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Agbani Darego

Hers was a case of grass to grace historic upward movement. It was barely a tear ago that Rivers State-born student of the University of Port Harcourt, Agbani Darego had collected the application form to compete in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, MBGN, 2001 contest. But even as she was yet to get clearance from her retired customs officer to enter for the competition, she was spotted one morning in front of a house on the busy Bode Thomas Street in Surulere, Lagos by an official of renown clothiers Collectibles. Convinced to model for Collectibles, Darego would prove outstamding and would move on to file her entry for the MBGN contest. Winning at the pageant seemed to be the big break she needed to qualify to contest for Miss World crown. Sweeping her way through 93 contestants, including the best from Europe and the traditional climes and countries of previous winners of the contest, Darego made history in Sun City, South Africa, when she became the first Nigerian, nay black woman, to become Miss World. It was a subtle icing to the hard politics and violence that had seemed to be the lot of Nigerians for several months on end.

Safiya Hussaini

Safiya Hussaini represents the direct opposite of the lot of the Nigerian woman that Darego stands for. For while Darego struts the world stage in the euphoria of hervictory, Safiya must wait for death in some dingy cell in Sokoto State - even as she nurses the baby that is both her joy and pain. Her offence? She committed adultery by getting pregnant out of wedlock. The Sharia legal system in operationin her state has pronounced death by stoning, and that she will get. The state government and Muslim leaders have already said that no amount of pressure and campaign can change the situation.

Ironically, while Safiya has been condemned to die, the same authorities that found her guilty cannot find convincing evidence to nail the man who put her in the family way. And so, the man walks about a free person.

Olusegun Obasanjo

As elected President of the country, Obasanjo no doubt has the mandate of Nigerians to rule over them in line with the manifesto of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to better the lives of fellow countrymen and women. In discharging the foregoing responsibilities, many expect to see in him those qualities that endear their leader to their hearts. Compared to how he started in the several months that followed May 29, 1999, the President during the year, got himself entangled in several verbal assaults on many of his subjects. In some cases, his reaction to comments by fellow Nigerians no matter how sincere they may have been, kept many wondering if Obasanjo really had time for important state matters that he could reply worried Nigerians in his trademark sarcastic manner. Thus, when a comment from Professor Sam Aluko is not eliciting a reaction to the effect that the Ekiti-born chief is senile, a harmless secession threat from ex-biafran warlord, Odumegwu Ojukwu would make the Ikemba Nnewi a rascal in the President's estimation. This is not to forget the exchange of words between Obasanjo and ASUU leaders in Calabar last month. Added to this were the threats of imposition of states of emergency in some flashpoints across the country amid growing insinuations that the controversial electoral bill which he signed into law contained some provisions which were allegedly smuggled into the document. In his response to the myriad criticisms following the action, the President was to direct aggrieved Nigerians to take their case to the law courts. When his alleged role in the events that led to the emergence of Chief Audu Ogbeh as the new PDP national chairman is added to the foregoing, Obasanjo may as well stand be reckoned as one Nigerian leader that affected our individual and corporate lives in the outgoing year.

Atiku Abubakar

Vice President Atiku Abubakar would also make the list - if for nothing else, at least for the stabilizing impact of his brand, and understaning, of politics. That he has kept his head while several others are losing their, at least in public, makes him worthy of emulation.

Abel Guobadia

By more indirect way than direct, INEC president Abel Guobadia has affected the course of events considerably in the last one year. For one, the electoral bill which he sent to the National Assembly since March this year, is now the cause of fresh troubles in different parts of the country, even as INEC has effectively taken the registration of new political parties completely out of its own hands.

Audu Ogbeh

The Idoma-born politician was quick to point out, himself, early in the year that he had been in the cooler, out of the active forays of partisan politics. That was when he was being touted as a likely candidate to contest the national chairmanship of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Perhaps his position was due to his humble background and as many say, the influence of his Esan-born wife, Obehi. Though critics are quick to point out that Ogbeh largely succeeded in the November 10, 2001 PDP convention because of the propping he had from the presidency, not a few observers would readily agree that the fact that the former national chairman had to step down from the contest was an admission that the cards did not favour him if he had to go into the contest. However, armed with degrees in the arts, Ogbeh, an administrator, educationist and farmer relied on his experience as two time former federal minister, Deputy Speaker of the Benue state House of Assembly and his associates in the National Peoples Party, NPN of old to become the current national chairman of the PDP. He is no doubt a major political revelation of the out-going year.

Tony Anenih

Even as chroniclers of events in the nation's political arena settle down to record the role of the Uromi-born retired police commissioner-turned politician in the outgoing year, Anenih as a factor in the making and sustaining of the PDP would not be easily forgotten.

Top of his trademark roles in the affairs of the party in 2001 was his continued relevance in a party that suspended him from participating in its affairs ahead of its 2001 annual convention.

Amid highwire politicking that characterised the build-up to the PDP congresses and national convention especially in the months of September through November 10, 2001, Anenih found himself at the other end of the decision of the leadership to call an important meeting of the PDP National Executive Committee, NEC.

Though he was suspended alongside another party official for what it regarded as anti-party activity, Anenih was to prove that he indeed was needed by the party for all to be well with the national convention which was just a few days away. As he strolled into the Nicon-Hilton venue of the scheduled NEC meeting with four state governors in tow, it was clear to all that "Mr. Fix it", or "the Enforcer" as Anenih is popularly called was about to make history.

