THEWILL NEWSPAPER, December 10, 2023 by THEWILL NEWSPAPER

VOL 3 NO. 50 •

Kogi: Post-Governorship Election Violence

DECEMBER 10, 2023

KKAARRIM IM’S’S pective tic Pers OptOpt imisimis tic Pers pective

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T HE W I L L N G

2024 Budget: Economy Bleeds as FG Elevates Waste, Impunity to National Priority

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MUDI

30 Years And Still Thriving

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KADUNA BOMBING:

Avoidable National Tragedy

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Onah Nwachukwu Editor, THEWILL DOWNTOWN

stute businessman Kola Karim has an impressive resume and wears many hats. He sits on the boards of many companies and was recently appointed chairman of the advisory board of British American Tobacco Nigeria. He started Shoreline Group as an offshoot of his mum’s trading company, from exporting palm kernel to importing equipment and machinery. Since then, the sky has been the limit for Kola Karim, even though he attributes his success to favour, ”Again, as I say, it’s favour. It’s not out of being smart. People make applications to lift the price of fuel oil in the 90s, and you get the opportunity, you get the approval to lift, and you sell it, and you make money…” Read his positive story on pages 8 through 11. Have you ever wondered how people in other countries celebrate Christmas? In some countries, they have carnivals. Find out more on page 15. VOL 3 NO. 50 • DECEMBER 10, 2023

Some beauty products are made to be multifunctional, and we discuss some of them on the beauty page, which you’ll find on page 14. Our food page, Bon Appetite, shows us how to make homemade ice cream. We have recipes for this yummy treat, and they can be found on page 13. Don’t forget that our magazine is now interactive. All you have to do is click on any page title on page 3, which will take you to that page. You can also click on the instructions beneath the QR codes on page 16 to download the playlist. Until next week, enjoy your read.

KARIM’S Optimistic Perspective

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COVER

KADUNA BOMBING:

Avoidable National Tragedy BY AMOS ESELE

alming frayed nerves in the days ahead will be as important as physically providing succour to victims of the Kaduna bombing tragedy, with the figures of the dead still rising as some of the injured, who are recuperating at Barau Teaching Hospital, Kaduna die and more corpses are discovered. On Tuesday, December 2, 2023, 20 bodies were recovered by a search team and buried, according to an Imam in Tubun Biri, Alhaji Ahmed Sanusi. On Friday, one of the 76 injured victims at the hospital also died. While the Imam put the current figure of the dead at over 100, the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, on Friday said that after consulting with community and religious leaders, the authentic figure was 86, with 75 still undergoing treatment at the hospital. He confirmed that one victim in the hospital died on Friday. Tempers are still flaring as the trend of events evokes passion and adds fuel to fire. As of Saturday, December 9, one full week after the Nigerian Army accidental bombing of Tudun Biri in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State at 9:pm on Sunday, something concrete is yet to be done apart from visits to survivors at the hospital, speeches promising the provision of succour and the desire to investigate and punish culprits. “We don’t want any religious bigots here. No politician will take part in dealing with the people. That is why we are dealing directly with the people through their community and religious leaders,” Governor Uba Sani said on Friday, while disclosing the nature of

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the meeting Vice President Kassim Shettima, who led a Federal Government delegation to the state, had with community and religious leaders at the Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna the previous day. For the governor, whose state has been a hotbed of bloody sectarian conflict until recently, “peace”, which was a scarce commodity during the recurring bloody violence under the administration of his predecessor, Nasir elRufai, is so desirable that the people had to become the centre of attention and concern by government. A visibly angry Sani on Friday who said he had been trying to “calm the people down and make them understand that the government will fight for justice,” condemned the statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, that the bombing incident occurred because terrorists always mingled with residents of the community, adding that he would write to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Toareed Lagabja, to ask that the statement be withdrawn. “It is careless. The community is calm because Gen Lagbaja had earlier taken responsibility for the error bombing. If you visit the hospital and see what is happening, you would condemn statements like this, “said the governor who added that in spite of the gaffe, he would continue to give his support to the military in their fight against insurgency and banditry in the country.

The Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, who attended the meeting convened by the governor during the VP’s visit, Reverend Joseph Hayap, said that temper was still high over the bombing. He praised the governor for wanting to avoid divisive persons and groups in the undergoing healing process. That ‘wise’, step would douse the building tension over the incident, he said. “I am happy with the governor for pledging that he will not allow politics to affect the successful process of attending to the victims,” Hayap told THEWILL on Friday night. He however expressed disgust with the use of the words, “error bombing,” in questions over the incident. He queried, “We should interrogate what the military claims to be intelligence. Mistake bombing is becoming a yearly occurrence. There was a mistaken bombing that destroyed a church in Kaduna a few years ago. Where is their professionalism? Can we have innocent Nigerians killed regularly and say it is a mistake.” Investigation shows that “error bombing,” has gone on for too long to warrant urgent attention and concern for the root causes of what appears to be a deadly pattern. BLACK HISTORY OF “ERROR BOMBING” According to a study forwarded to THEWILL on Friday by Beacon Consulting Limited, a renowned enterprise security risk management company, similar bombings, THEWILLNEWS

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COVER

...Avoidable National Tragedy though prevalent in parts of the North because of the ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency there, did not start with the Kaduna tragedy.

Government would ensure that those found culpable are punished and the finding of the panel on enquiry into the incident would be made public.

Starting in 2014, Nigeria has recorded 18 such incidents of armed reconnaissance drone strikes on civilians in seven states with 417 casualties. The states are Borno and Yobe in Northeast, the theatre of Boko Haram terrorism, followed by the North Central states of Niger and Plateau, the centre of insurgency and sectarian violence, respectively. Next is the Northwest insurgency states of Kaduna, Zamfara and Jigawa.

Regarding the Fulako Initiative, which will commence by next month in the Tudun Biri community, the Vice President said, “The Fulako Initiative the government has been designed as a non-kinetic solution to the challenges in banditry in the North-West. It will kickstart next month, first in the affected Tudun Biri community

In terms of numbers, Borno had been struck seven times. That was in Daglum in February 2014, killing 20 persons. In the same month, another 20 died in similar circumstances in Kayamla in Konduga Local Government Area and another 10 in Sambisa in Damboa LGA. This was followed in 2017 by a similar incident in Rann in Kala/Balge LGA, where over 100 died. In April 2020, it was the turn of Sakotoku in Biu LGA, of the state. About 17 persons died. There was respite for three years until April 2021, when Mainok in Kaga LGA was hit, leaving 30 dead. In September of that year, it was the turn of Kwatar Daban Masara in Kukawa LGA, where 20 were killed. Yobe, the neighbouring state to Borno, was hit twice in September 2021, first at Buhari in Yanusar LGA, where 12 were killed and over 20 injured and the second was at a Yobe village where 10 persons were killed. Next in order of numbers is Niger State, another hotbed of insurgence, which at a time held sway in 500 communities in Kaure and Shiroro LGAs. Four “error bombings,” have taken place in the state. Shiroro LGA has been the most-hard hit LGA in the state. In April and August of 2020, Kurebe in Shiroro LGA was hit twice, first by a military drone, leaving eight dead, followed by another attack in Galadima Kogo that led to the death of six people. Genu on Rijua LGA in the state was affected in 2021, and two persons were confirmed dead. Jigawa lost one person to the menace in Kakuna, Safana LGA, in July 2022. Zamfara’s Tangara village in Anka LGA lost six persons in July, 2022. Before the latest incident in Tudun Biri, Igabi LGA of Kaduna State, the state experienced a similar fate in Sabon-Gida village in Giwa LGA in March 2023. “The north-western Nigeria threat terrain has since prompted the use of UAVs as attack vectors, particularly against threat elements associated with banditry. Despite their effectiveness in counter-terrorism efforts, drones can also cause collateral damage to civilians, as depicted in the map, which shows 18 documented armed reconnaissance drone strikes on civilians across seven states in the North,” said Beacon Consulting Ltd in the study sent to THEWILL by its Security Communications Officer, Mr Felix Chukwuebuka Ugwu. It added that, “These cases have been due to misinformation from generally credible sources (intelligence errors), target misidentification, environmental factors and communication gaps. The incident further raises concerns about the proliferation of drones within Nigerian security agencies and the lack of guiding principles for their usage within certain institutions.” WHAT NEXT AND WAY FORWARD Vice President Kashim Shettima, who led a highpowered Federal Government delegation to Kaduna on Thursday and held a peace meeting with community and religious leaders, disclosed that the Federal THEWILLNEWS

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“The beneficiary states are Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna and for the purpose of equity and justice, we deliberately included Niger and Benue. “Now, the President has directed that the Fulako Initiative should be kick-started here in Kaduna State, and Tudun Biri will be the first beneficiary community.” According to him, under the initiative, the Federal Government will build houses, clinics, schools, veterinary hospitals, empowerment initiatives, solar energy plants and so on. ”It is going to be a complete package of solutions; a non-kinetic response to the problems of banditry and kidnapping in the North-West. ”Under the initiative, 500 houses will be built in the northern part of Kaduna State and another 500 in the southern part of the state,” Shettima stated. ”Government will go to the root of the issue and anyone found culpable will be punished accordingly.” On his part, Gov. Uba Sani, who said the state government would take care of the wounded and also provide proper medical care and support to the victims. “We will also take care of the orphans by giving them support and ensure that they are properly taken care of,” he said. The State Chairman, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Prof Shafiu Abdullahi, called on the government to ensure that proper compensation is paid to the victims, while those responsible are punished to avoid such incidents in future.

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The mistake is highly regrettable ...We will make amends and avoid a repeat of the incident. We are going to review what has happened and ensure that we are more precise in the future. We appeal to all Nigerians to cooperate as security is everybody’s responsibility

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The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who has admitted alongside the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Lagbaja, that, “the mistake is highly regrettable,” said at the weekend, “We will make amends and avoid a repeat of the incident. We are going to review what has happened and ensure that we are more precise in the future. We appeal to all Nigerians to cooperate as security is everybody’s responsibility.'' Reverend Hayab said all divisive statements should stop henceforth while attention should focus on solutions to prevent a recurrence of the “error bombing.” Beacon Consulting called on the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government to work together to find a permanent solution to the problem. It called on the Federal Government to re-evaluate its existing framework for the acquisition of combat UAVs to ensure that these platforms are operated safely and responsibly by institutions with proven competence in intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance. “Particularly, competencies in associated intelligence, such as imagery and geospatial aspects, which ultimately support effective target acquisition best practices, should be embedded in the framework and mainstreamed across the UAV eco-space in Nigeria. Next, it suggested that the coordinating elements in the Nigerian security sector should work with the National Assembly and other law enforcement agencies with weaponised UAVs to make clear standard operating procedures and guidelines for when and how drones can be used by security forces, particularly the military, during domestic operations. “In doing this, it is important to note the crucial role that human intelligence assets, such as those managed by the Nigerian Police Intelligence Units and the various agencies and departments in the Ministry of Interior, can play in target acquisition. This minimises the risk of civilian casualties.” It also urged the government to invest in training and equipping security forces with the necessary skills and technology to operate drones safely and effectively. The company said the military, specifically the army, can improve its “intelligence-fusion capabilities to ensure that drone strikes are attended to as a collective, with support from a central command co-ordinating such operations. This allows the support of experts and other decision-makers along the chain of command, supporting the accuracy of target missions.” According to the security management firm, strategic communication imperatives must be deployed in managing military and other security operations as a way of ensuring the whole of government and the whole of society approach. Finally, government and military institutions should prioritise transparency and accountability in their investigations into incidents, including drone-related ones. “Establishing a robust process for holding personnel accountable for mistakes is crucial not only for preventing abuses but also for repairing strained civilmilitary relationships. This approach supports the success of counterinsurgency missions by fostering collective local intelligence gathering,” it said.

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NEWS

President Bola Tinubu (right), welcoming President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on December 6, 2023.

Nigeria Has Sufficient Total Debt Hits N87.37trn Bayelsa First Lady Manpower For in Q3 2023 — DMO Harps on Equitable National Economic Society For Women Development – Tinubu N

resident Bola Tinubu, on Friday, said Nigeria has the requisite and sufficient manpower to spur development across all sectors of the economy. Tinubu made the remarks on Friday while receiving a report titled, 'Industrialisation, Energy Security, and Climate Change: Issues, Challenges and Prospects', submitted by the Senior Executive Course 45 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), in Abuja. President Tinubu said his administration will review the document and integrate salient recommendations into ongoing policies and programmes within the Renewed Hope Agenda. Commending the report’s wealth of research and recommendations, President Tinubu said: ''I give you credit for a good job done. This report will be treated with all seriousness. You have fished out the issues. You have noted the challenges, and you have recommended very constructive solutions and showed the roadmap to achieve sustainable development goals for our country. Definitely, our hope is renewed. ''Who says that we do not have it as a country? Commitment to research and development; that high level of inquisitiveness, the manpower needed is here." Earlier, the Director-General of the Institute, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, said during the ten months of the course, participants engaged in a series of lectures and seminars, brainstorming sessions, as well as study tours to 13 countries and seven states in Nigeria. He said the Senior Executive Course 45 comprised 97 participants drawn from federal and sub-national governments, security and intelligence agencies, civil society, private sector, and labour unions. ''As an apex institution for policy research and strategic studies in Nigeria, the National Institute is entrusted with a solemn duty of charting the course of our national development. ''Our mandate encompasses the rigorous analysis of complex policy issues, the formulation of forward-thinking strategies, and the cultivation of visionary leaders capable of steering Nigeria towards a prosperous and sustainable future," Prof Omotayo said.

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She said, “Let me speak a bit about public debt as you requested in the letter inviting us. The first point is that we have run a budget deficit for many years for which the DMO has been raising funds locally and internationally to support the budget. “The point I would like to make is that as the level of borrowings increases you have to service them so debt services increase also. “Again, we run budget deficits because we have projects and programmes in the budget that the government wants to run. If we go back from 2015 and 2016, we know we have been through about two or three recessions. So, a lot of that bringing the economy out of recession was funded by borrowing. “The first one was through the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and the last one was during COVID. So, debt has increased and so has debt service increased. “We usually publish the debt data every quarter. So, the most recent data we have in terms of debt stock is as of June 30th 2023. The figure for public debt is N87.37 trillion. That is made of external and domestic debt and it is for the Federal Government, the 36 States and the FCT. “Let me quickly add that out of the 87 trillion, about 90 percent belongs to the Federal Government. I believe because of the role the Federal Government plays, we account for the largest share. “But we report everything because that is best practice. If you compare that figure to last year’s December, it was N46 trillion. “So, it has grown sharply because we have borrowed…you can say in six months but also because we added the Ways and Means advances to that number. It is public. It was approved. “The DMO’s role is to manage that debt and make sure it is sustainable and that there is no default because borrowing is not a bad thing but when you borrow you use it well. “Debt has been growing largely from new borrowings. You see the MTEF, for instance, that you have approved, has borrowings in each of the years of N8.7, N10.2 and N11.58 trillion just to buttress the point that as you increase the funds the debt stock grows.

FROM DAVID OWEI, YENAGOA

he First Lady of Bayelsa State, Dr Gloria Diri, has said that collaborative commitment by all and sundry is needed to stem the tide of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in order to foster a safer, secure, equitable and peaceful society. Dr Diri stated this when her foundation, Gloria Diri Foundation, collaborated with the Bayelsa State Gender Response Team (GRIT) and other non-governmental organisations, including Eunice Nnachi Women Advocacy Foundation (ENWAF), to stage a walk against sexual and gender-based violence to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism with the theme, “Unite, Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls". The First Lady, who was represented by the Secretary of the GRIT, comrade Inatimi Odio, assured that the government is not resting on its oars to ensure that gender-based violence is reduced to the barest minimum. She added that there is a need for victims to break the culture of silence in order to get the needed help, noting that the Bayelsa State Government has put together the Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT) to help victims of genderbased violence and also give them the needed support to help them overcome the trauma. Dr Diri thanked the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, Bayelsa State chapter of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, ENWAF, STARRZ Initiative and many other NGOs for the support. Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of NUJ, Bayelsa State Council, Judith Young, noted that the media is an essential lever in the fight against gender-based violence. Young noted that the media has a great responsibility to promote the advocacy towards ending violence against women while calling on journalists to report accurately as it concerns the menace. She assured that the media will take a committed stance, through the promotion of ethical journalism, in reporting the menace of gender-based violence against women and girls, stressing more grassroots sensitization and awareness-creation on issues of gender-based violence. THEWILLNEWS

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NEWS

Director General, NTA, Salhu Dembos; representative of the Ministe of Information and National Orientation, Malam Lanre Tssa-Onilu; DirectorGeneral, Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, Dr Olalekan Fadolapo; President, Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria, Tolulope Medebem; Managing Director, SO and U, Udeme Ufort and Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibrin Ndace, during the 2023 National Advertising Conference in Abuja on December 7, 2023.

