October is a significant month for the fashion industry in Africa, and I’ll tell you why. It is that time of the year when designers unveil their new collections at the various fashion weeks organised across the continent.
The industry has come a long way, and I couldn’t be happier to witness the immense global growth. Like music, African designs have started to receive long overdue recognition thanks to the many men and women who have worked tirelessly for the cause. We have had platforms such as Arise Fashion Week, Lagos Fashion Week and, more recently, GT Bank Fashion Week, all of which have one thing as their core focus; to promote African Fashion.
There are, however, a few challenges—which happen to be the theme for Lagos Fashion Week this year— that the Nigerian fashion industry must scale through. Community, Co-creation and Collaboration.
To get more insight into this, we spoke to two designers, Ejiro Amos Tafiri and Ohimai Atafo of ATAFO. Interestingly, they each had very different views regarding whether or not we have a proper fashion community in Nigeria, if people who co-create should be recognised and how well we are doing concerning collaborations.
Collaborations are very popular aboard. Louis Vuitton recently collaborated with six contemporary artists to create some spectacular designs for their Capucines bag. Although we have seen a few collaborations in Nigeria, I must admit there is still so much more we can do. The pertinent questions are: Are we ready for that next step? Do we understand such partnerships yet? And more importantly, Do Nigerian brands (furniture, car, alcoholic beverage products) hold our Nigerian designers in high enough esteem to believe that collaborating with them to design, for instance, furniture, will sell something more than functionality? While we are on the topic, it’s interesting that Puma recently collaborated with Davido to create a ‘We Rise by Lifting Others’ collection. While that’s a fantastic partnership, what would be really impressive is if Puma co-created the collection with a Nigerian designer.
next week, enjoy your read.
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With some dams yet to be opened and the rains still falling, accompanied by flashes of lightning and thunder storms across the country, there is no telling which of the 36 states that will soon join others that are submerged by floods threatening the safety of lives and property.
Warning of more trouble ahead at the weekend, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Sadiya Umar Farouq, whose ministry put the number of the dead at 603 persons with 1.3 million displaced and 340,000 hectares of land affected, has said that more states are still at risk till the end of November.
She said, “We are calling on respective state governments, local government councils and communities to prepare for more flooding by evacuating people living on flood plains to high grounds.”
Residents of many communities across the affected states have already abandoned their homes and ancestral lands, with many taking refuge in makeshift camps and uncertain of what the future holds for them.
Until recently, the Chief Meteorologist at the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Mr Abayomi Oyegoke, in his assessment of the issue, told THEWILL on Friday that the occurrence is natural, except that “this year’s flooding appears to be more severe."
Oyegoke said, "The government and the people need to take the necessary steps after experts have given the forecast so that what we are experiencing can be curbed.”
Short of blaming the inaction of government and the
citizenry for the depth of the current disaster, Oyegoke noted that if early warnings by experts had been heeded, the situation would have been different and better handled.
The Director-General of NIMET, Prof Mansur Bako Matazu, could not agree less. At a Hydro-meteorological meeting held in Abuja, he said the agency had been issuing warnings since February and given monthly updates about flooding due to heavy rainfall, opening of dams and other water holding facilities.
In fact, the agency forecasted that 32 states across the country would be severely hit. Rain water would collect in reservoirs and dams and later be released.
Apart from the rains and release of water from dams, lack of infrastructure, in the form of uncompleted dams in the country, especially the Dasin Hausa Dam in Adamawa State, which could solve flooding in the Benue basin and commitment to agreement are major culprits.
This is the view of the Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Adamu Suleiman, who rejected trending reports that the release of water from Lagbo Dam in Cameroon was to blame for the flooding disaster in the southern states of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo.
Suleiman noted that although the dam contributed one per cent to the problem, compared to 20 per cent from trans-water inflows from River Niger and Benue into the country, the Cameroun authorities always failed to inform their Nigerian counterparts about the annual release of water in clear violation of the MoU signed in 2016. As at the time of going to press at the weekend, things were going from bad to worse.
Reports from THEWILL correspondents in some states tell the extent of the humanitarian disaster ravaging the country.
The saying that water has no enemy turns out to be the opposite, following the flooding that ravaged communities across the globe which occurred between the months of August, September and October 2022.
It is no longer news that this year's flooding worldwide had devastating effects on victims, ranging from submerging of houses and destruction of valuable property, farms and crops worth billions of naira during the natural disaster.
In fact, observers of the sad incident expressed the opinion that this year's flooding was worse than that of 2012, in terms of magnitude and level of destruction.
In Kogi State, nine local government areas, namely Ibaji, Idah, Igalamela/Odolu, Bassa, Dekina, Lokoja, Kogi, Ajaokuta and Ofu were affected during the natural disaster while in Nigeria at large about ten states also were victims of the flooding.
The enumerated local governments were those along the river bank in Kogi East and Western Senatorial Districts.
According to reports, Kogi, Benue, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and Niger were among the worst hit by the flooding. Our correspondents visited some of the flood victims in these states who narrated their ordeal and the negative impacts of the calamity, especially on the economy and the looming hunger that is likely to be experienced.
Omachonu Akoh from Ibaji Local Government Area, who spoke to THEWILL on behalf of other Council Areas in Kogi East, described this year's flooding as unprecedented.
Omachonu hinted that Ibaji is the worst hit in Kogi as no fewer than 20 lives were lost, including houses that were submerged just as farm lands, crops and property worth billions of naira were washed away in the process.
"Most communities in Ibaji Local Government Area had to relocate to Idah, the traditional seat of the Igala Kingdom for safety.
"I also have my sympathy for other affected local government areas in Kogi East and I wish to call on both the federal and state governments, Non-Governmental Organisations and spirited individuals to come to our aid," he said.
Speaking on behalf of flood victims in Kogi West, Abdulmalik Abubakar from Lokoja Local Government Area expressed the optimism that this year's flooding will inflict poverty, hunger and disease on their lives.
He said that the disaster would also bring about a negative effect on the economy of Kogi, as well as socioeconomic activities in the affected communities across the state.
As flood water recedes, flood victims in Lokoja, Ughelli in Delta State and Makurdi in Benue are gradually returning to their original homes with the fear of how to be safe from reptiles that have taken over their residences.
Reptiles, particularly snakes, have reportedly taken over many homes in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, causing panic among residents who are returning home after a gradual receding of water.
Our correspondent reports that residents of Ajara Quarters in the Marine area of Lokoja, Adankolo, part of Army Barracks area, Gadumo and Ganaja areas, whose homes were flooded, have been battling with an influx of snakes in their homes.
A resident of Ajara Quarters, Abdulmaliki Usman, told THEWILL that he returned to his house due to receding floodwater, but there is no day they would not kill two to three snakes in their compound.
“We returned on Monday as the floodwater started withdrawing gradually in our area. Since then, we have killed up to 10 snakes, some in the compound and others in the rooms. We are now living in fear. But we thank God that we have not recorded any incident of snake bite,” he said.
Equally, travellers plying the Ganaja-Lokoja road were reported to have encountered a big snake in their boat shortly after taking off to cross to the other side of the town on Thursday.
A snake was said to have been sighted by a passenger in the boat, a few metres from the shore, causing passengers to jump into the water.
“We were lucky that the place was not deep. The snake was later killed by the boat owner with his paddle,” a passenger, Joseph Benjamin said.
In the same vein, a family in the Army Barracks area was reported to have killed a big snake in their room on Wednesday.
It was reported that the snake was sighted under a chair by a little girl and quickly brought it to the notice of her parents, who later killed it.
In flooded communities in Daudu and Wadata communities in Guma and Makurdi Local Government Areas of the state, the story is the same. Many people are displaced due to flooding. 12 out of the 23 local government areas of the state are affected. Here, many farmers who had been lamenting the lack of sustained farming activities due to the unceasing herder/farmer conflict are reeling from the devastating effects of the flood, which has washed away many farmlands in the state.
In Bayelsa, the Commissioner for Environment and chairman of the state’s Task Force on Flood Mitigation and Management, Mr Iselema Gbaranbiri, put the number of displaced persons at 700,000, adding that virtually all the communities and streets in Yenagoa Local Government Area have also been submerged or partially flooded.
He said that communities in five other local government areas of Sagbama, Ekeremor, Ogbia, Kolokuma/ Opokuma and Southern Ijaw were equally seriously affected by the flood.
Speaking on Friday during a tour of Otuoke, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s community, Governor Duoye Diri said, “It is like we are under attack, but we will continue to distribute relief materials to our communities, several of which have been submerged.”
In Rivers, the Ahoada area of the state is mainly affected and the state government has set up a task force to assist the people. In Asaba, the Delta State capital, the DirectorGeneral of the State Bureau of Orientation, Mr Eugene Uzum, said the flood in the state had totally or partially submerged no fewer than 300 communities and villages.
In the Ughelli-Patani end of the East Road, the flood has overwhelmed one part of it as trucks conveying relief materials to affected communities in Delta State have been trapped. On Friday, the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) confirmed that 23 persons lost their lives to flooding and windstorms in 25 local government areas of the state.
It is no longer news that this year's flooding worldwide had devastating effects on victims, ranging from submerging of houses and destruction of valuable property, farms and crops worth billions of naira during the natural disaster.
In fact, observers of the sad incident expressed the opinion that this year's flooding was worse than that of 2012, in terms of magnitude and level of destruction
Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Saleh Jili, said the disaster also displaced 20,399 persons, left 100 others injured, destroyed 15,000 farmlands and property worth over N2.1 billion in the affected communities from April to date.
The story of persons daily losing their ancestral homes and sources of livelihood is the same across other affected states including Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Yobe, Edo, Ogun, Ekiti, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano and Niger.
Abayomi, who agrees with the Minister of Water Resources, Adamu, in his view that rainfall is a natural aspect to the problem, saying, “We will continue to have floods on the Rivers Niger and Benue Basins,” called for the building of dams not only to control flooding, but also for “hydropower generation as well.”
A coalition of international NGOs, including ActionAid Nigeria, CARE, Plan International Nigeria and Christian Aid, said at the weekend, that “with 31 states so far affected by the flooding, it is time governments at all levels explore suitable ways to curb the perennial flooding many states are experiencing during the rainy season.”
The coalition called on various governments to prioritise issues of Climate Change, integration of flood risk management, increased funding on agro-ecology, adapt community surveillance, flood protection and mitigation, river dredging and avoid blocking waterways. Nodal States like Kogi and Benue, they pleaded, should be equipped with elevated bridges and smart buffer dams to contain water spills from Ladgo Dam in Cameroon.
Meanwhile, the international community has reacted. Alarmed by the extent of damage the flooding is causing to lives and property, the international community has rallied support to boost relief efforts by the Nigerian government which has started the distribution of 12,000 metric tonnes of food and other items to affected areas, starting with Jigawa and Anambra states.
The spokesman of the United Nations, Stephane Dujarric, said last week that the body was concerned that the flooding would worsen the food insecurity and malnutrition in the country following prediction by FAO cereal production would decline by 3.4 per cent and cost of agriculture production would increase. He said the UN has provided emergency shelter kits, and are working to create local water drains, sandbags, and walling around shelters to mitigate the impacts of the flooding.
On its part, the United States has pledged $1million in humanitarian aid for the people affected by unprecedented flooding in Nigeria.
According to the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, the aid which will come through the U.S. Agency for International Development, would be used to provide emergency shelter assistance, relief commodities, and hygiene kits to promote safe and healthy practices amid the ongoing cholera outbreak, and multipurpose cash assistance for people impacted by the devastating floods.
“In the end, the citizens of the country must listen to early warnings by experts because flooding cannot stop, but it can be curbed when necessary actions are taken ahead of time,” said meteorologist Oyegoke.
The British monarch, King Charles III, on Friday wrote an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari to express how “deeply saddened” he was over the lives lost due to the flood and to say that the UK “stands in solidarity with Nigeria as you recover from these truly terrible events.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has unveiled a programme of events to commemorate the first anniversary of the launch of Africa’s First Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) tagged the “eNaira”, which was formally launched by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Aso Villa on Monday 25 October 2021.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Communications Department, Osita Nwanisobi, said the implementation of the eNaira had put Nigeria in the global spotlight as one of the pioneers to deploy a CBDC into live production. This, the statement said, had continued to attract the interest of global stakeholders such as the IMF, World Bank, other Central Banks, and the CBDC community.
As part of activities lined up to mark the first anniversary of the eNaira, the statement said the CBN will hold a one-day workshop themed “Leveraging Innovation for Inclusive Growth and Development: The eNaira Advantage” scheduled to take place on Tuesday October 25, 2022 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The objectives of the workshop include the review of the eNaira implementation journey, one year after; to drive further adoption of the eNaira through public engagement; and to facilitate global policy dialogue on CBDC to promote peer
learning and benchmarking.
According to the statement, the event will be hosted by the Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, while the Ministers of Communication and Digital Economy and Humanitarian Affairs will be speakers at the event. Other key participants at the event include the Chief Executives of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Nigeria InterBank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), members of the Bankers' Committee, the academia, financial services, and telecommunications regulators, merchants, agents, cooperative groups and technical experts, the entertainment industry; amongst others.
The event will also feature a policy round-table discussion on “Effective Collaboration for National Development (Infrastructure, Interoperability, regulation)” and a panel discussion on “eNaira Adoption for economic growth”.
The CBN, therefore, encouraged Nigerians to be part of the celebration which shall be streamed live on the Bank's social media channels as well as those dedicated to the eNaira.
It also urged members of the public to visit the website (www. enaira365days.com) to register and participate in the workshop.
The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has charged the Federal Government to increase support for women in agriculture to boost productivity across the agricultural value chain.
National president, NACCIMA, Ide John Udeagbala, made the call at the Nigerian International Women Entrepreneur Exhibition (NIWEX) 2022 on Friday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was tagged “Encouraging women in Agriculture and made-in-Nigeria products for economic growth.”
Udeagbala, represented by Mr Kola Akosile, Vice president, NACCIMA, said the call had become necessary because women still encountered issues such as socio-cultural challenges, which hindered their potential to contribute their quota to agricultural development.
He noted that women constituted about 70 per cent of the workforce in the agricultural sector, making their contributions significant. He added that they were involved in diverse processes of the agricultural value chain to ensure that food production, processing and even marketing were made easy, thereby ensuring sustainable delivery of food in the country.
“Agriculture is an important engine for growth and poverty reduction, but the sector seems to be underperforming because women in urban and rural economy face constraints that reduce their productivity.
“In view of these challenges women face in the area of agriculture, production and processing, let me use this medium to encourage our women to intensify their efforts in promoting agricultural production through made-in-Nigeria product,” he said.
Also, Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperative, Lagos State, Mrs Lola Akande, said women had the potential to transform the economy if given the right opportunities and encouragement.
Akande, represented by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs Adetutu Ososanya, said the event’s theme was apt considering the fact that women contributed to the bulk of the population and their roles in feeding families.
Aday after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced the sale of Polaris Bank, the bank’s new owners, Strategic Capital Investment Limited (SCIL), have appointed a new management board
According to a statement released on Friday, the new board will be led by the organisation’s current chairman, M. K. Ahmad, and comprises six non-executive and three executive directors
AdekunIe Sonola, was appointed as the new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.
Mr Sonola, a former Executive Director of Commercial Banking at Union Bank Plc. replaces Innocent Ike.
The government announced SCIL as the preferred bidder to take over the bank, four years after taking over the troubled Skye Bank, renaming it Polaris Bank and injecting more than N1 trillion in public funds to recapitalise the bank. The bidding process was never made public.
In a statement on Thursday, the CBN stated the sale decision was taken jointly with the Asset Management Company of Nigeria. The CBN said the new owner has promised to repay N1.3 trillion that was invested into the bank.
About 3,400 mining Licenses have been revoked by the Federal Government within the past 12 months. The Director-General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Obadiah Simon, said this in Calabar during a sensitisation workshop for stakeholders in the South-South geopolitical zone on the adoption of the Electronic Mining Cadastre System.
"We have revoked 3400 mining licenses. We have the principle of 'get a licence and use it'. If you do not use it you risk it being revoked. The affected miners did not comply with provisions of the Act, which are clearly spelt out for all to see.
"There is security of the tenure of license. The law specifies that we give 30 days notice through a registered letter and also gazette it. We will ensure that we exhaust all procedure leading to revocation of licences so that title holders do not blame us", he said.
The DG also disclosed that the mining sector has abundant wealth for the country, maintaining that revenue from the sector over the years has been very astronomical.
Women have played great roles in the emergence of political leaders under the present democratic setting in Nigeria, but they have not been given their deserved recognition in terms of appointments and elective positions in the country.
It is on this note that many Nigerians have continued to agitate for more women’s inclusion in governance. However, this demand is being rejected by male politicians who keep relegating the women folk in politics to the back seat.
