THEWILL NEWSPAPER, DECEMBER 22, 2024

Digital IS

Bimpe Onakoya was intrigued with makeup from a young age. In the early nineties, after secondary school, she started paying attention to magazines and watching music videos of Tony Braxton, Whitney Houston and others. Her inspiration to pursue a career in makeup artistry came from her fascination with the transformative power of makeup and how it can enhance a person’s features. Onakoya says it was a new world for her, and she wanted to be part of it, so she kept practising with her friends. It got easier when she became a makeup apprentice and watched makeup tutorials online. Seeing the artists online create stunning looks sparked her creativity, and she realised that makeup artistry wasn’t just a tool but an art form. As with every business, Bimpe faced challenges early on in her career, and one of the most significant was getting people to realise that makeup artistry had become a business for her.

Bimpe Onakoya’s story is very interesting. I urge you to scroll through pages 8 to 10.

It’s finally a few days to Christmas, and regardless of the kind of events you will attend, your clothes should stand out. Our fashion pages list key pieces you should invest in this festive season.

Our movie review page lists some Christmas movies to put you in the mood for the season. Some might be cheesy, but like the movie review correspondent said, “The cheesier, the better.” It is Christmas, after all.

While you prepare for Christmas with your friends and loved ones, remember to give to the less fortunate, needy, and those in the hospital. Have a holly, jolly Christmas!

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Photo: Kola Oshalusi

@insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2024

THEWILL NEWSPAPER • www.thewillnews.com

THEWILLNIGERIA

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2024

THEWILLNIGERIA

COVER President Bola Tinubu

BY AMOS ESELE, SAM DIALA, IVORY UKONU, JUDE OBAFEMI

Prominent Nigerians across multiple sectors significantly influenced and impacted society this year. Some shone as beacons of hope amid the worsening insecurity and economic hardship, while others via their actions negatively affected lives through their controversial choices and deeds.

The choice of President Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu, GCFR, as Person of the Year 2024 was a unanimous pick for THEWILL editorial team. There was no dissenting vote amongst the sixmember committee for this simple and straightforward reason. President Tinubu’s reform policies in the past one year have significantly impacted every Nigerian negatively, old or young in business, employed or unemployed as never before in the country’s recent history.

Apart from the president, there were also others who significantly influenced Nigerians this year though their impact was not as far reaching.

Those in this category, in no particular order, are Central Bank Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, President of African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, Internal Affairs Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, Director-General of the World Trade Center, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Others are chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, chairman of Transcorp, UBA and Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, chairman of First Bank Holdings and Geregu Power Plc, Femi Otedola; Chairman Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms; Taiwo Oyedele; chairman, Federal Inland Revenue

Service, Zacch Adedeji, recording artiste Davido, Senator Natasha Akpoti; movie producer, Femi Adebayo; chairman of Aiteo and Bravura, Benedict Peters, Social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, aka VeryDarkMan; African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman; Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State; and incarcerated Biafra State agitator, Simon Ekpa.

PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED ADEKUNLE TINUBU

On Friday, December 20, 2024, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris reportedly said, “2025 is a year that President Tinubu’s reforms will be consolidated for the benefit of all Nigerians. Mr President has embarked on an ambitious reform agenda that is already freeing more resources to the subnationals, not just the Federal Government.”

The Minister was responding to a reporter’s question on the rising criticism of the government’s very hurtful, yet promising reforms. What then do we say of the government’s policies in 2024?

Take the story of Mr Shola Agidi, not real name, a retired construction engineer from one of the biggest construction companies in Nigeria, for example. For the past four years since he retired, he had always travelled abroad, mostly either to the United Kingdom or the United States of America, for his vacation, taking along his wife and the youngest of their children, undergraduate son and daughter. Not anymore. This year he has neither choice nor option. He cannot foot the flight ticket at almost four thousand dollars for himself alone to the USA and the option of travelling to his home town is ruled out. He is afraid. The roads are insecure.

Government’s removal of subsidy and floating of the local currency, the Naira delivered a big blow to the already fragile economy as the resultant increase in fuel prices drove logistics and the prices of food items through the roof.

Last year when the impact of the governments’ reform policies began to bite harder because of rising cost of living, amid insecurity and social unrest, Mr Agidi travelled with his wife only. They left their children out.

He promised to take the children for this year’s trip because he believed in the government’s calculation that by the end of 2024, things would be better than last year, not so much from the impact of its reform policies, which will take a gestation period of more than two years, but because of the stop-gap interventions that the government promised to implement, mostly designed as part of a broader agenda for economic reform to reduce inflation, create jobs and stimulate growth in key sectors, such as agriculture, manufacturing, oil and housing.

“Things are yet to get better than they were last year,” he told THEWILL last Thursday. “The cost of airfare for one person is almost two thousand dollars, not to mention accommodation and feeding. I can cope, anyway. What pains me in all of this is that some of my colleagues who decided to emigrate with their families, hoping to give their last set of children better opportunities are in a terrible mess. The exchange rate has rendered their pension worthless so that they had to look for a job to sustain their families.”

He lamented his current financial state because even at retirement, he still supports his younger ones who are either unemployed from loss of job or managing small businesses that are largely unproductive due to lack of predictable source of funding, unreliable electricity

supply, increasing cost of rent and low patronage.

What is true for Mr Agidi is true for millions of Nigerians who have borne the brunt of the government’s reform policies that are yet to positively impact the lives of a majority of the people. In fact, those traditionally insulated from the harsh economic realities of millions of Nigerians are not only feeling the pinch but also complaining bitterly.

A member of the President’s kitchen cabinet when he was governor of Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, recently wrote on his Facebook wall: “With all the rice mills we have in Nigeria, my wife just told me that a bag of rice is now N100k plus. Without sounding immodest, I am constrained to say that the men and women that will rescue this country from self-inflicted pains and tears are not born yet.”

For context, let us look at the figures for the past one year.

Nigeria’s annual inflation rate jumped to 34.60 percent in November, from 33.88 percent recorded in October, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said in its latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report last Monday.

According to the Bureau, on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 6.40 percentage points higher than the 28.20 percent rate recorded in November 2023. This shows that the year-onyear headline inflation rate increased in November 2024, compared to the same month in the preceding year of November 2023.

For the yearly average Consumer Price Index, CPI, the result shows an increase. It said the percentage change in the average CPI for the twelve months ending November 2024 over the average for the

BABAGANA ZULUM

COVER

President Bola Tinubu

previous twelve-month period was 32.77 percent, showing 8.76 per cent points increase, compared to 24.01 per cent recorded in November 2023. The yearly Urban/ Rural inflation rate is also high.

In November 2024, the urban inflation rate was 35.07 percent, indicating 9.62 percentage points higher compared to the 25.45 percent recorded in November 2023. Rural inflation rate average in November 2024 was 30.71 percent on a year-on-year basis. This was 8.00 percentage points higher, compared to the 22.71 percent recorded in November 2023.

According to the Bureau, the rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis was caused by increases in prices of Yam, Water Yam, Coco Yam, etc (Potatoes, Yam & Other Tubers Class), Guinea Corn, Maize Grains, Rice, etc (Bread and Cereals Class), Beer, Pinto (Tobacco Class), and Palm Oil, Vegetable Oil, etc (Oil and Fats Class).

On a month-on-month basis, the Food inflation rate in November 2024 was 2.98 percent, which shows a 0.05 percentage point increase compared to the 2.94 percent recorded in October 2024.

“The rise is attributed to the rate of increase in the average prices of Mudfish, Catfish Dried, Dried Fish Sardine (Fish Class), Rice, Yam Flour, Millet Whole grain, Corn flour, etc (Bread and Cereals Class), Agric Egg, Powdered Milk, Fresh Milk, etc (Milk, cheese and eggs Class) and Dried Beef, Goat Meat, Frozen Chicken, etc (Meat Class)”, the NBS explained.

The average annual rate of food inflation for the twelve months ending November 2024 over the previous twelve-month average was 38.67 percent, which was 11.58 percentage points higher compared with the 27.09 percent average annual rate of change recorded in

November 2023.

Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, despite push backs from the business community and average Nigerians, however, has explained that things are looking up. According to him, government revenue for the first half of 2024 more than doubled to N9.1 trillion, compared to N4.06 trillion in the same period of 2023. He said the application of technology in revenue collection and reforms across civil service operations is responsible for this improvement.

The increase in revenue, he contends, is being used to finance social programmes that directly benefit the poorest segments of the population. Notably, 20 million Nigerians are receiving direct financial support from the government, with plans to extend this to 15 million households. Reforms in the oil sector, the country’s primary source of foreign exchange, attracted significant investments this quarter.

