THEWILL NEWSPAPER April 09, 2023

It took a few days to finally secure a meeting with Chiefs Nike and Reuben Okundaye, and it was well worth the wait. Our conversation centred on culture, art, and heritage had me thinking about the many cultures we have lost as a country with many states.

While I agree that the new generation barely knows a lot about our culture, especially with respect, a few people have chosen to avoid following the route of the oyibos and teach their kids the many traditions and cultures of our exceptionally vibrant nation. One such person whose name I will withhold, I admire that she instils certain values in her sons. She has kept their Yoruba culture of the boys prostrating when they greet her or even strangers(guests). So strong are those values of their culture in their home that even the family pet pug knows to dobale when he sees her in the morning. Now, that’s what I’m talking about. My conversation with our cover personality and her husband covers diverse topics, including heritage.

You all remember the stolen artefacts that were returned, right? We spoke about that too, and while Mama Nike and I were on the same side, Daddy Reuben believes it’s obnoxious to think we need people teaching us how to care for our own creations. Many lessons that should have been passed from generation to generation stopped at a particular era, so do we still have the know-how to care for these artefacts?

I am a product of a generation that lost some knowledge that could have been passed down to me, and not a day goes by that I do not kick myself asking why I didn’t learn about herbs from my grandmother. She was so good that she could pick the right plants for couples who couldn’t have a baby. All that knowledge is buried with her, and so it makes me wonder and, at the same time, hope that we do not lose the artefacts. Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying they shouldn’t be home to Nigeria. I’m wondering if previous generations passed on the know-how to preserve them. Until next week, enjoy your read.

Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia

Makeup: Zaron

2023

As Pressure Mounts, Will Obi, LP Drop Court Battle?

BY AMOS ESELE

When the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, took to his twitter handle last Wednesday to say that he was being pressured to leave the country amid the Federal Government’s accusation of treasonable and inciting statements, it was left to the imagination to wonder who were those mounting the pressure.

For the Chief Spokesperson of the party, Tanko Yinusa, the pressure is real. Family members and friends, associates and a very important person who feared for the safety of the Anambra former governor were behind the pressure.

“And it is borne out of a background: The FGs accusation of treason against him and his deputy, Datti Baba Ahmed, the doctored audio conversation with Bishop David Oyedepo designed to smear him are being used to make the party abandon the court cases to reclaim our mandate,” Yinusa told THEWILL on Friday.

“We know the hand of Esau when we see one. He is not leaving the country. Now, they want to remove the National Chairman of the party through frivolous court cases. It is only the National Working Committee of the party that can remove the Chairman. We will see the end of the post-election court case to reclaim our mandate legally.”

All through the weekend, the internal crisis within the party persisted, reaching a head with the emergence of a faction, which formed an executive committee on the strength of an Abuja High Court through an exparte motion removing the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, for alleged forgery, embezzlement, perjury and anti-party activities.

The four appointed officers in acting capacities are National Vice Chairman, (South) Alhaji Lamidi Apapa as Acting National Chairman; Alhaji Salek Lawan, as Acting National Secretary; Comrade Reuben Favour, Acting Organising Secretary and Acting National

Treasurer, Rowland Daramola.

The new NCW members immediately went about reversing the suspension of two members of the NCW, namely Comrade Arabambi Abayomi, National Publicity Secretary and Comrade Eragbe Anslem, National Youth Leader. State Executive council members who were suspended were reinstated in Ogun, Rivers and Gombe.

Speaking for the new order in LP, Arabambi Abayomi told THEWILL that the party’s crisis is self-inflicted and lays the problem on the shoulders of Abure, whom he accused of forgery and perjury and fraud.

“The fraud and forgeries were perpetrated during the conduct of primary for National Assembly members and governorship candidates for the party. Money was collected from those whose names were substituted with names of candidates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. We have been pursuing the cases in

ELECTION FALLOUT:

Will Obi, LP Drop Court Battle?

court and when the one in FCT High Court sailed through, we asked for the copy of the judgement which the police used to issue a warrant of arrest on the National Chairman.”

With the Abure-led NCW denouncing the FCT Abuja court judgement, arguing that a court of competent jurisdiction has also upheld his powers as national chairman of the LP, the leadership crisis has further polarised the party.

But Abure’s NCW had needed help thrown its way when the owners of the party, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, threw their weight behind him.

Rising from a meeting on Friday, the national leaders, who expressed alarm at the decision of Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court in FCT to suspend the Abure-led executive committee, the NLC leadership said, “We view the decapitation of the leadership of the party with great suspicion, which cannot be far from the intent to weaken the party from within or distract it from its fight to reclaim its victories at the polls.”

It declared the recognition of the Julius Abureled team and urged the court to “review its decision forthwith.”

UNRESOLVED ISSUES

The issue of treason, following Datti Ahmed’s interview with Channels TV in which he stated that President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, must not swear in the Presidentelect on May 29 until the post-election cases in court had been adjudicated upon and the alleged religious baiting contained in the leaked audio between Obi and Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, aka Winners Church, is said to be baseless in intent, examined by the expert in legal matters.

On Tuesday, March 4, 2023, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, in far-away United States during an official duty, accused LP’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his running mate Datti BabaAhmed, of treason, saying they risked being prosecuted for making inciting statements over the outcome of the 2023 general election.

Reacting swiftly, Obi took to his twitter handle to debunk the claim and through the Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, he stated that that the “APC was involved in a covert plot in collaboration with some security agents to frame him for treason, including the circulation of a fake doctored audio and a pressure on me to leave the country.”

Taking a dispassionate look at the charges of treason and the sacking of the party’s exco, Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, at the weekend, said that Obi and Datti’s

comments failed the treason test charges being bandied by the government.

According to him, Obi/Datti have not violated the clear and unambiguous Section 37 of the Criminal Code, on treason.

“Section 37(1) of the Criminal Code Act, provides that, “Any person who levies war against the state in order to intimidate or overawe the President or the Governor of a State, is guilty of treason and liable to the punishment of death.”

It is all about politics, because, according to him, “Obi and Datti have approached the court to challenge the results of the presidential election of the Constitution in line with the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act.”

Falana also frowned at the ex parte orders given by the High Court in Abuja, describing it as illegal and a violation of the rights of affected NEC members of the party.

He said, “I have always opposed the removal of public officials and political party leaders via ex parte orders because it is illegal. It constitutes a gross abuse of the fundamental right to fair hearing, which is constitutionally guaranteed. It is a trite law that elected persons and appointees cannot be removed from office without being afforded the opportunity to react to allegations made against them. To that extent, removal of political leaders through ex parte orders cannot be justified in law.

“In Eperokun v. University of Lagos (1986) 4 NWLR (PT.34. 162, it was held that “constitutionally entrenched positions, particularly those safeguarding individual rights, should not, save in a fascist system, be lightly trampled upon. An appointee

should not have the spectre of misconduct hanging over his head without being given an opportunity of clearing his name.”

CRISIS WITHIN OPENING PARTY TO EXTERNAL ATTACK

The supremacy battle within LP predates Obi’s membership and his emergence as presidential candidate. The two factions were led by Victor Osagie and Abure Julius, which a Federal High Court ruling ordered NLC to unite by organising a unity convention. Then a former president of the NLC, Aliyu Wabba, who intervened with little success through an out of court settlement among the warring factions, left Abure to ride the storm in the hope that normalcy would return to the house after the presidential poll. With time, Abure had consolidated his position. His failure to reach out to aggrieved members during the polls reawakened the old hostilities, which the opposition, most probably, exploited during the polls to reduce the party’s growing voter power.

Former National Publicity, Abayomi, who was suspended during electioneering in 2023 and was on Thursday reinstated by the new exco, acting on the disputed Abuja High Court ex parte order, was accused of working for the governing APC during the just concluded polls. He was accused of scheming to delay till the last minutes the submission of names of National Assembly candidates in some states in the Southwest to INEC, leaving the party to field few candidates there.

He denied the accusation. He told this newspaper that apart from Lagos where the party was hamstrung at the National Assembly level, even though it went on to win a House of representatives seat, (Thaddeus Attah, who won the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat), what took place in areas like Ogun State and other states in this geo-political zone was the result of the tactless handling by Abure.

COMMON FRONT

Despite the festering crisis within, both factions are agreed on one mission: The postelection court case must be prosecuted to its logical conclusion.

Abayomi says: “The leadership of the NWC under Lamidi Apampa is one hundred percent with Peter Obi. We believe we have been robbed of victory in the general election and we will retrieve it through the court of law.''

Yinusa said, “We will continue to fight until we reclaim our mandate legally.”

On Friday night, pro-Abure supporters with the assistance of some loyal state chairmen of the party forcefully gained entry into the premises and building earlier sealed by the police, vowing to resist any attempt to muzzle the party and stop its leaders from continuing their litigation on the poll.

I have always opposed the removal of public officials and political party leaders via ex parte orders because it is illegal. It constitutes a gross abuse of the fundamental right to fair hearing, which is constitutionally guaranteed. It is a trite law that elected persons and appointees cannot be removed from office without being afforded the opportunity to react to allegations made against them

PDP Moves to Contest Result of C'River Governorship Election

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State and its candidate in the 2023 Governorship Election, Professor Sandy Onor, have moved to contest the result of the election in the state.

This follows the application placed by the party in petition No: EPT/CR/GOV/03M/2023 and dated April 4, 2023 at the Cross River State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

The tribunal is headed by Justice J.O OkeyaInneh and two others, including Justice M.L. Omar, member I, and Justice O.O. Olatawura, member II, with A.D Bambur as Tribunal secretary.

In the Exparte Motion filed on April 4, 2023, the petitioners prayed for seven orders, including “an order granting leave to the Applicants to bring this Application outside or before the pre-hearing session.”

Reflect on True Value of Christ’s Resurrection – Bishop Odetoyinbo

Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta, Most Rev. (Dr)

Peter Odetoyinbo, has called on the President-elect, state governors, newly elected members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, to use the opportunity to reflect on the true values of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as they prepare to serve the people across the country.

Odetoyinbo, who made this call in his Easter Message entitled “Alleluia! Christ Is Truly Risen”, charged those in positions of authority to serve without abusing their powers and privileges.

The Bishop stated that the celebration of Christ’s resurrection should spur the people to go out and proclaim God’s love for humanity, stressing that the best way this can be manifested is to show love to one another, regardless of tribe and religion, especially at this period that Nigeria is in distress.

“We must return to the core values of humanity in our relationship with one another. Our national pledge challenges us to embrace patriotism to our country. The virtues of faith, loyalty, honesty and service to humanity should be the guiding principles for us all, particularly those that were recently elected into various political offices in our country.

“Let them reflect on the true values of the resurrection as they begin to serve whether as governors, senators, members of the National Assembly, ministers, et cetera. They should manifest the new life of the risen Christ who came not to be served but to serve and give His life as ransom for many. Christ did not abuse his power and privileges, though He was in the form of God. He did not count equality with God but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant and offered His life so that humanity can be saved”, he stated. While urging political office holders to join in the project of a better Nigeria where leaders will commit themselves to serving the people as Jesus Christ did, the cleric further admonished them to be close to the members of their respective constituencies and feel their pain and collective desire for change by using their

offices to provide the basic amenities that will improve the lives of the people.

Bishop Odetoyinbo stressed that as the resurrection of Christ brought reconciliation and victory over sin, evil and death, Nigerians should be reconciled with one another so that all can live in peace and unity for a prosperous and renewed Nigeria.

"Our hope for a greater Nigeria can only be sustained when we commit ourselves to a new orientation and attitude in our socio-political life. The orientation of service to humanity as against exploitation, sacrifice rather than selfenrichment and love for others rather than self-aggrandisement. With such an attitude, we can achieve the dream of a country of peace and unity where the love of Christ reigns in our heart,” he added.

The Catholic prelate described Easter as a time of hope, new life and new beginning that provides believers the opportunity to renew their commitment to the Christian creed. He said that people should be imitators of Christ and live in love, as Christ loved and gave Himself up to humanity.

“To experience Easter, is to experience God’s new life which is the hope of a better tomorrow. We must learn to let go of the troubles of yesterday and focus on living the new life of today. We look beyond the struggles of life and look forward to the future with renewed faith and hope.

“To us Nigerians, are we not tired of the situation of things in our country right now? Why are we so unkind, making one another sad rather than joyful? We take advantage of every situation to exploit one another and point accusing fingers at others. In fact, many of us complain about the situation of things in our country but do evil to one another on a daily basis,” he said.

Odetoyinbo noted that the prevalence of evil in the country today is the result of individual actions and inactions as vices seemed to have become virtues.

"Many of us complain about the situation in our country, but do evil to one another on a daily basis".

Ogun Guber: INEC Releases Election Materials to NNPP's Lead Counsel

BY AYO ESAN

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ogun state, has complied with the directive of Governorship and House of Assembly Petition Tribunal sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun state ordering the Commission to allow the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to have access to all election materials used for the conduct of the March 18th Governorship elections.

The INEC on Thursday gave access to the lead counsel for the NNPP and the party gubernatorial candidate, Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo in the state, Barrister Izunya Isaac Dale of Izunya Izunya and Co to inspect, photocopy, scan, pay for, and obtain certified true copies of all the documents used in the conduct of the governorship election held on March 18, 2023.

It would be recalled that the National Secretary of the NNPP, Dipo Olayoku through a letter dated 24th March, 2023 informed the office of Izunya Izunya & Co to be the lead Counsel in any petition concerning the 18th March elections.

According to the letter with the heading: 'Letter of instructions to file petitions at the Governorship and State Assembly Elections Tribunal, Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State' reads: "Take this as instructions to lead Izunya Isaac Dale to file petitions on behalf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Governorship and State Assembly Elections holding at Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

"The petitions are to challenge the outcome of Governorship and State Assembly Elections conducted on the 18th March, 2023".

Following this, the Ogun state chapter of the NNPP approached the Tribunal, and three Judges of the election tribunal, however, granted NNPP’s request to inspect, photocopy, scan and record all sensitive materials used by INEC.

The three judges namely; Justice Arum Igyem Ashom, Justice Eno Ikpi Ebri, and Justice Khadi Ibrahim Ya’u unanimously agreed in their ruling on the exparte motion brought by the counsels of NNPP to allow the party inspects the INEC’s materials.

Others are “An order granting leave to the Applicants to argue this Application outside or before the pre-hearing session.”

“An order directing the 1st Respondent in this Application, that is, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the parties herein to jointly inspect, all the electoral materials used in the conduct of the election for the office of the Governor of Cross River State held on the 18 day of March, 2023; to wit, voters’ register, ballot papers, polling units result sheets, wards collation results sheets, Local government collation results sheets and declaration result sheets.

"An order granting the parties herein permission to do electronic scanning and/or make photocopies of ‘voters’ register, ballot papers, polling units result sheets, ward collation results sheets, local government collation results sheets and declaration of results sheets used in the conduct of the election for the office of the Governor of Cross River State held on the 18th day of March, 2023.

”An order granting leave for the parties herein to carry out digital forensic inspection of BVAS machines used in the election for the office of the Governor of Cross River State held on the 18th day of March, 2023.

“An order restraining the 1st Respondent from tampering with the information embedded in the machines used in the Election for the office of the Governor of Cross River State held on the 18th day of March, 2023” and “for such order or further orders as this Honourable Tribunal may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case".

However in relief 4, the Tribunal said, “The parties herein are given permission to do electronic scanning and/or make photocopies of Voters’ Register, polling units result sheets, ward collation results sheets, local government collation results sheets and declaration of result sheets used in the conduct of the Election for the office of the Governor of Cross River State held on the 18th day of March, 2023".

The Court refused prayer (6), saying, “there are no facts placed before the Tribunal in the affidavit in support of the application upon which the order sought can be predicated.”

The petition has the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, Hon. Peter Agbe Odey and All Progressives Congress (APC) as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondents respectively.

Professor Teddy Charles Adias, the collation /returning officer for the governorship election had declared Senator Bassey Otu of the All Progressives Congress winner of the election.

Passion/Crucifixion play by Regina Mundi Catholic Church,  Mushin in Lagos on April 7, 2023.

FROM BASSEY ANIEKAN, CALABAR

FROM SEGUN AYINDE, ABEOKUTA

POLITICS

Gagdi, Wase, Others Jostle For House of Reps Speakership

BY AYO ESAN

Only a few weeks ago, newly elected members of the Federal House of Representatives were issued Certificates of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and some of them have already started indicating their interests in principal offices in the yet-to-be inaugurated 10TH National Assembly.

The race for the position of Speaker looks more intense as the incumbent Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila is not likely to return to the seat.

Gbajabiamila, who represents Surulere 1 Federal Constituency in Lagos State, is restricted by law from returning to the position because the President- elect, Bola Tinubu, also hails from Lagos.

As the nation awaits the official inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June, scheming for the position of Speaker is already in full swing and the aspirants are busy criss-crossing the country in search of support from stakeholders, including political heavyweights in all the six geopolitical zones.

The scramble is due to failure on the part of the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to discuss the zoning of the principal offices of the National Assembly during a meeting it held in Abuja shortly after the Presidential and National Assembly elections, which also had President-elect Bola Tinubu, represented by his running mate, Kashim Shettima, and newly elected lawmakers in attendance.

