG14 strategy, implementation and progress.

Indeed, there is a meeting point between the blue economy and the overall SDG mandate – the blue economy, as a standalone SDG14, is capable of facilitating the achievements of nine other SDG goals. Hopefully, the federal government will pay attention to the huge opportunities available in the blue economy as we strive to expand the revenue base of the country.

*Braimah is a public relations consultant and marketing strategist based in Lagos (ehi.braimah@brandimpact.ng)

May 29, 2020
How illegal mining is sabotaging the Nigerian economy – Ehi Braimah

By Ehi Braimah

The Honourable Minster of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Olamilekan Adegbite, blew the whistle on some “powerful and influential” Nigerians recently during a media briefing in Abuja. What was the story? According to Arc Adegbite, these economic saboteurs – that’s what they are – have been putting pressure on the federal government to free Chinese nationals arrested for illegal mining in the country. In other words, these men of means and privileged access to power are trying to give the Honourable Minister a hard time simply because he’s doing his job. Hmmn, Nigeria we hail thee!

It turned out that the Osun State government arrested 27 persons for illegal mining of gold, and 17 of them were Chinese nationals. And you can bet, the pressure to release the culprits will continue to mount by every means possible. However, it appears Arc Adegbite is not willing to back down; from his body language, he’s ready to confront the godfathers who are “Nigerians in high authority” as he described them. The Minister also accused some soldiers of aiding illegal mining activities similar to the accusation made by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State against some army officers whom he described as the masterminds behind oil bunkering in the State. Illegal mining and oil bunkering are high stakes game for the players – usually “big boys” — and they always fight dirty once they feel their pot of honey is threatened.

The first set of illegal miners was arrested in Zamfara State before the Osun State arrests were made and the biggest culprits are the Chinese. They come into Nigeria and stay behind illegally with expired tourist visas and work permits. To make matters worse, they work as illegal miners. As oil prices crashed globally due to the economic crisis wrought upon us by COVID-19 pandemic, mining for gold has become attractive and lucrative. Factories around the world have shut down due to COVID-19 outbreak, so demand for industrial metals such as lead and zinc has dropped thereby making gold a hot cake. The price of gold in the international market is not stable; it varies depending on the market forces of demand and supply as well as the price of US Dollar.

Historically, gold has always been a store of value/wealth and right now, the going price is $1,700 per ounce. It perhaps explains why, according to my sources, our precious gold was illegally ferried across the border recently to a waiting private jet in Niamey, Republic of Niger, even as we fought to contain the spread of COVID-19. Now that revenue to all tiers of government is shrinking, our governors are becoming wiser and co-operating with the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD) and they now see gold as a viable alternative to boost revenue.

This shift in focus is a creative survival strategy. It has allowed for a legitimate operation by a Canadian company that was duly licensed to mine the large gold reserves in Osun State estimated at over one million ounce. Although COVID-19 has slowed down the process of building the mine, the value is close to $2 billion if you do the maths at the current price and the federal government will earn 5% royalty. However, the federal purse will be fatter if we go into partnerships with industrial licensees as we have it in the oil and gas sector.

Mining used to be a big deal in this country until we discovered oil, the black gold, in 1956. We not only abandoned mining, agriculture also suffered a major setback. By 1940s, Nigeria was a major exporter of columbite, tin, coal and tantalite in much the same way the groundnut pyramids (from the North); cocoa (from the West); rubber (from Midwest) and palm oil (from the East) were the pride of Nigeria in terms of export revenue in the good old days. See how the price of oil crashed in the global market amid COVID-19 pandemic and the consequential damages to our economy – 90% of our foreign exchange revenue comes from oil.

The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has full responsibility over mining regulations under the Federal Minerals and Mining Act of 1999. When former President Olusegun Obasanjo took office, he privatized the extractive industry because the public corporations in the sector did not have any redeeming value left. Our mineral assets are huge and they can be found in several states across the country. More than 40 minerals — excluding oil and gas – have been documented by the Ministry. They include gold, tantalite, coal, bitumen, silver, iron ore, barite and gypsum. Tantalite deposits are in Nassarawa, Kogi, Osun, Ekiti, Kwara, Cross Rivers and a few other states, and you are most likely to find the mineral alongside columbite. Tantalite is a dark brown mineral chemically similar to columbite and they have significant economic value.

