THEWILL NEWSPAPER July 30, 2023

OnahNwachukwu Editor, THEWILL DOWNTOWN

This week our cover story centres on domestic violence. According to statistics, one in every three women in Nigeria has experienced some form of domestic violence. And from the National Demographic Health Survey analysis, domestic violence is more rampant in rural areas. They also found that education has little impact on the rate of domestic violence. What I found to be alarming based on the survey is that women between the ages of 15 and 24 years are more likely to experience physical violence regardless of their educational background. But what is more worrisome is the stigma behind the act. Most people in abusive relationships do not report the case for fear of being judged. The woman is often met with the question,” What did you do?” As if certain behaviour should warrant her being beaten by her partner. It also doesn’t help that our culture is patriarchal, making women submissive and more likely to be abused.

The big question is, how do we bring more awareness to the issue of domestic violence? How do we let victims know that it’s ok to speak up?

Read our take on this issue on pages 8 to 10.

Infidelity often damages a relationship. Most people find it hard to move past the sting of being cheated on, but there are ways to save a relationship that has suffered unfaithfulness. Downtown Confidential suggests ways to build back intimacy after infidelity. See page 7.

We often hear the term ‘beauty sleep’ without realizing that the body repairs and rejuvenates itself when we sleep. It’s been said that the body needs eight hours of sleep, so do yourself a favour and get enough sleep. It will leave you refreshed and even recharge your mind.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

COVER

NATIONAL CHAIRMANSHIP:

Tinubu's Preference For Ganduje Rocks APC

• Kano

Ex-Governor's Alleged Corrupt Dealings

BY AMOS ESELE

The National Executive Committee of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, will meet on August 2 and 3, 2023. Crucial on the agenda of the NEC, comprising the President and Vice President, all 20 state governors of the party, principal officers of the National and State Houses of Assembly, will be how to fill the four vacancies in the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party created by the exit of Acting National Chairman, Senator Abubakar Kyari, a ministerial nominee: Dr. Betta Edu, National Woman Leader, also a ministerial nominee; Dr Salihu Lukman, National Vice-Chairman (North- West), who resigned from the NWC recently; Senator Iyiola Omisore, National Secretary, who was forced to resign recently alongside ex-National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and the position of the Deputy National Chairman, North, occupied by Senator Kyari before he was

Dent Bid

• No

Decision Yet - APC Spokesman, Morka

drafted on July 17, to act as National Chairman. "Hopefully after the meeting, we will have a clearer picture of when the vacancies will be filled," National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, told THEWILL on Friday. The party will be guided by its constitution in reconstituting the NEC, he said, adding that though the highest organ of the party in matters related to filling the vacancies is the National Convention, "NEC has the pre-convention powers to fill the vacancies, including approving relevant state exco and zonal committee decisions routed through the NWC."

EXIT ADAMU, OMISORE, ENTER GANDUJE, AJIBOLA

Although it is hardly news that former National

Chairman Adamu and National Secretary, Omisore, resigned their positions because of their differences with President Bola Tinubu, particularly Adamu for his open antiTinubu posture since the party's presidential convention heldon July 8, 2022, where his preferred candidate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, was roundly defeated, their manner of exit gives an inkling of a web of intrigues within the party.

The party has said that both Chairman and Secretary resigned voluntarily. But investigations show that they left under a cloud. Even Adamu's resignation letter was handwritten, forced upon him by Governor Hope Uzodinma, Chairman of the APC Progressive Governors Forum, shortly after he openly criticised the president's influence in the choice of the leadership of the Senate and

...Tinubu's Preference For Ganduje Rocks APC

House of Representatives during an expanded meeting of the party.

President Tinubu was far away in Kenya for an African Leaders confab when the event took place, but Governor Uzodinma is the President's ally and his first-among-equals position in the Governors' Forum confers on him certain powers that he can wield on behalf of Tinubu.

A dependable party source confided in THEWILL that with Adamu and Omisore out, the party needed to come under the control of Tinubu’s men to ensure total compliance and loyalty to him. According to the source, Adamu's presence had been giving the President, who also has an eye on 2027 politics, worries.

That is the main reason the President's men, Ganduje and Ajibola, are being considered for the position of National Chairman and National Secretary, two powerful positions in the NWC. Both of them are considered to be among the strongest supporters of Tinubu.

Such cold political calculations and considerations are said to be giving the jitters to those in the party who think intra-party democracy will suffer in the end.

Leading the opposition to the perceived presidential encroachment on the party is former National Vice-chairman, (Northwest) Lukman, who resigned from the NCW last Wednesday in protest.

Lukman, who said he resigned because the "atmosphere in the party” was completely “at variance with the founding vision of forming a progressive party," added a punchline: “I will, however, retain my membership of the party in the hope that our leaders, especially President Bola Tinubu will retract from acts that will be unjust and illegal, which is crucial to any claim of being democratic or progressive, whether as politicians or as patriotic Nigerians."

Lukman had waged a prolonged campaign for Adamu to go, but for a different reason. For fairness, he appealed to the party to get a National Chairman from the same NorthCentral geo-political zone as Adamu, who is a Christian to balance the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the party.

At the weekend, Lukman piled on the pressure. President Tinubu, he said, lacked the powers to nominate anyone to replace Adamu. According to him, doing so would violate section 31,2 of the APC Constitution.

In a statement he said, “If this provision of the APC constitution is to be respected, the Nasarawa State Executive Committee of APC, which is where Senator Adamu comes from, should have the right to propose a replacement, which should be endorsed by the State Congress and the Zonal Executive Committee."

He questioned Ganduje's moral integrity to lead the party, "if with all the corruption allegations against him..."

Morka agrees with Lukman's position that the party's constitution is clear. "Nominations

to fill existing vacancies are made by relevant state exco committees and zonal committees and transmitted to the NWC, which make recommendations to the NEC." But he disclosed that the NEC of the party had "authority over many decisions to approve the nominations, but the highest body is the national convention."

Asked about the perceived presidential nomination of Ganduje to fill the vacant positions of National Chairman and exspokesperson of the 19th Senate, Bashir Ajibola, for the position of National Secretary, Morka waxed rhetorical: "Nobody that I know has made any decision, regarding the position of National Chairman and National Secretary. So, no decision has been made on that. We will know by the time the relevant organs of the party convene for the work. I am sure the NEC will convey the time and date to consider the suitability of aspirants for the office. If there are other members of the party who express interests, I am sure the NEC will give them the chance to aspire or make themselves available, including former Governor Ganduje."

Other grounds for which some party officials are kicking against Ganduje's choice are fairness and representation. Ganduje's North-West geopolitical zone has already taken the plum office of Speaker, House of Representatives, and Deputy Senate President. Both positions are currently occupied by Tajudeen Abbas from Kaduna State and Barau Jibrin from Ganduje's Kano State, respectively.

POLITICAL CALCULATIONS

THEWILL checks however show that

President Tinubu will go ahead with his choice of Ganduje as the new APC National Chairman. After all, said the party source, local and zonal party officials have approved the former Kano State governor's nomination.

Indeed, on July 26, 2023, APC Chairmen from the seven North-West states of Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto and Jigawa signed a communique endorsing Ganduje for the position of National Chairman.

Apart from wanting to maintain a tight hold over the party through pliant officials, Tinubu is said to be planning ahead for the 2027 polls. It is in that same light that he left his imprint on the list of ministerial nominees, according to his Chief of Staff, Femi Gabjabiamila, taking his time to go “through the nominees one by one..."

Even a confidant like the immediate past governor of Ebonyi State and now member of the Senate representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District, David Umahi, who is also a nominee for minister, disclosed that Tinubu was exclusively responsible for his selection as a ministerial nominee from his state.

From former Kaduna State governor, Nasir elRufai, who led the 13 Northern governors that defied former President Muhammadu Buhari’s plea to be allowed to choose his successor and threw their weight behind Tinubu to former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, who worked against his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for Tinubu, the President is gathering round him his men for now and the future.

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

From the Alliance of Democracy, AD, whose leaders had to give way or follow his dictates to the Action Congress and then the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, which was formed in 2006 through a merger of a faction of AD, Justice Party and the Advance Congress of Democrats and then the APC, formed by five legacy political parties in 2013, Tinubu has always maintained a firm grip on party structures. He was National Leader of the APC, even when Buhari as president was constitutionally the party's leader. Now that he has achieved the ultimate power as president, who will stop him?

Aggrieved Lukman made the point in his weekend notes when he said, "The dominant view among leaders is that once President Bola Tinubu has decided on an issue, we should just simply work for its success, even with all the legal and moral questions."

Ganduje's choice may be one of those legal and moral questions dividing the party at the moment.

Already, Ganduje has started getting used to his assigned role. Two days after the president held a reconciliation meeting with Adamu and Omisore at the presidential villa, Ganduje, wearing Tinubu's customised cap over orange banbariga, last Thursday, paid Adamu a visit in his Abuja residence.

Nobody that I know has made any decision, regarding the position of National Chairman and National Secretary. So, no decision has been made on that. We will know by the time the relevant organs of the party convene for the work. I am sure the NEC will convey the time and date to consider the suitability of aspirants for the office

Ignorance Contributes to Nigeria's High Mortality Rate – Ewhrudjakpo

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has identified ignorance as a major contributor to the relatively high mortality rate in the country, saying that about 60 percent of Nigerians attribute their health challenges to spiritual sources.

Ewhrudjakpo made the assertion during a courtesy visit by members of the state branch of the Nigerian Association of Health Educators (NAHE) to Government House, Yenagoa.

Don’t Send Nigerians to Early Graves, HURIWA Tells FG

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), on Friday, tackled the Federal Government for describing as illegal and in contempt of court, the notice of protest and action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is on a mission to send the Nigerian masses to their early graves with its anti-poor policies, including the abrupt and poorly executed removal of fuel subsidy, which caused the price of petrol per litre to rise from N184 to as high as N617.

The group said emphatically that no court order must be allowed to stop the nationwide industrial action of the NLC scheduled for August 2, 2023.

The Rights group said that the only thing that can stop the planned protest is for the Federal Government to grant the demands

Bayelsa Guber: Diri Assures Opponents of Level Playing Field

of the labour union.

HURIWA further warned the NLC that capitulating to Tinubu’s judicial blackmail and chickening out of the publicised mass action will mark the end of its acceptance by the masses because they will automatically be deemed as saboteurs.

The NLC had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Tinubu-led administration, to reverse “all anti-poor” people policies, including the hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol.

The labour union also said that since the President's "subsidy is gone forever" speech, Nigerians had not had peace of mind.

The union demanded “the immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the federal government including the recent hike in PMS price, increase in public school fees, the release of the eight months withheld Salary of university lecturers and workers.”

Otu Signs Revised 2023 Budget Into Law

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has signed the revised 2023 appropriation bill into law.

The revised appropriation bill has a total sum of N250, 781,015,661.

This indicates about N49 billion reduction from the initial budget of N330billion which was prepared by his predecessor, Professor Ben Ayade.

Governor Otu said the need to review the 2023 budget became expedient because of his government's decision to work within a realistic financial framework of the state.

"Let me start by thanking the speaker and the house for the speed in passing this bill. One of the most difficult bills to pass in the legislature is the appropriation bill.

"It is the first bill I am signing into law in

conformity with the People's First agenda, collaborating with the House of Assembly we shall achieve the desired results.

"With the signing into law of this revised appropriation bill, Cross Riverians will start seeing the real dividends of democracy which will improve the fortunes of the state," the governor said.

According to the governor, the essence of the downward review of the budget is to capture the true income indices and make the bill more realistic in line with current reality in Internally Generated Revenue as well as the monthly allocation from federation to the state.

Earlier, the speaker, Rt. Hon. Ayambem expressed gratitude to his colleagues for working assiduously to see that work on the budget was completed in record time.

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has asked politicians in the state not to prepare for violence in the November 11 governorship election, saying the poll is about votes and not guns.

Governor Diri also urged his opponents to contest for the ballots and not bullets.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as stating this during the 25th State Security Council meeting held in Government House, Yenagoa, on Thursday.

He warned the opposition not to resort to mayhem and violence, as it will not be tolerated.

Governor Diri, who referred to a recent concern expressed by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, that incumbent governors were preventing the opposition from using public facilities in some states, gave the assurance that his administration would ensure a level playing field for all parties and that the opposition in the state would not be armtwisted.

He, however, urged the security agencies to be alert to forestall any act of violence ahead of the election.

“In Bayelsa, I assure my opponents that we are not going to arm-twist anyone. In the same vein, no opponent should threaten mayhem and violence.

“This government has the capacity to contain them if anybody dares us. We want a Bayelsa State, which is the centre and Jerusalem of all Ijaws, to play that role of not only tolerating ourselves but also visitors who come here to contribute to the growth and the development of this state.

“So I again call on all our security agencies to be alert as we move towards the November 11 contest. It is a contest of votes and not of guns. It is a contest of ballots, not bullets. As the former president succinctly said that his office was not worth the blood of any Nigerian, I believe in that and I stand by those words,” Diri said.

The deputy governor lamented that most families had lost their loved ones to wrong attribution and erroneous belief systems.

He also noted that apart from insecurity, policy defects and poor implementation of health programmes in the country had led to loss of more lives.

To change the narrative, Ewhrudjakpo stressed the need for public health educators to redefine their roles and functions in the delivery of healthcare services, with a view to carving a respectable niche for themselves in the health sector.

He advised the NAHE delegation that the only way they could distinguish themselves from other health professionals is to make behaviour change communication their main focus.

According to him, there is a need for the association to change its name to reflect what he called “public health education promoters,” noting that virtually every health practitioner in Nigeria claims to be a health educator.

Ewhrudjakpo reminded them that many health problems Nigerians face were diet and lifestyle-related and could be overcome through aggressive public health campaign involving leading Christian, Muslim and other religious organisations.

He said: "You must distinguish what you are doing from what others are doing. You are supposed to do what is called behaviour change communication.

"That is your job. It is your communication that will determine the public's health attitude. Over 60 percent of Nigerians believe that all their health problems are caused by spiritual reasons.

"You have not been able to change that impression. That is your turf. What are the programmes which you have lined up to change that erroneous belief?

"You need to interface with faith-based organizations like Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN); the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and others to upscale your behavior change communication."

Earlier in his presentation, the State Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Health Educators, Dr Doubrapade Walker, highlighted the key responsibilities of health educators in the entire spectrum of healthcare delivery system, including social mobilisation and fostering effective community partnership.

Assistant Comptroller-General/Zonal Coordinator, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Festus Okun; Acting Comptroller-General, NCS, Mr. Bashir Adeniyi; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin; Assistant Comptroller-General Headquarters, NCS, Mr. B.M. Jibo; Customs Area Controller (CAC) Apapa, Mr. Anwal Mohammed and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at the Lagos House, Marina, on July 27, 2023.

FROM DAVID OWEI, YENAGOA

FROM CHIBUEZE CHUKWUMA, ENUGU

FROM BASSEY ANIEKAN, CALABAR

Sit-at-home: Ebegbulem Warns Business Owners, Banks to Open Businesses

The Imo State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Comrade Simon Ebegbulem, has decried what he described as the collossal damage to Igbo businesses across the South-East in the last couple of years, warning that the state government would shut down businesse,s including banks who fail to open for business from Monday next week.

NCDMB Takes Nigerian Content Sensitisation to Bench, Bar in Rivers

As part of its sustained effort to raise awareness on the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act among critical stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) held a oneday sensitisation workshop for members of the Bench and the Bar in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt, on Thursday. In a keynote address the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, said the Judiciary as the key institution for interpretation of laws is a stakeholder deserving of thorough acquaintance with the salient provisions of the NOGICD Act.

According to him, the event in Port Harcourt was “in line with similar workshops organized for Federal High Court Judges, Justices of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court Justices in 2018 and 2019 in partnership with the National Judicial Institute.”

The NOGICD Act, he explained, was borne out of a resolve to reverse the trend in several decades of oil exploitation during which “only a small, insignificant proportion of the oil and gas industry value was retained in the country.”

He said, “All value adding activities were done overseas, and this resulted in significant capital flight which was estimated to be at about $380 billion over a 50-year period.

“Local content was a paltry five per cent, and job losses were in the range of two million during the period “as most jobs were also executed by foreigners.

“With the NOGICD Act and a regulatory agency, the NCDMB, in place, a dramatic turnaround has been achieved through creative and effective implementation of the Board’s core mandates: Development of local capacities and capabilities without compromising Standards, as well as the monitoring and enforcement of the provisions of the NOGICD Act, 2010.

On key provisions of the NOGICD Act, the Executive Secretary drew attention to Sections 70, 104, and 59 among others.

Section 70 sets out the functions of the NCDMB and some regulations. The Board is to “engage in targeted capacity

building interventions, manage and grow the Nigerian Content Development Fund, approve Nigerian content plans and issue certificates of authentication,” among other responsibilities.

Sections 3, 12 and 28 deal with fields of industry operations where Nigerians must have First Consideration. It says such consideration “Shall be given to Nigerian operators in the award of blocks and licences; Nigerian goods and services in the evaluation of bids,” and in the employment and training of workers.

