THEWILL NEWSPAPER January 22, 2023

Spare the rod and spoil the child, a popular phrase with its foundation from a famous biblical verse that says, “whoever spares the rod hates their children”, is commonly used among people. The term, which means you must correct a child when you see them going in the wrong direction, can be interpreted in various ways. For some people, it means disciplining with an object. For others, it translates to using words, not a cane. However you interpret it, it boils down to guiding the child down the right path.

But that phrase is phasing out with the new generation of parents due to the fragile nature of the world today. Every action in a bid to correct a person interprets as negative, which challenges teachers and their mission to educate children these days.

The problem isn’t with the children. It starts with their parents, who, viewing trends abroad, decide, for instance, that talking to a child about putting on weight from too many sweets or chocolates is body-shaming.

However, for our cover personality this week, Akua Akinsanya, it’s a recipe for disaster. She believes, as do I, that there is nothing wrong with telling your kids the truth to correct them. After all, you only correct who you love. Even God chastises us because He loves us and if we are to emulate our Father in bringing up children, why is a parent worried about letting a child know there could be health hazards from being overweight?

And so, to sail through this ‘storm’, Akinsanya and her team of teachers had to undergo training on managing the fragile minds of children from the present generation.

If one person can train her teachers to adapt to the new normal, why isn’t the government able to organise further training for public teachers?

We need to pay more attention to the crop of teachers in the educational system. It’s appalling how the academic standards for teachers have drastically dropped. If a teacher cannot construct a proper sentence, how on earth are they supposed to teach the leaders of tomorrow? Until next week, enjoy your read.

Onah Nwachukwu Editor, THEWILL DOWNTOWN @onahluciaa +2349088352246

Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

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Fresh Fears Over 2023 Polls

BY AMOS ESELE AND AYO ESAN

The fearful headlines triggered by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC's conditional statement about possible insecurity-induced cancellation of the 2023 general elections is yet to subside ten days after, despite reassurances to the contrary.

On Friday, January 20, almost a fortnight after the Commission alerted Nigerians on the dangers the 2023 polls face due to insecurity and its boss, Mahmood Yakubu and the Federal Government restated their commitment to conducting the polls on schedule, the issues have finally taken a front burner.

That day, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Australia issued fresh security alerts, a little alarming than the ones issued in October last year alongside the United States of America, Canada, Germany and Bulgaria.

According to the Australian Government, whose statement is representational, “Nigeria is scheduled to hold national and state elections between 25 February and 11 March. The risk of

election-related violence is high. You should avoid all political gatherings and election related sites in the lead up to, and during and after this period.

“Offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission across the country have already been targeted and should be avoided. Politically motivated murders and kidnappings have occurred, and the threat of further incidents remains high.”

The threat of further incidents indeed remains high.

“The Commission is concerned about the attacks in our facilities. The Commission has recorded over 53 attacks in its facilities in 15 states since the conclusion of the 2019 general elections,” INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, told THEWILL on Thursday.

He is however optimistic that the Commission will conduct the 2023 polls as scheduled.

“Nigerians are therefore entitled to look forward to a good election and be concerned if there are signs

of any potential disruption of the process,” he said.

An Non Governmental Organisation, Election Monitors, said, according to its record, 300 incidents of election violence took place between party primaries in June and July 2022 as well as on January 15, 2023, posing grave dangers to the conduct of the polls amid widespread insecurity in the country.

To underscore the nature of the threat to the conduct of the poll resulting from attack on INEC facilities, gunmen who have been violently engaging the state in the southeast, on January 12 attacked the Commission’s office in Owerri, the Imo state capital and on the January struck 15 at Ahaizu Local Government office, where the attackers burnt the office. On the 16th, another attack took place in Enugu South Local Government. Policemen on guard at the office were overpowered. One of them was killed while another sustained injury. The Commission’s building was razed. But for the army personnel from the 82 Division who responded quickly, INEC’s materials would have been burnt as had happened in many other places where similar attack took place.

THEWILL NEWSPAPER • www.thewillnigeria.com

Fresh Fears Over 2023 Polls

The gunmen in the Imo state attack whom the Police Spokesperson in the state, Mike Abatam, described as members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, the armed group of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, were said to have shouted “No election in Biafra land,’ after shooting to death a man they suspected had come to the Commission’s office at the local government to collect his Permanent Voter Card, PVC.

In the past three months, Enugu, Anambra, Abia and Imo in particular, plus Akwa Ibom, Ondo and Osun states, have witnessed some forms of attacks on the Commission’s office in the past six months.

Supporting Okoye’s optimism about the forthcoming polls, President of Association of Political Consultants in Africa, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan, told this newspaper that what the statement on feared poll cancellation made by INEC official, Abdullahi Zuru, at a function where he represented his boss penultimate week, should be seen for what it was, a mere alert to the people and stakeholders that there are indeed threats that might undermine the polls, adding that security agencies, the media and Nigerians should take up the challenge.

THE CHALLENGE

In Bamigbetan’s thinking, the sources of the threat to the upcoming polls are not being properly defined and addressed by stakeholders. In as much as he agrees that there is ongoing cross-country discontent because of bad governance coupled with widespread insecurity that peaked with the agitation for self-determination in the southwest geo-political zone of the country and secession in the southeast, he submits that the real issues are wrongly placed.

He said; “the component units that make up our federation are free and have some autonomy. The question is, are the elected representatives of the people at whatever level using the autonomy to respond to the needs of their people? We are no longer in a military regime. In the contest of a federation, are the agitators saying that their local government, states and their elected representatives are useless to the development of their places? States collect allocation from the federation account monthly. Who is asking them what they use the allocation for and how? Where is the money going? This is what I mean that the agitators are placing the issues wrongly and it is our duty to ensure they do not disrupt processes in the country.”

In the southeast where there is real danger owing to sustained attacks and killings at the Commission’s offices, Bamigebtan sees two forces at play, which, according to him, has to be handled properly to ensure the threat to conduct of the poll in that geopolitical zone goes on with fewer hitches.

“I think the emergence of Peter Obi as Labour Party candidate has doused tension there to a reasonable degree and has caused a split in the agitation into two. That of IPOB and others who want to vote to affirm their belief in Nigeria,” he said, adding that the voting figure of 10 million plus for the Southeast shows an increase over previous year’s figures, and a confirmation that people want to vote during the election. “This scenario would boost INEC Chairman, Yakubu’s determination that the poll must hold as scheduled,” he explained.

ALERTED TO GET READY

While anxiety remains over the potential threat of violence to INEC facilities persist, the Commission has continued to reassure Nigerians that it is prepared and ready to conduct the polls as scheduled. Speaking on this again in the interview with THEWILL, Okoye said Section 132 and 178 of the Constitution have circumscribed the period for the conduct of elections in Nigeria. Sections 134 and 179 of the same Constitution have also delineated the periods for the conduct of a second election if no winner emerges on the first ballot.

“These periods are constitutionally and legally circumscribed and the Commission will not tamper with these periods.

“The Commission has taken proactive steps to ensure and guarantee electoral continuity. The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has assured the nation that the period assigned for the conduct of the 2023 general elections is fixed and firm and the Commission is committed to those days. The issue of postponement or rescheduling of election is not on the table. The security agencies have assured the nation and the Commission that they will secure the nation and elections will hold and hold on schedule.

“We assure the nation that elections will take place on the 25th of February 2023 and 11th of March 2023. The Commission has taken delivery of the full complement of the BVAS for the conduct of the election. Non-sensitive materials are daily moving to locations and training is ongoing. We are

“

The issue of postponement or rescheduling of election is not on the table. The security agencies have assured the nation and the Commission that they will secure the nation and elections will hold and hold on schedule. We assure the nation that elections will take place on the 25th of February 2023 and 11th of March 2023. The Commission has taken delivery of the full complement of the BVAS for the conduct of the election. Nonsensitive materials are daily moving to locations and training is ongoing. We are confident that we will get things right

confident that we will get things right,'' Okoye said. He called on security agencies, the media, relevant NGOs and other stakeholders to join hands with the Commission to assist it discharge its commitment.

On its part, the Nigeria Police Force, which is the chief security organ in civil matters such as election, has started educating the rank and file on security for the election. Last Thursday , the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, ordered the distribution of more than a million copies of a handbook produced by the Nigeria Police Force on “Revised Standard Operational Guidelines/Rules for Police Officers and Other Law Enforcement Agents on Election Security Duties ahead of the 2023 General Election.”

According to the Force Spokesperson in Abuja, CSP Olumiyiwa Adejobi, the manual “could act as a standard in holding policemen and other security agencies accountable in the line of their electoral duties, as all hands must be on deck to actualise the mandate and commitment of the NPF to have free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.”

SOLUTION

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, says the position of President Muhammadu Buhari on the conduct of the election is enough assurance that the perceived threat posed by insecurity generally and particularly with respect to attacks on the Commission’s facilities will not stop the conduct of the polls.

According to the CNPP General Secretary, Willy Ezugwu, in a chat with THEWILL, President Buhari’s recent charge to the security agencies to ensure nothing stands in the way of the conduct of a free and fair poll is a big plus for the upcoming polls.

“President Muhammadu Buhari was clearly on point when he disclosed that he has charged security agencies to do away with anything that will soil the nation’s democratic process, saying that, “Under no circumstances should they get involved in anything that could compromise the democratic process, or bring disrepute to their institutions and to Nigeria. We also stand with President Buhari on his charge to Nigerians to resist attempts by politicians to disrupt the forthcoming polls,'' Ezugwu said.

Bamigbetan thinks that no matter how bad the prognosis is, a deal can always be struck to have the polls go ahead if the security threat were to persist.

“One of the off-season elections took place in Anambra state. In spite of the treaty of IPOB, a deal was struck to allow the conduct of the poll to go on,'' he said and called on the security agencies, the media, NGOs to work with INEC in order to ensure the general election is conducted.

“It is the responsibility of all and sundry to ensure the federation of Nigeria survives,” he said.

Reacting to the security alert of UK, EU and Australia, CSP Adejobi, on Friday, reportedly said “Since this is a foreign relations matter, I wouldn’t like to comment on it. However, Nigeria is safe, and this isn’t the first time that foreign countries are giving such alerts to their citizens.”

CBN Takes Sensitisation on New Naira Notes to Major Markets in Calabar Buhari to Unveil Iconic Projects in Lagos Monday

deficit in local rice production.

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, at a joint news conference on Friday, said the event will mark the first official visit of the president to Lagos since 2019.

The projects expected to be unveiled by the President include Lekki Deep Sea Port, the 32-metric tonnes per-hour Lagos Rice Mill, one of the largest in the world; the 18.75-kilometre 6-lane rigid-pavement Eleko Junction to Epe Expressway; the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History and the iconic Lagos Blue Line rail project.

“To this end, we have tagged President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Lagos ‘A Festival of Project Commissioning’.

“Mr President is scheduled to arrive in Lagos on Monday, 23rd of January via the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, where he will be received by Governor Babajide SanwoOlu, some top government officials and dignitaries. There will be a short ceremony, which will include a cultural display, presentation of a bouquet and inspection of a guard of honour by the special guest.

“Thereafter, Mr Governor will lead the guest to the Lekki Deep Sea Port for the official commissioning of the largest Sea Port in Sub-Saharan Africa. Mr President and his host will be received at the Lekki Deep Sea Port by top Government functionaries and board members of the Lekki Deep Sea Port. The chief host, Governor Sanwo-Olu is expected to deliver a speech to formally welcome our guest to Lagos. There will be a tour of the Lekki Deep Sea Port facility by the President, Mr Governor and other guests", he said.

Omotoso added that the president is expected to drive through and commission the newly constructed Eleko Junction to Epe road project before departing for the Lagos Rice Mill in Imota, saying that the president would take a tour of the Rice Mill – a solid testimony to the Lagos State Government’s readiness to bridge the

“We all know that Lagos is known for its remarkable hospitality and conviviality. These attributes will be on display in the evening of Monday, 23rd during the State banquet being organised in honour of our guest. Mr Governor and his spouse, Dr (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, will lead other dignitaries to give President Muhammadu Buhari a befitting Lagos welcome. There will be musical performances and other forms of entertainment to make the evening a very memorable one for Mr President and all the invited guests", he said.

On day two, President Buhari would commission the MRS Lubricant factory, a private sector project in Apapa on Tuesday, 24th January.

“He will depart Apapa for the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History for its commissioning. He will take a tour of the Museum. The John Randle Museum, a bold attempt to curate our history and culture, will afford the President an opportunity to interact with art enthusiasts, curators, historians and academia, and students who have been invited to the programme.

“After that, Mr President will move to the Lagos Blue Line Rail Project in Marina, where different activities have been lined up for him. At the Blue Line Terminal, Mr President will witness the signing of the second phase of the rail project, from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko. He will also commission Phase I and take a train ride from Marina to Mile 2 and back, and depart Lagos," he said.

Omotoso said there would be accreditation for journalists and photographers, adding that the media accreditation would be handled by the Media and Communication team from Friday, January 20.

“Also, all events will be broadcast live across several television and radio stations. All activities will be streamed live on different social media platforms. Arrangements are in top gear to give the visit maximum media coverage even beyond Nigeria. We count on you to make this event a great success. There are plans for transportation and safety issues during this visit. My colleagues will speak on such plans and take questions," he said.

Ahead of the January 3, 2023 deadline for the use of old Naira notes, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has taken its sensitisation campaign to major markets in the Calabar metropolis.

Glory Iniunam, the Branch Controller, CBN Calabar, led the sensitisation campaign. She explained that the essence of the exercise was to keep people informed on the new Naira notes as well as the deadline for the use of the old notes.

The sensitisation drive took the CBN team to the Watt Market, Etim Edem Park, Bogobiri, Marian market, Ikot Ishie Market and 8 Miles Market.

The branch controller said the deadline for the use of the old notes remains the end of the month and they will cease to be legal tender on the first day of February, 2023.

"What we are here for is to sensitise the people on the acceptance and the deadline for the new redesigned naira to let them know that as at 31January 2023, the old note will cease to be a legal tender and as at 1st February 2023, the new note will come to being completely and we are not going to use the old note anymore.

"Any one that has the old note should take it to the bank before 31st January 2023 and get the new notes.

"If you are going over the counter, we are still giving the old notes, the reason being that it is the ordinary people that use the ATMs and we want the money to get into circulation.

"You can still collect the old note from over the counter and use it but before the 31st of January, take it back to the bank and they must have received enough so they can give it to you," she said.

She warned commercial banks within the state that it is a sanctionable offence to load old notes in their ATMs, saying the CBN will be conducting spot checks to identify defaulting banks and subsequently sanction them.

"There are sanctions for ATMs still dispensing old notes.

"If there is anybody dispensing old notes, we are doing spot checks and are going to do another one today, tomorrow and by the weekend.

Obasanjo Applauds Alma Mater's Contributions to Awolowo's Emergence as Premier, Himself as President

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said he would not have become the president of Nigeria if not for the morals and education received from his alma mater - Baptist Boys High School (BBHS), Abeokuta, Ogun State.

He was a student and classmate with the late M.K.O Abiola, the acclaimed winner of 1993 presidential election, at the school located formerly at Oke-Egunya and now at Oke-Saje, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Obasanjo, who spoke on the lecture titled "Eyin Ni Iwe Wa: You Are Our Epistle" at the 100th anniversary celebration of the school, lamented that Abiola would have become a president of the country if not for the hatred from some forces..

He urged the students to emulate him, Abiola and other great men from the school, including the late Premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief D.S Adegbenro, to be successful in life

The former president charged the students to be conscious of their duties and conduct themselves in good manners, saying they are the ambassadors of the school wherever they go in Africa or other continents of the world.

He also asked the students to imbibe the spirit of humility, honesty, integrity, wisdom, courage, competence and fear of God as their watchwords to make change in the world.

Obasanjo, while thanking the founding fathers of the school, especially Rev. S.G Pinnock, recalled how people, especially the traditionalists thought the school would be a doom because it was established on Oro and other gods shrine at Egunya Hill.

"We could proudly say BBHS with education plus. And for me, it stood me in good stead throughout my life so far. Without BBHS, I would not have been what I am. Once again, I am grateful to those that I have mentioned and seniors, classmates and juniors that I had the opportunity to interact with while in the BBHS.

"I believe that I must not be too forgetful to leave out yours truly, the son of Obasanjo, a modest war-victorious General and former Military Head of State and former President of Nigeria. Chief M.K.O. Abiola, the first communication industry millionaire in Nigeria and the acclaimed winner of the 1993 Presidential election, who was in a class by himself. If not for Nigerian bad belle, M.K.O. Abiola would have been President and with me as President, we would have needed one more old student of BBHS to be President for us to permanently locate it in BBHS after three times. And that is a challenge for up-and-coming generations of old boys.

"We carry it to anywhere we go as an epistle written by BBHS to our families, our communities, our States, our country, and our continent of Africa and indeed our world. We must impact with humility, honesty, integrity, wisdom, courage, competence and fear of God – these must continue to be our characteristics and our attributes to make a change for good wherever we are," Obasanjo stated.

L-R:  President Muhammadu Buhari; Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, during an audience with the President at the State House, Abuja on January 19, 2023.

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected in Lagos on Monday for a two-day official visit to unveil iconic projects delivered by the Lagos State Government.

FROM BASSEY ANIEKAN, CALABAR

FROM SEGUN AYINDE, ABEOKUTA

Alleged Corruption: Keyamo Drags EFCC, ICPC, CCB to Court, Seeks Atiku's Arrest

Spokesperson of the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC-PCC), Festus Keyamo (SAN), has dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the arrest of Atiku Abubakar, Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for alleged corruption.

Joined in the suit are the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Offences Related Commission (ICPC) and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

THEWILL earlier reported that Keyamo, on Wednesday, issued a 72hour ultimatum to the EFCC, ICPC and the CCB, to arrest former VicePresident, Atiku, over alleged corruption, purportedly exposed by his purported

aide, Michael Achimugu.

In his earlier petition to the anti-graft agencies on Wednesday, Keyamo, relying on a purported viral audio of Achimugu, had alleged that the former Vice President and ex-President, Olusegun Obasanjo, siphoned public funds through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) between 1999 and 2007.

He had said Atiku should be arrested and prosecuted for alleged offences against the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, Money Laundering, Criminal Breach of Trust and Criminal Misappropriation and Conspiracy.

However, in a suit filed on Friday, Keyamo asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the anti-graft agencies to investigate the matter and prosecute Atiku.

Abiodun Inaugurates ICT Centre In Ijebu-Ode

SEGUN AYINDE, ABEOKUTA

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has stressed the need for an all round education that includes Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enable students compete on the global stage.

He stated this on Friday in Ijebu-Ode when he inaugurated the multithi-million Naira Information and Communication Technology ICT/ Cafeteria Complex to mark the 110th anniversary of the IjebuOde Grammar School.

Abiodun, who reiterated the importance of ICT in today's world, said the Centre aligns with the Techhub initiative and the digital project of his administration where 5,000 fibre cable would be laid to provide internet facilities to school, markets and other public places.