North West, North Central Favoured

Despite the fact that the APC has not come out with a zoning formula for the positions of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Reps, political analysts believe that the North-Central and North-West are favoured to produce the next Speaker.

Analysts who also believe that the South-East and SouthSouth are favoured to produce the Senate President are ruling the South-West and North-East, both of which have produced the President-elect and the Vice

President–elect, out of contention for the two plum jobs in the National Assembly.

However, those who make a case for the North-West on the position of Speaker have suggested that the slot for Senate President should go to the South-East.

They argue that the position is enough compensation to the North-West for producing the highest number of votes for the APC in the presidential and national assembly elections, given that the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari hails from the zone.

Other members-elect of the house of Reps from other geopolitical zones, such as the North-Central and North-East, are believed to be interested in the position. Ranking members of the House that are presumed to be interested in the Speakership include its current spokesman, Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia); Hon .Yusuf Gagdi, (Plateau); Idris Wase (APC, Plateau); Muktar Aliyu Betara (APC, Borno); Aminu Jaji (APC, Zamfara); Abass Tajudeen, (Kaduna) and Alhassan Ado Doguwa (APC, Kano).

A top-ranking APC chieftain told THEWILL, on the condition of anonymity: “From what we are seeing within the party, the contest for the speakership might in the end be narrowed down to incumbent Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase and a returning member representing Zaria Federal Constituency, Abbass Tajudeen.”

Wase, it was gathered, enjoys the support of Gbajabiamila and other returning members, while Tajudeen’s onslaught is being led by outgoing Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.

To underscore their determination, aspirants from the two geopolitical zones have commenced intense lobbying, with a view to corner the number four office in the country. The contest for the speakership of the House of Representatives is very keen since members of the new National Assembly emerged during the last general election.

Although in line with the parliamentary tradition, rules, and convention, the political party with the most legislators is expected to form the majority caucus and produce the presiding officers.

Ranking members, who are returning for the second or more time, are automatically qualified to contest the principal office positions either from the majority or the minority caucus.

Out of the 360 seats in the House of Representatives, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won 162 seats; while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won 102.

The Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) won 34 and 18 seats, respectively, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) got four seats.

On their part, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) won two seats

The race for the position of Speaker looks more intense as the incumbent Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila is not likely to return to the seat

Wase

Tajudeen

...Others Jostle For House of Reps Speakership POLITICS

each, while the Young Progressive Party (YPP) clinched one seat.

However, Nigerians may witness another drama similar to what happened in 2015 when the House of Representatives is inaugurated in June.

The opposition parties are coming together and may ‘fight’ with the APC in the competition to produce the speaker of the House.

The opposition members recently met in Abuja to strategise ahead of the inauguration’s drama.

With the present numbers of members-elect, APC has 162 and the other parties coming together are having 163 members.

The opposition whose meeting, had lawmakers from the six minority political parties in attendance, aimed at forming an alliance ahead of the inauguration of the 10th assembly.

A ranking lawmaker, Hon. Fred Agbedi, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the meeting was meant to enable the lawmakers-elect network, interact and familiarise before their inauguration.

Agbedi said the minority caucuses had the highest number of elected lawmakers in the 10th assembly, giving them greater strength to deepen opposition politics and democracy.

Also, a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, stated that the opposition lawmakers must work “very closely” to protect their interest.

“We understand that for us to be able to put through our collective interest, for us to be able to protect our ideals as minority parties that fundamentally serve as a check to the ruling party, and to be able to contribute to nation building, we must come together,” Jibrin stressed.

He hinted the opposition lawmakers that, “Whoever calls them for a meeting and tells you anything is not telling you the honest truth. If we do not put ourselves together, we will not be able to marshal through our interests”

On her part, Hon. Beni Lar, another ranking member, said the minority caucuses can achieve a “common goal” if united.

“All of us put together are now the majority and a greater majority. This is something that many parliaments around the world seek to achieve but cannot achieve.

I believe that with our numbers, strength and with our doggedness, we can achieve our common goal and purpose,” she said.

The Front runners

Idris Wase

Born on June 1, 1964, Idris Wase is the current Deputy Speaker of 9th House of Representatives. He is one aspirant that has been going round the country to solicit support for his ambition to lead the House when it is inaugurated in June. And on this journey, he has received assurances of support from prominent leaders of his party, the APC and others like Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. Wike is a chieftain of the PDP.

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, threw his weight behind Wase’s ambition to run for Speaker, ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June, this year.

Buni, a former Acting National Chairman of the APC, who spoke while receiving Wase and his campaign team in Abuja, said, “We in the APC and indeed, the House of Representatives need you more than you need us because there is no better time for us in the party to pay you back for your loyalty than now.

“Experience is not studied in the university; it evolves from institutional participation and entrenched ideas, which you already have. For us, we know you will work based on experience because you are prepared more than any other.

Wase has also received endorsements from a former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, among others.

The former Ogun governor, who said the North-Central deserved the position of Speaker, described Wase as his “experienced and beloved son.”

Addressing Wase, Osoba said, “This is your home. You are an experienced and beloved son of mine. North central has been very crucial in APC electoral victories. “The North-Central deserves to be Speaker, even by performance. Awo said we must reward performance and allocation was based on performance in those days. So in the case of North-Central, that should be done. Be rest assured. It will be zoned to North-Central and then we go into the next stage. Wase, you are my beloved son, I repeat.”

Muktar Betara

Muktar Aliyu Betara is a Nigerian accountant and lawmaker, first elected to the House of Reps in 2007 to represent the Biu/Bayo/Shani and Kwaya Kusar Federal Constituency of Borno State. He is currently the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations in the 9th.

This marks Betara’s fourth tenure as a member of the House of Representatives.

He has vowed to fight on even if the position was not zoned to his north east geo-political region.

Betara, in a statement by his campaign group, Betara National Patriotic Mandate, said he was aware of “deft moves” by some influential leaders in the APC to zone the North-East out of the speakership race.

The statement signed by the national coordinator of the group, Mallam Maigari Al- Amin stated.

“We are watching the events that are going on and we can see that some influential leaders are making deft moves to zone the Northeast out the Speakership race and hereby say that our principal, Betara, Insha Allah shall become the Speaker because nobody can cow us and even convince us to stop this project. We shall fight on and win whether the party zones to North east or not.

Yusuf Gagdi

Yusuf Adamu Gagdi is representing Pankshin/Kanam/ Kanke Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the 9th National Assembly.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, is one of the contenders for the position of Speaker of 10th National Assembly, should the position be zoned to North Central region of the country.

He is also spearheading efforts aimed at having the seat zoned to the North Central region of the country.

Gagdi, a former Plateau State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, is one of the leading contenders for the seat, if the zoning favours North-Central.

The APC lawmaker, who just won his second re-election bid, is appealing to those who matter and members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on the need to support the North-Central in producing the next Speaker of the House. His argument on why the position should be zoned to the North-Central is apt because, in the history of Nigeria’s legislature, out of the zones that have occupied the seat of the Speaker of House of Representatives, the North-central zone has had the shortest stint, serving only for three months.

The only time the zone held the position was in 1983, when the NPN administration of President Shehu Shagari won a second term and Hon. Chaha Biam from Benue State, was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives and served from October to December of that year before the military came and sacked the Second Republic.

Abass Tajudeen

Abass Tajudeen is currently representing Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State. He is banking on the fact that the North-West will be favoured for the position of Speaker. He has the backing of the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai and other APC leaders in the North-West.

All of us put together are now the majority and a greater majority. This is something that many parliaments around the world seek to achieve but cannot achieve

Betara

Gagdi

For outgoing Governor Simon Bako Lalong, the dirge may not have been composed; but it is a complete story and eloquent rendition of how not to die; for not even in a fairytale is it common for a man to behold his own obituary announcement or listen to the oration at his funeral unite in symphony and sync with the rhythm of the people’s happiness that an affliction has finally vacated its people and departed the land.

In the old Oyo Empire, once in a while, if the king ran into such lethal infamy and the Oyomesi were no less hard put and helpless to redeem and remedy his predicament, the remaining option was unambiguous, damning, brutal and non-negotiable: “the gods reject you; the people reject you; go and hang”!

Like in Vince Flynn’s work of political fiction titled Transfer of Power, Simon Bako Lalong will neither hang nor die, as he is inextricably caught in the inevitable forces of time, public perception, twist of political fortune, vicissitude, the people’s will, and, of course, time’s revenges. The stage is set, the drammatis personae have gone beyond dress rehearsal, the costumes are resplendent and unmistakeable, and all acts and scenes have coalesced and condensed into the reality that change has come with its inevitability – and there must be transfer of power. It is time for political traditions to service the urgency of political expediency. Unlike in Vince Flynn’s setting in which the decider is a combination of the horror of terror and internal sabotage contrary to the thinking and mindset of Washington’s influential power elite, Lalong’s transfer of power is a decision and voice vote of the people, devoid of terrorism and hostage taking; a fait accompli that ushers in Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang as the Executive Governor of Plateau State; and this is for real!

Once the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) on Monday, March 20, declared that Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, polled 526, 299 votes, against the All Progressives Congress, APC, Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe with 481, 370 votes, a frenzy was let lose statewide as celebrations erupted throughout the State like never before in its political and electoral history.

That the celebrations were most remarkable and resounding in Simon Lalong’s Shendam local government area was not so much because of the preference of the Peoples Democratic Party and its amiable candidate, Caleb Mutfwang. It was more because of the disgust and anger of the people with the apparent incompetence, betrayal, and lack of direction of the Lalong government and the people’s desire to relegate it to the trash can of history.

Having managed his way back into a second term, after squeezing through a keenly contested election, a gruelling rerun, it was clear since 2019 that Simon Bako Lalong will not survive another election in any capacity in Plateau again - or, at least, not so soon. Some of his aides state and argue as much that he did not even deserve a second term; or did not even earn it if his main challenger, Jeremiah Useni of the PDP had been more circumspect and cursory in deploying his electoral arsenal.

No sooner did he begin the second term than he ran foul of public perception and continually appreciated in courting the wrath, regret, and desire of the people to do away with him. With lack of cohesion and synergy in his government, visible enrichment of a few while majority wallowed in want, poverty, decay, and abandonment, Lalong has been tumbling in a free fall, with his unprincipled public pronouncements, fumbling policies, and disconcerted development programmes worsened the state’s debt profile than create wealth.

His claim of restoring peace in the state remained at best a toy souvenir for only passers-by and absentminded troubadours. The State continued to witness attacks and violent conflicts all through his tenure, to the point a traditional ruler in the Southern part of the state had to cry out that criminals, especially bandits, had annexed the area, and were about to over-run the place. While killings and nocturnal attacks continued to ravage parts of Bassa, Riyom, and Jos South local government areas, and herders’ ambush and incessant attacks kept farmers and natives on the run in Bokkos

Transfer of Power: From Lalong to Mutfwang

BY UKANDI ODEY

their right to self rule and determination of their own affairs, but a grand betrayal which ultimate objective was to deliver them and their aspirations to age-long ambush and captivity contrived by the conservative northern establishment. Other acts of commission by the Lalong administration such as attempt to pass the control of the burnt Jos Main Market to Jaiz Bank in a doubtful concessionary arrangement, failure to be decisive and unequivocal in condemning the perpetrators and enablers of violent crisis in parts of the State, inability to deliver on infrastructure provision, creating disharmony and communal tension among communities in the name of creating chiefdoms and upgrading some traditional stools, are among teething issues that pitched Lalong against the people of Plateau who used the occasion of the recently concluded elections to ‘sack’ him and his ‘obnoxious’ APC.

LGA, and banditry hooliganism emasculated the fabric of peace in Wase, Kanam LGAs, leaving Quaan Pan as exclusive destination for kidnappers and armed robbers, Lalong proved consistently that he is a stooge of the interloping aggressor and predator, and to that extent a ‘leader’ who cannot stand up for his people and secure their patrimony and heritage.

During the debate on anti-grazing and herder trespass, he betrayed the position of the people of Plateau by humming tunes complimentary to the interests and intrigues of the initiator and proponents of grazing routes policy. He subscribed to it, and proceeded to say he warned his Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom against being ambivalent to the policy, creating the unfortunate impression that that could have been responsible for the mass murder that saw Ortom burying about seventy of his people in a single day.

The people of Plateau viewed his failure to conduct local government elections as not just a suppression of

The post-election happiness of Plateau people is that they have effectively ‘sacked’ Lalong. The celebrations that greeted the emergence of Caleb Mutfwang of the PDP on March 20, which reverberated last Thursday as he was issued his certificate of return as winner of the gubernatorial election, are remarkably to mark an era of failed hopes, miscarried aspirations, aggravated poverty, worsened hunger, depleted heritage, muddling of cultural identity, and general stagnations. The happiness in Plateau now is that with Mutfwang and the PDP, all oddities have faded away and Plateau is on the way to recovery and self-actualization.

After allegedly distributing eight (8) billion naira on the eve of the last elections before some of his doubtful foot soldiers reportedly switched off their mobile telephones, Lalong is already in enmity and unspeakable terms with his SSG, some commissioners, special advisers, and other political aides. Yet, in some socio-political circles, more are ruing the disastrous electoral outing of the State APC as a function of Lalong’s disastrous political leadership. More things are still likely to throw up with a potential to enrich and prolong the gist. Anyhow, such are the trepidations on the eve of transfer of power; the morning after may yet suffice.

No sooner did he begin the second term than he ran foul of public perception and continually appreciated in courting the wrath, regret, and desire of the people to do away with him

Mutfwang displaying his Certificate of Return as Plateau State Governor-elect.

DEVELOPMENT

Duke-NUS, NHCS Scientists Set World Record in Regenerating Diseased Kidney

Blocking an immune-regulating protein reverses the damage caused by acute and chronic kidney disease, a preclinical study suggests

In a world first, scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School, the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) and colleagues in Germany have shown that regenerative therapy to restore impaired kidney function may soon be a possibility.

In a preclinical study reported in Nature Communications, the team found that blocking a damaging and scar-regulating protein called interleukin-11 (IL-11) enables damaged kidney cells to regenerate, restoring impaired kidney function due to disease and acute injuries.

“Kidney failure is a global epidemic,” said Assistant Professor Anissa Widjaja, a molecular biologist with Duke-NUS’ Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders (CVMD) Signature Research Programme. “Closer to home, Singapore ranks first in the world for diabetesinduced kidney failure and fourth in terms of kidney failure prevalence. The contribution of chronic kidney disease to mortality is rapidly increasing, suggesting there are shortcomings in current therapeutic approaches.”

Searching for ways to restore the kidney’s ability to regenerate damaged cells, Asst Prof Widjaja

This discovery could be a real game-changer in the treatment of chronic kidney disease— which is a major public health concern in Singapore and globally—bringing us one step closer to delivering the benefits promised by regenerative medicine.

Benue Has Proposed Teachers Retirement Age Bill – Gusa

Barrister Michael Gusa is the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Benue state. In this interview with GEORGE MARTINS, he spoke about the legacies of the Ministry of Justice, saying the bill to domesticate retirement age for primary and secondary school teachers at the age of 65 is under way. Excerpts:

What legacy are you leaving behind as AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice in Benue State?

Well, making executive laws in the state is one of the legacies. What we have been doing in the state is anchored on the rule of law and I can also say we have achieved a lot in that direction. We have made a law that prohibits open grazing of cattle in Benue State. We have domesticated the law that prohibits violence against persons. We also domesticated administration of criminal justice in the state. On the whole, we made many laws that have direct impact on the lives of Benue people. This is a pass mark for the Samuel Ortom Administration.

Governor Ortom said the 8th and 9th Benue State Houses of Assembly have passed the highest number of bills in the history of the state. What does this imply?

I have said before that the Samuel Ortom Administration is anchored on the rule of law. Today, we have about 45 laws and 11 instruments, thereby making a total of about 56 Laws. So it was a huge task that the administration set out to accomplish within the period it was in charge. Again, the proposed new bill to the state assembly is in respect of primary and secondary school teachers. This is because teachers recently made a presentation that Federal Government passed a law fixing the retirement age of teachers at 65 and it should be domesticated here in Benue State.

After listening to their request, Governor Ortom gave a

directive and it was passed at the exco level and sent to the House of Assembly in the hope that it will also enjoy speedy passage so that he will assent to it before leaving office by May 29.

What is the implication of signing into law three bills that seek to elongate the retirement age teachers in tertiary institutions in Benue State?

The Ortom administration is anchored on the rule of law. The governor discovered that in other institutions, at the state and federal levels, there has been an amendment of the law which has prescribed 65 years as retirement age for teachers and he felt that Benue should not be an exception. Therefore, the three bills were passed at the State Executive Council and House of Assembly and assented to by the governor. The implication here is that the staff of the colleges of education in Katsina-Ala and Oju, as well as the Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, will now have the retirement age of 65 years. It is believed that at 65, workers are still productive and there is no need, after training them with the state’s resources, to retire at the age of 6.

worked with Professor Stuart Cook, Tanoto Foundation Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre and the CVMD Programme, and Clinician Scientist and Senior Consultant with the Department of Cardiology, NHCS, and Duke-NUS Dean Professor Thomas Coffman, a world-leading nephrologist. They teamed up with scientists in Germany to investigate the role of IL-11, which is known to trigger scarring in other organs, including the liver, lungs and heart, in acute and chronic kidney disease. Their findings implicate the protein in triggering a cascade of molecular processes in response to kidney injury that leads to inflammation, fibrosis

(scarring) and loss of function. They also discovered that inhibiting IL-11 with a neutralising antibody can prevent and even reverse kidney damage in this setting. “We found that IL-11 is detrimental to kidney function and triggers the development of chronic kidney disease,” said Professor Cook. “We also showed that anti-IL11 therapy can treat kidney failure, reverse established chronic kidney disease, and restore kidney function by promoting regeneration in mice, while being safe for long term use.”