It would be recalled that all the five bills that were promoted to ensure gender equality were rejected during the constitution amendment exercise that was carried out by the National Assembly in 2021.
One of the bills sought to grant citizenship to foreign-born spouses of Nigerian women. Already, a Nigerian male’s foreign-born wife is automatically a Nigerian citizen.
Another bill sought to allocate 35 per cent of political positions based on appointment to women, while another legislation sought to create special seats for women in the National and State Assemblies. The rejection of the bills resulted in protests as hundreds of women, led by civil society groups, laid siege to the National Assembly, carrying placards to express their grievances. They said that the National Assembly’s rejection of the bills clearly showed that it did not want progress in the country.
It is an indisputable fact that women are great stakeholders in the development project of any society. Globally, the issue of women marginalisation and low participation in governance and decisionmaking has been attracting a lot of attention from scholars.
It is also important to note that successive population Census figures in Nigeria have given the womenfolk an advantage over their male counterparts. For instance, the 2006 census figures showed that women constituted 49 percent of the Nigerian population.
Despite this, there has been a wide gap between men and women when one is looking at the political representation and leadership in the country.
As of today, the three major political parties, the All Progressives
However, despite this gap between male and female politicians in political representation, some women have displayed tenacity of purpose and doggedness as they found their way into the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly
Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) have no female governorship candidates for the 2023 general election. It is also true that since the return of democratic rule in 1999, no state in the country has produced a female governor.
The Ninth National Assembly, which was inaugurated on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, consisted of 109 Senators and 360 members of the Federal House of Representatives. Out of the total 479 members of the National Assembly, only 19 were originally female members in the two chambers. But with the demise of a female senator, Rose Oko, the number had reduced to 18. In all, there are seven serving female Senators and 11 female members of the House of Representatives.
However, despite this gap between male and female politicians in political representation, some women have displayed tenacity of purpose and doggedness as they found their way into the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.
While some of these lawmakers are active on the floor of the House, others are also prominent in the various committees they head or belong to.
The female Senators include, Betty Apiafi (PDP, Rivers), Eyakenyi Akon (PDP, Akwa Ibom), Aishatu Dahiru (APC, Adamawa) and Abiodun Olujimi (PDP).
Others are Oluremi Tinubu (APC, Lagos), Stella Oduah (PDP, Anambra), and Uche Ekwunife (PDP, Anambra).
However, of the seven senators, only three of them have the hope of coming back in June next year. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who is on her third term representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, has chosen the option of backing her husband for the presidency of the country come May next year. She has been replaced by Hon. Wasiu Esinlokun, currently the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos state House of Assembly.
Senator Aishatu Dahiru will not return to the Senate as she has emerged as the APC governorship candidate in Adamawa State, while Eyakenyi Akon and Betty Apiafi’s names are not included in the list of candidates for the National Assembly election as released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently.
Only three of the current female senators, Stella Oduah, Abiodun Olujimi and Uche Ekwuenife have the chance of returning to the Senate in June 2023, if they win the February 2023 Presidential/ National Assembly election.
Senator Olujimi, who is representing Ekiti South Senatorial District of Ekiti State is on her second term and if she wins th next year’s election, she will be having a third term in the Senate.
Currently the Minority Leader in the Senate, Olujimi was recently appointed Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Aviation. She has assured Nigerians that through the National Assembly she will do her best to help find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis in the aviation sector.
Senator Stella Oduah, representing Anambra North, is in her second term in the Senate. Today, she is the best performing Senator with
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifted the ban on public campaigns by political parties officially on September 28, 2022 for the Presidential and National Assembly election, which has been scheduled for February 25, 2023.
But after the opening of windows, many of the parties, especially the three major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC); the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) seem to be unprepared for organised campaign as they were only able to put their presidential campaign councils together, an few weeks after.
A new dimension was however introduced into the campaign with the LP and later, APC moving to the streets to sensitise voters as a way of campaigning for the 2023 general election.
To shove aside the criticism by many Nigerians that the supporters of the LP presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, are only active on social media platforms, the OBidients threw themselves on the streets in a carnival-like event.
The OBIdients held a nationwide march on Saturday October 1, 2023 which was staged to coincide with Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Anniversary. The marches literally shutdown some capital cities, including Lagos, Benin, Uyo, Kaduna, Bauchi, Warri and Asaba. Rallies were also organised in Port Harcourt, Kebbi, Jos, Nasarawa and at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In Lagos, Obi’s supporters converged on strategic locations across the state in what was tagged a 4-million-man solidarity rally.
The rally, which was held simultaneously in Lekki, Surulere, Ikeja and Festac, on the country’s Independence Day, according to conveners, was to garner support for the presidential ambition of the former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi and his running mate, Yusuff Baba-Ahmed.
The rally caused human and vehicular traffic around the Stadium axis, from Alaka and Teslim Balogun Stadium down to Ojuelegba. They walked down to Ojuelegba where some commercial bus drivers and conductors joined the rally then moved to Fadeyi.
The supporters were sighted chanting ‘Obi for President’, ‘We want good governance’, ‘We are tired of bad governance’ and so on, waving the Nigerian flag and the Labour Party flag.
The march was so orderly with agberos, drivers and passengers who have to endure slight inconveniences passing through the crowd hailing, applauding.
In Abuja, the crowd of supporters made up of a coalition of Support Groups as well as other well-wishers began their walk from the famous Unity Fountain in the Central Business District, through the city Centre through to the City Gate along the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport road.
The march in Ebonyi, unlike other states, ran into a hitch as the large crowd that gathered at Pastoral Centre of the Catholic Church in Abakaliki for the march was dispersed at the beginning of the event as fierce -looking policemen shot teargas into the air from different locations.
This development caused panic among the youth who are staunch supporters of the Obi movement for a better Nigeria, but it didn’t deter them from embarking on the march.
But Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State said he was not aware of any disruption of any gathering as he didn’t order any.
Reacting to the allegation that the state government ordered the police and other security agencies to disrupt the rally, Chooks Oko, Special Assistant to Governor Umahi on Media and Strategy, said the governor was not aware of any disruption.
“The attention of the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State has been drawn to some online publications and rumours making the rounds that he ordered the disruption of a gathering in support of one of the presidential candidates in the 2023 elections. This is not true.
‘The Executive Governor of Ebonyi State is certainly not aware of any disruption of any gathering as he didn’t order any. He is a democrat who believes firmly in the rule of law. He wishes every contending politician the very best and will insist on a level playing ground for all. If it is true that the police dispersed people, the answer will surely rest with the police”, Oko said.
Also in Anambra, no fewer than 60 groups supporting Obi organised a two-million-man- march in Awka, the state capital and brought economic and social activities to a standstill for some hours.
The groups, consisting of men, women and youths from different parts of the state converged at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in the state capital from where they marched through the capital city, singing solidarity songs for the LP presidential flag bearer.
In a similar march in Jos, the Plateau State Capital, there was gridlock on major roads as a massive crowd turned up for the Plateau Mega Rally/Fitness Walk and one-million-man-march to canvas votes for Obi.
This is even as Prophet Isa El-Buba of the Evangelical Bible Outreach Ministries International, EBOMI, and a group, Coalition for Better and Brighter Nigeria, joined in the walk which started with prayers at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium in Jos.
El-Buba, who addressed the crowd, called on Nigerians to be politically awake as it was time for power to be given back to the people, even as he admonished Nigerians to be wary of politicians who are out to use them for selfish gains.
The marches also drew wide reactions from Nigerians especially the leaders of the APC and the PDP.
While reacting to the OBidients rallies across the major cities in the country, former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan,
Reno Omokri, said Obi with the rally has disrupted the political space in the country.
He described the rallies as great achievements and noted that the OBidient movement should not be disregarded by anyone who was politically conscious.
Daniel Bwala, a lawyer and spokesman for Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council said the rally by supporters of Obi in Lagos shows the decline of APC in the state, indicating that APC is losing ground to Labour Party in Lagos.
In his own reaction, the Minister of State for Labour who is also the Spokesman for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), said the marching Obidients were not more than a thousand people who were not more than the electorate needed at two polling units.
In a way to diminish the turnout during the Obi’s supporters’ marches which had created psychological fear into the minds of PDP and APC loyalists and to prove that the APC dominance is not a fluke, the APC also organized marches in support of its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
First of such marches was the one carried out by many APC women and supporters who came out on Monday, October 3, 2022 and shut down vehicular movement as they stormed various parts of Lagos in support of the presidential candidacy of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu/Kashima Shettima.
A similar one was carried out in the Eastern part of the country as thousands of APC women in the South East marched for the party’s presidential flagbearer, Tinubu and his running mate Shettima in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The women converged on Ndubuisi Kanu Square in Owerri where they were received by the wife of Imo State Governor, Barr. Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma after they had marched on the streets of Owerri. They defied the rains, singing songs of solidarity for Tinubu and Shettima.
Supporters and loyalists of Tinubu also held solidarity walks for him in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The supporters who bombarded the party’s secretariat in OkeAdo took the rally across major roads in the ancient city walking towards Molete, Beere, Mokola and back to Oke Ado where the party’s secretariat is located.
Also in Anambra, no fewer than 60 groups supporting Obi organised a two-millionman- march in Awka, the state capital and brought economic and social activities to a standstill for some hours
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Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has urged journalists to abide by the principles of fairness, accuracy and balance in the coverage of political campaigns and activities for the 2023 elections.
Mohammed made the call at the 2022 Annual Media Retreat organised by the Federal Capital Territory Minister’s Press Corps, in Bauchi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the retreat was: “The Role of Residents, the Media and FCT Administration in holding Area Council Chairmen Accountable to Service Provision and Infrastructure Delivery”.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Malam Muktar Gidado, the governor also enjoined media practitioners to eschew mischief, inflammatory reports and fake stories.
The Supreme Court has struck out a request by a factional governorship aspirant in Ebonyi, Sen. Obinna Ogba, for a review of its Sept. 14 judgment upholding Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma as the state governorship candidate of the PDP in the 2023 elections.
The apex court, presided over by Justice Amina Augie, struck out the request, following the dramatic withdrawal of a motion to that effect by Chief Paul Erokoro, SAN, counsel to Ogba.
Erokoro had attempted to argue for a prayer for the court to review its earlier judgment which recognised Ifeanyi as the PDP governorship candidate.
However, sensing the mood of the court to the request, the senior lawyer beat a retreat and dramatically withdrew
processes filed on behalf of his client when it became apparent that the Apex Court would not yield to the request.
Before the withdrawal, counsel to Chukwuma, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, had opposed the request of the factional governorship candidate on the ground that it constituted a gross abuse of the apex court.
Uche, who led a team of senior lawyers in the matter, had prayed the court to uphold its finality policy as the highest court in the land, adding that any attempt to grant the request of Ogba would not augur well for the judiciary.
The senior lawyer pleaded with the apex court to turn down the request for being frivolous, unmeritorious, and a strange invitation that must not be honoured by the court.
The supporters carried placards with various inscriptions such as: “Awa lokan”; ”Jagaban lokan”; “Tessy lokan”, “Road to Aso Rock”; “Vote Tinubu” and “Asiwaju is our man”.
On Sunday October 9, 2022, Lagos was again shut down by rallies, this time staged by the APC.
The chairman of Lagos State Parks and Garages Management Committee, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly called MC Oluomo, led different groups on a 5-Million - man walk in support of the APC, presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Kashim Shettima, and Lagos State governor, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, Dr. Femi Hamzat’s victories in 2023 general polls.
The march sponsored by MC Oluomo, witnessed a large number of supporters who converged on Teslim Stadium and National Stadium, Surulere.
Political analysts and watchers of political developments believe that the emergence of marches as a way of showing support for candidates has its downside.
One of such was the exposure of the public to dangerous attacks by political thugs. For
instance it was reported in Ibadan that scores of APC members were allegedly attacked by PDP loyalists.
Confirming the attack in a statement, Yekeen Olaniyi, the media aide to Senator Teslim Folarin, described the attack as the height of lawlessness.
Can the large turnouts at marches resort to votes for candidates?
Speaking with THEWILL, Comrade Sola Olawale of the Campaign for Democracy said:” It hardly translates to votes. Most of the people that engage in solidarity marches do not vote on Election Day. But it serves as a morale booster for candidates.
“You can see that the high turnout during the Obi’s marches has boosted his perceived chance in the election. He is now being reckoned as one of the leading candidates in the presidential race”.
“The new method of taking campaigns to streets through public walks is a welcome development and I think it is even better to keep the momentum on, now that most of the parties are finding it difficult to take off their campaigns.”
Acivil society organisation, Building Blocks for Peace Foundation (BBFORPEAC), has cautioned Nigerian youths against violence, ethnic and religious bigotry, ahead of 2023 general elections.
Mr. Rafiu Lawal, the Executive Director, BBFORPEACE Foundation, said this at a news conference with the theme `Nigeria’s 2023 Elections: Enhancing Youth Political Participation for a Peaceful and Inclusive Society” in Abuja..
Lawal said that Nigerian elections were usually marred with violence due to the winat-all-cost syndrome.
“At the centre of these violent conflicts are young men and women who make up about 60 per cent of all the eligible voters and the total country’s population.
“More so, young people’s exclusion from decision making and peace processes, and the lack of adequate conflict management and mediation skills especially among youth contributions to violence.
“The meaningful participation of young people in all cycles of the electoral process is crucial for any democratic development.
“As the 2023 elections draw close, we will like to remind young people that their active and non-violent participation is critical for Nigeria’s socio-economic and political reconfiguration and development,” he said.
Lawal added: ` `Young people are central to peace and security in Nigeria.
“We must convert our demographic dividends into peace dividends.’’
He called on Nigerian youth to shun hate speech and sharing of unverified information.
Lawal advised youths to ensure that they verify all information and messages through simple Google search and fact checking tools online before sharing.
He said that data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) has shown that youths aged between 18 and 34 years constitute 78.7 per cent of 12.2 million new registrants.
He said that this clearly indicated that youths would have a potential impact on the 2023 elections, so it was time to use that strength to present a formidable youth agenda to the political gladiators.
Mohammed said the call became necessary for the sustenance of the country’s nascent democracy and political stability.
He added that media practitioners in Bauchi State have enjoyed unalloyed support from the state government that has been giving them the needed advantage to operate seamlessly.
Mohammed said:”And as you are getting set to cover the 2023 elections, you must ensure that the principles of fairness, accuracy and balance in the coverage of political campaigns and activities are observed.
"You should also shun biased reporting of events and remain steadfast in the discharge of your duties.”
Mohammed also said that his administration had besides building a cordial relationship with the media, also made giant strides in community development.
According to him,”with the resources available to the state, critical projects had been successfully executed in key sectors of the economy.
” We have executed projects that have direct bearing on the lives of the generality of the people of the state.
"We have constructed network of roads in both urban and rural areas to facilitate socioeconomic activities across the state.
"Schools and health facilities had been constructed, renovated, provided with the necessary equipment and furniture, while water supply schemes in the state capital and local governments headquarters had been executed.
"We have also provided fertilizer and other agricultural inputs and machinery to our teeming farmers.
"The State Secretariat and Secretariats of all the 20 Local Governments had been totally renovated to provide a conducive working environment for our workers,” Mohammed said.
Earlier, the Mandate Secretary, FCTA Area Council Services Secretariat (ACSS), Ibrahim Dantsoho, underscored the importance of an effective participation of the media practitioners and other citizenry in the democratic process, especially at the grassroots level.
Dantsoho, who said that the media play complementary roles in governance, spoke of the need for journalists not to relent in discharging their constitutional roles as the third eye of the society.
Represented by Director, Chieftaincy Matters, Malam Awwal Dogon-Daji, the secretary said, “Democracy requires that people should have the right to know the activities of government, especially the decision of government that affects their life, liberty and property.
All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has unveiled his campaign policy document tagged “Renewed hope: Action plan for a better Nigeria" .
He unveiled the Policy during the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) by President Muhammadu Buhari at weekend.
Tinubu restated that the country needs an “experienced torchbearer” to guide it through the doors of security, prosperity and greatness.
He said his experience as Lagos State Governor where he transformed the state to one of the leading economies in Africa places him in the best position to help achieve this with Shettima.
“It is, therefore, fitting that we are unveiling the Tinubu/Shettima Action Plan for a Better Nigeria today. This Plan is not only a roadmap to a prosperous future, it serves as notice to the Nigerian people that, if elected, Senator Shettima and I shall work tirelessly to reach that promised future from the first moment of the first day we enter office.
“The doors to security, prosperity and greatness are open to us. We must step through these portals, guided by a torchbearer with the experience and mettle to shoulder the task ahead. Nothing short of this will suffice.