He said that policies like the Education Management Information System that provide a database on the performance of students in both public and private schools, have been formulated, adding that the Learner's Identification Number (LIN), was out in place to keep tap on the

students at all times.

"We have formulated policies aimed at providing an enabling environment for our children to learn. Some of these policies are the Ogun State Education Management Information System that provides a database on the performance of students in both public and private schools. We also have the Learner's Identification Number that enables us to keep tap of our students anywhere they are. These reforms have won so many Awards in the last three and seven months", The governor noted

He opined that Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, in the last 110 years, has been an incubation centre where prominent professionals have been produced for the council area, State and the country as a whole.

Abiodun commended the president and old boys of the school for showing exemplary leadership and giving back to the school that charted the way for their prominence, urging other old students to emulate such gestures.

C'River: Daniel Obo, SDP Deputy Governorship Candidate, Defects to APC

Comrade Daniel Obo, the deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Cross River, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He formally joined the ruling party with the Ward Chairman of Obubra Urban ward, Mr Daniel Okpa, after due registration and collection of party cards. Obo, who is also the Chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Cross River chapter, justified his defection by saying that the APC ``is youth friendly.”

He added that the State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has brought leadership and governance closer to the people by appointing over 80 percent of youth into his cabinet.

“I represent the young people and we need to stand firm for the young people of our dear state. APC in Cross River has been favourable to the young people and their tickets were given to young people.

“We have realised that our strength is in the APC and that is why we took the decision to join the party and protect the young people.

“For today, we have the 18 youth council chairmen at the local government level that are moving with me to APC. Also, over nine ward chairmen from SDP have moved with me to APC.

“We have hundreds of young people who have also decided to join the struggle of protecting their generation.

“I want to charge youths in Cross River to get their Permanent Voter's Card (PVCs) and come out massively to vote for all APC candidates in the state,” he said.

Speaker of Cross River House of Assembly, Mr Eteng Jonah-Williams, Mr Peter Odey, the APC deputy governorship candidate in the state and Hilary Bisong, who represents Boki 2 State Constituency in Cross River House of Assembly, all graced the occasion.

Reject APC For Causing Hardship to Nigerians - Abba Moro

The senator representing Benue South District, Comrade Abba Moro, has blamed the All Progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government for causing untold hardship to Nigerians and Benue people in particular.

Senator Moro called for the rejection of APC and its candidates at the PDP Governorship rally at Oju, Obi and Otukpo Local Government Areas of the state, citing insecurity, endemic corruption, collapse of the economy, as the reasons the party must be voted out of power.

"The APC government did not give you hope but rather, despair, anarchy, killings, among others. Therefore, you should reject it at the polls, but vote for me and other PDP candidates from bottom to the top," he said.

Moro is seeking a second term in the senate, and promises to construct the Otukpo-ObiOju Yahe road and complete it before the end of his second term in office.

Governor Samuel Ortom, while presenting the governorship candidate, Titus Uba and his running mate, Sir John Ngbede, declared that the PDP shall win its elections in the State because the party has fielded credible candidates.

The Governor, who was elated by the huge turnout of party supporters, explained that the PDP was the only party that followed due process in nominating candidates for its gubernatorial, senatorial, House of Representatives and State Assembly elections.

The Governor stated that since the candidates were not imposed by the party, but emerged through transparent and acceptable primary elections, he was confident that Benue people would vote massively for the party's candidates, who are tested and trusted at various levels.

He particularly charged the people of Benue South Senatorial District to vote for the PDP governorship candidate, Engr. Titus Uba, who, he noted, was capable of sustaining policies and programmes that could add value to governance in the state.

According to the Governor, Engr. Uba had shown preparedness for governance and had a laudable blueprint christened, "Soil as Our Oil" for the security, as well as agricultural transformation and economic sustainability of the state if elected.

He charged the mammoth crowd of party faithful to vote for Senator Abba Moro into the senate and other candidates for the legislative houses, poised to offer quality representation and attract dividends of democracy to the Benue South zone.

In his remarks, the State Deputy Governor, Engr. Benson Abounu, enjoined the people to sustain the support for the party and vote all its candidates to win the 2023 elections.

The PDP governorship candidate, Titus Uba, in his address, declared that security and agriculture will be the cardinal pillars of his administration if elected, stating that he would build on the firm foundation for security of the state which has been laid by Governor Ortom.

Uba, who is currently the Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, emphasised that agriculture, which will serve as the economic drive of his manifesto will enhance food security, wealth creation and employment; adding that mechanised agriculture and irrigation farming will be accorded priority to boost agro-driven industrialisation.

L-R: Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and US Consul General at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, Mr Stevens Will, during his courtesy visit at the Governor's Lodge, Amawbia in Anambra State on January 19, 2023.

FROM

FROM BASSEY ANIEKAN, CALABAR

FROM GEORGE MARTINS, MAKURDI

POLITICS

Campaign Watch: Candidates Still Dwell on Mudslinging, Less on Issues

Tinubu Atiku

BY AYO ESAN

With less than 36 days to the presidential election, the major candidates in the election, Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, (NNPP); Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, (APC); Peter Obi of the Labour Party, (LP) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) have intensified their campaigns across the nooks and crannies of the country .

Two of the candidates, Obi and Kwankwaso were at the Chatham House in London last week where they were able to tell the world the programmes they have for Nigerians when elected as president.

Obi said if elected he would dismantle inefficiency and eliminate transactional policies that breed corruption in government.

He also hinted on how he would address the high level of poverty in the country, especially in the northern part of the country where it is more prevalent.

Obi said equity, justice and fairness would solve the problem of agitations in the country, noting that his administration would prioritise securing Nigeria by first engaging all aggrieved groups in the country for talks.

He noted that improving security, agriculture and education would be some of his top targets for the region.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party also vowed to dismantle the structure holding Nigeria captive and preventing the nation from advancing.

According to Obi, the, “structure currently in Nigeria is that of criminality and it has impoverished the West African country.”

He said: “You have heard them say we don’t have structure; that is the structure we are trying to destroy, structure of criminality that Nigeria is being held captive; that structure is the structure that has impoverished Nigeria. We will dismantle it. It will not be there. I assure you.”

“

Kwankwaso on his part listed “improving non-oil revenues, improving crude oil production to the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, (OPEC) targets, targeting inflation, preventing corruption, wastages and theft” as some of his policy agenda.

On the over 130 million Nigerians living in abject poverty, the NNPP flagbearer revealed: “We have a practical plan to lift Nigerians out of poverty” and even “ensure those lifted out of poverty do not return” there.

He also outlined his party’s plan for tackling social issues, noting that both out-of-school children and girl-child education will be on the front burner.

He said the party’s plan is actually a revolution. “Our revolution in the education sector will be guided by the philosophy that education is a public good.” Against this

backdrop, “we shall reform the education sector in its entirety. We will eradicate illiteracy in Nigeria.”

One feature of the major candidates’ campaign however is that they have refused to dwell more on issues, what they will do for the people and how they will ameliorate their sufferings. Rather they engaged in ‘destroying’ themselves and raised personal antecedents that are seeing as disadvantageous.

More pronounced is Tinubu and Atiku who have been throwing muds and bricks at each other in the past couple of days.

This is however not in compliance with the INEC’s directives at the commencement of the campaign.

INEC had warned that political parties and candidates should not embark on campaign or slogan tainted with abusive language directly or indirectly, especially such which is likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings.

INEC also said abusive, intemperate, slanderous or base language or innuendoes designed or likely to provoke violent reactions or emotions should not be employed or used in political campaigns.

It could also be recalled that as a way of ensuring a peaceful campaign, and peace before, during and after the election, a peace accord was signed by the political parties participating in this year’s election.

But as they are currently on the field, the candidates have forgotten about the peace accord they signed and they are heating up the polity, making many concerned Nigerians to fear for the election.

TINUBU VERSUS ATIKU

Atiku and Tinubu have since the commencement of the campaign attacking themselves with vituperations as they

The tempo became higher recently when Tinubu asked security agencies to immediately arrest and prosecute Atiku over a recent revelation of alleged collusion with former President Olusegun Obasanjo to loot public funds

POLITICS

...Candidates Still Dwell on Mudslinging, Less on Issues

have engaged in a credibility battle.

The tempo became higher recently when Tinubu asked security agencies to immediately arrest and prosecute Atiku over a recent revelation of alleged collusion with former President Olusegun Obasanjo to loot public funds.

However, Atiku has described the call for his arrest and prosecution over alleged corruption as diversionary, irresponsible, and a sheer attempt to divert the attention of Nigerians from the issues affecting the country.

It could be recall that in an audio recording which was recently released and went viral by Atiku’s former aide, Michael Achimugu, the former vice president is alleged to have explained how some organizations were set up to divert public funds through a special purpose vehicles (SPVs).

Atiku was alleged to have been heard in the video admitting that while serving as deputy to Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007, he founded the SPVs with the aim to “carry out certain activities” in a deceitful bid to avoid being linked to corruption.

Director of Public Affairs and chief spokesperson of the APC presidential campaign council, Festus Keyamo (SAN), said Atiku must apologise and renounce his presidential ambition.

Keyamo said Atiku has a case to answer. Reading from the text of the World press conference in Abuja, Keyamo stated: “Atiku does not enjoy immunity because he is a presidential candidate. We are saying this because they may be reluctant to act on the perception of the persecution of a presidential candidate it may invoke. However, facts are sacred.

“In other serious clime where situations like this arose, the law enforcement agencies acted decisively. You may recall in 2016, in the middle of campaigns for the exalted office of president in the US, the case of the private email of Hilary Clinton was referred to the justice department for likely prosecution a few weeks to actual voting, though she was actually cleared.

“That is what we want the authorities to do in the case of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. He has to be arrested, invited. He is not God. He does not enjoy immunity because he is a candidate.

“All monies should be recovered from the marine float account. In the voice note, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar can be heard boasting that the issue of that account was thoroughly investigated by the EFCC, yet he was smart enough to escape.”

Keyamo said that the issue of the Marine Float Account was not new to Nigerians, adding that Atiku, then, was

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Avoid those who practice the politics of entitlement: This is the “emi lo kan” type of politics that insists on one’s turn even if circumstances do not align. Politics of entitlement also manifests as perennial candidacy, not with the intent to serve, but to gratify long-term personal ambitions

smart enough to escape.

“In the light of these very grave revelations, we call on Atiku Abubakar to immediately tender an unreserved apology to the Nigerian people and step down from the Presidential race forthwith, whilst handing himself over to the law enforcement agencies.

Keyamo, also in a five-page petition dated Monday, January 16, 2023 to the chairmen of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), accused the PDP candidate of four major infractions.

He alleged that Atiku colluded to fleece the country of public funds using what he termed as “Special Purpose Vehicles” (SPVs).

Keyamo insisted that with the public revelations of a whistleblower, Michael Achimugu, and pieces of evidence, Atiku has a case to answer.

However Atiku lambasted Tinubu for trying to divert the attention of Nigerians from the issues affecting the country.

Atiku said the recent call by Tinubu for his (Atiku) resignation over an allegation by Micheal Achimugu over alleged corruption was diversionary and irresponsible.

Speaking, the PDP Presidential Campaign Council

Spokesperson, Senator Dino Melaye, described Achimugu as a serial blackmailer who is in court for such an offence.

He added that Achimugu’s petition was written from the office of Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Keyamo, who is one of the spokesperson of Tinubu’s presidential campaign council.

Melaye said Atiku’s team will no longer respond to the claims by Achimugu, adding that he was sent to distract Nigerians from the issues facing them.

He said, “We will not be concerned about the frivolous issues anymore. They commissioned this blackmailer to distract us. We will not fall for it.”

Melaye noted that Tinubu should be the one to withdraw from the race because of the enormous corruption allegations leveled against him.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba said, “It is indeed ironic that an embattled Tinubu, who is beleaguered by uncountable cases of fraudulent activities, including perjury, forgery, treasury looting, corruption and narcotic-related conviction can attempt to impugn on the unimpeachable integrity of the PDP Presidential Candidate.”

Ologunagba added that Atiku is one of the most investigated public officials in this country, saying it is also on record that in all the investigations undertaken over him and his affairs, Atiku was never found culpable in any of the allegations.

BAKARE VERSUS TINUBU

The Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC) and Convener, Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Tunde Bakare, stirred the hornet’s nest penultimate Sunday when he warned Nigerians to reject presidential candidates who believe it is their turn to rule, shun debates, forge identities, slander and eliminate opponents.

During his state of the nation broadcast in his church in Lagos on Sunday, January 15, 2023 , Bakare said there was good and bad politics and that the aim of bad politics is to secure power at all costs, pointing out that even when promises of good governance are present in the manifestos of the practitioners of bad politics, such promises were merely a smokescreen to conceal their true motivations.

He enumerated the types of bad politics which he said included politics of entitlement, elimination, intimidation, slander, betrayal and exploitation.

Obi Bakare

Kwankwaso

POLITICS INTERVIEW

Postponement or Rescheduling of Elections Not on Our Table - Okoye

Barrister Festus Okoye is the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman (Information and Voter Education Committee).

In this interview with AYO ESAN, Okoye speaks about INEC’s preparation for the forthcoming general elections slated for February and March this year, saying INEC is determined to organize free, fair and credible elections for Nigerians to choose their leaders. Excerpts: Okoye

Peopleare surprised about the efforts being put in place by the INEC to ensure all registered voters get their PVCs. What is the motivating factor pushing INEC for success?

The Independent National Electoral Commission is a public trust and always strives to retain the trust of the Nigerian people. With every off - cycle or bye-election since the 2019 general election, the Commission continues to improve and enhance its strategic, logistics and operational capability and capacity.

The Commission is working assiduously to convince the Nigerian people that their votes will count in the 2023 general election. The Commission has invested energy, expertise, and resources in planning for the election and Nigerians are looking forward to a robust engagement in the electoral process.

The Commission is of the firm view that Nigerians must engage the electoral process and that it is a futile exercise to register without people collecting their Permanent Voters Cards. By section 471(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 no individual can vote without a Permanent Voters Card (PVC). The PVC has power and potency and the sovereign right of the people to exercise their democratic franchise resides in the PVC.

The Commission wants to expand access to the polling units. The Commission wants to increase voter participation in the electoral process. The Commission wants to place ownership of the electoral process in the hands of Nigerians. The Commission wants the votes of the people to be the only source of truth on who gets elected.

Is the commission feeling the positive response to its activities since the introduction of BVAS?

The BVAS is the game changer in our electoral process. The BVAS is the democratic arbiter between legal registrants and chronic election riggers and identity thieves. Our elections are getting better, and Nigerians have faith in the process. The large number of Nigerians that registered during the Continuous Voter registration Exercise (CVR) attests to the reengagement of Nigerians with the electoral process. The 2023 general election will be technology driven and the Commission will continue to impute relevant technology in the electoral process.

What are you promising Nigeria electorate with less than 40 days to the presidential election? How hopeful is INEC for a successful election come February/ March this year?

The Commission is not making promises. The remit of the Commission is to organize, undertake and supervise elections. The Commission has been working hard and continues to work hard to deliver free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections. The commission has been

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The issue of postponement or rescheduling of election is not on the table. The security agencies have assured the nation and the Commission that they will secure the nation and elections will hold and hold on schedule

coordinating its operations using important planning tools. The Commission developed the 2022 – 2026 Strategic Plan and the 2023 Election Project Plan. The Commission’s 2022 - 2026 SP and SPIP outlined five key strategic objectives that are considered as critical to the delivery of a free, fair, credible and inclusive 2023 general election and other offcycle elections within the plan period. These include: (i) Revision of the Commission’s Regulations, Guidelines and Manuals in line with the Electoral Act 2022; (ii) Continuous improvement of operational logistics for the conduct of elections; (iii) Addressing human and organizational challenges in the conduct of elections; (iv) Focusing on the need for adequate and timely funding of electoral activities; and (v) Improving internal and external communication and engagement with stakeholders. We want to deliver on our mandate, and we will deliver.

Your advice to other stakeholders, - Security personnel, media, election observers among others as we are rounding up preparation for the election? The delivery of a good election is a shared responsibility. The framers of the Nigerian Constitution and our laws assigned different roles and functions to different agencies and organs of government to make for smooth elections. Under the law, the Nigerian Police is the lead agency on election security and in carrying out their functions they can co opt other security agencies. The political parties organize primaries, sponsor candidates, and carry out campaigns and rallies. The media and civil society groups are also in the matrix of the electoral process. All the agencies, Commission and organs must work cooperatively to deliver a good election. We, as the election management body, have been meeting with and consulting all these groups and we are confident that working together, we can deliver a good election.

How will you react to continuing attacks on INEC facilities especially in the South East, the last being that of Enugu a few days ago.

The Commission is concerned about the attacks in our facilities. The Commission has recorded over 53 attacks in its facilities in 15 states since the conclusion of the 2019 general election. The Commission has taken proactive steps to ensure and guarantee electoral continuity. The Chairman of the Commission Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has assured the nation that the period assigned for the conduct of the 2023 general election is fixed and firm and the Commission is committed to those days. The issue of postponement or rescheduling of election is not on the table. The security agencies have assured the nation and the Commission that they will secure the nation and elections will hold and hold on schedule.

In spite of assurance from the commission that the election will still hold despite the attacks on the facilities, many Nigerians are skeptical. Do you share their skepticism?

Nigerians have come to see democracy as a way of life and want continuity in our democratic process. Nigerians have seen a steady improvement in our electoral process and the conduct of elections and do not want anything to disrupt the flow, the growth and sustenance of our democracy. Nigerians are therefore entitled to look forward to a good election and be concerned if there are signs of any potential disruption of the process. We assure the nation that elections will take place on the 25th of February 2023 and 11th of March 2023. The Commission has taken delivery of the full complement of the BVAS for the conduct of the election. Non-sensitive materials are daily moving to locations and training is ongoing. We are confident that we will get things right.

As a lawyer, what is the position of the law in case INEC found it difficult to conduct the elections on appointed dates?

The Commission is not in the business of pessimism. We have gone far with preparations for the conduct of elections. The Commission will not give room for doubt or anxiety. Section 132 and 178 of the Constitution have circumscribed the period for the conduct of elections in Nigeria. Sections 134 and 179 of the same Constitution have also delineated the periods for the conduct of a second election if no winner emerges on the first ballot. These periods are constitutionally and legally circumscribed and the Commission will not tamper with these periods.

JANUARY 22 - JANUARY 28, 2023

THEWILL NEWSPAPER • www.thewillnigeria.com

POLITICS

INEC And PVC Distribution, Collection in Akwa Ibom State

UDEME UTIP

The preparations for the 2023 general elections have really shown that the country and indeed the people are yearning for credible transition and better leadership at the end of the exercise.

One of such steps in the right direction is the introduction of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) technology which would ensure one man - one vote.

With the system which is relatively strange, especially to the Third World countries such as Nigeria, adequate education and sensitization is needed to keep stakeholders and all the parties involved in the electoral processes abreast with the requisites of the new system.

For the system to yield the anticipated effect, which is ensuring free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria, voter registration and collection of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) by every adult Nigerian is of the essence.