More specifically, the researchers showed that renal tubular cells, which line the tiny tubes inside kidneys, release IL-11 in response to kidney damage. This turns on a signalling cascade that ultimately leads to increased expression of a gene, called Snail Family Transcriptional Repressor 1 (SNAI1), which arrests cellular growth and promotes kidney dysfunction. In a preclinical model of human diabetic kidney disease, turning off this process by administering an antibody that binds to IL-11 led to proliferation of the kidney tubule cells and reversal of fibrosis and inflammation, resulting in the regeneration of the injured kidney and the restoration of renal function.

While clinical trials of an antibody that binds to another pro-fibrotic molecule called transforming growth factor beta have been unsuccessful, this new approach brings hope of a new target.

“By boosting the kidney’s intrinsic capability to regenerate, Prof Cook and Asst Prof Widjaja have shown that we can restore function to a damaged kidney,” said Prof Coffman, who is also the principal investigator of the Diabetes Study in Nephropathy and other Microvascular Complications (DYNAMO), a large collaborative study that aims to find new solutions for the prevention and treatment of diabetic kidney disease. “This discovery could be a real gamechanger in the treatment of chronic kidney disease— which is a major public health concern in Singapore and globally—bringing us one step closer to delivering the benefits promised by regenerative medicine.”

This discovery could be a real game-changer in the treatment of chronic kidney disease which is a major public health concern in Singapore and globally bringing us one step closer to delivering the benefits promised by regenerative medicine

EDITORIAL

Pain, Agony on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

The challenges facing motorists and commuters plying the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway are better imagined than experienced. The pain which road users are made to endure on the 127.6-kilometre thoroughfare that has been undergoing reconstruction since the inception of the Muhammadu Buhari Administration almost eight years ago, is, to admit the truth, excruciating.

The project actually started in 2013 but was abandoned and re-awarded by the Buhari Administration. But, despite the challenges, the only word from the authorities in charge is that the poor road users should continue to “bear with us." One wonders for how long Nigerians will continue to endure such experience that is making their lives so nasty, brutish and short.

Just like the proverbial Nigerian problem that has defied all solutions, the reconstruction work on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has become a nightmare not only to visitors coming into Lagos but also those living in the adjoining communities along the expressway that is now a major gateway to Nigeria's commercial capital. While the Ibadan to Sagamu Interchange axis of the road that was handled by Reynold

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Austyn Ogannah

Editor – Olaolu Olusina

Deputy Editor – Amos Esele

Politics Editor – Ayo Esan

Business Editor – Sam Diala

Copy Editor – Chux Ohai

Cartoon Editor – Victor Asowata

Entertainment/Society Editor – Ivory Ukonu

Photo Editor – Peace Udugba

Head, Graphics – Tosin Yusuph

Circulation Manager – Victor Nwokoh

Nigeria Bureau: 36AA Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA, Ikeja. Lagos, Nigeria. info@thewillnigeria.com / @ THEWILLNG, +234 810 345 2286, +234 913 333 3888.

EDITOR: Olaolu Olusina @OLUSINA [Letters/Opinions: opinion.letters@thewillnigeria.com]

Construction Company (RCC) has since been completed, the Sagamu Interchange to Lagos section currently handled by Julius Berger is far from being completed. Everyday motorists are subjected to life-threatening conditions with grave implications for the health and businesses of road users.

Precious lives are being wasted on a daily basis on the road via avoidable accidents and exposure to dangerous fumes and emissions from articulated vehicles. Ongoing work at the Ogun State end of the road has until recently been at snail-speed and frustrating. Without any provision for alternative routes, motorists continue to waste valuable man hours and time in the gridlock that has unfortunately become the most feasible feature of the road.

Several promises of early completion and ease of movement on the road have not been fulfilled and Nigerians now seem to have resigned to fate, especially in a situation where there is a trust issue between the government and the people. An example was the latest promise by the Minister of Works , Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, who said that work on the road would be completed by April 30. However, a few days after his promise, following his inspection of the progress of work, the entire stretch of the Lagos end of the road was on total lockdown, starting from

the OPIC-Kara end down to Ikorodu Road as motorists going out of Lagos for the holidays on Good Friday spent several hours in the crazy gridlock that simply refused to flow.

We condemn in strong terms the harrowing experience that road users are being

subjected to by Julius Berger, the contractor handling construction work at the Ogun and Lagos ends of the expressway. The initial slow pace of work has resulted in non-completion of the project till this moment. We are not in any way convinced by the reasons given by the company for the delay. Road construction projects should be executed with a human face and Nigerians should not be unnecessarily placed under a harrowing situation.

Although road construction and related projects are services to the public, we believe that such must be done with every sense of responsibility to the environment in which the business operates. No company should see itself as bigger than the interest it is serving. Julius Berger, without any doubt , owes residents living along the expressway and Nigerians plying that route an apology for the pain inflicted on them so far.

We also implore the Federal Government to take full responsibility for the road reconstruction work and impose appropriate sanctions where deadlines for completion are not met. Nigerians cannot continue to suffer in silence while contractors toy with their lives and means of livelihood through sluggish approach to work or by using delay tactics to force the government to pay whatever debt it is owing them.

Although road construction and related projects are services to the public, we believe that such must be done with every sense of responsibility to the environment in which the business operates. No company should see itself as bigger than the interest it is serving. Julius Berger, without any doubt , owes residents living along the expressway and Nigerians plying that route an apology for the pain inflicted on them so far

Is The 2023 Census Necessary?

BY ABIODUN KOMOLAFE

Nigeria is preparing for another round of population census rendezvous. If we must learn from past experience, then we should ask: Is it really necessary? When was the last time Nigeria held a census and how effective have previous exercises been? Or, must we fulfill the ritual of population headcount in Nigeria just for its sake?

From the look of things, one may safely conclude that the National Population Commission (NPC), the body saddled with conducting census in the country, has become an association created for political considerations. Needless to repeat that its census figures are unreliable because whatever figures we get are politicised.

Since no other means of validating the figures exist, they are just left there. And since nobody uses the figures, population census in this part of the world is always an exercise in futility. Still, a large chunk of public funds is spent on the exercise with little or no benefits. Nonetheless, each time a national census is about to commence, those who are involved in it are usually overenthusiastic about it. More often than not, it is for their pecuniary convenience, not because they love Nigeria or because the veracity of the headcount figures matters. The exercise provides an opportunity for some people to make money, at least.

A credible demography deals with the geographical spread of the sample population. As of today, Nigeria hides the reality of the demographic structure of her population under mischievous headings. It is sad that whenever our university professors want to carry out research, they rely on foreign institutions – those that could actually pay for informed figures about Nigeria’s population; certainly not statistics sourced by Nigerians – for reliable statistics. So far, so disheartening. The only constant and easily ratified thing about the census in Nigeria is the estimated budget cost, not in any way about the accuracy or reliability of the census figures or the general acceptability of the outcome of the exercise. Arguably so, Nigeria is calling for a new census primarily because it has nothing in her database that is close to an acceptable population figure. Ask a census taker about the benefits of a census to nation-building and excuses will saturate the demographic space.

In the first instance, previous editions of the census have never been credible. There were always the

invisible hands of politics, figures were imaginary and the processes were always problematic. There was no effective planning. Nothing was verifiable, no effective Birth and Death Control Registers in every local government area or district and that is a major setback.

For us to have a credible census, the infrastructure of systemic population control must be on ground and must be efficient. The right orientation must also be provided and corruption must be checkmated.

In the United Kingdom, for example, when a young man or woman turns 18, he or she is fit to approach the City Council for his or her own apartment. Of course, this followed a survey in which it was discovered that children, even up to 21 years of age, were still living with their parents. As fate would have it, the UK also has programmes which encourage a child of 18 years and above to start taking responsibility. Well, that’s the UK where God works wonders. Only God knows where yours sincerely was at age 18. Even now … still struggling. All these have shown how badly degraded our society has become!

Whenever issues about governance are raised in Nigeria, there lies the intriguing phenomenon: policy inexactitude. What do I mean? The approach of the NPC is akin to a man drawing water from the ocean with a basket full of holes. On the one hand, it is to enumerate the population. On the other hand, it has no means of accounting for accurate records of births and deaths in society, among others. But the dangerous truth is that people don’t voluntarily reveal death details of family members or relations to government agencies for sociocultural and religious reasons. Even when it is in the hospital, the corpse is just taken away for burial without any room for post-mortem. For some other people, it is not even part of their orientation to record births and deaths. So, until there’s a national law that says every birth and death must be reported, people will prefer to bury their dead without formal permits or imposed broadcasts.

In our clime, when people die, it is known only to their families. When new babies are born, it is also known only to the families and some friends. People even worry more about naming ceremonies for newborn babies, where partaking of ‘bread and tea’ is the norm. To those people, the census is of no use. Even local government officials are hardly aware that

a child has just been born within their jurisdiction. At burial ceremonies, wads of cash exchange hands between the clerics and the congregants. There will be calls for prayers for all categories of imaginary relationships. And that is after the clerics must have struggled to lead the prayers because, at the end of the programme, the leader goes home with the fattest portion of the largesse. Of course, that is also when the pastor will remember the church wall that is about to fall down, which the children of the dead must contribute money to fix, not even minding whether or not the dead is already a candidate for hell.

Sad that the conscious understanding of the essence of the known figure of the population of a particular country has eluded Nigeria! So, how do we care for the aged when we don’t know how many they are? How do we prepare for the kids of school age when we don’t know their figures? How do we establish hospitals when we don’t know whom to cater to? The General Hospitals are no longer ‘general’ in their delivery of quality service while the Teaching Hospitals have become comfort zones for brain drain. Since nobody has the figure to plan with, Nigeria has become one sorry story of an unrepentant embracer of aimlessly drifting policies, one after the other.

In the not-so-distant past, people looked up to academia to provide a pragmatic plan for an incoming government. This is no longer the case! Even the academics are now overwhelmed and can no longer think of a novel and better approach to confronting an insensitive government than the usual, old, ‘we-no-gogree’, Michael Imoudu-era industrial action. And, as if the gods were angry, Nigeria’s universities were closed for the better part of the Year 2022; yet, the country continued as if nothing serious happened. The question is: can a nation grow beyond its intellectual capacity?

Population census is not a one-of event; it is an ongoing project. The more reason there must be a set standard for the coming exercise is so that, by the time we are through with its rhyme and rhythm, Nigerians will be able to measure the outcome vis-à-vis the set standard. If we don’t have a set standard, then it’s a scheme that has failed even before take-off. Let’s not be deceived, there is no way a population census will be said to have achieved its purpose if it’s just a ritual. If it has no expectations and no goals to fulfil, then it is just a waste of time and resources.

The Muhammadu Buhari Years: A Reality Check

BY BOB MAJIRIOGHENE ETEMIKU

In less than 60 days, what has become one of the greatest mistakes that Nigerians made in the election of Muhammadu Buhari as president will come to an end – hopefully. To say that Nigerians have endured the most mortifying and exhausting time as the epoch of this lean-framed individual is, to say the least.

When I remember and cast my mind back to 2014, when the debate as to whether or not to elect this individual raged across the country, two things come to mind. One is the insults and name-calling that his supporters, especially one individual known as Dayo Ogun and his ilk, heaped on me after I warned them that Buhari was coming with suffering, leanness and scarcity.

As a child, I saw first-hand what Muhammadu Buhari brought to the table as military Head of State: Austerity measures, forced discipline and international braggadocio. Our parents were queuing for rice, salt and sugar; and most of the queues we are seeing today – at the banks, and filling stations – originated from his primitive, antediluvian and draconian methods of whipping Nigerians in line, together with the ill-fated plan to change currencies at that time.

The other thing which quickly comes to mind is the story of the lean years in Egypt which Joseph had predicted. In Joseph’s dream, the time of famine he predicted for Egypt, seven years, is no different from the eight-year nightmare that Nigerians have experienced.

But before we go ahead to say something about these seven years of drought that the outgoing Federal Government has inflicted on Nigerians, it will be of benefit to know where we were before Buhari took over. It is true that there were issues of security during the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan.

Money was flying about like no man’s business, making Nigerians a bit lazy and inclined to spend thrifts. It was also one of the best years of our lives – as we have seen lately. Cast your mind back to 2014 and before it – you could buy a bag of rice for N8,000, pure water was N50 per bag, and the biggest loaf of bread for many Nigerian commoners was just N350.

The pump price of petrol had not hit the roof at the time. Nigeria became Africa’s largest economy from a rebasing which was carried out in 2014 or thereabouts. At no time did we hear that our president was travelling abroad to treat senescent ailments like ears and nostrils. If you insulted the president, he would smile and wave at you. That was where we were before this harbinger of drought showed up. We will not be doing an item-by-item analysis of what has become the recurring decimals of this sordid administration. Doing that will amount to writing a horror story.

As we speak, a gang of liars within the Buhari administration, who have taken the lie mantle from Lai

Mohammed, have been unleashed on us to twist the sordid narrative of the awful failure of the past seven and half years. The other day, Garba Shehu said that after he leaves office, Nigerians will yearn for President Buhari the way Nigerians began to yearn for Goodluck Jonathan after he quit the stage.

We must put it on record that it was during Buhari’s tenure that Nigeria became the poverty capital of the world. During this semi-decade of the locust, young Nigerians were shot at and mowed down mercilessly just because they voiced their regret for electing Buhari as president. During these years of the locusts, staple foods like bread and fish and rice became foods for the rich. People were jumping into the Lagos lagoon and committing suicide. We suddenly found ourselves in an epoch where universities were shut down nearly indefinitely and the brain-drain syndrome from Nigeria assumed an alarming dimension. We have a President who, in spite of being the Minister of Petroleum, was unable to revamp the refineries in Nigeria. At the end of eight years, Nigeria still grapples with epileptic power supply. Nigerians have passed through one of the most harrowing of experiences a people can ever be made to pass through.

•Etemiku is the Editor-in-Chief of WADONOR, the cultural voice of Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Public Debt Per Citizen, LGA Hits N.3m, N90.5bn - As Economic Woes Deepen

BY SAM DIALA

Nigeria’s current total public debt of N70 trillion Naira, if shared among the country’s estimated population of 220.2 million, places a debt burden of N317,850 on each citizen, according to data compiled by THEWILL. The 774 local government areas of the country will also be liable to N90.5 billion each as their share of the total public debt.

The N70 trillion public debt is made up of N46.25 trillion of the federal and state governments, and N23,70 trillion borrowed by the federal government from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through ways and means. The current population of Nigeria is 220,229,992 as of Friday, April 7, 2023, based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) disclosed last month (March 2023) that Nigeria’s debt profile as of December 31, 2022 is N46.25 trillion or $103.1 billion. It further said there was an increase of over N7 trillion from what the country owed in 2021.

“Total Public Debt Stock consisting of the Domestic and External Debt Stocks of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and the sub- national governments (the 36 State Governments and the Federal Capital Territory) was N46.25 trillion or $103.1bn. The comparative figure for December 31, 2021, is N39.5tr or $95.77bn.

“In terms of composition, Total Domestic Debt Stock was N27.55tr

Air Cargo Exceeded Pre-Pandemic Levels in February

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR

Air cargo market report in February, 2023 has shown that demand rose above pre-pandemic levels. In addition, demand fell by 7.5 per cent, compared to February 2022, an indication of half the rate of annual

decline seen in the previous two months.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) which released the data for February 2023 stated that global February demand for

Continues on page 33

($61.42bn) while total external debt stock was N18.7tr ($41.6bn),” the DMO said in a statement on March 31, 2023.

It further stated that the reasons for the increase in the total public debt stock were new borrowings by the Federal Government and sub-national governments, primarily, to fund budget deficits and execute projects.

In what seemed a calculated means to calm frayed minds, the debt management agency said the debt-to-GDP ratio of 23.20 percent is within the 40 percent limit self-imposed by Nigeria, the 55 percent limit recommended by the World Bank/International Monetary Fund, and the 70 percent limit recommended by the Economic Community of West African States.

However, experts have argued that what should constitute a priority to the federal government should be debt-to-revenue ratio due to the consequences of spending more than we earn. One of them is Paul Alaje, Senior Economist and Partner at SPM Professionals who cautioned against relying on the “misleading concept” of debt-to-GDP which does not show the reality of the situation.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, had disclosed at the public presentation of the

Continues on page 33

MORE INSIDE

FMDQ Exchange Lists

Dangote Industries

N300bn Bonds

NGX Re-admits Sterling Bank as HoldingCo

Naira Among Worst Performing Currencies, Lose 10% Value in 2022 – World Bank

PAGE 34 PAGE 34

The Nigerian Exchange Limited has readmitted Sterling Bank Plc on its official trading list after the Tier 2 lender completed its ongoing transformation to a financial holdings company. As part of the processes for the transformation, trading in the shares of the bank was suspended last week and the bank was delisted to enable the transfer of all shares owned by stakeholders of the new entity, and relisting of all the shares to the Sterling Financial Holdings Company on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange.

