MONDAY 20TH JANUARY 2025

Emmanuel Addeh and Olawale

Ajimotokan in Abuja The Minister of the Federal

(FCT), Nyesom Wike,

www.thisdaylive.com

Europe on Edge as Trump Takes Office as US President Today

To sign over 100 executive orders within hours TikTok begins restoring service for users after Trump comments

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

As President-elect, Donald Trump, takes office today (January 20), his brand of diplomacy is already sending shock waves around the world, especially in Europe, where it is putting the countries in that region on edge.

With 265 Lost to Tanker Explosions in 4 Months, Tinubu Moves to Avert Recurrence

Orders high-powered c’ttee as Suleja death toll reaches 88, mourns victims Instructs security, road safety authorities to deploy to work Mandates NOA to sensitise public about risks of scooping fuel from fallen tankers

Our Correspondents

Disturbed by the number of persons reportedly lost to repeated incidences of tanker explosions in parts of the country, between September 2024 and now, currently standing at 265 souls, President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, set up a high-powered committee mandated to halt a reoccurrence of such accidents.

This decision followed the death of 88 persons in the wake of a tanker explosion that occurred at Dikko Junction, Niger State, Saturday night.

The president, while mourning the victims, however, instructed the security relevant agencies, and road safety authorities to deploy to work with a view to averting a repeat anywhere in the country. At the same time, Tinubu has mandated the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to sensitise the public about risks of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.

Meanwhile, prominent Nigerians,

Continued on page 5

L-R: Representative of CBN Governor/Special Adviser to CBN Governor, Fatai Karim; President/Chairman of Council, CIBN, Prof Pius Deji Olarewaju; Chairman, Committee of Heads of Bank Operations (CHBO), Abraham Ehijator Aziegbe; Chief Audit Executive, Providus Bank/Chairperson, Association of Chief Audit Executive of Banks in Nigeria, Aina Amah; Registrar/Chief Executive, CIBN, Akin Morakinyo; and Divisional Head, Transaction Services, Lagos and South West, GTBank Ltd, Sylvia Nwakwue, during the CHBO Maiden Conference on Commoditisation of naira held in Lagos...last Friday

In a Watershed, Nigeria's Inaugural AfCFTA Consignment Berths in Kenyan Port

James Emejo in Abuja

The country's maiden shipment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has successfully arrived at the Mombasa Port in Kenya, the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office disclosed yesterday.

The development marks a historic moment for Africa's trade landscape.

In a statement, Senior Trade Expert at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Olusegun Olutayo, said in line with its mandate under the leadership of the National Coordinator, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, the office

had coordinated the landmark event. He said the achievement marked a significant milestone for Nigeria in realising the vision of increased intra-African trade and economic integration championed by the agreement in line with the decision of the AU Assembly at the 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly. Olutayo, said, "In times of escalating geopolitical tension and looming geoeconomic fragmentation, AfCFTA presents a perfect opportunity for Africa to leverage trade as a strategic instrument for enhanced market access among state parties.

"This is a historic moment, a realisation of the vision of our continent's founding fathers and mothers."

He said the first consignment which was a synthetic filaments product of Nigeria's Lucky Fibres Limited (Lush), a subsidiary of the Tolaram Group, was exported under AfCFTA preferential terms.

Olutayo also hailed the bold economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu, emphasising their catalytic role in enabling the country's active participation in AfCFTA, fostering continental economic integration and

industrialisation goals. He also commended the seamless cooperation and commitment from Kenyan authorities, which exemplifies the true spirit of AfCFTA.

He acknowledged the pivotal leadership role of the AfCFTA Secretariat in fostering the success and emphasised the collaborative efforts of the Kenya AfCFTA Implementation Committee and the Kenya Revenue Authority (Customs).

According to him, the shipment, exported under AfCFTA preferential trade terms, underscores partnership, shared vision, the agreement's potential

to transform Africa's economic landscape and pave the way for a new era of trade-driven prosperity.

The AfCFTA seeks to create a single market across Africa by reducing barriers to trade, investment, and labour.

The agreement's goal is to increase socioeconomic development, reduce poverty, and make Africa more competitive globally.

On March 21, 2018, the AfCFTA agreement was adopted and opened for signature in Kigali, Rwanda.

The agreement entered into force

on May 30, 2019 and officially commenced on January 2021 Former President Muhammadu Buhari established the National Action Committee on AfCFTA (NAC) in December 2019.

WITH 265 DEAD TO TANKER EXPLOSIONS IN 4 MONTHS, TINUBU MOVES TO AVERT RECURRENCE

including former President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, have also commiserated with the victims and their relatives.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this yesterday when he led a federal government delegation, including the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Netanwe Yilwatda, on a condolence visit to the Emir of Suleja, Alhaji Awwal Ibrahim.

"The President is really saddened by what has happened, and he is worried to the extent that he has said a high-powered committee is set up to look at these incidences.

"Because in the last couple of months, from September to this time, we have had four of these major incidences. We had the first one between Ibadan and Ife, where a tanker exploded. Five houses and cars and other vehicles were touched, and they were involved in fire.

"Almost a day after, here in Niger State, again, in Agai, about 48 persons lost their lives. This was on the 8th of September, the preceding year, 2024, 48 people lost their lives. Not long afterwards, on the 15th of October, again in 2024, about 144 people also lost their lives in Jigawa State in a similar incident.

"And now, only yesterday, here at Dikko Junction, within this emirate, nearly 80 people have lost their lives. Now, if you put that together, you will see that over 265 people have so far lost their lives in this kind of incident, and this is really very worrying," Idris said.

As a result, the federal government has set up a committee comprising the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, other critical stakeholders like NEMA, Standard Organization of Nigeria, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association, (IPMAN) and all other stakeholders to determine the remote and immediate causes of, and how to avert the occurrence or the reoccurrence of fuel tanker explosions.

Idris added that the president had directed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to step up an enlargement campaign and education of people, to the effect that it was not proper for people to arbitrarily rush

to the scene to scoop fuel whenever there is an accident involving tankers.

"You cannot just have tankers, by whatever reason, involved in an accident, and then people rushing to the site to scoop this petroleum product, PMS. It is absolutely wrong.

“It has led to the lives of hundreds of people, and government will not allow this to happen again. As a result of that, this high committee will now make recommendations to government with a view to finding the last true solution to this issue.”

To this end, Idris announced that the federal government has directed

the immediate transfer of victims from Suleja General Hospital to tertiary health facilities to ensure they receive prompt and enhanced medical care.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is deeply saddened by what has happened. He asked us to come here to see the situation. We have just gone round the wards and we have seen those that are very critically injured.

“As we are visiting, one of them unfortunately passed on and we were told that this is the eighth victim of the fire explosion that has just passed on today and what we are seeing is the dire need of emergency

medical attention, which the Federal Government is taking.

“The Minister of Heath and the National Emergency Management Agency and all agencies of government will ensure that all these victims are immediately evacuated and taken to Intensive Care Unit of the immediate available tertiary institutions,” he said.

In yet a statement by the president’s Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu underscored the tragic and preventable nature of the incident, as many victims were those scooping Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the overturned tanker.

He subsequently directed the provision of comprehensive medical care to the injured andstrongly advised all citizens to exercise caution and avoid approaching accident sites, especially those involving fuel-laden vehicles, due to their highly explosive nature.

He also mandated the National Orientation Agency to initiate a nationwide educational campaign that would raise public awareness about the severe risks and environmental dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.

However, the minister, who thanked the Niger State Governor, Umar Bago,

EUROPE ON EDGE AS TRUMP TAKES OFFICE AS US PRESIDENT TODAY

the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies will feature the procession to the Capitol; vice president's swearing-in; president's swearing-in; inaugural address; honorary departure of the outgoing president and vice president; signing ceremony; inaugural luncheon; and review of military troops.

Scheduled to begin around 11:30 a.m. ET, the proceedings which were initially going to take place on the West Front of the US Capitol, has been moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda because of cold temperatures expected in Washington D.C. today.

But Europe continues to await the incoming president's inauguration with bated breath. Trump has reiterated his desire for the US to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal, calling both critical to American national security. Besides, he has refused to rule out using military or economic force in order to take over the autonomous Danish territory or the Canal.

He has promised he will "make heads spin" and move full-speed ahead with his ambitious agenda after his presidential inauguration, with media reports suggesting he could announce as many as 100 executive orders within hours of being sworn in as the 47th president.

In addition, Trump has vowed to use "economic force" when asked if he would attempt to annex Canada as America's 51st state and called their shared border an "artificially drawn line".

The boundary is the world's longest between two countries and it was established in treaties dating back to the founding of the US in

the late 1700s.

The president-elect said the US spends billions of dollars protecting Canada, criticising imports of Canadian cars, lumber and dairy products. "They should be a state," he said recently.

Among other things, he has suggested renaming the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America" and restated his opposition to wind power, saying wind turbines are "driving the whales crazy".

Greenland - which has a population of just 57,000 - is the world's largest island and is a strategically important part of the Arctic region. It has wideranging autonomy, but its economy is largely dependent on subsidies from Copenhagen and it remains part of the kingdom of Denmark.

Greenland is also home to a large American space facility and has some of the largest deposits of rare earth minerals, which are crucial in the manufacture of batteries and high-tech devices.

Trump suggested the island is crucial to military efforts to track Chinese and Russian ships, which he said are "all over the place". "I'm talking about protecting the free world," he said.

He previously accused Panama of overcharging US ships to use the waterway, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The canal was built in the early 1900s and the US maintained control over the canal zone until 1977, when treaties negotiated under President Jimmy Carter gradually ceded the land back to Panama.

"Giving the Panama Canal to Panama was a very big mistake,"

Trump said. "Look, (Carter) was a good man... But that was a big mistake," he said.

It's unclear how serious the president-elect is about adding to the territory of the US, particularly when it comes to Canada, a country of 41 million people and the second-largest nation by area in the world.

But with these wild claims and others yet to come, the potential for global unrest is likely to be higher, given Trump’s volatility, transactional approach, and unorthodox diplomatic dealings.

The return of Trump to the White House has raised many concerns because of his unpredictable nature, blunt language, and presumable belief in the “madman theory”.

Trump, with his controversial stance and bold moves, could either drive the US foreign policy in a different direction or set the stage for significant global challenges, particularly with regard to democracy, human rights, and the rule-based world order.

The president's directive to federal agencies today could affect everything from immigration and border policy to climate action, energy and even cryptocurrency. While these orders do not require congressional approval, they have the power of law and remain in force until they are cancelled, repealed, halted or expire.

He will almost always have his way in the legislature as his Republicans have a firm grip on Congress, even though advocacy groups and Democratic state governors have vowed to challenge some of Trump's plans in the courts and elsewhere.

He has vowed to "launch the largest

deportation programme in American history", starting from day one; launch the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy; end birthright citizenship; Build the wall, among others.

Besides, he will most likely Scrap Joe Biden's climate policies; pull out of the Paris Agreement again; pardon the January 6 rioters; undo Biden's recent decision to remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism; reinstate sanctions against Venezuela as well as ban federal aid to international groups that provide abortion counselling.

Trump has also criticised what he calls "transgender lunacy" in schools and healthcare, and has specifically vowed to bar transgender women from competing in women's sports. He could also take a decision on the ban on TikTok after his swearing-in ceremony today.

Meanwhile, TikTok said Sunday that it would be restoring service to US users after blocking it the evening before.

In a statement, TikTok said its video platform was coming back online after President-elect Trump provided the necessary assurances to the company’s service providers.

“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” TikTok said in a post on X. “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive,” it stressed.

“It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary

WIKE RAISES FCT’S REVENUE BY OVER 177% FROM N9BN TO N25BN IN 19 MONTHS

as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in December 2024.

“At the time that publication (record of C of Os) was made, it was 5,000, but as of today, I have signed over 7,000. Yesterday, I signed about 650. Two days ago, I signed about 750. That's about 1,400. If you add it to over 5,000, it gives you close to that number.

“Before I became FCT minister, there were C of Os that had been there for 10 to 13 years and not signed. One of the mandates of Mr President was that we must create the ease of doing business and make it easy for people to be able to carry out their businesses.

“Having a C of O is something that will help you improve your business. It can be a collateral for you to access financing as the case

may be. When I came on board I said we have this backlog of C of Os unsigned and it was killing businesses. It was making the economy not to thrive,” he observed.

From 2010 to 2015, the minister said that only about 5,000 land documents were signed, stressing that between 2015 to 2023, a miserly 3,000 were documented.

But between 2023 to 2024 and this January, Wike explained that he signed 7,000 C of Os. “In 13 years, they signed between 7,000 to 8,000 C of Os, but in less than two years we have signed 7,000. We should look at performance holistically,” he pointed out.

Besides, the minister said the FCT pays salaries to the tune of N13 billion every month.

“We don’t get up to N13 billion

from VAT and the 1 per cent from the federal government. So, we have to augment the IGR to be able to pay the salaries because of the new wages. At the time I came, we were generating about N9 billion to N10 billion. Today, by the grace of God, we are not generating anything less than N25 billion a month.

“This is because of our aggressive revenue drive. In fact, last month, we were able to generate about over N40 billion. We are embarking on aggressive revenue drive to be able to carry out infrastructure drive.

“This revolution of development of infrastructure is not from my blood. It must be from taxes and when taxes are not paid how do we get development? In your conscience, can you say that the

FCT is justifying the revenue or the taxes you are paying? Yes, it is,” he stressed.

The minister said the nation’s capital has the potential to generate up to N300 billion monthly revenue if land allottees fulfil their obligations to pay C of Os, stressing that the FCT will look like some of the most developed state capitals globally if it had access to that amount of money.

Wike also expressed reservation over the planned introduction of state policing in Nigeria on the grounds that the nation’s institutions will not be independent if the system is adopted. He warned that the system will be manipulated as state police will be at the beck and call of the state governors.

“Knowing where we are from,

if you allow that so many people will not come out of their houses.

Some will say ‘we agree but we should try it first and see how it works’. And so many people will say you don’t need to try it. We have seen it that if you allow state policing today, nobody will oppose any governor. It is either you will die of murder or armed robbery.

“So our institutions are not that independent. You don’t need to personalise it and that is the problem we are having. What we are saying is that our institutions have to be independent of manipulation by the system. It is wrong to say community policing and you go and talk about the USA. You see, the wrong thing with comparison –institutions are built, strong, nobody bothers whether the American

for providing the first response when the incident happened, and urged him to do more in the enlightenment of the citizenry, later paid a visit to some of the victims at the Suleja General Hospital as well the scene of the explosion, with his delegation. Earlier the Emir of Suleja, Alhaji Awwal Ibrahim, thanked the president for sending the delegation and for the humanitarian effort that was carried out by the Ministry of Humanitarian and NEMA . He also appealed to government

Continued on page 42

censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States,” the company added. Just hours before TikTok blocked service to Americans, Trump posted to Truth Social calling for the app to remain available. Trump indicated that he wanted it to be available to broadcast his inauguration on Monday. “I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order,” Trump wrote. TikTok’s availability came back in spurts Sunday afternoon, with access to the platform’s content first becoming available through web browsers. Later in the day, the app became usable for some, and welcomed users back with a message saying, "Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump's efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.! You can continue to create, share, and discover all the things you love on TikTok." The app was still unavailable for download from Apple’s and Google’s app stores. The law banning TikTok, which was scheduled to go into effect yesterday, allows the president to grant a 90-day extension before the ban is enforced, provided certain criteria are met, NBC reported.

Under a law that Biden signed in April, TikTok would be banned unless its Chinese owner, ByteDance, sold the company to a non-Chinese buyer.

President is there or not,” Wike argued. The minister added that his administration was ensuring security in Abuja by building 12 new police stations as well as acquiring drones as part of strategies of enhancing security. He said: “We have built a command control centre in the FCT where all the security agencies are one. We have a system that if anything happens in the FCT, the command and control will know and take action.

" In terms of security camera surveillance, the FCT is the city of the presidency and FCT on its own cannot do that. It has to work with the National Security Adviser, with the Department of State Service (DSS) and the police” .

Jumoke Oduwole

OBI’S WIFE EMPOWERS 300 RURAL WOMEN WITH N30M...

Repatriated $52.8m Loot: Embattled Diezani

Disowns Any Connections with Fund

SERAP writes Trump, seeks return of other stolen assets, ban on corrupt officials HURIWA condemns alleged vilification, demands fairness, adherence to rule of law Ozekhome: There’s nothing like "Diezani Loot"

Alex Enumah and Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Embattled former Minister of Petroleum Resources under the Goodluck Jonathan presidency, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has clarified she has no connection whatsoever with the sum of $52.8million recently repatriated to Nigeria from the US.

Diezani who spoke through her team of lawyers led by Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, lamented her continued linkage to corruption and looting of the nation's treasure by alleged "traducers" seeking "to extract a Shylock's pound of flesh from her for reasons she does not know and cannot even fathom".

Meanwhile, on the heels of the recently returned $52.8 million in forfeited corruption proceeds the federal government had linked to former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, the SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged US President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming administration to identify and repatriate US-warehoused proceeds of corruption.

SERAP told Trump, “To promptly identify US-based proceeds of corruption traced to former and current Nigerian public officials and their associates and to ensure the full recovery and return of any such stolen assets to Nigeria.”

It added that, “Any return of proceeds of corruption from Nigeria must meet strict transparency and accountability standards to ensure the funds are used solely for the benefit of the Nigerian people.”