Ohanaeze Condemns Edo 2024: Ighodalo Resigns as Nigerian Breweries Board Chairman Obstruction of Kanu's Release, A Vows to Expose Culprits FROM SUNDAY OGBU, ABAKALIKI

hanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organisation representing the Igbo people, has strongly condemned the clandestine moves of certain individuals and groups impeding the release of Mr Nnamdi Kanu. Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, through a press statement, expressed deep concern over the activities of this group. He, however, threatened to expose such persons if they refuse to be cautioned, as well as exposing them. The statement reads: "We issue this press release to caution those involved and to inform the public that their identities will be exposed if they persist in their nefarious actions. "Ohanaeze Ndigbo express deep concern over the actions of these groups, which include some leaders of the Biafra agitation. These individuals, driven by a desire for instant fame and personal gain, are tarnishing the noble cause of Biafra with unnecessary hysteria and violence. "Additionally, the political elite, including two South-East governors, senators and Igbo leaders, are working behind the scenes to ensure that Mr Kanu is only transferred to Kuje Prisons, instead of being released outright. They cite the forthcoming Anambra governorship election as their justification. "Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls upon President Bola Tinubu to intervene in this matter by dropping all charges against Mr Nnamdi Kanu and facilitating his release. "We firmly believe that justice and fairness should prevail, and that Mr Kanu should be given the opportunity to contribute positively to the progress and development of our nation. "We urge the clandestine individuals and groups to cease their obstructive activities immediately. Failure to do so will result in their identities being exposed to the public. "Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains committed to protecting the interests of the Igbo people and ensuring a peaceful and just society for all," he stated. THEWILLNEWS

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head of the 2024 governorship election in Edo State, the Chairman of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Asue Ighodalo, has resigned from his role on the board of the company. THEWILL reports that Ighodalo, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in the election, is believed to be anointed by the state governor, Godwin Obaseki. Ighodalo hails from Ewohimi, Esan South-East Local Government Area in Edo Central Senatorial District. The Nigerian Breweries (NB), in a corporate filing on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) on Friday, signed by Uaboi Agbebaku, the company secretary, said Ighodalo’s resignation will take effect on December 31, 2023. "The chairman informed the board today of his decision to offer himself for public service. As a result, he will be resigning from the board and as the chairman of the board on the 31st of December 2023 to enable him to devote his full attention to the new cause," NB said on Friday. The company said that in order for the board to have enough time to appoint a substantive chairman, the longest-serving director, Sijbe Hiemstra, was appointed to act as the chairman in the interim effective the 1st of January 2024. Ighodalo joined the Board on January 1st, 2022 and was appointed as the non-executive chairman effective May 1, 2023. The company also announced the resignation of an independent non-executive director, Mrs Ndidi O. Nwuneli, following the completion of her 9-year tenure on its board. Nwuneli, whose resignation will take effect from December 31, 2023, has also been replaced with Mrs Stella Ojekwe-Onyejeli. Ojekwe-Onyejeli will assume her new role on January 1, 2024.

Nigeria's Total Debt Hits N87.37trn in Q3 2023 — DMO

igeria’s debt stock stood at N87.37 trillion as at September 30, 2023, the Debt Management Office (DMO) said on Friday. Director General of DMO, Ms. Patience Oniha, disclosed this on Friday, during an interactive session of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations with heads of MDAs She said, “Let me speak a bit about public debt as you requested in the letter inviting us. The first point is that we have run a budget deficit for many years for which the DMO has been raising funds locally and internationally to support the budget. “The point I would like to make is that as the level of borrowings increases you have to service them so debt services increase also. “Again, we run budget deficits because we have projects and programmes in the budget that the government wants to run. If we go back from 2015 and 2016, we know we have been through about two or three recessions. So, a lot of that bringing the economy out of recession was funded by borrowing. “The first one was through the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and the last one was during COVID. So, debt has increased and so has debt service increased. “We usually publish the debt data every quarter. So, the most recent data we have in terms of debt stock is as of June 30th 2023. The figure for public debt is N87.37 trillion. That is made of external and domestic debt and it is for the Federal Government, the 36 States and the FCT. “Let me quickly add that out of the 87 trillion, about 90 percent belongs to the Federal Government. I believe because of the role the Federal Government plays, we account for the largest share. “But we report everything because that is best practice. If you compare that figure to last year’s December, it was N46 trillion. “So, it has grown sharply because we have borrowed…you can say in six months but also because we added the Ways and Means advances to that number. It is public. It was approved. “The DMO’s role is to manage that debt and make sure it is sustainable and that there is no default because borrowing is not a bad thing but when you borrow you use it well. “Debt has been growing largely from new borrowings. You see the MTEF, for instance, that you have approved, has borrowings in each of the years of N8.7, N10.2 and N11.58 trillion just to buttress the point that as you increase the funds the debt stock grows.

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POLITICS

Kogi: Post-Governorship Election Violence BY AYO ESAN

he Kogi State Governorship Election was one of the three off-cycle governorship elections held on November 11, 2023, the first to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) after the last General Election. Nigerians paid attention to the three elections because INEC came out of the general election with its image terribly battered as a result of its failure to adhere to electronic transmission of results to its portal. The governorship elections have come and gone. While the PDP candidate, Douye Diri, won in Bayelsa State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates won in Imo and Kogi States. Although the Kogi election that returned the candidate of the ruling APC, Usman Ododo, as the winner was more peaceful than expected, the situation in the state seems to have assumed a different dimension, no thanks to renewed violence in parts of the state. Only last Monday, the Secretary to the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, David Mike was allegedly attacked and the attackers allegedly carted away four petitions tabled before the Special Court to seek nullification of the election of Ododo. This incident was preceded by an attack by gunmen on the residence of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, in the state, Gabriel Longpet This attack on the secretary to the tribunal was confirmed in a statement issued by the police spokesperson in the state, William Aya, in which he

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Only last Monday, the Secretary to the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, David Mike was allegedly attacked and the attackers allegedly carted away four petitions tabled before the Special Court to seek nullification of the election of Ododo

said that Mr Mike told the police that he was attacked last Monday by some armed men on the way to his office at the High Court Complex in Lokoja, the state capital. The statement said the secretary claimed he was with two other officials when the incident occurred. “All of them (gunmen) surrounded and blocked him

(Mike) as he attempted to reverse,” it added. According to the police statement, Mike said he saw about seven hooded men, all heavily armed and dressed in black attire, who shot severally into the air and dragged him and his two other colleagues out of their car, ransacked the car and made away with all the documents in it, including petitions filed by four (4) political parties, namely Action Alliance (AA), Action People’s Party (APP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP), two (2) record books and a bag containing his personal items”. The statement said the state police commissioner had ordered an investigation into the incident to unravel what happened. Following the incident, Justice Monica DongbanMensem, the President of the Court of Appeal, relocated the Kogi Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal from Lokoja to Abuja. A statement by Mike has said the tribunal will now sit at the National Judicial Institute on Umar Yar’Adua Way in Abuja. It urged litigants to take note of the change of venue. Although the statement did not disclose the reason behind the relocation, it was gathered, it was due to the level of insecurity in the state. As expected, the two leading parties in the just concluded governorship election in Kogi State, the All Progressives Congress and its main opposition, Social Democratic Party, have politicized the attack THEWILLNEWS

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POLITICS

...Post-Governorship Election Violence as they have engaged in a war of words over the attack on the Secretary of the State Election Petition Tribunal, David Mike.

“The Resident Electoral Commissioner will play a crucial role in ensuring transparent electoral litigation processes as the head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kogi State. Targeting such a key figure is an affront to the integrity of our electoral process and an attack on the democratic fabric of our nation.

The SDP alleged that there was an attack on the Secretary on Monday, December 4, 2023 by hired political thugs in Lokoja. A statement issued by J.S. Okutepa SAN, counsel to SDP, stated that at the time the attack occurred, the secretary was with copies of the election petition filed on 2nd of December, 2023 by the legal team of Alhaji Murtala Yakubu and Social Democratic Party, SDP.

“We demand that the authorities take immediate action to bring the perpetrators of this despicable act to justice. “We strongly urge the security agencies to conduct a thorough and diligent investigation into the recent attack on the residence of the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Kogi State. It is imperative that the actors behind this heinous act are swiftly identified and brought to justice.

“The said petition was filed on 2/12/2023. The petition is No: EPT/KG/Gov/03/2023. The said petition was duly received and stamped on 2/12/2023 and certified by Mr U. D. Mike On the said date. By the provisions of Section 285(5) of 1999, election petitions are to be filed within 21 days after the date of the declaration of the result of the election,” Okutepa noted.

“The attack on a public official entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring free, fair, and credible elections is an attack on the very foundation of our democracy.

The SDP alleged there was an attack on the Secretary on Monday by hired political thugs in Lokoja. However, the APC in a swift reaction said that the alleged attack had “exposed the SDP’s atrocities against democracy.” In a statement, the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Campaign Council, Kingsley Fanwo, noted that the alleged attack was nothing but desperate moves by the SDP in Kogi State and ethnic jingoists to paint the state as unsafe, by orchestrating supposed attacks on the Secretary of the Tribunal, Mr David Mike. According to him, the move was meant to “cover up their already exposed plan to file a petition against the November 11 election outside the period allowed under the Electoral Act.”

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The Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET), condemned what it described as the senseless attack on the residence of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, (REC), in Kogi state and called for thorough investigation of the incident

Fanwo said that the alleged attack was a “concocted lie and warped strategy of the SDP, as the purported attack on the tribunal secretary was said to have occurred on the day their dubious, anti-democratic plan was exposed.” He asked, “Why was he not attacked before the midnight of December 3, 2023, when the 21-day window closed? Why is the SDP the first to know about the purported attack? How did they know that he was working on their so-called petition at the time he was allegedly attacked? Why has the SDP turned itself into the advocate for the Secretary? The public cannot be misled. The people know exactly what is happening”, he added. The attack on the residence of INEC Resident Commissioner, Dr Hale Longpet has also received condemnation. The Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET), condemned what it described as the senseless attack on the residence of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, (REC), in Kogi state and called for thorough investigation of the incident. In a statement, Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina, Chairperson of KONGONET, said this reprehensible THEWILLNEWS

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act of violence against a public servant is not only an attack on the individual but also an assault on the democratic principles that underpin the Nigerian society.

“The Resident Electoral Commissioner holds a critical position in upholding the integrity of our electoral process, and any attempt to hinder their work undermines the democratic rights of the Nigerian people. “We call upon the security agencies, particularly the police and relevant investigative bodies, to allocate the necessary resources and expertise to thoroughly investigate this incident. It is crucial that no stone is left unturned in uncovering the truth and apprehending those responsible for this senseless act of violence. “The residents of Kogi State and Nigerians at large deserve to know the truth behind this attack. We demand a transparent and unbiased investigation that leaves no room for doubt or suspicion. The credibility of our security agencies and the faith of the public in their ability to protect and serve the citizens depend on the thoroughness and professionalism of their investigations. “Moreover, we urge the security agencies to provide adequate protection to all electoral officials, as well as other public servants, who may be at risk due to their roles in upholding the sanctity of our democracy in this trying period of electoral litigation. It is imperative that a safe and secure environment is created for these individuals to carry out their duties without fear of intimidation or harm”.

Muraina noted that targeting such a key figure, who had the responsibility of ensuring a free, fair, and transparent election, was an affront to the integrity of the electoral process and an attack on the democratic fabric of the nation.

Speaking with THEWILL, a Public Affairs Commentator based in Abuja, Paul Okoye, said the attack on both the REC and the Secretary of the Election Petition Tribunal in Kogi State is worrisome.

The statement reads in part, “We, the members of Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET), express our utmost condemnation and outrage over the heinous and senseless attack on the residence of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Kogi State, perpetrated by unidentified gunmen in Lokoja. “This reprehensible act of violence against a public servant is not only an attack on the individual but also an assault on the democratic principles that underpin our society.

“We thank God the last election came and ended successfully. The post-election violence is avoidable. A winner has been declared. Those who felt unsatisfied are already in court. Why the attack? The violence is unnecessary and it should be condemned seriously.

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According to him, there are some sinister motives behind the attack.

“I will implore the police to please do something about the situation.”

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DECEMBER 10, 2023 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnews.com

POLITICS

Edo 2024: PDP Begins Preparation, as Shaibu, Ighodalo Lead Aspirants BY AYO ESAN

invite you to join me in honest conversations about Edo State; where we are, and what our vision for the future of our state is.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has fixed party primaries for February 2024. One party that has begun preparation for the election in Edo State is the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Ighodalo’s aspirations are rooted in the belief that collaborative effort can eliminate poverty and overcome current challenges by directing investments towards education, technology, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, security, and human capital development. He emphasised the critical need to rebuild trust between leaders and citizens to unlock Edo State’s true potential.

he race for Governor Godwin Obaseki’s successor at Dennis Osadebay Avenue is steadily heating up as more aspirants have declared their intention to run for the seat of the number one citizen in Edo State.

The PDP released its time-table for the election a few weeks ago. The time table which was signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, was released after a joint meeting of the Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee of the party at its headquarters in Abuja.

Asue Ighodalo has declared that he is a “true Esan boy”, an indigene of Edo Central District of the state. He stated this while addressing his kinsmen, in response to critics who said he is not a ‘home boy’, but a 'Lagos Boy’.

According to the time-table, the party’s congress in which its governorship candidate in the Edo governorship election will emerge will be held on February 22, 2024.

Speaking in front of his family home in Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area of the state through an interpreter, he said, “I do things in Esanland because we are not noisy. My brother is here and I am here. Our parents are here. I am a true Esan boy, I am not going to use home boy because they have used it badly. I am an Esan Boy.

PDP had also informed that aspirants interested in contesting the governorship election will get the nomination form for N21 million, while youths aged between 25 and 30 will get a 50 per cent discount on the nomination form fees. According to the schedule of activities, the registration of old and new members will be held between November 16 and December 7.

“I am a true Esan boy. I am a true Edo boy. I am a true Nigerian. That is what I am. Since 2008, I have been in the economic team of the state, starting from the Adams Oshiomhole Administration. Since Godwin Obaseki came in as Chairman of the Economic Team, I have been coming to Edo state to support and advise the government.

December 14, 2023 is the last date for submission of ward register to the Directorate of Organisation and Mobilisation, while stakeholders’ consultative meeting with the National Working Group will hold between December 19 and 20.

“I have been advising since 2008, which is 15 years ago, which means that I came into the state, five, six, so many times a year for government business, not to talk about my own business. So, people can say what they like.

The sale of expression of interest and ad-hoc forms for all offices is scheduled to take place between January 10 and 16, while January 17 is the last day for the submission of the completed expression of interest and ad-hoc forms.

“Because we are not noisy, and because we are not jumping from one ‘mama put’ to another, does not mean I am not a true Edo boy”.

The screening of aspirants for the governorship seat by the National Working Committee will hold on January 18, 2024.

Another aspirant on the ticket of the party is the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, who penultimate Monday formally entered the 2024 governorship race in the state.

The sale of the nomination forms to aspirants who completed and submitted their expression of interest form is scheduled to start from January 19 and end January 25, while January 27 is the last date for submission of completed nomination forms.

Shaibu is going into the race determined to confront his principal and Governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki who is not in support of his ambition.

February 22 is for the governorship primary election, while February 24 is for the appeal on the election.

He alluded to his political travails in the last couple of months, especially and declared that he remained unbowed, even as he forged ahead against the unfavourable disposition of his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki.

As aspirants on the platform of the party are coming out in large numbers, two aspirants stand out for now. They are a Lagos-based economist and banker, Asue Ighodalo and the Deputy Governor of the state, Phillip Shaibu.

Addressing his supporters at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Central, the new venue, Shaibu said that despite his present predicament, his antecedents in the struggle for democracy were part of the propelling factors for him to move on to actualise his ambition.