Continues on page 34

Ahmed 0

50K

100K

150K

200K

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 E

A B C D E

(in Thousands Naira) Source: Dataphyte

69.6k 93.4k 113.8k 124.5k 136.4k

250K 2020 2021

F G F G

150.4k

187.1k F

2022 H 191.9k 237.3k 2023 I I

Nigeria’s Per Capita Debt (2015-2023)

Air Cargo Exceeded Pre-Pandemic Levels in February

Continued from page 32

AVIATION/FINANCE

Nigeria’s Public Debt Per Citizen, LGA Hits N.3m, N90.5bn

Continued from page 32

2023 budget in Abuja that the Federal Government planned to securitise the N23.7 trillion ways and means issued by the CBN.

“The President has approved the securitisation of the ways and means balances with the amount being N23.7 trillion and a 40 years moratorium on principal repayment, three years and pricing interest rate 9 per cent.

“The CBN ways and means has built up over eight years from 20142022 to the current amount and we are hopeful that the National Assembly will pass it as requested by Mr President,” Ms Ahmed added.

Alaje who condemned the accumulation of over N23 trillion through Ways and Means under Buhari posited that securitising the facility into a 40-year Treasury Bill would not help the economy without fixing the fundamental problem of productivity.

air cargo was 2.9 per cent higher than prepandemic levels.

According to the body, this is the first time that it surpassed pre-pandemic levels in eight months. It added that the strong uptick in Air Cargo Tonne-Kilometres (ACTKs) reflects the addition of belly capacity as the passenger side of the business continues to recover.

Noting that several factors in the operating environment should be observed, the IATA report stated, "The global new export orders component of the manufacturing PMI, a leading indicator of cargo demand, continued to increase in February. China’s PMI level surpassed the critical 50-mark indicating that demand for manufactured goods from the world’s largest export economy is growing".

"Global goods trade decreased by 1.5 per cent in January; this was a slower rate of decline than the previous month of -3.3 per cent. The Consumer Price Index for G7 countries decreased from 6.7 per cent in January to 6.4 per cent in February. Inflation in producer (input) prices reduced by 2.2 percentage points to 9.6 per cent in December".

Commenting, Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General said, ”The story of air cargo in February is one of slowing declines. Year-onyear demand fell by 7.5 per cent. That’s half the rate of decline experienced in January. This shifting of gears was sufficient to boost the overall industry into positive territory (+2.9 per cent) compared to pre-pandemic levels.

An optimistic eye could see the start of an improvement trend that leads to market stabilization and a return to more normal demand patterns after dramatic ups-anddowns in recent years".

Nonetheless, African airlines saw cargo volumes decrease by 3.4 per cent in February 2023 compared to February 2022. This, according to IATA was an improvement in performance compared to the previous month (-9.5 per cent). Notably, the Africa to Asia route area experienced significant cargo demand growth in February, up 39.5 per cent year-on-year.

Capacity was 4.7 per cent above February 2022 levels.

In the same vein, IATA has equally disclosed that, there is strong growth in air travel demand, based on February 2023 traffic results.

According to the body, total traffic in February 2023 rose by 55.5 per cent compared to February 2022. Globally, traffic is now at 84.9 per cent of February 2019 levels. Domestic traffic for February rose 25.2 per cent, compared to the yearago period.

Total February 2023 domestic traffic was at 97.2 per cent of the February 2019 level. International traffic climbed 89.7 per cent versus February 2022 with all markets recording strong growth.

Explaining further, Walsh said, “Despite the uncertain economic signals, demand for air travel continues to be strong across the globe and particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The industry is now just about 15 per cent below 2019 levels of demand and that gap is narrowing each month".

“People are flying in ever greater numbers. With the Easter and Passover holidays we are expecting large numbers of travelers to take to the skies in many parts of the world. They should do so with confidence that airlines have been rebuilding resiliency that suffered owing to the pandemic. Other participants in the air travel value chain, including airports, air navigation service providers, and airport security staff, need to have the same commitment to ensuring our customers can enjoy smooth holiday travel", Walsh added.

Analysts express worry over the worsening economic situation in the country and the macroeconomic challenges it triggers as the citizens’ living standard deteriorates by the day. A Labour Economist, Mitchel Daniel said the current economic climate in Nigeria creates a frightening picture of the future for the people.

“Virtually all development indices are against Nigeria; there is nothing that evokes hope or strengthens the heart of the ordinary citizen when compared to the mountain pains that the high debts bring,” Daniel told this newspaper in a telephone chat, citing the raging inflation (21.91 percent in February 2023) and high unemployment (33 percent) rates, as well as weak Naira and large population of outof-school children in Nigeria.

An Abuja-based media research and data analytical firm, Dataphyte, had earlier in the year projected that Nigeria’s Debt per capita may hit over two Hundred thousand naira in 2023. An earlier report by Dataphyte had shown that the country planned to generate the sum of N8.64 trillion with an estimated expenditure of N19.76 trillion in its 2023 budget estimate which was a fall from the N9.97 trillion estimated as revenue for 2022.

“This would mean that the budget deficit of the country is expected to hit N11.12 trillion in 2023 which will push up the country’s debt profile, currently put at N41.60 trillion, to N52.72 trillion,” the data building organisation said.

Between 2015 and 2022, Nigeria’s per capita debt has continued to rise, amounting to 175.71 percent increase within the period, Dataphyte said, raiding the cost of debt servicing to unimaginable level.

Ms. Ahmed had stunned the nation when she announced at the public consultation on the draft 2023-2025 Medium Term Fiscal Framework/ Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTFF/ FSP) in Abuja that the cost of debt servicing surpassed Federal Government’s retained revenue by N310 billion in the first four months of 2022.

The scenario has forced the government at all levels to increase their tax revenue drive even when the citizens are not benefitting from what the government should be providing such as infrastructure, healthcare, power, education and security. “This contradiction is largely responsible for the worsening state of poverty in the country,” Daniel argued.

In its Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report published in November 2022, the Federal Government through the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that 63 percent of persons living within Nigeria (133 million people) are multi-dimensionally poor.

It stated that 65 percent of the poor (86 million people) live in the North, while 35 percent (nearly 47 million) live in the South. Poverty levels across States vary significantly, with the incidence of multidimensional poverty ranging from a low of 27 percent in Ondo to a high of 91 percent in Sokoto.

“Multidimensional poverty is higher in rural areas, where 72 percent of people are poor, compared to 42 percent of people in urban areas,” the report stated.

The poverty level reflects on the dwindling standard of living across the states and worsening the misery index -- a yardstick of economic distress..

Nigeria’s misery index rose by 11.9 percentage points to 73.05 percent in March 2023. The misery index is a measure of economic distress felt by everyday people, due to the risk of (or actual) joblessness combined with an increasing cost of living. The misery index is calculated by adding the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate to the inflation rate.

Nigeria also has more than 10 million out-of-school children -- the highest rate in the world, occasioned by deteriorating economic situation and poor standard of living.

Commentators on economic and political affairs have advised the incoming government to focus on revitalising the critical areas of the economy especially agriculture and manufacturing as well as curbing insecurity.

Despite the uncertain economic signals, demand for air travel continues to be strong across the globe and particularly in the AsiaPacific region

Virtually all development indices are against Nigeria; there is nothing that evokes hope or strengthens the heart of the ordinary citizen when compared to the mountain pains that the high deb

“

NGX Re-admits Sterling Bank as HoldingCo

In a filing to the Exchange on Thursday, the HoldCo said the relisting signified another major development in the ongoing transition, as unanimously approved by its shareholders.

“Under the scheme of the arrangement, Sterling Bank’s issued and paid-up share capital, valued at 28.8 billion outstanding shares, will be passed to the holding company in exchange for the allotment of the same units to shareholders.

“This move as ratified by the Nigerian Exchange follows an approval-inprinciple for Sterling is to convert to a non-operating financial holding company as granted by the Central Bank of Nigeria, and is expected to enable Sterling to continue to diversify its investment portfolio and

expand its presence in the financial markets.”

The statement added that upon the completion of the transition, Sterling Financial Holdings Company would commence operations with two banking subsidiaries; Sterling Bank, which will operate as a conventional commercial bank; and The Alternative Bank Limited, which will operate as a non-interest bank.

According to the bank, the relisting of its shares was a strategic move for continued building momentum as well as positioning the bank for long-term success.

The development coincides with the fifth anniversary of the appointment of Abubakar Suleiman as the bank’s CEO in 2018.

FMDQ Exchange Lists Dangote Industries N300bn Bonds

FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited has approved the listing of the Dangote Industries Funding PLC N187.58 billion Series 1 (Tranche A & B) and N112.42 billion Series 2 Senior Unsecured Bonds under its N300.00 billion Debt Issuance Programme on its platform. The Series 1 and 2 bonds were listed on FMDQ Exchange in November 2022 and March 2023, respectively.

Dangote Industries Funding PLC is a special purpose vehicle set up by Dangote Industries Limited to raise finance through the listing of debt securities. Dangote Industries is a diversified and fully integrated conglomerate with an annual group turnover of over US$4 billion with vibrant operations in Nigeria and Africa across a wide range of sectors including cement, sugar, salt, condiments, packaging, energy, port operations, fertiliser, and petrochemicals.

To mark this noteworthy achievement, FMDQ Exchange, in keeping with its tradition, held a prestigious listing Ceremony at its offices on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Present to celebrate the successful admission of the bonds on FMDQ Exchange were the issuer, Dangote Industries Limited, represented by the Group Managing Director, Mr. Olakunle Alake and other representatives of Dangote Industries.

Group Decries

Tampering With Public Facilities, Energy

Theft, Debts in Abia

The South Eastern Zone of the Association of Electricity Consumers of Nigeria (AECN) has decried the rate of tampering with facilities that provide public power in Abia State, saying it is a key security threat.

“Any serious threat to the economy and well-being of the people must be regarded as a serious security threat”, it argued in a statement issued in Enugu today and signed by the AECN chairman in the South East, Engineer Joe Ubani.

The association also criticised the level of energy theft in the Aba Ring-fenced Area in Abia State as well as the debt burden on Aba Power Ltd arising from the refusal of even big manufacturing firms to pay for the power they utilise.

Naira Among Worst Performing Currencies, Lose 10% Value in 2022 – World Bank

Nigeria’s local currency, Naira, lost 10.2 per cent of its value in 2022, emerging as fifth among Africa’s worst-performing currencies in 2022, a report by the World Bank has shown.

Whilst welcoming the guests to the Ceremony, Ms. Tumi Sekoni, Managing Director, FMDQ Exchange, represented by Ms. Jumoke Olaniyan, Senior Vice President, Business Development Division, FMDQ Exchange, congratulated the issuer and sponsors to the issue for achieving this milestone, noting that their decision to raise funds from the debt markets via the Exchange’s platform was testament to the highly efficient time-to-market and unrivalled listing and quotation service offered by FMDQ Exchange. She also commended the sponsors of the bonds for their concerted efforts towards ensuring the success of the issuances. She reiterated the Exchange’s commitment to continue to innovate and provide efficient services, to support issuers and investors, towards achieving an operationally excellent and globally competitive debt market.

According to Mr. Olakunle Alake, whilst delivering the Special Address, “we thank the investor community, Securities and Exchange Commission, FMDQ Exchange, and our team of professional advisers led by Standard Chartered Capital and Advisory Nigeria Limited and Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited for ensuring successful outings on both our debut and subsequent bond issuances.

*Continues online at www. thewillnigeria.com

In its latest Africa’s Pulse report for April 2023, the US-based global lender stated that in 2022, Ghanaian Cedi was the worst-performing currency in SubSaharan Africa after losing 40 per cent of its value in the year.

Comparing the naira with other currencies in the subregion, the bank said, “Other currencies with significant losses last year include those of Sudan (23.6 per cent), Malawi (20.7 per cent), The Gambia (14.6 per cent), and Nigeria (10.2 per cent).”

It also pointed out that Ghana’s Cedi has lost 20 per cent of its value so far in 2023, in sharp contrast to the Naira which has appreciated by about 0.67 per cent to N750 per US Dollar at the black market this year.

“Rising food and fuel prices, as well as the depreciation of the exchange rate, were the main drivers of inflationary pressures in the region—and, particularly, in countries like Ghana, Sudan, and Malawi,” the World Bank further noted.

The IMF/World Bank Group Spring Meetings for 2023 commences on April 10 through 16 in Washington DC, USA.

“The trend in nine of the 17 local government areas in Abia State serviced by Aba Power is very worrisome”, Engr Ubani declared.

“We have in recent days recorded a high number of deaths caused by roadside electricians and other persons hired by communities, companies and individuals to do all kinds of things on distribution transformers, low and high-tension wires, among other electricity infrastructure”. The latest casualty, according to the association’s chairman, “is one Alison Obiajunwu, a young electrician who was electrocuted a few days ago in Obingwa Local Government Area while illegally working on a distribution substation in an attempt to change a wire.

“The more painful aspect of his death is that his young wife had yet to be buried by the time he went on the illegal duty”.

Ubani advised individuals, communities and organisations that have electricity issues in the Aba Ring-fenced Area to approach Aba Power Ltd for a solution.

Apart from the fact that the utility has a large number of experienced and competent technical staff members trained to attend to public needs urgently, said Ubani, private persons and groups are not allowed to tamper with public electric infrastructure anywhere in the country because it is extremely risky to do so.

The electricity consumers association deplored the practice where some manufacturing companies owe Aba Power for over one year, with some firms conniving with corrupt technical staff members to bypass their meters.

There are some companies that pay eight million naira a month to compromised Aba Power rather than pay the company for the power they utilise, according to the AECN.

“The result”, it explained, “is the new load shedding in the ring-fenced area, causing problems for everyone.

“The Niger Delta Power Company which currently supplies electricity to Aba Power because the 141-megawatt Geometric Power plant in the Osisioma Industrial Layout in Aba is not yet 100% ready, provides power to the Aba Ring-fenced Area based on what the residents and businesses pay.

“Power supply has reduced in the last few weeks because many people and firms have not been paying.

“They behave as if the Federal Government still owns, operates and subsidizes the power firms whereas the firms are now privately owned and they pay for everything to the last kobo”.

L-R: Non-Executive Director, Peter Elumelu; Non-Executive Director, Owen Omogiafo; Non-Executive Director, Alex Ok; Managing Director/CEO, Dupe Olusola; Chairman, Emmanuel Nnorom; Independent Non-Executive Director, Bola Onagoruwa and Non-Executive Director, Udechukwu Obi Osakwe at the 9th Annual General Meeting of Transcorp Hotels Plc, held in Abuja April 3,2023.

Continued from page 32

Again, Fuel Subsidy Debacle And Nigeria’s Future

BY MARCEL OKEKE

As an Albatross that it is, the controversial issue of removal or non-removal of fuel subsidy has once again come to the front burner of public discourse, heating up the Nigerian polity. As the nation inches to the date of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to hand over to the next on 29 May 2023, the subsidy conundrum resonates.

Incidentally, all the presidential candidates during the 25 February 2023 elections had fuel subsidy removal at the core of their economic manifestoes—including the President-Elect/Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). But as the D-Day is approaching, the Organised Labour (Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress) and other stakeholders are literally up in arms, denouncing and deprecating the imminent fuel subsidy removal.

Specifically, the leading labour body—NLC—has warned that “subsidy removal will set Nigeria on fire,” saying that those pushing for it in Nigeria now should forget the idea “and save the country from another round of social unrest.” NLC Secretary General, Emmanuel Ugboaja said in Lagos on Tuesday, 4 April 2023, that “nobody should drag the masses and Nigerian workers into any increase in fuel price in the name of subsidy removal, as the organised labour would kick against it.” The Muhammadu Buhari administration had however in the 2023 Appropriation Act made provision for fuel subsidy (funding) up until its exit date, practically leaving the ‘can’ for the incoming Government.

But the NLC scribe argues that it will be uncharitable in 2023 for any government to be talking about subsidy or no subsidy “for a product that is naturally and thoroughly well-endowed in Nigeria.” His words: “if in 2023, rather than getting people that will make proper use of our natural endowment, we are busy discussing the cosmetic issue of subsidy or no subsidy, then it is absurd.” Ugboaja said what “we should be discussing is how to refine crude oil in Nigeria and make the product available for domestic consumption; anything outside that shows the wickedness of the kind of elite we have…”

On the same vexed issue—fuel subsidy—a group (The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria)—has also warned the Federal government to stop the planned fuel subsidy removal, threatening that “such a move would be resisted. Stressing the potential impact of subsidy removal on the “already struggling economy and Nigerian people,” President of the Council, Isa Abubakar said in Kaduna on Wednesday, 5 April 2023, that “any palliative measures put in place to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal would be looted by corrupt persons, just like the COVID-19 intervention funds.” The Group therefore called on the Government to “reconsider its decision to remove the subsidy, arguing that it would only lead to an increase in the cost of living for the average Nigerian, who is already struggling to make ends meet.”

