THEWILL NEWSPAPER, September 22, 2024

INEC Set to Declare Winner

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OnahNwachukwu Editor, THEWILL DOWNTOWN

So far, 2024 has been a year of celebrity weddings, and I must say that celebrity weddings have always captured the public’s attention. The year has seen some lavish celebrations of nuptials that combined luxury and elegance. These weddings took social media by storm. Nigerian celebrity weddings, from Nollywood stars to musicians, display culture, fashion, and grandeur. These couples often opt for destination weddings, but this year, the story changed; they all had their wedding back home in the most lavishly decorated venues, with the guests in custom-made designer outfits. Culture is not left out of these ceremonies as these celebrities infuse traditional elements from their hometown alongside modern-day ceremonies.

On pages 8 through 10, we profile some of these weddings, which set the internet ablaze. I urge you to read it, as it is exciting.

Nude colours are a timeless mainstay in fashion and provide refinement and elegance to any wardrobe. Whether warm tan or light beige, nudes can be styled in various ways, and that’s what our fashion page highlights. See different ways to style nude hues on pages 4 to 5.

Double cleansing is a technique that skincare enthusiasts are starting to use more frequently. The term describes a two-step procedure that thoroughly cleans the skin. If you are unfamiliar with this routine, our beauty pages shed more light on this technique this week. Scroll to pages 12 and 13 for this.

Our movie review page reviews the series The Penguin, and it scores a 9 out of 10. This definitely means it’s a good show, so you have to see it. But before you do, scroll to page 16 to read the review.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Photo:

Kola Oshalusi

@insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2024

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2024

THEWILLNIGERIA

EDODECIDES2024:

INEC Set to Declare Winner as Election Narrows to Ighodalo, Okpebholo

BY AMOS ESELE

The Edo State Governorship Election turned into a two-horse race by the evening of Saturday 21, 2024, after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had successfully uploaded 90 percent of the results from the polling units into its Result Viewing Portal, IREV.

The uploaded results as at press time, covered 4,266 out of the 4,519 polling units with tabulation of results at the wards and local government areas collation centres already ongoing through Saturday night into early Sunday. There were reports of disruptions of collation in Oredo and Ikpoba-Okha, the two most populous local government areas in the state and part of the battleground for the election in Edo South Senatorial District.

The winner/governor-elect is scheduled to be declared today by the Chief Returning Officer for the election after receiving results from the 18 local government areas at the INEC headquarters in Benin City, the state’s capital.

THEWILL’s sample of the results from the local governments areas across the three senatorial districts, namely Edo South, the Edo North and the Edo Central, showed the pre-poll three-horse race narrowing to two - Peoples Democratic Party's Asue Ighodalo and All Progressives Congress' Senator Monday Okpebholo. The Labour Party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata is trailing by a wide margin and effectively out of contention.

LAST MINUTE MANOEUVRE BY FRONT RUNNERS

In a last-minute attempt to swing voters’ sentiments to their advantage, supporters of the political parties in the state engaged in underhand tactics on Friday, the eve of election.

There was a move to disqualify Okpebholo through the courts over alleged age and birth falsification and forgery. It failed.

The Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Justice O.C. Agbaza granted leave for the review of Magistrate Abubakar Mukhtar’s criminal summons while ruling in a motion exparte moved by the candidate’s counsel Adaze Emwanta.

Apata also scrambled to issue a last-minute disclaimer debunking a forged statement saying he had stepped out of the race and endorsed Ighodalo.

For Ighodalo, the attack was indirect. A one-page letter dated August 1, 2024 and addressed simply to Mr Governor and purportedly written by a former secretary to the state government and now deputy governorship candidate, Osarodion Ogie, urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to consider removing the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II as Chairman of Edo State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs.

After casting their votes at their polling units, Ighodalo, Akpata and Okebholo expressed satisfaction with the general voting process, though with some reservations about vote buying and late arrival of materials in some polling units.

While Akpata voted at Polling Unit 11, Ward 6 at the Ministry of Education, Iyaro in Oredo Local Government Area, Okpebholo voted at Polling Unit 1, Ward 2 in Udomi Primary School, Udomi, Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area of the State. Ighodalo, who voted later than both of his rivals because of late arrival of materials and INEC officials, exercised his franchise at his Okaigben Ward 1, Unit 3, Idinrio Primary School, Okaigben, Ewohimi in Esan South-East Local Government Area at noon.

Accompanied by his wife, Ifeyinwa, Ighodalo addressed journalists, saying, “I have to give them (INEC) the benefit of the doubt. Though I heard that there were cases of voter suppression in PDP strongholds and vote buying in Etsako Local Government Area, I will still give them the benefit of the doubt. They are still within time. Since we are starting two hours behind schedule, they will have to extend the time for us.”

Also commenting, Okpebholo said, “What I am seeing here is testimony that INEC is getting it right. PDP or whatever will not get one vote here because this is my home, and my people love me. I have nothing to fear. What they are saying about security is hyping. No knockout or a stick of matches.

...as Election Narrows to Ighodalo, Okpebholo

It is just to scare people away from voting.”

Akpata expressed satisfaction with the voting process. He said,” I am impressed with the process so far. Despite the rain, people have come out to vote, which shows that they are yearning for change. For me everything has gone well in terms of accreditation and voting. I hope it is the same for every other voter.”

IGHODALO, OKPEBHOLO WIN POLLING UNITS, WARDS, AKPATA DEFEATED

Candidates of the PDP and APC, Asue Ighodalo and Monday Okpebholo won their polling units and wards in Edo Central Senatorial District, while Olumide Akpata of the LP lost his polling unit to Ighodalo by a small margin.

Ighodalo is also leading in Edo South, the stronghold of his party while Okpebholo is also ahead in Edo North, his party’s fortress. Both candidates are tied in Edo Central, their home districts.

Meanwhile, voters defied a downpour in Edo South Senatorial District and came out to vote.

APC, PDP CLAIM

VICTORY

The APC in a statement by its national spokesman, Felix Morka said its candidate is leading according to results so far declared, but that it would not pre-empt the INEC in declaring victory until the conclusion of the process.

He said the party’s attention had been drawn to some bogus figures of vote tallies in the ongoing election being peddled on social media platforms by some political parties and the public to disregard them.

“Collation at the Ward level is still ongoing and has yet to be concluded. Certainly, Local Government level collation has yet to begin in most of the LGAs in the state let alone concluded.

“Consistent with the Electoral Act, the Independent National Electoral Commission is the sole authorized body empowered to collate results at the Ward, Local Government and State levels, and to officially declare the result of the election.

“Our great party is comfortably in an early lead, however, as a responsible Party, we will not attempt to pre-empt INEC’s conclusion of the election process and official declaration of final results. We urge members of the public to disregard this attempted misrepresentation and await INEC’s final verdict on the election,”Morka said.

money politics, zoning and power sharing, as well as pre and post- election issues and debates

He disclosed that six major local government areas were targeted by vote buyers. They were Orhionwon, Oredo, Igueben, Etsako, Ovia and Ikpoba-Okha, all of which are heavy vote catching areas.

THE BIG NUMBERS

A total of 2,628,025 voters registered for the election that took place in 4,519 polling units in 192 wards in 18 local government areas. According to senatorial zones, Edo South had 55 per cent of PVC collection, followed by Edo North with 27 per cent and Edo Central with 16.2 per cent.

Remarkably, Edo South, which makes up 57.54 per cent of the state’s population, also has six out of its seven local governments with the largest number of PVC collection that can swing the votes to determine a winner in the race, though each candidate must satisfy the law to emerge winner by winning majority of the votes cast and 25 percent of votes cast in 12 out of the 18 LGAs.

In total, the figure for registered voters in Edo South is 1,526,717, Edo North is 620,412 and Edo Central is 443,474, according to INEC.

SECURITY

Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIC, Frank Mba, who is one of the senior officers supervising the 35,000 police personnel deployed to enforce law and order alongside 8,000 soldiers and some members of the National Security Defense Corps, restated the earlier promise by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, that the police would be professional in their conduct.

He submitted that as an off-cycle election, the 2024 Edo Governorship Election had some inbuilt tension arising from the participation of various interests, ranging from politicians across political parties, youth corps members serving as INEC adhoc staff, election observers and journalists, whose security were of paramount concern to the police.

“These considerations are putting pressure on our policing structure, though that is what we are trained for, paid for and clothed for,” Mba said.

He addressed other areas that equally posed a challenge to the police. One was vote buying, which he admitted was a “most difficult offence to manage because the bulk of it does not happen in the open but in homes, behind closed

doors and private places which the police do not have the capacity to police.”

He added that the police will effectively deal with offences that are committed in the open and which it is able to monitor through its intelligence network.

Mba said that to deal a blow to vote buying, the police had met with and struck a deal with sister agencies like the army, Navy and EFCC team, as well as the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps. The immediate result of that meeting has been the intelligence that “Some people in Benin City have printed fake voter cards, hired thugs to wear legitimate police uniforms and deployed fake election observers.”

Addressing the claim of some political parties that police arrested some of their members, DIG Mba said, “We made some arrests as part of the ongoing operations of the police.”

INEC PROMISES FAIRNESS, IMPARTIALITY

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) extended voting time in the Edo State governorship election in areas where there was late arrival of materials and officials.

INEC National Commissioner and member of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said this on Saturday.

The governorship candidate of the PDP, Ighodalo, had called for the extension of voting time, following the delayed arrival of materials and INEC officials in his Idinrio community in Ewohimi, Esan South-East Local Government Area.

Voting was also delayed at Unit 5, Ward 11, Azama Primary School, in Azama, Etsako West Local Government Area, as the BIVAS machine for voters accreditation and onward voting did not function in the polling unit where Philip Shaibu, former Deputy Governor of Edo State, registered.

Speaking on Saturday afternoon, Haruna said the Commission was monitoring the ongoing Edo governorship election “from our situation room at the National Headquarters in Abuja.

“Our monitoring indicates early commencement of polls in many polling units, but there are also reports of late commencement in some locations.

Similarly, the PDP has insinuated that its candidate is leading and urged the APC and INEC to respect the will of voters. It counsels the APC to respect the will of the people of Edo State as expressed at the polling units.

“The PDP commends the people of Edo State for their resilience in enforcing their will at the polling units despite the schemes of the APC and charges them to remain alert in readiness to firmly defend their votes as they await the declaration of the final result heralding our victory,” a statement released by the party said.

The party also urged the INEC to ensure that “all results as announced at the polling units are transparently uploaded to the INEC Server and duly declared at the Collation Centers in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and INEC Guidelines for the Edo State governorship election.”

ISSUES THAT MOTIVATED VOTERS / BIG ISSUES

Kimpact Development Initiative’s Executive Director, Bukola Idowu in a study, disclosed that about five issues were on the front burner for voters in the state - Fulfilling civic duty, which attracted 11 percent of the voters; closeness to polling unit at 18 –percent; e-voting at 12 percent; secured electoral environment at 20 percent and candidates’ manifestos at 23 percent.