“I seek to become the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because I know the way. My experience and past performance assure that. It will be through collective effort and national endeavour that we join hands, cross divides, and achieve our vision,” he said selfassuredly.
The APC presidential flagbearer said his campaign roadmap was borne out of interactions with Nigerians across the country who shared their needs and aspirations with him and Senator Shettima in the course of their travelling round the country.
“After visiting and meeting our compatriots; young and old, poor and rich, educated and uneducated, Christian and Muslim; we recognize that no Nigerian wants empty answers to hard questions at this hour.
“The country does not need fancy promises or foreign experiments. Nigerians seek sustained progress and reform through stable governance and proven leadership.
“We need true and innovative solutions that address the specific challenges of each of our 36 states and our over 200 million people. We need our own Miracle on the Niger River,” he added.
Tinubu
Just like he did in Lagos, the former governor promised that his administration will provide sufficient jobs with decent wages; revive manufacturing industries, generate, transmit and distribute sufficient and affordable electricity; manufacture, produce and market good quantities of the essential goods and services; export more and import less to strengthen the Naira; make food available and affordable; modernise and expand public infrastructure.
This, he said, his administration will achieve by building on the foundation laid by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
He added, “Based on our unshakable faith in our people and standing on the foundation established by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, we shall:
(a) Build a Nigeria where sufficient jobs with decent wages create a better life for all and a future of promise for our youth.
(b) Revive our manufacturing industries and place Nigeria back on the path of industrialisation and job creation.
(c) Generate, transmit and distribute sufficient, affordable electricity to give our people the necessary power to drive their businesses and brighten their homes. Power is key to unlocking the potential of our national economy.
(d) Manufacture, produce and market increased quantities of the essential goods and services we require. Nigeria shall be known as a nation of creators, not just consumers.
(e) Export more and import less in order to earn more foreign exchange and strengthen the Naira.
(f) Deliver food security and affordability by continuing to prioritise agriculture and assist farmers and other players in the agricultural value chain through enlightened policies that promote productivity and guarantee robust incomes.
(g) Modernise and expand public infrastructure to stimulate economic growth at an optimal rate.
(h) Embolden and support our young people and women to participate more in politics and governance.
(i) Harness emerging sectors such as the digital economy, entertainment, tourism and sport to build, today, the Nigeria of tomorrow.
(j) Train and give economic opportunity to people with disabilities, the poor and the vulnerable. We seek a Nigeria where no parent is compelled to send a child to bed hungry, worried whether tomorrow shall bring food.
(k) Make affordable healthcare, education and housing accessible for all.”
He also pledged to give grant importance to “Lead and deliver bold and assertive security measures to enable a strong yet adaptive national security architecture that will obliterate terror, kidnapping, banditry and violent crime from the face of our nation.”
Calling on all Nigerians to offer their inputs to his nation-building drive which he termed "our gift and duty to each other", Tinubu also praised APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, for strengthening the party organisation as the general elections approach.
the highest number of bills, while Uche Ekwuenife, who was twice in the House of Representatives (2007 and 2011), is currently representing Anambra Central Senatorial District.
She is the first lawmaker from the South-East to chair the prestigious Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream). Her admirers also said her generosity to the needy, indigent and lessprivileged extends beyond her constituency, Anambra Central Senatorial District and Anambra State.
Abiodun Olujimi was born on December 25, 1958. She is a senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District of Ekiti State and current Minority Leader in the Senate. She was a member of the Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Olujimi was born in Omuo- Ekiti and attended the Nigerian Institute of Journalism where she obtained a Diploma in 1976. She also bagged degrees in Political Science, Public Relations and Marketing from the University of Abuja.
She joined politics in 1997 as the National Publicity Secretary of the extinct NCPN and moved to the All Peoples Congress after the extinction of her former party, and still became the National Publicity Secretary in All Peoples Congress.
In 2002, she joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and this was the beginning of her great achievements in politics. 2003 was the year she was appointed the Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Ekiti State. She became the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State with Governor Ayo Fayose in 2005. Olujimi attained other great heights in politics; from being the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in her state to a Director of Women Affairs. In 2015, she contested for a seat in the Senate on the platform of the
PDP and won. She was also appointed as the leader of the party in Ekiti State in November 2018.
In the 2019 general election, she initially lost her seat to the candidate of the APC, Prince Adedayo Clement Adeyeye. However, the National Assembly Election Tribunal and the Appeal Court later declared her winner of the Ekiti South Senatorial District. Consequently, she was sworn in by the Senate President on November 14, 2019. In 2020, Olujimi was involved in a verbal altercation with the former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose, where she accused him of manipulating the electoral process at the Ekiti State PDP Ward Congress.
Senator Uche Ekwunife
Uche Lillian Ekwunife was born on January12, 1970. She is a member of the 9th National Assembly representing Anambra Central Senatorial District. She is known as one of the most active female senators in the country.
Ekwunife attended the University of Calabar and graduated with a bachelor degree in Business and Accounting in 1993. She went on to earn her MBA degree from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in 2002.
Ekwunife had a career in banking where she rose to be an area manager. She contested in the Anambra governorship election twice and lost. She was elected as a member of the Federal House of Representatives in 2007 for Anambra’s Anaocha/Njikoka/ Dunukofia constituency.
She was one of 11 women elected in 2007, who were re-elected in 2011 when the lower house was nearly 95 per cent male. Other women elected included Juliet Akano; Olajumoke OkoyaThomas; Mulikat Adeola –Akande; Abike Dabiri- Erewa; Nkiru Onyeagocha; Nnena Elendu-Ukeje; Beni Lar; Khadija Bukar Abba
–Ibrahim; Elizabeth Ogbaga and Peace Uzoamaka Nnaji. In 2015, she was elected to the Senate. She was one of the six women elected to the 8th National Assembly. The other women were Rose Oko, Stella Oduah; Fatimat Raji-Rasak; Oluremi Tinubu and Binta Garba.
Ekwunife had won the 2015 election by switching from one political party to the other. Because of this her election was challenged and in December 2015 her seat was declared vacant. Ekwunife was unable to get the support of former political party The All Progressive Grand Alliance, (APGA) for the bye -election and as a result Victor Umeh was elected as Senator.
She won the 2019 Anambra State senatorial elections under the platform of the PDP representing Anambra Central Senatorial District defeating her 2015 rival, Victor Umeh who sought reelection
Stella Oduah
Stella Oduah was born on January 5, 1962. She is currently representing Anambra North Senatorial District of Anambra and she was a former Minister of Aviation. She was confirmed to the ministerial post and sworn in on July 2; 2011and was deployed to the Ministry of Aviation on July 4, 2011. She was relieved of her duties as Minister of Aviation on February 12, 2014. She was also active in the political campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan, where she served as his campaign's Director of Administration and Finance.
In 2015, she was elected to the Senate to represent Anambra North Senatorial District .She was one of the only seven women elected to the 8th Senate.
Oduah was re-elected to a second term in the Senate in 2019.
That was the question most people were asking after two apparently thinskinned traditional rulers taught two of their subjects lessons they will never forget. One got a deep gash under his left eye – from a well-placed kick from the assailant’s well-shorn foot in a parking lot. The other victim was invited to the king’s court and then pummeled like a Sugar Ray Robinson wearing down an opponent. Did the monarchs go too far? THEWILL asks. Michael Jimoh reports…
Oduwole Wasiu, a caterer, would have been mightily glad when he got a brief on September 21 to prepare plates of steaming catfish pepper soup for more than a dozen party guests at a hotel in Ogun state. Known for his culinary feat around the neighbourhood, Wasiu hoped to delight the palates of the expected diners.
Among the gastronomes were a monarch, Chief Nureni Oduwaye, his queen, the celebrant herself Iya Alaje and her spouse, the hotelier, Yakub Omobolanle, who also happens to be Wasiu’s relative. His hotel, Moore Blessing Hotel Ikenne in Sagamu local government council was the venue.
For someone used to preparing a smorgasbord of dishes for hundreds of guests at a time, preparing a mere 14 plates of catfish pepper soup would have been small fry to Wasiu. But as Murphy’s law states, “anything that can go wrong will go wrong, and at the worst possible time.”
It did for the cook. Like any chef worth his sauce, Wasiu knew instantly the ingredients needed to prepare a particularly tasty pepper soup were not enough. He had a mind to beeline it to the market and buy the required condiments. But the market was far away, so far that it would have been impossible to go and return and still get the meal ready for the guests in good time. What to do?
The cook made do with what was available in the kitchen and so got the plates of catfish ready for the guests who must have waiting with febrile anticipation for, as the great wit and dramatist George Bernard Shaw, once quipped, “there is no love sincerer than the love of food.”
It turned out to be exactly so for the 14 guests who were hoping for something delicious from the master chef. They were disappointed. The pepper soup wasn’t what they expected. It was below par from a cook recommended for his culinary artistry. Of course, Wasiu apologized and then explained why the pepper soup fell short of what he intended for his high-profile guests.
Whether the monarch took offence at that moment is hard to say. But it is possible he was disappointed more than any other person that day. He maintained a sagely silence though and probably sipped his drink while listening to the spirited conversation all around.
If preparing an unsavoury dish for the august guests was bad enough, then what Wasiu did next has now cost him his left eye. True, the cook failed on his part but the DJ more than made up for Wasiu’s immediate inadequacy. He kept some of the guests on the dance floor such that even the queen could not resist singing and dancing along to the music. Bad cook he may have been for that day, the chef demonstrated he could throw some jigs on the dance floor. And who did he pair up with? The Olori herself!
As recounted in the Metro sections of Nigerian newspapers, Oba Oduwaye took exception to the man – a guy who just prepared an inedible sauce – now dancing with his wife. Seething inside, the monarch gathered his flowing agbada and stormed off straight to his car. But before then, according to Wasiu, Oduwaye asked him to introduce himself. He did.
To understand what happened thereafter, it is best to hear from the chef himself after discovering that the ingredients were not enough. “So, I decided to manage the ingredients because the distance of the hotel to the market is far. We were serving the guests when the owner of the hotel and the celebrant approached me and said the guests were complaining that the pepper soup was not well-nourished.
“As I was attempting to lie down to continue begging, he used his leg to kick my left eye. The injury in my eye was so severe that I was rushed to a nearby hospital from where I was transferred to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital
“I told him it wasn’t my fault and that the ingredients were not enough. After I was done with the cooking, I went into the bar, met the owner of the hotel, the celebrant, Iya Alaje, her husband, and a woman, who I never knew was a queen. I started apologising to them and I was told not to worry.
“The celebration was ongoing when the monarch, Nureni Oduwaye, entered. The deejay was playing and everyone was dancing. I was surprised as the celebrant and the queen were singing secular music. I commended them because people of their age and status don’t usually like secular music, let alone knowing the lyrics.”
The chef and queen were still digging it on the dance floor when the traditional ruler asked him to identify himself. He did and even said he was the younger sib of the owner of the hotel. At this point, and very much like Councilor Balogun swishing off a meeting in the Village Headmaster NTA series of yore, Oduwaye stormed off straight to his car parked in the hotel premises.
To placate the angry chief, Omobolanle, the hotelier and the celebrant’s husband ran after him to ask for forgiveness on the cook’s behalf. The celebrant’s spouse told Wasiu to go himself and apologise to the
fuming royalty. Continuing, Wasiu said: “The queen was even asking what I did wrong, but for the sake of peace, I went to apologise to him. When I got to where he was, I started begging him. I told him I was informed that he was annoyed because I was dancing with his queen and said I did not dance with her.
“As I was attempting to lie down to continue begging, he used his leg to kick my left eye. The injury in my eye was so severe that I was rushed to a nearby hospital from where I was transferred to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.
“The monarch only checked on me once and as I am speaking to you, I can no longer see with my left eye. I am blind in my left eye,” Wasiu told a reporter.
The matter was duly reported to the Police Area Command Sagamu. Wasiu insists “nothing was done because the police refused to carry out an investigation.”
Only days after the pepper soup incident in Ikenne, another monarch manhandled a chief in his palace in Badagry Lagos state. There were no sizzling catfish pepper soup this time or a commoner stepping it up with an Olori. It was royalty versus royalty. Venue was the royal court in Ajido community.
As reported in the papers, the traditional ruler of the community, Saheed Adamson, had invited Michael Kunnuji, his second in command, to his palace. It was in the course of their acrimonious exchange that Adamson lost his cool and then proceeded to casually beat up the chief. It got so bad that, as one report had it, youths in the area felt so scandalized they wanted to “destroy the king’s property over the incident.”
What was the trouble between the two royals?
Things got sour between the traditional ruler and his immediate subordinate over a transformer Kunnuji bought for the community which the first did not support. He then invited Kunnuji who had just returned from Jerusalem to his palace. The conversation got heated and in the process, Adamson called Kunnuji stupid which the chief threw back at him immediately. Next, the royal father descended on his right hand man right there in the palace, dealt him some blows and wounded him on his face.
Like the Sagamu incident, the matter was promptly reported to the police in Badagry from where he was taken to hospital for treatment. IAgain, it is best to hear the victim himself tell us about the unroyal conduct of his chief.
“On September 30, 2022, I went to meet the monarch alongside the bishop that came to do thanksgiving for my coronation anniversary. When I got there, I greeted him in our Egun dialect, saying, ‘I hail you, your highness.’ Then he started shouting in public, saying, ‘Do you see him, look at the way he is greeting me.’
“He told me I was stupid and I also replied that he was stupid. Before I knew it, he punched me in my face with a ring and blood started coming out. I did not retaliate; I just left his palace with my bloodied face.
“I and my lawyer, who was present at the scene, went to the Badagry Police Station to report the assault on my person. After writing a statement, the police said they could not arrest him because he was a king. I am filing a case of assault against him; I have employed the services of legal professionals and I will see that I pursue this case and get justice.”
To get justice like Wasiu, Kunnuji has also sought the services of a lawyer, Ganiyu Adeola. “We know that nobody is above the law,” Adeola told a reporter recently. “If an Oba has committed an infraction that is criminal, he must be dealt with accordingly.”
But the monarch himself seems not to care a hoot about the incident. “When contacted,” the reporter stated, “the monarch did not confirm or deny the allegations against him. Adamson, however, said that the high chief could go to court.
“He said, “Let him go to court, what is your own problem? Are you not a journalist? Why are you asking me such a question? Why can’t you advise him to go to court? Is this the work of a journalist?” To end the conversation, the royal father “hissed and cut off the call.”
Like the police in the Sagamu pepper soup incident, their counterparts in Badagry appear to be pussyfooting as well. According to the reporter, “the DPO of Badagry Police Station, SP Peter Gbesu, denied the allegation that the officers could not arrest or invite the monarch. He declined further comment and referred our correspondent to the state police spokesperson.”
The journalist did speak with Lagos state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin. It took the police spokesman days to reply the journalist, telling him “not to disturb him, saying he could not be forced to react to the incident.”
In the last few weeks, the Nigerian political space has reverberated with vitriolic attacks among the leading contenders in the forthcoming 2023 general election.
Unguarded utterances by some of the major presidential candidates and their supporters have taken turns to heat up the polity, causing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to squirm in discomfort and millions of peace-loving Nigerians to look on in trepidation.
Addressing a gathering of northern groups in an interactive meeting organised under the aegis of the Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna recently, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar reportedly urged all northerners not to vote Igbo and Yoruba candidates in the 2023 presidential election. Reports quoted him as saying that “northerners do not need the Igbo and Yoruba candidates,”that they should vote for him instead.
Of course, Atiku’s slip did not go unnoticed by rival political parties. Reacting, the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) decided lashed out at him, describing his request to the northern people as evidence of a mindless “desperation” for power.
Rising in defence of his boss in a statement circulated in the media, Atiku’s Special Adviser on Media, Paul Ibe, in what read clearly as a counter-attack, not only made an effort, in the face of mounting public outrage against the former Vice President, to clear him of blame, but also to knock the APC and its presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Apart from accusing the party and Tinubu of engaging in “irritating scavenging” rather than a genuine electioneering campaign, Ibe wrote, “It is even more repugnant that a man who is not honourable enough to make a full disclosure about his elementary education records would ask to be elected a president of the most populous Black nation in the world.
“The very ambition of former governor Tinubu to aspire to become the Nigerian leader is a rude attack on the integrity of every Black country and certainly an act of disgrace to all Nigerians.”
The exchanges had sent shock waves rippling across the country, warning of a possible return to the dark days of the First and Second Republics.
The din raised by the unnecessary altercation had hardly died down than a PDP presidential campaign rally in Kaduna State was last Monday attacked by suspected thugs alleged to be on the payroll of unnamed persons in the APC.
Worried that the development had to a large extent diminished the essence of the Peace Accord signed by the political parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed the need to summon the leaders of the political parties to a meeting next week.
The Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, earlier described the constant mudslinging and recourse to violence as worrisome. He said that violent acts, such as witnessed during the recent attack by hired thugs in Kaduna, were not only violations of the Electoral Act 2022, but also ran contrary to the commitment expressed by all political parties and their candidates in the spirit of the Peace Accord.
Yakubu had said: “As the Commission is working hard to ensure a credible process, reports of clashes among parties and their supporters are worrisome. So too is the reported denial of access to public facilities for parties and candidates in some states. Let me caution parties and their supporters to focus on issues and steer clear of attacks on each other.
“Parties, candidates and their supporters should not by acts of commission or omission further complicate the prevailing security situation in the country. A peaceful electioneering campaign is critical to the conduct of peaceful and credible elections.
“The Commission will continue to monitor the situation closely and will convene a meeting with
leaders of political parties next week to discuss, among other issues, the imperative of peaceful campaigns and equal access to public facilities.
“In same vein, the Commission will also meet with the security agencies under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) next week.”
At this juncture, it is necessary to point out that the development is an indication that things have actually gone from bad to worse with the democratic process in the country.
In a country that is urgently seeking a way out of the economic and socio-political doldrums that it has found itself, one would expect those aspiring to be at the helm to go about their business in a most honorable and acceptable manner. But most Nigerian politicians will not. Generally they have not done enough, especially in their actions and conduct, to earn the confidence of the people.
The likes of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Sir Ahmadu Bello would be turning in their graves now. We believe that the legacies bequeathed to future generations of Nigerians by these founding fathers are about to be rubbished by today’s politicians.
Election campaigns should not be about mudslinging and violent attacks. On the contrary, politicians worth their onions should be concerned about topical issues and finding lasting solutions to the many problems plaguing the country.
We call on INEC to do everything possible within its power to ensure that nothing derails its agenda to conduct a free and fair general election in 2023.
AustynElection campaigns should not be about mudslinging and violent attacks. On the contrary, politicians worth their onions should be concerned about topical issues and finding lasting solutions to the many problems plaguing the country
Emerging economies across the would especially countries across sub sahara Africa have always had a date with debt servicing. And this alone is causing a huge deficit to their domestic fiscal policies. A situation that many of this emerging economies work through tight measure's to ensure adequate budget in a fiscal year. For instance, African countries debt profiles read in hundred of billions of dollars. In addition to the burden of servicing such debt that had in recent times brings this economies to there knees. A scary example of debt crisis ridden country is Sri Lanka,our close neighbour Ghana, is seeking for debt restructuring.
Regrettably, Nigeria is one of such country that is struggling year in, and year out. Held backward by the syndrome called debt servicing that runs into trillions of naira. With an hindsight in the last 7 years Nigeria's debt servicing payment as gone upward above N16 trillions. This figure is from the Debt Management Office (DMO) as of June this year 2022. Expressly, our total national debts stood at N42 trillion at the end of August 2022. One may wonder why all this big figure in debt and no meaningful benefits to Nigerians. The reality is very obvious and staggering to behold.
Nevertheless, here we are again 2023 Budget of N20.51 trillion is placed before National Assembly for Appropriation. And a sum of N6.31 trillions is therein for 'Debt Servicing'. However analysts have always feared, that with the current debt status,the economy is finally on a fiscal cliff. Sadly, for the coming year 2023 budget about 65 per cent of expected revenues is to service debt.
Meanwhile the Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) that bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, parliamentarians, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organizations and academics to discuss issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development, and aid effectiveness. Just ended over the weekend in Washington D.C United of America.
At this year IMF/World Bank spring meeting, the Nigeria delegation. Lead by Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed. According to media report, Zainab Ahmed and the federal government delagation that also includes the CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele engage the Bretton Wood institutions on debt restructuring for the country. This is a strategic focus on the part of the Federal Government to explored debt restructuring relief and options.
In the word of Minister of finance" We have been engaging financial institutions to look at the opportunity to restructure our debt to further stretch the debt service period to give us more fiscal relief. Those are some of the things we want to achieve in this meeting,"
Interestingly, President Muhammadu Buhari had at the United Nations General Assembly in September sought the assistance of world leaders in considering granting debt relief or outright cancellation to developing countries.
Instructively, it is a fact that Nigeria's debt has increased over the last 7 years and this increase
in debt. Painfully, our is not just occasioned by the different kinds of exogenous shocks that the country faced, rather poverty of leadership vision and foresight is also responsible. As Nigeria suffered from an 'elite bargain ' crisis. Nonetheless, we cannot also rule out the greed of global financial capitalist's and monetarist proclivity for raising interest rate. Unfortunately,this as increased the cost of debt servicing.
Without mincing word, debt is a big problem to Nigeria's economy. And a clear indication of it is that, it is a systemic and institutional problem.
That requires an urgent attention, off which debt relief or restructuring of it through pragmatic negotiations cannot be overemphasis. For us, any decision taken to achieve debt relief,and more more towards macroeconomic stability is welcome.
Going forward, we expect the governments to be prudent and spend public resources for the greater need of the people. Piling up debt with the excuse of we are yet to borrow up to 30% of GDP. Or on the guises of the failing neoliberal orthodox economics statically mathematics of GDP to debt ration calculation. By our uncritical policymakers must stop.
We have recognise that we live in an economic turbulent times. Passionately, our call is to the Nigerian state manager's to appreciate the importance of social contracts binding them to citizens. That demands mutual expectations of thorough macro-prudential policies, visionary and pragmatic to address our development challenges without burden us with debt •Olamilekan is a political economist.
In an unprecedented and overwhelming achievement, amidst the challenging operating environment that has tested the resilience of institutions and businesses globally, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has continued to weather the storm by recently posting its second straight annual profit after tax of N674.1 billion in 2021, thus showing a significant increase of 135 per cent against N287 billion it recorded in 2020.
NNPCL posted its first profit of N287 billion in the 44 years of its existence during the 2020 financial year.
The positive result is coming as global economies continue to struggle with the recessionary forces and weak economic outlook around many businesses globally.
In spite of a tough and volatile operating environment, NNPCL’s investment strategy proved resilient and enabled the national oil company to deliver favourable outcomes as shown by the 2021 financial statement.
The group's account was audited by internationally recognied auditing firms, PricewaterhouseCoopers, SIAO, and our prolific, professional chattered accounting firm, Muntari Dangana and Co.
Indeed, like Mele Kyari, NNPCL's Chief Executive Officer said: the company has progressed to a new performance level by making profit and publishing its annual financial report from 2018.
However, NNPCL did explain that three components were responsible for the worst performance previously experienced by the group. They include increase in cost of sales and increase in crude cost; increase in the general and administration expenses, which almost doubled from N474 billion to N894 billion; and an increase in impairment of receivables and other assets in the year by almost 300 per cent.
It is very heart-warming to see that NNPC's rise in
profit is mainly occasioned by a significant increase in revenue and a less proportionate increase in the cost of sales resulting in 1,556.9 per cent increase in gross profit.
Other factors that contributed to the high profitability of the NNPCL are the outcome of the N173.7 billion arising from reconciliation with the Federal Inland Revenue Service, a stronger emphasis on performance management, rationalisation of non-essential expenditure and implementation of the transparency and accountability agenda as exemplified by the country,'s leadership under President Muhammadu Buhari.
The group's performance and subsequent profitability were further bolstered by the positive impact of the N193 billion royalty, which was written back as a result of the reconciliation with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, emplacement of aggressive cost control measures by management as well as the successes made in the implementation of system-based controls on funds management.
The increase in revenue by NNPCL is also attributable to improvement in the production and price of crude oil during the period under review.
Through efficient management of its affairs, the audited financial statement also showed that total liabilities decreased by 8.3 per cent from N14.68 trillion in 2020 to N13.46 trillion in 2021.
In line with the growth trajectory of the current management, the shareholders’ fund position of the NNPCL Group also followed an upward trend as it rose to N2.81 trillion in 2021 as against N1.815 trillion in 2020 thus representing 144 per cent increase in shareholders’ funds in 2021.
The cost of sales also rose by 46.3 per cent from N3.65 trillion in 2020 to N5.34 trillion in 2021. The increase in
the cost of sales is attributable mainly to the increase in crude oil production.
The selling and distribution expenses also increased from N36b billion in 2020 to N52 billion in 2021. This increase is in line with the rise in revenue from petroleum product costs during the year under review.
Since assuming office, Kyari has pursued his Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence, TAPE agenda, a five-step strategic roadmap for NNPCL’s attainment of efficiency and global excellence dutifully.
Kyari had said that pursuing TAPE was the only way to turn around the corporation and make it competitive.
Under the roadmap, the Transparency component of the agenda was aimed at maintaining a positive image, and sharing values of integrity and transparency with all stakeholders, while the Accountability segment of the campaign is to assure compliance with business ethics, policies, regulations and accountability to all stakeholders.
In terms of the two-pronged items of performance excellence, Kyari has said the idea was to entrench a high level of efficiency anchored on efficient implementation of business processes, which would also emplace an appropriate reward system for exceptional performance among the workforce.
It is clear that NNPC has today been transformed under Mele Kyari into a profit making company as envisaged by its founding fathers as against what it used to be in the past
I have no doubt whatsoever in my mind that NNPCL's transformation by the Muhammadu Buhari Administration into a limited liability company will never be a regrettable action to the government and the people of Nigeria.
BY SAM DIALA
Nigeria’s South-West region pooled the largest tax revenue of N516.6 billion in 2021 representing 46.7 percent of the aggregate N1,017 trillion by the entire six regions. The figure is also higher than those of the SouthEast, North-East, North-Central and North-West regions put together.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that the South-West region, made up of Ekiti, Lagos, Osun, Ondo, Ogun and Oyo states grew their tax revenue from N440.47 billion in 2020 to N 516.60 in 2021 representing a 17.3 percent increase.
South-East region comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states grew their tax revenue from N49.24 billion in 2020 to N56.55 billion in 2021, or 14.9 percent. The North-East region consisting of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states recorded a tax revenue of N58.41 billion from N47.45 billion in 2020 or 23 percent increase.
North-Central region consisting of Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nawara, Niger and Plateau states recorded N81.33 billion from N58.97 billion in the previous year, or 38 percent growth. While the North-West region of Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa and Zamfara states grew their tax revenue to N120.98 billion from N109.73 billion in the previous year.
BY ANTHONY AWUNOR
Three states in Nigeria: Lagos, Kano and Ogun had the highest number of active voice subscribers in Q2 2022. This is just as MTN had the highest share of subscriptions within the period.
Data provided by the Nigerian Communications Commission
(NCC), verified and validated by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), recently showed that Lagos had the highest number of active voice subscribers in Q2 2022 with 25,002,808, followed by Kano with 12,499,401 and Ogun with 12,288,042.
Continues on page 33
Further analysis of the report titled, “Internally Generated Revenue at State Level: 2019-2021” showed that the internally generated revenue of the states, which tax revenue consists of the huge chunk of, showed a significant increase in 2021 after the lull in 2020.
“The Internally Generated Revenue at the State level for 2019 stood at N1.64 trillion with a 64.65% share of tax revenue. The revenue declined by 4.65% in 2020 when the IGR was N1.56trillion. However, the proportion of tax revenue in 2020 rose to 66.16%. The total IGR in 2021 stood at N1.90trillion, indicating a growth rate of 21.54% over 2020 revenue collections.
“On state profile analysis, Lagos State recorded the highest Internally Generated Revenue in 2019 with N646.61billion, followed by Rivers with N169.60 billion. Again, in 2020, Lagos revenue stood top with N659.99 billion, followed by Rivers with N117.19 billion. Furthermore, Lagos and FCT recorded the highest collections in 2021 with N753.46 billion and N131.92 billion respectively.”
A tax expert, Reginald Ibeh, said the drop in tax revenue in 2020 showed the impact of COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in business closure and restriction of movements. The 15 month border closure also affected revenue generation of the states. He also cited the increased awareness
Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has said that its diversified business model in key international markets on the continent and around the world, continues to act as a hedge and to position the Group to better mitigate business risks arising from the financial, economic and political environment.
UBA Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, who stated this, pointed out that due to its wide reach and network, theAlawuba
Continues on
On the other hand, Bayelsa recorded the least with 1,530,739, followed by Ekiti with 1,775,647, and Ebonyi with 1,840,443.
According to the data obtained by THEWILL, Lagos State led the pack with active Internet subscribers of 18,441,791, followed by Kano with 9,255,299 and Ogun with 9,151,148. On the other hand, Bayelsa had the least with 1,126,076, followed by Ebonyi and Ekiti with 1,319,005 and 1,380,154 respectively.
So far, the total number of active voice subscribers in Q2 2022 was 206,449,125, higher relative to 187,611,501 in Q2 2021. This represents a 10.04 per cent rise on a year-on-year basis.
However, on a quarter-on-quarter basis, growth stood at 3.45 per cent, an increase from the 199,558,540 subscribers recorded in Q1 2022.
Similarly, a total of 151,332,090 active Internet subscribers were recorded in Q2 2022 from the 140,175,169 reported in Q2 2021. This indicates a growth rate of 7.96 per cent on a year-on-year basis. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, growth stood at 3.76 per cent.
Meanwhile, despite boasting a less than 50 per cent broadband penetration, Nigeria’s data usage increased by 413.79 per cent as more subscribers joined the nation’s Internet population.
Nigeria’s Internet data usage increased from 68,154.12 terabytes in 2018 to 350,165.39 terabytes in 2021 based on industry statistics from the NCC. Within the time under review, broadband penetration increased from 19.97 per cent (38.12 million) in January 2018 to 40.88 per cent (78.04 million).
GSM Internet subscribers increased from 100.23
million in January 2018 to 141.62 million. Despite its low broadband penetration, Nigeria has made strides in expanding its broadband capacity.
When data usage increased from 68,154.12TB in December 2018 to 125,149.86TB as of December 2019, the NCC had said, “The increase in data usage is directly linked to the increased Broadband penetration in the country within the year.
‘The commission provided the necessary regulator support for Operators to implement the various initiatives within the year that increased data usage in the country.”
In 2020, when data consumption increased from 123,648TB in December 2019 to 205,880.4TB as of December 2020, the commission added, “The increase in data usage is directly linked to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal activities and most functions had to be held virtually including schools, corporate meetings etc.”
Increasing smartphone and 4G coverage have been linked to the recent growth in the nation’s data usage. Data consumption grew from 205,880.4TB in December 2020 to 350,165.39TB in December 2021.
Meanwhile, the global telecom services market size was valued at USD 1,657.7 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4 per cent from 2021 to 2028. Rising spending on the deployment of 5G infrastructures due to the shift in customer inclination toward next-generation technologies and smartphone devices is one of the key factors driving this industry.
An increasing number of mobile subscribers, soaring demand for high-speed data connectivity, and the growing demand for value-added managed services are the other potential factors fueling the market growth.
The global communication network has undoubtedly been one of the prominent areas for continued technological advancements over the past few decades.
The market for telecom services has also witnessed significant improvements in data speeds, from Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and Code Division
Multiple Access (CDMA) to Third Generation (3G), Fourth Generation (4G), and now the commercialization of Fifth Generation (5G) networks. The advent of data connectivity has made possible the reduction in the duration of transferring large chunks of data from days to hours and now to a few seconds.
Continued from page 32 in tax generation among the states following the drop in oil revenue.
In recent times, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has been disbursing monthly allocations made up of non-oil revenue as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited made zero remittance to federal purse.
The South-West region IGR is driven by Lagos State which recorded a tax revenue of N405.07 billion in 2021 from N342.85 billion in the previous year. Lagos tax revenue represents 78.5 percent of the entire South-West region with Ekiti recording the least, N7.54 billion during the period.
An investigation by THEWILL in August 2021 showed that over 60 percent of internally generated revenue (IGR) of the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) constitutes deductions from employee emoluments under the PAYE (Pay-As-You-Earn) tax system.
PAYE tax also accounts for over 70 percent of total taxes realised by the states, according to data from the NBS. This is against the widely held thinking that the states (or sub-nationals) have grown their IGR through more creative efforts. The report further revealed that the exponential growth in the states’ IGR in recent years did not occur from the sub-nationals becoming ingenious in finding alternative revenue channels beside federal allocations. While there is a marginal increase in other revenue sub-sectors, the investigation revealed that the states’ IGR has grown exponentially on the back of PAYE tax deductions.
The study showed that in the previous five years, states’ IGR increased remarkably – from N823 billion in 2016 to N1.306 trillion in 2020, a jump of 58.7 percent. Further analysis of the reports showed that the states’ PAYE tax revenue increased in the same trend from N403.87 billion in 2016 to N851.73 billion in 2020, or 110.8 percent increase. This excludes 2017 without available PAYE information. Total PAYE tax realised in 2018 was N669.21 billion, hitting N809.3 billion in 2019. The tax deductions from workers’ income also boosted the states’ IGR in 2018 and 2019 from N1.168 to N1.334 trillion respectively.