Section 104 prescribes the creation of a Nigerian Content Development Fund, while Sections 37, 38, and 39 deal with research and development.

In Section 59, the focus is on Effective Monitoring of the Implementation of the Act. With a “10-Year Strategic Road Map” instituted in 2017 as compass, targeting 70 per cent Nigerian content by the latter date, Engr.

Wabote highlighted milestones in capacity building attained thus far in the upstream, midstream and downstream subsectors of the industry. These include two worldclass pipe mills and pipe coating yards in FOT Onne, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Lagos; 40 per cent of marine vessels now owned by Nigerians; major fabrication yards (SAIPEM, AVEON, Nigerdock, EWT Nestoil, SHI MCI Yard, MG Vowgas Yard) with a combined nameplate capacity of 250,000 metric tons per annum and Floating Production Storage and offloading installation (Egina FPSO), Lagos, the largest of its type in Africa.

Others are establishment and strategic positioning of start-up companies under Project 100; the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGAPS) under which lowcost manufacturing hubs for equipment components and spares are being built; completion and commissioning of a 50 million standard cubic feet gas processing plant and 300 mmscfd gas gathering hub for gas supply into the OB-3 pipeline in Kwale, Delta State, in partnership with Nedo Gas; over 14 million manhours of training covering mandatory sea-time experience, subsea systems, software and hardware modules and enterprise development, and targeted interventions in selected universities across the country.

FRSC/NCS Ready For Immediate Integration of National Vehicle Information Database

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have commenced an intensive vehicle database integration of the two government agencies.

The collaboration, according to a release signed by Corps Public Education Officer, ACM Bisi Kazeem and Nigeria Customs National Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Custom, Abdullahi Maiwada was effected during the official visit of the Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Ali Biu, at the national headquarters of the Commission.

Speaking during the visit, Adeniyi emphasised on NSC's renewed commitment towards working together with the Corps in the area of human resource development, information and communication technology, as well as sports.

He stated, among others, that a handshake and effective consolidation of existing vehicle information in the National Vehicle Identification Scheme database domiciled with the FRSC and vehicle database of the NCS will curb vehicle smuggling, improve revenue generation and enhance national security.

The Corps Marshal, while responding to the Comptroller General, applauded the initiative, stating that the handshake and data sharing would not only strengthen the bond between the two agencies but also positively impact the fight against the smuggling of vehicles.

Speaking further, Dauda Biu stated emphatically that the collaboration will also entrench ease of doing business as it will make tracking of vehicles without customs duty certificate very easy for the Corps at the point of registration.

He beckoned on CG Bashir Adewale to make enforcement of restriction of importation of vehicles whose ages are at the point of importation, above the specified legal age limit one of his key priorities.

Addressing a world press conference in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Thursday, Ebegbulem, extolled the strides of the Hope Uzodimma Administration in the state, stating that the governor had continued to bring development and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state in the past three years.

Ebegbulem likened the Monday sit-athome campaign across the South-East to a poisonous arrow, adding that it was designed to impoverish the poor masses and aimed at destroying their means of livelihood.

He disclosed that the state government had already rolled out palliatives to the people across the 27 local government areas to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal and its attendant challenges, ahead of further intervention by the Federal Government.

According to him, Governor Hope Uzodimma had directed the relevant agencies to review stocks' availability and start responding to the plight of the people of the state, particularly, those in the most vulnerable category.

“Governor Hope Uzodimma has already drawn up plans and distributing palliatives. We ascertain that, the most vulnerable at the moment are PLWDs. Because they are the ones that go out to beg or do some menial jobs in order to put food on their table.

"Each beneficiary will go home with 10kg of rice, 12.5kg of beans, 10kg of maize, spaghetti, salt and seasoning and other essentials. Aside that, high discount pavilions will be open all around, to allow people but essentials, at subsidised rate," he said.

He added that the distribution would go on to other categories of people according to the magnitude of their vulnerability.

He warned that the authorities will have no other option than to shut any market cluster or group that disrupt free flow of businesses in the state.

Ebegbulem also commended the Senate, over its resolution condemning the Monday sit-at-home campaign, saying it was the right thing to have done.

FROM SAMPSON UHUEGBU, OWERRI

FROM DAVID OWEI, PORT HARCOURT

L-R: Country Director for Nigeria, World Bank Group, Mr Shubham Chaudhuri; Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Team Leader, World Bank Group, Mr Fuad Malkawi, during the Lagos Platform for Development (LAPD)/World Bank Group stakeholders engagement workshop in Lagos on July 25, 2023.

Mixed Reactions Over Tinubu’s Ministerial Nominees

BY AYO ESAN

Mixed reactions from eminent Nigerians have continued to trail the release of the first list of ministerial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly for confirmation. After a long wait by Nigerians and a day to the closing date for the submission of the names of the nominees as given by the Constitution of the Federal Republic, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Thursday, presented Tinubu’s ministerial list before the Senate.

Gbajabiamila, who is also the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, presented the list to Senate President Godswill Akpabio at exactly 01:19pm.

Akpabio said the list was dated July 27, 2023 and titled, ‘Request for Confirmation of Ministerial Nominees. He said additional nominations would be sent to the Senate in due course. He thereafter read the ministerial list with 28 nominees.

A look at Tinubu’s first set of nominations shows that it was dominated by politicians, including former governors, most of them being immediate past governors as well as serving and former members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Twenty-five per cent of the nominees are women, while 75 percent of the nominees are men.

The seven women that are included in the list are Doris Aniche Uzoka, Hannatu Musawa, APC Women Leader, Betta Edu, Nkiru Onyeojiocha, Stella Okotete, Uju Kennedy Ohaneye and Iman Suleiman Ibrahim.

THEWILL recalls that in 2015 many Nigerians decried the late release of the ministerial list by former President Muhammadu Buhari with people attributing the slow take-off of his administration to his late announcement of ministers.

Buhari unveiled his cabinet six months after his inauguration and this probably led to the amendment of the Constitution to the effect that a sitting President must announce his cabinet no later than 60 days after taking the oath of office.

Tinubu transmitted his ministerial list to the National Assembly a day before the expiration of the 60-day constitutional deadline of July 28, 2023.

The Fifth Amendment to the 1999 Constitution mandates the President to transmit the names of his ministerial nominees to the National Assembly within 60 days of assumption of office.

Here is a breakdown of the nominees, according to the six geo-political zones:

North-East with Four Nominees – Yusuf Maitama Tuggar – Bauchi

Ali Pate –Bauchi; Abubakar Kyari – Borno and Sani Abubakar Danladi – Taraba.

North-West has five nominees namely, Badaru Abubakar – Jigawa; Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai – Kaduna; Ahmed Dangiwa – Katsina; Hannatu Musawa – Katsina and Bello Muhammad Goronyo – Sokoto.

The North-Central has four nominees, namely, Lateef Fagbemi – Kwara; Muhammad Idris – Niger; Iman Suleiman Ibrahim – Nasarawa and Joseph Utsev –Benue and South-West have four in Olubunmi Tunji Ojo – Ondo; Dele Alake – Ekiti; Olawale Edun – Ogun and Waheed Adebayo Adelabu – Oyo, while SouthSouth has five members in the cabinet, and they are Nyesom Wike – Rivers; Abubakar Momoh – Edo; Betta Edu – Cross River; Ekperikpe Ekpo – Akwa Ibom and Stella Okotette – Delta.

Reactions to list of nominees

As expected there have been diverse reactions from many Nigerians to the list of ministerial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu. Many Nigerians have questioned the list, saying the politicians who made the list are there to get rewards from the President for what they did to assist him emerge as winner of the 2023 presidential election.

This group believes that ministerial positions are more important for the development and running of the country and need to be occupied by competent people, especially technocrats.

Others believe that those who used their resources to support the President’s campaign should be compensated and not neglected. To this set of people, nothing is wrong in rewarding those who contributed to Tinubu’s success in the election as ministers. One good turn they said deserves another.

Some Nigerians also said the list showed the political dexterity of the President, saying that he nominated those who can help him get a second term ticket in office for ministerial positions because they are political leaders in their various states.

A look at Tinubu’s first set of nominations shows that it was dominated by politicians, including former governors

“

POLITICS

...Tinubu’s Ministerial Nominees

Comrade Sola Olawale of the Campaign for Democracy (CD) thinks the list of nominees is proof of President Tinubu’s experience and wisdom as a politician.

He told THEWILL, “President Bola Tinubu is an experienced politician. You know he even included former Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers and one other PDP member in his cabinet. He is thinking about future elections. He is not done with the list, only compensating those who have helped him in the past elections and building on the future.

“Those appointed now will be his foot soldiers across the country, if he intends to go for a second term. The list is okay, as far as I am concerned. It will encourage more people to work for him because they now know that if you work, you will be compensated”.

Peter Ojo, an Abuja based public affairs commentator, differs from Olawale.

He said that the list is enough evidence that Tinubu is only recycling old politicians.

“Most of the people have spent eight years as state governors. Why nominate them for ministerial positions? Are there no other people in their states? Wike, for example, has been a minister. He has just spent eight years as governor of Rivers State. Can’t the President tell him to nominate somebody else? El –Rufai was a minister, too and he has just finished a second term as governor of Kaduna State. He deserved some rest. I am really disappointed in the President. He should have done better,”Ojo told THEWILL.

A few reactions to the list of ministerial nominees across the social media include one on Twitter. @firstladyship wrote: “A ministerial list with the likes of El-Rufai, Wike, Dave Umahi, Badaru Abubakar, Hannatu Musawa, Betta Edu and others, is a compensatory list. It took Tinubu the final hour to produce a list of ex-governors and political jobbers. Where are the socalled technocrats or super ministers?”

Also @Mykoladoo tweeted: “Ministerial positions have become compensation slots rather than opportunities for technocrats who can make a difference. The list was filled with ex-governors, Senators and Reps. Nothing for those who waited to be leaders of tomorrow.”

@AdaAnambra2023 hailed Tinubu for nominating a young woman, Betta Edu. She tweeted: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT breaks record appoints 36 years-old, youngest minister in the fourth republic of Nigeria, Dr Betta Edu, medical doctor per excellence and a humanitarian Icon.

“In what looks like a miracle for the Nigerian youths, who have so far been shut out of the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has defied all odds to nominate the youngest minister in the history of Nigerian politics in the history of this country. Dr Betta Edu @edu_betta, a Harvard certified, 36-yearold medical doctor and public health specialist with passion for humanity.”

Another political commentator, Adamou prayed that the Almighty God would give the President the wisdom to remember competent Nigerian youths in future appointments, saying recycling old politicians will not augur well for the country.

Chizo Geoff in his own comment said, “I have maintained that we can only move forward when we have committed technocrats instead of core politicians as leaders.”

“My question is, does it mean that the ex-governors have nothing else to do? Looking at El-Rufai’s academic records it shows that he can be a university teacher. What are they really looking for? He was a one-time FCT minister. And now he’s back to being a minister?” Charles Obi queried.

Political activist, Deji Adeyanju, in his reaction to the list said, “ElRufai rewarded for all his religious bigotry and hate speech. Decent people don’t go far in Nigeria politics, but it’s always the bad guys that succeed.”

Responding to a tweet by El-Rufai’s wife, Adeyanju said, “Una family just come life to chop Govt money. Congratulations to all of you.”

Senator Shehu Sani said he was unimpressed and disappointed by the ministerial list announced by the Senate, describing it as one filled with "some Serpents with a known history of treachery."

He said: "The President embraced some serpents with a known history of treachery and rewarded some vultures for playing the Judas. Appeasing a snake in a palace doesn’t spare the King."

Sani warned President Tinubu against some of the people he included in the cabinet list, saying they are the ones who can cause a rift between him and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Speaking on the list, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church Lagos, Primate Elijah Ayodele, warned that it could trigger internal issues within the All Progressives Congress as some party members might feel neglected.

He advised the President to consider employing technocrats in his cabinet.

Dec Uche (@Dec_Uche) expressed disappointment over the inclusion of certain candidates, describing it as a “shame” and labelling some as “cancerous ministers of APC.”

Some Nigerians also criticised the list for lack of detailed information about the nominees, including their states of representation and portfolios. Some citizens questioned why the constitutional requirements were not fully met in the list.

A public affairs analyst, Joe Akpandem, stated that while there are some technocrats among the nominees, others seem to be less ideal choices.

Another Nigerian queried, “After almost 60 days in the Office of President, nobody could check the constitution that this list meets the basic constitutional requirement to list names with state represented and portfolio?

“I would have expected that the Chief of Staff would not let the letter go without these details and that the Senate President would quietly call the Villa and insist not only on these details but also the full list of 36 nominees plus any others before formally accepting it and reading it out. We need to do things properly in this country.”

Senator Shehu Sani said he was unimpressed and disappointed by the ministerial list announced by the Senate, describing it as one filled with "some Serpents with a known history of treachery

Badaru

POLITICS

Why I Want to be Governor of Bayelsa – Idikio

BY DAVID OWEI

The Director-General of the Yenagoa Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (YECCIMA), Barrister Warmate Jones, is also the candidate of the Accord Party (AP) in the forthcoming November 11, 2023 Governorship Election.

A lawyer by training with vast knowledge, experience and expertise in several critical sectors of the Nigerian economy, Idikio said his primary purpose of joining the race for Creek Haven, the seat of power in Bayelsa State, is to develop a strong and sustainable economy for the true prosperity of Bayelsa State and its people.

Recent statistics indicate that Bayelsa, the oil rich state with a vast potential in agriculture, is the poorest among the 36 states of the country. One major reason for this is the absence of blueprints for the development of critical economic sectors in the state, but Idikio says all that can change with the implementation of a well-designed and detailed 30-year Bayelsa Economic Development Plan, which is a key aspect of Project Bayelsa, which he proposes to introduce if voted in as governor.

One of the challenges facing the state is the penchant for playing politics without a concomitant concern for the growth and development of the economy, thereby leaving critical sectors to grind to a halt hence the over reliance on monthly allocations from the Federation Account for sustenance.

Critically, Bayelsa, like several other states of the federation, is just surviving and until it begins to do critical analyses of the challenges confronting it in the critical sectors and does self-evaluation, things

are likely to remain the same.

Idikio’s vision is to make Bayelsa the fastest growing economy by the year 2030. His mission is to improve the standard of living of one million Bayelsans in four years.

According to him, the strategy is to build the local economy on a tripod of, first, building a productive people, secondly, encouraging the building of strong businesses and industries and thirdly, build a strong economy for the creation and redistribution of wealth.

He postulates an Economic Development Blueprint based on the establishment of a trade centre to increase local production output and encourage economic cooperation with other economies.

He says that these are to be supported by an active “growth pole” focused investment policy to determine a holistic approach to turn the tide around and make the state the choice destination for investors and investments.

Idikio stressed that the trade policy is to encourage the localisation of production, establish a trade centre and encourage cross border trade.

Speaking on the philosophy behind his proposed 30-year Bayelsa State Economic Development Plan, Idikio stated that it demonstrates “the uncontroverted desire of all Bayelsans to deliberately work for the prosperity of the state through a welldesigned, structured and documented approach and unbroken implementation by governments in partnership with the private sector, and indeed all Bayelsans.”

The broad-based outcome of the implementation of the development plan is to achieve critical market access, local technical capacity, financial growth, economic resilience and expansion and sustainability.

Idikio says, “The prosperity and development of Bayelsa State lies in the transformation of potentials and resources in building a strong, long term economy. This is the “New Paradigm.”

On his bid to usher in a new era of economic development in the state if elected governor, he vows, “I pledge my unalloyed support for the development of Bayelsa State and to do my very best in the simplest of ways to provide decent living and achieve prosperity for all.”

We’ll Serve People to The Best of Our Ability – Makinde

Governor of Oyo State, Engr. 'Seyi Makinde, has assured the people of the state of quality service delivery under his programme tagged Omituntun 2.0, stating that he and the political appointees and top civil servants recently sworn-in would serve the state to the best of their abilities.

Makinde maintained that contrary to the notion that administrations are often relax and non-committal during second terms, his government is looking to leave a strong legacy in the state and that it would not let the people of the state down.

The governor stated this in his remarks at the swearingin of the Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, 16 Commissioners, 14 Permanent Secretaries, including the Accountant-General of the State, held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor's Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

He charged the SSG, Head of Service, permanent secretaries and returning commissioners to see their appointments and elevations as a call to greater work and responsibility, saying: “To you all, this is a call for more work. Some of the commissioners worked with me during the first tenure and some of you already know how I work and nothing is going to change.

"Some people have said that the second term administrations are usually very relaxed because they are not looking for anything. Well, we are looking for a strong legacy to give back to Oyo State. So, we are not

going to let our people down.

“I want you to know that we have a lot to do for our people. We already prepared the roadmap for sustainable development 2023-2027. Please, key into it.

"These are very difficult periods. A lot has happened in this second tenure, and from what we have seen, a lot will be required from us. Please, there should not be laxity. You

have all taken the oath of office and I expect you to deliver according to the oath you have just taken," the governor added.

