THEWILL NEWSPAPER August 06, 2023

Devaluation: Dangote, Nestle Nigeria, Others Battle N517bn Forex Loss in HY-2023

Atinuke Stanley-Pepple Pilot With a Mission

• Allegations of Cronyism Trail Nominee Choices

• Corruption Allegations Against Matawale, El-rufai, Bagudu, Others Taint List

• Tinubu Rewards Ex-Northwest Governors For Votes That Guaranteed His Victory

• With 48 Nominees, President Must Unbundle Ministries, Create New Ones

OnahNwachukwu Editor, THEWILL DOWNTOWN

In the entertainment industry, there are certain names that we are familiar with. One such name is Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD. I don’t think any Nigerian, both home and abroad, don’t know this name, seeing as he has graced our screens for about four decades.

I often wonder what it must be like for movie stars and celebrities to live their lives. It’s like a goldfish in an aquarium; everyone is watching you. Boy, that must be a lot of pressure to constantly be in the eye of the public, putting your best foot forward all the time. With many people looking up to them, I was curious to know what keeps our cover personality going; what drives him, and his answer was sincere. Fear of failure and not wanting to let yourself or people looking up to you down. “I think it’s more like a fear of failure, that feeling of not being acceptable, and also, there is always this feeling of not wanting to let yourself down and those who depend on or look up to you. So that’s a major driving force.”

This shouldn’t come as a surprise because he is, after all, human, and most humans are scared of failing at what they do.

Read his heart-warming interview on pages 8 through 10.

Different regions are known for particular spices. Nigeria, for instance, has diverse spices for different areas. We highlight six spices common in various African countries and how they are used in Bon Appetit.

Don’t forget to scan the QR codes on page 16.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

Dr.
Ebenezer
Onyeagwu

Founder
&
Chairman, Zenith
Bank
Plc Host

Mr.
Olusegun
Awolowo,
 Secretary,
National
Action
 Committee
on
AfCFTA

Mr.
Olugbenga
Agboola,
OON CEO,
Flutterwave

Mr.
Satya
Gopal MD,
Century
Mining
Company

Mr.
Bashir
Adeniyi
Adewale Ag.
Comptroller-General
 of
Customs

Mr.
Mohammed
Bello
Koko MD,
Nigerian
Ports
Authority

Dr.
Nnaji
Ozoemena
 Director,
Trade
and
Exchange
 Department,
CBN

Mr.
Wale
Edun Special
Adviser
to
the
President
 on
Monetary
Policy

Dr.
Ezra
Yakusak Executive
Director/CEO,
 NEPC

Mr.
Murthada
Adeyemi
Adeniji MD/CEO,
Starlink
Global
&
 Ideal
Limited

Mr.
Binu
Nanda CEO,
WACOT
Group

Mr.
Jason
Njoku CEO,
iROKOtv

Mr.
Akeem
Lawal Divisional
CEO,
Interswitch
Group

Mr.
Moses
Babatope Founder/Managing
Director,
 Film
One
Entertainment

H.E.
Wamkele
Mene Secretary-General,
AfCFTA
 Secretariat

Mr.
Folashodun
Adebisi
Shonubi Acting
Governor,
 Central
Bank
of
Nigeria

COVER

MINISTERIAL NOMINEES:

The Good, The Bad, And ...

• Allegations of Cronyism Trail Nominee Choices

• Corruption Allegations Against Matawale, El-rufai, Bagudu, Others Taint List

• Tinubu Rewards Ex-Northwest Governors For Votes That Guaranteed His Victory

• With 48 Nominees, President Must Unbundle Ministries, Create New Ones

BY AMOS ESELE

The All Progressives Congress, APC, member from Kano State, Dr Maryam Shettima’s ministerial nomination was withdrawn by the presidency on Friday, a few hours to the Senate screening of the 19 names in the second batch of nominees, two days after the public disclosure of the list.

Attempts to get the official reasons for her sudden replacement by Mariya Mairiga Mahmud failed as presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngalele, who had promised on his appointment to run an open-door policy, decline to answer calls to his phone, but the media aide to the Senate President, Jackson Udom, told THEWILL, that “The Presidency is in a better position to answer your question.”

The youthful Shetty, as she is popularly called, is a somewhat well-known figure within the support groups of the governing party with a verifiable academic background complemented with a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy and a Master’s degree in Sports Physiotherapy.

But on Friday, the 35 year-old, forward-looking politician fell to the kind of high stakes politics that had seen the President almost failing to meet the 60-day constitutional threshold for the appointment of ministers and in the last minute rush came up with some names that have raised serious public eye brows of disapproval.

THEWILL investigation shows that former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, was ratified by the APC National Executive Committee, NEC, as National Chairman of the party, was the ministerial nominee for Kano. But President Bola Tinubu’s desire to fill the chairmanship position with his loyalists changed the calculations.

In addition, the buzz for and against Ganduje’s chairmanship nomination within the party caused such distraction that the “smart party man exploited it to fill the ex-governor’s ministerial slot, which became obvious with

reactions in the social media immediately the list became public knowledge,” a dependable government source told THEWILL.

Given the timing, Ganduje was said to have lobbied for his acolyte and ex-Commissioner for Higher Education, Mahmud, as Shettima’s replacement. And the President succumbed to the pressure.

While the move shows in principle that President Tinubu is positively responding to public concerns about some of his policies, the sudden withdrawal and replacement calls into question the criteria for selecting ministerial nominees and their readiness to serve.

THE 48 MINISTERIAL NOMINEES

President Tinubu has so far submitted 48 nominees to the Senate in two batches, for screening. The first batch, submitted on 27 July was screened by August 2, the same day the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamilla, submitted the second batch of 19, which before screening began on Friday, August 4, became 20 names with the inclusion of a former Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Festus Keyamo, SAN.

THE FIRST BATCH SCREENED

Abubakar Momoh (Edo); Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (Bauchi); Arch. Ahmed Dangiwa (Katsina); Barr. Hannatu Musawa (Katsina); Chief Uche Nnaji (Enugu); Dr. Betta Edu (Cross River); Dr Doris Aniche Uzoka (Imo); David Umahi (Ebonyi); Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa); Nasir Ahmed el-rufai (Kaduna); Ekperipke Ekpo (Akwa Ibom); Nkiru Onyeojiocha (Abia); Olubunmi Tunji Ojo (Ondo); Stella Okotette (Delta); Uju Kennedy Ohaneye (Anambra); Mr. Bello Muhammad Goronyo (Sokoto) Mr. Dele Alake (Ekiti); Mr Lateef Fagbemi (Kwara); Mr Muhammad Idris (Niger); Mr Olawale Edun

(Ogun); Mr Waheed Adebayo Adelabu, (Oyo) Mrs Iman Suleiman Ibrahim (Nasarawa); Professor Ali Pate (Bauchi); Professor Joseph Utsev (Benue); Senator Abubakar Kyari (Borno); Senator John Enoh (Cross River) Senator Sani Abubakar Danladi (Taraba)

THE SECOND BATCH UNDERGOING SCREENING

Ahmed Tijani Gwarzo (Kano); Bosun Tijani (Ogun); Mariya Maigari Mahmud (Kano); Isiak Salako (Ogun); Tunji Alausa (Lagos); Yusuf Tanko Sununu (Kebbi); Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); Bello Matawalle (Zamfara); Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe); Simon Lalong (Plateau); Lola AdeJohn (Lagos); Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu (Kogi); Prof Tahir Mamman (Adamawa); Aliyu sabi Abdullahi (Niger); Alkali Ahmed Said (Gombe) Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa); Uba Maigari Ahmadu (Taraba); Zephaniah Jizallo (FCT) and Festus Keyamo (Delta).

With a total of 48 nominees, all 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, are represented in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

Although criticism has trailed the nominations as compensation for loyalists and supporters of Tinubu, considering the presence of 10 former state governors, serving and former senators and political office holders and many others believed to have pending cases of corruption, the picks also comprises many good choices.

The problem is that the poor choices may turn out to be weak links in the administration due to distraction and the image problems they would likely cause the government, thereby tainting whatever efforts and progress it has made in terms of policy direction.

In this category are those that are under corruption investigations or have pending corruption cases in court. At least two nominees have issues with their educational

...The Good, The Bad, And ...

certificates, which raises the question of their integrity besides qualification for the job assignment that may come with their portfolio.

THE GOOD:

Mohammed Idris (Niger)

Mohammed Idris is a publisher, public relations professional, and politician. He is the founder/chairman and publisher of Abuja based Blueprint newspaper. He is also the chairman of Abuja based Kings Broadcasting Limited, owners of WE 106.5 FM Abuja, Nigeria. He is a member of the All Progressives Congress. APC.

Amb Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (Bauchi)

Amb Tuggar is a former member of the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011, who represented Gamawa Federal Constituency in Bauchi State and is a member of the APC.. After two unsuccessful attempts at the governorship of the state, he was appointed Ambassador to Germany by President Mohammadu Buhari in 2017. All through his ambassadorial post in Germany, Nigerians in the Diaspora, Germany branch always had good things to say about him.

Arch Ahmed Dangiwa (Katsina)

Ahmad Musa Dangiwa was until his ministerial nomination the Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria. He is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University where he obtained his a Bachelor degree and Master’s degree in architecture, as well as an NBA. He contested for the APC ticket in the 2023 Governorship election in Katsina State during the party’s primary election in May 2022. He has 30 years working experience in real estate, infrastructure development, banking and management in the private and public sector.

Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa (Katsina)

The 43-year-old Hannatu Musa Musawa is the daughter of veteran Katsina politician, Musa Musa, who was also a lawyer and author.

Taking after her father, she is actively involved in politics and was the deputy spokesperson and Deputy Director Public Affairs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during electioneering in 2023.

She was also the secretary of the screening committee of the APC for presidential aspirants.

Chief Uche Nnaji (Enugu)

Chief Uche Nnaji was an active member of the Alliance for Democracy, AD, alongside President Bola Tinubu at the birth of multi-party democracy in 1998. He reportedly won the senatorial ticket of the party in 1999, but had to step down for Chief Jim Nwobodo, who was eventually elected senator for the senatorial district. He later joined the Peoples Democratic Party before defecting to the governing All Progressive Congress on whose platform he contested the governorship election in Enugu State.

Dr Betta Edu (Cross Rivers)

Dr Betta Edu, a graduate of medicine and surgery from the University of Calabar and a Harvard certified Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health, United Kingdom, is a former Commissioner for Health in Cross River State and National Chairman of the Nigerian Health Commissioners Forum. In 2022, she emerged as the youngest female to become the National Women’s Leader of the APC.

Dr. Doris Aniche Uzoka (Imo)

Dr Doris Uzoka is versatile and qualified as a medical doctor. She also holds a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) charter, specialising in Financial Risk Management and Portfolio Management, which enabled her to make a career shift in 2002 to the banking industry and rose to become the General Manager of Zenith Bank Plc. She later became the youngest Commissioner in Governor Hope Uzodinma’s government in Imo State.

Senator David Umahi (Ebonyi)

Until his ministerial nomination, Umahi was a first- time Senator in the 10th Senate after serving out a two-term tenure as Governor of Ebonyi State between 2015 and 2023, first on the platform of the PDP and later the APC, to which he defected in November 19, 2020.

Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa)

Former two-term Governor of Jigawa State, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, where he obtained a B.Sc in Accounting.

Badaru, an alumnus of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, is the Chairman, Presidential Committee on Fertilizer and also the Chairman, Presidential Committee on Non -oil Revenue as well as Talamiz group of industries.

Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo (Akwa Ibom)

Ekpo is a former member of the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011 and a former Council Chairman in Akwa Ibom state. He was the senatorial candidate of the APC for Akwa Ibom West in the 2023 National Assembly election. Ekpo, who is the Director-general of the Akwa ibom Democratic Forum (ADF), is also a prominent chieftain of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in his home state.

Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejocha (Abia)

Onyejocha is a former Commissioner for Resource Management and Manpower Development in Abia State. She also served as federal lawmaker, representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, where she was Deputy Chief Whip.

Hon Olubunmi Tunji Ojo (Ondo)

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is a lawmaker from the Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State. Born on May 2, 1982, he holds a BSc in Electronics and Communication Engineering and Master’s degree in Digital Communication and Networking from London Metropolitan University in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

Stella Oketete (Delta)

Hon Stella Okotete is influential within the All Progressives Congress (APC), where she was the National Women’s Leader of the APC Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC). Okotete was also appointed as the Executive Director, Business Development, Nigeria Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank in 2017. Between 2011 and 2015, she served as the Special Assistant and Adviser to the Executive Governor of Delta State on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Bello Muhammad Goronyo (Sokoto)

Bello Muhammad-Goronyo is a former Commissioner for Information in Sokoto State during the tenure of Governor Aminu Tambuwal before he defected from the ruling PDP to the opposition APC.

Uju Kennedy Ohanenye (Anambra)

Kennedy-Ohanenye (Anambra)

Kennedy-Ohanenye is a businesswoman with stakes in real estate and education who cut a name for herself when she participated in the APC ‘s presidential primary on July 8 2022. She however stepped down for Tinubu alongside some others.

Dele Alake (Ekiti)

Henry Dele Alake is currently the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, but he has been cleared in the first batch of ministerial nominee.

A former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State , he worked as Editor of the now defunct National Concord from 1995 to June 1999.

Lateef Fagbemi, SAN (Kwara)

Lateef Fagbemi is a Senior Advocate of Nigerian (SAN) and a jurist who has made a significant contribution to the development of Law and Justice in Nigeria. He was called to the bar in 1984. He was born on June 22, 1956 in Ijagbo, Kwara State, Nigeria.

Olawale Edun (Ogun)

Olawale Edun is a seasoned financial expert with extensive experience in the banking sector. Edun served as

Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State during the twoterm tenure of Tinubu at the helm of the state between 1999 and 2007.

Adebayo Adelabu (Oyo)

Adebayo Adelabu is a former Deputy Governor, Operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria and a 2019 governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Oyo State. Adebayo was appointed by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in February 2014 as Deputy Governor, Operations, of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim (Nasarawa)

Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim was formerly the DirectorGeneral of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) between December 1, 2020 and May 27, 2021, when former He was later redeployed as the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons.

Prof Ali Pate (Bauchi)

Muhammad Ali Pate, a former Minister of State for Health, is a physician and a professor of the Practice of Public Health Leadership in the Department of Global Health and Population at Harvard University in the USA. He formerly served as the Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population and Director of the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF) at the World Bank Group.

Prof Joseph Utsev (Benue)

Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev is a civil engineer and a former Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Wanune, Tarka LGA of Benue state. He was an associate Professor at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi. Utsev, an indigene of Buruku LGA, was a commissioner in the Samuel Ortom government.

Senator Abubakar Kyari (Borno)

Abubakar Kyari was the Acting National Chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress after former National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu resigned from office in July and was recently replaced by former governor of Kano state, Abdullahi Ganduje on August 2, 2023, following the party’s National Excutive Council approval.

Also, he is a former senator representing Borno North Senatorial District of Borno State at the 9th National Assembly from 2015 until his resignation in April 2022.

Kyari was born in Borno State on 15 January 1963 to the late Brigadier Abba Kyari, a former military Governor of the old North Central State between 1967 and 1975.

He attended the University of Tennessee, Martin in the USA where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in 1986 and in 1989, obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA, from Webster University, St Louis Missouri, USA.

Senator John Enoh (Cross River)

John Enoh was a senator in 2015 representing Central Senatorial District of Cross River State in the 8th National Assembly on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party ,PDP. In May 2017, he defected to the ruling All progressive Congress (APC) and contested for governorship and lost to ex- governor Ben Ayade.

Sani Abubakar Danladi (Taraba)

Sani Abubakar Danladi is a former Acting Governor and Deputy Governor of Taraba State. He also served as the senator representing Taraba North Senatorial Zone on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party before he was impeached and then defected to the APC on whose platform he contested and lost the governorship election in the state in 2019.

He was born on May 20, 1967, in Bachama, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Engineer Abubakar Momoh (Edo)

Engr. Momoh is a two- time member of the House of Representatives from Etsako East Federal Constituency in Edo State.

In 2018 he took a gamble and defected from the APC to PDP and contested and lost the Senatorial seat for Etsako East. He is a Civil engineer by professional training. He promptly retraced his steps to the APC.

Bosun Tijani (Ogun)

He was born on July 20, 1977. He is an entrepreneur, cofounder and CEO of Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), the leading Pan-African innovation and technology centre.

Tijani is widely acknowledged as a pioneer and industry leader in the African technology ecosystem and was named

While the move shows in principle that President Tinubu is positively responding to public concerns about some of his policies, the sudden withdrawal and replacement calls into question the criteria for selecting ministerial nominees and their readiness to serve

...The Good, The Bad, And ...

as one of the 100 Most Influential People on the continent by New Africa Magazine.

He initiated the first visit of Mark Zuckerberg to Nigeria in August 2016 as part of efforts to place Africa on the global technology map. He has also hosted other global technology leaders in Nigeria, including former Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey in 2019. Recently in June, 2023, he hosted a fireside chat with Microsoft founder and co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates.

In 2019, under his leadership, CcHUB acquired Kenya’s iHub and launched the CcHUB Design Lab in Kigali, Rwanda in the same year. He has also expanded CcHUB’s Pan-African footprint into Southern Africa by opening CcHUB Namibia, the main tech hub in Windhoek, Namibia in 2023.

Tunji Alausa, M.D (Lagos)

Alausa is the Executive Chairman and Chief Medical Officer, Dialysis Care Centre in Homer Glen, Illinois, United States

The Epe-born Nephrologist studied Medicine at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). He was Assistant Professor and Attending Physician at Rush University Medical Center – Cook County Hospital.

He was named America’s Best Physician in 2007 and 2012 and served as Chief Medical Resident, Cook County Hospital, Chicago, IL.

Tanko Sununu (Kebbi)

He represents Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency. He was a Member of Board of Management Federal Medical Centre Katsina (2013), Member of Board Management Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto (2018).

The trained Obstetrician and Gynaecologist was born on February 2, 1967.

Ishak Salako (Ogun)

Dr Ishaq Kunle Salako is a medical practitioner and former Commissioner for Health in Ogun State. He’s the Coordinator, Ogun West Stakeholders Forum.

Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe)

Ibrahim Geidam is a senator from Yobe East Senatorial District. He handed over to Governor Mai Mala Buni on 29 May 2019.

Geidam was born on September 15, 1956 in Bukarti village, Yunusari Local Government Area in Yobe State. He attended the Borno Teachers’ College (BTC), Maiduguri from 1974 to 1979 where he obtained a Teachers’ Certificate. He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1981 and 1983, earning a Diploma in Accountancy.

Later he returned to Ahmadu Bello University, earned a BSc in Accountancy Degree in 1990 and became a member of the Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria.

In April 2007, Ibrahim Gaidam was elected Deputy Governor of Yobe State on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and was sworn in on May 29, 2007. He was sworn in as Governor on January 27, 2009, following the death of Governor Mamman Bello Ali in Florida of a liver problem. Geidam was elected as senator representing Yobe East in 9th NASS on 23 March.