Professor of Accounting & Finance at Nasarawa State University and immediate past president, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) Mohammed Mainoma, said that the drop in investment would have adverse effects on economic development beyond
The South-West region IGR is driven by Lagos State which recorded a tax revenue of N405.07 billion in 2021 from N342.85 billion in the previous year. Lagos tax revenue represents 78.5 percent of the entire South-West region with Ekiti recording the least, N7.54 billion during the period
negative impact on tax revenue. He however stressed that it would not affect the machinery for accelerated tax drives that the government has put in place.
“The drop in foreign investment may not necessarily reduce the tax drive since there are genuine efforts through the Finance Act to expand the tax base and also to block leakage and ensure prompt collection of tax revenue.
“It is however not a thing of joy since it will affect employment and production. In the long run we shall still have issues in the aggregates since tax is not the only issue. Other matters of development particularly human development be it education or health might be seriously affected,” Mainoma said in a note to THEWILL.
Taiwo Oyedele, Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader at PwC observed that virtually all tax heads are under-performing in Nigeria and that PAYE and other taxes would increase if the states embark on an aggressive tax drive. He said in a note to THEWILL that personal income tax (including PAYE tax) is the number one source of tax revenue in many countries and that it is not unusual if 60 percent of states' tax revenue in Nigeria consists of employee income tax.
Lagos had the highest number of active voice subscribers in Q2 2022 with 25,002,808, followed by Kano with 12,499,401 and Ogun with 12,288,042
States’ IGR: S’West Dwarfs S’East, N’East, N’Central, N’West in Tax Revenue
banking group is strengthened and largely insulated from internal and external challenges that have become commonplace amongst financial institutions on the continent.
Alawuba was speaking in an exclusive chat with pressmen on the side-lines of a four-day UBA Group International Banking Conference which took place in New York, organised and hosted by UBA America between October 17th and 21st, 2022.
As he highlighted the various challenges plaguing banks and financial institutions in Africa and beyond, including credit risks, market risks and even operational risks, Alawuba explained that with UBA’s vast foray into key markets, the bank has put in place solutions that will help hedge against losses arising such risks.
He said, “There are several challenges for Nigerian and African banks such as issues of payments, currency depreciation amongst others, but over the years, at UBA, we have developed the capacity to effectively manage these risks whilst we continue to pursue our growth strategy.
Continuing, he said, “UBA is a diversified institution in terms of the businesses and sectors we support. Some of the countries where we are present, like Zambia, Guinea and Mozambique have not witnessed currency depreciation, and so, the diversified nature of our business is a key positive. It gives us the leverage and provides business resilience. Furthermore, our presence in global financial centres such as New York, Paris, and London provide further diversification of revenues and hedges against devaluation on the African continent. UBA America has been providing banking services to African institutions for over three decades, we know Africa very well and understand how to mitigate the risks of doing business in Africa.”
The Group CEO added that the International Banking Conference was aimed at proffering solutions, noting that African banks were afforded the opportunity to come together, share experiences and acquire tactical strategies to address the continents’ big financial challenges. The well-attended event saw the convergence of senior
representatives from leading African Banks, Sovereigns, Central bankers, and key players in the global financial landscape.
Speakers at the conference included the Deputy Governor, Economic Policy Directorate, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Kingsley Obiora, who represented the Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Director & Global Head Trade Finance, Afrexim Bank, Gwen Mwaba, Director, Regulatory and Finance Crimes Compliance, Exiger, Derik Riesche, amongst other notable financial, nonfinancial and compliance experts.
The Convener of the event and Executive Director UBA Group/CEO UBA America, Sola Yomi-Ajayi, said that the objective of the conference was to build and strengthen the financial ecosystem, adding that the Group has been working with African commercial banks and sovereign entities.
She said, “UBA has been leveraging its extensive network to improve access to financial markets in addition to providing capacity building initiatives for the development of the African financial eco-system. A key take-away from this conference is that the risks pertaining to Africa can be de-risked, and we can make it more attractive to do business with African financial institutions.
“There are risks and concerns about money laundering and financing of terrorism, and these can be derisked through building strong AML frameworks, strengthening internal controls as well as leveraging technology to improve transaction monitoring on the continent. We can also do this through structured trade finance and innovative solutions to bridge the foreign currency receivables on the continent,” she added.
United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than thirty million customers across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. Operating in New York, London, Paris, and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative crossborder payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.
Promoters of Nigeria’s only electricity integrated company, Geometric Power group, are exemplary Nigerians because of their uncanny patriotism, according to Abia State governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Governor Ikpeazu was speaking at his 58th birthday colloquium in his country home of Umuobiakwa in Obingwa Local Government Area.
Only outstanding patriots who are development oriented can bring home almost $600m in investment at a time many other citizens are taking out money from the country to invest overseas or to keep in foreign banks, said the governor.
Geometric Power located both its 188megawatt plant and Aba Power distribution company in Aba, Abia State, commonly referred to as the Taiwan of Africa because of its prominent role in Nigeria’s indigenous manufacturing.
“Once the 27-kilometre gas pipeline from Owaza in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State is completed and the plant commissioned, it will be a game changer in not just Abia State, whose nine out of its 17 LGAs are already being serviced by Aba Power Limited, but also the whole country because the rest of the country will have more power freed from our dear state”.
Dr Ikpeazu said that the world-class electricity business speared by Geometric Power led by Professor Bart Nnaji, a former Minister of Power, would cause other power generation and distribution companies in Nigeria to raise their service standards.
He explained that it was in recognition of the positively disruptive role which Geometric Power group “is bound to play in the country’s development that made me support it without reservations”.
The governor observed that if not for the world-class electricity from Geometric Power, manufacturing firms like Nemeith, based in Ikeja, Lagos State, would not have decided to establish plants in Aba.
“In fact, the multi-billion naira Enyimba Economic City being developed between Aba and Port Harcourt in the Rivers State would not have started but for geometric Power”, he declared.
THEWILLNIGERIA
C&I Leasing Plc has reiterated plans to embark on a business expansion drive in the near future to increase market share and ensure enhanced returns to shareholders.
The C&I Leasing Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Lenin Ugoji, stated this at the company's 31st Annual General Meeting for the year ended Dec. 31, 2021 at the weekend in Lagos.
Ugoji said that the business expansion would come in the form of fleet management business due to the inherent opportunities in the fleet management space and in the marine business.
He said that the company would likely acquire vessels for dry product movement in the near future.
"We are looking primarily at operational efficiency because even before you grow a business, you must be operationally fit.
"Part of what the new management wants to do is to bring about a lot more efficiency to the current operations, while we look at business expansion in a near future.
"Business expansion will come in the form of fleet management business because we feel that there are many opportunities in that space and in the marine business too but more in the non-oil sector so that we can diversify the risk of oil and gas.
Therefore we may look at acquiring vessels in this area for dry product movement," he said.
Ugoji remarked that the company would continue to support the nation’s infrastructure development.
"Nigeria is moving more and more towards infrastructure development and for a company like C & I Leasing, we believe that we can play a role in that sphere by facilitating such operations.”
“C&I Leasing, is a 32 year old company with so much experience in managing assets. That experience can be brought to bear in supporting Nigeria in that direction.
“Tax moderation can help, and for a company like ours, we want to expand further to logistics, so that means, we require the right kind of infrastructure that can help us.
“We thank our shareholders for their patience; we also ask them to give us that support for us to be able to transform some of these initiatives into cogent sustainable benefits for them" he said.
Ugoji stated that the company would ensure enhanced returns on investment for shareholders in the years ahead.
He said that the management would remain committed to operational efficiency.
According to him, inflation and other macroeconomic challenges have fundamentally impacted the leasing business in Nigeria directly.
The company's Chairman, Dr Samuel Maduka Onyishi, said the profit before tax for the Group increased by 9.5 per cent to N542 million during the period under review from N490 million in 2020.
Onyishi said that the company’s core business lines: fleet management, outsourcing and marine services, remained sustainable in the review period.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has again slammed a visa ban on Nigerians seeking to visit Dubai.
The ban was conveyed In a notice issued to the country's trade partners in Nigeria, including travel agents.
"All Dubai applications submitted are now rejected”, the notice stated, adding that the rejections will be sent in batches.
The rejections, according to the notice, “are general for Nigerians and approvals are on hold at the moment."
It equally specified that there would be no refund for rejected applications.
Although, no reason was given for the drastic measure taken by the UAE, THEWILL however learnt that the visa rejections are the latest decision made by the UAE Immigration authorities on their engagement with Nigerians
“Kindly advise your clients to resubmit C2=A0 applications when the issue is resolved between both governments", the notice to the Nigerian travel agents further declared.
Atotal turnover of 938.020 million shares worth N16.701 billion in 15,700 deals was traded this week by investors on the floor of the Exchange, in contrast to a total of 491.815 million shares valued at N11.922 billion that exchanged hands last week in 14,350 deals.
The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 501.278 million shares valued at N5.080 billion traded in 8,279 deals; thus contributing 53.44% and 30.42% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.
The ICT Industry followed with 316.347 million shares worth N8.729 billion in 1,249 deals. The third place was the Oil and Gas Industry, with a turnover of 28.244 million shares worth N983.561 million in 846 deals.
Trading in the top three equities namely CWG Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc. (measured by volume) accounted for 490.324million shares worth N2.905 billion in 2,860 deals, contributing 52.27% and 17.39% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.
The NGX All-Share Index and Market Capitalization depreciated by 6.67% to close the week at 44,396.73 and N24.182 trillion respectively. Similarly, all other indices finished lower with the exception of NGX CG, NGX Banking, NGX Pension, NGX AFR Bank, NGX AFR Div Yield, NGX MERI Growth, NGX MERI Value and NGX Industrial which appreciated by 0.17%, 0.15%, 0.58%, 2.10%, 2.45%, 1.22%, 3.12% and 3.22% respectively, while the NGX ASeM, NGX Growth and NGX Sovereign Bond indices closed flat.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Thursday in Abuja, told a gathering designed for State Governors that the potentials of broadband are so enormous that if made available for their citizens, will be the best gift for their economic emancipation.
Pantami told the state governors and their representatives and other industry stakeholders at the maiden edition of Broadband Technical Awareness Forum for Governors (BTAF), organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), where Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, gave an impressive report card about what he has already achieved with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the education sector, and many other sectors of the Edo State economy.
Pantami stated that greater support and collaboration will be required from the State governors towards addressing challenges to broadband infrastructure deployment by the telecom companies, which are expected to deploy required infrastructure to provide broadband services in all nooks and crannies of Nigeria.
“This is because, more than ever before, our security, economic and educational development rely on having state-based broadband structure and framework that will articulate the key targets in the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 20202025, and this is the essence of this forum today,” he said.
According to the Minister, access to broadband is globally recognized today as a necessity and not luxury and that explains Federal Government’s decision to develop broadband plans aimed at deepening incountry connectivity to enhance socioeconomic development.
The Minister who established correlations between broadband penetration and growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), stated that countries with high density of broadband networks have higher GDP per capita for the citizens. He said the steady growth in broadband penetration over the years in Nigeria is directly reflecting on the economic growth of the country.
Gov. Obaseki, who delivered a goodwill message on behalf of other state governors and listed efforts made by state governments in encouraging broadband infrastructure deployment, assured stakeholders of the readiness and willingness of the state governments to work more with the Federal Government but emphasized the need for increased open dialogue and trust between the States and the Federal Government.
Representatives of other state governors also expressed their determination to cooperate more with the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the NCC and other telecoms companies to facilitate deployment of fibre infrastructure which they believe would improve the socio-economic lives of citizens.
Chairman, Board of Commissioners at NCC, Prof. Adeolu Akande, had in his remarks, said Nigeria deserves to be in tune as the world goes digital in all spheres, as we cannot afford to lag in being among the countries leveraging broadband for socioeconomic development.
Businesses in emerging economies, large, small and micro, continue to bear the brunt of inflation, high energy costs (diesel or electricity), and, more broadly, global economic turbulence, which has snowballed into a slew of challenges that increasingly threaten the survival of many enterprises across all sectors. Attention to businesses, particularly small businesses, continues to heighten.
This is because of the increasingly difficult times and widespread uncertainty in many countries due to post pandemic consequences. Therefore, more and more businesses are looking for ways to fight back against the harsh economy and hostile environments. One of the ways widely considered, based on the author's observation, is the change of business location to reduce the cost of doing business, in particular for rent reduction.
Lately, it has been observed that more businesses with headquarters and main base of operations or offices in choice location, where they have established connections and network with customers, continue to relocate to neighbouring states and remote areas. This trend has been increasing in all sectors and industries post pandemic. The probing question is why?
According to a survey conducted in Lagos State, Nigeria's economic capital, the most common reason given by many business operators why relocation of businesses is receiving high consideration, was that it is a way to minimise the high rising cost of doing business, and remaining in business seems to be a top business priority for many of them.
The view is that location or relocation factor in a business should be more on overall business gains. That is to maximise income, enjoy access to competent workforce, be closer to customers and business resources amongst others. Many of them are not aware that these key variables adequately and effectively give competitive advantage to business. Location or relocation should not just be determined based cost of doing business. It can be concluded that location decisions at this time are typically driven by financial factors.
However, such linear decisions can have serious consequences on the non-financial factors such as customer retention, sales or market share growth, proximity to resources, or more broadly, long sustainability of the businesses. Let the truth be told, the choice of a business location is an economic decision and should only be considered strategically with thorough evaluation rather than just for financial reasons, that is reducing operating costs or on mere sentiments.
Because such sharp decision can influence the conditions in which the business activity is subsequently conducted. If a business selects a wrong location, it may have an adverse effect on access to customers, competent workers, good transportation, access to resources, and so on. Consequently, it should be done with caution and strategically because location plays a significant role in overall business success.
The criteria dictating the location of businesses in the past were, for example, access to raw materials, low costs of labour force and production means, costs of transport or benefits from government amongst others. But presently, in Lagos State, what drives business location is the cost of doing business. Whereas globalisation and technology have been the most important factors in industrialised countries, where remote work and digital adoption has been on the rise.
A location strategy is especially critical now in a postCOVID economy and it is especially crucial for these
small businesses since location can determine the going concern and earnings to support the business. Where a business is set up can have a significant impact on its success; a poor choice can jeopardise potential income, dissuade existing customers, increase delivery costs, and compromise future business growth and related supporting industries. When examining the role of location, it suffices to mention that some start-ups and small businesses may just require a website and a presence on the internet. That can offer better proximity to customers than a physical location where the cost of running the business is high. For businesses in retail, traditional stores may be complemented with technology and an online presence, reducing the number of outlets or branches.
The new normal has clearly demonstrated that technology and digital adoption can provide a competitive advantage while also lowering the cost of doing business, particularly the cost of running a business activity (rent, electricity, renumeration, local taxes and fees). The COVID-19 crisis has brought rapid
change in the way businesses in all sectors and regions conduct their operations.
Largely, the COVID-19 crisis has removed the technology barrier in business and the introduction of many applications to improve operations and globalisation are now available. Adopting digitization and the use of technology to improve customer and supply-chain interactions is increasing globally. Some businesses have even re-strategized and moved part of their business operations online, implementing more than 60% of their business operations on the internet.
This is also a location for a business to stay competitive and reduce the cost of doing business in a hostile environment, not just physical change or relocation. Many businesses are currently struggling as a result of their adherence to the old-fashioned brick-and-mortar business model, despite the fact that the new normal has been established through the effective use of technology and digital channels.
The important thing to note is that new strategies, business models, and practices are required for businesses to stay profitable and stem the tide of high inflation, harsh environmental conditions, and weak consumer spending. Technology's strategic importance has to be recognised in business dealings going forward and as a critical component of the business.
It can provide a source of business cost efficiencies and also global accessibility. Research has shown that the location of a business is one of its most important factors for success, and online is also a location. Perhaps, across sectors, businesses may need to refocus their offerings, fill the technology gaps by adopting digital channels, increase their online presence and develop digital products more. This may just be the strategic location businesses need to consider at this time.
•Dr Olubiyi is an Entrepreneurship and Business Management expert.
The new normal has clearly demonstrated that technology and digital adoption can provide a competitive advantage while also lowering the cost of doing business
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In this concluding part of the series on celebrities in support of each of the presidential candidates of the three major political parties, SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN presents a list of those who are passionately working towards the emergence of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, as the next President of Nigeria:
Seasoned actor, Frederick Leonard has joined other Nollywood stars to endorse Peter Obi for President. The actor posted a statement on social media, saying that he had decided to support the Labour Party presidential candidate. Leonard also posted a photograph of Obi and himself on a social media platform and pledged unwavering support for Obi, whether he wins or not.