Ighodalo, co-founder of Banwo and Ighodalo, a prominent corporate and commercial law firm in Nigeria, is aiming for the governorship of Edo State. Ighodalo, it was gathered, had resigned from his positions as Chairman of Nigerian Breweries and Sterling Bank in preparation for his political pursuit. This is in compliance with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) announcement, marking the schedule for the Edo State governorship election on September 12, 2024. He is believed to be the favourite candidate of the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki. Ighodalo had in a social media post on November 29, 2023, invited Edo citizens to engage in discussions on the current state of Edo and its future. While expressing his vision, Ighodalo emphasised the need to tackle poverty and hardship through strategic planning focused on crucial sectors, such as education, technology, healthcare, agriculture and security. He also called for unity and trust between leaders and the populace for the state’s advancement. He said “All my life, I’ve pursued excellence through hard work, persistence, and teamwork. Today, I am excited to

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Describing himself as “100 percent Home Boy”, an allusion to the clamour that the next governor of the state must be someone who knows the state very well, and not someone ‘imported’, a veiled reference to the touted candidate of Governor Obaseki, Asue Ighodalo,

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February 22 is for the governorship primary election, while February 24 is for the appeal on the election

Opposition to Ighodalo has been fueled by claims that he is unknown in Edo State, a narrative that Shaibu has since advanced by declaring himself the homeboy who does not need to learn the ropes of governance by being familiar with the nook and cranny of the state. Shaibu hinged his campaign on five pillars of infrastructural development, economic diversification, education and sports. Others are skills development and job creation, healthcare, social welfare system, agriculture, rural development, poverty alleviation, environmental sustainability, and transparent governance. He said that while working closely with Governor Godwin Obaseki in the past seven years, a solid foundation for progress had been laid in the state. THEWILLNEWS

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DECEMBER 10, 2023 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnews.com

POLITICS INTERVIEW

No Political Party is as Well-Structured as PDP – Hassan Hon. Chris Hassan is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in Plateau State. In this interview with UKANDI ODEY, he describes the Appeal Court's claim that the party in Plateau has "no structure" as strange, stating that the court order referred to was obeyed to the letter and in the ensuing congress, the man who went to court earlier did not only accept defeat but also congratulated the winners, just as the outcome of the congress has not been challenged in any court of law. Excerpts:

ecently, there have been a series of judgments against your party from the Appeal Court. What really is the status of the PDP in Plateau State? Well, what is happening today with the interpretation of the judgments is alien to the People's Democratic Party because we've not understood what "structure" is like. Is it "structure" as in the political party or "structure" as in the judgment? We don't seem to understand. But you know, for sure, that the PDP is one party that is well-structured.

Then what is peculiar about the situation in Plateau? You are aware that we had congresses that brought in the Ward Exco, the Local Government Exco, and, of course, the State Exco, up to the six geopolitical zones.

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And I told you before that for anybody that is actually aware and in tune with the Plateau struggle, the manifesto and philosophy of the party comes very close to our struggle. And that is why you'll find out that, overwhelmingly, we brought in 16 members of the State House of Assembly as against the then ruling party’s seven. We brought in five members of the House of Representatives, with two senators and a brand new governor that has the interest of the state at heart. What INEC declared is what I'm saying; because it is the only statutory body in Nigeria that has the power to conduct general elections. If the elections were unfair, they know it better. But I'm yet to hear that from them. What is the basis of this claim? If we don't have a structure, check, as compared to other political parties, why is it that it is only the People's Democratic Party that conducted congress and primaries, and nobody went to Court? In Plateau State alone, for the House of Assembly, we had 313 people that went and obtained the forms to contest for the House of Assembly.

Besides, if we don't have a structure, should it be the concern and resolution of the judiciary or INEC? What of internal democracy within your party? How fair were the primaries in terms of how you related with the aspirants as part of build up to the primaries?

And we concluded that journey with a national convention. So, we are part of a structure. What is structure? In line with the constitution of the People's Democratic Party, we held the congresses up to the state level.

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What happened thenceforth? We went back on our journey. A journey, of course, to conscientise our people, trying to mobilize our people toward these last elections. And you saw what happened even when we had a sitting APC government here.

Ours is to receive them as visitors, and give them every assistance of which they may stand in need; such as link up the security agencies so that they can of course conduct their activities in a well secured atmosphere. That's what the state does. Even now, I don't have the powers to communicate with the INEC. If I have a problem in ward A, I have to take it back to the National Secretariat. The national secretariat will communicate with the secretariat of the INEC. And if the INEC wants to come and do a repeat Congress in a ward, they don't communicate to me, they communicate to the National Secretariat. The National secretariat will now tell us "INEC has approved so, so, date....” That is how we operate.

No political party in Nigeria has the same national spread and presence. So, in the right sense of the word, we're well structured.

Because the People's Democratic Party is a party that respects the rule of law, we said there was no problem with that order. We said let us go back, so that we can save ourselves from these litigation and court processes

Shola Akamudi came in here and conducted the congress. And in that congress, there's no single individual that has gone to court again to challenge anything relating thereto. Even Bitrus Kaze congratulated and embraced me. The video clips are there. They all congratulated me.

We had 19 that bought forms to contest the governorship election. We had 68 who obtained forms to contest the House of Representatives. For the Senate alone, we had 27. And no form was obtained from this office because we believe that there's only one certificate of registration and that certificate rests with the national secretariat of the party. For you to conduct anything in this state, it is the national Secretariat that does everything.

From the manifesto, constitution and philosophy of the party, I want to believe that there's no political party in Nigeria that is as structured as the People's Democratic Party. And that is why, you can see, of course, its existence in all the 774 local government areas in the country.

In November 2020, at the state congress, I was elected as the chairman of the party. My brother and contender for the same chairmanship position at the congress, Bitrus Kaze, went to court and the court granted his prayers by ordering that we repeat Congress. Because the People's Democratic Party is a party that respects the rule of law, we said there was no problem with that order. We said let us go back, so that we can save ourselves from these litigation and court processes. The legal team advised us to that effect too; and that Exco was off.

electoral committee headed by Shola Akamudi.

First of all, remember I have told you the number of aspirants who obtained nomination forms for various elective positions; and that at the end of the day none went to court seeking one thing or the other.

And upon dissolution, the national secretary of the party put together a caretaker committee headed by Senator Tunde Ogbeha. He came here to the state with a mandate to stay here for 90 days only – that is three months. And he did wonderfully well. A very experienced senator, an ex -military man, and a proud father of the North Central Zone, his contacts were actually very extensive; and he did consult with all those who were aggrieved Before then, judgments were given in five local government areas that congresses should be repeated. It was the same caretaker committee that saw to the conduct of the repeated congresses and emergence of party excos in those five local governments. Local government areas like Jos North, Jos South and Jos East, were part of those captured in the judgment that we received. Having got our house in order, we went back. And this paved and gave birth to the state congress that took place on 25th of September 2021. How was that court order and the repeat State Congress conducted? Although the chairman of the caretaker committee, Tunde Ogbeha was in place, but, in the wisdom of the party at the national level, as if they envisaged there will be a judgement like this, they put the power to conduct the congress in an

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There is no single person that came out dissatisfied - nobody. Instead, as a chairman of the party, I had interface with all the aspirants and I promised them that we will be very fair to them. And they also said, if you are going to be fair in the conduct of all these primaries, then we are reassured that we will not have protest votes. When you see members of the political parties going around to do protest voting, then the process was not transparent. And because the process was transparent enough, that is why all those that lost elections in the primaries, closed ranks and teamed up with those who won the election and worked for the success of this party. And that did not only manifest, it was brought to the table. And I've understood and learnt as chairman of the party, that there is nothing as good as being very justifiable in the conduct of your office, particularly during party primaries. And when we did that, we had fewer problems. So, if anybody says today that there was no fair play or “structure”, the golden question is, who went to court? Nobody went to court! Not even against the conduct of the congresses that brought in the present Exco and the primaries that brought in our candidates. Nobody went to court. In other political parties, you saw what happened during the primaries of the governorship election. Up till now, they are in the Supreme Court. Even the election that brought in the Exco of the Plateau State APC from the Wards to the State are still being disputed and contested as fraudulent and make-belief!

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EDITORIAL

DECEMBER 10, 2023 WWW.THEWILLNEWS.COM

Preventing Future 'Error Bombings'

It’s a time to show empathy and not a time to make excuses, because for the families – we are trying to calm them down and make them understand that the government will fight for justice. But making excuses before the investigation is concluded, I think it’s unnecessary

ast Sunday’s bombing of innocent civilians participating in an Islamic rite in Tundi Buri community in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State really leaves a sour taste in the mouth. The description of the drone attack by the Defence Headquarters as ''error bombing'' is like adding salt to injury as there could have been no justification for that costly and fatal blunder. More infuriating are the contradictory statements from those responsible for the tactical mistake that has since sent the entire state into a mourning mood. While the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja, had taken responsibility for the incident, promising a full investigation, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, was trying to justify the condemnable action. THEWILL recalls that Buba, on Tuesday, three days after the bombing, said the army had suspected the presence of terrorists in the area after an aerial surveillance captured movement of persons synonymous with terrorist tactics and mode of operation. “It should be noted that terrorists often deliberately embed themselves within civilian population centres

for the civilian population to bear the consequences of their atrocities. Nevertheless, the Nigerian military does its best at all times to distinguish between civilians and terrorists,” Buba had maintained. While we condemn this ''doublespeak'' in the strongest term as it is not only insensitive but also amounts to countering what a superior officer had earlier said, we are not surprised that the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, has described Buba's statement as "very careless”, calling for its retraction. We, however, commend the governor for his maturity and magnanimity, even in the face of anger. The governor, who has been trying to “calm the people and make them understand that the government will fight for justice,” has also commended President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Chief of Army Staff, Lagbaja, for what he described as their consoling words and quick intervention which, according to him, have helped diffuse the tension in the state. “These are the statements that are responsible and show a lot of empathy. It’s a time to show empathy and not a time to make excuses, because for the families – we are trying to calm them down and make them understand

that the government will fight for justice. But making excuses before the investigation is concluded, I think it’s unnecessary,” the governor was quoted as saying. As efforts continue to provide succour to the surviving victims who are still taking treatment at the hospital, we join well-meaning Nigerians to interrogate what the military claims to be intelligence as the so-called error bombing is becoming a yearly occurrence. Only a few years ago, there was a mistake bombing that destroyed a church in Kaduna, even as investigation shows that “error bombing ” has gone on for too long to warrant urgent attention and concern for the root causes of what appears to be a deadly pattern. While investigation into the deadly drone attack gets underway as promised by the Federal Government, we salute the courage of Governor Sani, who said the state government would take care of the wounded and also provide proper medical care and support to the victims. “We will also take care of the orphans by giving them support and ensuring that they are properly taken care of,” the governor said.

•This was the winning entry for the Editorial Cartoon Category at the 2021 Wole Soyinka Investigative Journalism Awards.

NIGERIA BUREAU: 36AA Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA, Ikeja. Lagos, Nigeria. info@thewillnigeria.com / @THEWILLNG, +234 810 345 2286, +234 913 333 3888 EDITOR: Olaolu Olusina @OLUSINA LETTERS/OPINIONS: opinion.letters@thewillnews.com

THEWILL NEWSPAPER TEAM Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Business Editor – Sam Diala

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Austyn Ogannah

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Editor – Olaolu Olusina

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OPINION

DECEMBER 10, 2023 WWW.THEWILLNEWS.COM

Politics of Naira Redesign, Scarcity And Erosion of National Pride BY KALU OKORONKWO

he initiative at the twilight of the Muhammadu Buhari Administration to redesign the country's currency, the Naira, has become a complex narrative characterised by intricate political undercurrents, scarcity hurdles, and the looming threat of diminishing national pride and identity.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced last year the redesign of 200-, 500- and 1,000-naira notes, and planned to end the use of the old notes by 31 January 2023. But the acute scarcity of the new notes made the January 31 deadline impracticable and prompted the bank, with the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari, to extend the legal tender status of the old notes till February 10.

This seeming bad state of the Naira, coupled with its persistent devaluation against other major currencies, is casting a shadow over the original objectives of the redesign policy. At a time in the early stages of the implementation of the policy, the new Naira was so scarce that Nigerians were buying the local currency just like other nations’ currencies. It was said that some families giving out their daughters in marriage insisted on payment of bride price in the new THE POLITICS SURROUNDING THE currency to the chagrin of the grooms’ families who were NAIRA NOTES REDESIGN AND also negatively impacted by the scarcity of the new notes. What THE PERSISTENT SCARCITY OF a paradox!

On February 3, three state governments – Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara, all APC states, citing the hardship the continued scarcity of naira notes brought to their people, sued the Federal Government at the Supreme Court for a reversal of the policy.

THE CURRENCY HAVE BECOME A PIVOTAL FACTOR IN SHAPING THE NATION'S COLLECTIVE PSYCHE AND POTENTIALLY UNDERMINING THE VERY ESSENCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE AND IDENTITY

The most worrisome in this debacle is the recent ruling by a seven-man panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice John Okoro, that the old currency remains a legal tender indefinitely, to exist side by side with the newly redesigned notes. This has thrown up another economic conundrum as Nigeria is perhaps the only country in the world presenting two types of currencies of the same economic value as legal tender amidst its scarcity. But be it as it may, the critical questions begging for answers: What manner of economic blueprint is the APC government of President Bola Tinubu implementing? What is in this naira war that the APC government from the Buhari era to the present administration, cannot resolve to bring reprieve to the majority of people who continue to bear the brunt? I used war advisedly because the former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele is still in prison custody, following an order of court as he is facing prosecution for “economic crime,” while in office. Why is the APC going to court against the policy of its past administration? What has changed in the philosophy of the party that makes it difficult to reconcile existing policies of the past administration and the present? While President Tinubu during his inauguration had hinted at continuing with the programmes of his predecessor. The persistent naira crisis without a substantive policy to address the challenges has also cast a shadow of doubt on the sincerity of this government.

Several days later, the court issued an interim order suspending the implementation of the deadline set by the Federal Government and directed that the old and new notes should continue to circulate pending the resolution of the case. Despite the ruling by the apex court, the CBN maintained that the old notes had stopped being legal tender after the February 8 deadline, while the scarcity of the new notes persisted bringing about hardship to the citizens with several reports of loss of lives. In defiance to the Supreme Court’s order, Gen. Buhari on February 16, restored the validity of the old N200 notes, insisting that the N500 and N1000 notes had ceased to be legal tender. This defiance stance of the Buhari administration occasioned the rise of the number of plaintiffs to nine after six states were added to the three initial plaintiffs during the hearing of the case on February 22, three days before the national elections held on February 25. The biting cash crunch featured as a major issue in the lead-up to the elections, which many feared could derail the process. The redesign of a country’s national currency extends beyond aesthetics. It involves a strategic blend of cultural representation, economic considerations, and technological advancements. Moreover, the design of a nation's currency is more than a utilitarian exercise in functionality; it is a symbolic representation of its identity and pride. The politics surrounding the Naira notes redesign and the persistent scarcity of the currency have become a pivotal factor in shaping the nation's collective psyche and potentially undermining the very essence of national pride and identity. A currency serves as a historical continuum, connecting the present to the nation's past. The redesign dilemma demands a thoughtful approach to maintain a thread of historical continuity, ensuring that the Nigerian naira seamlessly integrates with the existing narrative. The Naira is not just a medium of exchange; it is a psychological anchor for citizens. The redesign dilemma raises concerns about the potential psychological impact on individuals who may struggle to connect with a radically altered visual representation of their national currency. •Okoronkwo, a leadership and good governance advocate, writes from Lagos and can be reached on kalu.okoronkwo@gmail.com

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Legislative Leadership And Climate Change BY STANLEY EKPA

n most constitutional democracies around the world, the primary burden of leadership rests on the ability of the legislature as the first arm of government to make evidence-based, informed and public good laws, and navigate the dynamics of constantly conflicting interests of constituencies.

In today’s evolving global politics, legislatures face a daunting duty to legislate for emerging social, environmental, technological and cultural challenges. From legislation on how states are safeguarding the public’s interest while fostering responsible AI innovation to making laws that guide human and corporate activities on climate change, legislatures across different democratic climes have a responsibility to set a legal basis for building a sustainable world. To provide legal and institutional backing for Nigeria’s climate-related programmes and actions, the Climate Change Act was signed into law in 2021, while the Nigerian decarbonisation strategy is presented in the Nigerian Energy Transition Plan which proposes a path for Nigeria to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Beyond these legal and policy-related instruments on climate action, legislative leadership is required to ensure a “just transition” that manages possible job losses, enables the use of natural gas as a transition fuel to support Nigeria’s long-term net-zero aspirations, and improves access to modern energy services for everyone, including rural communities. Legislating for the future of the planet starts with legislative commitments to building a new climate economy. With ambitious climate action, the global climate economy is expected to deliver at least $26 trillion in global economic benefits from now to 2023. Going by the possible benefits that the new climate economy could avoid over 700,000 premature deaths from air pollution, and could generate over 65 million new low-carbon jobs by 2023, a country like Nigeria with 63% of its population (133 million people) that are multi-dimensionally poor, stands to gain more when it prioritises legislations and leadership that “requires ambitious action across key economic systems, creating the conditions for the phaseout of coal and rapid scale-up of renewables in the energy sector; investing in shared, electric, and low-carbon transport in cities; scaling up sustainable food and land use systems, including forest landscape restoration”, as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala aptly puts it.

2000, due to a significant contribution of climate change. In 2009, an estimated 6,000 gullies were destroying roads, highways, pipelines and houses across Nigeria.

FOR AFRICA TO PLAY A LEADING ROLE IN ACHIEVING NET ZERO, LEGISLATURES NEED STAKEHOLDERS, SUCH AS INVESTORS, CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND OTHER CAPITAL MARKET PARTICIPANTS TO ENVISION WHAT IS AHEAD WITH A CLEAN-ENERGY FUTURE AND DRIVE CLIMATE COMMITMENTS WITH MEASURABLE ACTIONS

Beyond the Nairobi Africa Climate Summit 2023, Africa needs legislative leadership that boldly legislates on critical climate issues bedevilling African nations, leveraging the global decarbonisation agenda and agreements, expanding opportunities therewith to invest in novel enterprises and leapfrog existing development models, without resulting in the loss of jobs for petroleum exporters. This requires two crucial variables – legislating and designing targeted policies that place climate actions at the core of our short-, mediumand long-term development plans; and transformational legislative leadership interventions that strengthen institutional efficiency to drive implementation of climate action laws and policies, and oversight quality project delivery across all tiers of governments.