Incidentally, in anticipation of the social catastrophe the fuel subsidy removal could unleash on the Nigerian polity, the World Bank has made a grant of US$800 million to the country “to scale up its national social programme.”

Giving details on this, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Ms Zainab Ahmed said in Abuja that the Government was considering cash transfers and mass transit buses for workers “to ease the pain of the subsidy removal on most vulnerable segment of its population.”

It should be noted that Nigeria in its 2023 budget had set aside a whopping sum of N3.36 trillion to spend on fuel subsidy up until the middle of the year. But expatiating the proposed ‘social welfare’ scheme to cushion the ‘pains’ of subsidy removal, Ms Ahmed said the country “has registered ten million households, which is equivalent of 50 million people on its vulnerable list.”

The Minister further said “several things are still on plan,” adding “some we can start executing quickly while some are of long-term consideration.” Still on the feared socio-economic effect the subsidy removal could have on the populace, Labour Minister, Dr Chris Ngige recently recommended that the next administration must consider “giving public sector workers pay rises after removing fuel subsidy in June.” Similarly, the World Bank had in 2021 said it expected the COVID-19 crisis to push over eleven million Nigerians into poverty

by 2022—“taking the total number of people classified as poor in the country to over 100 million.”

All these unarguably show that the fuel subsidy issue is yet a ‘time bomb’ which, if not adroitly handled could explode and trigger unintended social upheavals across the country. The Muhammadu Buhari administration had over the years showed lack of political will to effectively deal with the fuel subsidy conundrum.

Even the law of the land that stipulated the ending of fuel subsidy by mid-2022, had to be ‘suspended’ in the heat of the brouhaha and social tensions generated by the import of the enactment. A section of the much-awaited Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) had provided for the ending of the controversial fuel subsidy regime by mid-2022. However, apparently intimidated by the socio-political implications of ‘unilaterally’ ending the subsidy regime, the Federal Government buckled and backpedalled on the matter.

Obviously bereft of the political will to push through the fuel subsidy removal, the Federal Government claimed it was ‘going back’ to the National Assembly to propose an amendment of the PIA to make for some “18 months extension…for the implementation of the fuel subsidy removal”. PIA which made provision for deregulation of the oil and gas industry was to come into force in February 2022. And so, against the law and its will and fiscal plan, the Federal Government keeps dragging along the ‘fuel subsidy albatross’—till the end of the current Administration in May 2023. And without a doubt, over the years, fuel subsidy administration has remained opaque and indeed, a cesspool and drainpipe to scarce public funds—to the anger of the populace. While huge public funds (N3.36 trillion for first five

months in 2023 budgeted) have been literally going down the drain over the years, fuel subsidy still remains shrouded in controversy. Up until today, the existence and form of the subsidy regime is being questioned by not a few groups and stakeholders. Yet, the subsidy incubus is a creation of the system—the wilful and persistence of mismanagement of Nigeria’s oil refineries for decades— leading to their perennial shutdown.

The refineries, while they lasted, had guzzled billions of Dollars in the name of “upkeep”, and yet, could not produce any refined oil for domestic consumption. The refineries have a combined 445,000bpsd capacity. Port Harcourt refinery complex (old and new site) has 210,000bpsd, Warri has 125,000bpsd and Kaduna has 110,000bpsd capacity.

The collective failure of these refineries has forced the oil-rich Nigeria (the biggest oil producer/exporter in Africa), a key member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to depend completely on imported refined petroleum products. Consequently but unfortunately, almost all crude oil export proceeds are being used to import the refined oil for domestic use. And this has been obstructing the channelling of funds to many other critical social and economic needs for meaningful development.

Ironically, as the prices of crude oil rise in the international market, the cost of refined products (being imported by Nigeria) correspondingly goes up. And the Government, in order not to further increase the penury and suffering of the citizenry, ‘absorbs’ part of the ‘landing cost’ of the imported refined products, before they are sold to the public. This ‘absorbed’ cost is the ever-present subsidy. For over a year (February 2022 to date), most oil producers and exporters around the world have been experiencing windfall arising from soaring oil prices (mainly as part of the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war). Unfortunately, Nigeria has been going through ‘gloom and doom’— battling with an unfavourable fiscal profile—borrowing endlessly from all parts of the globe, even in the twilight of the current administration. Indeed, according to data from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), by the end of the 2022 fiscal year, the Federal Government had spent a whopping N12.05 trillion since 2015 on refineries’ repairs and fuel subsidies.

So, as the clock is ticking, taking Nigeria to May 29, 2023, will the new administration have the liver, guts and political will to ‘kill’ fuel subsidy? What it does with the extant despicable subsidy regime will serve as a veritable ‘acid test’ for the future of the country under the New Government. The world surely is watching.

•Okeke is an economist, sustainability expert and consultant on business strategy.

Nobody should drag the masses and Nigerian workers into any increase in fuel price in the name of subsidy removal, as the organised labour would kick against it

Ndidi Obioha is not a run-of-the-mill event planner, fashion stylist or businesswoman. She conceptualises, organises, defines, plans, manages and coordinates every single project that she is involved in. She speaks with IVORY UKONU about turning 50, some of the things that drives her in business and her most recent enterprise. Excerpts:

TURNING 50 MAKES ME WANT TO ACHIEVE MORE – NDIDI OBIOHA

Whathave you been up to lately?

I have been quite busy working on a few things. I am opening a new concession store in the Lekki area of Lagos State. As a fashion enthusiast, amazed at what Nigerians are doing with fashion and as my own way of encouraging them, the concession store will store different ready-to-wear brands. The mistake we make with our fashion business here is that designers just attend fashion shows to showcase what they are capable of, but thereafter they are unable to create an outlet for their goods. I mean how many of them can really rent a N5 million-naira space to stock their goods for sale? The concession store will be like going to Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus. You go there and see different brands being showcased. So that is one of the things I have been working on, to create an outlet for our fashion designers to showcase their brands. The entire ground floor of the new building I am working on is what this will be all about and upstairs will be my own brand, my own thing. It will be a one stop lifestyle shop. I am really proud of what Nigerian designers are doing and I am trying to create an outlet for them.

You predicted this over eight years ago, when you talked about having mini malls. How does it feel seeing your dream come true?

I am grateful to God for making this happen.

What happens to your famous outlet covered in crystals? That will just be an extension of my businesses, the new place will be the corporate headquarters.

What did you really have in mind covering the entire building in crystal stones?

Everyone knows me for my ‘bling’. It is actually an inspiration I got from my many trips around the world. I remember seeing the interior of a building all ‘blinged’ out and I instantly knew it was what I wanted to do. But rather than just the interior, I touched up the exterior. ‘Bling’ brings me so much joy and ‘blinging’ out the building was my own way of trying to make people understand that ‘bling’ can be used in a very sassy manner. I like to be different; I like to do things differently because I see life differently. I like to show how creative and crazy my imagination can get. I like the excitement I see in people when they see all that I have done. I am overwhelmed at the excitement I see in them and it gladdens my heart and it encourages me to try to replicate this same look around town. There is really nothing like this in town. I have since come to realize that the way you present things totally remains in the mind of people.

You are one of the most sought after event planners in the country. Which of the events you have handled is most outstanding and why?

The most challenging ones I believe stand out for me. There was one we did that was planned in less than 24 hours and it was in Enugu State. The client only confirmed our go ahead on a Thursday at about 11 am and the event was for Friday at 10am. Now being able to pull off that event even at short notice is what makes it stand out.

As long as you have the guests, a venue and the money, you can comfortably go to sleep and leave us to handle the rest. I will never forget the All Progressive Congress (APC) convention of 2015, the one where President Muhammadu Buhari was adopted as the APC candidate. We were notified two weeks to the event. You can imagine what it is like handling politicians and almost 10,000 delegates, it was crazy but we set a record with the event. You know each time there is a political party convention, it takes about four days before it comes to an end. I worked with former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi on the project. He was then the Minister of Solid Minerals and I told him my aim was to end the convention in one day. Of course, he laughed it off, saying it was impossible but the convention ended in one and a half days. It was a well organised and transparent convention. It was very challenging, but it was a huge success and I was told a big thank you. There is no event that we do that the client hasn't told me thank you and that for me is more fulfilling than the money I get paid.

Being most sought-after means you do high-profile events. Do you also handle low-profile events? Of course, we work according to budget. I am very affordable, but it isn't really all about money because there has to be a chemistry between me and the client before I take a job. The client should be willing to allow my creativity to flow without hindering it in any way. It is very important that a client should be able to trust me enough to deliver as well as laying the cards on the table. If a client is not ready to allow me to do my job, then I am not ready to take on the job. Because if anything goes wrong at the event, the event planner is always to blame. Again it is always good you have other streams of income so you don't make it a do or die affair, that way you are able to retain your dignity. There are some event jobs I do pro bono. It will surprise you to know that I do pro bono as well. I want to be able to add value to my company as an entity, such that when people think of events, they think about one.

Do you live by any rule for events?

I have a contract form with the clients, but I don’t always enforce it so as not to appear too rigid. With vendors, it is non-negotiable. I have certain vendors I use that I can vouch for, but if the client insists on his or her vendors, then it becomes necessary to pull out the contract

form in case anything goes wrong.

A few years ago, you started a television programme on events. What inspired it?

There are quite a handful of non-professionals in the events industry. When the industry is full of non-professionals, they will gradually take the industry to the doom era. Some come into the industry because of the money, some because they think the industry is booming. It is also an avenue to educate those interested in coming into the industry, to know what to expect and understand some of the skills they need to acquire. It is a first of its kind reality TV show in Nigeria titled ‘The Event Pros’. The show was conceptualized to expose and review everything that makes event planning flawless and stylish. Basically the behind the scene efforts. It is an infotainment kind of show about the event industry; the madness, the tension, and the entire craziness that go on when putting together an event. People often wonder what event planners really do. They think beautiful arrangements are effortless and as such do not think an events planner is necessary in the scheme of things but they are a major aspect of a well organized event.

Do you still run the TV programme?

Not anymore.

Why?

You know, it is really funny because just today at a meeting with a lady, she recognised me from my TV show and she was begging me to revive it, wondering why I stopped it in the first place. I stopped because I got too busy. You know it takes time to produce a good show and I no longer have that time to spare. You know when you

Obioha

Obioha

pray to grow bigger with your events business, God answered my prayers and that ate up whatever time I should have deployed into the TV programme. However, I am looking to go back to it but not so soon. People want the show to continue so I must deliver but I need to plan my schedule to enable me to pick it up again. But I will. What I do not know is if it will just be it or together with my talk show.

A talk show?

Oh yes. I intend to host a talk show in the near future.

Would you say the events planning business stands you out from the other businesses that you are involved in? That is difficult to tell because people know me for different things. However most people don't know that I do one on one styling even though I run a style clinic.

Do you have any formal training as a stylist?

No. Everything I do is all about innate skills which I develop.

How would you really describe your style? Style doesn't have to be expensive. At the end of the day , it is about how you marry everything in your ensemble together. it is a total package. So for me, I possess my style, I own it. My style is elegant, glam. I don't make an extra effort to look good. I always say to women that when they have crossed a certain age, they should invest in good body shapers to give you that clean look. A wrong undergarment can ruin a very good outfit, they are the canvas on which a good dress hangs.

You also ventured into food business. This is to say the least, different from what you have been doing. Why food business?

Well, it wasn’t the first time I ventured into the food business. I remember when I finished secondary school at 16, I got my dad to loan me N300 to start a business. I bought flour and made some pastries which I supplied to supermarkets around. I incurred a huge loss, but I was happy doing it because I was getting paid for it. For me, it is about meeting the needs of the masses with ‘Royal Food’. Everyone likes good food, pastry to be precise. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford well baked bread from high end bakeries which is why ‘Agege bread’ still thrives because it is very cheap. My mission was to make nutritious pastries, bread baked in environments with top notch hygiene and make it as affordable as possible for the masses and even corporate organisations in a modernized factory. But I had to rest the business.

Why? Were you not breaking even?

No, far from it. It's a long story. I realised that the bread business is more like a cartel. It's the truth. It is just like rice business. It is not everyone that can get up and do rice business. It's a cartel and they will run you out. There are some businesses that are like that.

How were you able to manage these businesses without one of them suffering?

I enjoy what I do currently and I enjoyed starting the businesses I have now. I am passionate about them all. So they keep (kept) me going. For some reason, God just helps me such that none of what I do suffers. Call me a serial entrepreneur if you will. I have been in business like forever. I remember telling my father that I wanted him to stop paying my school fees by the time I attain 21 years. I have always had the drive for business and ironically, not from any of my parents. I like to think about it and do it. This is me living my dreams. When I see a gap, I try to fill in that gap. All that I do is intertwined but where I stand out is that I bring a lot of style and panache in what I do. I started out selling clothes while in university. I left that for banking, left banking to set up a hair salon which gave birth to the event business. I then revived the clothing business and that gave birth to the bridal business which has now given birth to the lifestyle business.

What are some of your business challenges and how were you able to overcome them?

Human resources is top on the list. It is a tad bit difficult getting the right people who would share your vision, mission and objective. I do on the job training and I am continuously trying to imbibe into my staff, my own standards. With event planning, the challenge is basically about depending on different vendors to implement your vision, the concept, and how you want the event to turn out. Some of the vendors do not pay attention to details and would therefore try to suck you into their mediocrity. But I am usually firm and put my foot down to insist on certain things being done the way they should and that is what makes my work professional. I have been able to inculcate my insistence on professionalism into these

vendors. And they don't seem to realize that it helps to take their business to the next level.

You recently turned 50. What does that feel like?

I realise that I am more daring. I have always been one who isn't afraid to explore. I have always been an adventurous person. The thing with turning 50 is that you become hungrier to achieve more, because it looks to one like, how much more time does one have left? It is a good thing though. So you hit 50 and the next thing, you are 65 and then 70 and all the time has gone. Hitting 50 brings that realisation. You find yourself trying to do more, achieve more. At that age, you are looking at retiring in another 20 years. And 20 years goes by just like that. A child that was born in 2003 is 23 today, meanwhile, how far ago was 2003? Just the other day. That is exactly how it feels to be 50. Now I am more aware, more precise with what I want out of life. I am not looking to gamble with my life or the time I have left, it is like I am racing against time. A few months before I turned 50, I was so proud to tell people I was hitting the landmark age. There was this joy, pride I exuded.

Do you have any regrets about life so far?

Not at all. God has been absolutely amazing. My case has been one of getting everything I ever wanted and I am happy. Some of the things I envisioned probably didn't succeed but the fact that I tried, is always my joy. To be honest, it has been a good story, apart from the bakery. The bakery for me was an experience. I thought of it and tried it. If I never did, I would have been filled with regrets. Knowing who I am, I may likely go back to doing something that revolves around it in the near future. It may not be a bakery but it may be food related. That is how I function. I never give up. Whether I succeeded or not, I learnt a lesson and I am grateful for that. Loss is the prize one pays to learn something. If you spend your time being bitter, you will never see the good in anything. Every disappointment is a blessing.

What would you consider to be your biggest achievement thus far?

A few years ago, I would have said the ‘blinged’ out corporate headquarters which, no doubt, was a dream come true in terms of business. But in life generally, I would say my children.

What has significantly shaped you to be who you are in I believe I have been destined to do what I do and I am just living out my dream. When I was a banker, my friends told me I was wasting my time in the banking industry seeing that I would thrive well doing what I am presently doing. So basically, passion for what I do has invariably shaped me to be who I am today. My passion is my guiding force, which is what has gotten me thus far.

Obioha

Obioha

I have been in business like forever. I remember telling my father that I wanted him to stop paying my school fees by the time I attain 21 years. I have always had the drive for business and ironically, not from any of my parents. I like to think about it and do it. This is me living my dreams. When I see a gap, I try to fill in that gap. All that I do is intertwined but where I stand out is that I bring a lot of style and panache in what I do

STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

Femi Gbajabiamila Eyes Both Reps Speakership, CoS to Tinubu

The current Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila is planning his return as the Speaker of the lower chambers in the incoming 10th National Assembly. According to sources close to THEWILL, he is reportedly plotting to get at least one prominent position in the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu's government of national competence. He wants a second tenure as Speaker and in the event that doesn't happen, he hopes to nab the influential position of Chief of Staff to Tinubu. Although there are enough reasons why returning as Speaker may not be possible, what with Tinubu being from the South West while his vice, Senator Kashim Shettima is from the North East, leaving out the South South and South East as the two zones to be considered for the Speakership slot, sources say, the onus on who emerges Speaker lies on the president-elect who determines how and where the pendulum swings regardless of the template by which a Speaker should emerge. If Tinubu believes Gbajabiamila is better suited as Speaker, Tinubu who is known to think outside the box, would ensure

he gets the position. However, if that fails to happen and Tinubu sees that insisting on having his way could put things in jeopardy, then expectedly, Gbajabiamila would likely emerge his Chief of Staff. There are several pointers why he would emerge as Cos. First, when national assembly members were being issued their Certificates of Return a few weeks ago, Gbajabiamila was conspicuously absent at the ceremony that many chose not to miss for anything. While others were jostling to be photographed while collecting their certificates, Gbajabiamila was in Lagos with Tinubu strategizing politically with him. Also, while some elected and reelected lawmakers are lobbying for who gets what in the leadership of the House, Gbajabiamila is projecting the demeanour of being unperturbed, perhaps because he already knows what is in the offing. Thirdly, Gbajabiamila is part of the minuscule entourage that accompanied Tinubu to both Saudi Arabia for Umrah (Lesser Hajj) and to France for a well-deserved rest after the hectic campaign season

Ifeanyi Obike Eyes Nigeria's Airspace

as well as to perfect his transition plan. A video of Tinubu, Gbajabiamila and another unidentified person surfaced last week where the trio were taking a stroll on a cool evening. While critics may think nothing of this, perhaps they should wonder why Gbajabiamila accompanied him on this trip and not any of his other hangers on. Besides, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has already justified why he thinks Gbajabiamila should be Tinubu's CoS. Gbajabiamila was reelected to represent Surulere 1 federal constituency of Lagos State for a 6th consecutive term, making him one of the few oldest members of the national assembly, having spent 20 years in the lower chambers. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2003 where he served as Minority Whip, Minority Leader, and Majority Leader before he was elected Speaker of the House in 2019.