He wrote, "This is where I stand for the 2023 presidential elections. I shall continue to give my unwavering support for Peter Obi and the Labour Party. Win or not, I remain Obident". He has since been giving credence to every positive assertion about his preferential presidential candidate.
music star, Chinagorom Onuoha, otherwise known as African China, has always been vocal about the state of the nation. He is one of a few artistes bold enough to call out the nonperforming governments via his lyrics.
The Orile-bred superstar has not stopped being an advocate of a better country. He boldly declared his support for the presidential candidate of the Labour party, Peter Obi. The Afro pop singer took to social media to publicly declare that Obi would have his vote in 2023. However, he has issued Obi a warning ahead of time, not to disappoint him when he gets to the seat of power.
Sensational musical twins, Paul and Peter Okoye, have been encouraging the youths to prepare for the forthcoming general election. Their social media pages have turned to a mini-campaign ground for a better Nigeria. The twins have at different times charged Nigerians to get their PVC's ready ahead of the election. They have both made it clear that Obi is their choice as far as the 2023 election is concerned.
Peter went as far as changing his Twitter display picture to that Peter Obi. He once confronted Ovation Magazine publisher and former presidential aspirant of the People's Democratic Party, Dele Momodu over his claims that Obi cannot win the 2023 election.
The twins have also encouraged Nigerians to vote for Obi as the right choice in the coming general election.
Ace comedian, Okechukwu Onyegbule, also known as Okey Bakassi, is one of the numerous entertainers supporting the standard bearer of the Labour Party with several tweets about the presidential candidate. He has been throwing his weight behind Peter Obi and has not looked back since then. The standup comedian made it known that other presidential candidates wouldn't have to continue to engage in constant medical trips abroad at their old age when Obi emerges as the winner of the election because he will fix Nigeria.
Zubby Michael also joined the league of celebrities endorsing Peter Obi for President. The actor posted a picture of Peter Obi with the logo of the Labour party on his Instagram page. He wrote beside the picture "The man for the job". His endorsement is coming a few weeks after many thought the actor was supporting the Peoples Democratic Party's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar because of his affiliation with Nana Atiku, one of Atiku's greatest supporters.
Nollywood actress, Hilda Dokubo, publicly declared her support for Peter Obi. The actress has been saying it loud and clear that she is proudly 'Obidient,' a term for Peter Obi supporters. She singlehandedly staged a 2 million-man march for the Labour Party presidential candidate in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in August. The actress and millions of Nigerians defied a downpour for that march. She has since been assertive about Obi’s capability to lead the country in 2023.
According to her, Obi has the potential to rebuild and clean up Nigeria if he is given the chance. Her Instagram posts are usually targeted at convincing the youth to get their Permanent Voters Card as the 2023 general election gradually approches. She has also signified interest to contest in the National Assembly election in Asaiga Akulga Federal Constituency in Rivers State on the platform of the Labour Party.
Controversial clergy and founder of Omega Fire Ministry, Apostle Johnso Suleiman is throwing his weight behind Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party. Suleman, like other celebrities, made his preference known on his social media pages. He wrote Peter Obi in capital letters on his Instagram page without making any further comment. He advised his followers and Nigerians at large to get their PVC and fulfill their civic responsibility as citizens.
Entertainer and activist, Charles Oputa, otherwise known as Charly Boy, publicly threw his weight behind Peter Obi via his Twitter handle. He made it known that he would stage the biggest rally for the presidential candidate He lived up to his words a few weeks later by staging a 5 million-man solidarity march which had a lot of youths in attendance in Lagos.
The septuagenarian also made it known that he would relocate to Ghana if the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu or his counterpart, the presidential candidate of the People's Democratic candidate, Atiku Abubakar win the 2023 election.
Actor turned lawyer and politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, became a full supporter of Peter Obi when he defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Labour Party because of the former’s Muslim-Muslim ticket. The respected lawyer endorsed Obi because of his desire to see good governance in the country. After his defection, Okonkwo assumed the role of national spokesperson for a pro-Obi group known as the Dynamic Ambassadors for Peter Obi (DAPO) a support group for Peter Obi's election in 2023. The Labour Party chieftain has since been speaking on behalf of the party and the chances of its presidential candidate in 2023. He has appeared in different national television programmes where he spoke passionately about his party's candidate. He is also one of his party's spokespersons for the South-East in the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Council.
Veteran actress, Patience Ozokwo, otherwise known as Mama G, is proudly a supporter of Peter Obi. She made her open endorsement during the fundraising event for the 40 Million Ballots Movement of the Labour Party which took place a few weeks ago. The group had put the event together to raise funds to support Obi and his running mate, Baba-Ahmed Datti ahead of the election. She is throwing her weight behind Obi because according to her, he has the capability to transform the nation's economy and prudently use its resources judiciously. She requested support from Nigerians as they raised funds for the Labour Party presidential candidate. She also composed a song in Igbo language about Obi which she taught those present at the event.
Former President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) and founder of Legends of Nollywood Awards, Paul Obazele, threw his weight behind the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi after he joined his colleagues to stage a 40 Million Ballot Movement, a fundraiser for Obi to support his presidential campaign. The funds raised through the campaign will be used to fight rigging, violence and all forms of election malpractice. The actor has since been trying to convince the youths about the candidacy of the Labour Party Chieftain.
Singer Augustine Miles Kelechi, popularly known as Tekno, boldly showed his support for a Peter Obi presidency after tweeting the name of the Labour Party presidential candidate on his Twitter handle. The singer who hardly meddles in political matters didn't make any clarification about his tweets. He has since been silent about anything relating to politics.
Award winning writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, endorsed Peter Obi during his 61st birthday in July. The renowned author penned a lovely note to the former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party where she narrated how the chieftain has been a good family friend, about his prudence and unwavering passion to see Nigeria rise above its challenges. She also narrated how Obi has supported her over the years and ended her personal goodwill message with a promise to cast her vote for Obi and his running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba Ahmed in 2023.
Seyi Awolowo, Nollywood actor and grandson of late Yoruba Nationalist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, made it to the Labour Party's Presidential Campaign Council. The list for the party’s PPC was officially released on Tuesday last week. The young man has been using his social media platform to encourage his fans and followers to prepare for the next election and vote in credible leaders.
Comic actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has also indicated that he is proudly supporting Peter Obi. The actor was at the 40 Million Ballots Movement for Labour Party in collaboration with Celebrities for Peter Obi (CEPO) which took place two weeks ago. The comic actor was initially confused about his choice of presidential candidate at first. He initially endorsed Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, but when he realized his mistake, he made a U-turn and switched over to Peter Obi's camp.
Comic actor, Imeh Bishop, otherwise known as Okon Lagos, is probably the most vocal actor when it comes to anything that has to do with the forthcoming general election in Nigeria. He is always encouraging the youths to be actively involved in politics. He was one of the actors who supported Peter Obi during the fundraiser set up for him a few weeks ago.
According to the actor, Obi may not be a saint, but among the three most prominent presidential candidates, he is the harmless one. He advised those who are fond of finding faults with others to always remember that no one is a saint but should focus on the one with the lesser sin.
Ngozi Orji, the actress cum singer has said that her vote is for Peter Obi come 2023. This is despite the fact that her husband, veteran Nollywood actor, Zack Orji is a staunch supporter of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress and is a member of the party's Presidential Campaign Council.
Standup comedian, Klint Igwemba, also known as Klint da Drunk, showed support for Peter Obi's presidential ambition after he attended the 40 Million Ballot Movement, the fundraiser set up to support Obi's presidential campaign. The humour merchant is endorsing Obi because of his integrity and passion to transform the economy of the country. He might not be one of the vocal comedians who have been commenting on the state of the nation and the forthcoming general election, but the talented actor is clearly rooting for the Labour Party presidential candidate.
Human Rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, is also among the supporters of Peter Obi. Although she has made it known that her loyalty is to Nigeria, but Obi will surely have her support and vote in 2023.
The Co-Convener of #BringBackOurGirls didn't hesitate to tackle the former speaker of the House of Representative, Emeka Ihedioha who called Obi's supporters saboteurs. She expressed her confidence in the former Anambra State governor's capacity to make Nigeria work again and she has been telling those who care to listen that they should also consider her preferential candidate next year.
Rapper Michael Ugochukwu Stephen, also known as Ruggedman, is actively in support of Obi’s candidacy. He made it known that he is supporting the Labour Party via his Twitter handle. The singer posted the initials of Peter Obi on Twitter and left his fans to decode what he meant.
Singer Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike, also known as Phyno, is one of the musicians rooting for Peter Obi. He was one of the artistes who attended the Town Hall meeting organised by the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, which took place in Washington DC, United States. The meeting happened when Obi was touring different countries in both Europe and America where he made strategic consultations about his political ambition with Nigerians in the Diaspora.
Nollywood actress and fitness enthusiast, Kate Henshaw is supporting Peter Obi. She publicly made this known after Obi declared his intention to contest for the presidential seat under the platform of the Labour Party. She took to the comment section of the politician to write an emphatic 'Yes' without making any further comment. She also posted a video of Obi where he was addressing some students and commented that he is the type of leader Nigerians are hoping for in 2023.
Influencer, Noble Igwe, is rooting for the presidential candidate of the Labour party, Peter Obi. Igwe has taken sides with Obi on some occasions when Obi's followers were criticised for being overly supportive or abusive. His Twitter handle has been used on several occasions to defend Obi from his detractors.
Activist and convener of #ndsars movement, Rinu Oduala is throwing her weight behind Peter Obi. She took to her social media to declare her vote for him. She was also part of the rally that took place in Lagos for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party. Oduala has been vocal about youths getting their Permanent Voters Card and using it to change their fortune and that of the nation in 2023. She once said, "obedience is better than a sack of rice."
Singer Chinedu Okoli, more popularly known as Flavour, is also throwing his weight behind Peter Obi. He did so when he attended a Town Hall meeting in Washington DC, United States. Obi was touring different countries in both Europe and America, making strategic consultations about his political ambition with Nigerians in the Diaspora. The singer promised Obi his unwavering support in his political journey to the polls in 2023.
Nollywood actor Charles Inojie is rooting for Peter Obi. He made this known while reacting to a video of the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki who was addressing the rise of Obi's fan base ahead of the next general election. According to him, Nigerian youths want the best man for the job, irrespective of where he comes and his religious background. He added that they are determined to commit their votes to the man who can guarantee a secured future for them and Obi is that man. He encouraged his fans to equally join him to support an Obi presidency.
Media personality, Ifedayo Olarinde, also known as Daddy Freeze is proudly a supporter of Peter Obi. The controversial personality openly endorsed Peter Obi after Freedom Atsepoyi, also known as Mr Jollof, was being criticised for standing with Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress,. According to Daddy Freeze, his vote is for the Labour Party because he loves the presidential candidate though he values other presidential candidates as well. He advised the youths to vote for their favourite presidential candidates in peace and love without being violent and abusive about it.
This former housemate in the Season Seven edition of the Big Brother Naija reality tv show tagged ‘Level Up’ is a proud Peter Obi supporter. While he was still a housemate in the reality show, he once wore a hoodie as the head of the house which had the inscription, 'Be Obident and Useful'. The inscription stands for the slogan of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba Ahmed. The inscription was derived from the names of the two aspirants.
Nollywood actor, Chidi Mokeme is a proud Peter Obi supporter. He has been canvassing support for Obi with his social media platform. Most of his recent posts are centred on who the credible candidate for the 2023 election should be. He created a hashtag Obident, Leader, President in some of his posts on Instagram.
According to the actor, Obi is the man who can fix Nigeria. He has since been encouraging his fans and followers to join him in endorsing the Labour Party presidential candidate and also prepare to vote for him in the coming election.
Modupe Oladele, also known as Moe, is a female Nigerian lawyer and one of the leaders and financiers of the #EndSARS protests. She is a diehard fan of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. She declared via a tweet that she would support Obi’s candidacy financially. According to her, she was led to deploy her financial resources to assist Obi and his running mate, Baba Ahmed. The lawyer had to fly into Nigeria a few months ago just to get her permanent voter card in preparation for the 2023 election.
Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited has won an arbitration case instituted by Ignite Investment Limited in the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) over the share purchase agreement reached on the sale of Forte Oil Plc, formerly owned by billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola before he sold it to the latter.
Zenon Petroleum was awarded $19.2 million by the LCIA in the dispute.
In the judgment delivered earlier this month, the tribunal ruled in favour of Zenon in three out of the four claims and ordered that Ignite make the shared purchase agreed payments less the amount awarded for one of the claims.
Recall that in June 2019, Otedola and his company, Zenon Petroleum and Gas company, reached an agreement with AbdulWasiu Sowami and his company, Prudent Energy Services Limited and Ignite Investments, for the purchase of 74 per cent share capital in Forte Oil Plc. Otedola sold the shares of Forte oil for $200 million at the time.
Ogun State-born Sowami was unable to
pay the entire sum and so the payment was structured in such a way that he would pay the money in tranches.
Prudent Energy and Services Limited and Sowami had provided a guarantee in favour of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited and its affiliates for the prompt payment of the deferred consideration as at when due. The sum of $6 million being part of the deferred consideration became due on June 18, 2022, and despite the demand letters served on Prudent Energy and Services Limited and its CEO, the debt was not paid.
Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited had therefore urged a Federal High court in Lagos to wind up Prudent Energy and Services Limited on the ground of inability to pay its debts as earlier reported by THEWILL. However, before Otedola approached the court for the balance of his payment, Ignite Investments had triggered a dispute notice via a letter dated June 17, 2020, wherein the company had alleged claims for a breach of warranty relating
to the share purchase agreement. The dispute notice had alleged that Zenon breached certain warranties under the share purchase agreement.
Both parties had agreed to meet with the intention to find a solution to the alleged claims by Ignite. Unfortunately, the meeting ended in a stalemate, following which Ignite filed a claim at the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) on the 18th of December 2020. Zenon then filed its response to the claim and counter-claimed against Ignite. A tribunal was then appointed by the LCIA consisting of three arbitrators namely Messrs Alain Choo Choy QC as the Presiding Arbitrator, Oba Nsugbe QC SAN and Segun Osuntokun. The tribunal held the hearing of the matter on the 6th to the 9th of December, 2021, wherein all parties presented their case and cross-examined individual witnesses from both parties. And this month, the tribunal gave its judgement and awarded in favour of Zenon.
He is only 31, the youngest Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) awardee and the brain behind one of the biggest rice mills in Nigeria worth N2.5 billion. He is Sadiq Abubakar Falau. He runs FaLGates Foods, a rice production and milling venture in Kaduna State, which grows, processes, packs and sells parboiled rice. But how did a 31-year-old manage to mobiliase the capital to build a N2.5 billion rice mill in Kaduna, with a processing capacity of about 300 metric tons per day, that is over 100,000 metric tons per annum?
While studying for a master’s degree in innovation management and entrepreneurship in China, Falau was wowed by the investment that the Asian giant made in agriculture. He toured their rice fields and learnt all he could about rice production. Then he returned
to Nigeria and attempted to replicate the feat that he saw in China.
He was inexperienced, didn’t have much capital to hire expertise in that field, but he wanted to achieve what he saw in China. He got his mother to become his first investor and she did with an appreciable sum, in addition to the money he made from trading goods as a student in China.
With that, he bought an integrated rice processing mill in early 2017. This enabled him to process rice, using that one plant. He had just eight employees. He learnt how to run a factory without experience, dealt with losses and at some point, even lived in the factory.
His inexperience however almost led the company to fold two years later.
Without any working capital to acquire a place of his own, he ended up with fixed assets on a rented premise that had a short-term lease. After a short while, the owner wanted his place back and Falau had to disassemble his plant and sell it bit by bit. After he disposed of its plant, he outsourced production and continued selling his rice brand, FaLGates. It cost him more to remain in business and reduced his profit but he trudged on.
Then COVID-19 pandemic happened.
The pandemic brought along with it many lessons and challenges for entrepreneurs, but Falau saw the lessons in it and reaffirmed his insistence to remain in the business having seen that the food business is it. After all, pandemic or not, people will have to eat and most Nigerians like to consume
rice. Another thing that kept him going during his trying period was his customer base, wholesalers in Kaduna and other parts of the country.
He took a business risk, selling on credit to wholesalers. Despite the fact that some took advantage of his selling on credit, the majority however, didn't let him down and his business risk soon paid off. He soon began making profit and at a point made profit in excess of half a million dollars. Before long, he became an authority in the rice milling business and began to consult for investors and businesses that wanted to open rice mills.
One of the investors ended up becoming his business partner, and together, they built the single largest rice milling plant in Kaduna State valued at $5 million.