To accelerate global action beyond a series of conversations at climate change conferences, local and national legislatures must be more aggressive with constant and comprehensive actions on climate change. In legislative climes like Nigeria, legislators have a responsibility to understand that though Nigeria and other 53 African countries only contribute 4 per cent to global greenhouse emissions at 1.45 billion tonnes, the continent is the most vulnerable to the effect of the climate crisis.

Nigeria, for instance, has designed three important development plans since 2011 - the Transformation Agenda, the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, and Nigeria's Economic Sustainability Plan, yet these development proposals have not been adequately implemented to deliver climate-related results.

According to the International Rescue Committee, out of the ten countries most vulnerable to climate disaster, seven are in Africa. The Lake Chad basin for instance, which is home to 8 per cent of the African continent and 42 million people whose livelihoods revolve around fishing, farming and pastoralism, has shrunk 90 per cent in 60 years, reduced from 22902km2 in 1963 to 304 km2 in

•Ekpa is a Senior Leadership Adviser and Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Leadership and Complex Military Operations, NDA

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$200m

AGRIC IMPORTS HIT N643.68BN IN Q3’23, AS EXPORTS DECLINE

Ecobank Secures $200m Loan to Fund Climate Ambitions / PAGE 34

100MW

Climate Change: Oando, Cross River Government Announce Renewable Energy Plans

EDITOR Sam Diala

2024 Budget: Economy Bleeds as FG Elevates Waste, Impunity to National Priority 100TRN

NIGERIA'S DEBT PROFILE & EXCHANGE RATE 2014-2023(Q2)

(N’trn)

60TRN

2015

20TRN

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

39.56

32.92

27.0

24.38

21.68

17.3

87.38

2014

46.25

800N

600N

400N

420

387.2

380.2

360

361.2

333.7

199.6

780

200N 197.8

(N)

40TRN

BY SAM DIALA

EXCH. RATE NAIRA (I&E)

DEBT

80TRN

165.15

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11.2

gricultural goods imported into the country in the third quarter of the year (Q3 2023) far exceeded agric exports with 192.5 percent, according to data by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The NBS in its Q3 2023 ‘Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics’ report published last week showed that the value of agricultural goods imported into the economy during the period rose to N643.68 billion. This is an increase of 41.51 percent when compared to the value recorded in Q2, 2023 (N454.85 billion) and by 25.50 percent when compared to the value recorded in Q3, 2022 (N512.91 billion). On the other hand, agric exports stood at N219.99 billion during the review period. The data revealed that exports of agricultural goods decreased by 21.68 percent over the value recorded in Q2, 2023 (N280.87 billion) and an increase of 161.25 percent when compared to the value recorded in Q3, 2022 (N84.21 billion), respectively. The report showed that during this quarter, most agricultural products were exported to Asia, with goods valued at N122.51 followed by Europe with N60.03 billion. Export of agricultural products was dominated by ‘Superior quality Cocoa beans’ valued at N42.24 billion, ‘Other cut flowers & flower buds of kind suitable ornamental purposes fresh, dried, dyed,’ with N36.32 billion and ‘Sesamum seeds’ with N23.22 billion. Further analysis shows that ‘Superior quality Cocoa beans’ worth N15.12 billion and N12.14 billion were exported to Indonesia and the Netherlands, respectively while ‘Other cut flowers & flower buds of kind suitable ornamental purposes fresh, dried, dyed,’ worth N11.85 billion and N8.31 billion were exported to Mexico and China respectively. Also, ‘Sesamum seeds’ worth N4.85 billion and N4.17 billion were exported to Japan and Turkey, respectively. The major agricultural goods imported in Q3, 2023 included ‘Durum wheat (not in seeds)’ from Poland with N90.46 billion and Canada with N73.03 billion. This was followed by ‘Mackerel (Scomber

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B C H D E I J F G etails of Nigeria’s 2024 budget proposal, now before the National Assembly, reveal numerous items N365.75 million, welfare package N673.16 million and N6.42 of high expenditure that will further drain the economy and million for books. The sum of N148.26 million is budgeted for make effective governance a mirage. fuel. As it stands, most of the items border on ostentation and waste, The office of the President, which was allocated N148.16 billion thus negating the claim that “the budget reflects the Renewed in the 2023 budget, is proposed to receive N271.68 billion in the Hope Agenda of the present Administration aimed at addressing 2024 fiscal year to accommodate, among other items, N7.63 in current fiscal challenges and to improve domestic economic travels and transport (general); foodstuff, catering and material conditions.” supplies of N254.27 million. More disturbing is that part of the N27.5 trillion budget is to be The office of the Vice President is to spend N1.84 million on financed through massive borrowing to bridge the N9.18 trillion travel and transport and N337.52 million on foodstuff/catering deficit. This has the consequence of worsening the current high and material supply. debt service-to-revenue ratio of 73.5 percent, which the Debt Management Office (DMO) describes as unsustainable and a The budget also made provisions for the office of Chief of Staff to the President which include, N285.35 million for local threat. training and N294 million for international training. A provision Allocation to State House Headquarters rose to N40.61 billion of N20.65 million is made for refreshment and meals while as against N14.80 billion in the approved 2023 budget (before N290.60 million will be spent on the purchase of new vehicles. Tinubu’s N2.3 trillion supplementary budget), a rise of 174.4 In the same vein, the State House Medical Centre in Abuja is percent. allocated N1.13 billion while the Lagos liaison Medical Centre The components of the State House Headquarters’ budgetary will receive N632.43 million during the fiscal year. allocation include personnel cost which jumped from N1.65 billion in 2023 to N2.16 billion for 2024, while overhead cost Details of the budget revealed that the State House Lagos liaison followed the same trend, hitting N10.33 billion from N3.04 office will undergo a massive transformation during the year, with the construction of a Presidential helipad at the Dodan billion. Barracks and reconstruction of the clinic. Aside from the purchase of new operational vehicles for N4 billion and new SUV vehicles for N2 billion, government proposes The document showed that total overhaul/renovation of an expenditure of N6.4 billion for transport and travelling offices and residential buildings will gulp N40 million while a allowance (general), honorarium and sitting allowance of whopping N100 million is allocated to new vehicles including Source; DMO

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BUSINESS WEEKLY ...Economy Bleeds as FG Elevates Waste, Impunity to National Priority If we have a revenue challenge as we are made to understand, and people are suffering excruciating hardship, is this the right time to propose such bogus expenditures?

8 Prado Jeeps for the President and VIP movement. “This will give you an idea of the waste, corruption and impunity that abound in this government. If we have a revenue challenge as we are made to understand, and people are suffering excruciating hardship, is this the right time to propose such bogus expenditures? Can’t we wait for a year or two and allow the economy to recover? I cannot see what cannot wait till the next one or two years,” said a top government official in Abuja who would not want his name disclosed. The 2024 Appropriation Bill is predicated on the following key assumptions: Oil Price Benchmark $77.96 per barrel Daily Oil Production: 1.78m barrels

per day Exchange Rate: N750/$1 Inflation: 21.4 percent GDP Growth: 3.76 percent Economic experts have expressed doubts as to the realistic status of the assumptions especially concerning exchange rate, inflation and GDP growth. Most of the expenditure items at the epic level of the executive - the state house and the presidency – cannot be considered urgent and important given our present economic realities. It therefore seems that Nigerians are working hard to keep the presidency and those at the top echelon of the executive comfortable in all ramifications. If the document, now being scrutinized by the National Assembly is approved (and there is little doubt that the lawmakers seen by the public as ‘rubber stamp’, will not), Nigerians will be on another round of economic challenge that will deepen the existing wounds and expand the agony of the citizens. The reason is that the President Bola Tinubu-led government has not shown that it is determined to salvage the battered economy from the eight-year catastrophe under his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari. This, therefore, suggests that President Tinubu and his team are out to engage in the lavish lifestyle that betrays their hypocrisy in telling Nigerians to tighten their belts while the leaders relish in pleasure. While inflation and devaluation of the naira are taken into consideration, the wide gap between the 2024 proposed expenditures and the 2023 figures, particularly the resort to invest huge resources in new motor vehicles, office building, transport and travelling, food, allowances and other items of little priority, is mind-boggling.

...N643.68bn in Q3’23, As Exports Decline scombrus, Scomber australasicus, Scomber japonicus) meat, frozen.’ from Faroe Islands valued at N16.35 billion. The value of total trade in agricultural goods in Q3, 2023 stood at N863.67 billion A remarkable development is the return of cocoa as the major export commodity after it was displaced by cashew nuts in Q2 2023. The NBS Q2 Trade in Foreign Goods report had revealed that cashew nuts displaced cocoa as the major agricultural exports commodity, pushing cocoa to the third position after Sesamum seeds 7Previously, cocoa (especially processed and semi-processed) occupied top positions among agricultural export commodities. THEWILL had reported that export of agricultural products was dominated by ‘Cashew nuts Shelled’ valued at N57.79 billion followed by ‘Cashew nuts in shell,’ with N55.02 billion and ‘Sesamum seeds’ with N38.32 billion. By direction of trade, ‘Cashew nuts Shelled’ worth N52.53 billion and N4.05 billion were exported to Vietnam and India, respectively. Furthermore, ‘Cashew nuts in shell’ worth N34.72 billion and N18.83 billion were exported to Vietnam and India respectively, followed by exports of ‘Sesamum seeds’ worth N13.39 billion and N5.50 billion to Japan and China, respectively. The displacement of cocoa by cashew nuts in the agricultural export priority points to a major challenge in Nigeria’s cocoa production which experts have drawn attention to. In a document titled, “Addressing the Challenges of Cocoa Production in Nigeria”, by the Managing Director, Sunbeth Global Concepts (SGC) - a commodity trading firm Olasunkanmi Owoyemi, had noted that Nigeria’s cocoa production is on the decline. “Nigeria may be the fourth largest producer of cocoa globally, only trailing behind Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Indonesia, but its output is still comparatively low. Ivory Coast produces 2,200,000 tonnes of cocoa beans annually, while Nigeria’s total annual output is about 340,163 tonnes. “If any segment of the agricultural industry has shown a potential to improve the country’s economy and contribute to employment generation, it is the cocoa industry. In the right position, the industry will generate more jobs for farmers and other players involved in the production value chain. The industry, however, continues to grapple with limiting challenges, such as poor infrastructure, inadequate research and development, the lack of funding for farming startups, dearth of mechanised farming techniques, poor education of farmers, aging farmers and the lack of protection of local industries, all of which hamper its potential.”: Owoyeme noted that despite this decline, cocoa remains the country’s principal nonoil foreign exchange earner. The declining price of crude oil continues to provide momentum for conversations about economic diversification into sectors such as agriculture. If any segment of the agricultural industry has shown a potential to improve the country’s economy and contribute to employment generation, it is the cocoa industry. In the right position, the industry will generate more jobs for farmers and other players involved in the production value chain. To address these challenges, there is a need for collaboration between the government and private sector for investments in infrastructure development. Plus, rural cocoaproducing areas should receive higher priority during the execution of infrastructural development projects.

UBA Business Series: E-commerce Owners Advise SMEs on Effective Business Management

easoned business owners have advised Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) owners and operators on winning tips that will help them run successful online businesses especially in the face of growing competition and challenging business terrain. Speaking during the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Business Series hybrid event at the bank’s Head office in Lagos on Thursday, the entrepreneurs and E-commerce experts agreed that SMEs should start small and offer valueadded services to their customers as these are essential factors to help them grow their businesses into successful empires. The Chief Executive Officer, Konga.com, Nnamdi Ekeh, the Founder/CEO RenDoll Fashion Brand, Reni Abina, and Media Personality & Entrepreneur, Kaylah Oniwo were panellists at the event who spoke on the topic; E-commerce: the Effects of Online Retail. “There is the need for proper documentation. Data is very important for business growth, as it gives you your conversion rates, and lets THEWILLNEWS

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you know what to do to improve these rates to boost business patronage,” Mr Ekeh said, as he emphasised that boosting security as regards payment options is also very important. On her part, Abina advised E-commerce business owners and prospective owners to make use of reputable online influencers to promote their businesses, as she said, “It is important to find influencers in your field that are fitting to your brand and the kind of business you do.” “It is important for business owners to know how their brands are being positioned; remember to track your growth properly as this will help you to know what you are doing right or wrong at every point in time,” Oniwo stated as she pointed out that the need for business owners to take the storytelling element of their business very important. Together, all the speakers at the event noted that business owners should ensure that their businesses are duly registered, with functional business accounts as this gives a large amount of credibility to the company.

Speaking earlier, the Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, said UBA organises these business series frequently as they go a long way towards equipping customers with the much needed strategies to help build their businesses. She said, “This year alone, we have had several conversations around business and health, personal finance and now, we are talking about e-commerce. To us as a bank, it is important that we have these conversations and the topic for this session is E-commerce, and is very important as we wrap up the year, because this is the season for giving and a lot of buying and selling will be going on during this period. “As a financial institution that cares about its customers, UBA is interested in bringing in great speakers, experienced business people and thought leaders to educate its customers and Small business owners as they can then take the points discussed in these series and work with them to improve upon and positively impact their businesses,” she stated. *Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

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DECEMBER 10, 2023 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnews.com

BUSINESS NEWS

L-R: Chief Upstream Investment Officer (CUIO), NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti; Former Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote and Representative of the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Mrs Oluremi Abisoye, during the VIP tour of exhibition at the ongoing Practical Nigerian Content Forum in Yenagoa on December 5, 2023.

Nestlé Nigeria Recognised as Best Employer in Food And Beverage at The Employers Excellence Awards

NGX Enlightens Retiring Military Officers on Personal Finance, Investing

Ecobank Secures $200m Loan to Fund Climate Ambitions

Equities Market Closes Negative For The Week

cobank Transnational International (ETI) as sealed a deal that will avail $200 million in sustainability-linked loan to the lender, the Lomé-based banking group said Friday. The group of five European Development Institutions are Proparco, Norfund, FMO, DEG and EFP. The credit, said to be the first of its kind to a sub-Saharan African financial institution, is to back Ecobank Group’s sustainability and climate strategy and also includes a climate action plan. The duo of Proparco, which also is the lead arranger of the facility, and the German consulting firm IPC will offer advisory support to ETI’s teams to actualise the targets, according to a statement by ETI. “Over the years, Proparco and Ecobank Group have continuously reinforced their partnership through Proparco’s provision of numerous loans, bond subscriptions and risk-sharing facilities including for trade finance to ETI and its subsidiaries, aimed at providing access to finance for underserved segments,” the document stated. A similar move in June 2021 saw ETI raise Tier 2 sustainability notes valued at $350 million, with June 2031 set as the maturity date of the bon.

he NGX All-Share Index appreciated by 0.27%, while the Market Capitalization depreciated by 0.23% to close the week at 71,419.87 and N39.082 trillion respectively. A total turnover of 2.543 billion shares worth N38.644 billion in 36,138 deals was traded this week by investors on the floor of the Exchange, in contrast to a total of 2.425 billion shares valued at N22.665 billion that exchanged hands last week in 33,230 deals. The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.721 billion shares valued at N18.281 billion traded in 17,151 deals; thus contributing 67.68% and 47.30% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Conglomerates Industry followed with 200.584 million shares worth N1.546 billion in 2,073 deals. The third place was the Services industry, with a turnover of 122.025 million shares worth N376.167 million in 2,051 deals. Trading in the top three equities namely Universal Insurance Plc, Access Holdings Plc, and Transnational Corporation Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 660.409 million shares worth N4.795 billion in 4,194 deals, contributing 25.97% and 12.41% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

estlé Nigeria, a leading player in the food and beverage industry, has been recognized for exceptional performance across various business metrics including people practices, sustainability, diversity and inclusion. At the prestigious Employers Excellence Awards, organized by the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), in Lagos recently, Nestlé Nigeria won the Best Employer in Food and Beverage Award as well as the Investment in Sustainability and Green Initiatives Award. The company also received the Exemplary Investment in Diversity and Inclusion Award as well as the Recognition of Efforts towards the elimination of Child Labor in the Workplace Award. The Annual Employers Excellence Awards serves as a platform to spotlight organizations that prioritize their workforce, implement policies, systems, and processes that drive enterprise competitiveness, enhance productivity, and foster industrial peace and harmony. The theme for this year's awards ceremony,"Against all Odds," resonates with the current challenges faced by businesses in the country. Coming on the heels of the other notable awards including HR Best Practice in the FMCG Sector in Nigeria and 1st Runner Up for the overall HR Best Practice Award in Nigeria conferred by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) at the 2023 CIPM International conference, the Organization with the highest number of Job Placements of Technical Trainees by the NECAITF Technical Skill Development Project, and the Best Contributing Employer in Training activities for 2022 within the Isolo Area Jurisdiction in Lagos State by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), these awards underscore the company’s unwavering commitment to excellence and continuous improvement across every business principle. The MD/CEO of Nestlé Nigeria reiterated the company’s commitment to continuous excellence. “At Nestlé, we remain dedicated to upholding the highest standards of corporate excellence and take steps every day to promote the wellbeing of our people while playing our part to support thriving communities and protect our planet for the next generation. We are very happy to receive these keenly contested awards and will remain focused on maintaining our positive impact in the Nigerian business environment, against all odds.”

