WEDNESDAY 4TH JANUARY 2023

LCCI Tips Manufacturing, ICT, Agriculture, Others to Drive Growth in 2023 Predicts CBN may hike MPR to 17% this month Dike Onwuamaeze The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has tipped sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, transport, telecommunications and trade as major drivers of economic

growth, anticipating that they would deliver a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate above three per cent in 2023, higher than the less than average two per cent recorded in 2022.

The LCCI also projected that

the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may hike the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 16.5 per cent to 17 per cent when its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets this month, as part of efforts to curb inflationary pressure and

prevent capital flight.

The chamber made these projections in a statement titled: “The LCCI New Year Statement on the Economy 2023,” signed by its Director General, Dr. Chinyere Almona; in which it urged the

federal government to sustain its targeted interventions in selected critical sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, export infrastructure, tackling insecurity, and freeing more money from subsidy payments.

The LCCI stated: “In 2023, we

expect to see growth in sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, transport, telecommunications, and trade. With Nigeria having the third largest subscriber base Continued on page 10

Atiku's Campaign: Wike Dancing Like Village Masquerade... Page 8 Wednesday 4 January, 2023 Vol 27. No 10129. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Let's Join Hands to Rebuild Nigeria, Diri, Obaseki Urge G5 Govs... Page 49

Like Obasanjo, Clark Endorses Obi, as Labour Party Leaders Hold Crucial Meeting in Ogun Former president moves to resolve leadership crisis in party Obasanjo’s endorsement excites Ortom, as he reiterates his support for LP presidential candidate Says if he was not in PDP he would have led Obi’s campaign Adedayo Akinwale, Emameh Gabriel in Abuja; George Okoh in Makurdi and Gideon Arinze in Enugu

Leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin

Clark, has endorsed the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, ahead of the February

25 presidential election.

Clark’s endorsement came few days after former President

Olusegun Obasanjo recommended Obi in his New Year message to Nigerians.

THISDAY gathered yesterday Continued on page 10

Buhari Signs N21.83trn 2023 Budget, Defers Finance Bill Says ample provision for elections Assents 2022 supplementary appropriation bill Urges N'Assembly to reconsider ways and means by CBN, as Lawan assures legislature will address bill Gbajabiamila says budget increase by legislative arm in public interest Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday signed the N21.83 trillion 2023 appropriation bill into law, marking the last time he would be performing such task as Nigeria’s president.

The president however deferred the signing of the Finance Bill, which is still being reviewed, especially over its conflicts with the fiscal term of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The proposed Finance Bill was said to have taken away all concessions given by the PIA. For instance, it disincentivises investments in the petroleum sector, leading to massive protest by the international oil companies (IOCs), especially in the area of gas flaring.

The annual financial plan, which contained robust provisions for the funding of this year’s general elecContinued on page 10

SIGNING CEREMONY OF 2023 APPROPRIATION BILL...

L-R: Minister State for Finance, Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Honourable Abiodun Faleke; President Muhammadu Buhari; Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan and Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, at the signing ceremony of the 2023 Appropriation Bill at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja... yesterday PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

2

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 •T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 • T H I S D AY

3

4

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 •T H I S D AY

5

WEDNESDAY, ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322, 0807 401 0580

NEWS

ARCHBISHOP OLIVER ABAH AT STATE HOUSE, MARINA...

The Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, Archbishop Oliver Abah (left) with Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Marina,...yesterday

Minister: FG Does Not Have Resources to Pre-empt Illegal Mining Activities Says sector now contributes N10bn to Nigerian economy Fixes March for preferred bidder in Ajaokuta steel deal Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Lekan Adegbite, yesterday revealed that it was impossible for the federal government to halt the activities of illegal minerals miners in the country due to Nigeria’s vast size.

Speaking on Arise Television, THISDAY’s broadcast arm, the minister noted that as it is, the nation cannot pre-empt illegal mining operators, stressing however, that wherever they are found, they will be dealt with according to the law.

Adegbite explained that the federal government had begun

to organise the so-called illegal miners into cooperatives to ensure thorough monitoring, stressing that so many foreign nationals were being arrested and prosecuted for breaking the law.

“As for illegal mining, that's a problem because Nigeria is a very vast country. I must admit to you that we do not have the resources to pre-empt all these illegal activities because Nigeria is vast.

“But we react to it very well, because we have been monitoring through the locals, through the states and all that and the security guys are aiding us. We've actually arrested a lot of these nationals that you

mentioned, and we have prosecuted them.

“We are working with agencies like customs, like immigration. We're working with them to tighten the noose. We are saying don't let these illegal people come in in the first place. But wherever we are alerted to the activities, we are left with the responsibility and we have got support of security services.

He added: “ I sincerely admit that we have some illegality all over the place because Nigeria is a vast place and I cannot come out and tell you that yes, we have the resources to pre-empt this, because we can't be everywhere at the same

time. No, it's not possible,” the minister posited.

Adegbite disclosed that in the ministry, there now exists a satellite monitoring system from which illegal activities are closely watched.

While artisanal mining is a major activity in Nigeria and therefore not illegal, the minister said the government had not made it unlawful because many of those involved use proceeds from it to feed their families.

Noting that there are currently over 4,000 cooperatives, Adegbite explained that members can borrow through the Bank of Industry (BoI)

Kogi Commissioner: W’Bank Has Pegged Child Rights Law as Precondition for States to Access $500m Grant Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Wumi Jones has disclosed that the World Bank has made the child rights law a precondition for states to access the multilateral institution’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) grants.

This he revealed was a precondition for the eleven participating states in Nigeria.

Jones, made this known while receiving the state child rights law advocacy team during the visit to the State Ministry of Education, science and technology by the state child rights law cluster in the Commissioner's office.

The commissioner explained that Kogi State was among the eleven states that would access part of the $500 million earmarked by the World Bank to fund the AGILE Project, which aims at improving secondary education opportunities among girls in targeted areas in the participating states including Kogi state.

He stressed that Kogi State like every other participating state, must fulfil the precondition required for accessing the fund, which would assist the state achieve its policy objectives in girl child education priority initiated for the African developing countries by the World Bank.

He pointed out the state was lucky to have domesticated the

child rights law since 2019, with the nine functional family courts in operation out of the 21 family courts required based on the provisions of the child rights law, 2023.

"Our governor is committed to any project that adds value to life in Kogi State and the child rights law scale project is of immense value to us as a government committed to serving the people to live a better life, where children are given rightful priority in the scheme of things," Jones said.

He added that the state needs full implementation of the child rights law as it prepares for the next phase of it full implementation without hiccups, assuring the state that Governor, Yahaya Bello has the political will to implement the child rights law.

"We at the Ministry of Education will work with other relevant ministries to ensure the setting up of the state child rights law implementation committee and be rest assured that Governor Yahaya Bello will certainly give priority to full implementation of the child rights law having demonstrated unrivaled commitment to the educational development of our children through the holistic overhaul of the educational system in the state, which has yielded noticeable improvement in our educational infrastructure.

“The funding, planning as well as the execution of the laudable educational developments and

projects were as a result of the efficiency in our educational system.

And, we believe the child rights law is an impetus to educational development in the state," he added.

According to the World Bank, the development objective of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment Project is to improve secondary education opportunities among girls in targeted areas in participating states in Nigeria.

The AGILE project has 30 years maturity period and five years grace, and the project has three components which include: creating Safe and Accessible Learning Spaces; (Creating new safe learning spaces in secondary schools, Improving existing infrastructure in secondary schools); Fostering an enabling environment for girls, towards empowering girls with critical life skills knowledge for navigating adulthood and digital literacy skills; project management and system strengthening for sustainability and technical assistance among others.

The team leader of the child rights law Advocacy cluster, Mr. Titus Alonge, appealed to Kogi state government to approve full implementation of the child rights law to bring about full realisation of the key five Policy Demands of the CRL from this year's budget.

Alonge said the project takes precedence over everything else as he urged the state government to take a pragmatic approach to

CRL implementation rather than the current piecemeal approach.

"We hope Governor Yahaya Bello will dispassionately approve the five key demands; ensure release of budgetary funding; takes pragmatic approach to CRL implementation this year.

“We also expect the government to take ownership of the child rights law Advocacy and implement the law with promptitude, vigour, tenacity and courage," he added.

He lamented the nonchalant attitude of parents to the education and well-being of their children.

to the sum of up to N100 million at 5 per cent interest rate per annum stretched for 10 to 20 years.

He opined that Nigeria has become a major location for investors because while for instance, it will cost about $400 to mine an ounce of the minerals in Nigeria, in mature jurisdictions, it may cost about $1,200 because in Nigeria it is closer to the surface of the earth.

On Ajaokuta Steel, Adegbite stated that the current arrangement is markedly different from the concession done in the past , where people just come to get things for free. According to him, the new deal will be based on equity stakes , with the process expected to be completed sometime in March this year.

“The transaction advisor in this case is guiding the federal government on the proper thing to do. We have people who are going to come in into Ajaokuta with their equity.

“We don't want a free ride anymore. That's one of the lessons learnt from the past. We've learnt a lot of lessons because we've had two sessions of concessions of Ajaokuta that failed.

“This time around, we are being guided by experts, and because of the value inherent in Ajaokuta, they appreciate it but we're saying this time there is no free lunch,” Adegbite stressed.

He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari is the first president

in the history of Nigeria to have committed money to mining in the country, of up to the tune of $100 million.

“We've talked about diversification over the years from one administration to the other, but actually putting money where the mouth is, President Buhari did that and because mining is a very risky venture, the government needs to de-risk the sector. “ We invested money in exploration and of course, acquiring data, which is what President Buhari did, especially from 2017. This data is what is attracting people to the sector now. “ And additionally when we came in, I noticed that we were going the route of petroleum again, where we exported the crude oil and they will bring in refined product, so we started the process of engaging stakeholders.

“It took us about two years, but today it's an official policy of government. It was approved by council, where without beneficiation you cannot export raw ore from Nigeria anymore,” the minister explained.

Describing it as a major achievement, Adegbite noted that the government does not want to be ‘a raw material place’. He added that the federal government was working with the private owner of Burutu port in Delta State to make sure that Nigeria designates the port as the mineral port in Nigeria.

Oba of Benin Sacks Coordinator of Enigies Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has removed the Chief Coordinator of all the Enigie (dukes) in the kingdom, Chief Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbaen, the Enogie of Siluko.

A statement by the monarch's Chief Press Secretary, Iguobaro Osaigbovo said, “This is to inform the general public that His Royal Highness, Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbaen, Enogie of Egbaen Siluko has been removed as Chief Coordinator to the Palace on Enigie matters in Benin Kingdom. His removal takes immediate effect.”

Although the statement did not give reasons for the removal,

there was allegation the removal might be unconnected to a recent request to the state government to constitute traditional councils for Edo South senatorial district, a request many saw as a plot to balkanise the Benin Kingdom in a letter addressed to the governor, dated November 11, 2022.

The letter, signed by Ogiegnaen and another, stated “We the Enigie of the Local Government Areas of Edo South, who enjoy recognition as Traditional Rulers in the Schedule to the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law of Bendel State (1979), as applicable in Edo State, bring to your Excellency our warm felicitations and best wishes."

The letter stated further, “We

use this occasion to request that Your Excellency kindly exercises the prerogative conferred on your exalted office by Part 7, Section 45 of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, at this critical stage in the development of our dear State, to establish Traditional Councils for the Local Government Areas of Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba Okha, Orhionmwon, Uhunmwonde, Ovia North East, Ovia South West of Edo State."

In making the request, the letter's authors said "we are mindful of our duties to formulate general proposals, advice and guidance to our respective Local Government Councils, and assist in the maintenance of law and order therein."

6

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 •T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 • T H I S D AY

7

8

WEDNESDAY, ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

STRATEGISING FOR PRESIDENTIAL POLL...

L-R: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Presidential candidate and Delta State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa; and Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, after a meeting, at Owa-Alero, in Delta State... on Monday

Atiku's Campaign: Wike Dancing Like Village Masquerade Melaye: Former VP's only offence was that he defeated him in transparent primary election Rivers Governor: I never meant to mock PDP presidential candidate Chuks Okocha, Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The campaign office of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday described the recent outbursts by Governor of Rivers state, Mr. Nyesom Wike, as a man dancing like a village masquerade.

In recent months, Wike has taken out time to attack Atiku, who defeated him during the PDP presidential primaries.

In a statement tagged: “Wike’s Nonsensical Gaffe,” the Special Assistant, Public Communication to Atiku, Phrank Shaibu, quoting Proverbs 14:17 in the Holy Bible, said this perhaps explains why a governor who was once a shining light in his party has thrown caution to the wind and has become a laughing stock.

“Everyday, Wike dances like a village masquerade on live television, entertaining Nigerians with the same boring moves. He acts like a failed Tik Tok comedian desperately trying to amuse Nigerians with the same platitudes just because he lost the primary and also failed to emerge as the vice presidential candidate of the PDP. “His constant weeping is like the blubbering of an infant taken off his mother’s breast. Wike’s cacophonous cry of hurt and inconsolable thrashing will never end even if the proverbial

breast is put back in his mouth,” the PDP candidate’s campaign said.

Atiku stated if anyone wants to understand the true meaning of bitterness and anger, they should watch out for Wike each time he spends tax payers monies on his live broadcasts.

At every turn of event, Atiku’s campaign maintained that Wike comes forth with new episodes of his dramatic performances, noting that what is common to all his acts is that his vile verbiage and intemperate vituperations are symptomatic of a pathetically disruptive mind with a deep character flaw.

“In his latest attempt to mock Waziri Atiku Abubakar after former President Olusegun Obasanjo decided to endorse former Governor Peter Obi, Wike again shot himself in the foot.

“According to the cantankerous and loquacious governor, the decision of Obasanjo to support Obi is evidence that Atiku is unfit for the presidency.

“Going by Wike’s flawed logic, President Uhuru Kenyatta’s refusal to support his Vice President, William Ruto, meant that Ruto was unfit for office. The great people of Kenya, however, do not think in a flawed manner like Wike,” Atiku’s office argued.

Even in Nigeria, it stated that President Muhammadu Buhari did not support Vice President Yemi Osinbajo despite the fact that Osinbajo had served as acting

Women Will Have More Access to Money under Obi Presidency, Wife Says Emameh Gabriel in Abuja Wife of Labour Party's presidential candidate, Margaret Obi, has assured Nigerian women of their place in her husband's government, if Peter Obi was elected president in the February 25 poll.

The ex-Anambra first lady, who spoke in a town hall meeting in Abuja, expressed disappointment that women who made up 49 per cent of the population are often offered the backseat in governance.

According to her, June statistics released by the Independent National Electoral Commission showed that women and youth made up over 75 per cent of registered voters in Nigeria.

"Why then should we suffer in silence?" she asked. "This is why we are making this call to women,

you can and must empower the nation to birth a new Nigeria.

When things go bad, women are the ones that suffer the most.

I therefore encourage you to look at what the candidates have to offer you as women."

She explained that the "ObiDatti policies show women that a new Nigeria where women take their rightful place is possible and that "men have a higher default rate, noting that the Obi-Datti pact with women is that they will ensure increased access to finance for women. We know that more money in the hands of women, equates to a better life for our children.

We are the ones that are raising the leaders of tomorrow."

Obi added, "This is why we must step out and vote for ObiDatti ticket and vote for the Labour Party."

president for over five months when Buhari was on medical vacation in London.

“If we bring it closer to Rivers State, it means Wike’s deputy is incompetent hence his decision to anoint Siminialayi Fubara, as his successor. In fact Wike’s domineering attitude has made his deputy redundant, hence no one even knows who she is.

“What Wike failed to acknowledge during his latest tirade is that Atiku remains the only former vice president in the history of Nigeria to ever be publicly endorsed by his principal and this happened in 2019 when Obasanjo decided to support him,” the Atiku campaign office stated.

On the other hand, it pointed out that no one finds Wike worthy of wielding presidential power, not even his predecessors, maintaining that rather than try to repair his damaged reputation, Wike continues to cry over spilt milk.

“When has the lack of support of an ex-president ever translated to fitness of an office?

“Finally, let me state that our decorous demeanour belong to us - they are not dictated by whether someone is intemperate towards us. We will hit back if we have to, but God forbid that we will ever descend to the level of the gutter that some people live in. Wike really needs to grow up and respect the office he holds,” the PDP presidential candidate's office stated.

Also yesterday, the PDP PCC yesterday said the only offence that Atiku committed against Wike was that he defeated him in a transparent election.

In a statement by the spokesman of the PDP PCC, Senator Dino Melaye said, "the only crime is that he won a transparent presidential primary."

According to Melaye; "Wike should be ashamed that he has constantly solicited the attention of

Atiku by his continuous disrespect and unwarranted insult of a man who did nothing to you.

"Atiku's only crime is that he won a transparent presidential primary. Wike was Chief of Staff to Amaechi, but Amaechi did not trust him enough to hand over to him.

"I advise him to support whoever he wishes to support as we will no longer tolerate his insolent tendencies. The question is, is there something wrong with Wike that Amaechi did not hand over to him?

Why will Prince Uche Secondus, Rt. Hon. Austin Okpara, Sen. Lee Meaba, Celestine Omehia, Chief Abiye Sikibo, Sen George Sekibo, Hon. Chinyere Igwe, etc, leave him unceremoniously for Atiku.

Something is definitely wrong somewhere," Melanie said.

Also Melaye said since Obasanjo wrote his controversial book, ‘My Command,’ there had been telling indicators to deduce that he had tried to live in the reality of being in charge always.

According to Melaye, "To be sure, he has tried to impress as the facilitator of succeeding presidents of Nigeria. Ironically, this attitude has grouped him among those euphemistically tagged 'Owners of Nigeria.'

“His recent advisory on the February 25 election is another testimony to his misconception of being an electoral janitor who can padlock and unlock Nigeria's electoral fortune at will.

"In the period preceding the 2015 elections, Obasanjo, in his characteristic janitorial expedition, aligned with the marketers of false change. He even tore the membership card of the Party that gave him the opportunity to be President of Nigeria for 8 years. He also appeared in photo opportunities with Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

"A few months after Buhari's

election, Obasanjo realised that he had misled himself and many Nigerians. He tried to fight back in 2019, but by then, Buhari had designed some unorthodox ways to remain in power.”

He added: “With about 50 days to the 2023 election, former President Obasanjo is out again as the 'custodian' of the key to Aso rock, endorsing a candidate whose main office would be in Abeokuta with the annex office in Abuja. It is hypocritical and politically heretic to appeal to Nigerian youths to take their turn by supporting a candidate who is far older than many other young flagbearers. This is the facade in Obasanjo's postulation. Neither Nigerian youths nor other discerning electorates are deceived anymore.”

Wike: I Never Meant to Mock Atiku

Meanwhile, Wike has explained that he meant no bad in his public comment on the endorsement of Peter Obi by former president Olusegun Obasanjo, instead of Atiku.

The Rivers State governor stressed that his comment stemmed from concern for the PDP. Wike made the clarification yesterday, during the flag-off of the construction of Mgbuodohia Road in Rumuolumeni Town of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.

The governor observed that former president Obasanjo had served as president on the platform of the PDP with Atiku as his vice for eight years, hence, ideally he should have been in a better position to solicit for support from Nigerians on his behalf with confidence.

Wike noted that by endorsing another candidate other than Atiku, then something was fundamentally wrong that should elicit concern by members of PDP. "I meant no bad. I am only worried as a prominent PDP member.

A man who loves PDP should be worried. I was not mocking anybody.

I was merely worried.

“My prayer was, look, let Obasanjo remain quiet and not say anything. That was all my prayer, but my prayer didn't work. My prayer was that if this man makes any statement, it will indict us because he was president under the PDP for eight years, and he worked with our presidential candidate. And the campaign of our presidential council is that our presidential candidate during the eight years did very well, with experience,” he said.

He insisted that for Obasanjo to have gone ahead to endorse Obi, instead of Atiku, it meant something must be fundamentally wrong. Wike wondered that instead of people in the party to look at the issues critically, and ponder on what could be done with the seeming wrong, they were abusing him.

"What did I do? I didn't do anything. All I did was to express concern. If you care for this party, it is for you to go back, and ask what is fundamentally wrong?

"Me, that is worried that we should do something and have expressed it, you are abusing me for telling the party that we should do something."

Wike insisted that it was only those who love the PDP that would be bent on ensuring that nothing untoward happened to it.

He described those abusing him as jobbers and political flirts who jump from one party to another every other day, saying one of them is now a spokesman of the party.

"They are not bothered, but those of us who since 1998 joined this party, contributed for the survival of this party until now, we keep shouting always when we see danger coming.

"Abuses upon abuses, it will not change anything, rather it will spoil more things. What you don't know, ask people, seek for advise, people will help you to solve the problem,” Wike said.

Ugwuanyi, Nnamani, Mbah, Others Grace Akegbe Ugwu Cultural Festival PDP guber candidate gets endorsement of the community Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, former President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani, his wife, Mrs. Jane Nnamani, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, lawmaker representing

Nkanu West Constituency, Rt. Hon. Iloabuchi Aniagu, former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Onyemauche Nnamani and Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area, Hon. Uchenna Ejim, were among dignitaries at the Akegbe Ugwu Cultural Festival

that holds annually on January 2nd to showcase and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of the community.

According to a statement, the climax of the event was the presentation of 'Ofo' to Mbah by the Akegbe Ugwu Cultural Troupe

as a traditional symbol of their endorsement of his candidature and a declaration that everybody in the community, including the youths, women and elders, should vote for Mbah in the forthcoming governorship election in Enugu State.

9

WEDNESDAY, ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

EKITI FIRST FAMILY HOSTS KELANI...

L-R: Ekiti State First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji; Renowned Film maker, Tunde Kelani, and Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, when the First family hosted Kelani at their Ikogosi country home shortly before the screening of one of his movies at the Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, Ikogosi…recently

Tinubu to Muslim Leaders: I’ll Be Fair, Just to All Nigerians Vows to overcome banditry if elected president He must get credit for Lagos transformation, Sanwo-Olu insists Segun James in Lagos and Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has assured Muslim leaders in the country that he would offer fair and just leadership to all Nigerians if elected president.

He however, vowed to eliminate bandits abducting and killing travelers on Nigerian roads and other challenges besetting the country upon assuming office.

This is as the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has insisted that Tinubu was the brain behind the development master plan being implemented by successive administrations in the state and as such, must get the credit for it.

Speaking yesterday at a town hall meeting with Muslim leaders from the North West geopolitical zone in Kano, Tinubu urged the religious leaders to ensure that they preached unity and harmony among their followers rather than division and disunity, saying it was the only way the nation could experience development.

According to him, “Religious leaders like you are agents of harmony and hope, not division and disunity. All well-meaning Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation, must join hands against violence, hunger, ignorance and bigotry.

“We all must live together. No one has the right to try to lord over the other. Allah stands against such injustice. And where Allah stands, all bad things must fall.

Mean-spirited politicians – those thinking only of themselves or those who think they mean more than the nation itself – will go to great lengths to deceive or recruit eminent persons to unknowingly preach division and hatred.

“They cannot win with the truth. So, they will try to win with a lie. But a lie never wins in the end. Those they cannot beat with honesty, they seek to beat them with untruth and falsity.

They want to turn servants of God into preachers of division and hateful sentiment.”

Tinubu told the Muslim leaders that he had demonstrated a sense of unity and oneness in all his

campaigns and would continue to do so, and therefore, pledged to conduct himself in public office on the values and ideals of fairness and justice, adding that he would always speak about facts and truths, policies and programmes.

While reminding the faith leaders of his record as Lagos State governor, Tinubu said: “I promise to be a fair and just leader. This pledge is based on the Islamic teachings on leadership. A leader in a plural society is enjoined to be a leader for all. If elected, I shall govern in harmony with our nation’s democratic Constitution.

“More than that. I shall tackle this nation’s problems with a commitment to solving them. I say this not as a boast. I say it based on my record. As Lagos governor, I assembled perhaps the most diverse team by any state government. That team was based on competence, not tribal this or regional that. It was not based on the attire one wore or the accent one spoke with, but on the quality of one’s ideas and contributions to society.

“If given the chance by Almighty

Allah, I will operate in the same spirit of inclusiveness and innovation in order to renew the hope of our people. My highest priorities shall be the protection of our land and prosperity of its people.”

Discussing his plans for the economy, he also promised to make security work and ensure the economy becomes one of widely shared prosperity and agriculture, the three pillars of his government.

His words: "Regarding security, my policy is not an artificial created to sound good for this campaign.

My security policy is based on dedicated study and long conversations with experts in this field. This is the same approach I used to tackle the bad security situation that faced me when I became governor of Lagos. I created programmes and institutions to solve the real and dangerous challenges Lagos faced.

“We shall increase security personnel and better equip them.

Advanced air and ground surveillance technology will identify, track and attack the criminals until they are utterly defeated. As we fight terror and crime, we shall also attack poverty, hunger and the

Air Peace Records Milestone, Airlifts 55 Million Passengers in Eight Years Chinedu Eze Nigeria’s major carrier, Air Peace has announced that it has airlifted over 55 million passengers since the last eight years it started flight operation.

The airline, which started schedule flight service in 2014, said it has strengthened the industry by adding capacity that put it in leadership role. It stated that it has airlifted the highest number of passengers daily and operated the highest number of aircraft.

This was as the airline also reaffirmed its commitment to providing seamless domestic, regional and international connectivity to Nigerians and others through strategic route expansion, increased network options and modern fleet expansion.

The Chief Operating Officer, Air Peace, Oluwatoyin Olajide,

said airlifting over 55 million passengers in just eight years was a giant stride and a testament to the steady growth trajectory of the airline.

She stated that Air Peace recorded passenger load of 52,859 in its launch year, 2014, and the number increased to eight million in 2019, adding that in December 2022, the airline airlifted 14,103,018 passengers.

The airline in a statement disclosed that the detailed record of its passenger airlift since inception were as follows: 2014 - 52,859; 2015 - 661,875; 2016 - 1,832,526; 2017 - 3,538,102; 2018 - 6,060,329; 2019 - 8,491,758; 2020 - 9,634,235; 2021 - 11,446,556; and 2022 - 14,103,018 "When we launched in 2014 with a record fleet of seven aircraft, we had a future-proof blueprint, driven by the vision to reduce

the air travel burden of Nigerians through the provision of safe and world-class flight services.

“To achieve this, we strategically invested in the right kind of aircraft, factoring business sustainability and customer experience while also hiring and training the best technical manpower to drive the process.

"Now, we have 38 aircraft and are still expecting eight brand new Embraer 195-E2s from our firm order in 2019 and additional 15 brand new Boeing 737 Max 8 and 10 Order, as we ramp up plans to strengthen our operations to serve our esteemed customers better.

“We are also expecting some of our aircraft undergoing maintenance overseas and by second quarter this year, they will start returning. We are extremely grateful to our customers and other critical stakeholders for

their support and urge them to keep supporting Air Peace. We promise to further inter-connect more cities across Nigeria and beyond and improve in our service delivery", Olajide said.

She also disclosed that the airline was planning to launch London, Israel, India, Congo Kinshasa, Togo and Malabo this year, adding that more frequencies would be added to Accra, Monrovia, Freetown, Banjul and Dakar routes with more connections introduced locally.

Air Peace leads Nigeria’s aviation industry with a network of twenty domestic routes, seven regional routes and three international destinations, with an increasing, mixed modern fleet comprising Boeing 777, Boeing 737, Embraer 195-E2, Airbus 320, ERJ 145 and Dornier 328 Jet.

despair they cause.

"My plan is to turn this economy into a more robust and broad economy, where those who want work can find a good job.

We will revive the manufacturing and textile sectors in Kano and elsewhere by reforming tax and import policies to create jobs for our people. These policies will also produce the goods and services that improve the daily lives of the average person.

“Regarding agriculture, we will increase food security through enhanced productivity and improved farm incomes. Farming will be adequately returned to its prominent position. To strengthen our social fabric and guarantee the future, massive investment in education will ensure that we nourish and guide our youth toward better lives,” he said.

Earlier, the Jigawa State Governor, Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar, refuted the insinuations that Tinubu would be a "Southern President" if he won the election, saying, "Bola Tinubu’s activities clearly shows he is not a betrayer.

Tinubu's political pedigree clearly vindicates him as not an ethnic and religious bigot."

He added that everything Tinubu was doing on his presidential campaign was done actively with the full participation of himself, the Kano State Governor, Abdulahi Ganduje and their Kaduna. State counterpart, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

One of the Islamic clerics, Sheikh Qaribullah Nasiru Kabara, represented by Yahya Imam, while speaking, told Tinubu that they were supporting him because he was a Muslim.

He said Islamic clerics were not supporting Tinubu for money but by being a Muslim and breaking the jinx of Muslim-Christian ticket.

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu has insisted that a fact that could not be denied by anyone who worked closely with Tinubu from 1999 to 2007, was that he designed the development master plan of the state.

Speaking as a special guest on ‘Your View,’ a programme on Television Continental (TVC), where he spoke about his government’s achievements, his re-election, family values and relationship with the APC presidential candidate, Sanwo-Olu said Tinubu could not

be deprived of the credit for the reforms that transformed Lagos to one of the biggest economies in Africa.

His words: “With all sense of humility, I joined the Tinubu government over 20 years ago. I was General Manager in my bank before I joined Tinubu in November 2002. From the very first day of my appointment, I was in Tinubu’s cabinet and I saw things first hand.

“I am a living witness to the development vision put forward

by Tinubu. It’s not something we should be blabbing about; it’s a fact we all know. Under the leadership of Tinubu, we set up documents called LASEEDS and SEEDS, which are economic development blueprints for Lagos.

“We also had what we called a 10-point agenda, which laid the foundation for revenue generation drive, transportation reform and public infrastructure renewal.

“LASEEDS and SEEDS documents were working blueprint for transformation in Lagos. We set up the Ehingbeti Economic Summit to run year on year, where we collate inputs from the private sector and put them in flesh of public documents and generate a working paper we could implement.

“I was the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, so I was part of those that developed the documents. Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), for example, did not just come out of the space; Tinubu set up LAMATA with the World Bank in 2002. I was part of the first set of personnel that worked in LAMATA, which is one of the best transportation agencies in the world.

“That’s how the blueprint was developed and we had a 20-year development plan for it, which former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola improved on. He expunged some items and replaced them based on the realities of the period.

“Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode did similar thing. Our government is doing same, because there is continuity. We’re able to see the challenges of previous governments and we decided on those things we can take quickly.

Tinubu deserves the credit because he is the one that was able to bake the first retinue of very intelligent people that worked with him to develop implementable blueprint.”

10

WEDNESDAY, ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

TEN LIKE OBASANJO, CLARK ENDORSES OBI, AS LABOUR PARTY LEADERS HOLD CRUCIAL MEETING IN OGUN that Obasanjo had concluded plans to convene a crucial meeting of LP stakeholders today in Abeokuta. The meeting called at the instance of the former president, it was learnt, would hold at his Hilltop home.

It would review activities of the party and to take key decisions that would help them leverage on the goodwill of Nigerians for Obi. Yesterday, also, Benue State Governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, commended Obasanjo for his endorsement of Obi as the best among the presidential candidates.

Ortom said if he was not a member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he would have personally led Obi’s campaign across the country.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, Clark said it was only fair and just that the southern part of Nigeria should produce the next president after eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Clark said on his directive, the national leadership of PANDEF met with Obi last December, where the expectations and demands of the peoples of the Niger Delta, comprising infrastructural development, devolution of power, resource control, effective and inclusive participation in the oil and gas sector, among other things, were presented to the LP presidential candidate.

Clark noted that the vision statement shared by Obi at the occasion, as it related to making Nigeria more productive, using the rich resource endowment in every part of the country; curbing waste and fighting corruption; and creating jobs for the youth through innovative programmes was very commendable.

The elder statesman also expressed satisfaction about Obi's restated commitment to restructuring and devolution of power, and the political will to promote harmony, peaceful coexistence among the states and constituent parts of the country.

He added that Obi's vision for more equity and justice, as it pertains to the South-south, which in the past 60 years had produced much of the revenue for the national economy, but had been neglected with little impact in terms of infrastructure and social development, was convincing and commendable.

Clark said putting Obi side by side the other presidential candidates, he was convinced beyond doubt that Nigeria had a great opportunity to elect a phenomenal team in Obi and his running mate, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmad.

The elder statesman said, "The decision of the leaders of Southern Nigeria and Middle Belt Forum, which I also lead, that the northern part of the country, as represented

by President Muhammadu Buhari, which would have completed full eight years as President by 29th May, 2023, should yield power to candidates from the South for purpose of unity, equity and fair play.

"That the South-east geopolitical zone, which has not produced any elected president of this country since after the First Republic, and particularly during this Fourth Republic, should be given the opportunity to produce the next President of Nigeria given that the zone has the capacity to present highly competent and qualified persons, for the office."

He said that would bring to practical expression the commitment of the then General Yakubu Gowonled federal military government of “No Victor, No Vanquished”, a dictum, at the end of the Nigeria Civil War in 1970.

The elder statement stated that given Obi's sound educational background, distinguished antecedents in professional life and track record as one of the most outstanding governors this country had ever produced during his tenure in

Anambra State and his vision for the country, he was eminently qualified to lead this country as president.

Clark added, "Taking all these factors into consideration, and putting His Excellency, Peter Obi, side by side with all other candidates being presented by other political parties, I am convinced beyond doubt, that our country Nigeria has a great opportunity to elect a phenomenal team, the candidate of the Labour Party, and his Deputy, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmad, as President and Vice President, respectively.

"I formally hereby announce that I will, therefore, personally, vote for HE Peter Obi and his vice presidential candidate on election day, 25th Feb, 2023, as President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

Clark stressed that he had requested the leadership of PANDEF, as a democratic institution, and all other socio-cultural organisations, which he headed, to consult with their members at the level of the states, local governments and diaspora to take further steps in supporting his choice of Obi. He further called on Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, religious and even political backgrounds, to vote Obi without hesitation, saying he remains, “the best hope of a new Nigeria.”

Obasanjo, Obi, Labour Party Leaders to Hold Crucial Meeting in Ogun

Obasanjo is set to convene a crucial meeting of stakeholders of Labour Party today in Abeokuta.

Those expected at the meeting included Obi; National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure; National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi and his Ogun State-led faction; former LP campaign Director General, Doyin Okupe, and other key decision makers of the party.

There were also strong indications

that Obasanjo had waded into the crisis rocking the party.

THISDAY learnt from reliable sources within the party that there had been series of meetings between Obasanjo and some leaders of the party on how to resolve the issues under contention without injuring the party and depleting it electoral fortunes.

THISDAY also gathered that Obasanjo became worried after reports by some party members about Obi's indifference to the leadership crisis in the party, reached his ears, especially in Ogun State.

According to the source, "Peter has refused to interfere in the crisis in our party. He said he doesn't want to be caught in the crossfire.

He is more focused on winning his election."

Obasanjo's meeting with the leadership of the Labour Party is coming barely three weeks after the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party set up an 11-man committee to placate and reconcile disgruntled members of the party to form a united front ahead of the elections.”

The committee was mandated to ensure the peaceful resolutions of all the grievances and further strengthen and promote the unity of the party towards archiving the goals and tasks ahead of us come 2023.

Findings by THISDAY, however, showed that there were some aggrieved members of the party, who had refused to honour the plea of the party to come to the table for talks.

Chairman of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which was set up by the National Working Committee (NWC), Mr Friday T. Ibidan, when contacted by THISDAY, said he would not speak on the issue.

He angrily responded, “I can't grant a telephone interview. I am busy in the office. If you want to see me, come to the office. I can't say anything. You can call the National

BUHARI SIGNS N21.83TRN 2023 BUDGET, DEFERS FINANCE BILL tion, was passed by the National Assembly on December 28 last year.