Other issues that mattered in the electoral process were what Samson Itodo, Executive Director of YIAGA Africa described as “big issues.” They include Godfatherism,

“To ensure that no voter is disenfranchised, the Commission wishes to reiterate that, in line with our regulations and guidelines, voting will be extended wherever it commenced late and will continue until the last voter in the queue, who arrived at the polling unit by 2.30 p.m, has voted

“To ensure that no voter is disenfranchised, the Commission wishes to reiterate that, in line with our regulations and guidelines, voting will be extended wherever it commenced late and will continue until the last voter in the queue, who arrived at the polling unit by 2.30 p.m, has voted.

“Accordingly, we have drawn the attention of our office in Edo State to ensure that, where necessary, there is adequate power supply from our backup electric generators in the affected polling units or ward collation centres."

For the INEC that had come under intense accusation of impartiality, particularly a few days to the conduct of the election, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in the state Mr Anugbu Onuoha, explained that election is a process and not an event. That process started last year when all the participating 18 political parties held their primaries under INEC’s supervision through the period of the continuous voter registration exercise and more recently the collection of voter cards.

He said, “We conducted training for election officers on how to record election results, the use of BVAS machines, distributed sensitive and non-sensitive materials, which INEC had invited all the parties to see before distribution. We sent materials to our racks close to polling units so that they can be moved to polling units by 8 a.m. We have made boats available for transport to riverine areas and areas that are inaccessible have been provided with motorcycles. We have deployed 4,632 BVAS machines to various local government areas where there are 4,519 polling units. BVAS would be used to accredit voters and upload the results to our IREV unless there are places without a network. Nothing will be manipulated.”

Outbreak in Maiduguri

Following Severe Flooding

BY LADI DAPSON, MAIDUGURI

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has warned of the significant risk of malaria and waterborne diseases, including cholera, following the recent flooding that swallowed vast parts of Maiduguri.

MSF also called for urgent additional support, especially in terms of water, sanitation, and medical care, to protect people already heavily impacted by long-term insecurity and unprecedented levels of malnutrition.

This was contained in electronic messages by MSF Field Communications Manager, Zoe Bennell, to newsmen in Maiduguri on Friday. According to MSF, there is also fear that this crisis could increase the levels of malnutrition in the area.

"On 10 September, heavy rain caused the Alau Dam in Borno State to overflow, leading to major floods in and around the city of Maiduguri. The deluge heavily impacted houses, markets, fields, livestock, and several health facilities. According to Borno State authorities, close to 400,000 people have been registered in 30 makeshift displacement sites. Most of the sites are schools with too few latrines and a lack of safe drinking water.

“We are very concerned about the precarious living conditions and the potential outbreaks of cholera and malaria”, says Dr Issaley Abdel Kader MSF Head of Mission in Nigeria. “The number of children affected by malaria and acute watery diarrhoea had already started to increase before the flooding, and we have seen some with clinical signs of cholera since the floods. We are afraid that the number of cases will rise without the increase of medical and humanitarian support, especially regarding water, sanitation and hygiene.”

Last week, MSF teams went to several displacement sites (Galtimari, Yerwa, Ali Sheriff, Vocational Enterprise Institute, Teachers Village) to assess people’s needs and start the provision of essential services such as access to water through water trucking and water tanks, the installation and repair of latrines, and the distribution of mosquito nets.

It added that the Borno State government has announced the closure and merging of most displacement sites in the coming days. They plan to keep three main sites to accommodate people who still have no place to stay for one more week, and a mass cholera vaccination is upcoming.

“All parties involved in the humanitarian response must continue providing assistance to the people affected by the floods as long as it will be necessary and ensure immediate and easy access to medical care for those who need it.

Federal Court Dismisses Suit Seeking to Sack Amaewhule, 24 Other Pro-Wike Lawmakers as Rivers Assembly Members

BY FELIX IFIJEH

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed a suit seeking to sack Martin Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The 25 lawmakers had allegedly announced their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on December 11, 2023. Subsequently, the Rivers Assembly led by former Speaker Edison Ehie, had on December 13, declared their seats vacant.

The Action Peoples Party (APP) had on July 12 approached the court seeking an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections into their seats.

In his ruling, Justice Peter Lifu held that the case constituted a serious abuse of the court process, as multiple suits challenging the defection of the lawmakers had already been resolved by the Federal High Court.

Citing prior rulings, Justice Lifu emphasised that requests for the replacement of the lawmakers had previously been denied due to insufficient evidence to prove their defection.

He referenced a judgment from Justice James Omotosho in July of this year, which prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from declaring the lawmakers’ seats vacant or conducting new elections.

The judge concluded that since this earlier judgment remains unappealed and has not been overturned, the membership of their party is not a subject to be contested.

Justice Lifu held it would be improper to act as an appellate court concerning a ruling from the court of the same jurisdiction.

The court declared the suit statute-barred since it was filed outside the 14-day timeframe mandated by law.

Presidency Faults Bloomberg Report on Debt Payment Delays

FELIX IFIJEH

The Presidency, on Friday, faulted a report by Bloomberg of delayed coupon payments on savings bonds, saying all financial obligations are being met on schedule.

Bloomberg had reported that Nigerian authorities had failed to make timely coupon payments on two savings bonds, citing “system and processing issues” as the cause for the delay.

The report had claimed this was the second such delay in two months, involving coupon payments on two- and three-year debt sold in June, totalling N4.2 billion ($2.56 million).

Responding in a statement on Friday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, challenged the accuracy of the report.

According to Onanuga, Nigeria's Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, confirmed that Nigeria currently has no outstanding debts and possesses sufficient liquidity to fulfil all its obligations.

"Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, has confirmed that Nigeria currently has no outstanding debts and possesses sufficient liquidity to fulfil all its obligations.

“Bloomberg is not correct with this report. Finance Minister and coordinating minister of the economy, Mr. Wale Edun, says that Nigeria does not owe anyone at the moment. We have enough liquidity to meet all our obligations. We do not have any outstanding payments.

“Director General of the Debt Management Office, Patience Oniha, also confirms that, as of September 19, the Central Bank of Nigeria has processed all due payments. The payment due today, September 20, is also being processed for payment", he said.

BY

‘We Suspended Commissioners to Enforce Discipline in Our Cabinet’

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau recently fielded questions from some journalists in Jos. UKANDI ODEY was there for THEWILL.

Excerpts:

Whathas been the story since you came on board as Governor of Plateau State?

Thank you. You know that governance continues daily. It keeps improving. It's like a football club, every season, you see clubs buying new players because they need to improve the competitiveness of the squad. I am happy with my squad; but I'm always looking for ways of improvement. As soon as we find ways in which we can improve, we will bring in the best hands that can be recruited.

Recently, you suspended two of your commissioners. When that was done through your Director of Press, you didn't tell the world why you did it. May we know why it was done?

Well, let me say that we suspended them in order to reinforce discipline within the cabinet. Where we see some bit of lacklustre disposition, we try to rein them in and make sure people sit up to their responsibilities. It is not because we are politicians then we just allow anything to go. But I am sure those we suspended have learnt their lessons; and we will keep reviewing those suspensions.

There was an appointment you made recently which generated a lot of fuzz. I'm sure you saw the reactions even from the Jamaatu Nasri Islam about a Senior Special Assistant on Indigenous Muslims. There seems to be too much hues and cries. I don't know if you want to explain anything in that light? I really don't like generating storms out of tea cups. It's not necessary. I didn't create the idea of “Indigenous Muslims”. I met it on ground as governor. It has been in existence, and even registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission as indigenous Muslims!

I don't know what motivated them; but they are definitely a defined group within our space. And so, I didn't create them. I only said, 'okay, look, you guys exist. Let's see how you can relate better with government'. That's all we did. Therefore, I don't see why anybody should deny them the right of existence. Some of them are Berom, some of them are Mwaghavul, some of them are Ngas, some of them are Tarok.

They want their own identity. And there is freedom of association guaranteed under the constitution. So, there is no need to deny anybody that right. So, we simply recognised what is in existence.

We didn't create it. What we have done in trying to recognize the various groups is to give everybody a sense of inclusion: so that we don't just throw something at the large group and some people within that group feel disenfranchised, feel disentitled, feel not included.

That is why you can see for the first time in the history of Plateau we recognised different groupings and gave them a channel of relating with government. We are running on this mantra of inclusion, equity, and fairness to all. Now if you are getting your own, don't deny somebody the opportunity to get his own. That's all we are saying.

And about recognizing other groups: Nobody will recognize you except you. Once you organize yourselves, you will gain the necessary recognition. Others who are organized should not be denied recognition. But be rest assured that we want to carry everybody along.

It appears you have a smooth relationship with Mr President; to the extent it is feared that you may want to possibly jump ship someday. Are you thinking in that direction?

First of all, let me appreciate Mr President for accepting me and opening his arms of fellowship to me. After all, he is the father of the nation. For instance, as Governor of Plateau State, I cannot discriminate against any Plateau citizen. And, so, for me to have that access to Mr President, I believe it's for the good of Plateau people.

Let me say this: I'm a PDP man to the core. My politics has always been dictated by God and the people. And I know that Plateau people own PDP. They see it as their own. If tomorrow

Plateau people tell me to move, I'll move. But if they tell me we want you to stay where you are, that's where I will stay. So, I will always move with the people. Let me assure the people about this: I will always move with the people. I relate well with Mr President; but I don't forget where I come from.

Just a few days ago, the APC stakeholders in Plateau met. Since you have a good relationship with the President, do you have any information to give us in the light that Plateau has been without a minister for a very long time, even though you don't belong to the APC?

The federal cabinet is a right as enshrined in our constitution. And I've had to engage Mr President on this. He has asked me to be patient. He is trying to re-jig his government and certainly has not forgotten about Plateau. He is considering a lot of options. Of course, we will keep engaging Mr President on this matter. Presently, the National Assembly is in recess - the Senate, particularly. I'm sure that when they resume, we are likely to hear something positive in this regard.

The local government elections are just a few days away. You have repeatedly said that you created a space where it would be a level playing ground for everybody. The people don't believe that what you're saying is going to happen. Did they do primaries? The APC only wrote names. They didn't do primaries. I can tell you that for free. Let them challenge me hereafter. Let them tell us where they did primaries. They didn't do primaries for governorship. Names were just written; they didn't do for local government elections either. But let me say this: we are going to prove to Nigerians that Plateau is a model in terms of conducting local government elections. We are bringing International Observers to observe our local government elections. The reason why APC is participating is because we have provided a level playing field. You remember the shameful local government elections conducted in 2021 where they excluded the PDP on a very frivolous and scandalous basis, which was decided in the Government House, not even by PLASIEC.

