THEWILL NEWSPAPER June 26, 2022

VOL 2 NO. 26 • JUNE VOL 2 NO. 26 • JUNE

26 - JULY 2, 2022

26 - JULY 2, 2022

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Growing Concern Over Vote Buying In Nigeria

Access Bank: Assets Surge Reinforces Industry Dominance

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IFU ENNADA Adding Value To Lives PAGE 22

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2023:

‘OBIdients’ Movement Unsettles APC, PDP

45 Years of Impactful Scheme

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Intervention Fund, created in 1977 to stimulate growth in key sectors of the economy, has proved a success story among the states and the FCT, as Lagos and Ogun (in South-West) showcase in this edition … pages 28-29

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IS NOW WHOLLY DIGITAL

Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

Transitioning from one career path to another isn’t always seamless. But for Dare Darey Art Alade, it was easy-peasy, perhaps because he was always creative.

When he finished third place on the Project Fame music talent show years ago, there was an uproar condemning the results, with everyone demanding that Darey was the rightful winner.

He had shown great talent and skill in his delivery of every song, so it was as clear as day, or so we thought, that he would emerge the winner of the competition.

But before then, Darey was already performing at nightclubs and church, plus he had a gig with CoolFM. Perhaps learning all the intricacies of producing a radio show helped him prepare for his role as the Chief Creative Director at Livespot360, along with his wife, Deola. She is the CEO—Chief Executive Officer.

In this tell-all interview with DOWNTOWN, Darey talks explicitly about transitioning to a 360 creative solutions company, the future of his music career, and how they (Livespot360) intend to take Africa to the world literally.

VOL 2 NO. 26 • JUNE 26 - JULY 2, 2022

Royals in Nigeria are generally quite flamboyant, and so is their fashion.

This week, our fashion page features some of the most stylish royals in Nigeria, according to their kingdoms.

If you haven’t been scanning the QR codes at the top of page 16 then all I can say is you are missing out on a great playlist.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Onah Nwachukwu Music 360 Approach on

From to Taking a CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

Editor, THEWILL DOWNTOWN

@onahluciaa

+2349088352246

Scan The QR Code to Read on Issuu

VOL 2 NO.04 • JANUARY 23 - JANUARY 29, 2022

SPECIAL EDITIO N • MONDAY APRIL 11 – 16, 2022

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Fruits To Help You Stay Hydrated This

Ramadan

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Under Pressure?

Discover The Healing Power Of Sound Baths

New Edition Available Every Sunday @ 6am Nigerian Time Bye-Bye Racoon Eyes

5 Easy Steps to Reduce The Appearance of Dark Circles

What You Should Know About

Austism Spectrum Disorder

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COVER

2023: ‘OBIdients’ Movement Unsettles APC, PDP

BY AMOS ESELE, WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM UKANDI ODEY, UDEME UTIP, CHUKWUMA ODU AND DAVID OWEI

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hen officials of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party (LP) get to meet during the week in a place yet to be conveyed to officials across the country, they may take some time to feel the impact of the good fortune that the trending ‘Obidient Movement’ has thrown the way of the once virtually nonexistent party, since the defection of Dr Olusegun Mimiko, the first governor on the platform of the party for two terms, in 2017 to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The ‘Obidient’ Movement, named after the presidential candidate of the LP, Peter Obi, is the ongoing youth-driven group that is determined to leverage the polish public image of the former Governor of Anambra State, to create a third alternative in the 2023 general poll to the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition PDP, perceived to have brought governance to its poorest state in Nigeria since the return of civil rule in 1999.

The PDP governed the country for 16 of those preceding 23 years, while the APC has held forte for seven years since 2015.

“We have to create the platform for the next President of Nigeria, using the Labour Party,” a clearly happy Chairman of the party in Kwara State, Chief Kehinde Rotimi, told THEWILL at the weekend.

“Campaign has not started yet, but the overwhelming support we are getting from many support groups and THEWILLNIGERIA

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coalitions, such as Take Nigeria Back, Obi Coalition, Nigeria Youth Council, cultural and Diaspora groups, name them, has been encouraging. That is why the national exco is scheduling a meeting next week, though we are yet to be told the place and date.”

FORCES IN FAVOUR OF THE ‘OBIDIENT’ MOVEMENT The fall-out from the recent outings of the two major parties has polarised the polity to the advantage of the LP as an alternative platform for the electorate.

Although the party has been meeting online since the emergence of Obi as its presidential candidate at a convention held in Asaba in June, its first NEC meeting in a long time next week will afford officials the chance to develop a programmatic way forward, according to the Chairman of the party in Edo State, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi, in a brief interview with this newspaper on Friday.

Investigation shows that many Nigerians who looked up to the major parties to assuage pervading feelings of marginalisation, threat to national cohesion by insecurity and lack of public welfare felt betrayed by the failure of the major political parties to respect their zoning arrangement for power shift from the North to the South for the PDP, respect religious belief as seen by the daring move by the APC to pair Muslim-Muslim presidential and vicepresidential candidates, coupled with the manner in which their conventions were conducted whereby monetary inducement largely influenced the outcomes for their candidates.

All because of the ‘Obidient ‘Movement anchored on the personality of the former Anambra State governor, whose frugality, recognised above average performance as governor and believable promises to do as he says, is igniting the imagination of many Nigerians desirous of good governance come 2023. The last minute rush to register for the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as a means of carrying out their ‘revolution’ in 2023, is believed to be part of this drive.

Although the details of the ‘programmatic way’, forward before the LP’s NWC this week could not be obtained as National Chairman, Julius Abure, was unreachable after repeated attempts, there is no doubt that certain forces are turning the wheel of fortune in favour of the party through the Obidient Movement. The forces, investigation show, are variable and uncertain and have to be taken with dedication and focus.

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Angered and frustrated by these moves, discerning Nigerians are searching for alternatives to take their pound of flesh on the APC and PDP. Prof Yakubu Ochefu, an economic historian and secretary of the Vice Chancellors’ Committee of Nigerian Universities, thinks the situation contains three tendencies that are making the ‘Obidient Movement’ gain traction across the country.

These three trends, according to him, are the internal crisis generated within the APC and PDP, following the fall-out of their zoning agenda; the readiness of the LP strategist to take up the goodwill of the youths flocking to it and many

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COVER Nigerians yearning for real change, as well as the pending alliance between LP and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNP).

answer repeated calls to his phone and respond to messages sent to his WhatsAPP handle. So too did the National Chairman, Julius Abure and Peter Obi.

“For the APC, the cabal that was defeated in the struggle to anoint a consensus candidate leading to the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as presidential candidate are pushing for a Muslim-Muslim ticket. If they succeed, they will alienate the largely Christian North-Central geo-political zone, which was once a stronghold of the PDP until APC took over in the zone 2015 and 2019.

NEGOTIATION FOR ALLIANCE BETWEEN LP AND NNPP The ongoing alliance talks with the NNPP led by its presidential candidate and former Kano Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, is one of the best strategies Obi can swing for LP and the Movement to extend its reach beyond the many southern states where it is currently more active and poses a big threat to the APC and PDP.

“Also, recall the recent threat by many Senators to defect from the party in protest of what they termed lack of internal democracy in the party. If the defection materialises, it may do a lot of damage to the party in the North West, particularly in Kano and Kaduna where a larger portion of their votes come from.

“The PDP, on the other hand, is still reeling from the zonal arrangement that produced Atiku Abubakar and the choice of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over Governor Nyeson Wike of Rivers State, who emerged second at the convention and as everybody knows, had been supporting the party since 2015. With the choice of his Delta State counterpart as VP, Wike is in a revenge mode, judging by his body language.

Nobody can tell how far Wike can continue to be loyal to the party.

“So the PDP has a lot of pacification to do in the SouthSouth and South-East, in particular, where feelings of being cheated out of the zonal arrangement for the presidency are still high. Then, any candidate who goes about saying he wants to continue where the previous administrations stopped or who has nothing fresh to offer the electorate during electioneering would find it hard to convince Nigerians against preferring a candidate, who says ‘I have done it all my life, I can do it.’ These are the contradictions facing the major parties and working in favour of the ‘Obidient’ Movement. This is the first time that a third option is resonating across Nigeria,” Ochefu said.

TEST OF STRENGTH AMONG APC, PDP, LP/‘OBIDIENT MOVEMENT Although the movement has brought a new trend into the polity, such as volunteerism, with many young men and women working without consideration of pay, the truth still remains that much more work still needs to be done.

How far the youths can go in sacrificing their time will also depend on some winning strategy by a party organ.

Against an old party like the PDP that has wider reach and membership spread across many groups, such as state governors (13), Senators (46), Representatives (128), House of Assembly members, Chairpersons of local government areas, youths and women wings dying to come back to power and its perquisites and a governing APC with 66 Senators, 236 Representatives, 22 Governors, many LGA chairpersons and Assembly lawmakers, the Movement may fizzle out if no workable strategy exists to give a sense of direction towards the ultimate prize.

“There is no doubt that the Movement needs strategists to coordinate the goodwill of the youths. We have never seen this kind of volunteerism in our polity before being provided by the youths. In fact, the LP wil need foot soldiers who will man the polling units during election or they may be outdone by the big parties,” Ochefu added.

The need for a winning strategy and proper coordination in the Movement cannot be over emphasised. THEWILL recalls that only last week, the Vice Presidential candidate of the LP, Doyin Okupe, had to warn youths against peddling fake news on social media, where a large amount of mobilisation is being done by the Movement. It turned out that tweets claiming that the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Said II, had promised to mobilise five million Muslims for Obi was fake, just like a promotional message supposedly written by former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, in support of Obi.” Contacts with Okupe proved unsuccessful as he refused to

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For Senator Kwankwaso, whose Kwankwasiyya Movement has grown in strength with the arrival of some members of the National Assembly, the North-West may be up for grabs, in addition to Kano and Jigawa States where it is currently making waves. Five state governors in the huge vote catching North-West, except Zamfara, are on their way out after their mandatory two terms and so they may be unable to actively wage a fight against the populism of the Kwakwansiyya.

An alliance between NNPP and LP would strengthen Obi’s structure. But none of them, Obi and Kwankwaso, appears willing to stand down for the other as vice presidential candidate.

THEWILL investigation shows that should Kwanwaso find the alliance workable, he may ask somebody much younger than him from the Kwankwasiyya Movement to become VP to Obi. THE ‘OBIDIENT’ MOVEMENT ACROSS THE STATES Although it is highly active on social media, the movement is gradually creeping into the states across the country. In Plateau, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Imo, and Rivers states street marches are ongoing by ‘Obidient’ youths with many households catching the fever of the new development. In Edo, for instance, where the ruling PDP is still mending its crisis, Governor Godwin Obaseki had to warn the members of the party to sit up and wake up to the new challenge in town posed by the Movement to the big political parties in the forthcoming general election.

In Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State, residents woke up sometime last week to hear on radio that Mrs Janet Mbang, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel, had resigned her position to join the ‘Obidient’ Movement.

In Plateau State, the general feeling is that an Obi would do

“

If the big parties fail to resolve their internal contractions I pointed out earlier and Obi is able to strike an alliance with NNPP, he may likely win or at worse, end up in the second position. The level of disenchantment in the country is so high that nobody is going to listen to being told the same old story, such as saying ‘We are going to continue with the good work of our party

things differently from the APC and PDP. People are recruiting people in the state, according to findings by our correspondent. The general impression is that even if Obi does not win the presidency, he will be able to meet the required two-thirds majority to satisfy followers’ “desire to teach the APC and PDP a lesson… “ and that he made the desired impact. Youths and older persons think the current leadership of the country has not performed well. They also frown at what many call “a Muslim wanting to hand over to another Muslim.”

Generally, in the South-East, according to investigation, the movement is driven by a combination of political and ethnic factors: The thinking that Igbo aspiration for the presidency in 2023 was shortchanged by the PDP and APC and the fact that Obi, though Igbo, represents the South-East’s aspiration for the presidency. Obi’s personality rather than the LP is the main selling point used by the youth in their door-to-door campaign to mobilise the grassroots.

ANY CHANCES OF WINNING THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION? Reacting to Obi and the ‘Obidient Movement’ phenomena, a PDP top source who claims to have advised Obi to rethink his defection from the party, said the Movement is driven by anger, which is “normal under the situation in the country, but, I bet you, it will fizzle out when the campaign starts.

That is when all the power play at work would begin. The North where the real battle for huge votes resides thinks in terms of culture more than the South-East where Obi may end up being a spoiler. Obi will make some impact, no doubt, but he will not win the presidency, not even come third.”

Prof Ochefu is more cautious in his prediction.“If the big parties fail to resolve their internal contractions I pointed out earlier and Obi is able to strike an alliance with NNPP, he may likely win or at worse, end up in the second position.

The level of disenchantment in the country is so high that nobody is going to listen to being told the same old story, such as saying ‘We are going to continue with the good work of our party’,” he said.

A senior journalist heading a regional paper in the SouthEast told THEWILL that though he would be happy to see Obi win the presidency, he thinks unresolved historical forces weigh heavily against him.

He said: “Obi has the diplomacy of Zik, (Nnamdi Azikiwe, statesman and first republic president), the courage of Ojukwu, (Odumegwu Ojukwu, Biafra- civil war leader) and decency of Ekwueme (Alex Ekwueme, second republic VP). But politically he does not possess their tentacles.

When I tell my people these things they shout me down and say what is structure. But I remind them that we are not in Europe, America where social media is the in-thing.

“They do not want to listen to any contrary view. They say we should try. Zik tried, Ojukwu tried, Ekwueme tried and they all failed. Those forces responsible for their failure are still around. This movement is driven by anger and frustration and when you are angry, you make mistakes.

In 2015 and 2019 there were three parties in contest here; PDP, APC and APGA. Now we are going to have four with LP. That means Igbo votes will be further divided. How popular is the Obi Movement Up North?”

In a recent BBC Pidgin interview, Obi gave his growing supporters the assurance that he would win the presidential election, adding that his structure are the millions of Nigerians who live in poverty.

“Whenever I hear of NO STRUCTURE, my ansa dey simple; di 100 million Nigerians wey dey live in poverty go be di structure,” he said, in Pidgin English.

Election Day (February 25, 2023) is eight months away, a long time in politics and power game for anything to happen in an uncertain and poor Nigeria. A sufficient time frame for the ‘Obidient Movement’ to test its acceptance and shock the APC and PDP at the poll.

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NEWS Farmers To Benefit From SACA, NAOC Funded Rice Farm Projects in Bayelsa FROM DAVID OWEI, YENAGOA

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L-R: Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo and WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo, during a visit to Anambra to partner with the State on Health Sector on June 24, 2022.

Labour Party Embarks On Intensive Rural Mobilisation Campaign in Enugu

FROM CHUKWUMA ODU, ENUGU

T

he Labour Party (LP), Enugu State Chapter, has directed local government executives of the party to embark on a massive enlightenment programme for rural dwellers ahead of the 2023 general election.

The State Chairman of the party, Hon. Casmir Agbo, gave the directive last Thursday during a meeting with the executives of the 17 local government chapters of the party in the state.

Addressing THEWILL after the meeting, Agbo said that the meeting signalled the beginning of mass mobilisation of the electorate in the state.

“The executives have been given the mandate to move into the nooks and crannies of their areas and sensitise the people on the activities of Labour Party.

“Although we are not entirely new as a political party, we are aware that

the leadership style of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over time has affected the psyche of voters in the state.

“We want to reinvigorate their appetite and hunger to participate in the electoral process. We want them to have hope in the new Nigeria that we are bringing on board.

“I tell you, it’s going to be a “Tsunami” in Enugu State. We have already taken over the state and the country,” Agbo, who is also the governorship candidate of the party in Enugu, said the party would soon come out with a blueprint on how to govern the state, if voted into power.

He explained that goal is to permanently retire PDP in the state through good leadership that is accountable to the citizenry.

Benue Govt Charges Cameroonian Refugees on Respect For Host Communities FROM KAJO MARTINS, MAKURDI

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enue State Government has advised Cameroonian Refugees in Ikyogen, Kwande Local Government Area of the state to adhere to the laws of the land by ensuring peaceful coexistence within the community.

The Executive Secretary of Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Emmanuel Shior, gave the charge while commemorating this year’s World Refugees Day. Represented at the occasion by the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor, Mr David Azenda, the Executive Secretary also identified with the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are facing similar humanitarian crisis and appreciated the host community of Ikyogen, UNHCR and other Development Partners for their collective support.

In his remarks, the Team Leader of the National Commission for Refugee, THEWILLNIGERIA

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Migration and IDPs Adikpo Field Officer, Mr Adeyemi Oluwaseyi, said there were more than 26.6 million refugees, out of which 76 Cameroonians were being hosted in Nigeria.

An officer of the UNHCR, who also spoke at the occasion, explained that the event focused on raising awareness of the plight and demonstrating to victims that their rights must be protected and treated with dignity.

The Paramount ruler of Kwande, the Ter Kwande, HRH, Chief Timothy Ahile, assured the refugees of the host community’s support and protection throughout their stay in the area, calling on them to be law abiding.

Two Refugees, Mr. Zefania Ekan and Mr. Chafa, also commended the state government, the host community and development partners for providing food and shelter for them in their trying moment.

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2023: Get Your PVCs, Defend Your Votes, NAS Tells Nigerians FROM SEGUN AYINDE, ABEOKUTA

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he National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Ogun State chapter, has urged Nigerians to get their Permanent Voter Cards and come out en masse to cast and monitor their votes so as to prevent cultists or political thugs from hijacking ballots at their polling units in the 2023 general election The State President of NAS, Adeyemi Omitogun, disclosed this at the association’s Feast Of Barracuda Public Lecture themed, ‘Gangsterism, Hooliganism and Cultism in Nigeria : Role of the Family’ held at Ash Montana Permanent Anchor Point, Gbonogun, Abeokuta, the state capital.

At the event the Guest Speaker, Prof Adegbemi Onakoya, who was the former Secretary to Ogun State Government (SSG) under the Gbenga Daniel Administration, spoke virtually on the ills of cultism and hooliganism in the country, identifying economic sustainability as a solution to the problem.

Encouraging Nigerians to exercise their franchise and stand by their votes after voting, Omitogun said that such action would not only hinder cultists or thugs employed by bad politicians from snatching away ballot boxes at their polling units but also make their votes count.

He admonished the citizenry to bury the idea of ‘our vote don’t count’ which, according to him, would only give bad politicians using cultist and thugs to hijack ballot boxes the chance to perpetrate their evil acts and win elections.

Omitogun also charged participants to go home and inform members of their families to go out and collect their PVCs and get registered to vote in the 2023 election, saying that NAS has an advocacy monitoring group whose duty is to ensure that votes count in any election.