At the end of the day, not only was the suspension lifted, the trusted Minister of Works and Housing was to lead the group that worked to see the new National chairman and indeed others in a unity list he drew up ascend their respective seats at Wadata Plaza.

Sunday Awoniyi

There is something genuinely intriguing about politics, with its thrills and frills. The manouvres, the betrayals, the back-stabbing, the tensions, the nocturnal gatherings, the hopes and the disappointments, the horse-trading, the compromises and the consensus and more. All add up to give politics its drama and its name. They make it interesting, they make it dirty and sometimes uninspiring. But beyond all that, they make it dramatic.

If a soothsayer had told Chief Barnabas Gemade at the height of his victory that the fate that has befallen Awoniyi would befall him, he would probably have shrugged it off as coming from an unserious mind or probably a lunatic who needs medical examination. Two years ago, he was the 'anointed' against a more credible Chief Sunday Bolorunduro Awoniyi. Two years ago, Awoniyi was almost running away with victory at the party's national convention to elect a new national chairman to lead the party. That convention held at Eagle Square. Everything favoured his win. He had the support of most of the governors, members of the National Assembly, and most national delegates. But something very vital was missing, the support of the presidency which in this part is what matters most.

And before his very eyes, victory was snatched from his jaws. And Gemade who had the anointing of the presidency emerged victorious. Not a few party men rejected the manner of his ascent to the part's highest office. Many openly questioned his authority. So it was from the very on set of his tenure, till the very end, he had to contend with legitimacy crisis. Awoniyi till date has not recovered from his shocked defeat and has never for a moment spared the party leadership from acerbic attacks.

The crisis of Gemade's emergence eventually snow-balled full blown leading to the expulsion of alleged 'trouble makers' Awoniyi, Bamanga Tukur, Donald Etiebet, and others who were fiercely opposed to Gemade's leadership.

No doubt Awoniyi is the one getting the last laugh in the current political drama. Not surprisingly, in one of its first actions in office the new leadership has recalled all those who were expelled by the Gemade-led executive. But even as party stalwarts welcome the recall, there are doubts whether some of those recalled would come back to the party given the fact that. Awoniyi for instance is one of those seeking INEC's nod for his National Frontiers to transform into a political party. Chief Etiebet on his party has found company in the United Nigeria Democratic Party(UNDP), another political association gearing for registration.

Ibrahim Babangida

If there is any one who has dominated the political reality of this country more than anything else, that person is former military President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida(popularly known as IBB). In all political calculations and manipulations to determine who gets what and how, Babangida's influence is so pervading such that he has become the issue in political discourse. A good student of Prince Machiavelli, he philosophy seems firmly rooted in "the end justifies the means". Being out of power for years years has not diminished his loyalists' zeal in rallying around him each time he blows the whistle.

Today, more than two and a half years into the democratic experiment, the fear of Babangida continues to dictate almost every government action, especially as they relate to President Obasanjo seeking a second term, running with Vice President AtikuAbubakar, registering new political parties, the new electoral act etc.

Babangida's fingers are also believed to be several business pies as the Obasanjo government continues its drive towards privatising Nigeria and making every effort to keep Babangida out of it all. He has recently been mentioned as having 15 percent interest in the IIL consortium that bought over 51percent federal government equity in NITEL.

Abdulsalami Abubakar

A childhood friend of Babangida, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar became Head of State in the early hours of June 9, 1998 by sheer providence, following the sudden death of the then Head of State General Sani Abacha on June 8 1998. He went on to run the shortest transition in the country's history, conducting elections in quick succession and handed over power to the current democratically elected government on May 29, 1999. It is on record that his regime re-energized the stalled privatisation programme under the Abacha junta. And like Babangida, he has been mentioned as having substantial interests in various companies. And yet again his name has feature as having interest in the new management of NITEL. Abubakar became a recurring feature during the sittings of the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa human rights violations investigation commission where himself, Babangida and another former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, failed to appear despite several summonses.

Muhammadu Buhari

Buhari is the third of the former heads of state whorefused to appear at the Oputa panel. A former chairman of the now defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), Buhari has not hidden his disdain for the commission and the brand of government now in the country. He continues to be a reminder of the military dictatorships that the country has passed through. His utterance on Sharia and other such volatile national issues have only served to keep the country on edge.

Ibrahim Kwatalo

Nigeria's fledging democracy recorded a major jolt a couple of weeks ago when the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Ibrahim Kwatalo, formally anounced his resignation from the state executive council and from the All Peoples' Part (APP). Thus bringing the sour relationship between him and State Governor, Alhaji Saminu Turaki, to an end. Kwatalo stated that his decision to resign followed series of consultations with concerned indigenes and that he had to leave because of disagreements and irreconciliable differences with the Governor who is presently on a 46-day trip outside the country. "I lost the moral right to continue as the deputy governor of the state. The people want me to serve them and since this is not possible, there is no need for me to continue." He has thus become the deputy governor to bow out honourably in the seeming war of attrition between governors and their deputies.

Only recently Kwatalo who remains on record as the only Deputy governor in the present dispensation to have resigned called on all deputies in running battle with their Governors to follow his example and quit honourably instead of engaging in a struggle for influence with their bosses. Since his resignation, pressure has mounted on the all estranged deputies to quit, but so far non appears will to toll Kwatalo's honourable option.