“

We witnessed situations where before results could be counted, people were already announced and sworn in. That is not going to repeat itself in Plateau. By the grace of God, we're going to conduct credible local government elections. I was a beneficiary of such credible elections in 2014, when I became a local government chairman. I cannot go below that standard.

Plateau people should be reassured: we'll do the best we can to ensure that we have credible local government elections. For us in the PDP, we had hiccups here and there. Truly the party belongs to the people, if we had situations where in communities members emerge as consensus candidates rather than by the party itself; because communities took ownership of the party. And we are glad about that.

But let's not exaggerate it. We had a few skirmishes in two or three local governments out of 17. And what I can tell you is that we brought everything under control. Of course, when you have a contest, some people will be aggrieved - it's normal; but we are addressing it. And I am sure before the elections everything will be well, and we are going to go into the elections, as far as the PDP is concerned, as one happy family.

Well, let me say that we suspended them in order to reinforce discipline within the cabinet. Where we see some bit of lacklustre disposition, we try to rein them in and make sure people sit up to their responsibilities. It is not because we are politicians then we just allow anything to go. But I am sure those we suspended have learnt their lessons; and we will keep reviewing those suspensions

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Block
for
the
Go ernment
Secondar 
School,
 Ekeremor,
Ba elsa
State.

Reno a on
 and
 pgrade
 of
 
 blocks
 of
 classrooms
 for
 the
 Go ernment
 Secondar 
 School,
 Ekeremor Ba elsa
State.

Further details of the scope shall be contained in the Standard Bid Document (SBD)

2, CONDITIONS FOR ELIGIBILITY

i.
 E idence
of
financial
capacit 
to
e ec te
the
project
b 
s bmission
of
Reference
Le er
from
a
 rep table
commercial
bank
in
Nigeria,
incl ding
a
 illingness
to
pro ide
credit
facilit 
for
the
 e ec on
of
the
project
 here
necessar

ii.
 Compan 
Profile
 ith
list
of
ke 
technical
personnel
of
the
compan the
C rric l m
Vitae
of
 ke 
staff
to
be
deplo ed
for
the
project,
incl ding
copies
of
their
academic
q alifica ons
and
 rele ant
professional
cer fica on. iii.
 Verifiable
doc mentar 
e idence
of
at
least
three
( )
similar
jobs
e ec ted
in
the
last
fi e
( )
 ears,
incl ding
le ers
of
A ards,
Val a on
Cer ficates,
Job
Comple on
Cer ficates.

For
Joint
Vent res/Partnership,
Memorand m
of
Understanding
(MoU)
sho ld
be
pro ided. i.
 All
doc ments
for
s bmission
m st
be
transmi ed
 ith
a
Co ering/For arding
Le er
 nder
 the
Compan 
Le er
Head
Paper
bearing,
amongst
others,
the
Registra on
N mber
(RC)
as

(preferabl 
GSM
No)
and
e‑mail
address.

i.
 E idence
of
compan 
registra on
 ith
Corporate
Affairs
Commission
(CAC)
and
s ppor ng
 doc ments
(Forms
CAC 
and
CAC ).

iii.
 E idence
of
c rrent
Pension
Compliance
Cer ficate
 alid
 ll
 st
December
 . i E idence
of
c rrent
NSITF
Compliance
Cer ficate
 alid
 ll
 st
December
 . E idence
of
c rrent
ITF
Compliance
Cer ficate
 alid
 ll
 st
December
 .

Pro ision
of
Third‑Part 
Dri ers
Ser ices
for
NCDMB
Corporate
Headq arters,
Yenagoa,
Ba elsa
 State. A‑ . ii.
 E idence
of
Compan 
Income
Ta 
Clearance
Cer ficate
for
the
last
three
( )
 ears
( ,
 ,
 )
 alid
 ll
 st
December
 . i.
 E idence
of
rele ant
DPR/NUPRC/NMDPRA
Permit
 alid
 ll
 st
December

ii.
 E idence
of
Registra on
on
the
Na onal
Database
of
Federal
Contractors,
Cons ltants
and
 Ser ice
Pro iders
b 
s bmission
of
Interim
Registra on
Report
(IRR)
e piring
on
 / / ,
 or
 alid
cer ficate
iss ed
b 
BPP

iii.
 E idence
of
Master
Trainer
Cer ficate
iss ed
b 
the
Na onal
Directorate
of
Emplo ment
or
 Ind strial
Tr st
F nd
(onl 
applicable
for
Lots
(A 
to
A ).

i .
 S orn
 affida it
 disclosing
 hether
 or
 not
 an 
 officer
 of
 the
 rele ant
 commi ees
 of
 the
 Nigerian
 Content
 De elopment
 and
 Monitoring
 Board
 (NCDMB),
 or
 the
 B rea 
 of
 P blic
 Proc rement
is
a
former
or
present
director shareholder
or
has
an 
pec niar 
interest
in
the
 bidder
and
to
confirm
that
all
informa on
presented
in
its
bid
are
tr e
and
correct
in
all
 par c lars.

.
 Compan ’s
A dited
Acco nts
for
the
last
three
 ears
( ,
 
and
 ).

Interested
firms
in
ser ices
are
to
s bmit
the
E pression
of
Interest
(EoI)
for
each
of
the
lots
desired
in
 three
( )
hard
copies
each
(One
original
and
t o
copies)
contained
in
sealed
en elopes
clearl 
marked
 ith
the
cons ltanc 
 tle
and
the
lot
n mber.
The
re erse
of
each
en elop
sho ld
bear
the
name
and
 address
of
the
bidder The
EoI
sho ld
be
addressed
as
indicated
belo 
and
s bmi ed
not
later
than
 Monday
14th
October
2024,
at
12
noon.

The
Manager, Procurement
Department,
 Nigerian
Content
Development
and
Monitoring
Board,

Nigerian
Content
Tower

Ox‑Bow
Lake,
Swali,
Yenagoa,

Bayelsa
State,
Nigeria.

Kindly
note
that
submission
of
Financial
bid
is
not
applicable
at
this
stage.
Hence,
only
Technical
 submission
is
required.

The
Manager Procurement
Department,
 Nigerian
Content
Development
and
Monitoring
Board, Nigerian
Content
Tower,

Ox‑Bow
Lake,
Swali,
Yenagoa,
 Bayelsa
State,
Nigeria.

Kindly
note
that
submission
of
Financial
bid
is
not
applicable
at
this
stage.

Interested
contractors
for
the
 orks
are
to
s bmit
the
Pre‑Q al
doc ments
for
each
of
the
lots
desired
in
 three
( )
hard
copies
each
(One
original
and
t o
copies)
contained
in
sealed
en elopes
clearl 
marked
 ith
the
 ork
 tle
and
the
lot
n mber The
re erse
of
each
en elop
sho ld
bear
the
name
and
address
of
 the
bidder The
en elopes
sho ld
be
addressed
as
indicated
belo 
and
s bmi ed
not
later
than
Monday
 28th
October
2024,
at
12
noon.

The
tender
doc ments
m st
be
deli ered
in
the
tender
bo 
located
on
the
 th
Floor NCDMB
To er
 Office,
S ali,
O ‑Bo 
Lake,
Yenagoa.

All
recei ed
pre‑q alifica on
doc ments
for
lots
 nder
Categor 
A
(EoI’s)
 ill
be
opened
immediatel 
 a�er
the
deadline
of
s bmission
on
 at
the
Nigerian
Content
 Monday
14th
October
2024,
at
12
noon To er
in
the
presence
of
bidders
or
their
representa es.
(Preq alified
firms
 ill
be
in ited
to
collect
 RFPs).

Please
ens re
that
 o 
sign
the
Bid
S bmission
Register
at
the
Proc rement
Department,
as
NCDMB
 ill
 not
be
held
liable
for
misplaced
or
 rongf ll 
s bmi ed
bids

Bids
m st
be
in
English
Lang age,
and
signed
b 
an
official
a thori ed
b 
the
bidder

n‑opened.

d)
 Note
that
onl 
pre‑q alified
bidders
shall
be
in ited
to
collect
the
bid
doc ments.

m: e)
 A
compan 
cannot
bid
for
more
than
t o
( )
Lots
in
each
categor f)
 The
 NCDMB
 is
 not
 bo nd
 to
 pre‑q alif 
 an 
 bidder
 and
 reser es
 the
 right
 to
 ann l
 the
 proc rement
process
at
an 
 me
 itho t
inc rring
an 
liabili es,
in
accordance
 ith
Sec on
 
of
the
P blic
Proc rement
Act
 . i List
of
plants/eq ipment
 ith
proof
of
o nership
( here
applicable).

The
tender
doc ments
m st
be
deli ered
in
the
tender
bo 
located
on
the
 th
Floor,
NCDMB
To er
 Office,
S ali,
O ‑Bo 
Lake,
Yenagoa. All recei ed pre‑q alifica on doc ments
 for
 lots
 nder
 Categor 
 B
 (Pre‑Q als)
 ill be
 opened
 immediatel 
a�er
the
deadline
of
s bmission
on
 at
Nigerian
 Monday
28th
October
2024,
at
12
noon Content
To er
in
the
presence
of
bidders
or
their
representa es.
(Preq alified
contractors
 ill
be
 in ited
to
collect
SBDs). Please,
ens re
that
 o 
sign
the
Bid
S bmission
Register
at
the
Proc rement
Department,
as
NCDMB
 ill
 not
be
held
liable
for
misplaced
or
 rongf ll 
s bmi ed
bids.

Saving Nigerian Marriages

About two weeks ago, a Metropolitan police officer in the United Kingdom reportedly addressed a group of Nigerian wives, advising them to stop reporting their husbands to the police or sending them out of their homes whenever there is a disagreement.

home, even extreme cases of physical abuse in marriages are best left to elders in the extended family to handle, not the Police.

to suffer damaging psycho-social problems than those whose parents are together.

Moreover, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) under the able leadership of Abike Dabiri-Eruwa should liaise with Nigerian communities and organisations in the UK to address this marital fiasco that can further damage the already soiled image of Nigeria abroad

The policeman spoke in fluent Yoruba, suggesting that he might be Nigerian. Although there was no indication that his speech represented the official position of the UK Police on the subject, he was clearly on a mission to salvage a situation that was increasingly putting Nigerian immigrants in the UK to ridicule.

The persistent failure of Nigerian marriages, particularly in the UK, has lately given compatriots back home cause for concern. Usually driven out by economic hardship or a need for better education, a couple arrives in the country and settles down. After a while, the couple begin to have problems keeping their marriage stable.

Aware that the laws of their host country protect her interests and grants her certain privileges, the wife decides to exploit them to her advantage. And this is where things really begin to go wrong.

Inviting the police to intervene in domestic matters does not always yield positive results. On the contrary, it might lead to more problems between the woman and her husband. Back

Before the police intervention, there were reports that Nigerian founded churches and other bodies have had their hands full in dealing with marital issues involving Nigerian couples. Available statistics point to the fact that divorce rates are rising across the world. Nigerian marriages are not exempted. About 39 per cent of married couples in Nigeria, a report claims, end up divorcing. This is an indictment, no doubt, on the marriage institution in this part of the world. It is also an indication that the family, which is the first socialising agency for the Nigerian child, is failing.