He pointed out economic sustainability and family role as major factors that could reduce the ills of cultism and gangsterism in the society, especially when fathers own up to their responsibility to inculcate morals in their children and advice them to shun cultism in schools.

bout 115 rice farmers in Bayelsa State are set to benefit from a food crops production sponsored programme by a non-governmental organisation, Stakeholders Alliance for Corporate A ccountability (SACA) in partnership with the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC).

Our source which monitored the programme in Yenagoa, the state capital, reports that participants at the first batch of the programme expected to kick-off soon were drawn from Yenagoa and parts of the Ogbia Local Council Areas of the state.

Speaking with THEWILL shortly after the event tagged, ‘UNGP-P2R protect, Respect and Remedy Project: Meeting with SACA rice farmers’, the Executive Director of SACA, Mr Kingsley Ozegbe, stated that the programme was a fallout of the NGO’s recent inauguration of the Environmental Management Committee (EMT), the Agricultural Management committee (AMC) and the Human Rights Due Diligence committee (HRD) to educate and help communities achieve good development in the Niger Delta region.

He noted that while SACA has been engaging Biseni Clan to secure land for the cash crops( oil palm cultivation). He reiterated that the NGO is partnering with Bayelsa State Ministry of Agriculture and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to train rice farmers in 15 communities to ensure food security.

Kukah Urges Christians to Play Active Roles in Politics

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embers of the Catholic faith and Christians in general have been advised to begin to play active roles in politics in order to influence the authorities to create a better society.

The advice came from the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, the Most Reverend Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, at the flag-off of the 70th Anniversary Lecture of the Order of the Knight of Saint Mulumba, held at the St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja, Lagos.

Bishop Kukah said that active involvement in politics by Christians would change the ugly stories of the country’s politics, which is marked by corruption, killings, impunity and other vices.

He noted that the passive posture of Christians has given room for people of no credibility and integrity to dominate the governance space, hence the ugly experience Nigerians are having today.

He challenged Catholics to take their rightful place in politics because the Church can lead the country creditably given the known culture of fear of God and belief in selfless service to the society.

The cleric lamented the spate of violent attacks across the country, of which many clergy of the Catholic Church were victims.

He said, “As I speak, for past three weeks my priest, a young man and a sister are still in captivity even though the Nigerian state wishes to pretend that we are not negotiating with the kidnappers. As I am talking, we are negotiating with the kidnappers because I don’t know how else to get back my priest.

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POLITICS

Growing Concern Over

BY AYO ESAN

V

ote buying is an act in which the voter sells his or her vote to the highest bidder. Vote buying can therefore be defined as any form of financial, material or promissory inducement or reward by a candidate, political party, agent or supporter to influence a voter to cast his or her vote or even abstain from doing so in order to enhance the chances of a particular contestant to win an election.

Thus, we can regard any practice of immediate or promised reward to a person for voting or refraining from voting in a particular way as vote buying. In Nigeria like most other democracies, vote buying is considered as an electoral offence.

Like in a typical market transaction, there are buyers and there are sellers. The politicians, political parties, and party agents are the vote buyers while prospective voters are the sellers. The commodity on sale is the vote to be cast while the medium of exchange is mostly monetary but in some instances may be non-monetary items. The market force that determines the value or price of a vote is the level of desperation of politicians to win in a locality or constituency.

In many polling centres in Ekiti State during the election, reports had it that voters went for the highest bidders in the money inducement that was openly noticed.

The candidate of the Accord Party (AP) in the governorship election, Basorun Reuben Famuyibo, while confirming this, lamented what happened during the election and said that democracy had become a commodity for the highest bidder in Ekiti State.

Basorun Famuyibo, in a statement by his media aide, Olajide Omojolomoju, shortly after the election lamented the monetisation of the ballot in Ekiti State as he said the two major parties in the state, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) tried to outshine one another in vote buying in the Fountain of Knowledge state.

Famuyibo said he even ‘arrested’ an APC agent inducing voters with cash in his father’s compound in Ado-Ekiti. According to him, vote buying by the APC, the PDP and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was rampant across the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State, just as he said that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC ) arrested some APC and PDP agents in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, for allegedly offering bribes to voteers.

“It is very unfortunate that the democracy many patriots lost their lives to entrench in Nigeria has become a commodity for the highest bidder. Where exactly are we going in Ekiti State, nay Nigeria?

“It is disheartening that the people of Ekiti, perhaps due to poverty, are yet to learn from the suffering inflicted on them in the last 12 years of APC and PDP rule. It is clear that they have chosen to ‘d’ibo koo se’be’, (Vote and cook soup) again,” he said.

Yakubu

The issue of vote buying, though not new to Nigeria, came into the open once again in the last governorship election held on Saturday, June 18, 2022 in Ekiti State where voters were said to have been induced with money ranging between N3,000 to N10, 000.

“

Vote buying was witnessed during the last presidential primaries by both the PDP and the APC where delegates that voted at the primary elections were induced with foreign currency

The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dr Wole Oluyede, who voted at Ikere Ekiti, said there was brazen vote-buying allegedly perpetrated by the APC in his community, saying, “The election on Saturday shows that we are not ready for democracy. The election did not reflect good governance and the wishes of the people.”

Segun Oni, who is the SDP Candidate, also alleged that there was vote-buying.

Oluyede, who came fourth in the governorship election with 5,597 votes, said, “People called me that morning asking for money to buy votes and I told them that I was not going to buy any vote, I worked hard for my money.

It was further gathered that operatives of the EFCC, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Police arrested some of those who engaged in vote buying during the election.

“I was surprised when I got to the polling unit, I discovered that there was no amount of money the vote-buyers could not have paid to get votes and deprive the people of choosing right,” Oluyede said.

Also speaking, the candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Mrs. Kemi Elebute-Halle, complained of vote inducement, which she said did not make the election credible.

Elebute-Halle said, “In my polling unit, the APC gave N10, 000; PDP gave N5, 000; while SDP gave N3, 000 per vote as vote inducement. The whole world is watching.”

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Observers noted that it was as if all the political parties in the election prepared for vote-buying, using different styles as means of contact.

1993 presidential poll which was hailed as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s history.

Babangida had said, “Even before the presidential election and indeed, at the party conventions, we had full knowledge of the bad signals pertaining to the enormous breach of the rules and regulations of democratic elections…. There were proofs as well as documented evidence of widespread use of money during the party primaries, as well as the presidential election.… Evidence available to the government put the total amount of money spent by the presidential candidates at over two billion, one hundred million naira (N2.1 billion). The use of money was again the major source of undermining the electoral process.”

There were also widespread allegations of vote buying in the offcycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States in 2016 and 2020. In the September 28, 2016 governorship election in Edo, observers reported massive vote buying by the two main political parties, the APC and the PDP. The parties were accused of giving between N3, 000 and N4, 000 for votes in several polling units.

Similarly, in the November 26, 2016 governorship election in Ondo State, it was observed that members of the APC and PDP were giving money to voters at most polling centres across the state.

Also in the November 18, 2017 governorship election in Anambra State, many observers condemned the brazen incidences of vote buying during the poll. Widespread acts of vote buying were also reported during the governorship election in Ekiti State on July 14, 2018.

PROHIBITION OF VOTE BUYING The Nigeria Electoral Law criminalises vote buying, Article 130 of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, states that:

Vote buying was witnessed during the last presidential primaries by both the PDP and the APC where delegates that voted at the primary elections were induced with foreign currency.

“ A person who — (a) corruptly by himself or by any other person at any time after the date of an election has been announced, directly or indirectly gives or provides or pays money to or for any person for the purpose of corruptly influencing that person or any other person to vote or refrain from voting at such election, or on account of such person or any other person having voted or refrained from voting at such election; or (b) being a voter, corruptly accepts or takes money or any other inducement during any of the period stated in paragraph (a) of this section, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N100,000 or 12 months imprisonment or both.

It would also be recalled that vote buying was rife in 1992 during the Social Democratic Party presidential primary in Jos. Vote buying was one of the reasons adduced by former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida for annulling the June12,

Similarly, the 2018 Revised Code of Conduct for Political Parties in section VIII (e) provides that,”… all political parties and their agents shall not engage in the following practice: buying of votes or offering of bribes, gift, reward, gratification or any other monetary

Vote buying has been an integral element of money politics in Nigeria. Vote buying takes place at multiple stages of the electoral cycle as it has been observed during voter registration, the nomination period, campaigning and elections.

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POLITICS

Voters

Vote Buying In Nigeria

or material considerations or allurement to voters and electoral officials.” Notwithstanding its prohibition, vote buying continues to be a widespread practice in Nigeria’s recent elections.

EFFECT ON THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM Speaking on the issue of vote buying, the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Obo Effanga said, “There are two ways I like to address this issue. The first point to make is that the reason there is a rise in the incidence of vote buying is because more votes are counting. If you recall, before now, politicians wouldn’t even bother whether there is an election or not when they know that they can just write the result.

“We have passed that stage of just writing results. The result has to reflect the number of people who voted and the number of people who voted will depend on what the smartcard reader recorded as people who were accredited to vote. So the votes are counting and now the politicians see a shortcut to getting people to vote for them.

“Why would you waste your time trying to explain to people why they should vote for you when you know they are hungry? So, just pay that money? So I wrote an article once where I referred to our system as transactional. At every point, people just want what this would cost to pay you off and all that.

“Now when we talk about vote-buying, a lot of times, people are focusing on what I will call the retail end. The individual goes to vote and they give him money. What about the bigger people in the vote buying value chain? So when an influential person in a state or the governor of a state tells a presidential candidate, ‘Don’t worry, in my state, we have 1.5 million registered voters, I assure you that you will get this.’ We hear that said. So those people would have given some money to these influential persons, huge sums of money to go and work in their states or their local government areas. Go and deliver your local government or in your state, or your ward, or your polling units to this party.

“What do you think that delivery means? How are they made to deliver? They are given huge sums of money to try to use it to buy votes. So before the election, you see a lot of largesse being distributed: rice, cooking oil, even for some people wrappers or T-shirts and caps at rallies. For a lot of people, that could mean the reason for voting.

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“But I also tell people that the responsibility of the electoral umpire is to provide an opportunity for voters to come and vote. Nobody has a right to ask you when you come and vote ‘why are you voting for this person?’ You may have 1001 reasons. It could be because the person is your friend or your brother. It could be because the person assists you monetarily at different times, or has promised that he will assist you.

the rate it is going will destroy Nigeria’s electoral system.

“At the end of the day, it is the individual voter’s choice how he or she wants to put whatever the reason for that. But what becomes obscene is when on Election Day at the polling unit, or the environment, people actually come and pay people to vote. So now that becomes not a problem of INEC as such, but it’s a societal problem. On Election Day, the key responsibility of the election officials is that people come and vote and he counts that vote.

“The hapless victims of a bad economy created by the ruling class are exploited with little money to sway their votes to a particular party and its candidates. This is very sad. People are paid little money to get their votes and they are abandoned for four years.

That is not democracy,”he said.

“So when people say, ‘but there was vote buying’, are you saying that you would prefer that election officials not concentrate on the people who have come to vote and run after people trying to buy votes or sell votes? At best, what you can do is to draw the attention of the security agencies”.

The Government of the United Kingdom has also stated that vote buying has no place in a democracy.

It made this known in a statement released after the Ekiti governorship election and signed by the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos.

The UK frowned at the reports of vote buying, stressing that it has no place in a democracy and urged relevant authorities to hold those responsible accountable “We are concerned about reports of vote buying during the election and call on the relevant authorities to hold any persons involved accountable. The buying and selling of votes has no place in a democracy and we urged relevant authorities to hold those responsible accountable”.

Speaking with THEWILL, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Chief Reuben Famuyibo, who is the Accord Party Governorship Candidate in the just concluded Ekiti Governorship election, Mr. Jide Omojolomoju, said vote buying if it continues at

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“The essence of democracy is for people to freely choose those that will represent them in government. In return the elected must strive to bring dividends of democracy to the electorate. But what we are witnessing in Nigeria now is that the ruling class is exploiting the economic situation in the country to sway the voters to their side.

Also speaking with THEWILL, Paul Okonkwo, who is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja, said the level of poverty in the country has made the issue of vote buying precarious.

“The level of poverty is high and so many poor people especially in the rural areas are usually enticed with money to vote in a certain way. Poverty plus ignorance I think is what is causing the vote buying to be on the increase.

“I think we should blame the ruling class who are always very desperate to win elections. It is a bad development and I think as long as poverty permeates our society, vote buying will continue,” he said.

On the way out, Okonkwo said the only way out is for security personnel to be more vigilant and arrest the culprits.

“The INEC officials conducting elections cannot be monitoring vote buying, it is the security operatives who are always present within the polling centres that can adequately monitor party officials and their agents and ensure that voters are not induced to vote in a certain way”.

“I am of the opinion that INEC is doing its best. When INEC realised that voters usually used their telephone handsets to snap the ballot papers and show it to the party agents that they have voted for a particular candidate in order to collect money, the electoral umpire stopped the carrying of handsets to the polling booth. But trust Nigerians, they still devised all means.”

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POLITICS INTERVIEW

Atiku, Tinubu Have No Business Running For President –Oguebunwa The President-General of the Igbo Community in Ogun State, John Oguebunwa, speaks on Igbo presidency and other matters in this interview with SEGUN AYINDE. Excerpts:

Why haven’t Ndigbo come together to present one candidate for the presidency?

It is not necessary to have one only one presidential candidate from the South-East. Even if 100 Igbo politicians indicated their interest in the presidency, the political parties will still have to screen them, conduct primary elections to elect their own candidates. This does not mean that the Igbo are not united. On the contrary, the Igbo people are known to speak with one voice. Why can’t Nigerian leaders do what they did in 1999?

In 1999, our leaders decided to shift power to the Yoruba after the death of Chief Moshood Abiola. It was not only Obasanjo that ran for president; Olu Falae also did. They were the only ones that contested for president and this was because the political parties existing at the time were regimented. There were only three parties on ground: The Alliance For Democracy (AD), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

But when the then military Head of State, Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar, announced that two out of the three parties actually qualified and we knew the AD was not qualified, the government decided to register the party so as to appease the Yoruba. Why can’t the present Federal Government do the same thing for Ndigbo, now that there are many parties?

The government can declare that it has zoned the presidency to the South-East and then direct members of the political class to pick an Igbo man from any of the political parties to be their candidates and at the end of the general election Nigeria will now choose the president. That is what they should have done.

Do you think that an Igbo president can guarantee the unity of the country?

Yes, an Igbo president can unify Nigeria. As soon as such a person becomes the president, he will begin to work to

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In 1999, our leaders decided to shift power to the Yoruba after the death of Chief Moshood Abiola. It was not only Obasanjo that ran for president; Olu Falae also did. They were the only ones that contested for president and this was because the political parties existing at the time were regimented

stabilise the country. In terms of commerce and industry in the country, the Igbo man will excel and there will no longer be agitation for a separate country. Did you know that in 1998 the Yoruba wanted to go their own way when Abiola died? I heard what the then Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, said at that time. Oba Sijuade said that if Abiola’s mandate was not restored, northerners in the South would have to return to the North, while southerners would stay in the South and that brought about Obasanjo’s selection as president. The agitation eventually went down since the Yoruba knew that their son, Obasanjo, had been made president. So if an Igbo man becomes the president of the country, the IPOB agitation will die naturally.

As it is, Peter Obi is the only presidential candidate from the South-East. Are you now saying that Tinubu and Atiku should withdraw from the 2023 Presidential election?

I have not said so. Come to think of it, why is there no rotational presidency? What is so difficult there? We were on the streets with Tinubu during the June 12, 1993 crisis, fighting for democracy and justice. Is Tinubu supposed to come out now to run for president? He should listen to Pa Adebanjo and Obasanjo and not contest. Atiku, who is from the North, should not contest, too. Sadly, Nigeria is programmed in such a way that it is always prone to crisis.

Atiku

Would you say that Obasanjo and Adebanjo’s calls for a president of South-East origin are intended to stop the Igbo from agitating for Biafra?

The issue of Biafra is the Igbo’s own way of demanding justice and equity in Nigeria. You see, the Igbo the number one people that promote one Nigeria. The Igbo are everywhere in the country promoting commerce. So why will they want Nigeria to collapse? Having seen what was happening in the country, they decided that if that was the way other ethnic groups want Nigeria to be, then everybody could go their separate ways. That was what led to the agitation.

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ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo and a National leader of the Pan-Yoruba SocialPolitical Group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo have maintained that it is the turn of the South-East to produce Nigeria’s next president. What is your take on this?

What former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Pa Ayo Adebanjo did to canvass for an Igbo president was an act of patriotism. It means they believe in the unity of Nigeria and they are honest about it and not paying lip service. Pa Adebanjo had not been known for any selfish interest and we know Obasanjo to be a pan-Nigerian leader. When he was president, you saw how power was distributed through appointments. He didn’t want to know whether you were Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa. As long you were qualified for a job, he would give it to you. Both men have sspoken the truth.

An Igbo man ought to be President of Nigeria.

What is your take on Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s statement that the Federal Government should either release Nnamdi Kanu or begin his trial?

The real trial has not commenced since the time he was forcefully brought from Kenya. So, if the Federal Government knows that Nnamdi Kanu has no case to answer, they should release him. Under the Nigerian Constitution, the Attorney-General of the Federation has the power to go to court either personally or by a lawyer through a letter signed by him that the government is no longer interested in the case.

If the Federal Government wants peace to reign, it should release Kanu. Nobody is saying that Kanu is above the law, but there are certain things you don’t handle with law.

Buhari was in Ebonyi State and he said the issue of Kanu will be handled with law and we know this law is moving at snail speed. Release Kanu today and you will see that IPOB will calm down. The IPOB has said that it is no longer interested in issuing sit-at-home orders, except when Kanu wants to go to court, but there are some bad elements using the sit-at-home order to foment trouble in disguise. So, if Kanu is released, there will be no sit-at-home again and those who are using his name to perpetrate evil will now be exposed. But the problem is that the Federal Government is not sincere.

How would you describe the Dapo Abiodun Administration in Ogun State?

As a community leader, my duty is not to be partisan, but individuals can have their political interests and differences.

Quite frankly, the Igbo in Ogun State like Governor Dapo Abiodun’s government. The governor carries the Igbo along on many things he is doing. Although previous governments had a good relationship with the Igbo, Abiodun has improved on it. I can say that Ndigbo will endorse Abiodun for a second term. For example, in Yewa there are some roads that have been abandoned for more than 30 years, which Governor Abiodun is working on at the moment.