Chukwudifu Oputa

Oguta, Imo State-born Justice Oputa and his HRVIC came to personify not only the drama, but the tragedy of the country's crudepast. The commission unearthed so many misdeeds that had been before now, passed on as part of governin. It became so much that bemused Nigerians soon emerged from the initial rude shock to even amuse themselves with the reporrts of the years of locust.. However, after what seemed a command performance, Oputa bent over back wards to almost change the rule for errant former heads of state who just would not appear before it. It seemed to have left a sour after-taste

Mustapha, Bamaiyi etal

More than anything else, Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, became the star of the Oputa Panel hearings. Penultimate week, however, did the unthinkable. At the resumed court hearing for his alleged involvement in the attempted murder of Mr Ale Ibru, Mustapha against all expectations defiled the honour and integrity of the court.

Swirling his finger at the judge in a threatening manner he sneered: "Do you think I don't see you when you put on your face and T-Shirt and move out in the evening to go and collect money. Yes I have proof and documents to prove what I said. You don't know I have a tap on your telephone line." H e did not stop there, " .... I don't care what happens, you can call it contempt or whatever you like but what I want to say is that this is no more a court of law. You have collected money to convict us at all cost.... Y ou shuld have known who you are dealing with." After his acerbic verbal attack on the judge, he turned to face the Lagos state Attorney General discribing him as a "useless Attorney General"and "a bastard"

Tuesday, the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ishaya Bamaiyi, also on trial for the same offence launched another offensive on the court and the trial judge, Justice Ade Alabi.. "I want to state that we have very high regards for the Bar, the Bench and the Judiciary of this country. We therefore have no reason to fear trial in any court in the country....... But my Lord, there is a development in this court that has made us to entertain some doubts about a fair trial and I will give you few of such instances...... A situation where people are sent to collect money from individuals standing trial before you in this court and I am sure my Lord understands what I am talking about."

The allegations are grave and weighty not to be treated with levity. But the judge turn accused has expectedly denied the grave allegations against him. However, the persons facing trail make the list of those who helped shape the year 2001 for Nigeria, even for the wrong reasons.

Adams Oshiomhole

This year definitely say none of those epic fights which the dimunitive President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Adams Ohiomhol, engaged president Obasanjo in last year as organised labour moved to forestall any increase in the pump price of petroleum products. But the labour leader remained very prominent in the nation's politcal discourse in the year, even as many people where beginning to question his seeming liaison with the presidency. What was perhaps unique about him all through year 2001 was his seeming inconsistency with the principles which labour was noted for, such as the support for state owned enterprises as opposed to privatisation. Many say his new song is a reflection of his romance with the presidency. He was mostly controversial.

First he advised former military Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar not to appear before Oputa penal to anwser charges of corruption and Abiola's death. Oshiomhole arguement was that Abubakar successfully handedover power.

The controversy generated by this had hardily died down, when he again matched to the National Assembly to express solidarity with the senate for passing the infamous electoral bill. This action was followed closely by his declaration for privatisation of state own enterprises and liberalisation of oil sector.

The wage increase agreed to between labour and the federal government was not achieved and unlike him no war was waged. Some say it is a metamorphosis into the world of politics.

Nasir El Rufai

The Director General of Bureau for Public Enterprises was the focus for the greater part of the year as the nation watched the process of governemnt disengagement from the running of NITEL and Nigerdock. He was commited to the exercise, issuing one literature after another on the procedure and direction of the the privatisation. He had the task of ensuring that the new NITEL investors meet all obligations, even as he assisted in working out procedural agreement between workers and the new investors. He also contributed significantly in the auctioning of GSM licences. Although the operation was later engulfed in controversy, following the withdrawalof CIL licence, El Rufia remarkable show in NITEL sales, stands him out among the few Nigerians who distinguished themselves in the duty post for the general well being of Nigeria state. For his committment and hardword El-Rufai was recently decorated with national honours.

Ernest Ndukwe

The auctioning of the global system mobile communication really brought Ndukwe to national limelight. The success of the exercise was not only a glory to him, it brought honour to the nation, still battling with crediblity problem, especially in the area of policy implementation. Ndukwe is the Vice Chairman and chief executive officer of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), which enabled him to oversee the entire licencing process. He is a seasoned communication expert, having been involved in communication activities all his career. For many years he was with late MKO Abiola's Radio Communications Nigeria limited. He was at various times workshop manager, station Manager and Engineering Manager. A graduate of University of Ile Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo Ndukwe was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive of General Telcom in !989. He was also the President of Association of Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria. When the story of events of 2001 especially as it affects telcoms, will be told, Ndukwe will occupy a special place.

Mike Adenuga

Even as it was clear to Chief Mike Adenuga that the powers that be had made up thei mind to deny him a GSM licence after his CIL had won one, the businessman never relented in his fight to see that he was treated fairly. He has brought everything relating to the vexxed issue to the court of public opinion. Now it is somewhat clear that there is more to the issue of CIL's withdrawn licence than just that it did not meet the deadline for payment. Right before all Nigerians, the company that bought Nigerdock was fined about 35 percent of the cost of purchase for failing to meet the deadline for payment. Why is the case of CIL different? Now, with almost every concerned persons, including the Presidency and NCC, saying that the CIL issue is a closed case, Adenuga continues to remain a conscience of the GSM auction. A reminder to the fact that all may not have been transparent after all. He makes the persons of the year list as some one who gave a good fight to what he believes in.

Oba Otudeko/Bode Akindele

They represent the group of Nigerian businessmen and investors who put down their money where their mouths wer,e, by investing in the novel GSM project

Oba Otudeko (ECONET) and Chief Bode Akindele (IIL -NITEL) command enormous respect in the international business community and became the attractions when they emerge among the most visible Nigerians cued up behind ECONET and ILL.