It is, however, lamentable that most persons of such ages are absolutely ignorant of their rights and power to contribute to the much anticipated change using the PVC.

From the survey by this reporter, it has been an uphill task to convince registered voters to see the need to collect their cards at the stipulated INEC Centres which are majorly the commission's offices in different Local Government Areas.

Visits to collection centres in different wards all over Akwa Ibom state from the 12th to the 18th of November, 2022 showed that 99 per cent of the PVC's were not collected at the time.

Random surveys in Uyo, Itu, Ibesikpo Asutan and other LGAs in Akwa Ibom State showed that some centres recorded almost zero activities during the one week ward collection window before it was extended.

At Mbak Atai Centre in Ward Seven, Itu LGA, INEC representatives were seen complaining that for the first four days of the exercise, only one person had come for identification and collection of PVC, out of over a thousand cards that were lying unclaimed.

At ward One, Uyo LGA, whose centre was Aka Road, open field, less than 20 persons had identified and collected their PVCs as at the time of visit by the reporter, out of thousands of unclaimed cards.

The slow pace of PVC collection in the state and county at large was so obvious, hence, the outcry by the INEC National Commissioner, Mrs. May Mbu, during a town hall meeting with electoral stakeholders..

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr. Cyril Omoregbe, expressed optimism on the success of the collection of PVCs in the state during a meeting with some journalists.

He assured that the cards would be collected and disclosed his resolve to invite the leaders of all the political parties in the state to sensitize them on modalities to get their members to collect their PVCs before elections.

INEC, however, has not rested on its oars to ensure that those who registered see reasons to collect their PVCs. They have taken voter education and sensitization to a higher level by going to markets, parks, road shows, apart from official announcements, jingles and other forms of publicity in the media.

They have also insisted on preferential treatment for the aged, persons living with disabilities, pregnant women and nursing mothers at the collection centres.

In recognition of the fact that election is not an all INEC affair, other stakeholders in the process such as the media, NGO among others have thought it wise to partner the electoral umpire to ensure a successful 2023 general election.

A Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) under the auspices of the Pan African Women’s Project (PAWP), during the Yuletide season took it upon itself to partner with INEC Gender and Inclusivity Department, to take the PVC collection sensitisation exercise to markets, parks and streets of town, where women and youths gather the most.

The sensitisation team led a crusade to Akpan Andem

market, Etagha Itam, Ibom Plaza, among other thickly populated areas to preach the need to be armed with PVC and be a part of decision making in the coming elections.

The head of missions of the gender-based NGO, Dr. Eno Udensi, who spoke to this reporter, said the advocacy come on the heels of the many complaints that PVCs are not accessible by intending voters and the fact that an outrageous number of registered PVCs over the years are still lying unclaimed at INEC outlets across the country.

Eno, who was cornered by our reporter during a sensitisation exercise in Etagha Itam market, sees lack of information and proper education as the reason for the slow pace of PVC collection in the state and the country in general.

According to her, INEC has tried its best by making the cards available in their offices and outlets but the problem is for the registered voters to know when to collect their cards, hence the need for sensitisation.

"Pan African Women Project is a gender-based NGO from the 54 nations of Africa including Nigeria. We have partnered with electoral bodies over the years, we promote sustainable democracy in Africa, we observe elections, we sensitize voters especially; women, youths and persons with disabilities.

“In the aspect of PVC, we had an experience in Ekiti and Osun States. We were there as an international observant group and we saw that many PVCs were not collected. We know that INEC has done so much, so we said to them: ‘we are going to take it up’.

"We know that the people that vote in general elections are women and youths, not just ordinary women but women from the grassroots. Many professors don’t vote but they criticize the government. All these women you are seeing in this market have registered and are ready to vote. Many of them have PVCs in their bags and many are yet to collect.

“We decided to partner with the Gender and Inclusivity Department of INEC at the national level, we started with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), we choose two states in each geographical zone to sensitize women, youths and persons with disabilities,” she explained.

The NGO, which engaged several strategies including one on one engagement, spreading of fliers, open-air announcements, jingles and finally, gathering the people under canopies, practically were able to reach thousands of people and get their issues resolved.

Eno was able to boost the hopes of the many people by educating them that the cards were released in batches and that the final batch before the 2023 elections would be released before the end of December 2022..

When the final batches were taken delivery, with the information and the fact that their frustrations were addressed, confidence was rebuilt, the January window of PVCs collection in respective LGAs in the state was receiving a huge positive response.

The latest survey shows that voters are struggling to meet up with the two weeks opening for collection at the ward centres. Long queues were seen in all the centers with some party leaders on hand to help organize prospective voters to ensure smooth collection exercise.

Some INEC officials who spoke on the exercise, expressed satisfaction hoping that at least 90 per cent of the cards would be collected except those who may have died, relocated or incapacitated.

Other electoral stakeholders like political leaders, party elders, traditional rulers, women leaders among others are not left out of the PVC collection campaign hence the huge success.

Mr Ekom Umoh, the Public Affairs officer of INEC, Akwa Ibom State, expressed gratitude to the Pan African Women team for birthing such an idea and putting the interest of the people first.

In his words: “The introduction of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS), will make this year’s election the most credible, and your PVC is your determining factor”.

He further urged those who had registered, revalidated or transferred their voter registration cards and are yet to collect their cards, to approach their respective ward headquarters to obtain them as all the cards have been taken delivery from Abuja..

The INEC Gender Desk Officer, Mrs. Uduak Akpabio, assured the women that no one will do anything with their PVC, because the BVAS has come to stay. She urged everyone to go and collect their PVC.

“Those buying PVCs from people are doing vain jobs. They cannot use it for anything. With the BVAS technology, your identity will be verified, you will be accredited, and after voting, the results will be transmitted electronically to the national office.

“Don’t sell your PVC to anybody because you will not vote without your PVC. The person buying it only wants to stop you from voting in the election,” Akpabio cautioned.

On the media scene, the International Press Center (IPC) in collaboration with the European Union (EU) under E-U Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (E-U SDGN 11) Support to media, Electoral stakeholders, female aspirants et cetera, organized a workshop which took place in all the political zones of the country.

The latest survey shows that voters are struggling to meet up with the two weeks opening for collection at the ward centres

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EDITORIAL

Celebrating Lagos Landmark Projects

he Lagos State Government is set to host President Muhammadu Buhari this week. A two-day trip scheduled for Monday, January 23 and Tuesday, January 24, 2023 would see Buhari make his first official visit to Lagos State since his re-election for a second term in 2019.

A historic visit this would be, no doubt, for a president who is already rounding off his eight-year tenure as he is expected to inaugurate some landmark projects in the state with his host, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.

Sanwo-Olu, who is seeking a second term in office in the forthcoming governorship election in the state, is at the moment greatly excited to play host to the president and treat him to the hospitality the ''Centre of Excellence'' is noted for.

A grand plan has already been put in place by the State Government for the inauguration of the landmark projects which are also being flaunted as iconic. “Mr President is scheduled to arrive in Lagos on Monday, 23rd of January via the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, where he will be received by Governor Babajide SanwoOlu, some top government

officials and dignitaries,'' the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, disclosed on Friday while addressing a joint news briefing.

Describing the president's visit as ‘A Festival of Project Commissioning,’ Omotosho added: "There will be a short ceremony, which will include a cultural display, presentation of a bouquet and inspection of a guard of honour by the special guest.''

The Commissioner listed the landmark projects to be inaugurated by President Buhari to include the Lekki Deep Sea Port, which is the largest sea port in subSaharan Africa; the 32-metric tonne per-hour Lagos Rice Mill in Imota, one of the largest in the world and the 18.75-kilometre 6-lane rigidpavement Eleko Junction to Epe Expressway.

The others, according to him, are the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History in Surulere; the iconic Lagos Blue Line rail project in Marina and the MRS Lubricants facility in Apapa.

A busy schedule, of course, the trip would be for President Buhari and his host, Governor Sanwo-Olu, as the entourage is expected to criss-cross the state for the inauguration of the key projects that will surely turn the fortunes of the state around for better and benefit the residents the most.

We really commend the Lagos State Government for the commitment to seeing the landmark projects through as

really commend the Lagos State Government for the commitment to seeing the landmark projects through as their completion has further strengthened the position of Lagos as the undisputed commercial capital of Nigeria. We also make bold to say that none of the projects is, in any way, mean as we salute the courage and determination of the Babajide SanwoOlu Administration to complete them in record time

their completion has further strengthened the position of Lagos as the undisputed commercial capital of Nigeria. We also make bold to say that all the projects are a great leap forward that would greatly impact social and economic development of the state, as we salute the courage and determination of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Administration to complete them in record time.

We believe that the inauguration of the projects by President Buhari will go a long way in spurring the State Government to take the others in the works headlong as it strives to give the state the much-desired facelift through infrastructural developments.

Lagos State really has the potential to grow faster that it is going, especially with the huge revenues at its disposal . The State Government must therefore continue to build on the goodwill it is currently enjoying both with the Federal Government and the corporate establishments operating in the state.

We also implore the National Assembly to consider putting in motion the process of granting Lagos a special status, with all the compliments, in order for the state to realise its full potential for the benefit of the residents and Nigerians as a whole.

We

Sanwo-Olu And The Future of Lagos

BY OLABODE AYO-PHILLIPS

For the three-and-half years Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, have held sway at the Lagos Government House, theirs have been a perfect study in delight. Mr. Governor in his inaugural speech at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos was vehement and quite laconic in identifying his government's posture as a continuation of one his predecessors, Governor Babatunde Fashola's enviable developmental strides, his focus and faithfulness to the blueprint and masterplan of Lagos.

Governor Sanwo - Olu, like Governor Fashola, immediately after swearing- in, hit the ground running, same day, moved straight to the office for the day’s work schedule he already drew, ready to face the inherited challenges, contentious issues, etc headlong since government is a continuum. He embarked upon serious grafting, signed up executive orders, typifying the tenacity of purpose he wanted his administration defined- a new beginning of definitive activities.

Sanwo-Olu’s strategic thinking approach to governance paved the way for his success through his motivational, welfarist interventions of his immediate constituencies that will work with him. The civil servants, the security operatives, the army, Police LASTMA etc. Judiciary, state doctors, teachers, trade unions etc thus maintaining a fairly well-motivated workforce and the human resource base that will drive his material and other developmental resources of the state. This is obviously good thinking in an atmosphere where doing the work well without compromise seems difficult because of pernicious economic realities and extreme poverty that pervades the whole country and by extension the world. No thanks to the Covid challenges.

Mr. Governor’s performance index can best be assessed by his THEMES Agenda which is as audacious as it is ambitious. We intend to briefly examine them.

The six cardinal programme agenda are, Traffic management and transportation, the ‘H’ for Health and environment, ‘E’ for education and technology ‘M’ for making Lagos a 21st century economy, the second ‘E’ for Entertainment and Tourism and ‘S’ for Security and Governance.

Mr. Governor typifies the traffic management posture with a lucid orientation enunciated in the popular television advertorial “A new sheriff in town”, which necessarily insists on decorum, orderly behaviour and away with showmanship, bigmarism and impunity on our roads. This orientation drive sent jitters down the spine of road commuters that no matter whose horse is gored the law will take its course. This brought some level of traffic sanity on our roads. The Governor did not just talk tough, a series of arrests were made, brought them to mobile court and got convictions.

As regards transportation, across the state were various road infrastructure projects already completed within the period in review. They are Ojota-Opebi link bridge, lyana Iba interchange, Agege-Pen Cinema dual carriage fly over, Oniru circulation project, among others currently ongoing.

The Blue Line Project is already completed while the Red Line is in an advanced stage of completion. About 500 shuttle buses for intra-city transport, the waterways infrastructure strategically positioned at various locations, mainly Lagos Island, Ikorodu, Iba and the newly-acquired LAGFERRY boats are all working efficiently with the latest rescue gadgets. These are bold infrastructure expansion and many more.

The health sector and environment has also witnessed massive boost, the primary, secondary and tertiary health care facilities are so innumerable, the Massey Children Hospital, a new General Hospital at Ojo and a 500-bed Mental Health Hospital at Ketu-Ejirin.

In the area of Education and Technology, the Sanwo-Olu Administration has been superb, the quality of the teaching staff in our primary, secondary and tertiary institution has greatly improved, teaching aids in class rooms and programmes in all the media, radio /television etc. The Governor, in a recent television interview, said 1047 new classrooms were built in less than four years, 197 new school projects and have touched over 1,000 different things in schools including 200,000 new chairs and benches and 2000 new beds in boarding houses schools. New Comprehensive Colleges to teach not just book knowledge but also entrepreneurial skills and vocations like music and acting. Two additional state universities showcase so much he has spent 11% of the last year state budget on. Lectures at LASU have been uninterrupted with improved welfare of staff, LASU homes for the staff and the newly commissioned LASU Student Arcade. Lagos youth have been provided with more digital skills, the Governor also commissioned and rehabilitated digitalized public school libraries here and there. While entrepreneurs are getting supported with capital from the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, the Job Initiative Lagos (J.I.L) has also been providing support initiatives.

All these within this timeframe, to all intent and purposes, cannot but give the Sanwo-Olu’s Administration an excellent mark. In fact, the achievements are so numerous but for lack of space, we would have been able to chronicle some more.

The entertainment/tourism, security and governance have all witnessed major boost. The J.K Randle Cultural Centre, Onikan and many social intervention initiatives from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism are some of the landmark initiatives of the Sanwo-Olu Administration in Lagos State.

•Olabode Ayo-Phillips is a member of the Directorate of Publicity, Tinubu/Shettima, Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat Independent Campaign Council, Lagos.

Why Were Heads of CBN, INEC Under Siege From Security Agencies?

BY MAGNUS ONYIBE

There is currently a limit to the amount of cash that individuals and corporate bodies can withdraw from their bank accounts across the counter in Nigeria. But there is no limit to the absurdities that can happen in the financial services and political space in our dear country.

The assertion above is justified by the fact that until Monday, 16 January 2023, that he returned to his desk after his trip to the United States of America,USA where he was part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s delegation to the President Joe Biden,U.S.-Africa Summit held in Washington DC,U.S.A ,1315 December,the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had been unaccounted for.

That is simply because he was declared a national security risk by the Department Of State Security Service,DSS,so he automatically became a fugitive since he could not return to Nigeria in the intervening period.

It is not clear whether it is owing to the assumption in some quarters that he had been kidnapped in the US by a criminal gang that intended to compel him with a gun pointed at his head to disclose to them the code that would enable them gain access to Nigerian treasury and authorize the transfer of billions of dollars from Nigeria to designated accounts overseas,as we often see in Western movies.

In any case, before he traveled,one Kazaure Gudaji,claiming to be the Secretary of Presidential Committee on Reconciliation and Recovery of Stamp Duties Revenue, had alleged that N89 trillion revenues accruing to the Federal Government of Nigeria from stamp duties was misappropriated and diverted by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

But the spokesman of President Buhari, Mr Garba Shehu, had promptly debunked the claim by stating that it was: “ludicrous that a member of the parliament would claim to be secretary of an executive committee”.

Despite the denunciation of the seemingly scurrilous claims of Mr Gudaji ,analysts have boiled down Emefiele’s embattlement to the allegations by the self-appointed committee that is insisting that he converted N89 trillion naira stamp duty charges collected from Nigerians through the banks and Nigeria Interbank Settlement System,NIBSS over a period of ten (10) years into a private account.

Dear readers, please take note that N89 trillion is over four (4) times the value of our country’s 2023 national budget which is N21. 83 trillion.

Here is a snippet of some of the mind boggling and jaws dropping allegations:

“Furthermore, Stamp Duties revenue accruing to FGN is still growing at an astronomical rate, and this is quite evident from latest NIBSS statistics that reported eTransactions at N117.3 Trillion in just 4 months of 2022 alone, and by conservative estimates, these could reach over N400 Trillion by year end. It must be noted that NIBSS is just 1 of 15 other switches whose records have not been captured by Copyright-holder, and CBN is jealously guarding the huge revenue that is "above OIL" from Government...”

But since no money has been declared missing from the CBN and Emefiele is back home,(presumably in the safe bosom of his dear wife and other family members) it can be safely assumed that the kidnap plot failed in the US,as the CBN governor ,who perhaps relying on voodoo from his birth place -Agbor,Delta state,was able to hypnotize his kidnappers and varnished into the thin air after which he manifested in Nigeria last Wednesday and subsequently showed up at work on Monday 16 January,2023.

Of course what has been stated above is mere speculation as there has been no proof whatsoever.

And that is because since Emefiele’s prolonged sojourn abroad,which in military terms equates to Missing In Acton,MIA,as no one could account for his whereabouts in the period of his absence.

Ordinarily,government should have kept Nigerians abreast of what is going on,but did not deem it fit to give an account of where was the CBN governor,who is basically the ‘caretaker’ of our national vault from Sunday 11 December when he departed with President Buhari to the U.S to Monday 16 January which is about one month before Emefiele showed up at work.

Owing to the national security implications,apart from allegations about being a sponsor of boko haram and related terrorist groups,l am demurring from going into details about other frightening imputations that have been made about the alleged high crimes against Mr Emefiele,because they are as wild and fantastic as anyone’s imagination can be stretched.

But given the fact that the CBN treasury containing our common wealth which the government in power is supposed to be holding in trust for ‘We The People’ at whose behest it happens to be in power, (having been the ones that elected the president and his cabinet in 2015 and again in 2019)and which is assuming we were practicing a truly liberal democracy where the electorate matter; Nigerians aught to have been apprised of the reasons behind Emefiele’s long absence from his duty post and why he was under siege.

It is not only disappointing,but ridiculous that the last thing Nigerians heard about Emefiele (before the press release on Monday 16/1/2023 by the CBN’s public affairs department that he is back on duty) was a failed attempt to arrest and lock him up when DSS sought to obtain an arrest warrant from a high court in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, FCT headed by Justice John Tsoho who denied the agency the request.

One of the justifications for denying the secret police the court’s authority was on the ground that it failed to present justifications solid enough to convince the judge on the need to the grant the order to arrest Godwin Emefiele,CBN governor at a time that he was leading the apex financial regulatory agency on the task of redesigning the naira-a critical national assignment with monumental socio-economic and even political impact on our beloved country.

Propitiously, the SSS did the right thing on Monday (16/1/2023) by debunking the lie that was swirling around that the agency had arrested the embattled CBN governor after he resumed at his duty post.

But as a result of the dearth of authentic information about Emefiele’s ordeal,which l would like to tag the Emefiele Saga,the rumor mill had gone into an overdrive,as Nigerians and our country’s foreign partners alike who were starved of the correct information,went on wild speculation spree.

Arising from the above ,invention of bizarre scenarios like the one that l narrated in the introductory part of this intervention to fill the information gap between reality and fantasy was bound to happen simply because nature abhors vacuum.

• Magnus Onyibe writes from Lagos.

•Continues online at www.thewillnigeria.com

Access Corporation Launches Roadmap to Continental Dominance

BY SAM DIALA

Nigeria’s largest financial services institution by assets base, Access Corporation, on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, launched its fifth 5-year corporate strategic plan covering 2023-2027.

The Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Herbert Wigwe, with a team of top executives, engaged the audience in a granular presentation of the holco’s roadmap towards playing in the league of topmost African financial services institution.

The presentation which spanned about two hours with stakeholders, industry experts and financial journalists in attendance, began with a review of the just concluded corporate strategy cycle: 2018-2022, “We achieved all we set out to achieve and even beyond; we met and exceeded our targets for each planning cycle,” Wigwe said while punctuating his statements with facts drawn from the firm’s performance results.

“In two decades, Access Bank, (a subsidiary of Access Corporation, also called Access Holdings Plc), has emerged as a leading tier-one financial institution in Nigeria, in line with its disciplined execution of rolling 5-year corporate plans”, the presentation showed, with the following numbers:

The bank moved from 65th to 9th in the 2003-2007 strategic cycle. The strategic cycle of 2008-2012 pushed the bank to

top 5, while it emerged top 3 in the 2013 -2017 strategic cycle. It emerged No. 1 in the strategic cycle of 2018-2022. Access Bank is set to move into the new strategic cycle with the following records: over 52 million customers which is more than the population of 85 percent (50) of African countries. Superior service through four SBUs, across 17 countries including, the UAE, UK, and 3 rep offices in China, India and Lebanon. There is 18.5 million unique mobile app and internet banking users, in addition to over 54,440 Point of Sale (PoS) terminals.

There is consistent financial performance as seen in the N906.9 billion gross earnings and N148.7 billion profit before tax as at nine months of 2022. Its professional staff stood at 6,000 and capital adequacy ratio (CAR) comfortably sitting at 22.6 percent.

“Our score sheet is robust and we are launching into the next strategic cycle with the greatest optimism that we will achieve and surpass our targets,” Wigwe said.

Wigwe said, in launching into the continental space, the focus is to become a global player with African heritage while exploring the huge opportunities with the aid of technology.

The bank stated that, across Africa, there is an opportunity for Access to extend financial services to the unbanked

With the event that shaped 2022, particularly as it concerns pending projects not yet executed, there are indications that the National Carrier, maintenance, repair and operations (MRO), forex, infrastructure, aviation fuel and other factors would determine growth in the aviation sector in the country.

Analysing the situation, Engr. Abednego Galadima, the President of National Association of Aircraft Pilots

The Managing Director/Chief Economist at Analysts Data Service and Resources Limited, Dr Afolabi Olowookere, has said that the Federal Government needs to revive and concentrate on production, review its trade- industrial policy and borrow innovatively for Nigeria to tame rising inflation, Olowookere stated this while speaking

Wigwe

and Engineers (NAAPE), regretted that the high price of aviation fuel caused a few disruptions in the past year, but expressed hope that the year 2023 would be better than the previous year.

Galadima explained that with the provision of a more enabling environment, more airlines are expected to come on stream in 2023, while capacity would be enhanced by the carriers.

He stated that with additional airlines, competition would increase among the airlines, which would ultimately drive down airfares, stressing that air passengers are paying extremely high airfares at the moment.

He also expressed hope that the government would have the political will to eventually establish a viable MRO for the country, which would make aircraft maintenance cheaper for airline operators, assuring that the imbroglio surrounding the national carrier would be resolved within the year.

He said “For instance, Ibom Air was charging so high on the Lagos-Uyo route, but when Air Peace came onboard, you can see how the price crashed. It’s what we have been saying over the years. It’s basic economics. Once the supply end is adequate and matching the demand, I think there would be some equilibrium in pricing and more people would fly. That is what we want, when more people are able to fly, it is good for the industry".

“I expect that the MRO will be solid and running. I expect the crisis around the national carrier to be resolved – let the airline fly. I also expect

AVIATION/BANKING

Access Corporation Launches Roadmap to Continental Dominance

a very visible and concrete Abuja Airport second runway and again, I expect to see these new establishment Acts given teeth".

“By that I mean there should be stakeholders’ engagement with the new developments around that. This means I want to see it implemented, particularly in the multi-modal case and the establishment Acts. Those are my expectations.”

In his views, Dr. Alex Nwuba, President, Association of Aircraft Owners of Nigeria (AAON), expressed that 2023 would be a turning point for aviation in Nigeria.

He emphasised that more exciting things would happen within the year, especially in the area of MRO for operators in the country and specifically mentioned the Akwa Ibom MRO and 7Star Hangar as some of the maintenance facilities that would give succour to operators within the year.

Besides, he expressed that the domestic airline operators would continue to wax stronger with new airlines coming onboard, despite the challenges, which slowed them down for most parts of 2022.

Nwuba like Galadima expressed the hope that Nigeria Air would take to the sky within the year, but expected a structure different from the one being canvassed by the Federal Government.

He maintained that the suit filed by AON was not meant to stop the national carrier project, but to redefine the scheme and showcase Nigeria's potential.

“The national carrier should take off in the new year, hopefully in a structure that the industry would prefer and not in the current trajectory. Obviously, we would see a number of MRO facilities; 7 Star Hangar has completed heavy checks on MD 93 aircraft and we hope they will continue to expand their capability.

“Hopefully, we would see more positive legislation and it would increase greater independence for NCAA, a new role for FAAN, continuing development in the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). 2023 is a pivotal year; it’s a year where things are bound to take a major stride.

“It’s an election year, it would be slow at the beginning and things that are cooking now would begin to show themselves by the middle of the year and we should have a much more defined industry in the new year.

“The litigation is not meant to stop the national carrier, but to force a redefinition of what is a Nigerian carrier. Everybody has said we don’t want a national carrier that is owned by another government – Ethiopian Airlines Nigeria. Everybody genuinely wants us to have Nigeria Air that is reflective of Nigeria and our potential and I think this court case forces us to return to the table to do the right thing, rather than to stop the project,” he said.

Capt. Samuel Caulcrick, the former Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria said the government could encourage MRO establishment in 2023 through policy formulation by the NCAA.

Caulcrick also asked the Federal Government to get itself involved in the Jet A1 crisis rocking the Nigerian aviation industry or risk the collapse of indigenous airline operators in the new year.

He opined that the government could purchase the product from the major oil marketers and sell to operators in the industry at subsidised rate, arguing that the government would benefit more through taxes in the long run.

Continued from page 32 and deepen its financial services offerings to banked customers. This is targeted at about 370 million Africans who do not have access to financial services, with Nigeria accounting for up to 60 million. “…additionally, banked customers are demanding deepening of financial services including loans, payments, insurance.”

Access Corporation identified addressable market pool through which international trade flows and growth opportunities in potentially untapped retail insurance markets. This is on the heels of Africa’s insurance penetration being generally lower than global average. It said AfCFTA will connect large swathes of the countries into a virtual trading zone.

Specifically, the Corporation says it sees opportunities in over $24 billion revenues for African electronic payments industry growing at 30 per cent yearly. It also sees opportunities for over $3.6 billion in value of regulated consumer lending business in Nigeria, $950 billion total trade volume in subSaharan Africa, $100 billion in formal remittances and crossborder payments flows. Others are over 400 companies with annual revenues of $1 billion or more.

The Group said 150 companies corporates that operate out of its subsidiary countries is a huge strength, adding that its footprint will grow significantly in the next strategic period.

“We will capitalise on our strong M&A capability and ability to build organically to create value with each expansion, prioritising countries with better sovereign rating and complementary business landscape,” the holco stated.

During the strategic plan period, Hydrogen will be focused on. Two main customer groups -financial institutions (including Access bank, Tier-2 Banks, and Fintechs) and Merchants/SMEs will be on focus. Hydrogen will offer products across three main business lines.

“By 2027, we expect the Nigeria Bank to be contributing c.52% of revenues compared to c.82% (9M’22). The new verticals will also be contributing c.12% of total revenues, as revenues from African Subsidiaries is expected to double over the next 5 years.

“PBT contributions from Nigeria Bank is expected to reduce from c.63% (9M’22) to c.33%, while the new verticals are expected to contribute c.19% of the profitability by 2027, while African Subsidiaries will

“

contribute c.20%.

“By the end of 2027, we expect to be in at least 26 countries and in at least 3 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries supporting trade (United Kingdom, France & United States of America).

“The customer acquisition drive to hit 100mn for the Retail Business by 2027 will continue, as we migrate majority of customers to digital platforms by 2027 across all touch-points.

“Our primary focus on trade is to leverage established presence across trade and financial hubs across the world to continue driving trade outputs.”

Access Bank’s presence in London, Dubai, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Beijing, Mumbai and extensive footprint across the continent will be achieved.

According to the Group CEO, the Corporation’s ambitions will be supported by 7 key enablers. These enablers will ensure Access executes seamlessly, becoming a top 5 financial services institution in the continent by the end of the strategic cycle in terms of revenues, asset base and on a balanced scorecard.

The holco said it will create a high-performance organisation with a strong bench of talent who are the best African leaders with capabilities to deliver the corporation’s future aspirations

According to Wigwe, Access has positioned itself to be at the centre of financial flows on the continent –trade, expanding and deepening financial services and serving corporates with excellence –creating a self-sustaining ecosystem.

Sirika

Once the supply end is adequate and matching the demand, I think there would be some equilibrium in pricing and more people would fly

Nigeria to Grapple With Challenges of National Carrier, Forex, MRO, Others in 2023

We will capitalise on our strong M&A capability and ability to build organically to create value with each expansion, prioritising countries with better sovereign rating and complementary business landscape

‘FG Must Borrow Innovatively to Tame Inflation’

during a one-day forum organised by the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

He spoke on the theme: "2022 Performance Review and Factors to Shape Post- Elections Market."

Olowookere, while reviewing economic activities in 2022, said that the Russia-Ukraine war, widening disparity in the foreign exchange market coupled with unsustainable debts and financing led to the soaring inflation.

Although the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), had, on Monday, reported that inflation had eased to 21.34 per cent in December from an all-time high of 21.47 per cent in November, 2022, Olowookere believes that the Federal Government especially the incoming administration should seek ways to revive production, the country’s trade-industrial policy and must borrow innovatively.

“Inflation has been on the rise and in response, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) raised the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) four times in 2022.

"Rising debt stock has been a major concern for the government and citizens alike.

"For example, the FG’s revenue increased from N2.57 trillion in 2011 to N4.64 trillion in 2021," he said.

Olowookere noted that expenditure had risen from N4.30 trillion to N11.08 trillion within the same period while outflow for the half year of 2022 stood at N7.91 trillion.

According to him, the country’s deficit has continued to rise with the Federal Government’s expenditure overwhelming yearly inflow.

"Also, our debt-to-Gross Domestic Product appears sustainable but our debt-to-revenue ratio is not and this is why Nigeria needs to start becoming

a producing nation.

"We need to look at our trade and industrial policy again and again to see how we can grow.

"The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been giving incentives and there has been moves to reduce import duties but this is not for the fiscal and monetary policy thing, Nigeria needs to compete and by competing, then you have to be a producing country," he explained.

Olowookere said that Nigeria needs to be more innovative in borrowing money, tap into sustainable finance and build trust among its citizens.

When asked whether successive rate hikes would reduce inflation, he said sustainable decline in general prices is beyond monetary policy approach.

“For a country to have a sustainable decline in general prices, it is beyond the monetary approach and it is beyond raising interest rates.

"But if you keep raising interest rates, it could affect the stock market and then it will be difficult for people to do their businesses and so I will not recommend that the CBN should continue to raise interest rates as that will be counter-productive," he said.

Speaking on the outlook of the stock market in 2023, Olowookere disclosed that while recent evidence suggests the market performance during pre and post elections comes out negative, it is expected that the market might close in the negative territory at the end of the year.

“The past may not necessarily be the one we might see in future. In the last three years of election, the market had closed in the negative and so looking at it, stock market returns might likely close at -16 per cent at the end of the year and this will be centered on factors like uncertainties around the outcome of the elections, low capital inflows and rising inflation”, Olowookere said.

NCC Set to Tackle Fake Lottery, Gaming Activities

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Wednesday in Abuja, signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, NLRC, with provisions to deter unapproved lottery and gaming practices on telecommunications platforms through information and intelligence sharing.

Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta noted that the MoU, which will impact the gaming industry, is in sync with the Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) and is in a bid to promote fair practices in the industry for the protection of telecommunications consumers in relation to lottery and gaming activities.

He said the collaboration is in line with the provisions of Commission’s SVP, 2021-2025, which provides for facilitation of strategic partnership and collaboration with other bodies to enhance service delivery.

He explained, “The initial MoU expired in 2022, amendments and modifications have been made since no MoU is cast in stone, especially given the industry’s dynamic nature.”

The Director General of NLRC, Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila expressed confidence that the MoU will yield favourable outcomes in curbing illegal online gambling as he shared his hope that NCC and NLRC will achieve their intentions in the interest of gaming stakeholders.

He noted how unapproved lottery and gaming activities and practices undermine the integrity of domestic and global gaming markets to the detriment of stakeholders in addition to undermining consumer confidence in these markets, hence the collaboration with the Commission to arrest such tendencies.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management), Barr. Adeleke Adewolu disclosed that the MoU was designed to address recent technology information-sharing capabilities, and consumer satisfaction and to enhance areas of co-regulation in line with the Federal Government’s digital economy mandate.

The new MoU replaces one that was first signed by both organizations, which expired in 2022. It provides complementary approaches to deter unapproved lottery/gaming practices on telecommunications platforms through information and intelligence sharing in recognition of how unapproved lottery and gaming activities and practices undermine the integrity of domestic and global gaming markets to the detriment of stakeholders in addition to undermining consumer confidence in these markets.

SAHCO Seeks Duty Waiver For Ground Handling Operators

The Managing Director, Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc, Mr Basil Agboarumi, has called on the Federal Government to grant duty waiver on operational equipment for ground handling companies operating in the nation’s airports.

Agboarumi said this in a chat with financial Journalists in Lagos.

He noted that the waiver would go a long way in ameliorating the harsh economic conditions companies in the aviation industry are facing.

Agboarumi said what the company pays to clear its equipment at the port is humongous, adding that the equipment are only used when an aircraft comes in.

He said: “We felt that no matter what the government is doing for the airlines, ground handling should be included to benefit from it too.

“We believe that what should be done is that the same kind of waivers that the airlines are enjoying should also be extended to us to make life easier for us.

“The authorities should encourage us the same way they are doing for airline operators, we are in the same industry and without us, the airlines cannot go into the sky.

“Government gives a waiver to the airlines on spare parts and other things, we want them to give the same thing to us for our equipment. With waivers on clearing spare parts, it will do a lot for us”.

He lamented that the company provides its own infrastructure to stay in business.

“We have generators that supply our electricity and we have a cold room for pharmaceutical products. We have to be on power for 24 hours,” he said.

Agboarumi added that listing on the Nigerian stock market has helped or tailored the company to do business in line with international best practices.

He said: “Our company’s priority is to continue to be disciplined in terms of the way we do our businesses, continue to strive to ensure that we meet the expectations of our shareholders and also ensure a good business relationship with our customers.

“Our expectation is to ensure continuous growth in the bottom line of the business, we will ensure to work in line with best practices in the aviation industry. Get the kind of investment that will ensure we continue to contribute our quota to the nation’s economy.”

Skyway Aviation Handling Company is a publicly quoted company on the Nigerian Exchange Limited.

It is incorporated as an aviation ground handling service provider under the Nigerian Company & Allied Matters Act of 1990.

SAHCO, formerly known as Skypower Aviation Handling Company Limited, before its privatisation and handover to the SIFAX Group on December 23, 2009, was carved out of the defunct Nigeria Airways as part of the Nigerian government’s Ministry of Aviation reform of 1996.

SAHCO's business model is geared towards delivering premium service and this has necessitated massive investment in personnel development, fleet replacement and infrastructure development.

L-R: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, FirstBank Plc, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan; Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji and Group Head, Public Sector, West, FirstBank, Timothy Arowoogun, during the First Bank Management Team’s courtesy visit to the Governor in Ado-Ekiti on January 18, 2023.

Google Confirms Suspending 5.6m Advertiser Accounts in Nigeria, Others

Global Tech giant, Google, has disclosed that it removed over 3.4 billion ads, restricted over 5.7 billion, and suspended over 5.6 million advertiser accounts in Nigeria and other parts of the world in 2021.

In a statement titled “Google Commits to Keeping Ad Platforms Safe for Users, Advertisers, and Publishers in Africa”, the company said access to quality information has never been more important across Africa, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement noted that regulators across the world are demanding a more private internet, and businesses in Africa must acknowledge and respond to this shift in consumer behaviour.

The tech company noted that as people manage more of their lives online, their concerns over how personal data is gathered, used, and shared have grown.

In light of the growing privacy concern, Google said it placed users at the centre of its work across every product by ensuring safety and security.

“We also blocked or restricted ads from serving on 1.7 billion publisher pages and took broader site-level enforcement action on approximately 63,000 publisher sites,” it said.

Managing Director, Africa at Google, Nitin Gajria, was quoted in the statement as saying: “At Google, we are committed to making the ad-supported web a safer and more private place for everyone in Africa. We believe that by giving people control over their data and investing in privacy-safe advertising, we can secure a future for the ad-supported web that benefits everyone.”

The tech company added that Nigeria’s search interest in private browsing increased by 60 per cent in the last five years, just as the figure increased by 30% in South Africa and about 110% in Kenya.

“2022 was the year Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria searched most for private browsing since 2012,” the statement said.

MPC to Favour Slight Rate Hike – Analysts

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is expected to hold its first meeting of 2023 on the 23rd and 24th of January. Many analysts believe that the Committee remains faced with either maintaining its hiking cycle or keeping policy parameters unchanged.

“Therefore, we expect the Committee to assess the domestic and global economic environment in the context of developing key economic and financial indicators since its last policy meeting in November,” said analysts at Cordros Securities in a note seen by THEWILL.

The team further said, “In our view, the MPC is likely to be concerned about the pressure on the domestic economy, given the slow growth recorded in Q3-22, more so that the manufacturing sector posted its first

contraction since Q4-20.

“Moreover, inflationary pressures remain intact, although the slight ease in December will likely be welcomed among the Committee members.”

Elsewhere, the prospect of global central banks embarking on smaller interest rate hikes could also influence the MPC’s decision to tow the same line amid concerns about the domestic economy.

“Thus, we expect the MPC to opt for smaller rate hikes in the short term, given the build-up of pressures in the local economy and as the risks of overtightening come to the forefront of policy discussions.

“Consequently, we expect the Committee to increase the MPR further by 50bps – 100bps and retain other policy parameters,” Cordros stated.

IPMAN Leader Speaks on Fuel Scarcity

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) disclosed Friday that the volume of products supplied to marketers at the loading points has dropped by about 50 per cent. IPMAN deputy president, Zarma Mustapha, disclosed this while speaking on a national television programme.

He said the country is in a complex situation owing to the burden of subsidy that the government is carrying which is no longer sustainable.

He noted that the importation of petroleum products by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Limited affects the government’s revenues.

“Sometime in July and August, the volume of lifting we had and what we have today has dropped by about 40 per cent or 50 per cent,” Mr Mustapha said.