A stable marriage guarantees a happy home, especially for the child. In fact, the home is the first and instantaneous unit for every child, irrespective of race or geographical location. He or she is born into and considered as a full member of the home. And home is a recognised group of people who are joined together by marriage. The home plays a huge role in every child’s early formation. So, it is important that he or she is nurtured in an atmosphere of peace and harmony, which only a balanced home can guarantee.

Since the divorce rate is increasing rapidly across the world, raising children has become a very sensitive issue. Children are often the worst affected by broken marriages. Children from broken homes are most likely

Researchers have discovered that divorces have direct effects on the psychological, social and academic performances of a child. A child from a broken home is more likely to score low grades or lose interest in school. Experts also found that due to his aggressive nature, the boy is often inclined towards disobedience and suffers from anxiety after a series of hopeless thoughts towards tackling the different challenges.

To a large extent, deviant behaviour among children has been linked to broken homes. If not handled carefully, such children sometimes end up committing criminal offences and constituting a danger to the society. We believe that more than ever, there is an urgent need for the services of marriage counsellors, especially here in Nigeria. Government should come up with a policy that requires aspiring couples to undergo counselling before getting married. Evidence indicating they had engaged the services of a marriage counsellor, most likely a certificate, must be presented before marriage takes place.

Moreover, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) under the able leadership of Abike Dabiri-Eruwa should liaise with Nigerian communities and organisations in the UK to address this marital fiasco that can further damage the already soiled image of Nigeria abroad.

OPINION

Disappointment as Dangote Refinery’s Sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) Results

KENECHUKWU AGUOLU

igerians have long awaited the commencement of the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, by Dangote Refinery due to its expected benefits. The refinery commenced its first loading of PMS on Sunday, September 15, 2024, which, according to the Ministry of

However, according to the Federal Government, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, would be the sole buyer of petrol from the refinery for now and from October 2024, the NNPCL will begin to sell crude oil to Dangote Refinery in Naira and purchasing petrol from the refinery in Naira, while diesel will also be sold in Naira to independent marketers. The decision to make NNPCL the sole off-taker of the petrol from the refinery has raised a lot of

Many people were disappointed when the NNPCL announced a hike in the price of petrol, as it was generally believed that the pump price of petrol per litre would drop once Dangote

The refinery, which is privately owned and profit-oriented, will not sell petrol for less than its production cost. Some major determinants of its production costs are the price of crude oil on the international

in Price Hike

market, the Naira-to-dollar exchange rate and the cost of refining crude per litre.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said in a TV interview on Sunday, September 15, 2024, “We are expecting that as this refinery and others ramp up production, scale and achieve greater economies of scale, there should be the opportunity—and there is definitely the potential—to reduce their costs, which should be passed on to the consumer.”

There are concerns from many quarters that the recent hike in the price of PMS could cause a rise in inflation, which Nigeria has seemingly tamed. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s headline inflation on a year-on-year basis dropped to 32.15 per cent in August 2024, from 33.4 per cent in July 2024. Food prices have been the major driver of inflation and therefore, ordinarily, as we fully enter the harvest season, a continued decline in inflation would have been expected.

However, the recent hike in the price of petrol and fluctuations in the foreign exchange rate will affect the inflation figures for subsequent months. The price of petrol is expected to reduce in the long term as economies of scale are achieved by refineries, when more refineries come on stream, leading to competition and as the Naira begins to gain value. Selling crude oil to domestic refineries in Naira and purchasing refined products from them in Naira will significantly reduce the pressure on foreign exchange.

According to the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zach Adedeji, this policy will save $7.32 billion annually by conducting all crude transactions with local refineries in Naira. It will also result in a more stable and stronger Naira.

The Federal Government, NNPCL and Dangote Industries Limited should be commended, as this is the first time in about 30 years that Premium Motor Spirit production has begun in Nigeria. The price of PMS is expected to decrease in the near future, therefore, Nigerians should be patient. While the hike in PMS prices will impact inflation in the coming months, I don’t expect it to be very significant because food prices, which are the major driver of inflation, will drop further as we move deeper into the harvest season. Beautiful times lie ahead for Nigerians.

The Tourism Imperative (2)

BY ABIODUN KOMOLAFE

According to the World Tourism Organisation, tourism generates over $1 trillion in exports annually, creating millions of jobs and stimulating local economies. Be that as it may, it is important to note that Nigeria’s vast growth and development opportunities are being overlooked due to a lack of vision and self-centeredness on the part of its successive leaders, ultimately hindering the greater good and benefiting only a privileged few. This issue pervades all levels of government, from state to local, with authorities neglecting their duties to harness the potential of natural attractions for promotion and development. The plight of Erin Ijesha Waterfall in Osun State is a story for another day!

For now, let’s delve into the essence of tourism in Ekiti State where, beyond the superficial allure of spectacle and entertainment, lies a profound narrative that whispers secrets of the human experience. As the world surrenders to its beauty, let us embark on a transformative odyssey that transcends borders, fosters empathy and understanding and kindles the flame of economic prosperity for the communities that call the state home.

For Ekiti, Geographical Tourism showcases a diverse range of landscapes, including hills, waterfalls, caves, springs, valleys and mountains while Water-based Tourism attractions feature attractions like Ikogosi Warm Springs and Ureje Dam. Its diverse Spiritual Heritage is also reflected in its various religious sites, including Sacred Hills and Ancient Shrines. Ecotourism in Ekiti showcases unspoiled natural attractions, rich cultural heritage and communitybased initiatives, while Environmental Tourism features natural wonders and its unique biodiversity, scenic landscapes and cultural heritage. The state is also a hub for Education Tourism, boasting an impressive array of institutions, including 6 universities, 3 polytechnics and other higher learning centres, catering for a population of 3.9 million. Let’s begin with Usi-Ekiti which holds a significant place in Nigeria’s history as the site of the first Catholic Mass in 1884, led by Father Julien Mourneau and his team of missionaries.

This pivotal event not only marks the birthplace of Catholicism in Nigeria but also makes Usi-Ekiti the cradle of Catholicism in the country and a landmark in the spread of the faith. Ori Oke Erio and Ori Oke Ido Ajinare, two sacred hills in Ekiti State, are culturally significant attractions offering stunning views, spiritual importance and a connection to God. These hills draw tourists for their historical values, panoramic vistas and eco-tourism opportunities, making them unique destinations for cultural and nature enthusiasts.

In Efon-Alaaye lies the final resting place of Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, founder of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC). He died on Ori Oke Baba Abiye, Ede in Osun State on July 26, 1959, and his mortal remains were transported to Efon Alaaye for burial. Babalola’s tomb has become a venerated pilgrimage site, attracting devotees seeking spiritual connection and inspiration. In terms of traditional worship, Igede-Ekiti, for example, is the source of the Osun River. As such, it is sacred to the goddess Osun. To this end, devotees of Osun Osogbo must first visit this ancient town to pay homage and make offerings to the goddess before proceeding to Osogbo for the main celebration. This highlights the significance of Igede-Ekiti in the Osun Osogbo worship tradition.

Similarly, Eshu or Esu, a respected Yoruba deity, has Ijelu-Ekiti as his ancestral home. As the guardian of crossroads, communication, and chaos, he maintains balance in nature and human affairs and protects the natural world – a vital aspect of Yoruba spirituality and culture. Osanyin, the deity of herbalism, healing and fertility, is from Ikole-Ekiti. As the god of medicine and divination, Osanyin embodies nature’s power, guiding traditional healers and herbalists. His shrine in Ikole-Ekiti symbolises the connection between nature, culture and spirituality.

In Yoruba mythology, Ogun, the god of iron and the patron of artisans, originated from Ire-Ekiti. His legacy inspires innovation, expertise and recognition of knowledge's transformative power, influencing contemporary thought and human progress. The convergence of seven roads at Ire-Ekiti represents Ogun's significance and his role in fostering connection and progress.

Ifa Agboniregun Shrine, dedicated to Ifa, the revered Yoruba deity of wisdom, divination and

knowledge, is nestled in Oke Igeti, Ado-Ekiti. As a premier hub of Ifa practice, it has continued to inspire and guide generations, shaping the identity and traditions of the Ekiti people and the Yoruba race worldwide. For vacationers and adventure seekers who care to know, Ikogosi Warm Springs is a unique natural wonder where warm and cold water flow together, yet maintain their distinct identities. Currently managed by a private firm, the resort is thriving, with over 17,000 tourists visiting in the past three months alone, according to available data.Not only that but Arinta Waterfalls in IpoleIloro is also a natural wonder with crystal-clear water cascading down a seven-step rocky terrain, creating scenic views and a cool ambience.

NIGERIA’S VAST GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES ARE BEING OVERLOOKED DUE TO A LACK OF VISION AND SELF-CENTEREDNESS ON THE PART OF ITS SUCCESSIVE LEADERS, ULTIMATELY HINDERING THE GREATER GOOD AND BENEFITING ONLY A PRIVILEGED FEW

Its unique rock formations and cave are sources of cultural heritage and local economic growth while preserving traditional practices and cultural identity. Another unique feature of this ancient site is that the more one shouts, the more the sound increases.

What about the Ero Dam in IkunEkiti? Built in the 1940s, it is the 3rd largest dam in Nigeria, spanning 16 kilometres across 9 Local Governments. There are also Egbe Dam, formerly known as Little Ose, in Egbe-Ekiti and Ureje Dam in AdoEkiti, with its unique 7 falls and a cave.

Like it or hate it, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), stands out, featuring the largest planetarium in Africa and a state-of-the-art Teaching Hospital, which not only enhances Ekiti’s reputation as a hub for intellectual and scientific inquiry but also fosters social mobility, empowers local communities and contributes to the region’s socio-economic development, making Ekiti an attractive destination for students, researchers and academics world-class educational experiences. Abanijorin Rock on Old Iyin-Ekiti Road is a majestic natural wonder, embodying nature’s splendour and human spirituality. This ancient monolith features a massive size, unique shape and sacred significance, with a natural amphitheatre, seven caves and an under-rock tunnel. History also has it that those warriors, who fought for Ekitiparapo always converged on it for security meetings.

Ekiti State is a unique biodiversity hotspot, boasting 660 species of butterflies, the highest in Nigeria. It’s also home to the Monkey Colony in Ise-Ekiti and serves as a refugee camp for chimpanzees in the Ise-Ekiti Forest. But that’s not all - Ekiti is also the only place in the world with a remarkable 42-headed palm tree and that’s located in Iloro-Ekiti. Golgotha is also a revered sacred hill and cultural monument in Efon-Alaaye. Interestingly, it is one of two spots in Nigeria and the only one in the Southwest where one can walk in the cloud. Golgotha also houses the largest plantation in Southwest Nigeria. Okorobo Festival in Ifaki-Ekiti celebrates fertility, prosperity and communal harmony. It exemplifies the connection between nature's cycles and human existence. The festival showcases the town’s rich heritage while promoting cultural identity and pride through rituals, masquerades and merriment.