For the past one year, therefore, Nigerians across all social strata, business and professional calling, have felt the pain and hardship of the ongoing reforms. Little wonder, many of them took to the social media to deploy the moniker T-Pain (Tinubu Pain) in describing the harsh realities of government’s reform policies, though his media handlers rechristened it Temporary Pain while National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, says it should actually be T-Gain (Tinubu Gains).

“President Tinubu feels the pain of Nigerians and assures them that relief is on the horizon. Some have resorted to calling him ‘T-pain’ out of mischief, but he is not that. He’s here to heal, not to hurt,” one of the president’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga said.

Other Persons of The Year

FESTUS KEYAMO ADEMOLA LOOKMAN NYESOM WIKE

Two-term Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, is one Nigerian governor who has shown resilience, displayed authority and consistency in delivering democracy dividends to his people across ethnic divides, religious beliefs and social standing. Amid the long-drawn but tackled conflict and food insecurity in the state, G Zulum has forged ahead with rehabilitation, recovery and reconstruction programmes. In a geo-political zone noted for its high rate of out-of-school children, Zulum has changed the narrative on education. Recently, the government disbursed over N9 billion to sponsor 32,000 indigenes under its scholarship scheme in 2024. As part of the effort to re-integrate the state into the economy of its neighbours, the governor has announced plans to construct an intra-city rail network to connect Maiduguri and its surrounding areas. The project, once completed, will be the first of its kind to be undertaken by any of Nigeria’s 19 northern state governments.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development has remained ruggedly focused on his five-point agenda of advancing infrastructure, human capital development, support for local operators, revenue generation and safety, with the aviation industry in the country becoming more competitive and accepted globally amid the challenging economic terrain.

Some of his radical changes have begun to attract attention to the country’s aviation potential to the point that international lessors and financiers are anxious to cooperate with airline operators in Nigeria on dry leasing and other financial arrangements. Following these international interests in the sector, the Minister predicted the emergence of several local airlines in the next few years for domestic, regional, continental and international routes.

Travellers through Nigerian major international airports now enjoy harassment-free experiences and improved services through minimal contact in-person contact with security officials. Keyamo, 54, is unarguably one of the two top preforming ministers and poster boys for excellence in the current administration.

Ademola Lookman, the London-born Nigerian footballer, has emerged as a beacon of national pride in 2024, significantly shaping the sports and cultural narrative in Nigeria. Playing as a forward for Atalanta in Italy’s Serie A, Lookman’s stellar performances throughout the year culminated in him being named the CAF Player of the Year. His crowning achievement was scoring a historic hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final against the previously unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen, leading Atalanta to their first-ever victory in the competition.  His accolades in 2024, including being named Atalanta’s Player of the Season, inclusion in the Europa League Team of the Year, and finishing 14th in the Ballon d’Or, have not only highlighted his personal success but have also sparked conversations about the role of Nigerian players in European leagues, the development of football in Nigeria, and the potential for more players to follow in his footsteps. Lookman’s year was one of triumph, making him an emblematic figure in Nigeria’s sports culture and a catalyst for discussions on national identity, achievement, and the global recognition of Nigerian talent.

Like him or hate him, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has become a torn in the flesh of land speculators, developers and homeowners without proper Certificate of Occupancy, all of whom he accused of distorting the original plan for the FCT as a crime free and serene administrative enclave meant for elected, appointed officials and professional bodies. He recently stirred controversy when he embarked on building houses for judges. More controversial is his policy on land reclamation, which has led to demolitions of homes, thereby rendering many persons homeless. Following public outcry, the Senate had to step in and halt the exercise until allegations of land grabbing against him are established, especially the one regarding the over 40- year-old 2.5 hectares’ residential estate linked to late Colonel Paul Ogbebor (Retd), under Paulosa Nigeria Limited, which the Minister insists on demolishing because, like others, it has no valid papers. His link with the political crisis in Rivers State has further raised his controversial profile in the public domain.

COVER Other Persons of The Year

BENEDICT PETERS

When African billionaire, critical thinker, founder, philanthropist and Chairman of AITEO & Bravura Holdings, Benedict Peters acquired OML 29, one of the biggest of the four oil fields that were divested by Shell in 2016, many stakeholders gave the company no chance. But eight years down, the field, with an average production of 50,000 BPD, has sustained the group’s entry into crude production with recorded crude sales of $325m, about N471 billion, in the first half of this year.

Apart from involvement in extraction, the company boasts some of the largest private petroleum storage facilities in sub-Saharan Africa, with a capacity exceeding 320 million litres in strategic locations in Port Harcourt and Apapa. Bravura Holdings, a mining company with operations mainly in Southern and Central Africa, secured mining deals for lithium production in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Congo.

As it marks its 25th anniversary this year, AITEO, which has discharged robust Corporate Social Responsibility, CSP, in supporting football development through partnership with the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Confederation of Africa Football, CAF, donates to Internally Displaced Persons camps, IDPs,  religious bodies and cultural organisations, has shown commitment to the Nigerian dream of becoming energy independent.

OLUBUNMI TUNJI-OJO

Since his assumption of office in August 2023, Tunji-Ojo, the other top performer in the Tinubu government, has consistently worked in modernising immigration processes including clearing the embarrassing backlog of international passports and making it seamless to obtain a new one, introducing e-gates at international airports and a streamlined visa application system. Recently, he spearheaded the setting up of an ECOWAS Card Centre, a state-of-the-art complex, which includes several critical components, such as a Data Centre with an 8.3-petabyte capacity, a Commandand-Control Centre and a Visa Approval Centre (VAC). These installations are expected to enhance internal security, promote regional travel and trade, as well as enhance regional integration and cooperation.

OLAYEMI CARDOSO

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor under whose leadership the multiple foreign exchange window system was abolished is yet to deliver a strong naira.  The economy is yet to recover from the deep injury inflicted by the devaluation of the domestic currency as high interest rate makes cost of borrowing prohibitive for the manufacturing sector. The monetary policy of the apex bank has been largely influenced by the reckless and irresponsible expenditure of the fiscal side and negatively impacting everyone.

TONY ELUMELU

On December 16, 2024 when United Bank for Africa, UBA, Group Chairman, Tony Elemulu led the corporate social responsibility arm of the UBA Foundation to make a donation of N500m cheque to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on behalf of the Lagos Security Trust Fund, he was restating his commitment to a safe environment for persons and businesses. His duty to support businesses and personal growth within and outside the country has led to the empowerment of over 1.5 million African entrepreneurs through the Tony Elemelu Foundation, TEF and TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, which has distributed over $100 million in direct fund to 20,000 youths, who, in turn, have created over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs. His philanthropic gesture continues to inspire his compatriots and rebrand Nigeria globally as land of possibilities.

TAIWO OYEDELE

Heis the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms set up by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a broad mandate to carry out critical reforms bordering on Fiscal Governance, Revenue Transformation and Economic Growth Facilitation.

The creativity embodied in the Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly, designed to empower Nigerians across all strata and boost the country’s economic growth, shows him as a trailblazer with the ability to drive the much-desired revolution of the nation’s tax system.

ALLEN ONYEAMA AKINWUMI ADESINA

Founder/CEO, Air Peace Airlines Limited, has demonstrated unmatched commitment to the development of the nation’s aviation industry. Since it expanded its services on the UK in early 2024, Air Peace has become the unrivalled Nigeria’s foremost airline with global presence across the continents –rebranding Nigeria’s unhealthy image.

President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, is widely lauded for his visionary leadership and passion for Africa’s transformation. Under his leadership, the Group achieved the highest capital increase since its establishment in 1964 with current authorized capital of $318 billion. His continental service has put Nigeria on a global spotlight.

*Continued from previous page

Other Persons of The Year

VERYDARKMAN (VDM) SIMON EKPA

In 2024, Martins Vincent Otse, known as Very Dark Man (VDM), emerged as one of Nigeria’s most talked-about social critics, wielding significant influence through his social media platforms. VDM, with his unapologetic approach, tackled various societal issues, from corruption to celebrity misconduct, often with a confrontational style that sparked both admiration and controversy. His relentless exposure of alleged wrongdoing, including his notable feuds with figures like Bobrisky and his criticism of the EFCC’s operations, brought critical socio-political issues into the mainstream discourse.

VDM’s journey through 2024 was marked by significant moments like his nomination for the Silverbird’s Most Influential Social Media Influencer award, reflecting recognition of his impact. Whether seen as an agent provocateur or a patriot, VDM’s actions forced Nigerians to confront uncomfortable truths about their society, making him an integral part of the narrative shaping the nation’s social and political landscape in 2024.

