THEWILL NEWSPAPER June 18, 2023

This week our cover story centres on cryptocurrency. This digital currency is becoming more and more popular.

I remember meeting a lady at a digital event, and she offered to educate me on how to trade with cryptocurrency. I didn’t trust it, and might I say that was the last time I discussed it until our TOC (table of content) meeting for this issue. We highlight all you need to know about cryptocurrency in this week’s pages 8 through 10.

It’s Father’s Day today. The one day set apart to show dad how much you love and appreciate him for all the sacrifices he makes, so we share a simple lunch recipe you can cook for him to say, ‘Thank you for everything.’

We have all heard that sexual appetite reduces as we age, but how can you keep it spicy in the bedroom when you get to that age? Downtown Confidential highlights ways in which you can maintain a healthy sex life when you get to your golden years.

It’s not easy being a single dad. They have to consider everything from parenting strategies to introducing their kids to a love interest. Whether they are joining a focus group or reading about what to do, the job of a single dad is tasking.

See page 6 for a single dad’s guide on navigating between love and bringing up children the right way.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

OnahNwachukwu Editor, THEWILL DOWNTOWN

THEWILLNIGERIA

THEWILLNG THEWILLNIGERIA

NIGERIA

COVER

BY SAM DIALA

It is no longer news that former President Muhammadu Buhari left office on May 29, 2023, after eight years, without delivering the national carrier or flag carrier, as some persons describe it, Nigeria Air. The carrier was among his many unfulfilled promises which left citizens bemused after placing a huge trust in him.

What is more worrying, however, is the rot and impunity that characterised the obviously questionable multi-billion Naira carrier project. Moreover, events at the twilight of Buhari’s exit saw bewildered Nigerians boil with anger and despair over what seemed an unwavering determination to scam the people.

Before assuming office, Buhari had indicated interest in bringing back the national carrier, Nigeria Airways, earlier liquidated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003 after 45 years of operation. Among Buhari’s campaign promises in the 2015 presidential election was the restoration of the national carrier, which was not considered wise and feasible by well-meaning Nigerians. But the “visioner” would not see the merit in any voice raised against the controversial project.

ULTERIOR MOTIVE BETRAYED

The missteps in the take-off was sufficient evidence that raising a new national carrier from the carcass of the demised Nigeria Airways was a mere flying

idea in the sky. It, however, betrayed the Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, as a public servant on a mission of ulterior motive, given subsequent developments. He demonstrated to Nigerians, from the outset, that he was flying into a thick cloud that covered integrity.

From the outset, Sirika pursued the project in a manner that suggested his priority for a personal carrier over a national carrier. He committed humongous public resources to the Nigeria Air project in the most unconscionable manner.

The project was greeted with public outcry over the outsourcing of the Nigeria Air logo to a Bahraini company by the government at an allegedly outrageous sum despite the abundance of similar service providers in the country. But this did not cause Buhari’s aviation minister to do a rethink.

There were claims that the logo design contract was worth $600,000 (N183 million), which the government denied without providing an alternative figure. Coupled with the huge expenses incurred in freighting a large contingent of government officials and other Nigerians to the Farnborough Fair in the UK in 2018, for a mere unveiling of the national carrier, it was obvious that the project was billed to thrive more on controversy than in reality.

THE EMPTY SHOW

At the July 2018 Farnborough Air Show in London,

the United Kingdom (UK), Senator Sirika announced plans to launch the national carrier within six months.

The airline, he said, would fly to 80 different destinations and would have a fleet of 30 aircraft. The Federal Government had earlier unveiled Nigeria Air as the name of the new national carrier scheduled to take off in December 2018 with a logo encompassing the flowing green-white-and- green ribbon.

According to Sirika, the new airline was planned to have a white livery with the national flag ribbon around its aircraft and also have as the slogan: Bringing Nigeria Closer to the World. The elaborate Farnborough event pointed to the government's renewed effort in recreating a national airline for the country.

Sirika said he would also explore every opportunity available at the Air Show, an event that brings the biggest and the best in the industry, to attract more prospective investors into the Nigerian aviation environment. This was based on ongoing plans at the time to establish a Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Nigeria, concession some airports in the country and execute other components of the Aviation Roadmap which Buhari’s government had launched at its inception with Sirika in the driver’s seat.

...Project Dogged by Rot, Scam, Impunity

BROKEN WINGS SET IN

Incidentally, the proposed airline, which was expected to gulp $8.8 million in preliminary cost and $300 million as takeoff cost, had to be suspended. This followed the discovery that no budgetary provision had been made for the venture. Concerns were also raised over the project’s relevance and sustainability, given the economic reality at the time. This became more worrying when the aviation minister himself announced, two weeks after the unveiling, that the Nigeria Air project had been postponed indefinitely. This unexpected development opened a new chapter of controversy.

This was compounded by the controversy that ensued between Sirika and information and culture minister, Lai Mohammed, over the actual reason for suspending the national carrier before the December 2018 take-off date.

Addressing journalists at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, Mohammed had revealed that investors, who were supposed to partner with the government on the project, eventually backed out.

“If the understanding of government at the beginning was that the project might be self-financing or the project would be financed by investors and you think that such a project can no longer be sponsored by investors, either because they are not forthcoming or such venture can no longer be viable, the government is at the discretion to take a decision.

“The position of the government in business is to provide the enabling environment and it is not to become the sole source of finance or funding and in addition, there is much more than funding in trying to get our national carrier. So, the Federal Government thinks this thing should be stepped down now until we get a better funding structure,” Lai Mohamed said during the official opening of LSG Sky Chefs, an in-flight catering facility, in Lagos.

Countering Mohammed, Sirika, then Minister of State for Aviation, said it was untrue that the Nigeria Air project was suspended over lack of investors. In a statement issued on his behalf by James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Media and Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, Sirika said a number of “wellgrounded” investors were ready to key into the project.

The minister’s comment thus contradicted that of Mohammed, his information counterpart, that investors who were supposed to partner with the government on the project were no longer forthcoming.

“The Office of the Honourable Minister of State for Aviation has noted, with consternation, various opinions, comments and observations in the media regarding the status and the reasons for8 the recent suspension of the processes leading to the establishment of a Nigerian national carrier.”

“Among the reasons being bandied around for its suspension, especially in the social media, is the absence of interested and ready investors. This couldn’t be farther from the truth, as the national carrier project has an avalanche of well-grounded and ready investors”, the statement read.

This suggests that while Sirika was announcing the fantastically optimistic plan of a national carrier to the international community, the nation had no concrete plan on ground to actualise it. That anomaly consequently launched the project on the inevitable ‘Uncertainty Expressway’ where it sojourned till the end of the Buhari administration. But a huge chunk of the taxpayers’ money had been invested in Nigeria Air - a project that has remained an idea in the skies.

ENTER MISGIVINGS

Well-meaning Nigerians thereafter reinforced their attention to the defunct carrier, Nigeria Airways, which collapsed due to corruption and poor management, and warned against the new national carrier towing that path. But the Federal Government had dismissed all concerns raised, insisting that the airline would begin operation before the end of 2018, following former President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise to establish a national airline during his 2015 electioneering campaign.

The President of Aviation Round Table (ART), Elder Gabriel Olowo, in January 2019 criticised the Federal Government for earmarking N8.5 billion for the suspended national carrier project, Nigeria Air, in the 2019 budget proposal to the National Assembly. He also took a swipe at the government for setting aside the sum of N500 million for Transaction Advisers in the budget.

Olowo observed that if allocated to technical professionals in the country, a little of such a large sum of money would give the government appropriate advice on how to go about the floating of a befitting national carrier for Nigerians.

Speaking at the public presentation of a book titled: ‘The Learned Commander,’ authored by Captain Dele Ore, the former president of ART and a former Director of Operations at the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways, Olowo urged the government to source for consultants locally from professionals in the sector on how to re-establish a new national airline for Nigeria.

He said: “I read somewhere that the Federal Government proposed another N8.5 billion for the establishment of a new national carrier for Nigeria in the 2019 budget proposal to the National Assembly. Out of this money, N500 million was set aside for Transaction Advisers.

“If you give N500 million to people like Dele Ore and co, they will advise you on how to have a befitting national carrier. However, ART as a body will continue to fight for the interest of the former staff of Nigeria Airways. We will continue to drum it to the ears of the government that what is due to them is paid.”

arrival of the ‘Nigeria Air’ 72 hours to the tenure-end of the Buhari-led government

WHERE IS ‘NIGERIA AIR’?

Amid the reinforced public outcry, the Federal Government showed a renewed determination to wooing investors and foreign airlines to take out stakes in the venture. In April 2022, former Virgin Nigeria Airways boss Captain Dapo Olumide was named as the interim managing director of Nigeria Air as plans to float the new airline with Qatar Airways as a major stakeholder.

On June 6, 2022, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) presented Nigeria Air with its Air Transport Licence (ATL) in a development that will make the airline a legal entity. Receiving the certificate, Captain Olumide lamented the fact that it was very difficult to get the aircraft at the moment, attributing this to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation sector globally, among other factors.

He, however, stated that efforts were ongoing to get all the aircraft, as this was a basic requirement by the NCAA before the issuance of another vital certificate.

Captain Musa Nuhu, the NCAA Director-General, presented the ATL to Nigeria Air which he signed, saying it would run for a period of five years from June 3, 2022 to June 2, 2027.

An ATL is issued as authorisation to airlines to provide scheduled and non-scheduled services. It is one of the licences received by airlines before they can commence operations, just as they await the all-important Air Operator Certificate that fully guarantees them the right to begin air services.

Captain Olumide added: “The aircraft are available, but there are all sorts of issues because this is the summer peak period and as you know, postCOVID-19, all the aircraft were parked in the desert. The airlines are bringing them out slowly, but it takes time to bring an aircraft out of storage.

“Then, there are further complications as a lot of flights in Europe are being cancelled or delayed because most people were laid off during the COVID-19 lockdown and they don’t have enough staff in the airports to turn around flights. So there are lots of cancellations going on.

“It is very difficult to get the aircraft, but we have discussions going on with original equipment manufacturers and we are just waiting for the right terms of the agreement. We already have the aircraft identified because that is one of the requirements for the NCAA, but we are just trying to perfect titles and so on.” Yet, most Nigerians remained unconvinced.

Despite the acquisition of its Air Transport Licence (ATL) from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCCA), there were indications that Nigeria Air might eventually not take off at all under the Buhariled government because of the faulty foundation.

Yet, the government changed gear by announcing July 2022 as the new date to start operations. The target, it was learnt, was to bring in the first out of the three wet-leased aircraft for the airline in June. But nothing was on ground to justify an optimistic stance for the near future. In addition, its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), which would enable it to commence as a scheduled operator, was not issued.

TOUGH-MINDED OPTIMISM?

Recent reports raised concerns over the failure of the Nigeria Air project to take off after gulping N14.6 billion in four years, “under 5 percent government’s equity as consultants and stakeholders disagreed on prospects of the new airline.”

As Buhari’s tenure-end approached, Sirika intensified efforts to make his dream of Nigeria Air a reality before leaving office. The opaqueness in the deal with Ethiopian Airlines took the matter to a different

To pave the way for the arrival of the aircraft bearing the questionable Nigeria Air logo in Abuja a few days ahead of the inauguration of the new government, Sirika embarked on massive demolition of structures, both physical and organisational. He sacked the executives of strategic aviation agencies in a bid to push through the

...Project Dogged by Rot, Scam, Impunity

dimension as stakeholders and experts condemned the deal that was lacking in transparency.

Sensing a serious threat to Nigeria’s aviation industry, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) went to court to secure an order to stop the Air Nigeria/Ethiopia Airline deal. But the move did not prevent Sirika from flying ahead.

INDIGENOUS PLAYERS ACT

In a press statement entitled “Nigeria Air: Recent So-called Flight Inauguration and AON Concern”, signed by the group’s spokesperson, Prof Obiora Okwonkwo, the AON condemned the desperation in Sirika’s blood to inaugurate an ill-conceived airline that had not been licensed to commence air operation.

“Nigeria Air has not been issued with an Air Operators Certificate (AOC) by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which is the legal authority for the issuance of such certificate and as such, cannot conduct flight operations,” AOC said in a statement seen by THEWILL.

“As indigenous operators, we are happy and grateful to the NCAA for saving us from this punishment by resisting the pressure from Minister Hadi Sirika to grant an AOC to Nigeria Air without going through the due process.

“The Ministerial Committee on the Establishment of a National Carrier recommended the establishment of a National Carrier that is private sector-driven with minimum8 government involvement.

“That was jettisoned by the Minister who is the person doing everything from designing the logo, unveiling it at the Farnborough Air Show in the UK, establishing the company, providing offices etc, while the so-called private investors are saying and doing nothing,” AON stated.

However, Sirika, said that the Federal Government was going ahead with establishing a national carrier, despite the subsisting suit challenging the project.

During a stakeholders’ appreciation forum for the reconstruction of Lagos airport runway 18L, Sirika insisted that aviation stakeholders and unions had sufficient time to participate in the process and could not “stall the project with legal suits”.

He said he did not see the possibility that any court of competent jurisdiction would erect a roadblock to the emergence of the national carrier.

Sirika said he personally and individually engaged indigenous carriers to participate in the project, including Air Peace, Azman Air and Max Air, but they turned down the invitation because it was not formal.

Most stakeholders contacted by THEWILL through phone calls, text and WhatsApp messages did not respond. These include the spokespersons of the Aviation Ministry, Seyi Tola; NCAA, Sam Adurugboye, and Ibom Air, Annie Esienette, respectively.

A highly respected Aviation expert, who requested not to be named, told this newspaper that Sirika pushed ahead with the Ethiopian Airline deal because AON was not a registered legal entity and that not all the indigenous airline owners, such as Ibom Air and Aero, are members of the group.

When contacted, media aide to Okonkwo, AchileusChud Uchegbu, said Sirika should have honoured the court invitation and used the opportunity to defend himself.

To pave the way for the arrival of the aircraft bearing the questionable Nigeria Air logo in Abuja a few days ahead of the inauguration of the new government,

Sirika embarked on massive demolition of structures, both physical and organisational. He sacked the executives of strategic aviation agencies in a bid to push through the arrival of the ‘Nigeria Air’ 72 hours to the tenure-end of the Buhari-led government.

Media reports have confirmed that the aircraft was indeed an Ethiopian Airlines vessel re-painted and presented to Nigerians as truly Nigeria Air.

“Ethiopian Airlines knows that the aircraft it landed in Abuja on Friday, May 26, 2023, does not belong to Nigeria Air and is not registered in Nigeria as required by Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations. The question is: Would Ethiopia allow a Nigerian airline to brazenly flout the orders of an Ethiopian court or violate the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Regulations as it did in Abuja on Friday, May 26?

“This goes to show that Ethiopian Airline Operators have no iota of respect for our country, our laws, and

Ethiopian Airlines knows that the aircraft it landed in Abuja on Friday, May 26, 2023, does not belong to Nigeria Air and is not registered in Nigeria as required by Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations. The question is: Would Ethiopia allow a Nigerian airline to brazenly fout the orders of an Ethiopian court or violate the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Regulations as it did in Abuja on Friday, May 26?

regulatory agencies. It is our hope that Ethiopian Airlines does not get away with this disrespectful action,” AON said in their statement.

At the House of Representatives where the lawmakers were investigating the controversial Nigeria Air “delivered by Sirika” 72 hours to his exit, the Managing Director of Nigeria Air, Captain Olumide, told the lawmakers that the Ethiopian plane was brought to Nigeria to show what the Nigeria Air plane would look like.

NIGERIA AIR AT LARGE

Sirika in a recent interview on Arise News TV, said Air Peace lacked the capacity to operate the routes approved for it by the Aviation authorities, an allegation Air Peace debunked, stating that they had more than the capacity – both in infrastructure and human capital.

In response, Air Peace said, “We watched with dismay the interview granted by former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika to Arise TV on Sunday, June 11, 2023, where he made spurious claims about Air Peace, Nigeria's foremost airline.

“Air Peace deems it absolutely necessary to debunk these false assertions.

‘First, Sirika, in his bid to denigrate Air Peace while praising Ethiopian Airline, stated that we leased 'two’ Boeing 777 aircraft on a monthly lease fee of $250,000, parked the aircraft for several months and incurred losses of $19 million while all the aircraft engines and landing gears became due for replacement when we were ready to fly. He went on to ask, ‘who does that?’

“This is a blatant lie as we have three and not two Boeing 777 aircraft which were never leased or rented, but were purchased outright by the airline.

“Air peace never incurred such a loss. We never paid rentals, contrary to his lies. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) can attest to the purchase and ownership of the Aircraft by Air peace.

“We implore the general public to disregard these lies told by the former minister of Aviation against Air Peace during the Arise TV Interview”, the airline said in a statement.

Immigration Declares State of Emergency on Passport

In a renewed commitment to resolve the challenges facing Nigerians seeking to obtain passports, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has declared a state of emergency on passport issues in the country.

A statement issued on Friday, by the Comptroller in charge of Media and Publicity, Tony Akuneme, said the Acting Comptroller-General of NIS, Mrs Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, declared the emergency in Lagos after undertaking a working visit to various offices and centres in Lagos.

Tinubu Gives OSGF Approval to Dissolve Management, Boards of Agencies, Parastatals

BY AYO ESAN

President Bola Tinubu has given the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) the go-ahead to dissolve the Management and Boards of federal government agencies and parastatals. Multiple senior government sources with knowledge of the development, told THEWILL on Friday, that the shake up will affect all political appointments made by the outgone Muhammadu Buhari administration.

NIS Revisits Non-adherence to Executive Order on Engineering

"A formal announcement is imminent... It will happen in days, not even a week. It will be made public any moment from now. The highest ranking civil servant will temporarily supervise the various agencies, pending the announcement of a new Management and Board", one of the sources said anonymously.

THEWILL reports that the dissolution will allow President Tinubu, who assumed office on May 29, 2023, make his own appointments and further consolidate his grip on power.

...Meets Asari Dokubo at Aso Villa

President Bola Tinubu on Friday, at the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja, met with a former Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo.

The meeting follows President Tinubu's recent commitment to combatting crude oil theft in the country.

In line with this promise, he has previously met with other influential figures from the region including Chief Timi Alaibe, the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and Dr Dakuku Peterside, the former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

During a recent gathering with the country's security chiefs, President Tinubu emphasised his zero-tolerance stance towards oil theft.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Dokubo, alleged that 99 percent of oil theft and bunkering in the Niger Delta region were carried out by the Nigerian military, specifically the Army and the Navy.

According to him, even if one billion contracts were awarded to everybody in the Niger Delta to stop the menaces, it will not work because the kingpins are fully armed by the military.

His words: “The Army and the Navy intimidate the Civil Defence, who are by status, the people who are supposed to guard these pipelines.