From the foregoing, one can safely say that Ekiti State’s enigmatic landscape weaves a rich tapestry of identity and community, inviting exploration. And as Governor Biodun Oyebanji, is reportedly striving to secure the future of the sector, a critical question lingers: can tourism balance preservation and progress, or will growth sacrifice Ekiti’s mystique? Again, only time will tell!

Rail Transport Revenue

Rises Amid High Debt Servicing, Running Costs

Nigeria’s rail transport sector recorded improved revenue and higher passenger and cargo services in the second quarter of the year (Q2 2024) according to data by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

According to NBS, in Q2 2024, a total of 689,263 passengers travelled via rail system relative to 474,117 reported in the corresponding quarter of 2023, indicating a growth rate of 45.38 per cent.

The volume of goods/cargo transported via rail in Q2 2024 stood at 143,759 tons, compared to 56,936 tons recorded in Q2 2023. In the quarter under review, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) reported an additional volume of goods/cargo transported via pipeline, which stood at 5,940 tons, higher than 2,856 tons in Q2 2023.

In terms of revenue generation, N1.69 billion was received from passengers during the period of reference, showing an increase of 53.14 per cent from the N1.10 billion recorded in the same quarter of the previous year. Similarly, N537.36 million was collected from goods/cargo conveyed via rail in Q2 2024, up by

EDITOR

Sam Diala

UBA Plc Maintains Grip on Industry Leadership Ahead of Capital Raise

TUBA 5-YR FUNDAMENTALS: 2019-2023 (Nbn, trn)

he attention of the global financial markets has been drawn to the commanding heights achieved by Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa Plc, amid challenging operating environment, as it concludes plans for the much awaited capital raise. Equally astonishing is the vigour and commitment the foremost Tier-1 bank has brought towards revolutionizing the financial services sector with unmatched digital technology in its expansion drive.

Emerging from the ruins of COVID-19 which knocked the economy into a second recession after four years of a similar episode in 2016, the speed with which UBA navigated Nigeria’s troubled economic landscape to maintain a grip on the industry leadership, made it a cynosure of the investing public. It underscores why its imminent capita raise will be a resounding success.

Unending success story

For a long time now, UBA has remained Nigeria’s most profitable bank with amazing balance sheet growth that put the 75-year-old bank atop the league of prominent financial services institutions. This position earned it a 610.3 percent growth in five years from 2019 to 2023 when its profit before tax (PBT) rose from N111.28 billion to N790.4 billion. This period also saw a 267.4 percent surge in the balance sheet to N20.6 trillion from N5.6 trillion in 2019.

While other banks struggled to find their feet in the tough operating terrain, UBA showed capacity for the right choices it made in the post-consolidation years – an era that consumed many banks and caused others to exist without their original identity in the quest for survival.

This development, which hinges on the bank’s excellent corporate governance culture, impacted positively on its subsidiaries in Africa and other regions. Consequently, the offshore locations have been consistent in their robust contribution to the expansion of the Group’s profit.

Today, United Bank for Africa Plc stands out among the fastest growing financial services institutions in the continent with presence across 20 African countries and driven by significant investment in digital technology.

Digital Revolution

A major factor in UBA’s success story is the superior service delivery derived from its focus on bringing modern banking to digital age. This resulted in the continued huge investment in technology; thus elevating ICT to a corporate priority aligned with a strong human capital strategy.

Of course, there has been a fierce competition among the banks in the domain of ICT as the players seek to out-do one another. But UBA’s success story is underscored by the exceptionally high e-banking revenue it has recorded.

For instance, data from the annual financial statements of the Tier-1 banks in particular, showed that UBA has maintained the lead in e-banking income among the industry players.

The e-banking income includes revenue from electronic platforms, such as mobile applications, USSD channels, Internet banking, ATM, PoS as well as other debit and credit card transactions.

Analysis of the FY 2023 reports of the Tier-1 group, in their holco status, revealed that the Big Five (FBNH, GTCO, Access Corporation, Zenith Bank and UBA) generated a total of N385.85 billion in e-banking revenue as against N277.14 billion in 2022, representing a 40 percent increase.

In all, UBA earned the highest e-banking income among the Tier-1 financial services institutions. The bank generated N125.57 billion from e-banking channels in 2023 representing a 32.5 percent of the Tier-1 group’s total e-banking revenue for the year.

By this, Africa’s Global Bank grew its e-banking income by 59 percent when compared with N75.94 billion it earned in 2022 to emerge the first in 2023. Similarly, the Q1 2024 financial statements of the Tier-1 group (excluding FirstBank of Nigeria) which amounted to N108.95 billion against N64.32 billion, or 70 percent increase, followed the same performance trend.UBA’s N44.35 billion e-banking revenue in Q1 2024, representing 60 percent of the total e-banking income by the four Tier-1 banks, was the highest during the period.

The remarkable increase in e-banking revenue of the banks shows the high

BY SAM DIALA

BUSINESS WEEKLY

...Leadership Ahead of Capital Raise

level of interest in alternative payment system by bank customers as the CBN pushes for expansion in financial inclusion across the country.

...Amid High Debt Servicing, Running Costs

206.68% from N175.22 million received in Q2 2023.

Some stakeholders believe that the forthcoming UBA’s public offers would be oversubscribed given the bank’s towering image in the industry and events of the immediate past year

Elaborating on the bank’s e-banking revolution, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, UBA Plc, Oliver Alawuba, said that the bank’s consistent investment in strengthening its digital channels has been paying off as UBA is well-positioned to meet the growing demand of its customers across Africa and beyond.

Alawuba said, “We have invested so much in digital banking. We have great digital banking capabilities and we also have a growing customer base. Today we have over 30 million customers across various platforms and these customers are doing their transactions seamlessly.”

“Over 90 percent of our transactions are done digitally and we are looking at 95 percent shortly. This has been helping us to ensure that we manage our cost of operations and to deliver excellent customer service to our customers over time,” Alawuba said during the bank’s new executives’ visit to the Nigerian Exchange Head Office in Lagos, in September 2022.

He further explained that the bank’s foray into the larger African market 17 years earlier had continued to yield dividend for the institution, as activities in the African market accounted for over 50 percent of the banks’ profitability, with room for even more opportunities going forward.

Growth Surge

UBA’s Q1 2024 financial results which showed very strong growth across key performance measures, stemmed from the previous year’s impressive record.

The results during the period saw outstanding year-on-year increases: Gross Earnings rose by 110 percent, from N271.1billion to N570.2 billion; Interest Income grew by 130 percent to N440.7 billion. Operating Income increased by 115 percent, from N175.7 billion in Q1 2023 to N378.59 billion.

Consolidating the record performance delivered in 2023, UBA again saw profit before tax rose significantly by 155 percent from N61.7 billion in Q1 2023, to N156.34 billion in Q1 2024; while profit after tax jumped from N53.5 billion to N142.5 billion, constituting an impressive165 percent rise yearon-year.

Commenting on the Q1 2024 results, Alawuba said the Group delivered a strong first quarter performance, building on the solid momentum of 2023, as well as the ongoing execution of its long-held strategy of customer focus, geographic diversification and effective risk management and governance. He said, “Our record Q1 profit before tax was delivered with triple digit gross earnings growth, supported by very strong interest and non-interest incomes. Fees and commissions rose by 118% year-on-year on the back of improved efficiencies and continued digital adoption.

“This has helped drive improvement in efficiency and customer satisfaction, with the Group’s cost-toincome ratio held at 57.8 per cent.”

The Group’s balance sheet grew steadily with total assets increasing by 23 percent to N25.4 trillion. Customer deposits closed at N18.4 trillion, recording a 23 percent increase year-on-year, largely attributed to growth in current accounts and savings accounts.

“Our unwavering commitment to sound governance, robust risk management, and financial strength positions us for continued growth, while we contribute meaningfully to inclusive economic development across our network,” the GMD/CEO added.

While reviewing the Group’s 2023 performance at its 62nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja on May 24, 2024, the Chairman, Board of Directors, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr Tony Elumelu, noted that the over N2.08 trillion revenue and N607.69 billion profit after tax reported by the Group in the 2023 financial year, was the highest in the banking industry. The N2.08 trillion gross earnings represented a 413 percent jump.

*Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

In addition, revenue generated from the movement of goods/cargo via pipeline stood at N42.08 million in Q2 2024, higher than the N12.81 million reported in the corresponding period of last year.

Other receipts amounted to N994.68 million, indicating an increase of 5,206.68 per cent during the period.

Other receipts amounted to N994.68 million, indicating an increase of 5,206.68 per cent in Q2 2024 from the N18.74 million received in Q2 2023. However, concerns have been raised over the high debt servicing and running costs associated with the sector since it was revamped about 10 years ago.

During this period, the government engaged in massive borrowing to rehabilitate the rail sector, involving construction of many kilometres of rail lines including the extension to Maradi, in Niger Republic.

According to NBS, in the first quarter, of 2024, Nigeria spent more on servicing the debt incurred for building its railways than the revenue generated by its railway system.

The country spent 2,470% per cent more on railway debt servicing than it made from revenue from rail services in the first quarter of 2024.

Total revenue from rail services amounted to N2bn in the first quarter of 2024, according to data from the nation’s statistical bureau.

Passenger revenue totalled N1,420,923,315 billion, and N607,315,323 million was made from goods/cargo. Total revenue for Q1 2024 was N2bn while in 2023, it stood at N6.07bn.

Total revenue for 2023 was 67 per cent higher than the N2bn made in 2024. The report stated that 675,293 passengers utilized the rail system during this period, up from 441,725 in the same quarter of 2023, representing a growth rate of 52.88 per cent.

“The volume of goods/cargo transported via rail in Q1 2024 stood at 160,650 tons compared to 59,966 tons recorded in Q1 2023. In the quarter under review, the Nigerian Railway Corporation reported an additional volume of goods/cargo transported via pipeline which stood at 8,000 tons,” the report said.

In the first half of 2024, the government spent a total of N51.4bn on debt service payments for loans obtained for the Nigeria Railway Modernization Project (Idu Kaduna Section) and, Nigeria Railway Modernization Project (Lagos- Ibadan Section).

However, when compared with the time frame, in 2023, the total railway revenue was N999.71 million according to NBS in the first quarter of 2023, a total of 441,725 passengers travelled via the rail system.

Recall that the Federal Government aims to achieve N7.01 bn in revenue from train passengers by 2025, as outlined in the Nigeria Agenda 2050 document launched by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

It also aimed to elevate Nigeria to a top middle-income economy with a per capita GDP of $33,328 annually by 2050.