It was presented to a joint session of the federal legislature by Buhari on October 7.

The president had in the fiscal document proposed an annual budget of N20.51 trillion for 2023, showing a 19.8 per cent increase from the N17.13 trillion approved for 2022, including the supplementary budget.

Buhari, also yesterday, appended his signature to the 2022 supplementary appropriation bill during a ceremony at the Council Chambers at the State House, Abuja. The event was attended by President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; and Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, among other top government officials.

Buhari said adequate provisions had been made in the budget for the successful conduct of the forthcoming general election and the transition programme.

Speaking after the signing of the eighth and final annual budget of his government, the president said the aggregate expenditure of N21.83 trillion was an increase of N1.32 trillion over the initial executive proposal of a total expenditure of N20.51 trillion.

He explained that the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act would enable the administration to respond to the havoc caused by the recent nationwide floods, which took a heavy toll on infrastructure and agriculture.

As is customary, he said Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning would subsequently provide more details on the approved budget and the supporting 2022 Finance Act. Furthermore, Buhari said his decision to sign the 2023 appropriation bill into law, as passed by the National Assembly, was to enable its implementation commence without delay, considering the imminent transition process to another democratically elected

government.

He, however, directed the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to engage the legislature to revisit some of the changes made to the executive budget proposal, expressing the hope that the National Assembly would cooperate with the executive in this regard.

Buhari stated, “We have examined the changes made by the National Assembly to the 2023 executive budget proposal.

“The amended fiscal framework for 2023, as approved by the National Assembly, shows additional revenues of N765.79 billion, and an unfunded deficit of N553.46 billion.

“It is clear that the National Assembly and the executive need to capture some of the proposed additional revenue sources in the fiscal framework. This must be rectified.

“I have also noted that the National Assembly introduced new projects into the 2023 budget proposal for which it has appropriated N770.72 billion. The National Assembly also increased the provisions made by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)

by N58.55 billion.”

He urged the National Assembly to reconsider its position on his proposal to securitise the federal government’s outstanding Ways and Means balance at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Buhari said, “As I stated, the balance has accumulated over several years and represents funding provided by the CBN as lender of last resort to the government to enable it to meet obligations to lenders, as well as cover budgetary shortfalls in projected revenues and/ or borrowings.

“I have no intention to fetter the right of the National Assembly to interrogate the composition of this balance, which can still be done even after granting the requested approval.

“Failure to grant the securitisation approval will, however, cost the government about N1.8 trillion in additional interest in 2023 given the differential between the applicable interest rates, which is currently MPR plus three per cent and the negotiated interest rate of nine per

cent and a 40-year repayment period on the securitised debt of the ways and means.”

Buhari thanked the National Assembly for approving his request for an extension of the validity date for implementation of the 2022 capital budget to March 31, 2023.

He directed the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to work towards early release of the 2023 capital votes to enable MDAs commence the implementation of their capital projects in good time and support efforts to deliver key projects and public services as well as improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

Reiterating that the 2023 budget was developed to promote fiscal sustainability, macroeconomic stability, and smooth transition to the incoming administration, the president said it was also designed to ensure social inclusion and strengthen the resilience of the economy.

On achievement of the revenue targets of the budget, the president directed MDAs and governmentowned enterprises (GOEs) to intensify their revenue mobilisation efforts, including ensuring that all taxable organisations and individuals pay their taxes.

To achieve the objectives of the 2023 budget, the president said relevant agencies must sustain current efforts towards the realisation of crude oil production and export targets.

He stated, “To augment available fiscal resources, MDAs are to accelerate the implementation of Public Private Partnership initiatives, especially those designed to fasttrack the pace of our infrastructural development.

“This, being a deficit budget, the associated Borrowing Plan will be forwarded to the National Assembly shortly.

“I count on the cooperation of the National Assembly for a speedy consideration and approval of the Plan.”

On the Finance Bill 2022, the president expressed regret that its review, as passed by the National Assembly, was yet to be finalised.

“This is because some of the changes made by the National Assembly need to be reviewed by

the relevant agencies of government.

I urge that this should be done speedily to enable me to assent into law,” he said.

Buhari thanked the senate president, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and all leaders and members of the National Assembly for the expeditious consideration and passage of the Appropriation Bill.

He also recognised the roles played by the Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning; the Budget Office of the Federation; Senior Special Assistants to the President (Senate and House of Representatives); Office of the Chief of Staff, as well as all who worked tirelessly and sacrificed so much towards producing the 2023 Appropriation Act. Buhari further stated, “As I mentioned during the presentation of the 2023 Appropriation Bill, early passage of the budget proposal is critical to ensure effective delivery of our legacy projects, a smooth transition programme and effective take-off of the incoming administration.

“I appreciate the firm commitment of the 9th National Assembly to the restoration of a predictable January to December fiscal year, as well as the mutual understanding, collaboration and engagements between officials of the executive and the legislative arms of government.

“These have made the quick consideration and passage of our fiscal bills possible over the last four years.”

The president expressed the belief that the next administration would sustain the practice of early presentation of the annual appropriation bills to the National Assembly to ensure their passage before the beginning of the fiscal year.

He said, “I firmly believe the next administration will also sustain the current public financial management reform efforts, further improve the budgeting process, and particularly maintain the tradition of supporting its appropriation bills with finance bills designed to facilitate their implementation.

“To sustain and institutionalise Continued on page 51

chairman, he will tell you all he knows."

Ortom Hails Obasanjo for Endorsing Peter Obi for President

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom commended Obasanjo for his endorsement of Obi as the best among the presidential candidates ahead of the presidential election. .

The governor stated that if he was not a member of PDP, he would have personally led Obi’s campaign across the country.

Ortom made the statement in a press release signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Terver Akase.

The governor strongly recommended Obi to Nigerians as the man with the capacity to effectively tackle the economic, security and other challenges facing the country.

Ortom said he was convinced that Obi possessed the qualities of a leader who would be a true president of the country by guaranteeing justice, equity and fairness for all Nigerians.

The governor stressed that for some years, the country had tottered on the verge of collapse owing to leadership failure and its attendant consequences of poverty, heightened insecurity with banditry, kidnappings and other acts of terrorism threatening the very foundations of the nation.

He said the president that Nigeria needed at this challenging time in the country’s history was one who understood the urgent need to unite the people and speedily initiate policies and actions to redirect the ship of the nation on the path of growth and development, and emphasised that Obi had all such qualities.

Ortom lauded Obasanjo for once again demonstrating objectivity, truth and patriotism as a statesman whose views on national issues must be taken seriously.

Labour Party Insists No Single Nigerian Can Dictate Who Becomes President

Labour Party (LP) said no

individual or a narrow exclusive circle could dictate to Nigerians who becomes their president.

National Vice Chairman, Southeast, of LP, Innocent Okeke, said this while reacting to recent comments credited to Anambra business mogul, Arthur Eze. Eze had distanced himself from the presidential ambition of Obi, insisting that the former governor cannot win votes in both the Southwest and the northern region. He had during the Ofala festival of his Ukpo community, in Anambra State, said he had warned Obi to withdraw from the presidential race as stakeholders in the south-east would back the state governor, Charles Soludo, when the time was right.

Reacting to Eze’s comments via a statement yesterday, Okeke said Obi’s aspiration was an idea that was being directed by the divine phenomenon and propelled by people's organic reactions and movement.

Okeke said, “It should be said to whoever cares to listen that it is no longer going to be the dictator's world or a narrow exclusive circle or group dictating who becomes president in Nigeria."

He advised Eze, Soludo and whoever wanted to play God against "the divine mandate" to have a rethink, saying the next new Nigeria is not going to be business as usual.

“The moment people begin to adapt, the better,” he said. “It has been a country between the far rich and extremely poor masses.

They destroyed the middle class and made the poor masses ordinary slaves.”

Okeke also said, "We can understand Eze’s personal business interests and effort to remain big, but he has been big from youth till this age, it’s time to feel the pain of others and sacrifice luxury for a better future.”

He maintained that all the presidential polls in recent times across the country had put Obi well above other contenders, saying this is a reflection of the people's choice and their hopes of a better Nigeria, moving forward.

LCCI TIPS MANUFACTURING, ICT, AGRICULTURE, OTHERS TO DRIVE GROWTH IN 2023 in Africa (after South Africa and Egypt), the telecoms sub-sector is expected to record growth above the 10.1 per cent achieved in Q3 2022 driven by the growing deployment of Payment Service Banks (PSB) by the telcos, increase in subscribers using more telcos’ services, and the expected innovation coming with the launch of the 5G technology.

“The government needs to be more sensitive to the regulation of the ICT sector to promote growth and support private sector operations.

“In 2023, government’s intervention through targeted financing support to the agro sector can boost agricultural production, create jobs, and lower the spiking food inflation that has been responsible mainly for the rising headline inflation all through 2022.”

The LCCI also projected that the manufacturing sector, which suffered headwinds such as scarcity of forex for import of inputs, weakened consumer demand due to weak purchasing power, high energy cost, logistical challenges, policy uncertainties, and harsh regulatory environment in 2022, “may likely record a growth in the sector away from the negative growth of -1.9 per cent it recorded as at Q3 of 2022.”

It added: “With lowering imports due to forex scarcity, local manufacturing could rev up in growth to meet the growing unmet local demand for hitherto imported finished products.”

It, however, stated that this could only happen if the government would address issues like rising inflation, scarcity of FOREX, high energy cost, high interest rates, and logistics challenge due to insecurity in most parts of the country.

The chamber also projected that in the case of subsidy removal by the new administration, “we should expect some shocks to the economy in the short term with possibility of adjusted pricing and demand in response to market forces in

the long run.”

It added that: “the Dangote Refinery coming into operations by mid-year will boost production levels and support growth in the manufacturing sector. However, the contribution of manufacturing to GDP may fall from the 8.2 per cent recorded during the third quarter of 2022 except the government takes urgent and targeted financing support to critical productive infrastructure in the country.”

The LCCI observed that in 2022, the CBN in response to the spiraling inflation rate, deployed a tightening monetary policy to stabilise prices.

“The rates rose from 11.5 per cent in January and peaked at 16.5 per cent as at November 2022. This is expected to rise further during the MPC meeting in January to 17 per cent to curb the persistent inflation and prevent capital flight.

“The Chamber had earlier recommended that rate hikes alone would not curb inflation except the real factors like food supply disruptions, high energy cost, scarcity of forex and the security challenges around agricultural production locations that have fueled low production and high logistics cost.

“In 2023, we need fiscal interventions to support strategic sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, transport logistics, and more allocation of forex to productive sectors.”

The chamber also urged the government to tackle oil theft in order to earn more foreign exchange, and to, “borrow from cheaper sources to reduce the burden of debt servicing, and pave way for the removal of the fuel subsidy by the incoming government.

“With increased spending by the government for census and general elections, the government must block revenue leakages, reduce costs, and empower the private sector to create jobs and generate more revenue to the government.”

11

WEDNESDAY, ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

TINUBU HOLDS TOWN HALL MEETING WITH MUSLIM LEADERS FROM THE NORTH- WEST...

R-L: Kano State Governor, Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje; APC Presidential Candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, during a Town Hall Meeting with Muslim Leaders from the North- West zone in Kano...yesterday

I Will Transform Osun State for Better, Says Adeleke Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has restated his desire to transform Osun state and make it a shining light among comity of states.

The governor made this commitment at the 2023 Inter-religious service held at the Government secretariat in Osogbo to usher in the New Year.

Adeleke assured the people of the state that he would light up Osogbo, other major cities and towns in the state.

"We shall get to the promise land. Never again will you see Osun being dirty. Osogbo will not be out of electricity again, Osun will never go dark again. There will be regular power supply. I am going to rule with the fear of God,” the governor promised.

He urged the people of the state to cultivate the habit of support in any capacity they found themselves, charging civil servants to join hands with him to move the state forward in the discharge of their duties as their welfare is an utmost priority in his government.

"We should not ask for what Osun will do for us, but we must continue to ask for what you can do for the state. All hands must be on deck to move Osun forward.

The civil service must join hands with me to move Osun to the promise land.

"We must ensure that the state

is clean. I want everywhere in Osun State to be clean. I want other state to be jealous of Osun State. From now henceforth, I will be paying unscheduled visits to offices and if I find out that your surrounding is dirty, you will be questioned. Your offices must be clean because you are representing Osun state", the governor declared.

Adeleke further gave an assurance of his government fulfilling his five point agenda while he is steadfast in his resolve to take Osun to the promise land.

"I am working assiduously to present great achievements for 100 days in office. Continue to pray for me. I am assuring you that slowly and steadily, surely we will get to our promise land," he said.

Speaking earlier, the Head of Service, Mr. Samuel Aina, said the 2023 prayer was to thank God for what He has done and committing the affairs of the State under the able leadership of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke to the hands of God in the year.

"We are here today to seek the face of God as we pursue the five – point agenda of the administration. This is because the administration is set to deliver on its mandate in the overall interest of our people.

"I must emphasise that, for the administration to meet the yearnings and aspirations of our

people, the civil service has a lot to do, being the engine room of government. Incidentally, as the governor often says, this government is the government of the civil servants, by the civil servants and for the civil servants.

"Towards this end, I wish to humbly charge all public officers

to work assiduously towards shoring up the revenue accruing to government internally so that all can be well. This is the minimum we can do to support His Excellency who has made the welfare of workers and pensioners a top priority of his government.

"Permit me to emphasize one

The Director General of the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCO), Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State has alleged that some political parties were amassing money to buy votes ahead of next month’s elections.

Tambuwal, made the allegation yesterday, in Binji local government area of Sokoto State while on the third leg of a statewide campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to him, the opposition party in the state, which he didn’t mention was plotting to use the money stolen by its members while in the service of the country to craftily take

away voters card from eligible voters.

“I also want to call on the people of Sokoto State that I have got information that those in the other party are going round collecting people’s PVCs. Do not give them your voters card. “They know that, God willing, they have failed the elections, that is why they are trying to collect your PVCs. If they collect your voters card, they won’t return them to you.

And, on voting day, it would be difficult for you to vote without your PVCs. “So, you should not allow anyone to deceive you. They are amassing money for this purpose. They have brought you insecurity and now they want to buy your votes.

HOS concluded.

The 2023 prayer service was attended by Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye, top religious clerics, leading bureaucrats, security officials, heads of ministries, agencies and parastatals.

Report: Nigeria’s Oil Production Rebounded to 1.35m bpd, Edged Up OPEC's Daily Output in Dec Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) crude output edged up in December as Nigeria partly reversed a long-term decline in output as it cracked down on oil theft.

According to a Bloomberg survey, OPEC increased production by 150,000 barrels per day, almost all of which came from Nigeria.

OPEC production totalled 29.14 million barrels per day, the report said.

But even if the December increase lifted Nigeria's production to 1.35 million barrels per day from about 900,000 barrels per day two months earlier, the country's output is still only half of what it was a decade ago.

Although the official data from OPEC and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission

(NUPRC) had not been released as of yesterday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) had put its production in the early part of December at 1.59 million barrels per day while the NUPRC said it was 1.4 million barrels per day.

For over a year, Nigeria has been unable to meet its OPEC allocation, falling far below the roughly 1.8 million barrels per day quota and losing as much as 700,000 barrels per day to sabotage and shut-ins.

The Nigerian government has recently taken a rash of decisions to tackle the embarrassing situation , hiring local security groups as pipelines surveillance contractors.

In addition, the NNPC has announced that it can now monitor Nigeria’s oil infrastructure in real time with its new automated platform and has inaugurated a whistle-blowers scheme which

Tambuwal Alleges Political Parties Amassing Funds to Buy Votes Chuks Okocha in Abuja

more time that Osun public service is made up of very competent professionals in various fields of human endeavours who are very loyal and dedicated.

These are tested hands who are readily available to assist the administration achieve its programmes and projects," the

“They did not, as people who hold positions in the federal government, provide security operatives with the wherewithal to protect your lives and property, but they want to use the money they stole to disenfranchise you.

“If they bring the money and you are greedy, collect it from them and vote for the PDP at all levels,” he said.

Canvassing for votes for the state PDP gubernatorial candidate, Mallam Saidu Umar (Mallam Ubandoman Sokoto), in both Binji and Tangaza local government areas of the state, Tambuwal assured Sokoto residents that all projects started by his administration would be completed by the PDP candidate.

“All the projects we initiated are on course and will be completed, especially the general hospital here in Tangaza.

Mallam Ubandoman Sokoto, God willing, he will take off where we stopped in the areas of societal reorientation and quality infrastructure development in the areas of education, health, rural development, agriculture and provision of jobs for our teeming youths: men and women.”

He led a special prayer for the repose of the soul Sheikh Usmanu Danfodio and his disciples, who recalled had paid allegiance to the Islamic scholar who led the Islamic reawakening in West Africa at the beginning of the 18th century.

rewards persons who report the activities of suspected oil thieves.

The report stated that other OPEC producers are sticking to curbs agreed late last year to keep supply and demand in the global market in balance.

Oil supplies from key member countries Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iraq were largely unchanged, with Saudi output at 10.48 million barrels per day, it said.

Crude supplies from OPEC+ are expected to come under

pressure after further European Union (EU) sanctions on Russia took effect last month. A group of ministers from member states will meet on February 1, to review output policy.

The National Assembly recently passed a N21.83 trillion budget, pegging Nigeria’s crude oil benchmark at $75 per barrel from the previous $70 per barrel while production for 2023 was put at 1.69 million barrels per day. President signed the appropriation bill into law on Tuesday.

Gunmen Kill Anambra Community Leader, Soludo Vows to Find Culprits David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The President General of Obosi Community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra, Hon Ike Okolo was on Tuesday shot dead in the community.

Okolo was allegedly killed at a petrol station in the community.

A video online showed him being shot inside an SUV, behind the wheel.

Obosi community is notorious for cult clashes, which Okolo frowned upon.

Governor Charles Soludo, who confirmed the killing in a statement by his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, decried the fatal attack, the cult-related war among rival groups and subsequent killings in Obosi.

"Governor Soludo condemns these mindless killings in the strongest terms and has assured that the perpetrators will be apprehended and decisively dealt

with, even if they have run out of town. He stressed that they will be hunted down to face the full wrath of the law," the statement explained.

It noted that during the festive season, Anambra enjoyed the best Christmas in decades as it was traffic-free with a new system of traffic control put in place by the government during the festive season with Anambra Youth Volunteers and the traffic management agency working 24 hours at all the critical points to control traffic.

"Monday that used to be observed as sit at home, witnessed massive outdoor activities, as the State bubbled with activities all over," added the statement. "Governor Soludo further reassured that the cult gangs that fought will surely be tracked down and dealt with decisively in accordance with the law."

12

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 •T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 • T H I S D AY

13

14

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 •T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 • T H I S D AY

15

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023

16

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com

08033025611 SMS ONLY

Knocks as Obasanjo Queues Behind Obi Emameh Gabriel writes that criticism has continued to trail this week’s adoption of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo

F

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo stirred the political atmosphere on New Year day with the formal endorsement of Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to reaffirm his position as godfather of Nigerian politics The former president who has not hidden his preference for Obi since the former emerged the presidential standard bearer of Labour Party, in a six page letter addressed this week to Nigerians, especially the youth, explained his reason for picking Obi as the preferred candidate.

Obasanjo said: “None of the contestants is a saint, but when one compares their character, antecedent, their understanding, knowledge, discipline and vitality that they can bring to bear and the great efforts required to stay focused on the job particularly looking at where the country is today and with the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi, as a mentee has an edge.

“Others like all of us have what they can contribute to the new dispensation to liberation, restoration and salvaging of Nigeria collectively.

One other important point to make about Peter is that he is a needle with thread attached to it from North and South and he may not get lost.

“In other words, he has people who can pull his ears, if and when necessary. Needless to say that he has a young and able running mate with clean track record of achievement both in public and private life”.

His letter might, perhaps affirm the rumour in some quarters that Obasanjo, including other retired generals and influencial Nigerians have hatched a plot for a paradigm shift from the old order in a bid to enthrone new breed of politicians to man the affairs of the country.

While observers have questioned Obasanjo’s motives over who becomes the next president of the country, it will not be out of place to conclude that this has also always been the tradition since 1999.

Nigeria’s democracy since the inception of the fourth republic which was midwifed by the military which held sway, has always been influenced by that institution in one way or the other, and mostly by the powerful retired generals, many of whom where heads of previous military governments or part of the then ruling junta.

The likes of Olusegun Obasanjo, T. Y Danjuma, Ibrahim Babagana, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Aliyu Gusau, among others, have

Obasanjo

Obi

either consciously or unconsciously seen themselves as custodians of Nigeria’s core national interests.

Either overtly or covertly, this coterie of underground power brokers have exercised their influence at every general election cycle, hoping to tilt the balance of sentiments on the selection of the occupant of the number one office in the land.

Little wonder that at such times the residences of this supposed elder statesmen become a sort of Mecca, where gladiators and aspirants visit usually to receive the holy anointing.

For instance, all the major presidential candidates for the 2023 presidential election have consulted Obasanjo including, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressive Congress, Obasanjo’s former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party and his counterpart in the New Nigerians People Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

It is well known that in 1999, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar and others were instrumental to the emergence of one from their rank, Obasanjo, who was military head of state between

1976 and 1976, becoming civilian president in May, 29, 1999.

At the end of Obasanjo’s tenure in 2007, under Obasanjo’s guidance, this top shots were unanimous that Umar Musa Yar’adua, a brother of one of their own, although late, Shehu Musa Yar’adua, should become the president.

They also backed the doctrine of necessity after the sudden demise of President Yar’adua, that ushered in the Goodluck Jonathan government. Jonathan also got their nod when he vied for the presidency in 2011 against staunch opposition from some northern big wigs, purportedly for a single term.

Obasanjo’s support for Obi did not come as a surprised to many.

It would be recalled that THISDAY had a fortnight ago reported that Obasanjo and some former heads of government were working behind the scene to install Obi as the next president of the country.

However controversies have continued to trail Obasanjo’s open endorsement of Obi as prominent Nigerians and groups across the country have called Obasanjo’s bluff.

His position has also elicited angry reactions from the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, and that of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of APC described the endorsement of Obi by Obasanjo as useless, alleging that the former

president hardly has strong electoral value.

The PDP PCC reacted in like manner, saying whether Obasanjo likes it or not, Atiku would be president in his life time.

A northern elder statesman, Tanko Yakasai, has described Obasanjo’s endorsement of Obi as a futile adventure and insignificant, saying Obi was not among the two major contenders in the race.

According to Yakasai who had once advised Obasanjo to stay away from politics, “Obasanjo’s endorsement is insignificant. The 2023 contest is a race between two top contenders, and even the gap between the major contenders is so wide that no one will waste his or her vote on a contestant that is far far behind these big two.

“And whoever chooses to elect somebody that has no significance in the race knows too well he or she has wasted his or her vote.

“Obasanjo might have his reasons, but it will certainly not count on the February election.

The contest is zeroed to two contenders, so Obasanjo’s endorsement is clearly insignificant,” Yakasai maintained Similarly, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, has slammed Obasanjo, for endorsing Obi for the 2023 general elections. He also faulted Obasanjo’s presidential choice on the basis of character, saying he (Obasanjo) was part of the problem of today’s Nigeria.

Akinyemi, said Obasanjo has had his tenure hence he should go home and remain quiet.

The former Foreign Affairs Minister described Obasanjo as part of the country’s problems, therefore should not come and present himself as a problem solver.

He said: “Please don’t let us spend time on General Obasanjo’s letter or ideas because some of us believe that he also is part of the foundation of the problems that we have in this country, and one of the things that I have said is that once you have occupied that post of President and you have served your term, please go home and be like General Gowon, be like General Abdusalam, just be quiet.

“You’ve had your term and let others get on, but for you to create problems for us and then you come back and you present yourself as a problem solver, I find that difficult to swallow NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Beke Promises Adequate Security, Free Education, Prosperity for Rivers People In a new year neassage to Rivers people, All Progressives Grand Alliance gubernatorial candidate in the state, Prince Ugo Beke, has promised to turn the fortune of the state around if elected governor in March, 2023

T

aking stock of what has been and what lies ahead of Rivers state in the new year, the APGA Governorship candidate, Prince Ugo Beke is upbeat on what will happen to Rivers state.

“Happy and prosperous new year, my good people of Rivers State. First of all, I wish to congratulate all Rivers people on the occasion of the new year, 2023, and to offer my heartfelt gratitude to God Almighty for his kindness and mercy, as well as the excellent and amazing things he has done in our lives in the previous year.

In a statement signed by the Media & Political Marketing Directorate of the Prince Ugo Beke Campaign Organization in Port-Harcourt, the Governorship candidate noted: “Today, our new year resolutions as patriotic Rivers men and women should be focused on how to make our state the best place to live and do business. And that should start with a solemn pledge on our part to be decent citizens - playing our part - no matter how small- to make our beloved state a better place for everyone.

We can only accomplish this if we obey the laws and inculcate the spirit of love,

Beke

togetherness,peace, and being our brothers keepers. My vision in this regard, are in the areas of security, economy and collective prosperity of all Rivers people”, “This is very important as 2023 is a crucial election year.

It is an election that must be peaceful, before, during, and after. In the next few weeks we all will be going to the polls to elect a new governor for our state. As you are all aware, I have offered myself for this position under the All Progressive Alliance (APGA)”.

According to Beke: If voted into power our government will focus on security, economy and prosperity of all Rivers people - wherever they are. Specifically, we will among others, provide free and qualitative education, business empowerment-making funds available for businesses, and provide security in every village, community and local government in Rivers state. The APGA candidate had last year, rolled out a massive job creation and internally generated revenue yielding programme of action for Rivers people when he unveiled an oil & gas city.

The city, the first of its kind in Africa, is expected to yield up to $250 billion. “ We can be making $250b every year from the new oil & gas city I intend to build in Rivers state when I’m elected as Governor”.

Beke further pleaded that everyone has a civic duty to vote wisely and ensure

that that the right candidate is voted into power - and that right candidate is Prince Ugo Beke of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

In preparation for the 2023 general election, political activities have picked significantly. All political parties have select candidates for various political offices.

“As a result, I implore individuals who intend to run for office to exercise restraint.

Let us play the game by the rules so that the will of the people is respected and protected at the end of the day.

“I would also like to appeal to religious leaders, traditional rulers, parents, and guardians to keep a tight grip on the youths so that they do not become agents of instability in the hands of misguided individuals seeking power at any cost. Because our common humanity transcends our ethnic, religious, and political ties, we must protect the sanctity of all lives.

“Finally, I wish to reassure the great people of Rivers state of my resolve to, if elected into office, devote my entire life into securing your lives and property, as well as helping to create prosperity to touch every family.

17

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023

POLITICS

House, ASUU Bicker over Suspended Strike Action Udora Orizu writes that the uncommon role played by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, in seeing to the suspension of the eight month old strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, is now riddled with accusation of deception

T

he House of Representatives last week engaged in a war of words with the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke over his claim that the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, used deception to convince the union to call off its eight months strike action.

Osodeke had in an interview while accusing Gbajabiamila of deception, also alleged that the Speaker failed to deliver on his written commitment that the government would, without delay, offset the arrears of salaries owed to members of the union for the time they were on strike.

Strikes by ASUU and failure of the government to find lasting solutions to the crises bedeviling the education sector, have continued to destroy the university system in Nigeria.

Strikes have been so repeated over the years that they have come to be recognized as a yearly event.

Almost every administration since the return of democratic rule experienced industrial action by the union. In 1999, shortly after the Obasanjo-Atiku administration was sworn in, ASUU embarked on a nationwide strike due to the failure of negotiations between the union and the Federal Government over the working conditions in Nigerian universities.

The strike however lasted for five months.

In 2001, the union again embarked on another strike over the reinstatement of 49 lecturers sacked at the University of Ilorin.

In December 2002, the union embarked on a two-week strike because of the failure of the Obasanjo administration to implement an agreement it had with the union during the previous strike.

Since then the union has embarked on strike 13 times and has continually blamed its decision on the failure of the government to meet its demands.

Early 2022, ASUU again embarked on strike.

Osodeke while announcing the strike accused

Gbajabiamila

the Federal Government of failing to implement the Memorandum of Understanding and Memorandum of Action signed between the union and the government. Despite several interventions from pressure groups, protests by students, the union and the government couldn’t find a common ground.

Months later, in September, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, resolved to meet with the union with a view to resolving the issues. After series of meetings and negotiations, agreements were finally reached in October.

The Speaker expressed optimism that the industrial dispute would be over in a couple of days, as the leadership of the striking lecturers was set to sign an agreement to end the dispute based on the recommendations by the House that was presented to President

Osodeke

Muhammadu Buhari.

He revealed that having received the House recommendations on the issue, President Buhari would make a pronouncement towards the final resolution of the issue.

But the president was yet to be heard before ASUU announced suspension of the strike.

Osodeke while commending the Speaker said, if those in charge of education and labour had handled the matter the way he did, the strike would not have lasted more than two weeks or so.

As the union happily looked forward to payment of the backlog of salaries of members withheld during the eight months strike, their happiness was short lived when they received half pay for October, giving indication that nothing really changed.

For lecturers who have been without salaries for eight months, it was not funny receiving partial payment for work done. Realizing that the assurance that its members would be paid backlog of their salaries was probably a trick to get them back to classes, the union held an emergency national executive committee

meeting to take a position.

Also, the union’s lead counsel, Femi Falana (SAN) called on Gbajabiamila and all those who pressurized ASUU to call off the strike to mount similar pressure on the government to implement all the agreements reached with the union.

Reacting, Gbajabiamila in a bid to eliminate the possibility of another industrial action by the union, called for calm, saying the issues are getting appropriate hearing.

He spoke on increased allocations to the education sector in the 2023 Appropriation Bill, the progress in UTAS/IPPIS payment systems and their intention to organize a National Summit on Tertiary Education.

The Speaker, however, annoyed some people when he said that the position taken by the executive that it was not obligated to pay salaries to lecturers for the time spent on strike was premised on the law and the government’s legitimate interest in preventing moral hazard and discouraging disruptive industrial actions.

Since then, the turn of events sadly began to raise questions as to whether anything was really gained from that good intervention by Gbajabiamila.

In December, 2022, ASUU President in an interview accused Gbajabiamila of using deception to convince the union to call off its strike action.

Frowning at the claim, the lawmakers in a statement signed by the House Spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Kalu said at no point did the Speaker commit to offset the arrears of salaries owed to union members for the time they were on strike.

He opined that Osodeke’s bad-faith approach to negotiations and his affinity for political brinkmanship are significant reasons the universities were on strike for so long.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Internal Wrangling in Katsina PDP Threatens Atiku, Lado’s Chances Francis Sardauna writes that the internal crisis within the Katsina state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is threatening the chances of its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the state’s governorship candidate, Senator Yakubu Lado, in the 2023 general elections.

T

he protracted leadership tussle that has torn the once robust Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina state into shreds, has reared its ugly head again following the recent boycotting of the campaign rally of the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, by some chieftains and leaders of the party in the state.

The mega rally, which took place recently at the famous Muhammadu Dikko stadium in Katsina, the Katsina state capital, saw supporters troop out en masse to cheer and drum up support for the presidential flag bearer of the party.

However, influential PDP stalwarts like the former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shehu Shema, the North-west zonal treasurer of the party, Hon. Rabiu Gambo Bakori, the House of Representatives candidate for Mashi/Dutsi federal constituency, Hon. Salisu Yusuf Majigiri, former ALGON chairman, Hon. Ibrahim Lawal Dankama, and Hon. Salisu Lawal Uli, were conspicuously absent at the event.

THISDAY’s investigation at the venue of the rally, further revealed that 19 out of the 34 local government chairmen of the PDP believed to be Shema’s loyalists, also boycotted the mega rally.

Similarly, 10 out of the 14 members of the State Working Committee of the party, leadership of the former councillors’ forum, led by Hon. Sanusi Buhari and as well as some elders of the party did not attend the rally.

Their reasons for boycotting the rally may not be unconnected with the leadership tussle rocking the party. Shema, who is the leader of the party in the state, was in town but ceremoniously refused to attend the mega rally.

Instead of the rally, Shema was busy holding series of meetings with critical stakeholders at

Atiku

Lado

his residence in Katsina over the 2023 elections, and later led his loyalists to pay homage to the Emir of Katsina, Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, few hours after Atiku’s visit to the monarch.

Alas!, this development further triggered the party’s internal wrangling that had since metamorphosed into two factions; the Shema’s camp and the camp of the governorship candidate, Senator Yakubu Lado otherwise called Lado’s boys by pundits.

The leadership squabbles surfaced in October this year when 24 local government officials of the party believed to be Lado’s loyalists, unanimously sacked Hon. Salisu Lawal Uli as the acting chairman of the party,

and appointed Hon. Lawal Magaji Danbaci as the new chairman of the party in the state.

The duo, at a meeting which was held in Kano on October, 30, and reportedly chaired by Lado, accused Uli of breaching section 58 subsection (i), (d), (f) and (h) of the party’s constitution as amended in 2017. Thus, the national leadership of the party subsequently appointed Danbaci as the state’s substantive chairman.

Shema and his political allies had fumed over the development and were said to have vowed to ensure that the PDP does not know peace in the build-up to the 2023 polls, hence the fragile leadership tussle rocking the party in the state.

Several reconciliation meetings within and outside the state over the issue had been deadlocked as Shema refused to shift grounds.

Specifically, the erstwhile governor is demanding the immediate resignation of Danbaci and his replacement with Mr. Uli, one of his allies, for the

sake of what he describes as justice and fairness.

He alleged that Lado was “side-lining” him and had threatened to “teach him a political lesson” .

Shema and his camp are also arguing that the former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, who recently defected to the PDP, shouldn’t have been appointed the Director-general of Atiku/Lado campaign council “because he is a new entrant into the party”.

Inuwa, who is described by those in Shema’s camp as office-seeking politician, in an exposed agreement memo between his group, MMI, and the governorship candidate of the party, Lado, is allocated 30 per cent of all political appointments and the leadership of the State House of Assembly if the latter eventually wins the poll.

The memo, dated October 10, 2022 and signed by four members of the MMI group and four supporters of Lado read: “The Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa (MMI) group is to be given 30 per cent membership of the campaign council.

Appointment of SSG is to be allocated to Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa.

“30 per cent of all political appointments in the state and the leadership of the state Assembly and right of replacement of any of the appointments allocated to MMI group. The MMI group to participate in developing an agenda for the state”.

This, in addition to other reasons, perhaps forced Shema and his loyalists to boycottAtiku’s campaign rally. This further indicated that the Katsina state chapter of the PDP is still in deep crisis.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

18

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͳ˜ 2023

FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email: chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 07010510430

NAFOWA President, Amao's Giant Strides in Rendering Service to Humanity When the Nigerian Air Force Officers' Wives Association, NAFOWA, a non-governmental organisation, was set up over five decades ago, the objective was to render service to humanity.

This ethos has been taken a notch higher by the present administration of Mrs. Elizabeth Amao.

Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that amongst other giant strides, her passion for learning recently gave birth to the first ever NAFOWA Secondary School

Aerial and front view of the new NAFOWA Secondary School, NAF Base Asokoro, Abuja which was built by Mrs Elizabeth Olubunmi Amao’s administration

NAFOWA National President, Mrs Elizabeth Olubunmi Amao giving her opening remarks during NAFOWA’s Cancer Awareness and Screening Program in Abuja

NAFOWA National President, Mrs Elizabeth Olubunmi Amao and DEPOWA President, Barr.