Apart from being the largest exporter of columbite, tantalite and tin in the world before independence, Nigeria also had one of the best coking coals in the world. According to Dr Ikenna Nwosu, an energy expert and public policy analyst, coking coal produced from Onyeama Mines in Enugu was used to generate energy that powered engines in factories, trains and so on. During colonial rule, expatriate miners used mechanized mining — mining in commercial quantity — but they left Nigeria during the civil war that lasted from 1967 – 1970.

Since then, our extractive industry has suffered; we have refused – either through acts of omission or commission — to develop the industry because of oil and it explains why we still import minerals such as salt (also known as sodium chloride) that we use every day when we cook. Who doesn’t know the value of salt in our bodies? Anyway, you can check with your doctor or simply do an internet search which I did – salt acts as important electrolytes in the body; salt also helps with fluid balance, nerve transmission and muscle function. We also import iron ore – used mainly in the production of iron and steel – when we have large reserves in Itakpe, Kogi state; in fact the reserves are in excess of 200 million tons.

When Dr Kayode Fayemi was the Minister, a Mining Sector Road Map was created to address the challenges in the sector and one of the expected outcomes was that mining activities would contribute 7% to GDP based on sustained mining of limestone by the major cement production companies such as Dangote, BUA and Lafarge. Although the target was ambitious, the Road Map was a great visioning document for the future if properly implemented. In addition to mining limestone, quarrying gravel and chipping (used in civil/building construction) as well as sand mining (sand dredging) are economic activities that can also grow the GDP target.

Illegal mining began to gain prominence after independence in 1960. Mining rights belong to the federal government but it grants licenses for exploration, mining and sale of minerals. As I noted earlier, it was under former President Obasanjo that a bold reform initiative in the mining sector was introduced; Oby Ezekwesili was the Minister at the time. It was essentially a strategic policy framework to regulate the mining industry. For example, the policy reform led to the creation of Mine Police, a unit that was supposed to work with the Mines department of the Ministry to fight illegal mining. Unfortunately, the level of success recorded is nothing to write home about, a scorecard that continues to harm the image of the Police Force.

In the absence of effective policing, illegal mining has continued unabated and no royalties are paid to the federal government. Irresponsible mining practice harms the environment and ecology. In addition, the environmentally unfriendly methods and materials used in mining put the health of everyone in the community in grave danger. The miners, working mostly in the North West and South West zones of the country at the behest of their masters, use diggers, shovels, hoes and axes to dig for minerals. Unlike in mechanised mining which involves mining and processing minerals to add value, illegal miners extract minerals, especially gold, in their rawest form and smuggle them out of the country to willing buyers without any interception by Nigeria Customs Service.

Illegal and unsafe mining activities take place in remote villages where labour is cheap. Villagers are employed to dig for minerals but due to their crude methods, the mines sometimes collapse resulting in several deaths. The digging is wide and deep, forming craters on the land. When it rains, the trenches become “mining ponds” which is very dangerous because of the metallic residue from the mining operations – it is acidic and poisonous. Once mining is over, the trenches dug are abandoned. The Zamfara State story immediately comes to mind – acute lead poisoning caused by the processing of ore affected more than 3,500 children and killing over 400; the local river where they fetch drinking water was contaminated. Media reports at the time indicated that lead concentration in the atmosphere of some homes reached 23,000 parts per million which was well above the 400 parts per million threshold considered safe.

Another dangerous dimension to illegal mining is crime and armed conflict. In most of the mining communities, you will find widespread violence and kidnapping due to gang rivalry over mining resources. It explained why the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, banned mining in Zamfara State two years ago where over 80% of illegal mining for gold takes place. Illegal mining and gang violence escalated to the point where all mining activities in the State were discontinued on the orders of the IG.