Speaking further on the appointment of the Permanent Secretaries in the Public/Civil Service, Governor Makinde said the state government would continue with the conduct of the examinations, urging those interested in becoming Permanent Secretaries to get ready for examinations, as the list of successful applicants for the top civil service posts has been exhausted.

Governor Makinde, who maintained that his administration has continued to follow through on its commitment to run an all-inclusive government that leaves no zone behind, said all 14 federal constituencies in the state have at least one commissioner among those sworn-in.

He charged residents of the state not to distract the administration with criticisms that are not constructive, but should rather allow the government to serve the best interest of the people.

He said: "Since we sent the names of commissionernominees to the House of Assembly, we have been inundated with all sorts of analyses - like who is from where? Who brought who and all that.

"Well, let me state it clearly that we started it during our first tenure. This is the first administration that had commissioners from all the 14 federal constituencies of Oyo State, and I know who came from where.

AYO ESAN

Oborevwori Pledges Fairness in Projects Distribution

Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has pledged to be fair and just in the distribution of infrastructural development projects and political appointments in the state.

The governor gave the assurance at a public presentation of a book on Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa’s stewardship as Delta governor in Asaba.

The book titled; “Hope and Fulfilment” in Asaba, was co-authord by Messrs Olisa Ifeajika, Frank Igwebueze, Sunny Ogefere, Chukwudi Abiandu, Pius Mordi, Felix Ofou, Nelson Egware and Mr. Kingsley Kwubosu. Oborevwori said all parts of the state would be adequately carried along in his M.O.R.E Agenda for the state.

Kogi Guber: NOA Embarks on Sensitisation Against Apathy, Violence

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has embarked on sensitisation and engagement of stakeholders toward the successful conduct of the Nov. 11 governorship election in Kogi.

Speaking at the event in Lokoja, NOA Director-General, Dr Garba Abari, said the campaign was to sensitise the stakeholders on understanding of the new electoral act, civic participation and peace.

Abari assured of the agency’s readiness to partner with relevant stakeholders who were willing to promote and mobilise Nigerians to participate in a peaceful and orderly election, whose outcome would be the informed choice of the people.

Abari expressed concerns over the relatively poor turnout of voters, in spite of the seeming enthusiasm shown by Nigerians toward the 2023 general elections.

He disclosed that out of a total number of 93.47 million registered voters, only 24.9 million actually voted during the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

According to him, the turnout represents a meager 26.72 per cent of voters, which is actually the lowest percentage since the return to democracy in 1999.

“Some have even said the turnout was the worst since Nigeria’s independence. In 36 states, less than half of the eligible population turned out to vote, and no state had a turnout above 40 per cent.

“In the three largest states based on voter registration — Lagos, Kano and Rivers, less than a third of the eligible population voted.

“Rivers turnout was a poor 15.6 per cent, the lowest in the country, despite producing a lot more votes in past elections. Overall, voter apathy is a major challenge in Nigeria’s democracy.

“There is a worrying trend of public disinterest in or indifference toward the electoral and democratic processes.

“In 1999, turnout was 52.3 per cent. Officially, it grew to 69 per cent in 2003; and it has fallen since then, first to 57.5

per cent in 2007; then to 53.7 per cent in 2011; before dropping to 43.7 per cent in 2015.

“We are hoping that INEC and other stakeholders will consider our request to partner with NOA to undertake a special study on the causes of poor voter turnout during elections in Nigeria,” Abari said. The director-general stressed that many had predicted a violent Nov. 11 governorship election in Kogi but expressed confidence that Kogi would demonstrate its well known character for love, orderliness and peace during the coming elections.

“We are hoping that the intention of the new electoral act to facilitate inclusion of the vulnerable in the society, especially women, the young and the people living with disability, will be fulfilled as we prepare and hold Kogi governorship elections,” Abari said.

Earlier, the Acting State Director of NOA, Mr. Patrick Edogbanya, said the stakeholders meeting would add impetus on the sensitisation programme to help eschew any form of violence before, during and after the election.

In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi Command, CP Onuoha Bethrand who was represented by the Police Area Commander in Lokoja, ACP Sikiru Suara, said officers of the command were fully ready for a hitch free exercise.

He warned that any individual who intended to perpetrate violence before, during and after the election would be arrested and prosecuted.

Other stakeholders, who spoke at the event, included the Chairman, Kogi Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Ukweyan Musa, Chairperson, Kogi Non-Governmental Organization Network, (KONGONET), Idris Muraina, traditional rulers, and religious leaders, among others.

They called for fervent prayers for peaceful election, and enjoined parents to caution their wards on the need to abstain from any form of violence that would truncate a peaceful election process in Kogi.

Onawo Moves to Tackle Dominance of Foreigners in Mining

The Senator representing Nasarawa South, Mohammed Onawo has said that he is sponsoring a bill to tackle alleged illegal mining by foreigners in the country.

Onawo (PDP-Nasarawa) said this in Abuja while speaking with newsmen on his agenda for his zone.

The lawmaker said that the bill which was listed for first reading was titled “Solid Minerals Development Commission”.

He said :“The bill will be taken for the first time; this bill is to create a solid minerals development commission that will bring about the unification and improvement of solid minerals in Nigeria.

“We are a very rich nation naturally; God has endowed us with almost everything but the way we are harnessing it is what is making our people poor by the day.

“We allow foreigners to come, go to our localities, start mining without regard to the laws of the land and they take away millions on a daily basis.

“They go to our local governments, give our local chiefs 5,000 dollars, 10,000 dollars and they look at it as a lot of money.

“Some of these things should be mined and processed here. When they are mined and processed here, our people are going to be better for it, employment will be created.”

Onawo also said that he would ensure that more federal presence was attracted to Nasarawa state at large.

He said that a dam which is situated in Doma Local Government Area had gone comatose pledging to partner with the Federal Government to revive the dam.

“In the state, we have the second largest dam in Doma Local Government and it has been lying down here since 1988.

“We had talked and talked but there has not been much money that has been put there to become a source of revenue that it is supposed to be.

He held that his administration would not only consolidate on the achievements recorded by the Okowa led administration in the state but would do more for the people and residents of the state.

He also pledged that more appointments would be made in due course and had enjoined those who have not been given appointments not to despair.

He said those waiting should continue to work with the state government in order to expand the frontiers of sustainable development in the state.

According to him, some of the Commissioners designate are people with vast wealth of experience in public life and the younger ones.

He said that those with immense wealth of experience were expected to mentor the younger ones in the discharge of their duties.

Oborevwori applauded the authors for their painstaking research and efforts in putting together, the book which chronicled the massive developmental strides of the Okowa led administration in the state. He also commended Okowa for his outstanding accomplishments in the governance of the state for eight years.

“We shall be fair and just in the distribution of infrastructural development projects and political appointments across the state.

“This administration will not only consolidate on the legacies of the Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa led administration, we shall improve on them (legacies) and do more for the people.

“I want to appeal to Deltans that the appointment is still coming. If you don’t get an appointment today, tomorrow may be your turn,” Oborevwori said.

In his remarks, Okowa expressed appreciation to the authors of the book written in his honour.

He thanked the people of the state for the cooperation given to his administration which, he said, enabled it to succeed.

Okowa said that the success story of his administration was made possible by a combination of the collective efforts of the people that worked with him and the cooperation of the people of the state.

“I am actually very honoured to speak at this event. I am very happy that we have started mentoring our youths and l thank our Gov. Oborevwori for being part of the mentorship.

Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police Command, Emeka Nwonyi (3rd left) and other senior officers, at a news conference on the arrested suspected  armed robbers and kidnappers in Port Harcourt on July 27, 2023.

As Tinubu meets with other ECOWAS leaders in Abuja today, we urge him not to overlook the continuous need to stress the importance of good governance as panacea to coup d'etats in a region that is unfortunately being regarded as the sub-region mostprone to military coup in the entire African region. Military coups won't stop by mere rhetoric and empty threats unless West African leaders decide to lead their people according to democratic principles and give a human face to governance instead of seeing themselves as ''tin gods'' and rulers who rule with iron fists.

Good Governance as Antidote to Military Coups L

ast Wednesday's military coup d’etat in Niger Republic, a West African country and Nigeria's closest northern neighbour, is another wake-up call for African leaders on the need for good governance in their respective countries.

Sixty-two-year old army general, Abdourahmane Tchiani, who declared himself the new leader in Niger, said he seized power because of several problems in the country, including insecurity, economic woes and corruption, amongst other matters. He has been in charge of the presidential guard since 2011 and was promoted to the rank of general in 2018 by former President Mahamadou Issoufou. Although the coup, which sacked President Mohammed Bazoum, has been roundly condemned by the international community, as usual, it has further exposed the failure of most leaders in the West African sub-region to deliver good governance to their people despite their much-flaunted and self-professed commitment to democracy.

The development in Niger is really a big challenge to Nigeria as it is coming just a week after President Bola Tinubu took over as the new chairman of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) with his strong opposition to military coup d’etats in the sub-region and the warning he gave in his inaugural speech as ECOWAS leader that coups will no longer be tolerated in the subregion.

It is worthy to note that the recent sacking of President Bazoum and the tough posture of the military junta in Niger are coming on the heels of a similar development in Mali, three years ago, where the country's military also sent the democratically-elected president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, packing, despite the opposition of their action by ECOWAS

leaders and the international community.

A coup in August 2020 had overthrown President Keïta, following which an interim government led by a civilian president, Bah Ndaw, and a military prime minister, Moctar Ouane. was put in place They had been tasked with overseeing an 18-month transition back to civilian rule but were also sacked after 10 months in another military coup led by Mali’s interim vice-president, Col Assimi Goïta, who accused them of not consulting him about the formation of a new government. Most Nigerians will still recall all the efforts of President Nana Akuffo-Ado of Ghana, who was the leader of ECOWAS then, and that of the immediate past president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, to mediate in the crisis in Mali to no avail . All the peace missions to that country led by former President Goodluck Jonathan have not achieved lasting results till date as the Malian military is still in full control. The military in Mali has since embarked on actions that might further put the entire sub-region in greater risk and insecurity with its new romance with the Wagner Group, the mercenary private army from Russia, which led to the order for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to leave the country after 10 years of operation.

While the situation in Mali has not really seen any improvement since the military take-over, the authorities there have also disengaged with France, the country's former colonial master, thus opening the country's resources to further exploitation and plundering by the Wagner Group with the full support of Russia .

Sadly, a similar development is playing out in Niger Republic where the military junta is holding the ousted president hostage and allegedly issuing tough instructions to the Finance Minister to either refund the ''stolen money'' of the

Nigerien people within 48 hours or face the firing squad. This ugly development in a neighbouring country, without doubt, has put the chairman of ECOWAS, Tinubu, in a dilemma as he is due to meet with ECOWAS leaders today in Abuja on the coup in Niger.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dele Alake, on Friday, said “President Tinubu as Chairman of ECOWAS, in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, condemned the current political situation in the neighbouring country and promised that ECOWAS and the international community would do everything to defend democracy and ensure democratic governance continues to take firm root in the sub-region.”

We join other well-meaning Nigerians and the entire ECOWAS community in condemning the coup in Niger. We are happy that US Vice-President, Kamala Harris and United Nations SecretaryGeneral, Antonio Guterres , have also condemned the coup as they expressed strong support for Nigeria’s efforts towards the restoration of constitutional order in Niger Republic, with frantic efforts also underway from the ECOWAS special representative, Beninoise President, Patrice Talon, who had earlier been dispatched to Mali.

As Tinubu meets with other ECOWAS leaders in Abuja today, we urge him not to overlook the continuous need to stress the importance of good governance as panacea to coup d'etats in a region that is unfortunately being regarded as the sub-region most-prone to military coup in the entire African region. Military coups won't stop by mere rhetoric and empty threats unless West African leaders decide to lead their people according to democratic principles and give a human face to governance instead of seeing themselves as ''tin gods'' and rulers who rule with iron fists in the face of obvious local challenges.

Circulation

THEWILL NEWSPAPER TEAM

Keeping Hope Alive

BY EHI BRAIMAH

The story that is on every lip and also trending widely is that “life is hard.” It is indeed true. The times are tough and Nigerians are no longer smiling due to unbearable economic hardships. Who will protect the vulnerable and long-suffering masses who are struggling daily to eke out a living? Who will cover their “nakedness”?

President Bola Tinubu told us that his life-time ambition was to be President of Nigeria. I don’t see anything wrong with that statement of purpose, but the challenges of the moment will test his leadership skills. I have written in previous articles that he has the capacity, courage and experience to lead the country.

PALLIATIVES THAT ARE NOW BEING DISCUSSED, ACCORDING TO THE CRITICS, SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN PLACE BEFORE THE PETROL SUBSIDY WAS REMOVED. I THINK THAT IS A FAIR POINT, BUT NIGERIANS ARE SUSPICIOUS OF PALLIATIVES IN ITS FORM, SCOPE AND IMPLEMENTATION – IN MUCH THE SAME WAY THEY BELIEVED THAT FUEL SUBSIDY WAS A HUGE FRAUD

Now is the time to walk the talk. Mr President needs to act quickly in order not to lose the goodwill he enjoys from Nigerians. What are the issues again? The rising cost of petrol and expensive foreign exchange rates have created a new “economic bubble” that we are not used to. Once the pump price of petrol goes up, there is always a multipliereffect on the prices of other goods and services. School fees, transport fares, cost of foods and medicines, house rents and electricity tariffs, et cetera, have all gone through the roof. Critics argue that the “bitter pill” being forced down the throats of Nigerians ought to have been “sugarcoated” to minimise the impact of the dire economic situation that has enveloped the nation.

Palliatives that are now being discussed, according to the critics, should have been in place before the petrol subsidy was removed. I think that is a fair point, but Nigerians are suspicious of palliatives in its form, scope and implementation – in much the same way they believed that fuel subsidy was a huge fraud – or “organised crime” as Peter Obi put it – that was beneficial to the rich and exploitative to the poor.

Professor Farooq Kperogi, one of my favourite columnists writing from his base in the United States, criticised, the removal of “subsidies,” which he described as “anti-people policy”. In America where Kperogi lives, he argued that subsidies on petrol and agriculture are retained and sustained, otherwise they could become highly toxic political issues.

I am sure Kperogi knows that subsidies in Nigeria are stolen and the thieves get away with their loot, but it is not so in America where every cent is accounted for. That is the huge difference. However, I agree with him that subsidy is not a bad thing, but it is the

mismanagement that is bad.

The mere fact that people have not poured out in the streets protesting the removal of subsidies – in spite of the economic pains – does not mean we have swallowed the “religious dogma” evangelised by the World Bank and IMF.

To the best of my knowledge, no “ideologue” has been garlanded with medals since the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of the exchange rates (I and E window and parallel market rates) nor is Nigeria a lackey of the World Bank and IMF.

Kperogi, whether we call it “neo-liberal economics” or the “reign of market forces,” Nigeria is broke (from many years of non-stop egregious looting of the treasury) and there are no easy answers to the deep-rooted economic problems that have festered over several seasons.

The situation today is dire and different from what led to the anti-SAP riots of the 1980s. Nigeria is poorer today than 30 years ago because our commonwealth has been stolen by the “elite” during that period at the expense of the poor and there are usually no consequences.

I agree with you that the poor have been pauperised severely by the thieving mob, parasites, bootlickers and rent seekers of Nigeria. It explains why you support the need for subsidies, but when there is no money in the treasury to pay for subsidies, what do we do? Ask NNPC Limited CEO, Mele Kyari, and he would tell you that the Federal Government is owing the corporation over N2.8 trillion.

Going by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), petrol subsidy had become illegal after February18, 2022. All the appropriations made by the Muhammadu Buhari Administration in the 2022 and 2023 budgets were not backed by funds, which explains why NNPC is being owed.

Nigeria is not a poor country, but the poor are getting poorer because they have been subsidising the rich. What does it even mean nowadays when we say Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa when people are dying of hunger?

Different cycles of leaders have failed us since the days Nigeria borrowed money to IMF. You described these leaders as “unashamed sadists” because they “derive contentment from seeing others writhe in pain.”

I am equally as concerned as you in this matter because Nigeria’s revenue since 1960 does not match our growth and development. Ideally, our per capita income should have been higher than that of China and Singapore by now, just to cite two examples.

Each time we take two steps forward, we take 10 steps backward.

Even Dubai with eye-popping skyscrapers, which our looters who hide under the demonising shadow of “elite conspiracy” travel, to is a city that grew out of a desert in less than 30 years! Public officers and civil servants who own prime properties in UAE, especially Dubai, know themselves.

•Mr Braimah is a global public relations and marketing strategist.

•Continues online at www.www.thewillnews.com

Soludo’s Think-Home Drive

BY PAUL NWOSU

The time-revered adage says it all: There is no place like home. A man without a home cannot earn the respect of any community. The republican Igbo spirit makes the people to sojourn far and wide in search of opportunities. Even so, the homestead must never be abandoned.

Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Soludo’s drive is to ensure that Anambra businessmen and women doing great business all over Nigeria and indeed, the entire world should start thinking home by investing heavily in the homeland.

The governor is intent on spreading The Homeland Gospel of the Think-Home project which he is taking far and wide through town-hall meetings in cities such as Lagos and Abuja.