Mrs Vickie Irabor during the NAFOWA Health Walk in Abuja

T

increase in number of participant enrolment; and empowerment of over 200 dependents of NAFOWA members, widows, and youths with various vocational skills.'

he Nigerian Air Force Officers' Wives Association (NAFOWA) is a NonGovernmental Organisation established with the objective of promoting interaction and welfare programs for the poor, less privileged and vulnerable in the society.

In line with its motto, ‘Service to Humanity’, NAFOWA over the years, has empowered women, widows, youths, and the under-privileged through its humanitarian and empowerment activities which cuts across skills acquisition programs, barracks youth empowerment schemes, medical and educational outreaches among others.

Since its inception in 1967, NAFOWA has had 18 National Presidents with the incumbent, Mrs Elizabeth Olubunmi Amao as the 19th President.

According to Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on assumption of office on 29th January 2021, Mrs Elizabeth Amao hit the ground running and left no one in doubt of her determination to reposition the Association to support women, youths and the less privileged in the society.

Passion for Quality Learning Driven by her penchant for quality learning, Mrs Elizabeth Amao made education a centerpiece of her administration. In that regard, she initiated and saw to the building of the first ever NAFOWA Secondary School situated in Abuja.

According to Air Commodore Gabkwet, the well equipped state-of-the-art school, which has been a dream-come-through for Mrs Amao, finally saw the light of day and is expected to serve the interest of children of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel and civilians alike.

He said Mrs. Amao’s conceptualisation of the school is also hinged on her belief that education is not just a ladder of opportunity but also an investment for the future.

Other achievements by Mrs Amao in the areas of education and entrepreneurship include setting up

a tailoring workshop at the NAFOWA National Secretariat Abuja, where school uniforms are now being produced in large quantities and supplied to NAFOWA schools across the country; completion of NAFOWA Little Angels’ Primary School project in Asokoro.

Others include construction of additional classrooms at NAFOWA Little Angels’ School, Kaduna to accommodate the ever-increasing number of pupils; facelift and equipping of NAFOWA Little Angels’ School Abuja and NAFOWA Special Needs School, Vocational and ICT Centre in Ikeja, Lagos.

DOPRI listed others to include "Provision of luxurious air-conditioned bus to ease the transport challenges faced by parents and pupils alike; collaboration with the Directorate of Education, Headquarters NAF in organizing workshops and seminars to keep NAFOWA staff abreast of modern trends in teaching techniques.I "Introduction of extra-curricular activities in various NAFOWA schools such as ballet, karate, coding, robotics, phonetics and diction; renovation and overhaul of the photo studio at the NAFOWA Vocational Centre to a state-of-the-art studio.

"Refurbishment of the computer room and the acquisition of new and modern kitchen utensils leading to

Capacity Development "It must be stated also that Mrs Elizabeth Amao strongly believes that adding value to human existence through capacity building initiatives and provision of succour to the needy will make life more meaningful," Gabkwet added.

According to her, "We must continue to do all we can as part of our corporate social responsibilities to ensure that all our women, youths, widows and orphans are gainfully employed and have a trade in hand to support their families".

Service to Humanity In tandem with its motto of “service to humanity”, NAFOWA under the able leadership of Mrs Amao, has also been able to donate air conditioners, patients monitoring gadgets, digital and manual blood pressure apparatus, weighing scales, fridges, ward screens, wheelchairs and stretchers, delivery bed, dissecting forceps and drugs to 063 NAF Hospital Abuja and other hospitals in the country.

NAFOWA also paid hospital bills of indigent patients within and outside the country as well as serving and retired members of the association side other financial and moral support; and donated food items to over 100 widows at the NAF @58 anniversary celebration held in Kano.

They also organised cancer awareness lectures and free screening for members of NAFOWA and

Elizabeth Amao strongly believes that adding value to human existence through capacity building initiatives and provision of succour to the needy will make life more meaningful

Airmen Wives Association as well as members of the host community; and sponsored NAFOWA members to seminars, workshops aimed at exposing members to external collaboration through networking with the outside world.

Advocate of Healthy Living Going by the adage, ‘health is wealth’, Mrs Amao, as a lover of healthy living and excellent wellbeing has organised health walks and mental health talk in various units of the NAF in May 2022.

The walk in Abuja had the Presidents of sister organisations as well as members of NAFOWA in attendance and was aimed at keeping members of NAFOWA physically fit to carry out their various responsibilities.

Mrs Elizabeth Olubunmi Amao also presided over the Association’s Annual General Meeting and Annual Dinner Night held for both serving and retired members of the association. It was an avenue to take stock of all its activities and achievements and projected into the future with so much hope and optimism.

Humanitarian Visits to IDPs Perhaps Mrs Amao’s humanitarian visit to IDP camps and wounded troops in the North-east increased her compassion and humane side in view of her respect for the enormous sacrifices the Nigerian military troops continue to make in the defence of the Nation.

Indeed, as the wife of a serving military officer, she fully appreciates the huge efforts the troops continue to make in keeping the nation safe.

Mrs Amao’s wealth of knowledge in administration was also brought to bear on her leadership skills as she continues to steer the affairs of NAFOWA. She has also continued to be a bastion of hope as she looks ahead to better days in her quest for making lives more meaningful for all NAFOWA members and the less privileged in the society.

19

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͳ˜ 2023

FEATURES

Dr. Julius Oyedemi: Making Luxury Apartments Affordable the Cedarwood Way The Managing Director of Cedarwood Luxury, Dr. Julius Oyedemi, a young vibrant real estate mogul who doubles as the Managing Director of Property World Africa Network, PWAN, Group, is not leaving any stone unturned to ensure that the average Nigerian owns a home. Through innovations by Cedarwood Luxury Apartments and Terraces, many Nigerians can now boast of places they can call home, writes Mary Nnah

D

r. Julius Oyedemi is a young, vibrant real estate mogul who has cut his teeth in real estate by starting under the brand PWAN group. The beautiful thing about him is that he started as a Business Development Executive, which is mostly the lowest rank in the organisation seven years ago; and today he is now the Group Executive Director of Sales and Marketing. This has shown that a lot of development have taken place in Oyedemi’s life- lots of exposure and experience.

Reminiscing on the journey which started to a point where the Managing Director of Cedarwood Luxury, a prime real estate project engineered to make the homeownership dream of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora a seamless reality, has become a business leader who is in high demand, he said, “Humility and paying attention to instructions have helped a lot.”

"The Bible says God gives grace to the humble. So, if you are not humble you will not have the grace of God. Two, paying attention to details of simple instruction; not complaining, no questioning, just like the military say obey before compliant”, he added.

Oyedemi's educational background is commendable. He has an honorary doctorate in real estate management from the American European University; also, on certified project management issued by the school of project, UK. Much earlier, he had a degree in electronics and electrical Engineering. He is also an alumnus of the Lagos Business School.

For him, the real estate sector in Nigeria is doing very well despite the challenges as people still see it as the only sure step to wealth.

Speaking on the inspiration behind Cedarwood Luxury Apartments and Terraces as well as the innovation which he invented, Oyedemi said, “Cedarwood brand is a unique brand that is not just a promoter of luxury; but a brand which preaches that luxury is affordable as far as real estate is concerned.

“We have been around for five years and have a good number of signature estates to our credit. Within five years of existence, we have close to about 40 estate developments out of which are liveable estates.”

He confessed that what has brought about the landmark achievements is majorly brand integrity.

“In Cedarwood, we excel in brand integrity.

It’s common knowledge that anyone who does business with us can go and sleep. I do not do this business as a service to myself.

That’s because our service is listed as a service to humanity. I am not just a leader but a servant leader. So, I am not just a leader that stays under air conditions all the time. I am a leader that moves.

"At Cedarwood, we are high on brand value.

We live on value; one of my biggest values is honesty. So, we built this motivation on those values. We are honest and in everything we do; you will see a touch of excellence. We are very much accountable and we are never giving up, we are very resilient. And above all, we are a team. You will never hear me say I did this, I did that. You will always hear me say ‘we’ ‘we’.”

Even though the Cedarwood brand was launched during the COVID Lockdown, it didn’t deter its progress. The Cedarwood boss explained why: “I face my business with every sense of discipline. Now, the COVID lockdown was a great lesson for us in real estate and I saw that COVID brought about a switch in real estate. What is that switch? The era began to make people look for finished apartments. So, the market was moving toward finished apartments after COVID. The COVID was like an end-time disaster.”

Speaking further he said, “People were like

Dr. Oyedemi

I have bought an undeveloped parcel of land and what has been the gain? So, people were worried that they had put in their money and if they had put it properly, it would have given more return on investment. Understanding that transition, I gathered the team and we decided that going forward, we have to start developing buildings and estate. And God on our side, we had the first groundbreaking on October 2020.

"We have had several other ground-breaking events. In Lagos, five are ongoing; one is coming up in highbrow Ikoyi, three in Sangotedo and one in Ibeju Lekki.

And these are all luxury projects; one is finished and allocated and people will start living in it by this month. It is an amazing experience that changed the direction of our business.”

Oyedemi who has impacted people’s lives in various instances through his business also has a training programme called the school of strategy, a programme which has empowered a lot of young purposeful Nigerians desiring to be real estate moguls.

In a bid to reach out to more audiences, he recently created an online opportunity. So, starting

from January 2023, the estate mogul will be having online training with interested people who want to make a living out of the real estate and people who want to earn billions.

“For me, there is so much to achieve in real estate than doing yahoo yahoo, then being an armed robber, then being a political thug.

I think that with what God, the training and experience that God has given me, I can lift others”, he noted.

Oyedemi whose hobby is reading revealed that one of his dreams is to have one of the biggest private libraries. “Those that are very close to me know that I consume books a lot.

I have a budget, my income goes to books”, he said.

His wife he said has played a major role in what he has become today.

“My wife is my biggest critic. So, her pieces of advice have been coming in a hard form; and hard form in the sense that what she likes to see is a purposeful man. So, everything that I do must be questioned; and there must be a why. And that has helped me a lot. My wife wants to know why are you taking to buildings. Is it because others are doing it? why are you buying a new car? Is it because you can afford the money? So, that is why I have always become prudent in spending.

One thing you can rule out is it helps me to share with her; because before I do a thing, I have to call her, come this is my plan. She criticises the plan and whatever is left out of the plan is executed which has helped us a lot”, he noted.

What is my purpose here on earth? What do I want to achieve? What am I trying to achieve? Is it just to pass through life as a young man who is a developer? No. So, having an understanding of my purpose on Earth has made me know that I have a triangular life i.e., to my family, my work and my God

On how he manages to combine his roles as a business leader, a father, husband and mentor, he said, that aside from the grace of God, one has to desire a purposeful lifestyle.

“What is my purpose here on earth? What do I want to achieve? What am I trying to achieve? Is it just to pass through life as a young man who is a developer? No. So, having an understanding of my purpose on Earth has made me know that I have a triangular life i.e., to my family, my work and my God. "Putting these together, you see that it’s a triangular relationship that cannot be broken; because a lot of people are seeing me from the family side, as a young man who is always happy with the family. And some people are learning from me. Some see me from the God angle, as one who loves God and is devoted to God; and a lot of people see me from the working angle. ‘Oh! He is a young achiever, at his age, he has done this and that opened other organisations under him.’ For me, that creates the balance we are looking for.”

On lessons he has learned over the years as a business leader that can help other business owners, he was quick to say this: “When you have tried all, you can as a business owner and it seems it’s not working, put your trust in God; because business is physical and business is metaphysical. When we talk about the metaphysical, we are talking about spirituality, beyond the physical. So, when you have tried the physical, allow the metaphysical to come in.”

From research, Oyedemi has come to realised that only about two per cent of Nigerians are having a roof over their heads and thus he described it as a disaster. Therefore, finding himself in a sector where he helps people own a home they can call their own, he feels strongly is a great impartation for Nigeria at large.

“I am not talking about forcing people into owning a home, but about making the hope of people to own a home a reality. That is what our vision stands for – making the homeownership dream a reality for all. To be honest, if we begin to think deeply, we understand that I am creating great value for Nigeria and Nigerians. But if we look at the value chain, and visible developments what about the people who are in construction?

What are we creating? Job opportunities for architects, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, building engineers, urban planners, town planners, paint manufacturers, artisans,s and the likes the locals, are offered an opportunity to earn a living income.

"Another part of the value chain is that we are always getting building approvals from the government, and it doesn’t come for free. We are creating revenue for the government. For every building approval, there is a fee no matter how little, to pay.

Again, you cannot be approved if you are not a taxpayer. If you look down the value chain, the people find job opportunities in real estate activities, you see that when they earn an income it also trickles down to their immediate and extended families. So, the impact one is making is so greater than just deciding to be a home giver.”

Oyedemi's aspiration for the cedarwood brand in the next five years to come is to double what his company has been able to achieve in the past five years.

“In five years, we have been able to come this far, in another five years using a geometric approach even if it's going to be an arithmetic approach, we would have doubled what we have achieved now. This is because the first five years have been a point of training.

So, the next five years would be a point of elevation. Now we have known the rudiments of development and putting down the structures is a matter of just having the enabling environment”, he noted.

20

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2023

INTERVIEW

Greg Ibe: I Left United States Because of My Passion for Abia’s Development Gregory Ikechukwu Ibe, professor and founder of Gregory University in Okigwe, is the flagbearer of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State. He spoke with Nduka Nwosu about why his quest to be the next Abia Governor is a divine mandate. Excerpts: Where will your blueprint take Abians? released my blueprint much earlier in the day, or do we say a few months ago. I knew that people would start manipulating it, but I still went ahead to release it. Now I see people are trying to rework my document. My document is original, a work of study and research. I am a consultant to the ECOWAS, World Bank, and the United Nations. Everything I do is anchored on best practices. My blueprint is my covenant with Abia state. I completed the blueprint, and from there, I derived my manifesto. I am sure of every line of what I have done. If you wake me up from sleep, I will tell you about the environmental issues in Abia and how I want to solve them. I have the answer to every human and governance problem in Abia state.

However, the more I expose it, the more I throw it open out there; everybody who wants to come in will start grabbing it. I want to assure you that if you lay your hand on my manifesto, it gives you a clear view of what to expect in the detailed document, that is, the blueprint, as well as the game plan leading to the solution of our problems. Whichever local government you find yourself in Abia, you know what to expect based on the blueprint. That is why I said the blueprint and manifesto are based on the long years of experience of working in Abia state with stakeholders, technocrats and the bottom of the pyramid, the grassroots, by a thoroughbred thinker who knows where it pinches the people.

APGA’s original concept was that Ndi Igbo should all come together under one umbrella, just as the Yorubas had at various times come together to form a party that united them in their quest to rule the country. Our embrace of nationalism did not allow us to do this, especially in the Third and Fourth Republics.

However, the politics of Nigeria has taught us that those that come together as brothers have better negotiating power than those with nationalistic tendencies. It is not that we are not or should not be nationalistic but that your negotiating power and influence should begin from the home base. Charity, it is said, begins at home.

You will play the game of nationalism better if your negotiating power is assured. When this alignment is achieved, people will know that associating with us will bring the best returns to both sides, with appreciative dividends that make everybody happy and equal before God. That is what APGA represents, and I feel at home standing in for APGA today. God showed His light to me by making sure that I won the primary when it mattered most. God proved that He has made it that I should go and work for my people. I have no doubt in me that with APGA, Ndi Igbo must come together.

I

What issues must be addressed when you become governor?

Abia has a unique positioning surrounded by seven states at the heart of the Southeast and South-South, surrounded by a sea in need of dredging; it has what it takes to attract investors of diverse types, yet we have not been able to take advantage of that considering our enormous resources. We were at a point called the Japan of Africa, but we keep going down in performance ranking by the day.

The challenges are enormous in terms of reversing this trend on a growth level that will connect with who we are known to be. We did not come here by chance or fluke and if we are not to be downgraded, we must brace up for the challenges of the future.

The infrastructure decadence in Aba exemplifies the issues in the ongoing narrative. Every Abian, every citizen of the Southeast, all Nigerians and foreigners privileged to dwell or work in Aba, must be concerned that Aba is now a shadow of its glorious past.

Aba has gone into a state of decomposition. If you look at Aba, you will see that it has gone tremendously down, and a lot of people have moved out of the commercial city. There was a time the city had a security challenge, such that many people ran away; now the situation is worse; there are diverse challenges bothering on poor infrastructure; people are leaving in their droves, including corporate organisations.

The annual ravaging flood has hardly spared the city.

The state government was supposed to collaborate with the World Bank in helping Aba have a good drainage system. With less than seven months to go, the Ikpeazu administration has nothing to offer the Aba people in that direction. The project has been dead on arrival. The healthcare institutions are as good as dead; the government is owing workers huge amounts of their salaries, and each month adds to the previous month; it is also not paying pensioners. The Bible says a worker deserves his wage.

The opposite is the case in Abia state. Somebody somewhere should be held accountable.

All these investments that people make on roads do not stand the test of time. Road construction is a complex science and not an all-comers job. In our clime, we award contracts to every Tom, Dick and Harry who often appropriates the mobilisation fee and dumps the contract. Some do a wishy-washy job and deliver roads that do not stand the test of time.

I have been involved in all kinds of infrastructure development in Imo, and Abia states, including the construction of the Imo Airport during and after the tenure of the then-military administrator Anthony Ogugua. The asphalted tarmac and runway remain the evidence of a professionally executed job despite the fact that funds were lean and not forthcoming.

Since we completed the construction work on that airport, the runway remains one of the best in the country.

Every type of road construction has a lifespan; it is left to you awarding the contract to prepare for the lifespan. The three or four types of roads have a lifespan; either you do an earth road, an asphalt-designed

road or a concrete pavement road; sometimes, two of these types can be combined depending on the soil strength. You must be careful what type of road you are constructing. A good soil hosting a single or double-dressing type of road construction, for example, has a life span of five to seven years. This is comparable to some of the roads we inherited from the British, which surface dressing had a double coating and was continuously maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD)), the equivalent of FERMA. Some of these roads with good soil are still being used in the country. If it is clay soil, the road is easily prone to a bad surface as it gets older. An asphalted road has a capacity for 12 years and could go longer with maintenance, like the ones built by the colonial governments and their successors. Now you know where to place the roads constructed by our governors since 1999 with the coming of the Fourth Republic.

They have failed to withstand the test of time.

There are no factories and solid infrastructure in place, and the ministry of works of many of these states is dormant and ineffective in terms of maintenance culture. Abia state has an infrastructure deficit. The plans we inherited collapsed on one man’s desk.

I started building the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) in 1987. It took me 16 years sitting down there with nobody to help me to complete the project. I maintained a 16-years presence there, keeping the equipment and the security intact. When Orji Uzor Kalu came in as governor, he invited me in 2002 to make a series of presentations, pleading I should continue my good work while the state government would do the needful. Mazi Sam Ohabunwa, ABSUTH Board Chairman, urged me not to give up on ensuring the job was completed. My patriotic zeal for the state and my desire to make sure the medical students had access to the hospital for their practicals led me on.

Poor maintenance culture is a big problem in Abia state. Abandoned structures are noticeable everywhere because of a poor maintenance culture.

Elevated health centres, known as general hospitals, are littered all over the state with poor facilities, drugs, and medical personnel. Abia state has a definite problem; you cannot compare it with any state in the country that is moving ahead. It remains the least developed state of the Southeast and possibly the whole country. I want to come in and cleanse the Aegean stable; I will hit the ground running with what is available, with whatever anybody has done before, taking it as a base and then make Abia resemble what it ought to be in terms of being the number one state it was meant to be.

Why do you want to be Abia’s governor at this time?

I want to be the governor because I am from Abia, and it is also my civic responsibility and right to aspire to govern Abia. Moreover, I have been active in politics since 1999. I have watched every governor and government make their input.

I have served Abia in different capacities and have been honoured with its highest award of Enyi Abia in addition to my national award of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR). My contributions to the growth of Abia are there in the public space for everyone to see. I did not want to be recycled along the line. My service to Abia State to date is without baggage. I have fulfilled all the mandates God has given me in my contribution to the growth of the state, after which He asked me to aspire to be the governor in continuation of my service to the people. The divine mandate is that I should deliver to the expectation of the people. Our past leaders led the state in their own way and approach. I am coming as a servant of the people with a more detailed and modern approach that will have an empirical impact on governance. My covenant with the people will be delivered ahead of time.

That is what governance is all about.

I have been living in the US, where the citizen should know what he is going to the market to buy between two contending candidates wooing him with their manifestos. Once I get into government, I will be there to serve the people in line with their expectations. Whatever the ill that has befallen Abia state, such as non-payment of salaries and abandonment of pensioners, lack of infrastructure, et al., will be addressed. I do believe that it is time for Abians to regain all that they have lost.

I aspired to be the governor of Abia state in 2014, and the governor then asked me to hold on for the sake of the Abia zoning formula, which favoured the Ngwa community.

I had earlier written to the governor as well as the party. It was documented that by 2023, I would be out again as the adopted candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) based on what was agreed upon. I came out, and unfortunately, the people in power decided to make a change to the Abia Charter of Equity, a charter written and signed by our forefathers, elders, and stakeholders. It became a one-man affair.

I decided to return to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), a party of principle.

I decided to come to APGA to make sure that our people speak with one voice. I am happy that I came in to provide all my ability, all that I have been by way of experience and service to the people; I want to make sure that Abia and Ndi Igbo become properly integrated into the Nigerian experiment. That is a lot of challenges ahead for me.

Why are you contesting on the platform of APGA?

Among the other key participants, Uche Ikonne, Alex Otti, and Ikechi Emenike, what

Ibe

are your advantages and weak points over them?

With all due respect, there is a saying that says: si ce n’est pas du panadol ce n’est pas du Panadol, which is to say: if it is not Panadol, it is not Panadol.

All these people that you have mentioned are of course stakeholders in the Abia project but there is none among them that has added value to Abia the way I have done, not to the infrastructure, or to anything, I know of; they only come to struggle to be in the forefront of leading Abia, to reap where they have sown so little, preparing to reap from the state like others have done. Some people come to take away from the lean resources of the state but not me. I am the only one with a proven record of having invested in the state, of having employed people in the state and keeps employing people and adding value to the state. Where were they when all this was happening?

What did they do with their money? Now, they all want to come now and seek governance. Again, let me add: si ce n’est pas du panadol, ce n’est pas du Panadol, which is to say: if it is not Panadol, it is not Panadol. For me, it is the end of the discussion as far as being the Governor of Abia State is concerned. I wish them well, but they know too well that there is no comparison between them and me. Once my name is mentioned from the area of competence, on investment in the state, on having the perquisite knowledge or ideas on development, I remain their non-pareil. I respect their diverse kinds of training, upbringing, and experience, but they should know that in comparison, I am quite up there.

Can you brief us on your role under President Obasanjo’s administration?

President Obasanjo is a detribalised leader; through a telephone call, I was invited to present a paper on public service reform. I flew in from the US. After listening to me, he directed the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Ufot Ekaette, to work with me. I was working from the office of the head of government with all the ministries and parastatals on how to reform the public service. I am happy I did it. There are lots of things that I did under President Obasanjo, which have proven to be the best way for Nigeria. He is the man who saw tomorrow. I am always glad and happy that I succeeded with my boss, who gave me the opportunity to bring out the best in his government. There is no government so far that has tried to unite the country the way he did, seeing every child of this country, irrespective of the state of origin or ethnicity, as Nigeria’s own hope for tomorrow. He saw our diversity as a value-added in nation-building. There is no one that considers every child in Nigeria to be one and every community in the Nigerian project to be one the way he did and still does. The telecommunications and education sectors speak volumes of the huge achievements of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration. His achievements cut across the entire spectrum of the polity.

What other role would you want to highlight?

I did a lot of jobs in the UNDP on human capital development; we did so much on healthcare and agriculture, and I worked on the export of produce.

I was everywhere working, and Mr President had a listening ear because he knew that being involved in the UN with him meant that all the best practices would be implemented in all the ministries. We as a people have what it takes to create MDAs that meet global standards as prescribed by the UN through its agencies and as other nations of the world are doing, using prescribed best practices.

How will you use your UN experience to add value to the education sector in Abia?

Abia and Anambra states remain the leaders in public examination performances, whether in the case of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) or the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams. Majorly Abia state has taken the position of being number one in WAEC or whatever exams.

The private institutions are the propelling force behind this accomplishment. In my capacity as a university administrator and founder, I have churned graduates from Abia state in different disciplines, medicine and engineering et al. Sadly, there is neither acknowledgement nor encouragement.

NOTE: Story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2023

21

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com

08056356325

J A N U A R Y

S & P INDEX

3 , 2 0 2 3

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

10.25%

INDEX LEVEL

613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.85%

N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

9.56%

1-DAY

0.16%

YEAR TO DATE

7.64%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10.52%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

Electronic Transactions in Nigeria Hits 3.5bn, Ranked 6th Globally

Nume Ekeghe Following various policies by the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) to boost cashless economy, analysts have noted that electronic transactions in Nigeria peaked at 3.5 billion in 2022, thus ranking Nigeria number 6 globally.

Also, going into 2023, forecast for the Nigerian economy appears gloomy with the customary downturn of the economy in an election year, prompted by the anxiety that follows change of political power as well as global and various economic indices.

Furthermore, analysts predict

that banks would taper down on operating expenses and become more profitable this year from non-interest income.

Speaking to THISDAY on his forecast for the banking sector and how it shaped electronic transactions, a renowned economist, London Enterprise Ambassador and Chief Economic Strategist, ECOWAS Commission, Ken Ife said: “Banks have been doing extremely well. If you look at the GDP figures of the third quarter, the banks were returning 18.3 per cent growth rate. That is phenomenal. Remember that throughout 2020 and 2021, the

banks were running at 15 per cent growth rate, which is five times more growth than the rest of the economy. And they were running pari passu with the ICT. Now what has happened is that all of the banking sector and the financial sector have benefited from Central Bank’s massive investment in payment infrastructure because they invested heavily in permanent infrastructure.

“So when there was the COVID disruption, and there was a shutdown, people were comfortable trading and doing transactions at home because they had their mobile money, POS, and

agency banking to the point that Nigeria in 2021 is number six in the world in electronic transactions.

We are even ahead of America, which was 1.2 billion while Nigeria was 1.8 billion transactions a year; while those ahead of us are India, China and South Korea, but Nigeria was doing really well. And then in 2022, Nigeria’s transactions doubled and went to 3.5 billion transactions, which was equivalent to $200 billion turnover. So, Nigeria has gone nuclear in that respect with 100 per cent increase. I just laugh when people complain about the transaction, we are ready for electronic transactions and the

evidence shows that we are.”

On his part, the Head, of Financial Institutions Ratings at Agusto & Co, Mr. Ayokunle Olubunmi predicted a bleak outlook for the economy because, “Its an election year as well as an import of global inflation and external economic factors.”

He said: “Economically it is not going to be a very rosy year because when we check through the years where we’ve had a change in government you notice that the economy struggles because it takes a while for the new government to settle in. And especially with this election that

there seems to be very likely that we might have a rerun because the candidates do not have the level of political acceptance that we have had in all other elections.

So, it would be a tough year both politically and economically.”

“Also, Nigeria is not isolated from what’s happening in the global economy. The global economy is actually struggling and also if you look at the budget just passed the debt we are planning and other various elements would impact the economy generally.

Furthermore, on the banking Continued on page 22

Experts Tip TotalEnergies, Asian, Nigerian Firms as Likely Bidders for Seven Deep Offshore Oil Blocks on Offer Peter Uzoho As the federal government awaits interest from local and foreign companies to bid for the new seven Deep Offshore oil blocks recently put on offer, oil and gas experts have tipped French oil major, TotalEnergies, Asian and Nigerian independent oil firms as likely bidders and possible buyers of the assets.

The experts, who spoke to THISDAY in separate phone chats, ruled out the possibility of Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron and Eni (Agip) from indicating interests in the new Deep Offshore oil blocks, citing the unfavourable business environment in Nigeria, which they said makes new foreign investment inflows in the country difficult.

They also advised the Nigerian

Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to put priority on the development of the oil assets by making sure that the conditions and criteria for the bid round enable competent and experienced investors to emerge as winners of the blocks, rather than focusing on raising immediate revenue for goverment through the exercise.

NUPRC had a fortnight ago announced the commencement of the process to invite Nigerian and foreign oil industry companies to apply for seven new Deep Offshore oil blocks, about 15 years after the last bid round for such assets took place in 2007 when 45 blocks drawn from the inland Basins of Anambra, Benue and Chad; the Niger Delta Continental Shelf; Onshore

Niger Delta and Deep Offshore were auctioned.

The Chief Executive Officer of NUPRC, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, who announced the commencement of the exercise in Abuja, had stated that the offshore blocks cover an area of approximately 6,700 km2 in water depths of 1,150m to 3,100m.

The offshore assets are located off the city of Lagos rather than off the

coast of the Niger Delta further to the east where most of the country’s oil industry is concentrated.

Komolafe had equally disclosed that a pre-bid conference was scheduled for January 26, 2023, to provide potential applicants with an opportunity to ask questions they may have concerning the mini bid Continued on page 22

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T U E S D AY, J A N U A R Y 3 , 2 0 2 3 BONDS DESCRIPTION Price ^14.20 14MAR-2024 ^13.53 23MAR-2025 ^12.50 22JAN-2026 ^16.2884 17MAR-2027 ^13.98 23FEB-2028

10.266, 00 10.319, 00 10.225, 00 10.727, 00 10.386, 00

Yield 11.72 11.83 11.60 13.93 12.92

Change Updated Time (%) December -0.01 30, 2022 December -0.01 30, 2022 December 0.00 30, 2022 December 0.00 30, 2022 December 0.00 30, 2022

BILLS MATURITY

Discount

Yield

NTB 26-Jan23 NTB 9-Feb23 NTB 9-Mar23 NTB 27-Apr23

3.01

3.02

3.01

3.02

3.90

3.93

3.50

3.54

NTB 11May-23

5.02

5.12

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPS

Change Updated Time (%) December 0.00 30, 2022 December 0.00 30, 2022 December 0.00 30, 2022 December -0.01 30, 2022 December 0.00 30, 2022

MATURITY FDHP CP III 17-MAR-23 VHPL CP III 1-APR-23 MREP CP VI 11-APR-23

Change Updated Time (%) December 0.00 30, 10.23 10.46 2022 December 15.32 15.94 0.01 30, 2022 December 11.84 12.24 0.00 30, 2022

Discount Yield

.

.

.

. .

.

.

.

. .

CONTRACT TENOR Contract (MONTH) NGUS JAN 25 1 2023 NGUS FEB 22 2 2023 NGUS MAR 29 3 2023 NGUS APR 26 4 2023 NGUS MAY 31 5 2023

Current Rate ($/₦) 46.987, 00 47.205, 00 47.423, 00 47.642, 00 47.860, 00

Updated Time

December 30, 2022 December 30, 2022 December 30, 2022 December 30, 2022 December 30, 2022

22

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

STATUS REPORT

Vitafoam: OPEX, Sales Cost Impede Profit

Kayode Tokede

V

itafoam Nigeria Plc in its audited result and accounts for full year ended September 30, 2022 recorded a significant increase in revenue but a double-digit growth in cost of sales and operating expenses reduced profits.

The foam-manufacturing company 2022 performance further highlighted the severe business operating environment faced by companies operating in the country.

Vitafoam Nigeria reported two per cent drop in profit before tax to N7.21billion in 2022 from N7.34 billion reported in 2021, while profit after tax also dropped by two per cent to N4.52billion from N4.6 billion reported in 2021.

Despite the decline in profit, the management proposed dividend rose by seven per cent to N2.37billion in 2022 from N2.22billion proposed dividend in 2021.

The group’s topline position showed a 31 per cent increase in revenue to N46.31billion in 2022 from N35.4billion in 2021, driven by 30.77 per cent increase in sale of goods (Foams and other products) and 31.62 per cent growth in rendering of services by delivering of goods at a point in time (Freight Income).

The company continued to grow its revenue with improved sells in polyurethane/ reconstituted foam (mattress, cushions, pillows, sheetings) and allied products that conform with international standards, and applicable statutory.

The company had attributed its steadily

impressive performance to continuous investment in innovative products and services across its businesses.

Revenue other than from contracts with customers showed N45.48billion within Nigeria in 2022 from N34.55billion in 2021, while outside Nigeria, it stood at N829.16million in 2022 from N853.9million reported in 2021.

From the profit & loss figures, Vitafoam cost of sales rose by 42.3 per cent to N30.91billion in 2022 from N21.72billion in 2021.

The group reported N30.09billion raw materials and consumables cost of sales in 2022 from N21.17billion in 2021, key contributing factor to the overall cost in the year under review.

The interplay between revenue and cost of sales dragged gross profit in 2022 to N15.4billion, an increase of 13 per cent from N12.6billion reported in 2021.

Vitafoam Nigeria’s non-core business transactions closed audited 2022 at N397.92million in 2022 from N236.55million in 2021.

As regards operating expenses, the group reported 49 per cent increase in total operating expenses to N8.87billion in 2022 from N5.97billion in 2021.

The breakdown of expenses revealed that distribution expenses rose by 47 per cent to N2.08billion in 2022 from N1.41billion in 2021 as Administrative expenses hits N6.79billion in 2022, representing an increase of 50per cent from N4.54billion reported in 2021.

On finances, Vitafoam Nigeria finance income moved from N254.86million in 2021 to N998.62million in 2022, while finance charges dropped by 17.3per cent to N704.99 million in 2022 from N852.51million recorded in 2021.

In addition, the group’s Basic Earnings Per Share stood at N338per share in 2022 from N339.00 per share in 2021.

With the exception of a tint of increased gearing, the foam-manufacturing group recorded a well-rounded performance with considerable improvements in revenue, profitability, returns and balance sheet strength.

STRONGER BALANCE SHEET Group total balance sheet size grew by 24 per cent from N31.79billion in 2021 to N39.44billion in 2022. Total assets growth was driven by significant increases in current assets.

Current assets increased to N32.85billion in 2022, representing an increase of 31.46per cent from N24.99billion in 2021, while non-current assets dropped by 3.1 per cent to N6.59billion in 2022 from N6.8billion in 2021.

Viatfoam’s total liabilities also rose by 26.1 per cent from N18.85 billion in 2021 to N23.77 billion in 2022. The breakdown of total liabilities showed a 25.3per cent drop in non-current liabilities to N1.797billion in 2022 from N2.41billion in 2021, as current liabilities rose by 33.6per cent to N21.97billion in 2022 from N16.45billion in 2021.

While the paid up share capital remained unchanged, total equity funds rose by 21.13 per cent from N12.94 billion to N15.67 billion reported in 2022.

With 25.4 per cent increase in bank loans to N13.98billion in 2022 from N11.14billion in 2021, the group’s financing structure showed slight increase in leverage, though the internal financing structure remained considerably high.

The proportion of equity funds to total assets dropped to 39.7 per cent in 2022 from 40.69 per cent in 2021.

MODEST LIQUIDITY The liquidity position of the company improved considerably during the period with better financial coverage and working capital. Current ratio, which relates easily available finances to similar liabilities, dropped from 1.52 times in 2021 to 1.49 times in 2022.

The latest audited report showed resilience and underscored the focused investments and expansions in value-adding businesses. In the increasingly competitive and constraining business landscape, companies with diversified products and long-established cost management structure stand greater chance of winning the headwinds.

There is considerable untapped potential in the group’s emerging protective and insulation businesses while the foam, bedding and furniture businesses are in strong market-leading positions.

An expected boost in intra-Africa trade should further open up opportunities to scale up market share.

EXPERTS TIP TOTALENERGIES, ASIAN, NIGERIAN FIRMS AS LIKELY BIDDERS FOR SEVEN DEEP OFFSHORE OIL BLOCKS ON OFFER round process and requirements, after which interested companies would be invited to submit their pre-qualification applications by January, 31, 2023.