In yet another related reaction, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), condemned what it called the continued linkage of the former minister to looting, lamenting such narratives are part of a deliberate campaign of misinformation and prejudice.

The federal government had linked the former minister to the repatriated funds during a signing ceremony of the Asset Return Agreement between Nigeria and the US, on January 10.

It said $52.8 million was recovered from the sale of a forfeited vessel (Galactica Assets).

Reacting to the linkage of his client to the recovered assets, Ozekhome maintained there was nothing like "Diezani Loot", because the former minister was never fingered in the ownership of forfeited vessel, which according to her belonged to a Nigerian businessman, Mr. Kola Aluko.

Besides, Ozekhome pointed out that the issue surrounding the forfeited vessel has long been debunked and laid to rest in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/ CR/121/2016: Federal Republic of Nigeria vs Olajide Omokore & Others. He recalled that the then trial judge,

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba (now of the Court of Appeal), had held that the Strategic Alliance Agreements (SAAs) between NNPC and the Atlantic Companies were validly entered into between the said companies and the NNPC.

According to the senior lawyer, "Furthermore, the said companies and their chairman were discharged and acquitted of any offence howsoever in relation to allegedly obtaining the contract or monies realized from it through false representations.

“They were also exonerated and freed of the offence of money laundering in relation to the said contracts with which they were also charged. The judgement in the case clearly established that the said contracts were properly awarded by NNPC and that the said award followed due process."

While claiming that many of the narratives concerning Diezani "are outrightly false and some others sheer outlandish speculations, Ozekhome argued that it is necessary to correct this skewed narrative and set the records straight for purposes of history.

His words: "Many Nigerians often talk about wanting ‘technocrats’ to be involved in governance. They desire that people with character and integrity should join politics.

"We agree with them. However, and regrettably too, now and again and many a time, the same people

not only allow, but actually join the bandwagon to mob-lynch those who chose to serve the nation.

"And we often do this insidiously, covertly and overtly, even when there is no concrete or even any iota of proof that such public officers ever abused their offices or stole from public coffers.

"It is therefore surprising and of great concern to us, to see the level of sustained vilification of an innocent Nigerian citizen who has not yet been tried and found guilty of any offence known to law by any court of law whether in Nigeria or abroad. The person at the receiving end is Citizen Diezani Alison-Madueke (DAM).

"We note with concern the recent deliberate attempt to link her with what has been described as a civil forfeiture of a yacht Galactica, the sale of which was said to have yielded $52.8m to the US government; which sum has since been repatriated to Nigeria.

“This is a clear example of the mischievous and cruel sport of tarnishing the image of the lady through a bouquet of consistent, persistent and unrelenting cocktail of falsehoods and misinformation.

"The purveyors of this line of misinformation term it “nameand-shame”. To sell the storyline, the architects ensured they attached Diezani’s name to a recovered yacht

which is not in any way linked to her.

"They now falsely termed it “Diezani loot”. Nothing of the sort ever happened. She was never involved in the purchase, use and sale of the said yacht.

"The yacht Galactica, from information readily available in the public domain and in open sources, was purchased by Mr. Kola Aluko who had used the vessel until he agreed to its forfeiture to the United States of America.

"The yacht Galactica was neither owned nor ever used by our client. DAM has in fact never set her eyes

on the yacht. Kola Aluko is an experienced businessman who had been in business well before DAM came into office as HMPR.

"The only tenuous basis for deliberately linking DAM to the said yacht is the false narrative that the Strategic Alliance Agreements (SAAs) which were entered into between Kola Aluko & Jide Omokore’s Atlantic Energy companies and NNPC, were allegedly corruptly awarded to the said companies by DAM.

“DAM was not the GMD of the NNPC as so did not and could not have awarded the said contracts.”

Walson-Jack, 20 Heads of Service to Understudy Singapore Public Service

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, will lead 20 state heads of civil service to Singapore to understudy the country's public service model and adapt it to Nigeria's civil service.

The tour scheduled for January 23-26 is facilitated via a collaboration between the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO), Economic Development Board (EDB), Ministry of Manpower (MOM), SkillsFuture Singapore, Strategy Group and Open Government Projects (OGP).

TCN Inaugurates 110mva Transformer, Raises Power Supply to

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) at the weekend launched a 110mva power transformer to raise electricity supply to critical areas within its network, including Airport Road, Ajao Estate, Isolo Local Council, PTC, Afprint, Idi-Araba, Aswani, and Pure Hygiene.

Speaking at the event in Lagos, TCN's Managing Director, Abdulaziz Sule, said the power transformer at the Isolo 132/33KV Transmission

Aswani, Airport Road, Others

Substation, marked a significant achievement in the TCN's ongoing efforts to expand and enhance the nation’s transmission grid.

The project sponsored by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the Service Level Agreement (SLA), Sule said, was a testament to TCN’s unwavering commitment to strengthening Nigeria's transmission network despite the many challenges.

“The 110mva power transformer was successfully energised on December 20, 2024, contributing an additional 88mw to the substation’s

capacity, bringing it to a total of 184mw. This enhancement significantly boosts the sub-station's ability to provide improved electricity supply to the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC).

“As a result, IKEDC will be able to transmit more power to critical areas within its network, including Airport Road, Ajao Estate, Isolo Local Council, PTC, Afprint, Idi-Araba, Aswani, and Pure Hygiene. This will lead to enhanced power availability and reliability for both residential and

commercial consumers in these areas,” he stated.

Other communities primed to benefit from the project include: LUTH,/Idi Araba, Mushin, Ilasa community, Oshodi/Cappa, among others.

In his remarks, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, said that beyond enhancing electricity supply, the project has broader implications for the economy through direct impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large industries.

The proposed tour, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of Head of Service of the Federation, Eno Olotu, is the first phase of a twopart initiative designed to enhance Nigeria’s civil service by cloning the globally renowned Singapore public service model to improve efficiency and accountability.

The three-day tour will expose the Nigerian delegation to Singapore’s governance structures, resource management and operational strategies.

Crucial Singaporean institutions to be visited include the Public Service Division, the Civil Service College, the UNDP-supported Global Centre for Public Service Excellence, and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

Other relevant institutions are the

Walson-Jack described the study tour as a concerted effort to achieve the Renewed Hope Agenda by building capacity, strengthening the collaboration between the federal and state civil services and consolidating the full implementation of the reform initiatives of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 25).

She stressed the tour demonstrates the federal government’s unwavering commitment to reforming and modernising the public service, drawing from international best practices. She added that the three-day tour is driven by the commitment to strengthening public service reforms, promoting digital transformation and innovation, building capacity for effective policy formulation and implementation, fostering public-private partnerships.

The head of service said the tour also underscores the federal government’s unwavering commitment to advancing governance and institutional reforms in line with global best practices and with a promise of a brighter future for Nigeria's Civil Service.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Wife of Mr Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, Mrs Margaret Obi (R) presenting cheques to the tune of N30million to indigent women in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area, during an empowerment programme... recently.

ICAN PRESIDENT EXCO VISIT TO EY OFFICE...

L-R: Immediate past President, ICAN,

Executive Director/COO

2025 Budget: National Assembly Frowns on ‘Ghost Projects’ in Steel Ministry

Advocates forensic audit by independent auditors Minister says FG looking for $2billion to revamp Ajaokuta steel firm

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Joint National Assembly Committee on Steel Development decried some infractions identified in the 2024 budget appraisal submitted to it by the Ministry of Steel Development. Co-chairman of the committee, Hon. Zainab Gimba, stated this on Friday, when the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, appeared before the panel to defend his 2025 budget.

Gimba said, “A first-hand appraisal of the 2024 submissions shows some budget infractions as funds allocated for unspecified ‘capacity-building programmes’ and ‘skills training initiatives’ in the steel sector show no evidence of execution or impact.

“These projects risk being classified as ghost projects designed to divert public funds.

“Administrative and recurrent costs significantly increased in 2024 without proportional increases in ministry activities or outputs, a

possible indicator of mismanagement or misallocation of funds

“Also, we identified some legal infractions, such as violations of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

“The act mandates efficient use of public resources and accountability for project outcomes.

“Several projects, especially related to Ajaokuta Steel, failed to meet these criteria.”

Citing non-adherence to the Public Procurement Act, Gimba said there were instances of non-competitive bidding and inflated contract costs, which suggested violations of procurement guidelines.

She also identified breach of financial regulations and stressed that there were unaccounted funds.

Gimba said, “There are ghost projects, which are direct violations of Nigeria's Financial Regulations, which require all expenditures to be backed by documentation and outcomes.

“We advise you to make all

necessary submissions on these to the committee secretariat.

“On this note, we recommend conducting a forensic audit. There should be engagement of independent auditors to scrutinize expenditures and contracts for 2024.

“We will strengthen oversight in 2025 because, looking at the Ministry of Steel Development's 2025 Executive Budget, we see a high proportion of personnel costs put at 57.2 per cent.

“This suggests that most of the funding is spent on salaries rather than developmental projects, which raises concerns about operational efficiency.

“Capital expenditure, which is 34.6 per cent, is inadequate for a sector like steel development, which requires heavy infrastructure, technology, and modernisation investments to drive industrial growth.”

Gimba also said, “There is no

detailed breakdown to show the strategic focus of these expenditures (e.g. feasibility studies, stakeholder engagement, and modernisation).

“In summary, the Ministry of Steel Development's 2025 Budget, reflects a commitment to maintaining operations but falls short of delivering the necessary capital investments to transform the steel industry into a viable driver of Nigeria’s industrialisation.

“Significant reforms in funding priorities, operational efficiency, and revenue generation are required to align with the ministry’s strategic objectives.

“l will not fail to express the displeasure of our committee in the way the ministry has continued to ensure a complete breakdown of communication between us within the period under review.”

Gimba added, “It is equally disappointing and unfortunate to recollect how the agencies under the Ministry failed to provide enough information to the committee during their budget defence.

“We will not leave any stone unturned in the discharge of our legislative duties.

“It is a fact that if the legislature does not rigorously examine and debate the law, its powers will be seen as not being effectively exercised and undermine government’s accountability to the electorate for its fiscal strategy and strategic budget allocation.

“We want to state unequivocally that we will never allow such affronts or practices to happen again because we would not hesitate to apply the hammer according to the powers statutorily vested on our committee.”

In his contribution, the chairman of the joint panel, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, said, “Our concern is to take Nigeria where it rightfully should be in steel development.

“Nigeria can't make much progress without a solid steel industry. We have to place emphasis on capital projects, not payment of salaries.

“For us to do well, we can't be repeating the same mistakes every time. We expected that the ministry would have improved by now.”

Members of the panel raised concerns over the move by the federal government to conduct a fresh technical audit on the Ajaokuta Steel Company when the government had yet to act on three previous audit reports on the plant.

However, Audu said the government was still trying to source over $2 billion to revamp the firm.

IMPI: Nigeria's Economy on Course, Will Set New Record in 2025

Davos, Switzerland

Shettima Departs Abuja for Annual WEF in

To hold bilateral meetings with leaders, participate in workshops and fora Will co-chair a forum on digital trade as catalyst for African growth

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday departed Abuja to represent Nigeria at the 2025 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) scheduled for Davos, Switzerland.

The Vice President, according to a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Stanley Nkwocha, will join world leaders, top business executives and representatives of development partners at the meeting to discuss the state of the world economy with the view to improving its conditions.

While in Davos, Shettima will hold bilateral meetings with other leaders as well as participate in workshops and forums slated for the annual gathering.

Among events slated for the Vice President include, a workshop entitled, “Roadmap to Co-create Investment Opportunities for Africa's Frontier Markets”, organised by the African

Development Bank in collaboration with the World Economic Forum to boost the flow of capital into Africa’s frontier markets, to scale solutions that build a prosperous, inclusive and resilient continent. It is slated for the Congress Centre in Jakobshorn.

Top on the agenda will be an announcement of the Humanitarian and Resilience Investing (HRI) Roadmap for Africa, in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), and foster partnerships between public and private sector leaders interested in mobilizing investment in Africa’s frontier markets, among others.

Shettima will also attend a dinner for heads of state, government and international organizations, as well as Annual Meeting 2025 Crystal Awardees, the International Business Council and Strategic Partners slated for Kurpark Village, Eiger.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI), a Nigerian policy think-tank, yesterday argued that there was enough evidence to show that the economic policies embarked upon by President Bola Tinubu were on course to transforming Nigeria.

In a policy statement signed by its Chairman, Dr Niyi Akinsiju, IMPI explained that it came to that conclusion after a fundamental analysis of the emerging pattern of the economy since the introduction of the Tinubu reforms 19 months ago.

According to the policy think tank, the optimistic outlook transcends the oil and non-oil sectors in spite of initial hitches, adding that in 2024 government efforts yielded notable improvements in output in the oil sector.

It listed the local refining of petroleum and the complete deregulation of the downstream sector, approval of five oil asset sales and two Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) in 2024 as factors eliciting positive feelings from foreign investors willing to do business in Nigeria's energy sector.

“In 2025, oil sector analysts project that production will likely average 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) and close the year at 1.78 million bpd.

This excludes condensates that do not fall within the purview of OPEC's basket of crude.

"This optimistic outlook is underpinned by measures to address oil theft, including the implementation of the Advance Cargo Declaration regime by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). This initiative ensures that all exported crude oil and gas cargoes are uniquely identified, verifying the legitimacy of export documentation and reducing the theft of resources.

"Additionally, the NNPC plans to replace aging crude oil pipelines, some of which have been in use for over four decades to support output and operational efficiency further.

"To enhance crude oil production, President Tinubu signed three executive orders in February 2024 aimed at improving the investment climate and positioning Nigeria as the preferred investment destination for the petroleum sector in Africa.

“One of the executive orders legally mandates that the contracting cycle be compressed to a maximum of six months in alignment with global industry standards. This significantly reduces delays that historically took up to two years or more, thus improving Nigeria's competitiveness.

"The executive order also mandates

the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to implement a single-level approval process for requalification, technical, commercial, and final stages and ensures that approval is issued within 15 days,” it said.

This, according to IMPI, is expected to eliminate redundant multi-stage approvals and ensure that regulatory approvals are obtained more efficiently, fostering timely project execution, and reducing compliance costs.

It said the plan to hold a fresh oil licensing round in 2025 is focused primarily on handing out oil blocks that remained undeveloped, another fillip in the efforts to hike crude oil production and raise crude reserves and production.

“Aggregating policies and implementation templates and other federal government's efforts in the sector, the federal government will accomplish its target to increase crude oil production to 2.06 barrels per day as proposed in the federal budget 2025," it stressed.

The group admitted that the naira lost a chunk of its value especially in 2024 when it depreciated by 40.9 per cent before appreciating in December but also pointed at the domino effect

in ensuring a trade surplus for the country reflecting a strong contribution of the non oil sector for the first time in recent years.

CBN data for October 2024, it opined, highlighted a positive trade performance driven by more substantial export earnings than imports. This, it maintained, reflected a third consecutive quarter of trade surplus in 2024.

“The trade surplus expanded to $2.21 billion, up from $2.07 billion in September. This improvement was fueled by a 3.51 per cent rise in total exports, which increased to $5.02 billion from $4.85 billion the previous month.

"Export growth was attributed to higher values in crude oil and non-oil products. Though crude oil and gas exports continued to dominate Nigeria's export landscape, accounting for 87.74 per cent of total exports, the non-oil exports recorded impressive growth, increasing by 19.23 per cent to $0.62 billion from $0.52 billion in September,” the think-tank said. IMPI added that the ongoing rebasing of Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will further show the resilience of the economy as well as a more diversified and dynamic economic landscape under the current administration.

Dr. Innocent Okwuosa; Regional Managing Partner, EY (West Africa), Anthony Oputa; ICAN President, Chief Davison Alaribe; Partner/Assurance Leader, EY, Jamiu Olakisan; and

EY, Busiayo Layade, during the visit of the president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and exco team to EY office in Lagos, last Friday

SUNDAY ADIGUN

SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF MEASLES, YELLOW FEVER AND HPV VACCINATION CAMPAIGN...

2025 Budget: Insurers Determine to Grab

Ebere Nwoji

In pursuit of the growth of the insurance sector and enhancement of its contribution to the national economy, insurance industry operators have expressed a resolve to ensure that 25 to 50 per cent of funds for 2025 capital projects in the budget got to the industry as premium.

The operators said that would happen through their efforts in ensuring that all capital projects in the budget were insured and the premium collected.

The federal government in the 2025 budget, tagged "Budget of Restoration", earmarked N49.74 trillion for total expenditure. Out of this, the government earmarked N16 trillion for capital projects.

Based on the huge amount for projects, insurers believed there were a lot of opportunities for the sector in the proper execution of the projects.

President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Prince Babatunde Oguntade, at a press briefing in Lagos said insurers would this year, through support of relevant

25-50% of Capital

federal government agencies, ensure that relevant insurance laws on execution of the projects were obeyed to the last and premium for the projects paid to the insurance sector.

Oguntade regretted that annually government budgeted for insurance through projects, some of which have compulsory insurance attached to them, but the premium hardly got to the insurance sector.

According to him, that is due to execution of uninsured projects in different parts of the country, whereas the law says such project must be insured.

He said in some cases the projects were underinsured and premium not completely paid.

Oguntade, however, commended the federal government for the N17.3 billion budgeted for the Group Life insurance of its workers this year, saying it is a good start towards meeting what is required.