In 2024, Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish political activist, became a focal point of national discourse in Nigeria, particularly in the South-East region. Ekpa, who proclaimed himself the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), significantly influenced the narrative around Biafran secession. His activities, characterised by calls for sit-at-home protests, the declaration of a Biafran map, including the enforcement of disruptive lockdowns in the South-East, prompted diplomatic interventions from the Nigerian Government, seeking his extradition from Finland to face charges related to incitement and terrorism, highlighting the international dimension of internal Nigerian conflicts.

Ekpa’s arrest in Finland on charges of inciting terrorism and promoting violence was a critical moment, signaling to many the global reach of Nigeria’s internal struggles. His influence extended beyond just policy and security discussions; it infiltrated the cultural and social fabric, making him a divisive yet undeniably pivotal figure in

OLUFEMI

She took office on March 1, 2021, becoming the first woman and the first African to serve as Director-General, World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The General Council of WTO recently reappointed her for a second four-year term, set to begin on 1 September 2025. This decision which reflects broad recognition of her exceptional leadership and strategic vision for the future of the WTO, is a pride to Nigeria.

Nigerian billionaire and energy tycoon believes in Nigeria and has invested massively to build the domestic economy in a manner that singles him out as a unique patriot.  His contribution to the growth of the economy and his philanthropy singles him out for mention.

NATASHA AKPOTIUDUAGHAN DAVIDO

As one of the three women Senators in the 10th National Assembly, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan -Kogi Central Senatorial District- stands out for taking the initiative to facilitate projects in the state, building educational capacity amongst the disadvantaged in her constituency through scholarship programmes, youth and women empowerment and infrastructure development, particularly in terms of electrification of the major streets and business districts. For these feats which give her constituents cause for celebration, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has become a beacon for public service and a shining example of advocacy for more women representation based on election under a popular campaign.

Heis the Founder of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Limited with a refining capacity of 650,000 barrels of crude oil per daythe largest single-train refinery in the world.

The over $19 billion investment by Africa’s richest man with a 435-megawatt power station, deep seaport and fertilizer unit is expected to meet 100 per cent of the Nigerian requirement of all refined products and have a surplus of each of these products for export.

Aside from creating multi-thousand jobs, the refinery is also expected to create a market for the $1 billion per annum Nigerian crude, in addition to foreign exchange earnings of $9.9 billion.

Superstar singer, David Adeleke, aka Davido, is undoubtedly one of the biggest things that has happened to the Nigerian entertainment scene, particularly the music industry. As one of Africa’s most prominent artists over the last decade and the African artist with the highest number of followers on Instagram, Davido has sealed his status as an entertainment idol in the minds of his fans. As the biggest influencer out of Africa, earning millions in dollars for influencing and promoting luxury merchandise and other items, Davido’s outspokenness on social issues as well as his spontaneous humanitarian gestures has deepened his image as a crusader for change, as shown by his loyal fan base.

Femi Adebayo, son of veteran Nollywood actor, Adebayo Salami, seems to have acquired the knack for telling African stories in a compelling way through movie making. Although he has been acting and producing movies for almost a decade, it wasn’t until he released his Netflix film, ‘Jagun Jagun’ in 2023 that the spotlight shone on him for real. The movie got so much rave reviews that it won numerous awards including some at the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award, AMVCA, thus positioning him as one to look out for in Nollywood. He firmly established himself in the industry with his latest Netflix offering, ‘Seven Doors’ which premiered on December 13, 2024, to widespread acclaim for its gripping storyline, well-developed characters, and standout performances. Unarguably the best film out of Nollywood in 2024, Femi’s professionalism has positioned him as one to reckon with in the movie making business.

President Bola Tinubu (Right), laying the budget proposal before the Joint Session of National Assembly at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on December 18, 20024.

Ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello Leaves Kuje Prison

BY FELIX IFIJEH

Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, was released from Kuje Custodial Centre on Friday evening after fulfilling the bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.

Justice Maryanne Anenih of the FCT High Court, Maitama, had on Thursday granted Bello bail in the sum of N500 million with three sureties in like sum.

The court specified that the sureties must be prominent Nigerians owning landed properties in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki, or Asokoro areas of Abuja. Additionally, Bello was required to surrender his international passport and was restricted from leaving Nigeria without prior court approval.

The court had earlier remanded Bello and two codefendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, at the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on November 27. They were later transferred to Kuje Custodial Centre on December 10 after pleading not guilty to a 16-count charge of money laundering amounting to N110.4 billion.

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), FCT Command, Adamu Duza, confirmed Bello’s release.

“Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions. The Controller of NCoS FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, was on the ground to ensure his smooth release and that all protocols were observed,” Duza said.

Bello and his co-defendants face allegations of misusing state funds to acquire several properties,

The EFCC also accused Bello of transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, and of possessing N677.8 million allegedly stolen from Bespoque Business Solution Limited. Bello, who had earlier evaded arrest during a failed EFCC operation in April, pleaded not guilty to all charges. The case is ongoing, and further hearings are expected in the coming months.

Court Sacks Okocha, Nullifies APC Congress in Rivers

BY FELIX IFIJEH

ARiversState High Court in Port Harcourt has nullified congresses of the All Progressives Congress in the state which produced Tony Okocha as chairman of the party.

Justice Godswill Obomanu declared the congress null and void following a contempt of court motion filed by a faction of the party led by Emeka Beke.

While the court had restrained the party, the Rivers APC on November 30 organized congresses which elected Okocha (a twotime Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party) as the new substantive chairman.

Recall that Justice Sika Aprioku of the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt had in August sacked the APC CTC led by Okocha following a suit filed by members of the party including Sam Etetegwung and Banarth Ezemoye.

Justice Aprioku had issued a perpetual injunction against the Okocha-led CTC, restraining them from taking further steps that would distract the Beke-led executive till the expiration of their four-year tenure.

The court also restrained the national leadership of the APC from further recognising the Okocha-led executive. It ordered the party to recognise the Beke-led executive as the authentic executive of the party until the expiration of their four years tenure.

Also, at the notice of the party congresses in the state, Justice Obomanu had issued an ex parte order restraining the APC and its National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, from conducting elective congresses for the Rivers State APC, pending the determination of the issue before the court.

The court had ruled on a motion filed by aggrieved members of the party, including Okwu Joebrown-Ndike, Peace Oganu, and Samuel Uchegbule, who claimed that they were denied nomination forms, despite making payments and as authentic members of the party.

Justice Obomanu had issued an interim injunction, halting the congresses until the motion on notice had been heard and determined.

Defying the court order, the congresses which produced Chief Tony Okocha as substantive APC chairman in Rivers, were held on November 30.

Group Distributes Startup Kits To Persons With Disabilities In Sokoto

BY TUNDE OMOLEHIN, SOKOTO

The Leprosy Mission Nigeria, Sokoto State, has distributed various startup tools to support the socio-economic independence of persons with disabilities.

The organisation’s programme manager, Mr Jerry Ameh, while presenting the tools to the beneficiaries, said the gesture is in line to promote self-reliance and independence among persons with disabilities in Sokoto State.

Mr Jerry said the gesture is aimed to enable them to initiate or expand their own businesses, thereby reducing their dependence on others and street begging.

He added that the organisation does not only empower persons with disabilities but also sees them as an important segment of society free of stigmatisation.

According to him, “Our organisation is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities to achieve their full potential.

“We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a dignified and independent life.”

Earlier, the Sokoto state chairman of non-governmental Organisations, Comrade Bello Shehu Gwadabawa, described the effort of the leprosy mission as commendable and generous

He also applauded the way the organisation has been supporting persons with disabilities in Sokoto and beyond.

Gwadabawa noted that despite neglecting persons with disabilities in society saying, “The Leprosy Mission Nigeria has been playing a pivotal role in carrying them along.”

Also speaking, Hajiya Amina Abubakar Kaoje, who heads the Sokoto State Agency for Disabilities, said the TLM gesture would complement the effort of the state government in catering for people living with disability in the state.

She acknowledged the gesture of the organisation, praising its commitment to alleviating poverty among vulnerable people within the state.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Fatima Muhammad, thanked the organisation for the gesture and promised to make effective use of the empowerment given to them.

The items distributed include sewing machines, knitting machines, phone repair equipment, grinding machines, and other essential tools.

Badenoch’s Comments Can Divide Nigeria

IGNATIUS KAIGAMA

Mrs Badenoch’s comments are a warning to all Nigerians, both domestically and outside. Growth requires constructive criticism, but the way that criticism is presented has a significant impact. Public personalities and leaders must strike a balance between candour and tact, making sure their remarks don’t unintentionally hurt the very people and places they say they care about.