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n line with its commitment to further deepen financial literacy and increase the participation of retail investors in the capital market, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), in collaboration with Zenith Bank and supported by Africa Prudential, has taken its financial literacy initiative, X-Lit to the Army Barracks. The session, themed “Soldering Wealth: X-Lit’s Exclusive Insights for the Nigerian Military”, took place on Thursday, 7 December 2023, at the Nigeria Armed Forces Resettlement Centre. Topics treated bordered around investing, accessing the market with technology, including the recently launched NGX USSD Code. Speaking on the significance of the event, Dr Irene Robinson-Ayanwale, Divisional Head, Business Support Services and General Counsel, NGX, noted that NGX launched the X-Lit initiative to bring the market closer to retail investors of which retiring military officers formed part of. “That is why we themed this campaign ‘Closer to You’ as we want to further deepen the pool of retail investors in our market. We will be rolling this out across the country and reaching out to more demographics including youths, market women and others.” Bukola James-Cole, Head, Capital Markets Business, Africa Prudential Plc noted while speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event that the company, in the realisation of the importance of democratising investing and enhancinh financial literacy, partnered with NGX on the initiative. In his part, Chinonso Umeh, Retail Banking at Zenith Bank Plc expressed enthusiasm about collaborating closely with NGX. He commended NGX for its achievements and reiterated Zenith Bank commitment to working together to promote financial literacy among the retail investors’. Participating soldiers commended NGX, Africa Prudential and Zenith Bank for organizing the session, stating its timeliness as they were nearing retirement. Some of the participants won gifts in the form of shares in listed companies for answering questions after the presentations.

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L-R: Head, Capital Market Business and Deputy Registrar, Africa Prudential Plc, Bukola James-Cole; Head, Military Trainees Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos, LT Col, Muhammed Marafa; Divisional Head, Business Support Service and General Counsel, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Dr. Irene Robinson-Ayanwale; Head, Market Surveillance and Investigation, NGX Regulation Limited, (NGX RegCo) Mr. Abimbola Babalola and, Legal Manager, Litigation and ADR, NGX, Oghenekevwe Okpobia, during the X-Lit program at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi in Lagos on December 7, 2023.

FMDQ Calls For Enhanced Action To Attract $30tn Sustainability Fund

he FMDQ Group has charged capital market stakeholders to make more efforts to attract part of the $30tn sustainability fund available globally into the Nigerian capital market.

Dr Vincent Nwani, the Head of Research at the Exchange, stated this at the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria 2023 workshop with the theme: ‘Leveraging Capital Market in Financing the National Development Plan,’ held in Lagos. The FMDQ Group has charged capital market stakeholders to make more efforts to attract part of the $30tn sustainability fund available globally into the Nigerian capital market. Dr Vincent Nwani, the Head of Research at the Exchange, stated this at the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria 2023 workshop with the theme: ‘Leveraging Capital Market in Financing the National Development Plan,’ held in Lagos. Nwani said, “On sustainability finance, about $ 30 trillion is out there looking for who to take it as far as sustainability is concerned “How is the Nigerian capital market positioning itself to be a strong recipient of this free fund? From the level of the exchanges: NGX and FMDQ, we are ready to list and are already listing. Apart from the Federal Government, corporations and state governments are beginning to show interest in green bonds. Even the pink bond for women-owned/ managed businesses, we are seeing a lot of interest. During the panel discussion, which included other stakeholders, Nwani revealed that the Lagos State government had gone far in terms of offering a green bond, noting that announcements should be made soon “Lagos State has even gone very far and an announcement will be made on their coming to the market as far as the green bond is concerned. Rest assured things are being done around tapping the $30tn sustainability finance. “The work there now is about training, enlightenment, and awareness for investors and issuers. Work is already being done on that. “Over the last year, FMDQ has worked with FSD Africa to organise four or five different training sessions for investors, even the government, like key ministries and their functionaries in Abuja. Work is going on but like I said, we need to do more in this space,” he said. On the theme of the workshop, Nwani argued that the Nigerian capital market might be unable to finance the National Development Plan, saying, “If the capital market is going to power the National Development Plan, it is obvious that we have to increase scale. Is our capital market in a place where it can power this plan? “A lot of work needs to be done. We are not there yet. The capital market is not positioned to power this plan yet. We need to make this market to be globally competitive. Is it currently globally competitive? The answer is no. “Access to this market is restricted, the challenge with foreign exchange clearly shows that access is restricted. Is it liquid? Is it operationally efficient? In terms of cost, our market is one of the costliest in the world. Speaking of diversity, is it diversified in terms of products, in terms of securities?” Nwani asked. He added that the government and stakeholders needed to pay more attention to housing and bridging the housing deficit. “In financing this National Development Plan, for infrastructure, we have emphasised but we also need to look at housing. About 17 million housing units are needed. THEWILLNEWS

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Climate Change: Oando, Cross River Government Announce Renewable Energy Plans O

ando Clean Energy (OCEL), the renewable energy business subsidiary of Oando Energy Resources, a part of the Oando PLC Group, is amongst the private sector players participating in COP28.

In line with its remit and COP28 theme “The time for promises is past; the time for action is now”, OCEL on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, hosted a side event at the Nigeria pavilion to showcase its clean energy solutions and how the company is supporting the government in its journey to achieving its net zero ambition by 2060. In attendance at the side event were amongst others, Minister of the Niger Delta, Abubakar Momoh; Minister of the Environment, Abbas Lawal Balarabe; Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Kunle Salako; Director General, (NCCC), Dr Salisu Dahiru and Commissioner for Special Duties, Cross River State, Oden Ewa. At the event, OCEL demonstrated the significant milestones recorded to date while making a presentation on their broad spectrum of projects across Sustainable Transport, Waste to Value, Wind, Geothermal and Solar. The highlight of the session was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Cross River State Government for the rollout of electric vehicles for mass transportation within the state, setting up an electric vehicle (EV) assembly plant, thus creating jobs for local indigenes as well as building a 100MW wind plant for power generation. Senator Prince Bassey Otu who presented the Governor of Cross River State, at the MOU signing was the State’s Commissioner for Special Duties, Oden Ewa. He commented “This landmark agreement marks a significant step forward in Cross Rivers’ journey towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. “The MOU paves the way for the transitioning of our mass transit system to cleaner and less expensive fuels whilst also allowing for the use of our natural resource, wind, to provide electrification for our people. “I commend Oando Clean Energy for their innovative solutions that address the impact of climate change in Nigeria and her citizens”. In response, OCEL President / CEO, Dr. Ainojie Irune said, “As a company, we are committed to ensuring that this journey to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future is as seamless and as easy as possible. “By putting our confidence in, not only the technology but the partnership and ensuring that the Cross River State Government and her people reap the benefits of generating power from sustainable sources”. Continuing, Dr. Irune said “Oando Clean Energy’s scope spans the entire 35 states of the federation and the FCT; and with one state at a time, we will create a cleaner, more viable energy ecosystem for Nigeria and our people”. This is another testament to OCEL driving the energy transition narrative in Nigeria. The audience at the pavilion gave a rousing applause on hearing the successful outcomes from the 90-day Proof of Concept (PoC) phase of the electric mass transit buses deployed in Lagos State, in partnership with Lagos state and the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).

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BUSINESS WEEKLY

Corporate Exodus: Another ‘Oil Major’, Consumer Goods Giant Flee Nigeria BY MARCEL OKEKE

In pursuit of the exit scheme, the parent company of Equinor has entered into an agreement to sell its Nigerian assets (ENEC), including its stake in the Chevron-operated Agbami offshore oil field, to the Nigerian company— Chappal Energies. According to the agreement, Chappal Energies will acquire Equinor Nigeria Energy Company (ENEC), which holds a 53.85 per cent ownership in oil and gas lease OML 128, including the unitized 20.21 per cent stake in the Agbami oil field.

This development, to say the least, is portentous for Nigeria which, in the short-to-mid-term, will still depend heavily on earnings from crude oil production and export for the running of its economy. Unfortunately, this exodus of the IOCs is sector-wide, covering upstream, midstream and downstream operators. Thus, the ombudsman of the extractive industry, the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) says the recurrent issues of oil theft and vandalism were some of the reasons responsible for the gradual divestment by IOCs and big firms in the downstream sector.

The transaction marks the end of Equinor’s three-decade presence in Nigeria. Equinor has been a significant player in the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, particularly in the Agbami field, which has produced over one billion barrels of oil since its inception in 2008.

Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr Ogbonnaya Orji said “this is a huge problem that is currently impacting very negatively and seriously, especially on our downstream and midstream operations,” stressing that many IOCs and big

Nina Koch, Equinor’s Senior Vice President for Africa (Operations) says: “Nigeria has been an important part of Equinor’s international portfolio over the past 30 years,” adding that “this transaction realizes value and is in line with Equinor’s strategy to optimize its international oil and gas portfolio and focus on core areas.”

It therefore goes without saying that hitherto well-established business concerns are leaving Nigeria in droves under the guise of changing their models. In practically all sectors of the economy, blue chips are exiting Nigeria. In the pharmaceutical/health sector, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) left Nigeria a few months ago—after over five decades of successful operations in the country. Similarly, another pharmaceutical key player of French-origin (Sanofi-Aventis Nigeria Limited) left Nigeria soon after GSK. In the aviation industry, the story has not been any different. It is on record that United Airlines discontinued its daily trip from

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During the 2022 Nigerian International Energy Summit (NIES2022) in Abuja, with the theme “Strategies for Confronting the Energy Transition”, not a few experts expressed worries about the uncertain future of crude oil exploration and production in Nigeria. One of the experts, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu said “divestment of assets by some IOCs is beyond the global push for energy transition”.

Put differently, these ‘Oil Majors’ are leaving Nigeria in droves because compared to other business environments, the country is no longer conducive enough for them, and for the ‘new businesses’ they might diversify into (including clean/renewable energy transactions).

This transaction, whose closing is subject to regulatory and contractual approvals, is in line with Equinor’s strategy to optimize its international oil and gas portfolio and focus on core areas.

Mr. Shulten stated: “The other reality that arises in some of these markets is that it gets increasingly difficult to operate and create US dollar value. So, when you think about places like Nigeria and Argentina, it is difficult for us to operate because of the macroeconomic environment.” In this regard, Shulten said, “We have therefore decided we will turn our business in Nigeria into an import-only market, effectively dissolving our footprint on the ground in Nigeria.”

According to him, “Nigeria’s biggest problem is the insecurity of the pipelines, coupled with a lot of pollution due to oil theft and pipeline vandalism which has put Nigeria in a tough situation.”

The Managing Director/CEO of Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mr Mele Kyari, also at the NIES2022 said bluntly that the “International Oil Companies are divesting. They are leaving our country. That is the best way to put it”. He added however that “they are not leaving because opportunities are not here but because companies are shifting their portfolios where they can add value and not just that, but where they can also add to the journey towards carbon net-zero commitment.”

The latest to join the bandwagon in leaving the country is Equinor Nigeria Energy Company (ENEC)—a subsidiary of the Norwegian state-owned energy company—Equinor. Also leaving Nigeria is a consumer goods giant—Procter and Gamble (P and G).

On its part, P and G on Wednesday (December 6, 2023) said it planned to dissolve on-ground operations in Nigeria and its country into an import market. Chief Financial Officer of the P and G group, Andre Schulten stated this during his presentation at Morgan Stanley Global Consumer and Retail Conference. The company explained that “it is difficult to do business in Nigeria as a dollar-denominated organisation and the macroeconomic reality in Nigeria” is responsible for its latest strategic decision.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (till early this year), Timipre Sylva said the oil firms were leaving Nigeria due to the volatile environment which impacts negatively on their operations. He stated that Nigeria’s situation had become dangerous because of the myriad of challenges affecting the oil sector.

Kachikwu noted that the IOCs, including Shell and Exxon Mobil, had divested some of their Nigeria assets in the past few years, citing the need to diversify their portfolios, but promptly added, “There is need for the companies to be engaged in further discussions regarding the move.”

ven with the seemingly intensified efforts of the Bola Tinubu Administration to attract foreign investors into Nigeria, not a few companies have opted to leave the country in recent times. This ‘corporate exodus’ is largely due to Nigeria’s investment climate which has been deteriorating rather than improving, owing to a potpourri of economic reforms.

On the other hand, Chappal Energies, the acquiring company, is a Nigerian-owned energy firm positioning for further developing the acquired assets and contributing to the Nigerian economy. Chappal’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Ufuoma Immanuel says: “We are excited to take over the baton from Equinor after three decades of enduring legacy.”

crude-rich Niger Delta over alleged environmental pollution was fully addressed.

Lagos to Houston-Texas a few years ago, while Iberia suspended its flights to Nigeria from Madrid at the same time due to foreign exchange policy and the attendant difficulty in repatriating profits/earnings. The forex situation is yet to improve significantly—leading to several appeals and warning letters to Nigeria by IATA. Today, out of the estimated US$1.2 billion airlines’ money trapped in many countries, Nigeria accounts for the biggest chunk, according to IATA records. On the ‘corporate exodus’ bandwagon from Nigeria has also been other key players in diverse sectors. They include Truworths, Etisalat, Tiger Brads, HSBC, Woolworths, Shoprite, InterContinental Hotel Group. These companies and many others have sold their holdings and left Nigeria for good. Just before he left office, former President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the 100 per cent acquisition of the entire share capital of Mobil Oil Producing Nigeria Unlimited by (Nigerian) Seplat Energy Offshore Limited. Buhari authorised the acquisition in his capacity as Minister of Petroleum (at that time). The deal has since been sealed. Other International Oil Companies (IOCs) that have left Nigeria either completely or in part include Royal Dutch Shell, ExxonMobil, Total, Eni, Chevron, Texaco. Specifically, Shell has been in talks with ND Western to divest its assets in Nigeria, according to a Bloomberg report. Shell holds a 30 per cent stake in the joint venture (JV) with Eni, Total Energies and the government-backed Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). In June 2022, Shell said that it was postponing the sale of its shares in the JV as it awaited the resolution of a legal dispute before the Nigerian Supreme Court. A lower court had instructed Shell not to sell any assets until the issue with a community in the

Today, out of the estimated US$1.2 billion airlines’ money trapped in many countries, Nigeria accounts for the biggest chunk, according to IATA records firms are gradually divesting in the downstream sector because the problems of oil theft, vandalism, and deliberate sabotage have been quite difficult to manage. Now that the recent economic policies of the President Tinubu administration have heightened dollar crunch in Nigeria, many multinationals are looking to other climes to relocate. The P and G chief, Shulten said this much when he stated the dollardenominated nature of his company’s business rules out Nigeria as a viable business location. Today, the backlog of outstanding dividends and earnings of many companies in Nigeria that could not be repatriated due to acute shortage of dollar are yet huge. And so, many of them that cannot even see any light at the end of the tunnel are taking their early exit; and they are quite many. •Okeke is a practising Economist, Business Strategist, Sustainability expert and ex-Chief Economist of Zenith Bank Plc THEWILLNEWS

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SHOTS OF THE WEEK Photo Editor: Peace Udugba [08033050729]

Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Adeola Olamilekan; Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, at a One Day Retreat on the 2024 Appropriation Bill with the Theme, Budget and Budgetary Process in Abuja on December 5, 2023.

L-R: Director of Finance and Personnel Development, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr Isaac Yalah; Chief Downstream Investment Officer, NNPC Limited, Mr Cyprian Onwuegbu and MD, Aradel Holdings Limited, Mr Adegbite Falade, at the 12th Practical Nigerian Content Forum in Bayelsa State on December 6, 2023.

Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Mr. Olufemi Daramola; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Representative of Chairman, Flour Mills of Nigeria, Alhaji Rabiu Gwargo; Founder and Promoter of the Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources, Mr. Biodun Keffi Polo Ranch, Sen. Ahmed Wadada and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Ogunleye,during the swearing in of the two new cabinet members at the Exco chambers, Lagos House, Akume, at the just concluded Keffi Polo Ranch Tournament in support of education in Kefi on December Ikeja on December 6, 2023. 3, 2023.