He said six years ago, the industry was demanding for N22 billion premium for insurance of federal government workers' group life policy.

Human Trafficking: Police Recover 14 Children, Arrest Syndicate in Ondo

The Ondo State Police Command has recovered 14 children including four infants after apprehending a syndicate whose specialty is in child stealing and trafficking.

The State Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, while parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Akure at the weekend, identified the suspects as Lukman Isiaka, 42; Abosede Olanipekun and Sabira Izuorah, 62.

The CP explained that Lukman Isiaka and Abosede Olanipekun were arrested for allegedly kidnapping an 18-month-old baby boy from his mother and selling him.

Isiaka who had shown interest in dating the victim’s mother, lured her to a plaza under the pretext of buying her a phone. Upon arriving at the plaza, he disappeared, leaving her alone.

His words: "A case of a missing child was reported at Okuta Elerin-Nla Division in Akure. A complainant reported that a man, Samuel Adejobi (real name: Lukman Isiaka, m age, 42 years), and a woman, Ewatomi

(real name: Abosede Olanipekun), came to her shop, pretending to be siblings, to eat.

"While playing with the complainant’s child, Abosede deceived her by claiming she wanted to buy biscuits for the baby. Meanwhile, Lukman distracted the complainant by engaging her in a personal conversation and requested she followed her to Olukayode Plaza in the market to get a mobile phone.

"On getting to the market area, he abandoned her and left, on getting back to the shop, the complainant discovered that her child was missing with no trace of Abosede the supposed sister of the man she followed to the market, thus a report was made at the Division."

Afolabi noted that through intelligence-led policing, the suspects were traced to Ottah Village in Edo State, where they were arrested.

"During interrogation, the suspects admitted to abducting the child and other children from Ondo and Osun States and selling them to Sabira Izuorah ‘f’ age 62 years in Ihiala, Anambra State, at the rate N1million per child," he said.

He said if such was the right premium six years back, he wondered what the right premium should be at this time.

He, however, commended government for the amount budgeted this year, expressing hope that better things would come in future.

He lauded the government’s effort in infrastructural development and commitment to investing in critical sectors, such as transportation, energy and housing and urged the federal government to ensure adequate insurance coverage for all the projects in the 2025 budget.

Oguntade said insurance helped in mitigating risks and fostering economic growth for major government

Projects Funds

infrastructural projects, such as the numerous highways and railways currently under construction.

Oguntade stated that government expenditure on construction of highways, railways in this year’s budget was huge and lauded the government’s effort in infrastructural development and commitment to investing in critical sectors, such as transportation, energy and housing.

He added that initiatives, like the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), demonstrated the government’s dedication to bridging the infrastructure gap in Nigeria.

"I believe that insurance can play

a vital role in mitigating the attached risks and promoting economic growth.

In executing these laudable projects, we must emphasise the importance of ensuring that these projects are adequately insured,” he said.

Oguntade said the NCRIB Council had been working to promote the development of the insurance industry in Nigeria. He said the council was doing this by engaging policymakers, regulators and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment for insurance to thrive.

The NCRIB’s president commended the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) on its efforts in promoting the growth of the insurance industry. He lauded the Inspector General of

Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, for his promise to commence clampdown of vehicles without insurance on Nigerian roads from February. Oguntade stated, "This is highly commendable because the efforts would not only increase the industry’s revenue, but also create more awareness on the importance of insurance and thereby create economic security and growth.

“We urge the IGP to fulfil his promise and ensure a zero tolerance to vehicles plying the Nigerian roads without insurance cover.”

Oguntada expressed worry that insurance penetration rate in Nigeria remained abysmally low compared to its teeming population of over 200 million people.

Nigeria, Egypt Elevate Relations to ‘Comprehensive Partnership’

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Nigeria and Egypt have agreed to elevate their relationship to a “Comprehensive Partnership,” placing emphasis on mutual respect for each nation’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

This was the agreement reached between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, during the visit of the former to Cairo, Egypt, to participate in the third round of political consultations with the Egyptian government.

In the Nigeria’s delegation are

also the Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsev and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari.

Both countries have also committed to intensify coordination on regional and international issues, aiming to strengthen the African Union’s role in addressing continental challenges and promoting integration. They also pledged to work together to advance democracy, good governance, and the objectives of Agenda 2063.

While recognizing the shared threat of terrorism and extremism, Egypt and Nigeria agreed to enhance security cooperation by sharing experiences

in implementing comprehensive counter-terrorism strategies.

They also expressed a commitment to supporting conflict resolution in Africa through peacebuilding and sustainable development initiatives.

The ministers acknowledged the potential for increased bilateral economic engagement and agreed to encourage both governmental and private sector participation in areas such as agriculture, energy, telecommunications, and infrastructure.

They also discussed plans to establish a Nigeria-Egypt Chamber of Commerce by the end of 2025, with a formal launch anticipated during

the fourth round of ministerial-level consultations in Abuja in 2026.

The two foreign affairs ministers also commended recent agreements on visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders and the adjustment of visa fees for citizens of both countries, reflecting a mutual commitment to facilitating easier movement and stronger peopleto-people connections.

The next session of the joint committee at the ministerial level is scheduled for the last quarter of 2025, underscoring the ongoing commitment to deepening bilateral relations.

ASUP Insists on Creation of Separate Commission for Polytechnic Education

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has again expressed desire for the establishment of a National Polytechnics Commission to regulate the operations of the institutions in the country. Regulation of Polytechnics and other technical colleges is currently within the purview of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) established since 1977. However, ASUP said that with

the exponential growth in the number and profile of Polytechnics over the past years it has become necessary to unbundle NBTE and create a separate Commission to regulate only the tertiary education institutions.

It said that the new Commission will serve to regulate the over 700 tertiary education institutions currently under the NBTE.

A statement signed by ASUP president, Shammah Kpanja, said the union is in support of efforts of the National Assembly to

establish a National Polytechnics Commission through a bill in the House of Representatives (SB 673) sponsored by Hon. Idu Igariwey.

ASUP said: "With the exponential growth in the number and profile of Polytechnics over the past four decades, as well as the explosion in the numbers of institutions under the regulatory regime of the NBTE.

"Our Union has been making demands (and rightfully so) for the establishment of a separate Commission to regulate the tertiary

education institutions found in the current mix of over 700 institutions under the NBTE".

The union however said it was concerned over reports of a fresh move to tinker with the original intent of the Bill.

Igariwey said the union will not accept the establishment of another Commission to regulate technical and vocational education in the country, adding that it will be a mere change of name without the desired impact on the regulation of Polytechnics in Nigeria.

L-R: The Permanent Secretary Health District 3, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke; the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health District 4 and the Supervising Permanent Secretary for Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Abimbola Bowale; the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi; and the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Segun Ogboye, during a press conference on the successful completion of the Measles, Yellow Fever and HPV Vaccination Campaign in Lagos State, held at Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja... recently

Fidelis David in Akure

DEFENCE OF NEMA'S 2025 BUDGET...

L-R: Director, Planning Research and Forecasting, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Dr. Onimode Abdullahi Bandele; Director General, NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar; and Director, Finance and Accounts, Alhaji Aminu Boyi Ringim, during the defence of NEMA's 2025 Budget before the Joint Committee of the Senate on Special Duties and House of Representatives on Emergency and Disaster Management in Abuja, last Wednesday

Dangote: Rise in Petrol Price Caused by Hike in Global Crude Oil Rates

Pegs retail price at N970 per litre nationwide

To begin weekly publication of ex-depot prices

Says PMS will sell for N1,150 to N1,200/litre if customers pay full price

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho

The Dangote refinery yesterday explained that the recent rise in its ex-depot petrol price from N899 to between N950 to N955 per litre was caused by the increase in the international price of crude oil by about 15 per cent.

The facility located in Lagos has also fixed the retail price of the product at a uniform price of N970 per litre in

the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to be implemented by its partners, including Ardova, Heyden, and MRS Holdings.

It disclosed this in a statement issued by the Group’s Chief Branding and Communication Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Anthony Chiejina.

The company also explained that the 5 per cent increase in its bulk purchase cost from N899 to N950 per litre was considerably lower than

the 15 rise in global crude oil prices, which had seen Brent Crude rise from $70 to $82 in a matter of days.

According to the management of the 650,000 bpd facility, henceforth there will be a weekly publication of its ex-depot, ex-vessel and pump prices in the interest of transparency and good governance as well as to prevent exploitation of consumers.

At the weekend, the refinery announced an upward adjustment in the bulk prices of its petrol from

N899 to N950 and N955 per litre, depending on volume being bought by a customer, citing escalating global crude oil prices which were trading above $80 per barrel.

Specifically, the refinery noted that marketers buying between 2 million to 4.99 million litres will now buy at N955 per litre while 5 million litres and above will buy at N950 per litre.

However, yesterday, the refinery clarified that the recent adjustment in the ex-depot price of petrol was

NDLEA Arrests India-bound Nursing Student over Attempt to Ingest 76 Cocaine Wraps

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have thwarted an attempt by 26-year-old Esther Uzodinma, a 200-level student of nursing at the Noida International University, Uttar Pradesh, India, to transport 76 wraps of cocaine to the South Asian country. Uzodinma had planned to swallow 76 wraps of cocaine hours before her return flight to India through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

Military

According to the spokesman of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday, the suspect was scheduled to return to Delhi, India from the Kano International Airport on Qatar Airways flight 1432 last Friday but was arrested in her room at 11:30pm on Thursday at Royal Park Hotel Sabon Garin Kano, while awaiting the cocaine consignment she was to ingest before her flight the following morning. Babafemi said her lid was blown open when NDLEA operatives on patrol along Okene-Lokoja

highway in Kogi state last Thursday intercepted 31-year-old Cosmas Okorie in a commuter bus coming from Lagos enroute Kano. Inside his black polythene bag was an audio speaker, which was used to conceal the 76 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.340 kilogrammes, which he was going to deliver to Uzodinma in Kano.

A swift follow-up operation in Kano led to the arrest of the female nursing university student later same day.

In her statement, she claimed

the drug cartel she was working for recruited her in India and paid for her trip to Nigeria to enjoy her Christmas and New Year holidays. To avoid her parents knowing she was in Nigeria, Esther did not travel to her home state, Imo, but was lodged for two weeks in a hotel in Enugu, from where she was flown to Abuja and then Kano where she was lodged at Royal Park Hotel to swallow the 76 pellets of cocaine sent to her from Lagos before taking her Qatar Airways flight to India on Friday morning.

Confirms Killing of Bandit Leader, Turji's Son, Rips Apart Another’s Refuge

The Military, yesterday, confirmed the killing of a notorious bandit leader, Turji Kachalla's son, alongside other loyalists of the terror kingpin, even as it also dismantle another stronghold of a bandit leader, Idi Mallam, along Zango Kagara Forest.

Curiously, however, Turji Kachalla, has reportedly gone spiritual with a view to evading being captured alive

or killed by the military and other state forces.

A statement by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, confirmed the alleged killing of the bandits son. He stressed that the coordinated air and ground onslaught against terrorists hideout in North-west led to the killing of scores of terrorists, including, Turji’s son, where the terrorists were hiding. Buba recalled that, "On 17 January

2025, a coordinated operation between troops of Operation Fansan Yamma as well as the air component conducted clearance operations along Shinkafi , Kagara, Fakai, Moriki, Maiwa and Chindo axis.

"The intensity of troops fire power resulted in high terrorist casualties and their logistics hub destroyed.

"The operations also resulted in the rescue of several kidnapped hostages held captive by Turji.

"The terrorist leader, Bello Turji, in a gross cowardly act escaped abandoning his son and combatants.

"Meanwhile, in a related development, troops also destroyed another terrorist kingpin’s camp known as Idi Mallam, along Zango Kagara Forest."

Buba said during the encounter, troops neutralised three terrorists, and arrested three suspected collaborators.

directly related to the significant increase in global crude oil prices as crude remains the primary input in the production of petrol.

The Aliko Dangote-owned company argued that any fluctuation in the international price of crude oil inevitably impacts the cost of the finished product.

The company said they recognised the critical importance of affordable fuel for all Nigerians and remained committed to offering the best value with guaranteed quality to their customers.

"We wish to clarify that the recent adjustment in our ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) is directly related to the significant increase in global crude oil prices. As crude remains the primary input in the production of PMS, any fluctuation in its international

price inevitably impacts the cost of the finished product.

"At Dangote Petroleum Refinery, we recognise the critical importance of affordable fuel for all Nigerians, and we remain committed to offering the best value with guaranteed quality to our customers.

"While we have made a 5 per cent adjustment to our ex-depot price from N899.50 to N950 per litre, it is important to note that this increase is considerably lower than the 15 per cent rise in global crude oil prices, which has seen Brent Crude rise from $70 to $82 in a matter of days, in addition to the premium for Nigerian crude (approximately $3 per barrel) in international markets. Furthermore, Dangote Refinery has maintained the Single-Point Mooring (SPM) ex-vessel price at N895 per litre.

Minister Charges MLSCN to Tackle Quackery, Misconduct in Laboratory Practice

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has directed the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) to ensure that anybody who is not certified to practice the profession in Nigeria does not do so.

He also challenged the management of the council to ensure that only registered and certified medical laboratory science professionals are allowed to practice in the country.

Salako who gave charge during a visit to headquarters of MLSCN in Abuja also charged the organisation to ensure that erring professionals are summarily sanctioned to act as deterrent to others.

While commending the Council for embarking on the digitalization of its

operations, the minister urged MLSCN management to brace up and sanction those who engage in unprofessional practices as well as address quackery in the sector.

He said: "There is no doubt that as a regulatory body in-charge of regulating the practice of laboratory professionals, technicians and others, you have the law behind to regulate their practices.

"Therefore, if you are talking about not having qualified people being employed by medical facilities then I will throw it back to you that it is still your lapses because it is your responsibility to ensure that anybody that is not qualified does not practice in Nigeria.

"The law is behind you and you should sanction practitioners who are quacks and also employers who engage quacks.

Linus Aleke in Abuja

Will Interest Groups Allow Peace to Reign in PDP?

Chuks Okocha in this report takes a look at the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party and how it has polarised the once vibrant party

The current crisis facing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is all about the politics of who will control the structures of the party. The crisis to many has external influences. It is simply to weaken the party and make it easier for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to coast home to victory without much opposition during the 2027 general elections.

As it is in the PDP, so it is in the Labour party, None of the two main opposition parties may know peace until the issue of who becomes the president in 2027 is decided. From what is on ground, both the PDP and Labour party may continue to wobble from one crisis to another.

To political observers, the PDP crisis evolves around the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike and former Vice President, Atiku Abubukar on one side and the PDP governors on the other side.

Wike is serving an APC government but he is very much interested in the affairs of the PDP. He had openly said he will not contest against President Bola Tinubu, many believe that he will bring the PDP down to enable President Tinubu have an easy ride during 2027 general elections.

The PDP governors are deeply involved in this battle to control the PDP. There is the angle of the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state. He has a burning ambition to become the presidential candidate of the party. He has his counterpart in Oyo State, Seyi Makinde to contend with in this power alignment ahead of 2027.

Then comes the former Vice President, Atiku Abubukar, who has been a serial presidential candidate in many past general elections.

These are the various scenario playing out in the power tussle in the PDP.

Whoever controls the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party will determine how the party fares in the battles ahead.

The Atiku plot

It was gathered that Atiku Abubukar has his game plan and is not leaving his political antagonists to out pace him. As part of the

plot, Atiku’s associates are planning a mass defection to a registered political party.

The defection date was initially slated for November 28, 2024, a date for the aborted National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, but it was put on hold in view of the demise and burial of the wife of the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Patience Eno Umo.

They are waiting for the planned February, 2025 NEC meeting to take place and once decision reached at the NEC meeting is not favourable to Atiku group, defection may possibly be the next option.

The followers of Atiku had planned to dump the PDP and declare en masse for another party, as it was becoming clearer that the leadership of the party was working to turn the table against their leader.

Atiku’s followers, it was gathered, had planned for an outright formation of a new political party, but they had the fear that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may not register any political party associated with the former number two citizen, hence a committee that was saddled with the task agreed that the followers of the former vice president will fuse into a new political party, the way former governor of Kano state, Dr

Rabiu Kwankwaso moved from PDP to the New Nigeria Political Party (NNPP).

One of the sources simply said, “we are waiting for the appropriate time. Party to move into has been agreed on. We are just bidding our time”.

THISDAY gathered that Atiku’s associates reached the plan to dump the PDP because of activities of two governors who are bent to take over the affairs of the party, even when the NEC of the party takes place this year.

They felt that with the scheming on ground, Atiku stands no chance, unless something tangible is done.

PDP governors and their plots

The two governors, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state, are said to be having presidential ambition.

Makinde had planned to use the Ondo State Governorship election last year to boost his presidential ambition but the plan was punctured when the All Progressives Congress (APC) again won the Ondo guber poll.

Oyo governor is being pushed into the presidential race by members of the Integrity group, since their leader, Wike had severally said he would not contest against President Tinubu. Already, former governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has openly said that he will campaign for President Tinubu when the time comes. The intention of the Integrity group was to weaken the PDP leadership base so as not to field any strong presidential candidate in 2027.

Atiku’s followers, it was gathered, had planned for an outright formation of a new political party, but they had the fear that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may not register any political party associated with the former number two citizen, hence a committee that was saddled with the task agreed that the followers of the former vice president will fuse into a new political party, the way former governor of Kano state, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso moved from PDP to the New Nigeria Political Party (NNPP).