Today both have substantial interest in the management and give Nigerians a semblance of control in the predominantly foreign-dominated GSM field.

Akindele is rich and has good links witha number of Swiss Bank where he is believed to be regarded as dependable in over two decades of transnational business. He is the owner of Standard Breweries and Mondadole.

Otudeku is the chairman of Honeywell Group and the largest investor in First Bank v Nigeria PLC. He is also the largest investor in Guiness Nigeria after Guiness Worldwide.

Jackson Gaius-Obaseki

The Edo state born petroleum geologist was not given much chance to succeed when he was appointed to head the omnibus Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC last year. The critics were not totally wrong. At least the long history of endless, some dare say, meaningless queues in the nation's filling stations amid large-scale smuggling across the borders as well as a growing parallel fuel market for black marketeering did not help in any way to assuage the fears they had for Obaseki's onerous task. Added to that was the recurring and often nagging task of turning the nation's refineries around. Obaseki thus was given a 1: 9 chance to succeed. But that he went all out even against deliberate odds to prove skeptics wrong to the extent that for the first time in a very long while there were no fuel queues in our filling stations during the year just as black markets have disappeared is a big credit to Justice of Peace, JP.

Liyel Imoke

Whatever happens with the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and the state of power supply to the country at the close of this year notwithstanding, Senator Liyel Imokeand to some extent, Engineer Joseph Makoju, would be too men that would have affected thew lives of Nigerians so much. Imoke is the chairman, Presidential Technical Committee on NEPA while Makoju is the Managing Director of NEPA and Imoke's Deputy on the committee. Between these two men lies the future of power generation and supply in Nigeria. They were saddled with the responsibility of ensuring uninterrupted power supply in Nigeria by January 1st 2002. Every Nigerian is looking on to them for the fulfillment of this presdential promise. However with less than 10 days to the end of the year, NEPA remains Nigeria's biggest problem. There is little evidence on the ground to show that the dreams of Nigerians would be realised, even though the committee has upped the generated power to the target 4000mw.

Ayim Pius Anyim

That he continues to remain a "good boy' from the Executive stand point, more than any radical contribution to the legislature and legislating, qualifies Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim for a mention.

The Senate President's role in office has been very predictable. It was the Obasanjo and his team that brought him to office. In 2001, Ayim has not disaappointed. All the needs of the executive are always pushed across with relative easy. Nominessfor appointment sent to the senate for approval sealed through. The controversial electoral bill (now an act) was patterned after the demands of the presidency, eventhough the presidency is trying to distance itself from the laws origin. The resultant Act had heated up the system. For him there was no need to rock the boat. This why still the upper legislative body has not taken action against the executive for non-implementation of the 2001 bugdet. He has elevated the culture of compromiseto the pedestal of statecraft.

Ghali Umar Na'Abba

The seeming great political sommersauts that have suddenly become the lot of fiery Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na'Abba, remains a main revelation of 2001. Political pundits say it has to do with the approach of election year and the need for funds to fight the re-election battle. Suddenly Na'Abba has become a closer pal of the presidency than the Senate president ever was. Ironically, knowing the mindset of the president, it is unlikely that even this new stance would get Na'Abba far.

Odumegwu Ojukwu

Ojukwu is a hero among the his kinsmen. This is not on doubt. That the youths in the East religiously obey him cannot be contested. From birth Ojukwu he has always known to obey his will. The Parents wanted him to be a lawyer, he opted for history and later for military. He led the civil war. But all these cannot deny the fact that Ojukwu remain an issue in Nigerian political discourse. This explains while his recent statement of Igbos going back to war if their interest are continuously undermined in the Nigeria state has further heated up the system. His prouncement may seem not to affected the presidency but the foundation of Nigeria's corperate existence. Thus Obasanjo response could be understood. The electoral bill has brought back Ojukwu to limelight and for as long as the electoral process remains contentious, Ojukwu would continue to be watched.

Abubakar Rimi

Rimi's place in 2001 lies in the fact that he remains unshaken with his ambition to contest the presidency against Obasanjo, even as it looks like he stands no chance.

The former governor of the old Kano state and member of the Board of Trustees of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP no doubt, affectied the lives of many members of the party during the year. Coming from a belief that he was unduly done in by President Olusegun Obasanjo and their party after he accepted to stepdown from contesting the presidential primaries in the build up to the 1999 national convention of the PDP in Jos, there was no stopping the late Aminu Kano brought-up politician in the outgoing year. True to his antecedents, the political gladiator of note fom the north deligently pursues any course he believes in. And as result, not even his appointment to chairman the Board of the National Security Printing and Minting Company by Obasanjo has gone in any way to soften his stand on various national and PDP issues. For instance, Rimi maintained in the year that the zoning formula being used by the PDP to ensure office available for elective and/or apppointive position are spread across the entire geo-political zones in the country was an undemocratic thing to do by the party. And he has continued to maintain his position on the matter arguing that unpatriotic reasons may have been a major reason why many insist on the zoning formula for elective purposes. Beside, Rimi, during the year, assumed a recurring penchant for criticising Obasanjo and his administration as well as the leadersip of the PDP for their nonchallance towards the provisions of the party's constitution.

Gani Fawehinmi

Abdul Ganiyu Fawehinmi was mid September finally admitted into the inner caucus of the Nigeria bar, as he was made a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, an honour that was said to have been mischievously delayed on grounds of his avouched opposition to Nigeria's mamy repressive military regimes.