He noted that the lingering presence of queues at fuel stations across the country could be due to the high cost of the subsidy.

“We are just assuming maybe (it’s because of) the volume of the products they are bringing in; the more the volume, the more the cost of the subsidy.

“It doesn’t seem that they are bringing in more. If they’re bringing in more, we would be having the same volume that we usually get at the loading point

As of today, with what is trending at the private depots, the volume available is not enough. The private depots also contribute by not giving the product as it is being regulated by the NNPC,” he said.

He explained further that he had not heard any official statement from NNPC or the industry’s regulatory body, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), about insufficient supply.

“But with the look of things, [with] what is going on at the loading point, the product is not enough as they usually bring it, supply it to the private depots, and we purchase from the private depots,” he said.

According to him, the NNPC is responsible for importing the products and distributing them to private depots because independent marketers do not have depots.

“Yesterday, I bought a product in Lagos at a depot at N247 per litre to be transported down to the far North… even we as independent marketers don’t really understand what is happening.

in 2022

Nigeria recorded 222.2 million active telephone lines as of the end of 2022, data from the website of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have revealed.

Subscription Statistics released by the NCC as of December 2022, showed that connected telephone lines via the GSM platforms since the telecoms revolution started in the country over two decades ago, hit 316 million. Out of these 316 million, 222.2 million were active as of the end of 2022.

Specifically, Nigeria started 2022 with 197.4 million active telephone lines; February 198.1 million; March 199.5 million; April 201.6 million; May 204.5 million; June 206.4 million; July 208.9 million.

In August, it was 209.9 million; September 212.2 million; October 214.6 million; November 218.9 million and in December, it rose to 222.5 million.

Indeed, from January to December 2022, the country’s teledensity rose by 12.8 per cent. It moved from 103.79 per cent in January to 116.6 per cent in December 2022.

Teledensity is the number of telephone connections per 100 people in a specified geographic area. Teledensity is often used to compare the level of access to voice and data communications services between metropolitan and rural areas, or between one country and another.

Further analysis of the December data showed that Internet subscriptions via the narrowband, that is GSM platforms added11.1 million new users. The data rose from 143.2 million in January to 154.3 million by December last year.

On the other hand, Nigeria might be on track to achieve the targeted 70 per cent broadband penetration by 2025 as enshrined in the New National Broadband Plan (NNPB 2020 to 2025) by the end of last year, with the penetration hitting 47.3 per cent, while some 90.3 million Nigerians are using the service in the country. It means that in 2022, some 10.9 million new broadband users actually came on board.

Largely, the NCC statistics showed that MTN remained the largest operator in the country by penetration and subscribers. The Karl Toriola-led telecommunications firm finished the year under review with 89 million customers and 40 per cent market penetration. Globacom was second with 27.13 per cent market share and serviced 60.3 million users in Nigeria in 2022.

Airtel, which recently paid $316.7 million for 100 MHz of spectrum in the 3500MHz band for the deployment of fifth-generation network (5G) and 2x5MHz of 2600MHz to boost its fourthgeneration (4G) coverage in the country, was third largest operator by numbers with 60.1 million users and 27 per cent market share. 9mobile was fourth with 12.8 million customers and 5.78 per cent market share.

L-R: Regional Industry Director for Financial Institutions in Nigeria, Aliou Maiga; Chief Talent Officer, Coronation, Pai Gamde; Chairman, Coronation, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; IFC Regional Vice President for Africa, Sergio Pimenta and Regional Director for Nigeria and Central Africa, Dahlia Kahlifa, during a courtesy visit by a delegation from International Finance Corporation (IFC) to Coronation Headquarters in Lagos on January 18, 2023.

Diaspora Remittances: Nigeria’s Economic Lifeline?

BY MARCEL OKEKE

One of the ironies of the Nigerian economy remains the fact that at a time that it is expected to be reaping a ‘sustained windfall’ from high oil prices in the international market, the country has rather been experiencing diminishing (foreign exchange) inflow from oil sales. The price of crude oil for close to one year (since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022) has remained averagely above US100 dollars per barrel.

More than ever before, however, in the past couple of years, the country has been going through unprecedented forex crunch (external reserves decline) and virtual drying up of all foreign exchange inflow owing, in part, to Nigeria’s continued inability to meet up its Organization of Petroleum Exporting countries (OPEC) allocated oil production/sales quota.

The bizarre phenomenon of oil theft; vandalism on critical oil infrastructure as well as massive willful sabotage of facilities—all have combined to consistently weaken the oil production/supply capacity of the country. While Nigeria’s OPEC quota is almost two million barrels per day, the country for the better part of 2022 produced less than a million barrels per day.

In the face of all these—even when the country is already finding it difficult to borrow from abroad via bond issuance—remittances from the Diaspora appear to be offering some sort of lifeline as regards forex inflow. According to the World Bank Migration and Development Brief (MDB), remittance inflow into Nigeria in 2022 is estimated at US$20.9 billion; an increase of about 7.5 per cent from US$19.5 billion inflow recorded in 2021.

Remittance flows, according to the World Bank document, are expected to globally reach US$794 billion in 2022. However, in Sub-Saharan Africa, remittances are expected to slow to 5.2 per cent in 2022, compared to 16.4 per cent growth recorded in 2021.

Surprisingly, however, Nigeria maintains the lead in Sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, according to the World Bank, “Nigeria retained its position as the highest recipient of remittances in Sub-Saharan Africa during 2022, followed by Ghana, Kenya, and Senegal. Also, Nigeria is included among the top ten recipients of remittances globally.” Still heartening is that Nigeria is expected to maintain strong remittance flows in 2023.

However, according to the World Bank, remittances to SubSaharan Africa in 2023 are projected to soften to 3.9 per cent growth “as adverse conditions in the global environment and regional source countries persist.” But, for Nigeria, the Word Bank says the sustenance of the “Naira for Dollar” scheme is expected to support diaspora remittance inflow, adding that “the launch of the e-Naira, Nigeria’s digital currency, could also help migrants and remittance service providers have easy access to bank accounts.”

These cheery performances of Nigeria and outlook for improved diaspora remittances totally agree with the outcome of a study by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in August 2022. Tagged: “Nigeria Brain Exports: The Optimal Path to Growing the Nigerian Economy”, the study adopts the concept of ‘Global Value Chain (GVC)’—saying “we recommend placing Nigerians in high-end GVCs.” The study says that given “Nigeria’s unique assets and attributes…the best development path should be where Nigeria exports Brain Capital into higher value-added global services markets.”

Further buttressing this possible gain, the PwC report posits that: “Nigeria has a significant Brain Capital advantage with a large youthful population of an average age of 19 years. Considering the ageing population in countries such as Germany, Japan, Italy and the United States, it is estimated that the world-wide working age population will see a ten per cent decline by 2060.

Japan in particular tops this list with 28 percent of its population above 65 per cent and Italy comes second with 23 per cent. In contrast, only 2.7 per cent of Nigerian population is above 65 per cent; which means Nigeria is strategically positioned to supply labor to the global market, a strong comparative advantage.``

Noting that global service delivery by Nigerians has already started, the PwC study said “Nigeria has shown, across several service sectors, including entertainment, sports and music that it has talent that can compete and win opportunities in the global market. Earnings of Nigerians who have tapped into GVCs significantly outclass their counterparts who may be considered equally capable

but who operate only in the Nigerian market.” The study named many Nigerians who are players with reputable football clubs, for instance, across the globe and the huge sums they’re paid in hard currencies—and from which they remit substantial part (home) to Nigeria.

In a section it called ‘Looking Beyond Oil’, the PwC study says “the most pressing reason for diversification (of the Nigeria economy) is that Nigeria’s oil production per capita is insufficient to launch its citizens into prosperity. The 2020 average daily production value of 1.8 million barrels of crude oil means the country averages about 3.3 barrels per Nigerian per year before equity cuts (Nigeria does not own 100 per cent of its oil ventures).

The delayed reform of Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry, as seen in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), has also prevented massive amounts of investment which could have unlocked significant value.” The study noted that “oil does not solve the unemployment problem of the country as the oil and gas sector accounts for less than one per cent of total employment in Nigeria.”

In another study in 2019 by PwC titled ‘Strength from abroad: The economic power of Nigeria’s diaspora’, it was revealed that Nigeria was already harnessing the potential of Brain Capital through foreign remittances. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), remittances represent household income from foreign economies arising mainly from people’s temporary or permanent movement to those economies. Remittances include cash and non-cash items that flow through formal channels such as electronic wire, or through informal channels such as money or goods carried across borders.

Making a case for effective harnessing of Nigeria’s diaspora remittances, the PwC compared the contribution of oil sales (income, net of cost) and total remittances to the economy over some years. While oil revenue was USD 5.97 billion, USD 2.12 billion and USD 7.19 billion in 2019; 2020 and 2021 respectively, remittances on the other hand totaled USD 23.8 billion; USD 17.2 billion and USD 21 billion respectively in those years.

In sum, the PwC says, “When we look at the net oil performance side by side with remittances, we can see more clearly that Nigerian brains working in the diaspora contribute more to the economy than oil. In addition to the trends reshaping the global human capital value chain, Nigerians have shown they can consistently generate significant cash flow from foreign economies. Nigeria can continue to grow its forex cash flow by inserting more citizens into GVCs.”

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

Considering the ageing population in countries such as Germany, Japan, Italy and the United States, it is estimated that the world-wide working age population will see a ten per cent decline by 2060

JANUARY 22 - JANUARY 28, 2023

JANUARY 22 - JANUARY 28, 2023

THEWILL NEWSPAPER • www.thewillnigeria.com

THEWILL NEWSPAPER • www.thewillnigeria.com

ANTHONIETA KALUNTA Rising Star

Anthonieta Kalunta speaks with THEWILL Shade Wesley-Metibogun on her foray into acting, challenges and expectations for 2023

MY LOVE FOR ACTING IGNITED DURING A STAGE PERFORMANCE – ANTHONIETA KALUNTA

Looking back in retrospect, how will you describe 2022?

It was a year of growth for me. And the growth was a holistic one, mentally and career wise, not just as an actress, but as a producer as well as a journalist too. I got a lot of rejections, but I learnt how to handle it. If I had experienced the things I passed through in 2022, say two years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to handle it well. So, I can say I am more mature now.

Were your goals and aspirations met in 2022?

I started the year with two things, I wanted to get acting gigs and I wanted a certain position where I am currently working. I thank God that I got the two things, so I can say yes my goals were achieved last year. It was towards the end of the year that things started taking shape. I still hope that 2023 will produce some other goals for me. I want to see people watch me display a certain level of rage in terms of the roles I play. I hope to get such roles this year. There is a level I want my finances to be, I am not there yet. It’s better than where it used to be though, I hope to step into the next level this year by God’s grace.

When did you venture into journalism?

I have worked as a presenter for both radio and television but for now, I work as a producer for a media house in Abuja. I produce contents, I create them and oversee them to the post production level, that’s what I do whenever I am not filming.

How did your journey into acting start?

My love for acting was ignited when I went to see a stage performance my brother was acting in. He wasn’t studying Theatre Art but took elective courses from the department. The lighting, the stage, costume, the acting, the sound, everything had changed, it was so beautiful and I felt I should choose a career in that field as well. So, I decided to study Performing Art.

How has the journey been so far?

Starting out was just the grace of God, my screen acting at the beginning was school related before I featured in 'The Milkmaid' that represented Nigeria at the Oscar and the accolades that came with it. My journey so far has been enhanced through meeting people. I cannot overemphasize the role of relationships in the industry. The journey has been consistent, filled with growth.

How did you secure your role in 'The Milkmaid' despite the fact that you were still new in the industry?

It was through one of my lecturers. I had finished school but was still in Zaria at that time. One of my lecturers told me that some people wanted a cast for a movie and I looked like what they wanted. I spoke with the director and I was told they were having an audition. It took place in Taraba State. I got there, met a lot of people, and did my bit. I wasn’t expecting the major role. I felt they needed someone as fillers being a first timer. I got a call from the director, he said he really liked my performance and costume for the audition. It was a northern scene so I wore a long red dress and a veil, something close to what they would be looking out for. He asked if I could play the lead role. It was shocking for me because I felt they would have had their lead actress. I accepted the lead role.

How challenging was it as a first timer?

It was challenging and at first I felt I shouldn’t take the role because it clashed with my National Youth Service Corp posting. I really wanted to serve in Abuja but somehow, God arranged it and I served in Abuja. I had to do a lot of thinking, but I felt it was something I wanted to do, so I decided to join

the set. The first day was really beautiful. The cast and crew were very supportive. As much as I was a first timer, they helped me through the journey. They were so deliberate and intentional, and they made me very comfortable. We had tough moments, like production delays. It was supposed to be for three weeks but we were at it for three months because of many factors such as security, weather. I never felt like dropping it and leaving at any point in time.

As a producer, how did that aspect of you evolve? When I got to school in my 100 level, I won the award for the hottest newbies in my department. People came to me to suggest so many things I could audition for. I even auditioned for a beauty pageant including hosting red carpet events in school. I volunteered at Life Radio in Zaria, I used to do voice over, paid and unpaid. I accepted every good opportunity thrown at me. That was how production started for me. Eventually, when I got to serve, I served in a media house. I got introduced to news casting and that was how my career started.

How did your parents react when you told them you wanted to go into acting?

I have always been academically smart since I was young. I wanted to be a Vet Doctor before I went to see the stage performance. When I applied for Arts, I didn’t inform my mother, I didn't want anyone to be able to change my mind. It was later on that they found out. The unspoken agreement between me and my parents was that I would do Law. Eventually, when I wrote Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, I told my mother that I wanted to study Performing Arts, she didn’t want to have it at all because she was wondering what I wanted to do with my life after studying Performing Art. There was a lot of convincing. My brother took time to explain that it was not as bad as they thought. Eventually, my mother agreed but anytime I went to her office, she would ask me if I really wanted to stay in Arts. It was something I love so I stood my ground. My mother is not a very strict person and she would not force you to do certain things.

Sex for roles is a constant issue in the entertainment industry. Have you experienced such?

I don’t want to counter any other person’s experience. I have friends who have told me about such but over the years, things have improved. They have encouraged those who had the experience to come out and speak up and they have helped some of them to get justice. I started on a clean note. It was a public audition, I didn’t lobby for it. After that, it has put me on a certain level really. I have not been exposed to such. There are some people who will approach you and will not come out to say it in a plain language but the society has passed that point where someone will just say ‘sleep with me and I will do this for you’, it's more subtle now. I will advise ladies not to be desperate, even if you really want to, just don’t be too desperate to accept what you would regret later. We should know that certain things are not worth it. If you will not be proud of whatever it is in future when you tell people, then, don’t do it.

Were you not discouraged when your friends shared their experience with you?

I wasn’t and it was for one reason. It wasn’t an acting problem. I experienced sexual harassment even before I got into acting. There is sexual harassment in the media, banking industry and everywhere. It is only more pronounced in acting because movie practitioners are in the limelight. So, it is not about the career, things need to be put in place to ensure those girls are not taken advantage of and people are able to get justice anytime they complain that they were sexually harassed.

If you are to choose between acting and broadcasting, which would it be and why?

To be honest with you, I will say I really love acting. I don’t want anything to come between me and acting. Whatever thing I decide to do must come alongside acting, not that it will stop me from acting.

What is the best thing about being an actress?

Having to live different lives. I just got back from a movie location. You know. the different characters you have to portray. Then, meeting a lot of people as you journey through your career. Meeting different crew, actors on set with different experiences. The level of diversity which is just awesome.

Lagos is the hub of entertainment, but you stay in Abuja. Wouldn’t it limit the numbers and types of roles you get as an actress?

I know Lagos is the hub of entertainment, I know it is a conversation I need to have with myself this year but I still feel like regardless, I have gotten some roles despite not being in Lagos. I actually stayed in Lagos for some months after my youth service and when I returned to Abuja, I got more jobs from Lagos and was wondering why they didn’t call me when I was just right under their nose. Lagos is just an hour away, technology has made things easy. In terms of events, maybe. I remember when I got an invitation for the Africa Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, I couldn’t make it because I had so many things I had to consider. If I was based in Lagos, I wouldn’t have to think so much before attending the award ceremony. There are things I will have to consider.

Who are the people you would like to work with in the industry, from actors to producers and directors?

There are a handful of them, I don’t want to mention names. But I will say that I want to work with producers because I feel the industry has gotten to a stage where producers are deliberate about their actors and crew members. Those that care about the people as much as the production. They care beyond just the project and beyond the work you do for them. They also care about your wellbeing during that time. I would like to work with Kenneth Giang, there really are so many people. For actors I will say Nse Ikpe -Etim, Sharon, those people who are doing well with their craft.

How was growing up?

I was born and brought up in Zaria, I had my education there as well and I graduated with a degree in Theatre Arts from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. I lost my dad when I was ten years old, so I grew up with my siblings. I have a brother and three sisters. We spend most of our time together. Zaria is a small community, my entire life till I became an adult was within that community.

Have you been to your hometown before?

Yes, my sister got married in 2021, so I went there for the wedding.

Many assume you are a northerner. Maybe because of your role in 'The Milk Maid'. Why do you think people assume you are from the north?

I hear that a lot. Maybe because I grew up in Zaria. Some mistake my surname to that of a northerner too. Kalunta is an Igbo name.

Kalunta

Kalunta

At a time when the 'japa' syndrome seem to be the in thing for despondent Nigerian youths, there is one person who is optimistic about the future of his country and has resolved to building a groundbreaking company that will outlive him. He is only 31 years old but Nola Adetola is already treading where giants before him applied caution before treading. The young man who is the Founder and CEO of Veritasi Homes and Property Limited, one of the biggest real estate companies in Nigeria, headlines a team of real estate communities consisting of

developers, property consultants, and endusers, all combining their credible expertise in the industry and beyond to provide cutting edge real estate solutions.

The company currently boasts of over 12,000 real estate consultants, 1300 Veritasi Realtors and dozens of full-time staff. His style of leadership, rooted in an eye for details and profits, made the company record over N2 billion in revenue in less than five years of operation. But what is more interesting is the audacity he once exhibited to borrow over N5 billion on a commercial paper loan from the Financial Market Dealers Quotation Securities Exchange. For those who may not know, a commercial paper is a short-term loan that most big organisations in the corporate sector access to grow their businesses and boost their capital. These big corporations prefer commercial paper because it is cheaper than bank loans. The only drawback is that repayment is usually shorter with commercial paper

than with a bank loan. While commercial paper repayment is usually 270 days, banks can extend loan tenure to two years. Commercial paper is usually recommended for companies that have a healthy cash flow but need cheap temporary loans to fund their business. And in April of 2022, Nola's company signed for a commercial paper worth N5.5 billion and redeemed his debt ahead of its maturity date on December 30. But how did this young man get to where he is today, you may want to ask?