L-R: Child Right Expert, Mrs Ugonna Ezekwem; Facilitator, Chibueze Okorie and representative of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mrs Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, during a 2-Day Workshop on the Non-Custodial Measures and Sentencing Guidelines Under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 in Abuja on December 4, 2023. THEWILLNEWS

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L-R: Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), Association of Professional Food Service Providers of Nigeria (APFSPN), Morenike Okupe; President of APFSPN, Monioluwa Osho; Public Relations, APFSPN, Afolake Oba-Kasumu and member, BOT, Mubo Adegoke, at a news conference by APFSPN on hike in food commodities prices in Nigeria, Lagos on December 6, 2023.

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DECEMBER 10, 2023 WWW.THEWILLNEWS.COM

Jimi Lawal Returns to Private Sector

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ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY EDITOR Ivory Ukonu

fter wasting time and money on a political misadventure, Shakiru Olajimi Adebisi Lawal, widely known as Jimi Lawal, has retreated to the private sector. He is all set to feature prominently as one of the founding directors and initial shareholders of Continues on page 42

ADEBAYO ADELABU EYES OYO GOVERNMENT HOUSE A THIRD TIME

e has barely spent four months on the saddle as the Minister of Power, but Adebayo Adelabu already has his eyes set on occupying the Oyo State Government House. Last week, Adelabu, who was the governorship candidate of the Accord party, AD, in the 2023 governorship election in Oyo State, announced

MUDI 30 Years And Still Thriving

Continues on page 42 THEWILLNEWS

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ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

Talent, Passion, Drive, Discipline Has Kept Me In Fashion Industry For 30 Years – Mudiaga Enajemo Mudiaga Enajemo, the first Nigerian fashion designer to make clothes for two African presidents and two prime ministers, is also the first designer to advertise his brand, MUDI Africa, on billboard and the first to build a fashion house in Africa. In this interview with IVORY UKONU, he speaks on his 30-year fashion design journey and some of the things that define him. Excerpts:

our eponymous brand, Mudi recently clocked 30 years. How do you feel about it? I thank God for the challenges. They helped to make me better. The drive. Drive is a personal thing. The talent. Talent is God given. I thank God for everything and above all, for being disciplined. Discipline is a personal thing as well. Without all of these combined, I do not think we would be having this interview. So, in anything you do, these three things will take you as high as you want. You must also have the passion for what you do. Passion and talent are the same thing. Actually, talent comes before passion. Some people are talented, but they lack the passion to work for the gift. So talent is number one, passion number two, drive number three and discipline is number four. Nowadays not much is heard about your contemporaries: Larry Kay Ojomo, a.k.a Mon Ami; Ekuriese Akamune, a.k.a Kesse Jabari; and David Kolawole Vaughan, a.k.a Dakova. But you have successfully remained consistent with your craft and evolved with the times. But that is life for you. They all tried at the time they reigned supreme. You know then, it was during the era of military rule unlike what we have now. Democracy brought about so much change. The market is much bigger now. When we started, there was no National Assembly, no Senate or Federal House of Representative. Fortunately, nowadays they all wear Nigerian clothes. So, the market is bigger now. Democracy actually opened up the fashion industry and took it to another level. Important personalities, such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala have been good ambassadors of the Made in Nigeria campaign. Both of them wear local Ankara clothes, especially Okonjo-Iweala. She's a woman I adore, she's a superwoman. It shows a lot of self-esteem. It's what you have in your head that matters, not what you wear. Yes, I am still here because I had and still have the positive mindset that it is possible, and that actually prepared me from the beginning. It is possible! I never even used the word like 'I go make am.' That's a bit too arrogant and overconfident. That’s not too good. I just kept the positive mindset that it is possible. Even as I'm sitting down now, my mind is still telling me that it is possible, just keep working. What made you think it was possible? It was just self-belief. It is very important to believe in yourself. You must have that self-confidence and belief in yourself. You must have faith in what you do. It matters a lot. There are talented people, but they don't believe it is possible. You have to believe first and then it will give you the courage to try, knowing that one day the light will shine. So, that first confidence would give you the much-needed push. Would you then say that drive and passion have kept you going? Yes, talent, passion, drive and discipline. At this level, I still go to work at 7 O’clock in the morning. It's just part of me. Most times, I use myself to reflect on how life really is. I'm not perfect. What you get out of life is what you put in it. There are designers, there are tailors and entrepreneurs, different categories of people. There are people who are into fashion design, some of them are gifted and they can create. Some can't create, yet they are tailors. Others are not tailors and they can't create, but they are entrepreneurs. They just assemble tailors somewhere to start making clothes. THEWILLNEWS

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What category do you fall into? I am a designer. I don't need people to tell me what to do. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't know the difference between designers, entrepreneurs and tailors. A designer creates, a tailor works under a designer or just gets ideas from magazines, while an entrepreneur just owns the business. Sometimes they don't even know how to do many things. I would never duplicate a design by another person, no matter how much you pay me because I am a designer and I create, except I'm not creative. I create my own. I would not duplicate. Even if you change the colour, I would not. I don't even keep designs because it is repetition. I move on. If I make three particular designs in Lagos, I make three different ones for Abuja and different ones again for Ghana. I would modify it, if you request the same thing. There has to be a bit of twist, but you'll get what you want. That's just me and that's what I'm known for. But you're also an entrepreneur because you market what you design I see myself as a designer, not a businessman. I'm an artist expressing myself through fashion. If you say I'm an entrepreneur, it's a compliment. I'll accept it. It's okay, but first of all I see myself as a designer.

Enajemo Where do you see yourself in the next 30 years? Do you see yourself still creating designs or are you going to retire? No, I pray I'll still be doing fashion because this is my life. All I do is fashion. For 30 years, I've been doing just one thing and it's not easy in this environment. My lifestyle and the way I've been living my life is through fashion. People think some other things. They think I'm into money laundering or politics. Some say I'm into hard drugs. People just say all kinds of things they don't know because they don't know my lifestyle. Sometimes I may not have up to N1 million naira in my bank account, but my lifestyle makes it look that way. I'm just living my life the way I want it. Contentment is important. I'm not desperate to acquire wealth, but with the little I have and the way I package myself, people would think I have a lot. I'm working because I have to

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Enajemo

work to live and if money comes fine. What did you want to do before venturing into fashion? Nothing. This is what I have always wanted to do. Well, something or somebody must have inspired you. Was it your father, mother or a close relation? You must have looked up to someone before Not really, but there are people I look up to. It is difficult to have role models in the society today because people change either because of politics or one thing or another. That is humans for you. But there are people that I look up to. The way they live and do their business makes me look up to them. I look at contentment when I judge. I'll mention names. For instance, people like John Momoh of Channels Television is one man I look up to; Biodun Shobanjo of Insight Communications; Larry Izamoje the owner of Brilla FM; Chief Agofure, the owner of Agofure Transport, is another person I look up to. I look up to them because they do their things professionally, they focus on their own things and they are people of substance. I'm not saying they are perfect; they have their

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ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY own shortcomings. I don't look at money; I look at character. Over the years, we have changed our values. People look at me and say I'm rich. No, that's not the way to judge people. I apply a bit of old and modern to the way I live my life and I look back to where I'm coming from.

there. There are family issues and unfavourable government policies to deal with. In fact, we are working against all odds. But we have to keep working. Speaking of government policies, in what ways has the government supported the fashion industry? Most times, the support we get, we see it through seminars, conferences, exhibitions. There are no grants. Imagine that I am paying salaries and my workers are paying tax to government, but there are no grants. In 30 years, I've never for received a grant from any government, whether federal or state.

What would you consider the highlights of your 30year career? I would mention like five for you. I'm the first Nigerian designer to advertise on billboard, it's on record. I'm the first to advertise on television. I'm the first designer to design for a foreign president, the record is there. I'm the first to open an outlet outside Nigeria. I have four outlets outside Nigeria, there were five, I shut one down. I'm the first to have a purpose-built fashion house not only in Nigeria but in Africa, televised by African magic and it happens to be the finest in Africa. Purpose built fashion house not rented, purpose built for fashion, the first. I'm the first to have branded vehicles for my fashion brand. All my outlets outside Nigeria are attached with official branded cars.

Did you try to apply? I'm not a businessman. There are many things that can frustrate and make one want to give up. Some years ago, when I wanted to expand my business, I approached a bank. I was asked to fill a lot of formal documents that made me eventually walk away because the lady asking me to fill the forms did not understand where I was coming from.

What prompted you to start expanding to other African countries? Fashion knows no language, fashion is universal. It doesn't speak languages. If you're limited, your brand will die. You have to spread out to reach other people. Whether you like it or not when it comes to fashion, Nigeria is number one in Africa and our diversity helps us to create designs. Africans now wear more African clothes. So the market is expanding. How are these outlets doing? Can you mention the countries they are located in? By the grace of God, they are doing well. Ghana and Ivory Coast are doing well. They are just picking up because it's been three years. Kenya is doing well, too. South Africa is still there, but it is a bit shaky because of Xenophobia. Which outlet did you shut down and why? Senegal didn't do well at all, so I shut it down. Any regret going to Senegal? No, regret at all. People should learn. We have to keep learning. We make mistakes to learn. Is there anything you feel you should have done better in your 30 years as a designer? I would say my Senegal outlet. I didn't really study the market before I entered. That is my only regret. I spent so much money to get a shop, get a car and everything and I had to let go. Would you like to go back there? Yes, by the grace of God. Senegal would still be a part of MUDI Africa. You're not getting any younger. Who are you grooming to take over your business after you retire? In life just do the best you can because it is difficult to pull in people. If you pull in the wrong person, they can pull you down. I won't say more than that. I do the best I can because it's difficult to manage the human mind. It is only your mind you know. I try to be upright because I am not perfect. I just do the best I can. Like they say, 'a man who dictates the journey, backs the crowd.' If I'm pulling you along with me and you think that your mindset or your mentality is different from mine, I let go because I have to keep working. If I keep waiting on you, it will distract me. The day I stop thinking would be the end of MUDI. So, I have to keep thinking. How would you compare the Nigerian fashion industry today with what you met when you started? Fashion is evolving. I thank God for the journey because if I check the clothes I made 15 years ago, the difference is just too much. As you make, you learn from your mistakes and keep working and innovating. I would say that we are getting it right. First of all, we have our way of dressing, in terms of creativity, it's improving in several ways. And people would say we have more designers everyday, but what they don't know is that the more there are, the better. Yes, where there are more designers, there's bound to be competition. But if there's no competition, the industry will be stagnant. Competition drives innovation. We are trying, compared to other countries, but there's still room for improvement. Mind you, we are working from a disadvantaged position. We are battling with irregular electricity supply and other negative factors. The issue of human resources is

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Why didn't you ever set up a fashion school? Good question. You know, in life, you take your things step by step. I had it in mind to do, but like I said, it's one step at a time. When people come to me, I refer them to other tailors for training. It is giving back, but until I set up one, I'll just keep doing this.

Enajemo

Do you have mentees? Yes, I talk to them and I advise some. They call me when there's a bit of mistake on their part. Again, it's like giving back. For me, when I started nobody actually advised me, I was just on my own, but I was focused. Do you belong to any fashion group?

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I'm the first Nigerian designer to advertise on billboard, it's on record. I'm the first to advertise on television. I'm the first designer to design for a foreign president, the record is there. I'm the first to open an outlet outside Nigeria. I have four outlets outside Nigeria, there were five, I shut one down. I'm the first to have a purpose-built fashion house not only in Nigeria but in Africa, televised by African magic and it happens to be the finest in Africa. Purpose built fashion house not rented, purpose built for fashion, the first. I'm the first to have branded vehicles for my fashion brand. All my outlets outside Nigeria are attached with official branded cars Enajemo THEWILLNEWS

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DECEMBER 10, 2023 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnews.com

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY Yes, I am a member of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN), but I hardly attend their meetings.

Are you a vegetarian? No, I eat and drink anything apart from beer. People have a lot of perspectives about me, be it food or anything. People even say I'm gay because they don't see women flocking around me, but those that are close to me know the difference. Na man I go like? No be woman born my children?

I'm looking at a picture of where you started from humble beginnings in 1993. Were you living there? Yes, I lived there. I started sewing clothes from the one-room apartment in Ketu area. The house is still there. One day I took my daughter there to show her where I started from because we must start from somewhere. That is the story of life.

You shielded your family from public scrutiny It is deliberate, for my sanity. How would you define your style? Simple. My style is just me. I don't go outside fashion rules. I combine the old and modern to live my life. There is liberty, there's freedom but there's also limitations to freedom.

When you started there, were you not discouraged? No, I wasn't discouraged. When I started, I was not discouraged, I only had one sewing machine and one tailor.

You're not really into fashion shows, are you? I mean, it's been 30 years and I've done a lot of fashion shows. I can't just do fashion shows for the sake of it, there must be a reason. Is it for the sake of views? What are you selling?

Did the tailor live with you? No, he just came and went. People would come there with materials sometimes. Because there was no mobile phone at that time, I would go to offices to meet people who had materials they needed to sew and the tailor and I would produce something for them.

After 30 years of being in the fashion industry, do you feel intimidated by any designer? Never, we all have our individual strengths.

At what point did you have your breakthrough? My story is that I just kept working. When I started advertising on billboards, it actually propelled me in a way and it helped the brand. When I started opening outlets outside Nigeria that also helped. You've made clothes for some African presidents Two presidents and two prime ministers. I have not made clothes for any Nigerian president, but I have made some for several federal ministers. I made clothes for the King Mohammed VI of Morocco. I didn't know him from anywhere. He was in Abuja and he came to Lagos to spend one week and asked to visit five places in Lagos; Mudi Fashion House, Silverbird Cinema, Femi's Shrine and two art galleries, one of which was Nike Art Gallery. He was staying at the Intercontinental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. The monarch arrived in my premises with a 50-man entourage made up of his security details and aides plus some of his Nigerian hosts. I took him round the building and he chose his designs. He was so impressed he invited me to his hotel for a private dinner. He ordered over nine pieces and gave me three days to deliver which I promptly did working overnight all of those days. When he was leaving, I told him I wanted to come to Morocco on a visit and he gave me his personal assistant's number to keep in touch. Unfortunately, when I visited Morocco, he was away in Saudi Arabia, so I didn't see him, but he ensured that my stay was memorable. His PA got in touch with me, asked me to send my passport and gave me a first-class ticket. I was in Morocco for about two weeks, I spent two days in the best hotel and visited a lot of places with everything paid for by the King. The king got me picked up directly from the airport tarmac when I arrived in the country.

How do you unwind when you're not working? I go out just to listen to music and go back home, but the job is enough for me, I enjoy it. I go to parties and hang out with friends. I work every day except Saturdays and Sundays, but I travel out of Lagos for ceremonies. I hardly go to clubs. I started life very early and got exposed at a very early age.

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No doubt, the fashion business has been good to you Yes, through my craft I've met people and it has opened doors for me. What would you say has significantly shaped you to be who you are? I would say it is the value I grew up with. Values matter a lot, they shape your life. Sometimes it's not about education or whether you are a professional. It's the values, contentment, hard work, believing in yourself, then cleanliness. I don't joke with cleanliness. If I want to be impressed by your way of life, I would be impressed if you are clean and hardworking. These two things are in the Bible: Cleanliness is close to Godliness and also hard work. You are a recipient of so many awards. How many awards do you have in total? I don't even know. Which of your awards means the most to you? All of them mean something to me. No matter how small or how big, all of them matter because you must appreciate and value the little ones, as well as the big ones. You've maintained your physique for so long. What is your secret? This has been my lifestyle for as long as I can remember. THEWILLNEWS

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Enajemo

I pray I'll still be doing fashion because this is my life, all I do is fashion. For 30 years I've been doing just one thing and it's not easy in this environment. My lifestyle, the way I've been living my life; it is through fashion, people think some other things. They think I'm into money laundering or politics. Some say I'm into drugs. People just say all kinds of things they don't know because they don't know my lifestyle. There might be times I may not have up to N1 million naira in my account, but my lifestyle makes it look that way. I'm just living my life the way I want it. Contentment is important, I'm not desperate to acquire wealth, but with the little I have and the way I package myself, people would think I have a lot. But I'm working because I have to work to live and if money comes fine Enajemo

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ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

UJU IFEJIKA HOSTS VIPS TO DAUGHTER'S WEDDING

Continued from page 38

Adebayo Adelabu Eyes Oyo Government House A Third Time

The Atanmos

rittany Chinenye, the daughter of Catherine Uju Ifejika, CEO of Brittania-U Nigeria Limited, an indigenous petroleum company for upstream exploration and production, and Brittania-U Ghana Limited, BUGL, has tied the knot with Chinedu Atanmo, her partner. The wedding ceremony, which was held over the weekend at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, was graced by various dignitaries, cutting across politics and entertainment. Some of the high-profile personalities present at the event include Vice-President Kasim Shettima; Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party at the 2023 general election and Alex Otti, Abia state governor. Other celebrities include Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife; Chris Ngige, former minister of labour and employment, lawyer Mike Ozekhome. Also present were Senator Daisy Danjuma; Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, First lady of Lagos state; and Wale Edun, minister of finance; Hajia Titi Abubakar; Ado Bayero; Olu Okeowo, Cosmas Maduka, etc. While Chinedu Okoli aka Flavor Na’bania, highlife

singer, was on hand to thrill the wedding guests with some of his hit songs, Okechukwu Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule, a.k.a Okey Bakassi, steered proceedings at the wedding. The couple held their traditional wedding on November 28 at Harbor Point in Lagos. Uju, a lawyer and oil magnate. She is regarded as one of the most powerful women in the oil and gas sector and one of the richest women in Africa. A recipient of several national and international awards for best practices in business leadership, Uju is a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, ICSAN and a fellow of the Institute of Arbitration and Conciliation. Uju's foray into the oil and gas sector began during her National Youth Service Corps at Texaco where she was later retained and then later on, Chevron. She joined Texaco as a Junior Counsel in 1987, spent two years at Texaco Overseas Petroleum Unlimited from 1988 to 1989, and was Acting Chief Counsel by 1991. This gave her experience in both the upstream and downstream aspects of the petroleum industry.