But speaking to THISDAY, the Publisher of Oil+Gas Report, a specialised magazine covering developments in the local and international petroleum sector, Mr. Toyin Akinosho, said TotalEnergies, Eni and some independent oil firms in Nigeria and abroad were likely to indicate interest to bid for the new oil blocks.

Akinosho also ruled out the possibility of oil majors like Shell, ExxonMobil and Chevron to bid for the assets, citing the unfavourable business environment in Nigeria, which according to him, were unbearable for these three IOCs that are more averse to unnecessary risks.

He said the IOCs were tied of Nigeria and the way it manages the oil sector, maintaining that the oil majors were tired of the country’s regulatory issues, corruption and strange court injunctions where billions of naira were awarded against them among other concerns.

Citing the recent Seplat’s experience when it tried to acquire ExxonMobil’s assets and the treatment meted out to it by the agents of the Nigerian state, leading to the disapproval of the already done deal, he said such incident would make it difficult for most of the IOCs to bid for the blocks.

Akinosho said, “The point is that these guys (IOCs) are tied about us, they are tired of our regulatory issues, courts giving billions of naira or some unexpected cases.

They are tired of our corruption, they are tired of NNPC’s thing.

“So this particular group -IOCs, Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, they won’t be interested. But there are some very hard guys who don’t have problem with our risks. Total may take. Eni is turning around.

But Shell is out of here; Chevron is out of here; ExxonMobil is out of here. They just basically find Nigeria suffocating.”

He noted that there were a lot of independent companies who are keen on the West African Transform margin that might want to bid for assets.

He explained that the Benin Basin, where the seven Deep Offshore blocks are located is part of the West African Transform margin -the cretaceous basin that is older than the Niger Delta, which

holds significant volume of oil.

Sharing the same line of thought as Akinosho, a top official at Nigerian Agip Oil Company, who pleaded anonymity, said he perceived that the IOCs would be restrained to bid and buy from the new Deep Offshore blocks put on sale, citing inclement business environment in Nigeria.

He maintained that instead of the IOCs bidding for the assets, Asian and Nigerian independents would be more willing to acquire the assets but would still have to do so through some partnerships with the IOCs. He also expressed concerns that some of the seven Deep Offshore assets now on sale are tied to some domestic responsibilities similar to the 2007 bid round, which he noted was tied technically to some

domestic concerns and would further reduce the interests of the experienced IOCs in the assets.

The Agip official said, “The truth of the matter is that there would be a restraint on the part of the key operators. Of course, there would be Nigerian indigenous operators that may want to come in and bid, but any indigenous company bidding will still need some of the IOCs to partner with.

“But does the environment now still support companies bidding for these assets? And I can see that some of those assets are tied to some domestic responsibilities just like a bid round that took place around 2007 was tied technically to some domestic concerns. So if you as a bidder accept that responsibility, will you be able to implement some of those things

with the circumstance? That’s why a lot of these experienced companies (IOCs) will be having some doubts about the possibility.”

On his part, the Subsurface Manager at Energy and Mineral Resources Limited, an oil service firm, Mr. Collins Ibekwe, said there would definitely be bidders and eventual winners of the assets from both the IOCs, Asian and Nigerian independent firms, adding that bidders would express interest in the assets based on what they believe the geological data was telling them.

“Investors are driven by a primary objective which is to find assets that present good commercial opportunities. I think that IOCs, Asian companies, and Nigerian independents will all be keenly looking for such assets, “he said.

would start trying to scale down their unprofitable branches.”

“And we’ll see more banks focusing more on non-interest income. Because remember when I mentioned we expect

the net interest income to actually reduce so most of them will be focusing on fee-based income and transactions that are based or fees to get more income,” he said.

ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS IN NIGERIA HITS 3.5BN, RANKED 6TH GLOBALLY sector, he added that he envisaged that banks would focus on feebased income and strategies around cost saving on operation.

He said: “looking at the banking industry, banks need

to also be strategic because the interest expense as inflation is going up and as the MPR is going up so also is the cost of funds also going up. So the net interest margin can actually thin

out. For most banks, you will realise that there is a limit to how far you can actually raise your interest rate on your loans because you don’t want to push your customers into default or

discourage them.”

“Of course the inflation will also increase the operating expenses but we also expect some more cost-saving initiatives from banks. I’m sure a lot of banks

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2023

23

BUSINESSWORLD

BANKING

2022: Innovation Took Centre Stage in Banking Sector Nume Ekeghe reviews events in the banking industry in 2022 and identifies innovation as key factor transforming the sector

T

he year 2022 was quite challenging for the Nigerian banking industry as several policies along with global tightening of benchmark interest rates put a strain on profitability and challenged them to be more innovative.

Coming out of the aftereffects of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, the year 2022 was supposed to be that of recovery but the Russia-Ukraine war had put pressure on prices globally causing inflation to spike further. This, in turn, forced central banks to raise interest rates.

Similar to what other central banks across the world were doing, last year, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) raised the Monetary Policy Rate by 500 basis points within the year. This was part of its efforts at controlling inflation in the country.

Inflation in the country reached a 17-year high at 21.47 per cent as at November, 2022. The country’s Inflation had been fueled by not just the lingering impact of the Covid 19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, but also by rising insecurity, exchange rate pressures, climate change and the devastating impact of severe flooding on farmlands this year.

Inflation, which measures the rate at which prices of goods and services rise had spiraled from 15.6 per cent in January to 21.47 per cent as of November.

To curb this, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), like its counterparts across the world had adopted a hawkish stance.

Benchmark interest rates had been raised four times this year, a record for the committee, which had not moved rates since 2020. At its last meeting in November, the committee had raised benchmark rates to 16.5 per cent following a 150 basis points hike in September.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, the governor of the central bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele noted that monetary policy would remain focused on the objectives of price, monetary, and exchange rate stability.

“Our policy stance will, accordingly, remain tight to curtail inflation pressure, regulate capital flows, and buoy the naira-dollar exchange rate. Monetary policy decisions will remain balanced, judicious, research-driven, adequate, and supportive of the real economy subject to underlying fundamentals.

“We will maintain the current tight Monetary Policy stance in the near term, especially in view of rising inflation expectations and exchange market pressures. Though we will act to appropriately adjust the policy rate in line with unfolding conditions and outlooks.”

CRR REVIEWED Asides this, the apex bank had withdrawn liquidity form the sector, putting a cap on how much banks can play with. Rising from the 287th MPC meeting in September last year, Emefiele had given banks 48 hours to fund their accounts to enable the effect the reviewed CRR. The CBN governor stated that “To the banks, we have increased the CRR and we expect that this decision at this meeting must be seen to be potent

and must achieve the effect that the MPC thinks it should achieve.

“We expect that all the banks in Nigeria must fund their accounts by Thursday which is 48 hours because we will debit them for CRR. We will take their CRR of a minimum of 32.5 per cent, which means that we are going to take liquidity out of their vaults by Thursday.

“If any bank fails to meet up with this expectation, the decision of the MPC is that we may need to preclude those banks from foreign exchange market on Friday and onwards until they meet this 32.5 per cent. This message is to underscore the fact that MPC is taking this very aggressive decision to rein in inflation and it must yield result.

“We do not want to face Nigerians in the next few months and we begin to take the blame for not being able to rein in inflation in spite of all the rates that we have raised. So we have decided to adopt a two-pronged approach increase MPR to see interest rates go up and secondly CRR going up to mop liquidity effectively out of the vaults of the banks,” Emefiele had stated.

This policy had seen over N7 trillion withdrawn from the banking industry with the increase in CRR.

“With the reactions that followed the cashless policy, the apex bank has revised upward weekly cash withdrawals for individuals and corporates to N500,000 and N5 million respectively.”

Meanwhile, in an effort to ease the heightened pressure in the foreign exchange market, the apex bank had introduced a policy, which rewards exporters for bringing in their foreign exchange inflow through official channels.

RT200 FX PROGRAMME The policy, RT200 FX programme targets generating $200 billion foreign exchange inflows into the country through non-oil exports over three to five years period.

The RT200 FX programme gives a rebate of N35 or N65 to exporters whose inflow comes into the country through the Importers and Exporters window and who sell at the market.

Through the policy, the CBN said a total of $4.987 billion had been repatriated into the country by non-oil exporters in 2022. This figure he said is higher than $3.190 billion repatriated in 2021.

“Of this amount only $1.966 billion qualified for the rebate program, but only $1.559 billion was sold at the I & E window or for own use,” Emefiele said.

He also explained that N81 billion had been paid out as rebate to “hard working Nigerian exporters” who channeled their foreign exchange returns through the official window. The CBN governor while noting that the improvement in repatriated funds is a testament to the resolve of the CBN to ensure quick acceleration of the export value chain in the country said the apex bank has been urged to extend rebates to raw materials, adding, “I know that there have been calls to make all exporters eligible for the rebate, and not just limiting it to finished and semi-finished products.”

Despite the efforts of the CBN to ease foreign exchange pressures, the market had gone berserk during the year with the value of the naira dropping to over N900 to the dollar.

This, informed sources disclosed, was spurred by the announcement of the redesigning of the naira.

The CBN governor had announced that it would be redesigning the higher denominations of the naira in an effort to curb inflation in the economy and reduce the amount of physical cash that is being spent. As the date of the release of the new notes drew near, the value of the naira stabilized around N740 to the dollar on the streets, maintaining the wide gap between the official rate which is still around N452 to the dollar.

NEW NAIRA NOTES With the newly redesigned N200, N500 and N1, 000 notes out on December 15, and the old notes expected the be out of circulation

by January 31, 2023, the CBN had introduced the full implementation of the cashless policy. The policy, which is to take effect from January 9, 2023 has continued to raise discourse amongst the populace. With the policy, individuals and corporates alike are restricted to cash withdrawals of N500, 000 and N5 million respectively.

In the financial sector, the banking industry continued to remain resilient despite the hawkish policies and harsh economic conditions. The Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of the banking system declined in October 2022 to 13.4 but remained within its prudential limit of 10.0 -15.0 per cent. At 40.1 per cent, the Liquidity Ratio (LR) was above its prudential limit of 30.0 per cent.

The Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) ratio also improved to 4.8 per cent in October 2022.

However, with the reactions that followed the cashless policy, the apex bank has revised upward weekly cash withdrawals for individuals and corporates to N500, 000 and N5 million respectively. It also reviewed upward the amount that can be cashed over the counter through third party cheques to N100, 000 as it remained silent on how much can be cashed through withdrawals via Point of Sale terminals (POS) and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

24

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Oxford Decries Attack on Staff, Refutes Fraud Allegation Gilbert Ekugbe One of the leading firms in agriculture, real estate investment, building, construction and banking, Oxford International Group (OIG), has stated that one of its senior executives along with some of its staff have been assaulted in one of its offices.

According to a statement issued by the Group Head of Corporate Communications, Benjamin Sarumi, the company said it is saddened by the bombardment of its office facility by some unknown men in the early hours of the 15th of December 2022, bruising, bashing staff members and destroying official properties all in pursuit of funds, regardless of its solicitation of a payment plan as a result of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) SEC reality.

He also refuted allegation claims being purported on social media trolls of defrauding clients and investors, adding that the company, which started operations in 2016, diversified into multiple businesses that would generate more income in preparation for the next five years.

He said the company at no point defrauded its partners and clients of the monies they invested, as transparency and accountability were ensured in all business and transactions.

Sarumi said trouble started when the company’s balance sheet scaled to N2 billion, which made people tag the company as a scammer.

“When our balance sheet was N20 million, no one considered us fraudulent, when we pitched at N200 million it was the same, at the point of scaling to N2 billion, the news fell on us as scammers. Our business journey is a story of growth and resilience,” he stated.

Sarumi said the company had a business forecast since 2016 that was to last till 2021, but in 2020, most businesses suffered from cash flow issues, hence the company’s decision to go the Information Technology route as everyone went online.

He said the company took

The Chief Executive Officer, OIG Dr. Goodluck Olatunde Precious after the attack a decision to take a chunk of its portfolio in real estate and invested in agriculture, oil and gas and other businesses that would generate more income in preparation for the next five years.

Speaking on the company’s issues with SEC Sarumi said the problem with the regulatory body was the use of billboards, as marketers and referrals started pulling on a flier that showed extremely high returns.

The SEC had in March 2022 sealed the premises of Oxford International Group/ Oxford Commercial Services and two others for carrying out investment operations that fall within the ambit of fund management without registration with the apex regulator contrary to the provisions of the Investments and Securities Act 2007.

He said, although, the company has brands that allow for referrals, marketers posted wrong videos as well as overzealous referrals all for their commissions.

He said the company had a

product at the time that read 48 per cent returns, which is profit from one of its businesses, stating that people did not read the duration, which stated 16 months and not 12 months.

“The moment everyone saw 48 per cent, they threw caution to the wind to check what the duration was because it doesn’t sound realistic, hence, the conclusion that this business, service or product is a scam,” he said.

Sarumi said regardless of what the referrals or marketers must have said, the company’s due process allows for a signed agreement and not a verbal agreement, showing “what was agreed upon, what we want them to do with us, the period and the exit strategy.”

Sarumi also noted that the company divested into finance, which led to engaging with SEC for an Asset Management licence.

He said unfortunately, the promoters of the real estate business are the same pushing for an Asset Management license, in which SEC frowned

The Executive Chairman’s vehicle vandalized by aggrieved Customer at the billboards and high percentages, resulting in halting the registration process.

Sarumi further debunked social media troll about aggrieved clients crying at the various offices of the company, saying the services of External Solicitors were employed to look into issues that are a bit complicated as well as the pros and cons where some of the clients would accept cash or land in lieu of their funds.

“We were saddened by the reality of yet another form of brutality which unfolded on the 15th of December 2022 at one of our offices. A defeating hope in the sanity of governance, its people, its implementers and the elephant projection of an in-active ease of doing business in Nigeria. Outlandish as it may seem, Nigeria as an emotional state is a satire to our democratic process; who tells the best story, who pays the first bill. Now, this is not geared at stating that we are right and someone else is wrong - this is us stating our case to the

Stanbic IBTC Appoints New Directors Across Group Nume Ekeghe Following the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, a member of Standard Bank Group, has announced the appointment of new directors across the Group.

Underscoring the wellestablished succession planning policy of the organisation and reinforcing its position as a market leader across the financial services sector, these appointments were in line with Stanbic IBTC’s tradition of rewarding excellence, performance, and dedication.

The financial holding company said it has appointed Mr Babs Omotowa as an Independent Non-Executive Director

on its Board, while Olu Delano was appointed as an Executive Director of Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC. “Furthermore, Stanley Jacob was appointed as Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC’s proposed fintech subsidiary, Stanbic IBTC Financial Services Limited.

Adenike Odukomaiya and Okechukwu Nwoke would also serve as Non-Executive Directors on the Board of the Company.

“Other subsidiary appointments include Brian Marshal and Tosin LeyeOdeyemi as Non-Executive Directors of Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited and Stanbic IBTC Trustees Limited, respectively, while Charles Onwude and Dele Sotubo became Non-Executive Directors of Stanbic IBTC

Ventures Limited. Charles Onwude was also appointed to serve as a Non-Executive Director of Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited.”

Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Dr Demola Sogunle, expressed his excitement about the appointments. He said the new appointees possessed the qualifications and experience required to deliver results in their new positions, having demonstrated the capacity to deliver on the Group’s strategy to remain the leading end-to-end financial services organisation.

According to Dr Sogunle, “We have a strong tradition of careful succession planning and a good track record of seamless transitions at different levels.

With these appointments, we intend to strengthen our capabilities for better customer service delivery.

At Stanbic IBTC, we are committed to growing our people because no organisation can progress without placing a high premium on its human capital and investing in the growth trajectory of its staff.”

While charging the newly appointed directors to continue to drive performance over and beyond the expected, Dr Demola said, “I am confident that the expertise and experience of the new appointees will positively impact the Group and further accelerate the achievement of our business goals and objectives.”

general public as we had hitherto stayed quiet while focusing on repayments as instructed by the regulatory body,” he said.

“You would agree, it has become necessary that we tell our side of the story; a story of a sincere organisation fulfilling it’s due diligence in the heat of assault and threat to life as opposed to adoption of a norm (closing up business and eloping) which does not represent the ethos and ethics of our establishment,” he averred.

In his words: “We are pained and shocked at this incidence, it is furtherance to revealing the appreciation of zero due process in our dear country - this is sequel to the experience of an aggrieved customer’s attempt of releasing his charms on a Senior Staff Member during work hours. The trauma may linger for a while, the bruises would take weeks or months to heal, but what wouldn’t heal is

the pain in our hearts. Broken that it had to get to this point with our dear client. Possibility of a reconciliation? Yes.” He added: “Our clients form apart of our biggest achievement, so, we will continue to make payments, assure them of the sanctity and the legitimacy of our business operation. To you our colleagues and friends, hurt and still in shock, please stand strong, accept our apologies. Nigeria may become a better place; what must of a certainty become a better person, resolute, oxfording and making greatness common, is you.”

Shocked at what may happen next, he said the organisation has taken steps to ensure the safety of its staff members and offices, stating that as opposed to the official re-opening date of offices for the year 2023 - 4th of January, offices will now commence operation on the 9th of January 2023.

Olamide Unveiled as National Lottery Am b a ssa d o r Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Popular music star and YBNL Record Label Chief, Olamide Gbenga Adedeji (aka Badoo), has been unveiled as the brand ambassador of National Lottery Nigeria (National Game).

The unveiling of Olamide as the Explainer-in-Chief and Ambassador Plenipotentiary for the brand, was put together by the National Game in partnership with Elrae Technologies towards entertaining and changing the fortunes of Nigerians.

The Managing Director of the National Game, Mr. Abiodun Akintaju, in a statement, said the activities of the National Game in recent times have moved up such like never been seen in the history of lottery games in the country.

He disclosed that an On-Air Personality, IK Osakioduwa (The Wild Child) will anchor

the game shows and coordinate programs for the National Game, saying “The National Lottery Nigeria would mint millionaires.”

He added that the National Game was designed as a social intervention tool that will directly and positively affect the lives of Nigerians through the payment of mouthwatering prizes and the “Good Causes” Foundation which will directly support sports, youths, education, health and provision of succour at times of grief.

Olamide while accepting the ambassadorial appointment, expressed his excitement to be a part of the brand, lauding the brand for the very evident part the decision would play in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) space.

He added that the National Game would be giving back to Nigerians to make them further believe in achieving their desired fulfilment in the dreams of the country.

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2023

25

BUSINESSWORLD

INSURANCE

2023 and Emerging Challenges for Insurers Activities and developments in both local and global business environment made insurers to see 2023 as positive business year with emerging challenges, writes Ebere Nwoji

A

s the global business community closes its annual transaction books for the year 2022 and opened an entirely new book for 2023, insurance operators said they were marching into the new year with positive thinking that the year would be a vibrant one though with a lot of challenges to contend with.

For Nigerian insurers, this expectation is anchored on the fact that early passage of the year’s budget would accelerate operations because of new contracts that will be awarded and paid for as well as yields from the huge investments they made in technology as a result of COVID-19 outbreak.

Also the approval of N9.24 billion by federal government for payment of group life insurance of its workers will, if timely released, boost the insurers’ operations.

With these, Nigerian insurers see the year as that of upward and forward movement rather than year of stagnation and marking time.

Signs of this belief among the insurers is glaring at the expressing of the insurance Commissioner, Mr Sunday Olorundare Thomas, when in the last quarter of 2022, he declared that the insurance sector was moving to a new landscape and that the industry would in 2023 be more prepared to achieve insurance inclusiveness in Nigeria.

The commissioner, with this positive thought and belief in the new year, penultimate week approved 200 percent increase in motor insurance premium effect from January 1,2023. There are also indications that more upward review of other policy premium rates was on the pipeline, a situation, which will boost operators’ premium generations during the year.

CHALLENGE AS OPPORTUNITY Similarly, the new chairman, Nigeria Insurers Association, Olusegun Omosehin, looking towards the year with optimism said the operators would turn every challenging situation in the industry to opportunity.

Listing out developments that will herald positive business outing for the insurers during the year, Thomas said the commission would continue its execution of various regulatory and market development initiatives to uplift the insurance sector to a global standard.

“This will be achieved through a 12-point laid down initiatives that will focus on engaging stakeholders, including state governments towards ensuring domestication of the laws to ensure compliance with compulsory insurances and improve the business of insurance in their respective states; driving the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative to promote compulsory insurance products; feasibility assessment for Index Based Risk Transfer Solution in the agricultural sector; financial inclusion drive via focused insurance awareness campaign for the financially excluded,” the commissioner stated.

INSURANCE MARKET DEVELOPMENT He highlighted other areas as “launch of the Insurtech Accelerator platforms under the Insurance Market Development programme i.e Bimalab Programme in conjunction with FSD Africa; ongoing synergy with FSD Africa on developing a Risk Based Capital Model for the Nigerian insurance industry; promoting the development of products and business models that meet

the needs of the financially excluded group; automation of the commission’s processes; actuarial capacity development programme; risk based supervision regime; regional integration and setting up of the insurance sector committee on African Continental Free Trade Area among others.”

On their part, global insurers are of the view that the last few years, most insurance carriers have demonstrated remarkable flexibility and resilience in overcoming a host of obstacles, especially the impact of the pandemic and the economic fallout from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Systems and capabilities were improved, while agile talent and technology strategies paid off.

For the New Year, stakeholders have raised the question on whether the industry is ready for emerging challenges heading into 2023 and beyond.

Deloitte in its outlook for insurance industry in 2023 observed that the road ahead was dotted with multiple hurdles—rising inflation, interest rates, and loss costs; the looming threats of recession, climate change, and geopolitical upheaval; and competition from InsurTechs and even noninsurance entities such as e-tailers and manufacturers, to name a few. It therefore concluded that year 2023 was not a time for insurance carriers to be satisfied with the adaptations they’ve had to make.

“Insurers should be pivoting to longer-term reinvention, inflation challenging nonlife insurer profitability even while boosting prices, top-line growth, life carrier transformation as key to sustainable growth, Group insurers getting innovative amid shifting dynamics . In terms of human capital outlook, it said insurers should reinvent workplace strategies and culture as talent war intensifies in the area of tchnology, recommending a movement from infrastructure investment to value realisation.

SETTING SIGHTS BEYOND COMPLIANCE Deloitte therefor advised that for sustainability sake, insurers should set sights beyond compliance, make ESG a competitive differentiator. It

viewed that activities in the industry will be slowing from uncertain economy adding that financial wise, new accounting rules will put public insurers in the spotlight.

Deloitte further observed that insurers are most likely going to face a host of macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges likely to inhibit growth and profitability including the looming threat of global recession, continuing fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and lingering COVID-19 concerns.

It however said insurers that effectively transitioned during the pandemic to a remote workforce, as well as virtual customer and distributor engagement, could be better positioned to capitalise on a more agile digital infrastructure in meeting evolving expectations for customised products, channels, and services.

“In setting strategic plans, investment priorities, and budgets, insurers should therefore strive to maintain the momentum of creative adaptation established over the past few years, accelerating upgrades in systems, talent, and culture while becoming increasingly proactive, innovative, and customer-centric.

According to Deloitte, technology and resulting improvements in risk selection and pricing are likely to remain the primary drivers of improved bottom-line performance during the year as it alerted insurers to expect being increasingly judged by stakeholders on their response to broader sustainability priorities such as climate risk, diversity and inclusion, social equity, and transparent governance—all of which could become competitive differentiators.

The Deloitte report noted that insurers are facing a host of macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges likely to inhibit growth and profitability during the year including the looming threat of global recession, continuing fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and lingering COVID-19 concerns.

However, insurers that effectively transitioned during the pandemic to a remote workforce, as well as virtual

customer and distributor engagement, could be better positioned to capitalise on a more agile digital infrastructure in meeting evolving expectations for customised products, channels, and services.

It suggested that in setting strategic plans, investment priorities, and budgets, insurers should therefore strive to maintain the momentum of creative adaptation established over the past few years, accelerating upgrades in systems, talent, and culture while becoming increasingly proactive, innovative, and customer-centric.

It noted that technology and resulting improvements in risk selection and pricing are likely to remain the primary drivers of improved bottom-line performance.

PWC OUTLOOK PWC in its outlook for the insurance sector in 2023 said, “We expect economic headwinds to persist into the first quarter of 2023 as companies evaluate the impacts of inflation and interest rates on deal values.

It noted, as it has been the case historically, there is expectation for private equity buyer demand for resilient, EBITDA generating business, such as insurance brokerage companies, to remain strong.

“As the cost of borrowing increases, we expect valuations to decline, specifically for insurance brokerage targets where many of the brokerage consolidators are private equity backed and rely heavily on debt financing to fund these acquisitions. Given the recent rise in interest rates, the cost of funds has increased dramatically, which is likely to impact valuations of these targets into 2023,” PWC stated.

It further remarked that ideal activity in the life and annuity sector has remained strong, as long duration blocks have benefited from a rising rate environment.

“Acquirers of these in-force/legacy blocks don’t rely on debt financing, which makes these transactions appealing to buyers in a rising rate environment. As a result, we’ve seen increased demand and rising valuations for these assets as private equity seeks to deploy its extensive dry powder”, PWC also stated.

26

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 •T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 • T H I S D AY

27

28 T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023

Wednesday January 4, 2023 Vol 27. No 10117

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

CHALLENGES BEFORE THE NEW ITU EXCO SONNY ARAGBAAKPORE notes that access to the internet is a major problem

See page 29

Their conduct holds leadership lessons

for all, writes EMMA AGU

BETWEEN MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR AND BALA MOHAMMED What equips the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (call him BAM), to break down political barriers and set new progressive paradigms as he does quite often? What gives him the FRXUDJH WR SXVK WKH IURQWLHUV RI KXPDQ HͿRUW at consensus building beyond what many would consider the impossible as he conjured with the Doctrine of Necessity Motion in the Senate in 2010?

The answer, in my view, rests in his personal principle: the pursuit of INCLUSION as the fundamental and non-negotiable principle of governance. So whether friend, foe, or whomsoever, this pursuit of INCLUSION

comes naturally to Bala Mohammed. In the short period that he has been Governor of Bauchi State, he named the Bauchi State /LDLVRQ R΀FH LQ $EXMD DIWHU WKH ÀUVW FLYLOLDQ Governor of the State, the late Alhaji Tatari Ali; the new governors lodge after another former Governor, Ahmed Muazu and honoured his immediate predecessor with that welldeserved state dinner.

Bala Mohammed’s pedigree as a foremost bridge builder emerged very early in his governorship when he quietly and astutely pursued a policy of reconciliation with his predecessor. To the disappointment of some of his supporters who were baying for MA to

which necessarily embodies equity and fairness, as integral components, predisposes him towards prioritizing the interest of others over self, the communal over the personal and the whole over the part. Embedded in this is a humility that subjugates individual DFKLHYHPHQWV WR WKH FROOHFWLYH HͿRUW DQG that shares credit with others while dutifully taking ownership of failure.

The above qualities were amply demonstrated recently when Bala Mohammed hosted a dinner in honour of his predecessor, His Excellency Mohammed Abubakar, SAN, call him MA, to commemorate the attainment of the silk gown by the latter. If you are wondering what makes this spectacular, here are points to ponder. To start with, both belong WR GLͿHUHQW SROLWLFDO SDUWLHV 0$ WR WKH $OO Progressive Congress party (APC) and BAM, to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

Second, BAM had defeated MA at the governorship election in 2019 in one of the most acrimonious elections ever fought in Nigeria. It is hardly a Nigerian quality for the victorious at such elections to exhibit the magnanimity that leads to reconciliation with their opponents let alone honour them.

Third, Bala Mohammed could have opted for the unfortunate pastime of some Governors, to hire propagandists to demonize their predecessors. Examples of this dysfunctional trend litter many government houses across the six geopolitical zones of the country, in some cases precipitating disunity and internecine violent clashes that not only arrest progress but exacerbate the insecurity pandemic that has engulfed the country.

It is within the context of the above that Bala Mohammed’s respectful and magnanimous treatment of his predecessor should be considered sublime and worthy of emulation.

Giving due recognition to his predecessors

be ‘cut to size’, conscious that the prosecution and realization of his ambitious sevenpoint agenda could better be achieved in an atmosphere of INCLUSION and unity, Bala Mohammed chose to respect and cultivate his predecessor.

With relative peace guaranteed in the state, Bala Mohammed brought to bear on the administration of the state solid experience as a quintessential civil servant, senator and minister of the federal republic. The result is the focused and accelerated provision of infrastructure, particularly roads and housing, unprecedented improvement in social services, i.e. hospitals and schools and people empowerment through skills acquisition and promotion of improved agricultural practices. Other milestones are the land reforms, the ease of doing business and the out-of-the-box IGR initiative that has boosted the ability of the Bauchi State Government to prosecute its ambitious people-oriented capital projects including the multi-functional new government house that is being executed in phases. It is this creative funding arrangement, anchored on the state’s unique IGR strategy, that explains the ability of the Bauchi State Government to construct or rehabilitate over 400 kilometres of roads, complete the World Bank-assisted Bauchi water project, and extend support to women and the youth in the 20 LGAs of the state through the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP).

It is to his credit that Bala Mohammed has caused such a transformation in the local government system in Bauchi State so much so that, in many areas, indigenes and residents who have been away for only three \HDUV FRXOG ÀQG LW GL΀FXOW WR UHFRJQL]H WKH places they used to live. The total overhaul of the local government headquarters, a

UDOM EMMANUEL AND THE PDP CRISIS The PDP Presidential Campaign Council Chairman is committed to forging a united front within the party, writes UGOCHI OKONKWO

See page 29 EDITORIAL

BPE AND NONPERFORMING FIRMS

30

1

development that was predated by the installation of democratically elected local JRYHUQPHQW R΀FLDOV WKH SURYLVLRQ RI EHÀWWLQJ SDODFHV IRU WUDGLWLRQDO UXOHUV DQG WKH extension of housing units to the senatorial zones are some of the legacy achievements that stand Bala Mohammed out as not just a progressive transformational leader but an administrator to entrust the future of the state with. Little wonder he was recognized as Rural Development Governor of the Year at the recent leadership awards presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

Back to the dinner. It provided another opportunity for the Bauchi State Governor to demonstrate his nobility of spirit by publicly acknowledging the contribution of his predecessor to the development of Bauchi State. That MA reciprocated by acknowledging the giant strides recorded by the Bala Mohammed Administration in Bauchi State was also the mark of nobility.

For anyone familiar with Nigerian politics, VXFK PXWXDO DGXODWLRQ E\ HOLWHV RI GLͿHUHQW political parties is unusual and could be considered as taboo.

By acknowledging that his successor has raised the bar in the provision of the dividends of democracy, MA exhibited a nobility of spirit that could reshape elite relationships in Nigerian politics. It also shows that MA has been following the trend particularly because, it would have been surprising if his position FRQWUDGLFWHG WKH HͿXVLYH FRPPHQGDWLRQ RI Bala Mohammed by President Muhammadu Buhari, the leader of the APC of which MA is a prominent member.

Coming on the heels of the 2023 general elections, MA’s candid commendation of Bala Mohammed at the dinner will be seen by all right-thinking people as an endorsement of the Governor’s re-election bid.

Taken together, by their coming together, Bala Mohammed and Mohammed Abubakar have set a worthy example of how the elite, as role models, should conduct themselves. In contrast with the divisive rhetoric and activities of others, they have sent a signal to the electorate in Bauchi State, the other leaders not left out, that they VKRXOG QHYHU DOORZ SROLWLFDO GLͿHUHQFHV WR disrupt the unity of the people or override their shared destiny. Perhaps more sublime is the unequivocal and bold message that RQ QR FRQGLWLRQ VKRXOG SROLWLFDO GLͿHUHQFHV not even with election imminent, be allowed to cloud a people’s sense of judgment more so the willingness to give honour to whom it is due. That was what MA did, on the eve of the 2023 elections, by publicly praising Governor Bala Mohammed for his outstanding work in the state. That is the leadership lesson that commends itself to the gubernatorial gladiators all over the country that, when all is said and done, it behooves of leaders to comport themselves graciously as Nigeria seeks an exit from contrived disunity, insecurity and underdevelopment.

Agu is Publisher of 3G Media Network Ltd

T H I S D AY

3 29

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023

SONNY ARAGBA-AKPORE notes that access to the internet is a major problem

CHALLENGES BEFORE THE NEW ITU EXCO How to improve digital transformation satellite orbit resources while ensuring and create an inclusive access to ITU keeps pace with the rapid evolution telecommunications facilities is the of technologies and networks globally. biggest challenge facing the new executive Seizo Onoe as part of top management management of the International WRRN R΀FH DV 'LUHFWRU RI ,78·V Standardization Telecommunications Union (ITU) which Telecommunication Bureau (TSB). He aims to promote open DVVXPHG R΀FH RQ -DQXDU\ 6SHFLÀFDOO\ WKH QHZ H[FR HOHFWHG LQ and inclusive standardization for the 2FWREHU DW WKH %XFKDUHVW 5RPDQLD numerous, increasingly interconnected hosted ITU plenipotentiary and led by systems and technologies that drive 6HFUHWDU\ *HQHUDO 'RUHHQ %RJGDQ 0DUWLQ today’s world, aligning international set to work with challenges of bridging telecom and digital standards with the digital divide, connecting the nearly sustainable development.

2.7 billion unconnected population and Cosmas Zavazava is the new Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development creating gender equality, among others.

Bureau (BDT). He is focused on bridging digital divides, fostering digital skills, and making digital technologies and services affordable to everyone, everywhere, as well as helping countries upgrade their regulatory frameworks and infrastructure.

Connectivity is still not available in many parts of the world so much that a worried United Nation’s Secretary General, Antonio Guterres had lamented early in year 2022 that despite the rising profile of technology and telecommunications, a third of the global population remains without the internet.

A challenge which the ITU took up to flag off the Partner2Connect initiative that has put in place the agenda to connect the The last ITU plenipotentiary in unconnected population by year 2030. %XFKDUHVW 5RPDQLD ZDV SODJXHG E\ EDG This agenda was part of the campaign of the just inaugurated ITU Secretary General blood especially along ideological slant.

5XVVLD ÀHOGHG D FDQGLGDWH IRU WKH 'RUHHQ %RJGDQ 0DUWLQ Secretary General position against These are some of the challenges the new America. The Secretary General is the executive committee will have to confront &KLHI ([HFXWLYH DQG GLUHFWV DͿDLUV %RWK if they have to make a difference, conscious countries took their ancient grudges to the of the reality that access to the Internet is a critical element of global development event, a replay of the Cold War. 5XVVLD EDFNHG E\ &KLQD 6DXGL $UDELD efforts including the UN’s Sustainable Uganda and 18 other countries wanted Development Goals. individual state control for the internet “The digital divide is no longer just a while America led a strong coalition technology divide – it is an opportunity against such control and supported open GLYLGH µ VDLG 'RUHHQ %RJGDQ 0DUWLQ internet. At the event, the American former Director of ITU’s Telecommunication candidate won with overwhelming Development Bureau and new ITU numbers. Those who lost may hold on to 6HFUHWDU\ *HQHUDO ´:H OLYH LQ D ZRUOG their beliefs and create upset in various filled with crisis and need. For its part, forms in the next four years. But the new Partner2Connect’s success in mobilizing team may grapple with this as the years commitments will be central to global efforts to get every person online.” go by.