Fast rising serial entrepreneur, Ifeanyi Obike is all set to join Allen Onyema of Air Peace, Professor Obiorah Okonkwo of United Nigeria Airline and a few others as a Nigerian air operator with the introduction of his airline business, Obike Air. Taking a cue from Okonkwo whose operational base is in Abuja, Obike hopes to take advantage of the Anambra International Cargo Airport and site his business in the state. He hopes that by this move, he will activate and jumpstart commercial and international markets accessibility in South Eastern Nigeria. Obike

Air was reportedly billed to take off in 2021 but the airline industry was heavily impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. After re-strategizing, Ifeanyi plans for the airline to be an international airline with global best practices. The airline has also been tipped to fly the 747 and 787 airliners. In his 40s, Ifeanyi is the founder and chairman of the board of Obike Group which has investments across different industries like food, real estate, transportation, education and many more. A philanthropist, he is also the Chairman of Ifeanyi Obike Foundation. Obike

Layal Tinubu Opens New Business Outlet

Cleric Who Abandoned Priesthood For Politics

The 2023 Governorship Election has come and gone with thewinners still in celebratory mode and losers still counting their loses. There were also a few pleasant surprises, one of which is Hyacinth Alia, the Roman Catholic priest who emerged as the second cleric in Nigerian history to win a governorship election.

Come May 29, Alia will be spending his first night as Governor Benue State. When he announced his intention to

run for office on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, not a few Nigerians were sceptical as to how he intended to pull off his 'tall' dream. While his 'Yes Father' mantra propelled him as a frontliner, many were eager to know more about him in the state as he was hitherto unknown outside the church despite being a household name in the Roman Catholic Church. Having won over the residents of Benue who transformed their likeness for him into votes, Nigerians as a whole are curious about the 'upstart' that wrestled power from the incumbent Governor Samuel Ortom of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Alia is well read. He is a graduate of Sacred Theology from Urbaniana University, Rome. He holds a Master's degree in Religious Education from Fordham University in New York, the United States and another Master’s degree in Biomedical Ethics from Duquesne University, Pennsylvania, as well as a Ph.D in the same course and the same university. He is also a product of St. Augustine’s Major Seminary, Jos, Plateau.

While he was in the US for his studies, Alia was appointed as the Director of Pastoral Services, Catholic Health Services, North Campus Lauderdale

Lakes, Florida, USA where he oversaw five full-time contract chaplains and coordinated an ethics advisory committee. He was also the Chaplain at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre, St Joseph Mercy Health System Ann Arbor,and the Coordinator and Chaplain, Jamaica Hospital and Medical Queens, New York.

Alia was also the Vicar at the Immaculate Conception Parish, Astoria, and Our Lady of the Cenacle Parish, Richmond Hill, both in New York. The cleric then returned to Nigeria where he served as Vicar at St John’s Parish, Gboko, Benue and subsequently Assistant Cathedral Administrator at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral Makurdi, Benue’s capital. He was ordained a Catholic priest by late Bishop Athanisius Usuh and thereafter, his healing masses programme began. He soon became famous for healing the sick and exorcising demons with a sprinkle of holy water.

Every Saturday, he would gather the sick and afflicted members of the congregation and pray for them. Soon, what started out as a small congregational gathering gradually grew in large proportion and attracted parishioners from other churches seeking miracles. Soon enough, people started dubbing the holy water he sprayed on those who came to seek divine encounters 'Alia’s water.' People with mental illnesses, physical challenges, spiritual attacks and those

seeking favours made up a large percentage of the crowd with numbers doubling in subsequent gatherings. It wasn't all a show as people began receiving their healings. His popularity soared but it made a few people uncomfortable. They questioned the source of his powers and soon, the Catholic Church succumbed to pressure to send him to the Vatican for investigation. The Vatican confirmed Rev Father Alia’s healing powers, describing it as a gift from God. Then came his quest for politics, which is forbidden by the Catholic Church. If he thought it would be an easy ride, he was mistaken. He was admonished severally by his superiors and finally barred from public ministry when he would not relent with his political ambition. He also suffered a series of setbacks and frustration which led him to became the first politician in Benue to contest in his party’s primary election three times and on each occasion, emerged victorious in all re-runs and ended up emerging victorious at the polls. Alia has said in several fora that his motivation to abandon the pulpit for politics is driven by the need to transform Benue into a better place and liberate the people from poverty. Hopefully, he walks his talk and succeeds in exorcising the devil holding Benue State hostage just as successfully did with demon possessed individuals.

Layal, the wife of Seyi Tinubu, the son of the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recently clocked 33 and rather than roll out the drums, the mother of two chose to focus on her business by unveiling a second outlet of her business venture, Tots Toys, a children's toy shop and learning space. While the headquarters of the business is located in Victoria Island, Lagos, the second outlet is situated on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. Unfortunately, Seyi didn't congratulate Layal on her business expansion, neither did he wish her a happy birthday, suggesting that perhaps tempers are yet to simmer down after he was

exposed for still having a secret affair with the mother of his only son, a Lagos based socialite and businesswoman. A cursory glance at the couple’s social media pages suggests so and perhaps, Layal's anger also extends to her father-in-law as there is no sign on her timeline that she promoted his political ambition or congratulated him on his emergence as President-elect. Although there is a video showing the couple at a polling unit on the day of the presidential election, it was meant to give critics the impression that all is well in the marriage did little or nothing to change the rhetoric going by how cold Layal was in the video.

Gboyega Oyetola, Wife Celebrate 40th Wedding Anniversary

The immediate past governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola and his wife, Hadija Kafayat Olaitan, last weekend, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in Osun. The day also coincided with the former first lady's 63rd

birthday. Prayers were offered by Muslim clerics as family and friends felicitated with them. Eulogising her husband, Alhaja Oyetola took to her social media page to splash pictures of her wedding day and some of the most important days captured in pictures through their marital journey. She thanked her husband for being her rock, her support and her partner in all of life's ups and downs, adding that she is grateful for every moment they shared together. In addition to his humour, his kindness which has brought so much joy and happiness into her life, Alhaja Oyetola concluded her praises with hopes that they will both continue to build a beautiful life together.

THEWILLNIGERIA THEWILLNG THEWILLNIGERIA

Gbajabiamila

Tinubu

Alia

The Oyetolas

STORIES BY SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN

MEET NIGERIAN BUSINESSMAN INTERESTED IN BUYING ENGLISH FOOTBALL CLUB

Ogun Local Government Chairmen Reject Car Gifts From Gov Abiodun

Afew weeks ago, Nigerian-born UK serial entrepreneur, Dozy Mmobuosi, showed interest in taking over the ownership of English football club, Sheffield United, which is worth 90 million pounds.

Many have been longing to know about Mmobuosi and his stupendous wealth since then.

The billionaire businessman is the Chief Executive Officer of Tingo International Holdings Incorporation, an investment company focused on identifying and making targeted acquisitions in the technology sector.

The tech entrepreneur is also the founder of Africa’s Agri-Fintech company, Tingo Mobile; Tingo Remit,

a financial service holding company and Nwassa, a platform dedicated to African farmers. Recently, he embarked on another multi-billion-naira project, Tingo Food Factory in his hometown, Onicha-Ugbo in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. The project which is worth $1. 6 billion, is intended to save Africa from paying foreign exchange to import finished food products, as well as aid the export of made in Africa foods to the world. Mmobuosi is credited with creating the first SMS Banking Solution in Nigeria, which was known as ‘Flashmecash’, however, it was later acquired by First City Monument Bank.

The tech guru holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in economics from Ambrose Alli University. He also has a doctorate degree in rural advancement from Universiti Putra Malaysia in Malaysia. And an advanced management and leadership study at Said Business School, University of Oxford, in 2022.

For those hoping that the billionaire businessman is still in the bachelors club, they will be disappointed to know that the 43-year-old man is happily married to a Yoruba woman, Oluwatosin Mmobuosi, and they are blessed with three children, Isioma,

Nwamaka and Dozy Jr Mmobuosi. Mmobuosi is also a philanthropist. He established the Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation in 2021 with a mission to support the African population in various sectors, including education and healthcare, and promote social empowerment by addressing prevalent structural challenges on the continent. He is also an accomplished author, in 2020, he published his first book titled ‘Wounded Price’. Mmobuosi is however not without some controversies. His is embroiled in lawsuits for unpaid debts in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

A few weeks after news of his interest to buy the English football club made the rounds, it was alleged that the Nigerian entrepreneur was sued in a Connecticut lawsuit by one of his top executives at Nigeria-based subsidiary Tingo Mobile, Sukhdeep Bhogal, for reportedly withholding payment for at least six months of work. Bhogal, an Indian national, had assisted in raising $400 million for a Tingo unit, according to court documents. Jennie Woltz, Bhogal’s lawyer claimed the benefits allegedly unpaid to his client amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars of wage theft for the six months he worked with him. The businessman also has an ongoing legal dispute in the UK. A UK court ordered Tingo International Holdings Inc., to pay £87,000 ($105,000) to settle unpaid rent for a property in Radlett that he had used as its private residence.

Biyi Adeleye, Oba Albert Majungbe at War

Honourable Biyi Adeleye, the House of Assembly candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress for Remo North constituency, Ogun State in the last general election and his Royal Highness, Oba Albert Majungbe, the traditional ruler of Odemo of Isara are at loggerheads with each other. Trouble started after Adeleke lost in the general election as the APC House of Assembly candidate for Remo North constituency in the state. The former Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on political matters failed to win a single polling unit out of the 132 in Remo North Local Government and he blamed the traditional ruler for not supporting his ambition. He claimed that Oba Majungbe didn't mobilise his subjects to support him and this drastically affected his performance at the election. The politician added that despite the fact that the traditional ruler is a card-carrying member of APC, he engaged in antiparty activities and even collected 1,000 bags of cement from Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in the state during the Afotamodi festival.

Adeleke added that the traditional ruler received a power generating set as gift from Adebutu and supported the opposition candidate instead of himself.

Responding, Oba Majungbe denied

Adeleke’s claims and stated that he had no hand in the politician’s electoral woes. He reminded Adeleke how he diverted the sum of N2.5million donated by Governor Abiodun for the development of Isara community into his own pocket, saying that it was one of the reasons the people of Isara did not vote for him in the election. The Odemo of Isara also added that he had nothing to do with partisan politics, hence Adeleke should stop his cheap blackmail and face his problems. Clarifying some of his claims, the traditional ruler said the generator Adeleke claimed Adebutu gave to him was given to the palace and not him in 2018 when Adeleke himself was in PDP serving under

Ladi Adebutu. The monarch further revealed that Adebutu gave Isara Remo people the cement for community development during the last Afotamodi festival, it wasn't a personal property of the king. The monarch accused the former lawmaker of releasing his thugs to attack people during the election with the aim of rigging the process. The traditional ruler warned Adeleke that election is not a do-or-die affair and that he should stop turning it into war just because he was pursuing his ambition to become deputy speaker of Ogun state House of Assembly which unfortunately didn’t materialise. He advised him to stop terrorizing the town and insulting him for no reason.

DELE TAIWO SET TO CELEBRATE 35 YEARS IN MUSIC

Juju musician, Dele Taiwo, is set to celebrate 35 years on stage as an artiste. The father of four who started his music career as a gospel artiste before going secular will mark his anniversary with a three-in-one event in Nigeria, United Kingdom and United States of America. The talented act will mark 35 years on stage as an artiste, 31 years of releasing his wave making album, 'Magic Moment' and will also celebrate the release of his latest album.

Dele Taiwo is already making consultations, so as to come up with a date and venue for the lineup of events while keeping his fans in suspense about the title of the soon to be released album. The celebration will take the form of a tour which will be wrapped up with concerts in the three countries. To give fans a sneak peek of what to expect in his new album, the performer released two singles, 'Wiseup' and 'Dance o'clock'. The two songs which are gradually becoming an anthem among music lovers were released this year. Recorded in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, the songs have a high-tech tempo rhythm and dance all with the unique voice of Dele Taiwo. 'Dance o’clock', a feel good music, is meant to uplift the spirit of music lovers and take their minds off the awkward things happening in the country and also to remind them to move closer to God.

Some local government chairmen in Ogun State have rejected car gifts from Governor Dapo Abiodun. It was gathered that the gifts were meant as rewards to the LG chairmen, 12 in all, for standing by the governor and ensuring he won in their local government areas during the last governorship election in the state. Abiodun allegedly presented brand-new Mikano Sport Utility Vehicles to them, but they rejected the gifts, stating that they would prefer other popular brands. The chairmen, who had stormed the Government House in anticipation of taking home new cars, were all disappointed. Some who were not familiar with the brand insisted that the gifts were sub-standard while stating that Mikano

only produces generators. The aggrieved parties insisted that they had not been treated well by the Dapo Abiodun Administration in the state.

Okowa Accused of Rendering Corps Members Homeless

Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has been accused of rendering some members of the National Youth Service Corps posted to the state homeless. Human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, posted a video of the deplorable state in which corps members posted to Asaba were living. It was gathered that the Delta State Government built an ultra-modern hostel for corps members, which was supposed to serve as shelter for youths serving their father’s land in the state. However, six months after the building was constructed by the state governor, it was not

handed over to the National Youth Service Corps organizers. Despite the fact that some of the corps members were posted to different ministries in the state, no preparation was made for their accommodation. They were only sent to the hostel which is still under lock and key to be staying there. The helpless corps members turned the front of the building to their bedrooms and living rooms. They have been sleeping for several months in the open space with no government officials or state coordinator of the scheme coming to their rescue. Some of them who attempted to get an accommodation on their own were discouraged by the exorbitant cost. Most of them had no other choice than to return to the lodge. At the lodge, they bathed in the open and all their luggage and personal effects were left in the open space too. Student mattresses and mats without pillows were the only comfortable sleeping item they could lay their hands on while mosquitoes and reptiles have been their companions in the last couple of months they have spent in the state. All efforts made by the corps membersto collect the key to the lodge proved abortive.

Taiwo

Mmobuosi

Abiodun

Okowa Majungbe Adeleye

STORIES BY SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN

HOW GRACE BRAITHWAITE CELEBRATED HER 90TH BIRTHDAY

Dr Grace Braithwaite, widow of human rights activists and famous lawyer, Tunji Braithwaite recently clocked 90. The mother of five marked her landmark age amidst pomp and pageantry in a three in one ceremony. The ceremony started with a presentation and book signing of her memoir, 'Grace to Conquer: Chronicle from the Crucible of a Matriarch' which was followed with a holy Eucharist and thanksgiving service at St Paul's church, Breadfruit, Lagos State. A reception was staged at Yard 158 Event

Centre. The third event was a lecture titled, 'Sexual and Gender Based Violence: A Case for a Mental Health and Sexual Health Emergency'. Titilola Vivour Adeniyi, the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Sexual and Domestic Violence Agency was the keynote speaker at the event. The event also had a panel of discussants made up of four distinguished personalities, Dr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri, Dr. Kemi Dasilva-Ibru, Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN, and former first Lady of Kwara

Kola Jamodu Becomes Asiwaju of Ere Kingdom

Chief Kola Jamodu, the Chairman of Nigerian Breweries and former Minister of Industry, has been installed as the Asiwaju of Ere Kingdom in Kogi State. The ceremony took place at the palace of the Elere of Ere, Oba Titus Makanjuola, at Odo-Ere, headquarters of Yagba West Local Council last week. The title was given to Jamodu four years ago but a formal ceremony was never conducted to officially inaugurate the chief into his new role. The boardroom

State, Erelu Toyin Saraki. Dr Ibijike Sanwo-Olu, the first lady of Lagos State was the Special Guest of Honour. Dr Braithwaite got married when she was twenty three years old while studying in England. She worked as a medical doctor with Lagos State Government before setting up on own. She established Beulah Hospital, a private medical facility in Lagos State.