When, i wanted to take the West African School Certificate Examination in 1985 in Ogun State, the road from Iboro to Ayetoro was bad and it remained that way until 2021 when the Dapo Abiodun Administration started work on it. So, if somebody who is not an indigene of Yewaland can fix the road from Owode to Ilaro and the Agbara-Atan Road, as well as the Iboro-Igbogila Road, among others in the state then I think he deserves a second term.

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Obi

Kwankwaso

POLITICS

Proposed Merger: How Far Can NNPP, LP Go?

BY AYO ESAN

A

pparently eager to compete favourably with the two major political parties in the country, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the (Peoples Democratic Party), the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) are planning to form an alliance ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general election.

Both parties have submitted the names of their presidential candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the deadline expires.

A former Governor of Kano State and former Minister of Defence, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is the presidential candidate of the NNPP, while former Governor of Anambra State, Dr Peter Obi, is the presidential candidate of the Labour Party.

But the two parties have not confirmed their vice presidential candidates. They only fielded place holders who will withdraw immediately they pick substantive candidates to fill the position.

While LP has used the Director-General of Obi’s campaign team, Dr Doyin Okupe, as its place holder for the position of vice president, the NNPP also put in a name as a place holder.

Kwankwaso has confirmed that his party is in talks with LP and Peter Obi, with regard to forming a coalition ahead of the 2023 general election.

On the party’s chances of getting a substantive VP, Kwankwaso said, “In all the discussions we’ve been having with some big names that we believe will be acceptable in the South and North, but we have not found anyone suitable for the position yet. Although have interviewed some people, we have not picked anybody.”

He said the NNPP has been discussing with Obi and his party over the possibility of forming an alliance, just as he confirmed that friends and families of the Obi and himself are also part of the ongoing discussion.

He noted that only a merger would guarantee the NNPP and LP victory over the APC or PDP. Kwankwaso said that an alliance with the LP became necessary due to failure on the part of the two major parties to pick a vice THEWILLNIGERIA

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A merger involves two parties fusing into one party, which is practically impossible now. No new party can be registered now as the time is too close to the election and the window for the registration of new political parties is closed presidential candidate from the South-East.

“Merging with the Labour Party is very significant at this critical moment, especially when you consider the fact that both the APC and PDP presidential candidates did not pick their running mates from the South-East,” he added.

One thing that is clear is that both Obi and Kwankwaso are mixing the idea of merger and alliance together as if they are synonyms. A merger involves two parties fusing into one party, which is practically impossible now. No new party can be registered now as the time is too close to the election and the window for the registration of new political parties is closed.

INEC regulation prohibits the registration of a political party less than a year before an election. But the NNPP and LP can collapse their structures to support one another for specific positions, such as the presidency. The only thing to do is for both parties to form an alliance and go to the polls with the understanding that each of them will mobilise for a candidate where they are strong during the election.

Another knotty issue in the planned alliance is, who will be the presidential candidate and who will be the vice presidential candidate between Obi and Kwankwaso?

Speaking on the issue, Kwankwaso said, “That is what we are deliberating on. But based on how it is panning out, the older person will take the lead in the arrangement. If they (party stakeholders) check and determine who is senior, then

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they will pick that person as presidential candidate, while the younger person will become his running mate.”

This looks too simple and it may not work out as easily as Kwankwaso put it.

From the foregoing, the major obstacle to the alliance is who stepped down his presidential candidate ticket.

Speaking, a popular socio-political commentator based in Abuja, Deji Adeyanju, said it was clear as to what agreement should be reached between Obi and Kwankwaso.

“The merger between the Labour Party and NNPP should have Obi as President and Kwankwaso as Vice President.

That’s the only thing that makes sense,” Adeyanju tweeted penultimate Saturday.

Kwankwaso’s NNPP has a large following in the North, while Obi who recently defected from the PDP and joined the Labour Party, has won for himself many followers among the youth in the South.

Should both political parties eventually merge into one and Obi is given the presidential ticket, he will have overwhelming support in the South-East. The Igbo of the South-East have been clamouring that it is their turn to produce the country’s next president. If Obi emerges as the standard bearer of the new party, the Igbo will vote for him overwhelmingly.

If the alliance is well sealed, it will morph into a third force.

Obi and Kwankwaso will then enjoy massive support in the North and South.

Speaking with THEWILL, a member of the Campaign for Democracy, Comrade Sola Olawale, said that the proposed merger between the NNPP and LP is possible, if the two parties and their leaders are sincere. Nigerians witnessed a similar alliance in the Second Republic and it worked well.

“Aside the presidential election the party may support the same adopted candidates in the country. What will happen is that NNPP will feature governorship candidates in its strong areas in the North, while the Labour Party will feature governorship and other candidates in the South,” Olawale said.

But the question is, can they agree on who will be the presidential candidate? Will they sustain the hope they have raised? Time will tell.

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EDITORIAL

Still On Owo Killings

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he lack of consensus among various arms of government on the identities of the gunmen who carried out the deadly attack at St Francis Church, Owo, Ondo State on June 5, 2022, leaves much to be desired.

While the Federal Government blames the Islamic State West African Province (I SWAP) for the attack, which left over 50 persons dead and many more still undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds, the state government and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) think otherwise.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, noted that the Federal Government was too hasty in arriving at the conclusion that I SWAP was responsible. So did the Chairman of the NGF, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.

Although the Ondo governor and the NGF chairman did not disclose the identities of the gunmen whom they think are liable, they consider the killing to be of utmost savagery, which calls for a thorough investigation before the issuance of a formal statement into the attack described as the first of its kind in the southwestern part of the country since the operations of Boko Haram, bandits and I SWAP became legally classified as terrorism in November 26, 2021.

Indeed, the prevailing theory on the attack is that the gunmen attacked the church at Owo,

which is Governor Akeredolu’s constituency, to send him a strong message in protest against his decision to ban herdsmen from Ondo forests.

This is unproven, but it is the kind of reductionism you get when arms of government fail to work together against a common enemy bent on destroying the country.

It would be recalled that the ban had provoked a public spat between the Federal Government and the Ondo State Government at the time. While the central government said the governor had no constitutional powers to restrict movement of any Nigerian citizen in his state, the governor insisted that the Land Use Act empowered him to protect the forests from being destroyed by bandits disguised as pastoralists. Beside the headlines, the ensuing conflict between both arms of government trended on social media for a long time as to cause much disaffection among different sections of the Nigerian population.

That quarrel between the state and the Federal Government, we suspect, is still ongoing and appears to have coloured reactions to the recent killings in Owo. We call for a truce. The lives of innocent Nigerians are on the line and the common enemy is feeding fat on this disagreement and will continue to thrive as long as there is a disunited front against it.

In fact, a few days after the mass burial for the Owo victims, the gunmen seemed to have waxed stronger as they raided churches

and kidnapped clerics in Oyo and Kaduna States and placed heavy ransom on their victims.

Nothing will embolden terrorists more than disagreements between government agencies whose major duty is to protect the life and property of the citizenry.

Moreover, security operatives may find it hard to work effectively in an atmosphere of disharmony between government at the state and center.

Confidence building and trust within affected communities for the purposes of intelligence gathering may be difficult, if not impossible to pursue.

Inter-ethnic mistrust will also continue to prosper under such a hostile climate as we have seen

Since the protection of life and property is a key constitutional role of governments, Nigerians are tired of excuses often made on the inability or statutory incapacity of one arm of government to discharge this constitutional role

over the years in some states where official disagreements over the enactment of anti-open grazing law polarised state and the central governments.

Worse still, this trend creates an insecure climate for business as no investor will want to put his money in an uncertain and hostile atmosphere, particularly when governments present a disunited front on such important factors as security of life and property.

While we sympathise with the Ondo State Government and bereaved families of the victims of the Owo killings, we call on the state and Federal Government to harmonise their positions and use this opportunity to begin to provide the needed cooperation on the issue of insecurity that has ravaged the land and left the citizenry at the mercy of terrorists.

Since the protection of life and property is a key constitutional role of governments, Nigerians are tired of excuses often made on the inability or statutory incapacity of one arm of government to discharge this constitutional role.

In Anambra State, for example, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has worked quietly with all arms of security personnel to expose the so called unknown gunmen as criminals posing as members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (I POB) and using the stay-at home order of the group to cause mayhem within and beyond the state. We endorse his move and urge his counterparts and the central government to emulate his shining example.

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Austyn Ogannah Editor – Olaolu Olusina Deputy Editor – Amos Esele Politics Editor – Ayo Esan Business Editor – Sam Diala Copy Editor – Chux Ohai Cartoon Editor – Victor Asowata Entertainment/Society Editor – Ivory Ukonu Photo Editor – Peace Udugba Head, Graphics – Tosin Yusuph Circulation Manager – Victor Nwokoh Nigeria Bureau: 36AA Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA, Ikeja. Lagos, Nigeria. info@thewillnigeria.com / @ THEWILLNG, +234 810 345 2286, +234 913 333 3888.

EDITOR: Olaolu Olusina @OLUSINA [Letters/Opinions: opinion.letters@thewillnigeria.com]

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OPI N ION

Nigeria’s Presidential Flag-bearers And Road to 2023

BY ABIODUN KOMOLAFE

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)-monitored presidential primaries have come and gone and, as the saying goes, the rest is history. With various candidates pushing private agenda, diverse groups’ interests being articulated and differing institutional preferences already being canvassed, all eyes are now on the 2023 General Elections. In all, interesting times await Nigerians.

That said, it is no longer news that, no matter how difficult it is to measure the impact of religion or religious beliefs in politics in Nigeria, it remains contestable in the public domain. However, the interesting thing is that the candidates of the two foremost political parties are Muslims. As things stand, adherents of traditional and other religions may have to re-evaluate their options and settle for a compromise.

Well, it once happened in Nigeria, with an all-Muslim ticket of MKO Abiola and Babagana Kingibe in the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Except we are being economical with the truth, most of the current presidential contenders have pockets deep enough to prosecute a presidential election of Nigeria’s ‘standard’. Most of them are also popular in their respective domains. So, between now and the election, what is left is for the contestants to test their national appeal and sell their visions to the electorate.

Right now, long-term policy statements are redundant with the people. Rather, Nigerians will most probably embrace executive pronouncements that are effective and feasible for all to see.

Gone are the days when the intelligentsia would want to pin down a political party, based on ideology. The word, ‘ideology’, is no longer marketable in Nigeria’s political lexicon. As a matter of fact, some political scientists have argued that the concept is dead and buried! But, again, it’s been argued that ideologies don’t die; they may have lost their currency; yet, they still exist - maybe, in their latent forms – to help shape ideas of political parties’ manifestos.

Remember Edwin Madunagu and fellow comrades in the early days of the introduction of the Marxian dialectics into the academia in Nigeria. For some of these academics, as it was with their colleagues in other parts of the world, the understanding of extant ‘political ideology’ of a state determines the social development trajectory and its pace in any given society. In the national dailies, Madunagu would clinically subject

government policies to the critical analysis and scrutiny eye of the postulates of ‘dialectical materialism’ of Karl Marx. Thus, he would domesticate the Marxian theory and use it to examine the social condition of living of the average Nigerian.

Arguably, political manifestos and government policies were adjudged good or bad, based upon the outcome of the review of these academics, irrespective of the type or mode of government: military or civilian.

Unfortunately, the trend in public administration has shifted towards market economy; and emphasis on political ideology has waned overtime. When Ibrahim Babangida came, the situation gravitated toward “a little to the left and a little to the right”, with the centre becoming totally disoriented and confused. By a twist of fate, Nigerians don’t even remember the meaning of ideologies or what they are all about again. The sad side is that political parties don’t even feel compelled to come with ideology-laden manifestos again.

As at today, the Nigerian society has ebbed to the point of a home-grown anomie; and the only way to arrest it is to truthfully arrest it. By that, we mean a total overhaul, which starts even from the family. Impliedly, whoever wants to rule Nigeria must have a concrete, benchmarked blueprint that must be executable in four years; and must hit the ground running! We have had enough of ‘we shall’, ‘we will’ and similar stuffs which never came to fruition. So, let whoever wins not come up with the present style which thrives mostly on feigned promises. A paradigmatic shift in public administration approach is inevitable.

Take for instance, Nigerians will want to know what a Bola Tinubu-led government will do to improve the security situation in the first three months of his presidency. If not, his presidency will be in trouble.

To avoid that, all measures that will make terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, even common thieves come to terms with the fact that there is a new sheriff in town must be explored. If he wants to “lead from the front”, let him put on the uniform and lead his troops against the enemies of our land. If Sambisa Forest is harbouring our enemies, let him put on his armour and reclaim it. If he is going to hire foreign Cosmopolitan police, or mercenaries from Sudan, let him go ahead and get them to do the job. If he is going to bring the Sunday Igbohos of this world back to Nigeria and engage them against the murderous Fulanis and killer herdsmen, let him know that there is no time to waste again.

Needless to repeat that the long overdue improvement in terms of security can no longer wait!

Nigeria is wounded, no doubt, and Nigerians are suffering. In an enveloping ecology of poverty, where food insecurity is highly pronounced, citizens are dying young, courtesy of preventable diseases. So, it behoves the incoming government to address the economic hardship currently driving Nigerians mad. The frightening truth is that, if the number of the children of school age currently out of school is not reduced within the first three months of such a presidency, nobody will say that the government is doing anything.

A time like this in the life of Nigeria does not call for external borrowings that are not tied to feasible projects. Besides, the day our leaders realise that all they need to do to have headway is managing debts, not surpluses that will end up in some people’s pockets, the better for the system. But if we continue in our old ways, then, Nigerians have a long way to go!

One of the greatest problems confronting Nigerians is that our youths are not only unemployed but also unemployable because they lack relevant skills. It is even unfortunate that ability to read and write among Nigerian graduates can no longer be taken for granted.

And that’s a big shame.

Finally, let the incoming president know that rekindling the hope of Nigerians does not reside in giving them money. Rather, it should be about vision and creativity.

It is about developing people. Lee Kuan Yew has shown that there hasn’t been a developed society without control or vision. In his time, Yew made sure that an average Singaporean child must work towards being a star and useful person in the society.

There are academics and ideologists in Nigeria who still share the former president’s dream. They can be of help. Those who have the skills to help us out are still available in our universities and other institutions of higher learning. We need them now to create another curriculum that will get new values inculcated in the younger generations of Nigerians. Enough of eating the crumbs that fall from the tables of our oppressors. Until we go back, fix the basics; rearrange our morals; then, give a sense of direction to generations yet unborn, it may be difficult for dear country to achieve anything.

•Komolafe wrote in from Ijebu-IJesha, Osun State.

Shift Towards Domestic Tourism: Game Changer in Post-COVID-19 Recovery

BY WAYNE GODWIN

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of local tourism in North America (83 per cent), Europe (64 per cent) and Asia-Pacific (74 per cent). Domestic tourism accounted for 73 per cent of the total global tourism spending in 2017.

In July 2020, the African Union estimated that Africa lost nearly $55 billion in travel and tourism revenues and two million jobs in only the first three months of the pandemic.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted that real GDP among African countries dependent on tourism shrunk by 12 percent in 2020.

Africa’s growing middle class and population of young travellers hungry for adventure, and the recently launched African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the world’s largest free trade area by the number of participating countries, are among the pillars seen supporting the future growth of domestic and regional tourism in the continent.

Whereas international bookings are a higher value in terms of revenue, the domestic market is more resilient. This scenario, therefore, calls for a rethink of strategy, especially in terms of building a domestic client base to match or even exceed the international base.

or decades, tourism has remained a major contributor to the GDP of African economies. In 2019, the industry accounted for about seven percent of Africa’s GDP and contributed $169 billion to its economy—about the size of Côte d’Ivoire’s and Kenya’s combined GDP. But the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic changed all that.

However, as Covid-19 restrictions ease, tapping domestic tourism demand has offered the sector some respite, as a growing middle class and young population show more interest in domestic tourism.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) says that much of the world has had the advantage of relying on captive domestic and regional audiences. But in Africa, domestic tourism has been overlooked for a long time. The sector needs to be oriented towards more diversified markets so that there is greater resilience in future.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), domestic tourism accounted for 55 per cent of travel and tourism spending in Africa in 2019, below the contribution THEWILLNIGERIA

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To give an indication of the likely long-term shifts, data from the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) suggests that, by 2024, international leisure travel will be 10 per cent above 2019 levels, but domestic leisure travel will be 30 per cent up. By contrast, international business travel will still be down 15 percent, with domestic business travel 15 per cent up. . And according to OECD’s Tourism policy response to Covid-19, domestic tourism, which accounts for around 75 per cent of the tourism economy in OECD countries, is expected to recover more quickly. It offers the main chance for driving recovery, particularly in countries, regions and

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cities where the sector supports many jobs and businesses.

But a shift to domestic tourism requires capacity-building for tourism service providers on leveraging digital technologies for product development and marketing. There is also a need to enhance professional standards for tour service providers, including tour operators and tour guides. Equally, there is a need to build in sustainability into the recovery process - sustainable environmental, social, and financial practices; diversification of the domestic tourism products and sustained domestic and regional tourism campaigns.

Travel costs also need to be reduced as this has been a source of complaint by most domestic tourists. Alongside this, the construction of affordable hotels) could go a long way in increasing affordability to local tourists. The hospitality sector in Africa needs to embrace this shift, with hotels designed for this local market.

Most parts of Africa remain amongst the most expensive countries to develop hotels. Innovative technology and flexibility around brand standards will be critical to driving down costs, as will relaxation of import duties and more options around development professionals and contractors.

Covid-19 has certainly brought some positive changes in this regard, hotel brands are realising the need for greater flexibility, but more needs to be done in gearing the sector for the huge opportunity that domestic tourism will bring.

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JUNE 26 - JULY 02, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

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

On Sunday, June 12, 2022, the family of Mr. Sunny Omoregie Asemota JP. hosted friends and to celebrate the life of the renowned businessman, the founder of Lucky Motors and Omoregi

L-R: Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Chairman, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Segun Awolowo, Jr.

L-R: Terry Waya; Tayo Ayeni; founder of Skymit Motors and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.

L-R: Osagie Okunbor, Managing Director, SPDC, Nogie Megison, former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori and wife Senami.

L-R: Akin George Taylor; Osita Okorie and Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Head of Service, Lagos State.

L-R: Segun Senbanjo; Derin Agbaje and Segun Agbaje, CEO of GTCO Plc.

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Jide Coker, son in-law of the deceased with Ms Enitan Akerele THEWILLNIGERIA

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JUNE 26 - JULY 02, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

SHOTS OF THE WEEK

d well-wishers to a well-attended reception at the Harbour Point Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, ie Motors, who died on May 19, 2022.

L-R: Haruna Jalo-Waziri; CEO, Central Securities Clearing System Plc; Minister of Trade Industry and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and THEWILL Newspaper Publisher, Austyn Ogannah.