Simon Bako Lalong (Plateau)

Simon Bako Lalong CON, born on May 5, 1963, served as Governor of Plateau State between 2015 and 2023.

He was appointed Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Committee which delivered the election of Ahmed Bola Tinubu as president.

After his elementary and secondary school education in Shendam Local Government Area, he proceeded to the School of Preliminary Studies (S.P.S) Keffi, passing out in 1986.

He then continued to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in Law. This was immediately followed by the Law School in Lagos, where he was also called to the Bar. He later obtained a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Jos, in 1996.

In October 2000, he became Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, occupying that position until 2006, following a political upheaval within the House. The seven years which he served in that position made him the longest serving Speaker of the House in the history of Plateau State. During that period he was two times (2001–2002) elected as the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of the 36 states of Nigeria.

In the 2019 Plateau governorship election, Lalong was reelected as governor of the state, having polled 595,582 votes against his closest rival, General Jeremiah Useni of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 546,813 votes.

In the 2023 general election, Lalong contested for a seat in the Senate to represent Plateau South Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly, but he lost the election to Napoleon Bali who won on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party.

Lola Ade John (Lagos)

Lola Ade John is a seasoned Information and Technology expert and a leader in designing, integrating, deploying, and managing core systems for global banking institutions.

She studied Computer Science at the University of Ibadan in 1984. She has worked with Access Bank, United Bank of Africa, Ecobank and Novateur Business Technology. She was also a System Analyst at The Shell Petroleum Development Company Of Nigeria Ltd for 7 years and 3 months.

Her has experience in the areas of leveraging and managing technology to drive strategic business results, structure efficient and effective implementation and support of technology to benefit small, medium and large-scale central and distributed working environments.

She has led the integration and implementation of systems focused on facilitating corporate change management, increasing technology service delivery, and the strategic advantage of businesses while at the same time reducing business operating risks.

Shuaibu Abubakar (Adamawa)

Abdulrahman Shuaibu Abubakar FCNA, FNIM, FCMA was born on July 5, 1965. He holds the titles of Talban Mubi and Ebubedike Ndigbo of Mubi. He is an accountant, businessman, philanthropist and lawmaker.

He represents Mubi North/Mubi South/Mahia federal constituency of Adamawa state in the House of Representatives, and is a member of the country’s governing party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Abdulrahman was born in Digil, Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa State on 5 July 1965, to the family of Alhaji Shuaibu Liman Difil. He is the second of 15 children. His education began at Demonstration Primary School, Mubi, where he was a pupil from 1972 to 1973. In 1974, he moved on to Digil Primary School, also in Mubi, and obtained a primary school leaving certificate in 1978. His secondary education took place at the Federal Government College, Maiduguri, from 1978 to 1983.

Between 1983 and 1984, he attended the School of Basic Studies in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, then proceeded to study accounting at the Institute of Administration (also in ABU, Zaria), and graduated in 1987. He also obtained a certificate in computer and computer operation.

He has two Master’s degrees from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, the first in Business Administration (Banking and Finance; awarded in 1998) and the second in Economics (awarded in 2002). He also attended several additional courses at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, the Lagos Business School and the Manchester Business School.

Tahir Mamman

Tahir Mamman OON, SAN is a professor of law, Senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), educational administrator and a former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School.

Mamman was born in 1954 at Michika in Adamawa State. He holds a LL.B degree at the Ahmadu Bello University in 1983 and was called to the bar in the Nigerian Law School in 1984. He bagged a Master’s degree from the University of Warwick, England in 1987 and a PhD from the same institution in 1990.

He is the Vice chancellor of Baze University, Abuja and member of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development commission, NDDC.

He is a recognised member of the Body of Benchers. In 2010 he became a board member of the International Association of Law Schools based in Washington DC.

In September 2015, he was conferred as a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN). In recognition of his efforts, the Federal Government of Nigeria bestowed him with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

Professor Tahir Mamman joined party politics in 2014 after completing his tenure as Director general of The Nigeria Law School. He ran for Adamawa state Governorship election on the platform of the APC in December 2014 along with three other aspirant.

In June 2020, the All Progressive Congress national executive committee appointed and inaugurated him as a Member representing the northeast geopolitical zone/ acting national vice chairman north east in the National Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All progressive congress APC.

Aliyu Sabi (Niger)

Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi CON, was born on January 10, 1967, He was a senator from Niger North Senatorial District of Niger State at the Nigerian 8th National Assembly and 9th National Assembly. He was also the Deputy Chief Whip at the Nigerian 9th National Assembly.

Abdullahi participated in the March 28, 2015, National Assembly Election in Niger and was announced as the winner.

In October 2022, a Nigerian national honour of Commander Of The Order Of The Niger (CON) was conferred on him by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Alkali Ahmed (Gombe)

Ahmed Alkali, born on February 12, 1969, was elected as a lawmaker representing the Gombe North Senatorial District in August 2010 by-elections after the death of Senator Kawu Peto Dukku.

He was re-elected in 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as well as in 2015 and 2019 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

Sen. Alkali lost Gombe North Senatorial seat to Former Gov. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo in the 2023 general elections He holds the honorary title of Sarkin Gabas Dukku. He obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics, and became a public servant. Alhaji Alkali was formerly commissioner of information in the administration of Governor Danjuma Goje.

Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa)

Heineken Lokpobiri, born on March 3, 1967, was elected Senator in April 2007 on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform in Bayelsa State to represent Bayelsa West Constituency.

He was also the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Lokpobiri received an LL.B (Hons) in 1994 from Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, BL February 1995. An expert in Environmental Rights and Environmental Law, he holds a Doctorate degree Ph.D. from Leeds Beckett University, UK in 2015.

Uba Maigari (Taraba)

Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu was a former Deputy Governor of Taraba State.

He was impeached under controversial circumstances shortly after the 2003 general election.

Zephaniah Jissalo (FCT)

Hon. Zaphaniah Jisalo was born on April 3, 1970. He is from the Abuja Municipal/Bwari Constituency at the Federal

Although criticism has trailed the nominations as compensation for loyalists and supporters of Tinubu, considering the presence of 10 former state governors, serving and former senators and political office holders and many others believed to have pending cases of corruption, the picks also comprises many good choices

... The Good, The Bad, And ...

House of Representatives, Abuja.

Hon. Jisalo began his education at Garki Primary School, Abuja and graduated with a First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC).

He proceeded to Government Secondary School, Karu, Abuja where he obtained a General Certificate of Examination (GCE) and West African Senior Certificate (WASC).

He had his tertiary education at the University of Jos, Plateau State and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education.

Festus Keyamo (Delta)

Keyamo hails from Effurun, Delta State. He was born on January 21, 1970 to the family of Pa Matthias Keyamo and Mrs Caroline Abeni Keyamo.

Keyamo had his primary education at the Model Primary School. He completed his post-elementary school studies at Government College, Ughelii still in Delta state.

Festus gained admission into Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State for his tertiary education where he obtained a law degree in 1992. He was later called to the Nigerian Bar in December 20, 1993.

He first started his law career at the Gani Fawehinmi’s chambers but later left to establish his own chambers called the Festus Keyamo Chambers.

He was appointed the Nigerian Mister of State for the Niger Delta on August 21, 2019 after the Senate screened his nomination. After a while, he was redeployed to the Ministry of Labor and Employment, just a month after this appointment. He served as a spokesperson of the APC Presidential Campaign Committee that delivered Tinubu as president.

Mariya Mahmud (Kano)

Mariya Mahmoud is a former Commissioner for Higher Education in Kano State and a strong ally of former Kano Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, appointed National Chairman of the APC. She was nominated to replace Maryam Shettima whose earlier nomination was rescinded by President Tinubu shortly before the Senate started the screening of the nominees on Friday, August 4.

THE BAD

Ex-Governor Nyesom Wike (Rivers)

Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, is a former Minister of Education under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

He was also a two-time Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State between 1999 and 2007.

Born on December 13, 1967, Wike obtained his Bachelor of Law degree from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology before proceeding to Law School in 1997. He is member of the PDP.

Wike’s anti-party activity, following his decision to work against his party the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during the 2023 general election, his acceptance of the ministerial nomination which has side-lined the APC in Rivers State and a trending video in which he said he would never join APC, which is “like leaving Malaria, PDP, and embracing cancer, APC,” are actions and statements likely to reduce him in the eye of the public and be association with the government.

Ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna)

Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past two- term Governor of Kaduna State on the platform of APC is a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja between 2003 and 2007, as well as a founding member of the ruling APC.

He served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory from 2003 to 2007 and played a significant role in restructuring the capital city.

Born in February 16, 1960, el-Rufai is a first-class graduate of Quantity Surveying from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

On Friday, August 4, 2023 an NGO, the National Coordinator of an NGO, NMP, took Nigerians to a dark past of the ministerial nominee from Kaduna State. National Coordinator of the body, Mr Bako John Isaac; National Secretary, Mallam Garba Kaoje and Director of Publicity, Alhaji Salisu Abdulkadir, reminded the “Federal Government, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and other anti-graft agencies that the proceeds of the sales of Federal Government properties,

valued at N32 billion, was allegedly missing and it became a subject of litigation against the former Kaduna governor in 2019.

“At the time, legal proceedings were initiated against ElRufai by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission between 2018 and 2019, he had become the Executive governor of Kaduna State, hence, he enjoyed immunity, thereby making it impossible for the anti-graft agency to investigate or prosecute him.

“This was confirmed by Justice Binta Nyako via the Federal High Court ruling on 20th November, 2019, where she held that, ‘no court would stop the EFCC from investigating anyone in line with its constitutional mandate. No court, including this one, will allow itself to be used to shield anybody from being investigated by the 1st respondent.”

During screening last Thursday, Senator Karimi Sunday from Kogi West Senatorial District had wanted to raise a “very strong petition” against El-Rufai that bothered on insecurity, unity and national cohesion, but was he stopped by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who said “Our job here is to screen and of course, we can refer petitions to where petitions will be dealt with.”

THE UGLY

Adegboyega Oyetola (0sun)

Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola CON was born on September 29, 1954. He served as governor of Osun State from 2018 to 2022.

Oyetola was born in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State. He started his secondary education at Ifeoluwa Grammar School, Osogbo and graduated in 1972. Oyetola proceeded to the University of Lagos and graduated with a Bachelor of Science honours degree in Insurance in 1978. He proceeded for his mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Potiskum, Yobe State, where he lectured at the Staff Training Centre between 1978 and 1979.

He obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Lagos in 1990.

He contested in the Osun governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2018 and won. He lost his re-election bid in 2022 to Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Oyetola was the Chief of Staff to Rauf Aregbesola, his predecessor. The former Osun State governor was also allegedly implicated in the purchase of a property in the United Kingdom from Kola Aluko, a Nigeria businessman wanted for money laundering, according to a report, Pandora Papers which was published by the PREMIUM TIMES in Nigeria in 2021.

Oyetola also reportedly bought an offshore shell company in the British Virgin Islands popular as a safe haven for questionable affluent people. Pandora papers are a N11.9 million leaked document that a global consortium of Investigative Journalists, ICIJ, released in October 2021.

Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi)

Abubakar Atiku Bagudu CON, was born on December 21, 1961. He is the immediate past Governor of Kebbi State. He served as the Senator for Kebbi Central.

He obtained a BSc (Economics), Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Msc (Economics) University of Jos

and M.A. (International Affairs). He is married to Zainab Bagudu.

Bagudu succeeded Adamu Aliero when he won the byelection for the Kebbi Central Senatorial seat, following Aliero’s appointment to become the Minister for FCT.

The former Kebbi governor was reportedly involved with all the offshore front companies and bank accounts – from the British Virgin Islands to Ireland, Switzerland, England, Guernsey, and Jersey – used to steal and launder billions of dollars belonging to Nigeria under the General Sani Abacha regime as a director, signatory on accounts or prime companies.

PREMIUM TIMES, part of a global journalist network team, which investigated the Panama Papers, noted that while was serving as governor of Kebbi State, the United States and Jersey authorities repatriated 308 million U.S. dollars stolen and laundered by Mr. Bagudu.

“Similarly, the 163 million US dollars recovered from Jersey in 2003 directly involved Mr Bagudu, who then negotiated a deal with the US and Jersey to return the funds to Nigeria in exchange for Jersey’s withdrawal of an extradition request and his free return to Nigeria,” the online newspaper.

“He spent six months in an American federal prison in Houston while awaiting extradition to Jersey. The deal to return the $163 million was to avoid that extradition.”

Bello Matawalle (Zamfara)

Bello Matawalle was born on February 12, 1969. He is the immediate past Governor of Zamfara State.

He obtained First School Leaving Certificate from Maradun Township Primary School in 1979. He graduated from VTC Bunza in 1984. He attended Yaba College of Technology, Lagos and later went to Thames Valley University, London. After briefly serving in the Abacha-era House of Assembly and Commissioner from 1999 to 2003 in the Ahmad Sani Yerima administration in the Fourth Republic, he first won an election in 2003 as a member of the House of Representatives for Bakura/Maradun and retained the office until 2015 first as a member of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) before switching to the People’s Democratic Party in 2011.

Between 1999 and 2003 he served as Zamfara Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Commissioner for Environment, Rural Development and then Commissioner for Youth and Sports.

Matawalle was elected into the House of Representatives in Bakura/Maradun Federal Constituency in May 2003 on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). Matawalle was re-elected in 2007, still on the platform of the ANPP, only to defect to PDP on which platform he was re-elected for a third term in 2011.

Four years after losing his Bakura/Maradun Constituency seat in 2015, Matawalle became the 2019 PDP governorship candidate and assumed office after a Supreme Court ruling disqualified the original winner. In 2021, he defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress after a defection rally in Gusau alongside most Zamfara State elected officials.

All through the period of electioneering and during the second quarter of the year, Matawalle was embroiled in a public quarrel with the Economic and Financial Commission, EFCC, arising from an indictment by the antigraft agency. As recent as May 20, 2023, the EFCC disclosed that it was investigating the governor for diverting the sum of N70 billion meant for contacts in the state.

THE ADEOSUN TREATMENT

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning during the first tenure of the Muhammadu Buhari Administration, Kemi Adeosun, was forced to resign from office in November 2015. She stepped down from office after owning up to parading a forged youth service scheme certificate, following an expose by the media.

There are yet to be confirmed reports that some of the ministerial nominees are carrying forged academic and professional documents. Damning investigative media reports that may result from the follow-up on the screening exercise could re-enact the Adeosun saga to the embarrassment of the government and result in further loss of public confidence.

Given the timing, Ganduje was said to have lobbied for his acolyte and exCommissioner for Higher Education, Mahmud, as Shettima’s replacement. And the President succumbed to the pressure

PDP Intensifies Preparation For Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi Polls

BY AYO ESAN

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has fixed the off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo States for Saturday, November 11, 2023 .

The tenure of the incumbent Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzondimma, ends on January 14, 2024, while that of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi and Governor Douye Douri of Bayelsa will end on January 26, 2024 and February 13, 2024, respectively.

Uzodimma will complete his first term in office and he has already emerged as the APC candidate in the forthcoming governorship poll in Imo.

Diri is also going on a second term on the PDP platform, while Bello is currently rounding up his second term in office.

According to the INEC time-table,. public campaign for the elections started on June 14 and will end on November 9, 2023.

Ahead of these upcoming Governorship Elections, the National Working Committee, (NWC) of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) has intensified its preparation as it has set up a 363 members campaign council to coordinate its campaign in the three states.

According to a document signed and released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, Campaign Council for Bayelsa State has the highest number of party leaders, with 122 members.

This was followed by Imo States with 121 members and Kogi State with 120 members.

Taraba State Governor, Kefas Agbu is the chairman of the committee in charge of Bayelsa State, and he is to be assisted by Chinedu Nwoko, who will serve as Deputy Chairman.

Other party leaders that have been assigned to serve on

The PDP last Wednesday inaugurated its National Campaign Council for the three states with a charge to the council 'to go and conquer

his team include: Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, his Rivers State counterpart, Siminalayi Fubara, former Governor of the state, Senator Seriake Dickson, PDP’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja and former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, among others.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke is the chairman of the campaign committee for the Kogi State governorship election.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang, will serve as Deputy Chairman. Other members of the committee include: Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, former Senate President, David Mark, former PDP National Chairman, Ahmadu Ali among others.

Zamfara State Governor, Lawal Dauda, has been chosen to lead the campaign for the Imo State election. His Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Umo Eno, will serve as the Deputy Chairman while other members of the committee include: former Senate President and Ag. Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara, former Deputy Speaker of the

House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, Sen. Sam Egwu, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Chief Achike Udenwa and Governor Peter Mba, of Enugu State among others.

The PDP last Wednesday inaugurated its National Campaign Council for the three states with a charge to the council 'to go and conquer'.

The acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagun, charged the Campaign Council and the candidates to ensure victory at the polls.

The inauguration of the campaign councils and the presentation of certificates of return was held at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja.

In his remarks, shortly before the inauguration, Damagun urged members of the campaign team in the three states to deploy their knowledge of the political terrain to woo supporters to vote for the PDP candidates on November 11.

He reminded members of the campaign teams not to do anything unlawful, arguing that the fact that other political parties do such things was not an excuse for PDP members to do the same.

Damagum told the councils, “You have been selected carefully because of what you can do, regardless of where you come from. We have confidence in you, that you will go there and conquer. We expect nothing but victory.

“You are going in at a time when the country as it is, everybody is feeling the burden of the mistakes that have happened in this country. What is expected of you is to go there and remind them that this is not what we bargained for and that there is a time God in his infinite mercies gives us to change the course of history, and this is the time.

Continues on page 13

Diri

Howdo you assess President Bola Tinubu’s 70 days in office?

I think it is so far so good. He has started well and we pray he will continue in the right path. You know he has numerous challenges ahead to combat which include how to steady the country’s struggling economy, address excessive foreign borrowings, tackle security crises and revamp Nigeria’s global image. To be very honest, the government has a huge, multifaceted challenge ahead, and we can only pray it does what is right.

President Tinubu has just picked members of his cabinet and many Nigerians are not happy that some old politicians are being recycled. What is your take on this?

In politics, it is about lobbying, canvassing and doing the needful. I am sure that President Tinubu has a reason for doing what he did, appointing some former governors into his cabinet. It would be out of place if he just rolled out names and left them out believing that they had nothing to offer and for that he had to betray them after all the agreement. He is a man of conscience. He will not do that. I think they should be given the benefit of doubt. Besides, if they cannot perform after the first term, he can drop them and bring in other people.

Some people are also saying that youths are not well represented in the cabinet. What is your take on that as one of the leading people championing youth inclusion in governance?

We don’t have many, but don’t forget that compared to the last eight years, he brought in the youngest elements into the position of minister or government. If you want to compare this government to the Muhammadu Buhari Administration, this is better than what we had in the last eight years. We have few people who are less than 40 years of age in his government. Rome is not built in a day. It is a process, even though we expected him to give more posts to the younger ones.

But we hope and believe that with time, he will still review the government. We know that Tinubu’s government will not be like that of Muhammadu Buhari where the moment you were appointed, you would be forgotten and nobody would monitor you to know whether you are performing or not.