Maida Identifies Key Factors For Effective Telecom Service Delivery

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC)/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),

Dr. Aminu Maida, has emphsizsed on the need to adopt the four critical success factors in the pursuit of effective telecommunication service in the country.

He said the deployment of high technology which has become necessary in the development of the industry must consider the relevance domiciled in human capital, collaboration data, compliance and Digitalization.

Dr Maina made this disclosure in his speech delivered at the Annual Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Emerging Technologies held in Lagos on September 19, 2024, where he was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Engr. Abraham Oshadami. He said the Commission took a proactive step by repositioning its operations ahead of the challenges of advanced digital technology which would serve as a game-changer in the consumption of telecom products.

Dr Maida said Nigeria is set to join the league of countries already utilizing part of the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi-6 applications hence the administration

of President Bola Ahmed Tibubu is determined to ensure Nigeria joins in the emerging trend for accelerated economic development.

Part of the speech read:

“ I am particularly glad to be associated with this process because when the Government of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR brought us on board in the year 2023, we took a decision to reposition the Commission on a path that will ensure the uptake of opportunities through our strategic focus areas which is driven by the recognition that each of our stakeholders whether it is our Licensees & Industry operators , Consumers or Government maintains unique perspective and have certain expectations of as the Commission.

“Therefore, to accomplish our objectives in driving our strategic goals, the Commission identified some key factors, which include people, collaboration data, compliance, and Digitalization.

“Guided by our actions in the right direction and, of course, that of the Federal Government through the Ministers Strategic Blueprint cantered around knowledge policies,

infrastructure, innovation, entrepreneurship and Capital as well Trade, we have been able to set the ball rolling to enhance telecommunication service delivery in Nigeria.

“In line with one of the key factors on collaboration as outlined in our focus areas and the Commission's traditionally institutionalized policy of participatory regulation and the practice of industry-wide consultations in conducting its regulatory functions, we are here again to elicit your comments and inputs on the use of the 6GHz for Wi-Fi - 6 and International Mobile Telecommunications (MT).

:”In line with global best practices, we sincerely believe that our actions must be guided by decisions that take into cognizance the inputs from all stakeholders in the industry. The 6GHz band, spanning from 5925 MHz to 7125 MHz, offers a substantial increase in available spectrum, which is crucial for supporting the growing demand for high-speed internet and advanced applications Wi-Fi plays a crucial role in the distribution of fixed broadband connectivity in homes, offices, and various other environments.

*Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

FEATURES

Why FG Must Engage Stakeholders Before Implementing University Entry Age Policy

that the stakeholders in the sector and other Nigerians misconstrued Mamman’s pronouncement. They insisted that the minister had not derailed from the

Sununu, who wondered why some universities or tertiary institutions would give admission to children between age 10 and 12, revealed that the Federal Government was considering whether or not to engage students who have the IQ of adults and finished secondary school before the age of 18 in order to improve their lives before they reach the stipulated policy age entry into higher

"It is shocking to say that a university in the country gave admission to children at ages 10, 11 and 12. This is totally wrong. We are not saying that there are no exceptions, we know we can have talented students that have the IQ of adults, even at the ages of 6 and 7, but

But, like the supporters of the policy, an educationist and the Principal of Daywaterman College, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Mr Ahmed Kamal, backed the Federal Government’s position on the entry age issue, claiming that the Minister of Education’s declaration showed that the FG had not derailed on the 6:3:3:4 policy on

He equally urged the FG to peg the age limit for children or students that make use of smart phones in order to censor or regulate what they watch (particularly sexual

contents) on the Internet or social media.

Kamal, who knocked NUT and other stakeholders in the education sector for kicking against the policy, said that it was high time JAMB, Heads of tertiary institutions, parents, guidance and other players in the sector align with the policy to improve and remove rot in the education system, while calling on FG to call all the stakeholders to a round table for discussion before the policy could be implemented.

Already, he said, the policy had generated so much mixed reactions from Nigerians, including private schools owners, parents and guardians, especially those who take their children to private schools where they can graduate on time to gain admission into tertiary institutions before the implementation of the entry age policy.

He insisted that most of the stakeholders were aware of the 6:3:3:4 policy, but they had over time flouted it for reasons best known to them.

The educationist stated that if the university entry age policy eventually stands, the Federal Government should also consider an entry age for creche, primary and secondary schools, too.

He insisted that a roundtable with the stakeholders was need for FG to do rigorous implementation of the policy.

He said, “I think the government has acted with very good intentions, I might have some issues with the announcement, but there is an age range to the kind of challenge young people should be espoused to at different times. In the past, if you look at the national policy on education, the 6-3-3-4 actually stipulates that a child who starts primary school at age six will finish at 12, then the child will spend the next six years in high school. This will bring the child to 18 years and that will be the age to enter into a university or any level of tertiary institutions."

"With this policy, the government has not said anything strange. The challenge I have with this policy is this: What about the child who grew up in an environment that lacks enforcement of this principles and policy, who is now 16 and has to go to the university? So, what happens to the child if the child graduated at 16 and there is no opportunity to enter a university because of an A level programme that is not well established in Nigeria?

“I think the government should do a roll on, so that those who are graduating too early will now take a step further and go to A level to cover for the age that is required. For this to function, we must go back to answer the following questions: At what age should a child enter nursery school? At what age should a child be in primary school? At what age should a child go to a high school?"

With this policy, the government has not said anything strange. The challenge I have with this policy is this: What about the child who grew up in an environment that lacks enforcement of this principles and policy, who is now 16 and has to go to the university?

Kamal maintained that government cannot achieve the censorship of sexual contents on social media or the Internet without parents’ cooperation, charging them to always monitor what their children do on their phones and computers to rescue them from immorality, while asking FG to treat any parents found culpable of not adhering to such proposed policy as criminals.

"I think there should be a kind of regulation. As they say, you can't ride a car until you attain a particular age and you also can't use a smart phone until you are at a certain age, but, that doesn't mean that some parents will not contradict the law. When you make a rule, those who violate it become offenders and you can hold them accountable. I think the Federal Government should also regulate ownership of smart phones and not allow children below 18 years to use them, so as to regulate sexual contents." he noted.

FRANK OSODI

King of Bustier

Most Brands Not Interested in Working With Known Faces – Frank Osodi

Seasoned fashion designer, Frank Osodi, who recently clocked 60, speaks with IVORY UKONU about how it feels to reach the landmark age, carve a niche for himself in the fashion industry and his plans for the future. Excerpts:

Congratulation.

How does it feel like to clock 60?

Thank you very much. It feels unbelievably awesome clocking 60 and I am healthy and lively.

Were you looking forward to your 60th birthday?

I was sincerely looking forward to my 60th birthday.

Did you achieve all your set goals before turning 60?

I did set some goals for myself when I was younger, however I experienced God on my journey through life and the goals have changed for good. I am fulfilled in so many ways. I am quite grateful to God for this.

Looking back, do you have any regrets about life so far?

I don’t have any regrets so far. I have come to terms with the knowledge that life is filled with roses and thorns. So all I have experienced in life are all navigation to who and where I am today. Not Bad at all.

If you could turn back the hands of time, is there anything you wish you could have done differently?

Looking back now, the only thing I would have done differently is to have added law to my studies. There is so much injustice in this country. I would have loved to legally fight any system that stands against the rights of the masses.

Would you consider yourself a fulfilled man?

I am not completely fulfilled, but I am getting there.

What are you most grateful for?

I am grateful to be alive and soldiering on. The gift of waking up every morning strong and healthy is priceless. It is completely above any wealth, accomplishments, earthly gifts or luxury acquisitions.

Bunor Creazioni, your fashion empire will be 35 years-old this year. How has the journey been so far?

It has beautiful roses and thorns. Still, I am most grateful to God, my wonderful clients, my ever-hardworking staff, awesome Nigerian fashion writers and everyone that has ever sponsored our collections on the runways locally and internationally and also for those designers who paved the way for us to fly.

What was the idea behind setting up two sister fashion companies: House of Bunor and Frank Oshodi for Bunor? House of Bunor and Frank Osodi for Bunor are two labels under BUNOR CREAZIONI. Under House of Bunor, we produce your essential pieces. Under Frank Osodi for Bunor, we design exclusively for our clients, unique pieces that we don’t reproduce for anyone else.

Do you believe that you achieved the purpose of setting up the two fashion houses?

Oh yes. We achieved our purpose for the two different labels. You are quite versatile. You are a model, makeup artist, choreographer, model manager and other things rolled in one. How do you combine all of these things and yet make your mark in the fashion and beauty industries?

I started with modeling and later did makeup artistry. Choreography and model management came as a result of my years in the modeling and runway model experiences. Then later came the designing business. They all happened at different times of my life. However, we currently run the fashion design business and model and artist management agency, and of course the fashion choreography and fashion event production outfits. We have done very well in these areas and we have professionals heading those departments while still staying as the nucleus of them all.

At what point did you decide to get fully involved in fashion business? What is your story?

I had worked briefly as a head designer for a designer I use to model for in those days. After which I decided to resign and go back to my desired profession then which was graphics and visual artistry. After I left the company, some of the clients I used to cater for then came searching for me. One of them found where I was living and came with a 'Ghana must go bag'

filled with fabrics. Even when I told her that I was not into designing anymore, she wouldn’t listen. She dropped a bundle of money and the fabrics and said to me, "I don’t want to know how you are going to sew these fabrics. Just let me know when they are ready." My brother encouraged me to go find tailors and sit with them, create designs for the fabrics and the tailors would do their best. That was exactly what I did. So, I worked with MAFAN creative associates during the day and worked with the tailors in the evening to get the fabrics ready. Shortly after that, I was encouraged to participate in Silverbird’s Intercontinental Designer of The Year competition. I participated and won. With the publicity that came with winning the contest, I got busier as a designer and the whole idea about setting up the fashion business came to the fore. That was how it all started.

What are some of the challenges you encountered running your fashion business and how did you navigate through them?

Well, like every other Nigerian business, managing human, especially unskilled tailors, was a major issue. I had to learn so much quickly so that I could bring my ideas to reality and make sure my clothes fit whoever wears them. The power issue in Nigeria now became a more serious problem down the line. That issue always takes a bigger chunk of the Nigerian designers' profit. Accessibility to most of the things we work with was an issue then. Thank God we now have a lot of traders who are ready to invest into bringing in all the designer accessories into the country.

You are fondly referred to as the king of bustier because you make them well. Bustiers are now back in fashion. What do you make of it?

Do you feel intimidated by the kind of designs these younger ones create?

Media personality and a former fashion journalist, Ruth Osime gave me that name 'King of Bustier' in those days. She was a top fashion journalist then. Bustier is very much in fashion now all over the world and Nigerian designers are doing well with it. It gives women the illusion of a shapelier physical feature.

Do you have a formal or informal school where you train young designers?