The laws say that a lawyer would have to apply before he could be considered for the award of SAN but Fawehinmi refused to apply, adopting the title SAM - for Senior Advocated of the Masses, instead.

He declared in response to why it is now that the award came calling: "you know, the denial of the SAN is a corollary to my crusade against the government, it is a fall-out and consequence of my crusade..."

Fawehinmi has so many caps that roundly fit his head. The berret of a comrade, the wig of a lawyer, the cap of a philanthropist and the traditional cap of his Lomofe chieftaincy title from his home town in Ondo State. All these caps, he won by dint of hardwork, perseverance and endurance. While people may castigate his extremism in fighting the noble cause of justice and morality as reflected on his stand in one out of many cases in the Tinubu certificate forgery scandal, they cannot take away his dogged consistency in fighting for aggrieved masses, upliftment of morality in public lives and, the permanence of his enviable place in the history of Nigeria.

Ever since Gani's call to bar in January 1965, the conflagrating legal activism in him started to make oppressive public office holders uncomfortable.

Chief Gani Fawehinmi's contributions to the legal profession stands out like a diamond in the sky.

Having been arrested and detained on more than 27 occasions by tyrannical rulers and subsequent tenacity of pursuits of populist ideals, Gani has won himself the recognition of national, continental and international institutions.

Man of the Year awards was given to him in 1996/97/98 by The Punch newspaper, Newswatch and Tell magazines respectively. He won the Bruno Kreisky foundation award in Austria, 1993 and, the American Bar Association Award. All these well deserved awards were given to the gadfly by virtue of his active and purposeful legal practice.

Joseph Sanusi

Chief Joseph Sanusi is the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, the regulatory bank and banker to all banks and financial institutions in the country. An experienced banker and administrator, since his appointment as CBN Governor, he has tried desperately to initiate policies to stem inflation and eliminate sharp monetary practices in Forex deals popularly known as round tripping among banks. Although the banks would have us believe that what they have is 'Free Funds', But in actual fact there are no free funds anywhere. What happens is that the banks divert foreign exchange through the CBN at the IFEM rates to the black market. I is one of those sharp practices that have combined to earn for the banks fat jumbo profits has enabled them to live exotic lifestyle. At a time the productive sector is reeling in stagnation.

The CBN came down hard on First City Monument Bank and its affiliate finance company, City Securities Limited, CSL recently. It outrightly withdrew the licence of CSL and suspended the forex trading licence of FCMB. It also directed the Chairman, Otumba Sobummi Balogun to resign from the his position in the bank. Indeed it was an unprecedented sanction by Governor Sanusi's apex bank against an operating commercial bank. More more than anything else, it signifies a new will by the authorities to sensitise the backing sector towards stabilising the economy.

Subomi Balogun

Certainly, if the story year 2001 is reviewed, it will not be complete without the mention of the CSL/FCMB saga and the burden Otunba Michael Subomi Balogun.

Regarded as one of the godfathers of modern day merchant banking in the country, owner of First City Monument Bank and City Security Limited, Balogun, is having the worst moment of his entire career. He now carries a burden. The integrity of his bank has been called to question by the regulatory apex bank over illegal foreign exchange transactions running well over the billion dollars mark. In an unprecedented move the CBN came out smoking, coming down hard on the Baloguns and their companies. CSL had its operating licence revoked, Bolaji Balogun the heir apparent to the financial empire who was in charge at CSL was barred from any banking activity for the rest of his life. FCMB had its forex trading licence suspended, with a directive to the Otumba Sobummi Balogun to resign his position from the bank. It is the first time the apex bank would take such drastic action against an erring banker and his bank. For years to come, his will be cited as case in point for banking operations, especially as they relate to dealing in foreign exchange.

Orji Kalu

The sour relationship between Governor Orji Kalu and his estranged Deputy, Chief Enyinnaya Abaribe, is only one of the many wars the Abia State governor has had to fight in his less than three years stay at the Umuahia government house. It has also added to drama to making the year what is. Since being sworn into office, as Governor and Deputy, both have hardly agreed on any issue. They were the first elected public officers to openly disagree. The deputy Governor never concealed the fact that he was better qualified than the Governor in terms of academic qualifications added to this is arguable claims that the Ukwa/ Ngwa area where he is from the largest population in he state and should naturally produce or determine who sits in the government. The disagreements was so protracted that it defied even the intervention of president Obasanjo. Although the crisis was eventually resolved, deep-seated animousity and mutual suspicion remained. It did not take long for this to become visible for any discerning observer. The signs were there but somehow, Kalu managed to dwarf initial opposition as his performance shone like a thousand stars in a dark night.

But his rating spiralled when he took the president to the cleaners over his poor report card in two years in office. He pointedly told the president like no one ever did to forget seeking re-election because his performance so far was less than impressive. And this ruffled a lot of feathers in the party hierarchy and the presidency.

But Kalu soon somersaulted. And his popularity took a plunge when he stepped on reverse gear and started praising the president, promising to campaign for him in 2003. That sudden about-turn shocked not a few. And Kalu lost not a few admirals.

Only recently another drama played when the State Executive Council in a rather surprise move met and suspended the Deputy Governor for his alleged "dereliction of duty, insubordination, hostility to the state government and violation of oath of office." His conduct it is further alleged "negates the spirit of collective responsibility which underpins presidential system and collegiality which binds members of the state executive together as a body."

It will be recalled that the deputy governor had once narrowly escaped impeachment by the state Assembly. Indeed the fight for who controls Abia state in 2003 started immediately after their swearing. The suspension is therefore seen as a fallout of the political intrigues and power-play that has engendered mutual suspicion and distrust between the duo.