I am sure that Tinubu will review the performances of those he appointed. After sometime, if they don‘t do well, he will drop them and bring in other people who are more competent. I am sure he is going to monitor them and the needful will be done. Personally I know he is a man who believes in the younger generation and who overtime has demonstrated that. He is with the younger ones and will definitely do more.

If not for Tinubu, some of us would not have come to the limelight. This is because he was part of the struggle and we received some mentorship from him during the dark days of the military. During the prodemocracy movement, he was part and parcel of us. So he is one of us and we believe he knows what he is doing.

Nigerians are also concerned about the emergence of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly. They believe that the manner in which its leaders emerged would prevent them from doing their job independently?

For us we have expected that coming and unfortunately we have a situation where people find their ways easily in a system like ours. Somebody will just decide that this is who he wants and eventually he will get through. This happens because the people we send to the National Assembly to represent our interest often compromise because they see it as the place where they can make it.

They see the National Assembly as their means of livelihood and survival rather than serving the country. To that extent, some of them lack conscience and they do what they do, thinking of what the highest bidders can give to them.

We have reservations because we know the characters that are being elected today.But let us also assume that

National Assembly Must Maintain Independence – Shettima

Alhaji Yerima Shettima is the National President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF). In this interview with AYO ESAN, he speaks on the activities of President Bola Tinubu, especially the ministerial nominee list and the removal of subsidy on petroleum products. Excerpts:

also believes in the right results. He is not going to do it alone, he needs the support of the National Assembly to get it right and we pray he gets it right.

What is your advice to the leaders of the National Assembly?

My advice to them is that they should know that the National Assembly is a separate body different from the executive and they should know that they represent the various constituencies of the country. If they don’t get it right, of course, they should also remember that their constituents are waiting for them. Some of them are likely not to go to their constituencies. But we still maintain that they have to do the needful.

They are not supposed to be rubber stamps. They need to be independent and be on the side of the masses because the masses brought them there. They should also make sure that the ethics of democracy are put in place. Respect for the rule of law should also be maintained. That is why they are there. As lawmakers, they should make laws that will be of benefit to the country.

How do you see the removal of the subsidy on petroleum products and how will you advise Nigerians suffering as a result of the policy?

Some of us knew a day like this would come. We believe it was long overdue. But the problem there is that before the removal of fuel subsidy one expected the Federal Government to put the necessary machinery in place to cushion the effects on the people. You cannot leave the people and say let them survive on their own. That is not done anywhere in the world. Everywhere that government is democratically elected, the responsibility of that government is to ensure that it provides for the welfare of the people.

If you don’t do that but think you can just introduce a policy, especially when you know that policy will bring hardship and you call on the people to make sacrifices and you are not making sacrifices yourself, we have reservations about that.

I can’t imagine that a leader will just come out and look at the face of over 200 million Nigerians and abuse their sensibilities by saying that they should just be patient and that things will be fine. It means that they are not making any sacrifices. Leaders should be able to show what the leadership is all about.

the deeds have already been done and if they go out of their way, we will go back to the trenches and tell them that this is a country that all of us have a stake in. It is not about who becomes Speaker of the House of Representatives and it is not about who becomes Senate President, but it is about the country’s sustainability and survival.

So if they go out of their way and they become rubber stamps, definitely we would be left with no option than to come out to the streets. But I don’t believe that they will do that because the current President has integrity. He believes so much in the democratic process. He

Despite the fact that I have been an advocate of this subsidy removal for long, I believe the government should also create some things for people to sustain their livelihood. You can’t just leave people and abandon them. As of today, there is tension all over the place because people are suffering. There is hunger all over the land.

If you think you can build a mansion and live comfortably when your neighbours are hungry, you should know that you are sitting on a dangerous line. They are likely to react any day and any time. When this happens, you will not be able to continue staying in your comfort zone. I hope they bear this in mind and start making amendments and make things work.

They are not supposed to be rubber stamps. They need to be independent and be on the side of the masses because the masses brought them there

POLITICS

Wike as Minister Designate: PDP Not at War With APC

BY GABRIEL MICHAEL

The time has come, perhaps, to put development and politics side by side –and appropriately so – appraise them as critical and vital in the evolution of a nation.

In the last one week, the prospect of former Governor Nyesom Wike being nominated as a minister to serve in President Bola Tinubu’s government has been most dominant among the issues trending in national discourse.

Most of the commentaries and analyses –excluding debates curiously – have been more concerned about Wike’s moral unction, making himself available and accepting to serve in an APC-led government with all the records of his venom and vituperations against the body chemistry of the All Progressives Congress Party which he uniquely and popularly dismissed as a ‘patient of lethal and terminal cancer’ and, on the other hand, as a dogged member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the same party literally holding him responsible as being part of the metastasis of its woes in the February 2023 presidential poll.

The dominant digest of the talks and analyses is that Wike has not only betrayed his much cherished PDP but also veritably cracked its chassis and rocked its template and the entire boat put together,by accepting the offer and nomination by President Tinubu.

Those who favour the foregoing are also of the conclusion that there is no greater and more grandiloquent evidence of anti-party conduct and disposition than his nomination, which they discern as the ‘dividend’ and payback for Wike’s support to Tinubu , which may have caused the PDP to lose River State to the APC in the presidential election.

With Wike’s appearance and eventual screening by the Senate last Monday where and when he was honoured with a chorused approval symbolic in taking a bow, his critics (or adversaries?) have concluded that the die is cast and their fears are more than confirmed that he has jumped ship and gone beyond the threshold into the bosom of the APC.

This group, without tarrying or hesitating to recall that all the former Rivers governor has not as much as made an insinuation of joining the APC as the aftermath of President Tinubu’s ‘gratitude’ and ‘faithfulness’, feel, quite tempestuously and erroneously, that the leadership of the PDP itself is tardy, sluggish and delaying in slamming some sanctions on their ‘spoiler and showman’. The truth is that Wike has neither erred nor abandoned the party.

Nigerians and other global watchers of Nigeria's politics sympathetic to the Nyesom Wike circumstance feel he is being unduly persecuted, misunderstood and maligned. This divide argue that, for one, as a bona fide Nigerian, he has a duty to respond to the call to serve the country.

Secondly, pedigree and trajectory in public service, they argue, are more the reason why the Bola Tinubu Administration has reached out to Wike to help it deliver on its electoral promises and dividends of democracy.

Citing a special recognition and honour bestowed

on the former governor by the immediate past APC administration of Muhammadu Buhari as ‘Best Infrastructure Development Governor’ of that era, which was well received by the entire PDP elite and followership, pro-Wike commentators argue that this recognition and call by the Bola Tinubu Administration is simply leveraging that record, noting that it should thus not be misconstrued by the same PDP or some political analysts unwittingly on a course to hold back the wheel of progress of the national political economy.

It is verifiable, this group contends further, that as Governor of Rivers State, Wike did not only transform the state's socio-economic appeal, he renewed the its infrastructural outlay and positioned it as a

contemporary and competing investment and industrial destination, thereby bringing to the state uncommon development that has freed the entire space there from colonial, outlived relics that characterised its urban outlook.

This, rather than political undertones and overtones, surmises that the Bola Tinubu Administration has simply invited Wike to the national platform to add and boost its value as a distinguished public servant, development exemplar and a servant faithful to his electoral promises.

All the same, not even Nigeria's political history is devoid of inter-party collaboration, cooperation and fraternisation.

A quick excursion to down memory lane will provide sufficient and instructive ebvidence in the circumstances. To fetch from the development and progressive politics of the First Republic, Nigeria will appear like a long road to a home so near.

Nevertheless, inter-party executive fraternity and collaboration has its amiable and enviable history and place in the history of progressive politics in Nigeria. In 1979, late former President Alhaji Aliyu Shehu Shagari, of the defunct National Party of Nigeria, NPN, reached out to the defunct Nigeria Peoples Party, NPP, led by the late political sage, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, and one of its members, Paul Unongo emerged as Shagari’s Minister for Power Steel Development.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, following the restoration and return of democracy as a political culture and paradigm of economic administration in Nigeria in 1999, eschewed the politics of winner-takes-all after he was inaugurated as Executive President on May 29, 1999.

Although the PDP formed the central government and most of the states of the federation and the National Assembly, Obasanjo demonstrated dynamism and magnanimity, in line with the universal understanding and trend of progressive and developmental politics, by reaching out to invite a member of the opposition alliance of All Peoples Party, APP and the Alliance for Democracy, AD, then, to be part of his cabinet. The late Bola Ige emerged. He was validly nominated, screened and eventually sworn in as a Minister of Power and Steel of the Federal Republic in a PDP-controlled Government.

The same spirit of sportsmanship and political camaraderie was continued and sustained by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007 and Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande, of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, remains a living beneficiary and witness to this inter-party executive fraternization.

To a large extent thus, the analyses and commentaries on the nomination and eventual screening of Wike is at best a good feature for democratic evolution, but certainly mistaken and misbegotten to the extent that what is continuing is inter-party collaboration, not personal development or aggrandisement or betrayal of one’s Party. Let Nyesom Wike be, as Nigeria’s democracy and political process continue to relish and relive cherished values. National development, unity and security should go ahead of party, partisanship and political differences.

Secondly, pedigree and trajectory in public service, they argue, are more the reason why the Bola Tinubu Administration has reached out to Wike to help it deliver on its electoral promises and dividends of democracy

Ministerial list: Youth Inclusion Unprecedented, Advocate Hails Tinubu

ACommunications Expert and Youth Advocate, Mr Oloruntobi Alasi, has described President Bola Tinubu’s youth inclusion in governance as unprecedented.

Alasi, in a statement on Friday in Lagos, commended Tinubu’s inclusion of youths and women in the ministerial list submitted to the Senate for screening.

Alasi explained that appointing youths and women as ministers would bring several benefits to the government and society as a whole.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Senate on Wednesday, received the second list of 19 ministerial nominees submitted by Tinubu in addition to the 28 previously submitted.

Youths among the ministerial designates include Bosun Tijani, Betta Edu, Nkiruka Onyejiocha, Hannatu Musawa, Doris Uzoka, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye and Stella Okotete.

The youth advocate listed one of the benefits of appointing

Continued from page 10

youths to include giving the government fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.

Alasi stated that though age should not be the sole criterion for ministerial appointments, a diverse and well-balanced cabinet would often be more effective.

He urged the President not to relent in the appointment of youths, to ensure participatory and inclusive governance.

Alasi said: “The appointments of young professionals and women by Tinubu are unprecedented.

“When young people see fellow youths holding positions of power, they are more likely to engage with the political process and become more interested in civic participation.

“This can lead to increased voter turnout and civic involvement among the youth.

“Younger ministers often have a different worldview and experience, which can lead to the introduction of innovative policies and solutions.

...Preparation For Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi Poll

“We will have Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi. These are PDP states. Somehow, they slipped away but Bayelsa has always had a PDP governor. I want to challenge everyone in this country to look at the states governed by PDP governors viz-a-viz the other parties. We have always excelled.

“I want to use this opportunity to congratulate you and urge you to do what you know how to do best and at the same time, play within the rules. Everybody knows that our party has always respected the rule of law. The fact that they are doing the contrary does not mean we should change our minds. We should not follow them; we should always play by the rules.”

On his part, the Bayelsa governor and candidate of the party, Diri confidently said that all will be well. He assured that the PDP was united and enjoyed 80 per cent in the state.

He said, " The PDP is very sure of victory in Bayelsa State. We don't have any internal crisis in the PDP in the state. We are well organised and as a matter of fact, we have more members of the opposition coming into PDP in Bayelsa State. Bayelsa PDP is very

strong , vibrant and poised to win the election ".

Speaking, the PDP governorship candidate for Imo State and National Secretary of the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu, also expressed optimism to win.

“Imo is traditionally a PDP State. What you have there now is a product of the court. I am back to reclaim the mandate of the PDP,” he said.

The PDP governorship candidate for Kogi State, Dino Melaye, opined that with him as the PDP candidate, the All Progressives Congress would become history in November.

He said: “I just want to announce that as far as this election is concerned in Kogi State, APC is history. APC has gone into oblivion. PDP is the party to beat in Kogi State and I assure the people of Kogi State, that my name is Daniel and Daniel is used to taming lions. I befriend lions, I kiss lions and subdue lions.”

Speaking while delivering an acceptance speech on behalf of the Chairmen of the Governorship Campaign Councils for the three states, Osun State Governor,

Edo

LG

Polls: EDSIEC to Meet Stakeholders Ahead of Sept 2

As part of preparation for the Local Government Elections scheduled to hold on Saturday, September 2, 2023, the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) will meet with relevant stakeholders in the state on August 24, 2023.

In a statement, the Administrative Secretary, EDSIEC, Sunday A. Osayande, said the meeting with the stakeholders will hold at the Commission’s Conference Hall in Benin City.

He noted, “This is to inform the general public that the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission is organizing a stakeholders’ meeting scheduled as follows: Date: 24th August 2023; Venue: Conference Hall of the Commission, Plot 116 Oko-Ogba Road, Benin City.”

According to him, the first session of the meeting which will hold from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm will be attended by Chairmen/Secretaries of Political Parties, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Security Agencies.

Osayande said the Second Session which will hold from 2.00pm to 5.00pm will have other stakeholders including Leaders of Market Women/ Professional Associations, NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs), Youth Associations and Leaders of Religious Organization.

Senator Ademola Adeleke, described the PDP as a widely beloved political party that had worked and was still working to satisfy the aspirations of Nigerians.

“When you vote PDP, you vote light, development and progress. Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states want light and good governance. We will work hard to deliver for our governorship candidates. Light will prevail over darkness in all these forthcoming elections,” he said.

A cross section of PDP leaders who spoke with THEWILL assured that their party will win the three governorship elections, come November 11, 2023.

They based their optimism on their claims that the three states were traditionally PDP states.

They said the temporary setback in Kogi and Bayelsa States will be corrected at the November poll.

Speaking on the PDP's preparation for the forthcoming governorship election, a political commentator based in Abuja, Ismaila Jato said the early preparation by the PDP may give it an edge in the elections.

AYO ESAN

Edo State Commissioner for Roads and Bridges, Hon. Ethan Uzamere (middle), during inspection of an ongoing road project.

Maintaining Public Infrastructure L

ast Wednesday's incident at the Odan General Hospital in Lagos Island brings to the fore, once again, the need for regular and continuous maintenance of public infrastructure not only in Lagos State but also throughout the country.

For Lagos , which is the nation's commercial nerve-centre and economic powerhouse, the acronym, ‘Lagos : Centre of Excellence,’ should not only be mere rhetoric but reflect in the general preservation and maintenance of private and public infrastructure across the state.

The elevator failure leading to the untimely death of a young doctor, Vware Diaso, at a governmentowned medical facility is therefore a sign of failure on the part of the state government which is the owner of the facility, just as it is a total embarrassment. The incident did not only cut short the young doctor's life and dreams but also brought tears and sorrow to her family, friends and wellwishers.

The incident is just one of the several manifestations of the failure Nigeria has unfortunately become. If a doctor could die in such a miserable manner in the hospital where she works, then there is little or no hope for the ordinary patient. Painfully, this development is coming at a time the Lagos State Government has been flaunting its achievements in the health sector. The incident has rubbished whatever

success the government might be laying claims to.

Although it was a lone incident, it has further exposed the corruption and rot in the entire system as more public infrastructures across the state and the country are going bad and unattended to by officials responsible for the maintenance of the facilities, most of which were put in place with public funds.

It is sad that we always wait for disasters to happen before acting on them after the avoidable harm would have been done. The costs of remediation in such situations are always very expensive, if not fatal, as we have seen in the case of the Lagos Island hospital. We wonder what the reactions of overzealous government officials would have been if the sad incident had happened in a private facility.

Several public infrastructures across the country are in a state of total disrepair and they have been abandoned to rot away. The state of the National Stadium, National Theatre and the Tafawa Balewa Square Complex in Lagos, among others, was so worrisome before the move to commercialise them, following the inability of the Federal Government to maintain them regularly. Most of the nation's airports were also in very bad condition until recently when efforts started to give them a face-lift.

The road network in the country is also not the best as the government leaves most of the roads to collapse before

embarking on rehabilitation, which always takes eternity to complete. The situation on the busiest highway in the country – the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway - is a case in point with rehabilitation work still going on for almost 10 years now. The pain and suffering Nigerians living on that stretch of road go through everyday is quite unimaginable, especially commuters on the Ogun State end of the expressway.

Only last weekend, somebody raised the alarm over the imminent collapse of the Alapere pedestrian bridge believed to have been hit by an articulated truck overnight, although the Lagos State Safety Commission is reported to have blocked the bridge and barred the public from using so as to prevent a possible disaster and unnecessary loss of lives. The railings and rooftops of many other pedestrian bridges in Lagos have been removed and vandalised, thus exposing Nigerians who use the bridges to danger while the government looks the other way.

We are glad that the latest incident at the Lagos Island hospital has become a wake-up call on the government to live up to its responsibilities, just as we are happy that the special committee set up to investigate the matter completed its work at the weekend .

We hope proper sanctions will be meted out to whoever is found culpable in the whole saga to serve as a deterrent to others as we call on government at all levels to take the maintenance of public infrastructures seriously.

It is sad that we always wait for disasters to happen before acting on them after the avoidable harm would have been done. The costs of remediation in such situations are always very expensive, if not fatal, as we have seen in the case of the Lagos Island hospital. We wonder what the reactions of overzealous government officials would have been if the sad incident had happened in a private facility

The New Strongmen of The Sahel

BY CHIDI ODINKALU

In July 2013, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, then Egypt’s army chief, sacked his benefactor and Egypt’s first democratically elected president, President Mohammed Morsi, in a military coup d’etat, installed himself as military ruler of the country and suspended the country’s constitution. 11 months later, at the end of May 2014, the General proclaimed himself the elected ruler of Egypt, winning 93 per cent of the votes in an election with a pre-determined outcome in which he was the only candidate with any chance of being declared winner.

OVER THE YEARS, THE CONTINENT’S REGIONAL INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING ECOWAS AND THE AU, HAVE SHOWN A MARKED LACK OF FIDELITY TO THE PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE. DESPITE A MUCH TOUTED PROHIBITION AGAINST COUPS, THEY HAVE DEVELOPED AN UNHEALTHY HABIT OF CERTIFYING CROOKED ELECTIONS AND LEGITIMISING INDEFINITE PRESIDENTIAL TENURE

The African Union, which had previously decided that coup plotters should not use the benefit of their incumbency to confer democratic legitimacy on themselves, quickly embraced General Sisi, even making him Chair of their Assembly of Heads of State and Government in his first term, four years later.

In the decade since the overthrow of President Morsi until the beginning of this year, the continent has witnessed at least 21 attempts by the military to take over power in various countries, of which at least eight were successful.

The successful military coups began with the overthrow of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe in 2017. Guinea has witnessed one such coup while Sudan, Mali, and Burkina Faso have seen two each.

