Honor, according to Henry Louis is simply the morality of superior men. As struggles for a revivified Ajaokuta steel complex intensifies, it’s sane to once again, venerate a brilliant mind (Natasha Akpoti) behind the re-surge, at least, for the many sacrifices aimed at rejuvenating a long moribund magnificent National revenue base. To the good people of Kogi state and Nigeria at large, Natasha remains a point of reference to this generation and the unborn.
It’s no longer news that President Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to Sochi for a three days Russia-Africa summit has yielded impacts on the subject matter. According to the statement credited to online news portal, Buhari requested Russian to return and complete the steel plant on a government-to-government relationship, and his request was granted. Recalled also that, Russian company (the original builder of Ajaokuta Complex) left the establishment at 98% completion on ground that the Nigerian government slip-up with the agreements between both parties.
I won’t bore you enumerating either the numerous letters sent by Russian government to Nigeria during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo on probable revitalizing options, or the inexhaustible silence of key political actors. But, it’s long confirmed that there had been ruse tended at exploring the Nation’s inability to meet up with the contractual agreement to privatize the second largest steel company in Africa by some individuals. From the former president GoodLuck Jonathan’s administration to the current president Muhammadu Buhari led government, the lists are innumerable. However, prominent among them was the plot championed by the state governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, etc. Come with me.
Fellow Nigerians, I like to state unequivocally that, between socio-economic game-play and mouthing-agape lies a political will that is only championed by those with in-depth affection for human race- For those with genuine heart, political office is an avenue further impact humanity. Natasha Akpoti has not only distinguished herself in this regard, she has written her names in GOLD and posterity will forever be kind to her. She stood her ground and fought high and mighty yearning to selfishly divert the most invaluable national asset.
Among her numerous struggles were plots she exposed via petition delivered at the lower house of Nigeria’s legislative chamber, detailing the termination of a consensus arrangement on both Itakpe Iron-Ore and Ajaokuta steel company to be owned and managed by Global Infrastructure Holding now Global Infrastructure Nigeria limited GINL during the Late Musa Yar’Adua’s administration as well as, the pejorative conspiracies among politicians mentioned above.
From verified reports, Ajaokuta steel complex if completed, could generate over 75, 000 direct job and over one million indirect jobs. Moreover, the steel complex, on completion has the capacity of producing over 5.2 million tons of steel- a quantity that would indubitably list Nigeria in the top rated steel producing countries in the world. Yet, some unscrupulous elements are hell-bent on diverting it to personal entity. After the concession between GINL and Ajaokuta steel company was terminated, a legal squabble ensued, but Nigeria almost won when the then Attorney general of the federation (Muhammed Bello Adoke), eventually applied for an-out-of-court settlement- an encumbering scenario Fayemi leveraged to indict Nigeria in a non-existing debt of 525 million dollars to GINL and the resultant effect of re-concession being advocated by the Nigeria government thereafter.
However, Nigerian government’s concessioning recourse became a perfect scheme to finally acquire the steel complex by the scammers. Thank-God for Natasha’s immersion in divulging the entire shenanigans thus;-that the arbitrary court in London never asked Nigeria government to pay demurrage to GINL, and that Fayemi was the brain behind the levy as means of ensuring they acquire the steel company at all cost. She has since then maintained that; the purported re-concession be terminated, those involved in the scam be made to face the wrath of the law fully, and Ajaokuta steel should be handed over to the initial builders (Russian) who had unswervingly advocated several innovative and speedy completion alternatives.
Consequently, it is now in affirmative even though the current government seems foot-dragging about it. Recently, a report credited to Daily Trust indicated that Nigerian government was working on plans to resuscitate the steel complex. According to the minister of mines and steel development, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite, “Ajaokuta steel company will soon commence production”. The Russian ambassador to Nigeria, Nikolay N. Udovichenko also reiterated Russia’s readiness to help Nigeria revive the steel complex, and now, the ever impactful outcome of Buhari’s meetings with Putin.
Now the untainted reality is, before Natasha took the bold step to expose the ungodly conspiracies including that of our own governor Yahaya Bello, The steel complex had been abandoned and all options to acquire the asset privately was at a stage of perfection. The latest plot was the move by the same governor Yahaya Bello in cahoots with Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited to private the steel complex. A company called Ajaokuta Kogi Nigeria limited was registered in 2017 and successfully acquired Itakpe Iron-Ore. And contrary to what ought to be in the interest of Kogites, the two directors, Onochie Ikechukwu from the Eastern part of Nigeria and Emmanuel Ancheba from Benue (both of whom are affiliate staff of GINL) were the directors of the newly registered company. Now what this means is that, had it been Ajaokuta Nigeria Limited successfully acquired the steel complex just like Itakpe Iron-Ore, the governor and those in the uncanny plot would be managing the business and enjoying the proceed facelessly whereas, a CAC document indicated that Kogites are the major beneficiaries. This this the gospel truth many Kogites perhaps, Nigerians never tamed with till the present day.
Fellow Nigerians, by Natasha’s grit on ASC, Economic upsurge is being analyzed in facets. Imagine a structure that engages over 75, 000 unemployed Nigerians directly and create over one million indirect jobs. Consider the impact of a workable Ajaokuta steel complex and Itakpe Iron-Ore on the ailing economy of kogi state and Nigeria at large. Finally, imagine a situation that allows just one man to divert such amazing revenue base into private entity.
Again, between socio-economic game play and mouthing agape lies a political will that is only championed by those with in-depth affection for human race. Natasha is an icon of the generational power shift we yearn for. A dogged Lady with unrivaled charisma to liberate humanity from modern-day slavery. By her unparalleled roles in protecting the ideals of human, Natasha is undoubtedly one of the trustees Kogites can leverage. Let it be known that as long as the struggles for the reintegration of Ajaokuta Company lingers, Natasha Akpoti remains an uncommon frontline. If she has not shown up at the time she did, the successive gangs of oppressors roaring to displace humanity socially, emotionally, morally and constrict anything that unites human space would have succeeded in their merchant of tirade.
Unfortunately, everyone walks around as if nothing has happened. No one has ever deemed it fit to appreciate this Lioness of our time. Even the Nigeria’s anti-graft agency has turned deaf ears, those indicted were neither arrested nor probed for such heinous crimes against humanity. And as if what she risked her life to expose was not crime worth, she hasn’t been called upon for an honor of a true patriot. Kogi state has even shocked me the more. As we speak, a ceremony is being organized for a titular honor to be conferred on a governor whose action posed serious danger to our democracy.
While we look forward to an exciting second part of this piece, I just hope Nigeria and Nigerians will learn to appreciate efforts. After all, honor they say is bestowed on whom it’s due.
– John Paul
07064258752; p_john97@yahoo.com