Jonathan, Wabote, Sekibo, Akpata Bag Rwandan Awards

Ebele Jonathan, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote, the immediate-past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA),

Olumide Akpata and the former Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Bank, Dr Ifie Sekibo have been conferred with a prestigious award each at the inaugural African Heritage Concert and Awards in Kilgali, Rwanda. The awards were conferred on the

Nigerian nationals in recognition of their different change-making contributions for the good of Nigeria and Africa both in the public and private sector spaces. Wabote was conferred with the Champion of Local Content Development in Africa Award. While former president Jonathan won the African Democracy and Peace Icon Award, Akpata bagged the African Legal Icon Award. Sekibo received the African Philanthropist Award. Ex-president, Jonathan, through his media adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, commended organisers of the African Heritage Concert and Award for honouring Africans who have distinguished themselves in different endeavours. Jonathan challenged political officer holders to initiate policies that would improve the lives of the citizenry and build institutions that will outlive them in order for them to be remembered for good when they leave office. Wabote while thanking the organisers dedicated his award to his family and the hard-working staff of the NCDMB. He revealed that the award and several others he had clinched in the past were made possible by the staff’s dedication and support. He added that the award would challenge him to continue promoting local content across Africa in concert with other organisations and individuals. On his part, Akpata dedicated the award to his partners at Templars Law Firm, all of whom agreed to let him take a sabbatical for two years to fully concentrate on the highly demanding job of presiding over the NBA.

guru's honour was not by accident but a reward for his resilience in ensuring that Ere progressed with its peers. The event was graced by dignitaries and traditional rulers in Kogi State and its environs. While expressing his profound gratitude about the honour, Jamodu appreciated Ere Kingdom for finding him worthy to be conferred with the chieftaincy title, adding that the title would encourage him to continue to render valuable services to our kingdom.

Mai Atafo Empowers 40 Upcoming Fashion Designers

Renowned fashion designer, Ohimai Atafo, the creative director of Mai Atafo, has uplifted the fortunes of 40 fashion designers in Lagos. In a programme tagged, ‘Fashion Conversation’, the awardwinning designer collaborated with Scottish whisky brand, The Macallan, to support and empower 40 young fashion enthusiasts selected from Nigeria. Participants gained industry insights through in-depth conversations about the commercialisation of fashion and tips on how to navigate the fashion industry. An eight hour class with the renowned cloth maker about designing, branding, marketing and other essential skills needed to excel in the industry was impacted

to participants. They were also privileged to view some brands of The Macallan whisky while networking with other budding designers. The first phase of the master class programme took place last month but by popular demand and the overwhelming impact the first phase had, another master class had to be featured last week to impact more aspiring designers. According to Atafo, the whole idea is to impact lives by touching as many people as possible and train them to become masters in their crafts. The initiative was founded five years ago as a significant step towards empowering young Nigerian fashion enthusiasts and providing them with a platform to identify their roles in the fashion industry.

Wale Adebajo Fetes Guests

at Mother's 80th Birthday

Wale Adebajo, the Senior Political Adviser, British High Commission, Lagos recently celebrated the 80th birthday of his mother, Madam Mosunmola Adebajo. Ahead of the ceremony, Madam Adebajo's children and grandchildren gathered from different parts of the world in Nigeria to have a family photo-shoot. They were all dressed in customised white T-shirts atop blue jean trousers. Inscribed on the T-shirt was '1943 Vintage' which signified the year the celebrant was born. Marking the octogenarian's birthday in grand style, a grand reception was held to host family, friends and guests last week. One of the

highlights of the evening was the performance of a traditional praise singer who came to chant the celebrant's praises to high heaven. Due to naira scarcity, specially designed money which had a picture of the celebrant were given to guests. Those who sprayed the celebrant would later transfer their desired amount to Madam Adebajo’s account. The wonderfully decorated four tier cake was a sight to beyond while the celebrant cut it. Tributes poured in for the Octogenarian who has impacted so many lives. Her children also sang her praises for the selfless sacrifices she made before they could attain greatness in life.

THEWILLNIGERIA THEWILLNG THEWILLNIGERIA

Jamodu

Atafo

Braithwaite

Former President Goodluck

Sekibo

Jonathan Akpata

Wabote Adebajo

SHOTS OF THE WEEK

Photo Editor: Peace Udugba [08033050729]

Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote (with Shovel), performing the groundbreaking ceremony of a pipe manufacturing plant at Polaku, Bayelsa State on April 4, 2023.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Capital and Advisory Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Yemisi Deji-Bejide; CEO, FMDQ Group PLC, Mr. Bola Onadele Koko; GMD, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Olakunle Alake and Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, Mr. Funso Akere at the Listing Ceremony for the Dangote Industries Funding PLC N300.00 Billion Bonds on FMDQ, (SEL), in Lagos on March 5, 2023.

L-R: Director, Internal Audit, Airtel Nigeria, Ngozi Akamelu; Director, Airtel Business, Ogo Ofomata; Former Director General, Nigeria Securities and Exchange Commission, Arunma Oteh; Director, Human Resources, Airtel Nigeria, Adebimpe Ayo-Elias and Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Airtel Nigeria, Chioma Okolie during the launch of Airtel Women Network at Airtel Headquarters, Banana Island, Lagos on March 30, 2023.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila (6th left), after  meeting with Deputy Speaker, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase (5th left); Deputy Majority Leader, Rep. Peter Akpatason (1st left); and other members-elect of the House aspiring to contest for the office of the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives in Abuja on April 6, April 2023.

Minister for Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi (left), receiving an award for his outstanding performance to Nigerians from the President-General, Ogoni Youth Federation, Lagboisi Yamaabana (right), and Minister of State for Environment, Udi Odum (middle) during their visit to the Minister Office in Abuja on April 4, 2023.

L-R: Senior Brand Manager, Legend Extra Stout, NB Plc, Olufunmilayo Ogunbodede; Snr. Brand Manager, Flavored Beers, NB Plc, Kolawole Akintimehin and Head of Mktg, MultiChoice Nigeria, Tope Oshunkeye at the BBTitans Finale in Lagos on April 2, 2023.

ARTS

EMOWAA Hosts Exhibition For Secondary School Pupils in Benin-City

Benin Bronzes Made From Brass Mined in Germany's Rhineland –Research

Many of the Benin Bronzes were made from brass mined thousands of kilometres away in Germany's Rhineland, between the cities of Cologne and Aachen, research has revealed. The Benin Bronzes are a group of several thousand ornate metal plaques and sculptures which decorated the palace in the Kingdom of Benin, now Edo State in present-day Nigeria.

They were taken by colonial forces and placed in collections around the world. A new study published in the specialist peer-reviewed journal PLOS ONE showed that many of the priceless artworks were created using melted-down brass manilla bracelets from western Germany.

Manillas were used as a currency across West Africa from the 15th century onwards. They were a common means of payment for slaves, and many of the bracelets have been found in shipwrecks that had been carrying them.

The scientists involved in the study looked at 67 manillas, dated to the 16th to 19th centuries, from five shipwrecks. The wrecks were located in African, European and American waters of the Atlantic. The study - led by Tobias Skowronek from the Technical University of Georg Agricola in Bochum, Germany - examined the lead isotopes in the manillas to trace their origins back to Germany.

BY JANEFRANCIS CHIBUZOR

As part of its effort to direct the creative impulses of youths to productive engagement, Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) recently hosted a oneday self-curated exhibition for secondary school pupils in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Tagged ‘Heritage Futures’, the event was meant to direct the pupils’ interest in exciting career options and opportunities in the arts, culture and tourism sector. The event was attended by pupils from selected secondary schools in the city and stakeholders in the culture and tourism sector, including members of the staff of the Edo State Ministry of Education and sundry government officials.

It showcased the outcomes of a collaborative project between EMOWAA, which is an art, heritage and cultural non-profit organisation and five secondary schools. The project started in August 2022 and was funded by the Open Society Foundation.

The highlight of the event was an exhibition put together by the pupils of Ogbe Grammar School, Phelim High School, Anglican Girls Grammar School, University of Benin Demonstration School and Federal Government Girls’ College.

Designed as a DIY Museum project, each school team featured a curator and four guides, who worked together to ‘re-tell stories about their history and culture through objects and images’. The installations were curated under the guidance of teachers, professionals from the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), and History students of the University of Benin.

The exhibition also brought together the perspectives of students of art and art practitioners in thoughtful compositions about the continued relevance of local heritage and its care. The themes for the composition ranged from traditional musical instruments deployed during the Ugho Royal Dance or the Queen’s Dance to the evolving cookware of Emwin Ukoni, the Benin traditional kitchen.

The presentations drew on earlier workshops ran by EMOWAA that explored alternative ways of shaping future legacies and engaging school children , with contemporary debates around restitution, museum development and careers in heritage management.

The event also featured an inter-school competition, with various awards carted home by the best pupil and school in essay composition and the best curated exhibition among others.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Edo State, Iryn Omorogiuwa said, “the Ministry is currently implementing various initiatives aimed at arousing the

THEWILLNIGERIA THEWILLNG THEWILLNIGERIA

School children at the event

interest of young people in the areas of art, culture and heritage management.

One of the ways is with the introduction of a Culture Day, once a week where students will wear their traditional attire to school. We also wish to organise major cultural events and exhibitions. As we continue to engage with EMOWAA, other strategic areas for partnership will be identified.”

Also addressing the gathering, the Director of Pavilion, EMOWAA, Ore Disu said, “The first exhibition taken up by EMOWAA is a collaborative endeavour, co-curated by students and heritage practitioners, is a testament to the public-facing ethos of the Trust. Open learning has built bridges and forged new connections between artists and conservators, curators and archaeologists, students in universities and those in secondary schools. I have been honoured by the high level of commitment demonstrated in hundreds of volunteer hours. Museums are and should always be people institutions.”

In his closing remarks, the Curator of the National Museum in Benin City, Mark Olaitan said, "I have found it intriguing to collaborate with EMOWAA on their Open Learning programme, which enabled my staff to contribute to various aspects of the initiative. This collaboration underscores the importance of working together to achieve common societal goals, particularly with regards to deepening the historical and cultural knowledge of students while sparking their interest in the heritage sector.

“I am eager to see the continued impact of such programmes in collaboration with EMOWAA and look forward to exploring further opportunities for partnership in the future."

Some of the pupils at the event also shared their experiences: Tamilore (12 years old) of Phelim High School: “Open learning has helped me know more about our culture and history. It is important to teach and encourage citizens to value their culture. I’m really glad I was able to take part in it."

Justina (14 years old) of Anglican Girls Grammar School: “I am from Akwa Ibom, but I have learnt so much about the moats, the kings in the past and other cultures. I want to be an archaeologist. I am very interested in learning more about it.”

Amarachi (15 years old) of Anglican Girls Grammar School: “Although I am not from Benin, the programme made me read more about pre-colonial history.

I went back home to pose questions to the Benin family I stay with. I actually stay with a chief’s family, who is part of the Benin Traditional Council.”

Despite the name Benin Bronzes, most of the artworks are made of brass, which contains mainly copper and zinc, but often also lead, tin and other elements. That manillas were repurposed to form the bronzes has long been known. But that many of these bracelets were made from brass mined around the Cologne area is seen as a major discovery.

A contract between the German mercantile and banking dynasty Fugger and the Portuguese king from 1548 for the delivery of manillas corroborates the scientific analysis. After being produced in the Rhineland, the manillas were transported more than 6,300 kilometres to the Kingdom of Benin, Skowronek said.

Since manillas did not play a role in European trade, they were produced in Europe almost exclusively for trade with Africa. From the 15th century onwards, it was mainly the Portuguese who traded with West African peoples, later joined by other colonial powers.

Stefan Simon, director of the Rathgen Research Laboratory of the National Museums in Berlin, said the study is a big step towards clarifying the question of how the raw material used in the famed sculptures came to Benin.

Like elsewhere in Europe, many German museums and university collections have long featured Benin Bronzes. German authorities have been increasingly heeding the Nigerian government's demand for the return of the stolen artworks.

In a landmark ceremony in Abuja in December, Germany's foreign and culture ministers returned 20 of the precious artefacts that had been held in five German museums. Most of the bronzes were looted by a British military expedition in 1897.

Freshly cast Benin bronze figures stand in the guild alley of bronze and brass sculptors in Benin City. Many of the Benin Bronzes were made from brass mined thousands of kilometres away in Germany's Rhineland, between the cities of Cologne and Aachen, research has revealed. (PHOTO: Alexandre Callegaro/dpa)

In July 2014, President Goodluck Jonathan appointed a career-oriented woman and investment promotion expert Hajiya Saratu Altine Umar as the new Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission. It was to last for five years. It did not.

Mrs. Saratu Umar had a running battle with some members of staff of NIPC right from the start, from senior to mid level cadre thus making many of them go to work with the kind of apprehension you feel when you don’t know what the boss will be up to next. And true to their fears, Mrs. Umar did pull some surprises, especially her managerial style, her dictatorial tendency, sheer disregard for staff welfare and zero accountability in financial matters. In short, she got on everybody’s nerve and made sure the employees recognised she was a boss no one could mess around with.

What were the allegations against her?

The core of the allegations levelled against her were “incompetence, power-play and ineptitude.” In a statement by Ahmad Ghondi, the staff union chairman of NIPC, “Mrs. Umar violated so many provisions of the Procurement Act in awarding contracts to her cronies and had been running the commission as a private entity.”

One infamous allegation, for instance, was that the new head of the commission issued 50 to 100 queries in one day alone. She also alienated the directors of the board from management meetings which were never held. Then, most astonishingly, she allegedly

Saratu Umar: Fired Twice From Same Job by Two Presidents

BY MICHAEL JIMOH

spent N35m on office furniture. Not only that, she also broke civil service rules by forcing directors who had spent four years to reapply for the same rank instead of the mandatory eight.

It was all too much to bear. Unable to stomach her excesses any longer, the workers decided to take action by themselves: they locked their boss out of the premises. Message? We don’t want you, Madam. Period!

Somehow, Mrs. Umar, who is also a risk management expert, held on. So, the NIPC staff made their grievances known to Olusegun Aganga who was Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment at the time. He, in turn, set up an investigative panel chaired by Abdulkadir Musa, a permanent secretary.

Chief among their complaints was that a body which ought to be “a one-stop investment centre was practically dead and that files containing applications from investors, both within and outside the country, had piled up in her office without her attending to them.”

Continuing, the NIPC staff charged further that rather than hiring local consultants, Saratu “hired five foreign consultants with no value addition for services comprising corporate restructuring, imaging, HR, ICT and accounting that were readily available in Nigeria.” She also, at one time, collected N13m annual leave grant for “her husband and four children” even though she was a single mother with two children.

What did ES of NIPC say to all that?

Her accusers, Saratu declared, “were only aggrieved because she brought innovations to the agency they could not cope with,” charging that “the staff lacked work efficiency while denying the office renovation saga.”

The probe panel was not impressed

Since she returned to office in July 2022, Mrs Umar was said to have failed to treat files submitted to her, a lethargic attitude towards her duties hampering the growth of the commission…This delay, sometimes running into months, is having a likely unintended consequence on the commission

with her response and so recommended disciplinary measures to the minister who also recommended the same to President Jonathan. In retrospect, it was not only NIPC staff who wanted Saratu Umar out. She had stepped on nearly everyone’s toes during her short stint, from ministers to directors and much else. It was alleged, also, that she leaked a letter, memo written by former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. A year and a month after the appointment, Jonathan finally gave her the boot on May 18, 2015 barely two weeks to handing over to president-elect Muhammadu Buhari.

For most of the staff of NIPC, it was a big relief, the kind of respite you experience after battling a supposedly impregnable force and overcoming it. But the respite was short-lived.

On July 5, 2022, seven years after Jonathan relieved the woman of the plum appointment, his successor Buhari reappointed the same Saratu as head of NIPC. To the entire staff of NIPC, it was not funny. For many of them, God answered their prayers seven years ago after the Jonathan Administration sent her packing. Now, here was the same person

...Fired Twice From Same Job by Two Presidents FEATURES

coming to resume in the same capacity and possibly returning with her unwholesome ways. Announcing the appointment at the time, presidential spokesman crowed about Saratu’s formidable resume. Garba Shehu pointedly noted that “in the short period of her service as executive secretary, she transformed the NIPC into a world-class investment agency and minimised revenue leakages; saving the country N500 billion for which she received a commendation from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).”

On her part soon after the job offer, Saratu declaimed thusly: “NIPC has not been as effective as it should have. We are trying to have a strong institution that would promote and coordinate all investments in the Nigerian business climate. We also discovered some financial irregularities and we are trying to manage that. The commission is the first point of contact to the country and we cannot afford to run the place anyhow.”

But just last week, Saratu was again out of a job, having being relieved by the presidency of her duties with “immediate effect.” Though Femi Adesina, spokesperson for the presidency, gave no reason(s) for Saratu’s dismissal, he communicated PMB’s order to Otunba Adebayo Adeniyi, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. Until a suitable replacement, the most senior director in the commission will take charge in the interim, the source from the Presidency stated.

By that, Saratu has the unique distinction of being a federal government appointee hired and fired by two different presidents for the same offence and for staying in office in both stints just a little above a year. By that, also, it shows that some people in positions of authority never change.

In her reincarnation as ES/ CEO of NIPC, for example, Saratu Umar didn’t learn from her previous mistakes or even managerial style. If anything, according to knowledgeable sources, she became emboldened, more brazen with her second appointment by PMB.

To begin with, NIPC staff received news of her appointment with shocked revulsion. Not again, many of them felt. But there were some who felt she would have learnt from her earlier mistakes. They were wrong.