“They receive a lot of money from NNPC, PCL and the IOCs and just across the corner, you will see a houseboat a few meters from the House boat, you will see an oil bunkering refinery or tapping directly from oil well ends.

“It is very pathetic now. What is happening in the Niger Delta in the past eight years was unprecedented in the history of oil production anywhere in the world.

“The vandals do not only attack the pipelines, they have migrated from the pipeline and have gone directly to the oil well heads and they take directly from the oil well heads. They set up haphazard facilities they call local refinery, artisan refinery. This is crime against humanity, because the livelihood of the people is being totally destroyed.

“The livelihood of the people is totally destroyed. And every meter you see a Naval house boat or an Army house boat stationed.

“So the main culprit are the Army and the Navy. And there are notorious Naval commanders who are known to be kingpins of these bunkering activities.

BY DAVID OWEI

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Rivers State Command, has reiterated the need for companies and organisations to respect the Executive Order on Engineering in order to give enough work space and employment to Nigerians, thereby ensuring that NonNigerians do not get involved in jobs or employment meant for skilled Nigerians with required certification.

According to the NIS, the ‘Executive Order Five’ signed into law by former President Muhammed Buhari in 2018, aimed at promoting science, technology acquisition and participation of local firms in government procurement activities, including tiling, laying of interlocks, block laying and other ancillary works that locals can perform excellently and perfectly.

The Nigeria Immigration Service, Rivers State Command, Comptroller James Sunday, PCC in a meeting with journalists on Thursday as the Command prepared for a one-day Stakeholders meeting with companies that have approved expatriate quota grants, business permits and employers of labour in the state, to sensitise them on liberal and investment driven services spearheaded by the Nigeria Immigration Service Rivers State Command under the watch of Comptroller James Sunday.

Over 100 companies are expected to attend the one day workshop in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He also pointed out that occupation of work spaces meant for Nigerians must be restricted in line with the Executive Order on Engineering and should be given full interpretation without any ambiguity to get Nigerians engaged and absorbed into work places in Nigeria, thereby reducing the tendencies for the employable youths to want to Japa among others and to occupy paid jobs that will improve their living standards and welfare.

The statement reads in part: “The Ag. CGI’s visit to Lagos encompassed significant events that underscored the gravity of the Passport crisis.

“She inaugurated a state-of-the-art Visa on Arrival Lounge at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, demonstrating her commitment to improving the overall travel experience for visitors entering Nigeria.

“Following this, she paid an unscheduled visit to the Alausa Passport office to assess the situation firsthand.

“In her address, Ag. CGI Adepoju emphasised the need to dismantle all man-made bottlenecks that impede the Passport application process.

“She stressed that the NIS top management is fully committed to addressing institutional and technology-based drawbacks to ensure a more efficient and streamlined service delivery.

“Recognising the importance of collaboration and community engagement, the Ag. CGI embarked on a grassroots sensitisation initiative targeting traditional rulers.

“She commenced this effort with a visit to the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, seeking the cooperation of traditional rulers in raising awareness about the menace of human trafficking and initiating joint efforts to combat this grave issue.

“The state of emergency declaration on Passport issues signifies the renewed commitment of NIS to resolving the challenges faced by Nigerians seeking to obtain passports.

“It represents a call to action for all stakeholders to prioritise efficiency, transparency, and excellence in service delivery.

“Ag. CGI Adepoju had earlier directed all Passport Control Officers, relevant units and personnel within the NIS including our Missions abroad, to work tirelessly towards eliminating all hindrances preventing Nigerians from accessing Passports promptly.

“The NIS is leveraging technology and instituting robust administrative measures to enhance the Passport application and issuance process.

“The Ag. CGI urges all Nigerians to remain patient and cooperate with the NIS as it takes decisive steps to address the Passport crisis. She assures the public that efforts are being made to ensure that every eligible Nigerian who requires a Passport can obtain one in a timely manner.”

L-R: Former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba; Governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodimma and outgoing President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mallam Mustapha Isa, at the NGE National Biennial Convention 2023 in Owerri, Imo State on June 16, 2023.

EFCC: CSOs, Lawyer Praise Tinubu Over Bawa’s Suspension

Some activists have described the indefinite suspension of the Chairman of Economic and Finance Crime Commission (EFCC) Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa as right step aimed at giving the anti-graft agency the desired credence.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, suspended Bawa indefinitely to allow for a thorough investigation into his conduct while in office following “weighty allegations ” of abuse of office against him.

The Chairman, Partners for Electoral Reform, a Civil Society Organisation, Organisation, Chief Ezenwa Nwagwu, said the suspension was a brilliant posture by Tinubu.

“It is as an inspiring departure from the past where public officials with corruption allegations continue in office without a whimper from the oversight authorities.

“The reputational challenge it foist portray the government as lame and ineffective, indeed subverts its advertised objective of fighting corruption.

“It’s a brilliant posture by President

Tinubu. We hope he keeps it up,” he said. Also, Hamzat Lawal, an activist and Chief Executive, Connected Development (CODE) said the suspension of Bawa was in order.

“President Bola Tinubu’s action is timely.

I urge the president to immediately order for a holistic investigation of all the actions carried out under Bawa.

“Under him, the EFCC had become a toothless bulldog running after he socalled ‘Yahoo boys’ and ignoring those who have committed monumental economic sabotage against our nation.

“Of course, tackling cybercrime is commendable but Bawa looked the other way as officials of government raided Nigeria’s treasury with reckless abandon,” the CODE Executive alleged. A constitutional lawyer, Mr Adeniyi Adegbite, said the President was on sound legal footing in suspending the EFCC chairman upon such weighty allegations of financial improprieties as well as other misconducts and abuse of office.

According to him, his suspension is to allow for thorough and unhindered investigation into the weighty allegations leveled against him.

NGO Empowers Adolescents in Schools to Speak up Against Sexual Abuse

The Comprehensive Life Skills and Health Education (CLHE) has empowered adolescents in schools to speak up against sexual abuse and other violent acts.

Mrs Elizabeth Abimbola, Regional Coordinator, Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), SouthWest, made this known on Wednesday at the CLHE Graduation ceremony held at Oladipo Alayande School of Science, Ibadan.

Abimbola said that over 60 per cent of the Nigerian population was made up of adolescents and young people. According to her, it ranges from unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, sexually transmitted infections, gender-based violence, genital mutilation, personality issues, among others.

Abimbola said that CLHE was the replacement for the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) manual taught in schools, but was found not sufficient.

Anti-corruption Crusaders Condemn Senate’s Attempt to Whittle Down ICPC Chair’s Power

Some anti-corruption crusaders have urged Nigerians to reject the bill passed by the Senate to whittle down the power of the chairman of ICPC.

They also urged President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent on the amended bill.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the senate had on June 4, passed a bill to amend the law establishing the ICPC, which steeply cuts down on the power of the commission’s chairperson.

Speaking in separate interviews, with NAN, they posited that signing the bill into law would undermine the war against corruption in the country.

An anti-corruption crusader, and former Executive Secretary, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption. Prof Sadiq Radda, said that passage of the bill was an issue of corruption fighting back

“My take is that Nigeria should reject it; it is corruption fighting back, most of these legislators are not happy with ICPC because it is doing an excellent job.

“The implication is that ICPC cannot perform as it is performing and Nigerians should know that is very dangerous.

“It is our duty as academics, anti-corruption agencies, as media to help anti-corruption agencies to be very strong. “

Radda, from the Department of Sociology, Bayero University Kano, said that instead of whittling down the power, efforts should be made to strengthen the office of the chairman to be independent and vibrant

“We have a problem. So we should reject what the National Assembly is doing. We should give protection to all anti-corruption agencies because they are doing a wonderful job,” he said.

Similarly, Prof. Sola Akinrinade, former Vice Chancellor of Osun State University, faulted the procedure of the bill and said that it would not serve a good purpose in the anticorruption war.

Hamzat Lawal, Chief Executive of CODE, said,”It would be a shame to water down the powers of the chairman, what we need is an institutional framework to strengthen the operation of the ICPC in the fight against corruption.

Institute

Inaugurates 12-man Governing Council

The Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) has been inaugurated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 12-member council, chaired by Chief Emmanuel Olabode-Afolayan, was inaugurated on Friday in Abuja.

Members include Mr Tunji Aritomo as Vice-Chairman, President of CIPMN, Prince Akinnola Babalola, Mr Shanu Ayuba, Vice-President I, and Mr Kingsley Ohia, Vice-President II.

Others are Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma, North West Coordinator, Alhaji Bala Barde, North East, Mr Robo Akpami, North Central, and Dr Sally William-Chinedu,

South East coordinator.

The rest are, Dr O.K. Bakinson, South West, Mr Imoh Usoro, South South, and Mr Henry Ifeanyi-Mbadiwe, the Secretary and Registrar of the council.

In his remarks, Babalola, the president of the institute, expressed appreciation to former President Muhammadu Buhari and officials of the Ministry of Trade and Investment for their support.

According to Babalola, there is only one legally constituted leadership of CIPMN recognised by Federal Government and the ministry.

He called on the general public to beware of impostors currently parading as chairman and president of the institute.

“It is being affected by religious, social and cultural factors among parents, adolescents and teachers in the community.

“There were lots of resistance and misconceptions over the topics among parents and guardians, teachers and the general population.

“PPFN, therefore, reviewed the manual and upgraded it to Comprehensive Life Skills and Health Education (CLHE), which comprises seven modules.

“The new manual is being piloted in FCT, Oyo and Kaduna States. The programme is Comprehensive Life Skills and Health Education (CLHE) sponsored by PPFN, in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Education (OSMOE),” she said.

Abimbola said that the programme was aimed at creating awareness and teaching the correct, age-appropriate information and quality services on sexual reproductive health and rights among adolescents in schools and out of schools.

“If the lawmakers’ hands are clean they have no reason to be afraid of the operation of the ICPC, the commission has been doing a great job under the present leadership.

“If it has been passed, I call on Mr President to withhold assent to the bill. ”

A constitutional lawyer, Adegbite Adeniyi, however, said that the amendment has its positive sides.

”For instance, it will encourage and engender robust discussions by the commission before sensitive and far-reaching decisions are taken. This will prevent or at least reduce hasty and or arbitrary use of power by the chairman.”

He, however, posited that this may slow down the speed of actions expected as the chairman needs consultation with the board of the Commission before taking some sensitive decisions.

He also expressed reservation about the Bill, especially the provision of the new Section 22(3) which alters the seven years jail term and a fine of one million naira hitherto specified for bribery or official corruption.

L-R: National Coordinator and Head of strategy, REVAMP Africa, Chizoba Ezirim; Principal, Estate Senior Grammar School, Ilupeju, Olurotimi Joseph   Director, REVAMP Africa, Mr. Kelechi Anyalechi; Public Affairs Specialist, Nestlé Nigeria, Edidiong Peters and Corporate Communications Specialist, Nestlé Nigeria, Bola Audu, during Nestlé Nigeria volunteers mentoring of 12,000 students in JSS2, SS1 and SS2 classes in twenty-three public secondary schools across Nigeria in Lagos on June 16, 2023.

Photo: Peace Udugba

POLITICS

Akpabio

Setting Agenda For 10th National Assembly

BY AYO ESAN

The 10th National Assembly was inaugurated last Tuesday. Immediately after the inauguration, both chambers of the National Assembly elected their presiding officers.

The election was a climax of politicking and intrigue that the contest had generated. In the end, a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was elected as the Senate President of the 10th Assembly.

The Clerk of the National Assembly declared Akpabio as the Senate President, having scored 63 votes. His rival, Senator Abdulaeez Yari, got 46 votes.

The lawmaker representing Kano North Senatorial District, Barau Jibrin, emerged as the Deputy President of the 10th Senate. He was elected unopposed.

Both Akpabio and Barau had the support of President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Also in the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abass and Hon. Benjamin Kalu were elected as Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively.

It was a three-horse race and the House adopted an open ballot system where the members mentioned the names of their choice candidates for the offices.

While Abbas polled a total number of 353 to beat his rivals in the persons of the immediate past deputy speaker of the 9th House, Hon. Idris Wase and a former Chairman of the House Committee on National Intelligence, Aminu Jaji, who scored three votes each, Kalu was elected unopposed. Setting the tone for the legislative agenda of the 10th National Assembly, Akpabio said, “We shall, therefore, further strengthen the legislative space in continuation of the laudable efforts made by the 9th Senate under the able leadership of H.E. Senator Ahmed Lawan, (GCON), President of the 9th Senate. Chief among these are gender matters, with specific affirmative provisions to guarantee women’s inclusivity; issues relating to persons with

special needs and equality; engaging, empowering and rewarding our resourceful and innovative youths in terms of protection of intellectual innovations and property, and improved access to finance for technological start-ups. We must recognise and prepare for a mid-21st century global economy that places a premium on intellectual content and knowledge, and our young men and women must be supported to engage competitively.

“Expansion of the revenue streams available to the country, especially from our huge but largely unregulated natural and solid mineral resources base. These additional sources of revenue will build the nation’s resilience to shocks and stresses resulting from the fluctuation of oil prices in the international market.

“We will, as a forward-looking Senate, pass laws that emphasize economic viability, social acceptability and environmental sustainability, to encourage alternate and green technologies without prejudicing our

developmental needs.

“We must, therefore, as a Senate, rise to partner with His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and provide the required legislative framework and legal environment for him to anchor the policies and programmes that he espouses for the country. In doing this, I will particularly like to address our Distinguished colleagues from other parties. Yes, we may have come to the National Assembly through the instrumentalities of different political parties, so it is appropriate to recognise and respect our differing perceptions and positions on issues that will be brought before this chamber.

“However, in all matters of national interest, we are enjoined to remember that we are first and foremost, Distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, before our roles as representatives and members of our individual political parties. There is therefore, every reason to support good policies and programmes of the federal government, and I call on you to put this national interest first at all times. Our Senate, the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will be a senate for all Nigeria. Together, we shall be greater than the sum of our individual political parties.

“On my part, Distinguished Senators, I affirm that this leadership shall be yours. It shall be a servant leadership; it shall be an uncommon leadership. To the Nigerian people, I say this: your dreams, your aspirations, and your well-being will be at the heart of everything we will do in this Senate. I urge you to remain hopeful, steadfast and united. Nigerians must remember that the nation is caught up in global challenges and upheavals which have far-reaching consequences; the impact of armed conflicts in Europe and Africa, as well as global political and economic realignments, are but a few of these events impacting Nigeria, other countries in Africa and even beyond. Our Senate will remain watchful of, and will be responsive to, these events”.

Nigerians Set Agenda for 10th NASS

Having looked at the legislative agenda of the 10th National Assembly, Nigerians have also helped in setting

THEWILLNIGERIA THEWILLNG THEWILLNIGERIA

We will, as a forward-looking Senate, pass laws that emphasize economic viability, social acceptability and environmental sustainability, to encourage alternate and green technologies without prejudicing our developmental needs

Abass

10th National Assembly

the agenda for it in the next four years.

The Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman charged the 10th National Assembly to place Nigeria first in its function of law-making, oversight and representation.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero called on the Assembly to be guided by the Provisions of Section 14 of the Constitution.

He urged the National Assembly to be guided by subsection 1 and 2, which deals with issues of underlying sovereignty and social justice.

Ajaero said, “Nigeria shall be a state based on the principles of Democracy and Social Justice.”

He, therefore, called for an independent legislature devoid of interference.

The Executive Director, LEAD Africa, Mr. Yusuff Liadi, called for the implementation of the National Youth Policy. He said, “The National Youth Policy is very brilliant. We are not feeling much effect of the policy. It is merely a document.

“We call on the national assembly to ensure the implementation of the policy.”

The Director of Programmes, Action Aid, Mrs. Suwaiba Muhammad-Dankabo, said there should be a mechanism for feedback on every law passed.

She urged the parliament to ensure the functionality of local government councils as the third tier of government. The Director of Agency Banking, OPAY, Mr. Abraham Enebe, decried the limited number of bank branches in the country, saying that bank branches could only be found in major cities.

Enebe, however, said that Fintech was trying to ensure that financial services were made accessible to people across the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the country.

He said, “Legislation around that gives our staff incentive or tax exclusion for those who are doing cash-in and cash - We want to see out.”

The Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development – The Electoral Hub has called on members of the newly inaugurated 10th National Assembly to view their four-year tenure as an opportunity to impact positively on their constituents and contribute to the democratic advancement, development and prosperity of the country.

Princess Hamman-Obels, the Director, IRIAD – The Electoral Hub, in a statement, noted that the National Assembly is not just another arm of the Nigerian government but an essential component for the service of public interests.

According to Hamman-Obels, legislative functions of rulemaking, budget approval, executive and judicial oversight, confirmation of appointments, and constitutional amendment, make it a key force for ensuring that government is not merely an exercise in the control of the people, but an exercise in the interest of the people.

She said, “For citizens, public inputs are crucial for ensuring responsiveness and accountability of elected representatives. We, therefore, urge every Nigerian to actively engage elected representatives through active participation in public forums, town hall meetings, and community discussions. These will allow citizens to determine policy directions through demands, support and feedback. It will also enhance accountability as citizens will be better informed and equipped to monitor the assembly’s activities, track the performance of elected officials and demand transparency and accountability.

“Civil society actors must leave no stone unturned in the continuous efforts towards securing a legislative arm that advances the ideals of responsiveness, responsibility, accountability, inclusivity and equitable management of state affairs.

“The push for an active civic culture through sensitization

campaigns, citizen-friendly legislation through advocacy, and stakeholder engagements, especially with members of the legislature are important activities that can guarantee that the 10th NASS upholds the tenets of democracy and good governance.

“We reiterate that the effectiveness and efficiency of the National Assembly is particularly dependent on the presence of open and effective channels of communication between citizens and their representatives.

“We, therefore, implore members of the legislative arm to prioritize the needs of their constituents as they take up the roles and responsibilities they have signed up for. It is important that legislators establish channels of communication for inputs and feedback from their constituents and prioritize public interest in the discharge of their array of functions.

“Established lines of communication would allow for meaningful and continuous dialogue between representatives and the populace. With meaningful dialogue and incorporation of the public will into legislative action, the Nigerian state can be better equipped to address the myriad of challenges she is currently confronted with.”

A former member of the House of Reps representing Ado/ Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, and Chairman, House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, Hon. Francis Ottah Agbo, said the 10th assembly should push efforts on legislation that would be beneficial to Nigerians during their tenure.

Agbo listed key areas of legislation for the 10th National Assembly to include restructuring and Decentralization of Supreme Court/police reform.

He noted that the decentralisation of the Supreme Court would enhance the quick dispensation of justice. To this end, the former lawmaker urged the 10th Assembly to come up with legislation that would decentralise the Supreme Court.