Since 1950, 45 per cent of coups and attempted coups worldwide have occurred in Africa. Since 2013, 62.5 per cent of successful coups on

the continent have been in West Africa. In October 2021, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, described this trend as “an epidemic of coups.” But not all the coups in Africa have been by the military. The continent’s count of coups now also must include the overthrow of constitutions by civilian rulers elected under them. Take Guinea (Conakry), for instance, where former President Alpha Conde, who was term limited, decided to make himself life president. In April 2020, he organised a civilian coup in the form of a violent referendum in which scores were killed, manufactured entirely with the pre-determined outcome of enabling him transform his expired presidential

tenure into a life presidency.

All this happened with the blessing of Africa’s regional institutions, including the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which first gave a clean bill of health to the referendum and then certified the pre-determined election that followed in October 2020 as kosher, even before the results were announced. When longtime strongman and president of Chad, Idris Deby Itno, was killed by rebels in April 2021, the military in Ndjamena took the opportunity to topple the constitution and install his son, a General, as new president. The African Union whose executive arm is headed by a loyal acolyte of the Deby military-political family in Chad, took it upon itself to invent a justification for the coup in Chad, claiming that it was necessitated by a security imperative imposed by an attack by “foreign mercenaries”.

The AU did not deem it fit to extend the same rationale to Burkina Faso, whom it suspended at the beginning of February 2022 after a coup, despite the fact that the country had been under prolonged assault by foreign jihadists.

Over the years, therefore, the continent’s regional institutions, including ECOWAS and the AU, have shown a marked lack of fidelity to the principles of democratic governance. Despite a much touted prohibition against coups, they have developed an unhealthy habit of certifying crooked elections and legitimising indefinite presidential tenure. This makes it impossible to take them seriously when they condemn military coups. By the time, for instance, the military overthrew Alpha Conde in September 2021, both the AU and ECOWAS had long sacrificed their ability to condemn the coup with any credibility or authority.

Almost exactly on the decade-long anniversary of General Sisi’s coup in Egypt, presidential guards in Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic, sacked the government of President Mohamed Bazoum in a palace coup, bringing to an end, the country’s tortured experiment in elective government which began in 2000. It was Niger’s fifth successful coup in 50 years, an average of one every decade. Two weeks before this coup, on July 12, the AU launched the Africa Governance Report, 2023 with a focus, ironically, on coups in Africa. General Abdourahmane Tchiani, who has now been announced as Niger’s latest strongman, was supposed to be in charge of protecting the man whom he has overthrown. His reasons for leading the coup reprises a familiar litany by the region’s putschists, at the top of which is rising insecurity. Al Jazeera has rightly described this as the “go to reason” for all recent coup plotters in Africa’s Sahel. The military takeover in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, justified on similar grounds, have made no significant dent on the Islamist violence and tide of insecurity in both countries. The outcome is unlikely to be different in Niger.

•Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy can be reached at chidi.odinkalu@tufts.ed

Culinary Diplomacy as Nigeria’s Geopolitical, Tourism And Global Reputation Strategy

BY MUHAMMED MOSHOOD

As a Nigerian abroad, the reaction you will likely get when you introduce yourself is an excited reel out of names of Nigeria’s football stars who have adorned the country’s Green-White-Green jersey and played for the national football team, the Super Eagles.

“Finidi George”, “Amokachi”, “Jay Jay Okocha”, an elated Albanian screamed on learning about my nationality during my last trip to Tirane, Albania.

If they don't mention these football heroes, they will dazzle you with their knowledge of our music stars, such as Fela Anikulapo Kuti (Fela, otherwise known as Abami Eda); David Adeleke (Davido), Ayodeji Balogun (Wiz Kid) among others. The situation is almost the same everywhere.

Interestingly, fast-gaining international reputations are Nigerian delicacies. This is not a mistake: Nigerians love and don’t joke with their dishes. A simple check on YouTube or other streaming platforms will show how cross-culturally married couples introduce their spouses: their first attempt and ratings will melt your hearts. A Spanish air hostess once mentioned how much she enjoys Nigerian food, thanks to the introduction by her friends.

For those who do not know, Nigeria is a homogenous nation of hundreds of tribes/languages.

As you would expect, she has diverse culinary traditions. It is unbrand for the country not to have properly owned the popular Nigerian Jollof rice, Pounded yam and Egusi soup, Banga soup and starch, Tuwo Shinkafa and Miyan Taushe.

As many countries have done in the past, Nigeria has a golden opportunity to harness the power of food diplomacy to drive tourism and enhance its global reputation. This article explores how countries in Asia, the Middle East and the Americas have successfully utilised their food to create a strong brand identity and public diplomacy.

It will also delve into steps the Federal Government and potentially Nigerian brands can take to support this power brand approach.

One, Culinary Diplomacy, or Gastrodiplomacy, has a positive impact on tourism. Countries such as Thailand and Japan have strategically employed food diplomacy to attract visitors from across the globe. Promoting their unique culinary offerings has enticed travellers seeking authentic gastronomic experiences and stimulated curiosity about their culture, history, and traditions.

The Thai government, for example, launched the “Global Thai” campaign in 2002, giving citizens $3 million to start restaurants worldwide. The evidence is in the number of Thai restaurants globally.

According to a 2023 report from Statista, South East Asia, between 2012 and 2021, made an average of 282.3 billion USD annually from travel and tourism, compared to Africa’s USD 166

Billion between 2011-2014, per United Nations Conference on Trade and Investment report. To leverage culinary diplomacy effectively, the Federal Government can take several proactive steps. First, it should establish dedicated food festivals and events highlighting the country's diverse culinary heritage, bringing together local chefs, food enthusiasts, and international culinary experts. These events could serve as platforms for cultural exchange, culinary workshops, and cooking demonstrations, showcasing the depth and flavours of Nigerian cuisine. Willing private sector players can have a play here.

TO LEVERAGE CULINARY DIPLOMACY EFFECTIVELY, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN TAKE SEVERAL PROACTIVE STEPS. FIRST, IT SHOULD ESTABLISH DEDICATED FOOD FESTIVALS AND EVENTS HIGHLIGHTING THE COUNTRY'S DIVERSE CULINARY HERITAGE, BRINGING TOGETHER LOCAL CHEFS, FOOD ENTHUSIASTS, AND INTERNATIONAL CULINARY EXPERTS

In fact, existing annual festivals, such as the very colourful OjudeOba festival in Ijebuland; OsunOsogbo Festival; the Obi of Onitsha's Iri Ji Festival, Calabar Carnival and the northern states’ Dubar Festival are a few examples of fertile grounds to amplify the many Nigerian delicacies. Those events themselves need better global posturing.

Furthermore, partnering with reputable chefs, domestically and internationally, can significantly boost the visibility of Nigerian cuisines. The government can collaborate with culinary artists to develop innovative menus that fuse traditional Nigerian ingredients and techniques with contemporary trends. By featuring Nigerian dishes in reputable restaurants worldwide, Nigeria can generate curiosity and demand for its dishes, attracting tourists eager to explore the country's foods firsthand.

• Moshood writes from London, United Kingdom

*Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

ENDLESS REFINERY REPAIRS: WHO ACCOUNTS FOR BILLIONS EXPENDED?

President Bola Tinubu on August 2, 2023 gave his commitment to the leaders of Organised Labour that the Port Harcourt Refinery will start production by December. He said this would be after the completion of an ongoing rehabilitation contract on the facility between the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Maire Tecnimont SpA, an Italian firm.

This was the fallout of a meeting between the President and the Labour leaders at the State House after the nationwide protests by the unionists earlier in the day. The protest was over removal of petrol subsidy by the Tinubu-led government without fixing the refineries which has been the stand of the organised labour.

“President Tinubu gave his commitment to the labour leaders that the Port Harcourt refineries will start production by December 2023 after the completion of the ongoing rehabilitation contract between NNPCL and Italian firm, Maire Tecnimont SpA,” said Dele Alake, outgoing Presidential spokesman in a statement.

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and that of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Festus Usifo, agreed to give directives to workers to end further protests, having “extracted a commitment” from the government on the refineries, a key demand by the Organised Labour.

The December 2023 completion date for the Port Harcourt Refinery repairs must have come as a surprise to most Nigerians. There has been an endless narrative on refinery repairs since the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government was first inaugurated in 2015 with former President Muhammadu Buhari doubling as Petroleum Minister for eight consecutive years.

President Tinubu was obviously compelled to announce the December 2023 completion date to avert a nationwide strike which

EDITOR Sam Diala

13,000 $44.43

Wabote Advocates Corporate Governance For Indigenous Oil Firms, Lauds Aradel Holdings

NGX All-Share Index Closes Positive by 9.22%, as Naira Rises to N743.07/$

Devaluation: Dangote, Nestle Nigeria, Others Battle N517bn Forex Loss in HY-2023

Ten major manufacturing firms in Nigeria, mainly in the consumer goods group, reported a total of N517.1 billion in non-recovery, net foreign exchange losses in the first half of the year (HY 2023), arising from the devaluation of the naira.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had in June 2023, announced the unification of the multiple exchange windows which now requires all transactions to be conducted at the Investors’ and Exporters’ (I&E) window. This has resulted in a significant depreciation of the naira by over 60 percent to N770/$ (as of July 2023) against the N465/$ it had traded prior to the forex reform.

The development impacted severely on the balance sheets of Nigerian businesses who have to source extra funds in local currency to meet their dollar-denominated obligations.

Data gleaned from financial statements of the selected firms revealed that the huge forex losses impacted severely on their earnings and drained their bottom lines amid rise in inflation. This resulted in a total pre-tax loss of N695.03 billion in HY 2023 against pre-tax profit of N637.61 in the corresponding period of 2022.

The eroding wave of depreciation also resulted in total post-tax loss of N370.57 billion by the 10 firms, compared with N175.9 billion post-tax profit they posted in the equivalent period of the preceding year.

Findings further revealed that Nestle Nigeria Plc and Dangote Cement Plc were the worst hit with non-recovery net forex losses of N123.7 billion and N113.6 billion respectively. They are followed by Nigerian Breweries Plc N85.26 billion, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc N83.09 billion and Guinness Nigeria Plc N41.9 billion.

Others are International Breweries Plc with N40.66 billion, Neimeth Pharmaceuticals Plc N22.82 billion, Unilever Plc N2.93 billion and Cadbury Nigeria Plc N1.03 billion.

“It is a bad omen.” said Barnabas Ikuru, an investment and financial analyst. “Their balance sheets have been significantly eroded, their earning power vitiated, and their expansion capacity weakened. Top among the victims are the employees who may be laid off, downgraded or suffer a salary cut. Some companies will have to increase the price of their products and

that would impact their sales revenue because of consumers declining purchasing power,” Ikuru added.

The affected companies had sour narratives while unveiling their interim half-year results which were dotted with huge exchange losses that countered their impressive performance last year.

The Managing Director/CEO, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr Wassim Elhusseini, noted that the company’s profit after tax was negatively impacted by the recent devaluation of the naira, which necessitated the revaluation of its foreign currency obligations. Nestle posted a pre-tax loss of N69.11 billion in the 2023 half-year, against a pre-tax profit of N43.73 billion in the corresponding period of last year. Similarly, it reported a post-tax loss of N49.98 billion compared with a profit of N27.75 billion in the equivalent period of last year.

Dangote Cement had little to show for the 17.7 percent increase in the record N950.8 billion half-year sales compared to a year ago as its net exchange loss on dollar-denominated transactions more than doubled from N40.7 billion in HY 2022 to N113.66 in HY 023.

“Net exchange loss on foreign-denominated transactions is due to material devaluation of the Nigerian Naira in June 2023,” Dangote Cement said in the notes to their filinn, adding “The naira moved from N465/$ at end of May 2023 to close at N756/$ in June 2023.”

That negative outcome triggered a net exchange loss of N116.1 billion resulting from the elevated currency conversion rate for the repayment of the group’s foreign loans and payable in its Nigerian home market.

Dangote Cement, which operates in 10 countries in Africa, turned in more than 90 per cent of the loss in the second quarter alone.

Another consumer goods firm, International Breweries Plc, reported a more significant loss per share of N0.79 in Q2-23 (vs loss per share of N0.01 in Q2-22), bringing the H1-23 loss

NIGERIA 5-YEAR CAPITAL IMPORTATION: Q1-2019 - Q1-2023

BUSINESS WEEKLY

...Dangote, Nestle Nigeria, Others Battle N517bn Forex Loss in HY-2023

The affected companies had sour narratives while unveiling their interim half-year results which were dotted with huge exchange losses that countered their impressive performance last year

per share to N0.88 (vs EPS of N0.01 in H1-22). The brewer's performance in the period was negatively impacted by the significant increase in unrealised FX loss (+452.5 per cent y/y) and higher net finance cost (+221.6 per cent y/y). In Q2-23, the brewer’s revenue increased by 14.6 per cent y/y.

“We believe the topline expansion in the period was majorly price-driven, as our finding shows the brewer increased prices by c.12.5 per cent in the year. However, for H1-23, revenue growth grew slower by 4.2 per cent y/y due to the impact of a cash crunch experienced in Q1, which negatively affected revenue generation in the period (-5.4 [per cent y/y),” analysts at Cordros Securities said in a note to their clients.

Analysing the performance of the company, Cordros said gross margin contracted by 20bps y/y to 23.3 per cent in Q2-23 (Q2-22: 23.5 per cent), following a faster growth in cost of sales (+14.9 per cent y/y) relative to revenue (+14.6 per cent y/y). It attributed the higher cost of sales to increased input and overhead costs, influenced by the prevailing highly inflationary environment.

As expected, International Breweries reported an operating loss of N31.72 billion in Q1-23, contrasting sharply with an operating income of N1.71 billion in Q2-22. The loss resulted from a substantial 20.4x increase in other expenses, totalling N33.31 billion (Q2-22: NGN1.71 billion). The surge in other expenses was primarily due to a significant unrealised foreign exchange loss of N41.89 billion (+452.5 per cent y/y).

“Like other industry players, the company also experienced cost pressures stemming from the devaluation of the naira and higher finance costs. Looking ahead, we expect the company's revenue to benefit from better cost-reflective prices and increased volume growth.

“Nevertheless, our short-term outlook for the brewer remains unimpressive, as we expect earnings to remain dampened by the challenging operating environment, particularly with the devaluation of the naira,” Cordros Securities said. The unification of the forex market into I&E window which has become the sole channel for all official foreign exchange transactions is a challenge to Nigerian businesses as forex scarcity remains. Before the abolition of multiple exchange platforms, there were the CBN, Inter-Bank, Small Businesses and Invisible forex windows. The multiple forex windows competed for the scarce forex with the government licensed Bureaux the Change (BDE) and the parallel or black market operators. The scarcity of the dollar in the official window usually forces buyers to patronise the parallel market where the dollar sells much higher with a wide gap yet easily accessed. This led to unfettered arbitrage.

The unification of the forex windows on June 14, 2023 plunged the naira to N664.04 on the same day before deepening further to N702.19 the following day. The naira has remained floating since then hitting over N800/$ at a time, while the parallel market has maintained the lead in depreciation with a gap of over N100.

THEWILL findings showed that the naira exchanged at the average of N777/$1 in July at the I&E window, as against N875/$ at the parallel market, creating a gap of N98.

...Who Accounts For Billions Expended?

the Organised Labour had insisted on embarking. He had never mentioned the situation of the refineries since his inauguration on May 29, 2023.

In his reaction to President Tinubu’s nationwide address on Tuesday August 1, Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Rivers state, Joseph Obele, argued that the president had not shown much interest in revamping the nation’s refineries into their production state. According to him, the president was seeking to apply wrong solutions in addressing the myriad of economic challenges facing the country.

Obele who spoke in Port Harcourt recalled that Tinubu had in the broadcast mentioned billions of naira budgeted for different palliatives, loans for students, and free buses, and how the government had saved over N1 trillion from subsidy removal within a month.

Obele therefore questioned why the president and his team cannot make meaningful investments in restoring the status of all the refineries in the country to address the issues of subsidy. He noted that the speech of the president lacked a good insight into how Nigeria can come out of the persistent economic mess, adding that the proposed palliatives would be faulty.

He said: “Why won’t they just invest all the billions in fixing our refineries within a few days. The truth is that, until we fix the Nigeria refineries, the price of fuel will be expensive since we are buying from the international market and the prices of other commodities will reflect as such.

“I’m beginning to think that Mr President has an interest in the foreign refineries that Nigeria is buying fuel from. In his 13 minute speech, nothing was said about fixing Nigeria’s refineries, then I asked myself, who are the advisers of Mr President?

“I will say on good authority that all the proposed palliatives will be in futility. Administrative experts will tell you that, if you really want to solve any problem, you must attend to the root cause of the problem. Until then, the problem will continue.

“The address of Mr President doesn’t contain the solutions to Nigeria’s current economic conditions as the problems, pains and hardship will definitely continue until Nigeria’s refineries are functional.”

With the commitment to fix only the Port Harcourt Refinery after several failed promises to get the facility working, it becomes necessary to ask what happened to the billions of Naira already expended in fixing the four refineries since 2015? Nigeria’s four refineries in three locations – Port Harcourt (2), Warri and Kaduna – with a combined refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, are idle – the state they have been for about 15 years. Meanwhile, businesses and citizens are languishing in pains of hardship arising from high cost of fuel and deteriorating standard of living.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) last year announced that the country will end fuel importation by mid-2023. This has not been achieved. Former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, had assured that the rehabilitation of the 60,000 barrel per day (bpd) Port Harcourt refinery was being completed – to resume operations in the first quarter of 2023.

While giving an update on the Port Harcourt Refinery during the Ministry of Petroleum Resources scorecard presentation in Abuja on January 9, 2022, Sylva shifted grounds: He claimed that the promise (originally) made was not to complete the rehabilitation of the refinery by May 2022 but that the fuel plant will be rehabilitated by the end of Q4 2022.

It is on record, however, that in September 2022, Sylva who spoke to Journalists after a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, assured Nigerians that the country’s biggest refinery would become functional by December 2022. The minister later admitted that the timeline was no longer feasible, hence the adjustment in the programme.

*Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

Troubled Economy: PenCom Steps up Regulatory Oversight For Service Delivery

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has stepped up its regulatory oversight measures to ensure adequate service delivery as the economy struggles. The market-propelled policies of the new government has triggered severe economic challenges that have seen businesses shut down or downsized in order to remain afloat amid rising inflation.

At its 2023 journalists conference in Lagos on August 3, the director-general of the apex regulatory body, Aisha Dahiru Umar, explained measures taken by the Commission that have boosted public confidence to the benefit of the economy, stakeholders and pensioners.

This has resulted in a phenomenal growth in the assets of PenCom which stood at N16.76 trillion at the end of June 2023 following the additional N1.77 trillion realised in the first half of 2023, from N14.99 trillion in December 2022.

Membership also increased by 146,920 new

contributors, from 9.86 million members as of the end of 2022 to over 10 million members as of June 2023.

According to the DG, the contributory pension scheme (CPS) has ensured that public and private sector workers can build retirement savings throughout their working lives and fostering financial security during their golden years.