It is, of course, in the best interest of Anambra and indeed, South-East investors to have a firm foothold within the homeland. A personality who does not develop his place of origin can hardly ever earn the respect of the owners of the land he is sojourning in. There is always the hardly hidden charge, to wit, if your homeland is good, why are you living in our land?

It is incumbent on renowned Anambra captains of industry to grow the home state by establishing factories and ensuring that a measure of their taxes are paid to the state, irrespective of where they reside or work. Governor Soludo has therefore enjoined NdiAnambra residing outside the state to join forces with him in the proactive responsibility to leave Anambra State better than we met it.

According to Soludo, “The homeland consciousness must be inculcated in the perceptual mind of every Onye-Anambra on the need to change Anambra State from a departure lounge to a vibrant destination lounge. Your host will never respect you if you don’t have a livable and prosperous homeland.”

Mr Governor has given sound assurance that his government is determined to resurrect Onitsha, the popular market town on the bank of the River Niger, by returning it to its former glory as the biggest commercial city in the South-East and beyond.

It is in the drive to make Anambra an investment-friendly state that the administration has drastically reduced the menace of killings and kidnapping to the barest minimum through the security architecture put in place by the government in alliance with the Army, Navy,

Police, the state vigilante group and other paramilitary agencies.

For Ndi-Anambra to embrace the Think-Home project holistically, Governor Soludo has embarked on the pivotal duty of restoring law and order in the state as opposed to the impunity that held sway before he came into office.

Additionally, in the bid to boost the power supply in the state, the Anambra State government has signed an MOU with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company for 24-hour supply of electricity in the state. Soludo has stated that anyone interested in collaborating with his government to set up an Independent Power Plant in the state is welcome on board.

IT IS INCUMBENT ON RENOWNED ANAMBRA CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY TO GROW THE HOME STATE BY ESTABLISHING FACTORIES AND ENSURING THAT A MEASURE OF THEIR TAXES ARE PAID TO THE STATE, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHERE THEY RESIDE OR WORK

The time has come for Ndi-Anambra and the Igbo people at large to stop seeing themselves as victims of persecution because they have an option. The Jews to whom the Igbo people are compared were victims of the dastardly Holocaust unleashed on them by Adolf Hitler of Germany. But since the establishment of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948 by David BenGurion, the teeming Jewish Diaspora has always rallied to develop a homeland they can be proud of.

Ndi-Anambra, and indeed all Ndigbo all over Nigeria and in the Diaspora, have a bounden duty to come together to adopt Governor Soludo's Think-Home philosophy by committing their resources to developing the homeland like the Jews of Israel - a Homeland that is more liveable and prosperous than their land of sojourn.

• Nwosu is the Commissioner for Information in Anambra State

REFINERIES REPAIR: NNPC FAILS ON MID-2023 DELIVERY TARGET AS BUSINESSES, CITIZENS LANGUISH

N250bn 100%

EDITOR Sam Diala

Fidelity Bank Plc: Stock Upgrade Excites Investors, Signals Robust HY Results

Nigeria’s four refineries in three locations – Port Harcourt (2), Warri and Kaduna – with a combined refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, are idle –the state they have been in for about 15 years. Meanwhile, businesses and citizens are languishing in pains of hardship arising from high cost of fuel and deteriorating standard of living.

Without putting in place an effective measure to cushion the effects of removal of subsidy, the new government during the inauguration on May 29, 2023, announced an end to fuel subsidy. It also effected a 60 percent devaluation of the Naira through the unification of the multiple exchange windows which has seen the local currency depreciate to N770/$ and $810 at the official and parallel windows respectively. The pump price of petrol jumped from N195/ litre to N680/litre. Inflation has climbed to 22.79 percent as of June, 2023. Universities and polytechnics have increased their fees while the electricity distribution companies (DisCos) are about increasing their tariffs amid poor service delivery.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) last year announced that the country will end fuel importation by mid-2023. This has not been achieved.

Nigeria has continued to rely totally on imported refined petroleum products (petrol, diesel, kerosene, aviation fuel and the others) to meet her daily energy needs. This costs huge sums of money ranging from $21 billion to $28 billion per year, between 2020 and 2022.

Dr. Oladunni Owo, Principal Consultant, Blackgold Energy Authorities, a Lagos-based oil and gas consulting and advisory firm, put the fuel importation figure at $28 billion annually.

Of major concern here is the huge public funds already committed to

Continues on page 33

BY SAM DIALA

Impressed by the bullish run on the stock market in recent months, the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) recently announced the reclassification of Fidelity Bank Plc from small price stock to medium price stock.

The evaluation upgrade recognised the active contribution of Fidelity Bank to the unusually bullish trend as Nigeria’s equities market hit a 15-year high of N35,92 trillion on July 25, 2023. The NGX-All Share Index rose to 65,991.02 points, the highest since March 12, 2008.

Raison d’etre

The NGX Limited, in a statement, said the reclassification became necessary because Fidelity Bank shares have been trading above the N5.00 mark since February 2023

Relying on rule 15.29 of the Rulebook of the Exchange, 2015 (Dealing Members’ Rules) NGX Limited noted that equities priced above N5 per share for at least four of the most recent six months of trading, or new security listings priced above N5 per share at the time of listing on NGX are classified as medium price stock.

“Fidelity Bank traded above the N5.00 mark on February 20, 2023 and has remained above the N5 mark up until close of business on 30 June 2023.

“This indicates that Fidelity Bank has been trading above N5 for at least four months in the last six months. Therefore, it should be reclassified from small price stock to medium price stock,” the NGX pointed out.

The development was an acknowledgement of Fidelity Bank’s robust contribution to the bountiful harvest that bargain hunters have enjoyed in the 62-year-old stock exchange in recent times, buoyed the bank’s corporate strategic plan.

“This is a good development. If a company performs well, it will surely be rewarded to earn investors’ confidence. The NGX did very well by recognising and rewarding Fidelity Bank for the impressive performance of its stock”, said Sam Ndata, Doyen of Nigerian Stockbrokers and non-executive director at UIDC Securities Limited.

Delightful milestone

As a confirmation of the strategic steps the bank had applied to

grow its operations since the coming on board of Mrs Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe as the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO) in January 2021, the upper level Tier-2 lender has sustained the tempo of its growth trajectory in the past two years, making it an investors’ toast among its peers.

In 2022, the bank posted a five-year record growth of 113 percent year-on-year in profit before tax of N53.7 billion. On the back of the impressive performance, it paid a 50 kobo dividend which the shareholders applauded.

The growth trajectory was sustained in the first quarter of this year (Q1 2023), with gross earnings up 42 per cent to N101 billion, signaling robust results in its awaited Q2 and half-year performance.

“Fidelity Bank is moving up in terms of performance. They have joined those paying interim dividends and they have also dipped their hand into big money tills for huge investment. They have borrowed big to be able to handle bigger contracts and be able to reap big.

“The reclassification is welcomed and I hope they will not disappoint us. If they are able to meet expectations, the benefit will be for Nigeria,” said Prince Anthony Omojola, National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), in a note to THEWILL.

Expansion scheme

Fidelity Bank shares rose to 32 percent this year making it the nation’s best-performing bank share as of half year (June 30). On the back of this strong position, it plans to establish presence in at least five African countries after finalising the acquisition of the London unit of rival Union Bank of Nigeria Plc in January 2023. According to Onyeali-Ikpe, the bank is negotiating a second purchase which will be completed in the year.

“The strategy is for us to move our footprint outside Nigeria and be able to compete favorably with our peers. In the next three years, we should be able to be in six countries by doing at least two every year. We are interested in countries within west, east and southern Africa,” Onyeali-Ikpe told Bloomberg. The lender

BUSINESS WEEKLY

...Stock Upgrade Excites Investors, Signals

Robust HY Results

plans to use the 13.8 billion naira it raised in a private placement earlier this year for the acquisitions,

By this move, Fidelity Bank is racing to expand and avoid losing out on fees from facilitating trade and corresponding banking roles to larger rivals. In 2022 the bank paid about $15 million in fees to international correspondence banks that handled trade transactions for its customers, Samuel Obioha, head of investor relations revealed separately.

Trade within the continent, which stands at more than $350 billion a year, is expected to grow by 52 percent in the next decade, according to the African Trade Policy Centre at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, hence the decision to step out like its Nigerian counterparts who are rooting for strong footings in the continent.

Moreover, slow economic recovery in Africa’s biggest economy after two recessions in 2016 and 2020, currency devaluations and acute dollar shortages are forcing lenders to look outside to curb their risks and widen opportunities.

Commenting on the afrocentric expansion strategy of Nigerian banks, a stockbroker and Head of Securities Trading at Planet Capital, Dr Paul Uzum, said the decision to diversify from an economically unstable Nigerian environment will give the the banks a panAfrican outlook, with a more robust balance sheet resulting in high earnings per share (EPS) and dividend per share (DPS).

The Target

Onyeali-Ikpe set a target for Fidelity to become one of the country’s top five banks by 2025, in earnings and assets. It is currently Nigeria’s sixth-largest lender, with N4 trillion in assets. It expects capital adequacy ratio at 19.1 percent this year, will also use retained earnings to expand its operations outside the shores of Nigeria, a move that will boost investors’ confidence in the 36-year-old lender.

It is expected that the impressive financials would continue to attract investors to the bank as it adjusts to the challenges of the economy which impact top and bottom lines.

Based on their annual reports, Fidelity Bank, FCMB, and Stanbic IBTC led the list of topperforming Tier-2 banks during the 2022 financial year.

Findings showed that, collectively, six Tier-2 banks accumulated a total of N1.27 trillion in gross earnings, with Fidelity Bank leading the pack with N337.05 billion, while Stanbic IBTC stood out in terms of profit, recording a profit after tax of N80.81 billion during the period.

Investors’ Voice

Reacting to the reclassification of Fidelity Bank stock, the National Co-ordinator, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr Boniface Okezie, applauded the development and commended the bank for its continent-focused expansion programme. He said the bank had paid its dues in the industry and should be ready to reap from what it had sown.

“Fidelity Bank has paid its dues in the financial services sector. It has contributed immensely to the development of the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector yet pays dividends to the shareholders.

“Last year, it took the market by surprise by declaring a dividend of 50k per share which had not happened in previous years. The massive investment in ICT and effective branch network shows it is ready to serve the customers in a better way and make the shareholders happy,” Okezie said in a note to THEWILL.

... NNPC Fails on Mid-2023 Delivery Target As Businesses, Citizens Languish

the rehabilitation of the idle refineries. Equally worrying is the government's attitude of embracing opaqueness in its oil and gas service delivery.

The Senate on July 5, 2023, rejected a motion seeking to investigate the moribund condition of the nation’s refineries despite spending several trillions of naira on their maintenance.

This came barely two months after former president Muhammadu Buhari left office on May 29, 2023 when he doubled as Minister of Petroleum Resources for eight years. The motion was moved by Karimi Steve (APC, Kogi West) at the plenary.

In the motion, Steve prayed the Senate to constitute an ad-hoc committee to investigate all contracts awarded for the rehabilitation of all four federal government-owned refineries between 2010 and 2023.

He also prayed that the committee should visit all the government refineries to ascertain their conditions, prevent any attempt to waste resources, stop any form of corruption and also interrogate authorities in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and officers of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for their role in the failure of the refineries to produce oil.

Mr Steve added that the committee, when constituted, should invite managers of NNPCL and other petrol agencies to present their plans on Green Energy Sources in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change to the Senate for possible review.

He stated that the Nigerian government had spent N11.35 trillion on the renovation of refineries from 2010 till date.

He also said the federal government had spent over N6 trillion between 2010 and 2020 on fuel subsidy due to Nigeria’s low refining capacity, and almost twice the amount also spent on rehabilitating refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Warri between the same period under review.

The Kogi senator noted that despite the moribund condition, the operating cost of the federal government refineries between 2010 and 2020 is estimated at N4.8 trillion.

Mr Steve said he was disturbed that the Port Harcourt Refinery Company is still not functioning despite the Nigerian government carrying out rehabilitation projects in the refinery for seven years between 2013 – 2019 at an estimated cost of over N12 billion.

He also said over N28 billion had been spent on revamping the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited from 2014 to 2019.

He added that over N2 billion have also been spent on the rehabilitation of the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company in the past 10 years, but it remains unproductive.

But, the motion and prayers were rejected following the decision of the majority of the senators who spoke on it to step it down.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, therefore, announced that the motion would be stepped down until relevant ministers have been appointed by President Bola Tinubu.

The refineries spend billions of naira on salaries, wages and other benefits on workers despite producing no refined product in recent years. For instance, the Port Harcourt refinery reported no income in 2020 but incurred administrative expenses of N19.22 billion, according to its audited reports. The refinery employed 487 new staff members in 2020. Its directors received N99.75 million as emoluments in 2020, a 67 percent increase from N59.66 million in 2019.

Ecobank Group Reports 63% Jump in Pre-tax

Ecobank Group released its 2023 secondquarter results showing a 63% increase in pre-tax profits to N92.52 billion.

The increase in second-quarter profits helped its half-year profit before tax to rise by 38% to N150.31 billion compared to N108.96 billion same period last year.

The report showed that Interest Income for the quarter was N238.67 billion compared to N161.09 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2022, while Fees and Commission Income gained 25% to N71.01 billion from N56.73 billion recorded in the same period last year. Other Operating Income increased significantly by 262% to N13.07 billion from N3.61 billion reported last yea, as also Pre-tax Profit for the quarter increased to N92.52 billion from N56.89 billion profit in Q2 2022.

The report further revealed that Impairment charges on loans and advances declined by 34% to N17.93 billion from N27.02 billion as the firm grew Loans and Advances to customers by 58% to N8.03 trillion.

Profit For Q2 2023

Deposits from customers for the half year ended 30th June 2023 increased to N14.71 trillion as against N9.60 trillion recorded as at 31st December 2022, while Earnings Per Share increased to N3.19 from N2.20

Commenting on the half-year financial statement, the CEO of Ecobank Group, Jeremy Awori said:

“Our results for the first six months of 2023 demonstrate the benefits of our diversified business model, resilient balance sheet and our commitment to serving our customers.

“Profit before tax increased by 18% to $308 million and by 67% if you exclude foreign currency translation effects.

“Net revenues were up 14% to $1,037 million, or 38% in constant currency, and we delivered a return on tangible equity of 27%.

“We achieved these results despite continued challenging macroeconomic conditions in the second quarter, with significant weaknesses in African currencies, high consumer prices

and tepid economic growth.”

“We have made meaningful progress in formulating our strategic roadmap, which will provide the blueprint for our Growth, Transformation and Returns agenda.

"Over the last few months, as I engaged with our customers, colleague Ecobankers, and other stakeholders, my confidence in our growth opportunities has been reaffirmed.

“We see opportunities to build stronger and better customer relationships in our businesses, forge strategic partnerships and be the go-to Payments bank, leveraging our superior platforms.”

“In addition, we will take forward our transformation and growth agenda for our corporate, commercial and consumer banking businesses.

“Notably, achieving our goals will require even more discipline in execution, proactive risk management, and focus on delivering for our customers.

In the next three years, we should be able to be in six countries by doing at least two every year

L-R: Team Lead, Business Transformation & Acceleration, CMC Connect LLP, Nathaniel Ligbago; Managing Partner, CMC Connect LLP, Raheem Olabode; Head, Public Relations, Airtel Nigeria, Sam Adeoye; Team Lead Brands and Corporate, CMC Connect

ESG Compliance Critical to Attracting Investments in Capital Market – Chiemeka

The Divisional Head, Capital Markets at Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Jude Chiemeka, has highlighted the importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance and the democratization of data in attracting investments and enhancing stock liquidity in the Nigerian capital market.

Chiemeka shared these insights during a panel session titled "ESG and Sustainable Finance; The Future of Investments," which was jointly organized by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Centre for Sustainability in Lagos on Thursday.

Whilst noting that NGX is a member of the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative, Chiemeka emphasized the Exchange's strong focus on technology, which facilitates investor access to essential data. According to him, seamless access to various products in the capital market is crucial, especially for retail investors. Furthermore, Chiemeka offered advice to investors, urging them to consider companies that are ESG-compliant and provide transparent and high-quality disclosures. He stressed the significant correlation between ESG disclosures and corporate performance. “Companies on the Exchange that demonstrate strong ESG compliance often gain access to more capital, attract a broader investor base, and can even raise capital from foreign markets.

The NGX Premium Board features companies that adhere to international best practices on corporate governance and meet NGX’s highest standards of capitalization and liquidity. Compliance is not only a matter of prestige but also an indicator of sustainable growth, making these companies more appealing to both international and domestic investors”. Chiemeka also commended the SEC for its efforts in establishing a sustainable finance framework, especially in regards to green bonds. “Nigeria's issuance of a green bond solidified its position as the first sovereign country in Africa to do so, and we applaud the

Inflation May Hit 25% By Q4, NECA Warns FG

The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association has warned that the continuous rising of inflation, if not controlled can hit 25 per cent before the end of the years 2023.