R-L: Chalya Shagaya and Yemisi Wada

Son of the deceased, Mr. Osa Asemota.

L-R: Chief Razak Okoya and Chief Alex Duduyemi

Back row (L-R): Toun Duke; Kemi Sokenu; Dupe Aina Olusola; Ayo Amusan and Oghogho Asemota (Seated)

L-R: Reni Folawiyo; Kemi Dasilva-Ibru; Ebi Williams; Tola Adegbite and Nana Otedola.

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JUNE 26 - JULY 02, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

JUN E 26 - JULY 02, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R

•

w w w.t hewi llni g eri a. c om VOL .2 N O.2 6

ACCESS BANK ASSETS GROWTH

ACCESS BANK GROSS EARNINGS

ACCESS BANK P.A.T

2017-2021

2017-2021

2017-2021

(N’trn)

(N’bn)

(N’bn)

500TRN

764.71 bn

666.75 bn

528.74 bn

971.88 bn 11.13 trn

8.67 trn

7.14 trn

4.95 trn

94.05 bn

2018

2019

160.21 bn

94.98 bn

2017

106 bn

60.08 bn

1BN

459 bn

500BN

4.1 trn

1TRN

Wigwe

0 2020

2021

Source; Bank’s Annual Reports.

Access Bank’s Credit Expansion, Assets Surge Reinforce Industry Dominance

BY SAM DIALA

MTN, Airtel, Others to Lose Market Dominance as Starlink Makes a Debut

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR

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ith last month’s approval of Starlink in Nigeria, there is an indication that some existing network providers in the country may lose part of their market shares in the telecommunications industry. This includes major players like MTN Nigeria and

PAGE 18

Mafab Communications, as well as other Internet service providers, such as Globacom, Airtel, and 9mobile.

Starlink is a SpaceX satellite Internet service owned by American billionaire, Elon Musk.

Continues on page 19

him, companies with robust assets will easily withstand tough economic environments.

“It signifies that they take advantage of the environment.

They act strategically. In business you will continue to study the environment and take advantage. You invest in areas that thrive. For a bank there is no period that people will not need money. It is either for food or health. So once they continue to invest in those areas they will get returns. So once a business is focused and invests in areas that people always need, it will not lose at all. This explains the continuous growth despite difficult circumstances”, Mainoma, immediate past President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), told THEWILL in a note.

The bank’s market leadership reflects in the significant jump in Fee & Commission Income from N38.95 billion in Q1 2021 to N56.30 billion in Q1 2022, reflecting 44.5 percent while Net Fee & Commission Income also recorded a growth of 40 percent year-on-year to N42.89 billion from N30.73 billion. The growth trajectory also reflected in the Profit After Tax which rose from N52.54 billion to N57.73 billion, showing a 10 percent increase.

Basic Earnings Per Share was 163K in Q12022 against 149K in the corresponding quarter, a growth of 10 percent.

The determination for sustained market dominance accounts for the increase in Operating Expenses from N62.49 billion in Q1 2021 to N77.25 billion in Q1 2022 or 23.6 percent containing increased expenditure in two major areas – Personnel Expenses

MORE INSIDE NASCO Boosts Cornflakes With Farmto-Home Initiative

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UBA Marks Africa Day in Style

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frica’s Global Bank, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc recently marked the 4th Africa Day with fanfare. The event which turned into a mini carnival saw a rich culture of African people on display.

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Zenith Bank: 217m Volume Traded in Two Weeks, as Investors Scramble For Stock PAGE 21

The bank said the event was aimed at changing the value narrative and encourage Africans home and abroad to be patriotic and embrace their culture.

Uzoka

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igeria’s foremost financial services institution, Access Bank, has maintained the tempo in credit expansion as a priority to stimulate the economy while its assets base soars. Data from the first quarter (Q1) 2022 interim report of the parent company, Access Holdings Plc, showed that the Tier1 lender, which presently is Nigeria’s largest bank by assets, recorded a significant increase in customer deposits.

Deposits from Customers rose to N7.49 trillion in the review period from N6.95 trillion in the preceding quarter (Q4 2021), representing a growth of N540 billion or 7.8 percent Coming amid unyielding economic headwinds, mirrors increased customer confidence in the 33-year-old bank which transited to a Holding Company earlier this year.

The bank’s Loans & Advances to Customers, a critical success factor in assets building, was N4.28 trillion in Q1 2022. This figure which represents facilities extended mainly to the real sector, rose by N125 billion from N4.16 trillion in the preceding period (Q4 2021), reflecting a 4.2 percent increase. It contributed to spur the boost in assets base to N12.08 trillion in the review period. From N11.68 trillion in the preceding quarter and N10.68 trillion in the corresponding period of 2021, this was N1.4 trillion increase or 12 percent growth year-on-year.

Commenting on the importance of robust assets base, Professor of Finance and Accounts at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Muhammad Mainoma, noted that assets base is an indication of how efficient a business organization is in its investment strategy and a measure of growth prospects. According to

A troupe of dancers and actors representing Continues on page 20 THEWILLNIGERIA

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TELECOMS/BANKING MTN, Airtel, Others to Lose Market Dominance as Starlink Makes a Debut

Access Bank’s Credit Expansion, Assets Surge Reinforce Industry Dominance

Continued from page 18

Continued from page 18

one third of Starlink’s value, Engr Jimoh said, “The impact SpaceX’s Starlink of Elon Musk would have in any country would be massive”.

Explaining further, Engr Jimoh added, “Starlink is illustrious for its impressive internet speed ranging up to 104Mbps, none of the internet providers for mobile phones would match one third of this value. This is clearly a big threat to the already existing internet service Provider companies”.

Advising the new network provider, he said, “In my opinion, I feel Starlink should not relate directly with the users. It can be the primary provider where the existing companies that are not as big as it is in the business would partner to provide services to the end users”.

Also, a US based Information and Communications Technology (ICT) consultant, Dr Ben Idegwu, said the multiple network provision is good for industrial growth.

Pantami

Dr Idegwu pointed out that there would be little or no harm done to the operators already awarded the Fifth Generation (5G) Spectrum Licence. He however, noted that there is a difference between the adoption of optic fibre and satellite based network systems.

With the vantage position of Nigeria as one of the largest markets in Africa, Spacex had in 2021 entered into talks with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to secure licences needed to launch the network. In May 2022, and as part of SpaceX plan to roll out the satellite Internet service in the continent, the company received the nod to introduce the network in Nigeria.

The Starlink approval is coming very close to the issuance of final letters of award of the Fifth Generation (5G) Spectrum licences to MTN and Mafab Communications, winners of the 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum auction conducted by the Commission on December 13, 2021.

With the issuance of the licence, both licenced operators are set for 5G network rollout anytime soon. For instance, MTN Nigeria had already confirmed that it will roll out a 5G network by August 24, 2022.

Speaking on the possible emergence of Starlink network in the country, a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, Network and Software Engineer, Engr Yusuf Aweda Jimoh, said the impact of Starlink network in Nigeria will be massive.

Noting that none of the existing internet providers for mobile phones in the country would match

“

With the issuance of the licence, both licenced operators are set for 5G network rollout anytime soon. For instance, MTN Nigeria had already confirmed that it will roll out a 5G network by August 24, 2022 THEWILLNIGERIA

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Listing latency/performance, security, mobile/stationary, congestion and route diversity/up-time as major areas where both network systems differ, Idegwu said, “Fibre optics is fast as it does not have to travel to the orbit and back to transfer data like the way satellites do. It is also cheaper with a relatively low loss and interference”.

“On the other hand, you know the Satellite system is wireless. This enables it to cover regions where fiber optics infrastructure is not possible. Even at that, it has slower data rate and reliability as compared to fiber optics. The reason for this is because fiber optics is wired network and requires a huge investment in establishing it appropriately.”

To Media expert and Chief Executive Officer of Newstide Publications, Dr Marcel Mbamalu, the expectation is that Starlink’s arrival in Nigeria will aid speedy expansion of Internet services to rural areas and create more jobs in those areas to stem rural-urban migration.

Dr Mbamalu also pointed out that the network will offer a child in rural areas, same opportunity enjoyed by those in urban cities in terms of internet connectivity.

“That gap is bridged by Internet access and it can only get better as Starlink adds to the competition to encourage existing providers like MTN, Airtel, 9Mobile and Globacom, improve service quality and delivery”, Mbamalu emphasised Other telecoms experts who spoke with THEWILL are, however, of the view that, with the approval of Starlink, the emergence of the network would definitely spark up stiff competition amongst operators.

According to SpaceX, Starlink was launched as a low-earth orbiting (LOE) constellation of satellites to provide low latency, high bandwidth internet to consumers across the globe.

A low latency network connection is one that generally experiences small delay times, while bandwidth refers to the amount of information that a connection to the internet can handle at a given time.

Starlink Internet is said to work by sending information through the vacuum of space, where it travels much faster than in fiberoptic cable. *Continues online at www. thewillnigeria.com THEWILLNIGERIA

and IT & E-Business Expenses which rose from N20.06 billion to N29.25 billion and N5.19 billion to N7.51 billion respectively.

Commenting on the Q1 2022 performance, the Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank Holding Company, Mr Herbert Wigwe, said, “The results reflect the sustainable business model coupled with effective strategy execution of the Banking Group currently operational as we made solid gains towards the achievement of our strategic goals.”

“We achieved a 33 per cent y/y growth in gross earnings to N295.7bn (Q1 2021: N222.1bn), leading to an improvement in the Profit After Tax to N57.4bn (Q1 2021: N52.5bn). Consequently, our Return on Average Equity (ROAE) stood at 21.4%, tracking in line with our commitment to our stakeholders.

Assets quality remained flat at 4.0 percent on the back of a robust risk management approach. This is expected to trend downwards in the future as we strive to hit and surpass the standard we had built in the industry prior to the business combination in 2019,” Wigwe said.

Access Bank is Nigeria’s largest banking group, accounting for 19 percent of banking system assets at the end of the financial year 2021, according to Fitch Rating which applauded the bank’s acquisition strategy. In the latest rating, the global rating agency affirmed the bank’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘B’ with a stable outlook. Access Bank’s Viability Rating (VR) is also affirmed at ‘b’ and National Long-Term Rating at ‘A+ (nga)’, indicating a strong credit profile with no support from the sovereign in case of material risks.The rating note indicated that Access Bank’s Long-Term IDR is driven by its standalone creditworthiness, while the bank’s VR was supported by healthy loan quality and strong revenue diversification, profitability and liquidity coverage.

Fitch explained further that the Group VR also reflects the constraint of a challenging operating environment, aggressive cross-border growth and moderate capitalisation in the context of its risk profile.

Access Bank’s National LongTerm Rating balances its leading franchise and strong financial profile against weaker capitalisation than higher-rated peers, noting that the downside to operating conditions of the bank includes rising global risks which are projected to weaken domestic operating conditions.

In a mission to become the gateway to the global financial system, Access Bank has acquired several banks in other Sub-Saharan African countries in recent years in line with its African expansion strategy.

Fitch analysts expect such

“

… transiting to a holding company structure will enable Access Bank Plc to generate more revenue from other noncore banking business, expand its operation, remain competitive in the ever-changing business environment and deliver more value to shareholders

acquisitions to continue, strengthening Access Bank’s franchise and geographical diversification. It said Access Bank has a record of integrating domestic acquisitions but a large number of cross-border acquisitions creates execution risks and may pressure capital.

Access Bank has invested heavily in leading technological evolution in the African banking sector through its strategic partnership with the Africa Fintech Foundry to nurture the next generation of innovative fintech startups. The Bank has also employed the use of technology to help achieve its sustainability targets. It has developed a portal that helps to monitor its environmental footprint, especially its carbon emissions.

For its continued investment in digital innovation, Access Bank was recognized as the ‘Best Digital Bank in Africa’ by Asian Banker at the Asian Banker Middle East and Africa Regional 2020 Awards virtual ceremony. The bank, over the years, has leveraged technology including advanced analytics, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics process automation to reform its business operations and drive performance.

A leading full-service commercial Bank operating through a network of more than 600 branches and service outlets, spanning three continents, 12 countries and 31 million customers, Access Bank adopted a holding company structure in the first quarter of 2021.

Wigwe had disclosed that transiting to a holding company structure will enable Access Bank Plc to generate more revenue from other non-core banking business, expand its operation, remain competitive in the ever-changing business environment and deliver more value to shareholders. The banking model is expected to also help Access Bank to diversify its revenue and remain competitive in the financial market.

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JUNE 26 - JULY 02, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

BUSINESS NEWS FMDQ Approves Registration of Lekki Gardens Estate N25bn Commercial Paper

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L-R: CSR Lead, Airtel Nigeria, Chioma Okolie; Lagos Regional Operations Director, Airtel Nigeria, Chika Obanor; Airtel Touching Lives Season 6 Beneficiary, Zita Ejike and Mother of Beneficiary, Ego Ejike, during the presentation of five hundred thousand Naira in education scholarship, and a rented business store with essential equipment to both Zita and her mother in Isashi, Ojo, Lagos on June 21, 2022.

Continued from page 18

UBA Marks Africa Day in Style Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, among other African countries, entertained the audience from the entrance of the building to its doorways through to the Tony Elumelu Amphitheatre Hall. Their overall performances diffused good vibes and earned them ovation.

Noting that Africa has unarguably positioned herself as the second largest continent in the world with its rich cultural heritage, the bank said the continent remains the only one in the world that was evidently bequeathed with the most colourful and distinctively diverse culture appreciated across the globe.

From her aesthetic art works, ethnic costumes, expressive dances, mindblowing plethora of languages, amazing dishes, tourists attractions, and wildlife among others, Africa is seen as a world power that is yet to explore.

It is, therefore, to proudly project her cultural heritage that the UBA hosted the event in Lagos to commemorate this year’s Africa Day. It said that part of its aim was for dignitaries to map out lasting solutions to persisting challenges in the continent.

Themed, ‘The Importance of Reflecting our African Culture in Global Success Stories,’ the event underscored the tremendous shift in Africa’s cultural influence – from Afrobeat to African films; Big African fashion labels and African authors; entertainment and culture.

According to the Deputy Managing Director, UBA, Oliver Alawuba, “It is from Africa that UBA Africa was set up,” he conceded, adding that the bank had invested so much in Africa.

“We are in 20 African countries and four countries outside Africa. Our

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focus has always been on driving investments into Africa, through conversations such as this.”

Alawuba said UBA aspired to develop and grow in the world, adding that unity is critical and very important in Africa hence the emphasis on how to change the narrative. “Unity is critical and very important for the future of Africa, we need to remain united to achieve our aspirations”, he said.

Taking a cue from the MD, the Namibian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Humphrey Desmond Geiseb, talked about how globalisation has been good for Africa. “Of course, there are still some gaps. There are still a lot of things about Africa that are not known. And I believe that culture and arts can help to get it right for us.”

Since Saturday 25th May 1963, Africa Day has been celebrated across the continent and worldwide.

The day was inaugurated by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in celebration of the unity, diversity and beauty of Africa and its people.

Consequently, as one of Africa’s leading financial services institutions, with a pan-African footprint spanning 20 African countries and globally in the US, UK, the United Arab Emirates and France, UBA says it’s fully committed to unifying Africa. It also continues to lead the narrative focused on the development, growth, and unity of Africa.

The UBA ‘Africa Conversations’ which the event featured, was established in May 2019 as a hallmark initiative in a series of celebrations for Africa Day.

NASCO Boosts Cornflakes With Farm-to-Home Initiative FROM UKANDI ODEY, JOS

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ASCO Foods Limited, a subsidiary of NASCO Group Nigeria, has inaugurated a new factory with increased production capacity to deliver on cornflakes production plan as endorsed by the Nutrition Society of Nigeria.

As an assured ready-to-eat cereal meal enriched with vitamins, the Company says the new arrangement and upgraded capacity “reflects total, continuing commitment to meet and to exceed the nutritional needs of our consumers across Nigeria, and throughout the African continent”.

Speaking on the occasion of the Plant Commissioning and Unveiling in Jos last Thursday, Chairman and CEO of Nasco Group Nigeria, Dr Attia Nasreddin said, “We realised early on in our journey that we cannot fulfill this vision except we empower the hands that help us make it a reality – and these hands are Nigerian and Plateau farmers.

“For many years, we have purposefully devoted significant professional and monetary resources to aid our farmers in becoming smarter and stronger at what they do.

“Many management professionals refer to this supply chain commitment and relationship as ‘backward integration’. We choose to refer to this strategic win-win relationship as ‘forward integration’.”

Noting that Nigerian farmers help to safeguard the country’s food security now and in the future, he also said, “Our FARM2HOME theme is not a fancy catch phrase. To us it is a genuine movement for which we have worked hard to ensure that every Nigerian family may enjoy the natural benefits of Cornflakes.”

Also speaking on the occasion, the General Brand Manager of Cornflakes Brand, Rotimi Oyesiji, noted that for the important ideals of growth and diversification, Nasco partners with the farmers to sustain and maintain the farm-tohome initiative.

Plateau State governor, Simon Bako Lalong, who was distinguished guest of honour at the unveiling and commissioning event, expressed delight and congratulated NASCO on the development, saying “NASCO makes me happy”.

He said although for almost six decades now Nasco has been a critical contributor and driver of the State economy, it can still do more as its expansionist and capacity building initiatives reflect organizational growth which should impact positively on the immediate environment in terms of job and wealth creation.

MDQ Securities Exchange Limited through its Board Listings and Markets Committee, has approved the registration of the Lekki Gardens Estate Limited N25.00 billion Commercial Paper (CP) Programme on its platform.

Lekki Gardens Estate Limited (“Lekki Gardens” or the “Issuer”) is a leading independent luxury real estate company in Nigeria that provides innovative real estate solutions in the areas of property development, facility management and sales of real estate products and services with special skills in service delivery. The CP Programme, which is sponsored by Boston Advisory Limited – a Registration Member (Quotations) of the Exchange, positions the Issuer to raise short-term finance from the Nigerian debt capital market (DCM), through CP issues within its CP Programme limit.

Speaking on the successful CP Programme registration, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Lekki Gardens Estate Limited, Mr. Richard Nyong said, “Lekki Gardens is pleased to announce the registration of her N25.00 billion CP programme. As a leading player in the real estate sector, we appreciate how critical sustained access to steady sources of funding is to real estate development. The approval of this CP programme by the FMDQ Exchange represents a significant milestone in our near-term growth aspirations and further enhances our capacity to unlock value for all our stakeholders”.

According to the Executive Director, Business Support & Corporate Services, Lekki Gardens Estate Limited, Ms. Emily Atebe, “Lekki Gardens remains strongly committed to enabling the greatest number of people make the most value of their property and property related investments as we contribute our quota to closing the critical gap in home ownership and development. This issuance is in line with our strategy to diversify our financing options as we continue to deliver on our commitment while efficiently managing our cost of funds”.