And together they will run the global These efforts are part of a major plank of telecommunications body in conjunction the new ITU regime from January 1, 2023. with the council and other corporate Early last year, ITU and the Office of HQWLWLHV IRU WKH PHPEHU VWDWHV RI ,78 WKH 81 6HFUHWDU\ *HQHUDO·V (QYR\ RQ %RJGDQ 0DUWLQ D YHWHUDQ RI PDQ\ Technology announced ambitious targets \HDUV VWDQGLQJ WRRN R΀FH DV ,78 for universal and meaningful digital 6HFUHWDU\ *HQHUDO RQ -DQXDU\ connectivity to be achieved by 2030.

With over two decades of leadership Affordability, defined as the availability of experience in global telecommunications broadband access at a price that is less than policy, she has emphasized the need two per cent of monthly GNI per capita, for digital transformation to achieve was identified as a priority to ensure that economic prosperity, job creation, skills everyone can benefit fully from connectivity.

GHYHORSPHQW JHQGHU HTXDOLW\ DQG VRFLR Although women account for close to economic inclusion, as well as to build KDOI WKH ZRUOG·V SRSXODWLRQ PLOOLRQ circular economies, reduce climate impact, fewer women have access to the Internet than men. Only 63 per cent of women are and save lives.

7KLV $PHULFDQ ODG\ ZLOO OHDG WKH ÀYH using the Internet in 2022 compared to 69 member executive management of ITU per cent of men, according to Facts and for the next four years. These include Figures 2022, adding that the gender gap 7RPDV /DPDQDXVNDV ZKR DOVR WRRN R΀FH LV HYHQ PRUH FRQFHUQLQJ LQ ORZHU LQFRPH DV ,78·V 'HSXW\ 6HFUHWDU\ *HQHUDO +H nations in which 21 per cent of women are LV FRPPLWWHG WR IRUJLQJ LPSDFW GULYHQ online compared to 32 per cent of men, a partnerships, helping the industry ÀJXUH WKDW KDV QRW LPSURYHG VLQFH cut emissions, fostering collaboration Overall, the world has moved closer across ITU’s radiocommunication, toward gender parity over the last three standardization, and development \HDUV *HQGHU SDULW\ LV GHÀQHG DV ZKHQ activities, and focusing on results, and the female percentage of Internet users readying ITU for an increasingly dynamic divided by the male percentage stands between 0.98 and 1.02. The gender parity future.

0DULR 0DQLHZLF] EHJDQ KLV VHFRQG WHUP score improved from 0.90 in 2019 to 0.92 in DV 'LUHFWRU RI ,78·V 5DGLRFRPPXQLFDWLRQ 2022. %XUHDX %5 +H KDV VHW RXW WR LQFUHDVH WKH Aragba-Akpore is a member of engagement of developing countries in THISDAY Editorial Board PDQDJLQJ UDGLR IUHTXHQF\ VSHFWUXP DQG

The PDP Presidential Campaign Council Chairman is committed to forging a united front within the party, writes UGOCHI OKONKWO

UDOM EMMANUEL AND THE PDP CRISIS The crisis that is rocking the main opposition political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has castrated a once formidable and largest political party in Africa. The forces within the party are waging war of attrition following the fallout of last presidential SULPDULHV WKDW SURGXFHG D IRUPHU 9LFH President of Nigeria, Waziri Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar as the Presidential candidate.

The vexed argument of North producing both National Chairman and Presidential candidate is a sensitive matter that leaders and elders of PDP had intervened without much success. The party threw its Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jubrin under the bus to pacify some governors and leaders of

Southern extraction. All was to no avail.

In the midst of the confounding conundrum, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, a loyal and dedicated party man maintains an unbiased and courageous position between the warring factions. All he wants is for the party to forge a united front to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections. In doing this, Governor Emmanuel anchors his truce mission on truth. *RYHUQRU (PPDQXHO ZKR KHDGV WKH man PDP Presidential Campaign Council is equal to the task. He is endowed with both administrative skills and native intelligence ability. This has played out prominently in the ways and manner he has been managing the KLJK FDOLEUH SRZHU JDPH LQ WKH SDUW\ In November, 2022, during a media interview, the governor admitted that the party made a mistake and urged aggrieved members to sheath their sword in the interest of peace. His words, “I must also confess as a party, we’ve made mistakes, and as individuals, we’ve made mistakes. But these mistakes, I can assure you, will not break us. We are trying to come back, review and then reappraise and see how we can move forward, and I can assure you, we’ll do that.

“Even spoons and plates hit themselves and create a lot of noise; that doesn’t mean they’ve broken. I think that is the situation here. For the fact that people are unhappy, LW LV LQHYLWDEOH GHÀQLWHO\ LQHYLWDEOH ZLWK D large party like PDP. “I’m not boasting, but among those contesting today, there is no candidate with the same capacity, knowledge and understanding of the problem and what to do for Nigeria like Atiku. There is none. I’m not being biased at all; I’m giving you a very objective opinion.

“So, that is why you see me following, because I love my country. I love my people.

I want this country to get better, and even in terms of the assemblage of good people with genuine intentions, give it to Atiku; he can put a square peg in a square hole and get the result.

“I say I’m not looking at any permutation.

I’m going into this with optimism, because if I’m going with a permutation, it means I shouldn’t be the chairman of the campaign council. I’m going with optimism. I would not have accepted being the chairman if I was not optimistic that I’m going to win. So, we are in the race to win. There’s no permutation in this case at all”.

As an outstanding leader, Udom remained optimistic that the tide will change in favour of his party and its Presidential candidate. He was not IDQQLQJ WKH HPEHU RI GLVFRUG E\ ÀULQJ salvo and innuendos that further LQÁDPHG WKH FULVLV 7KH OHYHO KHDGHG governor was calm, tactical and emphatic in his approach.

Governor Emmanuel has become a beacon of hope for many distraught members of the party. He is leading from the front, providing the required leadership needed at this most challenging period since the establishment of the party in 1999.

He has been very vocal at presidential rallies across the country. From Lagos to Bauchi, Abuja and other locations, Governor Emmanuel has been canvassing for votes for the PDP ÁDJEHDUHU DQG DOO FDQGLGDWHV RI WKH SDUW\ in the 2023 elections.

Such a performing governor, who has blazed trails in every aspect of development indices needed no much rhetoric before the electorate listened to him. He has a solid, sterling record of achievements in Akwa Ibom to convince the people.

Emmanuel has not given up on the * JRYHUQRUV OHG E\ WKH 5LYHUV 6WDWH Governor, Nyesome Wike. He was in the *DUGHQ FLW\ RI 3RUW +DUFRXUW WKH 5LYHUV State capital on Saturday to meet the governor ostensibly on how to close ranks and put aside grievances and animosity ahead of the critical 2023 general elections.

Governor Wike and Udom Emmanuel were both contenders at the PDP SUHVLGHQWLDO SULPDULHV 7KH 5LYHUV 6WDWH Governor has tremendous respect for him, describing the meeting as convivial.

He said: “Politics is not what will divide brothers and divide friends. Everybody knows my relationship with Udom, and we will continue to maintain that relationship. :H PD\ KDYH GLͿHUHQW SROLWLFDO D΀OLDWLRQ or thinking, that should not divide the brotherly love or create a gap among us.

“This is the season of love. I think that is what we are trying to demonstrate, brotherly love, friendship. And then in the spirit of the season, we must visit one another.”

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, DQRWKHU NH\ ÀJXUH RI WKH * ,QWHJULW\ Group was present at the peace parley.

Ortom said, “We are going into 2023 and we shared among ourselves how we can best add value to our government, how we can best add value to our people, how we can do things that will help add value to our country.

“And that if there are any issues in the past which we have done wrong, we looked at it and said look let’s forgive one another and move forward. They are private issues.”

Governor Emmanuel should be commended for these peace moves. If other leaders had approached the sensitive issues with utmost sincerity and empathy, perhaps, the crisis might have been over by now.

Okonkwo writes from Abia State

30 4

T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023

EDITORIAL

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

BPE AND NON-PERFORMING FIRMS There is need for intervention as the privatised firms are largely ineffectual

A

that the BPE does not have a handle on what constitutes pparently mindful of the growing WKH ÀJXUH RI QRQ SHUIRUPDQFH DPRQJ WKH SULYDWLVHG number of privatised companies entities. that are now moribund, the Bureau Meanwhile, it is doubtful if the country has reasonably of Public Enterprises (BPE) recently DFKLHYHG FHUWDLQ EURDG REMHFWLYHV DQG EHQHÀWV inaugurated four committees to review underpinning the privatisation and commercialisation and implement a strategic road map for of federal government enterprises which commenced the resuscitation of ailing enterprises in the country. about 34 years ago.Some of these objectives included the Known as Technical Working Groups (TWGs), these liberalisation of the economy to make the private sector committees were to examine the sectoral challenges “the engine of growth”, rehabilitate dead or moribund DQG GHYHORS D FRPSUHKHQVLYH ÀYH \HDU WXUQDURXQG HQWHUSULVHV SURPRWH H΀FLHQF\ DQG EHWWHU PDQDJHPHQW SURJUDPPH IRU HDFK RI WKH QRQ SHUIRUPLQJ HQWHUSULVHV and create employment opportunities.The move Under the searchlight are ailing enterprises in the towards privatisation was also targeted at reducing automobile, housing (bricks and clay), mines and steel corruption and parasite mentality, strengthening capital as well as oil palm sectors. markets, dismantling While inaugurating monopolies, and removing the committees, BPE It is doubtful if the country has reasonably achieved certain service arrogance, among Director General, Alex others.

Okoh attributed the broad objectives and benefits underpinning the privatisation From 1993, when some 86 poor performance of ÀUPV ZHUH SULYDWLVHG LQ WKH the enterprises to the and commercialisation of federal government enterprises which ÀUVW SKDVH RI WKH H[HUFLVH WLOO challenging operating now, there have hardly been environment in Nigeria, commenced about 34 years ago any major positive impacts which he said had made on the economy as many LW GL΀FXOW IRU PDQ\ ÀUPV DUH HLWKHU ZLOWLQJ RU businesses to survive.

T H I S D AY failing badly. Besides, there are little or no corresponding While many of these public enterprises have either EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU returns on investments. Many of the investors behind closed or relocated to neighbouring countries, Okoh DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA WKH SXUFKDVH DUH LQWHUHVWHG LQ WKH DVVHWV RI WKH ÀUPV said the BPE had commenced a thorough review to MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO and not on adding value, leading to economic losses ascertain the issues responsible for their problems.

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU IRU WKH FRXQWU\ 5HSRUWV VXJJHVW D VLJQLÀFDQW GURS LQ MRE Commendable as the BPE move appears, it is regrettable CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI FUHDWLRQV DFURVV WKH ÀUPV WKRXJK WKH SUHYDLOLQJ KDUVK WKDW PDQ\ RI WKH HUVWZKLOH VWDWH UXQ ÀUPV SULYDWLVHG DW EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN economic environment is also unhelpful. huge costs to the taxpayers, have performed woefully.

MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI Today, most of the establishments sold to public THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE They cut across communication, transport, banking, FRQFHUQV E\ WKH %3( KDYH HLWKHU FROODSVHG RU DUH ÀQGLQJ insurance, manufacturing, publishing, and power, LW GL΀FXOW WR VWD\ DÁRDW 3HUKDSV QRZKHUH DUH WKH among others. worries of privatisation more apparent or consequential However, the agency itself has questions to answer.

T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D than in the power sector. It is the prime example of the In February 2018, BPE had disclosed that 37 per cent of EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA dilemma of privatisation. The hope that the unbundling WKH SULYDWLVHG HQWHUSULVHV LQ WKH FRXQWU\ ZHUH QRQ GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, of the ailing power sector into six generating companies, performing. But in September 2022, the privatisation ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI 11 distributing companies and a transmission company DJHQF\ SXW WKH QXPEHU RI QRQ SHUIRUPLQJ HQWHUSULVHV DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ZRXOG EULQJ DERXW H΀FLHQF\ LQ VHUYLFH GHOLYHU\ at 16 per cent, signifying a decline of 11 per cent and ANTHONY OGEDENGBE ZKLOH NLFNLQJ RͿ LQGXVWULDOLVDWLRQ DQG WKH HFRQRPLF a positive outlook. There are two possible deductions DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI development of the country has turned out to be grossly SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH IURP WKH GLͿHUHQW ÀJXUHV GLVKHG RXW E\ WKH SULYDWLVDWLRQ PLVSODFHG :LWK VRDULQJ XQHPSOR\PHQW ÀJXUHV DULVLQJ ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI DJHQF\ 7KH ÀUVW SUHVXSSRVHV WKDW WKH %3( DQG UHOHYDQW stakeholders may have done something to turnaround CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI from poor macroeconomic fundamentals, breathing life DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO LQWR WKH QRQ SHUIRUPLQJ HQWHUSULVHV KDV EHFRPH PRUH WKH RUJDQLVDWLRQV DQG OLIW VRPH RI WKHP RXW RI WKHLU QRQ TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com urgent. performing status.The second points to a possibility

Letters to the Editor Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.

LETTERS WITCH HUNTING CHURCHES AND PASTORS IN NIGERIA The Advocacy for Alleged Witches urges the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to call LWV ZLWFK KXQWLQJ SDVWRUV WR RUGHU DQG UHVWUDLQ them from inciting violence and hatred in the name of witchcraft and exorcism. This call has become necessary following a recent Christian ZLWFK KXQWLQJ HYHQW LQ ,EDGDQ LQ 6RXWKZHVW Nigeria. On Friday, November 25, 2022, the Faith and Miracle International Church orga QL]HG DQ ,EDGDQ FLW\ ZLGH FUXVDGH 7DJJHG “Destroying the Power of Witchcraft and Ma rine Spirit”, this event took place at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Liberty Stadium Ibadan, Oyo State. Senior Prophet G. F. Adetuberu pre sided over this program. It is worrisome that the event happened in contemporary Nigeria.

The AfAW is deeply concerned over this activity because similar programs have been linked to cases of witch persecution and relat ed abuses in the communities. Unfortunately, pastors are using witchcraft to assert legitima

cy and power. They are stoking witchcraft fears and anxieties and getting people to attribute their everyday problems and existential chal lenges to the assumed magical powers of their relatives. Pastors have used these crusades to validate and sanctify abuses and violations of alleged witches; they have made a religious service out of torturing and maltreating sup posed human perpetrators of occult harm.

6HOI VW\OHG SURSKHWV PHQ DQG ZRPHQ RI God, use these events to destroy families and poison relationships between couples and their in laws, parents and their children, peo ple who live in cities, and those who live in the villages. Pastors have used these events to turn siblings against siblings, relatives against rela tives, men against men, men against women, and adults against children. They have planted and reinforced suspicions and mistrust in the communities. &KULVWLDQ ZLWFK KXQWLQJ FRQWLQXHV WR UDY

age the country because of the inaction of the Christian Association of Nigeria. The CAN has continued to turn a blind eye to these witch hunting events. Organi zations such as the CAN have refused to WDNH D VWURQJ VWDQG DJDLQVW ZLWFK KXQWLQJ churches such as the Faith and Miracle ,QWHUQDWLRQDO &KXUFK DQG ZLWFK KXQWLQJ SDVWRUV 6RPH &$1 R΀FLDOV RͿHU ÁLP sy excuses. They claim that these pastors are not true men or women of God; that their churches do not belong to the CAN. But the Christian Association of Nigeria should know that: whether these pastors are a part of the CAN or not, their witch KXQWLQJ DFWLYLWLHV QHJDWLYHO\ UHÁHFW RQ WKH Nigerian church.

It is pertinent to remind the CAN that witchcraft imputation is a crime under Nigerian law. Section 210 of the criminal code, and section 216 of the penal code

state that anyone who accuses or threat ens to accuse any person of being a witch or having the power of witchcraft is guilty of misdemeanor and liable to imprison ment for two years. The CAN should not allow churches and pastors to indulge in criminal activities or activities that aid and abet crimes. The CAN has a moral obliga tion to provide leadership and stop giving excuses for their inability and reluctance WR UHLQ LQ ZLWFK KXQWLQJ FKXUFKHV DQG SDV tors. At a time that churches in the west are issuing apologies for their role in witch hunting in early modern Europe, the church in Nigeria should sanction witch hunting churches and pastors. The CAN should take other necessary measures to end abuses linked to witchcraft beliefs and exorcism in 21st century Nigeria.

Leo Igwe, nskepticleo@yahoo.com

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 • T H I S D AY

31

32

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023

EDUCATION Dialogue, Funding, Reduction of Out-of-school Children Top Stakeholders’ Expectations for 2023 Four days into the new year, experts in the education sector have called for collaboration to achieve a sector-wide dialogue on education, to take stock and proffer solutions to the challenges confronting the sector in 2023. Funmi Ogundare reports

L

ast year, the education sector suffered another setback with the prolonged ASUU strike, which lasted eight months, and poor budgetary allocation.

President Muhammadu Buhari had proposed N1.79 trillion, representing about 8.8 per cent of the total N20.5 trillion, to the joint session of the National Assembly, which was the highest he had made to the sector since he assumed office in 2015.

The president had proposed to spend N470 billion on public tertiary institutions and promised to pacify the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

However, not satisfied, the union embarked on an indefinite strike which lingered for eight months to press home its demands on the federal government to provide funds for the revitalisation of public universities to the tune of N1.1 trillion, payment of earned academic allowances, adoption of the University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) instead of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS); payment of promotion arrears and the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.

The National Assembly, represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, waded into the crisis. After a series of stakeholders’ meetings with the union and National Assembly, the parties came up with a seven-point resolution that Gbajabiamila presented to Buhari to offset in full the arrears of salaries members were owed, issues on the peculiarities in the controversial UTAS and the involvement of the house committee on budget allocation, among others, which eventually led to the call-off of the prolonged strike.

Last week, ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, accused Gbajabiamila of deception by asking the union to call off its eight-month-old strike in October with a written promise that the government would, without delay, offset the arrears of salaries members owed.

Osodeke, who spoke on the backdrop of Gbajabiamila’s intervention in the current situation of their issues with the federal government, noted that ASUU had a soft spot for the speaker, which was why the union engaged him in a discussion as a welcome intervention to resolve the stalemate.

He stated that based on the speaker’s intervention, ASUU suspended the strike with the hope that his words would be matched with action, adding that the union praised him for his intervention without knowing it was deceitful.

Osodeke noted that ASUU members’ collective impression of Gbajabiamila as of today is that he tricked them into going back to work, saying, “But here we are till today, nothing has been done over the promise, and that is why the speaker did not say anything tangible since then at least on the issues let alone ensure that his promises are carried out.”

Osodeke added that the speaker would need to come out as he still has the opportunity to prove ASUU wrong on its impression by simply working out the implementation of his promises to the union. He pointed out that ASUU members decided not to down tools again despite the unfavourable treatment from the government as a sacrifice for students and parents as well as the country, while berating the judiciary for hurriedly passing judgment against the union and then adjourned the case until January 26.

The union’s leader further noted that the case between ASUU and the federal government, particularly with an interlocutory injunction, should have been addressed and given a speedy hearing and concluded without necessarily being delayed.

Osodeke described 2022 as a bad year for the education sector in the country, noting that great damage had been done to the sector across levels by the current administration.

He expressed hope that the next government would be courageous enough to declare a state of emergency in education and fix the mess, which he described as catastrophic.

Buhari In a swift reaction, Gbajabiamila denied committing himself to offset the arrears of salaries. He stated that the house resolved to improve the welfare package of the lecturers and provide more money for the universities’ revitalisation fund. The lawmaker also mentioned that the house had been working with key stakeholders to facilitate the adoption of elements of ASUU’s UTAS into IPPIS. “The public interest in ensuring a well-functioning tertiary education sector is a matter of paramount concern for all who understand the transformational role of education in any society,” said Gbajabiamila.

“For this reason, the 9th House of Representatives has been consistent in our efforts to explore avenues for reform and improvement to the framework of public education in the country from basic education through tertiary.”

Stakeholders monitoring events in the sector suggested convening a sector-wide dialogue on education and a conversation that will take stock of the past 23 years, x-ray the gains and challenges, and proffer creative, productive and sustainable solutions for the next 20 years.

In his submission, a professor of Economic History and Development and Secretary General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors in Nigeria (CVCN), Yakubu Ochefu, expressed concern that the system across all levels is not working. He said the philosophy of education, the ownership and governance models, the funding structure and the outcome need tweaking in 2023.

“The starting point for me in this

review process will be the Education Committee Report of the 2014 National Conference, which addressed most of the current challenges. It can serve as a building block on which we can engage,” Ochefu stated.

He added, “All our fundamentals and parameters are in the negative. Education budget to GDP ratio, number of out-of-school children, teacher to student ratio, student to teaching and learning infrastructure ratio, research and innovation funding to budget ratio, training and retraining of teachers, quality assurance and evaluation and especially the low usage of learner analytics in our school system. Our governance models, especially in the tertiary sector, are different from the 21st models of running such institutions.”

Ochefu regretted that the laws establishing tertiary institutions contradict the laws establishing many professional bodies and regular public service. “The way we appoint principal officers to our tertiary institutions is flawed and politically charged and does not give us the very best in many cases. Equally so is the funding models. The compensation/reward system is over-centralized and archaic. That is why the conversation must be broad, deep and very frank,” he stated.

There is, however, some good news in the sector. Ochefu said after nearly 30 years, the country had rejigged the core curriculum for universities.

“The new Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CC-MAS) was unveiled in December and is the right direction for aligning curriculum with industry and the wider society.

The new guidelines for trans-border education are also excellent,” he explained. “The push for a National Academic Research Repository and Academic integrity platform is also welcome.

We also have witnessed a rise in women in top leadership positions in our tertiary institutions.

These are the few sparks of light in a massively challenging system.”

In his expectations for 2023, the Dean of the

“The primary goal for 2023 should be a reduction in the population of out-of-school children and a massive investment in basic education by increasing the number of schools and teachers to match population growth.”

Lagos State University School of Communication, Prof Yinka Alawode, stressed the need for stakeholders to remove instability and guile from the education sector and allow schools to charge reasonable fees to meet the financial needs of each institution.

Alawode also called for the payment of reasonable wages and emoluments that will be commensurate with living realities and standards and that the government should facilitate modern structures with up-to-date equipment for schools; fund research and conferences attendance annually locally and internationally; set up students loan board/bank in all existing commercial banks payable on employment as a long-term loan, either from the state or federal.

“They should also evaluate teachers and teaching procedures annually; remove politics from education as much as possible,” the dean said, adding that students’ loans should cater for tuition, accommodation, books and a small amount for self-sustenance monthly throughout the study, including the extension of study for carry over etc., for the maximum period allowed by the school. He listed the acceptance fee, admission letter and parental consent letter as mandatory requirements.

“Students loan is different from bursaries, grants and scholarships. All these must be made available to students and will help the country get serious with the census, BVN and NIMC (NIN) registration and collation of data,” added Alawode.

He also emphasised a stable school calendar that will be encouraged by successive governments and pressure groups, adding that schools holding out without strikes and ensuring work to rule should be given awards and prizes, including recognition to the government that best manages education.

In his contribution, a professor of Environmental Sustainability and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Research, Innovations and Partnerships (ARIP) at Osun State University, Anthony Kola-Olusanya, described the budgetary allocation to the sector as far too meagre compared to the amount needed to solve the problem of dwindling school enrolment and the retention of school children at the basic level or the funding need of tertiary institutions.

He pointed out that “by any measure, 2022 remained a challenging year for Nigeria’s education sector. The sector witnessed an increase in budgetary allocation from N742.5 billion in 2021 to N923.79, which translates to 5.6 per cent of the 2022 entire budget. The increase was far too meagre.”

Kola-Olusanya regretted the lacklustre attitude of the government towards funding education in successive years leading up to 2022, blaming it for falling short of the African Union Agenda 2063 goal two and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) four.

“The gaping holes in the sector continue to be underfunded from the basic to the tertiary levels,” he said.

The university don added that without adequate investment in education, health and other sectors are bound to suffer in 2023, urging the federal government should pay more attention to funding issues as he expressed concern about the growing number of out-of-school children, saying that the primary goal for 2023 should be a reduction in the population of out-of-school children and a massive investment in basic education by increasing the number of schools and teachers to match population growth.

“As data suggests that one out of five outof-school children worldwide is a Nigerian, the federal government must target its efforts to eliminate different factors preventing children from going to school and promote school safety to improve teaching and learning, to help them reach their full potential,” KolaOlusanya explained.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

33

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023

EDUCATION

Governor Duoye Diri: Investing in Knowledge-Driven Development Process Stephen Ogoulah It is an established epistemological fact across the globe that, the development and survival of any nation rest squarely, not in the abundance of its natural resources, but in the massive investment in the educational advancement of its people.The story of Japan is a classic example in the conscious efforts at converting their natural disadvantages to multi-dimensional advantages. In spite of Japans near absence of natural resources, it has successfully built a world class technologydriven economy to join the enviable status of developed nations. Japan did not go to any prayer mountain to pray for divine intervention, a country known for its choice of atheism. While countries in the Southern pole were grappling with failed leadership, Japan was busy with its conscious drive and investment in human capital advancement through the instrumentality of education, Research and Development, R & D. In Nigeria, the general effect is that of wallowing in abject poverty in the midst of plenty ; this is despite the abundance of natural resources in virtually all the nook and cranies of the federating states. We cannot blame it on natural disaster, neither on accident but on absolute failure of leadership.When the governor of Bayelsa State Douye Diri took over the mantle of leadership, he left no one in doubt that investing in education would form a cardinal agenda and indeed a fundamental instrument in the development process of the state. Believing in the philosophical treatise of Dr Walter Russel of University of Science and Philosophy, that, “ In vain we build the city if we do not first build the man “ ; For Douye Diri, placing Bayelsa in the bracket of educationally less developed state in national rating is not a cheering euphemism.He told anyone who cares to listen, that he would not only reverse the negative tag on the state, but would ensure that education takes the centre stage of his development plan and indeed occupy a pride if place . Not minding his busy schedule, governor Douye Diri rolled up his sleeves and embarked on executive tour to all the local government areas in the state to personally see things for himself on the state of educational facilities in the state.

On returning to his office, armed with the grim facts about the sorry state of things, he told the state executive council meeting in session, that the situation under his watch was unacceptable; It is sad to mention that some primary schools had only a head teacher and a single teacher, such that he vowed to change the narrative. Apart from giving a marching order to the Ministry of Education to embark on mass recruitment of qualified academic and non-academic staff to boost teaching in the rural areas, governor Diri also commenced a massive construction of school infrastructure and rehabilitation.Among the schools which readily comes to mind are the universal primary education, UPE, at Ovom Community.

L-R: Head of School, Memuna Falade; best graduating student, Bridget Ichabor; founder/CEO, Jenniez School of African Interior Design (JSAID), Jennifer Chukwujekwe; Chairman, JSAID, Charles Chukwujekwe; best graduating student, Ogunowo Wuraola; and Director, Lilian Chukwujekwe, during the school’s graduation, awards and sixth anniversary ceremony in Lagos... recently The school which was in a state of dilapidation was totally demolished and a new eight class room with twelve rooms conveniences for staff and pupils, in addition to the construction of six administrative blocks. Besides citing new schools and construction of school blocks in various parts of the state including Yenezue-Epie community where there was no school over the years. The state government also constructed and completed several new schools buildings in various parts of the state including Akenfa, Biogbolo, Igbogene and a brand new schools along AIT road at Opolo just to mention but a few.

Besides the massive face lift of schools across the state, the state government, as a matter of updating teachers with contemporary skills in Information Technology, ICT, for the first time in the history of educational development in Bayelsa, the state government engaged the service of Microsoft in the training of 12,000 teachers in ICT. This is essentially to equip them for the all important task of building and driving a knowledgebased economy in keeping pace with global practice. The goodnews today is that, teachers in Bayelsa are being fondly described as digital teachers. In addition to that, the state government introduced as a matter of policy imperative the much needed technical education, with emphasis on practical acquisition of skills to promote self-reliance

and entrepreneurship-driven economy. To serve as catalyst towards achieve this lofty objective, the Diri government built technical colleges in each of the eight Local Government Areas of the state. This is not only a paradigm shift from the past, but also to prove the fact that education is the only veritable instrument to bring about any meaningful development .

The benefit of this bold initiative will not only change the development narrative of the state in terms of human capital development, but wuld also transform the time-bomb of army of unemployed youths from job seekers to big time players in job and wealth creation. This is no doubt in tandem with the administrations desire to enthrone a regime of prosperity and sustainable development for the good and wellbeing of the people. Another challenge which seemed insurmountable was that of state owned tertiary institutions which have been contending with the issue of accreditation of courses. The state government views the non accreditation of certain courses as a threat to the government vision to have a functional education at all levels. These institutions are the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa Medical University, Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro College of Education, School of Nursing and the College of Health Technology.Today, it is heart-warming to mention that besides the success recorded with investment in world-class infrastructure demands of these institutions, Niger Delta University alone has secured accreditation of over 70 courses at a streigth; while other institutions are not left out in this transformation. Moreover, the deliberate introduction of the teaching of Ijaw language in the homogenous Ijaw state by the Douye Diri administration has been received with a wide accolades by the Ijaws within and outside the country. The initiative

will not only give the Ijaw people an identity and pride of place in the national scheme but would also help to preserve the cultural heritage and values of the people. According to a retired secondary school principal, Mr. Waritimi Joel, “This policy is well placed. It was really disturbing that the Ijaw language was going into extinction. Language is an essential component of our culture and values.

May God bless the Diri administration for this singular initiative to reposition our identity and pride as a people”.At this juncture, even ardent critics of the administration who go on social media to mount wicked campaign of calumny should not hesitate to concede the fact that the education sector is receiving unparalleled attention for the good and sustainable development of the state. While appreciating the modest achievements so far, the government should not rest on its oars by ensuring that Bayelsa truly becomes the education tourist destination in the comity of states in line with the aspirations of the founding fathers and Bayelsans in general.

This is the time Bayelsans, regardless of the political divide should come together with a unity of purpose to rally round the Douye Diri led administration. We must strive as a people with a collective destiny to avoid activities that tend to pull down our leaders.

Tagging Bayelsans as a people who revel in pull down petition writing, blackmailing their leaders in the media and all kinds of campaign of calumny is an ill wind that will blow no one any good in the state.The adverse consequences will only undermine the development of the state and nothing more, nothing less.

-Stephen Ogoulah, a Public affairs analyst wrote in from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Chevron Donates Classrooms to New Book Teaches Benefits of Adversity Quotient for Entrepreneurs Edjeba Primary School Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has handed over a three classroom block built in Edjeba Primary School, Edjeba community in Delta State to the school management .

Speaking at the handover ceremony of the classrooms, built under a joint venture arrangement with the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Rick Kennedy said the completed project reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the development of the education sector in the country.

“It is our brief that qualitative education is the bedrock of national development. Our

pride will be to see students from this state go on to become internationally celebrated professionals in their chosen fields of studies.”

Kennedy, who was represented by Mr. Momodu Riwanu, also promised that the oil giant will continue to invest in community development, thanking the Edjeba community for ensuring peace for business to thrive.

Mr. Segun Peters, who represented Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Amgbaduba Emmanuel, lauded the oil giant for the gesture, and promised that the state will continue to provide the needed atmosphere for businesses to thrive.

The Chairman, Warri South

Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi and the member representing Warri South Constituency II in the State House of Assembly, Hon Mathew Opuoru also hailed the company for the completed project, which they said would enhance quality of learning in the school.

The Commissioner for Primary Education, Ms. Rose Ezewu, also thanked the joint venture partners for the donation.

The Principal, Edjeba Basic Secondary School, Mrs. Mayuku Abeji thanked the oil company and promised that the school will make good use of the classrooms and facilities to enhance quality of education.

Oluchi Chibuzor

A book titled ‘Dear Entrepreneur’ has advised entrepreneurs to improve their adversity quotient if their businesses must succeed and ultimately boost the country’s economy.

The book said that entrepreneurs embrace their mistakes in this era where so many businesses are facing tough choices and challenges.

Speaking at the book launch in Lagos, the author, Adeolu Akinyemi urged business owners to upgrade their adversity quotient.

He said they must understand that problems are natural, “if they do not come as recession, they can come as pandemic, and they can be unique issues. What I will say

to affected business owners is, do not quit, do not stop, keep on, and stay resilient. You can only win if you are still in the game when the seasons change.”

He explained that the book is a compendium of his failure stories designed in a way that it teaches and instructs people coming after on where to navigate and how to navigate.

“It’s a case study in adversity. It is a manual for developing the competency to rise through adversity.”

He stressed the need for the society to support struggling business owners.

“An increase in entrepreneurial activity has a significant decrease in poverty levels. The greatest contribution a country can make to its prosperity is to encourage entrepreneurial

venturing.”

The senior pastor of the Citadel Global Community Church, Lagos, Tunde Bakare, said the book teaches everyone to understand the need of patience in everything.

The book reviewer, Dr. Patrick Utomi said in ‘Dear Entrepreneur’, Akinyemi speaks to upgrading the adversity quotient of every business owner.

He said, “How do you respond when you have put years of hard work, deploying resources to build a brand that it takes and also ran a product to iconic status and the partner gets greedy as he smells big income? That happens quite often. This is why legal agreements and negotiation skills are important for venturing.

34

IMAGES

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͳ˜ 2023

Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

L-R: Presbyter, Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu, Lagos, Very. Rev. Jonathan Osin; Secretary of the Conference, Rt. Rev. Dr. Babatunde A. Taiwo; Prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Oliver Aba; his wife, Deaconess Maria Aba; Bishop, Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu, Lagos, Rt. Rev. Oladapo Babalola; and other clergies (behind) during the 2023 New Year Service in the church in Lagos… recently PHOTO: KOLAWOLE ALLI

Former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji (left), presenting the award for Transmission Project of the Year to Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Mr. Chiedu Ugbo (right), in Abuja...recently

L-R: Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye; state Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji; and his wife, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, during a visit by the deputy governor to the governor at his country home in Ikogosi Ekiti…recently

L-R: Groom’s sister, Pastor (Mrs.) Ifeyinwa Agugua; bride, Mrs. Joi Eloni Iroemeh; groom, Dr. Andrew Iroemeh; bride’s mother, Mrs. Barbara Smith; groom’s brother, Mr. Obilor Iroemeh, during the wedding ceremony of Joi and Andrew Iroemeh at the Art Hotel Oniru, Victoria Island in Lagos…recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Immediate-past President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Olatunde Amolegbe; Head, Government Relations, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Chalya Shagaya; Divisional Head, Capital Markets, NGX, Jude Chiemeka; Director, Nigerian Exchange Group, Ojinika Olaghere; Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Temi Popoola; Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Kemi Adetiba Visuals, Kemi Adetiba; Businessman, Mr. Oscar Heman-Ackah; Nollywood actress, Sola Sobowale; Officials, Mrs. Mayen Adetiba and Mr. Dele Adetiba; and Divisional Head, Business Support Services, NGX, Irene Robinson-Ayanwale, during the closing gong ceremony to mark the final day of trading activities for the year 2022 in Lagos…recently

L-R: Secretary, Nigerian Universities Association of Management and Business Student Alumni Association, Lagos chapter, Mr. Tunde Itopa; Public Relations Officer II of the association, Mr. Onovughe Okpodu; Chairman of the association, Mr. Oluwole Adesina; Vice Chairman of the association, Dr. Awele Ohaegbu; Public Relations Officer I of the association, Mr. Emmanuel Nwaka; and a member of the association, Mr. Bamidele Olanitori, during their end-of-the-year reunion in Lagos…recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

35

WEDNESDAY, ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

FOCUS

Predictable Budget Cycle: A Great Legacy of Ninth National Assembly

Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila Ola Awoniyi

S

hortly after his emergence in 2019 as the 14th President of the Senate and Chairman of the Ninth National Assembly, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan promised to ensure the 2020 Appropriation Bill was passed and signed into law by the President before the end of that year. That promise would have sounded outlandish in many ears and many would have dismissed it outright as a flight of fancy induced by Lawan's euphoria of electoral victory.