He said, “We need to decentralise the Supreme Court. We need to have zonal Supreme Courts for quick dispensation of justice.

“We need to reform the police; why do you need federal police without community policing?

“We need community policing, and every police officer must be made to undergo the rudimentary task that recruits undergo, just like it is obtainable in Senegal.

“We need to make sure that there is resource control like we had in the first republic; we need to sponsor legislation towards that direction.”

Other areas that the 10th National Assembly must focus on according to him include State of residency or citizenship by residency.

He said: “We should have a state of residence or citizenship by residency, so that wherever you are born, you automatically become an indigene of that place. A situation where an Idoma who was born in Gboko can’t aspire to be the local government Chairman is not good.

“So, the legislature, as the true representative of the Nigerian people, must initiate these bills in the tenth Assembly.”

Also speaking on the agenda for the 10th National Assembly, the founding Executive Director, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Dr Otive Igbuzor said they should be able to put in place laws that will address the problems that are worrying us as a country.

“We have economic problems that are worrying us as a country. They should be able to promulgate laws that will ensure that we increase our revenues.

“The assembly should also create laws that will address the security issue in the country.

“They should find a way of improving oversight. The weakest point of our legislature is the function of oversight. The 10th assembly must begin to think about how to improve oversight,” Igbuzor said.

We need community policing, and every police officer must be made to undergo the rudimentary task that recruits undergo, just like it is obtainable in Senegal

Jibril Kalu

Ninth Senate Valedictory: Bulkachuwa, Okorocha’s Revelations

He said he would follow up his call with “a letter to both the IGP and the ICPC Chairman in this respect.”

The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, (CACOL), has called on anti-corruption agencies, the National Judicial Council and the Presidency to urgently set machineries in motion to investigate Senator Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa over his statement that he obtained favours from his wife on behalf of his fellow senators.

In a release issued by CACOL and signed by Tola Oresanwo, the anti-corruption organisation’s Director of Administration and Programmes, on behalf of its Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran, stated, “It would be recalled that Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa, the current senator representing Bauchi North Senatorial District in a video clip, which surfaced yesterday, spoke at the valedictory session of the Ninth Senate. Bulkachuwa claimed that he encroached on his wife’s (Zainab Bulkachuwa, a retired Justice of the Appeal Court) “freedom and independence” in the course of her official duties as head of the second highest judicial office in Nigeria.

“We watched the video which has gone viral and we were aghast that a serving senator could condescend so low to the extent of currying unmerited favour on behalf of his colleagues from his wife who was privileged to be in a position of judicial authority. More alarming is the fact that the Senator has the boldness, audacity and temerity to come out in the presence of the press to confess his ‘many sins’ to the Nigerian state. This shows the level of impunity being exhibited by our so called representatives of the people.

“Since Senator Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa has dramatically blown his own whistle, he has finally confirmed the reason why so many Nigerians have lost faith in the judiciary. Can we say all the cases his wife handled during her days on the bench are dispensed without fear or favour?

BY AYO ESAN

The Ninth Senate held its valedictory session on Saturday June 10, 2023 with senators in a joyous mood as many of them recounted their experiences in the last four years.

Two senators stood out among their colleagues with their pronouncements during the session. They are Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa who represented Bauchi North and Rochas Okorocha who represented Imo West Senatorial District.

Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa revealed that his wife used her office as president of the Appeal Court to favour his colleagues in the Senate.

Zainab Bulkachuwa was President of the Court of Appeal between April 2014 and March 2020.

Bulkachuwa said, “Mr President, at my age I don’t think I will lobby anybody under the sun. I will do the right thing. I always do the right thing sincerely and honestly, too. So, I (can) look at faces in this chamber, who have helped me and sought my help when my wife was the president of the Court of Appeal.”

Feeling uncomfortable with the direction Bulkachuwa was going, former Senate President Ahmed Lawan interjected, “I think I will advise that you just round up and take your seat…This kind of insinuation will mean that there was favour and the rest of it. I don’t think it is a good idea.”

However, the 83-year-old senator ignored Lawan as he continued “Well, Mr. Chairman, I must say that (it is) okay to round up, since that is what you want me to do. I will do that and must thank, particularly my wife whose freedom and independence I encroached upon while she was in office. She has been very tolerant, accepted my encroachment and extended her help to my colleagues.”

Lawan interjected again and this time, more firmly: “Please, I don’t think it is a good idea going in this direction. It is not a good idea.”

Many Nigerians have over the years believed that most of the court decisions in the country are compromised, but the open pronouncement of Bulkachuwa buttressed what hitherto has been taken as mere speculation.

It would be recalled that the Peoples Democratic Party did in 2019 allege that Mrs Bulkachuwa would not adjudicate on the case between its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar

and President Muhammadu Buhari over that year’s presidential election, saying Mrs Bulkachuwa, who was the then President Court of Appeal, would be partial due to her relationship with her husband, then a senator-elect on the platform of the APC, and her son, Aliyu Abubakar, who was a governorship aspirant on the platform of the same party. She later stepped down from the panel and replaced herself with Mohammed Garba, who chaired the panel and eventually saw the proceedings through to the end.

Bulkachuwa retired from the bench after clocking the mandatory retirement age of 70 for judicial officers in 2020.

In its reaction, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) described the proclamation by Bulkachuwa as shocking.

NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, said in a statement that he watched the video clip of Senator Bulkachuwa’s confession with “with utter shock and disgust”.

He noted that the National Judicial Council (NJC) similarly condemned Senator Bulkachuwa’s conduct at its meeting on Wednesday, called for the investigation and prosecution of the former senator, vowing that “the NBA will at all times rise to the defence of the honour, integrity and independence of the judiciary.”

“It is in this regard that I call on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Chairman of the ICPC, to immediately invite Senator Ahmad Muhammad Bulkachuwa for interrogation and proceed to prosecute him accordingly,” Maikyau, said.

“The Senator’s statements in the viral video shows that corruption in high places is on the increase in the country and drastic measures must be taken to stem the tide. The President should not overlook this serious infraction committed by a person who is supposed to know and protect the laws of the land. It is one anomaly that shows the rot not only in the judiciary but in virtually every arms of government.

The anti-graft czar added, “Considering the strategic and critical role of the legislative and judicial arm of government, we believe people like Senator Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa, are not worthy in character and personality to represent any particular group of people in the country. We therefore call on Anti-corruption Agencies, the National Judicial Council and the presidency to swing into action and immediately investigate the claim by the Senator. He and his wife should be quizzed to determine the cases he intervened in and correction or redress should be made in those cases while he along with his wife should be appropriately punished to serve as deterrent to others”.

Also during the valedictory, Senator Rochas Okorocha who represented Imo West Senatorial District taunted the President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan, who contested the APC presidential primary ticket in June but lost and returned to the Senate in a controversial way after a fierce legal battle with Bashir Sheriff Machina, who won the Yobe North senatorial primary ticket of the APC.

The duo of Lawan and Okorocha contested the primary election of the APC, but lost to President Bola Tinubu.

Surprisingly, after some weeks the Supreme Court in a verdict, affirmed Lawan as the authentic candidate, even though he did not contest the primary, which Bashir Machina was elected as the candidate of the party.

However, confused with his emergence as the candidate of Yobe North Senatorial District, Okorocha, speaking during the valedictory session, said, “I did not contest for senate this period. I only contested for the office of the president.

“You are a very smart politician. How you came back is another chapter in our political history that we need to discuss.

“I was there in the field with you running for president. I never knew how you were able to meander, leaving some of us. Next time you must teach me how to do that.”

Reacting to him, Lawan said: “It was easy. I was there with you in the field and after our defeat; my constituents thought they needed me again.

“They asked me to come back and it was a tortuous journey because we had to go through the courts.”

I think I will advise that you just round up and take your seat…This kind of insinuation will mean that there was favour and the rest of it. I don’t think it is a good idea

Okorocha

Bulkachuwa

Bulkachuwa: CACOL Calls For Thorough Investigation

BY AYO ESAN

The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, (CACOL) has called on the anti-corruption agencies, National Judicial Council and the Presidency to urgently set machineries in motion to investigate Senator Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa over his statement that he obtained favours from his wife on behalf of his fellow senators.

In a release issued by CACOL and signed by Tola Oresanwo, the anti-corruption organization’s Director of Administration and Programmes, on behalf of its Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran, he stated, “It would be recalled that Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa, the current senator representing Bauchi North senatorial district in a video clip which surfaced recently spoke at the valedictory session of the Ninth Senate. Bulkachuwa claimed that he encroached on his wife’s (Zainab Bulkachuwa), a retired Justice of the Appeal Court’s “freedom and independence” in the course of her official duties as head of the second highest judicial office in Nigeria.

“We watched the video which has gone viral and we were aghast that a serving Senator could condescend so low to the extent of currying unmerited favour on behalf of his colleagues from his wife who was privileged to be in a position of judicial authority. More alarming is the fact that the Senator has the boldness, audacity and temerity to come out in the presence of the press to confess his ‘many sins’ to the Nigerian state. This shows the level of impunity being exhibited by our so called representatives of the

Ekiti APC Loses Chieftain, Akosile

people”.

CACOL said since Senator Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa has dramatically blown his own whistle, he has finally confirmed the reason why so many Nigerians have lost faith in the judiciary.

“Can we say all the cases his wife handled during her days on the bench are dispensed without fear or favour? The Senator’s statements in the viral video shows that corruption in high places is on the increase in the country and drastic measures must be taken to stem the tide. The President should not overlook this serious infraction committed by a person who is supposed to know and protect the laws of the land. It is one anomaly that shows the rot not only in the judiciary but in virtually every arms of government”, CACOL said in the statement.

The anti-graft czar added, “Considering the strategic and critical role of the legislative and judicial arm of government, we believe people like Senator Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa, are not worthy in character and personality to represent any particular group of people in the country. We therefore call on Anti-corruption Agencies, the National Judicial Council and the presidency to swing into action and immediately investigate the claim by the Senator. He and his wife should be quizzed to determine the cases he intervened in and correction or redress should be made in those cases while he along with his wife should be appropriately punished to serve as deterrent to others”.

The All Progressives Congress, (APC), in Ekiti State said it has lost a political colossus with the passing of its political icon, Chief George Olanrewaju Akosile on Friday.

Pa Akosile passed on Friday morning at the age of 88 years after a protected illness and the party bemoaned it as a great and mournful loss.

APC through a release issued by its Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe on behalf of the State Chairman, Barrister Paul Omotosho and other executive members, said the elder statesman was a political icon and an embodiment of wisdom whose valuable contribution would be greatly missed.

"Pa Akosile is leaving us at a time when we need him most. We are not just losing an elder party man, but one who's contribution is seemly indispensable.", Dipe said.

APC further described Late Akosile as a politically selfless leader who would never allow things to degenerate and was ever ready to serve in any capacity to ensure that things go smoothly.

The party said "Even in his frailty, Pa Akosile was there for us and we kept drinking from his well of wisdom until he breathed his last. He was the Chairman of our party's Elders' Forum and recently, Governor Biodun Oyebanji appointed him to chair the committee on appointment into the state's executive council with the committee doing a faultless job."

“The late octogenarian was formerly Chairman of Alliance for Democracy (AD). He was also the Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Matters under the first administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi. He was also former State Secretary of the Social Democratic Party in Ondo and Ekiti States.

“Not only was he a notable politician, Late Akosile was also an accomplished technocrat, who at different times was Permanent Secretary in the Ministries of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Works and Finance in the old Ondo State before the creation of Ekiti State.

“The late elder statesman who was born on November 17, 1934 was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Asiwaju of Igbara-Odo, his home town in 2016.

Akpabio

Support Group Congratulates Senate President

Foremost support group for the Senate presidential bid of Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, The Godswill Project, TGP, has congratulated its principal, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on his unprecedented election as the President of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In a statement released in Abuja by its convener, Femi Odere, TGP expressed profound gratitude to the Almighty God for giving its principal the day, congratulated him on his election, and also expressed gratitude and appreciation to the senators for being on the positive side of history.

Odere said that “Akpabio’s election as the President of the 10th Senate and chairman of the 10th National Assembly is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in the eyes of all TGP members and we all give thanks to God.”

He noted that the Senate President’s tenure will record an unprecedented period in the Senate and the National Assembly as a whole.

Odere promised the lawmakers that his principal will not betray Nigerians and the senators in particular, for reposing such confidence in him to lead the National Assembly at this auspicious time, insisting that Akpabio’s tenure will be a turnaround for the National Assembly in the area of robust lawmaking and developmental oversight on the activities of the executive.

He promised on behalf of the Senate President that the rebranding of the National Assembly to become the cynosure of all eyes in the world is the agenda.

He enthused, “Akpabio as a team player will bring onboard great innovations and ideas into the activities of the Senate to completely change its perspective in the minds and eyes of Nigerians.”

Odere therefore urged all Nigerians and the National Assembly members, in particular, to support and give Akpabio a chance to display his Godgiven capacity in ensuring that the National Assembly becomes a toast to all.

He also averred that Akpabio will work closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to turn around the fortunes of Nigeria and Nigerians for good through robust policy direction, lawmaking, and implementation and bringing rapid socio-economic development and growth to the lives of all Nigerians.

From left, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Debo Ogundoyin and his deputy, Hon Abiodun Fadeyi, during the inauguration of Oyo State 10th Assembly at the House of Assembly Chamber, Secretariat, Ibadan.

While we await the dissolution of the Board of Federal Government Agencies and Parastatals to pave way for new leadership at the various MDAs across the country, we implore him to put round pegs in round holes and fully explore the best in human capital that Nigeria has in abundance. By doing this, Tinubu will be reversing the shameless and unapologetic lopsidedness that characterised federal appointments under the Buhari inglorious era

Tinubu’s Impressive Start

President Bola Tinubu has started his tenure on a very good note. His actions within his first two weeks in office are quite impressive and commendable.

He is already winning the hearts of Nigerians with his actions. Even those initially opposed to his emergence at the polls are beginning to love his bold moves.

Compared to the lack-lustre and the clueless experience of the past eight years, Tinubu has demonstrated to Nigerians that he really knows what to do and he is focused on fixing Nigeria's problems instead of the blame-game and apparent confused disposition of his predecessor.

Taking the bull by its horn, Tinubu launched out powerfully during his inauguration with his ''Fuel Subsidy is Gone'' proclamation, a decision his predecessors found too difficult to make for years. Despite the initial confusion and condemnation that trailed the declaration, Nigerians are beginning to face the new reality with uncommon optimism and the assurance that their collective sacrifice will not be in vain.

The President’s engagement and rapprochement with the federal lawmakers is another masterstroke intended to ensure a smooth take-off of his administration so as to avoid unnecessary confrontation between the executive and the legislature. The successful inauguration of the

leadership of the 10th National Assembly is a further demonstration that he really knows what to do to achieve desired goals.

Within the first two weeks, Tinubu has demonstrated to Nigerians that he's running against time and there is no time to waste. The Bills that he has signed into law so far are quite instructive as they all point to his administration's desire to hearken to the yearning of Nigerians on matters that are so germane to their existence. President Tinubu has also sent a strong warning to government officials who think they are too powerful to be sanctioned that the days of impunity and flagrant abuse of office are over. The recent developments at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are pointers to his determination to correct some mistakes of the past. The few appointments he has made within just two weeks are also very strategic to the smooth take-off of his tenure. While two weeks are just not enough to assess the performances of any administration, Tinubu's scorecard so far is a pointer to the direction that the administration is headed as it is a clear departure from the situation under former President Muhammadu Buhari, who appeared clueless, not knowing where to start. Sadly, that apparently informed Buhari's choice of lieutenants and advisers who eventually failed woefully to deliver on their mandate and promises to

Nigerians.

We want to commend Tinubu for what he has been able to do so far as the kind of pragmatic leadership he is providing is what Nigeria really needs at this point in time. We encourage him to remain focused on delivering on his promises to Nigerians and be sincere with his actions and policies without being seen as settling old scores with some people. Nigerians will have no choice other than to support his policies if they see his sincerity of purpose.

While we await the dissolution of the Board of Federal Government Agencies and Parastatals to pave the way for new leadership at the various MDAs across the country, we implore the President to put round pegs in round holes and fully explore the best in human capital that Nigeria has in abundance. By doing this, Tinubu will be reversing the shameless and unapologetic lopsidedness that characterised federal appointments under the Buhari inglorious era. We have no doubt that Nigeria is on the path to greatness once again. We therefore call on all Nigerians to rally round the new administration to enable it focus on delivering on its promises to the people for the growth and development of the country. We also pray for Tinubu to remain strong and healthy with divine wisdom to enable him bring Nigeria out of the woods and back to her proper position of prominence in the comity of nations.

NIGERIA

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Austyn Ogannah

Editor – Olaolu Olusina

Business Editor – Sam Diala

Copy Editor – Chux Ohai

Cartoon Editor – Victor Asowata

Photo Editor – Peace Udugba

Head, Graphics – Tosin Yusuph

EDITOR:

Olaolu Olusina @OLUSINA

LETTERS/OPINIONS: opinion.letters@thewillnigeria.com

Deputy Editor – Amos Esele

Politics Editor – Ayo Esan

Entertainment/Society Editor –

Ivory Ukonu

Circulation Manager –

Victor Nwokoh

Guest Art Director –

Sunny Hughes

ASUU Strike, Future of Education And Student Loan

BY

MAGNUS ONYIBE

This article which was first published in my column on 11th October last year and subsequently on several traditional and online platforms merits being repeated because President Bola Tinubu through his signing into law Student Loan(Access to Higher Education) bill ,has once again acted like a knight in a shining armor galloping into town on a horse back to rescue the weak,which in this instance are the indigent students that abound in our country and have been crying out for help.

It is clearly a democracy day gift to the nation as the incredibly useful bill was signed into law on June 12.

As the title reveals ,the piece being referenced was written in the heat of the Academic Staff Union of Universities,ASUU strike that had literally crippled education in Nigeria for some eight (8) months- February to October last year.

IT IS THE SECOND OF THE TWO VERY CONSEQUENTIAL BILLS RAPIDLY SIGNED INTO LAW IN THE FIRST TEN (10) DAYS OF BEING ON THE DRIVER’S SEAT

some light on the reasoning behind the decision of the CoS (in his capacity as a legislator) to promote the very consequential bill and why Mr President signed it into law,less than two (2) weeks of mounting the saddle of leadership of our beloved country.

It is the second of the two very consequential bills rapidly signed into law in the first ten (10) days of being on the driver’s seat in Aso Rock Villa seat of presidential power in what promises to be a rollercoaster ride in political leadership , and the sort of which has never been witnessed in our clime.

Perhaps it would help if l point out that it was Mr Gbajabiamila in his capacity as the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives that negotiated with ASUU the end of the obnoxious and highly embarrassing strike action that lasted eight months, during which both the Education and Labour ministers adopted dog-in-a-manger attitude while our youths were pining away outside the classrooms and being exposed to criminality owing to idleness.