The fund came through equity and debt financing. FaLGates currently processes up to 50,000 metric tonnes of rice per year, with a turnover of $3.4 million per annum in revenue.
Having made a success of his rice milling business, Falau has his sights set on trading in maize and is looking into beef farming as well, to use the rice bran from his mill as feed. The company’s goal is to grow organically by boosting acreage under cultivation as well as expanding into the southeast region of Nigeria, which consumes more rice than the rest of the country. For all of his achievements, at a relatively young age, he was among the 442 recipients of national awards recently by President Muhammadu Buhari.
At some point in his career as a public administrator, Olasupo Shasore, SAN, was being marketed to the people of Lagos State by a former governor, Babatunde Fashola to be his successor. And why not? Shasore was believed to have recorded several years of sterling performances in public administration. The legal luminary was a very important figure in Fashola's government from 2007 to 2011 as the justice commissioner and the attorney-general.
Infact, Fashola recruited him to join him in steering the ship of Lagos State as he believed they both shared similar vision and passion for a new Lagos.
After Fashola's first tenure, Shasore left the cabinet in 2011, a move which many considered as strategic by Fashola to get him ready to take over from him in 2015. Unfortunately, their plans collapsed like a pack of badly arranged cards, forcing him to go into oblivion. He would soon return to public consciousness after his name came up in the scandal involving Process and Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID), an Irish vulture-fund backed shell company, alongside some public officials working for the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation and the Ministry of Petroleum, on alleged bribes totalling $200,000.
In 2010, P&ID entered a 20-year gas contract with Nigeria. Under the terms of the contract, the company was supposed to build and operate a plant to refine natural gas into lean gas in Calabar, the Cross River State capital. The gas was being flared in the Niger Delta anyway; and the federal government thought it was good business to have a company convert some of that wasted, poisonous gas into electricity in the face of Nigeria’s perennial power woes. The contract also stated that the government would install the necessary pipelines and infrastructure and receive the lean gas, free of charge to power Nigeria’s fragile national grid. P&ID would then sell the by-products of propane, ethane and butane on
the international market. For some reason, the contract was never executed and in 2012, P&ID dragged Nigeria to court, alleging breach of contract. P&ID won the case and was awarded the sum of $9.5 billion.
On September 19, 2019, a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted two of P&ID’s representatives in Nigeria of charges bordering on money laundering, abuse of office and economic sabotage.
The court also ordered P&ID to forfeit all its assets to the Nigerian government.
The company representatives had pleaded guilty to 11 counts of fraud, money laundering, tax evasion and other charges.
P&ID called the judgment of the court in Nigeria a "sham" and a clear case of intimidation. The firm also stated that it had not received communication from the Nigerian authorities on the investigations.
The company said it would continue its efforts to identify and seize Nigerian assets to recover its money ($9.5 billion). Later that same year, a Federal Government delegation headed to the UK to persuade a British court to set aside the order permitting P&ID to seize $9.6 billion worth of assets from Nigeria.
Shasore was hired to defend Nigeria's interest against the monstrous and fraudulent claim.
However, Sir Ross Cranston of the UK High Court of Justice Queen’s Bench Division Commercial Court put Shasore’s conduct under scrutiny during the duration of the case and concluded that he was allegedly compromised as he allegedly, deliberately defended the case thinly at the first two stages of the arbitration with the inevitable result that Nigeria would lose the case.
Shasore was alleged to have advised a speedy settlement without investigating the obvious line of defence that P&ID with no experience, assets or finance, would not perform and then concealed his firm's involvement. It would seem
the chikens have come to roost as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission which was hot on his heels, on Thursday, arraigned him for allegedly laundering the sum of $200,000. EFCC claimed he committed the alleged offense on or about November 18, 2014.
The anti-graft agency claimed in the charge that Shasore allegedly induced a former Legal Director at the Petroleum Ministry, Olufolakemi Adelore, in accepting cash payment of the sum of $100,000 without going through a financial institution.
The charge also added that he also allegedly induced and allegedly made another cash payment of $100, 000 to one Ikechukwu
Oguine without going through a financial institution. Not only did the anti-graft agency say the sums exceeded the amount permitted by law, it added that the alleged offenses contravened sections 78(c); 1(a) and 16(1)(d) and 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and were punishable under sections 16(6) and 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.
Shasore however pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on self-recognizance in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in the like sum. The case has now been adjourned till November 24, 2022, for the commencement of the trial.
There doesn't seem to be an end in sight to the unpalatable tales that keeps springing out of Nigeria's tech industry. Risevest, an investment app, has joined the long list of tech companies battling to keep their reputation intact. Its founder and CEO, Eke Urum has been asked to step down after being found guilty of sexual impropriety and abuse of power. Urum was suspended in August after allegations of sexual and
non-sexual abuse by a staff. The company in a statement following his suspension said Urum willingly agreed to step aside as the CEO to allow for a six-week investigation, set up by Risevest’s investors, to run its course. The company said the six-week probe could not establish sexual assault.
A three-man panel made up of Tomi Davies of TVC Labs as Chairperson; Dunoluwa Longe of TLP Advisory as Legal Adviser and Toun Tunde-Anjous of The People Practice as People and Culture Adviser was set up to begin investigation into the matter. Following the end of the investigations, evidence showed sexual relations with an employee; unwanted, inappropriate jokes and conversations revealed sexual impropriety. It also showed a pattern of abuse of power, intimidation, retaliation and workplace bullying.
The investigation team interacted with nearly 60 former and current employees before reaching its decisions. The panel recommended
that Urum should not be reinstated as CEO.
Tony Odiba, the current Head of Operations, who has been with Risevest since its inception, was asked to lead the company as the interim CEO, According to the company, Odiba will remain in acting capacity until a substantive chief executive officer is appointed while Urum remains a nonexecutive board member and will lead the firm’s investment strategy and provide guidance on technology.
Founded in 2019 by the trio of Bosun Olanrewaju, Urum, and Odiba, Risevest is a leading stock investment app, a startup that allows Africans to invest in foreign investment opportunities. In August 2021, Risevest, which then had over 12,000 people present in its Telegram learning community, was one of four fintech companies whose accounts the Nigerian central bank froze for 180 days for engaging in speculative trading that allegedly weakened the naira against the dollar.
Yetunde Asika, wife of foremost Nigerian creative entrepreneur and founder of Storm 360, Obi Asika, has been appointed as a Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of Bandung Africa.
Bandung Africa are the organisers of the famous Bandung Conference, which promotes Afro-Asian economic and cultural cooperation, while engaging in the development of Pan African climate change and conservation solutions to address regional and global challenges linking Africans in the diaspora and on the continents.
Asika will be joining other members of the team to plan and strategise ahead of the Bandung Conference taking place in November.
The UK-trained lawyer is an international human rights lawyer.
She has been in the forefront of civil society work globally. She was a former International Criminal Tribunal Legal Practitioner for the United Nations and a former member of the U40Y Advisory Panel to the UK Home Secretary providing strategic recommendations to members of the Parliament on government and law. She sits atop several boards and she is also a trustee for several NGOs.
Renowned pharmacist, Dr Chukwuka Obiora, the Executive Chairman of Greenlife Pharmaceuticals Ltd and his wife, Obiageli, will be rolling out the drums in a classy ceremony as he gives his daughter's hand in marriage.
The Anambra State-born businessman is leaving no stone unturned to celebrate his second daughter, Ijeoma Rozeeta Obiora and her beau, Nonso Davis in a talk of the town white wedding scheduled to take place on November, 5, 2022.
The sexagenarian may not be among the businessmen who flaunt their wealth at every given opportunity, but he is leaving no stone unturned to fete socialites, captains of industries and governors at the ceremony. His daughter, Ijeoma Rozeeta is a fashion designer and Chief Executive Officer of Uwewoman, a bespoke maternity styling and clothing company for
The sleepy town of Fiditi in Oyo State was agog on October 22 when renowned oil tycoon and leading subsea production expert, Babajide Agunbiade and his wife, Funke, were crowned the Asiwaju and Yeye Asiwaju of Fiditi town in Oyo State. The oil mogul, who is based in Houston, Texas in the United States, was honoured by His Royal Highness, Oba Oyelere Oyewole, the Onifiditi of Fiditi town in a colourful celebration befitting royalty.
The royal father honoured the Agunbiades for their various philanthropic gestures which have led to community development and their patriotism to the progress of their fatherland. Agunbiade also played a major role in ensuring that Fiditi had a traditional ruler in 2021 after 13 years without a king. Its former traditional ruler, Oba Amos Ogunkunle passed on in 2008. Due to kingship tussle and neglect by the government, the town was denied the privilege of having a king for a long period.
However, through Agunbiade's influence and intervention, a new king was crowned in 2021. Aside their new titles as the Asiwaju and Yeye Asiwaju of Fiditi land, the businessman and his amiable wife were also crowned the Atobaase and Yeye Atobaase of Yorubaland in 2021 by the late Alaafin of Oyo State, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi amidst pump and pageantry in Oyo State.
The Minister of State in the Federal Ministry of Mines and Development, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, has bagged two chieftaincy titles. The former lawmaker is now the Yeye Midan of Akure kingdom. The chieftaincy title was conferred on her by the Deji of Akure, His Royal Highness, Oba Aladetoyinbo Oguntade Aladelusi. The royal father gave her the title for her contribution in Ondo State and Nigeria in general when she was the Minister of Transportation in Nigeria.
The Emir of Yashikira, in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Umani Seriki Usman also conferred on Saraki, Ga'atar Ma'atar of Yashikira Emirate. The elated chief took to social media to share the good news and to express her deep appreciation to the two royal fathers. She revealed that she is humbled by the two traditional titles and her little contribution has been greatly appreciated by the two kings. She promised to do more towards entrenching gender advocacy, grassroots political engagements and pushing the envelope of true leadership in different communities and the country at large.
Real estate mogul cum philanthropist, Kennedy Okonkwo, otherwise known as Ned Okonkwo, left no stone unturned to mark his 45th birthday last week.
The wealthy and enterprising businessman staged a carnivallike event with a black and gold themed party, which took place at the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island.
It was a gathering of the socialites, real estate
ladies and children.
Rozeeta followed the footsteps of her father by studying Pharmacy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. She is the second daughter and third child of six children. Her beau, Nonso Davis is an indigene of Imo State. He is a graduate of Computer Science from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi Ghana.
moguls and other eminent personalities from different walks of life. One of the highlights of the event was the live performance of RnB singers, Styl-Plus. Okonkwo is a great fan of the singing group, so they were invited to serenade the celebrant and guests in attendance with their songs, which kept guests on their feet for a very long time. The celebrant took to stage to perform one of their hit songs, Run Away for his beautiful wife. According to him, he was unable to afford them when he proposed to her when they met and started dating many years ago.
Singer David Adeleke, also known as Davido was also in attendance and he took over the stage briefly to honour the celebrant with a performance. From Ojoto, Anambra State, the graduate of University of Ibadan is the founder of Nedcomoaks Limited, a real estate firm. He is also the founder of Kennedy Okonkwo Programme for Tech entrepreneurs and sponsor of the Eti Osa community Oba's cup.
Photo Editor: Peace Udugba [08033050729]
On May 10, 2022, 29 children died in a boat mishap at Gidan Magana, a riverine community in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The only way Abdullahi Sani could make sense of what happened on that day was to assume that the incident was an act of God.
Sani, a 40-year-old farmer and father of 10, had just returned from his farm and was about to rest when he was informed that some children had drowned in River Shagari. The informant knew that nine out of the 29 children that perished in the river, belonged to Musa, but he decided to be silent.
Upon his arrival at the riverside, Musa joined some local divers who were struggling to recover the bodies of the children, even though he knew some of the victims were his children.
"It was the saddest moment of my life, having seen my children's lifeless bodies being removed from the deep water,'' Musa said. Recounting the sad moment, Musa said his children, aged between 8 and 15, had left for a nearby village in search of firewood for commercial purposes.
The bereaved father bemoaned that the sudden demise of his children had left him and his two wives in excruciating pain. One
of his wives is battling mental illness as a result of the trauma resulting from the sudden loss.
Musa was not only the bereaved father on the spot, his neighbour, Maka'u Dan-Gado, whose two children were among the dead, had also joined the local divers I n their rescue mission.
"I can't still imagine that my children died in a single day. Another thing is that these children did not die through illness or something inevitable, but just because the government has failed to pay attention to our plight, "Dan-Gado said.
He recalled that the victims were returning from a nearby community where they had gone to fetch firewood when a strong current caused their boat to capsize.
"Since there was no school in our community, they usually go to inland areas and search for firewood for commercial purposes. Unfortunately, that day was their last outing.
"Their deaths have caused us more pain than ever," the bereaved father said.
Checks by THEWILL indicate that between January 2021 and May 2022, three cases of boat mishaps were recorded.
In June 2021, at least 13 people lost their lives when a boat ferrying wedding guests capsized at Doruwa Village. Most of the victims were women, children and aged persons.
THEWILL recalls a similar incident that occurred at Dangawa village with seven people dead. Majority of the victims were farmers and labourers working for a large-scale farmer across the river.
The scenes of devastation in Shagari communities replicated the plight of riverine communities across Nigeria at the mercy of floods in the past years, while the Nigerian authorities made no effort to curtail its negative impact.
Data from the Nigeria Watch showed that 1,607 lives were lost in 180 boat accidents between June 2006 and May 2015. Also, in 2020, about 350 lives were lost to boat accidents in the country.
Experts say that the absence of suitable and modern motorised boats to enable the locals navigate the water level within these communities is the major cause of loss of lives. For the residents of Gidan Magana and its environs, the experts' submission reflects their current ordeal.
Until recently, 31-year-old Haruna Gidan-Magana had never had cause to worry about the calm, narrow river that now torments his community.
Haruna, who fishes around the river, recalls how 13 people drowned when their boat capsized in June this year.
Findings by THEWILL indicate that River Shagari was a smaller stream and tributary that was not previously
This dam is the cause of immense destruction. The idea on the paper may be brilliant, but the reality is what you are seeing now many years after it was constructed. Its irrigation scheme purpose was never achieved
“
Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Abuja, saying, "the authority has no official responsibility on how the dam project was contracted."
But, contrary to Guluma's claims, the River Basin Development Authorities Act 1979 section 1 (1 and4), which listed the SRRBDA among 11 Basin Development Authorities says each shall undertake the function "to construct, operate and maintain dams, polders, dykes, wells, and drainage systems ..."
Further enquiries from climate experts reveal that at the root of the Shagari communities' problems was the fact that the earth dam was designed for the atmospheric realities that could no longer withstand the present climatic change in the area.
It is also believed that Shagari Dam was ill-constructed and not adequately equipped to respond to the demands of climate change in the area.
"The Shagari 'earth' Dam remains a major adversity within Shagari communities because rainfall patterns have shifted and extreme weather events increase yearly.
"This has rendered the dam incapacitated and more vulnerable to the people living around the riverside. Most of our dams are incapacitated due to climate change." Danjuma Hosea, a climatologist, asserts.
perceived as a threat to these communities until 2003, when the Federal Government, through its Ministry of Water Resources established earth-filled dams in some states.
The river, swampy in nature, was one of the irrigation schemes selected and expanded to the earth dam during former President Olusegun Obasanjo's tenure, while erstwhile Minister of Water Resources, Mukthar Shagari, had facilitated the dam project.
Records from the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA) indicate that the dam was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources through the Basin Authority in 2003.
In 2008, the dam construction was awarded to Messrs. C.G.C Nigeria Ltd, an indigenous construction firm, at the cost of N1.3 billion.
Nasiru Adamu, who works as a technician with the construction company, said the dam, which measures 2-kilometre diameters and 13-metre high, also has a 100-metre long and 11-metre high spillway.
"It is an earth-filled dam that was designed to supply irrigation and potable water for agrarian communities within Shagari Local Government Area, but that is not what we got from the dam,” Muhammadu said.
Since the construction of the dam, residents and media reports have continued to share ugly tales on how excess water from its drakes has caused several deaths and displaced thousands of people in the past.
In August 2018, Sokoto was among flood-prone states that witnessed the downpour that triggered massive flooding. The impact swept through several houses and destroyed public buildings.
It also caused a portion of the dam's structure to break away. Umar Magaji, a 40-year-old indigene of Gidan Magana, a locality in Shagari community, said they had never imagined that such a situation would arise in their neighbourhood.
"That year, all the 23 local government areas in the state were impacted. Shagari was among the most affected in Sokoto state. The year came with excess rains that were more than the normal average," he said.
Magaji and other residents believe the construction of the dam is affecting their lives and livelihoods. They claim that the dam has been dormant and not put into good use since 2007 when it was completed.
"The torrential rain triggered several landslides, forcing the release of excess water from Goronyo and Shagari dams in the state, further aggravating the impact of the flood," Magaji says.