It is worth noting that narratives about Nigeria, or any country, are often influenced by those who control the global conversation. For every criticism, there should be an equal effort to highlight the country’s resilience, cultural richness, and untapped potential. A nation’s story is multifaceted, and no single aspect should define it. The demonisation of our country should not be a prerequisite to winning a leadership contest of a political party in a foreign land and if it is, one cannot expect any self-respecting Nigerian to applaud it.

Kemi is one of us, even if she has made mistakes. We will not discard the baby with the bath water. She must, however, take lessons from her predecessors. Rishi Sunak, for example, became prime minister of Britain despite never disparaging India. Kemi can get to the UK government house without taking advantage of Nigeria’s inadequacies. After all, she is achieving greatness because of her Nigerian spirit.

Badenoch pointed to her own success as something she achieved on merit, but did not acknowledge obstacles such as racism that others might face to accomplish the same.

It would be a much more formidable thing if she had challenged sexism and racism to get to this position, but she has not done that and that is actually what attracted a lot of people to her as a candidate. She forgets that the country that she lives in has a long history of corruption, looting, barbarism and money laundering.

Mrs Badenoch’s case underscores the need for Nigerians to take ownership of their narrative. From the halls of Westminster to the streets of Lagos, every Nigerian has a role in shaping the image of the country. While acknowledging our flaws, we must also celebrate our strengths, countering negativity with hope and progress.

As Mrs Badenoch deals with the consequences of her comments, it is hoped that she will consider the influence and strength of her words. Criticism can spur change if it is delivered with compassion and an eye toward solutions. However, it demoralizes and alienates when it is tinged with contempt.

Ultimately, patriotism is not blind loyalty, but neither is it relentless disparagement. It is a delicate balance—a lesson Kemi Badenoch, and all of us, would do well to remember.

We are not uncivilised, we do not live on trees, we do not behave like animals and neither are we godless, unruly, ignorant or incompetent. Just like any other country, including the UK itself, we are not infallible and we have our own fair share of flaws and challenges.

*Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

Reflection on Apathy and Inaction in Nigeria

PRINCE CHARLES DICKSON

to be deep in thought and did not wish to be disturbed.

Sometime later, the man said softly, “Look at the water, it is still.” The boy said, “Yeah, it is.”

The man tossed a pebble into the water and continued, “Only till I toss a pebble into it now, do you see the ripples?”

“Yeah, they spread further and further,” the boy said.

“Soon, the water will be still again.”

“Sure, it becomes quiet after a while.”

THE ONLY WAY TO SAVE THE HUMAN MIND FROM GETTING DISTURBED IS TO BLOCK AND BAN THE ENTRY OF EVERY SUPERFLUOUS THOUGHT THAT COULD BE A POTENTIAL CAUSE FOR DISTURBANCE

The man continued, “What if we want to stop the ripples? The root cause of the ripples is the stone. Let’s take the stone out. Go ahead and look for it.” The boy put his hand into the water and tried to take the stone out. He only succeeded in making more ripples. He was able to take the stone out, but the number of ripples that were made in the process was a lot more than before.

The wise man said, “It is not possible to stop the movement of the water once a pebble has been thrown into it. But if we can stop ourselves from throwing the pebble in the first place, the ripples can be avoided altogether! So it is with our minds. If a thought enters into it, it creates ripples. The only way to save the human mind from getting disturbed is to block and ban the entry of every superfluous thought that could be a potential cause for disturbance. If a disturbance has entered into the mind, it will take its own time to die down. Too many conflicting thoughts just cause more and more disturbances. Once the disturbance has been caused, it takes time to ebb out. Even trying to forcibly remove the thought may further increase the turmoil in the mind. We have exhibited in the last few weeks again that there is a continued forced political marriage in this entity called Nigeria, we do not know whether we want the accident of history called Nigeria to remain or whether we want to go our separate ways; that is if we even can agree which way it is?

The tax bills that have been temporarily put to rest have again raised questions—Are we, at best, simply cohabitating without any mutuality, or is it just a union of the very wild poor at the bottom and the very rich on top? Again, our comments have shown that we are a symmetrically antagonistic group trying hard to find a

*Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

MTN to Pay N15m for Unsolicited Messages, Caller Tunes on Customers’ Phones

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has awarded N15 million as general damages against MTN Nigeria Communications Limited for disturbing its Nigerian customer’s phone number with unsolicited messages and callertunes, without the customer’s subscription to these services.

The Appeal Court passed the judgement on Friday, noting that the action was a violation of the right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of airtime purchased by Barrister Ezugwu Emmanuel Anene, a public interest lawyer.

The judgment was delivered on Friday by Justice Okon Abang after hearing the three-year matter brought by Barrister Ezeugwu.

The matter arose from the judgment of the High Court of the FCT, delivered by Justice U.P. Kekemeke, on September 22, 2021.

The claimant, Anene, sought a declaration that the eighty-eight unsolicited calls made by MTN to him at odd hours caused embarrassment, inconvenience, distraction, and anxiety, thereby breaching his right to privacy. Anene, through his legal team, also sought over N200 million in general damages for the “disturbing unsolicited messages sent to the claimant weekly,” as well as for the “imposition of callertunes on the claimant’s mobile number.”

EDITOR Sam Diala

Economic Hardship: PenCom Adopts Technology for Optimum

BY SAM DIALA

Amid prevailing economic hardship across the country, the National Pension Commission (PenCom) has embraced tech-driven initiatives in its regulation of the pension industry. This is in pursuit of its mandate of ensuring that retirement benefits are paid as and when due – a measure that also enhances financial inclusion.

Since June 2023 when the government announced the removal of subsidy on petrol, the floating of the naira and upward review of electricity tariff, many businesses have gone into extinction while others have scaled down their operations massively or exited the country.

A recent media report revealed that over 70 firms exited Nigeria in seven years, creating mass job losses – direct and indirect -- as well as huge tax revenue deficiency for the government.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has said that 767 manufacturers shut down operations, while 335 became distressed in 2023 following unbearably high cost of operations. .

“The manufacturing sector is already beset with multidimensional challenges. In the year 2023, 335 manufacturing companies became distressed and 767 shut down,” the group said in a statement.

The statement further noted that high energy costs create additional challenge as the firms battle with capacity utilisation in a sector that has declined to 56 per cent amid rising interest rates and scarcity of forex needed to import raw materials and machinery.

It added that inventory of unsold finished products has increased to N350bn and the real growth has dropped to 2.4 per cent

“The reform policies of the Bola Tinubu-led government have thrown up the unintended consequences of closure of businesses and loss of jobs across sectors, which has put pressure on the assets of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS),” said Dr Edith Akhimien, a human resource development expert.

According to PenCom, effective regulation of the pension industry demands accelerated adoption of appropriate technology in all aspects of the Commission’s activities – from enrolment through oversight functions to payment of retirees’ benefits.

address this issue,” Oloworaran said in her address at the occasion, with the theme: , ‘Tech-Driven Transformation: Shaping the Pension Landscape,’

Commenting on the pressure experienced by the Commission amid prevailing economic challenges, the PenCom boss lamented the delay in settling accrued entitlements of contributors – the essence of the tech-driven options, and the way forward.

She said, “We also continue to face the persistent issue of delays in the payment of accrued rights. Recently, 44 billion Naira was approved under the 2024 budget appropriation to settle accrued pension rights for retirees from March to September 2023.

“Moving forward, we are working with the Federal Government to put in place a sustainable solution that ensures retirees receive their benefits promptly and without undue stress.”

Among the automated processes in the Commission’s tech-driven initiatives include the E-Pension Clearance Certificate (EPCC). This is aimed at improving the turn-around time for issuing PCC, engender transparency and promote ease of doing business.

The Commission automated the process by developing the e-Pension Clearance Certificate Application which has the following Modules:Employer Module, Pension Fund Custodian Module,and the PenCom Module.

A total of N1.14 trillion was realised through the automated E-PCC since inception in 2012, through 484,839 Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs).

The

He argued before the High Court that although he subscribed to MTN’s network services, he never signed up for the weekly clarion child guidance, counselling, or caller tune services provided by MTN.

He said instead, “the MTN inundated him with a large volume of messages and deducted money from his airtime for unsolicited services from July 2016 to March 21, 2018, at inappropriate hours.”

At a recent media engagement in Lagos, the Director-General of PenCom, Ms Omolola Oloworaran revealed that the Commission is not slacking in its adoption of technological initiatives as pressure mounts on the agency..

“Technology has become the backbone of transformation across all sectors, and the pension industry is no exception. At PenCom, we have embraced this transformation wholeheartedly.