Going by precedent under the Fourth Republic, there were valid reasons for such scepticism.

By 2019, it had become normal for the Appropriation Bill to come into law not earlier than the end of the first quarter first quarter or even in the middle of the budget year. This was in spite of the apparent injury the delay was delivering to government's annual spending plans and the economy.

How to reset the budget cycle or financial year to run from January to December as was the case in distant past had confounded and beaten the previous National Assemblies.

But that was not for lack of efforts on this part of the federal lawmakers. Session after session, they visibly worked to instal a steady, reliable and predictable January to December budget cycle. That just didn't happen, for many reasons.

However, with great determination, strategic thinking and multipartisan cooperation in the Chambers, under a new milieu of effective collaboration amongst the Arm of Government, the Ninth National Assembly achieved the feat on first attempt

President Muhammadu Buhari in December 2019!

The impacts of timeous passage of Appropriation Bills on budgetary performance, governance and the general economy have been severally articulated by economic experts.

Even at the best of times, the Nigerian economy has needed every positive effort it can get for revamping it. The COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia/Ukraine war and sundry local challenges make such efforts even more imperative now. Imagine, some of the advanced economies are already reeling in or tottering at the edge of recession.

Of course the Nigerian economy too slid into recession twice in recent past.

But on each occasion, it quickly pulled out. The quick recovery was significantly enhanced by the effective collaboration and proactive interventions of the NationalAssembly.

It is on record that the performance of the budget has improved under the new stable cycle to such extent that the performance numbers are now almost hundred percent.

This is one of the achievements for which the Ninth Assembly has not been granted the deserved credit.

Instead, the doubting Thomases and mocking birds did not immediately stop laughing. Even while some acknowledged the feat, they doubted it could be sustained.

However, it has. In 2020 and 2021.

And now again, the Appropriation Bill 2023 was passed by the Assembly on 28th December, 2022.

According to the Senate President, it

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan would have been passed even earlier, before the lawmakers went on Christmas recess, but for some problems that emanated from the Executive in the process of preparing the Appropriation Bill. Those problems, later resolved through collaborative efforts, delayed but did not frustrate timeous passage of the Bill.

Therefore, President Muhammadu Buhari signing the Appropriation Bill 2023 into law on Tuesday 3rd January, 2023, which was the first work day in 2023, is historic. Not just for the National Assembly but for the country at large.

Yet, it is particularly historic for the Ninth Assembly because that is its last Appropriation Bill as its tenure ends in June this year.

It is noteworthy that the virus of late passage of Appropriation Bills year in year out had infected even state Houses of Assembly. But with the action of the Ninth Assembly setting good example at the national level, the trickle down effect has encouraged a turn around in the process in the states too. Many state governments have embraced this new culture at the national level and those that were not doing well before in that regard have taken the new cue from Abuja.We have seeing virtually all state Governors signing Appropriation Bills before the end of the year.

There is yet another innovation that has been entrenched in the country's financial system by the Ninth Assembly.

This has to do with the practice of approving the Finance Bill side by side the Appropriation Bill. The Finance Act

provides the support base for an effective implementation of the Appropriation Act through some major reforms in fiscal policies of the government.

For instance, the 2022 Finance Act, which was passed same day shortly before the 2023 Appropriation Bill was passed, is to facilitate amendment to some fiscal laws as the Capital Gains Tax, Company Income Tax, Customs Excise Act, Federal Inland Revenue Service Act, Personnel Income Tax and Stamp Duty Act. The Ninth Assembly has made it a tradition to pass this piece of legislation alongside the Appropriation Bill and this is another legacy that the succeeding Assemblies must sustain. All these feats are made possible by the effective and efficient collaboration between the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government.

Also, through this cordiality, the Ninth National Assembly has accomplished all the items in its Legislative Agenda months ahead of the expiration of its tenure in June.

It may also be difficult for some people to believe, but this Assembly has passed more Bills than any other before it. The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, noted recently at a public gathering that President Buhari has signed more Bills into law that were passed by this Assembly than any of his predecessors had done under any Assembly.

The tenure of the Ninth Assembly under Ahmad Lawan's watch has less than six months to run out.

However, its legacy and work rate guide us to expect more accomplishments from it until its last day. ***Awoniyi is Media Adviser to Senate President

36

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͳ˜ 2023

CITYSTRINGS

ÜÙßÚ ÏËÞßÜÏÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ ÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ äÏÙÌÓ ×ËÓÖ ÍÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ˛ÏäÏÙÌÓ̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט ͖͕͔͑͑͒͑͒͑͑͘

Fashola: Finishing Strong in Buhari's Cabinet For Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, his brilliance and resilience in carrying out his responsibilities, especially with the recent construction of the Second Niger Bridge, have deservedly earned him accolades. Uzoma Mba reports that by all parameters, he is finishing strong

The Second Niger Bridge

A

lthough President Muhammadu Buhari, is a man of little words, some of his recent gestures point to the fact that he is impressed with the brilliance with which a former Lagos State governor and Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, is carrying out his duties as a member of his cabinet.

Sources close to the president say he is particularly satisfied with how Fashola scrutinises and supervises projects, thereby ensuring that they meet the standard of government and Nigerians.

In an obvious show of appreciation for a job well done, in July 2022, President Buhari approved the naming of the newly re-constructed Agege Railway Station after Fashola. Other notable beneficiaries of such gesture are former Lagos State governor and presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Apapa Station), Mobolaji Johnson (Ebute Metta Station), the late Lateef Jakande (Agbado Station) and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (Kajola Station), among others.

Later in October of the same year, Buhari conferred Fashola with the prestigious honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). The minister was listed alongside 443 other Nigerians, who had contributed to national development one way or the other.

Sometime in April 2018, the president openly commended Fashola; former Minister of Transport, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, the Kaduna State government, Julius Berger, and the security agencies for the roles they all played in the early completion of work on the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, saying he looked forward to such a display of inter-agency cooperation and efficiency in the operation of his entire federal government machinery.

During an interview with TVC recently, Fashola expressed some very important factors, which seemed responsible for his tenacity and commitment to achieving the ultimate possible result from every project in his ministry.

According to him, the road projects were not the main promise President Buhari made to Nigerians, but economic recovery, so infrastructure development being the vehicle for economic growth, there is a need to give it all your best.

"What I do every year with regards to infrastructure, is to go back to the people from time to time and say, how is it this year, how long for example is your journey time, when you travel this year? And the report I have got year after year is that 'my journey

Fashola during his recent inspection of the newly opened Second Niger Bridge

time is better this year than last year,' because it is not a light bulb switch; it is a very well-coordinated progressive journey.

“Building road, for example, kilometer after kilometer until it is finished, let's say like Lagos-Ibadan, 127km of dual carriageway, that is not something you do overnight, or the Abuja to Kano, 375km of dual carriageway, but as you progress, you'll begin to feel, and so, we have enough feedback. Not what we say, what the people, who are using the roads are saying; that 'I used to spend three hours on this road, I now spend one hour.'

“That is the economic impact, because the cost of traveling will reduce, and time spent in traffic will reduce. That time saved can be turned into other productive activities. And that is why I say you cannot isolate a conversation on infrastructure from the economy. President Buhari didn't campaign on infrastructure, he campaigned on the economy, so this is a driver of the economy.

"In other places, we have built a road for example, what the survey shows us is that the land value across the adjoining areas, has increased by 30 to 40 percent. That land doesn't belong to the federal government, they are individual communal corporate lands. So, those value asset improvement – capitalisation of assets if you like. So, they are richer because they can make more money with the increased value of their land.

“You can experiment with it in an area, where there is no road, when there is a road, your landlord is going to increase rent. That rent goes into his pocket. That is part

of wealth creation.

"You can also drill down the supply chain. On one project, I think it was a section of Lagos-Ibadan, when I asked the contractor to tell me how many suppliers he was using, he was using 145 suppliers, and this is how we touch the lives of people," a very satisfied Fashola stated.

National Assembly member representing Alimosho I Federal Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Mr. Bisi Yusuff, said President Buhari's choice of Fashola as the Minister in charge of Power, Housing, and Works, had selected the best hands capable of driving the change agenda.

Another chieftain of the APC and member, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Chief Modestus Umenzekwe, who was convinced that the South East, had received significant interventions from the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, expressed satisfaction about the understanding between President Buhari and Fashola.

He said, "You see I don't normally discuss tribe, when I am talking about politics, but sometimes it is necessary for drawing a positive lesson in certain situations just as the question you asked.

You see, that is part of the irony of Nigerian existence. Muhammadu Buhari from the North appointed Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) from the West to oversee the Works and Housing Ministries, and you see him doing the work without tribal considerations, and the President, on the other hand, also gave him free hand to do his work.

“What I advise the tribes is to synergise. Only the best should go for us.

Those who were appointed in the last dispensation, who were predominantly of South East extraction, what did they do? History will be kind to the duo of Buhari and Fashola. I am sure of that."

He said the APC, has done well in the aspect of infrastructure development and that everyone, irrespective of political leaning, would acknowledge that the APC, has done well in the area of infrastructure, because it can be seen in the entire six geo-political zones without minding if they voted for the party or

By the end of 2021, more than 60 federal road and bridge projects, across the five South-East states are ongoing, completed, or at various stages of progress and completion; financed through SUKUK bond and other deliberately designed funding mechanisms

not, because it is no more a party issue, but governance issue.

According to him, the APC government, has done very well in the South-East, saying, "If we must go by the ratio of votes from each region, I think APC loves the region. Let us be more practical now, look at the Second Niger Bridge at Asaba/Onitsha.

"By the end of 2021, more than 60 federal road and bridge projects, across the five South-East states are ongoing, completed, or at various stages of progress and completion; financed through SUKUK bond and other deliberately designed funding mechanisms.

"Look at Sections 1 to 4 of the EnuguPort Harcourt Expressway was done by this government; construction of Ihiala-Orlu Road in Isseke town; AmafuoUlli with Spur (Ihiala-Orlu-Umuduru Section) – all in Anambra State. There is the rehabilitation of Oba-Nnewi-Okigwe Road Route Section II: Anambra/Imo States border – Ibinta-Okigwe Road; there is the construction of the Oseakwa bridge in Anambra State.

"We also have the rehabilitation of Old Enugu-Port-Harcourt Road (Agbogugu-Abia border Spur to Mmaku); rehabilitation of Nsukka-Obollo-IkemEhamufu-Nkalagu Road in Enugu State; rehabilitation of Owerri-Umuahia Road Sections I, II & III spanning Imo and Abia States; rehabilitation of BendeArochukwu-Ohafia Road Section I in Abia State; rehabilitation of Abakaliki-Afikpo road sections I and II in Ebonyi State; and there is also the rehabilitation of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. Should I go on? These are verifiable landmark projects," Umenzekwe stated.

Undeniably also is the help the opening of the Second Niger Bridge was to travellers this past Christmas season. The 1.6 km long bridge, 10.3 km Highway and Owerri interchange was intended to relieve the perennial traffic road users face on the existing Niger Bridge, especially during the Yuletide and it did just that.

The Second Niger Bridge, which is a key national infrastructure, with immense socio-economic benefits for the contiguous states and indeed the entire nation, was kicked off through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, in collaboration with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

Therefore, 42 months after the work began, the opening of the bridge for the yuletide eased traffic flow, improved road safety, and created greater opportunities for local residents by advancing the commercial viability of the immediate area and regenerating economic life.

37

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͳ˜ 2023

CRIME

The Joy of Motherhood Cut Short by Killer-Cop In this report, Sunday Ehigiator reflects on the pain of motherhood felt by late Bolanle Raheem’s mother, and more so, Bolanle, who was expecting her miracle babies before her life was cut at prime by the killer cop identified as ASP Drambi Vandi

The Lagos Police Commissioner, Abiodun Alabi condoles with mother and husband of late Bolanle Raheem at their Ajah residence

“I

cannot see my ‘The Law’ again.

People usually call her ‘The Law’.

She was taken away from me.

She was pregnant with twins.

She died with her glory. She left a five-year-old daughter behind. And they took her away.

“On Monday, my granddaughter came to me and said ‘Grandma Iju Ishaga, I saw you yesterday when you were crying; you were shouting; is it because of my mummy?’ And I said ‘yes’.

“Then she came again and told me, ‘Pastor Jerry said what God cannot do does not exist; so, grandma, stop crying’. And she kissed me on the cheek.

“Just like that, she was taken away from me. Oluwagbenga (referring to the deceased’s husband), you won’t see your love. It is not easy, a child that I have been training since childhood. I suffered over her. I hawked oranges; there is nothing I did not do.”

The above lamentation was from the late Bolanle’s mother upon the visitation of the family by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, on Tuesday, December 27, to express his condolences at their Ajah residence in Lagos.

Joy of Motherhood Cut Short Five years of waiting, praying and fasting, enduring possible stigmatization, getting counselled and encouraged by pastors, visiting gynaecologists and other fertility experts among others, was what Bolanle probably had to put up with before the good news of her pregnancy was broken to her about four months ago.

The seed from her last pregnancy five years ago is already growing into a smart and beautiful five years old girl, who probably has also been yearning for a kid brother or sister, a playmate to kill boredom especially when mummy and daddy are busy.

At the instance of receiving the news of being pregnant again after five years, one can only imagine how joyful Bolanle and her husband who must have been through the journey together must have felt, even as they break the news to their extended families.

The joy must have doubled probably after some months later when an ultra-scan must have revealed that a Lagos-based Lawyer was not only pregnant but expectant of a twin.

Aside from hours spent at antenatal appointments, she and her husband may probably have started shopping for the arrival of the babies, and expectedly, her friends, relatives, parents and in-laws would have been longing to throw a full-blown party at the naming ceremony of the babies.

So for four months, two fresh lives were growing in Bolanle till, ‘Bang!’ a police bullet pierced through her chest in the presence of her husband and five years old daughter, cutting short the new lives without remedy for hers.

Just like that, the dream of bearing ‘Big Sister’, ‘Mama Ejima’, ‘Mama Twins’, ‘Papa Ejima’, and ‘Papa Twins’, all died from the carelessness, meanness and callousness of one man in uniform, ASP Drambi Vandi, whom the public’s lives were entrusted.

Arrest of Killer Cop On Monday, December 26, the Lagos police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin announced that Vandi the killer cop had been arrested.

“On the instruction of the Commissioner of Police, the errant officer has since been taken into custody alongside his team members. The CP has equally directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba for in-depth investigation,” Hundeyin wrote in a statement.

Bolanle’s Husband Recounts Brutal Incident Upon visitation by sympathisers, the Husband to the deceased, Gbenga Raheem narrated how his wife was shot dead by a police officer

in Lagos state.

The victim’s husband, Gbenga, said, “On December 25, my wife, nieces, nephews, and cousins, who had come for the holiday, all went to church. On our way back, my wife said since it was Christmas Day, we should take everyone out, so we went to a supermarket at Abraham Adesanya, and then to Domino’s Pizza.

“After that, we headed towards Ajah to do a U-turn to come back to Abraham Adesanya.

When we took the U-turn, we saw policemen stopping some vehicles. As we approached them, they said we should stop, and in the process, we heard a loud sound on my wife’s side window. All of a sudden, I saw blood gushing out of her chest.

“I immediately ran out; my sister-in-law, who was also with us, ran out and held the policeman; he cocked his gun at her too. Talking to him was pointless, so I went to see if anything could be done; I saw my wife gasping for breath, and by that time, my sister-in-law had brought the policeman into the car and pushed him into the front seat.

“We drove to a hospital but they said they couldn’t handle it; we eventually took her to Grandville Hospital, where she was confirmed dead. The policemen took her body and put it in the truck; they wanted me to follow them but I said I needed to go and settle my children.”

IGP Suspends Killer Cop Following the incident, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, recommended the immediate suspension of ASP Vandi, the killer cop, while waiting for the detailed report on the incident.

This was contained in a statement signed by the force spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Wednesday, December 28.

In the statement, the IGP noted that the recommendation for the suspension of the officer was in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the Force.

The IGP further noted that the suspension is also expected to create an enabling environment

The legislators also demanded a thorough investigation into the killing and other incidences of extrajudicial murders committed by police officers

for necessary legal procedures to uphold justice in the case without interference.

“The suspension is without prejudice to the constitutional presumption of innocence in favour of the officer. “ Meanwhile, the IGP has reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to the Rule of Law and assured the public of his administration’s commitment to ensuring that justice is not just done but seen to have been manifestly done in the matter.

He, therefore, appealed to the public to be calm as all hands are on deck to ensure justice prevails while measures have been put in place to prevent future occurrences.

NBA Condemns Killing, Demands Justice Also, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has condemned the killing of the female lawyer.

Reacting to the ugly incident, the National Publicity Secretary, NBA, Akorede Lawal, described the incident as unfortunate, noting that the president of the association, Yakubu Maikyau, was monitoring the situation.

According to him, “We are aware of this unfortunate incident. This is yet another crime against a lawyer. Regrettably, our member is gone. The NBA President @YCMaikyauSAN is right on this and we shall ensure that justice is duly served.”

Reps Seek Ban on Alcoholic Consumption

by Police In their reactions to the incident, Lawmakers in the House of Representatives condemned the killing of Mrs Bolanle Raheem and therefore called for a ban on police officers from consuming alcohol and other hard substances capable of inhibiting their sense of reasoning.

The lawmaker representing Eti Osa Federal Constituency, Ibrahim Obanikoro, raised the matter as a matter of urgent public importance.

Members of the House further expressed discomfort over reports of the wanton killing of Nigerians by men of the Nigeria Police.

The legislators also demanded a thorough investigation into the killing and other incidences of extrajudicial murders committed by police officers.

The House is to investigate the killing of Mrs Bolanle Raheem and another young man identified as Gafaru Buraimoh, who was allegedly killed by officers from the same police station.

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY, JANUARY 4, 2023

38

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Edo, BOI Promote Inclusive Business Growth, Disburse Loans The Managing Director, Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs), Mrs. Violet Obiokoro, has said loans disbursed by the state government and the Bank of Industry (BOI), have promoted the expansion of businesses operated by persons living with disability in the state.

Addressing journalists in Benin City, Mrs. Obiokoro said the 2 billion naira funds Edo State MSME Funds is currently managed by the EdoJobs in partnership with the Bank of Industry and Trustfund Microfinance Bank, and is aimed at providing financial and other business support services to qualified entrepreneurs involved in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise [MSME] businesses located in the eighteen (18) Local Government Areas of Edo State.

According to her, “It may be important to note that some of these Person Living With Disability (PLWD) beneficiaries are in various business sectors such as shoe making, petty trading, distribution of made in Nigeria goods, among others.

They include micro businesses in the markets such as Oba Market, New Benin Market, Ekiosa Market, Sabo Market and others.”

“The vision of the Project is to ensure that more than 5,000 MSMEs in Edo State have access to funds (loans, grants, etc.) for business growth and expansion while putting considerations on Gender, LGAs, and Persons with Special Needs.”

She added, “In view of these criteria, 60% of the

beneficiaries are female while 40% are male. However, 10% of the total money from the funds have been reserved for business owners in Edo State who are living with disability and since disbursement of funds began in February 2022, 6% out of the 10% allotted to People living with disability has been successfully disbursed to the beneficiaries to the tune of N28.8m spread across the three senatorial districts in the states.

“The project has so far disbursed a sum of N480m, which include bank charges, in the Micro-credit segment scheme to a total of 1,631 beneficiaries of which 105 of the beneficiaries are People Living With Disability which comprises 52 males and 53 females.”

L-R: Publisher, Today’s Woman Magazine, Mrs. Adesuwa Onyenokwe; Executive Director, Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), Mrs. Hansatu Adegbite; the first lady of Ogun state, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun and CEO, Sterling One Foundation and Producer, CHATROOM, Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe at the private screening of the movie as part of activities to commemorate the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence in Lagos...recently

Centre Awards N18 Million Research Grant to 120 Students Oluchi Chibuzor As part of their corporate social responsibility effort to boost entrepreneurship and encourage research development within the Nigerian tertiary institution ecosystem, the Grooming Centre, Ejigbo Lagos, has awarded 120 students the sum of N18 million.

The University award is to ensure that each recipient completes their undergraduate and postgraduate project with national impact and for the development of home grown businesses.

However, this year’s award is the fourth since the inception of the Grooming Centre University grant awards in 2019.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Chief Executive Officer, Grooming center, Godwin Nwabunka, said all the recipients are real students who are pursuing real courses they want to implement in their project.

He noted that education is at the heart of what they do to start in their new broadened vision and mandate as they are expanding activities to social impact on education.

According to him, “We tend to expand it so that undergraduate and postgraduates who have financial constraints; we will remove those constraints

so that they can focus on what they do. Like I said, beyond areas of financial inclusion we are now looking at a broader area like the planet, people, profit and all these activities that happen at the bottom of the pyramid.

“So the whole broad areas like addressing planet issues, people, sustainability and profit. All these activities we hope that students will get interested in those areas and beyond just passing the exams.”

Continuing he added, “We want them to follow their ideas and blow them up to businesses, projects that address basic problems both at the bottom of the pyramid and society in general. This is a great initiative of ours that aligns with everything we are doing.We are going to scale it up progressively hopefully in the years to come.

“We are asking them beyond passing your exam you should look at calling up your ideas through the project. Beyond this step we have another mechanism to help them blow up the project through mentoring, endowment trust, venture capital outlet and the bank providing a broader range of products.”

For the guest speaker, a Development Economics and Data Analytics with Lagos

Business School, Professor Bongo Adi, explained that the country must begin to take research development very seriously.

“Everybody knows that research is the kernel of development and modernisation of what you called civilization.

So whatever you can say about industrialisation or the current fourth industrial revolution; all the transitions that we have had in terms of the ways, method and technology of production were inspired by painstaking research that people undertook in their quiet moment in their laboratories, research institutions.” On his part, the head of special project, Grooming Centre, Mr. Chikezie Egbulefu, urged the students to see this as an opportunity to contribute to national development.

“We decided to give 18 million naira to 60 undergraduates and 60 postgraduates students, to provide them with the needed funds to undertake their research work.”

For Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta postgraduate students, Kwaghfan Saaondo, whose thesis is on response of West Africa Dwarf goats to graded levels of cassava leaf meal, said the grant would enable him, “perform laboratory analysis on growth performance of cassava leaf on West Africa dwarf goats.”

Fidelity Bank Receives Award for Promoting Trade Nume Ekeghe Fidelity Bank is the recipient of the Bilateral Trade Ambassador award by the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) at its 2022 end-of-year dinner event.

Commenting on the award, Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs Nneka OnyealiIkpe said, “For us at Fidelity Bank, this award is a confirmation of our market leadership in the international trade space and we are honoured to be accorded this recognition by the Nigerian -American Chamber

of Commerce (NACC).

“A little over a month ago, we hosted the largest privatesector driven trade expo by a Nigerian company in the United Kingdom tagged the Fidelity International Trade and Creative Connect (FITCC), where we hosted more than 100 export businesses from Nigeria, off-takers in the UK, investors, regulators, media and other guests to two days of exhibitions, networking and discussions with the objective of extending Nigerian businesses trade footprint.

“Our commitment as a bank

is to do more in this space and we welcome collaboration from the NACC members in extending Nigeria’s export footprints.”

The NACC was created in 1960 to foster bilateral relations between United States of America and Nigeria, the Chamber plays a vital role in the advancement of United States-Nigeria trade and investment relations by bringing together key business partners from both countries and serving as a catalyst to improve existing commercial ties.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

AUGUST 2022 Money Supply (M3)

49,356,443.6

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

50,601.36

Money Supply (M2)

49,305,842.3

-- Quasi Money

27,869,678.3

-- Narrow Money (M1)

21,436,164

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,680,236.81

---- Demand Deposits

18,755,927.2

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,074,909.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

27,869,678.3

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

61,195,142.4

---- Credit to Government (Net)

21,001,401.5

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

40,193,740.9

--Other Assets Net

6,785,979.22

Reserve Money (Base Money

14,040,351.9

--Currency in Circulation

3,210,664.98

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,829,686.9 390,557.8

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

July 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

13.00

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.76

Savings Deposit Rate

1.42

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.64

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.96

6 Months Deposit Rate

5.87

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.76

Prime Lending rate

12.10

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 24 OCTOBER, 2022

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $92.17 a barrel on Monday, compared with $92.09 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

39

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͳ˜ 2023

Stock Market Commence 2023 On Positive Note as Market Cap Hit N28trn KayodeTokede In the first trading day of the year, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX) stock market opened on a bright note as capitalisation hit above N28 trillion, yesterday.

The NGX All Share Index (ASI) rose by 344.60 basis points, representing a gain of 0.67 per cent to close at 51,595.66 basis points. Accordingly, investors gained N188 billion in value as market capitalisation went

up to N28.103 trillion.

The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; BUA Foods, Fidson Healthcare, PZ Cussons Nigeria, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO).

As measured by market breadth, market sentiment was positive as 22 stocks gained relative to 11 losers. BUA Foods recorded the highest price gain

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

DEALS

F O R MARKET PRICE

of 10 per cent to close at N71.50, per share.

John Holt followed with a gain 9.59 per cent to close at 80 kobo, while Prestige Assurance went up by 9.52 per cent to close at 46 kobo, per share.

NAHCO went up by 9.38 per cent to close at N7.00, while UBA appreciated by 9.21 per cent to close at N8.30, per share.

On the other hand, Chellarams led the losers’ chart by 9.82 per cent to close at N2.02,

S E C U R I T I E S QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

per share.

Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) followed with a decline of 8.91 per cent to close at 92 kobo, while FCMB Group went down by 8.83 to close at N3.51, per share.

Honeywell Flour Mills lost 5.98 per cent to close at N2.20, while Japaul Gold & Ventures shed 3.57 per cent to close at 27 kobo, per share.

The total volume traded declined by 63.9 per cent to

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

321.675 million units, valued at N4.350 billion, and exchanged in 4,122 deals.

Transactions in the shares of FBN Holdings (FBNH) topped the activity chart with 207.616 million shares valued at N2.474 billion.

Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) followed with 13.756 million shares worth N318.207 million, while AIICO Insurance traded 12.241 million shares valued at N7.676

AS O F

million.

UBA traded 8.150 million shares valued at N64.588 million, while Access Holdings transacted 6.747 million shares worth N58.912 million.

Analysts at United Capital anticipated robust market activity and bullish sentiments to continue. The usual January momentum is likely to dominate particularly as the yield environment appears to be shifting downwards.

0 3 / 0 1 / 2 3 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

40

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2023 • T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 30Dec-2022, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 0.02% Anchoria Equity Fund 145.46 147.08 4.46% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.23 1.23 7.64% info@anchoriaam.com ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Eurobond Fund ($) N/A N/A N/A ARM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 95.07 95.07 -7.55% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,125.73 1,125.73 5.62% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) N/A N/A N/A CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.04 1.04 8.49% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.51% Paramount Equity Fund 18.01 18.34 11.85% Women's Investment Fund 145.71 147.44 5.87% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) N/A N/A N/A CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund 1469.53 1469.53 12.03% FBN Balanced Fund 199.76 201.11 13.98% FBN Halal Fund 122.97 122.97 12.55% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.91% FBN Dollar Fund 120.17 120.24 6.68% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 165.61 168.02 10.33% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.34% Legacy Debt Fund 3.57 3.57 -10.83% Legacy Equity Fund 1.98 2.02 13.88% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.26 1.26 4.44% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1

Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

Bid Price 4,214.59 3,711.24 100.00

Offer Price 4,244.41 3,711.24 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn 8.23% 7.02% 14.75%

FSDH Dollar Fund 1.13 1.13 0.00% GUARANTY TRUST FUND MANAGERS LIMITED enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) N/A N/A N/A Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com/funds/; Tel: +2348028496012 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 103.69 103.69 10.00% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 11.65% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.59 1.63 1.37% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.45 11.62 3.06% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.10% PACAM Equity Fund 1.46 1.49 3.09% PACAM EuroBond Fund 122.73 125.39 7.62% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund N/A N/A N/A SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 0.95 0.98 0.01% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.37 1.40 0.03% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.16 1.18 0.09% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.10 1.10 6.84% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.95 1.95 7.76% United Capital Eurobond Fund 125.40 125.40 5.38% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 16.05% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 13.94 14.06 5.67% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 15.89 16.04 8.67% Zenith Income Fund 23.57 23.57 7.35% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.29% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 4.13 4.23 2.81% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 5.84 5.94 -0.06% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 18.67 18.87 5.52% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.84% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 23.93 24.13 19.67%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

N/A N/A

N/A N/A

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

N/A

N/A

N/A

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.59

0.00%

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 • T H I S D AY

41

42

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

Zelensky Warns Ukrainians of Increased Russian Drone Attacks Russian forces carried out aerial attacks on multiple areas in Ukraine overnight, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia could be boosting its use of Iranian-made drones.

Ukrainian officials said Tuesday the latest strikes from Russian missiles and artillery hit the city of Druzhkivka in the eastern Donetsk region, as well as Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine and Dnipropetrovsk in the southeastern part of the country.

Zelensky said during his nightly video address Monday that his government has information that Russia is planning “a prolonged attack” with the Shahed drones it has used in recent months to crash into targets across Ukraine.

Zelensky said Russia might be betting on the “exhaustion of our people, our air defence, our energy sector,” as he praised those involved in defending Ukraine from the aerial attacks.

Earlier Monday, Russia said 63 of its troops were killed Saturday in Ukrainian missile strikes on their quarters in the town of Makiivka in the Russian-controlled part of Ukraine’s Donetsk region.

US Not Considering Joint Nuclear Exercises with South Korea The United States plans to hold tabletop drills and expand other areas of defence cooperation with South Korea but is not considering joint nuclear exercises with Seoul, according to a senior US administration official.

The US announcement came after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said in an interview Monday the United States and South Korea were in talks meant to give Seoul a bigger role in the operation of US nuclear forces.

Yoon told the conservative Chosun Ilbo newspaper the discussions centred on joint planning and exercises with US nuclear forces — a process he envisioned would have the same effect as “nuclear sharing.”

Asked late Monday whether he was discussing joint nuclear exercises with South Korea, US President Joe Biden replied, “No.” Biden, returning from a trip to the eastern US state of Kentucky, did not elaborate.

In a statement emailed late Tuesday to VOA, a senior US official attempted to clarify the situation by saying that the United States and South Korea are “working together to strengthen extended deterrence, including eventually through tabletop exercises that will explore our joint response to a range of scenarios, including nuclear use by the DPRK.” North Korea — also known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea — last year launched a record number of ballistic missiles and on Sunday vowed to “exponentially increase” production of its nuclear warheads.

China Rejects COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Chinese Travellers China objected Tuesday to new COVID-19 testing requirements for Chinese travellers that have been put in place by a number of countries, saying the measures “lack scientific basis.”

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters at a briefing that China could institute “countermeasures based on the principle of reciprocity.”

China has seen a surge in COVID-19 infections, while other governments have faulted China for not being transparent about its infection data.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announced last week that air passengers from China would have to provide a negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery before being allowed to board. A CDC statement cited “the lack of adequate and transparent epidemiological and viral genomic sequence data being reported” from China.

Britain, France, Canada, South Korea, Spain and Qatar are among the other countries that have announced similar testing requirements for Chinese travellers.

European Union officials are due to meet Wednesday to discuss a coordinated approach on China’s COVID-19 policies.

Rights Group: 516 Killed Since Iran Protests Began Nearly four months after the start of antigovernment protests in Iran, a US-based human rights monitor says 516 protesters have been killed.

Human Rights Activists News Agency, or HRANA, said Monday the dead included 70 children.

The latest figures from the group also put the number of people arrested at more than 19,200, among them 687 students.

The protests began in mid-September in response to the death in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was detained

by Iran’s morality police for violating the country’s dress code.

Tanzania Lifts Ban on Political Rallies Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has lifted a six-year-old ban on political rallies. Her predecessor, the late John Magufuli, banned public rallies in 2016, one year after he came to power, saying they could escalate into violence.

The president made the remarks at State House Tuesday during a meeting with leaders of political parties.

“Our responsibility is to protect you to hold political rallies peacefully, finish well and leave safely, the president says. “Your responsibility as a political party is to follow the laws as they say. Let’s do mature politics. Let’s do politics to build and not tear down,” she said.

Since coming to power after the death of her predecessor John Magufuli in 2021, Hassan has taken steps to break away from his policies, which were seen as muzzling political dissent.

Benson Singo is the deputy secretary of the Party for Democracy and Progress, better known as Chadema.

He said, “We are not celebrating this because it’s our right. We were delayed in conducting our duties as political parties, which is our right according to the law. Singo added that “what we need to come together as Tanzanians to push our leaders, who swear to administer and protect the law and should follow the laws.”

Iran to Execute Two Teenagers over Protests Iran on Tuesday upheld two death sentences for the killing of a paramilitary during nationwide protests, the judiciary said, but ordered retrials for three others on death row in the same case.

The Supreme Court’s decision came after a lower court sentenced an 18-year-old to death in a separate case related to the protests sparked by the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on September 16.

Following a review, the appeals of Mohammad Mahdi Karami and Seyed Mohammad Hosseini “were not found to be valid, so their sentences were upheld and approved,” the Supreme Court said in a statement.

The death sentences against co-accused Hamid Ghare-Hasanlou, Hossein Mohammadi and Reza Aria were overturned “due to the existence of defects in the proceedings,” the court said, adding that they would now be retried.

Amnesty International said Ghare-Hasanlou,

a doctor, and his wife had been “caught up in the chaos” that resulted in the paramilitary’s death.

Prosecutors said that Ruhollah Ajamian, a member of the Basij paramilitary force, was stripped naked and killed in Karaj, west of Tehran, on November 3 during a commemoration for slain protester Hadis Najafi.

The court also ordered retrials for 11 other defendants handed lengthy prison terms in the case.

The Supreme Court decision came as a lower court sentenced Mehdi Mohammadifard to death after convicting him of the capital offences of “corruption of earth” and “enmity against God,” the judiciary’s Mizan Online news website said.

Mohammadifard was found guilty of “committing arson, destroying public property, colluding and conspiring to commit a crime against the country’s security and inciting people to cause insecurity,” Mizan said.

10 People Dead in Indian Kashmir in a Week Ten people have died in explosions and shootings that occurred in recent days in Indian-controlled Kashmir, local officials said.

Two children — a 5-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl — were killed, and five other civilians were injured in a bomb blast in the Rajouri district on Monday. A day earlier, four people were killed in a shooting by unidentified armed assailants on civilian homes in Dangri village, according to the local police.

On Wednesday, fighting at a security checkpoint in Jammu city left four attackers dead, officials said.

The attacks have taken place in the mostly Hindu-populated parts of Kashmir.

Manoj Sinha, the New Delhi-appointed lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir, has announced ex-gratia (sympathy) payments of about $12,000 for the next of kin of each civilian killed in the recent attacks.

The violence has prompted protests in Rajouri and other parts of Kashmir as Indian officials pledge swift action against the rebels.

Meanwhile, some people have protested against power outages in different parts of Kashmir.

US House Lawmakers Deny Kevin McCarthy Speakership on First Ballot A band of arch-conservative US lawmakers voted Tuesday against a fellow Republican, Kevin McCarthy, to become the next speaker of the US House of Representatives, denying him a first-ballot victory as the 118th session

of the Congress opened.

It was the first time in 100 years that neither a Republican nor Democrat won the House speakership on the first round of voting to become the leader of the 435-member chamber.

A second ballot was underway, but it was unclear whether enough of McCarthy’s opponents would abandon their opposition to him and, in turn, vote for him.