In the same political permutation, Governor Mohammed of Bauchi state as the chairman of the PDP governors forum is trying to take over the party leadership.

But, Mohammed is having some hurdles to cross because the party’s governors are divided due to his ambition. The PDP governors are polarised on who controls the National Working Committee (NWC).

Surprisingly, the governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri is not with Atiku, he is said to be with Makinde and Wike.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu state and other governors with a second term ambition are not among those planning to leave PDP with Atiku.

This permutation has left Atiku in the cold, hence the plot to leave the PDP.

The source that spoke to THISDAY summed it up ‘’Are you not surprised that the three major political parties have one problem or the other.

‘’The Peter Obi and Labour party are having problems . The same problem is plaguing the PDP and NNPP. The presidency is behind these crisis because they don’t want a strong opposition against President Tinubu in 2027”.

Polarisation of PDP NWC

The crisis plaguing the PDP has further polarised the party into groups that the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party hold meetings outside the national secretariat of the party.

Two different factions have also clearly emerged to the extent that administrative staff also help to facilitate such meetings.

The administrative staff are invited to the meetings depending on where their loyalty lies.

THISDAY reliably gathered that the two factions are led by the acting national chairman of the party, Ambassador Iliya Damagum and the national treasurer, Mohammed Yahaya. Yahaya held forte as the acting national chairman of the party before the governors of the party reconciled the factions of the party last year.

Damagun

Atiku

Wike

AFRD: Reaffirming Nigeria’s Commitment to Upholding the Dignity of Fallen Heroes, Support for Armed Forces

On 15 January 2025, Nigeria observed its Armed Forces Remembrance Day, a solemn occasion dedicated to honouring the sacrifices of its military personnel. Held nationwide, with the central ceremony at the National Arcade in Abuja, the event commemorated fallen heroes of World Wars I and II, the Nigerian Civil War, and other military operations, including peacekeeping missions. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that the day also served as a call for unity and a reminder of the nation’s collective responsibility to support its armed forces and their families

On 15 January 2025, Nigeria observed its annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, a solemn occasion dedicated to honouring the gallant men and women who have served and sacrificed in the nation’s military. The day serves as a poignant reminder of the bravery and dedication of Nigeria’s armed forces, commemorating those who have laid down their lives in defence of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Significance of Armed Forces Remembrance Day

Armed Forces Remembrance Day holds profound significance in Nigeria’s national consciousness. Originally observed on 11 November to coincide with the Commonwealth’s Remembrance Day marking the end of World War I, Nigeria shifted the date to 15 January to commemorate the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970. This change underscores the day’s importance in promoting national unity and reflecting on the sacrifices made to maintain the nation’s cohesion.

The day honours veterans of World Wars I and II, the Nigerian Civil War, and other military engagements, including peacekeeping missions. It serves as an opportunity for Nigerians to express gratitude to their military personnel, reflect on the cost of peace, and renew commitments to supporting the armed forces and their families.

Public Participation and Symbolism

In the lead-up to the Remembrance Day, the Nigerian Legion often conducts the Emblem Appeal Fund, where citizens purchase and wear the Armed Forces Remembrance emblem to show solidarity and support for veterans and their families. This tradition fosters a sense of national unity and collective responsibility towards the welfare of those who have served. Also, Christian and Muslim clerics offered prayers, reflecting Nigeria’s religious diversity and unity in remembrance.

Commemorative Activities Across

Nigeria

The 2025 commemoration featured ceremonies nationwide, with the central event held at the National Arcade in Abuja. Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, led the wreath-laying ceremony, accompanied by dignitaries including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and service chiefs from the Defence Headquarters, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and Nigerian Air Force.

The ceremony included traditional military honours: the Last Post, a minute’s silence, and the release of white pigeons symbolising peace. The release of white pigeons during the ceremony symbolises peace and the nation’s hope for a future devoid of conflict. This act serves as a visual representation of Nigeria’s aspirations for harmony and the end of violence within its borders.

Similar events took place in state capitals, with governors and local officials paying respects at cenotaphs and memorials, ensuring nationwide participation in the solemn observance.

Leaders’ Reflections and Commitments

President Bola Tinubu, in his message, emphasised the importance of national unity and the sacrifices made by the armed forces. He stated, “Let us eschew violence and divisive tendencies for a peaceful and prosperous nation. Let us all become ambassadors of peace.”

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, he harped on the nation’s gratitude towards its military personnel. He remarked, “This is really an occasion that calls for prayer, unity, and for those living members of the Armed Forces to know that they will be remembered when they

fall.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed the legislative body’s commitment to supporting the armed forces. He noted, “The Senate commends the selfless sacrifices of the military and assures continuous support to ensure the welfare of our servicemen and women.”

While the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, reiterated the military’s dedication to national security. He stated, “Our commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty remains unwavering. We honour our fallen comrades by continuing to uphold the values they stood for”, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, highlighted the army’s role in maintaining internal security, adding that “The Nigerian Army remains steadfast in its duty to protect the nation from internal and external threats, honouring the legacy of those who have gone before us”.

In turn, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, spoke on the navy’s contributions to national security. He remarked, “Our naval forces continue to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime interests, ensuring the safety and prosperity of our nation”, while Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, emphasised the air force’s role in modern warfare, stating that “The Nigerian Air Force remains committed to defending the nation’s airspace and supporting ground operations, honouring the sacrifices of our predecessors”.

Expectations and Support for the Military

The Armed Forces Remembrance Day also serves as a call to action for improved support and welfare for military personnel and veterans. There is a growing expectation for the government and society to enhance the living conditions of servicemen and women, provide adequate healthcare, and ensure timely payment of entitlements.

The National President of the Military Widows Association, Mrs. Olubunmi

Ese-Okiti, urged the Federal Government to expedite life insurance claims for its members who lost their husbands in action. She explained, “Life insurance is the only thing we are fighting for now. They’ve paid some army people, Navy and Air Force, and some army people are still waiting for their own, and they have assured us that they will pay very soon.”

Additionally, there is an emphasis on providing psychological support and rehabilitation for veterans, recognising the mental toll of military service. Educational scholarships for the children of fallen heroes and vocational training for retired personnel are also seen as vital measures to honour their service and facilitate their reintegration into civilian life.

Essentially, while the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day served as a poignant reminder of the immense sacrifices made by Nigeria’s military personnel in safeguarding the nation’s peace, unity, and sovereignty, it also highlighted the need for continued national support, not only through ceremonial tributes but also by addressing the welfare and well-being of active service members, veterans, and their families.

The speeches delivered by national leaders underscored the collective responsibility of government and citizens to honour these sacrifices through meaningful actions. From improved healthcare, timely disbursement of benefits, and psychological support to educational opportunities for the families of fallen heroes, the day emphasised the importance of prioritising the welfare of the armed forces as a foundation for national stability.

As white pigeons were released into the skies, they symbolised the nation’s enduring hope for lasting peace and unity, which reinforces that Armed Forces Remembrance Day is not only a time to reflect on the cost of freedom but also an opportunity to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to upholding the dignity of those who have selflessly defended the nation.

Vice President Kashim Shettima with service chiefs at the 2025 Armed Forced Remembrance Day

L-R: Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar; and Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, laying the wreath at the 2025 AFRD in Abuja

y 17,2025

NTBs: CBN Spend N10.02trn on Primary Market Repayment in

Kayode Tokede

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed that it spent an estimated N10.3 trillion on primary market repayment in the 12 months of 2024 amid active engagement in the Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs) issuance.

This is about 133per cent increase over N4.3 trillion spent in 12 months of 2023.

Primary market repayment by the CBN refers to the repayment of matured NTBs issued in the primary market. In 2024, the CBN actively managed repayments as part of its broader liquidity and debt management strategy.

According to financial data released by the CBN, primary market sales increased to N16.48 trillion in 2024, representing a growth of 85.5 per cent from N8.88 trillion in 2023.

Analysts stated that the hike in primary market sales and repayment is on the backdrop of

CBN monetary policy measures to tackle inflation, manage liquidity and meet the Federal Government 2024 budget deficit.

They added that increased spending on NTB is due to higher interest rates that contributes to a larger government debt burden.

Analysts at Afrinvest Research in a report stated that, “In terms of impact, the increase in MPR is expected to lead to an upward repricing of fixed income instrument, especially short-term assets, ranging from NTBs to commercial papers which will naturally make these investments more attractive to investors compared to stocks.

“This trend is evident from the recent treasury bills auction, where the average stop rates across all instruments rose by 172 basis points to 20 per cent. Additionally, we anticipate an elevated yield in the bonds market, though at a moderate pace. Conversely, pressure on

commence with 10 communities.

Relief came the way of 140 communities across the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State with the disbursement of N5billion from the World Bank to help tackle climate change Country Director of World Bank in Nigeria, Mr. Ndiame Diop, made this disclosure during the formal disbursement of the funds to the benefitting communities in Jos, the state capital recently.

Diop, however, said that the pilot scheme of the project would

He said that the fund was being disbursed through the bank’s Agro Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) project.

According to him, the initiate is part of the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) under ACReSAL project.

“As you know, desertification and climate change are already threatening agriculture, which is a key source of livelihood of the people of Plateau. This investment is part of ACReSAL complements, a range of investments around land and water management within the

interest expense and profit margins could dull outlook on corporate earnings, leading to subdued equities sentiment — other things equal.

“This might be a push factor to the fixed income space, while attractive yields pull investors in. In summary, cautious equities trading is advised especially in sectors negatively sensitive to interest rate. However, price moderation could provide good entry opportunities for tickers with strong track record, as interest tightening cycle might peak soon.”

It was learnt that the CBN increased the interest rate during its NTBs auction in 2024 amid efforts to woo the investing public.

For instance, the 91-day NTBs auction rate in December 2024 stood at 18 per cent from seven per cent in December 2023, while a 182-day rate moved from 10 per cent in December 2023 to 18.5 per cent in December 2024.

comprehensive framework around a 10-year watershed management plan.

“So, this is complementary between these interventions and activities led by the communities and those investments to improve land and water around the communities. Now, unlike grant, the CRF will operate as a loan programme designed to support community groups in implementing community climate resilient initiatives. This financial support is specifically targeted toward ACReSAL registered Community Interest Groups across the state in targeted watershed,”

In addition, the rate on a 364day closed December 11, 2024, at 22.8 per cent, as against 12.24 per cent in December 2023. By tightening its monetary policy through higher interest rates and large NTBs auctions, the CBN aimed to curb rising inflation and stabilise the foreign exchange rate, thereby fostering a more balanced economic environment.

THISDAY analysis of trading numbers showed that investors’ demand for long maturities NTBs continued to grow as its range bid reached 25.9 per cent as of December, the highest in 2024.

The variation in stop rates across tenors also offers insight into investor sentiment regarding short, medium, and long-term economic outlooks.

As the Nigerian government continues to struggle with its ‘scarce’ resources, experts have raised concerns about the increasing public debt portfolio which stood at over N134.3 trillion

he said.

Diop, further revealed that the bank had supplied 20 tractors and other farming inputs to the state as part of the project, with the aim of tackling poverty and promoting food security in the state.

In his remark, Gov. Caleb Mutfwang thanked the World Bank for choosing the state to implement the project, particularly in tackling climate change and promoting dry season farming.

Mutfwang said that the project, “no doubt, would empower local communities in the state to

as of June 2024, stating that the amount needed to service such debt will consume a huge part of the government’s lean resources.

In a recent statement, the World Bank expressed deep concern over the escalating debt service costs that are burdening developing countries worldwide.

Commenting, the Vice President, Highcap Securities Limited, Mr. David Adnori said the increase in interest on these government bills can be negative for the fiscal position of the government and can create future worry for the country.

“Debt servicing in Nigeria over the past five years has been hovering around a range close to 100 per cent, this shows how precarious things are,” he said.

He said that excessive borrowing by the government can crowd out the private sector from the debt market.

On hike in NTB yield, Investment Banker and

implement innovative and crucial strategies toward addressing climate change and ensuring food security in the state”.

He warned the beneficiaries to put the funds into good use, adding that anyone caught violating the rules of engagement would be sanctioned.

“Let me, therefore, remind the project coordinator and his team that it will not be business as usual. We will make sure that we audit every project and ensure that we are on the road to success. The first rule is that this is money you will pay back, so take that into your

Stockbroker, Mr. Tajudeen Olayinka noted that the high yield to the factor of demand and supply, stressing that the government deliberately increased NTB supply to encourage a higher stop rate at 25.9 per cent or that some institutional investors held back their bids.

He added that, “The essence is to encourage foreign inflows that could help improve dollar liquidity in the foreign exchange market and cause a moderation in Naira exchange rate until the market attains equilibrium level.

“I do not doubt that this is the most appropriate decision on the part of CBN and the government at this time. There’s a need to improve dollar liquidity that will eventually force domestic interest rates to moderate subsequently. The higher interest rate will likely filter into the equity market to temporarily moderate the bullish sentiments in that market as well.”

mind and I will charge the men in these groups not to marry additional wives. You are the first fruits, you are the first born of this scheme, if you succeed, it means that the story of poverty on the Plateau will turn around.

“I don’t know how these communities were selected because I didn’t interfere. We allowed the project coordinator and his team to select these communities based on the established criteria. But I want you to know that we will be monitoring your progress very closely,” the governor said.

Arthur Eriye

Landmark to Invest N10bn, Seal Deal with Enugu Govt to Revamp Nike Lake Resort

The Enugu State Government and the Landmark Africa Group have sealed a deal to revamp and further develop the potentials of Nike Lake Resort, Enugu.

The deal is a joint venture in which the state government has given Nike Lake Resort as an asset, while Landmark is going to provide the management and operations of Nike Lake Resort to return it to its former glory, investing up to N10bn in the first phase of the partnership.

Governor Peter Mbah described the Public Private Partnership (PPP) deal as another step that would bring the state closer to his administration’s ambition of growing the state’s economy to $30billion in the next six years.

This was even as the Landmark

Group pledged to not only invest the initial N10billion, bring in up to two million visitors into Enugu, annually as well as create jobs, and ramp up the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Speaking during a brief dealsigning ceremony at the Government House, Enugu, Mbah who described Nike Lake Resort as iconic, said his administration was intentional in the choice of Landmark Africa Group, given its superlative pedigree and experience in the hospitality industry.

“Landmark Group is a known name in the hospitality sub-sector. Your reputation and experience preceed you. So, I was glad when I became aware that you indicated interest to come and manage and run the Nike Lake Resort.

“The entire country can identify with Nike Lake. Therefore, the

LIRS Harps on Filing Annual Returns

Sunday Ehigiator

The Lagos State Inland Revenue Services (LIRS) has stressed the need for corporate business entities and private individuals to file their annual returns on or before January 31, 2025, as failure to do so would attract N500,000 fine for a corporate body and N50,000 for individual respectively, and six-month jail term and/or N500,000 fine for a corporate body and N50,000 fine for an individual.

Director of Legal Services, LIRS, Seyi Alade made this known over the weekend while speaking in an interview with select media organisations.

According to him, “The first mandatory provision for taxation can be found in Section 24F, 2F of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, which stipulates that every citizen must declare their income honestly.

“You know, declaration means filing. That is where the filing powers even come from, before it is narrowed down into the different tax laws and acts that we have, like maybe the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA), and all of that. So it is a constitutional duty that every citizen, a Nigerian citizen, must declare his income honestly if you emphasize honesty.

“Also, it is principally stated in section 81(2) of the Personal Income Tax Act that every employer is obliged to file a return with the relevant tax authority of all emoluments paid to its employees not later than 31st of January in respect of the employees in its employment in the preceding year.”

He added, “So now, if you as a citizen, if you breached constitutional duty, what are you? Do you understand? So that means that you can be sanctioned for that breach. And as a tax administrator, there are different tools available to us.

“First of all, to ensure compliance, we issue public notices and jingles to employers and all taxable individuals about the filing deadlines and requirements to file their returns. We enlighten and sensitise all employers to file their returns through our provided electronic platform (e-tax) to simplify the filing process and ensure timely filing of the returns.

“All that we do before we can now take enforcement actions against non-compliant employers by prosecuting them in court by its powers to prosecute under section 94 of PITA. And the requirements for filling these returns are simple, they include, Form H1, which is an annual return form detailing all emoluments paid to employees and the PAYE tax deducted and remitted.”

“Payroll Records, which is a comprehensive record of all employees’ salaries, wages, bonuses, and other forms of remuneration. Tax Identification Numbers (TINs), which is a Valid TINs for all employees.

“Statutory Deduction Records, which is a documentation of statutory deductions, such as pension contributions and employee compensation schemes. Financial Statements; audited financial statements and management accounts, and Bank Statements showing the remittance of PAYE taxes to LIRS,” he said

optimisation of the activities of the Resort is quite consistent with what we call connecting the dots in line with ambition to grow our economy to $30bn in the next six years. So, we hope that this size of investment you mentioned is going to happen immediately,” he stated.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to doing everything within its powers to build infrastructure, including the

Enugu-Opi-Nsukka Road on the Resort’s corridor, to boost business and investment.

In his remarks, the Founder and CEO of Landmark Group, Paul Onwuanibe predicated Landmark’s interest in Nike Lake Resort on Mbah’s infrastructural strides, improved security as well as the facility’s and Enugu’s potential as a tourism hub. He assured that they would restore the Resort to

its past glory.