We don’t have any school where we train people. What we offer is an apprenticeship programme for a few people that we feel have and show a deeper level of interest in the creative fashion industry.

Nigerian fashion has evolved over the years and have now gone international. What is your take on this?

Yes, fashion has evolved all over the world and Nigerian designers are not left out. If you are on social media, you will see lots of Nigerian designers and retailers all doing Internet fashion business. As bad as the economy is, Nigerians are very determined and rugged business minded people. And considering our 'aso ebi' culture, it keeps a lot of tailors, designers in business.

Intimidated? Hell no! We all have our strengths and customer bases and moreover, the market is large. Those who know can tell the difference in our deliveries. Our cuts differ. So, there is no intimidation, talk more of competition.

Why didn't you ever venture into male fashion?

I have been encouraged to go into men’s fashion. I did it when I started my business. And I am still thinking about it. It just may happen in the nearest future.

With the advent of the social media, influencers seem to have taken the place of professional models. As a former model do you think modelling will become extinct soon or do you believe that influencers taking over the jobs of models is the right way?

All over the world there are influencers endorsing brands so as a former model and the current President of Professional Model Managers Association of Nigeria (PROMMAN) I can assure you that we still have lots of jobs for professional models. Most brands are not really interested in working with faces that are everywhere and they are also worried about the effects of some celebrity scandals on their brands. So, there are still a lot of jobs for models regarding television commercials, point of sales posters, fashion runways, look books and editorials and brand and product promotions.

Do you belong to any fashion association?

I am an old member of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria, FADAN. I was once its vice president.

Osodi

Osodi

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

STORIES

BY IVORY UKONU

Nordica Fertility Centre Celebrates Its First IVF Baby

Over a year after Nordica Fertility Centre, one of the top In-Vitro Fertilisation, IVF clinics in Nigeria, celebrated its 20th anniversary, they have reason to celebrate again as the first baby ever recorded at the Lagos facility where it all started recently clocked 20 years.

The team at Nordica led by its founder, Dr Abayomi Ajayi and his wife, Ranti, first woke up the celebrant, Julian Oluchukwu via a video call to send him birthday wishes. Thereafter, the founding couple spent time with the celebrant as they regaled him with stories surrounding his birth.

At a time when IVF was still largely considered a taboo in Nigeria, Nordica alongside two other prominent fertility clinics, braved the odds to offer succour to couples who couldn't procreate normally. Within that time and now, the clinic has successfully birthed over 5,000 babies through IVF. A lot has changed since Dr Ajayi first started out 20 years ago with more IVF clinics

Continued from page 18

springing up due to the huge demand for IVF in Nigeria as many people are constantly seeking assistance at fertility clinics due to childlessness and threats in their marriages.

Although Dr Ajayi is glad he runs a successful IVF clinic, he attributes his skill and expertise to a burden to see him touch lives and create an impact. Following the success of his fertility clinic, Dr Ajayi has added another service that is most sought after, High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for fibroids. HIFU is a form of treatment that converts waves of ultrasound energy to heat to burn off fibroids. He said the treatment option saves patients from complications associated with surgery and other methods, very unlike traditional methods. HIFU targets and destroys fibroid tissue without removing it, reducing the risk of complications.

The HIFU machine generates sound waves, which focuses on a particular area at a specific intensity and power; and the generated thermal energy kills the fibroids.

Halima Buba, CEO Suntrust Bank, Clocks 50 Quietly

(NSIA), where she serves as a non-executive director and as a co-founder of TAJ Consortium, a prestigious group of elite technocrats making waves in various sectors. With an impressive track record and exceptional leadership skills, Halima has been key to building cross-functional teams and spearheading business development and market expansion. With over two decades of experience under her belt, Halima has proven herself as a leader in capacity building and market growth. An alumnus of the Lagos Business School’s Senior Management Programme, she holds an MBA from the University of

Maiduguri and a BSc in Business Management from the same institution. Her commitment to lifelong learning is evident, as she has attended numerous courses both locally and internationally. She is an honorary senior member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) and a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants. Fearless in her pursuits, she brings strategic thinking, inspirational leadership, and entrepreneurial flair to her role. A passionate advocate for youth and women empowerment, Halima is dedicated to philanthropy, particularly in promoting education for the girl child.

Aisha Achimugu Bags US Presidential Award

Businesswoman, Dr. Mrs Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu has again manifested her winning streak with a most recent recognition. She has again been honoured for making outstanding strides. She was recently presented with the prestigious President’s Volunteer Achievement Award in Washington D.C by President Joe Biden. The President's Volunteer Service Award is presented to United States citizens and lawfully admitted, permanent residents of the United States who have completed the required number of service hours over a 12-month period or cumulatively over a lifetime.

This latest award comes three months after she was presented with the African Female Business Leader of the Year award at the 2024 African Achievers Awards held in the United Kingdom Parliament. She was given this honour because of her impact in the business sector in Nigeria and Africa. Prior to that, she bagged 'Champion Newspaper's' Philanthropist of the Year award during the newspaper's annual awards ceremony where her philanthropic acts which have impacted millions of people and communities in Nigeria over the years were highlighted. Aisha who recently expanded her frontiers into real estate, is the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FELAK Concept Group, comprising eight active companies spanning various sectors including Engineering, Maritime, Oil and Gas, ICT Learning and Development, among others.

Continued from page 18

DON ETIEBET JOINS THE OCTOGENARIAN CLUB

The dinner event will be held at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, an exclusive, members-only elite club. A pioneer in Information and Communication Technology, ICT, a towering figure in business, politics and the petroleum industry, it won't be out of place to say that Etiebet is an accomplished man. He was Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister from 1993 to 1995, during which the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Towers in Abuja was built and the construction of the Nigeria LNG Limited, NLNG, was relaunched. He also played important roles in the establishment of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF).

As a minister, Etiebet introduced many reforms in the oil industry, including strengthening the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, a regulatory agency. He had the foresight and sound judgement about deep offshore oil production as the new frontier of oil and gas production in the country and thus approved the first ever deep-water offshore oil and gas exploration and production program pioneered by Shell in 1994, the Bonga oil fields on the Atlantic Ocean which is the nation’s most resourceful offshore production platform.

As a pioneer in the ICT business, he set up Obodex which comprises 12 businesses in the ICT, oil and gas and property development. In 1990, he launched the first ever Nigerian brand name in personal computers, known as OBODEX PCs which introduced the first keyboard with the Naira sign. In recognition of his contributions, President Jonathan decorated him with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). He is a Fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society (FNCS); Fellow of the Computer Registration Council of Nigeria (FCPNS); Fellow of the Nigerian Mining Geosciences Society (FNMGS); Member of Society of Petroleum Engineers (MSPE); Member of Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (MNAPE); Member of American Association of Petroleum Geologist (MAAPG), among others. His Etiebet Place in Lagos, built in 1992, stands as a towering testimony to the business sagacity of this octogenarian. After obtaining a Masters

degree in Applied Geophysics from the University of Western Ontario, Canada, and working in the oil industry in that country and in Shell Petroleum in Holland, young Etiebet returned to Nigeria in September 1971 to start building his businesses. The first was Earth Sciences Limited, established in 1972 as the first Nigerian-owned company in geophysical prospecting and computer data processing services. The company grew rapidly and in 1979, Etiebet founded Data Sciences Nigeria Limited (DSNL) to take over the computer businesses of Earth Sciences. It was the exclusive distributor for the US-based Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), the pioneer producer of interactive computers and largest manufacturers of minicomputers in the world. Data Sciences provided computer hardware and software to the oil industry, and later in other areas of the economy. His company, Obodex was the first to install computer-based communications systems linking oil platforms in Warri and Port Harcourt and homes of the oil executives in the two locations. This was the forerunner of e-mail and Internet connectivity; and for his pioneering roles, he remains a trustee of the Nigeria Internet Group which he helped found. Etiebet contributed immensely to the establishment of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) that is responsible for the formulation of government’s policies on ICT. His pioneering works also led to the establishment of Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), the regulatory agency for ICT, of which he was a pioneer director.

Etiebet has also been a notable player in Nigerian politics. He was the founder and financier of Nigeria Center Party (NCP), during the transition programme of late General Sani Abacha. He ran for the presidency twice. First on the platform of NCP and later on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, which he helped found. Unfortunately, he never actualised his presidential ambition. He has since defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Today he takes things easy after he suffered a serious health challenge.

Achimugu

The Ajayis and their 'first fruit'

STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

OBA ABDULFATAI AROMIRE ACCUSED OF LAND GRABBING

Agang of hoodlums believed to be working for prominent Lagos traditional ruler, Oba AbdulFatai Aromire, the Ojora of Ijora, has forcefully ejected many landlords and occupants of properties in the Iganmu Industrial Estate area of Lagos State.

Led by policemen attached to the traditional ruler and armed with dangerous weapons, the thugs threatened to hurt anyone who attempts to enter the properties since they broke into them and secured them about six months ago. Several petitions have been written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun reporting threat to life, stealing, malicious damage, harassment, dislodgement and grabbing of developed property, the victims are yet to receive any kind of relief from the IGP.

The police authorities have allegedly taken the petitioners through a vexatious merry-go-round involving deliberate delay, extortion and frustration. Details of the harrowing travails of owners of these properties who have suffered losses estimated at over N10 billion were outlined in these petitions.

The reign of terror unleashed by the Ojora of Ijora has reportedly forced many landlords to abandon their property acquired with legal and valid documents when they couldn’t meet the arm-twisting demands of the traditional ruler. He was alleged to have boasted that he has successfully

ENTERTAINMENT &SOCIETY WEEKLY

wrested land from many owners including the Delta State Government, even as his agents continue hounding other property owners in that area. Aromire is alleged to have been asking the property owners money to ratify ownership of their property, while claiming alleged ownership of them. He had given the impression that an amicable resolution could be reached.

Unknown to the hapless landlords, he allegedly had no plan to engage in any amicable resolution. Some of the property owners have taken their case to the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, which has a reputation for wielding the big stick on lawless traditional rulers in the state by whipping them back into line. A good example is that of Oba Lateef Atanda Adams the Onikate of Ikate and founder of Latris Fashion. So far, nothing concrete has come out of the petition as Aromire allegedly boasted of his influence in the state and turning law enforcement agents into his willful tools of destruction.

Farida Waziri Loses Son In-Law

Farida Waziri, the only woman to have held sway at anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is bereaved. The former police officer recently lost her son in-law, Ohis Ifidon-Ola, to the cold hands of death. The Edo State-born businessman reportedly gave up the ghost in Manchester, United Kingdom. Farida has been engulfed with grief since his passing and has refused to be consoled. Ifidon-Ola was like the son to her and despite losing Jackie, her daughter and Ifidon-Ola's wife, eight years ago to the

cold hands of death, her son in-law has remained like a family member to her. Ironically, she also lost her husband, former Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey, Senator Ajuji Waziri, within months of losing their daughter but she however managed to maintain a stoic exterior. She is now left with the burden to cater for the two daughters her son in-law left behind. Since leaving the EFCC, Faarida tries to keep busy with her law Abuja based firm, Brookfield Chambers where she is the principal partner.

