Bashorun J.K Randle
image via aquilacapitalltd.com
Here we are in the White House, arguably the most powerful institution in the entire world. President Barack Obama walks into the room and quickly makes his point – he is tied up in the preparation for the G20 in Los Cabos Summit 2012 in Mexico, right on the heels of the NATO conference in Chicago and the G8 meeting in Camp David in Maryland, United States of America.
Regardless, he is determined to keep a keen eye on Africa, the continent inhabited by almost a billion people. These people are trapped in poverty, ignorance, corruption and chaos.
The President of the United States of America is determined to make a change – under the aegis of “ACCOUNTING FOR EXCELLENCE”. Obama goes straight to the point:
“America is determined to enthrone democracy in Africa. It is our most powerful weapon against terrorism. We know only too well that democracy cannot flourish without financial stability which in turn is anchored on accountability. Africa must hold its political leaders and professionals accountable. That is what Accounting For Excellence is all about. America wants African chartered accountants and auditors to step up and deliver excellent professional services comparable with the best in America and the rest of the world.”
Ironically, when the power point presentation zooms in on the map of Africa what pops up are angry youths in Cairo carrying placards with the slogan:
“DOWN WITH THE NEXT PRESIDENT
WHOEVER HE MAY BE”
They have concluded the first half of their presidential election after almost thirty years of military dictatorship under Hosni Mubarak who has been tried and jailed. Now there is going to be a run off between Mubarak’s former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq and Mohamed Morsi of the Moslem Brotherhood candidate. It’s clearly a choice between the hard rock and the hard place. Lurking in the background is the military still desperately trying to hold on to power.
In utter disgust, the people are back in Tahrir square protesting at the brazen impunity of it all. It is almost as if the “Arab Spring” is mere fiction – plenty of noise and fury but signifying nothing.
On my lapel is my name tag together with a smart pin which is programmed to signal “Chairman and Chief Executive, XKPMG Africa”. Hence, I am required to respond to the power point presentation by Paul George, Executive Director of Conduct of U.K.’s Financial Reporting Council:
“Concerns remain about auditors’ professional sceptism – their willingness to seek out evidence that contradicts a company’s (or organisation’s) official line. Rather than seeking out evidence to support management, the auditor should look for the most appropriate evidence and compare it with management’s assertions. We also have concerns around audit teams not being specific about threats and looking at threats and safeguards in a very generic nature.
Also, we absolutely believe that an audit needs to be value for money but the level of fee pressure that is out there is causing challenges. Commercial pressures run the risk of undermining audit quality if firms reduce the amount of work they undertake in order to protect margins.”
Before I could even respond, the screen behind the power point reels out the latest reports from Zimboda:
Frontpage headline: “The Nation” newspaper (June 17, 2012)
“US $620,000 BRIBE : LAWAN, POLICE DISAGREE OVER BAIL TERMS”
“As part of the bail bond, we insisted on a written undertaking that he will provide the bribe sum and give it to the police He is due to report at the Force Headquarters on Monday. We expect him to either produce the bribe sum on Monday or any time next week” – Police
“To the best of my knowledge, he did not say he will produce the bribe sum. Even in the undertaking, he did not give any time frame when he will link up with Jagaba (who is alleged to be keeping the money in his custody).
Lawan’s lawyer.”
Frontpage headline: Nigerian Compass” newspaper
(June 17, 2012)
“GO, OSHIOMHOLE GO”
VP Sambo, Gabriel Igbinedion, others
“Vice President Namadi Sambo yesterday sent a word of advice to Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole: Go !!”
FrontPage Headline: “Sunday Mirror” newspaper (June 17 2012)
“FAROUK LAWAN GETS CONDITIONAL BAIL”
You are on your own, Constituency tells embattled lawmaker
Bail Conditions: An undertaking to deliver the US$620,000 exhibit money to the Police next week.
International passport seized; two sureties with landed
properties in Abuja. Must appear daily before interrogators until completion of investigation.
FrontPage Headline: “Sunday Vangaurd” newspaper (June 17 2012)
“WHY DANA CRASH PASSENGERS WERE BURNT ALIVE”
Captain Tito Omoghomi
“MOVE TO SAVE NIGERIA” -Former State Governors
“US$ 3 MILLION SCANDAL”
“Go Home and bring bribe money, Police tell Farouk, Emenalo”
“We are yet to get serial number of dollars from SSS”
“Other committee members to be called in for questioning”
“Oil marketers threatened, coerced”
“The scams within a scam (video evidence).”
FrontPage Headline: “The Guardian” newspaper (June 17 2012)
“GUNMEN KILL POLICEMAN, RESIDENT IN MAIDUGURI”
LAWAN GRANTED BAIL
Sources speak of pressure from lawmakers, politicians to release him.”