“Today, we have over 10.5 million contributors and oversee pension assets in excess of 21.9 trillion Naira as of October. This progress demonstrates the strength of our contributory pension system, but we are not without challenges.

”Inflation, for instance, continues to erode the purchasing power of pensioners, and we are actively seeking innovative solutions to

Commission’s various Innovations in Retirement Benefits Processing added to the enhanced tech-driven initiatives. Under this include Programmed Withdrawal which is administered by the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Retire Life Annuity administered by licensed life assurance companies approved by the National Insurance Commission.

Continues from page 14

Pencom Adopts Technology... BUSINESS WEEKLY

Others are the Temporary Loss of Employment which has the following features:

Accessing of 25 per cent of RSA balance; Disengaged from employment for at least 4 months,, and the retiree must be less than 50 years of age at the time of application.

Under the process is Death Benefits which is paid to the legal beneficiary(ies) of a deceased contributor

Without a claim of perfection, the Commission lays out what it calls the disadvantages of the current system. This include administrative bottleneck: “The process of reconciling unmatched contributions often involves bureaucratic hurdles that delay resolution, further exacerbating the problem.”

There is also the challenge of unmatched contribution: This resides in “The lack of accompanying schedules for electronic remittances leads to a high volume of unmatched contributions in the Contribution Reconciliation Accounts (CRA). This results in funds remaining uncredited to Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs), causing inefficiencies in it.

Since assuming office, my team and I have been focused on strengthening compliance, enhancing service delivery, diversifying pension assets to optimize returns, improving benefits, and expanding coverage to include more Nigerians, especially those in the informal sector.

The micro-pension initiative, in particular, is something we are very passionate about. It is our way of saying that no one should be left behind, no matter how small their earnings might be. Technology plays a vital role in driving this inclusion, from mobile enrollment to real-time account management to benefits administration. We intend to use technology to scale the micro-pension plan.

Beyond the adoption of the various tech-driven initiatives, the PenCom D-G says she believes in results and takes delight in success stories as outcome of the agency’s endeavours.

“But beyond policies and systems, what really excites me is the potential to transform lives. Every time I meet a pensioner who is able to live comfortably because of the contributions they made during their working years, it reminds me of why this work is so important.

“And every time I hear from a young entrepreneur or artisan who has signed up for the micro-pension scheme, it strengthens my belief that we are moving in the right direction,” she said.

MTN to Pay N15m for Unsolicited Messages, Caller...

He added that his refusal to answer calls from certain numbers denied him the opportunity to receive important business calls, while the strange calls were continuously recurring and embarrassing.

On its part, MTN, represented by its staff member Emmanuel Iteade, informed the High Court that when a prospective subscriber purchases a SIM starter kit, the prepaid terms and conditions are clearly placed in the kit to allow careful review.

The official stated that MTN did not breach the claimant’s right to privacy or the quiet enjoyment of his airtime and did not make any fraudulent or illegal deductions from his airtime.

“All services complained about by the claimant were subscribed to by him, and the defendant merely debited him for the services,” the respondent said.

In passing judgment, the High Court held that Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, guarantees and protects citizens’ privacy, including their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations, and telegraphic communications.

The judge also noted that MTN’s witness, when crossexamined, admitted that the reference in the company’s terms and conditions was “so tiny, he cannot read it,” which the judge considered to be “potent” evidence.

The High Court then declared that the numerous unsolicited text messages and callertunes sent to the claimant’s phone, without his subscription to them, as well as the subsequent deductions from his airtime, constituted a breach of his right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of his airtime and phone.

The court perpetually restrained MTN from sending unsolicited text messages or imposing callertunes and deductions on the claimant’s airtime.

The court awarded N300,000 as general damages but noted that the claimant could not sufficiently prove the assertions about the 88 calls.

Dissatisfied with the N300,000 awarded, the claimant approached the Appeal Court for redress, arguing that the amount was too low.

MTN’s legal team also cross-appealed, stating that the total deductions from the claimant amounted to about N14,000 and that the N300,000 award was generous.

The Appeal Court agreed that the unsolicited text messages caused the appellant anxiety, adding that MTN was likely profiting substantially from this practice, and Nigerians “may not know this.”

The court opined that the trial court should have awarded exemplary damages against MTN, a foreign company, as a “deterrent”, noting that the money generated from such charges was not legitimate income for MTN.

The judge stated, “If MTN had sent unsolicited messages to 10 million phones at the time, owned by innocent Nigerians, it would have unlawfully enriched itself” to over a trillion naira.

The judge, delivering the unanimous judgment of the three-member Appeal Court panel, set aside the N300,000 general damages imposed by the high court.

The Appeal Court agreed with the High Court that the claimant had complained to MTN and made a personal complaint to its customer care team.

It also agreed that the claimant had activated the Do Not Disturb (DND) option, but despite these efforts, MTN persisted in sending unsolicited messages..

Regarding MTN’s cross-appeal, the Appeal Court dismissed it, stating it lacked merit.

The development occurred on the heels of MTN’s recent announcement to its shareholders and the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) the successful completion of its Series 13 and 14 Commercial Paper (CP) issuance, raising N72.18 billion.

This achievement follows the company’s earlier notification to the NGX regarding the successful issuance of Series 11 and 12 Commercial Papers, which collectively raised N75.1 billion.

Building on the momentum, MTN Nigeria had disclosed the success of its Series 13 and 14 issuances in a formal notification signed by its Company Secretary, Uto Ukpanah, and published on the NGX disclosure platform. According to the announcement, the Series 13 and 14 CP offerings were conducted under the company’s N250 billion Commercial Paper Issuance Programme.

Initially targeting N50 billion, the offering was oversubscribed by an impressive 144%, resulting in a final issuance of N72.18 billion.

NGX Group, SEC Deepen Global Partnerships Through Strategic Visit to India

Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, has taken a significant step toward enhancing global partnerships within

the Nigerian capital market. This was achieved through high-level engagements with the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India and key players in India’s financial ecosystem.

The two-day visit, held on Monday, 16th, and Tuesday, 17th December 2024, at the NSE headquarters in Mumbai, India, brought together the leadership of SEC, NGX Group, and NSE to explore shared opportunities and strategies for driving innovation, market expansion, and sustainable growth.

In his opening remarks, Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman of NGX Group, lauded India’s achievements as a global economic powerhouse, drawing parallels between the two nations. He stated, “We congratulate you on your success as a nation and an exchange, but, more importantly, we are here to learn from your experiences as a vibrant, innovative, technology-driven exchange in a bustling economy.”

Dr. Emomotimi Agama, Director-General of SEC Nigeria, emphasized the regulatory benefits of the visit, noting, “Collaborations like these allow us to adopt global best practices in regulating and developing our markets. The insights gained from this engagement will play a critical role in shaping

policies that promote transparency, stability, and investor confidence.”

Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group reinforced the importance of this collaboration, stating, “This interaction marks a new chapter in our commitment to fostering innovation and driving growth in Nigeria’s capital markets.

By learning from the National Stock Exchange of India, a leader in leveraging technology for market development, we aim to enhance our operational efficiency and introduce cuttingedge solutions tailored to our market’s unique needs.”

Ashishkumar Chauhan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NSE India, expressed pride in the contributions of NSE to India’s economic development. He stated, “We are proud of what NSE has achieved for the Indian economy and government, particularly in increasing retail participation and facilitating capital raising for companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises. We look forward to exploring collaborations with NGX Group to exchange knowledge and foster mutual growth in our markets.”

The delegation’s visit provided a

comprehensive view of India’s financial ecosystem, showcasing how regulation and technology catalyze market growth. During the visit, the Nigerian delegation engaged with NSE India to discuss retail participation and education, governance, strategic investment, and the adoption of innovative technologies to enhance market efficiency. They also visited Deutsche Bank India, one of the trading license holders of NSE, where discussions focused on the operational dynamics of trading within India’s robust financial framework.

A visit to the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) offered insights into payment system infrastructure and their role in enhancing financial inclusion and investor accessibility. Furthermore, the delegation met with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to discuss regulatory frameworks that promote market stability and innovation. A strategic meeting with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) explored leveraging technology for cost optimization, operational efficiency, and overall market development.

The ceremonial market closing at NSE India marked the highlight of the visit. The bellringing ceremony symbolized the commitment to forging stronger ties and fostering collaboration between the two markets.

BANKING

Is There Hidden Liquidity Crisis in Nigeria’s Banking System?

BY ELVIS EROMOSELE

The Nigerian banking system, once celebrated as the backbone of the nation’s economy, is facing a glaring paradox. Customers walk into bank branches daily to access their funds, only to be told that cash is scarce.