The Director-General, NECA, Mr. Wale Oyerinde, In a statement, said the recent decision by the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria to raise the Monetary Policy Rate by 25 basis points to 18.75 per cent could be chaotic to the growth trajectory of the nation.

He said tightening monetary policy stance by raising the anchor rate had proved ineffective.

According to him, “Based on the recent decision by the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria to raise the Monetary Policy Rate by 25 basis points to 18.75 per cent, such increase could be chaotic to the growth trajectory of the nation.

“It is apt that the apex bank collaborates with fiscal authorities in addressing the fundamentals behind the persistent increase in consumer prices, which has defied the policy measures put in place by previous rate hikes.

*Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

Court Sets Date For Judgment in Mobil’s Suit Against NMDPRA

AFederal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, fixed 25 October for judgment in a suit filed by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in respect of its operations in Oil Mining Leases 67, 68, 70 and 104.

Judge, Inyang Ekwo, fixed the date after counsel for Mobil, Ituah Imhanze, and lawyer to NMDPRA, Ama Etuwewe, SAN, adopted their processes and presented their arguments for and against the suit.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Ekwo had, on July 5, ordered NMDPRA not to take further action in respect of the oil mining lease suit filed, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.

Mobil had on 27 June, in an ex-parte motion, prayed for an order restraining the Federal Government’s agency from imposing any sanction on the company. The company also sought for an order stopping the agency from taking any action to frustrate its interest in respect of its operations in Oil Mining Leases 67, 68, 70 and 104, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

Upon resumed hearing, Mr Imhanze told the court that the originating summons, dated 16 June, was filed on 19 June, including a further affidavit in support of the originating summons and a reply on points of law.

Besides, Mr Imhanze also filed a motion on notice on 26 July to counter the argument of the agency.

The lawyer, who adopted all the processes, prayed the court to uphold their argument and grant their reliefs.TEXEM

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Responding, Mr Etuwewe acknowledged that he had been served with the motion on notice but fresh issues were raised in the application.

He said the defence filed their counter affidavit and a written address as their argument. He urged the court to dismiss the entire suit.

He also responded to the motion on notice filed by the plaintiff on 26 July.

The judge, after listening to their arguments, adjourned the matter until 25 October for judgment.

NAN reports that in the application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/844/2023 which was filed on Mobil’s behalf by Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, the oil company sought five reliefs. These include a declaration that pursuant to Section 8(d) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the power to designate and approve its operations “as Integrated Upstream Petroleum Operations lies solely and exclusively within the remit of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and not the defendant (NMDPRA).

It sought a declaration that NMDPRA lacked the powers under the PIA to unilaterally review, revoke, rescind, nullify or order the company to ignore the approval granted to it by the NUPRC which designates all its operations in Oil Mining Leases 67, 68, 70 and 104 as Integrated Upstream Petroleum Operations (IUPO).

*Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

LLP, Omobolanle Ayejuni and Partner, Public Affair Services, Tola Odusote at the public presentation of the 2023 BCW Age of Values Report by CMC Connect LLP, at their office in Lagos on July 27th, 2023.

Nigeria’s Debt Service Rose 100% in 2022 – DMO

The Director General, Debt Management Office (DMO), Patience Oniha, has again pushed for policies and actions that will galvanise revenue generation and generally stimulate economic growth.

She noted that while Nigeria’s debt to GDP ratio, at below 25 per cent, was among the lowest globally, debt service to revenue ratio in 2022 reached 100 per cent. This, she said, remains very high and shrinks the fiscal space available to the government to invest in economic infrastructure.

Oniha stated these at a technical round-table on economic blueprint for President Tinubu’s administration organised by Actionaid Nigeria.

According to her, the removal of fuel subsidy and tweaking of monetary policies were valid but uncomfortable steps needed to dismantle the roadblocks to unlocking more funds for the economy to insulate it from crashing.

She said: “As many of you are aware, the debt stock has grown but it is important to understand the reasons behind this growth. Subsidies are an expenditure item in the budget, thus invariably, they contribute to the budget deficits.

“On the other hand, the Naira exchange rates used for the budgets are the official rates, which we all know are much lower than the open market rates, the effect of which is lower revenue.”

UBA Increases Workers' Pay, Second in Three Months

United Bank for Africa (UBA) has announced an increase in the workers’ pay, the second in three months this year.

In a statement on Friday, UBA said its board of directors had announced the implementation of a cost of living adjustment for its staff effective immediately. UBA said although it had previously implemented cost of living adjustment for staff on October 1, 2021 and more recently on April 1, 2023, the persistent economic challenges faced by employees and the broader society as a whole informed the unanimous decision to again implement another adjustment.

“We are aware of the impact of recent economic policy pronouncements on prices and your capacity to meet your financial commitments to family and personal needs,” Oliver Alawuba, the bank’s chief executive officer, said.

“As an organisation focused on the well-being of our people, I am pleased to inform you that the Board of UBA Plc has approved a Welfare Allowance for all employees.” Alawuba explained that the decision to adjust the staff’s remuneration package once again demonstrates UBA’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the standard of living for its employees at a level that is commensurate with prevailing economic conditions.

“This move will serve to alleviate the financial burdens faced by our staff and their families, reinforcing the bank’s position as a responsible and caring employer,” he explained.

Northern Petrol Marketers Mull Strike Over N250bn Unpaid Subsidy

The Northern Independent Petroleum Marketers Forum said its members would embark on a strike if the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) fails to pay them over N250 billion outstanding bridging claims.

The chairperson of the forum, Musa Maikifi, in a press conference on Thursday in Kano, said the forum’s members are being owed over N250 billion bridging claims.

Mr Maikifi said the bridging claims represent the cost of transporting fuel from pipelines and product marketing company depots to approved zones to ensure a uniform pump price across the country.

The forum comprises nine depots in the north of the country – Kano, Kaduna, Suleja, Minna, Jos, Maiduguri, Gombe and Yola depots.

He said the delay in paying them was threatening their businesses as some of their members could not afford to supply petroleum and sell it at various outlets.

According to the forum, the money, if paid, would be utilised by their members to sustain their business.

Mr Maikifi said the failure of the government to pay the amount on time would affect the transportation of the fuel to the entire northern states.

Also speaking at the event, the secretary of the forum, Jarma Mustapha, said there were other outstanding bridging claims since the defunct Petroleum Equalization Fund that have still not been paid.

“We have outstanding bridging claims up to the day when the end of the deregulation was announced by the new President (Bola Tinubu).

“As the new deregulation regime started now, we are faced with difficulties such as lack of capacity and lack of capital to continue our business because most of our capital was hanged with the defunct Petroleum Equalization Fund.

“We are now calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene so that the whole of our outstanding claims, up to the 30th May 2023, when the new deregulation was announced, should be paid for our members to continue getting enough capital to continue being in business.

“Almost all of our members are going out of business. Based on that, we are appealing to the President to intervene, talk to the authorities concerned to immediately pay all our outstanding claims,” Mustapha appealed.

“The money used to pay for the bridging claims is the one contributed by the consumers, which is collected by the marketers, pay to NNPC, NNPC collects and pays into the collective fund of the Equalization Fund.

“That money is not budgeted, which is financed by the government. It is financed by the consumers through the marketers, basically to equalise prices across the country,” Mr Mustapha said.

Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Akintunde Adelana with other members of the discussion panel at the Day 1 of the “Develop Ondo 2.0 Investment Summit,” in Akure on July 25, 2023.

Micro, Small or Large Business: A better Way to Handle Difficult Times

BY TIMI OLUBIYI

All small businesses and organisations need to figure out how to stay afloat and add value to their customers and audiences in these challenging times. For businesses, be they micro, small or large, it has been a difficult time with the cost of running businesses in Nigeria.

It would be recalled that the review in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, was about 300 per cent and inflation as of June 2023 had increased by 22.76 per cent. These staggering figures have caused disruptions to living costs and daily business operating costs.

Businesses cannot continue to operate as usual and there is a need to consider strategies to help cushion the effect of the many consequences of the hikes. Effective business communication is one of the simple strategies to adopt at this time for many reasons. It entails sharing information between employees within the business and also outside it, which particularly will involve customers and other stakeholders. Communication can entail announcing or sharing alterations to the business, new pricing, adjustments to delivery or operating time, a launch of a new product or service, targeting different market segments and so on.

Effective communication is the key to a resilient business and can help businesses, even households, at this difficult time. Most of the time, effective communication may just take the form of stakeholder engagements and talking to vendors or customers about current realities and mitigating measures, as well as talking to colleagues about key changes in the environment and the surviving strategies with clarity. More importantly, regardless of the channel, accurate communication is essential. Whether the purpose is to update customers on new products or price differentials or to listen to the yearnings of employees or vendors, good communication is an integral part of effective business management at this time of high uncertainties.

In today’s competitive market and prevailing realities, no matter the size of the business, proper business communication is critical to success and sustainability. It can also enhance organizational survival at this time of high business uncertainties. Effective communication can establish good interpersonal and strong working relationships, no doubt, and facilitate cooperation among the staff of an organsation, which can help to overcome difficulties and difficult times. Therefore, to be effective in the current business environment with high inflation rate an effective communication process should be adopted and it should be two-way. That is good communication should be complemented with active listening. That

said, when communication is open and continuous amongst business stakeholders, customers and employees, it can help to make and maintain business objectives, as well as keep potential workplace conflicts from getting out of hand.

More so, when organisation expectations and issues are regularly discussed and solutions proffered in both formal and informal settings, all stakeholders, including the customers, will have a better understanding of the status of the business and the new objectives. Therefore, do not make assumptions about customer experience or expectations, simply talk to them.

Engage in honest conversations at all times to get meaningful feedback from all stakeholders. It would be wrong to assume that clients/customers already know the economic realities and not communicate changes that are likely to happen within the business settings and also in services rendered. Take the time out to communicate and let them know about the changes the current realities can cause and also the expectations during this new era.

It is important to state that having effective communication can help businesses in many ways. A survey of businesses within Nigeria indicated that effective communication can boost customer loyalty, employee morale, resilience, promote efficiency, sustain revenue growth and increase customer engagement.

In response to the recent survey, business operators also indicated that effective communication can also help to lessen the chances of misunderstandings and potentially reduce grievances and even complaints or litigations in the business. Conversely, a lack of it or ineffective communication is seen to lead to discontent among customers, poor sales, low patronage, employee frustration, lower business productivity and increased employee turnover rate.

It may also increase the chances of misinterpretation, tarnish business goodwill, damage relationships, break trust and increase anger and hostility. Unlike everyday communications, business communication is vital and must be taken seriously by business operators and entrepreneurs at this time.

Essentially, the customer is king and key to the survival of any business. Consequently, establishing a feedback mechanism can help business operators monitor service and product progress with customers, which can help with strategic adjustments to any anticipated change in the market, even with current realities.

Accordingly, developing and encouraging effective communication internally and externally among staff,

vendors,and customers/clients is an important skill that all business operators must leverage. In business, therefore, communication can make the difference between success and failure. So, no method of communication in the form of feedback, engagement, interaction, listening and business conversation should be neglected.

In conclusion, communication is a crucial and significant element in any business setup. Therefore, business organisations should have comprehensive policies and strategies for communicating with customers, employees, and stakeholders as well as with the community at large.

A business should leverage technology for integrated communication and every channel of communication should be considered effectively- social media, websites, internet, phone calls, adverts, letter writings, and so on. Software like Zoom, Skype, GoToMeeting and other video/audio conferencing technologies have made it easier for businesses to communicate with customers, employees, vendors, and clients.

Business operators and entrepreneurs should equally adopt a link between communication and the strategic plan of the organization, which can include the organisation's mission, vision, and values to come up with a communication strategy for the business.

If you are concerned about enhancing or on how to build an effective communication strategy in your business, you may need to urgently reach out to a professional for essential advice.

•Dr Olubiyi is an entrepreneurship and business management expert.

Effective communication is the key to a resilient business and can help greatly at this difficult time for businesses and even households

SHOTS OF THE WEEK

Photo Editor: Peace Udugba [08033050729]

L-R: Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon (Mrs) Mojisola Meranda; Team Leader, World Bank Group, Mr Fuad Malkawi; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Deputy Consul General, Kingdom of Netherlands in Lagos, Ms Leonia Van Der Stijl and Consul General of Germany in Lagos, Mr Weert Borner, during the Lagos Circular Economy Hotspot 2023, themed ’Towards a Circular and resourceful Economy: The Future Lagos’, at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island on 26 July 2023.

L-R: Chief Operating Officer, Oando Energy Resources, Dr. Alex Ainojie; GMD, UTM FLNG Limited, Eberechukwu Orji; MD/ Chief Executive Officer, ND Western Limited, Brenda Ataga, representing Senior Technical Assistant, Gas, Business Development and Investments Ministry of Petroleum Resources; President, Nigeria Gas Association General Counsel/Company Secretary, Akachukwu Nwokedi; Executive Vice Chairman, Gas, Power & New Energies NNPC Limited, Abdulkabir M. Ahmed, at a panel session at the recently held NOG Energy Week in Abuja, theme Accelerating Gas Development for Nigeria’s Energy Transition Journey on July 27, 2023.

L-R: Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen; German Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Annet Guenther and Minority Leader, House of Reps, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, during a courtesy visit to the Speaker by the German Ambassador at the National Assembly on July 25, 2023.

L-R: Director- General, Nigeria Country Department, African Development Bank, Mr Lamin Barrow; Chairman / Chief Executive Officer, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Adviser on Stakeholder Engagement to the President, African Development Bank Group (AfDBG), Ms. Lola Visser-Mabogunje and Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management, African Development Bank, Prof. Kevin Chika Urama, during the 2023 National Diaspora Merit Awards  in Abuja on July 25, 2023.

L-R: UNICEF Consultant, Mrs Onyaidu Abraham; Deputy Editor-In-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mrs Ifeyinwa Okonkwo; World Health Organization Technical Officer on Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine (HPVV), Mrs Chiamaka Ekeoba; Zonal manager, NAN Southeast, Mrs Maureen Atuonwu and State Health Educator, Primary Health Care Development Agency Enugu State, Mrs Ukamaka Nsude, during an advocacy visit to NAN Enugu office on sensitization on the forthcoming HPVV nationwide vaccination in Enugu on July 25, 2023.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma (left), receives a souvenir from the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral U.S.A. Chugali, when the latter and his team paid a courtesy call on the Governor at Government House Owerri, Imo State on July 27, 2023.

Nyesom Wike Blows Hot, Accuses Bola Tinubu of Reneging on 'Agreement'

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

EDITOR Ivory Ukonu

Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State is an unhappy man at the moment. Rather than rejoice that his wish of finally being nominated as a minister by the government of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC has been granted, he is disgruntled that he and members of the G5 governors have been shortchanged by President Bola Tinubu. The G5 governors, self-styled as the Integrity Group, are a group of five governors from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP

Continues on page 41

Hannatu Musawa And Hadiza Usman-Bala: The Acrimonious Amazons of APC

Waje On Friendship, Music, Business Partnership

Despite being members of the same political party with both having played significant roles towards ensuring their party's victory in the last general election, there has been a growing antipathy between Hadiza BalaUsman, the erstwhile managing director of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA now Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Co Ordination and Hannatu Musawa, the erstwhile Special

Continues on page 41

Musawa and Usman-Bala

I Don’t Believe in The Narrative That Women Don’t Support One Another – Waje

In this International Day of Friendship special, celebrated dancer and singer, Aituaje Iruobe, professionally known as Waje, speaks with SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN, about the secret of her long-standing friendship with Omawumi Megbele. Excerpts:

Whatdoes good friendship mean to you?

Good friendship means support. People who show God’s grace and celebrate you as well.

You and Omawumi have come a long way. How did your friendship start?

We met at Television Continental, TVC. We were both there to promote our songs. We got talking and we eventually became friends.

How long have you been friends?

More than a decade now. We became friends in 2008.

What has kept your friendship going over the years?

Understanding and the fact that our friendship is grounded. It is important for friends like us to be grounded individually so that their relationship can flourish. We understand the value of keeping certain things away from the public. It’s not as if we don’t disagree on issues sometimes. We do, but we normally find a common ground. You must know that it is okay to disagree, fight and be upset with each other, but you must be able to sit down and have a conversation about whatever got you to that point. Omawumi and I have reached a phase where even when we fight, we are mature enough to sit down and address the issue. You have to also learn to respect people. If you know the importance of respecting people, eventually when you get into a different relationship, be it in business or friendship, you will respect them as well. People who take their quarrels to social media and wash their dirty linen in public don’t have respect for their friends. It means that in trying to undo the other person they are actually undoing themselves. It shows a flaw in their character.

You both own a media company known as Hermanes. Which role do you both play in the company?

I can’t even remember, but we both own equal shares in the country. We have a business model that works for us which I don’t want to disclose. Like I said, it all boils down to the reason you two are in the business in the first place and if you respect each other. You mustn’t take the other person for granted. That is how it works for us.

Most women find it difficult to go into partnership business wise. How have you been able to synergize your business?