Equally, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Boston Advisory Limited, Mr. Rotimi Balogun mentioned that “real estate companies represent one of the most attractive investment options and should leverage the debt capital market for effective pricing, good stability, growth capital and enhanced capital structure.

I am therefore pleased to announce the registration of the N25.00 billion Commercial Paper Programme Issuance for a premium real estate company, Lekki Gardens Estate Limited, in our capacity as Sponsor, Arranger, Dealer and IPA. For my team and I, this registration is a success from all standpoints. And we believe that the groundbreaking transaction in the real estate space will further assist Lekki Gardens in its drive to be the leading real estate development and management company in Africa’s largest market”.

The Senior Vice-President, Investment Banking, Boston Advisory Limited, Mr. Adekunle Alade also commented that “we are very delighted with the approval of the N25.00 billion Commercial Paper Issuance Programme for Lekki Gardens Estate Limited. The registration of this CP Programme strategically positions Lekki Gardens Estate Limited to access short term funding at a lower rate from the debt capital market and quickly complete its various ongoing housing projects”.

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BUSINESS NEWS Stakeholders Proffer Way Out of Naira Volatility, Rising Inflation

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aira volatility, despite foreign exchange interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is being compounded by rising inflation, interest rate hike and slow economic growth with consequences for middle- and low-income earners, President, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe has said.

Speaking in Lagos at the weekend, Gwadabe said the unfolding scenarios raise the risk of stagflation with potentially harmful consequences for the poor within the economy.

L-R: Brewery Security Manager (Lagos), Nigerian Breweries Plc, Muyiwa Osinowo; Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos Command, Benjamin Hundeyin; Corporate Affairs Advisor (Lagos), Nigerian Breweries Plc, Victoria Akpabio-Uche, and Corporate Affairs Manager(Lagos), Nigerian Breweries Plc, Tayo Adelaja, during the visit by the team from Nigerian Breweries to the PPRO’s office on June 23, 2022.

Zenith Bank: 217m VolumeTraded in Two Weeks as Investors Scramble For Stock

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improvement in interest income on loans and advances helped to spur the growth in interest income and noninterest income.

Analysts attribute this to the bank’s ability to deploy its retail strategy which boosts customer base and leads to expanding its electronic banking income from the increased volume of transactions across all its channels.

Zenith Bank’s total assets grew by 9 percent from N9.45 trillion to N10.32 trillion in 2022, Customer deposits, a strong component of the assets, grew by 12 percent from N6.47 trillion in December 2021 to N7.25 trillion at the end of Q1 2022.

Loans and advances also grew by 6 percent, from N3.5 trillion in December 2021 to N3.7 trillion in March 2022. This development also helped to boost the net interest margin which improved from 6.0 percent in Q1 2021 to 7.3 percent in Q1 2022.

For over three decades, Zenith Bank has distinguished itself in the Nigerian financial services industry through superior service offerings, unique customer experience, and sound economic indices. The Bank remains a clear leader in the digital space with several firsts in deploying innovative products, solutions, and an assortment of alternative channels that ensure convenience, speed, and safety of transactions.

ONYEAGWU

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ver 217 million shares of Zenith Bank were recorded in 17 trading days of June as investors scramble for the stocks of the Tieir-1 bank. Check by THEWILL revealed that the least amount was 4.58 million recorded on the 11th trading day, while 33.20 million was traded on the 5th trading day.

Daily and Weekly Reports of the NGX showed active trading on Zenith Bank stocks during the period, which often ranked among the tops on the ‘Traded’ and ‘Gainers’ tables. Listed on the prestigious Premium category of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), Zenith Bank ended last week’s activities with a gain of 0.23 percent to close at N21.65 share price, while 8.24 million shares volume was recorded in 432 deals. Its N679.74 billion market capitalization is among the highest of the listed companies.

“Zenith Bank is a premium stock; it is among the highest in demand because of the corporate governance quality, the robust assets and the high market integrity it commands,” said Jude Akaleme, a stock broker. Akaleme stated that since the publication of the banks FY 2021 and Q1 2022 reports, investors’ appetite for the bank’s stocks have risen significantly.

Zenith Bank Q1 2022 earnings rose by 22 percent hitting N191.5 billion as against N157.3 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2021. The bank recorded strong topline growth that reflected on the bottom line as the Group achieved an 11 percent increase in profit before tax (PBT) from N61.02 billion in Q1 2021 to N67.99 billion in Q1 2022.

Similarly, profit after tax also followed the growth trajectory with a 10 percent increase to N58.19 billion in Q1 2022 from N53.06 billion recorded in Q1 2021.

An analysis of the report revealed that the growth in the topline was spurred by a rise in both interest income and noninterest income. Interest income grew by 25 percent, from N101.12 billion in Q1 2021 to N126.38 billion in Q1 2022, while non-interest income grew by 12 percent, from N51.20 billion to N57.23 billion.

The combined effects of the

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World Bank Demands Forex Rate Adjustment by CBN

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he World Bank has requested an adjustment in the exchange rate of the Investors & Exporters (I&E) window in Nigeria, stating that the rise in oil price has presented the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to take review.

According to the World Bank, there is a need to adjust the current rate to reflect market dynamics. Prime Business Africa had reported earlier today that the naira exchanged at N421.33 to $1 in the I&E window, while one dollar was sold at N606 in the parallel market on Monday.

Considering the current rate, and rising demand for dollars, an adjustment is likely to send the cost of exchanging the United States currency in naira up, further weakening the Nigerian legal tender across all forex markets.

The World Bank gave the suggestion in its report titled ‘Nigeria Development Update (June 2022): The Continuing Urgency of Business Unusual.’ The International creditor caution that if its advice is taken, the CBN should implement the adjustment gradually.

The statement reads, “Favorable external conditions (oil prices being the highest in nine years) provide an opportunity to adjust the exchange rate reflective of market dynamics.

Allowing further gradual adjustment in the IEFX rate, where the CBN manages the price, would help eliminate misalignment and alleviate persistent FX pressures.”

Recall that the global financial institution had criticised the monetary policies of the central bank, stating that the CBN is weakening Nigeria’s revenue mobilization, foreign investment, and the business environment at large.

In its continued condemnation of the policies of CBN under Godwin Emefiele, the World Bank said while the financial regulator said it has unified the multiple exchange channels, after the apex bank adopted I&E window as its official forex market (leaving out the black market), it is still financing about four FX markets to control movement of forex.

“The CBN took steps to unify multiple exchange rates by adopting the IEFX window rate as its official exchange rate in May 2021. However, different windows still exist, and the parallel rate premium continues to climb, reaching 39 percent over the official IEFX rate in March 2022.” World Bank wrote.

He said that already, global growth is expected to slump from 5.7 per cent in 2021 to 2.9 per cent in 2022— significantly lower than 4.1 per cent predicted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in January.

To keep the Nigerian economy going strong in the face of these challenges, Gwadabe called for improved local production and diversification of the economy from oil.

He said the naira exchanges at N614/$1 at the parallel market, while dollar bids continue to rise as inflation rose to11month high (17.71 per cent) in May. These occurrences, the ABCON boss noted, are eroding the purchasing power of households. “The biggest driver of inflation is the stubborn rise in food inflation. The average price level of the food basket rose by 1.13 per cent to 19.50 per cent in May from 18.37 per cent in April. This can be reversed by increased support for agriculture and government policies that support the sector,” he said.

Gwadabe said Nigeria’s huge population and diaspora market, which attracts an average of $20 billion annually, can be explored to deepen dollar inflows to the economy.

He said that expanding the dollar receipt points through over 5,000 Bureaux de Change operators could deepen dollar inflows and significantly raise Nigeria’s forex position.

Gwadabe said that globally, BDCs remain one of the channels through which the Diaspora remittance funds come into countries.

He said that the BDCs are at the centre of economic development and have the capacity to attract needed capital for the development of the Nigerian economy and deepening of the forex market.

The ABCON believes the success of BDCs will be boosted by access to multiple streams of forex earnings to deepen the market, keep the naira stable and boost BDCs operations.

“Making BDCs one of the channels through which over $20 billion annual Diaspora remittances enter the economy will give depth to forex market and boost BDCs operations. Nigerian BDCs operators have also identified with the immense opportunities presented by Diaspora remittances and want to play a greater role in attracting more foreign capital into the economy. Reason being that remittances are known to help poorer recipients meet basic needs, fund cash and non-cash investments, finance education, foster new businesses, service debt and essentially, drive economic growth,” Gwadabe said. *Continues online at www. thewillnigeria.com

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JUNE 26 - JULY 02, 2022 JUNE 26 - JULY 02, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com THEWILL NEWSPAPER • www.thewillnigeria.com

IFU ENNADA

Adding Value To Lives

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Former Big Brother Naija Reality star, Iheme Faith Uloma, otherwise known as Ifu Ennada, speaks to IVORY UKONU about her work as an actress, a beauty entrepreneur and a plethora of other things that defines who she is.

I CONSIDER MYSELF TO BE A PROBLEM SOLVER – IFU ENNADA Y

ou caused quite a stir with the kind of dress you wore to the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award event.

What inspired it?

My dress was inspired by a variety of things and it can be interpreted many ways. The story I was telling with it is basically a woman rising above all that society throws at her in the form of challenges and the kind of negative-minded people that she meets. The images on the dress represent such people and the challenges that I speak of.

Was the contact lens you had on meant to complement the outfit or was it passing its own message separately?

The contact lens was telling the story of Storm from XMen, an American superhero film series based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. And we know that Storm is a very powerful superhero. The moment she activates her strength, she just changes the atmosphere in a matter of seconds and things are never the same. You can’t also hold her down. So for the event, I was ‘Storm,’ changing everything for good. The entire look had a very gothic feeling and you know that gothic is not for the weak-minded. It is very powerful and has a lot of powerful energy behind it.

Was the design entirely your idea, your stylist, Toyin Lawani’s or a joint effort?

So here is what happened - I went to Toyin and told her ‘Boss, I need to scatter everywhere at this year’s AMVCA.’ The last time, which was during the 2020 edition of the AMVCAs, we were everywhere. We attracted the attention of the international media like The Washington Post, BBC, CNN and loads of other international media platforms wrote about us. I had an interview with a journalist from The Washington Post. So, based on the fact that we already had a very successful outing, I knew I needed to up my game with what I wanted to wear. She sent me several inspirations and after some back and forth, we finally agreed on what we would work with. I asked her to take all the creative freedom that she desired, no holds barred, and do what she must do. And she could go on to tell whoever cares to listen that I am one of her favourite clients because I give her the freedom to create what is really outstanding.

Is it true the that dress set you back by $100,000 as reported?

The entire look was worth over $100,000, not the dress itself or what I paid.

You seem to be quite dramatic about your choice of dresses to events like the AMVCA. Is this deliberate and what message are you trying to pass across to your fans?

Everything I do as far as social media or my life is concerned is very intentional. Yes, my choice of dresses is very deliberate.

Besides, as a celebrity, especially one that is very popular for being a housemate on the Big Brother Naija reality show, it is very easy for one to get lost in the sea of housemates, especially when it’s been a while since I was on the show. Also, since it is THEWILLNIGERIA

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not everyone that follows me on social media, once in a while I like to to make an appearance out there, grab the opportunities that are available, make a statement and let the world know that I am still here and killing it. So with this year’s ensemble, I wanted people to know that Ifu Ennada is still very much around and I broke the Internet. Yes, I did break the Internet.

Why is Toyin your go-to person for your choice of dresses?

As far as Nigeria is concerned, I have never seen any designer who does what Toyin is doing through her Tiannah Empire. I haven’t seen any that is willing to really step outside the box and do things that will Iheme get other people talking. especially if people do not understand your concept. Toyin is a very unique designer and stylist. She is a lot of things and for anyone that is thinking of statement outfits, unconventional ones, you know she is the person to go to. Aside from that, she is just really talented and professional. She gives more than a 100 per cent to whatever design she works on. She goes all out and who wouldn’t want to work with someone like that?

Your Wikipedia page says you are a fashion designer. Do you currently run a fashion design outfit?

The page was not put up by me, but by God knows who and I have tried in vain to edit that part out as I am not a fashion designer. I do like to look good and I can be stylish and fashionable, but I am not a fashion designer.

You are also an actress. Have you always wanted to be one or is it a means to an end?

A lot of people do not know this, but I started acting long before I got into the Big Brother Reality Show and I have gained some recognition via nominations. In 2016, I won the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Young and Promising Actress of the Year for my role in the movie, O-Town. In the same year, I produced a short film titled, Broken Virgin, which was inspired by a real life rape story. The film got me several awards and nominations, including the award for Best Actress at a Film Festival. I have also bagged another award from African Voices in the United Kingdom as the Best Actress. Acting for me is not a means to an end as I have not been active for at least three years now. If it was a means to an end, I would have been actively acting. I just took time off to build my businesses and basically make sure that it has a strong foundation so that I am at peace when I travel or be on set acting.

What was your first movie role and how did you get it?

It was actually a television series called Emerald and it was a lead role where I played a streetwise call girl named Tina. I basically auditioned for it. It was my first time auditioning for an acting role as a professional. It was broadcast on one of the Africa Magic channels for at least three years.

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How easy or difficult was your acceptance in the movie industry?

I am not sure how to answer this because I do not know what the acceptance level is or how one is supposed to judge acceptance in the movie industry. I just do my thing really. I belong to no clique. I am currently not acting, but I am getting ready to go back to it. I am just waiting for the right script.

Like most actors, are you going to transition into film production or directing?

Most people do not know that I am a professional television producer with several years of experience because when I did all of these things, I wasn’t popular. I am also a professional television presenter. With regards to producing movies, I intend to do more of that because there are some kinds of stories I intend to tell. So, yes, I want to do more.

Who are some of the people you look up to in the entertainment industry?

As a matter of fact, I don’t like to look up to anyone because if you shape or model your life after someone and they go on to do something highly disappointing, it affects you. There are people I probably like for their work, but I wouldn’t say that I look up to them, especially in the industry.

Did you ever think in your wildest imagination that you would be as big and as recognised as you are today?

Most definitely. I am not even as big as I want to be, not even as recognised as I want to be, but for as long as I can remember, I saw myself being a public figure, being on international stages, doing big things. I have always dreamt really big. So being popular and recognised is something I always knew was going to happen to me. I am not close to where I want to be, but I am a work-in-progress and this is something I knew would happen.

So yes, I am living my dreams.

What prompted you to participate in the Big Brother Naija Reality Show?

Honestly it was a friend who pushed me to audition for it. Prior

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attain their most healthy hair ever. My skin care brand was inspired by the need to help women heal their damaged skin, appreciate, love their skin and basically just naturally, nourish their skin.

I also have a hair extension brand called Beautiful Hair, it is a line of pre-stretched hair extensions that helps women save time and money spent braiding. My hair extension are pre-stretched like the name says, so it means that all that cutting, combing and pulling that comes with hair extension, that work has already been done, all you need to do is buy and braid and you don’t have to sit so long in your hair stylist chair and your hairstylist doesn’t have to waste all that time prepping the extension before using it.

The extension comes in 30 and 16 inches and in 16 colours as well. All of my businesses were inspired by the need to solve problems, I am a problem solver. My hair and skin care businesses were particularly inspired by skin and hair care challenges that I faced.

Once upon a time, I didn’t have this healthy full hair that I have now. I lost my edges, my hair was relaxed and the growth was terrible because of the poor information and advice from various hair stylists that I had at some point and I needed to get back my healthy hair so I had to learn hair care formulation professionally. The skin care brand was inspired by a bleaching cream I unknowingly used that caused me terrible steroid cystic acne, stretch marks in places I never had, the really ugly ones.

Then I developed terrible dark knuckles that were embarrassing.

I wasted money trying to fix my skin as nothing worked and so I decided to learn how to formulate skincare products professionally, understand and fix my skin. When I looked around me, I discovered several women were in my shoes and this further spurred me. My products do not contain bleaching formulations but naturally formulated safe ingredients.

to my auditioning, I had no idea what Big Brother Naija Reality Show was all about. The only time I watched the show and I say the only time because even after I got out of the show, I haven’t watched it, so I do not know a lot of the housemates. I only know the ones that somehow get into the news for something.

So the only time I watched the show was when Karen Igho was on it. That was Big Brother Africa. There was something about her personality and her boobs actually. It was the first time I would see someone with such an enhanced pair of boobs.

I was really young then, a teenager working as a television presenter and we had this television in the common room which I watched when I was on break. That was my memory of Big Brother.

I don’t think I ever watched one hour of Big Brother Africa or Big Brother Naija shows back then. So I auditioned in 2017 for the 2018 Big Brother Naija show. I was so broke then, nothing was working in my life. I had done some jobs, but I had not been paid. I was squatting with my cousin at that time. I was so frustrated back then. I remember that I would manage maybe N200 for an entire week. I would keep N40 to get maybe a quarter of a loaf of bread to eat with N10 worth of margarine.

That would be my meal for an entire day. So there was this lady that owned a restaurant in the building where I was squatting with my cousin. Each time I helped her to set up her stall and I buy say N50 rice from her, she would give me a huge plate of food, say something worth N500. And whenever she gave me that huge portion, I would split the food into three or four parts and look for a way to manage it through the week. That wasn’t the reason I was helping her. I was helping her because her younger sister was my friend before she travelled out of the country.

What I am trying to say is that I was trying my best to earn a living. Life was really hard. And one of those days when I had nowhere to go to, my friend called me on the first day of auditioning in Lagos and asked if I had auditioned for Big Brother. I was like, ‘Dem still dey do that show?’

And she asked me to audition. According to her, I have a really interesting personality. At that point, I didn’t even have a dime to transport myself to the venue of the audition. So she sent me N10,000. At that time, I was really craving pizza and coke.

I didn’t have money, I was hungry but that was what I was craving and that was what I wanted to spend the money on and not bother myself about any Big Brother show. But instinctively, I didn’t spend the money and I decided to go for the audition.

I was there before 5am the following day. I auditioned and one thing led to another. I got selected and made it into the house.

Do you still keep in touch with some of your housemates and who amongst them are you closest to?

I guess everyone is as busy as I am busy with my life. I guess they are all focusing on one thing or the other. I am focusing on my businesses and personal growth so I can’t really speak for other housemates Do you think the attention the show gets is misplaced, compared to educational shows that get little or no attention?

There is a reason why Big Brother shows get a lot of attention.

If the people who organise educational shows also want that sort of attention, then perhaps they should rework their marketing strategy. If Big Brother was a shit show, no one would watch it.

So if you want something to gain traction, then look at people who have done it successfully and take inspiration from them. I don’t agree that the attention the show gets is misplaced, That is what the show is meant for, to get the attention of viewers.