It is quite gratifying that Tinubu and his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, had a similar conviction to the case that l made in the piece about provision of loans to students to enable them pay market rates as fees to higher institutions as the panacea to the constant industrial actions often being embarked upon by academics which often stem from poor remuneration and nonconducive working environment.

But l had no way of knowing that both of them were privately praying and working assiduously for Tinubu to become Pesident of Nigeria in order to actualise the bold recommendations which have the capacity to solve the perennial issue of lecturers embarking on industrial actions to the detriment of our youths and future of the education sector of our country in general.

In writing the piece, one was convinced that the solution to the incessant ASUU strikes would be a paradigm shift in the ways and means of funding the education sector in Nigeria and student loan approach held out itself as the most attractive.

That is why the case was forcefully made in the essay which one is craving the indulgence of readers to reproduce nearly nine months after the 11th October 2022 date that it was first published in the mass media,simply because it would help breakdown, explain,or throw

It is also instructive to note that perhaps because President Tinubu is a beneficiary of student loan during his sojourn in the United States of America where the student loan scheme is entrenched, he literally could not wait for the ink used in signing his signature on the document conferring on him the presidency of Nigeria to dry, before using it to append his signature on the Student Loan Bill.

Having been a benefactor of student loan, as captured in his profile, which indicates that he attended Richard J. Daley College, a public institution in Chicago,Illinois, USA, it was easy for Tinubu to empathise and connect with indigent university students in Nigeria and align with them by opening up the opportunity for higher education for them so that our country can become a net exporter of high quality human capital around the world as India currently does, hence its nationals are the Chief Executive Officers,CEOs and Chief Technical Officers,CTOs of top 10 Fortune 500 firms in the world.

As the stage has been set for the discourse with the forgoing background narrative,without further ado,l hereby present below a complete reproduction of the piece detailing the issues and constraints in the education sector which president Tinubu addressed by accenting to the bill which is now law:

The judiciary which is vested with the authority to interpret the laws of our country has spoken on the industrial action embarked upon by tertiary institutions lecturers in Nigeria since February 14 this year.

In its ruling on Wednesday, September 21, it held that the striking lecturers must return to the class rooms.

•Continues online at www.thewillnigeria.com

Who is Afraid of IGP Alkali’s Success?

BY

ADEWOLE KEHINDE

Icame across a publication this morning titled "Uneasy Calm in Police over InspectorGeneral of Police Baba’s Successor." Before I go into the relevant laws that made the fouryear term of IGP sacrosanct, I want Nigerians to see the achievements of the IGP and why his four-year tenure is the best for an Inspector-General of Police, as this affords the IGP enough time to actualise his plans for the overall management and direction of the Nigeria Police.

Some laudable achievements of the Nigeria Police Force under Alkali's administration include the exciting and massive expansion of the Cybercrime Unit, the massive construction of specialist hospitals and acquisition of medical facilities for the Medical Unit, the digitalisation of the Force Legal Section, the digitalisation of personnel records under the Force Secretary office, enhanced aerial and marine operations, improved Police Animal Section, digitalised Central Motor Registry, the establishment of the NPF Construction Company assisting in Construction and renovation of barracks and facilities, Nigeria Police Force College, Training School and Institution (Establishment) Bill and the recent passage of Police Pension Board Bill, amongst others.

With the above achievements among others, I keep wondering why some officers are hiding behind the media and some activists to want to remove Inspector General of Police, Baba Usman Alkali, from office, despite the fact that he is on a tenured appointment based on the November 30, 2021, letter issued by the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, via an appointment letter with reference: SGF.20/S.6/83 dated 30th Nov 2021.

The letter says the IGP’s appointment is for a four-year tenure, which is in line with Section 7 Paragraph 6 of the Police Act, which says the person to be appointed to the office of the Inspector-General of Police shall hold office for four years.

According to Longman Dictionary, ‘tenure’ is the legal right to stay for a period of time when someone has an important job.

Also, according to Dictionary.com, ‘tenure’ is a status granted to an employee, usually after a probationary period, indicating that the position or employment is permanent.

Nigerians will recall that the Nigeria Police Force (Establishment) Act, 2020, which came into force on September 17, 2020, repealed the Police Act of 2004, and the Police Act 2020 also says that the Inspector-General of Police shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Police Council from among serving members of the Police Force.

Section 7 of the Police Act, paragraph two, says that the person to be appointed as InspectorGeneral of Police shall be a senior police officer not below the rank of an Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police.

IGP Usman Alkali Baba had served as the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Edo State and the FCT; Commissioner of Police FCT and Delta Commands, among others; Ag. DIG in charge of Finance and Administration; and Force Secretary. Until his appointment, Baba was Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department and Police Headquarters.

The law further says that the person to be appointed to the position of Inspector-General

must have the requisite academic qualifications of not less than a first degree or equivalent professional and management experience.

Usman Alkali Baba obtained a BA (ED) in Political Science from Bayero University, Kano, in 1985. He obtained a Masters Degree in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, in 1997. He holds a Teacher’s Grade II Certificate (TC II) from Teachers College, Potiskum, Yobe State, in 1980.

I want to remind those calling for the head of the IGP that the appointment of Usman Alkali Baba is not a normal promotion; it is a political appointment. So Section 18 of the Constitution does not apply to him.

Some so-called activists have even gone to court to challenge the IGP. I recall that Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja dismissed a suit seeking the sack of the IGP.

The suit instituted against President Muhammadu Buhari and four others by an Abujabased activist, Michael Sam Idoko, was dismissed by the court for lack of locus standi.

In his judgement, Justice Omotoso invoked Section 7(6) of the Police Act 2020, which puts the tenure of office of any IGP at four years.

The judge held that the retirement of Usman from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has nothing to do with his appointment on the ground that the four-year tenure is sacrosanct.

Besides, Justice Omotoso said that the plaintiff, who claimed to be a social crusader, has no jurisdiction to institute the case under the guise of public interest. He held that the plaintiff failed to establish any peculiar or special interest over and above other Nigerians. Specifically, Justice Omotoso described the plaintiff as a busybody and meddlesome interloper, adding that he was not a serving police officer qualified for appointment or had ever applied for the IGP’s position.

Idoko, through his counsel, Chief James Ogwu Onoja, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had filed the suit challenging the legality of the continuous stay of the IGP in office after having served out his tenure. The suit marked FHC/CS/31/2023 was subsequently dismissed without any cost against the plaintiff.

I hope that the relevant Sections of the Nigeria Police Force (Establishment) Act, 2020, cited, including the judgement of Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court, will put an end to those seeking the head of IGP Alkali Baba Usman.

•Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters.

SOME SO-CALLED ACTIVISTS HAVE EVEN GONE TO COURT TO CHALLENGE THE IGP

Guinea Insurance Plc: Five Years of Profit Drought Worries Investors

BY SAM DIALA

Some investors in Nigerian quoted firms have expressed worry over the stream of losses that has trailed the business of Guinea Insurance Plc in the last five years.

A study of the firm’s financial statements showed that it has recorded a cumulative five-year post-tax loss of N1.3 billion as of 2022. This figure is above the current N1.2 billion market capitalisation of the 65-year-old insurer as of Friday, June 9, 2023, based on data by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX)

According to the company’s audited FY 2022 report, Guinea Insurance posted the last profit of N251 million in 2017, after which it launched into the ‘Loss Expressway’ that has lasted five unbroken years.

The company posted a loss of N64.75 million in 2022, N23.48 million in 2021 and N227.67 million in 2020. The 2020 figure showed a drop from the 2019 peak of N795 million, after it had entered the ‘Loss Expressway’ in 2018 with N190.2 million. No dividend has been paid since the 5-year journey on the loss expressway, while gross premium hovered between N1 billion and N1.3 billion per annum.

Cumulative loss per N1 share during the period was N21.53.

Take-off point

An examination of the firm’s financial statements during the fiveyear period showed that the persistent loss position occurred from key areas of operating and administrative expenses, tax underprovisioning and claims in 2018.

Operating expenses rose to N904 million from N674.7 million in 2017, representing a 34 percent increase; while legal and professional fees jumped 334.8 percent to N100 million from N23

Expert Outlines Gains of CBN’s Exchange Rate Unification

The Director/CEO of Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf, has commended the bold economic decisions of the newly inaugurated Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, especially the unification of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) exchange rate which he said would unlock the huge potentials for investment,

jobs and capital flows.

DrYusuf who said this in a statement said investor confidence would be positively impacted.

“Meanwhile, it should be clarified that this is not a devaluation policy, but a pricing mechanism that reflects the demand and supply fundamentals in the

Continues on page 33

million in 2017. Claims expenses gulped N170 million as against N63.8 million or 165.7 percent jump.

Furthermore, office running expenses consumed N145.3 million in 2018, compared to N84,8 million in the previous year, representing 71.4 percent. These item include car repairs and maintenance, ICT expenses and office maintenance. Since then, the company has not recovered from the caustic loss attacks.

Investors’ Reaction

The National Coordinator, Progressive Shareholders Association, Boniface Okezie, said investors expect the company they put their money to do well and create wealth for itself and the investors.

He expressed concern over the perpetual loss situation of Guinea Insurance, noting that the company cannot be seen to be doing well with such a level of performance.

“If the company cannot pay a dividend, let it show a strong balance sheet to boost the shareholders’ confidence in the management of the firm. You cannot be posting losses every year and not paying a dividend, then you say you are in business. That is not the way to go,” Okezie told THEWILL in a note.

He said the company must recapitalise and a handsome reward system was put in place to motivate the workers to seek business and attract more investors.

At the 64th Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos in August 2022, Okezie had berated the board of Guinea Insurance Plc over its persistent financial losses and inability to pay dividend

MORE INSIDE

NNPCL

no Longer Sole Supplier of

Petrol

PAGE 34

43 Non-eligible Items Remain Banned From I&E

Window – CBN

PAGE 35

Sanwo-Olu, SEC, NGX, IFC Renews Call For Gender-Focused Initiatives

The Governor, Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have all renewed calls for more gender-focused initiatives that will create increased opportunities for women in leadership, employment, and entrepreneurship in the Nigerian private sector.

They made these calls during the inaugural

Continues on page 34

Sanwo-Olu

Abidogun

FOREX MARKET/INSURANCE

Expert Outlines Gains of CBN’s Exchange Rate Unification

Continued from page 32

Guinea Insurance Plc: Five Years of Profit Drought Worries Investors

Continued from page 32 to shareholders.

Okezie bemoaned the yearly losses suffered by the company in its annual financial reports and payment of regulatory fees and other levies over infractions by the company.

According to him, the company’s consistent failure to pay dividends to shareholders does not encourage more investors to look at the direction of the firm.

“

foreign exchange market.

“It is a framework which allows for flexible rate adjustments as and when necessary. It is a model that is predictable, equitable, transparent and sustainable. It is a policy regime that would reduce uncertainty and inspire the confidence of investors. It would minimize discretion and arbitrage in the foreign exchange allocation mechanism.”

The CPPE director argues that rate unification does not imply that rates will be exactly the same in all segments of the market. “The objective is to ensure that the differentials are very minimal, possibly between 5-10 per cent.”

A unified exchange rate regime, according to him, offers the following benefits for the economy:

i. It enhances liquidity in the foreign exchange market.

ii. It reduces uncertainty in the foreign exchange market and therefore enhances the confidence of investors.

iii. It is more transparent as a mechanism for forex allocation.

iv. It minimizes discretion in the allocation of forex and reduces corruption vulnerabilities.

v. It reduces opportunities for round tripping and other sharp practices

vi. It would increase disclosures with respect to export proceeds and compliance with non-oil export declarations, especially the non-oil export documentation [NXP].

vii. It would boost government revenue by a minimum of N4 trillion through additional remittance of exchange rate surplus to the

federation account by the CBN.

viii. The use of naira cards for limited international transactions would be restored in the short to medium term.

ix. It would facilitate the mopping up of naira liquidity in the economy in the short to medium term. This would impact positively on the inflation outlook.

x. It would deepen the autonomous foreign exchange market through the liberalisation of inflows from Export Proceeds, Diaspora Remittances, Multinational oil companies, diplomatic missions etc.

The erstwhile foreign exchange policy regime on the other hand was, for all practical purposes, a fixed exchange rate regime. It created the following distortions and negative outcomes:

i. Widening gap between the official, other multiple windows and parallel market exchange rates which created room forex round-tripping to flourish.

ii. Collapse of liquidity in the foreign exchange market resulting in acute forex scarcity.

iii. It fueled demand for forex because of the incredible rent opportunities created by the huge parallel market premium.

iv. Created a major disincentive for forex inflows into the economy, thus suppressing forex supply.

v. Mounting trade debts.

vi. Increasing factory closure as many manufacturers are not able to access foreign exchange for raw materials and other inputs.

vii. Many investors were not able to meet offshore obligations, creating credibility problems with their offshore suppliers.

viii. Surging inflationary pressures

ix. Sharp drop in capital inflows

Yusuf argues that CBN’s action does not amount to naira devaluation policy. “It is a normalization of the foreign exchange policy regime and an adjustment of rate to reflect the fundamentals of demand and supply.

“It would be dynamic; and the naira will appreciate or depreciate depending on the fundamentals

“In the short term, we expect a depreciation of the currency in the official window because of the huge demand backlog. But as the market conditions normalizes and moves towards equilibrium, the rate would moderate. We also expect the new policy regime to boost inflows and strengthen the supply side amidst elevated investors’ confidence.

“The component of forex demand driven by arbitrage, rent seekers, speculators and other economic parasites would also fizzle out, thus restoring stability to the forex market.

“A man that was born 64 years ago is not a small man. He is a grandpa. Mr. Chairman, here we are, year in, year out we come to this place. If you look at the page convening this annual general meeting all items were listed, but there is no item related to shareholders. Nothing was mentioned about dividend to shareholders,” he said.

“Mr. Chairman going forward, what are the plans to return us to profitability that will entitle us to dividend? We need a thorough explanation. When will we be having dividend to all stakeholders?” Okezie queried.

The National Coordinator, Pragmatic Shareholders’ Association, Mrs Bisi Bakare, acknowledged the operating challenges facing the insurance industry. She however advised the Board and Management of Guinea Insurance to change the dwindling fortune of the company because “no one puts his or her money in a place that will not yield returns. You cannot be dispensing efforts for nothing”, Mrs Bakare said in a telephone chat. She added, “Guinea Insurance must stop foot-dragging in recapitlising the company if they mean business,”

Sympathising with Guinea Insurance, Chairman, Trusted Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mukhtar Mukhtar, noted that the challenge the insurance industry is facing was created by the government whose policy directives allowed foreigners to corner huge insurance businesses in the country.

He also lamented the holco structure that allows banks to establish their own insurance companies, thereby thinning down the opportunities for other insurance firms to thrive.

He observed that the company had drastically reduced its loss position, which is a good omen. He however advised the company to take steps to prune down its loss position drastically, “Remember, some of the insurance companies reported hundreds of millions in losses. But my advice to Guinea Insurance management is that they should try as much as possible to prune down on expenses and cost of operations and devise better cost effective strategies to keep afloat,” the investors’ group leader.

We’re doing something

When contacted by telephone, a senior official of Guinea Insurance said the company was

going through tough times because the bigger players had cornered the juicy businesses “which we do not have the mussels to compete with them”.

The official told this newspaper that Guinea Insurance believes in ethical practice and would not do what the others do just to get business. When asked if the company is considering recapitalising, the official said, “Just wait. The company will soon bounce back to profit. You will see something new in the next one and half years.”

While addressing the insurance and pension journalists at the Quarterly CEO forum in Lagos in March,.2023, managing director/CEO, Guinea Insurance Plc, Ademola Abidogun, said the company had continued to make underwriting profit every year. Having brought down its loss position in 2020, he said Guinea Insurance was positive of closing 2023 in strong profitability.

“If you look at how our loss after tax has reduced in the last three years, from N700 million to N200 million to N20 million, you will discover that based on what we are doing now, we will make profit by the end of the 2023 financial year.

“We are committed to reduce expenses and increase turnover, increase topline and manage underwriting properly with proper reinsurance. We are also looking at businesses that we take and we make sure that we don’t just take any business.

“We are very optimistic and very deliberate in our analysis. We track expenses, track businesses that we do, we do a lot of analysis to ensure that we change the story.”

He said that the company is committed to the satisfaction of customers and the insuring public with prompt settlement of claims as well as improved service delivery. Accordingly, the company will continue to settle all genuine claims promptly and speedily.

Guinea Insurance paid the last dividend of N0.01 per share in 2010. The current share price is N0.20.

it should be clarifed that this is not a devaluation policy, but a pricing mechanism that refects the demand and supply fundamentals in the foreign exchange market

If you look at how our loss after tax has reduced in the last three years, from N700 million to N200 million to N20 million, you will discover that based on what we are doing now, we will make proft by the end of the 2023 fnancial year

Sanwo-Olu, SEC, NGX, IFC Renews Call For Gender-Focused Initiatives

edition of the Gender Leader Awards (GLA) which was held in Lagos on Thursday. Being implemented under the Nigeria2Equal (N2E) program, the GLA is designed to recognize and celebrate private sector companies leading the way in gender equality performance. The hybrid event brought together captains of industry, capital market regulators, policymakers, and investors among others.

Delivering his keynote address, Sanwo-Olu, while commending the IFC and NGX, said the programme is transforming the landscape for gender equality across the nation. He noted that no nation can achieve its full potential without harnessing the full opportunity women present.

According to him, “Gender equality is not only a normal imperative, but also an economic necessity, as it is essential for sustainable development and the overall prosperity of our nation. Therefore, I am proud to say that Lagos State is at the forefront of these efforts, and we are dedicated to promoting initiatives that empower women and girls and provide equal opportunities for all.

“We know that women face challenges but when they do, they face them squarely. We have also seen that when women are in the picture, things move faster, we get value and we see quicker and better results”.

He thereafter commended the companies who participated in the Nigeria2Equal programme while reassuring that his administration is willing to partner with more organisations that focus on promoting interest in women and the girl child in the society and the country at large.

“Your unwavering dedication to reducing gender gaps and fostering a more equitable workplace serves as an inspiration for us all. As you celebrate your accomplishment, let us keep instilling beliefs around gender diversity and continue to challenge the status quo, break down barriers and ensure that men and women alike have equal opportunity to contribute to the growth and prosperity of our nation”, Sanwo-Olu said.

Danbatta Woos Investors at GITEX Africa on Nigeria’s Broadband Future

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has invited international telecom companies and potential investors to take advantage of the opportunities presented by Nigeria’s population of over 200 million people to invest in its telecom sector, especially in infrastructure provisioning for broadband.