She noted that the theme of this year’s workshop, ‘Transforming Service Delivery in the Pension Industry: Strategies for Improving Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction,’ is both timely and crucial.

“It reflects PenCom's commitment to continuous service improvement in the Pension Industry so that contributors and retirees receive the best possible experience,” she added.

Sticking to its mandate, the Commission has enhanced its tools for approving, licensing, regulating and supervising pension fund administrators and custodians.

It also reinforced its means of establishing standards, rules and guidelines for the management of the pension funds under the Act.

“We also ensure effective on-site and offsite supervision, ensuring high level of compliance and corporate governance culture as well as carrying out public awareness and education on the establishment and management of the Scheme.

“Regulatory oversight is pivotal in maintaining transparency, fairness, and efficiency, which are the cornerstones of our pension system,” the Commission said during the one-day workshop.

In the presentation ‘Strengthening Regulatory Oversight for Improved Service Delivery in the Pension Industry’, PenCom created the Consumer Protection Department (CPD) to ensure protection of rights and effective service delivery to consumers (Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) holders and Retirees).

Wabote Advocates Corporate Governance

For

Indigenous Oil Firms, Lauds Aradel Holdings

Indigenous oil and gas companies must instill principles of corporate governance in their operations if they are to grow and achieve sustainability, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote has said.

Speaking virtually on Friday at the ceremony marking the rebranding of the Niger Delta Exploration and Production (NDEP) into Aradel Holdings, the Executive Secretary rued that many local oil and gas companies have died because they do not adhere to corporate governance principles.

He lauded the management of Aradel Holdings for setting high standards of corporate governance, stating that “one of the incredible things the Chairman, Chief Ladi Jadesimi; the former Managing Director, Dr. Layi Fatona and their team have done is instilling the spirit of corporate government. That is why the company is succeeding The owners of the business are not contractors; they do not engage contractors and they do not engage in round tripping. That has led to their success.”

Speaking further, Wabote described Aradel Holdings as a good example, noting that they have made significant returns to their joint venture partners. “They are one of the local companies that NNPC Limited is proud to associate with. NCDMD is also proud of their success and we will continue to support them,” he assured

The NCDMB boss charged indigenous producers to emulate Aradel Holdings and to take corporate governance seriously, recommending that owners of businesses should detach themselves from the daily operations of their organizations. Dwelling on local content development, Wabote challenged Aradel Holdings to champion the development of local content, stressing that the implementation of the Nigerian Content initiative and the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act enabled indigenous producers to exist and thrive.

He insisted that it is the responsibility of Aradel Holdings and other local producers to support local content, protect and enhance it, with a view to creating jobs, growing technology, and developing the nation’s natural resources.

He remarked that the percentage of unemployed Nigerians was about over 30%, warning that it would be a grave mistake if the oil industry were to de-emphasise local manufacturing and local production. He also challenged Aradel Holdings to play an active role in the acquisition of assets being divested by some international operating oil companies.

Earlier in his speech, the chairman of Aradel Holdings, Chief Ladi Jadesimi traced the history of the firm, noting that it had operated in the past three decades and pioneered several initiatives, including marginal field operations, one of which is the Okpele Field, which it has grown the daily production from about 1,000 barrels of crude oil per day to 13,000 barrels.

The company is also a fully integrated oil and gas company, and also pioneered modular refinery initiatives with the first train of 1,000 barrels per day, which has since expanded to 11,000 barrels per day.

In his comments, the Managing Director of Aradel Holdings, Mr. Adegbite Falade described the new name as an acronym of the founding Chairman, late Chief Aret Adams, and the firm’s original name and area of operations, which is the Niger Delta region. The new name also signified the company’s resilience and preparedness to meet the challenges of energy transition and security as well as become the leading energy company in the country, he added.

SEC, PENCOM, NGX to Host Webinar on Securities Lending

In line with its commitment to enhance investor participation in the Nigerian capital market, boost secondary market liquidity, and facilitate savings mobilization to drive economic growth, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and National Pension Commission (PENCOM) is set to hold a Securities Lending Webinar.

Themed, Business Facilitation Act 2023 as a catalyst for deepening Securities lending in Nigeria, the webinar will bring together various stakeholders, including retail and institutional investors, Pension Funds Administrators, Fund Managers, ETF Issuers, Trading License Holders, Regulators, and intermediaries in the Nigerian capital market. They will have the opportunity to gain insights into the securities lending landscape, product features, benefits for investors and intermediaries and the broader capital market.

The event, supported by the Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS), Cardinalstone, Stanbic IBTC Nominees, and the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PENOP), boasts an impressive lineup of speakers, offering insights and expertise from various key players in the Nigerian financial landscape.

Among them are Mr. Temi Popoola, the Chief Executive Officer of NGX; Mr. Babatunde Majiyagbe, the Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Nominees; Mr. Abdulkadri Abass, the Director of Registration, Exchanges, Market Infrastructure, and Innovation at SEC; Mr. Oguche Agudah, the Chief Executive Officer of PENOP; and Mr. Ibrahim Kangiwa, the Head of Investment Supervision at the National Pension Commission (PENCOM).

Other speakers include Mr. Aigbovbioise Aig-Imoukhuede, the President of the Fund Managers Association of Nigeria; Mr. Peter Omoregie, the Chief Executive Officer of CardinalStone Securities; Ms. Ronke Ayegbejeje, the Relationship Manager at Stanbic IBTC Nominees; Ms. Onome Komolafe, the Divisional Head of Business Services and Client Experience at CSCS; and Simi Ojumu, the Head of Sales at Absa Securities.

Securities lending is the market practice of temporarily transferring securities, for a fee, from their holder (the lender) to another party (the borrower), with the borrower agreeing to return the securities to the lender either on-demand or at the end of the agreed loan term.

This practice usually requires the borrower to collateralize the transaction with cash or other securities of a value equal to or greater than that of the lent securities, in order to protect the lender against counterparty credit risk. Securities lending plays an important role in capital markets by providing liquidity, which in turn reduces the cost of trading and promotes price discovery.

R-L: Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, and Paul Richardson of World Finance, during the presentation of the Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria Awards to Zenith Bank Plc at the London Stock Exchange recently.

L-R: Head, Primary Markets, Nigerian Exchange Limited, Mr. Tony Ibeziako; Group Chief Financial Officer, NGX Group, Mr. Cyril Eigbogbo; Country Director, Department for Business and Trade, Ms. Chim Chalemera; Charge d'affaires (Head of Economic Development, Climate and Energy), Ms. Sally Woolhouse; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Limited, Mr. Temi Popoola; MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Hon. James Cleverly; Group Chairman, NGX Group, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga; CMG- British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Montgomery; Divisional Head, Capital Markets, Nigerian Exchange Limited, Mr. Jude Chiemeka; Deputy Country Director and Investment Officer, Morayo Adekunle; Head, Broker Dealer Regulation, NGX Regulation Limited, Mr. Olufemi Shobanjo and Divisonal Head, Business Support Services, Nigerian Exchange Limited, Mrs. Irene Robinson-Ayanwale, during a Closing Gong Ceremony in honour of Rt. Hon. John Cleverly’s visit to Nigeria, in Lagos on August 1, 2023.

NGX All-Share Index Closes Positive by

The NGX All-Share Index and Market Capitalization appreciated by 0.22% to close the week at 65,198.08 and N35.480 trillion respectively

A total turnover of 2.575 billion shares worth N29.615 billion in 37,713 deals was traded last week by investors on the floor of the Exchange, in contrast to a total of 2.854 billion shares valued at N37.645 billion that exchanged hands in the previous week in 41,547 deals.

The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.921 billion shares valued at N16.514 billion traded in 17,689 deals; thus contributing 74.60% and 55.76% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Conglomerates

Industry followed with 160.206 million shares worth N625.021 million in 1,811 deals. The third place was the Oil and Gas Industry, with a turnover of 152.046 million shares worth N1.332 billion in 2,403 deals.

Trading in the top three equities namely AIICO Insurance Plc, FCMB Group Plc and Transnational Corporation Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 636.217 million shares worth N1.737 billion in 2,751 deals, contributing 24.71% and 5.86% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Meanwhile, the Naira appreciated to N743.07 at the I&E window on Friday against N776.50 it traded on Thursday, with a turnover of $121.08 million compared with $44.43 million the previous day. Parallel market closed at N877/$.

GSK Nigeria Falls on Desperate Times

In line with analysts' expectations, the impact of the prevailing macroeconomic challenges on corporate and retail businesses remains to be seen. Pharmaceutical manufacturing and marketing companies are the latest to decry the impact of higher operating costs, finance losses on high borrowing costs, and foreign exchange devaluation on their essential and non-essential products, which has soared by over 300%.

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc (GSK Nigeria), a marketing and distributor of consumer healthcare and pharmaceutical products, has disclosed the intention of its parent company, GSK UK Group, to cease commercialization of its prescription medicines and vaccines in Nigeria through the GSK local operating companies and transition to a third-party direct distribution model for its pharmaceutical products. Effectively, the GSK products will have to be channelled through alternative distributors in Nigeria while GSK Nigeria seizes operation (and delist from the market) due to supply chain constraints and recent policy decisions that altered the business operating environment. The company's fundamentals suggest that its sales and profitability growths in recent years have been import-dependent and unpredictable, subjecting it to supply chain shortages, foreign exchange losses, and the impact of COVID-19.

Experts say GSK incident indicates Nigeria's progressively difficult business environment. Rising domestic costs and a falling naira have whipsawed profit and put the company in a business sustainability challenge. Equity observers expect more import-dependent companies to be brutalized by the exchange rate liberalization policy of President Bola Tinubu's administration.

Looming Rise in Food Prices, USAID Warns Nigeria and Others

Following recent developments that have temporarily halted Ukraine’s grains to other countries through the Black Sea, the United States Agency for International Development has warned Nigeria and other African countries to brace up for higher food prices.

Russia had earlier exited the Black Sea deal after the expiration on July 18th and had been hell-bent on not renewing the deal except certain requirements are met, which include the export of Russia’s food and fertilizer. Russia’s withdrawal from the deal triggered higher food prices on the global market. The impact of this food price would largely be felt by developing countries that are importdependent and have conventionally relied on grain imports from Ukraine. USAID has said to have made substantial investments via the “Feed the Future” campaign to make developing countries more resilient to food crises. Over 40 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean were invested. According to a report, Ukraine exported 33 million metric tonnes of food, 65 percent of which went to developing countries, while 20 per cent went to the least developed countries. Nigeria imported about $500m worth of grain from Ukraine in 2021; showing that the Black Sea Grain Initiative's termination inevitably spelt higher food prices.

Analysts would expect import-depending countries will seek alternatives to import grains from other countries. Increasing local production would also be another option to explore too. Analysts believe that food prices will increase momentarily throughout Q3 of the yea

High Input Cost Weighs Down Nigeria's PMI

The latest report from Stanbic IBTC on Nigeria's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) reveals a PMI reading of 51.7 for July, marking a slight dip of 1.5 index points from June's figure of 53.2. While this reading still indicates continued expansion in business activity, the number which is a decline compared to June can be attributed to the notable rise in input costs, which reached their fastest increase since 2014, analysts said.

Delving into the sub-indexes, both output growth and new orders have experienced a slowdown, reaching their most sluggish rates since the sector's recovery from the cash crisis earlier this year. There is an anticipation that inflation could trend toward the 27% year-on-year mark by the end of the year.

This projection considers the cascading effects of higher prices in transportation and food, factors poised to contribute to the overall inflationary pressures significantly. Analysts have pointed out a robust negative relationship (up to 80%) between average input prices and real GDP in Nigeria's PMI trend.

9.22%, as Naira Rises to N743.07/$

Nigerians Should Brace Themselves For Impact of Reforms – Ike Chioke, GMD, Afrinvest

Group Managing Director, Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited, Mr Ike Chioke, spoke with journalists on the sidelines of the company’s mid-year investment parley in Lagos. SAM DIALA was there. Excerpts:

Your mid-year review is entitled ‘Turning Point’. Can you explain this?

It is called ‘Turning Point’ because we have seen some factors in the global and domestic economies that make us to want to inform the investing public and our clients that they need to be a bit more vigilant about how to manage their investments. We have seen global inflation on the increase and rates dropping over the last six and half months. We have seen that the rates tightening by global central banks have come to a point where they are pulling back with the objective of reining in inflation.

Can we look more at the domestic impacts?

Closer to home, we have seen in Nigeria the advent of a new government unifying the exchange rates. That has implications for the economy. We have seen the Naira devalued by about 40 percent, but that is a plus on the domestic side. For the state governments we could see a 40 percent improvement in their FAAC account. At the same time, by removing the fuel subsidy, we estimate that the Federal Government will save N2 trillion – from removing fuel subsidies alone this year. And by unifying the exchange rates we see something like saving N350 billion reduction from the debt service environment.

Those are the positive factors.

The other side of it is inflation. There is additional inflationary pressure that follows the removal of the fuel subsidy. So, Nigerians have to pay more – two or three times, depending on where they live. There is still one more subsidy to remove, that is the electricity subsidy and we see that pushing inflation further to 23 or 24 percent. That will be towards the end of the third quarter of the year, before we see inflation being reined in.

Most of these will depend on the policy direction of the new Nigerian government. This will also depend on when the cabinet will be in place. The new government is yet to come out with its list of ministers. Once the cabinet is in place, they will articulate their own policies – where they are going, how they want to get there; especially, how they plan to use these savings (from the subsidies removal) to impact on the lives of the lot of Nigerians, mainly very poor Nigerians.

How do we go about the palliatives?

All the savings should not be spent on palliatives. As you know, palliatives are not a permanent solution; it is like rubbing a Mentholatum on a wound. It will not work. You need to get to fix the root causes of the problem – and some of the root causes are structural. These include poor infrastructure, massive insecurity across the country. There should be continuous focus

on human capital development, education, healthcare and empowering our youth. As an investment advisory firm, how is Afrinvest navigating existing macroeconomic challenges? If you are a client of Afrinvest, we will give you a different version of the interpretation which articulates some of the factors. If we look at the fixed income market, we see a lot of volatility. Volatility is a good thing if you are an active trader. In the equity market, we have already seen quite a significant correction in the market up to over 20 percent from the beginning of June since the coming of the new government. We believe there is room for more growth but you have to be selective because there are windows for profit-taking that put pressure on the market.

Can we look a bit more at the Nigerian stock market?

Generally speaking, Nigerian stocks are quite undervalued, relative to their peers in the emerging markets, such as South Africa, Morocco and Egypt. So, there is still a bit of upside as we watch the momentum. Some investors are sitting on the sideline waiting for the government to settle down and also watching out for the forex policy that is going to be put in place. You know people do not want to bring the dollar into the market unless they are sure of the way out.

We still have a significant level of forex illiquidity on the outside which is what is putting pressure on the parallel market that is now trading up to N800 to a dollar . We think this is the time for investors to come to Advisers like Afrinvest and understand in more details these factors and investment opportunities in the domestic market, whether you are in fixed income or equities, or whether you are going to the foreign platforms like the Eurobond, or looking at the New York Stock Exchange or the London Stock Exchange.

Do we expect a drop in inflation any time soon?

What are the implications on the overall economy?

We are not expecting a drop in inflation any time soon. The fuel subsidy removal is already putting additional pressure on inflation with severe impact on the economy and that will continue the year round. The devaluation of the Naira has its own impact.

Are these in line with your 2023 Banking Sector Report?

Yes. As we explained in our annual Banking Sector Report for 2023, which we entitled ‘Brace for Impact’, the policy direction of the new government will really impact on the economy and on the lives of the people.

We produced that report in 2022 which we entitled ‘Brace for Impact’. We felt that with a new government in 2023, whoever won the election needed to do away with some of the inconsistent policy instruments that Nigeria had been using for sometime.

Will doing away with the old ways entail some discomfort for the people?

Sure. By discarding some of those policy instruments, it is going to cause some initial difficulties. For instance, the multiple exchange system was disingenuous, a very bad policy for both domestic and international investors. Then the fuel subsidy, a policy that had gone haywire; it wasn’t working. There are still many areas of the economy where we find inefficiencies and there is not a level-playing field for all participants in the sectors.

There is still one more subsidy to remove, that is the electricity subsidy and we see that pushing inflation further to 23 or 24 percent. That will be towards the end of the third quarter of the year, before we see inflation being reined in.:

SHOTS OF THE WEEK

Photo Editor: Peace Udugba [08033050729]

L-R: Director of Procurement, National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Ahmed Kano; representative of the Director-General of NBTI, Dr John Oni; Director Legal Service, NBTI, Mr Ibrahim Musa and the Director, Internal Audit, Muhammad Ladan, during the closing of NBTI’s Capacity Building/ Training on Indicators of Entrepreneurship, in Abuja on July 30, 2023.

L-R: Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Nigeria Council, Mr Felix Obike; SPE International President, Medhat Kamal and  Executive Vice President, NNPC Ltd,  Mr Adokiye Tombomieye, cutting the tape to declare the exhibition open on behalf of Kolo Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, at the 2023 SPE/ NAICE conference and exhibition in Lagos on July 31, 2023.

L-R:, : Head of Strategic Planning (FCI), Mr Tayo Omidiji; Deputy Director, Factor Chain International, FCI, Mr Spyros Tsolis; Secretary-General, FCI, Mr Peter Mulroy; MD/CEO, Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Mr Abba Bello; Head, Client Relations, African Export-Import Bank, Mr Peter Olowononi, during a training on factoring consulting services in Abuja on August 1, 2023.

L-R: Executive Vice Chairman, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Dr. Bashir Gwandu; receiving from Director-General, Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Dr. Abdulrazak Garba, a geological map, containing locations of solid minerals in Nigeria, during a working visit to the NASENI Headquarters in  Abuja on July 31, 2023.

L-R: United States Consulate General Lagos, Nigeria, Williams B. Stevens; Country Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, and Ghana, Ola Williams; Country Director Nigeria, Tek Experts, Olugbolahan Olusanya; DG/CEO Chief IT Officer of Nigeria, National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi and YNV Group Founder, Yaniv Natan, at YNV Tech Talent Summit held in Lagos on July 28, 2023.

L-R: Senator representing Akwa Ibom N/E Senatorial District, Sen. Aniekan Bassey; Senator representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Sen. Benson Konbowei and Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District/former Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly, Sen. Eteng Williams, after the ministerial nominees screening at the Senate Chambers, in Abuja on August 1, 2023.

On Godswill Akpabio's Drama at Dele Alake's Ministerial Screening

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

EDITOR Ivory Ukonu

Atinuke Stanley-Pepple

Pilot With a Mission

The drama that has characterised the screening of President Bola Tinubu's ministerial nominees at the Senate, which began on Monday July 31st, took an interesting twist on Wednesday, August 2, specifically during the screening of Dele Alake, the Senior Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy. After he was bombarded with questions which the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio felt were too mundane, Alake was finally allowed to respond to a question from Oyelola Yisa

Continues on page 41

Real Reason

Tinubu Yanked Off Maryam Shetty's Name From Ministerial List

Early on Friday, August 4, just when the Senate had convened to begin the screening of the second batch of the 19 ministerial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read out a letter from the President at the plenary session.