Some Nigerians have suggested that the show be put on hold for some reasons, such as the 2023 general election, to enable the youths remain focused. What are your thoughts?

If the youths want to be focused on more important things, they will be really. I think Big Brother is a distraction from most people’s daily lives, a pleasant distraction I would say. But then, you can’t force an adult to do something they don’t want to do.

If someone doesn’t recognise something as important to them, there is really nothing you can do to make them change their minds. The general election is important, no doubt; especially if we all vote right massively, we can change the direction the country is currently headed. But then, there is only so much one can do. I know people who watch the show and are also vested in the forthcoming election and they have been campaigning, pushing their friends and followers to get involved in the electoral process.

What was growing up like for you?

Growing up was tough. It was interesting, thanks to my siblings and my parents, but it was really tough and at some point, we had to move back to the village. It was in the village my younger brother died right in my presence. He was four years old, I was 10. To cut a long story cut short, a cousin confessed to my mother that she was responsible for my brother’s death, no thanks to her spiritual activities in a secret cult. That is part of what shaped my childhood because I grew up with this resentment for a lot of things and also the determination to be

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What life philosophy do you live by?

I believe that life can be as beautiful as you want if you just keep going at it, having faith in God and not giving up. It might take time, but if you are on the right track, things will definitely work out for you How do you let off steam when you aren’t working?

When I can afford to, I like to travel, even if it is not outside the country, just some place outside of Lagos or just a nice boutique hotel with good service and I am there for several days and I just sleep.

Iheme

“

I grew up with this resentment for a lot of things and also the determination to be successful, not just to help my family but also to help people

successful, not just to help my family but also to help people.

I mean, if we were not facing that hardship, we wouldn’t have gone to the village and my brother would probably still be alive.

What would you say must have significantly shaped you to be who you are today?

I would say my childhood, growing up, my parents, the way that they brought me up and my personal decision to add value to everything. It is one of the reasons I am a business woman.

I am able to add value into people’s lives by solving problems through my creations.

You also into the beauty business, you own a hair and a skin care brand. What is the story behind them?

I own an award-winning hair care brand called Beautiful Ennada, which basically manufactures and provides hair care products to women and men across the world. It helps to solve the problem of poor hair growth, hair breakage and help people

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JUNE 26 - JULY 02, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

Ibikunle Amosun in Last Minute Moves to Force Return to Senate

THE INSPIRING STORY OF COUMANTAROS FAMILY F

lour Mills of Nigeria is no doubt a very popular brand in Nigerian business circles, but not many know that the public liability company listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange, which paid a whooping N80 billion to acquire Honeywell Flour, was founded by late Greek businessman, George Stavros Coumantaros, who passed on in 2016. The patriarch of the Coumantaros family was also the founder of Southern Star Shipping, a privately-owned international shipping company.

Like Lebanese immigrant, Gilbert Chagoury who saw a golden opportunity and moved to Nigeria, Lagos specifically Coumantaros in the early 1970s to set up a conglomerate, Coumantaros, a grand Archon of the Greek largest in Nigeria with a range of Orthodox Church, arrived in Nigeria products instantly recognisable in any in 1959 from Argentina where he was Nigerian household. The company’s raised by his parents. first investment outside flour milling Impressed by the vast arable land was BAGCO in 1978 and the cement in the country and the limitless industry in 2012, but it would later opportunities available to foreigners sell the cement company to one of its who were trooping into Nigeria at competitors, Lafarge cement to focus that time, he established a very small on its area of core competence, the family business known as Flour Mills food business. of Nigeria. The company started out Before his death, the patriarch as a wheat miller and was in fact the handed over the reins of the first wheat miller in Nigeria. business to his fourth child, John, Over the years, Coumantaros grew who is the current Chairman of Flour the company to become one of Mills of Nigeria. He manages the the biggest brands in the food and business and holds it in trust for the agro-allied industry in Africa and the Counmantros family and the family’s

64 per cent stake in it. So profitable has John grown the business that the family will receive a whopping sum of N5.58 billion ($13.45 million) in 2021 dividends from the group’s retained earnings of N111.1 billion ($267.5 million) at the end of its 2022 fiscal year.

The Coumantaros family no longer live in Nigeria. Again, just like Chagoury, the family acquired US citizenship and currently live in New York. However, unlike the older Chagoury who had to leave Nigeria after he allegedly fell out of favour with the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government for allegedly bankrolling the election campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, the Coumantaros family had to seek US citizenship due to the portfolio of investments and properties acquired by their late father in that country. In fact, John reportedly runs Flour Mill of Nigeria from his New York office. Also, very much unlike the patriarch of the Chagoury family, who has spent the past 40 years building political connections both in the US and Nigeria and flourished through his close association with late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha and allegedly laundered money for him, the Coumantaros have remained solely business-minded and have managed to keep a long distance from anything that might bring disrepute to the family.

Kolapo Lawson, First Bank Battle Over Ikoyi Property, N13bn Debt

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olapo Lawson may be regarded as one of Nigeria’s richest men, but it is not certain if his wealth will save him from a looming battle with First Bank of Nigeria Limited.

For many who do not know, the unassuming billionaire runs one of Nigeria’s biggest indigenous business conglomerates with interests in banking, real estate, manufacturing, food and beverages sector with turnover in several billions.

Lawson was the former chairman of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated with the largest individual stake. He is the Chairman of Agbara Estates Limited, arguably Nigeria’s biggest

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industrial and residential estate; the Chairman of Vitamalt Plc; CEO, Lawson Corporation, a trading and investment company which was founded by his late father, Chief Adeyemi Lawson, founder of the Grail Movement in Nigeria and several other business concerns where he is a board member.

The younger Lawson avoids publicity like a plague, which is why it came as a surprise when news broke about a lawsuit allegedly instituted against him and several others by Nigeria’s oldest bank. First Bank has asked a Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, to restrain him and five others from dissipating some of assets which are at No. 21 Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, and 21 hectares in Agbara estates in phase 3 area of Agbara, Ogun State, over a N13.42 billion debt, pending the determination of the suit.

The five others named alongside Lawson in the suit are also directors in two companies, Commonwealth Consortium Limited and Agbara Estates Limited where he is chairman, behind the alleged sale of the assets. First Bank in its case with suit number FHC/L/CS//2022, is praying the court to order Lawson and Mr Kayode Ayeni, Mrs. Kikelomo Ayeni, Mr. Paulo Cruz, Mr. Tunji Lawson and Babatunde Akindele, all former directors of the two companies, to yield possession of the assets, THEWILLNG

covered by Mortgage Deeds, and deliver to the Receiver/Manager, Mr. Oluwakemi Balogun, SAN, statement of accounts, inventory of all assets, list of debtors and all other documents in their custody.

The bank, in the suit, further alleges that in a bid to avoid repayment of depositors’ funds trapped in their custody, they began dissipating their assets, and taking steps to move all other moveable assets outside the jurisdiction of the court.

First Bank alleges that they are also taking steps to alienate or transfer the charged assets to unsuspecting third parties, thus creating an imminent risk of the defendants to frustrate the realisation of the charged assets and other assets of two of the defendants.

The plaintiff (First Bank) is praying the court to restrain the defendants and others including employees of the 2nd and 3rd plaintiffs from interfering with or otherwise obstructing or frustrating the Receiver/Manager appointed by the First Bank in the course of performing his statutory duties over the whole assets of the 2nd and 3rd plaintiffs.

The plaintiff inferred that the assets are as covered by the Deed of Legal Mortgage of January 30, 2019, registered as No. 89 at Page 89 in Volume 213 of the Federal Lands Registry Lagos and further registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission on November 15, 2019.

The case has now been adjourned till June 30 for hearing.

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Omokri

RENO OMOKRI IGNORES WIFE’S BIRTHDAY

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bout a week ago, Tuokpe Omokri, wife of Reno Omokri, an aide of former President Goodluck Jonathan who is in exile, added another year. While she got a lot of birthday wishes from friends and close family members, there was none from her husband.

This makes it the second time since THEWILL broke the news of his cavorting with another woman, that she will celebrate her birthday and not be acknowledged by her husband. Not bothered about the silent treatment she got from Reno, Tuokpe who has since come into her own and is no longer the demure woman Reno married, celebrated the day with a birthday dinner in company with a special friend who she did not capture in the videos she posted on her social media page.

Asked why he didn’t acknowledge Tuokpe’s birthday and why he has chosen to pretend like she doesn’t exist, Reno did not respond to THEWILL. Ironically, Tuokpe whom he married in 2007 in Nigeria before they relocated to the United States, hasn’t been the only victim of Reno’s silent treatment as he has also chosen to pretend that the three children he shares with her do not exist. He neither acknowledge their birthdays nor show up for their important events.

Last year, THEWILL exclusively reported how Reno, who likes to project a sanctimonious, holier-than-thou image of himself, abandoned his family and absconded to London to live with an Ethiopian woman named Hana, who he prefers to call his ‘wife’ and who is also the mother of his fourth child, Weyinmi Ebele. For over two years since he abandoned his family, he has allegedly refused to contribute to their upkeep, including that of one of his sons who is a special needs kid.

A control freak, Reno allegedly subjected Tuokpe to emotional abuse for the better part of the 14 years they lived together. The former presidential aide, who is never short of opinion on virtually every subject on earth and on everyone, has refused to address his marital status with Tuokpe or why he abandoned his US based family for a new one in London.

ust like the sham scenario that played out in Yobe State and Akwa Ibom State, a repeat performance may play out in Ogun State, barring any unforeseeable circumstance. The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, who contested and lost out in the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress had asked Bashir Machina, the winner of the National Assembly primary in Yobe North Senatorial District, which he (Lawan) represents in the Senate, to step down for him in order to retain his seat.

Machina had refused, insisting he was going ahead to contest in the 2023 general election. Miffed at being rebuffed, party leaders simply swapped his name for that of Lawan in the list submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission. Similarly in Akwa Ibom State where Godswill Akpabio, the erstwhile minister of Niger Delta Affairs who contested but stepped down for Bola Ahmed Tinubu to emerge the APC presidential flagbearer, had his name submitted to INEC as the representative of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District rather than that of the actual winner, a former Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Udom Ekpoudom. The same scenario is about to play out in Ogun State as Afolabi Salisu, the Chief of Staff to Governor Dapo Abiodun is being

Amosun

pressured to hand over the Ogun Central Senatorial ticket to Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who did not indicate any interest to return to the Senate but was gunning for the presidency and later stepped down for Tinubu. Salisu won the ticket during the APC primary election organised by Abiodun’s faction of the party. Senator Amosun’s camp did not hold a parallel primary election leaving Abiodun’s men to take all the APC tickets to elective positions in Ogun State. Although the request of the former governor was rebuffed, he has however ordered his men to maintain peace while he worked out a solution at the national level of the party. Amosun is alleged to be leveraging his support for a ‘Tinubu presidency’ and other influences he has within the APC and the presidency to negotiate sharing tickets of elective positions to his loyalists, as well as retaining his senatorial seat. Stakeholders are allegedly fashioning out how to make the arrangement work while taking into consideration the sentiments of other groups like the Gbenga Daniel and Olusegun Osoba groups in a bid to make the party stronger in the state ahead of the 2023 general election. Both Amosun and Abiodun factions have been at war over who controls the party structure in Ogun. The former governor leveraged his closeness to the presidency to corner all federal appointments allocated to Ogun since 2019 for his loyalists and has remained ahead in the fight for control of the APC in the state. The governor however lost the opportunity of a thorough win by siding with the ‘wrong’ presidential aspirant, giving Amosun who teamed up with Tinubu, the perfect foothold for a comeback. Will Amosun succeed in returning to the Senate with his so-called connections?

That remains to be seen.

Bimbo Ashiru Named Odua Group Chairman

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aving successfully built an enviable career, reaching the peak of his career and careening that into politics with a stellar performance as Commissioner for Commerce in Ogun State, Bimbo Ashiru has now bagged a fresh appointment as the Board Chairman of Odua Group, a conglomerate owned by governments of South-West states.

Unable to achieve his political aspiration to govern Ogun State and ultimately shelving his ambition to support the incumbent, Dapo Abiodun, Bimbo was rewarded with a board membership of Odu’a Investments where he served his state. With the approach of the new political dispensation, there were feelers that he would consider going to the Senate since the incumbent was interested in going for a second term. He neither confirmed nor denied this permutation but instead kept his game plan close to his chest until the most recent appointment was made public.

Born in Ijebu-Ode to the illustrious Ashiru family, Bimbo had a

successful banking career that spanned over two decades, which took him to various institutions where he served in various capacities of Management (Head, Private Banking Unit; Branch Manager; Head, Institution and Professional Banking; Regional Coordinator; Country Director, Personal and Business Banking; Director, Corporate Affairs and Corporate Social Investments; until his last position of Group Head, Public Sector with Stanbic IBTC Bank. A socially-inclined man, he has been described in several quarters as a friend to many and an enemy to none.

Odua

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STORIES BY SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN

KUNLE ADEYANJU BAGS CHIEFTAINCY TITLE

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unle Adeyanju, the man who rode from London to Lagos to raise funds and awareness for polio, has been conferred with a chieftaincy title. The biker was honoured as the Aniyikaiye of Offaland in Kwara State by his royal majesty, the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi. He was given the title of Are Aniyikaiye of Offa land because of his recent exploits after returning from his London bike trip. Being an indigene of Offa, the traditional ruler gave him the title to celebrate his laudable feat for traveling for 41 days from London to Lagos State.

Adeyanju embarked on the journey from the United Kingdom on April 19 to raise awareness of the fight against polio in Africa and to raise funds to fight against the disease. While growing up, Adeyanju had a friend who had polio which incapacitated him. The friend eventually passed on as a result of complications from the disease. After his death, Adeyanju resolved to fight polio just to honour

Adeyanju his late friend. He partnered with Rotary Club, Ikoyi where he has been elected as president.

A former employee of Shell

Petroleum, British American Tobacco Company and Oando PLc, Adeyanju runs his own business called Pelicians DNO.

Family Distances Themselves From Suspected Fake Trustee of Mobolaji Bank Anthony’s Estate

Bank-Anthony

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he family of late business mogul, Mobolaji Bank Anthony has distanced themselves from Queen Irene Cole, a lady claiming to be an executive trustee of the late philanthropist’s estate. Cole had been parading herself as a member of the trustee of Anthony’s property and she has been boasting of helping the family recover over $50 billion worth of estate from some banks and registrars whom she allegedly connived with to deprive the statutory beneficiaries of their entitlement.

Contrary to her claim, the family of the late businessman who is represented by London based

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Babatunde Bank-Anthony, a grandson of the late billionaire, revealed his grandfather left a comprehensive Will and Testament which was to be handled by some trustee in which Cole and her partners were not included as Cole is not known to Anthony’s family.

It was gathered that Cole has been lobbying to insert herself in the estate and properties of the late Anthony. She claimed to be the godmother of Funmiade, one of the grandchildren of Anthony who is not a statutory beneficiary of the Will of the late businessman. She connived with her goddaughter and tried to involve another grandchild, Mohammed Abubakar Akintunde, to become a trustee of the Anthony family so that she can have access to the businessman’s estate’s account. But, Akintunde turned her down and insisted that the whole of Anthony’s family must give their consent to her decision.

Cole went as far as getting a Lagos High Court document purporting her to be one of the trustees of

Anthony’s estate. The family had to take her to court as she did not properly disclose facts to the court by altering some names to match one of the names of the beneficiaries in the Will in order to get a favourable court judgement.

Sir Mobolaji Bank Anthony was a council president of the Lagos Stock Exchange. At a time, he held the distributional rights to cars manufactured by Rootes Group.

He was a board member of various companies and had properties scattered all over Lagos.

Court Throws Out Suit Challenging Funke Akindele-Bello’s COVID-19 Conviction

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he last has not been heard of the fine imposed on Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele-Bello, in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown for violating COVID-19 protocols and hosting a birthday party for her husband. She was later arraigned at a magistrate court in Ogba for her indiscretion.

The actress and some of her guests, such as fellow actress, Eniola Badmus; singer Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley; former AMEN Estate promoter, Babatunde Gbadamosi and others, were ordered to do community service for 14 days and to visit public places in Lagos State to educate people on the consequences of not complying with restriction orders. They were also fined a sum of N100 each.

The actress challenged the suit and questioned Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-

Olu’s right to impose a fine on her, since the lock-down was instituted by President Muhammadu Buhari. She requested through her lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, a public apology from the state government to all persons arrested and convicted in three widely read newspapers.

However, an Ikoyi Federal High Court has ruled in favour of the state government and threw out Akindele-Bello’s suit, arguing that the governor has the power to make regulations in place of the President, according to section 8 of the Quarantine Act, 2004.

Justice Aluko of the Ikoyi Federal High Court observed that the law was made under the Lagos State Public Health Law, 2015 and Section 8 of the Quarantine Act which grants the governor power to make regulations in Section 4 of the Act.

Akindele-Bello

PDP Governorship Candidate in Kwara Reneges on Monetary Promise to Delegates

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he Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate for Kwara State, Shuaib Yaman Abdullahi, is

Abdullahi

allegedly broke. Abdullahi emerged the winner of the party’s governorship primary a few weeks ago. He allegedly paid his way to victory before he was eventually endorsed by the national leader of the party in the state, Dr Bukola Saraki.

Having spent so much money to gain support from party chieftains in the state, the politician allegedly became broke but promised to give each delegate the sum of N50,000 each if he emerged the winner of the primary election. A total of 596 elected delegates voted during the primary election from the 579 wards in Kwara.

Abdullahi had planned to fulfill his promise to the delegates from the proceeds of a business deal he was expecting after the election, but unfortunately things did not work in his favour.

Some of the delegates are already grumbling and accusing the politician of lying to them. They expressed their displeasure with his attitude and are already doubting if he will be able to live up to his promises, if he eventually wins the governorship election in 2023. He is alleged to have requested more time to fulfill the promise he made to the delegates, while pledging to make up for defaulting.

Otunba Adekunle Ojora Clocks 90

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dekunle Ojora, the scion of the Ojora and the Adele family is 90 years-old.

Children of the nonagenarian threw a small birthday party for the business mogul to mark his landmark age last week. The party had close friends, children and grandchildren of the celebrant in attendance. Billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote, the Chief Executive Officer of Chagoury Group, Ronald Chagoury, Dr Bukola Saraki, Tony Elumelu, Earl Osaro Onaiwu were some of the people in attendance.

For a man of his age, the Lisa of Ife was looking strong and healthy, shaking and chatting with some of the dignitaries who came to celebrate his birthday. One of his children, Toyin Saraki, wife of Bukola Saraki, former Senate President and a former governor of Kwara State was up and doing, welcoming dignitaries to the occasion.