Republicans will hold a narrow 222-212 majority in the House, with one current vacancy, requiring McCarthy, a California lawmaker for 16 years, to win at least 218 votes to claim the speakership. Under a provision in the US Constitution, he also would become second in the line of succession to the US presidency.

But 19 Republicans, many of them in recent weeks expressing the view that McCarthy was not conservative enough to lead House Republicans, voted for other Republican lawmakers, including representatives Andy Biggs and Jim Jordan, two vocal opponents of Democratic President Joe Biden.

Somalia Hiring 3,000 Teachers After Quadrupling Education Budget Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced Sunday the country would hire a record 3,000 new teachers to try to bridge a wide education gap. The move follows a four-fold increase in the Somali ministry of education’s budget for 2023. But critics note funding for education is still poor and that insecurity and poverty have pushed the majority of Somali children out of school.

President Mohamud’s New Year’s Day budget announcement marked one of Somalia’s most ambitious education campaigns in years.

Mohamud said Somalia will hire 3,000 more teachers this year to address a shortage that has hindered learning.

In an interview with VOA, Somalia’s Ministry of Education Director General Mohamed Hassan says the teachers are sorely needed.

He says one thousand teachers are on the government payroll in Mogadishu and all the regional states combined for the past five years. Hassan says the ministry’s latest report shows only a quarter of school-age children have access to education.

Hassan says the new teachers will be recruited with priority given to areas of Somalia that have little access to education.

He says special opportunities will be given to districts where there are very few school students and also to areas where the Khawarij were dislodged.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 • T H I S D AY

43

44

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 •T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 • T H I S D AY

45

46

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 •T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 • T H I S D AY

47

48

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 •T H I S D AY

49

WEDNESDAY, ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

DIRI PAYS NEW YEAR VISIT TO DICKSON...

L-R: Former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Chief Seriake Dickson; Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri; his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, and Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, during the New Year visit of the former governor to his successor’s country home at Sampou community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area... yesterday

Let's Join Hands to Rebuild Nigeria, Diri, Obaseki Urge G5 Govs Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri and his Edo counterpart, Godwin Obaseki, yesterday called on the G-5 governors of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join hands with the party in its rescue mission to rebuild the country.

The governors made the call in an interview with journalists shortly after a courtesy visit to the PDP vice presidential candidate and Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, at his home in Owa-Alero, Ika North-East Area of the state.

According to them, the PDP has not foreclosed speaking with the G5 governors because we want a strong and united party that will rekindle the hope of Nigerians.

They said that their brother governors in the G5 should be part of their party and work with every other person in the party to ensure a landslide victory for the PDP in the general elections.

"We want a united PDP and at all times, when we meet, we are always focused on the unity of the party and we are not foreclosing speaking to our brothers. Even today, we talked about that.

"We are still calling on our

brothers to be part of their own party and work in unity with every other person. So, we are not foreclosing anything.

"We still want our brother governors so that we can visit them the way we have visited

our colleague here in Delta, who

by God's grace, will be the next Vice President of this country," they said.

They disclosed that they were at the country home of the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate to

felicitate with him and wish him good tidings in the new year.

"We are here to visit our brother and by the grace of God, the incoming Vice President of the country to wish him good tidings, wish him well for the new year

Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, yesterday said his administration has fulfilled its promise not to owe workers’salaries in the state.

Akeredolu, who disclosed that his administration has already paid up to November, 2022, explained that the December salary was delayed on the advice of the labour leaders to allow workers meet new year financial obligations.

The governor who spoke at the annual prayer meeting with public servants on the first working day of the year, held in Akure, assured the workers that the December salary would soon be paid, while promising that the one month remaining from the inherited seven months salary arrears would also be paid before the end of his tenure.

He said: “As you are aware, you received three alerts in December.

We paid October and November, 2022. You also received leave bonus.

We would have paid December, but the Labour leaders advised that we delay it till January to allow you meet financial obligations.

governors to sheath their swords and join hands in enhancing the electoral fortunes of the party in this year's general election, even as he expressed optimism that the PDP will emerge victorious at the polls.

NNPP National Chairman Advises Parties, Candidates to Accept Outcomes of Elections Urges Nigerians not to despair, reject ‘this is my turn’ politicians Chuks Okocha in Abuja The National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Prof.

Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali yesterday charged political parties and their presidential candidates to accept the outcome of the presidential elections next month without recourse to judiciary processes for the sake of growing the nascent democracy in Nigeria.

As the nation moves towards the general elections, he said, "we do

hope that the challenges we face today will serve as lessons for all Nigerians not to repeat the grievous mistakes of 2015."

In a new year statement, which he issued in Abuja, the National Chairman of the NNPP stated: "All political leaders must also be bound to accept the verdict of the electoral umpire and on no account should anyone come afterwards to undermine the credibility of the forthcoming 2023 elections, because the whole world is watching.

"We must do everything to possible redeem our image in the global community. I wish to call on all Nigerians to stand out to be counted, particularly at this point in our nation's history," he added.

Alkali, who was also a former National Publicity of the PDP added: "I call on Nigerians not to despair nor lose hope in our country and our democracy because, no matter the flipside of democracy, it is still the best system of government that allows citizens to participate in the

Akeredolu: We’ve Fulfilled Our Promise Not to Owe Workers Salaries Fidelis David in Akure

and pray that God Almighty will make our dreams come through this new year," they said.

Earlier in an interview with journalists, the Delta North Senatorial candidate of the PDP, Prince Ned Nwoko, enjoined the G5

“Students will resume soon.

We will pay school fees. Also, we inherited seven months salary arrears, we paid six. Before I leave office, I will pay the remaining one."

The Governor who noted that in spite of the State’s lean resources, his administration would continue to do more and not shy away from its responsibility, said he was glad to hear good testimonies on payment of salaries, prompt promotion, regular elevation, payment of inherited salary arrears and leave bonus.

On the general elections, the governor called on civil servants and the people at large to play by the rules while exercising their franchise at the poll.

“Let me reiterate for the umpteenth time that public servants are not expected to be involved in partisan politics. Absolute loyalty and commitment should be the watchword of the service. Again, political discourse should be civil with decorum and in statutory manner. You will note that our administration has insulated the bureaucracy from partisan politics".

Earlier, the Head of Service,

Kayode Ogundele disclosed that 8,415 public servants across the state were promoted with financial benefits in 2022.

“The present administration, in a bid to reduce shortfall in the workforce, has continued to recruit fresh hands in the critical areas of need. For instance, 52 temporary

staff of the Ondo State Emergency Medical Services Agency (ODEMSA) were recently given permanent appointments. Moreover, Ondo State workers and retirees have had a new lease of life under this administration.

Continues online

selection of their leaders.

"Our democracy may not be perfect. Truth is that no democracy is perfect. Democracy in fact is a process, that involves a series of actions and interactions and democracy is a goal all nations seek to achieve.

Indeed, here in Nigeria democracy is work in progress."

He further stated, "As the political transition program advances, we have noted with deep concern the widespread news of some politicians violently attacking their opponents. This is not supposed to be so. We equally condemn the killings of INEC personnel and the massive destruction of INEC assets nationwide.

"These undemocratic forces must be urgently tamed to ensure peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections.

We call on all Nigerian security agencies to stand firm against those politicians who are bent on abandoning the rules that guide our electoral processes, just as they have subverted the agreements signed by all the leaders of political parties and their presidential candidates on 27th September 2022, under the close watch of the National Peace Committee.”

Speaking further, Alkali commended INEC for doing everything possible to modernise and transform the Nigerian election system despite all the challenges and obstacles.

“We trust INEC will continue to record even more overwhelming successes as it continues to introduce new technologies and modern strategies into the election process.

“It must however do everything possible to avoid unnecessary mistakes that might threaten the credibility of the elections", the national chairman of the NNPP stated.

Alkali called on all political party leaders, civil society organisations, the media, the Ulamahs, the Clergies and all other critical stakeholders in Nigeria to stand on the side of the rule of law and justice, saying, "We must all work together to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2023" According to the NNPP National Chairman, "Yes, our religions, our ethnicity, and our regions are essential and integral parts of our society, but the devaluation of politics into the issues of religion and ethnicity is not what the country needs today.

Continues online

Sahara Group Unveils Initiative to Enhance Sustainability in Africa, Others Peter Uzoho Energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group, has flagged off the 'Responsibly Sahara' initiative to enhance the organisation’s sustainability footprint across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

The Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group, Ejiro Gray, said in a statement, yesterday, that the initiative would embody Sahara Group’s march towards greening its operations progressively to promote access to clean energy and environmental sustainability.

“The Responsibly Sahara initiative represents our very deliberate commitment to sustainability right

from the Board, Management, and business leaders to our next generation of young graduate management trainees. It is our insignia for sustainability, our enduring call to action to over 6,000 Sahara Group employees to always make a difference when it comes to securing the future today,” she said.

Gray said Sahara Group would continue to channel investments towards shoring up its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) footprint across the energy conglomerate’s upstream, midstream, downstream, power and infrastructure businesses.

According to her, Sahara’s membership of leading global

Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) research organisation, CO2CRC demonstrates its commitment to reducing its emissions footprint and building a more sustainable business model.

“We are happy to lead the quest for a just and equitable energy transition in Africa by subjecting our operations and processes to the highest sustainability standards as well as supporting and investing in initiatives that will help galvanise more action towards clean energy for all,” Gray added.

She maintained that Sahara Foundation, the group’s social responsibility vehicle, had since streamlined its activities to drive

the overarching sustainability focus of Sahara.

“Promoting access to energy and sustainable environments are the key focus areas of Sahara Foundation and we have already implemented a number of projects towards this objective," she added.

Sahara Foundation launched the Sahara STEAMers Programme—an initiative that encourages young African students to explore ways of proffering solutions to global issues through Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). The initiative which kicked off last year in Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda, is set to expand into more African countries from 2023.

50

WEDNESDAY, ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE...

L-R: Rev. Fr. Emeka Ngwoke; Governor of Enugu State and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu North Senatorial District, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; son of Engr. Vita Abba, the PDP candidate for Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Chinonso Abba; his new wife, Chimdalu; Abba and his wife, Obiageli, during Chinonso and Chimdalu's traditional marriage, in Ovoko, IgboEze South Local Government Area... yesterday

Disquiet in APC as Two Members Resign from Party, PCC Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Less than two months to the February 25 presidential election, two members of the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have resigned their membership of the party and the campaign council.

The development, however, has caused some disquiet within the ruling party as the duo cited different reasons for their resignation.

The Assistant Secretary of the North Central Directorate of Mobilisation, Ahmed Ibeto, in a letter dated January 3, 2023, addressed to APC Ibelu Central Ward, Magama Local Government, Niger State, said his resignation was due to lack of unity of purpose and unending litigation, among others.

"I write you with all sense of humility, respect and regards as the Chairman of APC, Ibelu Central Ward to convey to you the resignation of my membership of All Progressives Congress from today 3rd January, 2023.

"Mr. Chairman, with my many years of active participation in politics and as a former party administrator, and elected official into many political offices, I have come to this conclusion for many reasons.

"Chiefly among which are the absence of unity of purpose among party members and stakeholders occasioned by internal conflicts, unending litigations, internal

threats and counter threats of anti-party activities, lack of genuine reconciliation, couple with lack of commitments and dedications to the success of the party by many stakeholders. For these obvious reasons, I concluded that I cannot continue to be a member of the party," he said.

By the resignation, he submitted he stated thus, "I cease to be a member of the Presidential Campaign Council, Assistant Secretary of the North Central Directorate of

Mobilization and all organs and committees of the party."

On his part, a member of the Directorate of Youth Mobilisation, North East, Zanna Ali, said his resignation was based on the inability of APC to present a credible presidential candidate, according to a letter dated January 1, 2023 and addressed to the secretary of the Council, Hon. James Faleke.

Ali said he decided to put national interest above personal desire, hence, his decision to resign

The governorship candidate of the Labour Party, in Abia State, Alex Otti, says time has come to reclaim Abia from "rudderless leadership" plaguing the state for over two decades.

He stated this in a message to the people of Abia, saying that voting the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) out of Government House Umuahia should be achieved in 2023.

The Labour Party governorship flag bearer called on Abia electorate to vote for good governance, describing 2023 as a "crucial" year "when you and I shall have the great opportunity we have been

my resignation as a member of the committee forthwith."

Ali stressed that his resignation applied to all other APC presidential and APC support groups campaigning for the party's candidate, Bola Tinubu/Kashim Shettima, noting that he had been a loyal party member from 2015 to date, with numerous contributions to the party especially, in the 2019 presidential campaigns.

"I am grateful to my former party and my principal in the

party for my appointment as a member of the Committee, it is indeed a great honour for me to be part of the committee, but I believe that the National interest supersedes my personal interest.

“And based on the inability of the party to present a credible candidate for Nigerians is another reason why I took my decision as a concerned Nigerian. On this note, I resolved to resign my appointment as a Member of the committee," he said.

Ogun Tragedy: Police Recover Corpse of Murdered Couple’s Son James Sowole in Abeokuta The Police in Ogun State yesterday recovered the corpse of Oreoluwa Fatinoye, the son of the couple who were killed by yet-to-be-identified assassins in Abeokuta, the state capital on New Year day.

The decomposing corpse of the young man, who was kidnapped along with a housemaid by assailants, who killed his parents, was recovered from Ogun River after a fisherman, discovered it floating on the river.

Oreoluwa's parents, Kehinde and Bukola Fatinoye were gruesomely murdered by yet-to-be-identified persons in the early hours of Sunday, January 1.

It was gathered that the assailants, after killing the couple, set

their corpse and the house, within the Ibara Government Reservation Area (GRA), Abeokuta, ablaze.

The killers were said to have trailed the couple to their residence from their church, where they had attended the crossover service to usher in the new year.

It was further gathered that, the husband, Kehinde Fatinoye was a staff member of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), while the wife, Bukola was a staff member of the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNNAB), Abeokuta.

The couple, who were burnt beyond recognition were on Monday buried amidst tears by symphatisers, family and friends.It was observed that, both hands of Oreoluwa were tired with rope to the back.

The fisherman, Idowu Taiwo, said

Otti: Time to Reclaim Abia from PDP's Rudderless Leadership Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

his membership of the party.

His letter stated: "I humbly wish to write and inform your respected office that, I, Zanna Bukar Ali, a member of the Presidential Campaign Council, Directorate of National Youth Mobilisation under the distinguished Leadership of His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello, the National Coordinator of the National Youth Mobilization of the PCC with serial number 51, National Youth Mobilization, North East Directorate wish to tender

yearning for to reclaim our dear state of Abia."

Otti added that Abia would be returned "to the path of peace, growth and development after many several years of rudderless leadership that has severely affected the welfare and well-being of millions of Abians," if elected.

The renowned economist and banker explained that he remains committed to ending maladministration in Abia since 2015 "when the mandate you passionately and unanimously gave to us was brazenly snatched away by the oppressors," engaging in "taking practical measures geared towards ensuring that those who have seized our commonwealth in Abia are not allowed to continually

enjoy underserved affluence while insulting our sensibilities."

The gubernatorial hopeful appraled to Abia electorate to cast their ballots for him and his party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi during the 2023 general election.

He pledged "to render selfless and people-oriented service to our state and her people," adding that the task of reclaiming Abia is tough, "hence the need for us to increase our resolve and redouble our efforts."

Otti added, "I am prepared more than ever to align with other like minds to ensure that those holding our state down do not have any single opportunity to steal your vote in 2023 moreso, given the change in the electoral laws and process."

he discovered the body floating on the river while he was preparing for the day's work.

He said: "On Monday, we heard that someone was thrown into this river, but this morning while we were preparing for work, the police approached us and pleaded with us to inform them any time we discover the body.

"But, this morning, around 7.30,

we discovered the body while we were checking on our equipment in the river. I called someone to help us get the number of the PPRO to tell him that we have discovered the body.

"Not long after, the police came and we showed them the body after we had brought to the river bank. "The Police later took the corpse of Oreoluwa away in the

presence of the family member of the Fatinoyes.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi said, the police had commenced investigation to unravel the mystery behind the death of the Fatinoyes.

Oyeyemi said: “A suspect has been arrested in connection to the incident,” he said.

Ikeja Electric Partners Civil Defence on Safety of Power Distribution Equipment Peter Uzoho Lagos-based Ikeja Electric Plc (IE) has collaborated with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as part of its efforts to ensure safety of equipment for stable electricity supply across its network.

Speaking during a meeting with the Lagos State NSCDC Command, the Head, Legal and Regulatory, Ikeja Electric, Babatunde Osadare, commended the agency and the Nigerian Police for their tremendous support towards protecting the Disco's infrastructure and ensuring that vandals were arrested and prosecuted.

Applauding efforts of the Civil Defence, Osadare stated that it was important to let the agency know that vandalism was still on the increase, hence the need to urgently intervene.

He stated that those nefarious activities were sabotaging the company's efforts to provide excellent service delivery, adding that the affected communities might experience extended power outage due to the acts of vandals.

According to him, Ikeja Electric

was looking forward to a more robust collaborative working relationship with all law enforcement agencies and community associations in 2023, especially on the issues of vandalism, Illegal connections, energy theft and all forms of illegal activities within its coverage areas.

Osadare stated that the company was taking very aggressive steps to meter all its customers but was also concerned about the high incidence of meter by-pass, illegal connection or reconnection; acts that sabotage proper energy accounting and efficient service delivery.

He stressed the fact that the issues were so grave that they robbed the value chain of the critical revenue required to effectively drive the power sector and and should therefore be condemned and discouraged by well-meaning members of the society.

He admonished everyone to be vigilant and apprehend anyone found to be carrying out illegal acts around IE infrastructure for prosecution by the police.

Also speaking at the event, IE's Chief Security Officer, Michael Igbodipe, who stated that the

main reason why people vandalise electricity infrastructure was because there is market for the stolen items, which makes it very crucial for stakeholders to focus on all those involved in these racketeering to enable them record meaningful result.

He suggested that while the company continues to sensitise all stakeholders, there was need for more collaboration with security agencies to identify those trading in vandalised electricity assets including corporate organisations who provide the platform and support for the trade.

While assuring customers of IE's commitment to ensure excellence customer experience, he advised community leaders and customers to take ownership of electrical facilities in their locality and protect same against vandalism.

He urged them to avoid all forms of illegal connections carried out by third party technicians, because illegal connections will result in electrical hazards such as fire outbreak, damage to equipment and electrocution; and persons caught in the act shall be prosecuted.

51

WEDNESDAY, ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

AT TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE CEREMONY OF ENUGU STATE DEPUTY GOVERNOR'S DAUGHTER...

L-R: Senator Ben-Collins Ndu; former Enugu State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Peter Mbah, at the traditional marriage ceremony of the daughter of the deputy governor of the state, Mrs Joy Ezeilo, at Umana-Ndiagu, Ezeagu LGA... yesterday.

Oyelese: APC Beyond 2023 Will Take Nigeria Back to Stone Age Loyalists propose walk for Atiku in Ibadan Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan A former Minister of Mines and Steel, Elder Wole Oyelese, yesterday, warned that another four years of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the country would

return the country to the stone age.

This is as loyalists of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, in Oyo State, have proposed a walk tagged, 'Freedom March for Atiku', scheduled for today (Wednesday)

in Ibadan, the state capital.

Oyelese, who addressing journalists on behalf of prominent members of PDP in the state, said during the tenures of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the Nigerian economy was much

Insecurity: Buhari Has Okayed Technology Deployment in S’East, Says Uzodinma Deji Elumoye in Abuja In a deft move to address the wave of insecurity in the South East zone, President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the deployment of advanced technology to tackle security challenges in the area.

Disclosing this to newsmen yesterday after a closed-door meeting with President Buhari at the State House, Abuja, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State said he had come to appeal to the president to approve technology deployment to enable the zone deal effectively with the security menace.

According to him, with the president’s approval, advanced surveillance equipment wouldsoon be delivered to the region that would enhance the fight against insecurity without collateral damage.

His words: "I appealed to Mr. President for further support, to support us with some technological deployments, we have planned to be able to do an advanced kind of security control in the South East.

And he has also given his approval to that.

“And in a moment from now, we'll be getting some surveillance equipment and some modern technologies that will help us manage security so that we can fight crime with little or no collateral damage to the environment.”

Uzodinma said he was also in Abuja to thank the president for what he has done for the region, including the recent conversion of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri to a University Teaching Hospital for the Federal University of Technology, and the approval for conversion of Alvan Ikoku College of Education to a Federal College of Education.

Adding that he came to visit the president on behalf of his people,

Uzodinma said it was “also to thank him for the various support he gave to us during this our period of security challenges and the support he's also given to us in terms of the various approvals.

“The approval to convert Federal Medical Center, Owerri to a University Teaching Hospital for the Federal University of Technology; the approval that converted Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri to a Federal College of Education.

“Only two weeks ago, Igbo that came home from Lagos and outside South East enjoyed the benefit of the second Niger Bridge, something

that is worthy of commendation.”

Speaking on expectations for Imo State in the New Year, the governor stated, “Well, my people are enthusiastic and committed Nigerians and we believe in the unity of the country. And we believe that for us to grow as a people, we need the support and cooperation of federal government, and that, I've always stood for.

"So, going forward, I know 2023 will be better than 2022. And the level of development, we witnessed from 2020 to 2022 will be improved upon. And my people have seen a lot of thing.”

better than what was currently experiencing.

According to him, the freedom march in support of Atiku would have supporters from across the state assembling at the Total Garden area of Ibadan from 8.am,marching to the ancient Mapo Hall, where prominent members of the party would give speeches and justify to members of the public why they should vote for the presidential candidate of the party on February 25.

The former minister, while accusing the APC of moving the country backward, lamented that Nigerians were going to bed hungry every night and still had to sleep with only one eye closed, because of insecurity across the country, insisting that prices of goods and services had also sky-rocketed and become unaffordable for the majority of the people.

He therefore, insisted that another four years of APC in government would take Nigeria back to the stone age, admonishing the citizens to vote for all candidates of the PDP in the general election.

"Since the return of democracy in 1999, Nigerians can now see the dif-

ference between the PDP government and the APC government. During the Obasanjo and Jonathan years, when PDP was in power at the centre, the Nigerian economy was much better than what it is now Nigerians never had to suffer like this. Now that Nigerians have experienced the APC government and what they got was unimaginable suffering.

The difference is clear.

"Our people are going to bed hungry every night and they still have to sleep with only one eye closed, because of insecurity as bandits, terrorists and common criminals prowl the land in search of victims. Prices of goods and services have sky-rocketed and become unaffordable for majority of our people.

"The Buhari administration has piled up debt. The infrastructural deficit can be seen in the absence of the most basic amenities. Most of our people are unemployed. Young Nigerians have no choice but to dabble into cybercrime known as yahoo yahoo, while others are fleeing Nigeria in droves. We are virtually in a hopeless situation. Another four years of APC will throw Nigeria

into the stone age.

"But there is hope. Atiku Abubakar is will rescue Nigeria from bondage and suffering. He is tried, tested and the most experienced among the leading presidential candidates. He will hit the ground running from day one as president, because Nigeria is experiencing a harrowing socioeconomic situation and does not need an apprentice president.

“Atiku Abubakar is a detribalised pan-Nigerian, a bridge builder with longstanding friends and associates in every nook and cranny of Nigeria, who is acceptable to all ethnic groups and religious bodies in Nigeria. He has the best ideas on how to rescue Nigeria from the years of ruin and damage caused by APC. Help us to spread the message that Atiku Abubakar is country's only hope for a better Nigeria," he said.

Other leaders present at the press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, included former Minister of (State), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; former deputy governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, Mr. Femi Babalola and Dr. Abiodun Raufu, among others.

ready to reconsider the president's proposal to securitise the federal government’s outstanding Ways and Means balance at the CBN. According to him, "We are already considering that but let me tell you where the problem is: while we are trying to consider and pass the request we will insist on getting the right documents for our committees to ensure that whatever they advise us to do in the two chambers are based on information and knowledge and not just passing the ways and means without knowing what it is".

Addressing newsmen, Gbajabiamila justified the increase in the budget size by the National Assembly, saying it is done in the interest of the public.

According to Gbajabiamila, "If you understand constitutional democracy, there are different layers of government. And it's called separation of powers. Ours is for us to receive proposals and that's why they're called proposals.

Anywhere in the world, it is now

for the National Assembly or the legislature.

"We need to collate all those proposals, look at what's on ground in the in the various constituencies. And we have during budget defense, we have ministries, we have departments, we have agencies that come to talk to us. And we looked at the reality on ground and what they have before them. And whether or not they can actually, execute their mandate as per their ministries and departments.

"It now behooves on the National Assembly, where it dims it fit for us to adjust figures, either downwards or upwards. And that's exactly what we have done.

"You see the problem with the National Assembly is that you can't win to lose. If you return the budget the exact way, it is you're called rubber stamp. If you do what you're supposed to do and adjust figures for the good of the country. You call it jacking up or inflation, or padding.

BUHARI SIGNS N21.83TRN 2023 BUDGET, DEFERS FINANCE BILL the gains of the reforms, we must expedite action and conclude work on the Organic Budget Law for it to become operational before the end of this administration.”

He acknowledged that “these are challenging times worldwide.”

The president expressed appreciation to God for His Grace, while commending the continuing resilience, understanding and sacrifice of Nigerians in the face of economic challenges.

He assured, “As this administration draws to a close, we will accelerate the implementation of critical measures aimed at further improving the Nigerian business environment, enhancing the welfare of our people and ensuring sustainable economic growth over the medium- to long-term.”

Speaking with newsmen after the ceremony, the senate president said he was hopeful that the implementation of the 2023 Appropriation Act would start in earnest as he claimed time was of essence Lawan said, "It is our hope

that implementation will start as soon as possible, because time is of essence, and the main reason for passing the budget at record time is to ensure implementation in good time.

"We have also increased the duration, the life of the 2022 Appropriation Act, to end on the 31st of March, we believe that the simultaneous implementation of the 2022 appropriation bill, including the supplementary and, of course, the 2023 Appropriation Act, should be done in such a way that the economy of this country we reflected before the next government comes in.

"Ours is for us to focus on the next five months or so, we still have something worthwhile to do, even though both chambers have done almost all of what we considered our legislative agenda."

Lawan assured that the National Assembly would in the next five months focus on how to generate more revenue to address the deficit budgeting in the country.

According to him, "Nigeria faces challenges of revenue. And this is going to be our focus. This is going to be what the National Assembly, both chambers will ensure that we get revenues, we find more sources, better sources, stabilise resources and, of course, look into some of the legislations and some of the waivers and concessions granted to see whether or not they deserve to continue to be implemented in a manner they were approved. Or we need to reverse that because we need money in our country.

“But that is not to say that we should raise taxes that will be out of the roof as to cause problem for our citizens. But I believe that as a National Assembly, in the next five months, we must be looking at increasing the funds available to government and also ensuring that deficit budget is minimised in the next assembly by the grace of God." The senate president also stressed that the National Assembly was

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

52

NEWS

OSUN HOLDS INTER-RELIGIOUS SERVICE…

L-R: SecretarytoOsunStateGovernment,HonTeslimIgbalaye;DeputyGovernor,PrinceKolaAdewusi,andGovernor, SenatorAdemolaAdeleke,duringthe2023inter-religiousserviceheldinOsogbo…yesterday

Okowa Condemns Killing of Medical Doctor in Oghara Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday condemned the murder of the proprietor and medical director of Olivet Clinic in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, Dr. Uyi Iluobe, by unknown assailants.

The reaction of governor Okowa, who is also the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was coming on the heels of a meeting with members of the state chapter of Nigerian

Medical Association (NMA) by the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Ari Ali, in his office in Asaba, on the incident.

In a statement at the end of the meeting, the Delta State Police Command spokesman, Mr. Bright Edafe, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), the police stated that there was no iota of truth in the rumour that some relations of a patient who allegedly died in the said private hospital had attacked and hacked the young medical doctor to death.

Enugu Workers Appeal for Better Welfare Package Workers in Enugu State have appealed to the state government on improved welfare package in 2023 to cushion the effect of inflation in the country.

Some of the workers who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) yesterday said their salaries could no longer afford them some essential commodities.

Although they commended Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for the payment of the minimum wage, they said that things are still difficult for them.

They said that with better palliatives, their morale would be boosted and improved service delivery would be guaranteed.

A staff member of the Enugu State Ministry of Environment, who pleaded anonymity, said civil

servants in the state are suffering due to economic hardship.

He appealed to the government to pay leave and 13th month allowances to improve welfare of workers in the state.

“I am happy that work has resumed in the State today(yesterday) and I thank and appreciate God for seeing us through.

“My appeal this New Year is for government to look into the salaries they pay to workers in the state.

“They should also look at the issue of promotion and conversion and ensure it is done as expected,’’ he said.

A member of staff of the Enugu Magistrates` Court who simply gave her name as Tonia said their majority challenge was insecurity.

2023: Gombe Gov Inaugurates APC Campaign Council’s Directorates Segun Awofadeji in Gombe Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has Inaugurated nine Directorates under the Gombe State All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council with a charge on members to forge a common front in pursuit of overwhelming victory for the party at all levels.

The inaugurated directorates include those of Contact and Mobilisation with Kabiru Usman Kukandaka as Chairman while Abubakar Dantata and Sa’ad Hassa will serve as Deputy Chairman and Secretary respectively; Finance and Administration with Arch.

Yunusa Yakubu as Chairman,

Dr. Mohammed Isa Umar, Deputy Chairman and Mohammed Gambo Magaji as Secretary.

Others are: Planning and Research with Meshack Audu Lauco, Danjuma Mele, Deputy Chairman and Dr. Mohammed Bello Secretary; Media and Publicity: Ismaila Uba Misilli Chairman, Salamatu Wambai, Deputy Chairman and Moses Kyari, Secretary.

The Directorate of Youths is headed by Abubakar Aminu Musa with Auwalu Baba Jada as Deputy and Danjuma Skada as Secretary while that of Women Mobilization has Zainab Abubakar Alman as Chairman, Indo Puma, Deputy and Laraba Abdulkadir Abdulrasheed as Secretary.

“Police preliminary investigation showed that no patient in the medical clinic died on the December 29, 2022 when the doctor was murdered,” Edafe said.

However, Governor Okowa, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa

Ifeajika, charged the security agencies to carry out full investigation into the killing, which he described as “barbaric and reprehensible.”

The governor said that the killing of the medical doctor was unjust and unprovoked, adding that it was an act by

agents against peace and progress in the state, adding that it should be condemned by every well-meaning person in the state and beyond.

While commiserating with the family of the deceased, he called on residents in the state to be vigilant and report

all crime-related activities to security agencies.

Okowa said: “On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn Dr Uyi Iluobe, a hardworking medical practitioner who was gruesomely murdered a few days ago by agents of darkness.

2023 Elections: FRSC Boss Assures Voters of Adequate Logistics The newly appointed Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dauda Biu, has assured Nigerians of adequate logistics during the 2023 general elections.

Biu gave the assurance during his decoration by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, yesterday in Abuja.

The Corps Marshal said the

FRSC had always supported the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during elections.

He assured the voters that the year 2023 election would not be an exception as the Corps was prepared to ensure free and fair elections nationwide.

Biu said a fleet of vehicles would be deployed to assist INEC to move equipment and ballot papers.

According to him, the Corps normally supports INEC during elections in terms of crowd control and management of the election process. “We also participate in training drivers of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and other unions who are usually engaged by INEC to work for them.

“We train them and certify their vehicles before they can move the vehicles or even participate in the

election.

“All these should be expected from us as we have two committees in INEC. We have the standing committee and the logistics committee and our officers are part of the process.

“We have vehicles that we will deploy so that materials can get to the polling booths on time and we also have men that will man the polling booths,” he said.

Ekiti Council Chair Tasks Law Makers on Full Autonomy for LGAs Gbenga Sodeinde In Ado Ekiti The Chairman, Ajoni Local Government Development Council (LCDA), in Ekiti State, Michael Ogungbemi, has tasked the National Assembly members to give legal backing to the efforts towards realising full autonomy for local councils in Nigeria, saying only full recognition of the third tier of government in the country would guarantee

development and better governance at the grassroots for the people.

The Local government chairman stated this while being presented an award by the Ekiti State chapters of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Correspondents’ Chapel, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), as well as a Lagos-based body, Evergreen Media Consult.

Specifically, Ogungbemi pointed

out that autonomy for the local government is very important, and sacrosanct, adding that “local governments need to be on their own, so that the essence of their creation can be met. So that the people in rural areas can enjoy better life and good governance.”

His words: “We need the National Assembly to look at the constitutional provisions and give roles to local councils in

Nigeria, to be officially recognised by the Nigerian constitution again, for council to develop as it was in time past.”

“If the constitutional amendments are not done to give recognition to the council, the council will still not have a role to play in National government.”

“If local councils want to have full autonomy, it should be done through constitutional instrument by the national assembly.”

VC Decries Exodus of Lecturers over Poor Funding of Public Institutions The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos State, Prof. Charles Ayo, has decried the exodus of many lecturers of tertiary institutions over poor remuneration and funding.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday, Ayo urged the federal and state governments to improve allocation to the education sector to stem

personnel exit and cases of incessant strikes in the country’s tertiary institutions.

The former VC Covenant University, Ota, also appealed to the Nigerian government to do everything within its power to reposition education and return the country to its pride of place and global ranking.

He implored the presidential candidates of political parties in the 2023 elections to prioritise

adequate funding of education and commit a significant allocation of the budget to education, if elected.

“The country needs a government that will pay more attention to education because there cannot be any meaningful development without education.

“We want a government that will be able to end incessant strikes and pay attention to

the education sector.

“It is education that will impact positively on transport, safety, health and even security,” the university don said.

The VC said that if the government after the current administration fails to give education its pride of place, lecturers and other professionals would continue to seek greener pastures and quality education outside the country.

2023: NGO Seeks Braille Ballot Paper for Virtually Impaired A non-governmental organisation (NGO), The Heal Disability Initiative, has advocated for braille ballot papers to enable visually impaired citizens participate in the 2023 general elections.

The NGO’s Executive Director, Mr. Mainas Ayuba, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi yesterday.

“We are advocating for production of ballot papers in

favour of the visually impaired to enable them vote for candidates of their choice.

“This will be better than relying on someone to lead the visually impaired in the process,” he said.

Ayuba said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should ensure friendly user facilities during the election.

He noted that sensitisation on voter education had started in earnest to ensure that eligible

voters participate in the election process.

He also said that meetings were held with Community Based Organisations (CBO) that worked with People With Disabilities (PWD) on voter education in 2022.

“We conducted a meeting with CBOs to ensure that eligible voters collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). We are working on vote buying to protect their civil rights,” the executive

director said.

Meanwhile, INEC’s Gender Officer in the state, Mrs. Naomi Yusuf, said that all adhoc staff would be trained on the use of assisted devices ahead of the 2023 general election.

She said that the device would support people living with disability during the election process.

Yusuf further said that the commission had identified six clusters amongst the PWD.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

53

NEWSXTRA

PUTTING SMILES ON CHILDREN’S FACES ...

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Oladiran Olusegun Adebutu Foundation, Kemi Sokenu-Morris; Former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Sinatu Aderoju Ojikutu; Founder and Chairman, Oladiran Olusegun Adebutu Foundation, Oladiran Olusegun Adebutu, and Chairman, Ave Maria Development Limited, Femi Sokenu, at the Oladiran Olusegun Adebutu Foundation’s Kiddies Fun Fest held in Ikoyi, Lagos… recently ETOP UKUTT

VC Tasks Govt on Sustainable Solution to Recurrent ASUU Strike Funmi Ogundare The Vice Chancellor, of Glorious Vision University (GVU), Ogwa, Edo State, Prof. Adewumi Babatunde Idowu, yesterday called on the federal, state and stakeholders in the education sector to develop a more sustainable and

realistic solution to the perennial problem of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike.