“I know this is one of the states that not only has the position as a good governance state, but also one that has also made great progress in a short period of time under the administration. We want to be greatly part of it and part of that transition that takes Nike Lake to its past glory.

“We will make you proud of the decision you have made today. We

will make sure that this is going to be a very big win. We are going to increase the number of jobs here. We intend to invest over N10bn in the first phase of the partnership. And we believe from the employment perspective, from the supply chain, and value chain, from taxes and from visiting numbers, including international visitors, it is going to be a big win for Enugu State,” he stated.

Despite Headwinds, NASD OTC Exchange Recorded 224% Growth in 2024

The NASD OTC Securities Exchange Plc, has stated that it posted significant growth in its key market indicators despite the headwinds in the operating environment in 2024 as the NASD Securities Index and NASD Pension Index closed at 223.64 per cent and 433.20 per cent, respectively.

The exchange also witnessed a substantial increase in trading activity, with the number of trades executed on the Market, rising by 127.31 per cent, year-on-year. The value of trades increased significantly by 176.71 per cent in the review period.

“We are delighted with the

performance of the NASD OTC Securities Exchange in 2024. These results reflect our commitment to providing a secure, transparent, and efficient platform for trading securities. Our Exchange remains dedicated to promoting the growth and development of the Nigerian capital market, and we look forward to continuing to serve our stakeholders in the years to come,” said Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NASD, Eguarekhide Longe.

The evident growth of the key market indicators was driven by interests in large cap stocks. In addition, major trades also occurred

in Afriland Properties, Geo Fluids and CSCS Plc, Okitipupa Oil Plc, Capital Hotels, among others.

During the year, there were four new admissions - Impresit Bakolori, Capital Hotels, Okitipupa Oil PLC and Adswitch PLC. – bringing total admitted securities to 45 as of the end of 2024. However, the market capitalization declined by 18.33 per cent to N1,029 billion, largely due to the exit of Aradel Plc. Also, FAN Milk Plc converted to a private company and likewise exited the Market.

Longe expressed optimism that NASD would partner the Small and Medium Enterprises

(SMEs) and attract youths to take advantage of the NASD’s innovative products and services to achieve their investment goals in the new year.

“Going into 2025, we realise that there is a pronounced need for Market growth on the NASD Securities Exchange. While the unlisted public companies present the default anchor for the growth of the OTC platform, we see a natural pull to developing the SME segment of the Nigerian economy as a veritable incubator for growth companies as anchored on NASD from the Aradel Holdings Plc. experience,” explained Longe.

The Footwear and Accessories Manufacturing and Distribution Plc, (FAMAD), has criticised the influx of poor-quality imported footwear from China and European countries that continue to rival the growth of local manufacturers in the country.

The Chairman of FAMAD’s Board of Directors, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, stated this in Lagos during the company’s presentation of financial reports for 2007 to 2021.

The financial reports, prepared in compliance with the statutory requirements of the Companies and

Emma Okonji

Having achieved over 35 million registered users on its platform, and serviced over 1.2 million businesses and merchants in 2024, PamlPay, a fast growing Fintech company has said it will further fortify its security architecture to protect customers’ funds and diversify its digital services to further enhance customers’ experience in 2025.

The Managing Director of PalmPay, Mr. Chika Nwosu, who gave the assurances during an interactive session with the media at the weekend in Lagos, said the need to diversify its digital services and

Allied Matters Act of 2020, were presented to shareholders during the company’s 45th to 59th Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Despite challenges within the industry, Pastor Ighodalo expressed optimism about the company’s future, saying the company had “demonstrated resilience and determination, and we are certainly poised for growth.”

Ighodalo explained that the firm had successfully navigated challenging financial times without borrowing any funds, despite the influx of second-hand and

fortify its security architecture became necessary, following the growth of its user base that is expected to further increase in 2025.

According to him, PalmPay is a driving force of cashless payment adoption in Nigeria, recording monthly transaction value worth

$6 billion with 16 million monthly active users and customer retention rate of 75 per cent with 99.5 per cent transaction success rate.

He further explained that PalmPay was able to disburse N4 billion as interest payout in 2024 alone through the PalmPay savings product offerings, but emphasised that PalmPay does not

low-quality shoes from foreign countries flooding the Nigerian footwear market.

He said, “I am proud to say we have reached a turning point. In the last few years, we’ve been able to update our machinery, and our product quality has improved as our designs for school shoes have increased.

“This positions us in a place where we can offer good, firsthand quality footwear to the market, giving the China-made shoes a run for their money and gradually making the secondhand market redundant.”

offer loan services to customers, even though it has partners that offer loan, insurance and other financial services on its app.

In the area of security, Nwosu said the Fintech company would improve on its Device management feature; AI-based risk management systems; Liveliness such as fingerprint, facial recognition login and biometrics login; including improvement on its Transaction monitoring tools.

Announcing its plans for 2025, Head of Marketing at PalmPay, Femi Hanson, said PalmPay would focus more on deepening financial inclusion by integrating

“To cushion the effects of low patronage due to the off-season periods for school shoes, we continue to master the art of not just institutional shoes like boots, safety shoes, etc., but we have started to create a line for men’s formal footwear. The market response continues to increase positively,” he added.

Speaking earlier, a shareholder of the company, High Chief Robert Igwe, called the decision of the management to present the results to shareholders a bold step, stressing that the management has the interest of the company.

innovative technologies, collaborate more with regulators and financial institutions, work towards increasing smartphone adoption, and address the issue of increased demand for affordable services. Other forecast according to Hanson, include: Expansion of Agency Network, Expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain and Big Data tools, as well as Diversification of Digital Services. He explained that from less than 10,000 agents on its network in 2015, the company was able to grow the number to over 1.5 million agents in 2023, with plans to further increase the number in 2025.

Oluchi Chibuzor

Kayode Tokede

L-R: Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Enugu State, Adaora Chukwu; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke; CEO, Landmark Africa Group, Paul Onwuanibe; Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah; Secretary to Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia and the General Counsel, Landmark Group, Adaobi Nwanze, during the signing of a Public Private Partnership for the revamping and repositioning of Nike Lake Resort at the Government House, Enugu… recently

PERSPECTIVE

The Looming Shadow: The Dangers of Russian Influence and The Africa Corps in Nigeria

As Africa has witnessed a wave of protests in recent months, it is important to separate the real concerns from those who make take this as an opportunity to destabilize governments. If we look at Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria, the protests have been largely well organized, with protesters feeling somewhat heard and by and large respected by the powers that be.

However, it must be pointed out that these protest often open doors for misinformation and propaganda. This is something that Russia has managed to exploit, even when the proverbial door is only somewhat ajar. To say that the Kremlin acts as an opportunist, would largely be an understatement. Russia has simply managed to infiltrate many situations where even the smallest amount of disenfranchisement has been raised. This practice has become the norm for Russia on the continent.

We have seen it across the Sahel and beyond, resulting in bloody coupes, attempted removal of leadership, illegal mining extraction as well as severe and explicit human rights abuses, including sexual violence against women and girls. Russia’s very presence on the continent is an overt threat to peace, security, democracy and sovereignty

In August of last 2024, Nigeria witnessed a wave of protests, reverberating through its streets and social media. What began as a cry for justice and reform has evolved into a complex political narrative, drawing international attention and concern. Alarmingly, the flags visible at these protests have led analysts to speculate on the potential implications of Russian influence and the activities of enigmatic entities like Russia’s Africa Corps not just in the region but now at home in Nigeria.

The #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria took place in the first two weeks of August 2024, but they took a rather unexpected turn when some protesters in Kano and Kaduna states, both in the country’s north-west region, were seen waving and sharing Russian flags on the streets.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu immediately met with the country’s security chiefs and the police made a number of arrests.

According to a BBC report, more than 40 individuals were arrested waving Russian flags.

The sight of Russian flags in protests in West Africa is not new but it was the first of such to recorded in Nigeria. In the months preceding military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, similar flags weee seen on the streets.

Yet, in the case of the Nigeria protests, one individual who benefited from this wave of discontent is Sani Abbas, a Kano-based TikTok influencer with over 100,000 followers.

There are claims that the Telegram channel called “Africa Initiative” paid protesters to wave the flags. Telegram is a widely used messaging platform in Nigeria, with approximately 54 per cent of internet users aged 16 to 64 reporting usage as of the third quarter of 2022. The platform plays a pivotal role in organizing and disseminating information, but clearly can be manipulated by a targeted and well planned propaganda machine.

Telegram is quickly becoming a channel for disinformation across the continent and with very little moderation of content, harmful narratives can be spread with relative ease. This unregulated environment has positioned Telegram as

a significant tool in the dissemination of foreign disinformation, impacting political sentiments and public opinion across Africa.

Looking more deeply into the use of Telegram by Russia through the “Africa Initiative” channel, shows the clever approach taken. According to the publication, “Premium Times” , One post about the Africa Initiative referenced an unnamed TikTok user to have been sharing the Russian videos and flags on X and yet another unnamed “local resident” who allegedly told them that “The protesters don’t seem to be affiliated with any proRussian group. They just made amateur flags — this suggests the notion that pro-Russian sentiments are developing organically.”

(Premium Times – December 15th, 2024)

The Russian embassy in Abuja denied any meddling in Nigeria’s internal affairs. However, what has been made clear is a direct concern that Nigeria’s northern region shares a poorly policed 1,497km border with Niger Republic, where a pro-Russia military junta currently holds sway.

The question must be asked; why were some protesters waving the Russian flag? There are a number of explanations, but the most obvious is that the protest was infiltrated by some Nigeriens to register their displeasure with the Nigerian government’s stance towards the military junta in Niger.

In July 2023, Niger’s military took over in a coup just two years after the country’s first transition to civilian power. The coup has brought into sharp focus the role of foreign countries in Niger’s politics.

In fact, Since the coup, several analysts have noted the role of Russia. Some analysts and regional experts believe Russia might have played a role in the military takeover given the following developments that have continued to play out following the military take over along diplomatic lines with the new military regime and Russia.

Seven Nigerian states share a border with the Republic of Niger. For the most part, the border is porous and largely un-secured. For decades, people from Niger and northern Nigeria have freely travelled between the two countries for work and family related issues, but in 2024 this comes with immense security challenges that Nigeria cannot and should not turn its eyes and attention away from.

With the expanding relationship between Niger and Russia, the Africa Corps – a private military organization fronting for Russia and involved in their so callled and guised fight against terrorism in the Sahel – poses a threat to the entire region. Nigeria, Africa’s second largest oil and gas producer, is no exception.

The Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, who also doubles as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), imposed sanctions on Niger when the military took over in 2023. This argument about foreign infiltration could very well be the main reason for the withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso from the regional grouping.

Russia’s deplorable tactics that blend military, political, and informational warfare aligns with the country’s broader geopolitical ambitions. With Nigeria, the continent’s most populous nation and an oil-rich powerhouse, the stakes are clearly and incredibly high.

The presence of Russian flags at protests may signal a deliberate strategy to leverage social unrest for geopolitical gain by capitalizing on the vulnerabilities of a nation grappling with internal strife.

Russia could aim to weaken government authority while positioning itself as a sympathetic ally to disaffected groups, this is not a new tactic for Russia and has in fact become a regular offering from the Kremlin to African states.

No strangers to the excessive use of

misinformation, there must be a concerted effort from ECOWAS and the African Union to highlight that this is nothing more than a propaganda campaign designed to strengthen Russia’s presence on the continent. This tactic is reminiscent of Russia’s previous interventions in regions like Ukraine and Syria, where it has fostered discord to expand its influence.

Moreover, the shadow of The Africa Corps—an organization aligned with Russian interests—adds another layer of complexity to an already fraught geopolitical landscape. As unrest continues to brew, the potential for The Africa Corps to exploit the situation grows.

Utilizing sophisticated disinformation campaigns and support for various factions, they could deepen Nigeria’s divisions, hinder democratic processes, and thwart any efforts toward stabilization and reform.

The ramifications of such interference go beyond immediate political disruptions. Nigeria, as the epicenter of West Africa, plays a pivotal role in regional stability. Increased Russian influence and the possible militarization of protests could ignite conflicts that spill over borders, affecting neighboring countries and potentially leading to a broader crisis. This is particularly concerning given Nigeria’s strategic importance in the global oil market.

Ensuring that Nigeria remains a sovereign space for its people will require keen awareness, strategic foresight, and unwavering solidarity against any attempt to turn its trials into global opportunities for power play.

The merging currents of civil unrest with global geopolitical maneuvers must be met with dialogue and communication from the Nigerian government to its citizens. This is the time to come out clearly and address the concerns and issues head on. Failure to do so will open the door to outside influence, none more dangerous than that of Russia and its propaganda machine.

So, what next and what now? The answer is simple in theory but may be more challenging in its execution.

While Nigeria shares a relatively cohesive relationship with Russia, the insidious expansion of Russia’s influence into the country through Niger poses a profound threat to national sovereignty, political stability and regional security.

President Tinubu should also be wary of private militia groups, including Africa Corps. A better relationship with its neighbors, especially those where Africa Corps is operating, would enable Nigeria to monitor the activities of the group. To counteract this dangerous encroachment, Nigeria must take decisive action: enhancing diplomatic engagement with neighboring states, bolstering intelligence cooperation, and actively participating in multilateral efforts to combat disinformation and external interference. Additionally, investing in grassroots education and community resilience will empower citizens against divisive narratives and foreign manipulation. By reclaiming our narrative and strengthening our institutions, Nigeria can safeguard its sovereignty and ensure a secure future for generations to come. For President Tinubu, the time to act is now.

•Jonathan James writes from Abuja Nigeria. He is an International Affairs & Diplomacy Analyst with specialisation in Africa Affairs . He can be reached via afrirelated@gmail.com

Jonathan James

James

‘Insecurity, Poor Infrastructure Responsible for Closure of 60% of Business in North-East’

Arthur Eriye

Stakeholders have called for efficient data gathering and targeted policies to integrate Nigeria’s informal sector into economic planning, while also urging efforts to revive struggling industries in the North-East.

Speaking at the Stakeholders’ Forum on Economic Data Performance, the State Manager for Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Dr. Olubunmi Kole-Dawodu, stressed the importance of capturing the contributions of over 50 million informal businesses in Lagos. Reliable data, he noted, would ensure better GDP calculations and inform policies for sustainable growth.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, echoed this, Mrs. Olayinka Modupe Ojo, acknowledging the sector’s critical role in livelihoods while lamenting its underrepresentation in economic data, which hampers integration. In a separate conversation, stakeholders lamented the economic decline in Nigeria’s North-East region. The DirectorGeneral of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, revealed that the region has lost 732 MAN member industries over the years, primarily due to insecurity and inadequate infrastructure.

“Thirty years ago, industries were thriving, but insecurity and poor infrastructure have

caused massive closures,” he said, emphasizing the need to revive dormant industries and improve the local business climate. Ajayi-Kadir underscored the importance of supporting domestic businesses to attract sustainable foreign investments.

“Foreign firms won’t invest where local businesses struggle. A thriving domestic sector is key to sustainable economic growth,” he concluded.

The forum which brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector, served as a platform for discussion on empowering the informal sector, revitalizing regional industries, and fostering a more conducive environment for sustainable development across the country.

Wema Bank Kicks off 2025 with Cash Prize in Promo

Wema Bank has announced its first monthly draw of 2025 in the 5 for 5 Promo Season 4, with N11 million in cash prizes to be won by 131 customers across Nigeria. The draw is scheduled to hold on January 24, 2025, in Warri, Delta State. Launched in 2021, the 5 for 5 Promo is a reward initiative designed to appreciate Wema Bank’s loyal customers for their active engagement with the bank’s products and services.

The promo has disbursed over N150 million to 2,378 Nigerians in its first three seasons.

In the current season, which commenced on October 1, 2024, Wema Bank has set aside N135 million for disbursement. So far, over 1,000 Nigerians have won cash prizes in daily, weekly, and monthly draws, with a total of N27 million disbursed.

The upcoming draw in Warri will see 80 customers win N25,000 each, 40 customers win N100,000 each, 8 domiciliary account holders win N250,000 each, and 3 lucky customers win N1 million each. One of the millionaires is guaranteed to be from Warri, as the draw will hold in the city.

Commenting on the promo, Moruf Oseni, MD/CEO of Wema Bank, said, “The goal of the 5 for 5 Promo is to give back to our loyal customers, provide support, and reward them for their patronage. We are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of our customers, and this promo is one of the ways we achieve this. As a tradition, the 5 for 5 Promo continues to tour different locations across the six geopolitical zones, however,

our winners are always selected from across the country.

“So even though one of the millionaires will be from Warri where this draw will hold, there’s still room for 2 more millionaires and over 120 more winners of cash ranging from N25,000 to N250,000”.

The joy for us is in the smiles that are made, the stories that are positively impacted and the hope that these cash rewards bring to the winners; from students to small business owners, working professionals, and so on. We are all too familiar with the running ‘100 days of January’ reality that plagues a lot of us after the heavy spending that comes with December, so this draw is the perfect opportunity to support our customers beyond the daily and weekly draws that we hold every other weekday.”

HP Introduces World’s First AI-driven Gaming Laptop

Olawale Ajimotokan

HP Inc has delivered Al inspired OMEN Max 16, its most powerful gaming laptop ever that provides unparalleled performance and immersive experiences.