Continued from page 38

Jimi Lawal Returns to Private Sector former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai's new N100 million venture capital/private equity firm, Afri-Venture Capital Company Limited, which will begin operations in 2024. Having lost out from bagging a ministerial position for 'security reasons,' el-Rufai decided to take a much-needed break from the public scene only to return with talks of a venture capital firm. That el-Rufai and Lawal are like two peas in a pod would be simply stating the obvious. Little wonder, the duo have remained inseparable and the tie that binds them, unbreakable. A long-time confidante of El-Rufai, Lawal's path crossed with el-Rufai when the latter allegedly worked with him at Alpha Properties. Lawal would later go on to become the managing director of the now defunct Alpha Merchant Bank. The bank eventually went under in 1993 after five years of his being on the saddle due to the sleaze that went on in the bank. Lawal had allegedly used the bank to shortchange depositors and investors. He was thereafter convicted by Zone 2 of the Failed Banks Tribunal three years later on three counts of criminal offences (banking malpractices). Lawal, a non-executive director of the bank, and two other managers of the bank were found guilty of running Alpha Merchant Bank aground through unethical banking practices. But luck was on his side as he got acquitted

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in 2004 by a Federal High Court in Lagos for lack of jurisdiction. Following his acquittal, Lawal who had gone off the public radar returned in 2006 to work with his bosom friend, el-Rufai, who was then the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, as a consultant on land matters. When el-Rufai became governor, Lawal was with him all through his eight-year tenure, tied to his apron strings as a Senior Adviser Counsellor. He was also the chairman of the state's Economic Development Council. Towards the twilight of el-Rufai's second tenure, Lawal decided to test the political waters by vying as a governorship aspirant in Ogun State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. But on losing out at the primary election that saw Ladi Adebutu emerge as the party's candidate, he turned himself into a thorn in the flesh of the party. He employed various schemes to oust Adebutu as the party's candidate in Ogun State in order to take his place, using court injunctions, interlocutory appeals, etc. Lawal knew within him that he stood no chance, but in hindsight, many political watchers considered him nothing but a mole planted to destabilise the party and its candidate. In the end, his alleged game plan worked out and he is now back in the bosom of his friend and benefactor.

Brown

MORAYO BROWN APPOINTED MANAGING DIRECTOR OF TVC

orayo Brown, a television personality and one of the hosts of the hugely popular 'Your View' breakfast talk show has been elevated to the position of Managing Director, Television Continental Entertainment channel. TVC Communications is the parent company of TVC News, TVC Entertainment channels, Max FM and Adaba FM. Morayo has been anchor of the show for 10 years and despite the elevation, will continue to host the number one daily talk show along with her co-hosts. Prior to her appointment, Morayo held the role of Deputy Director of Programmes, TVC Entertainment. Reacting to the news of her appointment, she declared, “This is a new chapter in my career. I am exceedingly grateful to the board for entrusting me with this all important role. Looking forward to a fulfilling experience." Morayo recently authored a book, 'Becoming the Queen of Talk TV' which encapsulates her childhood experiences, the car accident she had that almost took her life many years ago and how she decided to find her purpose after God spared her in the near fatal accident. The search led her to a career path in broadcasting. A graduate of political science from Rutgers University, Morayo began her career in the media in 2005 as a Client Service Manager at CMC Connect, a Public Relations Company, before she moved to CUE Media, a content development company as the Head of Content and Development, and later became a Senior Executive, Marketing and Research. She once worked as a Business Development Manager and later became Head of Content and Channels Acquisition at the defunct HiTV, Nigeria's first indigenous cable station provider.

his imminent return to the All Progressives Congress, APC, after leaving the party amidst a crisis during the build-up to the election. Adelabu had announced his resignation from the APC after losing the party’s primary election to Senator Teslim Folarin by more than 600 votes. In a letter addressed to the state Chairman and APC leaders in Oyo State, he made it known that he would officially announce his return at a ceremony to be held at the party’s office in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, on December 15, 2023. Adelabu, who left the party together with his loyal followers during the period of turmoil within the party, cited consultations with national leaders and executives as the reason for his decision to return. Obviously, his return to the party barely 18 months after he left, is in earnest preparation for his governorship ambition which has been his burning desire in the past eight years. He is expected to naturally emerge the APC's

consensus candidate, come 2026 and with federal might, he will be the candidate to beat during the election of 2027, all things being equal. The minister had allegedly entered into an agreement with the powers that be on the best possible way for him to emerge governor in Oyo State and that is exactly what has been playing out since the Bola Tinubu-led administration was inaugurated. The former deputy governor, operations, Central Bank of Nigeria, Adelabu is no spring chicken when it comes to politics. His ambition to govern Oyo State dates back to 2019 when he first vied for the position on the platform of APC. He emerged as the governorship candidate where six other contestants stepped down for him. Unfortunately, he lost to the incumbent, Seyi Makinde of the People Democratic Party. In 2023, he tried again but failed woefully. Perhaps he might just be lucky at the third attempt.

Olofa of Offa Fetes Dignitaries to Son's Wedding

The Gbadamosis

t was a royal wedding by all ramifications as the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, spared no cost to host dignitaries to the wedding Nikai of his son, Mohammed to his bride, Aishat Shaiub. The event, which had all the trappings of wealth, took place at the Imperial Event Centre in Offa, Kwara State last weekend. For the Nikai, the

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couple was dressed for their special day in all-white outfits, which symbolised the purity and freshness of their love, and had them glowing and full of smiles. A day before the event, the couple had celebrated their engagement in a colourful ceremony as they both adorned traditional outfits that showcased the richness of their culture. Aside from the prayers offered by the clerics in attendance, the couple also received royal blessings from the traditional rulers present. The ceremony was well attended by many notable personalities, including a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; the Oniru of Iru Kingdom; Abdulwasiu Lawal; and the Elegushi of Ikate-Elegushi, Saheed Elegushi among several others. THEWILLNEWS

DECEMBER 10, 2023 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnews.com

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

HOW CHRIS OYAKHILOME CELEBRATED HIS 60TH BIRTHDAY R

ev Chris Oyakhilome, the general overseer of Christ Embassy, otherwise known as LoveWorld Incorporated or Believers' Loveworld, clocked 60 years during the week and ahead of the auspicious occasion, the televangelist was conferred as the Chancellor, Head of Government and Chairman Plenipotentiary of Weldios University, one of the fastest growing bi-lingual private universities in the Republic of Benin. A philanthropist and lover of education, Oyakhilome, while expressing his gratitude for the honour, said he planned to continue impacting humanity globally using the bilingual institution that is now under his tutelage. The Registrar of the university, Dr Ugo Magnus Kel, revealed that the honour was conferred on the author of one of the most translated books in history to not only aid in increasing the international standard of the university but also to debunk the negative stereotypes surrounding universities in

Pastor Evelyn Joshua Celebrates 2nd Anniversary of Scoan Reopening L

the Republic of Benin. On the birthday proper, a thanksgiving service was held in Oyakhilome’s honour at the headquarters of Christ Embassy in Lagos. The venue Oyakhilome was decorated to depict the Christmas season. To herald his entrance into the venue, fireworks were set off as his hosted some dignitaries who showed congregation screamed with joy at his up at his birthday party to rejoice with choice of outfit. him. This time, he had changed into an The youthful looking cleric adorned all-white ensemble. a glittering outfit designed like one Some of the dignitaries who graced the of the ensembles the late Michael occasion include the former President Jackson regularly wore to perform of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; the on stage. He accessorised it with a Governor of Lagos State, Babajide feathered glittering hat. Accompanying Sanwo-Olu, the Deputy Governor of him as he walked into the venue of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, and former his birthday celebrations were his Governor of Anambra State, Virginia lieutenants who were all dressed in the Etiaba. same outfit with him but without the Others include the immediate past heavily embellished hat. Prayers and deputy governor of Delta State, thanksgiving were offered on behalf Kingsley Otuaro, and General Overseer of the celebrant who has touched the of Omega Fire Ministries International, lives of many through the grace of God Apostle Johnson Suleman, amongst at work in him. Later that same day, he others.

ast week, members of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) worldwide and their well-wishers gathered to celebrate at the 2nd annual thanksgiving anniversary of the church. The prophetic event, which was to commemorate the reopening of the ministry after the passing of its founder, Senior Pastor Temitope Joshua on June 5, 2021, was led by his widow, Pastor Evelyn Joshua who is now the shepherd in charge of the ministry. Pastor Joshua, in her special sermon at the event, extolled the spiritual virtues and legacies of her late husband and expressed her

MARYAM BABANGIDA HONOURED POSTHUMOUSLY

any years after her death, late First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Maryam Babangida, has been honoured for the various contributions she made to national development while she was alive. She was recently awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree by Baze University during the institution’s 2023 Convocation Ceremony, specifically for her courage and devotion to the welfare of other people and as an advocate of women's rights. Naturally Aisha, Mrs Babangida’s first daughter, who now carries on with the torch of her legacy, was on hand to receive the award on her behalf. While accepting the honour, Aisha said Baze University’s decision had already started motivating many to imitate the works of Madam Maryam. According to her, her mother’s investment of time, energy and resourcefulness was not to earn recognition, but to alleviate problems to the best of her ability. Thus, she (Aisha) would go on emulating her, using her time, energy, and resourcefulness to better all lives within her reach.

Meet Loretta Ogboro-Okor, Only Female Governorship Aspirant in Edo

female aspirant has joined the Edo State governorship race. She is Loretta Oduware OgboroOkor. As the only female aspirant in the race, Ogboro-Okor is set to compete with the likes of Olumide Akpata, Asue Ighodalo and Philip Shuaibu, the current deputy governor for Government House, Benin City. She plans to actualise her dream on the platform of the Labour Party. A Consultant in Obstetrician and Gynaecologist trained in the United Kingdom, OgboroOkor is a medical simulator expert and global goodwill Ogboro-Okor ambassador. Currently the president of the University of Benin Alumni Association, UK, gender inclusion and social reform. she has been able to blend her work A member of the Royal College of as a medical practitioner with being Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in an author, a passionate motivational the UK, she is currently a consultant speaker, women and youth health obstetrician and gynaecologist with advocate, educationist, a social the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, entrepreneur and an ardent blogger. as well as an obstetrics skills and drills She holds a Master’s degree in public lead with the Doncaster and Bassetlaw health research from the University Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust. of Edinburgh and another in clinical Ogboro-Okor is the author of the education from Sheffield Hallam autobiography, 'My Father's Daughter' University. She has a Ph.D. in law and and 'Heartwebs.' She is married to criminology in view from Sheffield Dr.Douglas Okor, a neurosurgeon. She Hallam University. A writer, she was the leader for the health care policy contributes to various publications, group in the Obi-Datti presidential including the Journal of medical and campaign and was a panelist at the Big Basic Scientific Research where she is Tent Coalition telethon televised on a member of the editorial board. She Nigerian television to raise funds for also owns a blog that is into advocacy the labor party presidential candidate, where she writes on issues like politics, THEWILLNEWS

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Peter Obi. She is a co-founder of the Ashanti Graham Health and Education Foundation which builds capacity of health care professionals and gives prizes to graduating students in the medical field who excel and was part of the Midwestern professionals led by Don Pedro Obaseki who were calling for restructuring in Nigeria as a group and is a recipient of many awards, including the Accenture 10th Gender mainstreaming award as positive role model West Africa award in the management, consulting and legal services sector.

appreciation to everyone that stood by the ministry since she took over, particularly during the stormy period she was at loggerheads with some of the ministry's long-serving staff. High profile gospel artistes, including Christina Shusho from Tanzania and Akintayo Akinwande performed at the thanksgiving service. Quite a number of dignitaries from within and outside the country graced the occasion including Bishop Micheal Fleming of Church On the Street, a charity organisation based in the United Kingdom. The ceremony was no different from that of last year's when the first anniversary of the reopening of the church and taking over the mantle of Joshua leadership took place.

Babangida

NFVCB Threatens to Punish NETFLIX, Other Offenders of Digital Content Law

he National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has declared its intention to penalise Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming services found in violation of Nigeria’s digital content laws. During the third edition of the NFVCB’s Digital Content Regulation conference in Lagos, the Executive Director, Adedayo Thomas, emphasised the applicability of Nigerian Creative Industry laws to OTTs and streamers. He assured that the NFVCB is collaborating with security agencies to ensure legal consequences for offenders. While applauding Netflix,

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the streaming giant for its compliance and cooperation, Thomas highlighted the streaming service's refusal to accept films not classified by the NFVCB from filmmakers. He stressed that there are repercussions for noncompliance with digital content laws, particularly if the provided content goes against societal values. He further affirmed the board’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s cultural values by ensuring that films and videos distributed in the country adhere to required ethical standards. Netflix’s Manager, Public Policy

Sub-Saharan Africa, Ziyanda Buthelezi-Ngcobo, noted the company’s collaboration with NFVCB, emphasizing their dedication to protecting Nigerian children from inappropriate content and showcasing African culture and values through content censorship. Additionally, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Bukola Agbaminoja, underscored the board’s authority to close down any cinema or exhibition center contributing to the exposure of children to inappropriate and unclassified content.

Thomas

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Wike’s Way BY MICHAEL JIMOH

arrister Nyesom Wike has the singular honour of being the only minister to have demonstrated his culinary skills on prime time, prime time being a private recording of the former governor in his kitchen, pans and china plates a-jingling with condiments ready to be dumped in a sizzling pot with special cuts of beef, fish and veggies. Like a Michelin-rated chef enjoying what he does for a living with his ladle, Wike got the recipes one by one, poured them in a pot, stirred the steaming broth severally and then sampled it grandma style.

removed Omehia’s official portraits from the row of former state chief executives hanging on a wall in the State House. “A junior staff of Government House in Port Harcourt could have quietly removed Omehia’s portrait out of public view,” suggested a Port Harcourt resident then, “instead of Wike himself doing it with all the histrionics involved.” However, the same man conceded that following Wike’s antecedents, it was his own way of doing things. Doing things his way may have prompted a senior journalist last August to wager soon after Wike’s confirmation by the Senate as minister he would be the most talked about and talkative cabinet member in Tinubu’s government. In other words, he was unlikely to change from his old ways, the brash, assertive and imperious ruler he once was. But a younger colleague countered him, arguing that the newly appointed minister may be denied the privileges he enjoyed as governor. So, he may become tamer.

It is hard to imagine any proud Ikwerre man indulging his passion so like a chief cook in a five-star hotel. For one, Wike had been chairman of Obio Akpor local government area in Rivers state, two-term governor from 2015, Minister of State before then and now minister. For much of his time in government since 1999, therefore, a retinue of domestic servants would have taken care of such kitchen necessities. But guess who was coming to lunch or dinner that day at Wike’s residence in Abuja? Almighty Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. So, the minister had to take charge of things himself instead of leaving the preparations to a careless kitchen staff that might unwittingly over-salt a dish. Whether it was Wike who asked the CoS over or the other way, Nigerians saw both of them, along with others smiling indulgently, in the minister’s kitchen with Gbajabiamila cautiously peeking over Wike’s shoulder to ensure he won’t dish them a peppery gumbo soup.

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Doing things his way may have prompted a senior journalist last August to wager soon after Wike’s confirmation by the Senate as minister he would be the most talked about and talkative cabinet member in Tinubu’s government

DECEMBER 10, 2023 WWW.THEWILLNEWS.COM

The senior journalist didn’t have to wait for long to claim his money. Hours after swearing in by PBAT, the newly minted minister unfolded his plans for the FCT: undeveloped plots would be seized; illegal structures would be demolished; some plot owners have to reacquire Certificate of Occupancy and the like. The message was clear and frightening: a bulldozer come to town pulling down illegal structures and thus rendering peoples’ lives asunder.