I believe in staying around people who are just like me. People who will support you. Which is why you have to check to know the reason you guys are friends and the value your friendship is bringing into the business. I think it is important for friends to flourish and grow financially. I think it is unfair in the circle of friends for just one person to be stable financially. The others will drag that one person down. Sometimes, the selfish part of us always wants to be the loudest in the room. Friendship is sweeter when all of you are flourishing. You can suggest going for summer vacation and all of you can afford to travel together without the financial burden falling on just one person. You will be able to set goals and meet up with them. It may not necessarily be money all the time, it might be value and everyone can contribute to it.

You have had musical collaboration in the past. When will there be another one?

Very soon. We always work on different ideas, but we are waiting for the right time to push them out. There is no pressure. We

understand that there is time for everything. We are not working with other people’s calendar. We are working with our business calendar and our individual plans. We are working towards releasing an Extended Play, EP but I can’t tell you when.

What inspired the title of your last album ‘Misfit’?

If you listen to the album, you will notice that the sound of the album is very distinct in many ways. Someone can bring out an album and it will be all RnB, but ‘Misfit’ is different. It is a mixture of RnB, pop and other genres. That is why we called it ‘Misfit’.

Has it been well received?

It has been amazing, but honestly, we need to push for more. ‘The Voice’ music reality show took away my attention for a while, but I am back to promoting the album. I am grateful that the album I released before ‘Misfit’ was nominated for the Headies, those are the things that will encourage me

to keep doing what I have been doing. The fact that people love my music and appreciate the brand. I am really grateful.

How does it feel to become a member of the recording academy of the Grammy?

It feels amazing. When I say that, it is not from a selfish point of view because I have seen a lot of young artists that I want to plug. I can plug them by submitting their works if they are befitting for a Grammy nomination. When you are given this kind of opportunity, you don’t just use it for yourself alone. For me, that is the most exciting part. I have a lot of mentees that need to be embraced in the global space so that the world can enjoy and listen to the power of their music. So I am going to use the opportunity I have been given to leverage and advocate for others.

Which of your works will you be submitting for Grammy?

This year, musical works that were released between October 2022 and September 2023 can be submitted. So, my album, ‘Misfit’ can make it for submission.

You are planning to release an EP. What is it all about?

I am releasing an EP with a producer known as Sess. It is a producer,

singer and songwriter album. I am excited about it because it is a genre that people know with me, but it will also push me out of my comfort zone. I am excited about pushing out the promo. We are working on it. I want the fans to keep their fingers crossed. You are also working on a new brand, ‘Affirmation by Waje’. What is it all about?

‘Affirmation by Waje’ is my new merchandise. It comprises of things that have made life easy for me and things that I use in my daily activities. It was inspired by the desire to put new items in the market. I wanted something that everyone can have access to, in terms of price. We are starting with three products, including perfume and active wear. I like to work out a lot and because I am a busty woman, I find it difficult to get what works for me. So my brand will cater for women of different sizes. We also have the glasses as well. I love shades a lot and I want to put them out there. Let me keep the third product a secret for now.

Can you share your experience as one of the judges of the music reality show, ‘The Voice’?

Nigeria is blessed with so many talents. I am also a product of a TV reality show with MTV Base. That journey impacted me a lot. That was where I met Cobbams Asuquo and South African designer, David Tlale. I have met a lot of people. This is one good thing about reality shows. You meet a lot of people that will change your life

Iruobe

Iruobe

forever. I really hope that every talented person that has participated in ‘The Voice’ will also have the same story. They may not all come out as winners, but the foundation they have been given to thrust themselves into an industry that is filled with hungry people is one of the best. Giving the right foundation to contestants is a blessing in it for me. It was an honour preparing those talents.

How have you been able to joggle all you do together without lagging behind in any aspect?

It has not been easy. If I tell you that it’s been easy, that is not true. It’s the effort of a great team from my manager and his wonderful wife. As a matter of fact, both of them manage me. And to the rest of the team, my makeup artist. Quite a number of people have supported me. I literally don’t do anything. They all take care of everything. I really struggled with management when I started out in the industry, but right now I have been able to find the balance. Even with the music, I have song writers and contributors that work with us. That is the way it should be. There is no reason to be jack-of-all-trades and master of none. Let those who are experienced and know how to do the job play their own parts too.

Do you think the Nigeria music industry has enough female artistes?

I think there is room for more people. I am grateful that there are many more successful females now than when I started. I am a huge fan of Ayra Starr. I love her essence and how hungry she is. There are so many of them that I see now. I can imagine myself when I was their age. I was typically clueless. I wasn’t clear about what I wanted to do at the time. It is just fun to see young women who are really pushing on their own and doing the job. I know there is room for more. The time will come. We just need to keep pushing. I don’t subscribe to the narrative about women not supporting women. I don’t believe in that. I have a lot of women who supported me in my career and I have supported quite a lot as well. So that narrative is not true. I hope that more women will find support with their gender, especially in the business space and not just in the music industry. We need more female Chief Executive Officers in the music business space.

If you were to choose one of the new generation female artistes to have a collaboration with, who would you choose?

I would love to have a collaboration with all of them. We are going to make it a female album. Each female artist will be featured in each track. Trust me, I am actually a fan of all of them.

Are there things that you feel should be done in the industry to enable it to thrive better than it is currently doing?

A lot of improvement is required, but I don’t dwell on those things because there are people who are still striving in the market. I have noticed that a lot more musicians are now business minded. I think that is truly how you take your brand to the next level. It’s business and you are a brand. The way you sell your soap or your cream should be the same way you should sell your brand. When you put that into consideration, the manner in which you will brand yourself will be different. I think some of us have leant that on the way, but there are some people who still don’t understand it.

What would you say has shaped you to who you are today?

God, first of all. He has shielded me. I am a strong Christ follower. His grace has carried me thus far. There are many people that we started together, but they are not here today. I also think I have grown to be someone who is looking for a solution. In my career, I have faced quite a number of challenges, but the fact that I am constantly trying to look for a solution is the reason I can still be having an interview. It is also the reason I can get nominated for an award. Understanding that problems or difficulties in business are stepping stones to finding solutions is key. That has really shaped me to a point where I can easily choose what I want. Seven years ago, I was on a tour, I had done the Nigeria tour then and when it was time for the East Africa tour, I was disappointed and I had to fly back home. I just gave up and came back home. With the way I have grown over the years, I would figure a way and ensure that what I went for happened. I was much younger then.

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

As a female artist, how have you been able to reinvent yourself over the years?

My relevance will have come from an honest conversation of trying to evolve. I don’t believe that my time is up. I don’t believe that age is a factor. I don’t believe that the journey has been so long that I don’t have to do music again. Age is not a factor. The number of years I have been in the industry is not a factor, but the desire to evolve. So I think I am looking for new ways to conquer new territories. There is so much that can be done. Perhaps, I will be here for a long time like some musicians who sang till their last moment. I will be doing this for a long time. Maybe when I am 50 or 55 years, I will do it on my own term,s but I still feel that there are so many territories to conquer.

What are the challenges of being a female artiste?

It is a male-dominated industry, first of all and of course, there are challenges. That is why I said earlier that we need more women in the industry. When you have a seat at the table, you can make things change. That is my mind set. I don’t dwell on the challenges but on what I do to change the narrative. Like I said earlier, there should be more women who are business minded. It may not necessarily mean the CEO of the company, but they should have shares in the industry. That way, they can make decisions that affect women.

If you have to do something outside the entertainment industry, what will it be?

I love decorating. I am in love with interior design. I love to express myself through design. It is in my future plan.

What advice do you have for those who are trying to find their feet in the music industry?

I will tell them to absolutely love the job. If they love it, they will do what needs to be done to flourish in it. They should not be carried away by the accolades. I will also tell them to own up and respect relationships. They meet people every day and some of those people will literally take them to where they are going. They should be smart enough to know how to honour relationships.

Megbele and Iruobe

I and Omawumi have gotten to a phase where even when we fight, we are mature enough to sit down and address the issue. You have to also learn to respect people. If you know the importance of respecting people, eventually when you get into a different relationship, be it in business or friendship, you will respect them as well. People who take their rifts to social media and wash their dirty linen in public don’t have respect for their friends

Iruobe

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

REASON DEJI ADELEKE'S POWER PLANT IS YET TO BE COMPLETED

Unknown to many, business magnate and ProChancellor of Adeleke University in Ede, Osun State, Deji Adeleke, has his business tentacles spread also in the power generating business. The older Adeleke, who is the father of superstar singer, David Adeleke aka Davido, currently owns one operational power generating plant; Omotosho Power Generating Plant and Olorunsogo Power Generating Plant which is yet to be completed. These are subsidiaries of his Sepco-Pacific Energy Co Ltd. Surprisingly, the two power generating plants are situated outside Adeleke’s home state, Osun. While Omotosho GenCo is situated in Ogun State, Olorunsogo GenCo is situated in a remote village known as Ajebandele in Ondo State. While the Omotosho plant can generate up to 304mw at its peak, with a minimum capacity of 186.3mw, the Olorunsogo Genco at completion is expected to generate 1250 megawatt. The latter is reportedly worth $2 billion and both GenCos are expected to complement the existing 5,000 megawatts Nigeria currently generates. At completion, Omotosho GenCo is expected to provide employment for about 300 people. But the unnecessary delays that have plagued the plant has caused untold anxiety both within the Adeleke family, the community where it is situated and the expectant work force. This has forced many to wonder what could possibly be holding it back, as obviously

Continued from page 38

funding is not the issue. The senior Adeleke was forced to reveal recently that the Omotosho GenCo would have long been completed but for the activities of daredevil armed robbers who looted some vital components of the turbine machines built with copper, costing $5 million. He blamed the robbery on youths, who he says refused to engage in any meaningful and productive activity. Giving more insight into the robbery, the businessman said that each of the stolen components required 10 strong men to lift and that he is not in doubt that the robbery was done in collaboration with entities who require the stolen components for their own business, similar to his. Quite unlike some other businessmen who would have abandoned the project, thankfully, the robbery incident is not deterring him from ensuring work is completed as soon as possible on the GenCo. The senior Adeleke runs his various businesses under Pacific Holdings Company Ltd, with investments in freight services, steel production, warehousing, and logistics, real estate etc.

Nyesom Wike Blows Hot, Accuses Bola Tinubu of

Reneging on 'Agreement'

who refused to support their presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, because they believed the presidency ought to rotate from the north to the south after the eight years tenure of ex President Muhammadu Buhari. The governors also demanded the resignation of the party chairman, Iyorcha Ayu on the premise that Atiku and Ayu, both presidential candidates and party chairman, are from the northern part of Nigeria. This arrangement they claim negates inclusivity. Besides Wike, the other governors are governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Samuel Ortom, ex governors of Abia, Enugu and Benue States respectively. Recall that shortly before the general elections, speculations were rife that the G5 governors had switched their loyalties to the All Progressives Congress, APC, by working to deliver their states to the party in exchange for various political favours. These speculations turned to realities after the Independent National Election Commission, INEC announced the presidential results of Oyo and Rivers States with APC cleaning out in both states. Also, shortly after Tinubu was sworn in as president, the G5 governors paid him a visit at Aso Rock with Wike and Makinde both paying him more visits as a duo. It was during those visits that assurances of political favours were reiterated via ministerial appointments. While Wike became a nominee from Rivers State despite being a member of PDP, Makinde and the rest got nothing. Makinde's nominee for a ministerial position was overlooked. Instead Tinubu nominated Adebayo Adelabu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and a former governorship candidate of Accord Party in Oyo State. Tinubu according to sources close to THEWILL, also plans to nominate Prof Oyelaran Oyeyinka, another indigene of Oyo State in his next batch

of ministerial nominees. Oyeyinka who is reportedly a nominee of Akinwunmi Adesina, president of African Development Bank, AfDB, is the special adviser to Adesina on Industrialization. This, Makinde is undoubtedly not happy about as his candidate will most likely, not make the second batch of ministerial nominee. Similarly, Wike's nominee from Edo State, Dan Orbih was also sidelined. One may wonder what business Wike has with Edo State to want to have a say in who the president appoints minister from the state. Well, Orbih is a close ally of Wike, infact, his eyes and ears in the Midwestern state. Considered one of the most prolific state chairmen of any political party in the history of Nigeria, he successfully piloted the affairs of PDP in Edo state for 11 years. Orbih who is currently the deputy national chairman of the party, South South in conjunction with Wike defeated the APC in the gubernatorial re election of Godwin Obaseki. Orbih was also the instrument Wike fashioned against Obaseki when things went sour between them in his (Wike) bid to wrest control of PDP from Obaseki in the state. In very simple terms, Orbih is what you can describe as Wike's man Friday. For his loyalty, Wike put in a word on his behalf to Tinubu as a ministerial nominee, as compensation. Unfortunately, he wasn't in the much touted list. Also, the other three governors were left high and dry. This is what is currently infuriating Wike. He has reportedly said that this (the ministerial list) isn't what he discussed with Tinubu in confidence. He said that he hopes the rug had not been pulled from under his feet and expressed more hope for Tinubu to keep to their agreement with his next batch of ministerial nominees. In his characteristic manner, Wike plans to allegedly heat up the polity if his agreement with Tinubu doesn't stand.

Abimbola Fashola, Siblings Bid Mum Farewell in Style

Former First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Emmanuella Fashola and her siblings pulled all the stops this past weekend and hosted close friends and well-wishers as they bade a final farewell to their late mother in style. The late matriarch of the Dibofu family, Mama Edith, otherwise known as Iya Aladura, passed on in June at the age of 87. She was laid to rest in Lagos after a funeral service that took place at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba. A wake and evening of tributes was earlier held on Thursday preceding the funeral at the family house located somewhere in Surulere. The immediate-past Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, was fully on ground to give maximum support to his wife and her family. Surprisingly, only a handful of socialites and members of the political elite made it to the party which took place at Harbour Point, Victoria Island and coordinated by -Yewande Zaccheus' Eventful Nigeria. Some of them include Folashade Okoya; former Lagos State deputy governor, Adejoke Adefulire-Orelope; former chairman of First bank of Nigeria, Ibukun Awosika; first lady of Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, City of David parish, Pastor Mrs Siju Iluyomade.

Meet

The vacant seat left behind by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, in the House of Representatives is yet to be filled, but fingers are already pointing in the direction of Fuad Kayode-Laguda, a rising political figure, as his eventual

Continued from page 38

replacement. Political analysts believe that Kayode-Laguda who is currently the Chairman of Surulere Local Government council, should be the perfect person to represent the interests of Surulere 1 Federal Constituency. He has already started throwing his weight around, having accepted the challenge and commitment to a higher political calling. A former staff of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) where he earned the appellation, consummate tax administrator, his exceptional career trajectory caught the attention of Babatunde Fowler, a former chairman of the revenue generating agency. Serving as Fowler’s Personal Assistant in LIRS, Kayode-Laguda showed early signs that he was destined for a life of politics. As his name gains momentum and attention on the national stage, all eyes are on him, filled with hope and high-level expectancy. Hopefully, if he does win the bye-election, come next month, he will be perceived as a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

Hannatu Musawa And Hadiza Usman-Bala: The acrimonious Amazons of APC

Adviser to the president on Culture and Entertainment Economy now a ministerial nominee. So thick is the animosity that one can literally slice through it with a sharp knife. Details about why the two women have a frosty relationship remains sketchy but what is however not in doubt is the depth of their hatred for each other which isn't hidden. Ironically, both women have quite a few things in common. For instance, both are from Katsina State and both worked assiduously for Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC in the last general election. While Hannatu served as the deputy spokesperson of the APC presidential Campaign Council, PCC, Hadiza served as the Deputy Director General (Admin) of the PCC. Similarly, both women come from popular political families. While Hannatu's father is the late Katsina politician, Musa Musawa, Hadiza besides being formerly married to an economic analyst, Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi who served under the former (Late) President Umaru Musa Yar'adua as his economic adviser, is the daughter of late Yusufu Bala Usman, a rebel who went against his royal roots to become a social critic and a lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello

University. Until Thursday June 27, both women were Special Advisers before Tinubu decided to elevate Hannatu to the position of a minister, a move that didn't go down quite well with Hadiza. She had expected to be the one to be elevated to ministerial level going by her career trajectory and educational qualification, not minding Hannatu's own personal achievements. Unfortunately, she got the shocker of her life when she was looked over for Hannatu. This singular act has further deepened her hatred for Hannatu as she feels she is more deserving of that honour. With Hannatu's elevation as minister, it is obvious both are no longer on the same pedestal, what with the privileges that comes with being a minister. It is unclear how this will pan out but hopefully Tinubu doesn't assign any portfolio that is anywhere near Policy Coordination to Hannatu to avoid a repetition of what happened between Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who was a former Minister of Niger Delta and his junior minister, Festus Keyamo. Both men worked at cross purposes as they were always at loggerhead before Keyamo was moved to the Labour Ministry for peace to reign.