A statement Tuesday described Omen 32x Smart Gaming Monitor as HP’s first gaming monitor with built-in Google TV.

At the CES 2025 on January 6, gamers were introduced to the newest OMEN and HyperX PCs and solutions from HP Inc, designed to elevate their gameplay like never before.

Gamers on PC demand the best when it comes to powerful and personalized gaming technology.

It is said that three-quarters of them were purchasing new devices for better performance and features, while more than

half wanted customization options to represent their individuality

With the newest OMEN Max 16 laptop that is paired with OMEN AI technology, gamers can play with confidence knowing that their device is designed to automatically and continually adjust performance and thermals for the best in uninterrupted gameplay. The OMEN AI Beta is a groundbreaking software innovation redefining gaming performance optimization.

Gamers often spend countless hours searching forums and using trial and error to achieve optimal frames per second (FPS). With 85 per cent of gamers prioritizing high FPS, a simpler solution is essential in OMEN AI, which offers a personalized solution tailored to each game, recommending OS, hardware, and game

settings based on each unique rig and game – eliminating endless troubleshooting.

According to HP, as the first AI-powered game learning application that continually adjusts for optimized performance, OMEN AI adapts and improves settings over time. Launching with support for Counter-Strike, the application will expand to more popular titles. It added that OMEN AI simplifies and elevates gaming experiences by taking the guesswork out of optimization and pushes gaming performance to new heights.

Some of its features include an Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 processor6 or AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 Mobile Processors,7 and up to 64 GB of DDR5 RAM, enabling players to handle the most demanding games with ease.

Sokoto Inaugurates Members of Investment Company

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

Gov. Ahmed Aliyu has inaugurated the Chairman and Board members of the Sokoto Investment Company, pledging that the states government will address the challenges hindering its smooth development.

He, therefore, charged the newly inaugurated board

members to buckle up so as to achieve the set target. Aliyu further said that his administration had within one and a half year executed numerous people-oriented projects across the state. He assured the people of the sustainance of such gesture and sought for their continued support.

According to Aliyu, the state government has decided to look

into the company, with a view to attracting more investment for the state,so as boost the internally generated revenue.

He disclosed that the most common sources of income for the state are those from the Federation Account and the internally generated revenue, which are most often volatile due to the uncertain nature of the state’s economic variables.

(Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic

Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

Stock Market Plummets by N1.45trn in One Week on Sell-Offs

KayodeTokede

The stock market endured a turbulent week, as relentless profit-taking in some blue-chip companies wiped N1.45 trillion from investors’ portfolios, reducing the total market capitalization to N62.85 trillion from N64.303 trillion it opened for trading.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited All-Share Index (NGX ASI) plummeted by 2.94per

cent week-on-week (wow), settling at 102,353.68 basis points at close of trading on Friday from 105,451.06 basis points, marking a challenging period for stakeholders navigating an environment riddled with cocktails of macroeconomic uncertainties.

Specifically, investors profittaking in Dangote Cement Plc that dropped by 16.5per cent or N78.80 per share wow to close at N400.00 per share

from N478.80 per share and MTN Nigeria Communication Plc with a decline of 3.7per cent or N9 per share wow to close at N233 per share from N242 it opened for trading contributed to the overall market dwindling performance last week.

Last week’s sell-off was precipitated by a reassessment of portfolio positions amid disquieting economic data.

The December 2024 inflation

report revealed a staggering 34.80per cent inflation rate, compounding investors’ apprehension. The unsettling figures prompted widespread divestment across key sectors, except for consumer goods, which posted rare modest gain.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), consumer prices increased for the fourth straight month, rising by 20basis points to 34.80per cent year-on-year (y/y) in Decem-

ber (November: 34.60per cent y/y), bringing the average headline inflation for 2024 to 33.18per cent (2023FY average: 24.52per cent).

Parsing through the breakdown, food prices (-eight basis points to 39.84per cent y/y) slowed after three consecutive months of increase, driven in part by pre-emptive buying in anticipation of price hikes during the festive period and the delayed impact of the

harvest season. Core inflation (+53basis points to 29.28per cent y/y) increased for the third month in a row, primarily reflecting the impact of seasonal demand during the festive period and elevated energy costs on prices of core items. On a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation moderated by 20basis to 2.44per cent m/m (November: 2.64pepr cent m/m).

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF j A n UAR y 16/25

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 16 January-2025, unless otherwise stated.

CELEBRATING 5 YEARS OF PROVIDUS BANK SME INITIATIVE...

L-R: Group Managing Director, Jokes Properties, Oke Opeyemi; Zonal Head, Lagos Mainland, Providus Bank, Mrs Rasheedat Adeyemi; Head of Alumni Engagement and Support Services, EDC( Enterprise Development Center), Dr. Nnena Ugwu; Team Lead, SME Strategy, Providus Bank, Oluwadamilola Feyide; and MD/ CEO, House of Oni Limited, Steve Akpoveta, during the press conference to celebrate five years of Providus Bank SME initiative and announcement of 2025 programme in Lagos...recently

Onasanya: FBN Loan Allegations

False, Vows to Safeguard Reputation

A former Group Managing Director of First Bank, Dr. Bisi Onasanya has dismissed allegations suggesting his involvement in a purported commercial loan facility transaction controversy carried out 12 years ago at the bank.

He said the allegations were aimed at tarnishing his stellar reputation of integrity, built over four decades of impeccable professional service.

In a statement issued by his Communication Advisor, Mr. Michael Oshunuyi, over the weekend, Onasanya

vowed that his reputation "cannot and will not be tarnished by these false allegations and incorrect charges”.

His clarification came on the heels of reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will arraign Onasanya, and a former Chairman of FBN Holdings, Oba Otudeko, on Monday, January 20, 2025, before a Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged N12.3 billion fraud.

The statement however, said the matter in question was investigated eight years ago by EFCC - two years after Onasanya had "voluntarily and

meritoriously" retired from the First Bank as the Group Managing Director upon the completion of two terms in office.

"Since then, Dr. Onasanya has not been contacted on this matter and has remained willing to support and cooperate with the law enforcement if required," it added.

Oshunuyi also averred that till date, Onasanya had not been served with any charges, summoned, or formerly invited by any court or investigating agency regarding these claims -eight years after the matter was investigated and dispensed of.

Nonetheless, he said Onasanya remained readily available in the country to "have his day in court whenever he is summoned to defend his reputation and clear his name".

Among other things, Oshunuyi pointed out that the allegations appeared to follow a deliberate pattern every year with identical language and content being disseminated across multiple media platforms, and urged the latter to exercise caution and verify information before publication, stressing the serious implications of libel.

He said, “What is baffling is that

Ex-CDS Irabor: Army Made Significant Contributions to National Growth, Development

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor (Retired), yesterday said the Nigerian Army (NA), has made significant contributions to national growth and development, beyond their traditional defence and security duties through the dedication and sacrifices of military personnel, some of whom have paid the supreme price through service to the nation.

General Irabor also said that the army has a long history of heritage and achievements with documented victories in both World Wars, peacekeeping operations, and internal security operations across the country.

The former CDS urged the army to continue to synergise with other security agencies, respect rules of law, and subordinate self to civil authority.

A statement by Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said that General Irabor said this during the Army Headquarters Departments and Commands West African Social Activities (WASA) 2024 held at the Army Headquarters Garrison, Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja.

He called on personnel of the Nigerian Army (NA) to remain steadfast in upholding their constitutional responsibilities and democratic values.

General Irabor who was the Special Guest of Honour commended the sacrifices and dedication of personnel, encouraging them to remain vigilant and focused on their duties.

He highlighted the richness and cultural diversity of Nigerian soldiers which he described as source of strength for effectiveness.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede emphasized the significance of WASA as a platform to celebrate national heritage and promote unity, camaraderie and esprit de corps among personnel and their families.

The COAS stated that the event also avails the command the opportunity to thank God and appreciate personnel for their individual and collective contributions to peace and security of the citizens.

The COAS averred that WASA showcases the Nigerian Army's diverse ethnic heritage, rich cultural traditions, extensive geographical representation, and huge expectations of Nigerians in NA's commitment to addressing security challenges.

The Army Chief appreciated the continued support and cooperation of other security and sister agencies in

the execution of various operations, assuring that the NA will continue to foster stronger partnerships to enhance collective capacity to address the nation's security challenges.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Major General Koko Isoni stressed that the tradition of WASA dated back to the era of the second World War, during which officers, soldiers and their families come together to socialize in a relaxed mood to mark the end of the year's activities.

He said that the event also serves as a vehicle to enhance espirit de corps and the spirit of brotherliness within the NA.

The WASA is an annual event that brings together military personnel and their families to promote unity, camaraderie, and esprit de corps.

a commercial transaction which occurred in 2013 and was thoroughly investigated eight years ago, where Dr. Onasanya established his innocence and non-involvement in the commercial transaction controversy, has now resurfaced in 2025 in the form of criminal prosecution. This is beyond his imagination.”

“We have noticed a pattern of identical language and content being circulated across various media platforms, suggesting a deliberate attempt to manipulate public perception.

"It looks more like a hatchet job by some unscrupulous people to continue to malign and tarnish the image of Dr. Onasanya. We strongly appeal to the media to verify the information they disseminate and act responsibly."

He said, “Since voluntarily leaving

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

Two major labour unions at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the National Association of Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), have thrown their full weight behind the proposed increase in allocation for staff feeding in the 2025 budget, saying the move is key to improving the level of productivity in the board.

The unions clarified the rationale behind the N1.1 billion proposed in the 2025 budget for the feeding scheme, countering recent misrepresentations about the figure.

They noted that the plan includes expanding free lunch provision, previously exclusive to the headquarters, to over 2,300 staff across JAMB’s 44 offices nationwide.

First Bank and the banking industry in 2015, he has endured and ignored incessant and unwarranted attacks on his person.

“These persistent efforts to malign his character are deeply regrettable and baseless.”

The statement also clarified that Onasanya had never expressed interest in which person or group of persons in charge of the control or ownership of First Bank or any other financial institution, for that matter.

"Instead, he has moved on from banking and remained committed to making a positive impact in people’s lives and other sectors of the economy.

Onasanya, however, expressed gratitude for the support of his family, friends, and associates, whose belief in his integrity had been a source of strength.

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Caretaker Committee of the Labour Party (LP), yesterday, said it was going to seek further clarification from the Supreme Court on the leadership dispute in the party. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Nenadi Esther Usman, confirmed this fact at the weekend to clear the ambiguities in the ruling

of the Appeal Court. In a statement, Usmani said the November 13, 2024, and January 17, 2025 rulings of the Court of Appeal have brought up issues that only the Supreme Court could clarify, and the Caretaker Committee has instructed their lawyer accordingly. The Caretaker Committee, therefore, instructed their supporters across the country to be patient.

On 4th September 2024, stakeholders of the party comprising its 2023 Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti and other elected and stakeholders met in Umuahia, the Abia state capital, where they constituted the body to plan an all-inclusive National Convention for the party before the Julius Abure-led team went to the court.

Thus, Usman and the National Caretaker Committee Secretary, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, had on Saturday faulted the Court of Appeal judgement

The leadership crisis within the Labour Party had immediately taken a new turn as the 29-member caretaker committee, established by Otti and Obi, warned Abure to stop presenting himself as the party’s national chairman.

Speaking during a health walk organized by JAMB to kickstart its 2025 activities in Abuja at the weekend, NASU JAMB Chapter Chairman, Andrew Onakpa, commended the Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, for prioritizing staff welfare.

“Efforts by the registrar to address staff welfare are humane and should not be discouraged,” he said.

While saying improved feeding scheme will enhance the performance

of staff, Onakpa said the union pushed for the inclusion of other JAMB offices, adding that they were even part of the negotiations with the vendors, ensuring transparency in the process.

“We have over 2,300 staff in more than 44 offices nationwide. When you calculate the cost of feeding across all working days in a year, the figure is understandably significant. It’s not about mismanagement; it’s about improving welfare,” he said.

He expressed concern over the backlash from the National Assembly during JAMB’s recent budget defence, warning it could jeopardize these initiatives.

Onakpa described the registrar as “a man of high calibre” and urged him to maintain his commitment to improving staff welfare despite criticism.

On his part, ASCSN JAMB Branch Chairman, Ebenezer Ayalibola, echoed Onakpa’s sentiments, emphasizing that the welfare committee meticulously calculated the feeding budget.

“This includes staff in outstations. If you multiply the agreed amount per staff per day across 12 months, the figure will naturally add up to N1.1 billion. This was a collective decision by the welfare committee, not the Registrar acting alone,” Ayalibola said.

James Emejo in Abuja

ABIODUN AJALA

PROGRESSIVE DIALOGUE...

Anyanwu to Ohakim: You Must Publish

My Letter of Apology to Abacha

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Renowned journalist and ex-federal lawmaker, Senator Chris Anyanwu, yesterday challenged former Governor of Imo state, Ikedi Ohakim, to publish a letter of apology she (Anyanwu) purportedly wrote to former Nigerian dictator, Sani Abacha.

Ohakim had in an interview while reacting to allegations made against him by Anyanwu in her book, ‘Bold Leap’, accused her of being a benefactor of the military regime and

failing to mention in the book that she apologised to the late maximum ruler for the lies against him.

“Madam Anyanwu is one of those Nigerians who could not have gone anywhere without the patronage of the military. Madam Anyanwu, in her book, failed to mention that she wrote a lengthy letter of apology to Gen. Sani Abacha and the federal government and owned up that she told lies in order to sell her magazine. I challenge her to deny that, and I will publish a copy of that apology for

Nigerians to see the type of person she really is,” Ohakim claimed.

But in a statement personally signed by the publisher, she stated that although she has a great deal of respect for the office the governor once occupied, an ‘Excellency’ who departs from the standard expected of the office to engage in street brawls and beer parlor talk invites insults.

“And finally, that bizarre story about a letter to Abacha, (may his soul rest in peace). How does a man of Governor Ikedi's age and standing

in society sit down and conjure up an asinine, egregious lie about someone writing apology to Abacha and the federal government.

“Is it intelligent to tell tales that are so hair-brained they can make a dog laugh? No one could write Abacha or his government and it became Nigeria's greatest secret. How did it happen that a document that could have provided the propaganda hungry administration its greatest campaign weapon globally got locked up and no one

else mentioned it, wrote about it in the numerous books written on that era in these 30 years? Except Ohakim!

“Where was this letter written; when was it written, by whom and to whom was it given? And how did it happen that it was only lkedi Ohakim that had access to it?

And by the way, where was lkedi Ohakim 30 years ago, in the ‘days of terror’ when people were fighting, dying, escaping and suffering for Democracy? Was he helping the

oppressors?

“There had to have been a relationship with the administration for them to have handed him this ‘dud’. Ohakim must explain this; explain what he did for a living at the time and what qualified him to keep Abacha's secrets.

“When we get a glimpse into his opaque professional past, then we will appreciate why it is not beyond the realms of possibility for him to weave and fabricate this great lie,” Anyanwu wrote.

WITH 265 DEAD TO TANKER EXPLOSIONS IN 4 MONTHS, TINUBU MOVES TO AVERT RECURRENCE

to set up outward viewing centres for public enlightenment and to convey mini townhall meetings for government officials to enlighten people on the dangers of these behaviours that lead to death and destruction.

He appealed to people to always be contented and not to put themselves in harm's way.

Apart from those that died at the scene of the explosion, the Emir said 50 people died in the hospital between Saturday night and yesterday.

The death toll has however risen to 88 from the initial 50.

Director General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Arah, said in a statement this morning that the corpses of the deceased were recovered from the scene of the accident.

Arah said the number of those injured had equally risen to 55, adding that one of those injured and admitted at the hospital had also died.

According to Arah 80 corpses had been given mass burial by the Agency in collaboration with Gurara LGA and "very brave, kind-hearted volunteers" between the hours of 5pm on Saturday to 12am this Sunday.

He added that five of the corpses were carried away for burial in the town by relatives. One of those burnt was dressed in the uniform of one of the nation’s security outfits.

Several houses and shops were also completely razed in the inferno leading to the loss of millions of naira.

Bago, who was on an inspection visit to the area hurriedly visited the scene of the disaster, where he described the incident as "shocking unfortunate and worrisome."

Bago also gave directives he intended to stop future occurrence as well as directed Medical Doctors from Minna General Hospital to move to New Wuse and Suleja General hospitals to assist in attending to

those injured.

More and more Nigerians have continued to sympathise with victims and the state government over the unfortunate incident.

Muhammadu Buhari

Commiserating with the government and people of Niger State, former President Muhammadu Buhari, in a release by his spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, expressed disappointment that the practice of scooping up fuel was becoming more common in spite of warnings from the authorities and the devastating losses of life that had characteristically attended such incidents.

In condoling with the government and the people of Niger state, Buhari wished those inured in the accident speedy recovery.

Kashim Shettima

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, in a release by his Media Assistant, Stanley Nkwocha, commiserated with families of the victims, assuring them of the federal government's commitment to preventing future occurrences.

The vice-president extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, as well as the government and people of Niger State.

Oluremi Tinubu

Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in a statement personally signed called on Nigerians to be more cautious and avoid scenes of accidents, especially those involving vehicles conveying inflammable substances due to high risks involved.

Mrs Tinubu, according to the release, stated: "I received with sadness the news of the fuel tanker explosion, which occurred on Saturday, 18th

January at the Dikko Junction, Niger State, where several lives were lost and many sustained injuries.