Danbatta, who spoke at the inaugural edition of the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) 2023, which ended in Marrakesh, Morocco recently, said Nigeria presents a stable political and economic conditions.

NNPCL no Longer Sole Supplier of Petrol

Earlier in her opening remark, the Regional Director, Central Africa, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, Dahlia Khalifa, citing a World Bank report, said the global economy suffers a staggering loss of $172 trillion and that is due to the disparities in lifetime earnings between women and men, a loss that all economies are suffering.

“When there is an ecosystem that provides equal opportunities for women and men, more women thrive and that can contribute more meaningfully to Nigeria's economic growth. Increasing women's participation in leadership positions can foster diversity”, Khalifa said.

Corroborating Khalifa, the Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Temi Popoola, said that as a leading multiasset exchange catalysing Africa’s sustainable development, NGX’s commitment to business practices that support diversity and inclusion is resolute.

Popoola stated that all stakeholders in the market and society at large have a responsibility to drive change not only within organisations but in society at large. “We must employ our influence to advocate for policies and practices that promote gender equality. We must challenge the status quo and actively work towards dismantling the systemic barriers that hold women back”, he said.

While Dr. Umaru Kwarainga, Group Chairman, NGX Group in his remarks said, “The population of our country Nigeria is almost equally divided between the male and the female gender and we cannot afford to leave either gender behind if our country Nigeria is to move forward. It is therefore very important that every organization puts in place policies or practices that encourages diversity and gender inclusiveness.

“We at the NGX, as a platform where many corporates are listed, are committed to gender inclusiveness and have issued valued guidelines on disclosure of issues around diversity and gender inclusiveness”.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has said it is no longer the sole supplier of petroleum products in the country.

The NNPCL posted this via its verified Twitter handle on Thursday.

The announcement came after the Nigerian regulatory agency said it is fast-tracking the process of issuing oil marketers licenses to import petroleum products.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) had on Wednesday said petroleum marketers will from July this year start the importation of petroleum products into the country.

The agency’s Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, who disclosed this while addressing journalists shortly after a meeting with oil marketers on Wednesday, said NNPCL was the sole importer of petroleum motor spirit (PMS) in the past.

But with the advent of the removal of subsidy on that product, Mr Ahmed said it is necessary to open the way to other interested parties that want to import so long as they meet the requirements and the regulations of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

He explained that NNPCL had agreed to reduce its petrol import volume to give room for other players in the industry, and any marketer licensed to import petroleum products must comply with set guidelines.

Mr Ahmed said NNPCL is going to be drawing down on their importation from being the sole importer to bringing in about 30 – 40 per cent maximum in line with the provision of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) regulation which says that nobody should exceed 40 per cent of the market share.

The importing market is already open. We have to follow the regulations so we roll out very user-friendly policies. Some of them (marketers) have already started putting their applications in place because we don’t want to create a gap,” Mr Ahmed said.

Governor of Lagos State, Babajide SanwoOlu and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Morocco, Mansur Bamalli, also spoke in the same direction and commended the Commission for its regulatory prowess which has made Nigeria the next investment destination in Africa.

Danbatta, who was represented at the conference by the Team Lead, Nigeria Office for Developing the Indigenous Telecom Sector (NODITS), Babagana Digima, said the Commission has a mandate to facilitate the development of the telecom industry in Nigeria, adding that one way through which this can be done is by attracting foreign investors that will further enhance the growth of the economy.

He informed the global stakeholders at the event that the Nigerian government has been very supportive of the telecom industry which has achieved an upward growth with over 220 million active mobile voice subscriptions in Nigeria, over 150 million Internet subscriptions and broadband penetration of 48 per cent, the country is yet to be fully connected.

“Our national plan is to achieve 70 per cent broadband penetration by 2025. We still have less than 50 per cent penetration. This means there is huge investment potential for investors. Nigeria’s telecom sector needs more investment in the area of infrastructure deployment,” the EVC stated.

He stated that the telecom sector in Nigeria has become a major contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), quarter-on-quarter, driving the growth of the digital economy in the country.

"The importance of this event for us as a Commission is to showcase the NCC as a Nigerian brand, a foremost telecom regulator in Africa and beyond and to bring about the much-needed investment that will enhance development of the Nigerian telecom industry," Danbatta said.

The EVC stated that there is abundant talents in Nigeria that can be tapped by investors to support their business operations. “There is abundant human resources waiting to be harnessed by potential investors for ground-breaking global technological innovations and advancement in providing digital solutions.

“This event provides us with the platform to showcase some of the talents that we have discovered in Nigeria. The Commission has sponsored three indigenous startups that are at this event to display their solutions for prospective investors and partnerships," he said.

Continued from page 32

Nigeria Plc, John Musunga; Director, IPS, Reserve & Modern Trade, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Viola Graham-Douglas; Corporate Relations Director & Company Secretary, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Rotimi Odusola; Divisional Head, Capital Markets, NGX, Jude Chiemeka and Divisional Head, Business Support Service & General Counsel, NGX, Irene Robinson-Ayanwale, during a Closing Gong Ceremony to introduce the new MD/CEO of Guinness Nigeria, Mr John Musunga to the Capital Market Community in Lagos on June 15, 2023.

Investors

Lose

N106bn on Profit-taking as ASI Declines by 33bps

After experiencing a bullish start to the week, the Nigerian equity market concluded the week in the north zone as of Friday, June 16. However, profit-taking activities observed in prominent stocks led to a decline in the market. The benchmark index closed at 59,000.96 points, representing a decrease of 33 basis points compared to Thursday's closing of 59,195.21 points.

NEC Considers N702bn Allowance For Workers Over Subsidy Removal

The National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday said it is considering crucial recommendations from the National Salaries Income and Wages Commission on a proposed cost of living allowance amounting to N702bn for civil servants as part of its intervention plans to alleviate the impact of the discontinuation of petroleum subsidy.

President Bola Tinubu had, at his inaugural address at Eagle Square, Abuja, declared that there would no longer be a petroleum subsidy regime as it was not sustainable.

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who informed State House correspondents about the deliberation, revealed that the proposed intervention measures include a monthly petroleum allowance for civil servants, ranging from N23.5 billion to N45 billion. This announcement comes just two weeks after the President urged governors to develop concrete palliative measures to alleviate the hardships resulting from the discontinuation of petrol subsidy.

The proposed N702 billion cost of living allowance and the petroleum allowance demonstrate the government’s commitment to supporting civil servants during this transitional period.

These measures aim to mitigate the effects of the subsidy discontinuation and provide relief to workers nationwide.

“Various scenarios were given by the presenter on the issue of national salaries, income and wages and this 702 billionplus was suggested as an allowance for the cost of living adjustment allowance by the organised Labour and the other one is a petroleum allowance,” the governor said.

The cost of living adjustment allowance constitutes a significant portion of the suggested amount and is intended to address the rising costs of living in the country. The remaining portion is allocated to the petroleum allowance, which aims to compensate workers for the potential fluctuations in fuel prices.

While presenting the recommendations, Mr Mohammed acknowledged that other allowances exist, but the focus of

the discussion centred on the specific allowances proposed by organised labour and the petroleum sector.

“The governor of Ogun has told you that there are other allowances here and there, but with regard to Labour, these are some of the few allowances that they have suggested, and that of petroleum, they said will range from 23.5 billion to 45 billion per month, depending on what is in the kitty for distribution or for sharing,” he said.

He clarified that the suggested N702 billion allowance is not a single lump sum but a collective figure encompassing the cost of living adjustment allowance and the petroleum allowance.

Mr Mohammed also announced the formation of a committee tasked with addressing the potential impact of the removal of fuel subsidy on workers and vulnerable groups across Nigeria. He expressed the council’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of workers and ensuring their well-being amidst the subsidy removal.

“In addition to the palliative, the government looked at all the issues, challenges and problems holistically and set up a small committee of the council to review and come up with a term of reference to organise areas specifically where this palliative can come from and how it will be dispensed to alleviate the problem of workers and other vulnerable groups,” he explained.

Members of the committee included the Governor of Kebbi State as chairman; Anambra representing the South-East geopolitical zone; Governor of Benue, North-Central; Governor of Kaduna, North-West; Governor of Cross River, South-South; Oyo, South-West; and the Bauchi State Governor representing the North-East. Other relevant agencies in the committee are the Budget Office, representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Office of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and the Nigeria Labour Congress.

43 Non-eligible Items Remain Banned From I&E Window – CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria on Friday said that the 43 items restricted from accessing Foreign Exchange from the official window remain banned from the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window.

This means the restriction of foreign exchange allocation for the importation of the 43 items still stands.

The bank said this in a series of Q&A tweets Friday afternoon to explain the operational changes to the foreign exchange market.

“The status quo remains on the 43 noneligible items. The items are not permitted to be funded from the I&E window,” the CBN said.

The apex bank had Wednesday announced the collapse of all forex windows into the Investors & Exporters (I&E) window in its efforts to unify all segments of the Nigerian forex market.

“All transactions will now be done through the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window, where the exchange rate will be determined by market forces. Applications for medicals, school fees, BTA/PTA, and SMEs would continue to be processed through deposit money banks,” the bank said in a statement.

In June 2015, the Central Bank announced that some 41 items were “Not Valid for Foreign Exchange”, on the grounds that they could easily be produced in Nigeria rather than being imported into the country.

Some of the affected items include rice, cement, margarine, palm kernel, palm oil products, vegetable oils, meat and processed meat products, vegetables and processed vegetable products, poultry, tomatoes/tomato paste, soap and cosmetics, and clothes.

Other items include private airplanes/jets, Indian incense, tinned fish in sauce, cold rolled steel sheets, ggalvanised teel sheets, roofing sheets, wheelbarrows, head pans, metal boxes/containers, enamelware, steel drums and pipes, wire mesh, steel nails, wood particle boards, and panels.

Equally affected were security and razor wire, wood particle and fiber boards and panels, wooden doors, furniture, toothpicks, glass/ glassware, kitchen utensils, tableware, tiles (vitrified, ceramics), textiles, wooden fabrics, plastic/rubber products, polypropylene granules, and cellophane wrappers.

The decline witnessed in Friday's market was attributed to profit-taking activities in several leading stocks. Notably, DANGSUGAR declined by 4.17%, GTCO by 3.92%, STANBIC by 3.70%, ZENITHBANK by 3.28%, and WAPCO by 1.91%. These bellwether stocks contributed to the negative performance of the day.

As a result, the Year to Date (YTD) return experienced a decrease, falling to 15.12%. Additionally, the market capitalization saw a decline of 0.33%, settling at N32.13 trillion. This decrease in market capitalization led to a drop in investor fortune by N105.77 billion. Market activity decreased as volume and value traded declined by 46.81% and 57.61% to 622.42 million units and N6.51 billion respectively.

Market breadth; investor sentiment decreased to 0.85x from 0.90x in the prior session as 28 stocks appreciated, 33 stocks depreciated while 60 stocks closed flat.

On weekly basis, the market opened for four trading days this week as the Federal Government of Nigeria declared Monday 12th June 2023 as Public Holiday to commemorate the Democracy Day.

A total turnover of 4.276 billion shares worth N62.176 billion in 44,344 deals was traded this week by investors on the floor of the Exchange, in contrast to a total of 2.196 billion sharesvalued at N45.971 billion that exchanged hands last week in 31,655 deals.

The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 3.303 billion shares valued at N45.244 billion traded in 23,490 deals; thus contributing 77.26% and 72.77% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Oil and Gas Industry followed with 247.383 million shares worth N2.368 billion in 3,561 deals. The third place was the Consumer Goods Industry, with a turnover of 223.315 million shares worth N4.640 billion in 5,982 deals.

Trading in the top three equities namely United Bank for Africa Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc and Access Holdings Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 1.475 billion shares worth N27.648 billion in 8,875 deals, contributing 34.50% and 44.47% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Mainstreaming Climate-Smart Livestock Production in Nigeria

Recommendation

Increased soil biodiversity and reduced greenhouse gas emission are the two key climate-smart livestock production drivers. In addition, the implementation and adoption of climate-smart livestock production principally depend on government policies, availability of funding for tailored research and sustainable livestock projects, operationalisation of climate-smart livestock developmental projects, and mainstreaming of novel research outcomes. To significantly make a lasting impact in the Nigerian livestock sector, it is critical to invest in climate-smart livestock production.

Short term recommendations

In the short term, livestock development organizations need to integrate climate-smart livestock production otherwise known as sustainability into their project scope. Livestock production can be considered sustainable if it does not harm people, preserve the environment, and is profitable to the farmers.

In addition to sustainability, carbon farming is another concept that needs to be mainstreamed into livestock development projects. It involves capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and storing it in the soil. It improves soil health by improving the soil structure, water retention capacity, and revitalizing the soil biodiversity which ultimately improves soil fertility to produce quality pasture to sustain livestock production.

Stakeholder engagement, policy advocacy, and capacity development

Climate-smart livestock production is critical for the development of the Nigerian livestock industry, and it requires huge capital investment from donor partners and human and intellectual resources from development organizations. Nigeria has taken the first crucial step of updating and submitting the Nationally Determined Contribution document that reflects Nigeria’s efforts to lower its carbon footprint to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The next important step is the integration of these strategies into the National Livestock Transformation Plan, National Animal Feed Policy, National Dairy Policy and other livestock policies to set clear short and long-term climate smart goals.

Every development organisation implementing livestock projects should be committed to achieving the goals through a collaborative effort with the government and its relevant agencies.

BY ADEKUNLE ADEOYE

Climate Smart Livestock production (CSL) is the application of practices that reduce the environmental impact of livestock production to increase resilience, productivity and profit to achieve sustainability.

Over the last three decades, both local and international development organisations have implemented livestock development projects across Nigeria to strengthen the food system and empower smallholder livestock farmers through tailored approaches.

These approaches include farmers’ capacity development on good animal husbandry practices, access to veterinary and breeding services, provision of infrastructure, financial literacy, and gender inclusion. The International Livestock Research Institute documented that these interventions have contributed significantly to human nutrition, women empowerment, increased livestock productivity, and improved livelihood.

Current situation

In 2020, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimated/ that the Nigerian livestock sector produced 1,601 kt eq CO2 of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, this is more than Kenyan livestock emissions estimated at 1,434 kt eq CO2despite Kenya’s larger livestock population. Manure and feeding management are two critical pathways that emit carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide in livestock production. Several development organizations have implemented strategic and innovative approaches to increase smallholder livestock farmers’ productivity to address the shortage of livestock products.

These projects focused primarily on productivity improvement through a wide range of interventions such as veterinary and breeding services, knowledge transfer, and revitalization of dry (unproductive) land for fodder production. While these projects have achieved remarkable impacts, the effect of climate change and loss of soil biodiversity is still a force that reverses these impacts.

Livestock production is affected by climate change through drought, rising heat waves, floods, disease outbreaks, and loss of soil biodiversity while livestock production has been reported to contribute significantly to climate change principally through greenhouse gas emissions.

The adoption of climate-smart livestock practices in Nigeria requires a conscious effort by the implementing organizations to improve livestock farmers’ production practices through tailored capacity development, revised implementation models, and transparent monitoring and evaluation system.

Tracking emission and carbon footprint

Similar to other anthropogenic carbon emissions, livestock activities leave a carbon footprint along the production value chain. It is important for organizations implementing livestock development projects to track greenhouse gas emissions across all stages of production.

Tracking livestock production GHG emissions will give a holistic view of the cumulative emissions and indicate which livestock production process emits the most GHG and require immediate attention. While emission tracking is a novel idea in Nigeria’s livestock industry, it is the most efficient measure to track and proffer mitigating measures to livestock GHG emissions.

Several emission tracking tools could be tailored to the Nigerian context such as the Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model (GLEAM), Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture (SAFA), and Economics and Policy Innovations for Climate Smart Agriculture (EPIC).

In addition to tracking, these tools can simulate scenarios to give an overview of the expected emission in response to a proposed change in production practices.

Knowledge sharing between research institutions and development agencies.

•Adekunle Adeoye is an Independent Dairy Value Chain Consultant.

*Continues online at www. thewillnigeria.com

THEWILLNIGERIA THEWILLNG THEWILLNIGERIA

Livestock production is affected by climate change through drought, rising heat waves, floods, disease outbreaks, and loss of soil biodiversity while livestock production has been reported to contribute significantly to climate change principally through greenhouse gas emissions

SHOTS OF THE WEEK

os t te o ernor r b i e n o O or er o ernor o t e t te r in n i bo e n is i e rs o n e bo e rin ri te ere on to e ebr te t e or er o ernor s t birt in os on ne

resi ent o e in b it t e ir n o ro ressi e o ernors or o ernor o o t te en o e o i en t e o et t t e resi ent s o i e in so o in b on ne

n e en ent etro e r eters sso i tion o i eri O O on erne r eters r O r i bion r eters o O e e r eters o ib o r e o n O e o e ret r r o e bene er n o r e o o on be rin ress on eren e b os O or on e n in t e to re e se ti ets n t e ro ts i o er ont be ore t e e bsi re o in os on ne

in t r o e t o ernor r Ob e i t irst ter o te O bio rs o bio e or i e O e o e ie o O bio os e   bio   eri n resi ent o West ri n o e e o ission r is o s r in O se in oberts rin in o re t t t e r e o te ie O bio t is e resi en e to o e or te t e t nni ers r o ne in os on ne

iti t te irst r O e i O eb n i n e t in resent tion o s n so e ttresses to t e rin i o o ern ent s e i oo or t e in ere iti rs e i i o bo e r e t rin er isit to t e oo in ere iti on ne

enior rtner n ntre rene r o t e e r e er or West ri s is s i o n er nters it ro it e e be n is i e er t e be s n tion into t e Wor ntre rene r o t e e r o e in on o on ne

Photo Editor: Peace Udugba [08033050729]

ON COLLISION COURSE

Asilent war is brewing between Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos and President Bola Tinubu. The two, THEWILL exclusively gathered have been at loggerheads over an undisclosed issue and unless they come to an agreement to let sleeping dogs lie, it just may snowball into a situation that will threaten the foundations of the Centre of Excellence.

Although the traditional ruler was one of the few people that Tinubu paid a visit immediately he was announced as president-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, reliable sources close to the two disclose that the visit was intended to ‘fulfill all

Family Marks TB Joshua’s 60th Posthumous Birthday

Thefamily of late televangelist, Temitope Joshua, also known as TB Joshua, has marked the 60th posthumous birthday of the late prophet. TB Joshua, died in June 2021 at 58. The clergy was hosting a Saturday night session in church when he decided to take a little break but did not return to continue the service. Those in attendance only became aware of the situation when

Continues on page 43

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

Oluseinde & Oreoluwa Olusola Partnership That Works F A T H E R ' S D A Y S P E C I A L

O Ivory Ukonu

At work, I treat my daughter like an equal – Oluseinde Olusola

Te CEO of Seinde Signature, Olufemi Olaseinde Olusola and his daughter, Oreluwa, talk about the things that defne them as individuals, as one family and their relationship in the workplace in this Father's Day interview with IVORY UKONU Excerpts:

Oreoluwa is your last child. Why is she the one, not one of her older siblings, running Seinde Signature with you?