Continues on page 41

Akpabio Alake

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

I Have Distinguished Myself Beyond Being a Pilot – Atinuke Stanley-Pepple

Female pilot, Atinuke Stanley-Pepple speaks with IVORY UKONU about her career and other matters. Excerpts:

Didyou always dream of becoming a pilot?

No, not really, but at a point it was all I wanted to do and I became passionate about it.

What influenced the decision to become one?

I was in my fourth year in the university studying law and we had a convocation ceremony where someone who was high up in their career was invited to speak to us and basically inspire the graduating set. In this instance, Air Vice Marshal Paul Dike was the guest speaker. Usually, I do not go for convocation ceremonies, besides it wasn't even our graduating set. But when I saw the banner with his name on it, I became excited. I couldn't explain it, but I was eager to be there.

I got there quite early and sat in the front row. I was just so driven. Immediately after the ceremony, I called my dad and told him that I would like to become an Airforce pilot, having been inspired by Dike. But I do not like war or anything that is conflict related. I still continued with my law studies regardless, completed my degree and proceeded to Law school. Thereafter, my dad asked what I wanted to do and I told him what I had indicated interest in earlier. That is pretty much how it happened.

Did you practise with your law degree?

Yes, a bit. Before I started flying

How long did it take you to get your pilot certification?

Flying school doesn't take long, to be quite honest. It depends on the country and the person as well. I did part of my training at the International Aviation College, Ilorin, Kwara State and the Canadian Flight Academy, Canada. In Ilorin, it took about a year but it really depends on the availability of finances and how focused one is and one's ability to learn.

What does it really cost to train to become a pilot?

When I did my training, the dollar rate was pretty fair on the Nigerian economy. So if I say that it cost about $40,000, for example, it is not the same thing now, in terms of the exchange. Regardless, you are looking at a couple of millions in Naira.

What year was this?

I went for my initial training in 2012, just about two weeks after I got called to the bar.

Why is it so expensive to become a pilot?

I think it is because it is a specialised career. Besides, an average aircraft doesn't come cheap. If it did, almost everyone would own one. This is beside the cost of maintenance. While there are very expensive cars, you obviously do not need a whole maintenance team to cater to your car.

What should people who are passionate about building a career as a pilot but lack the financial wherewithal do then?

To be honest, training as a pilot is quite expensive. Going to flying school is not all that is required. After attending flying school, for one to actually fly an airplane, one has to be trained on how to fly a particular kind of aircraft. You have to go to another school to train on the particular kind of aircraft your airline of choice uses to convey its passengers. It is not like being able to drive a car, regardless of the brand. With aircrafts, it is different. How you fly a Boeing 737 series is different from knowing the intricacies of how to fly say an A320 aircraft. But what I will say is that if you want something, just go for it. Some flying schools can be considerate because they know it is quite expensive. So sometimes they will give one a minimum down payment and the rest is spread and completed upon when you finish from the school.

Is type rating done at the flying school in Ilorin?

No. Just to learn the basics of flying, it is the initial school. What kind of aircraft were you trained to fly?

The Boeing 737

Why did you choose to train on this aircraft?

You don't have to choose, so to speak. However, it all depends. But if you plan to fly, then you think of the aircraft that is more commercially used. That will be your deciding factor.

Can you fly any other kind of aircraft?

The thing about flying is that for every time you need to switch flying an aircraft, you have to undergo another training, the type rating training, which is a specialised training, because the systems are different.

What was the experience like in flying school?

It was interesting. I was mixed with people who were in the Airforce and undergoing training alongside us, the civilians. I was the only lady in my set. The training was a little demanding, no doubt, because you are trained to be conscious of the fact that you have people's lives in your hands, literally. Did the fact that most people consider piloting a male-dominated career not deter you from venturing into it?

No, it didn't. Like I said, a man who stood out in his career had inspired me to become a pilot. I couldn’t be deterred. Instead, I got more support and encouragement.

How did your parents react to the news of your career switch?

It was pretty normal because my dad, Captain Adegboyega Dawodu, is a pilot. He is in Aero Contractors. My husband, sister and brother are all pilots, too. My brother plies his trade in the United States. So it is a flying family.

What does it feel like coming from a family of pilots?

We always talk about the job. It is easier to talk about our experience at work and to suggest the best ways to deal with certain issues. We rub minds and share knowledge about the job. It does keep the conversation going among us. However, I have by God's grace, distinguished myself beyond just being

a pilot and my background in law.

Are you a Captain?

No. For one to be a Captain, you have to have four lines on your shoulder badge, but I have three. Generally, pilots are referred to as captains and I know that I will be one soon.

How long does it take for one to become a Captain?

It depends on company policy and flying hours. You will also be tested. One has to make between 3,500 and 4,000 hours to become a Captain. There is usually a maximum number of hours you can fly, a legal limitation. One can only fly for 100 hours per month and an average of 1,200 hours annually. It's less stressful because it can tell on your body quickly. It is for the reason of wanting the pilots to be at their peak whenever they are flying. Anything beyond the legal limit can be a lot. There is also a legal limit for a day. You can't spend more than 13 hours per day because there is a rest time you must have. My younger brother, for instance, is a Captain.

Did he start flying before you?

Technically, no. Again, it depends on company policy and the number of hours spent flying. I started flying before my brother. In his case, he was an instructor after he finished flying school. This allowed him to build a lot of hours quickly because he is flying as he is instructing and teaching his students in the air. In my own case, despite the fact that I was offered an opportunity to become an instructor after training, I went to start law practice before travelling to do my type rating and then officially started flying. Also to become a captain, you will be tested. So on an average of four years from the day you start flying, cumulatively, you can make Captain.

Apart from meeting the stipulated hours, one must have the ability to lead by example and respond properly in an emergency. Your decision-making process is important as well.

Is the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority involved in certifying pilots?

The NCAA is a regulatory body and you do have to get your licence from them after completing training and passing your medicals.

What is your typical day like as a pilot?

I have fun on the job. I work and come back home and rest. That is pretty much a regular day.

What is most challenging about being a female pilot?

To be honest, I do not find the job challenging. I see it as having fun. I think people should just be focused and understand why they are doing something. When that happens and if for any reason you do have a challenge, it doesn't seem like a challenge but an opportunity to grow.

What do you enjoy most about flying?

The crew and the company. The company policy and culture is very positive, almost like we are a family. Even when we are not working, we spend more of our time together. And when you are working with positive people, it makes the job easier. The crew is the best part of the job. I am just having fun on my job and that is what makes it more enjoyable for me.

Have you ever had cause to manage any emergency say, turbulence?

Turbulence is not an emergency situation or anything to be worried about. It is just different from normal flying because you are going into clouds that have more moisture, which is just a change in the density or composition of the air you are going through. It isn't really something to be worried about as long as your seat belts are fastened.

I have had turbulence experiences, but because I understand what is going on, I do not really think about it because I know what I am supposed to

Stanley-Pepple

Stanley-Pepple

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

do as it is not fear inducing. That is one piece of information that needs to go out to allay people's fear. Even if you lose an engine, it is nothing to be afraid of because you can still fly the plane with one engine. If we compare the number of plane crashes to car accidents, the latter is even more intense. For instance, you are driving and your tyre bursts. Depending on how fast the car was going, the resultant accident could be quite fatal.

It would also be nice for people to know that we go for training every six months till we end our flying career. It is mandatory. It is called simulator training. In those training sessions, we go through emergency procedures, all emergencies that one can ever imagine; whether it is engine failure, tyres, anything that one can imagine, we rehearse them as if they are happening in real life.

Does the training take place in Nigeria?

No. We go to facilities that have simulators.

Who pays for the training?

The company does. It is the responsibility of the management to organise the training so that our licences will remain valid. The licences are renewed every six months. Another thing I should also add is that the pass mark for NCAA exams for one to get a license as a pilot is 70 per cent. So one has to be really intelligent and focused to become a pilot.

Why do you think we have less female pilots than their male colleagues?

I would say there are more female pilots today, compared to the past, but definitely they are fewer than the men. I think we need more audacious women. we need to take the bull by its horns. And this just takes me back to the question about challenges. I wouldn't really say that I did not have challenges. It was just that I was ready to dare. I knew that flying is what I was supposed to do and so it didn't matter what would come in the way. I was just willing to take the jump.

Is there an age limit for female pilots?

To be honest, no. You can start anytime you want, to become a pilot. And this just goes back to being audacious. If you are confident in yourself and you believe it is what you want to do, if I was on a hiring team and I see your determination, I would be greatly impressed. When I was in law school, there was someone who was over 60 years-old in our class and we were all greatly impressed by his audacity and determination. Likewise, you can start your training to become a pilot at the age of 16. My brother is 27 and he is a Captain. He got a university degree before embarking on that journey. You don't even need to go to the university to become a pilot because you won't be needing the certificate.

What is the retirement age for Captains or pilots generally? That would depend on company policy again, but there are pilots who are in their 50s. It would also depend on either years in service or actual age.

How best do you think this trend of having fewer female pilots can be reversed?

I think one of the ways this can happen is through enlightenment. I am part of a group where there are a lot of female pilots and we try to mentor, educate and provide more exposure on what the industry is all about. It is a community of like- minded people who share a lot of things. And surprisingly, there are 78 of us, even though everyone isn't in that group. Some of them started flying here and currently fly in the diaspora. Some have finished their flight training and are not officially flying or they are in other aviation sectors. I honestly do not know why more females aren't going that route.

Money... I really want to emphasise more on determination. Personally, if I am committed to doing something, I do not let finances keep me from that thing. If you look at the situation of a lot of things, you won't get anything done. Audacity should be your watch word. I am really impressed by a lot of youths in Nigeria who are audacious to believe in their dreams. At least do the entrance exam first and pass and then you can begin to look for funding.

Are there scholarships available for anyone who is constrained by finance?

Yes. I have a couple of friends who got support from people who believed in their vision. Some state governments do assist.

You earlier mentioned something about mentorship. Are you into one personally?

Yes. Right now, I am building an academy called FACE Academy. It is for the youths. It is an educational platform for life skills; communication skills, relationship building, marriage, cooking, everything. If I was not a pilot, I probably would be teaching. I love teaching, it is something I am passionate about, impacting knowledge.

What advice would you give to young girls who desire to be pilots?

Be audacious, go for it. Get acquainted with the industry. They can reach out to me on Instagram where I am more active because of my mission to bring hope and light to the world. They can reach out to other female pilots as well or communities or aviation related events. Just being in those places

Stanley-Pepple

and getting the necessary information will definitely encourage them to take the next step.

What are your plans for the aviation industry in the next five I would still be flying joyfully. Since I am very passionate about impacting the youth, I will definitely be partnering with corporate bodies and individuals and hopefully the government, to enlighten people not only about the aviation industry but beyond it. It is not just about giving hope but also about helping to provide the tools, the finances they need to ensure they see their dreams come true. Nigeria is so blessed with amazing minds. A lot of people are stuck because they do not have the knowledge and that is what I intend to get involved in more in the next five years. I am also a talent hunter. I do have a natural gift to spot people's natural gifts and help them monetise their talents.

What would you consider to be your greatest achievement as a pilot?

When I first flew solo. This was during my training when I had to take off and land the aircraft all by myself and I had to go from one airport to another. It is called hour building. You need to be trusted that you can actually fly the plan all by yourself. It is part of the training.

What would you say significantly shaped you to be who you are?

God first. I am absolutely nothing without Him. Then my family and my husband. I have a good support system and genuine

What drives you?

I find joy in driving people, but I would say that the Holy Spirit drives me and just the need for more. I have big audacious dreams to reach for more. What life philosophy do you live by?

God first and then other things fall into place.

How do you unwind?

I pray. I love to hang out with my friends a lot either for networking or for work. I love to travel, get a massage at the spa.

Who is that one personality you will consider to be the height of your career when you fly him or her?

That would be Air Vice Marshal Paul Dike. It would be so meaningful to me because he inspired me to become a pilot. Then global celebrities like Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey or even Kim Kardashian.

Stanley-Pepple

I would say there are more female pilots today, compared to the past, but definitely they are fewer than the men. I think we need more audacious women. we need to take the bull by its horns. And this just takes me back to the question about challenges. I wouldn't really say that I did not have challenges. It was just that I was ready to dare. I knew that flying is what I was supposed to do and so it didn't matter what would come in the way. I was just willing to take the jump

&SOCIETY WEEKLY

STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

OLADIPO DIYA SENT FORTH IN CARNIVAL-LIKE CEREMONY

Four months after he passed on from a brief illness, the remains of General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya, the late former chief of general staff to the late military dictator, General Sani Abacha, was finally laid to rest in his hometown of Odogbolu, Ogun State penultimate weekend. There was a weeklong activity which culminated in a state burial. The activities commenced on Sunday, July 23, 2023, with a Service of Songs and Night of Tribute. This was followed by a commendation service at the United African Methodist Evangelical Church Cathedral in Ijesha, Yaba, Lagos.

Two days before the body of the deceased departed Odogbolu, there was a lying-in-state in his Lagos home at Adekunle Fajuyi Way, Ikeja GRA. At the second service of songs which took place in his country home in Odogbolu, many defied the downpour to pay homage to the Defacto vice president. All the security arms of the government were well represented. The weeklong activity climaxed with the final burial rites and interment on Saturday, July 29, 2023, where he was given a massive state burial after the funeral service at the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul, Odogbolu. His body was committed to mother earth in a mausoleum specially built in his honour.

Continued from page 38

Beside the presence of high-ranking military officers in attendance, General Abdulsalami Abubakar ( retd.) was present at the event. Some others who made it to the church service were Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun and his deputy, Noimot SalakoOyedele. Others were Adenike Akande, Jide Fadairo, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Ogun government officials, federal lawmakers, former military administrators, and captains of industry. Shortly after, a massive carnival-like reception took place at the open field of the state's grammar school. While veteran comedian, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome aka Alibaba was the master of ceremony, Yinka Aiyefele was the choice musician who kept guests gyrating to his music. Before his appointment by Abacha, Diya was the military governor of Ogun State from January 1984 to August 1985. Diya is survived by his first wife, Josephine Diya, several children and numerous grandchildren.

about the time he called supporters of the Labour Party 'wild dogs,' but his question was drowned by the noise of other member s of the Senate. Again, Bamidele sprang up in Alake's defence when he was asked by Davou to recite the second stanza of the national anthem, to which the majority leader pleaded with Akpabio to expunge the question as it was irrelevant. He had argued that none of the other nominees had been asked to recite the stanza. Akpabio granted him his wish.

With the interjection, it would appear as if the Senate President was trying to take his pound of flesh from Alake as the latter almost marred his journey to becoming senate president. Sources close to THEWILL reveal that Alake chose to support the candidacy of Senator Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, against Akpabio who was the choice of the majority of senators. However, when his principal, the president, threw his weight behind Akpabio's candidacy and got the party to fall in line, the source revealed that Alake had no choice but to grudgingly withdraw his support for Yari. Seeing Alake's name on the list of ministerial nominees, Akpabio began to bay for blood. Alake would have been minced meat for Akpabio but for Bamidele’s intervention.

Continued from page 38

Real Reason Tinubu Yanked Off Maryam Shetty's Name From Ministerial List

The president yanked off Dr Maryam Ibrahim Shettima's name, the nominee from Kano State, from the list and replaced it with Dr Mariya Mairiga Mahmud. President Tinubu also added Festus Keyamo's name to the already bloated list. Keyamo was a Minister of State for Labour and Productivity in former President Muhammadu Buhari's cabinet. No reason was given by Tinubu for the replacement, but THEWILL went digging and discovered from multiple reliable sources that not only was Maryam nominated by Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, she is in fact alleged to be in an amorous relationship with him.

Maryam was drafted to be in the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Committee Team Field Operations. She also served as a member of the Youth and Women Presidential Campaign Team, specifically focusing on Strategic Communication and was expected to utilise a variety of media platforms to express positive opinions on Tinubu and the party and consequently, sway her audience to vote for him in the general election. Unfortunately, she was unable to deliver on the task. This explains why a few people who were privy to her woeful performance were alleged to have been dismayed that she was on

the ministerial nominee list. Ironically, when she got a phone call that she had been nominated to be minister, she was visibly shaken and she quickly knelt down, forehead to the ground, to thank Allah for the honour. She then went on to give a speech about how God will bless Tinubu who is a patriotic person that loves Nigeria immensely. One wonders if she still thinks the same of him after her replacement.

For many who do not know, Maryam holds a Masters’s Degree in Sports Physiotherapy from East London University, Stratford, UK. Her career in physiotherapy, combined with her social entrepreneurship and educational philanthropy, has earned her recognition as one of Africa’s influential young leaders. She has worked with top-tier athletes including world record holder, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt. She has an Honorary Degree from the ESGT University of Technology, Benin Republic. She obtained a certificate and became a practitioner of Kingian Non-Violence, inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from Emory University in the United States. She runs the ‘We Believe Movement,’ an independent, non-governmental initiative aimed at promoting a national rebirth based on viable ethos and active citizenship.

Dele Alake's Son Makes List of Commissioner Nominees in Lagos State

Lagos State. If he scales the screening hurdle in the state House of Assembly, Sanwo-Olu may likely deploy him to the ministry of Science and Technology so he can deploy his wealth of experience there.

Alake

P

rovidence has surely smiled on Dele Alake, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Special Duties, Media and Publicity. While he has been screened by the Senate for a ministerial position, his look alike son, Olatunbosun, who is also the Special Adviser on Innovation and Technology to the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, got an upgrade. Despite being an indigene of Ekiti State, Olatunbosun Alake is a commissioner nominee in Lagos State. This is more like a re-enactment of the time his father was appointed Commissioner for Information and Strategy when Tinubu was Governor ofA graduate of Computer and Information Science with a Masters in Business Administration (General Management) from Temple University Philadelphia, USA, the younger Alake is an Information Technology and Business Management Executive with almost 10 years of experience spanning different disciplines within the technology and entertainment space. The technology enthusiast began building a career path after his return to Nigeria with IPNX Nigeria Limited, a communication firm as the Head, Business Intelligence and Data Analytics. Thereafter, he moved to Film House Cinemas where he was the General Manager, Innovation and Technology from where he caught the attention of Sanwo-Olu and was made a Special Adviser. Olatunbosun who claims to be a born-again Christian is also a board member of Lagos State Science and Research Council.

Diya

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

EDWIN CLARK, OLORI ATUWATSE III, OTHERS BAG AFRICAN ACHIEVERS’ AWARDS

business, leadership, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, sports, entertainment, and advocacy.

As with every edition of the awards ceremony and summit, the AAA served as a platform for industry leaders and personalities of note in Africa and of African origin to converge and discuss strategies towards development sustainability in the African continent. The award ceremony which was recently held at the Palace of Westminster, House of Lords, United Kingdom, had as its theme, 'Unlocking Sustainable Trade and Investment Opportunities in Africa – the PPP Approach,' focusing on the importance of addressing the challenges in Africa to work towards a prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future in the continent.