"I condole with the governor, His Excellency Mohammed Umar Bago, the families and loved ones of the departed souls, the injured and the entire people of Niger State.

"I urge everyone to please be more cautious and avoid scenes of accidents especially involving vehicles conveying inflammable substances, due to the high risks involved.

"My prayers are that Almighty God grant the Governor, families and loved ones of the departed the fortitude to bear this painful loss. I also pray God grants the injured, speedy recovery.”

Abdulahi Ganduje

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, described the incident as a heartbreaking tragedy that has caused immense pain to families and communities across Niger State.

The APC National Chairman commended the swift response of emergency services and called for all necessary support to be extended to the victims and their families.

“We are profoundly saddened by the loss of lives and the suffering caused by this unfortunate incident.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, the injured, and all those affected. We stand in solidarity with the government and people of Niger State in this moment of grief,” he said.

Ganduje, however, urged relevant authorities to take proactive measures to prevent a recurrence of such tragic incidents in the future.

Northern Governors

Chairman of the Northern States Governors' Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has on behalf of his colleagues, conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the government and people of Niger State, especially the families of those affected by the unfortunate incident.

In a Press release by the Director-General, Press Affairs, of the Government House, Ismaila Uba Misilli, the governor noted that accidents of this nature had far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the victims and their families but also the entire nation.

“This tragic incident at Dikko Junction is a heartbreaking incident that has left families and the nation in anguish. On behalf of the Northern Governors, I extend our deepest condolences to the victims' families and the people of Niger State.

“We stand in solidarity with you and share in your grief. I also commend our dear brother, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago and the relevant emergency agencies for their quick and decisive actions, which brought some relief amidst the tragedy," Yahaya stated.

Southern Governors

Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors' Forum, Dapo Abiodun, has described the tanker fire explosion as a devastating tragedy.

In a statement in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Abiodun, who said the governments and the people of the southern states were deeply troubled by the tragedy, commiserated with Governor Bago and his cabinet, as well as the people of Niger State, urging them not to allow their spirits to be dampened by the extremely tragic event.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims of the fire while

expressing hope that the injured would have speedy recovery and be back on their feet in the shortest possible time.

"To say that we in the Southern Governors Forum are terribly shocked by this devastating tragedy in which as many as 77 people lost their lives and no less than 25 others were grievously injured would be an understatement.

"This is a soul-crushing event that has befallen Niger State and we pray that Almighty Allah will comfort the families that lost their loved ones in the incident.

"It is also important to warn Nigerians to desist from the practice of scoping fuel from fallen tankers, as most of the victims of this tragedy were people who ran to the scene of the accident to scoop fuel."

Southwest Governors

Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum and Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide SanwoOlu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, sympathised with Bago, friends and associates of the victims, as well as the people and government of Niger State.

"It is with a heavy heart that I read and have followed the development of the disaster that happened yesterday (Saturday) at Dikko Junction on the Abuja-Kaduna highway in the Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, following a tanker explosion that claimed many lives.

“The sad incident is worrisome, and the thoughts and prayers of my family, the government and the people of Lagos State are with my brother, Governor Mohammed Bago, the government, and citizens of Niger State over the tragic event.

"I offer our prayers for the victims and their families over the tragic loss, wishing the injured persons a speedy recovery. I also pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased. May God

grant their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss."

Senator Sani Musa

Senate Committee Chairman on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, has described as sad and unfortunate, the petroleum tanker tragedy. In a statement in Abuja, Musa, lamented that three more people had lost their lives.

“It is with profound sadness that I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives in the devastating petroleum tanker accident in Dikko, Niger East Senatorial District, over the weekend,” he said.

IGP, CAN

The Inspector General of Police Dr Kayode Egbetokun and the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN have also mourned victims of last Saturdays tanker explosion.

In his statement, the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, after commiserating with families of the victims, directed state police commissioners to immediately reactivate Road Traffic Divisions in the various police Commands across the country.. Egbetokun also said the police Commissioners should henceforth "ensure strict compliance and enforcement of established protocols and traffic regulations on highways" adding that vehicle owners and drivers should ensure that their vehicles were roadworthy and abide by the traffic rules in order to prevent tragedies.

After praying for the repose of the souls of the departed, Egbetokun called on all stakeholders, including transport operators and the general public, to prioritise safety and responsibility in

Continued on page 43

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, CREDICORP, Uzoma Nwagba; Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Dr. Taiwo Oyedele; and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Hon. Aliyu Audu, at a Progressive Dialogue held in Abuja...recently

CONDOLENCE VISIT...

EDSIEC Chair, Others Sue Okpebholo over Commission's Dissolution, Demands

Wale Igbintade

The Chairman and members of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), have sued the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, over the dissolution of the Commission.

The claimants were asking the court to declare the dissolution of EDSIEC illegal and unconstitutional, and restrain the governor from inaugurating

a new chairman and members for the Commission. The claimants were Hon. Justice James Uyi Oyomire (rtd.), Mrs. Gladys Idahor, Uduafi Gabriel, Mr. Felix, Ebhota, Mr. Anthony Okekuoyen , Mr. Michael Ekhaisomi, and Mr. Vincent Aimienota

Listed as defendants alongside the Edo State governor, were the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo State, Speaker of the Edo State

House of Assembly, Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, Asein Victor, and Ighomo Thomas, Imafidon Osarodion, Dr. Suleman Ikhuoria, Hon. Anthony Aikpogjome, Umoru Habib Frank, and Aremiyau Momoh.

The claimants, in suit number NICN/B/03/2025, filed by their lawyer, Gabriel Uduafi, were also asking the court to stop the new appointees from performing the Commission's functions until the case was resolved.

Additionally, the claimants demanded N484,898,056.55 representing salaries from November 2024 to March 2027, as well as a 23 per cent annual interest on the amount.

The claimants also asked for N100 million as aggravated damages for the alleged unlawful actions against them, and additional N35 million for legal fees.

The claimants, in thier Originating Summons stated that

Fubara: My Administration Remains PDP

Says no partisan interest is worth sacrificing Nigeria

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has maintained that his administration remained fully committed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and insisted that no political or partisan interest was worth sacrificing the soul of the country.

Fubara made the assertion, yesterday, while addressing a delegation of the PDP Youth Forum led by its

national Chairman, Jamilu Ali Kalshingi, on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Port Harcourt.

He cautioned Nigerian politicians to drive partisan differences and conflicts with a limit to guard against compromising the unity and soul of one Nigeria, saying there couldn't be politics without a country.

Fubara pledged unwavering support to Kalshingi as the party leader in the Rivers State against

dissenting members.

To the PDP youths, Fubara said: "I appeal to everyone. In as much as we are trying to come together to ensure our party regains its pride of place, it will also be proper we don't burn the house we have, and that house I mean is the country."

The governor noted that everyone must work together to protect the country and Keep aside ethnic and religious differences, stressing that the success of the country would

translate to the success of everyone.

He said, "It doesn't matter the language, the colour or where you are found. What is important is for all to come together.

"When it comes to politics our differences will come but we must make sure the soul of the country survives. So, we must come together and work as one. Some people may call it one Nigeria, we must therefore believe in one Nigeria, not sectional Nigeria."

EFCC Mourns Officer Killed by Internet Fraudster, Condemns False Narratives

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has expressed grief on the loss of one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE11, Aminu Sahabi Salisu, who was killed in cold blood while on a legitimate duty on January 17, 2025 by a suspected internet fraudster, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu.

The Commission, however, expressed concern over what it described as the irresponsible, callous, inhuman and outrageous narratives being circulated on social media on the whys and wherefores of the fatal accident.

"It is heinous to reduce the death of a gallant officer, who was carrying out patriotic and official duties to social media razzmatazz," the anti-graft agency said in a statement. Head of Media and Publicity,

Mr Dele Oyewale, who issued the statement noted that more worrisome was the fact that some faceless commentators were pitching their tents with an alleged criminal, who unleashed terror on officers of the EFCC in their line of duty, adding that there was no justification whatsoever to rationalise a murderous act.

"The milk of human kindness demands that a grieving family, Commission and nation should be spared the shenanigans of false narratives and conjectures on the death of the slain officer.

"Salisu, alongside other investigators of the EFCC, were at Dr. J.O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State, to arrest some suspected internet fraudsters in the early hours of January 17.

“The operation was duly documented at the Anambra State Command Headquarters and Area Command of the Nigeria Police

in line with operational protocols.

"The operation was initially smooth sailing with 37 suspected internet fraudsters already arrested at a two-storey building housing Ikechukwu and other occupants of the house.

"However, Ikechukwu, who sighted the investigators through a CCTV Camera mounted at his doorpost and who also confessed sighting them, declined to open his door for the investigators, who politely demanded entrance to his apartment.

“Defying all the introduction and physical sighting of the investigators, he resorted to firing shots at them and killed Salisu in the process and wounded another officer detailed to conduct a search in his apartment," the statement read in part.

Oyewale disclosed further that preliminary investigations showed that Ikechukwu was involved in

coding and online medical supplies of doubtful legitimacy.

Items recovered from the suspect's apartment were two laptops, ipads and several recording devices, which Oyewale said established Ikechukwu's involvement in internet fraud.

He explained that although the suspect was currently in police custody owing to the murderous dimension of his case, the Commission would surely bring him to trial.

"The EFCC also wishes to alert the public that the activities of internet fraudsters are becoming patently hazardous to public safety and security.

“Intelligence has shown that these criminals are carrying arms, involved in kidnapping, banditry, ritual killings and other deadly acts. The public should not fold its arms or allow itself to be deceived that they are mere ‘Yahoo boys and girls’,” he said.

they were appointed to EDSIEC for a fixed term of five years, from March 23, 2022, to March 23, 2027, and that their removal could only occur through specific constitutional procedures for incapacity or misconduct, neither of which applied to them.

They claimed that the dissolution of the Commission, as announced in a "Government Special Announcement" on

December 17, 2024, violated both the Nigerian Constitution and Edo State laws.

In a 20-paragraph affidavit deposed to by the first claimant (Justice Oyomire rtd.), he stated that none of the claimants had been accused of misconduct or incapacitated to perform their duties.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.

WITH 265 DEAD TO TANKER EXPLOSIONS IN 4 MONTHS, TINUBU MOVES TO AVERT RECURRENCE

their operations and actions to ensure that such ugly incidents did not occur in the future.

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger State chapter, Most Reverend Dr Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, in his condolence message to Governor Bago and the people of the state, said "the entire Christendom is in solidarity with him (Bago) in this difficult times"

Yohanna declared that, "To us, the explosion is worrisome, heartbreaking and unfortunate. We specifically sympathise with the governor, the families of the victims of the explosion.”

NMDPRA Visits Scene, May Review Safety Rules

The leadership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), yesterday, visited the scene of the tanker explosion and hinted it could review existing safety rules to halt future occurrences.

Chief Executive of the regulatory agency, Farouk Ahmed, who extended the Authority's condolences to the families of the deceased and the government of Niger State, cautioned Nigerians against rushing to scenes of tanker incidents to avoid accidents that could claim lives and property.

Ahmed was represented by the Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC) of the organisation, Mustapha Lamorde.

While wishing those that were injured quick recovery, Ahmed explained that although there were already standard operating procedures and guidelines that should be adhered to in the sector, those rules may need to be given a second look.

“I think most importantly is awareness. People should be aware of the danger that this poses, especially when there's an accident like that, they need to be aware of the dangers of explosions. We need to create that public awareness for people to avoid coming close in contact to the vicinity when accidents like this happen.

“And we have standard operating procedures, and we have guidelines, we have required training within the sector that encourages safety awareness. So we are going to review that, we are going to collaborate with key stakeholders.

“We have the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) here, we have NUPENG, we have IPMAN, Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other key stakeholders to make sure that we push this public awareness and also collaborate so that this doesn't happen again,” he stressed.

NUPENG: Fire Accident Due to Poor Roads

The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has linked the tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State to the poor condition of the roads and the dangerous practice of fuel scooping at accident scenes.

In a condolence message, NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, expressed deep sorrow for the loss of lives, properties damaged, and injuries resulting from this tragic incident.

Emphasising the need for immediate action to prevent future occurrences, he urged the federal government to prioritise the repair of bad roads to enhance safety and prevent such costly accidents in the future.

L-R: Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim with Jigawa State Governor, Mallam Umar Namadi, during the minister and her team's condolence visit to the governor… recently

WE APPRECIATE YOUR HEROIC ACT…

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji (right) and the injured firefighter, Higher Superintendent Osho Oluwasola, during a visit by the governor to appreciate Oluwasola for his heroic act during a recent fire incident at a filling station in Ado-Ekiti…yesterday

Tax Reforms: Nigeria’s Education System Must Precede IMF, ASUU Tells Tinubu

LND: Tying derivation to consumption areas

Chuks Okocha inabujaand Kemi OlaitaninIbadan

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday, called on President Bola Tinubu, not to sacrifice the country’s educational system in blind obedience to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) directed policies.

The Ibadan Zonal Coordinator of the union, Prof. Oyegoke Oyebamiji, made the call yesterday at a press conference to draw the attention of the federal government and national assembly to what it described as the inherent dangers in the proposed abolition of

TETFund and its replacement with NELFUND in the proposed Public Benefit and Taxation Bill (PBTB) of 2024.

The Ibadan Zone of ASUU comprises the University of Ibadan; University of Ilorin; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso; Osun State University, Osogbo; Kwara State University, Malete; and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo State.

Oyebamiji noted that TETFund, which is the brainchild of the union, has greatly helped in improving infrastructural development in Nigerian tertiary institutions, aided

Gunmen Kill Celestial Church Shepherd during Service in Ogun

James Sowole in abeokuta

Gunmen yesterday killed the Shepherd-in-charge of a Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) in the border town of Idiroko in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State during Sunday morning service.

It was gathered that the deceased, identified as Yomi Adetula, was shot dead right inside his church, as six gunmen wielding AK-47 riffles invaded the church, while he was preaching.

The deceased, until he was killed, was also said to be the Idiroko Unit Commander of the Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, popularly known as So-SAFE Corps; one of the community security outfits established and

funded by the Ogun State Government.

The gunmen were said to have also put on the same Celestial Church garment to the church located at the Odo Eran area of the Old Baggage Road in Idiroko.

Though no reasons were adduced for the dastardly act, it was gathered that late Adetula had for the past few months been having running battles against certain smuggling cartel in Idiroko Border town, which necessitated his movement to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in December 2024.

The incident led to a forceful closure of his church, Hebrew Celestial Church, in the same month of December 24 by some suspected smugglers with whom he allegedly had issues.

Oyebanji Visits Gallant Firefighter Injured during Operation

Gbenga Sodeinde in ado Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, yesterday commended the selfless and heroic acts of a state firefighter, Higher Superintendent Osho Oluwasola, and his team for their swift response in extinguishing a raging fire at a filling station in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, last week.

Governor Oyebanji gave the commendation yesterday when he paid an unscheduled visit to Osho, who was injured during the operation, at his residence in Ado Ekiti.

The firefighter and his wife were overwhelmed with emotions on sighting the governor at their residence in Dalimore area of the state capital

yesterday afternoon. Oyebanji, who said he came to express the gratitude of the Government and people of the state to Osho, said he also wanted to follow up on his recovery, having been hospitalized over the injury he sustained during the operation. The governor commended the firefighter and engaged him on aspects of their job during the visit which lasted about 20 minutes.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the visit, Governor Oyebanji hailed the firefighter and his team for their gallantry, noted that their effectiveness in curtaining the fire was a reflection of the dedication of public servants in the state to their duties.

capacity building of members of academic staff, contributed immensely to promotion of cutting-edge researches, assisted in organizing seminars, workshops

‘ll

and learned conferences both locally and internationally.

He added that it helped in equipping scanty scientific and engineering laboratories, purchasing

perpetuate inequalities

books to stock obsolete libraries and is useful in providing state-of-art e-libraries in tertiary institutions.

He warned that replacing TETFund with NELFUND is

tantamount to cutting one’s nose to spite one’s face, stating it is retrogressive and inimical to the desirable future of the Nigerian public education system.

Plateau Task Force Rescues Children from Traffickers

Seriki Adinoyi in jos

Plateau state task force on child trafficking has intercepted traffickers heading to Lagos State with under-aged children from Langtang South Local Government Area of the state. Confirming the incident, the

Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Caroline Panglang Dafur, said that the victims were rescued at the Lagos Park in Jos, adding that one suspect was arrested at the scene, while the rest are on the run.

The commissioner explained that “Underage Tarok children

from Langtang South LGA were intercepted at a Lagos park in Jos, destined to be ‘way billed’ to Lagos to work for an unknown madam.

“A trafficker linked to the incident, Mrs Manwor Ayuba has been trailed and arrested by the state joint taskforce on trafficking following the interception of the children. Child labor and exploitation is a crime on the Plateau.”

Dafur called on the residents of the state to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements of traffickers to security forces to get rid of the menace in the state.

Catholic Father Suspended from Priesthood over Secret Wedding in US

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

A catholic priest with the Diocese of Warri in Delta State, Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe, has dumped the holy priesthood and secretly wedded his girlfriend in the United States of America.

‘Soludo’s

Fr. Oghenerukevwe was said to have married the lady, Ms. Dora Chichah, at a Pentecostal church, Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, USA, on December 29, 2024, after being out of active ministry in the States. However, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Warri, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, has announced the suspension of the priest, who hails from Urhobo in Delta State.