In a report by Ibrahim Adeyemi of Premium Times, the journalist wrote that “hardly had Mrs Umar spent six months as a returning head of the NIPC than staffers of the institution started grumbling over her alleged abusive management of workers and official duties. In December last year, a memo from all directors of the commission raised an alarm to draw her attention to pressing matters concerning the growth of NIPC which had been abandoned.

“Since she returned to office in July 2022, Mrs Umar was said to have failed to treat files submitted to her, a lethargic attitude towards her duties hampering the growth of the commission…This delay, sometimes running into months, is having a likely unintended consequence on the commission.”

The directors, according to Adeyemi, also chaffed that “Mrs. Umar has failed to convene

PMB’s termination of Saratu’s appointment surely puts an end to her inexcusable administrative style and extravagant ways. But one question remains: Why and how did a president whose mantra has been to fight corruption in the public service in Nigeria appoint a woman already indicted for the same offence years before

management meetings to discuss salient issues affecting the institution. They said her lack of commitment constitutes a big gap in the general administration of the commission as directors are not aware of happenings and are not given chances to contribute meaningfully to any activity of the commission.”

Continuing, the journalist reported that “Mrs. Umar was said to have refused to consider pioneer status applications in the past year. She had ignored any memo on the subject matter against the directive of the Minister of Trade and Investment. Meanwhile, the pioneer status incentive (PSI) is a tax holiday granting qualifying industries and products relief from payment of corporate income tax for an initial period of three years.

“Considering the importance of the PSI incentive in providing succour to investors operating within the challenges of the Nigerian landscape, it is concerning that only one meeting has been held…Even at that, no application was considered.”

Worse still are the charges of corrupt practices against Saratu in her second coming. It was as if nothing really changed. Adeyemi stated further that Uchenna Okonkwo, chairman of the Anticorruption and Transparency Unit of NIPC, petitioned Umar “over issues bothering on corrupt financial transactions and violations of both the Public Procurement Act and the Financial Regulations of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

One unbelievable instance had Saratu making fraudulent transactions running into millions. The allegation was made last December. In her second time around, the petitioner accused her of “making mischievous appointments in the agency, including re-engaging one Mutawalli Kukawa as a “Technical Support”, after retiring from NIPC as a Deputy Director,” and “another sum of five million naira was paid to the personal account of one Yusuf Mustapha as a resource person in an event insiders said was never held.

“This payment was in contravention and violation of Extant Financial Regulation Federal Treasury Circular on E-payment and Public Procurement Act,” Okonkwo went on, “which caps the amount payable to any public officer for procuring goods and services not to exceed N200, 000.”

PMB’s termination of Saratu’s appointment surely puts an end to her inexcusable administrative style and extravagant ways. But one question remains: Why and how did a president whose mantra has been to fight corruption in the public service in Nigeria appoint a woman already indicted for the same offence years before?

SportsLive

What Next For Anthony Joshua?

BY JUDE OBAFEMI

Anthony Joshua used to be one of the biggest names in heavyweight boxing, having held multiple world titles in the division. However, much of that status is being gradually eroded. The British-born boxer recently won a 12-round fight against Jermaine Franklin. It was a fight that came after his third defeat in the last five bouts, which cost him three heavyweight titles.

Joshua, who previously held the World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Organisation (WBO) heavyweight titles, lost all three when he failed to reclaim them from Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch in August 2022.

As the 33-year-old began to work towards reckoning once more, the April 1 fight with Franklin at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London, was considered a step towards earning the right to challenge for heavyweight title bouts.

Yet, Joshua's defeat of Franklin at the O2 Arena, although via an unanimous decision, was not the convincing performance that his fans expected. He admitted in post-fight comments that he was "not happy" with his performance, as he failed to knock out his opponent, which was the expectation in many quarters.

Joshua, who produced an improved performance under his new American coach James, frustrated many viewers and a good portion of his hardcore fans that had believed it was going to be child's play taking Franklin out. He had been unwilling to fire off his previously devastating right-hand, filling the fight up with lacklustre efforts to land combinations. Although, he managed the rounds effectively to clinch the match, he looked short of his previous battling best.

This lack of aggression was highlighted by Joshua’s long-term rival Dillian Whyte, who taunted him

after the fight and claimed that the British fighter had lost his edge. It so happened that a heated altercation occurred between Joshua and Franklin after their bout. Both fighters appeared to go for a knockout blow in the final round, leading to their respective corners and security intervening. During the melee, it appeared as though Joshua tapped the back of Franklin's head before the American reacted angrily. Franklin's strength and conditioning trainer, Lorenzo Reynolds, reportedly attempted to involve himself and accost Joshua after the bout, leading to a further altercation with DAZN staffer Tony Bellew. Fortunately, the situation was eventually calmed down by BBC's Steve Bunce. Whyte taunted Joshua that he showed more aggression in this melee than throughout the fight itself.

There is merit in the criticism that Joshua has faced for his performance against Franklin, with some questioning his motivation for continuing to fight. Former world champion Carl Froch questioned

why Joshua bothered to continue fighting because it seemed the fire that won him his previous titles had died. Froch claimed it could not be for the money alone given that Joshua had already earned over £100m in earnings over the years. It tallied with the evaluation of the fight by Whyte, who also criticised Joshua's lack of aggression in the ring, rightly claiming that many fans expected a more clinical performance from the former heavyweight champion.

However, while Joshua remains focused on improving his championship credentials, the question that has occupied the minds of boxing enthusiasts and fans is what is next for him, on the one hand, and who could his potential opponents be, on the other.

For the boxer himself, Joshua has expressed interest in fighting Tyson Fury for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Heavyweight Championship. Indeed, Joshua

Some of these potentials that he could challenge before going against Fury include Dillian Whyte, Joe Joyce, or Deontay Wilder

SportsLive

...What Next For Anthony Joshua?

called on Fury to take up the challenge, saying in post-fight comments in the aftermath of his 12-round victory over Franklin. Joshua threw down the gauntlet, challenging Fury to pick up: "If he's listening, he knows my promoter; we've had dialogue before, so let's continue this. We ain't getting any younger."

Fury is undoubtedly the biggest draw in heavyweight boxing and the prospect of a Joshua-Fury clash has tantalised fans for years. Both fighters came very close to agreeing on a blockbuster fight, only for it to fall through at the last minute. Yet, there are those in Joshua's corner who are advising for restraint and counselling for caution, given Joshua's performance against Franklin and the fact of his confidence levels. A further defeat, probably via a technical knockout may permanently spell doom for the career of the Brit former champion. Those recommending this cautious path include his promoter Hearn and his new trainer Derrick James. They have publicly counselled for caution, especially immediately after Joshua's comeback win against Franklin. Hearn, a veteran in the business side of the game, strongly believes that Joshua needs to regain his confidence in the ring and make improvements to his style and technique before facing Fury, who is widely considered to be one of the best heavyweight fighters in the world.

Talks between Hearn and Fury's promoter Frank Warren have been difficult due to bad blood in their previous negotiations. The potential fight between two of the top-ranked British boxers has been teased for almost a decade and the negotiations held back what would have been a highly explosive bout. A potential for that to happen now is quite far-fetched with Joshua unable to have the upper hand in any agreement that may result as he has no bargaining power sans any of his previous titles. Still, the possibility exists due mostly to the interest it will arouse in the UK and abroad, with the Middle East remaining a possible location for the bout, as it was when the initial negotiations inexorably broke down. Despite the call for Joshua to exercise caution in attempting to accelerate his push for a heavyweight title belt around his midriff, there is no doubt that boxing fans will be eagerly anticipating a 12-round all-out between Joshua and Fury.

Should the need for an appropriately paced development before engaging a titled opponent prevail, Joshua's future will be more uncertain than it is at the moment, as it will widen the spectrum of potential

Continued from Back Page

opponents for the boxer of Nigerian ancestry. Some of these potentials that he could challenge before going against Fury include Dillian Whyte, Joe Joyce, or Deontay Wilder. Hearn, who wants a more cautious approach, has stated that he believes it would be better for his client to fight Whyte before facing Fury in the ring. The boxing promoter remarked: "Some fights are there to be made and you get one chance to do it." He opined that Joshua considers Whyte, Wilder, or Joyce in the interim as he builds up stamina, confidence, poise and the rebuilding of his wicked right-hand suckerpunch towards a title challenge.

Wilder will be a solid option as well for Joshua. Although their fight has been a long time coming, it would still generate significant interest among boxing fans. A win over Wilder would provide Joshua with a much-needed boost to his confidence and cement his status as a top-tier fighter. Of those names in Joshua's list of options to fight, Joyce is one of the most preferable options. The British boxer, who has held the WBO interim heavyweight title since 2022, is currently the number one challenger for one of Usyk's titles, the WBO belt. However, there is a set of obstacles against Joshua getting to take on Joyce.

Apart from the fact that Joyce is set to fight Usyk when the opportunity provides itself, Joshua does not

Still on 2023 General Election, INEC, Media And Nigeria’s Growing Democracy

carry out its watchdog role without fear of reprisal or censorship. These pressures make it difficult for the media to deliver on its mandate of enhancing the people’s rights to know and holding individuals, organisations, and corporations accountable. The government should also protect journalists and the press doing their work and citizens should support and respect the media's role in enhancing our nascent democratic practice. The media plays a crucial role in shaping the public's perception of the

electoral process and ensuring that it is conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner. We must uphold that role, come what may.

I am positive that the fortunes of the Nigerian media will improve when the economy returns to its lost glory and the media can help achieve this as soon as possible by taking a leading role in easing the tension in the land and remain professional and unbiased in its reportage of events concerning the general elections.

get to challenge him now because there is already a scheduled fight between Joyce and China's Zhilei Zhang on April 15 at the Copper Box Arena in London. If Joyce wins, he is likely to call out Joshua.

Although Joyce may not be as charismatic or as wellknown as Joshua or Fury, he is a talented fighter with an unbeaten record which earned him the nickname "The Juggernaut". This will give Joshua a chance to prove himself against a rising star in the division.

Furthermore, taking on Whyte would present Joshua with an excellent opportunity to prove himself against a tough and determined fighter. If Joshua is able to defeat Whyte convincingly, it would go a long way towards restoring his reputation as a top-tier heavyweight. The same Franklin, who was Joshua's opponent in the recent bout, had previously lost to Whyte too. This gave Whyte the gravitas to criticise Joshua's performance after the fight and repeatedly taunt him for losing the aggressive side of his skill set in the ring. It all creates the perfect stage for a Joshua/ Whyte bout and will increase interest in their headto-head after their December 12, 2015 fight at the O2 Arena. This would be a renewed battle eight years later, and it would likely be a different fight altogether, with Whyte honing his craft in the years following his previous defeat. Moreover, this fight would provide Joshua with an opportunity to prove his critics wrong and rediscover his aggressive qualities that made him a two-time heavyweight world champion.

Hearn expects Joshua to fight twice more in 2023 - once in the summer, then in December. While Joshua has his sights set on a fight against Fury, the prospect of Joshua and Whyte going toe-to-toe in the ring for the second time in their professional careers has very attractive prospects for both boxers. Joshua displayed his knockout qualities with a signature uppercut on Whyte when the pair previously fought in that 2015 bout. Ultimately, Joshua's future opponents will depend on a variety of factors, including the scheduling and negotiations with rival promoters and broadcasters. Boxing fans will undoubtedly be eagerly anticipating Joshua's next fight, hoping to see a more dominant performance from the former world champion.

Yet, even though Joshua won every round in his comeback fight, he declined to follow up with the big right which had knocked out all his opponents before he started losing. It will be to his advantage if he can rediscover his style balance and power punches before taking on big heavyweight hitters like Wilder.

Apart from Joyce being the WBO challenger for Usyk's ebony title, WBA (Regular) world champion Dubois is the mandatory challenger for the WBA (Super) heavyweight title that Usyk holds. Any of these fights can be arranged following the breakdown in talks for Usyk to face Fury and this would leave the winner well placed to be challenged by Joshua should his next bouts go dreamily well for him and he can bring his knockout game back into action rather than disappointing 12-round tiresome bouts.

Wilder

Fury

Joyce

Still on 2023 General Election, INEC, Media And Nigeria’s Growing Democracy

The General Election has come and gone, with mixed feelings as expected. Those who won are happy while those who lost are expectedly unhappy. I followed the event closely from the party primaries to the final declaration of winners by the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC.

Sadly, INEC, the umpire that was copious in making promises but under delivered results, appears to be the reason for the uncertainties and the avoidable tension that has enveloped our country simply because it failed to strictly follow its own rules and guidance to the letter in the conduct of the presidential election, as well as the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls.

Had INEC followed through with the strict use of the BVAS and real time upload of results to the IReV election portal, I am certain the losers and their supporters would have easily embraced their defeat and there would be no need for these quarrels that continue to threaten the peaceful transfer of power. Since it formally declared Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, winner and President-elect, the pre-election tension that we all expected to fizzle out has unfortunately stuck to the country. Instead, Nigeria appears to be at a standstill on every front because of unending and unwarranted rumours surrounding the successful transition of power, even though we have concluded the presidential poll. This has left everyone frustrated with businesses (big and small) taking the biggest hit.

Businesses are recording very poor sales as a result of tension and bickering, mostly between operatives of the APC and the Labour Party, LP, which claims it won the presidential vote but was cheated. The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which was declared runner up and the LP, which came third, have filed cases at the Presidential Electoral Tribunal seeking to strike down the victory of the APC. But this has not eased the tension because not a lot of people believe that the justices would swiftly and impartially adjudicate the lawsuits.

However, I think it is now time to calm fraying nerves and deflate the tension so that the country can return to normal for the benefit of all. This is where the media, which fortunately is my constituency, must drop the perceived toga of bias and partisanship and help.

Sadly, the role of the media in Nigeria has been complicated by various factors, with several organisations and platforms being used to promote hate speech, attacks on people, politicians and political parties, as well as counter attacks on journalists and media organisations.

Recently the Peoples Gazette, an online news website, suspended one of its reporters, Ayoola Babalola, for violating the newspaper's social media policy. Babalola, who worked on the political desk of the website, was suspended after the company reviewed his responses to online trolls and concluded that he did not act with the decorum and professionalism expected of the organisation's

employees. This incident highlights the importance of professionalism and decorum in journalism, particularly in a political climate that is often polarised like ours.

In the period leading to the 2023 general poll, some

made by leaders and supporters of the APC on television programmes without the weight of sanctions levied against the network.

Coincidentally, some hours after it was reported that the President-elect’s campaign had filed a petition against Channels Tv for the programme, the fine from the NBC closely followed to raise questions about the sequence of events. While the fine is within the purview of the regulatory framework of the NBC, there is a considerable threat in what could be deemed the Commission's high-handedness and it is worth exploring within the discussion of the media's responsibility.

Ahead of the elections in February and March, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had reason to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and demand the immediate withdrawal of a recent threat by the NBC to revoke the licence of broadcast stations over their coverage of the upcoming elections. SERAP urged the President to call Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information, and the NBC to order and ensure that the NBC's actions do not limit freedom of expression and the ability of broadcast stations to cover important issues around the 2023 general elections.

Apart from the responsibility of the media to be part of the peace-building process in a struggling democracy, there is also the need to protect the press and journalists doing their work. In the 2019 general election alone, the Press Attack Tracker, a project of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), documented at least 72 violations, including arrests, physical attacks, denial of access, threats, equipment damage, equipment seizure, harassment, and abductions.

media organisations took sides and did not hide their partisanship in their coverage of events. Technically, a section of the press became the unofficial media arm of the opposition and ruling parties, doing their propaganda briefs. This has often overflowed into social media, leading to very acrimonious and divisive back-and-forth flavoured with ethnic profiling, aspersions-casting and avoidable xenophobic attacks from supporters and representatives of the main political parties. It should not be allowed to fester.

In attempting to rein in the practice before it spirals out of control, the National Broadcasting Code (NBC) fined Channels Television N5 million for allegedly violating the NBC code in a recent programme featuring the Labour Party’s vice presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed.

However, the fine has raised concerns about censorship and freedom of expression in the media, particularly in the post-election climate of accusations and counter-accusations that we have found ourselves.

There are some who accuse the NBC of playing to the tune of the ruling party. These critics claim that there have been some other provocative statements

The Nigerian media is barely surviving under severe financial stress and there are many pressures that make it difficult for the media to deliver on its mandate of enhancing the people's rights to know and holding individuals, organisations and corporations accountable. These include ownership burdens, excessive pressure from advertisers and other patrons who try to dictate content, a sustainability challenge caused by dwindling advertising revenue, and attacks on journalists and media organisations. The media need to face the many challenges that are internal to their existence, including media partisanship and media code violations, which we have seen plenty of in and around these elections. As responsible practitioners of the sacred journalism, it behoves us, who are responsible for "comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable", to come to the table with clean hands. We must rid ourselves of whatever can lead to questioning the sanctity of our practice whilst adhering to best practices and the highest standards.

Furthermore, attacks on journalists and media organisations must be addressed as well. There is a need for the government to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability during the electoral process and ensure that the media is allowed to

Continues on Page 47

Sadly, the role of the media in Nigeria has been complicated by various factors, with several organisations and platforms being used to promote hate speech, attacks on people, politicians and political parties, as well as counter attacks on journalists and media organisations