The graduate of Chemical Engineering from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife started out selling shoes he made and selling them to retailers and enduser customers. He was so good at it that a client felt he could also sell real estate, and there arose his interest in real estate. Nola had to sell off the machines he used in shoe production, the generators, the car he used in delivering the shoes to customers and one other car he used for Uber to make money by the side. In 2017, he founded his own company with just one staff member, his secretary. It has not all been rosy, but he never allowed it dissuade him, instead, he trudged on. And recognition for his work won't stop coming. Nola has been listed in the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 Business class, 2019; Avance Media: 100 Most Influential Young Nigerians, 2020 and Business Day: Top 10 Entrepreneurs to look out for in 2020. He has also been nominated for different awards including World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, 2020 and The Future Awards Africa, 2020.

Abba Kyari, the former chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, may be dead but the northern political class made sure to honour him as they all rose in unison to usher one of his daughters, Zainab into the marriage institution last weekend. Led by Buhari, they made Zainab's wedding to Mohammed Hameed Ali, the son of the Comptroller-General of Custom, Col Hameed Ali (retd), a memorable

one. The wedding Fatiha took place at the National Mosque in Abuja and had in attendance dignitaries including some state governors, National Assembly members and heads of security agencies, among others. Kyari, died on 17th April, 2020 of complications from coronavirus at the First Cardiology Consultants, Ikoyi, Lagos State. He was a lawyer and served as Chief of staff to Buhari from August 2015 to April 2020.

Ahead of her 60th birthday on January 28, which promises to be quite grand, Reverend Funke Felix-Adejumo, the fiery preacher and wife of Felix Adejumo, the Founder of Agape Christian Ministries has already began a countdown with the public presentation of three books in honour of God and to bless humanity. They are: 'A Leader Married To A Leader', 'Your Children In-Law' and her biography, 'Funke Felix-Adejumo: A Name On Marble.' The three books are additions to the over 50 books she has written over the course of her journey in life. In addition, she floated a self named club, FFA Executive Club, an annual membership club which will only accommodate a circle of purpose driven people who will undergo coaching and mentorship under her for the purpose of optimally influencing their network. And finally, a day before her actual birthday, she will be dedicating FFA Cottage, a leper's colony in Akure, Ondo State. That she has done quite well and deserves all the accolades as she reaches a new milestone cannot be over emphasized, what with the millions of people around the world whose lives she has transformed via conferences and seminars and making worldwide impact with a special call to restoring dignity to womanhood and equipping women. A philanthropist of note, her charitable works are too innumerable to mention. The birthday celebration will be coming a week after her matriculation at the Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State to add a law degree to her portfolio of degrees.

At the moment, Biodun Olujimi, one of the top female politicians in Ekiti State, is apprehensive about what to expect come February 25. This is because members of the Peoples Democratic Party loyal to former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, have expressed their resolve to vote for the All Progressives Congress candidate for Ekiti South Senatorial District, Yemi Adaramodu, in the forthcoming National Assembly election. The PDP members, under the aegis of Fayose’s Osoko Political Assembly, said the resolve followed the alleged failure of Olujimi to impact on her immediate constituency as a senator. They also accused her of having worked against the party’s interest in last year’s governorship election. The PDP members from the six councils in the senatorial district, including the party’s State Executive Committee members, House of Assembly candidates, ward/local government chairmen, former House of Assembly members and former political office holders, therefore urged PDP members to cast their votes for the APC senatorial candidate.

Olujimi condemned the PDP members' resolve to vote for the opposition party just to spite her.

She said that the directive Fayose gave to his loyalists within the party to support Adaramodu is not only an anti-party activity but requires the urgent attention of the national leadership of the party. She maintained that PDP members openly campaigning for an APC candidate must leave the party because what they are doing offends the party constitution and goes against all tenets of democracy or what party affiliation dictates. But pundits wonder why Olujimi is bothered about who party members decide vote for, especially because she has boasted in several fora of having political

clout and determining what happens in Ekiti politics. They recall how she single handedly threatened, hounded and intimidated a female politician who had signified her interest in Ekiti government house shortly before the party primary last year. THEWILL had exclusively reported how she had threatened to go physical and spiritual with Princess Adekemi Adewunmi, the president of Soroptimist International and widow of a former Chief of Air Staff, late Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Alfa, because of her political ambition.

Adekemi had incurred Olujimi's wrath when she alleged that the senate minority leader arrogated undue powers to herself by insisting on determining who takes what position in Ekiti State, including who would emerge the consensus candidate at the PDP governorship primary.

Olujimi allegedly boasted that Ekiti State belongs to herself and Fayose and that anyone, who fails to fall in line with her, will have themselves to blame as they will see nothing to hold on to not even crumbs. Irked by her boastful nature, Adewunmi countered her by insisting that Ekiti State does not belong to anyone’s pockets and asked that those who have been in office since 2003, (allegedly referring to Olujimi) need to move out of the way to allow others unlock that cage and set Ekiti free from bondage. Adewunmi accused Olujimi, the only woman from Ekiti State who plays politics at the national level, of only mouthing support for women in Ekiti but placing her own children and immediate relations in multinational companies and leaving those who are not related to her by blood to rot. Adewunmi inferred that Olujimi often pretends to empower women but reluctantly with the party’s money allocated to her and never with her personal funds. She accused Olujimi of building palatial mansions all over Abuja and Lagos for herself and giving handouts to members of her constituency. Adewunmi also called Olujimi a politician without principles who not only jumped ship from another party to meet her, a founding member in PDP, but also worked against the party in the state in the 2019 general election. Well now that Olujimi has fallen out with the one person she claims to run Ekiti state with, it is about time she puts her acclaimed political clout to use to avoid being rendered politically irrelevant.

THEWILLNG THEWILLNIGERIA

STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

Adetola

Olujimi

Honorable Tajudeen Adefisoye popularly known as Small Alhaji has every reason to thank his maker for sparing his life after surviving an assassination attempt on him. The youngest member of the National Assembly, representing Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency of Ondo State on the platform of All progressives Congress, is still reeling from the shock of knowing that some persons are so aggrieved with him for reasons he isn't aware of, and are prepared to simply wipe him off the surface of the earth to satisfy their grievances. Adefisoye had travelled to his hometown in Idanre, Ondo State, when a lone assassin fired a gun at him. He barely escaped by whiskers. Adefisoye immediately blamed the opposition party in the state, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP but pleaded with his followers not to carry out reprisal attacks. Unfortunately, his supporters took the attempt on his life personal and rather than heed to his instruction, they decided to take laws

into their hands to unleash mayhem on members of the PDP. Before one could say Jack Robinson, things rapidly got out hands, prompting soldiers to be drafted to the scenic idyllic hilly town of Idanre, to restore peace. The opposition party not only denied being behind the assassination attempt of Adefisoye, it warned Adefisoye and his party not to link them to the unfortunate incident merely based on misinformation and rumours. Not only did they consider linking the assassination attempt to the party an attempt to tarnish their image, they urged security agencies to get to work immediately and unravel who was is behind the incident. Before long, men of the Ondo State police command in conjunction with Idanre youths were quick to fish out and apprehend a suspect simply named Olarenwaju but popularly known as ‘Engineer’ as the mastermind behind

the assassination attempt. Described by Idanre youths as a very notorious and deadly hired assassin, he has since been transferred to the police Special Investigation Branch (SIB) in Akure. So far 'Engineer' is said to have made useful confessional statements that will help the police in their investigation and hopefully, he would be paraded and charged to court as soon as investigations are done and over with.

Oba Tejuosho's Queens Back From Oblivion

Society watchers have often wondered why the trio of of Olori Omolara, Olori Yetunde and Olori Olabisi Tejuoso, wives of the Osile of Oke-Ila, Egba, Ogun State, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, suddenly went off the social grid they once dominated. Once upon a time, they were the cynosure of all eyes at every social function they attended, always looking happy and radiant, garbed in matching outfits, headgears and sometimes jewelries too. They mostly attend events with their husband. Sometimes which is usually few and far between, they attend without him but never alone all by themselves. What is more, the queens live in harmony, never had cause to bicker or raise a jealous eye against one another, an attitude that has astounded even the monarch's critics who would give anything to know how he has managed for over 48 years to maintain peace in his home with three wives despite his claim as a born-again Christian. But, a few years ago, the queens and their husbands decided to give social events a wide berth,

perhaps due to age, or the need to get more spiritual. The queens however took many by surprise when they started off the year with their first social outing. They attended the book launch of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi early last week to mark the 7th anniversary of his coronation as king. They were in company with their husband who was the special guest of honour at the auspicious event. As usual, the queens were garbed in similar attire and matching headgears, giving colour to the ceremony. Perhaps this would be the first of many more social outings to mark their return to the limelight. Meanwhile, the book launch

was a success by miles as many important dignitaries took time out of their busy schedule to honour the Oluwo with their presence.

Besides Abel Lanre Adeleke, the Chief Executive Officer of Peculiar Ultimate Concern Limited who was the chairman of the event and businessman and chairman of SIFAX Group, Taiwo Afolabi, who was the chief launcher, others who attended were; the Etsu of Nupeland, HRH Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Akarigbo of Remoland, Dr Babatunde Ajayi; former Minister of Industries, Onike Akande; Aremo Segun Oniru, Sijibomi Ogundele; Obafemi Martins; Hon. Shina Peller; Dele Momodu and a host of others.

The close friendship hitherto enjoyed by actress cum movie producer, Funke Akindele and Funmi Olotu, the special adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on State Lotteries, may have fizzled out. The duo now seem to be more focused on the business that pays them. This was made all the more pronounced late last year when Funke premiered her highly anticipated movie, 'Battle On Bukka Street'. Funmi not only did not congratulate her on the release of the movie in cinemas nationwide and internationally, she also did not appear at the grand

movie premiere. But a week after when another actress cum producer, Toyin Abraham premiered her own movie, 'Ijakumo', Funmi in company with her boss, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu attended the premiere. This was followed soon after with a private viewing alongside Toyin and a few other friends at the cinema with Funmi hyping the movie to high heavens and encouraging members of the public to watch the movie.

Now here is where it gets interesting. Toyin and Funke have not been on speaking terms for as long as anyone can remember. Toyin and Funmi have also never been acquaintances talk

more of being friends. Funke is the one Funmi considers her friend and never ceased to use any opportunity to praise and appreciate her for being her friend. But all of a sudden, Funmi began to gravitate towards Toyin whom she now considers her 'friend'. Well Funke seems unperturbed and is focused on breaking her own cinema records with her latest offering and what's more, she has unfollowed Funmi on social media. This coldness that has enveloped their once enviable friendship may perhaps not be unconnected to the happenings this political season. Both have pledged allegiance to opposing political parties. While Funmi is loyal to the ruling party, All Progressive Congress, APC and by extension, her boss the governor and the presidential candidate of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Funke on the other hand is loyal to the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. She is not only deputizing for Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran aka Jandor the governorship candidate of the party for Lagos State, she is rooting for an Atiku Abubakar presidency. Besides, Funke uses every opportunity she gets to bash both the APC and the Lagos State government for their ineptitude, something Funmi obviously does not take kindly to. No doubt, theirs is a study on how not to make friends with people who do not share the same value, views and vision with you.

Kehinde Daniel, daughter of Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State has found a new calling and it is in the fashion business. She recently threw the doors to her new business, Oye open feting guests and potential clients. Oye is a ready to wear fashion outfit specializing in boubous, agbadas as well as fashion accessories. Before the advent of Oye, Kehinde who is married to media entrepreneur, Debola

William, had earlier dabbled into the beauty industry as a co-founder of Dazzle Hair, an online natural weave retail store she floated with two of her friends. But after a year, she opted out of the arrangement. The graduate of Accounting and Managements from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom has had a fledgling career with KPMG Nigeria where she started out as an intern and worked her way up the ladder as a Senior Associate.

Lagos. Lady Makanjuola is a great-granddaughter of the legendary Alli-Oloko Balogun who built the mosque ages ago. The grand ceremony, organised by the Alli-Oloko Balogun Descendants Union, was also used to celebrate the legacy of their progenitor, whom they believe lives on after almost a century of his demise. A renowned educationist who was trained in England, Lady Makanjuola has impacted many lives through her school, ROLAM Preparatory School which she established in 1985 and which has graduated many important personalities, two of who are the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III and David Oyelowo, OBE, the Hollywood-based, British/

Nigerian actor and multiple award winner. Aside from impacting lives through her career exploits, the 71-year-old has also imbibed the life of a philanthropist just like her great great-grandfather, by putting smiles on people’s faces. A very loving, relatable, caring and generous woman, she has continued to be true to herself with her down-toearth attitude, as she mixes freely with all and sundry irrespective of status, background or age. She is above all a devout Moslem and his an active member of Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria, NASFAT, a Nigerian Muslim prayer group with focus on youth, women and the elites. So it came as no surprise she was found worthy for the title.

Alhaja Lateefat Yoyinsola Makanjuola, wife of Aderemi Makanjuola, founder of Caverton Helicopters, has been made the Iya Adinni Musulumi of Alli-Oloko Wasinmi Mosque,

Adefisoye

Oluwo of Iwo, The Tejuoshos

Daniel

Akindele

Olotu

Makanjuola

This is not the best of times for former Ambassador to Zambia/Malawi, and onetime Commissioner for Women Affairs in Ogun State, Barrister Folake-Marcus-Bello. The learned

woman has lost one of her investments in Ogun State to inferno.

The serial entrepreneur who is a farmer lost her oil palm plantation running into millions of naira to a mysterious fire which ravaged her farm around Onipepeye, along AbeokutaSagamu expressway, in ObafemiOwode local government.

The fire incident occurred last week and destroyed almost 10 hectares of the farmland known as Folake B Farm. Over 500 palm oil trees among other farm products

were ravaged by the inferno which burnt for hours before the fire was eventually put out. Unfortunately, nothing could be salvaged from the destruction left by the incident. The manager of the farm had received an urgent call when the fire incident started. Though she rushed to the scene, she and the villagers could do nothing because of the ferocity of the inferno. As the prevailing harmattan equally contributed to the fierceness of the fire which continued to spread round the farm. It was gathered that the source of the fire outbreak was not known but farmers who were hunting for bushmeat might have started it. While the handwork of some unscrupulous elements who just wanted to destroy the investment of the former Ambassador were also suspected to have caused the unfortunate incident. Saddened by the ugly development, MarcusBello lamented how the larger part of her 10 hectares of land worth millions of naira were consumed in a twinkle of an eye.

Nollywood actress, Nkiru Sylvanus found love again after many years of being single as a result of a failed marriage. The former Special Adviser on Public Affairs to Rochas Okorocha walked down the aisle with her beau last week in a star studded wedding which took place in Enugu State. Her husband, Riches Sammy is also an actor, though based abroad, Japan to be precise. They have been an item for about five years and the actress has been fronting for his business in Nigeria. Sammy is a YouTuber, actor and entrepreneur. He runs a vibrant YouTube channel and also has his hands in the night life business. The actor has featured in many action related movies about crime and depression in Japanese Television dramas and movies. Some of the movies he has acted in include, 'Dance with the Police', 'Death is an End' and 'Black Lives Matter'. His interest in night life business led to the birth of a Japanese joint, H2 International Bar and Restaurants. The spot offers football viewings, karaoke and clubbing experiences to its clients. He replicated the business in Enugu State where the actress fronts for him as the brand ambassador of the business and

influencer. Known as 7th Planet International Ltd, a restaurant and bar located in a housing estate in Enugu State. The center also doubles as an amusement park and game center. The building house a unisex salon and also offers live entertainment. Sammy is also a sports lover. He played for the England team in the Japan Rugby World Cup TV Promo in

2019. This is not the first time that the actress would be getting married. Sylvanus was once married to Stanley Duru, the ex-husband of her colleague, Oge Okoye. They got married in 2014 but the marriage didn’t stand the test of time before it packed up in 2019. Her marriage created a rift between herself and her fellow actress, Okoye.

2022 was a very challenging year for the All Progress Congress chairperson, in Abeokuta North, Ogun State, Alhaja Faidat Akintunde as she was accused of allegedly abusing the powers vested on her in the state. A few months after taking over the helms of affairs, naysayers accused her of imposing her anointed candidate on the party ahead of the 2023 general election. However, the amiable woman was able to erase the negative impact the previous year had on her and started on a celebration mood in 2023. The influential woman recently clocked 60 years and rolled out the carpet to celebrate the landmark age. A hashtag, #apinke@60 started trending among society women and female politicians ahead of the much talked about event. A lace aso ebi in green colour with a touch of yellow was the choice attire of the day. While men had their white Agbada with green caps on. The aso ebi was sold a few weeks prior to the event and most of her friends ensured they complied with the dress code by patronizing the celebrant. Held in the highbrow area of Abeokuta in Ogun State, the well decorated hall was filled with guests who came to throw their weight behind the politician. Tributes poured in for the woman of means who has impacted many that crossed her path in the political arena in Ogun State.

Dr

Ajoritsedere Josephine Awosika, the chairman of Access Bank has joined the platinum Jubilee club. The sixth child of the first Nigerian Minister for Finance in the first republic, Festus Okotie-Eboh clocked 70 last week. Tributes and accolades have since been pouring in for the woman who has paid her dues in the corporate world.

Awosika is an accomplished administrator with over three decades of experience in public sector governance. She took over the helm of affairs of Access Bank as its chairman in 2020 after the retirement of Mrs. Mosun Belo-Olusoga. She was appointed to the Board of Access Bank Plc in April 2013 and served as the Vice-Chairman of the Board Audit Committee, also the Chairman of the Board Credit Committee. Awosika was at various times, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministries of Internal Affairs, Science & Technology, and Power. She is a fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and the West

African Postgraduate College of Pharmacy. An alumna of the University of Bradford, where she holds a Doctorate degree in Pharmaceutical Technology. She sits on the boards of several organizations including, Capital Express Assurance Ltd, Josephine Consulting Limited, Council of University of Warri, African Initiative for Governance, Med-In Pharmaceuticals Limited, and International Foundation against Infectious Diseases.

Some youths in Kwara State, have made their grievances against the governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq known. The concerned youths under the aegis of Kwara Youth Alliance for Development (KYAD) led by the president, Olaoye Oluwatimileyin accused the government of allegedly siphoning over $20 million NG-CARES fund targeted at empowering more than three thousand small and medium scale business owners in the state. The Federal Government of Nigeria, on behalf of the 36

states and the Federal Capital Territory, received assistance from the World Bank in the amount of USD 750 million for on-lending to the States and FCT in order to implement a two-year emergency response programme known as NG-CARES. However, the Government allegedly diverted the NG-CARES Fund and allegedly gave out twenty thousand Naira instead of N3.2million Naira to each beneficiary. It was gathered that each state was allegedly allocated $20 million with thousands of small businesses (3,000 to 5,000) designed to get #3.5 Million naira each. These small businesses and their names would be supplied by the state coordinator of NG-CARES, and the Federal Government would capture their data including bank details. Oluwatimileyin called for accountability and whereabout of Kwara’s share of the 20 million dollars, NG-CARES fund. He called on the Federal Government of Nigeria as well as anti-graft agencies, namely, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to see how Government squandered the fund.