Wike and his dinner guests were probably still in the kitchen when clips of the video leaked. It went viral immediately, eliciting responses from Nigerians, some sharply critical of the minister’s smarmy attitude to a key member of a party he swore never to have anything to do with let alone take up any appointment from them. But there he was playing the gracious host to someone who, three years before, was a political opponent. Some put it down as politics, making a case that in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies only permanent interests. What many of them missed is Wike never shying away from doing things his own way. For eight years as governor of one of the richest states in the Niger Delta, Wike ruled with an imperious hand. Those who dared him found out the hard way. Ask Celestine Omehia who had a brief spell as governor of Rivers state. His run-in with Wike ended badly for the former: As a serving governor, Wike personally

Wike’s proposed reforms got residents of the FCT and its environs up in arms – the minister was insensitive to the plight of the poor, they charged, especially with the removal of fuel subsidy by Tinubu’s administration. But the man had his way to the consternation of people like Sheik Dr. Ahmad Gumi who thought Wike shouldn’t even be Minister of FCT in the first place. For once, Wike had a phalanx of Nigerians behind him defending his position against the Islamic cleric with a God-given right to rule, with a right to produce only people of a certain religious persuasion ordained to be Minister of FCT. The dust had yet to settle when Wike again did things his own way. Following a supplementary budget of N61.5bn transmitted by PBAT to the National Assembly for approval, Wike told the House Committee on FCT he had earmarked N15bn of that sum to build a “befitting residence” for Vice President Kashim Shettima. Already, the same supplementary budget made THEWILLNEWS

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Wike’s Way allocation of N2.5bn to renovate the current residence of the VP in Abuja and another N3bn for the one in Lagos. So, what’s the need for a new building proposed by Wike in Abuja?

challenges facing our nation.” He also queried the need for another building even though plans are already on to renovate two of the VP’s residence. “Just recently in the Supplementary Budget,” Obi said, “the sum of N2.5 billion was included for the renovation of the Vice President’s residence in Abuja, which means that he already has a residence. Again, during the budget presentation, I heard the sum of N3 billion was allocated for the renovation of the Vice President’s residence in Lagos.

How could Wike be so insensitive, critics charged again, considering the crippling economic conditions Nigerians are faced with? And yet, here was another example of the minister doing things his own way and damning the consequences. Hear Wike’s defence before the House Committee on FCT: Construction of a new residence for the vice president was approved in 2010 by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the cost of N7 billion but the project was abandoned but the current administration has decided to commence the project and the contractor has reviewed the project up to N15 billion. Wike went on to say that “the VP residence that was awarded in 2010 at the cost of N7 billion was abandoned. It is embarrassing that a country of this nature cannot, in 13 years, complete the VP’s residence. N7 billion, now the contractor is saying well, we cannot continue to do it without review. Now they are saying N15 billion. We have taken it upon ourselves to say that we will complete it and Mr. President will commission it by May.” Individuals and civil society organisations immediately panned Wike’s proposed N15bn VP’s residence, calling it a needless waste of resources. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has taken on the minister head-on, asking the Senate president Godswill Akpabio “to promptly reject the plan by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to spend N15 billion for the construction of a ‘befitting residence’ for the Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima.” In a scathing letter signed by Kolawole Oluwadare SERAP’s deputy director, Akpabio should “assert Senate’s authority and constitutional oversight roles to reject the N2.8 billion on publicity for the FCTA and other proposed wasteful and unnecessary spending that may be contained in the 2023 supplementary budget and the 2024 budget proposed by President Bola Tinubu.” Continuing, SERAP said “the Senate has the constitutional duties to ensure that Mr. Wike’s proposed spending is entirely consistent and compatible with constitutional provisions including his oath of office. All public officials remain subject to the rule of law,” insisting that NASS “has a constitutional responsibility to address the country’s debt crisis, including by rejecting wasteful and unnecessary spending to satisfy the personal comfort and lifestyles of public officials.” What’s more, according to SERAP, the ‘construction’ of the VP’s residence in 2010 was “abandoned but the whereabouts of the N7bn budgeted for it remains unknown.” Presidential candidate of the Labour Party Mr. Peter Obi has similarly criticised Wike’s proposed N15bn splurge on the VP’s residence as wasteful. Describing Wike’s proposal as “shocking and disheartening,” the former governor of Anambra state said it was in total disregard of the “many THEWILLNEWS

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“If we total all these sums, we would have budgeted the sum of N20.5 billion for the housing of the Vice President at this critical time when we are not just the world’s poverty capital, but more people are falling into poverty, with so many Nigerians not knowing where their next meal will come from. Our health facilities have collapsed, and unemployment is skyrocketing.”

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And just last week, protesters marched to the National Assembly Abuja with placards demanding the resignation of Wike as Minister of FCT. Organised by the Network of Civil Societies for Economic Sustainability, the demonstrators said the minister’s action so far in office have been inimical to the “progress and growth needed in the FCT and the nation in general.” The minister, NCSEC charged, is too “controversial,” which is also part of the reason for the protest. But Wike seemed unmindful of their protest, dismissing them with a casual wave of the hand. “Yesterday, someone told me there were some people carrying placards,” the minister said in response to news of the marchers. “Frankly speaking, I don’t have the time to see that. I was busy and I don’t want to be distracted. "I want to be focused and deliver on the mandate Mr. President has given us. But one thing you must understand is that this is a democracy, so many people are entitled to their opinions. But what is important is your opinion must be in line with what is good for the people of the FCT. We can’t do the same thing the same way and expect to achieve different results.” “One of the big things about leadership is that you must be firm, you must be bold. You must be courageous to take decisions. And we have taken decisions to make sure our people are happy with this administration. We have taken a decision to do the best for people as mandated by Mr. President.” “Policies you make may not favour so many people but what is important is the generality of the people, not a few people who benefit at the (sic) detriment of others. When you bring a policy that will bring change, so many people will kick against it. Those who benefit will kick against it. "But when you are focused and firm, they have no choice than to come back and align themselves with the policies of the government.” Call that Wike’s way and you’re absolutely spot on. But the protesters at NASS last week don’t feel that way. Count SERAP and Obi in among them. PAGE 45

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Will Osimhen, Oshoala, Nnadozie Achieve Success at 2023 CAF Awards? BY JUDE OBAFEMI

he Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to honour the continent's best players, coaches and teams at its annual awards ceremony on December 11, 2023 in Marrakech, Morocco. Nigeria has a strong presence on the final shortlists across several categories thanks to the impressive performances of its football stars over the past year.

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However, Osimhen's chances of winning against Salah and Hakimi are promising. His outstanding performances for Napoli and recognition in the Men's Ballon d'Or Award have solidified his candidacy

Oshoala

Nnadozie

With just a day left before the glitzy event, Nigeria is eyed as a favourite to achieve multiple wins. However, the country also saw some potential awards slip from its grasp, with the naming of the nominees in the shortlist, despite coming so close. In the men's category, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has emerged as one of the clear frontrunners following a stellar 2022/2023 campaign. Playing a pivotal role, Osimhen contributed 26 Serie A goals to help the Italian giants claim their first Scudetto in 33 years. Yet, he faces tough competition from Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and

Paris St-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi. The 24-year-old Nigerian is a favourite still, especially as he finished last season as the Serie A capocannoniere, which is the season's top scorer, and bagged individual honours like the Serie A Player of the Year gong. On the international stage, he spearheaded Nigeria's AFCON qualification success with 10 goals. His outstanding form also earned him the eighth position in the 2023 Men's Ballon d'Or Award, making him the highestranked African player. The striker's contributions to Napoli's success and his recognition on the global stage certainly strengthen his chances of winning the CAF Men's Award. This is Osimhen's first chance to win but Salah, the Liverpool forward, has already won the CAF award twice in 2017 and 2018. He has consistently been a top performer for both club and country, finishing as the runner-up in 2019 and 2022. On the other hand, Hakimi, the Paris St-Germain defender, played a crucial role in Morocco's historic run to the semi-finals at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His exceptional performances have garnered attention and put him in contention for this year's CAF Men's Award. However, Osimhen's chances of winning against Salah and Hakimi are promising. His outstanding performances for Napoli and recognition in the THEWILLNEWS

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...Achieve Success at 2023 CAF Awards? status among the powerhouses on the African continent.

Men's Ballon d'Or Award have solidified his candidacy. While the Egyptian and Moroccan impressed, neither lifted silverware at club level unlike the in-form Nigerian hitman. Barring an upset, Osimhen looks poised to become just the second Nigerian after Nwankwo Kanu to win the coveted award 24 years ago in 1999. The final outcome will depend on the voting panel's assessment of the players' performances and contributions throughout the year.

Despite facing rivalry from fellow nominees Morocco, South Africa and Zambia, the Nigerians demonstrated enough class, chemistry and results on the continental and worldwide stages to clinch this year's best Women's national team honour. With their bankable assets like Oshoala and Nnadozie also playing starring roles, Nigeria looks well-positioned for a team triumph.

In the women's category, Barcelona's Asisat Oshoala seeks to uphold her status as the continent's premier player with a record sixth title. She is in contention alongside Thembi Kgatlana from South Africa and Barbra Banda from Zambia. Oshoala's chances of clinching the prestigious award are quite strong, given her remarkable performances and achievements in the world of women's football.

Lastly, Oshoala's international achievements cannot be overlooked. She represented Nigeria at the Women's World Cup and played a crucial role in her team's performance. Her experience and impact on the international stage, coupled with her consistent performances for both club and country, make her a compelling choice for the CAF Women's Player of the Year award. Again, the final decision will be made by the voting panel, but Oshoala's impressive performances and contributions to the game make her a deserving candidate for the award. There is also the young player category where Deborah Abiodun leads Nigeria's charge in this rising stars award. The 20-year-old Abiodun made her name with superb midfield displays for both club side Pittsburgh Panthers and the Nigerian women's national team, the Super Falcons. In Nigeria's debut game at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup against Canada, Abiodun received a red card for a harsh tackle on Ashley Lawrence, marking the tournament's first sending off. While that ended her participation in the global competition, the talented playmaker did not relent in making progress, which has earned her a callup to the senior team ahead of the 2024 Olympics qualifiers based on her showings. Although facing quality competition from Moroccan Nesryne El Chad and Ghanaian Comfort Yeboah, Abiodun could emerge as Nigeria's breakthrough winner on the night. THEWILLNEWS

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In other categories, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie emerged as the only Nigerian in contention for the prestigious shot-stopping prize. Thanks to her heroics between the sticks for both club side Paris FC and her country, the 21-year-old Nnadozie has enhanced her growing reputation. She became the youngest goalkeeper to record a clean sheet at the Women's World Cup in 2019 when the Super Falcons beat South Korea 2-0 in her player-of-the-match display, and has continued raising the bar with sterling displays since then. Among her feats was a crucial penalty save against Canada from veteran Christine Sinclair which earned Nigeria a goalless draw to kick off their first match of the 2023 World Cup campaign in Australia in another player-of-the-match performance. Nnadozie's positional authority and ability to maintain defensive order also came to light when her club FC Paris qualified for the Women's UEFA Champions League. She was called to stop another penalty when they defeated heavyweights Arsenal. All of these will give her every chance against Khadija ErRmichi and Andile Dlamini in the race for the award. Her consistent improvement and biggame composure make her a strong contender for a maiden individual honour.

Osimhen

Secondly, Oshoala's success with Barcelona further enhances her chances of winning the award. She played a pivotal role in helping Barcelona secure the UEFA Women's Champions League title, showcasing her skills and impact on the field. Additionally, her contributions, including 21 league goals in just 28 appearances, to Barcelona's unbeaten league campaign, which resulted in them clinching the league title, further solidify her credentials as a top-class player.

All factors considered, December 11th beckons as a date for Nigeria to savour success across various categories of both

Abiodun

Firstly, Oshoala's record-breaking career sets her apart as a formidable candidate for the award. Having already won the African Women's Player of the Year award five times, she holds the record for the most wins in the category. This consistent recognition of her talent and contributions to the game positions her as a strong contender.

Not every Nigerian presence at the 2023 ceremony resulted from positive developments, as two prize hopefuls slipped from the country's clutch. Esther Ajakaye's omission from the shortlist of the young player of the year halved Nigeria's chances of actually winning that category. Similarly, women's coach Randy Waldrum missed out from the final nomination list for his handler gong. Nevertheless, his role in strengthening the national team's profile was commendable and leaves room for future recognition.

In addition, Nigeria's flagship women's national team were nominated among Africa's finest ensembles after another productive year under American tactician Randy Waldrum. The Super Falcons justified their nomination following victories and consistent displays in the 2023 Women's AFCON and World Cup qualifying cycles. Their second-place group finish and tough knockout round game against eventual finalists England at this year's global fiesta in Australia and New Zealand consolidated their

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men's and women's competitions. Osimhen and Oshoala stand out as favourites to cement their spells of dominance. Meanwhile, Nnadozie and the Super Falcons team remain arguably tough contenders on the evidence of their own performances. For Abiodun, it represents an immense chance to announce herself further on the continental scene at a tender age. Overall, Nigeria parades an array of talents that have consistently delivered on expectations for club and country. At the awards on Monday, the Nigerian contingent is expected to stand proudly as they win and once more be recognised as a force in African football after another era of potential CAF glory. PAGE 47

www.thewillnews.com •December 10, 2023

Government's Misplaced Priorities And Wastefulness Amid Economic Decline

he recent COP28 Climate Conference in Dubai has sparked a heated debate at home, as Nigeria continues to grapple with a declining economy and escalating multidimensional poverty statistics. The controversy centres on the excessive number of delegates sent by Nigeria, a move that many perceive as a disconnect between the government and the harsh reality of people's suffering and impoverishment. Several other African governments defended their thoughtless large delegations with deserved backlash coming from their citizens. Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and Uganda joined Nigeria in sending sizable teams to COP28, with Nigeria leading at 1,411 delegates. Nigeria and Kenya clarified that a significant part of their teams included non-publicly funded members like media, civil society representatives and private sector individuals, claiming that some of these delegates were participating remotely. Nigeria defended the outrageous delegation with the rationale that its role as Africa's largest economy and country heavily reliant on extractive industries, its substantial presence at the conference to advocate for its stake in climate action was justified. Still, the staggering 1,411, which made Nigeria’s the third highest among all participating countries, raises concerns about the justification for such a large delegation, especially considering the cost of flying and accommodating this vast number in Dubai, one of the most expensive cities in the world. This expenditure is a significant burden on Nigeria's already strained resources, which could have been better utilised for more pressing needs within the country. This unnecessary and extravagant display comes at a time when Nigeria's economy is experiencing one of the worst declines in its 63-year existence, leading to a multiplier effect on the country's already high multidimensional poverty statistics. The government's 2024 budget allocation, which includes funds for luxurious projects like building a vice president's house, further highlights a lack of priority in addressing poverty alleviation. The allocation of billions of Naira for such frivolous projects instead of poverty alleviation schemes or critical infrastructure exacerbates the disconnect between the government and the people.

All of these reflect a misalignment of priorities with the current realities faced by ordinary Nigerians. At a time when many Nigerians are grappling with hunger, unemployment, and inadequate access to basic amenities, such misplaced priorities come off as insensitive and incongruent with the principles of responsible democratic governance. The government's defence that the majority of delegates were from the private sector and civil society organisations does not address the concerns raised about the cost and necessity of such a large delegation and there is no justification for the allocation of scarce resources to housing the Vice President, who is currently not sleeping under the bridge. In light of these concerns, Nigeria needs to prioritise poverty eradication and improving the quality of life for its citizens. Allocating resources to projects that directly benefit the majority of Nigerians, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, should take precedence over luxurious expendi-

tures. A more targeted and efficient approach to poverty alleviation, including the implementation of sustainable development initiatives, is crucial for addressing the disconnect between the government and the people. It should come as no surprise that the excessive number of delegates sent by Nigeria to the climate conference in Dubai has ignited a debate about the government's disconnect from the reality of people's suffering and impoverishment. The excessive delegation is seen as an opportunity for government officials to reward themselves, their cronies and political allies with all-expensespaid trips and estacodes. The international community will also pay attention to these untoward practices and deal with Nigeria with a sense of these corrupt dealings in mind. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu campaigned on the platform of being a business-minded manager of men and resources and as one who understood the intricacies of efficient running of a profitoriented organisation. He said he would make and implement tough decisions. He gave an inkling of how firm he intended to be when he announced the scrapping of oil subsidies at his inaugural address. The promise of running a government that will address issues headlong in a departure from what has been our lot in Nigeria appeared to be on the horizon. Yet, that appears to have been merely illusory. So far, there is nothing to show that this government will be different. Those cancelled subsidies remain in place, though reduced. Tribal leanings have marked all key appointments and there is scarcely any separation of powers in government nor respect for the rule of law. Impunity seems to be the order of the day and the most characteristic feature seems to be a drastic disconnect between the government and the people. While the people are asked to make sacrifices, the government is frittering away scarce resources on frivolities. Yet, I believe it is not beyond remedy. The government can take several strategies to turn this entire ship around for good, using the ridiculous climate change conference delegation as an inflection point. We have endured enough pains and sufferings. It's time to let Nigerians breathe.

It should come as no surprise that the excessive number of delegates sent by Nigeria to the climate conference in Dubai has ignited a debate about the government's disconnect from the reality of people's suffering and impoverishment PAGE 48

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