In spite of reports of conflict, violence, death and the IG’s best efforts, illegal mining operation continues to thrive and it encourages illegal migration from all over West Africa. An exploration license is not a mining lease; the title implies that the holders should report minerals that they find within a 20 square kilometres area. But too often, they become Illegal miners without the rights to mine any mineral. Even when licenses are issued to mine limestone, for example, the practice has been to mine other minerals without reporting it.

The time has come for the federal government to pay more attention to the mining sector and minimize loss of revenue. Every dime will count in view of the parlous state of the economy. At the moment, our minerals contribute less than 1% to GDP. How can we scale up the value chain in terms of exploration, mining and processing? Where are the lapidaries — mining labs used for processing and cutting precious stones such emerald, topaz, amethyst and onyx? Beyond artisanal output, we need large scale and industrial licensees to mine commercial quantities of our minerals.

With all the minerals that Nigeria is blessed with, we should aim to compete in the international market by standing up to the economic saboteurs and implementing relevant government policies – all the policies are available in black and white; getting the job done does not require any rocket science. We should avoid red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy which are usually our biggest headaches in implementing strategic reforms; clearly, the Honourable Minister needs our support to succeed so that the mining sector can become a shining example.

The number one market in the world for Diamond, Emerald and Amethyst is in Antwerp, Belgium and it is controlled by the Jews. To become a global player, the Ministry can forge collaborations and partnerships – an institutional framework — with the Nigeria Chapter of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI); the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Immigration and Customs Service – these organisations should come together under a Presidential Task Force (PTF) subject to the approval by President Muhammadu Buhari to combat the menace of illegal mining.

As part of its mandate, the proposed PTF intervention must focus on the multi-dimensional nature of illegal mining: economic sabotage, armed violence and conflict, crime, illegal immigration, public health crisis and national security implications. Illegal mining created problems in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Republic of Congo several years ago but it was the rampant smuggling of Diamond that became the albatross of Sierra Leone resulting in armed conflict, bloodshed and heavy losses in tax revenues. At the height of the civil war in Sierra Leone in the 1990s, Africa Business magazine reported that rebels sold Diamonds from the areas they controlled — in what became known to the world as the “Blood Diamonds” saga — to purchase arms. The United Nations estimated the illegal export of Diamonds was worth about $125 million each year.

As long as there is a market for illegal mining, the practice will continue. The campaign to arrest and prosecute illegal miners should be intensified. “However, while enforcement of the law is a good thing,” remarked David Rhode, co-founder of London based ethical jewelers Ingle & Rhode, in the Africa Business magazine story under reference, “paying fair price to artisanal miners or their employers will also do the trick.” With the right incentives, fairness and equity, small scale operators (artisanal miners) and industrial licensees should be able to come together under the close supervision of the PTF and optimize their resources in the extractive industry.

*Braimah is a public relations and marketing strategist based in Lagos (ehi.braimah@brandimpact.ng)

May 14, 2020
Endless glowing tributes on Pius Adesanmi, By Ehi Braimah

By Ehi Braimah

Why do good people die? Why are they always in a hurry to leave us? I have been searching everywhere for answers to these questions but no clues have come up yet. When good people die, they serve no notice; they just leave us heart-broken and helpless with so much grief and pain in our hearts. You get the feeling that they have been called to a higher purpose by our Father and Creator. There is a time to be born and a time to die but when death comes so suddenly and unannounced like a thief in the night, it hurts badly. Death of any kind is painful but dying in a plane crash is horrifying and devastating. Dreams die with untimely and violent deaths.

Death was never part of Prof Pius Adesanmi’s plan when it occurred. At only 47 years old, the late Prof was a man of many parts – humourist, thinker, humanist, writer, prophet, teacher, mentor, coluumnist, critic, satirist, public policy analyst, friend, colleague, father and husband. Prof was constantly sought after as a speaker because of his scholarship and integrity. I never met Prof Pius Adesanmi who died along with others in the ill-fated Ethiopian Airlines tragedy on Sunday March 10, 2019 but it is evident he lived a good life with a generous spirit and kind heart. I have read enough tributes on him and it is now looking like Prof and I knew each other. Maybe our paths would have crossed. I was inspired to add my voice to the chorus because of his goodness and what he meant to so many people.