Akintunde

Marcus-Bello Awosika

Abdulrazaq

Sammy & Sylvanus

OONI OF IFE STEPS INTO FEUD BETWEEN OLU OF WARRI, AYIRI EMAMI

Rotimi Akeredolu to Banish Two Ondo Monarchs Over Leadership Tussle

Ooni

Ogunwusi, Ojaja II has stepped into the rift between the Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, Oba Tsola Emiko and Chief Ayiri Emami, former Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom. Olu of Warri had wielded his royal axe on the neck of Emami and stripped him of his Ologbotsere (Prime Minister) title in 2021. Emami had been against the emergence of Emiko as the next Olu of Warri in-waiting. He headed to a Warri High Court, seeking legal interpretation of the amended

1979

However, Emiko’s

Emiko (wife of Olu

Olori

father) is Yoruba. He sought the court’s order of an interlocutory injunction to restrain the defendants either by themselves, agents and/or whoever from crowning any person as the Olu of Warri Kingdom, pending the hearing and determination of the suit. However, when the Ooni visited the Olu at his palace last week, he tried to

mediate peace between the traditional ruler and his erstwhile chief. He also visited Emami and stressed that God Almighty had raised a king for the Itsekiri nation so all hands should be on deck for the progress of the Warri kingdom. He advised the two to work together and forget about their differences so that the Itsekiri kingdom can progress. The royal father revealed that Olu of Warri was excited when he informed him that he would also check on Emami before leaving Warri, Delta State.

Adeola Solomon, Adekunle Akinlade's Political Rivalry Deepens

The political rivalry between Adekunle Akinlade, the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Olamilekan Adeola Solomon, also known as Yayi, the senatorial candidate in Ogun West under the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC is getting worse every day. The two have been on each other's necks and both have engaged in a war of words over their political ambition. Akinlade had promised to do anything under the ambit of the law to stop Yayi's election to the Senate in the state. He had questioned the fact that Yayi, who is still representing Lagos West senatorial district, would clinch his party's ticket to represent Ogun West in 2023.

Solomon who is an incumbent Senator representing Lagos West had ported to Ogun -West where he secured a ticket of the APC to run for the 2023 election.

Yayi too responded to Akinlade's insult and accused him of having a criminal record in the United Kingdom which is why the politician cannot step in for fear of arrest. When it was beginning to look like the two politicians were are done with their childish exchange, they resumed again, laying accusations and counter-allegations against each other.

Yayi who has kicked off his campaign visited Ipokia Local Government, Akinlade’s hometown and promised to build a bridge linking Ipokia to Badagry in a bid to ensure the border is reopened. He also promised to erect a state of art polytechnic in Ipokia. He had earlier accused Akinlade of betraying the people of Ogun West by accepting to be the running mate to Ladi Adebutu of the PDP after collecting money and automobiles. Having heard the promises made by Yayi and the

accusation laid against him, Akinlade cautioned the senatorial candidate to stop making empty promises.

Akinlade labeled Yayi as a pathological liar. He added that he wouldn't have responded to his lies if they were said elsewhere but because he wants to misguide people in his hometown, Ipokia it is best he responds to his lies. He said the vehicles Adeola was speaking about were bought about eight years ago. He added that he is not a spendthrift which is why he was about to maintain those vehicles for that long. The deputy governorship candidate accused Yayi of being carefree which is why he changes vehicles within six months or a year since the money is not from his sweat. Also commenting on the allegation that he betrayed Ogun West, Akinlade said Yayi is like the proverbial one -eyed goat that makes an animal abuse its owner. He also added that Solomon has not capacity to reopen borders in

Yewa. Akinlade called his promises empty as the lawmaker does not have the power to do such. He accused Yayi of being helpless since he is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance which means the Minister of Finance is under him and the policy that led to closing the borders came from that ministry. Akinlade asked Yayi what has been done to the issue in over three years that he has been in the Senate. The deputy governorship candidate also made reference to the Polytechnic in Ipokia which has been abandoned since 2019, asking what the Lagos Senator did to rescue the situation despite his closeness to the current administration. Also touching on the Ogun West agenda, the former House of Representatives member recalled how Solomon and others joined forces against producing the first Ogun West governor in 2019. He also accused him of being an indigene of Ekiti State.

Two monarchs, the Olukare of Ikare-Akoko, Oba Akadiri Saliu Momoh and the Owa-Ale of Iyometa, Oba Adeleke Adegbite-Adedoyin, in IkareAkoko, headquarters of Akoko Northeast Local Government Area of Ondo state risk being banished from the state by the Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu over incessant communal clashes. Three curfews have been imposed on the town within eight months as a result of communal clashes. Several lives and properties destroyed as a result of the leadership tussle and enmity among loyalists of the two kings. The crisis in the community is an age long one which emanated from the fact that the community has two kings, the Olukare of Ikare and the Owa-Ale of Iyemota. There are conflicting accounts on who holds the highest hierarchy among the two monarchs. Each ruling house tells its history to favor its own side which further plunges the community into a deeper crisis. For instance, one of the late monarchs, Oba Adedoyin from the Owa-Ale side, said his ancestors, Agba -Ode established Ikare town. Olukare's ancestors known as Umar migrated to Ikare from Bida, Niger State which is why there are predominantly Muslims in the community. After establishing himself, Umar tried to take over the town despite the fact

that Agba- Ode was ruling at that time. He was able to penetrate government officials because he was the mouthpiece between the community and the colonial masters. He started misrepresenting Agba -Ode anytime he was sent on an errand. At one point, he started wearing a crown while parading himself as the ruler of the community. He was warned against being rebellious but got the backing of the government because he was closer to them. He used his position and academic status to garner support and recognition from the government and was made a first-class king instead of the Owa-Ale who was already a traditional ruler before the Olukare and his ancestors even immigrated to the Ikare community in Ondo. On the other hand, the Olukare's disagreed with the narrative. Some of their chiefs insisted Owa-Ale was a title given by the Olukare who wanted to honour one of his loyalists. They also insisted that their ancestors are the true Olukare's who were in power, but the greed of the Owa-Ale's made them take over the stool and they have been parading themselves as the highest

traditional title holders since then. Despite the conflicting accounts from the two ruling families, the government recognizes both kings, but regard Olukare as first-class Oba while Owa Ale is regarded in the class C category. Akeredolu had to set up a committee to look into the history of the community which has been a bone of contention between the two Obas while warning them that any upheaval between their loyalists would result in losing their esteem titles and becoming an outcast in the state.

Abdulhakeem Mobolaji Abdullateef Becomes NDIC Board Chairman

Former Commissioner for Home Affairs, in Lagos State, Honourable Abdulhakeem Mobolaji Abdullateef, has been appointed as board Chairman of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Commission, NDIC. Abdullateef's appointment is coming after Ronke Sokefun, who was a former Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning in Ogun State under the Ibikunle Amosu led administration ended her tenure as the board Chairman of NDIC.

Abdullateef was appointed to inject fresh ideas necessary to reposition the corporation for enhanced performance. His appointment would fill the vacuum left in the commission in order to

ensure smooth operations of the corporation and ultimately boost the confidence of stakeholders and clients within the financial and banking sectors of the economy.

Before his appointment, Abdullateef who is a lawyer was formerly a member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II before he was appointed Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Political and Legislative Power. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and holds LLB and LLM degrees from the University of Lagos and a Masters in Business Administration, MBA from the Business School, Netherlands. He completed his Ph.D at the Nigeria Institute of Advance Legal Studies.

Eddy Olafeso Loses Investment to Herdsmen

The National Vice Chairman, South of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, and former Information and Orientation Commissioner of Ondo state, Dr Eddy Olafeso is in pain. The PDP chieftain has lost his multimillion-naira investment to some dare- devils who invaded his farm last week. Located at Igbaraoke in Ifedore council area of Ondo State. The investment which is estimated to be over 10million is on 30 hectares of land. Olafeso had planted Cassava on it before it was totally destroyed by herdsmen.

The elder statesman had used almost a million naira to clear his farmland in December before going

on Christmas break. However, the whole farmland had been destroyed by the time his workers got there last week. Planted cassava had been uprooted and fed to cows that invaded the farmland when workers were not around the farmland. Traces of footsteps and footprints of the cows and herdsmen were discovered after the mass destruction on the farmland. Before the farmland was totally destroyed, Olafeso was already anticipating his harvest and planning to reinvest the proceeds in another profit-making venture, however, his hope was dashed after the incident. It was gathered that the colossal damage done on the farm by the herdsmen and their cows has

greatly affected the health of the elder statesman.

of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan

Olu of Warri Chieftaincy Edict which says that the Olu must have Benin and Warri blood flowing in him.

mother,

Gladys

Atuwatse II, Emiko’s

Adeyeye Emiko Emami Akeredolu

Abdullateef

Solomon Akinlade

Olafeso

SHOTS OF THE WEEK

L-R: GMD/CEO, Access Corporation, Herbert Wigwe; MD/CEO, Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna; GED, Risk Management, Access Bank Plc, Gregory Jobome; E/D, Access Corporation, Bolaji Agbede and Executive Director, African Subsidiaries, Access Bank Plc, Seyi Kumapayi, during the

of the Access Corporation’s 5-year Corporate Strategy (2023-2027) in Lagos, January18, 2023.

THEWILLNIGERIA THEWILLNG THEWILLNIGERIA

L-R: Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya; National President, Old Boys Association, Government Secondary School, Owerri, Dr. Etofela Osuji; Chairman, Orlu Zone Traditional Rulers Council HRH. Eze Obiefule; Director, Technical Education Board, Owerri, Adaugo Nwanebo and Director, MTN Foundation, Dennis Okoro at the official commissioning of remodeled science laboratories at Government Secondary School, Owerri, championed by MTN Foundation on January 12, 2023.

L-R: Executive Officer, Interswitch eClat, Dr. Wallace Ogufere; Executive Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Interswitch Group; Cherry Eromosele; Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and Founder/ Group Managing Director, Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe, at the Interswitch 20th Anniversary Ball, held in Lagos on January 15, 2023.

L-R: Brand Manager, Devon King’s, Mandela Ajuebor; Head of Sales, PZ Wilmar, Segun Adesina; Finance Director, PZ Wilmar, Anurag Kumar; Head of Manufacturing, PZ Wilmar, Femi Ojumu and Head of Marketing, PZ Wilmar, Chioma Mbanugo, during the unveiling of the Devon King’s Low-Fat Spread in Lagos on January 12,2023.

L-R: Directors, Ilupeju Diamond Lions Club, Nofisat Arogundade; Olatundun Omosaiye; Olutoyin Igbenoba; Lions Clubs International District Governor, 404B2 Nigeria, Aare Lekan Owolabi; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele; President, Ilupeju Diamond Lions Club, Morenikeji Rufai and Iyabo Agoro, during the fundraising/public presentation of Morenikeji Rufai as the president of the club held in Lagos on January 15, 2023.

presentation

L-R: Registrar/CEO, ISMN, Mr. Obitunde Obiyemi; Immediate Past Chairman, ISMN, Lagos Chapter, Mr. Bidemi Onajobi; Chairman, ISMN, Lagos Chapter, Mrs. Ajibike Onigbanjo and her husband, Hon. Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo (rtd), during the inauguration of ISMN Lagos Chapter's Executives in Lagos on January 14, 2023.

Photo Editor: Peace Udugba [08033050729]

Just Jahman: Modest Humanist, ‘Pencil in God’s Hands’ FEATURES

MICHAEL JIMOH

Across newsrooms in Nigeria, rookie reporters know better to address line editors of even middling media outfits by their titles and not their names. Heaven forgive any junior reporter, for instance, who dare look his editor in the eye and then address him by his name. How and when it began as an unwritten code of deference by subordinates to their superiors in the newsroom is hard to say.

For Jahman Oladejo Eniolorunda Anikulapo, it was the exact opposite. For all his years in journalism, it is just possible nobody ever called him editor even though he was both a line and title editor. It was always Jahman!

From Layiwola Adeniji to Steve Ayorinde, Ozolua Uhakeme to Uduma Kalu and many other outstanding journalists whom he mentored in The Guardian, it was always Jahman. Even when they meet at events far from Rutam House, headquarters of newspaper, Freedom Park on Broad Street, say, or MuSoN Centre at Onikan, they always addressed him by his first name. And he liked it just like that!

Part of the reason was the man himself. Jahman is as modest as they come, from his genial nature and carriage down to his sartorial sense. In the very formal ambience of the elite newspaper he worked for close to three decades, you’re more than likely to find some of his colleagues dressed to the nines as if readying for a banker’s convention at a posh venue. For Jahman, his Ankara top is just good enough, complete with well buffed leather sandals or nifty shoes. The Ankara fabrics were not for nothing. As a renowned culture ambassador, he was practicing what he preached and wrote about in the newspaper where he was Arts & Culture editor and later editor of the Sunday title.

For someone who has done so much for journalism, it was not a profession he opted for initially. He wanted to become an artist or stay in the academia but fate decided otherwise. He was already writing for The Guardian in 1984 after Ben Tomoloju his mentor and editor got him on board. In that same year, Ben T had made up his mind to resign. Jahman opted to resign, too. But Ben T counseled otherwise, telling him that the Arts pages will suffer if he does.

“What we are doing here is an evangelism for culture and if you leave,” he remembers Ben T pointedly telling him, “the arts pages will suffer. So, I decided to stay and work another two to three years before leaving because I had options to go abroad, maybe I would have become a professor. I targeted that I was going to leave in 1993 and I actually went to Germany to study.”

Jahman was still in Germany when the military under Ibrahim Babangida annulled the June 12 1993 election won by MKO Abiola. The Features Editor was on leave at the time. Jahman got a call from Femi Kusa asking him to come over and become Assistant Features Editor. “If the Abiola thing did not happen,” Jahman told Tope Templar Olaiya in a lengthy interview on January 15 in The Guardian in Asaba Delta state, “I would have remained abroad.”

But thank God he returned to Nigeria and to Rutam House where he soon distinguished himself as a committed Arts and Culture journalist and advocate, a promising journalist who strolled into The Guardian newsroom and left it saddled with the weight of his own myth.

Some of that myth was the subject of a birthday tribute by Professor Niyi Osundare when Jahman turned 50 in 2013. It was republished last week with some minor amendments. Writing glowingly of Jahman’s career as a dedicated journalist, Osundare describes him as “a true man of the theatre with an uproariously humorous mien and gravely serious inclination mixed in equal proportions, he has learnt to make us laugh at some of our grievous flaws and get deadly serious about what we have come to regard as mere trifles. Honesty of purpose; the readiness to serve without seeking immediate reward; humility – genuine, elevating humility; that refusal to take oneself too seriously which is one of the hallmarks of virtue – these are some of the attributes that have endeared Jahman to his throng of admirers.”

And there were many of those admirers at Freedom Park on Monday January 16, from Ben T himself to Edaoto Agbeniyi and Yinka Davies. There were scores of big-foot journalists as well, a handful of Nollywood stars, culture activists and well-wishers.

President Muhammadu Buhari sent his birthday wishes

“

saying that “Anikulapo’s tutelage under some of the best dramatic and literary critics in the world, with many living and teaching in Nigeria, shows in his dedication to creativity, especially in the narrative styles.”

PMB went further, describing Jahman “as the journalist, director, actor, and critic uses his creative talent to keep the spotlight on arts and culture as integral aspects of development, President Buhari believes his zeal and knowledge will continue to be relevant in a dynamic world, where values and virtues will shape the future of leadership.”

For Yinka Olatunbosun in her birthday tribute published in THISDAY last week, she writes that Jahman is “arguably the most ubiquitous figure in the arts and culture community in Nigeria,” insisting that “he is perhaps one of the busiest persons known in the arts and culture sector. Working closely with the Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, Jahman is often seen promoting as well as directing art and culture events. He could be anchoring a panel discussion, hosting a festival or serving as a compere at a programme. Full of wit and smiles, he could throw banters at some members of the audience who are often his associates.”

Born a privileged child, his father did not cuddle his first son and his other children. There were four houses and cars at their disposal. He made them work even though they were chauffeured to school. “I worked in WAHUM, Guinness, and other places where you would work overnight and when you get home in the morning, you are almost dead,” Jahman himself told Olatunbosun. “My mum would fight for us but my father said we had to go and learn the value of work. He also taught us to be respectful of the dignity of others.”

It was a lifelong lesson for the chap who maintained the same work ethic all through his years in journalism and

as a culture ambassador. Though not in the newsroom anymore, Jahman still writes, sometimes ghostwrites for clients. He is also actively involved in Art and Culture matters within and outside Nigeria, co-founder of CORA (Committee for Relevant Art) with another tireless soul brother, Toyin Akinosho. For years now, he has been working with Professor Wole Soyinka, making sure things go swimmingly in the Nobel laureate’s office at Freedom Park.

Soyinka himself has shown his appreciation, remarking last Monday at the venue of the colloquium thusly.: “In just a few words, the best expression I have for him is that of a ghost worker,’’ Soyinka said as laughter erupted. “You hear about the expression ghost worker in a negative sense. Some of them have never been anywhere near the establishment. But someone somewhere is collecting salary. I always think of Jahman as a ghost worker. By that I mean you don’t know how he achieves what he does. If you give him a task, you don’t ever see him at work on it. I think he’s an instinctive artistic facilitator. He promotes others without promoting himself. He has assisted me in theatrical production and worked behind the scenes.’’

That selfless service of “promoting others without promoting himself” was also mentioned by another speaker at the venue. Molara Wood is an author and journalist whom Jahman personally put through her paces as far as Arts and culture reporting in Nigeria is concerned. Wood had lived in the UK for years before returning to Nigeria as a culture reporter. Jahman took her on as he did some of his mentees at Rutam House.

According to Wood, Jahman “gave me the column to write on the broad range of arts. He shipped off all the Guardian Literary Series to me in London. He would always give me context. From there, I was able to build readership. He did a lot to encourage me. He truly believed in me.”

More important to Wood is Jahman’s timely intervention in the life of many artists without which “many of them would have gone into oblivion.”

Theatre professionals have also paid the sexagenarian deserving tribute. One of them, Norbert Young, had this to say about his friend and collaborator whom he describes as a workaholic. “Jahman was a stage manager for two plays,” Young recalled, insisting that during productions, “Jahman would be the last to sleep and the first to wake up. The natural flair for arts energises him.’’

Another well-known figure in the Culture sector, Ehi Braimah has also lauded Jahman at 60, saying the man was focused right from the get-go at university. “Jahman always knew what he wanted to be right from his undergraduate days at the University of Ibadan: an advocate for the art and culture community and defender of the public interest. It was his own way of expressing himself and achieving a higher purpose in life.

“The intersection of art and society fascinates Jahman during panel discussions. It is why he uses his prodigious intellect to explore diverse art and culture themes for robust engagements. For example, music and visual arts have enabled a thriving cultural diplomacy across borders for the creative industry with bountiful harvests.”