Adeleke

Fashola

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

STORIES BY SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN

FEMI ADULOJU BECOMES AGBAAKIN OF IBUJU KINGDOM

The Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties to Ekiti State Governor, Femi Aduloju, has been installed as the Agbaakin of Ibuji kingdom. The chieftaincy title was conferred on him by the Onibuji of Ibuju land, Oba Folagbade Ojo, in a ceremony held at Ibuji in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State last week. Aduloju was honoured for his contribution to the development of humanity and Ibuju kingdom in general. The elated chieftain reaffirmed his dedication to serve humanity with every opportunity he has. He said that he would cherish his new title and fulfill the responsibility attached to it. He thanked Oba Ojo and the people of Ibuju kingdom for counting him worthy and promised not to betray their trust. He also pledged to assist in ensuring that infrastructural development takes place in the town.

Human Rights Group Accuses Oba Johnson Aderiye of Abuse of Power

The Nigeria Rights

Human Community, NRHC, has accused Oba Johnson Folorunsho Aderiye, the Alayegunle of Ayegunle Ekiti, in Ekiti State of abuse of power. The human rights group claimed that the traditional ruler engaged in gross human rights violations in the state.

It said that Oba Aderiye had illegally detained scores of young people in the community at various police stations in the state.

It all started, the NRHC noted, after youths of the community staged a peaceful protest against one of the chiefs in the community, Ojo Obasua, Olori Awo. Ojo had allegedly taken pictures of his concubine and threatened to post them on social media because she wanted to expose him for impregnating a minor. The youths staged a peaceful protest, calling for his removal as a chief in the community. However, instead of showing remorse, Ojo threatened them with charms and cursed them. Oba Aderiye,

Family Marks 15th Anniversary of Lukman Olatunji’s Death

The widow and children of late socialite, Lukman Olatunji, popularly known as Toto Abuga, has marked the 15th anniversary of his death. The event took place at MRA Hall, Magodo Phase 1, Lagos State. A special prayer session was conducted for the repose of his soul, while the family and friends also prayed for the repose of the soul of late Toto Abuga's father, Alhaji Olatunji. Friends and family paid glowing tributes to the deceased for his generosity and how he came to their aid when they needed him the most. Abiola, widow of the deceased, was also praised for holding forth and raising her four children in the absence of her husband. Guests who turned up for the event came in the ankara aso ebi which was supplied by the deceased widow's company, Olori Fabrics.

The guests were treated to sumptuous delicacies from different caterers, while fast rising musician, Adewale Blessing, provided music.

Toto Abuga, was allegedly

Olatunji

assassinated in 2008 in Lagos State. He was gunned down by unknown men a few minutes after leaving the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos upon returning from London where he had spent time with his wife and children. He was in his Sports Utility Vehicle with one of his friends when the unfortunate incident occurred in the Ketu area of Lagos. The late businessman was the darling of Fuji musicians at high octane parties in Lagos State during his lifetime.

Mudashiru Obasa Becomes

months. Another serious protest was staged by the youths and many of them were detained. Oba Aderiye, the human rights group revealed, recruited traditional guards who served as his thugs and harassed innocent people within the community. The leader pf the youths was allegedly arrested and beaten to stupor before he was locked up. Those who witnessed how he was maltreated staged another protest and demanded his release.

The youths also seized one of Oba Aderiye’s children and threatened to exchange the child for their leaders’ freedom. Some of the chiefs who tried to intervene and restore peace to the community were arrested and detained.

IDRIS AJIMOBI APPOINTED AS SA TO DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT

Idris Ajimobi, son of late former Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, has been appointed as the Special Adviser on Special Duties to the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau.

Honourary Citizen of Georgia, USA

also supported him instead of trying to mediate peace. The issue escalated to a point that prominent indigenes of the town had to intervene, but the traditional ruler and some chiefs were not pleased with the outcome, which made the issue to resurface after six

Some shops belonging to the youth loyalists and supporters were locked and Ojo continued to threaten anyone who raised his voice against the monarch. The police had to step in to restore order in the community but the youth leader was not released. Some of the youths had to write a petition to the NHRC and asked for their intervention.

Ajimobi had contested for a seat in Ibadan South West State Constituency II on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, during the 2023 generalpoll but lost to the opposition. Honourable Oluwafemi Fowokanmi of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, defeated Ajimobi with a total of 16, 328 votes while Ajimobi, had 7,755 votes. Many thought Ajimobi, son of a political gladiator would have cleared almost all votes because of his late father's influence and good will but were shocked by his defeat. His failure at the polls was blamed on the strictness of his late father during his latter days in office.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Mudashiru Obasa, has become an honorary citizen of the State of Georgia, USA. The lawyer cum politician was honoured by the black caucus of the Georgia Legislative chamber during the conference of Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, which took place last

week in Atlanta, capital of Georgia. The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus conference (GLBC) is an annual legislative conference that brings together a diverse cross-section of elected officials, industry experts and community leaders across the state. The conference also afforded attendees opportunities to engage in public forums, share and exchange ideas and evidence-based solutions to problems and challenges affecting blacks, people of color and disenfranchised Georgians. T he award which was the first in the history of the GLBC, was given to Obasa for his contribution to the development and entrenchment of good governance in Nigeria. The astute politician expressed gratitude and revealed how eager and willing he is in fostering stronger ties between different communities for a better future.

Ajimobi

Obasa

Aderiye

The Adulojus

STORIES BY SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN

BISI OLATILO FETES GUESTS AT DAUGHTER’S WEDDING

Seasoned broadcaster, Prince Bisi Olatilo, recently hosted a classy wedding ceremony for his daughter, Adeola and her partner, Qudus Oganla. The three-in-one event took place at 10 Degrees Event Centre, Oregun, Lagos. It started with the solemnization ceremony that was officiated by the Founder and General Overseer of the Covenant Harvest Christian International Ministry, Lagos, Pastor Dotun Ojelabi. During the ceremony, the couple exchanged vows and received pastoral blessings from the cleric before they changed to their traditional attire in preparation for their traditional marriage, which also took place at the same venue.

Guests also turned up in fuchsia pink lace and matching headgears which was the colour of the day. The Olatilo family were the first to dance into the traditional engagement arena before the groom's family also danced in. The traditional wedding rites were observed by both families, which was followed by prayers from the parents of the couple and the elders in attendance.

The event ended with a lavish reception which had Godbless Ubeibifayen’s Eboni band on the stage

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

Joseph Benjamin Remarries Secretly

Nollywood actor cum musician, Joseph Benjamin, has remarried. The actor who relocated abroad a few years ago remarried in the United States of America. Although the exact time he walked down the aisle is unknown, he recently took to his Instagram page to celebrate his wife. He made a video collage of the beautiful moments they have shared together and the picture taken during their wedding. The actor spoke glowingly about his wife’s charming and endearing qualities. He referred to himself as a broken crayon, saying that even in his broken state, he has been able to paint amazing pictures.

In 2021, Benjamin gushed over a Ghanaian lady, known as Odo, who is now his legally married wife. He had revealed then how blessed he was to have her as his partner despite the fact that her friends discouraged her from dating a divorcee.

Benjamin’s first marriage was with the mother of his two children in 2004 after he discovered that she was pregnant. The going was good for the two before things fell apart in 2012 and they both went their separate ways after which the actor relocated abroad. The couple were said to have parted ways because of irreconcilable differences.

supplying good music while guests were treated to assorted food and drinks. Magnus Abe, a former senator who represented Rivers South East senatorial district, was the chairman of the reception. He urged the couple to love each other and learn from the bride's father whom he described as a loyal, dedicated husband to his wife of many years.

Tonye Cole Gives Out First Daughter in Marriage

Tonye Cole, the co-Founder and Group Executive Director of Sahara Group and the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress in Rivers State, has given out his first daughter, Vanessa Oluwaseun, in marriage to her beau, Chuka Ogili. The lavish ceremony took place last weekend at the VIP Marquee, Lulu Ama Sandfield, Abonema, Rivers State. The event started with a traditional wedding ceremony where marriage rites were duly observed. It was followed by a lavish reception held at the same venue.

The wedding was attended by politicians, traditional rulers, business moguls who adorned ensembles in lemon green which was the colour of the day. The wedding hall was also transformed with lemon green decorations, beautiful chandeliers which added class and panache to the ceremony. Dr Sylvia Cole,

further training at Michelin Star Restaurant, Bibendum, in South Kensington London. Her passion and dedication to her craft earned her a finalist spot at the 'Mastercard Cooking Competition, The Kitchen Nigeria' in 2021. Her husband, Agili, is a graduate of IE Business School in Madrid, Spain.

Ataoja

mother of the bride, played a dutiful host as she welcomed dignitaries and ensured their welfare during their short stay was the top priority of the event planners in charge of the wellattended ceremony. Nigerian music sensation, Wande Cole thrilled guests with some hit songs from his repertoire. Vanessa is a personal chef, lifestyle enthusiast and first daughter of the politician cum businessman. Also known as Chef Vee, she was trained at the prestigious Chef Academy London and completed

His Royal Highness, Oba James Aladesuru, the Onigbede-Ekiti of Igede-Ekiti, in Ekiti State has been named as the Longest Serving Monarch in Nigeria. The National Leadership Summit of the Nigerian Baptist Convention gave the traditional ruler the award last week.

Oba Aladesuru ascended the throne in 1959 at the young age of 26 after the demise of Oba Olubusi Apata, who reigned between 1950 and1957. He was a photographer, but later trained to be a

OBA JAMES ALADESURU RECEIVES AWARD

teacher. He was a teacher at Pinnock Memorial Baptist Primary school in Ilora, before he was chosen to ascend the Igede-Ekiti stool. The traditional ruler has spent 64 years on the throne. He was honoured because of his long reign as a monarch and also for his meritorious service to humanity and mankind. The award plaque was presented to him by Rev. Dr. Israel Akanji, the president of the NLSNBC in a colourful ceremony that took place last week. Oba Aladesuru dedicated his award to members of his community for trusting his ability to lead them as their monarch while pledging to continue serving them with all honour and humility. He also promised to continue ensuring that his kingdom enjoyed enduring peace and he would sustain peaceful coexistence in the community and beyond.

Intervenes in Conflict Between Adeleke, Basiru

Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, has embarked on a mission to broker peace between Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke and former Senate spokesperson, Ajibola Basiru. The hostility between the two started during the Eid el Kabir celebration in June at the Muslim praying ground in Osogbo, the Osun State capital. The governor's protocol officer had informed Basiru that the front row where he was sitting was reserved for the governor and he was told to move to another sitting position. Basiru had moved to another space in the front row but was still instructed to move to another

sitting position which some supporters of the senator opposed. A scuffle developed between their supporters and the governor left the praying ground in anger. After the drama, the two engaged in a back and forth over the

incident while laying accusing fingers at each other.

A few months after the altercation, the Ataoja of Osogbo, stepped in and promised to be apolitical and embraced the two political gladiators while ending the rancour between them. The traditional ruler raised a reconciliation panel to appease the aggrieved parties. He also held a meeting with some of his chiefs, and religious leaders on how to resolve the rancour. The committee has since visited the two parties and begged them to sheathe their sword.

The Benjamins

The Oganlas

The Ogilis

Olanipekun Adeleke Basiru

Aladesuru

Who's Backing Mujahid Asari Dokubo?

•Has Ex-Militant Leader Become a State Within The State?

That is the question on everyone’s lips. And there are no answers forthcoming for now. Just when you thought Mujahid Asari Dokubo would forever hold his peace after his recent indictment of the military, there seems to be no end to his swashbuckling. The image of him brandishing and sometimes letting off sporadic shots into the air from an A-K 47 has become all too familiar. Once a supporter of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, Dokubo is now fiercely critical of the man and the organisation he leads. Every act of his is meant to provoke – some of them religiously recorded in video format for wide distribution and viewership especially in this age of social media. Fresh from performing the Hajj in Mecca, one of the latest videos show Dokubo overflowing a blue plastic chair on the balcony of his residence somewhere in the Niger Delta. Down below are hundreds of his private army, militia going through their paces in the rain, as if preparing for combat. Could Asari’s mid-June meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu be a factor in his recent bellicose videos? By

THEWILL

CORRESPONDENTS

Mujahid Asari Dokubo can fill a reporter’s notebook in no time. He has an imposing presence and does not shy away from making provocative utterances –whether against the military, secessionist group IPOB or even a sitting governor. In the space of six weeks, the former Niger Delta militant has taken on all of them at different times.

In mid-June at a press briefing right in the seat of government Abuja, Dokubo level-looked the camera and then finger-pointed the military (Army and Navy) as the major culprits behind oil theft in a region he knows so well. Not long after, he had IPOB on his crosshair blaming them for being behind much of the violence and carnage in the South east. And just about a week or so ago, Dokubo’s target was closer home, this time the governor of his natal state, Siminalayi Fubara whom he openly challenged in another viral video.

What is the source of Dokubo’s strength? What is giving him courage?

An obvious answer to these questions will be his recent meeting and reception by none other President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Aso Villa around mid-June. After a closed-door meeting with PBAT, Dokubo had his time as the sole speaker at a special press briefing right in the presidency, complete with the Coat of Arms in the background.

Most analysts found the coincidence between the COAS’s drill and Dokubo’s boys disturbing. How could both have happened only days apart? What message was the former Niger Delta militant trying to send to the military in particular and Nigerians in general

Aside from that, the former warlord also relies much on the hundreds of supporters at his beck and call in his home turf. And he is quick to let others know how much these young men defer to and support him, a point demonstrated in one such video. Recently returned from performing the Hajj in Saudi Arabia, the video in question shows a number of loyalists in a quasi-military drill while it was drizzling. “Under the rain, under the sun we go follow Alhaji go,” they sang lustily, “under the rain, under the sun we go follow Alhaji go…”

Asari himself was safely ensconced in a blue plastic chair from where he sang in Kalabri to his loyalists down below. In the video, he wore a white round neck over red sweatpants. ”We thank God for keeping us alive,” Dokubo declared from high up .

“Whatever the enemies are planning, they will…” The militia responds with a resounding chorus: “They will fail.” “Whatever the enemies are planning, what should happen?” “They will fail.” “We are here. I think you are seeing me.”

“Yes sir.” “I am not a ghost. I just come from Saudi Arabia...”

Days before in Jos capital of Plateau state, the

Mujahid Asari Dokubo?

Chief of Army Staff Major General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja not only encouraged his troops to stem the tide of violence flowing in the city but also led them in a military exercise. In battle fatigues and showing leadership by example, Lagbaja began by telling them to work hard to stop the carnage.

“Note that you must work and you must work… we must see the result in Plateau,” the COAS exhorted his troops. “This violence must not result…we must stop it and stop it completely once and for all. Is that clear?” “Yes sir.” “Are you ready?” “Yes sir.” “If you have pledged your readiness, I expect this in the action you will take in the field. I wish you the very best. My lines are open. If you have any challenge, any questions, please just send a message. We will respond accordingly. So, all the very best. Thank you.”

General Lagbaja then proceeded to lead his troops in exercise right there on the red earth, averaging 10 – 15 push-ups in a matter of seconds. “Are you ready to go?” The COAS asks once again. “Yes sir.” “Are you good to go?” “Yes sir.”

Most analysts found the coincidence between the COAS’s drill and Dokubo’s boys disturbing. How could both have happened only days apart? What message was the former Niger Delta militant trying to send to the military in particular and Nigerians in general?

The question was hardly out of the lips of Nigerians when another video by Dokubo made it to the public domain. What was it about this time?

Running for some few minutes, it was a stern warning from Dokubo to the sitting governor of Rivers state, Fubara to watch his utterances about the troops, private army under his command. It transpired that Governor Fubara had called on the federal authorities to rein in Dokubo and his private army. Dokubo promptly issued a warning to the number one citizen in his state and then made a video to that effect.

‘’If yanga dey sleep, trouble go come wake am,” Dokubo said of what he took to be Governor Fubara’s meddlesomeness. “Him go collect…If you do anyhow, you see anyhow. Boko Haram will be a child's play. Because we no look for trouble. We dey on our own. We dey even help, e say make we no help. Him dey talk because them rig election put am somewhere.

“Wetin we do Sim? Them rig election. He is in government house. The person wey dey beat that drum with am, make him know the wood when they beat drum sometimes e dey break. We no look for him trouble, make e nor look for our trouble o because if him look for our trouble, him go collect'. Under the constitution of Nigeria, we equal to am. Him nor be anybody. He is just an ordinary citizen just like Dr. Asari.''

Worried about the former militant’s daring, Nigerians have since taken to social media to call him out. Monitored on Linda Ikeji blog, below are some of the responses to Dokubo’s most recent outrage.

“This is what happens when cretins are given

power,” a commentator replied and then wondered: “Shouldn’t Asari be in jail?”

The longest response was posted by a Nigerian lawyer who claimed to have listed ten criminal offences in Dokubo’s possession of firearms and leading a militia. “1.Are all those ammunitions registered and to whom? The last I checked, only police and other armed parastatals can hold AK and they are all registered with a number.

2. Unlawful gathering, while little communities are allowed to set up vigilantes there are strict rules to these and police must be informed of any gatherings aimed at security? Was this reported? 3. Threat to life. He publicly called the governor’s name and made inflammatory remarks that can be legally interpreted as a threat. 4. Terrorism.