Predictably, Chief Abaribe described his purported suspension as "one big joke, and a relief from inanities..."

The party (PDP) however over-ruled the state executive council. But the frosty relationship has remained and the cat and mouse game continues on the road 2003.

The Ocean and Oil Trio

Onajite Paul Okoloko

Born on 22nd February 1966. Okoloko is an indigene of Ughelli north local government, Delta State. He completed his bachelor degree in economics from the university of Benin, Edo State in 1986. He started work in 1987 as a marketing representative with Bounty alarms, united states of America, a regional representative of A.T.&T security systems. He is a founding partner of the ocean and oil. As a partner he has helped develop the marketing and sales strategy of the business while remaining heavily involved with product trading.

He is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Ocean and Oil Services, the company that won the bid for as a core investor in Unipetrol.

In addition to the above, he is a director in the following companies:

Unipetrol Nigeria plc, Unipetrol Ghana, Gas link Nigeria limited. Okoloko is also the Chairman of Delta State Cricket Association.

Wale Tinubu.

Born some 36 years ago, into a typical Lagos family. Wale is the little nephew of the current governor of Lagos Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. And many have attributed this relationship to his success story. Described as a shrewd and highly calculating businessman, he never invests in anything that has a low return on investment.

He graduated from the University of Liverpool with a second class upper in law, and bagged another degree from the London school of economics.

He is perceived as an astute business man one who always has his eyes on the profit margin before taking a plunge.

Currently, Wale is the Managing Director of Unipetrol Nig. Plc. He is also a Director with Unipetrol Togo, Unipetrol Ghana, Econet Wireless Nig

Ltd Ocean & Oil Holdings, Ocean & Oil Services and is chairman of Gaslink Ltd. Wale belongs to the following clubs and societies: International Bar Association, Institute of Directors, Lagos motorboat club, Lagos polo club and the Lions club. He is married with children.

Mofe Boyo

He is the Deputy Managing Director of Unipetrol. Boyo was an Executive Director in Ocean & Oil before he moved over to Unipetrol as Executive Director, Marketing and later elevated to the position of Deputy Managing Director. A lawyer, 34-year old Boyo had a brief stint at Chief Rotimi Williams Chambers before he moved on in partnership with Wale Tinubu, and Jite Okoloko to establish Ocean & Oil.

Amodu Shuaibu

_Out From The Valley of History

Amodu Shuaibu goes into the records as the first indigenous coach to qualify the national team for the World Cup finals. It was a task no one gave he an his two lieutenants Joe Erico and Stephen Keshi any chance of pulling through after the expatrate coach Jo Bonfrere had led the national team to a tight corner. The former Olando Pirate (South Africa) and BCC Lions coach has had the roughest deal of all the nation's senior team coaches - sacked and recalled and then sent away again and then again coming back to a less fanciful position - all for the fatherland.

But Shuaibu readily tells you that his travails were necessary for him to grow. "I have no grudge against anybody", he declared, "I think it was an experience I needed to go through in my career. It has made me a better person. So I don't have anything against anybody."

Amodu's biggest problem was that he is a Nigerian. And the football administrators are not favourably disposed to allowing a Nigerian grow to such eminent position of technical coach as much as they didn't believe in the capabilities of a Nigerian to manage the national team. But just like the Biblical rejected stone which later became the corner of the house, coach Amodu Shuaibu, the much despise, much venerated and much disliked by sports administrators has proved to be that rejected but now useful stone.

Nigeria was struggling to pick a ticket for a place in the world cup. The situation was increasingly becoming hopeless. And Bonfere Jo was not in a hurry to change tactics. Then the hammer fell at last, Bonfere was sacked, and in a fire-brigade fashion Amodu was re-drafted to take charge of the floundering team. He won three matches in a roll. It was a very critical moment. We were praying for smaller neighbours to fail so that we could manage to qualify. And to show just how critical the situation had become, the president who is well known for his "not so friendly disposition to sport, surprisingly travelled to Port Harcourt to cheer up the players. It was his first time, and we won.

It wasn't a straight ticket but a crucial one all the same that earned us a place in 2002 world cup.

But by far Eagles superlative performance on Sunday against Ghana more than anything else proved that an indigenous coach can perform as well as a foreign one. Everything simply revolves round strategy ,understanding and perhaps some fighting spirit.

Amodu has earned himself a place in the history books as the first indigenous coach to qualify Nigeria for world cup. He has emerged from the valley of history and now stand tall on mountain top.

During the first half of the year, Nigeria was in the very front seat of science when three of her citizens, Col. Oviemo Ovadje, Prof. Barth Nnaji and Dr. Henrietta Ukwu stepped forward for honours at the Dorchester, United Kingdom, in an event organised by Mr. Alfred Okoigun of ARCO Petrochemical Engineering.

The event was only the peak of a series of inventions by the Nigerians which had received international acclaim in the field of science and technology.

Col. Ovadje was recognised for his life-saving invention EATSET machine, used for transfusing blood without the risk of infection.

Although he had long begun work on the invention (since 1989), Ovadje perfected it during the last two years. The device makes it possible to recycle the patient's own blood during acute internal haemorrhage.

The device had already won a gold medal for the best African inventor/innovator in 1995 from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).

Ovadje who is a medical doctor hails from Delta State.

Dr. Ukwu's contribution is in the area of the battle against the AIDS menace. She discovered the CRIXIVAN, a drug that reduces the virus loads of AIDS patients to undetectable levels. The impact is that the drug significantly slows down the process of death in extreme cases of AIDS infection.