Ahead of the event, Toyin Saraki had paid glowing tribute to the industrialist with

video clips on her social media page which catalogued the life and times of the business mogul during his different landmark achievements. Otunba Ojora was once the most quoted name on the board of several blue chip companies in Nigeria. He started out as a journalist after his education at Regent City Polytechnic, now known as the University of Westminster, London.

He worked with the British Broadcasting Service, BBC before moving to the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation and later, the United African Company as a public relations officer. He was nominated as a member of the Lagos City Council in 1966 before getting a government appointment into WEMABOD, a regional property and investment company and later into the Nigerian National Shipping Line.

He is an investor in several firms and established his own companies, such as Nigerlink Industries and Unital Builders.

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He is a shareholder in different companies.

After his retirement from active service, Otunba and his beautiful wife, Erelu Ojuolape Ojora became a regular face at high octane parties but later slowed down after the death of their son, Gboyega Ojora.

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STORIES BY SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN

Yomi Casual Called Out For Influencing Alleged Fraudulent Car Dealer

ADESOLA ADEDUNTAN BAGS HONORARY DOCTORATE DEGREE IN EUROPE

Adeduntan

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desola Adeduntan, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria has bagged an honorary Doctorate of Science, Honoris Causa at Cranfield University, one of the most prestigious institution of learning in Europe.

The foremost banker was awarded the honorary doctorate degree in recognition of his outstanding

contribution to business. The event took place on Wednesday, June 22. The bank CEO also delivered a short address to the graduating class of the University.

A few years after attending the Cranfield School of Management, the school recognised his impact on the business world, his resourcefulness and doggedness at the helm of the bank. During

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only ruling family in Oworonshoki kingdom. When many thought the kingship tussle had been resolved, the Elebo family came up with another crisis. Nurudeen’s younger brother, Babatunde signified interest in the throne and he was eventually crowned king of Oworonshoki in Kosofe Local Government Area.

The newly crowned king was a former Senior Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and a former vice chairman of Kosofe LGA in 2021. The event was held in a private ceremony held at the office of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

However, a few days after he was declared the new king, some disgruntled members of the ruling family claimed that there was foul play in the emergence of the new king.

They alleged that Babatunde was forcefully imposed on the kingdom.

It was gathered that the king makers Saliu

the convocation ceremony which took place on Wednesday, June 22, the bank CEO delivered a short address to the graduating class of the University. Adeduntan became the CEO of First Bank in 2016 but in 2021, he was removed as the Group Managing Director and CEO of the bank before the expiration of his term in office. No cogent reason was given by the board of directors for removing him other than the fact that they acted in the interest of the bank.

He was later reinstated a day after he was removed, by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, who claimed to be unaware of any wrong-doing or misconduct on the part of Adeduntan and therefore declared that there was no justification for his removal.

The CBN governor went on to sack the entire board of directors of the bank, citing insider abuse and corporate governance breakdown as the reason for his action.

Adeduntan holds a doctorate degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Ibadan and a Master’s in Business Administration from Cranfield University. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.

Ara’s Ex-Husband Loses Out in Kingship Tussle urudeen Saliu, the ex husband of popular drummer, Aralolu Olumuyiwa, has been denied the opportunity to succeed his late father, Oba Bashir Oloruntoyin Saliu, on the throne of Oworonshoki. The traditional ruler joined his ancestors in 2021 after battling a brief illness. He died in London.

Ara and Nurudeen got married in 2009 but went their separate ways in 2011 after the drummer got to know that her husband was legally married to two other women before marrying her. The marriage was blessed with a son.

Following his father’s death, Nurudeen got the approval of the council of chiefs to take over the throne. Unfortunately, he was denied his rights and instead, his younger brother, Babatunde was crowned king. After the death of his father, a kingship tussle ensued in the kingdom. Two royal families, the Elebo and the Ajisegiri went to court over who should ascend the throne after the death of Oba Saliu. The Ajisegiri family, one of the ruling families in Oworonshoki, alleged that the Elebo should be disqualified as a ruling family in the kingship of Oworonshoki kingdom.

Finally an Ikeja High court ruled in favour of the Elebo ruling family and officially recognised it as the THEWILLNIGERIA

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chose Nurudeen, the eldest son of the late monarch to fill the vacant stool. But his younger brother, Babatunde allegedly used his political influence to attain the position. One of the titled chiefs, Sultan Saliu, the Elebo of Oworonshoki also alleged that the new king did not follow the tradition and cultural practice needed to be done before he can be declared the new king.

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Sokefun

GBENGA SOKEFUN RETURNS TO SOCIAL CIRCLE

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benga Sokefun, the elder brother of popular photographer cum singer, Toyin Bello, otherwise known as TY Bello seems to be taking an interest in returning to the social scene again. The Executive Director of Fortune Engineering was sighted at the official opening of the new Lagos Polo Club house that took place last week having fun and catching up with friends and acquaintances.

The event was an avenue for the lawyer turned business executive to network as it was a gathering of big wigs in the corporate and business world. Sokefun withdrew into his shell after his first marriage to Ronke, a former big shot at Oando Plc and now the Chairman of the Board of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Company packed up. At that time, he faced a lot of issues including financial challenges but gradually bounced back. He took another shot at the marriage institution again after meeting and getting married to Mosun. He has been keeping a quiet life, but he is now back in the limelight.

ashion designer Yomi to his inability to provide cars Makun, also known as Yomi paid for, he made a video on Casual, has been called out Instagram where he apologized by some aggrieved customers to all the troubled parties and who bought cars from Fred promised to work out modalities Ahuwa, a close friend of Yomi. of re-payment or getting their Fred owns Pal Autos, a company desired automobile across to selling both new and used them. cars. Yomi is being accused of Fred admitted that he received conniving with him to allegedly a huge amount of money from dupe his clients of their hard a lot of people and blamed a earned money. business deal gone sour, as THEWILL gathered that Fred had well as fraudsters, for his woes. formed the habit of receiving He exonerated Yomi from his money from the customers predicament and apologised without giving them the to him for being at the centre vehicles they paid for. The of the controversy. He told the customers claimed that Yomi aggrieved customers that the introduced Fred to them as a designer has no hand in the trusted car dealer to thm and situation as he was just acting they decided to patronise him based on their friendship and based on his recommendation. the good business deal between One of the affected parties, them.

Gbenga Onileowo alleged that Fred pleaded for more time he paid N31 million to the auto to resolve all the issues and dealer to supply an automobile promised to get across to all but Fred collected the money aggrieved parties individually. which was paid in batches without sending the car. Gbenga said he personally contacted Makun because of the large sum of money involved and Yomi gave him the go ahead only for the car dealer to fail to supply his choice car since the transaction was made in the year 2020.

Sandra Okonkwo, another client who had a failed deal with Fred, allegedly paid over N3 million, based on Yomi’s recommendation in 2020, but didn’t get a car in return. When he was contacted, Fred promised to make a refund, but he is yet to do so. While reacting Makun

Tunji Moronfoye Apologises to Abdulraham Abdulrazaq

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he Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, Tunji Moronfoye, has apologised to Governor Abdulraham Abdulrazaq for alleging that the latter bribed the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mallam Garba Attairu Madami, to ensure that the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerges victorious ahead of the 2023 general election.

Moronfoye confessed that he made the allegation because of Abdulrazaq’s hatred for a former governor of the state, Bukola Saraki. He had accused Abdulrazaq of giving Madami the sum of N300 million to sell victory to APC ahead of 2023 general election. His outburst did not go down well with the resident electoral commissioner who threatened to seek redress in court if the secretary failed to tender an apology to him in public.

Madami had described the

PDP stalwart’s statement as unfounded and baseless. A remorseful Moronfoye has withdrawn the statement and apologised to the governor and REC. He regretted making such a weighty and “misleading” accusation.

Moronfoye

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45 YEARS OF CBN INTERVENTION

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he Real Sector development initiatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria, introduced to stimulate and sustain growth in key sectors of the economy, revive moribund sectors, empower the youth population, explore the untapped potential in various economic landscapes and enhance foreign exchange inflow have significantly contributed to the overall growth of the Nigerian economy. From the provision of loans at concessionary rates to cushioning the dastardly effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, these initiatives (also known as the CBN Interventions), originally designed to address issues surrounding core sectors of the economy, have become a lifeline for most Nigerians. In Lagos and Ogun states, 37,957 and 17,551 projects respectively, have been funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Read what Nigerians have to say about the CBN’s interventions.

INTRODUCTION

OGUN STATE

Real Sector Support Facility- Differentiated Cash Reserve Requirement (RSSF-DCRR)

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SSF-DCRR is the Real Sector Support Facility – Differentiated Cash Reserve Requirement. The Facility is being used to support large enterprises for startups and expansion financing needs valued at a minimum of N500 million and a maximum of N10.0 billion.

The objective of the RSSF-DCRR is to improve access to Nigerian SMEs to fast-track the development of the manufacturing, agricultural value chain and services subsectors of the Nigerian economy and to increase output, generate employment, diversify the revenue base, increase foreign exchange earnings and provide inputs for the industrial sector on a sustainable basis.

Name: HK Printing &Packaging Limited Intervention: RSSF-DCRR Sector: Manufacturing HK Printing &Packaging Limited is one of the leading printing companies in Nigeria. The company accessed N 1 billion under the RSSF-DCRR to finance the expansion of its capacity through the purchase of machineries and equipment for flexible packaging.

Health Sector Invention Facility (HSIF) The Health Sector Intervention Facility was set up to provide credit to indigenous pharmaceutical companies and other healthcare value-chain players intending to build or expand capacity.

The objective of the intervention is to increase private and public investment in the healthcare sector, facilitate improvements in healthcare delivery and reduce medical tourism to enhance foreign exchange conservation

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Name: May & Baker Nigeria Limited Intervention: HSIF Sector: Healthcare May & Baker Nigeria Plc manufactures and distributes pharmaceutical products, such as vaccines and antibiotics.

The Company also sells diagnostics, medical equipment and bottled water in Nigeria. The company accessed N 2.5 billion under the Health Sector Intervention Fund (HSIF).

Name: JB Farms Nigeria Limited (JBFNL) Intervention: CACS Sector: Agriculture JB Farms Nigeria Limited (JBFNL) is involved in the development of commercial oil palm plantation, production of palm oil and other palm produce. Starting operation with just eight hectares of oil palm plantation in 1985, the company has grown to over 2000 hectares of Ogun its own. As part of her expansion plan, JB Farms accessed the sum of N 2 billion from the CBN under the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS). The company currently owns a modern 10-ton fresh fruit bunches (FFB) per hour Palm Oil Mill and 30 ton/day Palm Kernel Mill and currently employs over 934 people; 144 being permanent staff while 790 are engaged as contract workers.

Agri-Business/Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS) AGSMEIS is an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria to support the Federal Government’s efforts and policy measures for the promotion of agricultural businesses and small/medium enterprises (SMEs) as vehicles for sustainable economic development and employment creation.

Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme(CACS) As part of its developmental role, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMA&RD) established the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS), for promoting commercial agricultural enterprises in Nigeria, which is a sub– component of the Federal Government of Nigeria Commercial Agriculture Development Programme (CADP). This Fund complements other special initiatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria in providing concessionary funding for agriculture such as the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS), which is mostly for small scale farmers, Interest Draw-back scheme, and the Agricultural Credit Support Scheme, among others.

Name: Dr. Toluwanimi Fasinu Intervention: AGSMEIS Sector: Agriculture (Poultry Bird Processing) Dr. Toluwanimi is a Veterinary Doctor who heard about the CBN Agri-business Small and Medium Enterprise Intervention Scheme (AGSMEIS) through a media campaign at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, an Entrepreneurial Development Institute in Abeokuta, where he resides. He applied and was financed in February 2021. The fund was used to complete the NAFDAC registration process for his products (processed poultry birds), expand his business to include packaging of processed birds, increase production capacity from a monthly output of 200 to 1,000 packaged roast chicken and increase staff power from 2 to 5 permanent staff and 2 contract staff. He expressed his profound gratitude to the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria for introducing schemes such as AGSMEIS, targeted at empowering the average Nigerian.

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JUNE 26 - JULY 02, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

45 YEARS OF CBN INTERVENTION LAGOS STATE

Real Sector Support Facility- Differentiated Cash Reserve Requirement (RSSF-DCRR) Targeted Credit Facility (TCF)

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angote Oil Refinery- is a 650,000 barrels per day integrated refinery and petrochemical project under construction in the Lekki Free Zone. It is expected to be Africa’s biggest oil refinery and the world’s biggest singletrain facility, upon completion. N80 billion was disbursed under the RSSF-DCRR intervention to support the expansion and infrastructure. The integrated refinery and petrochemical project are expected to generate 9,500 direct and 25,000 indirect jobs.

Health Sector Invention Facility (HSIF)

Flour Mills Nigeria (FMN) - is a diversified Nigerian agribusiness company. The company accessed the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS) for expansion and purchase of equipment for their pasta line factory. The FMN brand started from a single commodity company to a conglomerate, operating in key sectors of the Nigerian economy and employs over 12,000 people.

Creative Industry Financing Initiative (CIFI) The Central Bank Nigeria (CBN), in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee, as part of efforts to boost job creation in Nigeria, particularly among the youth, recently introduced the Creative Industry Financing Initiative (CIFI), with a view to improving access to long-term low-cost financing by entrepreneurs and investors in the Nigerian creative and information technology (IT) sub-sectors. The objectives of the Initiative are: i. Improve access to low-cost and sustainable financing by entrepreneurs and investors in the Nigerian creative and Information Technology (IT) sub-sectors;

Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre & Specialist Hospital - The Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital was opened to provide easily accessible, world-class cancer treatment in Nigeria. The hospital accessed the HSIF to purchase equipment in its drive to be Nigeria’s first excellent, one-stop centre for the comprehensive treatment of cancer and specialist conditions.

ii. Boost job creation, particularly among the youth; iii. Harness the entrepreneurial potentials of youth within the Nigerian creative and information technology (IT) sub-sectors for economic development

Name: Mrs. Tolulope Wale Ogunshola Intervention: TCF Sector: Education Mrs. Tolulope Wale Ogunshola, the Director, Adelani Nursery, Primary and Secondary School, Lagos, believes that the CBN Targeted Credit Facility (TCF) loan could not have come at a better time as it helped with the payment of staff salaries in year 2020. After the lockdown, part of the funds was used to install infrastructure such as wash basins, purchase sanitizers and masks for students and teachers - in keeping with the COVID-19 guidelines. The relief fund during the pandemic reflected the commitment of the CBN not just to all sectors of the economy but specifically to the education sector which proves the saying ‘children are the future of tomorrow’.

Agri-Business/Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS)

Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS)

Genesis Deluxe Cinemas Genesis Cinemas is a leading cinema chain operating across Nigeria with key focus on hospitality and entertainment. The company had served over 15 million customers with a strategy to expand to all major cities of the country. N 500 million was disbursed under the Creative Industry Financing Initiative (CIFI) for a new cinema to serve its growing customer base.

Name: Flour Mills Nigeria Sector: Manufacturing THEWILLNIGERIA

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Name: Damilola Afolorunsho Intervention: AGSMEIS Amount: ₦5,870,000.00 Sector: Fashion Deck Palazzo, a female fashion brand that produces ‘Ready-toWear’ statement pieces for the confident woman is located in Lagos state and operated by Damilola Afolorunsho. Damilola accessed the CBN Agri-business Small and Medium Enterprise Intervention Scheme (AGSMEIS) loan in the year 2020, which she used to set up a shop, as she previously operated from her home. With the funds, she was able to expand her business capacity by increasing her staff strength, purchasing several standard sewing equipment and fabrics and training start-ups in the art of fashion designing.

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ARTS Bisi Is The Boss by Bola Tinubu, Quramo Publishing: Lagos, 2021, 48pp MICHAEL JIMOH

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Hey, Don’t Touch!

onfronted with a potential rapist, women are most times advised to avail themselves of the most useful weapon at their disposal – the mouth. By the very nature of the crime, rapists don’t like attention during the act.

So, any woman under threat can use her mouth to shout and to also bite. A parade ground-like howling can make a startled, would-be rapist slink away. An unexpected bite from any part of his body with your incisors or canines is more than likely to turn a formerly turgid member into a limp and ineffective organ.

But what self-defensive weapons do female children have to ward off the probing fingers or mouth of an adult male? The author of this publication provides the answer and even goes on to suggest useful tips children can use to deter abusive, predatory males. The first is to recognize that their body – from the crown to the tip of their toes and everything in between – belongs to them and them alone. Thus the title Bisi is the Boss, not of a sizeable blue chip company in Marina but one they should have complete control of from birth – their body.

At home, in school or playground, children are sometimes at the mercy of abusive parents, neighbours, teachers, classmates or even schoolmates. Most times, they don’t even know what is happening because of their age: if it is right or wrong, should she or not allow it let alone talk or complain about it to an older person. With a pocketful of confectioneries or some such inducements men use to lure their victims, the crime is almost as good as done and oftentimes go unnoticed.

With this publication, the author is telling children that they, too, can say hey, don’t touch, this body is mine. Bisi is The Boss is mainly about the safety of minors (male and female) and a message to parents and guardians on steps to take. “As the founder of a non-profit organisation dealing with issues of child abuse,” writes Bola Tinubu (not to be confused with the presidential wannabe of the same moniker but one with a genuine concern for tots) “I have written this book to assist parents to help their children navigate the difficulties of understanding what their private parts are and what boundaries to set for them to keep them safe and prevent abuse.”

Only 43 pages long, the message in it will last a lifetime to those concerned, especially female children who are more vulnerable to the groping fingers of an abuser. What is the message?

“Privates are privates,” Bisi the preteen protagonist tells readers, the same message both parents used to drum into herself and sib, Tobi. “Mum and Dad always talk to me about keeping my body safe,” the little girl says in the opening after introducing herself and her nationality. “There is something really cool that they always tell me and my little brother, Tobi.

They say, “Privates are privates.”

True! No one – man or woman – has any right to grope or touch children’s privates. That, as most people know, is sex abuse. There are exemptions however, the family doctor. But even at that, a parent or two have to be around when children see their doctors.

Assuming that those her age may not quite be familiar with “privates,” Bisi then goes on to educate her peers that “if you are a girl like me, your private parts are your chest and the part of your body between your legs. The private part in front is called the vagina, and the private part at the back is called the buttocks. Your mouth is also your private part.”

She addresses the same message to the opposite sex using Tobi as an example. After identifying the untouchable body parts, she goes to encourage them to take charge of it because “being the boss means you are in charge of your body and you have the right to decide what happens to it…your body does not belong to anyone else, not your aunty, uncle, nanny, cousin, neighbour, friend, teacher or even your parent’s friends.”