Under the terrorism act any gathering that can upset the sovereign of the country is terror. Governors are also protected and terrorism on a state is terrorism to the country. 5. Defamation. He publicly stated that the governor got there by rigging. That is a statement only a tribunal can make after a hearing. 6. Illegal conduct. His conduct is unlawful and can be interpreted as spurring on violence. 7. Disturbing the peace. Again his conduct can threaten peaceful coexistence. 8. Resisting arrest. If truly the governor ordered his outfit be disbanded he is publicly resisting arrest. 9. Insubordination. A governor like it or not is the number one citizen of the state. His status cannot be degraded upon publicly. I'm not a politician just stating legal facts. He is

protected by the constitution and any attempt to undermine that position publicly can legally be interpreted as insubordination. 10. Threat to life. His actions can create anarchy that can lead to loss of lives. Now these confirmed charges are from this videos alone! Not to mention what can be found after an investigation and search warrant. This is totally unacceptable. And a man was arrested commando style and kept in detention for almost two weeks just because he had a double barrel. Joke of a country. Are we still this gullible as a nation to sit and be bystanders as a ticking bomb is counting down still allowing all these? Lawlessness leads to a failed state."

Another pointedly asked: “How can the Nigeria Army, DSS and Police see this boastful criminal called Asari Dockubo and take their faces the other way round? Just yesterday, DSS was showing power, charging Emefiele, the former CBN governor for illegal possession of arms while Asari Dokubo is using even sophisticated guns and threatening the government and its people, threatening a tribe, even threatening a government, insulting the Nigeria Army, threatening a siting governor with guns. In fact, Nigeria Army, DSS and police are cowards, they only have power to maim, arrest and kill innocent Nigerians, shame on our military. They are cowards. Shame to our military, shame shame shame, they are cowards. Na only to arrest or kill the innocent Nigerians they have power, shame.”

JamJami wrote that “Tinubu is hiding behind Rivers state governor to handle Asari and his illegal private army rather than deal with it directly from Abuja. Typical Yoruba mentality. Let's hope that Rivers state will not be on fire because of Tinubu's maneuvers. It's Tinubu's buddy-buddy relation with Asari that is causing all these chaos in Rivers state.”

Another responder confessed that “No be today. My parents lost their home to Asari and the other one who is now a king in Okrika - Ateke Tom. They have the support of many political elite. Their hands are soiled with the blood of the many people they killed for them and the crude they export for them. Na so. Failed state in denial about its failure.”

One other responder couldn’t resist declaring that not restraining Dokubo is the “beginning of the division of Nigeria. Yet Emefiele was arraigned for possession of a Dane gun.”

The former warlord also relies much on the hundreds of supporters at his beck and call in his home turf. And he is quick to let others know how much these young men defer to and support him, a point demonstrated in one such video

Inspirational Super Falcons Defy Odds to Keep World Cup Hopes Alive

BY JUDE OBAFEMI

The Nigerian Super Falcons, a force to be reckoned with in women's football, have a layered history of participation in World Cup tournaments. With a track record of excellence and determination, they have consistently represented Africa on the global stage. As the 2023 Women's World Cup approached, expectations were high for this formidable team, but the journey to the tournament was fraught with conflicts that threatened to derail their preparations.

In the lead-up to the 2023 Women's World Cup, the Super Falcons faced internal challenges, with disputes arising between the team, Coach Randy Waldrum, and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The tension centred around issues of wages, allowances, and match bonuses, leading to uncertainties that cast shadows over their unity and focus. As they navigated these turbulent waters, the resolve and resilience of the players were put to the test. The looming question was whether they could overcome these obstacles and produce the results at the prestigious tournament.

In the midst of conflicts and doubts, the Super Falcons remained undeterred. They rallied around their collective passion for the sport and the

pride of representing their nation. As the Women's World Cup commenced, the Nigerian team exhibited unwavering determination and a spirit that refused to be broken. Despite facing the Olympic champions, Canada, in their opening match, the Super Falcons demonstrated defensive steel and strategic prowess, securing a hard-fought goalless draw that surprised many.

.Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie emerged as the heart of the Super Falcons' defensive efforts in their opening match against Canada. The 22-year-old shot-stopper's exceptional composure and agility were on full display as she put in a player of the match performance.

Despite Olympic champions Canada clearly dominating the game with over two-thirds of possession, Nnadozie stood tall, displaying remarkable composure and agility in the face of relentless attacks. Her defining moment came when she thwarted a penalty taken by veteran Canadian forward, Christine Sinclair, who missed the opportunity to make history as the first person to score at six World Cups.

Nnadozie's crucial saves were instrumental in frustrating the opposition's attempts to score, ensuring Nigeria secured a valuable point in a hardfought 0-0 draw.

In the match against Canada, the Super Falcons displayed a resolute defensive strategy aimed at absorbing pressure and capitalising on counterattacks. While Canada enjoyed over two-

The Super Falcons' triumph at the 2023 Women's World Cup stands as a testament to their strength, unity, and resilience in the face of conflicts and challenges

Waldrum

...Defy Odds to Keep World Cup Hopes Alive

thirds of possession, Nigeria's defence remained steadfast, denying their opponents any opportunity to secure an early victory. The team's ability to hold their ground against a strong adversary demonstrated their determination to succeed on the world stage. The strategy employed by the Super Falcons was textbook adaptability and ability to execute a defensive game plan effectively.

Nigeria's star player, Asisat Oshoala, demonstrated moments of excellence during Nigeria's opener against Canada. As one of the team's key attacking forces, Oshoala's talent and impact on the game remained evident, providing hope for Nigeria's chances in subsequent matches. However, concerns about her fitness raised questions about her ability to maintain peak performance throughout the tournament.

Despite the challenges, Oshoala's contributions to the team were vital, and her moments of brilliance posed a continuous threat to the Canadian defence. It was not prime Oshoala as Nigerians have come to know her in Barcelona's colours, but her presence was a constant threat, keeping the Canadian backline in check and on their toes. However, because she was mostly isolated, she was unable to chalk in a goal.

This changed in their thrilling encounter against Australia, where the Super Falcons secured a stunning 3-2 victory, creating history in the process. The team's unity and determination were on full display as they overcame the co-hosts, leaving the tournament hopes of the Matildas on thin ice. The triumph marked the first-ever victory by any African nation in the current Women's World Cup edition, further solidifying Nigeria's dominance in women's football on the continent. The Super Falcons showcased their ability to rise above the odds and deliver a remarkable performance when it mattered the most.

Facing a home crowd of nearly 50,000 people at Lang Park, Brisbane, the Nigerian ladies knew that a victory would not only secure the possibility of progression to the knockout stages but also etch their names in football history. From the outset, Australia dominated possession and threatened the Nigerian defence with their relentless attacking prowess. The Matildas had 12 shots to three in the first half, controlled possession with a 60-40 advantage, and earned eight corners to Nigeria's one. The pressure on the Super Falcons was immense, but they remained resolute, with Nnadozie

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continuing her impressive form between

As the tension mounted among the home fans, Nigeria seized the advantage with a moment of brilliance. In the 65th minute, Osinachi Ohale displayed remarkable bravery and determination, rising above the Australian defence to head the ball into the net and put Nigeria ahead after Uchenna Kanu had drawn the Super Falcons level just before half-time. Her goal sent shockwaves through the stadium, stunning the Australian supporters and igniting celebrations among the Nigerian contingent. Yet, the Super Falcons knew that their job was not done. The Australian team, driven by the support of their home crowd, continued to press forward, seeking an equaliser. The Nigerian defence, led by Ohale's steadfast organisation and Nnadozie's exceptional shot-stopping abilities, stood firm against the relentless waves of attack.

In the 71st minute, the Nigerian side made history once again. Asisat Oshoala, who had emerged as a substitute in the second half, showed her class in the forward areas. The Barcelona forward exploited a mix-up in the Australian defence and raced past

The Executive, DSS, Rule of Law And Nigeria’s Democracy

rights and freedoms of citizens.

The persistent disregard for court judgments in Nigeria poses a significant threat to the country's democratic governance. Upholding the rule of law is not optional but a fundamental obligation for every government and institution within Nigeria. To preserve democracy and ensure the stability of the nation, it is imperative for the government, security agencies, and all stakeholders to abide by court orders.

Addressing this issue requires a change in the narrative and a commitment from the government to respect the rule of law, human rights, and constitutional authority. The judiciary must remain strong and impartial, and judges must be courageous in uphold-

ing the rule of law without fear of political interference. Government officials, as leaders, must lead by example and show respect for the rule of law to set a positive tone for the rest of society.

Only through such actions can Nigeria regain faith in its judiciary and foster a stable and just democratic system. The rule of law is the bedrock of democracy, and upholding it is crucial for the country's progress, ensuring equal rights, accountability, inclusiveness, and limiting the arbitrary exercise of power. By prioritising the rule of law, Nigeria can pave the way for a better future where citizens' rights are protected, institutions function effectively, and democracy flourishes.

goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold to tap the ball into the net, extending Nigeria's lead to 3-1.

The jubilation among the Super Falcons players was palpable, but they remained focused on protecting their lead. In the dying moments of added time, Alanna Kennedy managed to head home a consolation goal for Australia. Still, it was not enough to halt Nigeria's march towards history.

The final whistle marked a historic moment for African women's football, as Nigeria secured a 3-2 victory, becoming the first African side to win a match at the 2023 Women's World Cup. Their triumph against Australia showcased the team's unwavering determination, tactical acumen, and mental resilience in the face of intense pressure. Beyond the result, the victory held deeper significance for the Super Falcons. It stood as a testament to their ability to rise above internal conflicts and disputes that had threatened to

The unity and camaraderie within the team shone through, reinforcing the importance of collective spirit in achieving success on the grandest stage of women's football.

The Super Falcons' remarkable performance against Australia solidified their position at the top of Group B, ahead of strong contenders like Canada, who had secured a hardfought 2-1 victory against the Republic of Ireland. Looking ahead, Nigeria needs only a draw over the winless Ireland in their final group match to advance to the knockout stage.

As the pride of Africa, the Super Falcons' historic triumph resonated not only within the county but across the entire continent. Their journey in the 2023 Women's World Cup continues to inspire hope and aspirations for women's football in Africa, proving that with unity, resilience, and unwavering determination, African can compete at the highest level and leave a lasting impact on the global footballing stage. SportsLive recalls that leading up to the tournament, the Super Falcons faced conflicts with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over match bonuses. The NFF's decision to cancel their bonuses left the team frustrated, raising concerns about a potential strike during their opening match. The players' determination to seek fair remuneration and recognition for their efforts brought to the forefront the issue of pay disparity in women's football.

Amid this controversy, Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who had backed the Super Falcons via social media throughout the game against Australia, called in the NFF to pay the players in the immediate aftermath of their thrilling victory, tweeting a succinct: "Pay them." Wright's passionate support rallied global attention to the cause, highlighting the need for fair treatment and acknowledgment of women's contributions to the sport.

It also brought to focus the issues that coach Waldrum faced with the NFF as well. The back and forth with the Federation about interference with squad selection, less than optimal preparations and feeble support from the NFF ahead of the competition was a disaster-class in terms of preparedness for the global tournament. Yet, Waldrum's coaching and tactical acumen have been on full display.

Ohale

Nnadozie Kanu

The Executive, DSS, Rule of Law And Nigeria’s Democracy

Nigeria's democratic governance is principally built on the foundation of the rule of law, where adherence to court orders is essential for a functional democratic society. However, the country has witnessed an alarming streak of lawlessness, as successive governments have persistently flouted court orders, jeopardising the sanctity of the judicial system and the very essence of democracy. There are numerous instances where the executive arm of government (State and Federal) have flagrantly ignored orders made by competent courts but of all of these, there are two prominent cases that exemplify this dangerous trend – the case of Nnamdi Kanu and the travails of Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Under the Muhammadu Buhari Administration, Nnamdi Kanu, the pro-Biafra separatist leader and the Director of Radio Biafra, faced a series of legal battles. In 2015, he was arrested by Nigerian security forces on charges of treasonable felony and operating an illegal broadcasting station. Despite court rulings in his favour, the government continuously disregarded these judgments, leading to his prolonged detention and creating a climate of lawlessness.

One significant incident that garnered international attention was Kanu's re-arrest in Kenya in 2021 after fleeing the country. The Nigerian Government accused him of jumping bail and engaging in activities that threatened national security. However, Kanu argued that his re-arrest violated the terms of his bail and was politically motivated. This blatant disregard for court orders cast a shadow over the Nigerian judiciary and raised concerns about the erosion of the rule of law.

Despite various court orders granting Kanu bail and allowing him to travel abroad for medical treatment, the government repeatedly violated these orders. The persistent flouting of court judgments in Kanu's case sparked protests within and outside Nigeria, particularly amongst the Igbo community, with human rights organisations and legal experts condemning the government's actions.

Regrettably, the flouting of court orders continues under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu, even if it is still early days. Despite the change in leadership, the case of Nnamdi Kanu has not been properly resolved, reflecting a dangerous disregard for constitutional authority and the rule of law. This recurring theme of disrespect for court orders presents a significant challenge to Nigeria's democracy and threatens the trust of its citizens in the judicial system.

Furthermore, the case of Kanu is just one example of a broader trend of government officials and security agencies disregarding court orders. Instances of disobedience to court orders have become disturbingly common in Nigeria, with prominent persons, security agencies like the DSS and the military all exhibiting a culture of lawlessness. This consistent disobedience erodes public trust in the judiciary and sets a dangerous precedent for the entire society.

The consequences of such actions are far-reaching. The judiciary's authority is weakened, leading to a loss of confidence in the rule of law. Citizens' rights are compromised as court judgments, meant to

protect their rights and freedoms, are ignored by those in power. This situation not only undermines the principles of democracy but also fosters a culture of impunity and irresponsibility among government officials and security agencies.

Godwin Emefiele, a prominent figure in the financial sector, served as the Governor of the Central Bank

Since June, following his suspension, Emefiele has lost his right to freedom and liberty. His detention by the DSS raised concerns about the misuse of security agencies for political purposes and the disregard for due process. Many believe that the charges brought against him were politically motivated and aimed at punishing him for some of his actions as CBN governor. Till date, despite the very serious alleged infractions claimed by the DSS against Emefiele, it has only managed to charge him for allegedly possessing a made shotgun and cartridges without a license.

Emefiele's detention by the DSS, despite the order of a High Court blocking his arrest, was protracted, lasting for more than six weeks without any formal charges brought against him. This prolonged detention without trial raised alarm bells about the violation of his fundamental human rights, including the right to a fair trial and due process.

Subsequent court orders for his release have been ignored by the DSS, including the latest order by Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, leading to an embarrassing standoff between armed officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service and armed DSS officers.

The incident further highlighted the DSS's blatant disregard for court orders and the rule of law. It sent a chilling message about the impunity with which security agencies were willing to operate and the vulnerability of the judiciary in the face of such lawlessness. The continued disregard of court orders poses a significant threat to Nigeria's democracy. In fact, it undermines the judiciary and democracy and raises concerns about the abuse of power by security agencies. There must be strict adherence to due process, and individuals facing legal charges should be accorded their fundamental human rights, including the right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Moreover, there should be accountability for those who violate court orders and undermine the rule of law.

of Nigeria (CBN) from June 2014 to June 2023 until his suspension by President Tinubu and subsequent arrest and detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations of economic sabotage and terrorism financing, indictments the agency has so far been unable to formally charge Emefiele with before a competent court.

Emefiele’s tenure as the head of the country's apex bank was marked by numerous challenges, including economic reforms and efforts to stabilise the nation's currency. However, his time in office was not without controversy with his sensational attempt to run for president and the currency redesign policy standing out as one of the most controversial decisions. His continued incarceration by the DSS has been fraught with legal challenges that have raised concerns about the rule of law in Nigeria.

During Emefiele's tenure as CBN Governor, he implemented various policies aimed at addressing economic challenges and stabilising the national currency. Some of these policies, such as the redesigning of the Naira notes to curb counterfeiting, vote buying and illegal activities, were met with resistance and criticism from some quarters.

Independent oversight mechanisms should be put in place to monitor the conduct of security agencies and ensure that they operate within the confines of the law. The case of Emefiele serves as a critical test for Nigeria's commitment to democracy and the rule of law. It is an opportunity for the nation to reaffirm its dedication to upholding constitutional authority, protecting citizens' rights, and ensuring that no one is above the law, regardless of their position or influence. Only through such steadfast commitment can Nigeria build a just and democratic society that respects the rule of law and safeguards the rights and freedoms of all its citizens.

In a democratic society, the rule of law forms the bedrock of governance, ensuring that all individuals, including government officials, are subject to and bound by the law. Central to upholding the rule of law is the obligation to abide by court judgments. When court orders are ignored or flouted by the State, it undermines the very foundation of democracy, eroding public trust in the judiciary and jeopardising the fundamental

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Regrettably, the flouting of court orders continues under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu, even if it is still early days. Despite the change in leadership, the case of Nnamdi Kanu has not been properly resolved, reflecting a dangerous disregard for constitutional authority and the rule of law.