Gamaliel Onosode’s Son Dies at 57

he Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, Olori Atuwatse III; Chief Edwin Clark and Ambassador Gabriel Taminu Aduda, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum, among others, have been named as recipients at the 13th edition of the African Achievers Awards (AAA). The African Achievers Awards, an annual event that recognises and celebrates exceptional individuals and organisations across the African continent, aims to honour those who have made remarkable contributions in various fields, including

TThis year, awardees were hosted by Right Honourable, Lord Simon Woolley, a Member of the House of Lords, UK Parliament and the founder and director of Operation Black Vote and Trustee of the charity Police Now. Other eminent personalities who received the award include Owen Omogiafo, Transcorp Group CEO; Oumar Abdoulaye Ba, Managing Director of the Senegalese Reforestation Agency and the Great Green Wall (ASERGMV); Dr. Adeshola Cole, CEO Tritek Consulting Limited, UK; Tunji Akintokun, Boards and Councils of Grant Thornton TechUK, Teach First and The Arboretum London; Temi Ofong, Global Head of Customer Channels at HSBC; Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary at Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD); Georgia Akuwudike, Director of Operations with Amazon UK and Dr. Smelly Dube, Group CEO Rivervalley Group, Zimbabwe; Dr. Tom Ilube CBE, CEO of Crossword and Chair of the Rugby Football Union; Bayo Dosumu, Chief Executive at Lambeth Council; Peter Kolade Fashesin-Souza, Enterprise Technology Risk, Governance and Change Professional at the Bank of England; Hon. Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani, Former Speaker, Kaduna House of Assembly among several others.

Supremacy Battle Between Dele Alake, Femi Gbajabiamila Tears Presidency Apart

The supremacy battle that is allegedly, currently brewing between Dele Alake, the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Special Duties, Media and Publicity and Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the president, will tear the thin fabric holding the already delicate presidency apart if not quickly contained.

Both men have been in contention since the new government was inaugurated, allegedly, over whose words should be law in the presidency and who should have the presidency's ears. While they both maintain a close relationship with President Tinubu, the only reason he gave them sensitive positions to man and to function in different capacities, Alake allegedly feels he is superior to Gbajabiamila and in fact, anyone else within the presidency because of his relationship with the President, which dates back to the days of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and the struggle to entrench democracy. Alake considers himself an ‘old brigade’ who worked closely with Tinubu as commissioner of information when the latter was Governor of Lagos State. He allegedly sees Gbajabiamila not only as a neophyte but also as an outsider.

Even before his official portfolio as a Special Adviser was announced, Alake was already throwing his weight around within the presidency and representing

Tinubu in talks with either organised labour or various pressure groups. As soon as his portfolio was announced, he inserted himself into the itinerary of the President each time he went on foreign trips and sat directly behind him at fora, much to the amusement of many who never saw past Special Advisers assert themselves in such a manner. Alake’s actions, which have already begun to earn him some flak, has allegedly relegated the Chief of Staff to the background rendering him unable to discharge his duties. For avoidance of doubt, some of these duties include but not limited to managing and advising the President; representing him in meetings, emails and phone calls with internal and external stakeholder; managing the pPesident's calendar and prioritising his time and schedule, controlling the flow of people and information into Aso Rock, etc.

One other very important duty of the Chief of Staff is selecting and supervising senior staff members and their offices, including managing and designing the structure of the staff system. This Alake has allegedly, totally usurped. A clear example is the recent appointment of Ajuri Ngelale, an ex-aide of former President Muhammadu Buhari, as Tinubu's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

Ajuri's appointment was alleged to have been made possible by Alake, much to the chagrin of many. They wonder why, even if he had to find a job for Ajuri, it had to be such a high-ranking position which

NWANNEKA NKUMAH REMARRIES, WELCOMES FOURTH CHILD WITH NEW PARTNER

should ordinarily have gone to Tunde Rahman, a veteran in the media industry. A former newspaper editor, Rahman has worked closely with Tinubu when he was a private citizen, as his personal assistant on media and publicity. These set of people are of the opinion that Tunde, who is a more experienced communicator compared to Ajuri should have been elevated to the status of a Special Adviser, which is equivalent to being a minister, from his current position as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media Matters, rather than hand Ajuri a less experienced communicator, the position. Gbajabiamila however is fighting back and has refused to be a doormat. He is said to have put on his fighting gloves in preparation to easing out all the so called power blocks close to the president and assert his full authority. The machinery for this, he has already activated. On Alake's part, hopefully, he gets busy with his new ministerial portfolio so that they will both carry out the various duties assigned to them peacefully.

Almost two years after popular hair entrepreneur, Nwanneka Nkumah, dumped her husband and father of her three children, she has now found love with another man and has solidified the relationship with the birth of a baby girl. The identity of the baby’s father is said to be shrouded in secrecy, but sources close to THEWILL reveal that he is a young Ghanaian man who lavishes her with so much attention, care and some of the best things that money can buy. This obviously explains why the businesswoman expanded her hair business to Ghana and has been a frequent visitor in the neighbouring country. Nwanneka walked out on her husband in 2019, a year after she welcomed her last child with him, but she pretended that all was well. Unknown to many, she was a victim of domestic abuse and most of the gifts she flaunted on social media, supposedly from her husband, Williams, were actually purchased with her hardearned money. Sources alleged that her husband couldn’t be bothered about her welfare and the progress of her business while the marriage lasted.

The last child of late boardroom guru, foremost technocrat and business administrator, Gamaliel Onosode is dead. Emmanuel Oforitsenere who was the seventh child of the former chairman of Dunlop Nigeria passed on at the age of 57 in Portland, Oregon, United States of America. While a service of songs will be held in his honour on August 12 in Portland, Oregon another memorial service and night of tributes is being planned for him at a yet to be fixed date and time at Unity Hill Chapel Church, The Campbell center on Lagos Island. He will be buried in the US on August 12.

Over a week after his death, details surrounding how the business consultant passed on still remains sketchy. The late Emmanuel was a typical Lagos boy who started his education at St. Catherine’s Model School, Lagos, his secondary education at The International School, University of Ibadan. He was to later bag a degree in English from the University of Ibadan before proceeding to the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, for further studies in economics and political science. He left behind a wife, Chinyere and three children. Emmanuel was a businessman who ventured into the world

of oil and gas industry, foreign exchange, gems and precious stones, to name a few. He was an integral member of the Gamaliel and Susan Onosode Foundation (GAMSU) and was instrumental in bringing high value donors, such as General Electric and the Ford Foundation, to support the work of the foundation. He served as a Director of The DreamBank Foundation, a social innovation non-profit organsaation. He will be remembered as a man who was a connector of people and destinies. He helped expand a lot of businesses and changed the lives of many who benefited from his vast network across industries and continents. He was an avid student of martial arts, played the piano well and was an undisputed ludo champion. Emmanuel's famous father, who was a notable boardroom guru, passed on in Lagos in 2015 at the age of 82.

Ifeanyi Ubah's New Look Gets People Worried

For someone who has lived most of his life being on the large side, the new look of former Anambra Young Progressive Party, YPP, gubernatorial candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, has left not a few speechless. Many are concerned that all may not exactly be well with the founder of petroleum marketing company, Capital Oil Plc. Ubah now spots a well-trimmed body and looks almost unrecognisable with his new look. Prior to flaunting his new look, he had boasted to close friends that he owns a well-equipped gym in his Abuja and Lagos homes which he hardly made use of. He also has masseuses on standby in his homes to always massage his hands and feet and whenever it is time for meals, Ubah who doesn't like to eat alone, always has a large spread consisting of a variety of foods for him and any guest (s) present at that moment.

The spread is usually so appetizing according to close sources, enough to make anyone on a diet to throw his

regimen out of the window. Sources also reveal that he may have had a gastric bypass surgery also called Roux-en-Y, a type of weight-loss surgery that involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and connecting the newly created pouch directly to the small intestine.

After gastric bypass, swallowed food will go into this small pouch of stomach and then directly into the small intestine, by by-passing most of your stomach and the first section of your small intestine. It is one of the most commonly performed types of bariatric surgery when diet and exercise haven't worked or when one has serious health problems because of one's weight. It was gathered that his weight loss journey which he had been mulling for a while, began late last year.

Nkumah

Onosode

Ubah now Ubah before

Clark Atuwatse

Aduda

Alake

Gbajabiamila

STORIES BY SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN

BISI FAYEMI INDUCTED INTO NIGERIAN WOMEN HALL OF FAME

Erelu Bisi Fayemi, wife of the former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has been inducted into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame of the Mariam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, MBNCW.

The Hall of Fame was set up specifically for Nigerian women to pay tribute to their efforts and contributions to national development. The Hall of Fame also provides role models for young girls and the larger society about the unlimited potential of women, this helps to project women as active contributors to national development.

Erelu Fayemi was inducted into the hall of fame because of her life-long commitment to the empowerment of women across Africa and in recognition of her role as the co-founder of the African Women Development Fund as well as her various initiatives that are geared towards promoting the rights and welfare of women and the girl child.

The Centre also recognised Fayemi’s contribution to nation building, especially in serving as role model

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

Teslim Folarin Marks Late Wife's Posthumous Birthday

to young girls and providing quality leadership for women across the continent. She has also provided veritable platforms for women and girls to maximise their potential and fight against gender inequality.

How Opeyemi Bamidele Celebrated 60th Birthday

Majority leader of the Senate, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, more popularly known as MOB, rolled out the drums in a carnivallike celebration to mark his 60th birthday last week.

The lawmaker representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District in Ekiti State on the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC, held a three-day celebration to mark his landmark age. The event started with a lecture and unveiling of his two volume books, 'Leadership Through Communication' (Volume 1&2) at the Shehu Musa Yar'adua Centre, Abuja.

The books are about politics, economic and social issues pertaining to the country.

President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima were father of the day and chairman of the occasion, respectively, while Senate President, Godswill Akpabio was chief host.

A 24-hour marathon praise party followed on Friday, July 28 at the

Obafemi Awolowo Civic center in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state from 7am till the next day. Gospel singer, Tope Alabi, Yinka Alaseyori, Aduke Gold, Esther Igbekele, Bj Sax, and a host of other notable gospel singers took turns to thrill guests at the event which had in attendance fans, family members and friends of the celebrant.

The grand finale of the birthday festivities was the party organised by a committee of friends of

Teslim Folarin, former governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Oyo State, has marked the 49th posthumous birthday of his late wife, Angela. The mother of one, who was a lawyer, passed on in 2022 in London. Angela was hale and hearty before the unfortunate incident happened. Her remains had to be airlifted to Nigeria where she was buried in Ibadan, Oyo State after a burial mass. Taking to social media last week, the politician who ensures to express how much he misses his better half at every given opportunity penned a short but emotional note to 'Angy', as he fondly called her when she was alive. He wished her a happy birthday and revealed the huge vacuum her absence has caused. Angela’s posthumous birthday ignited emotions as friends and family prayed for the repose of her soul and that God should continue to keep her only son. Folarin and his son visited the deceased's final resting place to pay their tribute and to drop fresh flowers.

DELE MOMODU BAGS AWARD

the celebrant. The party was held at the Harbour Point Event Centre, Lagos state. Dignitaries paid glowing tributes to the senator who has impacted so many lives and has been a loyal friend to many.

The duo of Gbenga Adeyinka and media personality, Morayo AfolabiBrown, were the masters of ceremony, while Juju maestro, King Sunday Adegeye, also known as King Sunday Ade, took over the stage to entertain the celebrant and his guests. Soul singer, Timi Dakolo, also thrilled the celebrant with love songs from his repertoire.

Momodu

Chief Dele Momodu, a former presidential aspirant on the platform of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, and Chairman of Ovation Group, has bagged the Personality of Repute award at the 11th edition of Democracy Heroes Award Africa.

A democratic process through nomination and screening had taken place before Momodu was chosen for the award. He was honored for his achievements in the media industry and in Nigeria generally. The formal presentation and award ceremony will take place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja in a couple of weeks.

Legislator Returns to Alma Mater as Volunteer

Honourable Mbachu Henry, the lawmaker representing Awka South Constituency 1 in the Anambra State House of Assembly, on the platform of Labour Party, has returned as a volunteer teacher in his alma mater, Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka South, Anambra State. Comrade Henry had contested for a seat in the House of Assembly, in Akwa South Constituency 1, a place where competition was stiff because it is the constituency where the Anambra State Government House and top administrative offices are located. However, he was able to beat candidates of the ruling party and other opposition

Henry

to emerge the winner at the polls. A few months after his election, Henry paid a visit to the school and later, decided to volunteer as a Physics instructor in the school where he once taught at the beginning of his career. Two letters were written to the Commissioner of Education in the state and the Principal of the school, seeking their permission to volunteer as a teacher in the school.

The politician was granted his wish and would start his new task fully in September when schools across the states resume for another academic session.

Folarin

Fayemi

Bamidele

One rainy day last week, scores of heavily turbaned men massed around a popular river of the same name in Yemoja community about sixty-one kilometres from Ilorin capital of Kwara state. They had responded to a video making the rounds that devotees of Olokun goddess of the river were presently at that location performing sacrifices as part of their devotional.

To the last man, the Islamic invaders had come to stop what they considered pagan and idol worship, although they ought to have known better not to interfere with the religious proclivities of others as stipulated in the Nigerian Constitution.

They were undeterred and had come prepared for the occasion even though it took them three long days to find the exact location where the traditionalists were performing their rites.

And such was their preparation that some of them had come with charms “tirah” to use on the offending traditional worshippers but for the downpour that day. (It is assumed the talisman loses its potency once water touches it.) According to a report by Kunle Akinrinade head of investigation of The Nation newspaper, led by Imam Baba Olokuta Agidi the Muslim horde came fuming and then threatened to “deal with the traditionalists if they did not desist from carrying out the rites at the river.”

“We are at the Iyemoja River,” boasted a statement credited to Olokuta Agidi, “because

Muslims And Traditionalists at War in Ilorin

Like a pre-match show off between prize fighters, two combatants are squaring up for an epic battle over a river in Ilorin Emirate. Last week, some Muslim clerics quick marched to a river bank at Yemoja community where they prevented Olokun devotees from carrying out their religious obligations despite Constitutional guarantees of freedom of worship for all Nigerians. On their part, the traditional worshippers did not take the Muslim threat lightly. They responded in kind, both of them chest-thumping about deploying every available arsenal at their disposal for a fight to the finish. THEWILL examines the feud for the soul of a city’s loyalty to its traditional past and pressure to maintain the status quo as one with a solid Islamic foundation. Michael Jimoh reports…

we saw a footage posted on the social media wherein it was claimed that some people parading themselves as traditionalists came to this river to offer sacrifices and that they would be seriously dealt with.”

What was even more galling to the Muslim converts was that the traditionalists retained the original pagan name Yemoja instead of the preferred Zem Zem after a river in Mecca. “What amazes us is the fact that this river is called Yemoja River and not Zem Zem River (in Mecca, Saudi Arabia).”

The Zam Zam well, river in Mecca is believed to have been miraculously generated. So, naming Yemoja in Kwara after the well in Mecca is very much in line with the reasoning of converts to foreign religions, how those converted to Islam have become colonised peoples, in the words of the inimitable Trinidad-born, Oxford-educated Nobel laureate VS Naipaul.

"Islam, in its origin, is an Arab religion,” Naipaul said in one interview. “And the people who are non-Arab Muslims are, in effect, converts, converts who have had to turn their backs on their cultures, on their own early faiths, on their own civilisations, on their sacred lands. Their sacred sites have become the sacred sites in Arabia. Their sacred language is Arabic.”

Not only did Olokuta Agidi and his Muslim companions take umbrage at the unchanged name of Yemoja River, they also threatened

To the last man, the Islamic invaders had come to stop what they considered pagan and idol worship, although they ought to have known better not to interfere with the religious proclivities of others as stipulated in the Nigerian Constitution

Gambari

...Traditionalists at War in Ilorin

to poison it. But the traditional worshippers were unfazed.

“As far as we are concerned the people behind the threat to poison the river with charms if we traditionalists come to carry out sacrifices here are just blabbing,” a source from them declared. “They (Muslim clerics) should desist from issuing threats to us. Won’t passersby that drink from this Yemoja River die if the clerics make good their threat to poison this river just because we traditionalists come here to make appeasement?

“Do the Muslims intend to kill other people that drink from this Yemoja River? And what do Muslims want to do with this river by asking us not to come here and threatening to poison it? The Muslims are calling us idol worshippers, but we want to let them know that we are genuine indigenes of Ilorin. We are traditionalists and we can never be ashamed of our religion. Therefore, this Yemoja River we are standing beside, should any Muslim cleric come here to do evil to the water, such person would face calamity before he gets home.”

The Olokun worshippers did not stop there. They continued with curses on whoever had evil plans for the river. “May water kill anyone that comes to this river to do evil. Anyone that attempts to poison this river because of us will be swept away alongside his children by the river. We traditional worshippers are peace loving people. Hence it is absurd to hear that some people have been threatening to kill those who come to carry out sacrifices here.

“We are warning you (Muslim clerics) to stop threatening us, because we also have charms that we inherited from our forebears and we might be forced to bring them out to liberate ourselves. As you can see, the water the Muslims said is laced with poisonous substance is what we are drinking now and nothing has happened to us.”

According to Akinrinade, “the traditionalists had barely finished their comments when a group of Muslim clerics stormed the scene and an altercation ensued. In the middle of the confrontation, the Muslim leaders led by Imam Baba Olokuta Agidi again warned the traditionalists never to set their foot on the river again.”

“We have come back to confront those idol worshippers at the Odo (River) Oko Olowo. This river is not where you idol worshippers can make sacrifices or appeasement at all. We will not tolerate that. We don’t want Osun river worshipping in Ilorin.”

The riverside exchange between Muslims and traditionalists in Ilorin is only one of such recent confrontations in the city founded by the Yoruba in the 15th century but overrun by

Fulani Islamic Jihadists 400 years later. Ever since, the predominant Muslim population has had overwhelming control of and influence over the town and have become, in the process, mostly intolerant of other religious. The biggest and most conspicuous religious institution in the city remains the gold-domed, four-spired Central Mosque smack in the centre of Ilorin.

Last June, for instance, following an advertisement on social media by Priestess Yeye Adesikemi Olokun Omolara Olatunji to hold a three-day festival honouring some Yoruba deities, the Majlisu Shabab li Ulamahu Society in Ilorin bee-lined it to her residence with the backing of Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Sulu Ibrahim Gambari. Playing host to what the Emir and his Islamic brothers called a pagan festival or idol worship would desecrate a city built on solid Islamic foundation.

But some other people thought otherwise. Professor Wole Soyinka was one of them and he made this known pretty quickly in a sharp response to the Muslims in Ilorin in a letter addressed to the Emir himself.

“It is sad to see the ancient city of Ilorin, a confluence of faiths and ethnic varieties, reduced to this level of bigotry and intolerance, manifested in the role of a presiding monarch,” Soyinka wrote about a month or so ago. “Your Royal Highness, it is conduct like this that has bred Boko Haram, ISIS, ISWAP and other religious malformations that currently plague this nation, spreading grief and outrage across a once peaceful landscape, degrading my and your existence with their virulent brand of Islam,” he said.