Like a teacher on a lecture circuit, Bisi continues her exhortation for safety of minors like herself, offering safety rules as well. “Say no, no, no in a thunderous voice, even if it’s someone in your family, a teacher, a friend, or someone else you care about.” Other safety guarantees, she advises, “is to move away and run as fast as you can, tell an adult you can trust and keep telling over and over until you get help.”

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How can the very young know that they are being violated?

The author answers through her plucky heroine. There is usually a sense of shame after the act, becoming confused, feeling icky and sad. Anger is also part of the resulting trauma for abused children.

A fulltime corporate lawyer and passionate advocate for children’s rights, it is no surprise Mrs. Tinubu wrote this charming and timely publication on a worrisome issue. A recent UNICEF report, for instance, states that “one in four girls and 10 percent of boys in Nigeria are victims of sexual violence, and of the children who reported violence, fewer than five out of a 100 received any form of support.”

There was the case of a five-year-old girl in Lagos Mainland who was serially abused by a 65-year-old man. The victim’s mother and the man lived in the same compound. Like play, like play, as they say, the man used to refer the tot as “my wife,” to the mother’s delight. The unsuspecting mum used to leave her daughter with the said man, allowing him to em, em, em…

At any rate, the abuser was found out not because the little girl grassed on him to her mother. According to the mum, she was bathing her daughter one day and she kept crying that she was feeling pains between her legs. Pampered with a particular favourite pastry, the girl finally let on that uncle so and so used to do things to her. The mother confronted the paedophile who owned up to his crime.

For such victims, Mrs. Tinubu has a foundation, Cee Cee Yara Foundation, with a multi-disciplinary team of counsellors, social workers, child advocates, lawyers and forensic interviewers” to prevent child sexual abuse and to provide access to care, information, protection and emergency intervention for children who have experienced sexual abuse or who are at risk.”

Well-bound for a longer shelf life or as a coffee-table read, Bisi is The Boss comes in attractive colours and hard-to-

forget illustrations. At the public presentation on Friday May 27, 2022 – Children’s Day – at The Wing, an events centre on Victoria Island, Lagos, the author stated thusly: “BIsi is The Boss amounts to an all-encompassing read not only simplifying the difficult subject of abuse but also providing a bonding platform between guardians and the children in their care. The storyline follows Bisi, a well-informed little girl who teaches young children through this important book how to identify inappropriate behaviours and create body boundaries.”

Continuing, Mrs. Tinubu says her book “is a guide for adults and care givers on how to protect the little ones from child sexual abuse, a perverse act that permeates the society through households, peer groups, schools, religious establishments and other layers of interactions…we live in an environment that is battling with harmful acts against innocent children, especially child sexual abuse.”

It is hard to deny that cases of child abuse are on the increase in Nigeria. This is why Bisi is The Boss is not only timely but also “raises important issues on child abuse and how best to handle it and protect children from sexual predators.”

The major character herself is a Nigerian but the author addresses her message to young women all over the world by the Global Child Helplines just at the end of the book, sort of reading like an Index. Starting with Africa, The Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, she lists all the telephone lines of most of the countries of the world where you can reach helpers easily.

Readers will be surprised to find helplines of nations like Afghanistan, Antigua, Aruba, Barbuda, Maldives and so on. In her wisdom, the author has translated Bisi is The Boss into the three major languages – Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba – in Nigeria.

What the government can do to complement her effort is to make Bisi required reading in primary schools in the country.

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JUNE 26 - JULY 02, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

SportsLive

FIFA, FIFPRO Tackling Online Abuse of Professional Footballers

BY JUDE OBAFEMI

T

o coincide with the United Nations International Day for Countering Hate Speech on Saturday, June 18, FIFA released an independent report that detailed the rising volume of abuse targeted at footballers on social media during international competitions. The report was titled, ‘AI Monitoring: Protecting Professional Players’ and it analysed data surrounding the online reactions to football games played at the continental competitions organised by the Union of European Football Associations (the Euro 2020) and the Confederation of African Football (TotalEnergies 2021 Africa Cup of Nations).

As THEWILL previously reported, the English Football Association had to outrightly condemn the racist online abuse suffered by three of the country’s black footballers in the Three Lions’ national squad Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho after England’s Euro 2020 loss to Italy. It so happened that Saka, Rashford and Sancho all missed penalties during England’s 3-2 loss via penalty shootout that fateful Sunday night and they were immediately targeted with racist language and emojis on their social media accounts.

Acting immediately, the FA has released a statement condemning the “disgusting behaviour” and even British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stepped in to properly condemned the racist abuse aimed at the players, especially from their own countrymen.

The case was not different back home during the AFCON earlier this year. As THEWILL reported, the Super Eagles became favourites for the AFCON title after a flawless group stage campaign, despite the absence of important players and sub-optimal preparations.

The Eguavoen-led team won all nine points by defeating Egypt, Sudan, and Guinea-Bissau. However, they were disappointedly eliminated after a 1-0 loss to Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles in the second round, putting an end to their quest for a fourth continental title.

Immediately after, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was chastised by fans for conceding the winning goal from Youssef Msakni’s long-range strike early in the second half of the match. Some fans were also disappointed with Alex Iwobi, who was sent off just five minutes after coming off the bench. Supporters took to social media to harass and threaten the players, forcing Iwobi and Okoye to remove their social media accounts and Eguavoen believes such fans went too far in expressing their displeasure with the team’s setback.

The Technical Director at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and then-coach of the national side, Augustine Eguavoen, had to come out in support of the players and he focused his point on the sacrifices that players make when representing the country saying “People need to act responsibly and not turn their disappointments into hate speech and threats against some players. These players gave their everything and there is no way you can single them out for blame. Playing for Nigeria comes with a lot of pressure, but you cannot bully, threaten or abuse someone for defending the honour of the country because you have access to social media. This is wrong and irresponsible.”

It is this same point that FIFA is making with their report. In order to protect participating teams, players, officials, and fans from online abuse during its international tournaments, FIFA is collaborating with FIFPRO, the global representative organisation for professional footballers. They are determined to make a difference exactly five months before the kickoff of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

From the report, it was made clear that over 50 per cent of players received some form of discriminatory abuse, with much of that abuse coming from the players’ home country. It used artificial intelligence to track over 400,000 posts on social media platforms during the semi-final and final stages of two international competitions (UEFA EURO 2020 and CAF African Cup of Nations 2021).

The majority of the abuse came from homophobic (40 per cent) and racist (38 per cent) comments, much of which is still published to the accounts it was initially directed towards even to this day.

Part of the action taken in response to the startling findings is that FIFA and FIFPRO will introduce a special in-tournament moderation programme for both men’s and women’s football that will scan recognised hate speech terms posted to known social media accounts and, if found, will block the recipient and their followers from seeing that comment.

The offensive message’s visibility and reach will be greatly decreased, even though the person who wrote the comment will still be able to see it. As hidden comments will continue to be privately visible to FIFA and FIFPRO, the report also emphasises that 90 per cent of the accounts flagged by the study as having published these abusive comments have a high probability of being identified.

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This means that such account activity could be escalated to the appropriate social platform(s) and law enforcement authorities so that further action could be taken.

Gianni Infantino, the FIFA President, said, “Our duty is to protect football, and that starts with the players who bring so much joy and happiness to all of us by their exploits on the field of play.

Unfortunately, there is a trend developing where a percentage of posts on social media channels directed towards players, coaches, match officials and the teams themselves is not acceptable, and this form of discrimination – like any form of discrimination – has no place in football.

“With the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and FIFA World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 are on the horizon, FIFA and FIFPRO recognise it is important to make a stand and to include what is monitored on social media with what is already being monitored in the stadiums.

“We want our actions to speak louder than our words and that is why we are taking concrete measures to tackle the problem directly.

This detection is not only there to protect football and to avoid the damaging effects that these posts can cause, but also to educate current and future generations who engage with our sport on social media as well as on the field of play. We expect that, by standing together on this problem, social media platforms will do the same and will actively support us in being part of the solution.”

On his part, David Aganzo, who is FIFPRO President, noted, “This collaboration recognises football’s responsibility to protect the players and other affected groups against the abuse they increasingly face in and around their workplace. This type of abuse has a profound impact on their personalities, their families, performance as well as on their overall well-being and mental health.

“Online abuse is a societal issue and as an industry we cannot accept that this new form of abuse and discrimination affects so many people including our players. Several player unions have carried out very good work on this topic which, connected to our recent report launched in conjunction with other player unions, gives us many insights when approaching this matter going forward. Research such as these reports is critical, but it must lead to action to provide prevention and remedy. We are glad that this cooperation with FIFA is a constructive step in this direction.”

Beyond the football pitch, it is unfortunately becoming commonplace knowledge to see more athletes becoming victims of individuals looking to incite hatred, hostility or discrimination due to the increased integration of Internet platforms intended to unite people.

Recently, sporting unions are waking up to their responsibilities to stand up for sportsmen and women, make sure they are safe, and encourage them to take action.

In order to protect players’ vulnerabilities, FIFPRO and unions such

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as the Basketball men’s and women’s unions in the USA, have renewed their dedication to conducting capacity-building projects that inform players about online abuse and make use of both new and current mental-health programmes to keep them from the effects of such abuses. To safeguard players, FIFPRO, the NBPA, and the WNBPA feel that coordinated and cooperative industrial action is necessary among online platforms, governments, teams, and competition organisers.

Responding to the outcome of another study on online abuse of sportsmen and women, Jonas Baer-Hoffmann, FIFPRO General Secretary, said: “The study shows us that when athletes share and embrace who they, and engage in causes they care deeply about, they become a target for online abuse -- this is both outrageous and heartbreaking. It’s our job as unions to help protect football and basketball players by offering them mental-health support.

We must also impress on social media companies and institutions their collective responsibility to join us in safeguarding players and promoting an online community that fosters inclusion and respect.”

FIFPRO is urging public institutions to swiftly put in place appropriate safeguards against racial abuse and hate speech on social media in collaboration with FIFA, the world football governing body. Football players and other sportsmen increasingly spend a significant amount of time on websites like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. But, up until now, these platforms have largely failed to clearly and forcefully condemn abusive behaviour. While condemnation trailed the abuses black English players suffered, a Facebook company spokesperson, speaking on behalf of Instagram said: “No one should have to experience racist abuse anywhere, and we don’t want it on Instagram. We quickly removed comments and accounts directing abuse at England’s footballers last night and we’ll continue to take action against those that break our rules. In addition to our work to remove this content, we encourage all players to turn on Hidden Words, a tool which means no one has to see abuse in their comments or DMs. No one thing will fix this challenge overnight, but we’re committed to keeping our community safe from abuse.”

On their part, the Metropolitan Police tweeted: “We are aware of a number of offensive and racist social media comments being directed towards footballers following the #Euro2020 final. This abuse is totally unacceptable, it will not be tolerated and it will be investigated.”

Even as they encourage public involvement on social media platforms and aid in drawing attention to pressing social issues, footballers, athletes and their teams continue to be targets of an increased amount of disgusting racist and discriminatory abuse.

Through this collaboration, FIFA and FIFPRO will also create educational resources, including best practises for social media account management, and mental health guidance for all players competing in FIFA tournaments in 2022 and 2023, and they will implement the moderation service during these events.

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www.thewillnigeria.com • June 26 - July 02, 2022

Peter ‘OBIdients Campaign’ And Nigerian Youths’ Desire To Grab Power T here is no avoiding the phenomenon that the Peter Obi candidacy has engendered in the current political cycle. The current presidential campaign of the former Governor of Anambra State and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Presidential candidate in the 2019 general election is riding on a wave of popular support that is gaining momentum by the day. This support is outside the ongoing campaign by his in-house team, which appears to have taken on a life of its own within the most used social media platforms in the country and in person-to-person conversations about forthcoming presidential election.

For the first time in the history of our democratic experience, there is every likelihood that the 2023 general election will not be a two-horse race in the perennial fashion of a duopoly, as we have witnessed in previous elections cycles. Indeed, Obi’s wave of populist drive is ushering the gap-toothed 60-year-old to the forefront of consideration between Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, presidential flagbearers of the frontline parties, the All Progressive Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, respectively.

As is often the case in the rise of populist political drives that challenge the status quo, the Obi phenomenon is driving a wedge between the establishment and a growing category of mostly youthful Nigerians who are determined to bring about a different practice of politics to the centre of power in Aso Rock.

The determination is powered by a demography that has become exasperated with the level of waste of public funds and poor leadership, which is witnessed everyday in government, juxtaposed with government’s reluctance to spend for the benefit of the average Nigerian, as well as corrupt practices without the weight of the law applied on the few who are caught in the feeble web of the selective law.

In Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), they see a politician characterised by a frugality that is uncommon, a religious man who has proven his capacity to be fair to all, regardless of faith; a builder of institutions that can outlive him and one in whom confidence can be reposed in not dipping into the common till to satisfy selfish desires and to pander to cronyism.

The wave of populist political currents, which took off in the late 19th century as an ideological framework that placed the people against the establishment, witnessed a resurgence across Europe in recent years.

From the shocking upset of Donald Trump’s ride to the White House against the favourite Hillary Clinton in the United States of America presidential election of 2016 to the 2017 election of youthful Emmanuel JeanMichel Frédéric Macron against the more established Marion Anne Perrine Le Pen in France all the way to Nigel Farage’s campaign to take the United Kingdom out of the European Union, which turned out successfully in 2020, the average citizen has demonstrated time and again that when the chips are down and a popular single-minded purpose to bring about a difference in the way they are governed, they are ready to upset the apple cart and use their collective voices to not only campaign for change but also, in actuality, bring about such change at the polls.

Nigeria appears to be on the way to that destination, if the current Obi phenomenon is sustained. The previous opposition party to the PDP has been at the helm

of affairs for the better part of two terms and was no different from the party that held sway since power returned to civilian control in 1999. If anything, the “CHANGE” mantra that they proclaimed was effectively in reverse.

The situation of our present circumstances is manifestly worse than it was when Goodluck Ebele Jonathan conceded defeat and called Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him for his victory at the 2014 general elections. The brunt of this difference is mostly borne by the average Nigerian, who is victim of both state and non-state villains. Our people are being brutalised by the police, kidnapped by commercial ransom seekers, waylaid by unknown gunmen, ambushed by herdsmen and robbed of their meagre earnings by armed robbers. As if all that were not hellish enough, Nigerians have to deal with epileptic power supply, skyrocketing inflation, over-taxation, intermittent economic recessions, dilapidated road networks, nonexistent public infrastructure, crumbling healthcare, underemployment and unemployment and much more.

Yet, at every election cycle, career politicians, who have perfected the weaponisation of this status quo and who thrive on the gullibility of party faithful, come with sugar-coated manifestos and pretentious acts of identifying with the anguish of the average Nigerian to make promises of effecting a change in the system to lead to a better life for all Nigerians.

Having had one too many cycles of this merry-goround, there is a rise in the numbers of those who have had enough and who truly want to see positive change in place of the status quo. These Nigerians, who cut across subsections of young and old, are ready to pick up the challenge to see that the political system witnesses a shock to the core that will reverberate across board and sound a note of warning that it is no longer business as usual. To this end, they are fully focused at the presidential elections, to effect change from the very top. The turnout in the latest elections in Ekiti is evidence to show that the focal point, for those championing a new path for the country, is really the presidency.

For these Nigerians, there is a call to action. More than at any other time before, the steely resilience to get the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) has overwhelmed even the personnel of the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The poorly staffed Commission has had their manpower called to question by the sheer number of Nigerians wishing to get their PVCs. It is true that there will be some in the number who want to get the PVC as an added means of identification because of the type of country Nigeria is, as it could become a requirement of some sorts in the future, but there is no removing the uptick in the numbers queuing up at INEC centres for their PVCs from the arousing interest in ensuring that Peter Obi gets a fighting chance to compete squarely against the behemoths of Tinubu and Atiku.

While Obi may not match Atiku and Tinubu in their ability to buy their way through, he has shown that they are no match to the breadth of his capacity to

manage human and material resources judiciously and responsibly. A growing set of Nigerians want him to do this as president and they know that one way to make this happen is to get their PVCs, campaign for others to do the same and prepare to vote for him at next year’s elections.

This is beginning to scare those who do not want things to change. As a result, these people are invested in making sure that the determination of this set of Nigerians for change is scuttled. As characteristic of them they are already deploying rigging tactics. The deployment of the Bimodal Voters Authentication System (BVAS) for elections is one way to checkmate rigging and has the potential to keep out sharp practices and voting manipulations. What this has done is force those who want to cheat to re-strategise. My belief is that part of this re-strategising has to do with what has been unfolding with the inability of those who are trooping to INEC centres for their PVCs. It has become the first step to keep out large sections of people from ever getting the chance to exercise their duties and bring about real change. This disenfranchisement, if sustained, will likely cut into the numbers for Obi and give victory to one of the other two as majority of those who have woken up to the need for change and who are getting on the PVC drive want nothing to do with APC or PDP. I experienced this difficult and discouraging process of getting a PVC firsthand. It took me no less than four hours to get my biometrics captured by the system and thereafter handed a slip and told to return in August for my PVC. The truth is that not everyone wishing to get their cards can sacrifice the time and hours that the process takes, sometimes over a couple of days, to get theirs. It is, like most things Nigerian, a painstakingly frustrating process and appears aimed at forcing the one doing their best to get their PVC to throw up their hands in desolate tiredness and give up the entire attempt. But, I am here to say nobody should let the process force them to give up. We have come this far in enduring all that the country has put us through and there is now, for the first time in a long time, a real light at the end of the tunnel. We cannot back down now. We have endured so much and lost some patriots whose struggles have brought us this far. We honour their memories and their sacrifices by making this sacrifice ourselves, to ensure we resiliently pursue the PVC collection process to the end.

I pray that no life is lost in the process as I cannot but give kudos to those who have stayed the course and are doing their best to encourage those around them to do the same. We cannot be complacent anymore.

We have a duty to shake off all notions of voter apathy, while we remain undeterred. The only way we can defeat these clueless politicians is for us to remain resolute and defiant.

Each Nigerian is called by the growing number of young and old PVC campaigners to do their best to register and get their PVCs. I add my voice and ask that we invest our time, effort and sweat to get the PVC. Then, at the appropriate time, exercise our fundamental rights to pick leaders who will move our dear nation from the brink back on course to progress.

While Obi may not match Atiku and Tinubu in their ability to buy their way through, he has shown that they are no match to the breadth of his capacity to manage human and material resources judiciously and responsibly. A growing set of Nigerians want him to do this as president and they know that one way to make this happen is to get their PVCs, campaign for others to do the same and prepare to vote for him at next year’s elections PAGE 32

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