The situation, which began following the Naira redesign exercise under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has become a troubling norm. Bank tellers now ration cash withdrawals, often imposing arbitrary limits like N20,000 per person, without detailed explanations. This raises an unsettling question: is there a hidden liquidity crisis in the Nigerian banking system?

The central function of a bank is to provide customers with seamless access to their deposits, yet this appears to be failing. The scarcity of cash at bank branches stands in sharp contrast to the availability of cash through Point of Sale (POS) operators, who always seem to have more than enough to meet demand. This discrepancy is baffling and has fueled widespread speculation about the health of the banking system.

When customers encounter these restrictions, the frustration is palpable. Imagine the indignity of being denied access to your funds, with no clear justification. Attempts to probe deeper are met with shrugs or vague statements about system limitations. This state of affairs is unacceptable in a modern economy. A teller in a bank branch told me last week, “People don’t deposit cash like they used to.”

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced the Naira redesign exercise with lofty objectives: reducing inflation, tackling corruption, and promoting a cashless economy. However, its implementation was riddled with missteps, creating chaos across the financial landscape. Banks struggled to replace old notes with redesigned ones, leading to widespread shortages that have yet to abate 24 months later. One of the most curious aspects of the crisis is the role of POS operators. While banks ration cash, these operators maintain steady supplies, albeit at exorbitant rates. Are they benefiting from a parallel system of cash distribution? Or are they simply more agile at navigating the inefficiencies in the formal banking system?

Either way, their dominance underscores the inability of banks to fulfill their basic responsibilities.

The scarcity of cash at bank branches stands in sharp contrast to the availability of cash through Point of Sale (POS) operators, who always seem to have more than enough to meet demand

Many have written extensively about this problem, but the Central Bank of Nigeria appears powerless to resolve it. As the regulator, the CBN’s primary responsibility is to ensure the stability and liquidity of the financial system. Yet, the persistent cash shortages suggest either an unwillingness or inability to act decisively.

If the issue is

systemic—a result of poor monetary policy, weak oversight, or strained interbank liquidity— then the CBN’s inaction becomes even more concerning. A regulator that cannot enforce its mandate risks eroding public trust, not just in the banking sector but in the economy as a whole.

Yes, Nigerians should be deeply concerned. A liquidity crisis, if left unchecked, could spiral into a full-blown financial crisis. When people lose confidence in banks’ ability to provide cash, they may resort to hoarding or

bypassing the formal banking system altogether. This would undermine financial inclusion, destabilise the economy, and make it harder for businesses to thrive. These are already all manifesting.

The current state of affairs also raises broader questions about accountability. Who will hold banks responsible for their failure to serve customers? And who will ensure that the CBN fulfills its duty to oversee and stabilise the financial system?

Several critical steps must be taken immediately to address this crisis. First, banks must ensure cash is available for customers who need it. Where there is a shortage, they must equally prioritise transparency by providing clear explanations and implementing consistent policies to reassure their customers. Without this openness, trust in the system will continue to erode.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also needs to enhance its regulatory oversight to ensure that banks maintain adequate liquidity to meet withdrawal demands. This would require stricter monitoring and enforcement to prevent the recurrence of such issues.

Furthermore, POS operators’ activities warrant closer scrutiny. Their ability to consistently access cash while banks struggle raises questions that demand a thorough investigation. Understanding their role in the cash distribution ecosystem is essential to resolving the crisis.

Equally important is public communication. The CBN must take proactive steps to engage with the public, offering clear updates on the measures implemented to resolve the crisis. Effective communication will be key to rebuilding public trust and confidence in the system.

Finally, the banking sector requires long-term reforms to address systemic inefficiencies. These reforms should aim to modernize operations, enhance overall efficiency, and prevent similar challenges in the future. Only through these measures can the ongoing crisis be resolved and the Nigerian banking system restored to stability. The National Assembly must step up to the plate here.

The persistent cash shortages in Nigerian banks may point to deeper structural issues that require urgent attention. I don’t know whether it is a hidden liquidity crisis or a symptom of broader inefficiencies, but the situation is untenable. Nigerians should not have to wonder whether their money is safe or accessible.

•Eromosele is a corporate communication professional

N350, 000

EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2024

Center Spread N1, 800, 000 Center

000

Double Spread N1, 550, 000

Double Spread Half Page N1, 200, 000

10X6 N700, 000

10X5 N650, 000

10X4 N600, 000

10X3 N500, 000

9X6 N440, 000

9X5 N395, 000

9X4 N335, 000

9X3 N310, 000

8X6 N410, 000

8X5 N380, 000

7X5 N320, 000

7X4 N315, 000

6X5 N280, 000

6X3 N145, 000

6X2 N85, 000

5X2 N70, 000

4X4 N160, 000

4X3 N95, 000

4X2 N65, 000

3X3 N60, 000

3X2 N50, 000

2X2 N30, 000

2X1 N15, 000 1X1 N7, 000

A D V E R T I S E M E N T R A T E

COLOUR BLACK AND WHITE SPECIAL SPOTS SERIES DISCOUNT

Front Page Strip– 4x6 – N1, 400, 000

Front Page Strip 3x6 – N800, 000 Change of Name (Classified) N5, 000 Page/Column Branding – Negotiable

EDITOR Ivory Ukonu

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

PROMINENT NIGERIANS WHO DIED IN 2024

Nigeria witnessed the loss of several high-profile figures from all walks of life in 2024. Their deaths made newspaper headlines, sparking nationwide grief and outpouring of tributes. As the year draws to a close, IVORY UKONU takes a look at some prominent Nigerians who passed on, leaving behind lasting legacies.

ONYEKA ONWENU

Onyeka Onwenu, iconic singer, songwriter, actress, politician, journalist and businesswoman slumped after performing at the 80th birthday party of Stella Okoli, founder of Emzor Pharmaceuticals. She was quickly rushed to Reddington Hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos where she was confirmed dead. Elegant Stallion as she was fondly called was 72 years-old when she died. As a composer, she sold millions of records and won several awards during her active recording years in the 80s and 90s. As a politician, she was a chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. She unsuccessfully ran twice to become the Chairman of Ideato North Local Government Area, but she wasn’t successful. She was also appointed the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development by President Goodluck Jonathan. Her activism saw her protest against her former employer, the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, over their refusal to pay royalties on her songs. The then-director general of NTA, Ben Murray-Bruce had blacklisted her videos and her person from the network and so she embarked on a hunger strike outside the headquarter office of NTA. As an actress, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award, AMAA for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in the movie, ‘Women’s Cot.’ Onwenu who kept her personal life private, was formerly married to Mr Ogunlende, a Yoruba Muslim. She is survived by Tijani Charles and Abraham, the product of her union with Ogunlende.

TAOREED LAGBAJA

Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff died at the age of 56 following an undisclosed illness. Rumours of his death began to swirl about two weeks before it was officially announced, but the Nigerian Army dismissed it, insisting that he was receiving medical treatment abroad. Despite these reassurances, his condition remained a matter of concern, prompting President Bola Tinubu to appoint Major-General Olufemi Oluyede as acting COAS on October 30. Ironically, on November 5, Oluyede was officially promoted to the rank of lieutenant-    General and on November 6, the President confirmed that Lagbaja had passed on after a period of illness.

An alumnus of the United States Army War College, Lagbaja’s death marked the third time a COAS died in office. Others who died in office were Joseph Akahan in August 1967 in a helicopter crash and Attahiru Ibrahim on May 21, 2021, in a plane crash alongside 11 others just months into his tenure. Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.

HERBERT WIGWE

MODUPE DADA

Modupe Dada was the wife of Mike Dada, the founder and president of the All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) and the managing director of PRM Africa Marketing and Communications Limited. She died after a brief illness, surrounded by family members at Duchess Hospital, Lagos State, Nigeria. Her death left many, including her immediate and extended families, associates, friends and wellwishers, in tears as she was a peaceloving, respectful and graceful person. Before her death, she was the VicePresident of AFRIMA and an accomplished bank executive. She is survived by her husband, two children and siblings.

Herbert Wigwe’s death unfortunately, opened the flood gates of death among high profile individuals in Nigeria. Until his death on February 9, he was the CEO of Access Holdings. He died when a helicopter transporting him, his wife, Chizoba, first son, Chizzy and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, a former chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group crashed near a border city between Nevada and California, United States of America. There were no survivors. The two pilots transporting them with a Eurocopter EC 130 helicopter also lost their lives. Wigwe and his companions were on their way to watch a game at the Super Bowl when the sad event took place. Before his death, Wigwe had just moved into his sprawling palatial home in Lagos. He left behind his three children, Tochi, Hannah and David as well as his self-named higher institution, Wigwe University, which he was positioning to become a centre of excellence in education.