I didn't force her into it. It was more like we started the business together. Yes, she is my only daughter and she is quite close to me. She is interested in everything I do. When I used to go perfume shopping in those early days when I used to buy perfumes like crazy, she would always tag along. So I would say she was initiated into the perfume world. Also, in those early days when people used to troop to my home to view my perfume collection, Ore was always readily available to play the perfect hostess; serving guests food or refreshments and ensuring they were well taken care of. At first we thought she was just going to stick to the food making thing because she enjoyed cooking. So, when Seinde Signature was born, the idea was for her to handle the entertainment or if you will, the refreshment part of it, since it was part of the business she was already doing. But she ended up getting incorporated into the business. I would say that we practically started the business together. I am glad she is here with me because she has already given me a future plan of where she wants to see the business in the near future. She knows the intricacies of the business, details of how we operate and so forth. Now I have put her in a place where she can make key decisions about the business. So when I retire, I know the business will be in good hands.

So you do have a lot of faith in her ability to move the business

Yes, most definitely.

What are those qualities that you see in her that you believe will propel her to do well running the business, besides just being interested in perfumes?

She is my daughter first and foremost. So I see the best qualities in her. I allow her to find her feet. I am not the kind of father that will force things on her or expect her to do certain things in certain ways. I allow her to make decisions the best ways she deems fit and when she derails, she knows she has somewhere to run back to for succour. Also, she is practically the only person in this organisation that can change my mind about anything.

Whether she is right or wrong?

I do not consider anything as wrong or right. I see everything as a work-inprogress. We might make a decision on something and when it doesn't work, it doesn't mean she was wrong or right. It is just learning one way of not doing things in a particular way. I have taught her not to be afraid of making decisions, which also means not being afraid to take up the responsibility that comes with the decision. The issue most people have is that they love to make decisions but refuse to take up the responsibilities that come with it, so they consider it a mistake. So do I trust her judgement enough? Yes I do.

daughter relationship?

You can't take away the fact that she is my daughter. She sometimes comes to sit in my office, even though she has her own office. I like it that way because it helps her to see things from a closer perspective and to learn quickly. That is the way it works for us.

How do you both handle conflict?

We communicate and try to thrash things out. When I am angry with my staff, I can take some far-reaching decisions like firing the person, but being my daughter, I am unable to fire her when she riles me up. When I get upset, I ignore her and don't talk to her. Most times we have conflicts, especially when we have events. Ore is the type who puts all of herself into the preparation of any event we do as a company and by the time the main event starts, she is already tired. Now that is when I think she should be more active as the star of the show, but in most cases, she is always tired from running around and getting things done to be any useful during the event proper. I think Ore is still struggling to take full control of her position as the Business Development/General Manager.

Why are you hesitant to wield the big stick at her? It is because I am training her. Everyone who works here and isn't family

has their own aspirations and goals different from my own vision for Seinde Signature. I believe Ore has too, but I keep drumming it into her head that she owns the business. However this business evolves, is dependent on how she takes and discharges her duty. If every other person leaves the organisation, both of us will be the last two to leave and that automatically means that, regardless of what she does, she can never be fired.

Do you willingly take her suggestions on how to run the business?

To a large extent, yes. Despite the fact that I am her father, I learn a lot from her. She is the only one who will disagree with me on how certain things should be done and I try to reason with her. I am not too stuck up to surrender to superior argument. If she suggests something, I am not afraid to follow that path. If it doesn't work, at some point I will sit her down to tell her that we need to take a different route which may end up being my suggestion. But I do not rub it in her face.

I am all

for making compromises. I do not take decisions unilaterally. I always make sure I sell the reason why I am making certain decisions to her and ensures she buys into it before I 'press play'. I am a democrat working with Ore, I am a team player. We have learnt to relate that way. I have never forced her to do anything even in her private life. Luckily, we have been able to harmonise our thought processes and goals as it regards the business towards a common goal. How impressed are you with what your daughter has been able to bring to the table to achieve a common purpose?

I am old school. She is what is popularly referred to as Gen Z, the new generation. We have been able to marry the two generations to enable us achieve what we want to achieve in the business, all thanks to Ore. I would say that we are both the face of the business and are more or less co-managing directors. I second what she said about the brand being what comes to mind in Africa as a whole and beyond when people think about a luxury brand that stocks niche perfumes. We have been positioned to be that way. Reputable foreign organisations within the perfume industry

recognise our worth, our achievements and are excited to partner with us.

This is the reason she is positioned to become the Chief Operating Officer and later the Chief Executive Officer while I remain Chairman.

How do you feel as a father, having your daughter work with you?

It is a pleasant experience and a different level of working relationship. I love it. It is like having a confidant you can express yourself to. With the ordinary staff, you are unable to express yourself. Given another chance, I would still want to work with my daughter. I wish my other children could join me in the business. Luckily, one of them has been asking probing questions, the other one is still bidding his time but I know, eventually, they will all join. It is a family business anyway. The only issue I may have is that the others are older than her.

Being men, they may want to bully her

I won't allow it, as long as I live. They will all have to work in a position where they have defined roles. I believe that they will give her their support because it is all about complimenting each other.

How best can you describe Ore?

She thrives where there is love. She thrives when she knows she is doing something to make one happy, even at the expense of her own comfort. I am just lucky to have her as a daughter.

Olusola

The Olusolas

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

Despite having excellent working relationship with dad, I still consider him my boss – Oreoluwa Olusola

What are the qualities you believe you possess that convinced your father to trust your judgment when it comes to handling his business?

Off the top of my head, I would say loyalty because at the end of the day, no matter what happens, we are family. I am always on his side and vice versa. I am not saying we are not loyal to each other in the family, but my dad and I have a different dynamic. I think I am close enough to him to understand why he makes certain decisions. That in itself helps me understand the business better and how best to run it. I know who my dad is, I know how he thinks and I can make decisions on his behalf based on what I know he would do. But at the same time, being my own person, I can also be like, 'This is what he would do but I can also add to it to make it better.'

What did you study in school?

I studied Mass Communication at the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos. Why did you not continue in that path?

I think have always been interested in Marketing and Branding, which was part of the courses we did in school. There weren't direct marketing or branding courses, which is why I studied Mass Communication. I write all the briefs for the commercials we put out and the press releases. I am in charge of the company's website and its aesthetics which helps with the brand image.

business afforded you that opportunity

I didn't see it like that in the beginning. Being his number one fan, I was always interested in anything he does, offering to help in whatever way that I can. So from the beginning, I began to chip in to help, bit by bit. I wrote the very first set of letters to brands. And gradually, I began to see that his business was my ideal place to be a part of. I believe that it is fate that my dad started a luxury brand.

At what point in your life did you really become interested in the business?

I was still in school. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic and I had more than enough time to get fully involved.

Your dad said you like to cook. Is it your hobby?

It was a hobby initially, but at some point it became a means through which I could make extra money. I would cook meals and sell them to my classmates. I have always been interested in cooking.

Do you plan to take cooking beyond just being a good hostess and turn it into real business?

I am not quite sure. You never know what the future holds. it's just that now, I no longer enjoy cooking because I no longer have that luxury of time.

What is it like working with your dad?

He is my dad and obviously, I have a lot of respect for him. He is like an authority to me. I called him daddy in the office and then everyone else started to call him that. I had to change that and started calling him boss. I would say it is different because I have worked in other places before I berthed here. But I would say it is emotional working with him.

your daddy/daughter relationship?

I think we are now more formal than when we first started, but sometimes that filial relationship will always creep in.

How do you handle work related conflicts with him?

We talk things over, but it affects me emotionally. If he was just any other boss, it probably wouldn't affect me that much as opposed to him being my dad.

Do you make compromises in the interest of the business or do you use emotional blackmail on him?

Or no, I am open to making compromises. I mean at the end of the day, he is the boss.

Since joining the business, what have you done differently that has greatly impacted positively on the organisation? Although my dad set up the social media page, I took it over from him and rebranded it to suit the prevailing times. I manage it currently. I set up the website and designed it and got someone to transform my ideas into reality. I am in charge of organising and planning all of the events we host as an organisation and several other things too numerous to mention.

As the future CEO of Seinde Signature, where do you see it five years from now?

When people think of a luxury brand that stocks strictly niche perfumes, not only in Nigeria but also in Africa as a whole, I want it to be that Seinde Signature is what readily comes to mind. Also, I hope that in five years time, we would have successfully changed the perception of Nigerians and Africans in general towards luxury niche perfumes. And to show the international community that we are capable of having a flourishing market in the market of luxury brands and not just be a dumping ground for condemned goods.

Your dad got into this business because of his obsession for perfumes. Do you operate on the same wavelength?

No, not as much as he does, but when it comes to the knowledge of perfumes, I believe I have acquired even more knowledge than him. It was my curiosity about why he was so obsessed with perfume and the outrageous sums of money that he spends to acquire them that piqued my interest in the business and that is how I gradually got sucked in. And today, I now understand what perfumes are all about and not just what you spray on your body, that there is a story behind each perfume made and the structure behind perfumes. So now I see perfumes as an art.

Are you a collector like him?

I have access to so much perfumes that I do not see the need to collect them.

How old are you? I am 25 years-old

Besides working with your dad, you obviously have a special relationship with him? How do your siblings feel about the unusual love you have for each other? I think everyone in the family is already used to our special bond. Being the last born and the only girl, I feel naturally that I will always be my dad's best friend.

What drives you?

Family and the urge to be where my dad is at is what drives me. He is the kind of person who never takes no for an answer. He is always looking to find a solution to a knotty issue instead of throwing a pity party. Having a father like that drives me to not want to give up easily.

What would you say is responsible for shaping your outlook in life?

My both parents. They are very different people and I feel I am an amalgamation of both of them.

What do you wish for your dad on Father's Day today?

I know that what he wants above all else is for his business to attain greater heights and break boundaries and so I wish that for him, that before the next five years runs out, his wishes will come to pass.

The Olusolas

STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

ABOUT TEIN JACKRICH'S RISING PROFILE

Teinbo Saturday Seliyefubara Jack-Rich, a wealthy businessman and politician, is one man Nigerians should watch out for in the new political dispensation. Just last month, THEWILL had predicted that he would be one of the biggest beneficiaries of President Bola Tinubu's government.

Although he was already a successful businessman, his decision to step down for Tinubu during the 2022 presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has endeared him to the President. He is already beginning to reap from where he had the foresight to sow.

During the week, his company, Belema Oil Producing Limited was one of the two companies that got crude oil terminal licence. The other is the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

While NNPCL’s crude oil terminal will be based in Akwa Ibom state, Belema’s terminal, the 1st hybrid crude export terminal, will be located in Rivers State. Also, while NNPCL will establish 2,179,747 barrels of crude oil within the waters of the exclusive economic zone, Belema Sweet Export Terminal Limited will establish 2,000,000 barrels of crude oil at 20 Nautical Miles of Kula Southern Part of the exclusive economic zone. Jack–Rich revealed that his terminal has the capacity to add over $11 billion to the national revenue, over 400,000 barrels of crude daily with a storage point that could store eight million barrels of crude and is guaranteed to provide 100,000 jobs to employment seekers.

At 48, Jack-Rich has no doubt done well for himself. A graduate of Petroleum Production from Panola College,

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

Tajudeen Abass' House of Commotion

While the swearingin ceremony of President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio took place without a single hitch, a mild domestic drama tainted that of the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass.

Cartage USA, he also obtained degrees from the University of Wales and USAM Porto-Novo, Benin Republic, in Business Administration.

A former presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Tein and his wife, Elizabeth were both named highest-ranking members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council from Rivers state after the primaries. Shortly after the primaries where he emerged winner, Tinubu and his team paid him a visit and not long after that, he was appointed the Deputy Director of the PCC Fundraising Committee. A philanthropist of note, Tein is married to Ondo State born Elizabeth, an adopted daughter of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja 11.

Institute of Estate Surveyors Honours Olu Okeowo

receive the award as he was physically present at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, venue of the award ceremony.

Okeowo was presented the award by the NIESV president, Johnbull Amayaevbo, who lauded him for his longevity and professionalism in the industry.

sewerage, road, bridge, highway, subway, and other civil engineering and electric facility services. Over the years, the company has gained some experience in most areas of the construction industry by collaborating with world-renowned designers, engineers, and clients to deliver technically sophisticated and exciting building projects to cities and communities around the country.

Perhaps taking a cue from the First lady, Remi Tinubu, who stood beside her husband all through his swearingceremony, Hon. Abass’ two wives thought it wise to replicate what they saw happen during the May 29 inauguration event. But they only succeeded in marring their husband's ceremony with their shocking behaviour. First, the Speaker’s second wife walked to the stage in an attempt to stand by her husband while he took his oath of office. Naturally many were shocked by her action as no past wife of the number three

citizen, let alone the number four citizen, has ever attempted to be part of such proceedings without invitation. The Clerk of the House, who was anchoring the swearing-in ceremony, couldn't hide his irritation at what she was trying to do. While others were still wondering what gave her the

audacity to behave in such manner, Abass’ first wife, seeing that the second wife was trying to take her shine and publicly displace her, also stormed the stage to put a stop to the apparent 'coup' that almost took place. An argument ensued between the two wives who clearly breached protocol but refused to retreat. Guests and other members of the House at the ceremony were disappointed by the open display of shame by the women. The speaker was eventually able to calm his wives and completed his swearing-in ceremony. The incident has since cast a shadow over Abass’ new role as Speaker, no doubt. It has also raised questions about his personal life and his ability to lead the House of Representatives if he is unable to keep a tight rein on his two wives and manage his household successfully without rancour.

ADESUA DOZIE APPOINTED VICE CHAIRMAN OF EXXONMOBIL’S BOARD

of the biggest names globally.

Prior to the appointment, she was the General Counsel of GE Africa. As General Counsel, Adesua advised on over transactions worth $10 billion across the continent, in turn facilitating regional growth, strengthening corporate governance and compliance cultures across diverse business communities, as well as serving as a guardian of the complex dynamics between purpose, profit and risk.

Billionaire socialite, Sir Olu

Okeowo, has been honoured by the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) with the highest honour in the profession, the NIESV Platinum Award for his landmark real estate projects executed by his company, Gibraltar Construction Company Limited. The award is usually given to individuals who have distinguished themselves through their services and professionalism in the industry. Okeowo did not miss the chance to

Amayaevbo said that through the awards ceremony, the association seeks to recognise and celebrate individuals, government parastatals, and corporate organisations whose contributions to the development of the Estate Surveyors and Valuers sector have been immense.

A perfectionist who insists on excellence, Okeowo’s Gibraltar Construction Company Ltd, which was established in 1994, primarily engages in the construction and civil engineering service businesses in Nigeria. It is also involved in the construction of residential and commercial property and the provision of civil engineering construction services such as

Gibraltar Construction Company Limited has completed more than 1200 extraordinary projects across 12 states in Nigeria.

Continued from page 38

Lawyer, technocrat and the immediate past Executive Director/General Counsel, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), both affiliates of ExxonMobil, Adesua Dozie has been appointed the board's Vice-Chairman. This makes her the first woman to attain that position. Her latest appointment is a continuation of her impressive career trajectory which has seen her work with some

Prior to joining GE in 2013, Adesua worked in senior legal roles for Coca-Cola Company, where she also supported the growth of the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation as Legal Adviser and Secretary to the Board. She previously served as Legal Counsel to Elf Petroleum Nigeria and was an Associate Counsel for Ajumogobia & Okeke. She is a graduate of Cornell Law School. Adesua is married to Uzoma Dozie, a former managing director of defunct Diamond Bank now founder of Sparkle Bank.

Oba Akiolu, President Tinubu on Collision Course

righteousness’. It was nothing other than a mere photo op. Society watchers believe however that whatever relationship that existed between Oba Akiolu and President Tinubu in the past may have been tested without fully being mended allegedly on account of Akiolu's close relationship with Akinwunmi Ambode, a former governor of the state.

The traditional ruler managed to nurture a father/son relationship with Ambode, which started before the 2015

General Election and continued, even after the latter ceased to be in power. Akiolu manifested how much Ambode meant to him during the period that the former governor's second term ambition was threatened and finally cut short by Tinubu. He did everything within his power to get the President to rescind his decision to deny Ambode a second term ticket.

The Oba made several trips to Tinubu’s residence in an attempt to iron out things with him and consulted

with many others that mattered in political circles across the state and beyond, to help save Ambode's job, but in vain.

Akiolu was very disappointed in himself on realising that even he could not use his position as a firstclass traditional ruler to broker a hugely important truce between the two warring parties. While he has maintained a cordial relationship with Tinubu, his affection for Ambode has not waned one bit till date.

Dozie

Jack-Rich

Okeowo

Abass

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

STORIES BY SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN

MURITALA YAKUBU CLEARED OF FORGERY ALLEGATION

politician had his secondary education. In response, the Principal of the college, Mr Alhassan Isyaku, told Isah that Yakubu was not a student of the institution. He said that Yakubu’s name the school was not in the admission register for 1996, the year he was supposedly admitted to the school. The register for candidates who took the West African Senior School Certificate Examination and class files were all checked, but Yakubu’s name was not found in any of the documents.

Yakubu was accused of forgery by the opposition and a call was made for a further investigation to find out if all his credentials were authentic. Suddenly, a few days after his initial statement, Isyaku turned around and apologised, saying there was a mix up in his previous response to the inquiry.

Adesoye Adegboyega

Installed as Osi Balogun of Ijebuland

Yakubu

Muritala Yakubu, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in Kogi State has been cleared of the forgery allegation made against him.

Yabuku had signified interest in running for the governorship position in the state a few weeks ago. In an attempt to confirm the authenticity of some of his credentials, Professor Hassan Isah, a member of the Kogi East Elders Forum, wrote to the Principal of Barewa College, Zaria, the school where the

Addressing Chief Aduku, Chairman of the Kogi East Elders Forum, Barewa College issued a letter of apology, clarifying the oversight and providing additional information. In the letter, the principal said that another investigation was conducted after Yakuku was accused of forgery, just to ascertain the school’s original claims and it was discovered that Yakubu Murtala Ajaka, bearing registration number 14667, was a student of Barewa College between 1996 and 1998.

However, the school noted that the politician did not take the WASSC examination in 1998 at the college, which explained his absence from the 1998 WAEC gazette. Taking full responsibility for the mistake, the school assured the public that they were willing to provide further clarification, if necessary.