Idowu, who made the call while giving his projections for the education sector in an interview with THISDAY, expressed regret that Nigerian leaders have failed to address the reoccurring issue

of ASUU strike.

He pointed out that universities were shut for almost one year in 2022, but nothing came out of it.

According to him, “nothing except the balkanisation of the unions. Believe me, this action by the federal government is like the Frankenstein monster that will come back and hunt them. More so, denial of salaries has never

helped. It didn’t work for the military. it will never work for any government.”

He stressed the need for governments at all levels to set aside one per cent of Value Added Tax (VAT) in a dedicated account, noting that the fund would be added to the original budget for tertiary education every year.

He recalled that such

discretionary contribution proposed

by ASUU, was what led to the establishment of TETFund, adding, “the government and Nigerians must see our universities as the pivot for national development and the system must be encouraged and empowered to fulfill that mandate.

“IPPIS should be immediately replaced with a payment system

that recognises the peculiarities of higher education. Recent revelations have shown that IPPIS has huge challenges.

“Why is it difficult for the federal government to accept and make use of the payment platform developed by ASUU and Nigerians in particular?” the Professor of Zoology asked.

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

Justice Adekunle Adeleye of the state High Court 5 ruled that Mrs. Adelugba, who is the third defendant in the suit be served through her constituency office in Emure Ekiti or through the wall of Ekiti State House of Assembly which is her last known address.

Aribisogan was impeached by 17 out of 25 Assembly members on November 21 last year for alleged gross misconduct, including allegedly blocking the passage of the Supplementary

Appropriation Bill, bringing hoodlums and ‘witchdoctors’ to the Assembly complex among other unparliamentary activities.

The court further said it would not entertain any frivolous motions on the matter, adding that the matter will be heard timeously and expeditiously because of time and the nature of the matter before court.

Aribisogan was impeached by 17 out of 25 Assembly members on November 21

last year for alleged gross misconduct, including allegedly blocking the passage of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, bringing hoodlums and witchdoctors to the Assembly complex among other unparliamentary activities.

The sacked Speaker approached the court on November 28, 2022, to challenge his impeachment.

The case was adjourned till January 25 for further hearing.

Fire Guts Plateau Specialist Hospital Laboratory Impeachment Saga: Court Grants Substituted Service on Ekiti Speaker Seriki Adinoyi in Jos A fire incident has occurred at the Laboratory section of the Plateau State Specialist Hospital in Jos, destroying property worth millions of naira.

Although no life was lost in the fire incident which reportedly began at 2 a.m. yesterday, a staff of the hospital said the fire wreaked monumental havoc in the hospital, destroying several medical equipment and office appliances valued at millions of naira.

He added that: “The incident

led to commotion among patients hospitalising in the hospital, but we thank God no life was lost.

According to him, “The equipment that are destroyed by this fire are worth millions of naira, it is a huge loss.”

The state Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, recently renovated the hospital and also approved the procurement of some facilities to boost centre.

Efforts to reach the Chief Medical Director of the hospital at the time of sending this report were fruitless.

UN Supports Women Education on Female Genital Mutilation

Yinka Kolawole inOsogbo

HACEY health initiative yesterday in Osogbo, Osun State capital, received support from the United Nations Trust Fund and spotlight initiative to embark on the ‘Stop-cut Project’ on female genital mutilation (FGM) with engagements of 200 women in state.

The community engagement was organised for survivors of FGM in Osun State.

However, 200 women were reached in Iwo and Orolu Local Government Area of the state respectively.

The End FGM Alliance members were engaged as facilitators to re-sensitise the survivors about the law and policy and also to be an advocate for ending FGM in the society.

One of the facilitator, Mr. Adebisi Ademola, shared the ordeal experience he has had in the cause of advocacy against FGM.

Capt Iriakannu-Ajaegbu for Burial JanAccording 6 tothestatement,aburial The family of Hodge IriakannuAjaegbu of Aro Onwuanibe Ajaegbu kindred in Uli, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State has announced the death and burial of their patriarch, Capt C.W Hodge Iriakannu-Ajaegbu (rtd), who passed on recently.

In a statement signed by his son and former National President of All Nigerians in Italy, Samson Hodge, the family said their father, who was born in 1936, served the Nigerian Army meritoriously and was loved by everyone in his community because of his service and commitment to peace and harmony as well as development in Ajaegbu-Onwuanibe Community.

mass will be held on January 6, 2023, at St Theresa’s Catholic Church in Uli, Anambra State by 10 a.m.

The family also eulogised their father for his patriotism and love for his family and service, saying: “He joined the army in 1954, passed out after three years of training serving in different capacities until he was made a paymaster and commissioned a captain before the civil war broke out and delayed his other promotions but as providence will have it, he survived the war still in the Nigerian army and was among the set sent to the United States in Indianapolis to major in Finance and Management.

Ekiti State High Court yesterday granted the application of the former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, for a substituted service on the current Speaker, Mrs. Olubunmi Adelugba.

In a motion ex-parte brought pursuant to order 39 Rule (1) and (2) order 7 Rules(1),(5)(d( and 16(2) of the Ekiti State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2020,

Relief as Senator Facilitates Road Rehabilitation in Ogun James Sowole in Abeokuta Residents of Joga Orile, Ibooro, Imasai and Ibese in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State have experienced relief, as rehabilitation of the 13 kilometre road linking the major towns in the area has commenced The road rehabilitation, which was facilitated by the Senator representing Ogun West in the

National Assembly, Tolu Odebiyi, was sequel to the intervention of the senator as part of his constituency projects.

It was being handled by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture Maintenance and Rural Development.

While speaking on the economic importance of the road project, Odebiyi said when completed, the project

would enhance transportation of agricultural products from farm to markets, and also enhance economic activities in the area.

The senator advised road users to be cautious on the road and cooperate with the workers handling the road rehabilitation, particularly during the festive period.

Odebiyi also enjoined residents to watch over solar

street lights installed around Ayetoro, Igbogila and other communities and ensure that they are not vandalised.

Appreciating Odebiyi for facilitating the project, the Baasi of Joga Orile, Chief Musa Akinbode, said the road rehabilitation project, when completed, would reduce hardship being faced by motorists and commuters on the road.

Women ‘ll Have More Access to Money under Obi Presidency, Wife Says Emameh Gabriel in Abuja Wife of Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Margaret Obi, has assured Nigerian women of their place in her husband’s government, if Peter Obi was elected president in the February 25 poll.

The ex-Anambra first lady, who spoke in a town hall meeting in Abuja, expressed

disappointment that women who made up 49 per cent of the population are often offered the backseat in governance.

According to her, June statistics released by the Independent National Electoral Commission showed that women and youth made up over 75 per cent of registered voters in Nigeria.

“Why then should we suffer

in silence?” she asked. “This is why we are making this call to women, you can and must empower the nation to birth a new Nigeria. When things go bad, women are the ones that suffer the most. I therefore encourage you to look at what the candidates have to offer you as women.”

She explained that the “ObiDatti policies show women

that a new Nigeria where women take their rightful place is possible and that “men have a higher default rate, noting that the Obi-Datti pact with women is that they will ensure increased access to finance for women.

We know that more money in the hands of women, equates to a better life for our children.

We are the ones that are raising the leaders of tomorrow.”

Let’s Seek Divine Guidance for Peace, Archbishop Martins Urges Nigerians The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, has urged all Nigerians to seek divine guidance in the quest for peace in 2023 in order to ensure that the New Year is free from chaos and anarchy.

According to the archbishop, peace remains crucial and inevitable if the country hopes

to reclaim its once enviable position as one of the most peaceful and also one of the fastest developing economies in the world.

In a homily delivered at the 2023 New Year Mass, which was also used to celebrate the 56th World Day of Peace held at the Holy Cross Cathedral in Lagos, the prelate thanked

Almighty God for the gift of the New Year and charged all Nigerians to play active roles in the forthcoming general election by ensuring that they vote in only God-fearing leaders who are capable of leading the country towards the path of prosperity.

While admitting that Nigerians went through very

turbulent experiences in 2022, Archbishop Martins noted that what the country needs now are God-fearing leaders who will wipe away the tears of the citizens.

The cleric equally assured the people that there was nothing too difficult for God to do, as He can turn around seemingly hopeless situations for good.

WEDNESDAY, ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

54

WEDNESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Thousands of Mourners Pay Last Respects as Pele is Laid to Rest Thousands of mourners lined the streets as Brazilian football icon Pele was laid to rest in Santos, the city of his former club.

Pele had been lying in state for 24 hours in the centre of the pitch at the club's Urbano Caldeira stadium for the public to pay their respects.

People crowded the streets on Tuesday as his coffin was carried on a fire truck to a private family funeral.

Pele - a three-time World Cup winner - died at the age of 82 on 29 December.

Arguably the world's greatest ever footballer, he had been receiving treatment for colon cancer since

2021.

Brazil's government declared three days of national mourning after his death, and the country's new president - Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva - travelled to Santos to pay his respects.

Covered with a Brazilian flag, Pele's coffin was carried on a fire truck through the packed roads of fans.

The procession also passed by the house where his 100-year-old mother, Celeste Arantes, still lives.

Santos FC said more than 230,000 people had attended his 24-hour wake in the Vila Belmiro stadium, where a steady stream of mourners

continued through the night.

The funeral cortege ended at the port city's Memorial Cemetery, where a Catholic funeral service held before Pele was interred in a 10-storey mausoleum that holds the Guinness World Record as the tallest cemetery on Earth.

Pele's coffin was paraded through Santos on a fire truck - as is the

Brazilian tradition - while fans accompanied the cortege chanting "Pele, 1,000 goals".

Hundreds of people waved huge banners and were wearing the number 10 shirt he made so famous.

This was a day of mourning for the man Brazilians call their King, but it was clearly a moment

to celebrate him too.

There was joy and happiness on the streets that Pele was - and will always be - Brazil's biggest source of pride.

Deofilo de Freitas was first in the queue at the stadium on Monday, but wanted another chance to see his idol before he was laid to rest.

"Pele was the Pele of the people,

he joined all of us," he said. "It'll be hard to find someone else like him.

"In addition to being the best player in the world, he was a marvelous human being."

Santos FC, where Pele spent the majority of his club career, tweeted: "Our eternal King Pele says goodbye in Vila Belmiro, his home, with his people."

Ronaldo: I am Done Playing in Europe "I won everything, I played for the most important clubs in Europe and now it is a new challenge in Asia" Cristiano Ronaldo says his work in Europe is done, but he had "many opportunities" from other clubs before joining Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.

He joined Al Nassr as a free agent on Friday after leaving Manchester United following a controversial interview in which he criticised the club.

The Portugal captain, 37, said he had offers from clubs in Brazil, Australia, the United States and Portugal.

"I gave my word for this club," he said at his unveiling on Tuesday.

"I won everything, I played for the most important clubs in Europe and now it is a new challenge in Asia."

Ronaldo is reportedly set to receive the biggest football salary in history at more than £177m per year in a deal that runs until 2025.

"As nobody knows, I can say now I had many opportunities in Europe, many clubs in Brazil, Australia, the US, even in Portugal, many clubs tried to sign me,"

Ronaldo told reporters at his first media conference.

Speaking about his contract with the nine-time Saudi Pro League champions, Ronaldo said: "This contract is unique but I'm a unique player, so for me it's normal.

"I know the league is very competitive, I saw many games.

I hope to play after (Wednesday) if the coach thinks there's a chance.

I'm ready to keep playing football."

Al Nassr Head Coach, Rudi Garcia, said signing Ronaldo was "fantastic" for Saudi Arabia.

"In my life, I've seen that great players like Cristiano are the simplest to manage, because there's nothing I can teach him," the Frenchman said.

"My goal, my objective for Cristiano is to make him happy.

I want him to enjoy playing with Al Nassr and winning with Al Nassr."

Following the media conference he posed in his new Al Nassr kit on the club's pitch in front of thousands of fans.

Cristiano Ronaldo passed the medical and was unveiled at Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr...yesterday

Thousands of fans paid tributes to Pele whose coffin was placed on a moving fire truck all through packed Santos streets before interment at the 10-storey mausoleum...yesterday

Osimhen to Resume Search for Capocannoniere at Inter Tonight Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen, will hope to resume from where he stopped after the World Cup break this evening at the Giuseppe Meazza with leaders Napoli visiting Inter Milan.

The Italian Serie A is the fourth of Europe’s top five leagues to resume from the break. Osimhen who was on a prolonged holiday due to the non-qualification of the Super Eagles for the World Cup in Qatar, is the leading top scorer of Serie A with nine goals. The Nigerian striker can increase his tally with another good day in office this evening and help Napoli extend their eight-point lead atop the standings.

Before the Serie A went on break in early November, Osimhen was on target in the last match against Udinese. He rose above the away side’s defence to head home his ninth league goal of 2022/23 season, leaving him as the Italian topflight’s stand-alone leading scorer after 15 matches. Now, in his third season since switching from Lille in the French Ligue 1 to the tough Serie A, the 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup winner with the Golden Eaglets is on the way to becoming the Top Dog in Italy! Ciro Immobile, the top scorer in three of the last five seasons, suffered muscle injuries before November’s interlude, thus limiting his game time in the final six games before the break.

Tonight’s Match day 16 fixture at Inter promises to be full of fireworks with the host aiming to end Napoli’s 15-match unbeaten run. Two Inter players, Andre Onana (Cameroon) and Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) who had better-forgotten performances at Qatar 2022 will hope to hit ground running in the New Year with this

ITALIAN SERIE A testy fixture.

Second-placed AC Milan who are eight points behind the Partenopei are also on the road. They are to lock horns with 12th-placed Salernitana at Stadio Arechi.

Surprisingly, Lukaku whom Osimhen faces in tonight’s game recognises the Nigeria international’s outstanding ability. “(Luciano) Spalletti has done a great job, we have to say,” Lukaku told Sky Sports yesterday. “Osimhen scores many goals and is really strong. Now he's the best striker.

We have to be honest. He's strong, and he's doing really well for Napoli.

“They are first in the standings.

We have respect, but not fear,” observed the bully Belgian who

exited the World Cup without any outstanding feat in the Middle East.

2022 was a significant year for Osimhen despite the challenges in adapting to Spalletti’s needs from a central striker and continued problems with injuries.

The Tuscan-born trainer could extol the centre-forward’s stratospheric talent one week and censure his intermittent inclination to be a one-man band the week later. That ambivalence has pushed the young striker to the top of the scoring charts this season, despite missing four rounds of games through injury.

Giacomo Raspadori thrived in his absence, fulfilling the manager's needs by combining better with teammates in the final third.

Undaunted, Osimhen’s roaring return to action demonstrated he had

Victor Osimhen...back to pick up from where he stopped as Italian Serie A leading scorer on nine goal

not listened to the outside noise and was Napoli’s man for all seasons, even if the Italy international stole the spotlight for several weeks.

The 24-year-old has contributed to a goal in all but one game since returning to action in mid-October, scoring his first Serie A hat-trick in the 4-0 thrashing of Sassuolo at the end of that month.

There may have been no goal involvement in the 2-0 win over Empoli, but the Nigerian won the penalty from which the Partenopei opened the scoring.

That said, the most impressive feature of Osimhen’s campaign has been the decisive execution to back up the final-third menace he has always carried, an added component of the striker’s game to worry Inter’s backline.

The Napoli marksman netted a brilliant winner against Jose Mourinho’s Roma and scored and set up another at Atalanta despite giving away an early penalty at the Gewiss Stadium. Spalletti’s crew won 2-1.

Having Osimhen to call upon at the start of 2023 is a benefit, especially in a month that would see Napoli face Juventus and Roma after playing Inter this week.

Spalletti’s team head into Match day16 unbeaten in Serie A, winning on both visits to Stadio Olimpico and claiming maximum points on their last trip to San Siro in September, defeating AC Milan 2-1, to prove their big-game capabilities.

They would need to pick up where they left off before the intermission to put paid to the Nerazzurri’s unbeaten run in their annual opener that has stood since 2014. That streak has seen Inter claim maximum points in their last three year-opening fixture.

55

WEDNESDAY, ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

SPORTS

Dogged Newcastle Hold Arsenal to Share Points at Emirates Newcastle United frustrated Premier League leaders Arsenal to earn a point with a dogged goalless draw display at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

Arsenal were hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table to 10 points but found themselves drawn into an attritional and dogged encounter by a Newcastle United side with top four ambitions of their own.

Chances were at a premium and Newcastle's Joelinton arguably wasted the best of all when he headed wide with the goal at his mercy in first-half stoppage time.

Arsenal went close through defender Gabriel and forward Gabriel Martinelli, who both sent headers narrowly off target, while Newcastle keeper Nick Pope made a crucial late save with his legs from Eddie Nketiah.

The Gunners also appeared to have a clear penalty claim rejected when Gabriel was hauled back by Dan Burn.

The game descended into a scrappy affair with seven yellow cards and the deadlock remained unbroken, with Arsenal's lead now eight points despite being held at home.

Elsewhere on the night, Marcus Rashford scored again as Manchester

PREMIER LEAGUE

United stretched their winning run in all competitions to six games with a comfortable 3-0 victory over a hapless Bournemouth in the Premier League.

The England international tapped into an empty net after a Bruno Fernandes pass to score in a three successive Old Trafford league games for the first time.

His goal rounded off the scoring after Casemiro latched onto a Christian Eriksen free-kick with a beautifully cushioned volley to put Erik ten Hag's side ahead half way through the first half.

They doubled their lead four minutes into the second period as Luke Shaw, playing in his more accustomed left-back role again, swept home an Alejandro Garnacho cut-back to complete a beautiful free-flowing move.

United had started slowly, having a lot of possession in their defensive third but, once they found the opener, a seventh successive home win in all competitions never felt in doubt.

They stay fourth, but join thirdplaced Newcastle on 35 points, and, perhaps most importantly, have opened up a five-point cushion on fifth-placed Tottenham.

Lampard Under Pressure with Another Defeat Arsenal players (left) disputing a call by referee Andrew Madley (blue shirt) during the tension soaked game at the Emirates Stadium...yesterday

Brighton piled the pressure on Everton Manager, Frank Lampard, with an emphatic 4-1 victory at Goodison Park.

Kaoru Mitoma gave the Seagulls the lead with a composed finish

Punter Cries for Justice after Coral Bookmakers Void World Cup Betting Win A punter thought he'd won nearly £15,000 after staking just £10 on a series of World Cup bets - only for one of Britain's biggest bookies to refuse to pay out.

Liam Manifold, 30, from Tutbury, Staffordshire, had already planned how to spend the cash when Coral said it would not hand over the winnings.

The football fan was given odds of 1,495/1 after predicting that Argentina would be crowned overall winners of the World Cup in Qatar, Lionel Messi would be named player of the tournament and France would also make the final.

The delighted maintenance engineer rushed back to the betting shop in Horninglow on November 11, the day after the final, but left empty-handed. Coral said the three bets could not be combined in a multiple bet and that he, not their

employee, wrote the odds on Mr Manifold’s slip.

A spokesman for Coral said the events were 'closely related to each other so the prices offered on them individually could not be included in a multiple bet'.

The bookmaker said it had made a “very fair and generous offer for the settlement of the bet” - said by Mr Manifold to have been just £660.

He was planning to buy his disabled dad a new mobility scooter with the money, as well as put some away for the future.

Mr Manifold said the firm should pay up as his treble bet was accepted without any issue.

He said: “I went to cash in the bet and they said it shouldn't have been placed and offered me £660 for it.

“I've gone through their complaints system, there's no leeway. I've gone to an independent

complaints committee and I'm waiting to hear back from them.

“I've since had different companies contact me saying if that was their company, they'd pay out.

“When I placed the bet the guy behind the counter said it was absolutely fine. They're now saying it's a related bet.

“It's now two weeks after the final and I don't seem to be getting anywhere. If there's an error it's their fault for accepting the bet. It's very frustrating.

“Just under £15,000 for a big betting company is pennies for them, but for me it's a life-changing amount of money.

“My dad's disabled so I was going to buy him a new disability scooter and keep the rest in savings.”

A spokesman for Coral said: “These three events are all closely

Nwagua Becomes Brand Ambassador for Moving Faith Sports Apparel Rivers United striker, Nyima Nwagua, will be the first football and brand ambassador for new sportswear and lifestyle brand, Moving Faith Sports Apparel.

The forward has signed an initial two-year contract with the Christian faith lifestyle brand, Moving Faith Sports Apparrel, based in Lagos.

Nyima played a significant role as Rivers United claimed their first Nigerian title last season and will be a central figure in Moving Faith Sports Apparel's marketing campaigns.

It is a new beginning as the striker steps into his first brand

ambassadorial role in his football career.

Moving Faith Sports Apparel Founder, Ojeikere Aikhoje said: "We are honoured to have the big forward, Nyima Nwagua, as brand ambassador. He is a fantastic addition to our team as we seek to break into the market.

“We share a common desire to turn potential into excellence and we look forward to working with Nyima both on and off the pitch.

"Signing a player of his status and reputation is an important step in executing our overall growth strategy."

Nyima Nwagua commented

on his role: “I am very proud to be part of Moving Faith Sports Apparel family and at a very exciting time for the brand.

"The foundèr shared the vision with me and I realised we share common values. I'm really looking forward to working with the team.

We can grow the brand together."

As Rivers United prepare for domestic and continental campaigns in 2023, Nwagua will play a huge role in the attack.

Nwagua previously played professional football for Lobi Stars as well as Kano Pillars and has represented Nigeria's Super Eagles.

related to each other so the prices that were offered on them individually can't be included in a multiple bet.

“If Argentina and France have made the final, then the odds of Argentina winning it are clearly much shorter than they were at the outset.

“If Argentina have then won the World Cup, the chances of Messi being player of the tournament will be long odds-on.

“So we have settled the bet in the fairest way possible, paying out on the event with the biggest price, an Argentina v France final, at 22/1, and then on the basis that that had happened, we applied the price of Argentina winning the final which

was 10/11 before the game, and then on the basis that Argentina had won the cup, we applied an over generous price on Messi to be player of the tournament at 1/2, as the odds on that happening should Argentina have won the World Cup would have been much shorter.

“The prices on the slip had been written on by the customer not the member of staff.

“We have settled the bet in line with our terms and conditions, and we have made a very fair and generous offer for the settlement of the bet that exceeds what would have been the odds of such an eventuality had a customer asked for rush specific treble on November 11.”

after Moises Caicedo picked out the Japan winger on the edge of the penalty area.

The Toffees, who were fortunate not to fall further behind when teenager Evan Ferguson struck the outside of the post, were booed off at half-time.

But they fell apart completely after the restart as Brighton scored three goals in a remarkable six-minute spell early in the second half.

Ferguson, making his full Premier League debut, side-footed Jeremy Sarmiento's low cross into the top corner before turning provider for Solly March to drill home the Seagulls' third.

Pascal Gross, who coolly beat Jordan Pickford with a chipped finish, then easily intercepted Idrissa Gueye’s atrocious back pass. Demarai Gray converted a late penalty for Everton, but it was nothing more than a consolation on a miserable evening for the hosts and their supporters.

The final whistle was greeted by more boos from the home fans, who have seen their team win only one of their past 10 top-flight games.

Everton could drop into the Premier League's bottom three today if other results go against them, while Brighton move back up to eighth.

Quadri Aruna Joins Russian Club African table tennis champion, Quadri Aruna, has confirmed his transfer from Bundesliga side TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell to Russian champion Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg for the remaining part of the 2022/2023 season.

Late last year, Aruna announced his departure from the German side after two seasons with the Fulda team where he led them to the semi-final of the German Cup as well as Bundesliga play-off.

The Nigerian confirmed yesterday that he would be plying his trade with the Russian champion Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg for the remaining part of the season.

“I was contacted by the Russian club in October 2022 and they had to write to the management of Fulda to express their intention to have me in their fold. They did that and paid the necessary

transfer fee for me to join them this January. But I was also committed to helping Fulda move from the relegation zone in the Bundesliga which we were able to do in our last league match last season to occupy the 12th place in the 16-team league,” he said.

He added: “I love new challenges. I believe playing in the Russian league is another challenge for me having played in Portuguese, French and German leagues since I turned professional.

I am sure I will improve more on my game and I am also ready to help the club remain on top of the Russian league this season.”

Aruna’s new club FakelGazprom Orenburg are three-time ETTU Champions League winners with several records set in the Russian league.

“I was really happy to join the Russian club because when

they approached me it was a bit difficult from the start because I did not want to quit Bundesliga. But looking at the records of the club, coupled with the achievements they have had in Europe and having visited the club thrice while playing for Sporting in the Champions League, I discovered it is one of the best clubs in the world.

“I know people would be wondering that a lot of money is involved. Of course, money is involved but for me, it is a very good club where I can improve more on my game.”

Aruna hinted that it has been one of his dreams to play for the club.

“One of my dreams is to be part of this team in future and luckily, they came asking for my transfer. I am indeed very happy to join this club and I am looking forward to the new challenge here,” Aruna admitted.

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

TR

UT H

& RE A SO

N

Price: N250

MISSILE Muslim Leaders to “Accidental Imams” “The committee condemned the negative activities of ‘accidental Imams’ and ‘emergency Sheikhs’ who promote hatred, disunity and dissension in their mosques and on the social media. The committee also warned Muslims to be wary of their antics as they do not represent Islam or Muslims”- The General Purpose Committee of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) warning against promotion of hate and disunity by some clerics.

KAYODEKOMOLAFE THE HORIZON

kayode.komolafe@thisdaylive.com

0805 500 1974

Of Manifestoes and Basic Needs

I

n the build-up to the commencement of campaigns by political parties in the last quarter of 2022, the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) stressed the imperative of issue-based campaigns. As the regulator of the electoral process, INEC was unambiguous in setting the ground rules for violence-free campaigns and healthy competition among political parties and their candidates.

For instance, at a meeting between INEC and security agencies on September 1 last year, INEC’s chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu said inter alia: “ As campaigns commence, we appeal to all political parties and candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns. This is the best way to complement our efforts to ensure transparent elections in which only the votes by citizens determine the winner.” The meeting was organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development 19 days to the publication of the final list of candidates for national elections by INEC. Beside INEC, other voices of reasons have been raised to urge politicians to focus on issues.

Unfortunately, few weeks to the elections the tone and tenor of campaigns are less than issued-based.

The admonition by INEC has not been widely heeded by political parties and their candidates. Instead of robust debates of issues, political publicists ( otherwise legitimately promoting their candidates) as well as pundits and public intellectuals (expected to be non-partisan) have been trading insults and curses.

Hardly is any vigorous debate of the issues of the election taking place at present. The differences in the positions of political parties and their candidates on the issues of the campaign are not prominently on display. Publicists and pundits (pretending to be doing political analysis) alike are rather busy demonising the candidates they are against while canonising the candidates for whom they are campaigning. Decorum has been thrown to the winds. And the reason for this abysmally low political culture should be obvious to those enamoured of reasoned approach to political campaigns: it is more intellectually tasking to discuss policy issues than to abuse opponents amidst a socio-economic crisis.

By the way, media attention is not even paid to most of the candidates who are deemed “minor” against the rules of the game. That’s a topic for another day.

Meanwhile, the issues of the campaigns should be glaring for all to see. At a time when 133 million people have been officially pronounced as victims of multi-dimensional poverty, the issues of the campaign ought to be defined in the context of this grim reality of the nation.

Anti-poverty politics should not be optional if the object and subject of development are the people.

For the overwhelming majority of the people who are expected to vote in the elections, the issues of the daily existence are those of basic needs. The mix of policies embodied in the party manifestoes should address these primary issues of existence.

In other words, the 2023 politics should have the basic needs content.

The political pundits and publicists have focussed on religion, region, ethnicity, morality etc in distinguishing one candidate from the other. However, of a greater material relevance to the poor people are the issues of basic needs which are not hotly debated.

It’s not ethnicity, regionalism or religion that is the primary problem of a poor man in Nigeria. The real problem is a deadly combination of hunger, ignorance and disease. After all, as Karl Marx puts it in his famous statement of historical materialism, “ mankind must first of all eat, drink, have shelter and clothing, before it can pursue politics, science, art, religion etc.”

The basic needs approach to socio-economic development will require a fundamental confrontation with underdevelopment that’s plaguing the land. In fact, the socioeconomic problems are all symptoms of underdevelopment. The solution to this socioeconomic malaise goes beyond the prevailing culture of governance by execution of random projects

INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu at all levels of government. With the basic needs approach, the end of the process would be the marked improvement in the quality of the lives of the people.

This would, in turn, determine the means (in terms of the policy steps) to realise the ends. Central to the means is the power to make the policy choices.

Every political economy is subject to limited resources.

The deployment of the resources and what should be the trade-off are matters of political choice. In a people-centred policy arena, basic needs would not be the trade-offs in making policy choices. Take a sample. A state government internally generates meagre revenues. This poor state is faced with the choice between the provision of potable water to more communities and building an idle airport or other monuments of the governor’s tenure. The choice should be unmistakable: potable water is a basic need for the people. That is why the basic needs option in policy-making is also inherently a political economy approach. Here the interplay between political leadership and economic management comes prominently to the fore. By orientation, some politicians in power are disposed to the choice of making potable water available to all as a priority over building monuments that bear no immediate relevance to the basic needs of the people. There could be, of course, technical arguments for why the airport should be the priority – the need to open up the state for phantom investments in the absence of feeder roads. The raison d’etre of the political economy approach to issues of an election is that choices made in the path to development are ultimately political. The choices are not merely technical. If the poor people have the political power too, they would choose potable water (as an existential need) over an airport in which three flights may not be recorded in a week.

To tackle the underlying crisis of underdevelopment troubling Nigeria, the political economy approach is, therefore, indispensable. That should be a lesson from the last 36 years of Nigeria’s economic history for those who craft party manifestoes ought to consider. The way you approach the problems

of a nation’s economy is a different from the way you sort out the woes of a corporate giant with the prescriptions of business school economics. The neo-liberal recipes for Nigeria’s economy are simply not working. This point is not conspicuous in the current campaigns .

Meanwhile, Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution lists these basic needs of the Nigerian people in terms of food security, social housing, basic education, primary healthcare, sanitation, social security, water, environment, mass transit etc. The chapter is entitled “Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policies.” Those who dismiss the constitution as a “useless” document never mention this chapter which bears greater material relevance to the lives of the people. In fact, if there is a genuine elite consensus on development, the manifestoes of every political party ought to be supremely informed by the Chapter II of the Constitution. By so doing, the basic needs of the people would receive a greater attention as part of the issues of elections. The allure of developed countries to which Nigerians emigrate is that basic needs are taken for granted in their destinations. Meanwhile, our neo-liberal experts would give you 1,001 technical economic reasons why those basic needs cannot be made available to the poor in Nigeria. These are the experts working on party manifestoes in every electoral season.

The good news, however, is that it is not too late for poltical parties and their candidates to heed the warning from INEC. The tone of the debate can still be changed in the remaining few weeks to the election with a focus on issues especially basic needs of the poor. To do so would be to enrich the quality of the process and invariably the outcome.

A Case for Transformative Pragmatism?

By Paul Obi In a back page piece entitled Elites Consensus and Nigeria Post-Elections, published in THISDAY, Wednesday 14th December, 2022, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought Dr Sam Amadi put forward the prognosis or the discursive engagement Nigeria ought to have post-2023 general elections.

Amadi’s argument hinged on transformative pragmatism and how to get elites consensus in governing Nigeria better, and for public good post-2023. The piece was more of a classic and intellectual engagement - that’s obviously lacking in the Nigerian discursive space.

While Amadi’s ideas of an elites consensus, as a beacon of hope on how to reset Nigeria - a move from the clientele state to productive nation sounded germane and critical, it fell short of facing the pragmatism expected of any diagnosis in rebuilding Nigeria after 2023. The fact is that any diagnosis geared towards rescuing Nigeria from the present nadir and economic collapse with the current crop of leaders as the drivers will definitely not be feasible. In the piece, Amadi argued vehemently that “an essential nature of the lever that can transform commitment from self-enrichment to a developmental bargain is that it should be able to converge public good with private interest... This realism of changing the structure of socio-economic relationship without damaging the interest of the central bureaucrats is a feature of transformative pragmatism and is recommendable to other transitional and developing countries like Nigeria,” he added.

Conversely, the incentives to protect “the interest of the central bureaucrats” is not tenable given that the elites scavenge on even modicum of benefits meant for the masses. Although, the main gist of Amadi’s piece focused on how to get the Nigerian ruling elites on the simplest terms of development and economic growth, its submission that transformative pragmatism can

R I G H T O F R E P LY be spearheaded by today’s political elites in Nigeria turned out to be problematic. Because, the idea of putting the nation-state front and centre: scaling up policies, sticking to implementation templates and avoiding the loopholes of corruption and state capture are non-existent. Rather, a preponderance of the Nigerian elites is caught up with the vagaries of state capture. To reset a country like Nigeria and get her focus on transformative pragmatism, you have to first crush and replace the politics of self-internetwork the ideals of broad national development, equity and social justice. In some instances, Amadi cited examples from South East Asia, Asian Tigers and China as well. Granted, these countries combined authoritarianism and dictatorship hand in hand with development in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s; the reverse was the case in Africa, and Nigeria in particular.

What was the difference? In those Asian countries listed above, the challenges of neo- feudalism fuelled by ethnicity and religious summoning in Nigeria were not present. Thus, autocrats’ and even despots were able to galvanise their nations for developmental bargains. The common denominator of governance was growth and the material benefits of the citizenry.

That ideology sort of became full blown DNA of nation building and national consciousness towards economic growth and public good. Two, state institutions in those Asian countries were strengthened and fortified to clip the thievery wings of politicians, such that, misappropriation of public funds amounted to self-immolation. A story of Lee Kuan Yew’s friend coming suicide for sleaze than faces his Prime Minister friend remains a case in point. In the Nigerian case, ethnicity and religious bigotry were weaponized in such a way that they became the engine rooms of Nigeria’s neo-feudal and neo-patrimony state, and even shield for the perpetuation of a graft culture.

Again, the biggest challenge with Amadi’s piece was to have argued that the post - 2023 general elections

should squarely be about building consensus among the present crop of elites who were first the architect of Nigeria’s misfortune and national misery. How do we build a national consensus with presidential candidates whose emergence at the parties’ primaries was dollarized, transactional, and more of a pay-to-play kind of outcomes? How do we foster elites consensus from a clientele political elites whose main thrust is the distribution of public till among co-evals and cronies? How do we reset Nigeria and enthrone transformative pragmatism in a rentier economy where those we are expecting the transformation from are part of the deep state? These are salient existential gaps with Amadi’s extrapolation and the post-2023 national consensus conversation.

Critically, the dialectical standoff between the Nigerian ruling elites and masses within the political economy sphere must first be resolved and disentangled for the country to encounter transformative pragmatism.

For example, Richard Rorty in his book, Pragmatism as Anti-Authoritarianism (2021) maintained that a proper placement of a fair and liberal society should begin with the understanding of “reason -passion distinction as paralleling the distinction between the universal and the individual... as well as between unselfish and selfish actions.” More fundamentally, if the 2023 elections, specifically the presidential race is to act as a catalyst and guide post to resetting Nigeria, it must begin with rejecting the ruling elites and their clientele systems that have weaponised poverty and pauperised Nigerians. Transformative pragmatism should be the one that reject clientelism and prebendal politics, while embracing incorruptible leaders and electoral outcome that is championed by the general population, not the Emì Lo Kan voyage nor the dollarization of our politics. Let truth and public good define our agenda for transformative pragmatism, ahead of and after 2023.

Obi is a journalist and research fellow at the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, interested in media, elections, politics and democracy.

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com