ATSI KEFAS

Atsi Kefas is the sister of Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas. She tragically passed away after she was accidentally shot by a police escort during an attempted bandit attack. The incident occurred in the Wukari Local Government Area of the state, where Atsi, her mother, Jumai Kefas, were traveling. Gunmen ambushed the vehicle, and in the chaos, a police officer assigned to protect the family inadvertently shot Atsi while trying to fend off the attackers. Atsi was rushed to a hospital in Abuja for urgent medical care, but she succumbed to her injuries.

STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

EMMANUEL IWUANYANWU

Engineer Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the founder and publisher of Champion Newspapers was the president-general of Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide until his death on Thursday, 25 July, 2024, after a brief illness. He was aged 82. Iwuanyanwu was the second president-general of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo to die in office after his predecessor, George Obiozor. Before becoming the president-general, he was the chairman of the Council of Elders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. At different times, he had unsuccessfully sought to be Nigeria’s president. A graduate of engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Iwuanyanwu was the founder of Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club, now Heartland Football Club, which won several local and international championships. He left behind a young wife, several children and grandchildren.

TOLANI QUADRI

Tolani Quadri, aka Sisi Quadri, was a Nollywood actor who plied his trade in the Yoruba genre of the industry. He passed away on March 1, 2024, at the age of 44. His death was announced by his colleagues in the Yoruba movie industry, and he was buried the following day in Iwo, Osun State according to the Muslim faith. Before settling for acting, Sisi Quadri studied fashion design for four years. In 2000, he got introduced to acting. He also tried his hands on movie makeup.

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

IBRAHIM LAMORDE IFEANYI

Ibrahim Lamorde, a former chairman of the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, died while receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed ailment. He was aged 61. Lamorde who joined the Nigerian Police in 1986 retired as a Deputy Inspector-General of Police in 2021 and served as EFCC chairman between 2011 and 2015. He was the third Executive Chairman of the Commission following the removal of Farida Waziri, the first and only female executive chairman so far. In fact, he served twice as EFCC acting chairman (in 2008 and 2011) before his confirmation in February 2012 to replace Farida Waziri who earlier took over from him in 2008.

An indigene of Adamawa State, Lamorde was replaced with Ibrahim Magu by President Muhammadu Buhari over allegations regarding the diversion of recovered stolen funds amounting to N1 trillion. The senate committee on Ethic, Privileges and Public Relations had initiated a probe on his time as EFCC chair only to postpone the probe indefinitely after he was asked to proceed on substantive leave months before the end of his tenure officially. The probe was sequel to a petition written by one George Uboh alleging the diversion of N1 trillion, being stolen money recovered when Lamorde was the agency’s Director of Operations between 2003 and 2007, and when he was acting chairman of the commission in 2008.

TINUADE LADOJA

Madam Tinuade ladoja was the late wife of former Oyo State governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja. Madam Tinuade who was the Woman President of the Aladura Movement passed on in November at the age of 71. Activities for her funeral spanned one week and the programme of events began on Saturday, December 14, with Islamic prayers at her husband’s Bodija, Ibadan residence where Islamic clerics led prayers and it culminated into a funeral service that held at the Bemil Chapel of Epiphany in Lagos as well as a thanksgiving service at the CCC Unity parish, Ikeja, Lagos. An astute business entrepreneur and philanthropist, Madam Ladoja is held in high esteem within her church and the Aladura Movement for her commitment, contribution and services towards the growth of the church. Fondly referred to as Prophetess Mother Celestial, she surprised many when at the age of 60, she bagged a degree in theology. A widely travelled professional secretary, she had a career in diplomatic service -serving at the Nigerian Embassy in Cotonou, Republic of Benin in the course of which she met her husband, Ladoja. She had three daughters, two from a previous marriage.

Patrick

Ifeanyi Ubah, politician and businessman who served as a Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, was one man who escaped death following an assassination attack on him in September 2022, shielded by the bulletproof vehicle he was riding in but succumbed to death in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2024. He was 52 years old at the time of his death. A year before his death, the Senator who lived most of his life being on the large side, spotted a new look - a well-trimmed body, making him look unrecognizable at first. He was rumoured to have undergone a gastric bypass surgery also called Roux-en-Y, a type of weight-loss surgery. It is one of the most commonly performed types of bariatric surgery when diet and exercise haven’t worked or when one has serious health problems because of one’s weight. The two time gubernatorial aspirant in Anambra State, first on the platform of Labour Party and later on the platform of Young Peoples Party, YPP, would later defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC after he won the senatorial seat. He had hoped to battle governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for the number one seat in the state in 2025. At the time of his death, he was the founder of Capital Oil, with one of the largest tank farms for petroleum products storage and distribution in Lagos. He was also the founder of The Authority Newspaper; Ifeanyi Ubah F.C., a football club in the Nigeria Premier League; Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation. He is survived by his wife, Uchenna Ubah and their five children.

OGBONNAYA ONU

Ogbonnaya Onu, the first civilian governor of Abịa State died in an Abuja hospital after a brief illness on April 11. Onu, who was the minister of science and technology in the Muhammadu Buhari administration, was 72 years- old at the time of his death. His family was contemplating flying him abroad for better medical treatment before he succumbed to the cold hands of death. A first-class graduate in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos State in 1976 before obtaining his doctorate in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley four years later. He would later serve as a lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State where he rose to become the pioneer Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering of the institution and later, acting dean of the engineering faculty. He unsuccessfully sought a senatorial ticket of the now-defunct National Party of Nigeria in the old Imo State. He later contested and was elected the first civilian governor of the then-newly created Abia State in 1991 under the platform of the National Republican Convention. He was sworn in January 1992. The former minister resigned from his position in 2022 minister of science and technology to contest the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC which was won by Bola Tinubu, who eventually emerged as Nigerian president in the 2023 general elections.

SHOTS OF THE WEEK

Photo Editor: Peace Udugba [08033050729]

L-R: Chairman, National Salaries Income and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta; Commissioner, Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone, Francis Ben Kaifala; Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences, Dr. Musa Aliyu; Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede and Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr Adebowale Adedokun, during the  ICPC Chairman  anniversary celebration in Abuja on December 17, 2024.

L-R: Independent Non-Executive Director, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), Mrs. Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman; Head, Group Communications and Partnership, NGX Group, Mr. Clifford Akpolo; Non-Executive, NGX Group, Mr. Mohammed Garuba; Independent, Non-Executive Director, NGX Group, Mrs. Ojinika Nkechinyelu Olaghere; Non-Executive Director, NGX Group, Mr. Sehinde Adenagbe; GMD/CEO, NGX Group, Mr. Temi Popoola; Group Chairman, NGX Group, Dr, Umaru Kwairanga; MD/CEO, National Stock Exchange (NSE) India, Mr. Ashishkumar Chauhan; Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission, (SEC) Nigeria, Mairiga Katuka; Independent Non-Executive Director, NGX Group, Mrs. Mosun Belo – Olusoga; Director General, SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama; Independent, Non-Executive Director, NGX Group, Dr. Okechukwu Crescent Itanyi  and NonExecutive Director, NGX Group Mr. Nonso Okpala, during a strategic business visit to NSE India on December 18, 2024.

Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Chukwudi Eze (Right), presenting Certificate of Merit to former First Lady of Ekiti State and the Special Guest of Honour, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, during the 2024 ANA Abuja end of the year dinner and anthology book launch in Abuja on December 15, 2024.

L-R: Special Adviser to the Lagos Governor on Housing, Barr. Barakat Bakare-Odunuga; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna and Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, during the signing off event of the Odonla-Odogunyan Housing Estate Project, facilitated by Lagos Government and Access bank, held at the Conference room, Lagos House, Ikeja, on December 17, 2024.

Executive Director, Intermediation Foundation, Dr Kelechi Antonia-Mbaeri (right), presenting items to one of the beneficiaries, during the closing of skill acquisition programme, organised by the Foundation; With them are Chief Consultant Fistula Surgeon, Dr Saad Idris (2nd right) and other participants in Abuja on December 17, 2024.

Ikorodu City FC Defying

Odds of Domestic Football

BY JUDE OBAFEMI

In the heart of Lagos, where football dreams often fade as quickly as they emerge, Ikorodu City FC is writing a different story. The club, established just two years ago in 2022, has evolved from a modest community project into one of the Nigerian Premier Football League’s most compelling narratives of the 2024/2025 season.