An alumnus of Queens College, Enugu and University of Jos, Ukwu has done a lot of work with vaccines and infectious diseases in the United states. She has variously been recognised as "Black Achiever in Industry", the Golden Torch award for outstanding Women in Technology.

Prof. Nnaji, a one-time Minister of Science and Technology, trained at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, among other institutions. He has made breakthroughs in Robotics and Computer-aided designs. His works in Robotics has led to the development of RALPH (Robotics Assemblage Language Planning Hiera-rchy). He has also developed a Product Modeller System called ProMod-S that provides an integrated design and manufacturing environment for sheet metal components. In 1984, he founded the Automation and Robotics Laboratory at the University of Amherst.

The list of top Nigerians in the science and technology field will be incomplete, however, without the mention of Leo Stan Eke who pioneering effort has led to the introduction of Zinnox, the first Nigerian made computer PCs.

International
bin Laden: Millionaire Whose Grudge Changed the World

The year 2001 will no doubt go down in history as the year Saudi-born millionaire, Osama bin Laden vented his grudge on the world so much so that it totally re-ordered the world. Born in the city of Riyadh in 1957 of a Syrian mother, one of 10 wives of his billionaire father, bin Laden was the 17th of 52 brothers and sisters in the family. At the early age of 13, he lost his father; a reason why many believed he had to marry at the age of 17 to a Syrian girl. But the argument that the early marriage was another way of protecting the young bin Laden from corruption in line with Islamic injunctions was not ruled out as well.

As the young bin Laden grew, he received his education including degree in management and economics in Jedda. But it was during this period that he developed strong Muslim belief of Islamic law, a belief that was to later propel him to take up armed struggle against any perceived enemy of his religious belief.

In the Beginning

Though it is popularly believed that bin Laden began his struggle against perceived Kafr, anti-Islamic elements and nations with the United States of America as the principal target in 1973 when he started interacting with numerous Islamic groups across the world, during the period, he acquired personal fortunes running into millions of US dollars from running his family's successful construction business.

A renegade of sorts in the eyes of even his close family members, bin Laden was severally disowned by his own after he inherited $250million from his family's estimated $6billion fortune, and later, instigating global terrorist activities.

Thus, when the then Union of Soviet Socialist Republic, USSR invaded Afghanistan, bin Laden was comfortable enough to abandon his family business to fund recruitment, transportation and training of a volunteer force of Arab nationals to fight alongside the Afghan mujahedeen. On the rationale for the action, bin Laden reportedly felt that it was his sense of duty to do so since the soviets actions had deeply offended him as a Muslim. But he would do all he could to down play the fact that the US largely assisted his group then named, Islamic Salvation Front, ISF to battle the soviets. Like many known mortals, he preferred the success recorded to be credited to him and his forces.

As the war with soviets drew to a close, bin Laden formed the al Queda, (Arabic for "the base"), an organisation of ex-Mujahedeen and their supporters to channel funds and fighters to the Afghan resistance.

Little wonder that when the soviets were forced out of Afghanistan in 1989, and funding including related support from the US to the ISF frozen, bin Laden returned to his family construction business, signaling the disbandment of the ISF.

But as if he had only taken a temporary leave to restrategise, bin Laden could not be contented with the record success the family business was recording, a restless state that propelled him to finance subversive activities for which the governments of Egypt, Algeria and Yemen accused him. His home Saudi Arabian government had no option but to seize his passport in 1994, forcing him to flee into exile in Sudan, Central Africa, where he had the leader of the National Islamic Front, NIF, Hassan al-Turabi receive and accommodate him.

It was while in Sudan that bin Laden was said to have in alliance with the NIF, financed and assisted in setting up no fewer than three terrorist training camps while his construction company worked directly with Sudanese military officials to transport and supply terrorists training in their respective camps.

When the Grudge Began

It is believed that bin Laden's grudge against the world began when the Saudi government allowed the US to use the country as a staging area for attacks on Saddam Hussein's Iraqi forces then in Kuwait

However, ostensibly because he had been cut out either by personal deliberate designs or by fate to wander, bin Laden was in 1996, expelled by the Sudanese government for soiling the county's image given his activities. Since then, the permanent abode of bin Laden was not known; a development which marked the beginning of his grudge against humanity. Beside rumours that had him living in Yemen or Saudi Arabia with one false passport or another, bin Laden was also rumoured as having been captured in Afghanistan.

However, his consistent calls on Muslims worldwide to kill the enemy, largely personified in the US and its interests indicated that the Saudi-born millionaire was not about to rest at all.

Henceforth. any semblance of catastrophe that threaten US interests were to be alluded to the actions of bin Laden. Thus; the February 26, 1993 bombing of the World Trade Centre in which six people were killed with more than 1000 injured was credited to the angry Saudi-born millionaire. The Riyadh bombing of November 13, 1995 via a car explosion around a Saudi National Guard Training facility killing five Americans and two Indians with a record 60 people injured among whom were 34 Americans was rumoured to have been the handiwork of bin Laden or/and his group. The Al-Khobar Bombing of June 25, 1998 in which a large explosion ripped through a US Air Force Housing complex at the King Abdul Aziz Airbase near Dhahran in Saudi Arabia killing 19 servicemen leaving 300 injured was also traced to bin Laden.

It is important to note that in some of the foregoing cases among others not mentioned, bin Laden was not directly linked to the incidents. However the comments he reportedly makes at their occurrences make many see in him the active voice and motivating spirit behind many of them.