FrontPage Headline: “Sunday Punch” newspaper (June 17 2012)
“PDP TO ACQUIRE OIL, TELECOMS LICENCES TO FUND PARTY”
“OIL PRICES FALL; NIGERIA LOSES US$ 1.8 BILLION MONTHLY”
IG WRITES SPEAKER TO RELEASE LAWAN’S US$620,000 BRIBE
POLICE DECRY LACK OF COOPERATION FROM SSS
LAWAN GETS BAIL
OTEDOLA TO SUE HOUSE
REPS IN TRENCHES AGAINST JONATHAN
Set up panel on N155 Billion paid to Malabo Oil.”
FrontPage Headline: “Sunday Tribune” newspaper (June 17 2012)
“LAWANGATE: HOW TAMBUWAL ESCAPED”
The lawmakers plot that failed
Why Reps quickly moved against Lawan
Bribe money no longer intact?
Lawan to produce US $620,000 bribe on Monday, released on bail.
FrontPage Headline: “Thisday” newspaper (June 17 2012)
“SAVOURING THE GAINS OF KANO MASS WEDDING”
“About a month after the Kano State Government, through its Hisbah Board, organized a mass wedding for over 100 widows and divorcees in the state, the allure of the exercise is spreading like wildfire.”
Quotation from a male beneficiary:
“For over three years I have been searching for a wife, but luckily for me with the introduction of this mass wedding, I fulfilled the entire requirements and got hooked to my life partner. I have taken a wife, I am a family man again and this is due to the goodness of Kwankwaso’s government. I am a happy man.”
Quotation from a female beneficiary:
My prayer is to have a husband that can adequately take care of me. I am not too ambitious but God knows I have a high taste for life, but within my own limits.”
CNN (Breaking news) large photograph of:
The Director-General of Hisbah Board, Malam Abba Sa’idu Sufi:
“The mass wedding was a huge success. Our Board was given the sum of N15 million by Kano State Government for the exercise.
Al Jazeera(Point Blank news):
“1 Million Divorcees, Widows are in Kano”
BBC “Hard Talk”
Quoting “ThisDay” newspaper (June 17 2012)
“DANA CRASH ……..
And The Nuptials Went on Without The Anyenes”
“Death is cruel indeed. And callously, death, in the most dastardly manner, rewrote the script of what would have otherwise been a glorious day for Ndako Mijindadi and his bride, Halima. The couple’s wedding items and other collections were ready. A beautification of the venue had been done by the caterers and event planners, colours and themes had been chosen and everybody’s place mapped out. The Anyenes (the groom’s older sister, Maimuna, and her family), who were coming from the United States to usher Maimuna’s baby brother out of bachelorhood, were going to occupy a central place at the wedding. Maimuna had been a staunch pillar of support for Ndako. But alas a tragic occurrence ensured that the Anyenes never made it to the wedding.
On Sunday, June 3rd, Maimuna, alongside her four kids, her husband and mother (that’s Ndako’s biological mother too) died in the ill-fated Dana Air plane coming from Abuja. The Anyenes got to Lagos but never made it to the wedding. Oh, and as Ndako’s action has also confirmed, man’s relationship with this world ends with death. All life triumphs and dreams end with death. Everything comes to a final stop with death. Last Sunday, Ndako went ahead with his marriage to Halima at The Incubator in Victoria Island, Lagos, with all the pomp and ceremony that would make one ask whether this was the same young man who lost nine members of his extended family on their way to attend his wedding. The invitation message to the wedding read: “Please join us on Saturday, 9th June as we hold prayers for our family members who have been called back to God. The prayers would hold at the Incubator (near Four Points) Victoria Island, Lagos at 9 am. The Fatiha for Halima and Ndako would hold by 11 am at Number 10, Mayaki Usman Street, off Wole Ariyo Street, Lekki Phase I (refreshments would be at the Incubator afterwards). May God reward you for your love and support. Thank you.”
Maimanu was the daughter of Professor Ndanusa Mijindadi of Ahmadu Bello University. She married a Christian, Onyeka, though she was a staunch Muslim. It was no surprise that Nigerians at home and abroad, in traditional and online media, descended heavily on Ndako for going ahead with the wedding. But life must go on some might say.”
This article is written by Bashorun J.K Randle, OFR, FCA
Bashorun J.K. Randle is
Chairman & Chief Executive
JK Randle Professional Services
Chartered Accountants
“X KPMG HOUSE”
One King Ologunkutere Street
Park View
Ikoyi
(opposite Astoria Hotel)
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