Prof’s uncommon humanity has provoked an outpouring of tributes. I have read moving tributes by Segun Adeniyi, Reuben Abati, Dele Momodu, Molara Wood, Remi Oyeyemi, Rudolf Okonkwo, Seyi Adedokun, Jamilah Nasir, Sonala Olumhense, Ogaga Ifowodo, Festus Adedayo, Tope Fasua and others. Clearly, Prof was a good man and a great mind and it is difficult to write about good people in the past tense. As a goodwill ambassador, Prof related well with his diverse audiences and the tributes on him have revealed the enigma that he was: thoughtful, kind, loving, humble, friendly, graceful, erudite and intelligent. At this time, the world is at Prof’s feet because of his achievements and strong character. Prof was a man of the people. As a frequent flyer, the world was his canvas and every stroke of the brush represented his connection with different people.

His opinion pieces are in the finest language and prose that you can find and his biggest concern was how we can build a better Nigeria – a theme that I also find interesting. Prof believed that we accept mediocrity as a way of life in Nigeria and this attitude annoyed him greatly. Why settle for good, when things can be better; in fact, Prof’s aim in his writings was that we should settle for the best at all times and become a first world country. In his view, Nigeria is so blessed that the country can become a land flowing with milk and honey. Unfortunately, this is not the case because of lack of vision, poverty of ideas and the greed of our political leaders and ‘vested interests’ who are determined to hold Nigeria to ransom for as long as they wished. As far as Prof also concerned, this was the secondary problem. The primary problem, according to his thesis, was how we think and behave as Nigerians and the kind of choices will make based on who we know, where we come from and our religion — Prof loved to write Naija for Nigeria – as if we operate under a spell for poor outcomes all the time.

We have enough good people which imply that good things can come out of Naija. It is difficult to understand why we are mocked regularly when we have some of the brightest minds and most enterprising people with solid records of achievements around the world. For example, see the way we drive; we are so impatient with other road users without any regard for traffic lights, that is when they are working. What of the illegal toll gates created by Olopas (uniformed men) on the road? Prof regularly complained about the culture of impunity that has become a way of life in Nigeria; we have laws that are enforced selectively. Let me re-phrase that: we have two sets of laws – one set for the rich and mighty, and the other set for the poor; the dregs of society. When politicians fight dirty, it is for their selfish interests; please ask Rotimi Amaechi and Magnus Abe what they are turning Rivers State into with their constant fights. Also ask Ibikunle Amosun and Rochas Okorocha what they were thinking when they toyed with the idea of turning their respective states into their private estates. Shameless politicians.

As a man of deep faith, Prof was a seer, prophet and clairvoyant. He could see tomorrow and well into the future. Otherwise, how can we possibly explain how he accurately predicted his death? He wrote on his Facebook page before he boarded the plane that crashed by quoting Psalm 139:9-10 as follows: “If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost part of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me and your right hand shall hold me”. I have no doubt God Almighty’s right hand is holding Prof after departing from this sinful world and his name will be written boldly in the Book of Life. The righteous are always protected so that they do not fall into sin in our earthly journey – this may probably explain why he left us so suddenly – but I see the Angels in Heaven rejoicing because Prof has joined the Saints. Even as we mourn Prof, we are reminded by the Holy Book to be thankful in every situation because even his death is the will of God (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We remain thankful for a life well lived by Prof and may the family and loved ones he left behind find the strength to bear this great loss. Prof’s physical body is what has left us; his spirit is alive and with us! A key lesson untimely death teaches us is to be prepared when it happens – have a will in place and take a life insurance policy. There are online resources for preparing wills and it can be done in matter of minutes.

In different places, candle lit processions have been organised to remember Prof. One way we can keep Prof’s memory alive is to compile all the glowing tributes on him into a book and publish it. Proceeds from the launch and sales of the book can go into the ‘Professor Pius Adesanmi Memorial Fund’ set up by Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada – his last place of work as Professor of Literature and African Studies – to honour his memory. The endowment fund will support students and continue his life’s work. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace. So long Professor Pius Adesanmi!

Braimah is a public relations and marketing strategist based in Lagos.

March 18, 2019