For instance, after the November 13, 1995 Riyadh bombing in which five Americans and two Indians were killed, bin Laden expressly praised the four Saudi national responsible for the attack saying, their action "raised the head of the Muslim nation high, and washed away some of the dishonor we had to bear by the Saudi government's collaboration with the American government in the land of Allah".

Before September 11, 2001

Before the earth-shaking and monumental wreckage that befell the US following the plane-hijacks and the resultant damages to lives and the World Trade Centre, New York among others on the fateful day, bin Laden had in an interview with a foreign journalist asked America to "leave Saudi Arabia or die". Though he had been issuing such threats to the US in the past, he was perceived to be more aggressive than ever before at the May 26, 2001 interview.

However, in responding to the threat, the US-owned Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI issued instructions to American citizens on how to move about and conduct themselves in the public, especially in the Middle East.

But not to be swayed by counter strategies of the Americans, bin Laden who had ostensibly perfected plans to direct the September 11 events in the US, commented thus; "Allah is the one who created us and blessed us with this religion, and orders us to carry out the holy struggle", adding, "Allah ordered us in this religion to purify the Muslim land of all non-believers, and especially in the Arabian peninsula.. We believe that the biggest thieves in the world and the terrorists are the Americans.. We do not differentiate between those dressed in military uniforms and civilians; they are all targets in this Fatwa"

The interview aired on some US-based stations, though gave enough clues to the Americans as to the increased angst of bin Laden against them, did not seemingly prompt them to watch out even as the Saudi-born millionaire had indicated that neither civilians nor military would be spared.

Thus in what was to become the landmark event of the year that directly or remotely touched the lives of many across the world and not just limited to the US, the World Trade Centre in New York as well as the Pentagon building in Washington DC, both in the US were rammed into by planes suspectedly hijacked by loyalists of bin Laden's al Queda group; while a third plane crash-landed somewhere in Pennsylvania. In all, deaths running into thousands were recorded and property destroyed unquantifiable.

In the ensuing war against terror to get at bin Laden to account for his "sins", the US has so far freed the Afghans from the stranglehold of the bin Laden's al Queda and their local collaborators, Talibans. But will that stop bin Laden's threat on the US and its interests across the globe? Not until the world is certain where the man whose antecedents and activities affected humanity during the year is.

Kofi Anan

Kofi Anan and the United Nations which he heads as Secretary-General, this year, became the winners of the Nobel peace prize. It was an international endorsement of the efforts of Anan at restoring peace to several of the worlds trouble spots.

The Ghanaian born diplomat was also a recipient of the famous award. His choice was not unconnected with his handling of the US/Iragi face-off over the issue of inspection of weapons of mass destruction.

The stand-off was such that would have ultimately led to another round of "Operation Desert Storm" by the Americans but for Anan's deft diplomatic move which compelled Irag to allow the UN weapon inspectors into the country.

His endorsement for a second term of office as the Secretary General of the world body capped the year for this super diplomat.

Ariel Sharon (Return of the Hawk)

Ariel Sharon, the Isreali Prime Minister has since being elected to replace Ehud Barak in February this year shown that he remains tha hawk that he is often refered to.

Not only has the gains recorded in the search for peace between the Isrealis and the Palestinians been thrown to the dogs, the situation between the two states is only a step away from total war.

Interestingly, Sharon holds the Palestinian leader, Yessar Arafat responsible for the present conflagration within the region inspite of the fact that he in his characteristic manner orders riprisal killings in Palestine by his soldiers.

His latest reaction to the escalation of hostilities is to severe all links with the Palestinian leader, describing him as irrelevant.

Yasser Arafat

As the violence rocking the Palestinians and the Israelis increasingly assumes a dangerous level, and with Israel issuing threats of dire consequences to Arafat, the Palestinian leader is in a dilemma and has never before looked less powerful.

Both sides have shown equal capacity to unleash violence on each other, but by far the Israeli air strikes against targets in Palestine have had a telling effect. Arafat's residence was even a target of Israeli anger. Part of his house was damaged, and two of his helicopters seriously destroyed - thus severely limiting his ability to travel. But the action of the Israelis have clearly demonstrated who is in charge in the region. The Sharon Government has demonstrated the willingness to squeeze Mr. Arafat until it gets what it wants.

Arafat now faces some difficult choices; to co-operate with Israel - which means cracking down even harder on Islamic militants and on some of his own supporters in the Fatah movement or to stand up to Israel and in effect join forces with those Israel has designated "terrorists". But taking either of these choices could be his undoing. If Arafat co-operates with the Isaelis, he risks sparking a Palestinian civil war. If he opts for armed resistance, he doesn't stand a chance with Israel's military machine.

Appeal to Hamas to stop attacking Israel is certain to be rebuffed as always. So where does he go from here? That is the dilemma Arafat is having to contend with even as the year runs out.

George Bush

George W. Bush, the former Texas Governor did not have it easy winning the Presidential elections in the United States. Indeed not many gave him the chance of winning it, not when he was running against Al Gore, then the incumbent Vice President.

Running on the Republican ticket added yet another hurdle to his winning the elections, with votes from the black community, expected to go the Democratic candidate.

However, albeit a little controversially, he emerged the 42nd President of the US. But that did not put to an end doubts that havoured over his ability to run the government.

The man who touts himself as "Compasionate Conser-vative" surprised these cynics and has continued to confound them through his handling of the September 11 terrorists attacks on his country. Today, he has become more popular in his country than he was when he got elected the President.