Toke Makinwa no longer chummy with Tiwa Savage

It seems that the relationship between Toke Makinwa and singer Tiwa Savage has cooled down and both women are no longer on speaking terms. The two, who used to do things together, now pointedly ignore each other, even in public. Both of them attended the 70th birthday party of Lagos socialite, Chief Rainot Oniru recently, but they clearly avoided each other at the event. Savage, who was accompanied by her bodyguard to the event, exchanged pleasantries with some guest but walked past Makinwa without a word. The relationship between the two became sour in 2022. It was alleged that they fell apart as a result of a disagreement they had over a love interest. Around that time, Savage bagged an

honorary doctorate degree from the University of Kent, but Makinwa did not celebrate her. They also unfollowed each other on social media.

Makinwa made it known during a question and answer session then that she was no longer close to the singer, but she did not give any reason.

OLORI SEKINAT GOES AFTER PURVEYOR OF DEATH RUMOUR

Olori Sekinat Elegushi, the beautiful wife of Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, has gone after Kuburat Saka, one of the people alleged to have spread the rumour of her death last month.

A few weeks ago, the mother of three was said to be in critical condition after allegedly undergoing a Brazilian butt lift surgery abroad. Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery is an operation, which involves fat transfer procedure that augments the size and shape of the buttocks without implants as excess fat is removed from the hips, abdomen, lower back, or thighs with liposuction and a portion of the fat is strategically injected into the buttocks. Police intelligence agents from the Commissioner of Police Special Squad arrested and detained Saka, for allegedly being behind the rumour. The suspect was alleged to be among those spreading the false information through cyber stalking by intentionally sending messages through her Facebook and Instagram handles. She was charged before an Ogba Magistrate Court for allegedly using her Instagram and Facebook handles with the name, Citiscoop, to spread false information about Olori Sekinat.

Saka pleaded not guilty. The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. F. O. Ameen granted her bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood, tax payment and addresses verified by the court. The matter was adjourned for mention, while the defendant was remanded in custody at Kirikiri Correctional Centre, pending when she perfects her bail conditions.

Millionaire socialite, Otunba Adesoye Adegboyega, has been installed as the Osi Balogun of Ijebuland. The businessman was honoured by the paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Alayeluwa Oba Sikiru Adetona, Ogbagba II. Adegboyega, was honoured by the traditional ruler for his contribution and impact to Ijebuland and its environs. He is a philanthropist of repute whose generosity and benevolence has been felt by many families and religious groups. When he marked his 50th birthday a couple of years ago, he erected a mosque and built a residential apartment for the Imam and his family in Ijebu, the act is one of the few philanthropic acts he has embarked upon. The official installation ceremony will take place in a couple of weeks. Adegboyega, is the Chief Executive Officer of Techlun Nigeria Limited, his chain of businesses includes, manufacturing of aluminum cooking wares, colour coated roofing sheet, PVC ceiling and tiles.

Mohammed Babangida Unveils Private University

Mohammed Babangida, first son of the former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has founded his own private university, El-Amin University, in Niger State. The accomplished executive who has experience in education and security service has received accreditation for the institution from the National Universities Commission, NUC.

Mohammed’s sister, Aisha took to Instagram to share the good news and posted the certificate of accreditation by the NUC. According to her, having several educational institutions has always been the dream of Mohammed’s late mother, Maryam Babangida, the former first lady of Nigeria. And her children have been doing their best to ensure the dream is fulfilled. The journey to setting up the institution started 10 years ago when the astute businessman started erecting structures and making preparations for the commencement of

the institution. Ahmadu Bello University has been chosen by the Babangidas as the mentor to their new institution as some courses will be affiliated to the tertiary institution.

Mohammed has been a big player in the education sector for more than two decades now. He owns a primary and secondary school, El-Amin School in Abuja and another one which he replicated in Minna, Niger State. The former banker is also a polo lover and has won many accolades as one of the prominent polo players in Nigeria. He also owns a polo club, El-Amin Polo club.

Elegushi

Adegboyega

Babangida

Makinwa

STORIES BY SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN

OLUSEYE OLADEJO REMARRIES IN STYLE

Former Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations in Lagos State and current spokesperson of Lagos chapter of the All Progressive Congress, Oluseye Oladejo spared no cost in staging the most talked about wedding ceremony to Dr Oluwatoyin Ramon, also known as Dr Tee Glam, last Saturday.

The two-day fanfare took place at the prestigious Marriott Hotel, GRA, Ikeja. It was preceded by a traditional marriage ceremony, which held on Friday. A few hours to the wedding, Oladejo instructed Royal Hugs Surprise to pay a surprise visit to the bride, just to give her a big hug, fresh flowers and chocolates. The event had in attendance the crème de la crème of the ruling party, traditional rulers, socialites, friends and family of the couple.

Dr Tee Glam, flew in 300 doctors from Houston, Texas to witness the classy and flamboyant ceremony. Reputable luxury bridal stylist, Hakeem Olaleye, professionally known as Segun Gele, was also flown into Nigeria from the United States to take charge of the bride's glamourous look. Many were in awe of the seven expensive dresses that the bride wore for her wedding. The extravagant wedding, which many tagged as the wedding of the year, had some highlights that will linger in the minds of guests for a very long time.

One of the highlights was the massive fairytalethemed cake. The massive cake was built with different edible structures, flowers and an ambience that reminded guests of a fairytale city. The cake, which cost N20million, has become a topic of discussion in the social circle.

Another major highlight of the wedding was the box filled with dollars which the groom gifted his bride during their engagement ceremony. The money sprayed on the couple during the two-day fairy tale

ENTERTAINMENT

&SOCIETY WEEKLY

Toyin Falola Bags Lifetime Achievement Award

Foremost historian, Professor Toyin Falola, has been honoured by the Canadian Association of African Studies, CAAS. The distinguished scholar was given a Lifetime Achievement award, which is the highest award given to senior scholars of the association.

CAAS is the umbrella body for scholars and practitioners dedicated to promoting the study of Africans in Canada. Falola was chosen for the award based on three criteria, his lifetime of sound scholarship, accomplishments in research, teaching and mentoring awards and involvement in the activities of CAAS.

The erudite professor was recognised for his exceptional contributions, unwavering dedication, and profound impact in the field of African Studies in Canada. The award plaque was presented to him during the CAAS Annual General Meeting and Conference hosted in York University, where coincidentally, Falola had been a professor between 1990 and 1991.

wedding will be donated to schools in Lagos State. The money will be used to buy chairs and tables to aid academic activities in different schools. Guests who attended the wedding had more than enough to eat and drink, while music was provided by Azeez Fashola, professionally known as Naira Marley's songs.

Dr Tee Glam is a mother of two children, a girl and a boy. She is a psychiatrist and founder of Sparks Psychiatry Clinic with branches in Texas, Minnesota and Arizona. Oladejo, the groom, is a 57-year-old politician who was the Secretary to the Mushin Local Government from 1999-2003. He later became the First Executive Secretary of Mushin Local Government in 2004. As a man of the people, he was elected as the Executive Chairman, Mushin Local Government from 2004-2007. In 2011, he was appointed Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce and Industry, a position he held till 2015. He later became the Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations in the Akinwumi Ambode Administration. He is currently the secretary of the APC in Lagos State. Oladejo’s first marriage to Omiseye was blessed with three children.

Tunde Hundeyin Marks 70th Birthday

Seasoned movie producer cum director and former Chairman of Badagry Local Government Area, Tunde Hundeyin, has joined the septuagenarian club. The foremost producer who is the founder of Dudu Productions staged his 70th birthday amidst fanfare last week.

The event, tagged Dudu at 70, was well attended by film makers, footballers, politicians, friends and family of the celebrant.

Torrents of accolades have since been pouring in from home and abroad for one of the pioneers of motion pictures in Nigeria.

Broadcaster Bisi Olatilo supervised the cutting of the four-tier cake during the birthday bash. Segun Odegbami, who was also present at the ceremony, paid glowing tributes to Hundeyin, during the ceremony.

The native of Badagry in Lagos

Hundeyin

State was responsible for leading the River State’s musical troupe to the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts Culture, aka FESTAC “77 in Lagos. His company, Dudu Productions produced many top music artistes in the ’80s and ’90s,

including, Sunny Okosun, Majek Fashek, Onyeka Onwenu, Christy Essien Igbokwe, Adewale Stubs, Wasiu Ayinde, Orits Wiliki, Blacky, Chris Okotie.

Sir Shina Peters’ evergreen album, ‘Ace’, which is regarded as the first commercial music video in Nigeria in 1989 was produced by Dudu Productions.

Hundeyin, also produced and directed box office hits like ‘Iyawo Alhaji’ in 1994 and ‘Ami Orun’ in 1996. He registered his name as one of the youngest Nigerians to film on celluloid in 1983 with his work as a director in Yoruba hit series, ‘Ireke Onibudo’, which was produced by Bayo Aderohunmu.

Hundeyin veered into politics in 2002 when he was elected Chairman of Badagry Local Government Area on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

Falola, is a professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin, where he holds the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in Humanities. He was also previously The Frances Higginbotham Nalle Centennial Professor in History, a position he held from 1995 to 2012. His contributions to the field of African Studies and African History have continued to place Africa on the map of global recognition.

Not only is Falola’s scholarship recognised globally but also dedicated to mentoring a new generation of young and emerging scholars in social sciences, arts and humanities. He is responsible for convening the Annual Africa Conference, a platform for knowledge exchange between scholars from Africa and the Diaspora.

Family, Friends Mark 10th Anniversary of Wahab Dosunmu’s Death

The family and friends of late Ambassador Wahab Dosunmu have marked the 10th anniversary of his demise. Dosunmu died in 2013, after a brief illness in the United States at the age of 74. Taking to social media to mark the life and times of the late politician cum ambassador in a touching tribute, the family paid glowing tributes to their patriarch, who was a visionary leader, an epitome of dedication and catalyst for progress both in Nigeria and internationally before his demise. His groundbreaking initiatives and impact in the nation were also celebrated. The late politician was minister of works and housing in the Second Nigerian Republic from 1979 to 1983

Continued from page 38

during the Shehu Shagari regime. He later became a member of the Nigerian senate from 1999 to 2003. Dosunmu contested the Lagos governorship primaries in 1999, but lost to Senator Bola Tinubu. He won the seat for the Lagos West Senatorial District on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). He was also Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Malaysia between 2004 and 2007. He was one of those who fought for the actualisation of the June 12, 1993 presidential mandate of late Chief M.K.O Abiola through the National Democratic Coalition, Nigeria, NADECO.

Family Marks TB Joshua’s 60th Posthumous Birthday

ittook long without seeing the preacher return. Upon a search at his apartment, he was found dead at 2 am. Two years after his demise, members of The Synagogue Church of all Nation (SCOAN), his family and associates celebrated his 60th posthumous birthday on June 12. The

event took place at the headquarters of SCOAN, Ikotun, Nigeria. It was a gathering of ministers of the gospel both locally and internationally.

Attendees of the event also came from the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom, Ireland and Botswana. The event featured opera performances,

songs ministrations, drama presentation, and cutting of the birthday. Torrents of tributes and accolades poured in for the late prophet who influenced so many lives before his unfortunate demise. Some of the people whom the prophet had impacted testified of his good deeds.

Falola

Dosunmu

The Oladejos

FEATURES

Fancy Footwear? No. We Prefer Ponmo

Tanners in Nigeria have a boot-sized grudge against their compatriots because they prefer snacking on leather instead of turning them into fancy footwear that should compete with imported brands from Brazil, Italy or Spain. That culinary preference alone by millions of Nigerians is making business diffcult for local shoe manufacturers. But now, there just might be some respite for the leather workers. Last week, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture issued a warning that consuming cowhide aka ponmo and bush meat comes with risks of Anthrax infection. The fungi disease is now a health hazard in parts of Burkina Faso, Ghana and Togo. Can Nigerian gastronomes forgo what has since become a staple in their diet? THEWILL asks.

Michael Jimoh reports…

For roadside caterer, Imaobong, on Sasegbon Street GRA Ikeja, her soups are not quite complete without the chunky pieces of cowhide her customers prefer to beef or fish. Of the regular recipes ranging from afang to egusi, ogbono and oha she cooks every day, the bovine pelt otherwise known as ponmo is an indispensable ingredient.

Fleshier, bigger in size than the miniscule beef in an ocean of egusi or oha soup, for instance, they are cheaper substitutes for customers hoping for a mouthful of something to chew as the bolus of ‘swallows’ ripple down their gullet. Plus Imaobong dishes portions of the cowhide into the smorgasbord of dishes she sells briskly at her open and roofless restaurant by the side of a 12-ft high fence in Ikeja.

It is true that the beef and fish sauce enhance the flavour of the broths. But once sufficiently cooked, Imaobong scoops them from the soup before adding other condiments. Only the cowhide alias ponmo is dunked in the soups, “to give them a unique taste,” the 35-year-old caterer from Ikot-Udo-Aduak in Akwa Ibom told THEWILL last week.

There is garri, fufu (both derived from cassava) and semovita to go with the chowder depending on the customer’s preference. As she ladles soups from an assortment of coolers, the male and female customers with take-away plastic containers like panhandlers on the dole hang around Imaobong in a semi-circle. Nothing is for free though.

A plate of garri, fufu or semo with any of the soups goes for N600. Extra helpings cost a few more, depending on the quantity. On a makeshift table is a container of different sizes of Titus fish – extra-large heads, moderate mid-sections and tail. There’s beef, too, cut into N100 portions. The real attraction is the cowhides in the broth from which the cook ladles into take-away packs.

Most times, Imaobong sells the ponmo faster than beef or fish. At one time in the past, she bought N8, 000 worth of cowhide daily. But because of the recent economic downturn, her customers’ purchasing power has fallen correspondingly. Now, she buys about N5, 000 worth. Even so, the hide sells like hot cake. And such is the customer crush at her roadside eatery that she is sold out by 6pm every day. Imaobong concedes however that she sometimes returns home with unsold beef and fish but never the ponmo which is known by another moniker ‘show boy’ in parts of Edo state.

Somewhere in a canopied restaurant on Egbado Road Dalemo in Ogun state, diners come in twos and threes around midday. Unlike Imaobong’s openair spot in Ikeja, there are plastic chairs and tables. There is a sink somewhere with a plastic container of liquid detergent. “Ki le fe ra?” (“wetin una wan buy?”a young girl in white hijab demands of the already seated guests.

From a large show glass, there is a variety of food: steaming silver wares of jollof, fried and white rice are in plain sight; in another container are oilsoaked beans; nearby chicken and turkey wings and drumsticks compete for attention. But what gets the most attention are the pieces of ponmo cut into sizable portions in a pyramidal heap. By early evening, a source told the newspaper, the heap would have gone down considerably, bought by drive-by

customers sitting in their jeeps, schoolboys and girls stopping by for choice picks with their plates of soup without.

And then, there is the phalanx of touts who have made a habit of coming around, pinning some pieces down with toothpicks then tossing them into their mouths at once thus distending their cheek muscles reminiscent of chipmunks.

If you think only lowly types like area boys gorge on the leather, then you are mistaking. Once considered a meal the very poor resorted to because they could not afford to buy meat or fish, everyone seems to be digging in on the succulent tissue now, making it something of a national pastime as a culinary delicacy.

While millions of gourmands in Nigeria cutting across age, class and gender delight in sinking their canines into the fleshy bovine epidermis as part of their meals on in-betweens, it has left nothing but bitterness in others, thus provoking what has now come be known as the leather wars.

Leather Wars

To be sure, it isn’t such a conventional war as you might expect. For one, the warring factions are in the same country. Two, there are no guns and bullets, no human casualties or even POWs. Still, the economic consequences of the leather wars parallel those of a conventional confrontation between countries at war.

If we get our tanneries, our footwear and leather production working well in Nigeria,” Yakubu pointedly noted then, “people will hardly get ponmo to buy and eat. When implemented fully, it would turn around most of the comatose tanneries and ginger greater output in production

...We Prefer Ponmo FEATURES

On one side of the battling forces is Muhammed Yakubu DG of Nigeria Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) Zaria in Kaduna state. On the other side are the millions of uncompromising consumers of cowhide in Nigeria. Though the war has been on a low boil for some time, it only came to a head recently when Yakubu blew his top on what his countrymen and women were doing to themselves in particular and the tanning industry in general.

“To the best of my knowledge,” Yakubu thundered at a meeting of stakeholders in the industry in Abuja last year, “Nigerians are the only people in the world that overvalue skin as food.”

Why they are so inclined is beyond the man who knows that leather products should not be turned into lunches or dinners but made into nifty shoes, fancy bags and belts. Besides, what his compatriots value as a delicacy has no nutritional value whatsoever.

The agency Yakubu heads is the sole body in the country charged with research into and promotion of leather production. Brought about with the Agricultural Research Institute Act of 1975, NILEST is responsible for making leather for local tanning materials and, ultimately, a prime source for shoe factories in Nigeria.

But since Nigerians prefer consuming their leather products to turning them into fancy footwear, it has affected the leather industry adversely. Yakubu’s words: “Consuming cow skin was contributing to the downward slide of the production in Nigeria’s leather industry.”

How true! Only the older generation of Nigerians like Yakubu remember that there was once Bata and Lennards shoe companies with outlets in nearly all the state capitals, producing footwear from allweather Cortinas for students to Bally shoes their parents wore to offices and weekend parties. But they are no more, not for want of professionals in the industry but for Nigerians who are partial to leather as a food source.

The DG was so riled by this that he contemplated taking his case to the legislative houses (Upper and Lower) of Assembly to, as it were, “ban the consumption of ponmo because it will be necessary to revive the comatose leather industry in Nigeria.”

“If we get our tanneries, our footwear and leather production working well in Nigeria,” Yakubu pointedly noted then, “people will hardly get ponmo to buy and eat. When implemented fully, it would turn around most of the comatose tanneries and ginger greater output in production.”

As for the leather products not having any nutritional value, Yakubu is in good company. Some years ago in one popular programme on national television, there was talk about the benefits or health hazards of consuming ponmo. Among the discussants that day were two prominent Nigerians Mr. Alex Ibru publisher of The Guardian and Jibril Aminu professor of cardiology.

In the course of the conversation, with a scrunch to his patrician features and something resembling a sneer, the renowned cardiologist Aminu dismissed consumption of cowhide as “gastronomic indiscipline.” The doctor’s point was clear. Animal hide has no place in human diet because it has no nutritional value as such. So, in his reckoning, why consume what is not beneficial to the body?

Among the Nigerian elite in his own right, Ibru replied that however badly the medic may feel about eating ponmo, as a Lagosian which Ibru pronounced Lahgosian as residents do in downtown Lagos (Isale Eko), he consumes the local delicacy now and then and was not about stopping it.

