The nation is waiting for a ceasefire (Continuation)

I had the privilege of being a teenager when Nigeria became independent on October 1, 1960. For fifty-five years I have been practicing as a Chartered Accountant, and I have been writing a weekly newspaper column for almost as long, in addition to authoring twenty-five books, of which the best known is

“THE GODFATHER NEVER SLEEPS.” Perhaps now is the time to switch gears and avail myself (and hopefully other Chartered Accountants) of the providence on offer by my firm in response to the exhortations of Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank. His tenure will expire next year, in 2025. He is adamant that agriculture is the new “oil” or “gold,” and there are huge opportunities for chartered accountants in the value chain, especially with regard to post-harvest losses, which are estimated at 34 percent in Nigeria. Added to this are the huge potentials for processing and exports. My firm, J.K. Randle International, is in the vanguard to actualise this laudable project tagged “THE LAST MILE” before Dr. Adesina commences his terminal leave and the round of farewells. My firm is also sending proposals to Dr. Benedict Oramah, the President of Afreximbank, regarding opportunities for Chartered Accountants in tourism and the creative industry (music, videos, film, etc.). We shall keep you posted.

Chartered accountants have every reason to be grateful to the Almighty. He has been steadfast and faithful. In my own case, a week before the then Major-General Ibrahim Babangida launched his coup d’etat against Major-General Muhammadu Buhari on August 27, 1985 I was his Guest Speaker (others were Chief M.K.O. Abiola and Professor Jonah Isawa Elaigwu) in Minna, Niger State. Our Chief Host was Colonel David Mark, the military governor of Niger State. Had the coup failed, the whole lot of us would have faced the military tribunal with obvious consequences.

Let us conclude matters by reminiscing on a memorable event that occurred in 1992 towards the end of the regime of President Ibrahim Babangida. He had banned twenty-three leading politicians who were jostling to succeed him. However, the uproar from the public escalated to a crescendo that compelled the President to have a rethink. He came up with a compromise—namely, if the contestants could unanimously choose any one amongst them, he would hand it over to him. Incidentally, all of them were male. The convener was Senator Mahmood Waziri, who was Babangida’s long-standing friend, and the venue was the residence of Senator Waziri at Roman Gardens, Louis Solomon Close, Victoria Island. Ambassador Patrick Dele-Cole and I were selected as the umpires. Most of the bigwigs turned up. Amongst them were Senator (Dr.) Olusola Saraki, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Chief Solomon Lar, Professor Ambrose Alli, Chief Jim Nwobodo, late Major-General Shehu Yar’Adua, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, late Chief Isaac Shahu, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, etc.

When the voting commenced, the candidates resorted to tactical voting. The result was chaotic. No winner emerged. President Ibrahim Babangida was livid. He ordered that since they could not select anyone, one of the umpires, Ambassador Patrick Dele-Cole or my humble self, should be selected. Had I been willing, there and then I would have emerged as the “winner.” By now I would either be an ex-head of state or a late president!!

The rest is history.

What is gratifying is “BREAKING NEWS”