Currently sitting sixth in the NPFL table, just seven points behind leaders Rivers United, Ikorodu City’s rise represents more than just sporting success – it embodies the transformative power of grassroots football development in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

“We’re not under pressure to achieve these goals,” says Sanmi Doherty, the club’s chairman, speaking from their temporary home at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. “We’ll keep focusing on taking it one step at time and see how far we can progress.”

This measured approach belies the club’s meteoric rise. After a challenging start that saw them lose four of their first five matches, the “Oga Boys” – as they are affectionately known –embarked on an impressive unbeaten run spanning six games, including a statement 4-1 victory over former champions Akwa United before narrowly losing 1-0 to Bayelsa United early this month.

Behind this success lies a unique philosophy that sets Ikorodu City apart from their NPFL counterparts. The club operates an Academy system that has become its primary talent pipeline, focusing on youth development rather than expensive signings.

“The Academy is a long-term project,” explains Samuel Bamisebi, the club’s media officer. “We believe that’s where we need to make more impact.”

This commitment to youth has earned them the nickname “babies of the NPFL,” boasting the youngest squad in Nigeria’s top flight.

could compete at this level, but I don’t think anyone expected them to adapt so quickly.”

The team’s playing style has become a talking point among NPFL observers

Yet success has brought its challenges. Recent disciplinary action from the NPFL resulted in a N3,000,000 fine and a two-match stadium closure following crowd trouble during their match against Remo Stars, which they drew 1-1. The incident, which involved an assault on opposition coach Sulaimon Kamil,

has tested the club’s commitment to maintaining professional standards. The club’s board has responded swiftly to these issues, implementing stricter security measures and launching a fan education programme.

Despite these setbacks, what truly distinguishes Ikorodu City is their community integration. The club has cultivated a passionate fanbase that extends beyond their namesake suburb to encompass the broader Lagos metropolis. “They’ve been incredible,” Doherty acknowledges. “It’s like we’ve had an advantage over other teams, playing 12 against 11. Our fans are truly our 12th man.”

The atmosphere at their home games has become legendary in the NPFL. Even with temporary residence at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, far from their Ikorodu base, supporters turn each match into a carnival of colour and sound. The club’s social media presence has also played a crucial role in building this community, with innovative engagement strategies that have attracted a younger, tech-savvy fanbase.

However, their recent performances suggest these “babies” have grown up fast. Captain Waliu Ojetoye’s call-up to the national team for the upcoming African Nations Championship fixture against Ghana serves as testament to their rapid development.

The team’s playing style has become a talking point among NPFL observers. Under interim coach Nurudeen Aweroro’s guidance, they have developed a distinctive high-pressing, possession-based approach that has caught many established teams off guard. Their victory over Akwa United demonstrated this style at its best, with fluid movement and quick transitions that left their more experienced opponents struggling to cope.

Even before their NPFL debut, there were hints of what was to come. During the pre-season Value Jet tournament in Ikenne, Ogun state, Ikorodu City raised eyebrows by defeating Sudanese champions Al-Merrikh SC and NPFL giants Rivers United. These results were not mere flukes but demonstrations of their potential.

“When we saw them in pre-season, we knew they weren’t just another promoted team,” says Mohammed Ibrahim, a veteran NPFL analyst. “Their organisation and tactical discipline suggested they

Looking ahead, the club faces crucial decisions about sustainability and growth. Plans are underway to establish a permanent home stadium in Ikorodu, moving from their temporary residence at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. This infrastructure development could prove vital for maintaining their momentum in Nigerian football’s top tier.

The club’s impact extends beyond the pitch. In a city where youth unemployment remains a pressing concern, Ikorodu City has positioned itself as more than just a football club. “The mission is to get boys away from the streets and engage them more,” Bamisebi explains. “We try to reduce hooliganism and violence by providing opportunities through football.”

Their academy system continues to expand, with new age-group teams being added and partnerships with local schools being developed. The club has also launched a scholarship programme for promising young players, ensuring their educational development is not sacrificed for sporting ambitions.

Under Aweroro’s guidance, the team has adopted a pragmatic approach to their maiden NPFL campaign. “Our target is to remain in the NPFL,” he states simply, though their current form suggests they might achieve much more.

The second half of the season will present new challenges. Teams are now more familiar with their style of play, and the pressure of being touted as genuine title contenders could test their young squad’s mental strength. The upcoming transfer window will also be crucial, with several key players reportedly attracting interest from bigger clubs.

“We’re prepared for whatever comes,” Doherty asserts. “Our model isn’t built around individual players but around a system and philosophy that can sustain itself.”

As the 2024/2025 season approaches its midway point, Ikorodu City stands as a testament to what can be achieved when community engagement meets professional ambition. Their journey from formation to NPFL contenders in just two years has already inspired similar projects across Nigeria.

Whether they maintain their title challenge or not, Ikorodu City FC has already succeeded in their primary mission: proving that with proper structure, youth development, and community support, Nigerian football clubs can build sustainable success stories. While the “Oga Boys” continue their remarkable journey, it can be said that the outfit is not just playing football but also rewriting the blueprint for club development in Nigerian football.

Sanmi

Doherty

Ikorodu City

Ojetoye

Nurudeen

Aweroro

ogannah@thewillnews.com

A Muted Nigerian Christmas

Thelights on Ajose Adeogun Street in Lagos shimmer with their characteristic brilliance, as Zenith Bank maintains its cherished tradition of Christmas decorations. Yet this year, these dazzling displays stand in stark contrast to the subdued atmosphere that has settled over Nigeria during what should be its most festive season. The bright illuminations, while beautiful, serve as a poignant reminder of the gap between celebration and reality in a nation grappling with severe economic challenges. Across Lagos and beyond, the impact of economic hardship is impossible to ignore. The usual cacophony of firecrackers has fallen silent and the streets that once buzzed with carnival energy now carry a quieter tone. Traditional Christmas activities – from elaborate family gatherings to street parties – have been scaled back dramatically as inflation continues to erode purchasing power, forcing families to prioritise survival over celebration.

The transformation is particularly striking in Nigeria’s markets, typically alive with preChristmas activity. Today, these same markets tell a different story, as shoppers carefully weigh their purchases against shrinking budgets. Basic commodities like rice, yams and tomatoes, once staples of festive meals, have become luxury items for many. The removal of fuel subsidies earlier in the year, coupled with persistent unemployment and high inflation, has created a perfect storm that has transformed the nature of Christmas celebrations.

Beyond its religious significance, Christmas in Nigeria has always represented a time of community, generosity and shared hope. Families would traditionally extend their celebrations to neighbours and friends, homes would sparkle with decorations and streets would echo with carols. Now, these cherished

traditions have been pared down to their essentials. Parties are more intimate, family gatherings more modest and decorations more spartan – yet the underlying spirit of community persists.

This period of muted festivities has revealed both challenges and resilience. Some neighbourhoods have pooled resources for minimal decorations, while others focus on simple but meaningful celebrations. The absence of excess has exposed a collective anxiety, but it has also highlighted the innovative ways Nigerians adapt to adversity. Even in these challenging times, people find ways to preserve the essence of the season, if not its usual grandeur.

The impact extends beyond individual households to affect businesses, particularly in the retail and hospitality sectors, which traditionally rely on holiday season revenue. The low activity in these sectors reflects a broader economic challenge that requires comprehensive solutions. For stakeholders, particularly the government, this subdued Christmas season serves as a call to action. Addressing inflation, creating employment opportunities and ensuring affordable access to basic goods must become priorities to restore not just the festivities but also the economic stability that underpins them.

Despite these challenges, hope persists. The lights on Ajose Adeogun Street continue to shine, serving as a reminder that beauty and celebration can endure even in difficult times. While current celebrations may be modest, they demonstrate the enduring resilience of Nigerians, who continue to find joy and meaning in the season despite economic constraints.

Looking ahead, reviving the full vibrancy of Christmas celebrations will require more than

decorative lights and temporary measures. It demands policies that stabilise the economy, reduce inflation and create sustainable employment opportunities. Social welfare programmes could provide immediate relief to struggling households, allowing them to participate more fully in cultural traditions that build community and foster hope.

As this holiday season unfolds, there remains an underlying optimism that better days lie ahead. The current challenges, though significant, are not insurmountable. Through realistic economic reforms and community resilience, Nigeria can work toward restoring the unbridled joy and celebration that have long characterised its Christmas season. Until then, the lights will continue to shine, not just as decorations, but as beacons of hope for a brighter future.

Looking ahead, reviving the full vibrancy of Christmas celebrations will require more than decorative lights and temporary measures. It demands policies that stabilise the economy, reduce inflation and create sustainable employment opportunities