In some sense, the publisher also had his point. Consuming cowhide may truly have nothing to add to the body nutrition wise. But it is a delicacy that has become a staple for generations of Nigerians and, like the publisher, they haven’t even considered stopping it, Anthrax or not.

Anthrax Scare

How long that infatuation with the leathery stuff will last is hard to say, considering the recent warning by the Ministry of Agriculture that consuming ponmo and bush meat might expose people to Anthrax infection. To avoid infection, the ministry, through the Permanent Secretary Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, has appealed to Nigerians “to stop consuming ponmo and smoked bush meat over the outbreak of Anthrax in some neighbouring countries.”

“The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural

Development,” Umakhihe wrote, “hereby alerts the general public on the outbreak of Anthrax in some neighbouring countries within the West African Sub-Region; specifically, Northern Ghana bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.”

Continuing, the PS let it be known that “the disease which has claimed some lives, is a bacterial disease that affects both animals and man, that is a zoonotic disease. Anthrax spores are naturally found in the soil and commonly affect domestic and wild animals. People can get infected with Anthrax spores if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. However, Anthrax is not a contagious disease and so, one cannot get it by coming in close contact with an infected person.”

Not stopping there, Umakhihe went on to list symptoms of Anthrax which are flu-like “such as cough, fever, muscle aches and if not diagnosed and treated early, leads to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock and death.” Anthrax, he stated further, can be treated with antibiotics and supportive therapy since it is a bacterial disease. Still, the “general public is strongly advised to desist from the consumption of hides (ponmo), smoked meat and bush meat as they pose serious risk until the situation is brought under control.”

Though no cases of Anthrax infections have been recorded, detected yet, it isn’t the first time Nigerians will be warned against the disease. In late December 2019, for instance, in a memo to the World Health Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock alerted the world body to the outbreak of charcoal Anthrax in neighbouring Niger Republic.

In September of that year, 22 cows were killed while 100 were affected, prompting warnings from the Nigeria Customs Service to WOAH. NCS headquarters in Abuja wrote at the time that “given the supply of cattle and sheep from Niger to Nigeria the CGC has directed on the urgent need to place additional precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the disease into Nigeria through our land borders.”

There have been no reports of charcoal Anthrax infections in Nigeria since then, until the recent warning from the Ministry of Agriculture. Experts hope there may be none. And Nigerians are still besotted with the epidermis despite the warnings of the health risk potentials.

A graduate of Accounting in his mid-thirties, James told THEWILL midweek he is aware of the ban but he still ate ponmo that afternoon. And just last weekend, at Imaobong’s outdoor eatery, the same customers visited, asking for the same chunky hide to go with their garri or semo. The caterer herself admitted she’d heard of the ban but there was nothing she could do about it since her customers asked for it. “Will I deny them what they want?”

If there was any ban, Imaobong told the newspaper, she didn’t see any sign of it in the market when she went to buy ingredients for soup on Friday morning. There was ponmo everywhere – from the roasted brown Ijebu type to the white ones boiled and scrapped with sharp objects.

The inference is that as long as it is available in markets and elsewhere, stopping outright consumption of ponmo will be difficult to enforce in public places like markets or private kitchens. For now, the battle line is drawn with Yakubu NILEST boss, Ministry of Agriculture on one side offering fancy footwear to millions of unyielding consumers of the leathery hide on the other who must have their ponmo whatever the cost.

In the course of the conversation, with a scrunch to his patrician features and something resembling a sneer, the renowned cardiologist Aminu dismissed consumption of cowhide as “gastronomic indiscipline

SportsLive

Enyimba's Quest For Continental Glory

BY JUDE OBAFEMI

Enyimba Football Club's extraordinary resurgence in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) under the tutelage of Coach Finidi George has not only secured them the coveted 2022/2023 league title but also revitalised their ambitions on the continental stage.

Enyimba's remarkable journey, which saw them overcome adversity, display tactical prowess and exhibit unwavering determination, has sparked discussions among football analysts and enthusiasts alike about Finidi George's suitability for the prestigious role of the Super Eagles coach. This much was obvious in then club’s triumphant campaign, the challenges they encountered along the way and will be of immense importance in the upcoming CAF Champions League campaign which they qualified for by virtue of their victory.

The triumph of the People's Elephant in the just concluded season was nothing short of a spectacular feat. Under George, the team displayed remarkable resilience, tactical prowess, and a relentless pursuit of success, culminating in their well-deserved league title. This successful run seemed a far-fetched dream after the team finished the previous season in seventh place in George's first stint as substantive manager. However, the management kept faith with the former Super Eagles' player and the victory this season is just desserts. Throughout this season, the team demonstrated their dominance and consistency, winning crucial matches and accumulating points with an air of confidence. They exhibited their attacking flair, solid defensive organisation, and ability to adapt to different game situations, which set them apart from their competitors.

The club’s journey to the NPFL title was not without challenges. They faced formidable opponents who pushed them to their limits, testing their mettle at every step.

Unfortunately, the team's results looked like it was not improving from the previous season, and they now face the real risk of missing out on a Super Six place. Disappointing home draws against Bendel Insurance and Nasarawa United saw Enyimba, an eight-time champion, fall further behind Group A leaders, the unbeaten Bendel Insurance. They were fourth in the Group A table with 18 points from 11 matches, trailing Insurance by seven points.

Enyimba faced a daunting task against Akwa United at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium and a

narrow 1- nil defeat in that crucial match saw the immense pressure on Finidi intensify. This was on top of already facing scrutiny due to the team's unsatisfactory performances. However things began to look up with consecutive wins over Plateau United at home and Kwara United away. One draw against Remo Stars was followed by victories over El Kanemi Warriors and Gombe United, lifting the team up to 3rd and within reach of the Super Six.

It was this unwavering determination and refusal to settle for anything less than victory that proved to be their defining trait. The climax of Enyimba's campaign came during the Super Six play-off. Enyimba found themselves in a fierce battle with Rivers United and Remo Stars, both formidable adversaries in their own right.

In a high-stakes final match, Enyimba faced off against Rivers United at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, with the league title hanging in the balance. The match was a captivating affair, filled with moments of intensity, skill, and sheer determination from both sides. The club’s players rose to the occasion, exhibiting a display of teamwork, composure, and strategic brilliance. Ultimately, the match ended in a 1-1 draw, but Enyimba emerged as the champions due to their superior goal

THEWILLNIGERIA THEWILLNG THEWILLNIGERIA

The triumph of the People's Elephant in the just concluded season was nothing short of a spectacular feat

SportsLive

...Quest For Continental Glory

difference. The scenes of jubilation and elation that followed were a testament to the hard work, dedication, and unity that had propelled Enyimba to the pinnacle of Nigerian football once again.

Enyimba's NPFL triumph not only secured them the league title but also reaffirmed their status as the most successful club in Nigerian football history. It was their ninth league title, a remarkable achievement that further solidified their legacy and dominance in the domestic football scene. Coach George played a pivotal role in Enyimba's success. His tactical acumen, ability to motivate the players, and strategic decision-making were evident throughout the season. Under his guidance, Enyimba flourished as a cohesive unit, blending experienced players with young talents and creating a harmonious environment where every individual felt valued and motivated to perform at their best. Enyimba's triumph in the NPFL not only served as a source of pride for the club and its supporters but also garnered attention and admiration from football enthusiasts and experts across the country. It showcased the team's ability to overcome challenges, maintain consistency, and ultimately emerge as deserving champions.

As Enyimba now set their sights on the upcoming CAF Champions League, their NPFL triumph serves as a confidence booster and a reminder of their capabilities. The team's success under coach George's leadership demonstrates his ability to transform a club and create a winning culture, making a compelling case for what some pundits have argued to be enough to justify his appointment as the next coach of the Super Eagles, with the expiration of coach Jose Peseiro's contract on the horizon. However, before that debate intensifies, there is the race for another CAF Champions League title to set in their crosshairs. As already mentioned, Enyimba's triumph in the NPFL has earned them a rightful place in the prestigious CAF Champions League, where they will face off against the continent's most formidable teams. As they set their sights on continental glory, Enyimba must navigate a host of challenges to fulfil their ambitions.

The CAF Champions League presents Enyimba with an intensely competitive environment, featuring clubs from across Africa renowned for their rich footballing traditions and formidable playing styles. Teams like Al Ahly, Esperance de Tunis, TP Mazembe, and Wydad Casablanca have consistently performed at the highest level and possess vast experience in continental competitions. Enyimba can be mentioned in the space

Continued from Back Page

and make a deep run in the tournament towards lifting the trophy once again.

Enyimba's success in the NPFL can be attributed, in part, to their well-drilled tactics and cohesive style of play. However, the CAF Champions League demands

Purging Other ‘Bulkachuwas’ From Nigeria’s Justice System

who have been following legal disputes in Nigeria know of the judicial system and the rottenness of the practices therein. Corruption compromises the impartiality and fairness of court cases.

When judges, lawyers, or court officials accept bribes or engage in unethical practices, the outcome of a case can be influenced in favour of those with money or connections, rather than being based on the merits of the case. This erodes public trust in the judiciary and undermines the rule of law. Corruption often leads to unnecessary delays in court proceedings.

Bribery and extortion can result in cases being adjourned repeatedly or languishing in the system without progress. This not only denies justice to the parties involved but also creates a fertile ground for corruption to thrive further.

Furthermore, corruption disproportionately affects marginalised and disadvantaged individuals who lack the financial resources or connections to navigate the corrupt judicial system. In many cases, the poor are unable to access justice due to the high costs associated with bribes or legal representation. This perpetuates inequality and denies equal protection under the law.

The prevalence of corruption in the judiciary damages public perception and trust in the legal system. When citizens perceive the courts as corrupt and biased, they are less likely to have confidence in the system and may resort to alternative means to resolve disputes, such as vigilantism or informal arbitration.

Overall, addressing corruption in the judiciary is vital for upholding the rule of law, ensuring equal access to justice, and maintaining public trust. Justice Bulkachuwa is not alone, by any means. There are other Bulkachuwas in the system that need to be exposed and purged from our courts.

By implementing comprehensive reforms, Nigeria can strengthen its judiciary and work towards a more transparent, efficient, and fair legal system. This is extremely necessary because a just system allows everything else to thrive. If we want investors to have confidence in our economy and invest, they will have to be sure that a fair system operates should there be need for justice and fairness in any legal proceedings. Even for the security of the country, which President Tinubu is championing, a fair and just legal system is necessary. It affects everything and we cannot make progress until these reforms are carried out to their justified end.

a higher level of tactical flexibility and adaptability. The team must be prepared to adjust their approach depending on the strengths and weaknesses of each opponent they face.

Coach Finidi George's ability to devise effective game plans tailored to the specific challenges posed by different teams will be crucial in Enyimba's quest for continental success. Again, the CAF Champions League schedule often presents a gruelling fixture congestion, with matches scheduled in quick succession. This demanding schedule, coupled with extensive travel across the vast African continent, can take a toll on players' fitness and mental resilience. Enyimba will need to carefully manage their squad, ensuring sufficient rest and recovery periods while maintaining peak performance levels. Depth in the squad and effective rotation will be vital to navigate the challenges posed by a demanding fixture list.

Furthermore, the CAF Champions League employs a home-and-away format, with each team playing both home and away fixtures against their opponents. Enyimba must capitalise on their home advantage by securing convincing victories at their home ground, the Aba International Stadium. Creating a fortress at home will not only boost team morale but also provide platform for strong

performances and the accumulation of crucial points.

However, Enyimba must also be prepared to excel on hostile away grounds, where they will encounter fervent supporters and challenging playing conditions. Competing in the CAF Champions League also requires more than just technical skill and physical prowess. Mental resilience and the ability to handle pressure play a significant role in determining a team's success. The team must maintain a strong collective mentality, remaining focused and composed even in highpressure situations. The team must be mentally prepared to bounce back from setbacks, learn from their experiences, and stay determined in the face of adversity.

Enyimba's journey in the CAF Champions League will undoubtedly be a test of their character, resolve, and ability to rise to the occasion. Overcoming these challenges will require meticulous planning, effective squad management, tactical astuteness, and mental fortitude. However, Enyimba's rich history in continental competitions, combined with the guidance of coach George, provides a solid foundation for their ambitions. With the right preparation, execution, and a strong collective effort, Enyimba has the potential to make a significant impact in the CAF Champions League and propel Nigerian football to new heights on the continental stage.

Purging Other ‘Bulkachuwas’ From Nigeria’s Justice System

The Nigerian judiciary has been plagued by controversies, dishonour, bullying, mockery, intimidation, and outright disregard, which have severely eroded its image and reputation in recent years. This erosion of public confdence is concerning, as the judiciary is traditionally seen as the last hope for the common man seeking justice.

Two recent political events have further highlighted the compromised state of the Nigerian judiciary: the recent confession made by Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa during the valedictory session of the Ninth Senate is one. His admission that he influenced his wife, Zainab Bulkachuwa, during her tenure as the President of the Court of Appeal has raised serious concerns about the integrity and independence of the judiciary. Also, the Democracy Day statement of President Bola Tinubu is another worrying case to consider. These revelations and statements have raised serious concerns about the independence and integrity of the judiciary, necessitating urgent judicial reforms.

During that valedictory session of the Ninth Senate, Senator Bulkachuwa, representing Bauchi North Senatorial District, made the startling confession regarding the infringement on the freedom and independence of his wife, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, during her tenure as a judge and President of the Court of Appeal.

He admitted to using his influence to favour his colleagues through his wife's position. In the viral video, apparently unhinged by the occasion, the senator said: “My wife, whose freedom and independence I encroached upon while (she) was in office, has been very tolerant and she accepted my encroachment and extended her help to my colleagues.” It was a revelation that has not only drawn widespread condemnation but also exposed the extent of compromised judicial independence within the Nigerian judiciary.

This revelation suggests that some judges may have been influenced by their relationships with politically powerful individuals, compromising the impartiality of their judgments. Senate President Ahmad Lawan's immediate reaction to Bulkachuwa's comments underscores the gravity of the situation.

Just before the own-goal of the senator's unforced revelation, on June 12 Democracy Day, President Bola Tinubu made a statement that was perceived by the opposition as a veiled threat to the judiciary. He declared that unnecessary illegal orders used to truncate or abridge democracy would no longer be tolerated. This statement was criticised as an encroachment into the duties of the judicial arm of government and further heightened concerns about judicial independence and interference from the executive.

The revelation made by Senator Bulkachuwa and President Tinubu’s statements create a trying period for the judiciary. They contribute to a growing perception of judicial intimidation and interference from the legislative and executive arms of government. Such perceptions undermine the integrity and independence of the judiciary, leading to a lack of accountability, impunity, a breakdown of social order, and a decline in respect for the rule of law.

Bulkachuwa's confession raises disturbing questions and the need for integrity in the judicial system, particularly regarding election-related cases, calls for an immediate reform of the judicial system.

As the President of the Court of Appeal, Zainab Bulkachuwa had significant influence over electoral cases,

including the 2023 presidential election. Furthermore, President Tinubu's suspension of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, due to serious allegations of abuse of office, highlights the prevalent corruption within the political and judicial spheres.

response that has been criticised by legal experts and the public. The NJC, as the regulatory body responsible for judicial discipline in Nigeria, faces the critical task of investigating the allegations against Justice Bulkachuwa and other judges involved in controversies.

It is crucial for the NJC to fulfill its responsibilities by monitoring the activities of judges, scrutinising judgments and ensuring transparency, accountability, and independence within the judiciary. Fortunately, in a redeeming stance, the NBA President Maikyau called for the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Chairman of the ICPC to interrogate and prosecute Senator Bulkachuwa.

Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, a highly esteemed jurist, had a distinguished legal career until her retirement and the fanfare that followed. She retired from the Court of Appeal in 2020, before which she held significant power and influence over electoral cases as the President of the Court of Appeal. She was responsible for constituting tribunals and courts handling election petitions arising from the 2019 general elections, including the presidential election. She also had the authority to form panels within the Court of Appeal to handle appeals against decisions of election petition tribunals in governorship, state House of Assembly, and National Assembly elections. Her tenure has now been marred by allegations of compromised independence and favouritism.

If I were a party to any case that appeared before Justice Bulkachuwa and she ruled against me, I would request a review of her judgement as there is enough actionable circumstance to argue that her judgement was tainted by the influence from her husband, friend or family. A thorough investigation into her conduct is necessary to determine the veracity of the claims made by her husband and to address the concerns surrounding her tenure.

Bulkachuwa’s statement has been in the public domain for an extended period without censure from any of the regulatory bodies, to the consternation of those in the media and the observant public. It was as though they were stunned to silence and it carried the suspicion of collusion. However, after shrugging off their lethargic shock, prominent individuals and organisations, including former NBA president Olisa Agbakoba, who regarded Bulkachuwa's revelation as a stain on Nigeria's judiciary, labeled it a "monumental disgrace".

The Coalition for Protection of Democracy came out in force to condemn Senator Bulkachuwa's actions and called for immediate investigation. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) expressed shock and dismay at Senator Bulkachuwa's confession, calling for a thorough investigation and prosecution. NBA President Yakubu Maikyau stated that Bulkachuwa's admission of influencing his wife's decisions indicated an attempt to pervert the course of justice and interfere with the due administration of justice. The NBA lodged a complaint with the National Judicial Council (NJC) and emphasised the assault on the integrity of the judiciary. The NJC, during their meeting, condemned Bulkachuwa's actions and called for an investigation into the matter.

However, the NJC has been hesitant to take action, citing the retired status of Zainab Bulkachuwa, a

Given, therefore, the revelations made by Senator Bulkachuwa, I am joining the call from the NBA for an urgent and comprehensive judicial review of all cases handled by Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa during her tenure. This review should be conducted by an independent body to ascertain the fairness, impartiality, and integrity of her judgments, particularly those involving political disputes and election matters. It is essential to restore public confidence in the judiciary and ensure that justice is served impartially.

The compromised state of the Nigerian judiciary, as evidenced by Senator Bulkachuwa’s revelation and President Tinubu’s statement, demands immediate and comprehensive judicial reforms. Restoring public trust, promoting accountability, and upholding judicial integrity are crucial steps towards ensuring an independent judiciary that can effectively serve as the guardian of justice and the rule of law in Nigeria.

Judicial reforms should encompass independent inquiries, comprehensive judicial reviews, merit-based selection of judges, and strengthened oversight by the National Judicial Council. These reforms will go a long way in restoring public confidence, promoting transparenc, and upholding the principles of justice in Nigeria. Failure to address these issues urgently could lead to further erosion of public trust and a continued decline in the credibility of the Nigerian judiciary and of course democracy.

The Bulkachuwa revelation only unveils what those Continues on Page 47

If I were a party to any case that appeared before Justice Bulkachuwa, and she ruled against me, I will request for a review of her judgement

Ariwoola