Chinasa Okolo, Kauna Malgwi Named Among TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People

Chinasa Okolo, a Nigerian computer scientist and a fellow of Brookings Institution has been named among the 2024 TIME Magazine 100 Most Influential People in artificial intelligence (AI). Okolo is recognised in the ‘Thinkers category’ for mitigating the risks facing communities in the Global South that might be left behind technologically, victimised by biased systems, or exploited for their data as AI development emerges from Silicon Valley.

The Time magazine said she had been doing this through policy advocacy, public speaking and releasing research papers. She has recently contributed passages to the international scientific report on the safety of advanced AI, led by Yoshua Bengio; the African Union’s

strategy for responsible AI adoption; and Nigeria’s national AI strategy. Through these endeavours and her research, she is raising awareness about the benefits using AI could bring to countries across Africa— including the detection of floods and crop diseases—as well as its potential harms, such as digitally-enabled harassment on microlending platforms. Also, Kauna Malgwi, chairperson of the Nigeria chapter of the Content Moderators Union,

is named in the ‘Shapers category’.

Malgwi is a leading voice in content moderation for advanced AI. She worked as a contract contractor for Sama, a generative AI and computer vision data annotation company, where she gained experience that shaped her views on AI systems.

Malgwi is in the Shapers category alongside Steve Huffman, co-founder and chief executive officer of Reddit, a company with social networks and formidable homes for user-generated content.

Some other honourees are Sam Altam, the chief executive officer (CEO) of OpenAI; Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet; Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft; Sasha Luccioni; and AI & Climate Lead at Hugging Face. Time said the purpose of the recognition is to spark conversation on AI development and deployment based on the views of the 100 honourees.

DONALD DUKE'S DAUGHTER BECOMES WILDLIFE AFRICA AMBASSADOR

Wild Africa, an organisation dedicated to fighting illegal wildlife trade, has appointed Nela Ekpenyong its ambassador.

Nela who is married to the youngest member of the Senate, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, was selected to help shift public attitudes towards wildlife and the environment. Another reason Nela who is the chief executive officer of LEGA.C Capital, a wealth management firm was chosen as Wild Africa representative in Nigeria was also because of her ability to lend her voice towards the fight against illegal wildlife trade in Nigeria particularly because of her deep understanding of the wildlife challenge facing the country, and her ability to contribute to its solution. A passionate conservationist with a proven track record of addressing conservation issues, it is hoped that her voice, expertise, and experience will contribute massively to protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity for future generations. In August, the Federal Government unveiled an elephant sculpture created from a confiscated wildlife stockpile in Abuja, to promote the fight against wildlife trafficking.

Adesuwa Ogiozee Cleared of All Fraud Charges

After years of battling to clear her name of any fraud related accusations, justice has finally prevailed for Adesuwa Renee Ogiozee, a popular auto dealer based in the United States. Prosecutors have dismissed federal charges leveled against her in a New Mexico court for online romance scam. Adesuwa, who has had to be moving around with a monitoring device stuck to her leg, is now a free woman with no wrongdoing in her name. Many years ago, Adesuwa had the Federal Bureau of Investigation hot on her heels for alleged fraud related incidents. THEWILL had exclusively reported about three years ago how she was indicted in a federal court in New Mexico on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy alongside her co-conspirators, Kayode Adeniyi, Olutayo Sunday Ogunlaja and two others. A grand jury had indicted

them for wire fraud, including scamming a female victim residing in New Mexico, the sum of $560,000. FBI findings allegedly indicated that Adesuwa moved more than $3 million in suspicious transactions through her American bank accounts between August 2016 and September 2017. She was arrested in September 2021 and on the 17th of the same month, she appeared in the Eastern District of Missouri and was released the same day on a $25,000 bond. To keep prying eyes from getting details of the fraud charges, she allegedly got the charging documents sealed in New Mexico and St. Louis. All through her trying period, Adesuwa maintained her innocence, insisting that she was being targeted because she is Nigerian. According to her, she cannot be said to be fraudulent

having sold over 2000 cars with only one customer of the lot having issues with her. Following further investigations, the actual culprit in the case, Adeniyi, eventually got sentenced to three and half years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors moved that the wrongful charges against Adesuwa be dismissed. Adesuwa, who touts herself as hardworking, is one of the most sought-after luxury car dealers based in the US and services many Nigerians back home, including celebrities via her various business concerns such as Adesuwa motors LLC, which she set up in 2014; Adesuwa Auto LLC, incorporated in 2016 and Renee Logistics, established in 2017. She is said to be trustworthy among her returning clients who also recommend her services to new clients.

Ogiozee

Waziri

Okolo

Ekpenyong

Malgwi

SHOTS OF THE WEEK

Photo Editor: Peace Udugba [08033050729]

L-R: Axis Coordinator, Foursquare Gospel Church, Ikeja Axis/ District Overseer Ikeja District,Rev. Abraham Ayomide; Chairman Board of Trustees, Vision International Christian Ministries, Pastor Omoniyi Francis; Member VICM Women Wing, Mrs Stella Olubukola Francis  - Omoniyi and  Regional Producer, Global Leadership Summit, Pastor Felix Fahuwa, during a press Conference to herald this 2024/25 Global Leadership Summit, held in Lagos on September 16,  2024 .

The Managing Director/CEO, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini (7th Right), with  graduating  students of over 20 young men and women from Nestlé Nigeria Technical Training Centre (TTC),  Flowergate in Sagamu, recently

Boer, during the Facts Behind the Right Issue Presentation by Nigerian Breweries Plc , in Lagos on September 19, 2024.

L-R: First Lady of Lagos State, Dr.  (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; wife of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat; her husband/the celebrant, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former Deputy Governors of the State, Mrs. Sarah Sosan and Otunba Femi Pedro, during the cutting of the cake at the special prayer in commemoration of the 60th birthday of Dr. Hamzat, held at the Lagos Community Secretariat Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos on September 19,  2024.

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack; Permanent Secretary Common Services Office, Mr Raymond Omachi and PS  Service Policies and Strategies Office, Dr Deborah  Odoh, during a Town Hall meeting with HCSF in Abuja on September 17, 2024.

L-R: Assistant Secretary General, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Lagos Branch, Mrs Folakemi Odunewu; Guest Lecturer, Mr Olumide Vincent; Chairman, Association of Private Practicing Surveyors of Nigeria, Lagos State Branch, Mr Adaranijo Ibikunle; Past President, NIS, Mr Akinloye Oyegbola and Past National Coordinator, Women In Surveyors, Mrs Augustina Odakhe, during the Year 2024 Annual Professional Workshop and Luncheon of the Association of Private Practicing Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN) in Lagos on septem 18, 2024.

L-R: Head Primary Market, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Tony Ibeziako; Chief Executive Officer, NGX Regulation, Femi Shobanjo; CEO, NGX, Jude Chiemeka; MD/ CEO, Nigeria Breweries Plc, Hans Essaadi; Company Secretary, NB Plc, Uaboi Agbebaku; Group CEO, Vetiva Capital Management, Chuka Eseka; Chief Executive, Stabic IBTC Capital, Oladele Sotubo and Financial Director, NB Plc, Ben Wessels

L-R:

Delta Wins Again as Grassroots Talents Flourish at 8th National Youth Games

BY JUDE OBAFEMI

The Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State, was alive with excitement and competition from September 9 to 19, 2024, as young athletes from across Nigeria gathered for the 8th National Youth Games. The event, which has become a cornerstone of youth sports development in the country, once again highlighted the emerging talents and the growing competitive spirit among Nigeria's states.

Delta State, the host of this year's games, maintained its iron grip on the top spot, winning the overall title for the eighth consecutive time since the inception of the games

While Delta, Lagos, and Edo dominated the medal table, other states also showed promise

in 2013. The state's athletes displayed exceptional skill across various disciplines, amassing an impressive total of 111 medals - 46 gold, 31 silver, and 34 bronze. This victory underscores Delta's commitment to grassroots sports development and talent nurturing over the years.

Just like at the previous edition, Lagos State emerged as the first runner-up with a total of 65 medals, including 26 gold, 20 silver, and 19 bronze. Edo State rounded out the top three with 59 medals - 18 gold, 13 silver, and 28 bronze. The competition was fierce, with 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) participating and winning medals, a notable increase from the previous year when only 27 states were represented on the medal table.

One of the most talked-about moments of the games came from the boxing ring, where Team Lagos displayed outstanding dominance. In a remarkable feat, Lagos swept all four gold medals available in the boxing competition. Agboola Oyindamola claimed victory in the 40kg female category, while Bello Olamide Lawal triumphed in the 42kg male category. Yakubu Sofiat and Bolarinwa Michael completed the clean sweep with their wins in the 42kg female and 44kg male divisions, respectively.

The swimming events also provided thrilling competition, with the swimmer representing Lagos State setting a new record in the 50m freestyle. Athletics, always a major draw at the National Youth Games, produced several standout performances. David Udoh from Delta State captured gold in the 400m, demonstrating impressive timing and determination. The track and field events continued to be a source of excitement throughout the games, with young athletes pushing themselves to new limits.

Gymnastics, a sport that has historically received less attention in Nigeria, saw increased participation and improved performances. Lagos and Delta State athletes dominated this discipline, indicating growing interest in the sport at the grassroots level.

Combat sports were another area of intense competition. Bayelsa's wrestling team performed exceptionally well, claiming several gold medals in both freestyle and Greco-Roman events. The emergence of new talents in judo, taekwondo, and karate suggests a bright future for Nigeria in martial arts, with potential athletes being groomed for continental championships and

While Delta, Lagos, and Edo dominated the medal table, other states also showed promise. Akwa Ibom performed well in team sports, reaching the finals in football and basketball. Edo and Ogun states secured gold in individual events like tennis. These achievements demonstrate that the National Youth Games provide a platform for athletes from various states to display their talents and rise through the ranks.

The impact of the National Youth Games extends far beyond the competition itself. For many of the over 4,000 participating athletes, this event serves as their first exposure to national-level competition. The experience gained is invaluable, often serving as a stepping stone towards representing Nigeria on larger international platforms, including the Olympics.

Senator John Owan Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, emphasised the significance of the games in discovering young sporting talents. Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the closing ceremony, Senator Enoh stated, "The National Youth Games have been a valuable platform to discover young talents that will go on to represent Nigeria in various sports. Many athletes discovered in previous editions have become champions, creating opportunities for themselves and the nation."

The minister also highlighted that the 2024 edition identified 450 talented young athletes from the different states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. He commended the high level of discipline and sportsmanship displayed throughout the games, expressing optimism about the future of Nigerian sports.

Sports Minister Enoh and Delta Governor Oborevwori

Team Lagos State

Team