“It is conduct like this that has turned, before our very eyes, a once ecumenical city like Kaduna into a blood-stained mockery of cohabitation. It is conduct like this that makes it possible for a young student, Deborah, to be lynched in the very presence of armed police, on mere allegation of having belittled the image of a revered prophet.

“It is action of this nature, perpetrated in obscure as well as prominent outlets of the nation, that turns a young generation into mindless monsters, ever ready to swarm out and kill, kill, kill. Simply kill for the thrill of it, but under presumption of religious immunity. It is conduct like this that then nerves one extremist to wake up one day in a Scandinavian country, publicly announce his intention, and proceed to make a bonfire of copies of the Qur’an. Reprisals followed, equally mindless, trapping humanity in an ever-ascending spiral of costly but gleeful violence.”

Soyinka concluded his epistle to Alhaji Gambari to “rein in those agents of division, of triumphalist intolerance, such as the Majlisu Shabab Ulamahu Society. There is a thin line between power and piety.”

With the recent face-off between Muslims and traditionalists in Ilorin, it is not quite clear in whose favour the confrontation would swing. But what is pretty much certain is that both of them have dug in their foot in their respective positions waiting for who will blink first.

The Muslims are calling us idol worshippers, but we want to let them know that we are genuine indigenes of Ilorin. We are traditionalists and we can never be ashamed of our religion

Super Falcons: Need For Improvement in 2023 Women’s World Cup

BY JUDE OBAFEMI

The Nigerian Super Falcons embarked on a challenging journey leading up to the FIFA Women's World Cup. As they geared up for the prestigious tournament, the team had to navigate several internal issues that threatened to disrupt their focus and preparation. The most prominent among these hurdles were the bonus disputes with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the accusations and counter-accusations involving the team's coach, Randy Waldrum. These controversies created an air of tension and uncertainty within the team, making it an inauspicious setting in the leadup to their World Cup campaign.

Amidst the turmoil, the Super Falcons found themselves placed in Group B, a formidable test comprising co-hosts Australia, Olympic champions Canada, and the spirited newcomers from Ireland. Each match presented a unique set of challenges, demanding a collective effort and exceptional performance from the Nigerian squad.

The Group B encounters unfolded as crucial litmus tests for the Super Falcons, evaluating their resilience, defensive organisation, and attacking formation against formidable opponents. While securing a spot in the round of 16 was a commendable achievement, it also exposed

areas that require improvement to face the upcoming challenge against Group D winners and European champions England.

It all began the day after the opening ceremonies of the 2023 World Cup in Group B. The Super Falcons were drawn into a daunting pool with the Matildas of Australia, Olympic champions Canada, and the Irish. Each match presented a unique set of challenges that demanded the Super Falcons' unwavering determination and tactical adaptability. The encounter with Canada proved to be a stern test. Canada, known for their physicality and disciplined defensive play, posed a formidable challenge for the Super Falcons' attacking display. Nigeria's tactical discipline and defensive organisation were put to the test against the Olympic champions. Despite not securing a victory, the goalless draw was testament to the team's resilience, marking a credible start to their World Cup campaign. Facing co-hosts Australia was a pivotal match for Nigeria, as it provided an opportunity to make a statement against a formidable opponent. Australia's home advantage and experienced squad posed a significant threat, but the Super Falcons demonstrated exceptional character and determination. A thrilling 3-2 victory gave evidence of their ability to capitalise on scoring opportunities and expose vulnerabilities in their opponents' defence. However, the match also revealed areas of concern in Nigeria's defensive shape, which needed to be addressed as they progressed in the tournament.

The final match in Group B against Ireland was a do-or-die encounter for the Super Falcons. Ireland, a team fuelled by the determination to not be beaten

Facing co-hosts Australia was a pivotal match for Nigeria, as it provided an opportunity to make a statement against a formidable opponent

Waldrum

Nnadozie

...Need For Improvement in 2023 Women’s World Cup

in their final game of the competition, sought to make their mark in their first-ever Women's World Cup appearance. Nigeria needed to secure a positive result to advance to the round of 16. The match ended in a goalless draw, as another evidence of the defensive solidity and discipline under pressure that the Nigerian squad was developing under the technical instructions of coach Randy Waldrum. However, their inability to convert scoring opportunities against a resolute Irish defence exposed the need to improve their finishing and clinicality in front of goal.

Throughout the group stage, the Super Falcons displayed moments of brilliance, discipline, and defensive organisation. However, the challenges posed by the opponents in Group B also highlighted areas for improvement, which the team needs to address to excel in the knockout stage and beyond. As they prepare to face the Group D winners, England, Nigeria must draw upon the experiences from the group matches and enhance their performance in various aspects of their game to compete effectively against top-tier opponents they are bound to face.

One of the critical areas requiring improvement for the team is their finishing and scoring efficiency. Nigeria had several promising attacking moves in the group phase, creating scoring opportunities with their skillful play. However, they struggled to convert those chances into goals consistently. Against formidable opponents like the Three Lionesses, who are European champions, capitalising on scoring opportunities will be paramount, as goal-scoring efficiency can be the difference between success and elimination in knockout matches. Asisat Oshoala will have to be at her clinical best as well as her strike partner Rasheedat Ajibade.

While the Super Falcons demonstrated commendable defensive resilience in the group stage, there were instances of lapses in defensive organisation. Against stronger opponents, maintaining a compact defensive shape between the impressive duo of Osinachi Ohale and Ashleigh Plumptre, while minimising defensive errors will be crucial. Addressing communication breakdowns between every part of the backline and the excellent Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal, and ensuring better coordination among the defenders will be essential to thwart England's attacking threats.

To gain an edge against England, Nigeria must strive to assert greater control in the midfield battles. Halimatu

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Ayinde, Toni Payne and especially Christy Ucheibe were commendable in their game against Australia but the performance needs improving, especially in terms of ball retention. There is also the equally important news to improve in creating more scoring opportunities from midfield that will help to provide the forwards with better support and see that Oshoala thrives in the offensive. It will also enable the team to disrupt England's rhythm and dictate the flow of the game, giving them a chance to control the tempo.

The knockout stage of the Women's World Cup demands peak fitness and stamina from teams. As the competition intensifies, the Super Falcons must ensure that they maintain their physical conditioning throughout the match. Optimal fitness levels will help them sustain high-intensity play, making them competitive until the

Allen Onyema's Philanthropic Legacy: Celebrating Nigerian Sports Heroes

throughout the attendees and honourees at the event. This recognition is poised to ignite a renewed sense of national pride and encourage young athletes to pursue excellence in their respective sports, knowing that their contributions will be valued and celebrated.

The unveiling of the Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame at the NIIA holds deep significance as a lasting tribute to these heroes. Inscribed in gold, their names will forever be etched in the annals of Nigerian sports history, ensuring that their legacies are never forgotten. This monument serves as a physical representation of a commitment to recognising the sacrifices of the country's sports ambassadors, and it will serve as a source of inspiration for generations to come.

Furthermore, the event showcased the transformative potential of sports diplomacy in forging international relations and cooperation. By honouring the heroes of the past, Nigeria sends a powerful message of unity and solidarity, emphasising the nation's commitment to global peace and unity. It also opens doors for potential collaborations and exchanges in the future, fostering cultural understanding and goodwill between Nigeria and other nations.

The establishment of a culture that recognises and celebrates sports heroes is vital for the growth and development of Nigerian sports. By acknowledging the contributions of these icons, the nation instills a sense of purpose and pride in current athletes, coaches, and sports administrators. It fosters an environment where young talents are nurtured, dreams are encouraged, and

potential is maximised. Such recognition encourages corporate entities and government bodies to invest in sports development, leading to improved facilities, training programs, and opportunities for athletes to excel on the international stage.

As Nigeria moves forward, the government, sports federations, corporate entities, and the public must unite to ensure that this recognition of sports heroes becomes a sustainable practice. By actively valuing and supporting athletes, the nation can cultivate a pool of talents that will consistently excel in various sports disciplines.

Emulating Onyema's philanthropic spirit, other individuals and organisations can step forward to offer support and resources to deserving sports heroes, ensuring that their contributions are rightfully recognized and celebrated.

Ultimately, the path set forth by Allen Onyema's visionary initiative has the potential to transform Nigerian sports into a thriving and globally respected endeavour. By placing sports heroes at the forefront, the nation sends a resounding message that their sacrifices will no longer go unnoticed or unappreciated.

This renewed focus on honouring sports legends will not only inspire the current generation of athletes but also pave the way for future champions and ambassadors who will carry the torch of Nigerian sports to even greater heights on the global stage. As Nigeria embraces this brighter future for its sports, it also embarks on a journey of national unity, patriotism, and excellence, driven by the enduring legacy of its sports heroes.

final whistle. Input from the technical bench is just as important here to identify players that are fatigued long before they become a liability for the team.

Furthermore, maintaining mental strength and focus under high-pressure situations is paramount going forward. Nigeria must remain composed and focused, especially in decisive moments of the match. Towards the end of the match against Australia, a dip in focus allowed them a peep into drawing level. This cannot be allowed against tougher opposition. The Super Falcons should draw on their collective experience and belief to keep their composure and not succumb to nerves. Developing a strong mental resolve will help them tackle the challenges of facing strong opponents and give them a mental edge.

Against an opponent like England, who possesses a mix of offensive and defensive strengths, tactical flexibility will be vital for the Super Falcons. Waldrum must prepare the team with adaptable strategies to counter England's style of play. This may involve altering formations or making tactical adjustments during the match based on the flow of the game.

In addition, set-pieces can be crucial in tight knockout encounters, and Nigeria must improve their execution in both attacking and defensive set-pieces to enhance their chances of success against England, who are also proficient in this aspect.

It is also imperative that the Super Falcons are vigilant of several key players who can influence the outcome of the match. Chelsea's 21-year-old Lauren James has been in sensational form, with her goal-scoring and playmaking abilities.

She has three goals already in the group stage which make her a significant threat. Another prolific forward is Manchester United's Alessi Russo. She made an immediate impact in the World Cup, opening the scoring in England's commanding 6-1 win against China. Her ability to find space and her accurate finishing must be curtailed.

Another threat is Rachel Daly, England's 31-yearold Aston Villa forward. Her 22 goals saw her win the Women's Super League golden boot. Daly not only possesses a relentless attacking arsenal but her ability to create opportunities for her teammates make her doubly dangerous. Midfielder Georgia Stanway and experienced right back, Lucy Bronze, belong to this set of key players to be wary of.

The Super Falcons must devise a strategic plan to neutralise the influence of these key England players, and the rest of the team, while remaining mindful of the overall team's strengths. Studying England's tactics, set-piece execution, and individual play styles will allow Nigeria to prepare a well-coordinated defensive strategy. By effectively containing the key players and employing tactical discipline, the Super Falcons can challenge England and aim to progress further in the knockout stage of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Given all that the Super Falcons have endured, punching their ticket for a spot in the round of 16 is a testament to their spirit and talent, exemplifying the pride of African women's football on the global stage. Despite their challenges, the Nigerians have an extra motivating factor on their journey - the financial rewards. As runners-up in Group B, each player has already earned an additional $30,000 as an appearance fee, bringing their total earnings at the group stage to $60,000 per player. Qualifying for the round of 16 guarantees them an extra $60,000, which amounts to a total of $90,000 per player.

The prospect of advancing further in the tournament can unlock even larger financial rewards, with the potential for each player to earn up to $270,000 if they reach the pinnacle and become Women's World Cup champions. As the Super Falcons prepare to face England, let their achievements in the group stage serve as a foundation for success. By honing their strengths and addressing areas for improvement, the team can seize the opportunity to leave an indelible mark on the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Oshoala

Allen Onyema's Philanthropic Legacy: Celebrating Nigerian Sports Heroes

Nigeria, a nation with a vibrant and storied sporting heritage, has been blessed with extraordinary athletes who have brought, and continue to bring, glory and honour to the country. These sports heroes, with their exceptional talents and unwavering dedication, have achieved remarkable feats on both national and international stages, becoming symbols of national pride and unity. However, tragically, the recognition and appreciation of these icons have often been marred by a history of neglect and indifference by both federal and state governments, as well as the private sector.

Over the years, Nigeria's sports heroes have faced numerous challenges, not only during their illustrious careers but also in their post-retirement years. Despite their immense contributions to the country's sporting legacy, many of these heroes have been forgotten and left to face destitution and hardship.

The heartbreaking stories of legends like Rashidi Yekini, who passed away in poverty after a career of goal-scoring records, including scoring Nigeria's first World Cup goal, and renowned boxer Jeremiah "Jerry" Okorodudu, whose body was held in the hospital due to outstanding bills, are a stark reminder of the country's failure to adequately recognise and support its sporting icons. More so, the plight of sports heroes like Christian Chukwu and Henry Nwosu, whose medical challenges were only mitigated through the philanthropic gestures of individuals like Femi Otedola and charitable organisations, further emphasises the sad reality of Nigeria's poor history in honouring its sports icons.

However, in a momentous turning point, a recent event organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and generously sponsored by Air Peace, the country’s largest airline, under the visionary leadership of Allen Onyema, sought to break this cycle of neglect and pay tribute to Nigeria’s forgotten heroes of the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games and the 1980 African football champions, the Green Eagles. This long-overdue recognition was a profound and transformative initiative aimed at not only honouring the sacrifices of the past but also inspiring a brighter future for Nigerian sports. These unsung sports heroes, who had languished in obscurity for 47 long years, finally earned a measure of recognition. This significant and historic initiative was spearheaded by Onyema, the Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, a man renowned for his compassion and commitment to the welfare of Nigerians.

In a milestone that will forever be etched in the annals of Nigeria's sporting legacy, Onyema took it upon himself to correct the injustices of the past and ensure that the sacrifices and contributions of these forgotten icons would be recognised and celebrated.

The seeds of this momentous event were sown when Onyema, driven by a deep sense of responsibility towards the nation and its sporting heritage, conceived the idea to honour the Nigerian contingent to the Montreal Games and the 1980 Green Eagles. These athletes, the former of whose dreams of competing at the Olympics were shattered by the country's principled decision to boycott the Games in protest against Apartheid politics in South Africa, had long been denied the acknowledgment they rightfully deserved.

Onyema recognised that the time had come to rewrite the narrative and ensure that these heroes were celebrated for their selflessness and dedication to their country. This profound realisation laid the foundation for what would become a transformative event.

In July, the news of the event sent ripples of excitement and anticipation across the sports scene. Interested members of the public eagerly awaited the celebration that would finally rectify the decades of neglect and indiffer-

ence faced by Nigeria's sports heroes. As the event's details were revealed, it became evident that this would not be an ordinary celebration but a grand tribute to those who had given their all for the nation's sporting pride. Onyema's commitment to the initiative was unwavering and the collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) added academic gravitas to

was evident in the tears and gratitude expressed by the awardees. Under Onyema's leadership, Air Peace extended its generosity to the athletes by presenting them with complimentary air tickets. The athletes were offered free domestic flights and one annual free flight to any foreign destination served by the airline. This gesture was a testament to Onyema's commitment to recognising and supporting these national icons.

The event at NIIA served as a powerful reminder of Nigeria's obligation to its sports heroes, even when they had surpassed their prime. By bestowing them with honours and acknowledgment, Onyema affirmed his commitment to valuing the immense contributions of these sporting legends, instilling a sense of national pride and unity. Onyema's historic initiative not only recognised the sacrifices of the past but also inspired hope for the future. The event demonstrated the power of recognising and celebrating national heroes, serving as a beacon of inspiration for the youth. This transformational legacy has the potential to ignite a new generation of sports stars who will carry the torch of Nigerian sports to even greater heights.

The philanthropic legacy of Onyema extends beyond sports recognition, serving as a beacon of selflessness and compassion in Nigeria. During times of crisis, he and his airline, Air Peace, have been quick to offer aid, evacuating stranded Nigerians during xenophobic attacks in South Africa and during the crises evoked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

the event. The stage was set for a historic occasion that would unite dignitaries, sports personalities, and business leaders in a collective expression of gratitude and recognition.

As the Friday, July 28 event arrived, the atmosphere at the prestigious NIIA in Victoria Island, Lagos, was charged with emotion and anticipation. The venue, adorned with the names of the honoured athletes inscribed in gold on the Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame, served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices that had been overlooked for nearly five decades. The award ceremony was a testament to the meticulous planning and organisation put forth by the organisers. The elderly athletes, now in their 70s, stood before the nation, some with tears in their eyes, as they were honoured for their immense contributions to Nigerian sports history. The speeches delivered during the event reflected the depth of appreciation and gratitude that permeated the occasion. In his address, Onyema highlighted the heroic choices made by the athletes in returning to Nigeria without causing any problems or seeking asylum elsewhere, despite the Olympic boycott. He underscored the importance of recognising and celebrating these heroes, whose sacrifices had united the nation and brought pride to all Nigerians.

As the laureates received their plaques of honour, sashes of distinction, and cash rewards of N1.5 million each, the emotions in the room soared. The veterans, who had once brought unparalleled glory to Nigeria, were now being honoured in a manner befitting their extraordinary contributions. The significance of this recognition

Amidst the Sudanese crisis, Onyema's determination to protect fellow Nigerians was evident as Air Peace conducted emergency evacuations. Still, his philanthropy is not limited to emergencies, as he actively supports education, healthcare, and empowerment initiatives. Despite such contributions, Air Peace has faced unwarranted treatment, leading to grounding flights and financial losses due to activities initiated by labour unions. Yet, Onyema remains an exemplar to be emulated, encouraging individuals, corporations, and the government to support the nation's welfare and recognise its heroes. His legacy serves as a call to celebrate true heroes and foster a culture of compassion and support for the greater good of the nation. The government and citizens alike must recognise and celebrate Onyema's extraordinary contributions, and his legacy should serve as a guiding light for Nigeria to honour its heroes and foster a culture of compassion and support for the greater good of the nation.

The recognition and celebration of Nigeria's sports heroes heralds a brighter future for Nigerian sports. This momentous occasion marks a pivotal turning point in the nation's approach to honouring its sporting legends and acknowledging their immeasurable contributions. For far too long, many of these heroes languished in obscurity, facing financial hardships and unmet medical needs despite their extraordinary achievements on the global stage. However, with Onyema's visionary leadership and commitment to philanthropy, the trajectory of Nigerian sports is potentially set to change.

The event at the NIIA not only honoured the heroes of the past but also served as a powerful inspiration for the youth of today and tomorrow. By recognising the sacrifices made by the 45 athletes who were denied the opportunity to compete in the 1976 Montreal Olympics due to the nation's principled stand against apartheid, and celebrating the triumphant 1980 Green Eagles squad, a profound message of resilience, unity, and patriotism resonated

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The recognition and celebration of Nigeria's sports heroes heralds a brighter future for Nigerian sports. This momentous occasion marks a pivotal turning point in the nation's approach to honouring its sporting legends and acknowledging their immeasurable contributions