At sixty with a glowing dark skin and wrinkle-less visage, Jahman is not sure to discontinue what he has done for decades – a lifetime of devotion to Arts and Culture. On what lies ahead for him in the coming years, Jahman restated his commitment. “My two parents died before they were 70, but if I am going to live up to that, I just want to continue doing what I am doing. I see what I do in the same way that a pastor, genuine or fake, sees what they are doing. I just want to be a culture evangelist. I see myself as a planter. I want to plant ideas about what we could achieve. I will like to be a bit more businesslike, though I don’t like the term, but I will like to be a bit more deliberate about the choices I will make in the course of propagating culture. I am rededicating myself to what I have been doing, cultural advocacy, evangelism and curating culture, because I believe that is the strength Africa has.”

In an allusion to a phrase traced to Mother Teresa in a 1999 interview, Jahman has also said he wishes to be “a pencil in God’s hands.” From the numerous testimonials by his admirers and well-wishers, he has been doing just that all

At sixty with a glowing dark skin and wrinkle-less visage, Jahman is not sure to discontinue what he has done for decades – a lifetime of devotion to Arts and Culture

Mama Roz’s Chronicles

Tears of Joy, Atiku Abubakar at PDP Presidential Campaign in Ado Ekiti

Against all odds, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters in Ekiti State trooped in droves to The Pavilion, the venue of their campaign rally today, Tuesday 17th of January, 2023. Demonstrating the resilience and determination for which Ekiti indigenes are renowned, many people walked from their villages to the venue despite threats and transportation bans.

Several speakers, including the Acting Chairman of PDP, Ekiti State, Makanju Ogundile and the Ekiti youth leader, Prince Muhammad Kadade Suleiman, confirmed that Ekiti is primarily a PDP state and urged the youth to get their PVCs to vote out their oppressors. Lamenting that the road linking Akure to Ikere, which should ordinarily take only 35 mins instead of one and a half hours, has been sorely neglected, they reiterated assurances that such torment will become a thing of the past once HE Atiku Abubakar is elected. The Ekiti Woman Leader, Hon Sade Akinrinmola added that women will not be left behind and will form 40% of the new government if the candidate is elected.

The Executive Governor of

Sokoto State, Hon Tambuwal, during the rally, stated that Ekiti people are educationally endowed, know their rights and are exercising their rights by turning out in large numbers even in the face of frustrating attempts to thwart their efforts. He assured them that the Copyrights

Rounding off the event, the Presidential candidate, HE Atiku Abubakar expressed his gratitude to the Ekiti supporters. He said he was moved to tears of joy at the amazing dedication and commitment demonstrated by the Ekiti people. Thanking them for their tremendous support, he confirmed his commitment to create jobs for the youth and provide infrastructure within the state

Atiku

Commission will be strengthened to protect the intellectual work and prowess of the Ekiti people. In addition, ‘the incoming Government is already in possession of a manual outlining the steps which will need to be taken to

repair the extractive industry in Ekiti state,’ he said.

Also speaking at the rally, the Executive Governor of Akwa

Ibom state, HE, Emmanuel Udom, promised that the incoming government will rebuild the road between Akure and Ado Ekiti and will turn the existing runway in Akure into an airport. His Excellency, Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State and Vice-Presidential candidate urged the people to bring back the government that cares for them and that will eradicate the insecurity, disunity, unemployment and general hunger that people are currently facing. ‘Go and campaign without fear and on the day of election, defend your votes,’ he said.

Rounding off the event, the Presidential candidate, HE Atiku Abubakar expressed his gratitude to the Ekiti supporters. He said he was moved to tears of joy at the amazing dedication and commitment demonstrated by the Ekiti people. Thanking them for their tremendous support, he confirmed his commitment to create jobs for the youth and provide infrastructure within the state.

Roz Amechi © 2021. No part of the story/documentary may be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form, in whole or in part, without prior written consent of the author, Roz Amechi.

PDP Concludes Campaign in South West with Promises of Restructuring And Industrialisation

The Peoples Democratic Party concluded the campaign in the South West region today, Thursday, 19th January 2023, with an astounding turnout of party supporters in Ibadan, the third most populous city in the country. The venue, Mapo Hall on Bere road has over the better part of the last century, hosted major political and social events. Indeed, it was on the very spot where Nnamdi Azikiwe delivered his presidential address and Chief Obafemi Awolowo held his campaign rally several decades ago, that the PDP presidential candidate made yet another contribution to history when he addressed the teeming crowd of Oyo indigenes who turned up for the rally.

After receiving a certificate of endorsement presented by the National Coordinator of Nigerian students on behalf of the students of South West Nigeria, HE Atiku Abubakar thanked all present at the rally for their support and loyalty. He also expressed his gratitude to Governor Seyi Makinde for ensuring that the rally was well organised and orchestrated. In his speech, he

noted that the South West has always agitated for restructuring which is one of the five pillars of the PDP agenda. Granting them fiscal autonomy, he explained, would ensure that states and local governments develop their infrastructure more rapidly.

Furthermore, he promised an end to student strikes as lecturers would be paid promptly. The Presidential Candidate stated that the South West is a renowned business centre and consequently the PDP’s economic programme is committed to ensuring that the industrialisation of the South West is achieved. The incoming government, he said, will also promote unity by ensuring the inclusion of every part of the

country, unlike the current APC government. He reiterated his commitment to take control of the security situation so that law and order will prevail in every geo-political zone. Finally, he assured his supporters that his promises will be kept unlike the present government that made several promises which they failed to honour.

Other speakers like Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Iyorchia Ayu, Chairman of the PDP party also commended Governor Seyi Makinde for creating an enabling environment for the campaign to take place. According to Senator Dino, the participation of all the stakeholders in Oyo, including the voters, was clear proof that indeed HE Atiku Abubakar will become the next president. Senator Adeleke, Governor of Osun state also exhibited similar confidence of certain victory when he assured the crowd that once the formula with which he defeated APC in the gubernatorial election

is applied, they would stand no chance in the presidential election.

The Director General of the campaign, Honorable Tambuwal, expressed his delight at being present in Mapo Hall “at the beginning of a new dawn of the history of Nigeria.” He also commended Governor Makinde for his democratic spirit. “This is the last state in the South West. PDP has a great presence here and is determined to win. Unlike another candidate that went to Kano with absolutely no message offered other than dancing, the Unifier has a strong message for all Nigerians from the vintage position of the historic Mapo Hall,” he said.

Governor Emmanuel Udom, Chairman of the Campaign Council directed his main message to the youths and students. “It is one of the largest turnouts and shows that Ibadan is still the largest city. Amongst all the candidates that want to

be president, there is only one candidate who is talking about restructuring. The implication of that to Oyo state is that it will be given an opportunity to regain its pride of place. The only candidate that understands industrialisation and appreciates the fact that Oyo deserves an inland port, is PDP’s candidate. A viable port in Oyo state will ensure rapid development. People from all over Nigeria will no longer need to go to Lagos as they can clear their goods in Oyo state. This will empower the youth, students and women. Under his industrialisation policy, he has promised to establish an inland port in Oyo state,” he said.

Speaking on the division in the party, the Chairman of the Party, Senator Iyochia Ayu, pledged his commitment to reunite all members of the PDP. “Sometimes in a family, you have people who are unhappy but as the father of the party, I will bring all aggrieved members back home.”

STORIES: ROZ AMECHI

Okowa's Emergence as CAA Regional President: What Implications For African Athletics?

BY JUDE OBAFEMI

The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Tonobok Okowa, has been elected as the President of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Region II. This is a position that carries great responsibility and prestige within the athletics community on the continent. It also means that Okowa becomes one of the Vice Presidents of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), a significant occasion for any athletics administrator within the framework of administration in World Athletics. Okowa’s slate of added responsibilities comes with benefits for Nigeria and extra work for the seasoned athletics administrator.

The newly elected executives of the region emerged victorious at the elective congress held at the Lam Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana on January 14. Okowa, already burdened with the role of the Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, had to contend with strong competition from his rivals, Vierin DeGon of Benin Republic, Togo’s Tchanile Salifuo Falilatou and Oually Sara of Senegal in the first round. After this first round, Okowa was tied on seven votes with the Benin administrator DeGon. Okowa’s challenger emerged as a second-term Athletics Chief at the end of the elective congress of the Beninese Federation of Athletics held on December 27, 2020 in Abomey, for the next four years. He defeated the country's former technical director, Alfred Gnanguènon by 25 votes against 7. Following DeGon’s victory, he was authorized by the majority of the delegates present to pursue his policy of developing Beninese athletics.

At the January 14 event in Accra, however, Okowa emerged victorious in the second round against DeGon, with nine votes to six. Oually Sara from Senegal and Togo’s Tchanile Salifuo Falilatou withdrew from the Presidential contest after the first round of elections. His election was greeted with congratulatory messages from the sports community with the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, leading the plaudits. His statement read, in part: “I’m glad at this victory and I’m also not surprised that Okowa has ascended to the level of international leadership in athletics. He has paid his dues from the grassroots, in Delta State and now he is performing creditably at the national level.” Most of the other messages of congratulations followed a similar trend. What was obvious from the messages was that Okowa had the capacity to deliver on his mandate as President of CAA, Region II.

Indeed, the election of the 63-year-old is a testament to his hard work and dedication to athletics in Nigeria and West Africa. He has had a successful tenure as the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and his leadership has brought about positive changes and improvements in Nigerian athletics. Most important has been the stability he has brought to the Federation that had previously been enmeshed in a leadership crisis prior to Okowa's emergence. The squabble at the helm of the AFN culminated in the disgraceful and scandalous disqualification of the 10 of the country's athletes at the Olympic Games in Tokyo Japan, with the Board of the Federation unable to explain why it neither appointed

...What Implications For African Athletics?

a qualified anti-doping officer nor established an antidoping committee to oversee Nigeria’s compliance with required standards.

Although not completely rid of its own share of negligence, such as when Nigerian athletes had kitting issues recently, but into Okowa’s leadership, Nigeria had seen an uptick in her participation in international competitions. His tenure witnessed the graceful outing of Nigerian athletes at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, and the exceptional performance at the Commonwealth Games and the African Youth Athletics Championship. The women athletes have shown the world Nigerian excellence and the men have not been far behind. Particularly impressive has been the revelation of the massively talented 100-metre hurdler Oluwatobiloba Ayomide Amusan, who became the first ever Nigerian to hold a ratified World Record. Okowa’s role in these successes was major.

He will now become one of the Vice Presidents to Cameroon’s Hamad Malboum, who heads the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA). This is a great opportunity for Okowa to bring his expertise and experience to the wider African athletics community and to work with other leaders in the region to promote and develop athletics in West Africa.

Okowa replaces Engineer Ibrahim Shehu Gusau who held that position prior to Okowa's emergence. Gusau declared his non-candidature for the position during the elective congress before the contestants DeGon, Falilatou, Sara and Okowa signalled their interests in vying for the vacancy. The other elected members include Doudou Joof as Vice President, Alio Oumarou as Financial Director, Ousmane Camara as Auditor, and Sawadogo Missirit as Technical Director. Aminata Keita and Ouoally Sara were elected as council members. Region II, which Okowa will preside over as President, comprises of all countries in West Africa, including Niger, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Okowa was born on June 2, 1960 into the family of the Late Chief Arthur Okorie Okowa and the Late Mrs. Victoria Okowa of Owa-Alero in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State. He had his primary education at the then Christian Missionary Society (CMS) Primary School, Owa-Alero, and obtained his Primary School Leaving Certificate in 1974. He proceeded to Ika Grammar School, Boji-Boji Owa for his Secondary Education and obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1979.

Okowa has a background in sports management and administration, and has held various positions within the sports community. He worked with the Bendel State Arts Council, Benin City as an Arts and Culture Personnel briefly before attending an Advanced National Business and Technical Education Course where he obtained a Financial Management Business Certificate. In 2007, he proceeded to the National Institute for Sports and successfully completed his Basic Certificate Football Coaching Course and General Sports Administration. He is also a holder of a Diploma in Sports Management and Administration from the Delta State College of Physical Education, Mosogar.

Being so dedicated to hard work coupled with his love and passion for sports, he was the founder and Chairman of Appeteez Football Club in 2002. In 2004 he became the first Vice Chairman of the Delta State Football Association, and in 2006, he became the Chairman of Delta Force Football Club. In 2007 he became the Patron of Delta State (Football) Referee Council, a position he holds to date. He is also the owner of the Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Apex-Krane Football Club. Okowa’s experience and dedication to sports management and administration make him wellsuited for the role of President of CAA Region II. He has a proven track record of success and has shown that he has the ability to lead and inspire change in the athletics community. His election as President of CAA Region II is a great opportunity for him to continue his work in promoting and developing athletics in Nigeria and West

Africa on a larger scale.

This election is significant for athletics in Nigeria and West Africa as Okowa’s leadership and experience in sports management and administration will undoubtedly bring about positive changes and improvements in the region. With Okowa at the helm, the future of athletics in West Africa looks bright and promising. The athletics

Dare

community in West Africa can expect to see a renewed focus on promoting and developing the sport, as well as increased support for athletes and coaches. His election is a significant achievement for Nigerian and West African athletics especially for his leadership, experience, and dedication to the sport.

The athletics community in West Africa can look forward to a bright future under his leadership although it will be tasking for Okowa given all the hats he currently wears as athletics boss. Yet, as they say, the reward for good work is more work.

“Okowa’s experience and dedication to sports management and administration make him wellsuited for the role of President of CAA Region II. He has a proven track record of success and has shown that he has the ability to lead and inspire change in the athletics community. His election as President of CAA Region II is a great opportunity for him to continue his work in promoting and developing athletics in Nigeria and West Africa on a larger scale

INEC, Eligible Voters And Frustrations Around PVC Collection

Despite the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make the process of collecting Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as smooth as possible, many eligible voters in Nigeria are still facing difficulties in obtaining their cards. There have been widespread reports of PVCs unavailable for collection even though their owners had been notified. It has become a common sight recently to see hundreds of people gathered at INEC offices to collect their PVCs. These gatherings often include nursing mothers, traders, businessmen and women, commercial motorcyclists, factory workers, and students, standing or perched together under the scorching sun. Many of them are frustrated by the delay and calling for food vendors to provide them with sustenance as they wait. Some of these Nigerians are employees who do not have an unlimited window for PVC hunting and they know that they may have a difficult time picking them up later as we approach the deadline for PVC collection.

INEC had previously announced that PVC collection would begin on December 12, 2022, and end on January 22, 2023. However, it extended the deadline until Sunday, January 29, 2023. Still, many of the persons waiting for their PVCs and trying to beat this deadline have expressed frustration with the process and inconvenience of waiting for long periods of time to collect their PVCs.

The disturbing reality for these frustrated Nigerians is of grave concern considering the significance of the 2023 elections. We are at a crossroads in our existence as a sovereign nation and this election cycle presents us a unique chance to right the foundering ship of state and determine our destinies. For a cross-section of the country to be going through this pain over collection of PVCs rubs off negatively on the electoral process and INEC. This is not how it should be.

Despite INEC’s assurances and implementing the ward-to-ward distribution of cards to make it easier for collection, the frustration still lingers. In the strongholds of some parties at the ward level, reports have it that people who have attempted to pick their cards have been denied access if they are not considered to be supporters of the party in power in that locality. This has led to suggestions that, for ease of card collection, the best approach is to act and appear like a party faithful. As comical as it is, it is but one of the realities that the average Nigerian has had to put up with in this period.

The frustrating nature of the process has evoked a debate around making INEC allow the use of temporary cards rather than disenfranchise the whole block of Nigerians who have been unable to get their PVCs. It is a suggestion that INEC has repeatedly refused to accept for good reason. Though INEC's decision to not allow registered voters who failed to collect their PVCs before the deadline to participate in the forthcoming general elections has been met with criticism, the electoral body argues that the PVC is critical to its planned accreditation process. Unlike in previous elections,

INEC insists, only those with PVCs authenticated with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be allowed to cast their ballot in the impending elections.

INEC's insistence and the frustrating collection process has led to a lawsuit filed by a non-governmental organization, the Incorporated Trustees of International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law, alongside two other plaintiffs, Emmanuel Chukwuka and Bruno Okeahialam, on behalf of

main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). With Nigeria in the throes of rising insecurity, high cost of livings, and increasing economic uncertainty, the PVC collection crisis only adds to the frustration and disappointment of eligible voters who want to exercise their right to vote in this crucial election.

It is therefore imperative that INEC takes all necessary steps to resolve the PVC collection crisis as soon as possible. The ward-to-ward distribution of cards is a step in the right direction but more needs to be done to ensure that every eligible voter has access to their PVCs. The commission must also consider alternative methods of voter accreditation, such as using the National Identity Number (NIN) or other forms of identification to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised.

The PVC collection crisis is a major obstacle that needs to be addressed urgently. Eligible voters have a right to participate in the democratic process and their ability to do so should not be hindered by administrative bottlenecks or challenges. The electoral commission must take all necessary steps to resolve the crisis and ensure that every eligible voter has access to their PVCs in time for the upcoming presidential election.

Voter card problems are not new in Nigeria's electoral process. This is not the first time eligible voters have faced difficulties in obtaining their prerequisites for the balloting and it is clear the current system is not perfect. INEC must take this opportunity to review and improve its processes to ensure that future elections are not marred by similar problems.

registered voters. In the FHC/ABJ/CS/2348/2022 suit, the plaintiffs argued that many registered voters will be denied the right to exercise their franchise due to administrative bottlenecks and challenges currently facing the collection of PVCs across the country. They further argued that INEC had previously disclosed that the BVAS could authenticate electorates using the last six digits of the Voters Identity Number, VIN, and that could be the way out.

However, INEC, in a counter-affidavit it filed before the court, challenged the competence of the suit, insisting that the legal action was premature, frivolous and speculative. In her opinion, Justice Binta Nyako, before whose court both parties argued their positions and presented their case, narrated how members of her own household had been frustrated as well in attempting to get their PVCs, before she adjourned the case till January 30 for judgment.

This year's presidential election is shaping up to be an exceptional event. For the first time since the end of military dictatorship in 1999, a thirdparty candidate, Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party, is presenting a real challenge to the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the

One possible solution to the PVC collection crisis is to introduce an online system for voter registration and PVC collection. This would allow eligible voters to start and complete their voter registration and collect their PVCs from the comfort of their own homes, eliminating the need for them to travel to INEC offices and stand in long queues. Additionally, an online system would make it easier for INEC to keep track of voter registrations and PVCs, reducing the likelihood of administrative errors.

It is also important for INEC to improve its communication with the public. Many eligible voters have reported that they were not informed of the availability of their PVCs for collection or were given incorrect information by INEC staff. By improving its communication with the public, INEC can ensure that eligible voters are well informed and can take the necessary steps to obtain their PVCs in a timely manner.

Lastly, INEC should scrap its current January 29, 2023 deadline and allow registered voters pick up their cards up till at least two days before the commencement of elections. I also suggest that in the future, INEC should give registrants the option of receiving their cards via mail using reputable courier services like UPS, Fedex, DHL etc.

Despite INEC’s assurances and implementing the ward-to-ward distribution of cards to make it easier for collection, the frustration still lingers. In the strongholds of some parties at the ward level, reports have it that people who have attempted to pick their cards have been denied access if they are not considered to be supporters of the party in power in that locality