Since the flood incident, aggrieved residents, mostly farmers and fishermen, have complained to the managers of the dam to redesign it in such a way that would not obstruct the course of the river and their farming activities.
They said the current state of the dam is hampering their means to livelihood and needed to be addressed.
During a recent tour of the dam by our correspondent, the impact of the flood was visible. Shehu Garba, a farmer from Gangam Village said the dam had caused his compatriots more harm than good.
"This dam is the cause of immense destruction. The idea on the paper may be brilliant, but the reality is what you are seeing now many years after it was constructed. Its irrigation scheme purpose was never achieved,” Garba said.
In response to the communities' claims, a Freedom of Information enquiry was filed by THEWILL and dated September 19, 2022.
It was addressed to the Managing Director, Sokoto River Rima Basin Development Authority, asking details about the dam execution and steps it had taken to improve dam safety in the face of climate change.
But the Authority, in a phone conversation through its Head of Procurement, Hashimu Guluma, responded that the office had no such data on the dam.
He told THEWILL to redirect such enquiries to the
When THEWILL visited Gidan Magana in August, the sun shone brightly, but the shadow of death hung over the community. A cross section of residents
interviewed by our correspondent said that with each passing day the entire community is reminded that it will remain neglected by dam authorities and the Sokoto State Government.
They recounted how the tragedy of losing their loved ones is now compounded by the failure of the state government to keep its promises.
Faruk Umar recalled how Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, had, during a condolence visit to the community, promised to provide two modern boats and lifesaving equipment that are suitable to navigate the river.
"The governor promised us that two modern boats and life jackets for passengers will be provided to our community without any delay. But, there was no sign of keeping to the promise,” he said.
"That was not all. A few days after the governor visited our community to sympathise with the bereaved families. Some government officials from the state emergency agency came to us to distribute relief materials, we told them that we were lacking other essential amenities, such as good roads, elementary schools and a big Mosque.
"They promised that the government would provide these for us, especially the road which is in a deplorable state. But since they left, we have not heard any feedback from them." Bashir Magaji, a youth representative claimed.
The Director-General, Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Nasiru Aliyu, in an interview with THEWILL admitted that the recurrence of such boat accidents was a source of concern to the state government.
OnTuesday, September 20, the new women's 100m hurdles World Record set by Nigeria's Oluwatobiloba Ayomide Amusan at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon, America, in July, was formally ratified by World Athletics, thereby placing a stamp of confirmation on her status as the first Nigerian to hold a World Record and entering same into the record books. It also put paid to the disconcerting voices that quickly queried the timestamps and sought to raise doubts about the reality of the clock, led prominently by the 200- and 400-metre legend Michael Johnson, who was working as a BBC television commentator for the event at the time.
The margin by which Amusan broke the record and the sheer number of personal and national records set by other competitors in the race, as well as the fact that the fourth, fifth, sixth, and eighth-place finishers in that semifinal also ran their best times ever, were both significant factors in the doubters' minds. The times set by the other three runners were the best of the year.
Amusan broke the previous record of 12.20 set by American Kendra Harrison in London in 2016 by setting a new record of 12.12 at a level of the competition where records are broken by the slimmest of margins. Indeed, four of the most recent world records in the event, for example, were above the previous marks by 0.01, 0.04, 0.01 and 0.03 seconds and none had been as much as the 0.08 seconds that Amusan shaved off the record she broke. One will have to go as far back as 1980 to find the last time the record was lowered by such a large margin.
It was enough to evoke questions of validity in the
minds of doubters like Johnson who publicly queried the record, stating in a Twitter post that he did not believe that the times for the race were correct. He supported his disbelief with the fact that even the athletes themselves, Amusan included, looked shellshocked when they realised how fast the times said they had run.
It was a valid point and Johnson later had to defend himself from those who thought he was biased because a Nigerian had broken the record of his compatriot, saying he was merely doing his job as a commentator, wondering if the clock had malfunctioned and querying the times of all the athletes and not one specific athlete.
However, the snide remarks about how Amusan could have accomplished such remarkable feat did not stop there. Reports quickly pointed to the footwear she
was running in with the implication that is possibly gave her an extra push to race faster. Suddenly, shoe technology was on the front burner. It was revealed that Amusan was running in Adidas' Adizero Avanti shoes designed for runners who compete in 5-10 km races and customised with bouncy foam to aid running.
It required Amusan to personally debunk the claims as she set the records straight saying: “My abilities are not centred around spikes. I had patella fasciitis at the beginning of the season. So that set me back for a while. I spoke to Adidas and requested if I could get spikes with a softer sole. They recommended a lot of stuff and I feel comfortable in that, so I was using them basically the entire time.”
Even if Amusan’s world record was deemed to be a windaided 12.06 (2.5 m/s), the fact that the record was ratified to effectively lay to rest all these dissenting opinions about what may or may not have seen her completely trash the old record, was extremely significant. More so, the fact that she continued to demonstrate that her abilities were at their best, whether the wind was behind her running or whether Adidas footwears were providing enough bounce.
In competitions following the Oregon Championships, Amusan has continued to leave her competitors in her
Amusan was nominated alongside nine other outstanding athletes and put forward for the public to join in deciding which of these athletes was deserving to be the best overall
wake. After retaining her African title ahead of Oregon, she successfully defended her Commonwealth title in a Games record of 12.30 in August before capping her season with victory in the Wanda Diamond League final with another record, this time a meeting record of 12.29.
These accomplishments saw a sizeable rise in her ranking by World Athletics. On Friday, September 18, Amusan, who was rated 43rd in September 2021, climbed an entire 38 positions to become the fifthranked athlete in the world. All these accolades have come to a season-ending nomination for the World Athletics Athlete of the Year 2022, which was made public the previous week.
She was nominated alongside nine other outstanding athletes and put forward for the public to join in deciding which of these athletes was deserving to be the best overall in a two-part, three-way voting process will first determine the five women finalists for the first part before the winner will emerge from those five in the second part.
The three-way voting will be distributed thusly: World Athletics Council (50 per cent), World Athletics family (25 per cent) and a public vote (25 per cent) via Facebook, Instagram and YouTube likes and Twitter retweets on the post for the specified athlete. Voting will close on October 31, with a winner announced in early December.
Challenging Amusan for the prize are American shotputter Chase Ealey, who won the World Championships and Diamond League titles and holds the numbers 2-5 farthest throws in American history; the 35-year-old Jamaican 100m sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who won the World Championships and Diamond League titles also and ran a record seven sub-10.70 races in one year; Peruvian Race Walk athlete Kimberly Garcia, Peru, who won World titles in the 20km, 35km events; and Jamaican 200m sprinter Shericka Jackson, who won the World Championships and Diamond League titles and notched the secondfastest time in history.
The others are Kenyan 1500m athlete Faith Kipyegon, who won the World Championships and Diamond League titles and ran the second-fastest time in marathon history; Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh, who won the World Indoor Champion, finished as a World Outdoor silver medalist while equalling the national record clearance; American 400m hurdles athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who broke the world record twice, lowering it from 51.46 to 50.68, won world titles in 400m hurdles, 4x400m relay and is the seventh-fastest relay performer in history; Bahamian 400m athlete Shaunae MillerUibo, who won World Indoor and Outdoor titles; and Venezuelan triple jumper Yulimar Rojas, who won the World Indoor and Outdoor Championships and Diamond League titles as well as breaking her own indoor (and overall) world record.
The progress that Amusan has made this year and how far she has been able to come through her dedication to improvement, despite the odds, must count in her favour to be named athlete of the year. In the publication of the nominations on the World Athletics website, the international governing body for the sport of athletics itself wrote in the description of Amusan's journey: "After narrowly missing out on global medals in 2021 and 2019, Nigerian sprint hurdler Tobi Amusan established herself as the world No.1 in 2022." It is hoped that this will also translate into her being Crowned "Athlete of the Year 2022" to cap off a undeniably sensational year for the 25-year-old.
arms and numbers of radicalised persons into neighbouring countries, thereby putting the entire subregion at risk. And, disgracefully, smaller countries around Nigeria have had to deal more decisively with these terrorists than the famed Nige rian army, living mostly in past glory.
It is therefore imperative that, before the ground around us cave in to bury the country for a lack of action to turn this ugly decline around, Nigeria returns to the fitting role it played in those early years of post-colonial self-rule which
appeared to have been tailor-cut for her based on the sheer size of her population, wealth of natural and human resources, capacity of military forces, abundant wealth and both political and economic influence that made her a regional power.
It will demand a pair of necessities.
The country will have to reclaim econom ic power lost through years of running a mono-economic system based on crude oil and actually diversify rather than simply voice the importance of diversifi cation. Leakages within the system that
THEWILLNG THEWILLNIGERIAsiphon the country's wealth through acts of corruption and regularised thievery must be plugged just as wastefulness must be nipped. Every one will be tasked to play their roles in making this project of reclamation a success.
Yet, above all, it must find a leader that is worth that title. The opportunity for next year's polls once again presents the coun try with the chance to begin the arduous process of dragging Nigeria from the brink of failure towards renewed great ness in the subregion and continent with
the election of a respectable, charismatic, effective and strong president.
A president who will be conversant with leadership in the 21st century and the demands of transparency, openness, fairness and justice, who will be wise and firm and who will remember that he is the servant of the people, whose welfare and security ought to be his priority. If he can earn the respect of Nigerians, the respect from beyond will come and Man dela's dream for Nigeria and African can come through in our lifetime.
attributed to one of Africa's most illustrious icons, Nelson Mandela, that is often used to highlight the critical and significant role of Nigeria in the birthing of a competitive African milieu reads: “The world will not respect Africa until Nigeria earns that respect. The black people of the world need Nigeria to be great as a source of pride and confidence.” The weight and depth of this profound statement is backed by evidence and fact. However, one will be amiss to find justification for that if the only evidence available is the reality of the current times.
To seriously appreciate the profundity of Mandela's insight, one will need to step back in time and view Nigeria's history of influence in the West African sub-region, on the continent as a whole and beyond Africa's borders, all of which established the country as a reputable hegemon and all but declined today.
Any noteworthy examination of the historical ac count of influence that Nigeria wielded in the early decades of her independence must take into con sideration the determination of the country's first set of leaders to operate an Afro-centric foreign policy regime that placed the freedom and peaceful coexistence of African countries, front and centre, buoyed by a resolve to not spare any cost to see this singular objective come to pass. From the beginning, Nigeria focused her post-colonial direction around the struggle to overcome Africa's political turmoil, the resultant violence and the continued exploitation by colonial masters.
At different stages of foreign policy frameworks post- in dependence, Nigeria's expanding foreign policy direction centered on the abolition of Apartheid in South Africa; the enhancement of Nigeria's relations with member countries of the European Economic Community (EEC), the United States, the Soviet Union, and with other major countries to increase the flow of foreign investments and capital into the country plus the continued support for international organisations, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Or ganisation of African Unity (OAU) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). These were choices Nigeria made that predisposed her to being involved in the affairs and concerns of other countries on the continent and elevated their regard for her.
In the 1950s and the first few years of the 1960s, with Nigeria well respected on the continent and beyond, the Sir Tafawa Balewa government focused on promoting world peace, upholding sovereign equality and maintain ing nonalignment as part of its foreign policy.
General Yakubu Gowon kept up that tradition, but he also had Nigeria maintain a low profile by acting in ac cordance with the OAU's guidelines and by using tacit diplomatic strategies. OAU in turn backed the Nige rian Government against Biafra during the Civil War. Because Nigeria's major focus was Africa, the liberation of southern Africa, the unification of ECOWAS and the requirement for comprehensive economic independence throughout Africa were the goals of the 1970s.
Indeed, Nigeria's 1979 constitution contained the follow ing objectives: advancing African unification; liberating Africa's political, economic, social, and cultural systems; fostering international cooperation; and doing away with racial discrimination.
As Africa's big brother, Nigeria assisted in resolving disputes between Togo and Ghana, Burkina Faso and Mali, and Liberia and Sierra Leone. Nigeria kept her neighbours "safe" in part to support territorial claims and in part to maintain peace in the interactions between the countries that were next to her. Nigeria's backing of ECOWAS, despite conflicting allegiances to other groups within the subcontinent, maintained the organisation's
goals in order to further the economic interests through foreign relations within West Africa.
Strengthening ECOWAS served Nigeria's security inter ests by reducing colonial divisions within West Africa, resolving border disputes, advancing African unification and enhancing West Africa's negotiating positions with the EEC. It also promoted regional economic growth and discouraged its neighbours from depending on extra-African nations for military, political, and economic survival.
Beyond the sub-region, Nigeria was a founding mem ber of the OAU and frequently used it to coordinate key policy endeavours.
The OAU ideals served as a guidance focusing Nigeria's main African commitment towards ending apartheid in South Africa and freeing Africa from the final remnants of colonialism. After the civil war, the movement for liberation grew from a timid and conservative attitude in the 1960s to a more aggressive objective. General Murtala Muhammed successfully aided the Movimento Popular de Libertaço de Angola's (People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola - MPLA) rise to power in Angola in 1975 by casting the deciding vote in the OAU resolution to recognise the MPLA, a significant contribu tion to Angola's freedom.
Nigeria also contributed to the independence of both Zimbabwe and Namibia, contributing around $20 mil lion to the South West Africa People's Organisation to help with the 1989 elections and other preparations for Namibian independence. She also made financial contri butions to South African liberation groups, as well as to the frontline states of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique, who were frequently targeted by South Africa.
In the early 1990s, Nigeria's armed forces were among the biggest in all of black Africa. The army sent person nel to support United Nations peacekeeping missions and engaged in peacekeeping missions either indepen dently or through the OAU.
Nigeria was one of the major donors of troops to the ECOWAS Cease-fire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), which was sent to Liberia on August 23, 1990, after the unsuccessful peace negotiations there, in accordance
with its ECOWAS community commitment.
In late September 1990, more troops were dispatched. Additionally, Nigeria provided financial and technical support to a number of African nations, frequently by way of the African Development Bank. Furthermore, the Gowon military government resolved in July 1974 to sell crude oil to African nations at discounted prices as long as they had their own refineries and agreed not to re-export to other nations. All these made Nige ria a force for good and a bulwark of reckoning in the subregion and on the continent for years.
When the country returned to civilian rule in 1999 under a former military Head of State, Geberal Oluse gun Obasanjo, Nigeria continued to exert influence and project power, while pursuing pan-Africa goals.
Obasanjo's African direction was a foreign policy from the perspective of peace-building, countering the coup culture and the promotion of civilian rule. This placed Nigeria at the forefront of regional efforts to make military coups unacceptable, to end civil wars in Sierra Leone and Liberia and to resolve territorial disputes peacefully. For example, Obasanjo ceded over the Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon to dem onstrate this policy. The Obasanjo presidency also worked to strengthen regional organisations and UN peacekeeping agencies, to which Nigeria was a major supplier of peacekeepers and for which it continued to earn respect.
All of these have changed for the worse as Nigeria's internal maladministration at the highest levels have not only pushed the country's unity to the brink, but also left the West African subregion and the continent rudderless, while diminishing Nigeria's influence to nothingness.
The country's leadership in the region was dealt a severe blow by issues of weak leadership, internal instability, regularised corruption in government, security collapse, porous borders, dwindling economy, the rise of violent non-state actors and successive governments that have abdicated their responsibilities to the country and the continent. Her peripheral regions, such as the terroristoverrun areas of the North, the bandit-stricken loca tions across the country and the kidnapping dens across motorways and train tracks have seen Nigeria's capacity to secure her own citizens collapse all around.
Even the security of the county's major source of income, crude oil, has been a colossal failure added to the theft of solid minerals in the core north and some states in the south west. The economy is in shambles, lives hold no value, corruption is rife, illegality is the order of the day, the best brains are shipping out, education is comatose, inflation is skyrocketing and there is no semblance of a government with a sense of responsibility in sight.
True to Mandela's words, Africa is worse for it. Without the stabilising influence of Nigeria, between 2020 and 2021 there were two military coups in Mali and one each in Chad and Guinea, as well as an attempted coup in Ni ger. Burkina Faso, which registered a coup d’etat in Octo ber, together with Cameroon, Mali and Niger are under siege from jihadi insurrections and separatist groups.
Bandits have grown in number and are a mélange of criminal, ethnic, religious and domestic insurgent ele ments. There is anxiety among the political classes of coastal West African states, such as Senegal, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire that their countries might be next to face incursions by the terror-inducing jihadists.
The porosity of Nigeria's borders is also helping to move
The opportunity for next year's polls once again presents the country with the chance to begin the arduous process of dragging Nigeria from the brink of failure towards renewed greatness… with the election of a respectable, charismatic, effective and strong president