According a statement titled “Decree of Suspension” and dated Thursday, January 16, 2025, the Catholic Diocese of Warri confirmed Fr. Oghenerukevwe’s marriage to his heartthrob as against the rule of the Catholic Church.

The statement signed by Bishop Ewherido and the Chancellor/Notary of the Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Clement Abobo, explained that Fr. Oghenerukevwe has been out of active ministry before his current action.

New Security Law Susceptible to Abuse by Private Operatives’

David-Chyddy Eleke in awka

A governorship aspirant of the Labour Party(LP) in Anambra State, Mr. John Nwosu, has said that the new Anambra homeland security law is susceptible to abuse by private security operatives.

Nwosu, in a press statement he made available to journalists yesterday, said the law is largely good, but he also criticised the delay in putting out such a law.

Nwosu also faulted the reluctance of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to agree that the job of protecting and securing lives and property in Anambra was the responsibility of government. He said: “Soludo administration continues to exhibit its cluelessness in matters of governance. We hope that the implementation of this law will not overreach, thus further

compounding a deeply troubling security situation in the state. “As belated as the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025 is, it is salutary and points in the right direction, but only if faithfully implemented and certain oblique provisions of the law are not abused.

COREN Member Commends Zulum, Ndume on Free Eye Surgery for 1,000 Patients

A prominent member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr Abdullahi Hashim, has commended Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, for his exemplary leadership in providing free eye surgery for about 1,000 cataract patients in the state.

Hashim, who is also a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), also commended Senator Ali Ndume for partnering with the Borno governor on the humanitarian intervention and restore clear sight to those who have been battling with the eye

problem for many years.

In a statement made available to journalists yesterday, Hashim said it is refreshing to note that Governor Zulum, through the free surgery, had lifted the financial burden on the cataract patients for positive development.

According to Hashim,

who is also an alumnus of Harvard University, Zulum has demonstrated his unflinching commitment to the welfare of Borno citizens, saying that the free eye surgery for the cataract patients is a laudable initiative and remarkable in the history of the state.

Expert Urges Nigerian Writers to Explore AI Tools for Optimum Performance

Sunday Okobi

As more people continue to explore fast-spreading Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology across several industries, Nigerian writers have been tasked to explore these modern tools in optimising their processes,

especially in bridging misinformation.

According to a United Kingdon-based data scientist and technical writer of Nigerian heritage, Brain John Aboze, the mass adoption of artificial tools like ChatGPT and others, can help writers “with

brainstorming, tackling writer’s block, simplifying complex ideas, and refining writing style.”

Aboze, who is an AI technical writer with prominent AI startups like Deepchecks, Lakera and Neptune AI, further admonished writers to be wary of “AI Washing, where tools are marketed as AI-powered without meaningful functionality,” and to use the tools ethically as AI “can generate incorrect or misleading information (a phenomenon known as ‘hallucination’) when used to generate entire pieces and can impact the writer’s integrity and credibility.”

GOC 81 Division Harps National Unity, Security at WASA 2024

Sunday Ehigiator The General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, has charged officers of the Division, their families

and well wishes, who converged for 2024 West African Social Activities (WASA) to embrace peace, unity and encourage acts which make for national security. Maj. Gen. Mijinyawa who made the call in his address at

the event at the Bonny Camp, Lagos, stated that the activities at WASA aligns with the tradition of the Nigerian Army aimed towards celebrating national diversity, creating avenues for families to bond, build supportive relationships and encourage communities to thrive. The 2024 WASA celebration of the 81 Division was put together by the 81 Division Nigerian Army Engineers and the 9 Brigade Combined.

RIGHT OF REPLY

Revisiting Tuggar’s Strategic Autonomy and Nigeria’s Non-Alignment Policy

“Where premises are misunderstood inferences must be unsound” James Bryce Foreign policy has always been a preserve of the intelligentsia and its exposition and articulation are both within the ascribed prerogative of this informed group. In this respect, it is refreshing to read the views of Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister on constitutionalism, democracy, rule of law and foreign policy, as presented in his recent article titled “Foreign Policy and a Path to Peace in a Dangerous Neighbourhood”, that appeared on January 7, 2025. Intellectualizing foreign policy especially by a sitting Foreign Minister is a vital process of engaging with the discerning public in Nigeria. After all, diplomacy and foreign policy are restricted affairs that could even be termed elitist in substance, therefore; making an effort such as this to speak across the divides to reach the critical reading public is a timely undertaking. The various treatises of Henry Kissinger and Zbigniew Brezinski, Condoleezza Rice, and others readily come to mind as samples of intellectualization of foreign policy and national security issues.

Therefore, the meticulously assembled and coherently presented points around Nigeria’s foreign policy as undertaken by Ambassador Tuggar offers us the opportunity to constructively delve into the areas of foreign policy and national security premised upon constitutional rule and democratic values of transparent opinion sharing. Ambassador Tuggar’s article not only laid out the contours of Nigeria’s foreign policy, but also laid prostrate the antagonistic posture of Nigerians towards the government in its foreign policy undertakings. It is in the nature of things that countries reassess their foreign policy doctrines and premises from time to time, in order to provide the contexts and the directions needed to cope with emerging challenges and rapidly changing situations. In this endeavour, both academics and policy-makers in the realm of foreign policy have a responsibility and a common purpose to provide impetus to this undertaking. Foreign policy therefore, is not a hide-bound assumption that is also static in its outlook and operation. It is in fact a dynamic proposition that reinvents itself with time and the opportunities and challenges that go with the relentless alterations in the contours of geopolitics and the driving forces of the national interest. One critical question that “The Academia and Foreign Policy Making: Bridging the Gap”, (DIIS Working Paper 2011:05) sought to answer was - how do academic research in the field of international relations and the making of foreign policy coincide, coexist and even work together? The other question it sought to answer was - “what does the relationship look like if seen from the perspective of practitioners and policy planners?”. These are important and yet not generally explored premises in the Nigerian academic and foreign policy circles, to warrant the arrival at a conclusive position that could be helpful to researchers and the foreign policy practitioners alike.

To my mind, this gap is beginning to be filled or addressed by the two discourses that have been placed before the Nigerian public by Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in his article referred to above, and Professor Bola A. Akinterinwa’s piece titled “Yusuf Tuggar’s Strategic Autonomy and Nigeria’s Non-Alignment Policy: Beyond the Dangerous Neighbourhood”, published on January 12, 2025. The role of the academic in foreign policy discourse is to frame the questions and provide the answers around the competent prosecution of a country’s foreign policy. This realization should entail a modicum of understanding and appreciation of the constraints, restrictions and opportunities in which the practitioners are often situated, and the decision-makers invariably have to take into consideration, in moving the premises for attainment of the national interest forward with assuredness, discretion and circumspection. This explains why sometimes foreign policy and its attendant companion diplomacy, are seen as reactive and conservative in nature. Constitutional restraints, reciprocity and its intricate equilibrium, as well as the need to be seen as a reliable partner in any critical endeavour, are some of the considerations that inform certain tendencies and approaches exhibited by those at the helm of state affairs and the foreign policy direction of countries. Competence, discernment, a balanced temperament as well as a capacity for holistic appraisal of situations both settled and emerging, are needed in the person in charge of a delicate enterprise like foreign policy. In this sense, the article by Ambassador Tuggar offers a glimmer of the intellectual fiber that is

now driving Nigeria’s foreign policy, which seems to be the point of interest of the article by Professor Akinterinwa.

In this sense, a worthwhile endeavour has been presented to Nigerians by the erudition exhibited by both writers one in exploring the extent to which foreign policy can be stretched to become the instrument of peace in an increasingly unstable and volatile neighbourhood, and the other in contemplating the kernels of Nigeria’s foreign policy under past and present administrations and offering an alternative opinion. The Professor’s erudition shone through his articulate and engaging article in which he summed up and expatiated on the unfolding trends in Nigeria’s foreign policy as expounded by none other than the country’s Foreign Minister. We could consider Professor Akinterinwa’s article as a rejoinder, a critique, an explanation or even a contextualization of the paper by Minister Tuggar.

In all these instances, Professor Akinterinwa no doubt seems well placed to undertake these exercises, having gathered in his palms both the strings of academic excellence and practical exposure to foreign policy in our country. I think Professor Akinterinwa’s interest in this matter was sparked off by two things namely his professional attachment to the study of Nigeria’s foreign policy, and his longstanding interest in French affairs that he developed while studying in that country, alongside a taste for baguette and croissants I would dare to presume. The basis for a friendly discussion was established from the outset by Professor Akinterinwa in his characterization of Tuggar’s article as “scholarly”, “quite interesting”, “explicative in intention”, “thought-provoking in argument”, and a “good attempt”, etc., which does credit to the Minister and reflects his intellectual capacity for grasping the finer points of the intricate and sometimes abstruse propositions of geopolitical and foreign policy constructs.

This much was admitted by Professor Akinterinwa himself, when he quite rightly pointed out to the ambiguity of the phrase “foreign policy” and its several connotations as a technique or tactic, a decision or objective, as a focus or vision, or even as a process. It is in this light that the discourse on a “new” foreign policy posture by Nigetia, if such was the case, as propounded by Minister Tugger, should be welcomed and entertained by the discerning constituency of foreign policy academics and practitioners. It should be received as something worthwhile and in dire need of expatiation in these times of global uncertainties and geopolitical upheavals. The fact that no aspect of governance including foreign policy undertakings should be kept or allowed to remain static, should dictate that a new construct should from time to time, be devised and presented to the country in terms of moving forward the basic premises for articulation of foreign policy.

Minister Tuggar’s relative youthfulness compared to other past Foreign Ministers may expose his restlessness and impatience with static positions in foreign policy, but his mental acumen will certainly enable him to navigate the intricacies and complexities that are inherent in the conduct of any country’s foreign policy, let alone those of a country such as Nigeria, which

is at the epicenter of regional contradictions as well as tendencies that are inevitably linked to evolving geopolitical trends in the region and the larger world today. It is this capacity for discernment perhaps that provided the impetus to view Nigeria’s relations with France as an opportunity to be welcomed than an impediment to be repulsed as seen by some, in the resolution of the endemic challenges in the Sahel and the larger West African region.

A country like Nigeria that seeks to play a meaningful and constructive role in regional and global affairs, by necessity will have to place herself in an equidistant position, not above or below other powers, but at a level of respectful parity in the estimation of herself against other powers. I believe this is the crux of the “revisionist” posture of Minister Tuggar if at all that was the case, in his proclamation of the doctrine of “Strategic Autonomy” vis-a-vis the unfolding dynamics in our region. It is in this context that both his article and that of Professor Akinterinwa offer us the exciting prospects for introspection and explicit demonstration of our understanding of the nexus between foreign policy, constitutionalism and a hybrid system of approach to the pursuit of the national interest in diplomacy.

It is hard to say that a new doctrine or a redefinition of Nigeria’s non-aligned foreign policy was expounded in Minister Tuggar’s article, as asserted by Professor Akinterinwa. It is more like a reaffirmation of the basic premises of the country’s foreign policy now framed against the backdrop of emerging trends in our region and the constitutional and legal aspects that should determine such reorientation. The “critique” of Ambassador Tuggar’s article by the erudite Professor if that was what it seemed, was actually a partial endorsement of the Minister’s interpretation of the longstanding principles of Nigeria’s foreign policy as first enunciated by the late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria’s first and only Prime Minister. That point has actually been very clearly explained by the Professor in connection with his examination of the doctrine of “Strategic Autonomy” of Minister Tuggar.

We cannot find too many divergencies in the positions of the two enterprising theorists and expounders of foreign policy doctrines, only that the defense of some salient issues in the national question discourse by Professor Akinterinwa seem rather incongruous in the context of a foreign policy debate. For one, the issue of self-determination in international law and in the context of foreign policy is a settled idea, that translates into the emancipation of colonial and non-self governing territories from alien control. The current contest between Israel and its supporters in the West and the Palestinian people is premised on the immutable principle of self-determination of people.

Perhaps a recourse to the principles of the Bandung Declaration of April 1955 which the Professor is well acquainted with, might give a better picture of the historical and philosophical underpinnings of this principle. It goes beyond mere legalities and other assumptions but is rooted in the dignity and worth of people and their right to live free of foreign or alien domination. Therefore; applying the concept to the internal dynamics of a sovereign and independent

country like Nigeria begs certain questions to be answered and certain conditions to be explained. Professor Akinterinwa cited the Yoruba and Igbo agitations for “self-determination” which he also explained as a search for “separate identities”. Today, what constitutes a “separate identity” of any group in Nigeria is merely defined by culture, rituals and languages, while a leveling factor of the economy and legal values that it engendered have destroyed any claim to uniqueness of any section of the country. The operations of the capitalist economy and the inexorable march of modernization have removed any pretenses of separate identities of every people on this earth, unless of course if they exist in a world that is completely divorced from the global economy and have no relationships whatsoever with the interactions that are going on around them.

The other issue of significance is the premise upon which an “Igbo” or a “Yoruba” self-determination can be located and justified in the discourse on the national question in Nigeria. What are the driving impulses of this agitation? What are the compelling reasons for the agitation for separatism by these groups of Nigerians? Why is the justification for such a tendency being placed on the repudiation of the 1999 constitution, which Professor Akinterinwa also seems to have issues with?

I suppose a dialectical interpretion of selfdetermination that separates states, nations and peoples in its operability should be discussed by way of removing contradictions and ameliorating problems inherent in this topic. The same problems and controversies emerged during the final stages of the San Francisco Conference in May 1945 that established or created the United Nations. Self-determination as a concept or principle did not appear in the Dumbarton Oaks Proposal, but was later added to the proceedings of the San Francisco Conference.

The matters raised by Professor Akinterinwa in connection with self-determination, separatism, the rights of ethnic groups and the 1999 constitution can only be adequately covered in a separate submission. However, they raised deeply subsumed challenges around the question of ethnic minority rights, the operations of a constitutional government, the introduction of innovations and changes into the concept of rule of law etc, which should be given vent to, by scholars, politicians and government officials alike in the context of the evolving dynamics in Nigeria. The right to self-determination within the context of an existing nation-state presents the dilemmas and existential challenges of micro-nationalism and enclave mentality that actively repudiate the idea and essence of the larger national construct.

What has been proposed in Professor Akinterinwa’s article seems to be the acknowledgement of such tendencies that are either anarchic in political outlook, or iconoclastic in legal contexts, both capable of causing disruptions in the national set up in an inherently fractious country like Nigeria.

Ambassador Tuggar’s postulations were precisely made to offer certain remedies to these conflicting sentiments, by presenting the possibility of a more meaningful and constructive relationship within the larger national space, as well as in the relation of Nigeria with the outside world particularly with a country like France, in the unfolding miasmic relations between it and Niger Republic. He did not elevate relations with France above those with any African countries, but simply pointed to the obvious fact that Nigeria can and should be allowed to determine the course of her interactions with all countries on the basis of competent and prudent assessment of her interests.

Even great powers occasionally are afflicted by incompetence and disorientation in the direction towards which their foreign relations are taken. Anne-Marie Slaughter in her article “A Time of Domestic Reckoning and Renewal”, (Aspen Strategy Group, 2020), examined the internal dynamics of American foreign policy and reasoned that “Incompetence surely decreases American soft power, dysfunctional countries are not models for others to emulate”. Going by this reasoning, the contextualizing, articulation and execution of Nigeria’s foreign policy cannot be less competent or more dysfunctional than those of other countries. Professor Akinterinwa has already provided the argument in favour of a competent management and prosecution of Nigeria’s foreign policy by making reference to the “4Ds” principle and his apparent endorsement of the actions of the Foreign Minister. This is as it should be in the interactions between the seasoned academic and the budding practitioner.

Ambassador Usman Sarki

Tuggar

WHEN PRISON BETTER PASS HOME

apprehended, hauled before a judge and sent to prison, where she had a mat to sleep on and food to eat. The Alkali [judge] soon realised that she was committing the crimes on purpose. Since his hands were tied by the law, he had to jail her but he only gave her light sentences. She was unhappy when, after only a few days or weeks, wardens went up to her and told her that she was being discharged. On her way out she always told the wardens, “Keep my mat for me! Don’t give it to anyone! I will soon be back!” Now the Japanese have arrived at that level.

Maybe with some difference, though. While some of the Jap prisonphiles did say they engaged in shoplifting because they had no money to buy food, far too many were there in order to avoid loneliness because they had no one to care for them at home. Loneliness is assuming epidemic proportions in developed countries. Some years ago, I watched a BBC Television documentary about the fading role of the Post Office in France. It sounded all too familiar because here too, in the last two or three decades, Nigeria Postal Service [popularly called the Post Office] which was once so central to communications among Nigerians has faded away with the serial coming, in that order, of courier delivery firms, fax machines, e-mails, mobile phones and social media chat forums.

In the BBC documentary, there was an elderly woman who was living in a small village in France. Her only daughter was living in Paris, and every other day, she will post a letter to her mum. The postal clerk will go to the house, knock at the door, the elderly mum will roll her wheelchair and open the door, collect the letter and invite the postman inside for a cup of tea and a chat. It turned out that that was the real reason for posting the letter, because the postman

was the only person who ever knocked at her door and got to chat with her!

How do the problems of Japan and France square up with ours? They have long life expectancies but here, our life expectancies are not nearly enough. They have very low birth rates but here, we have very high birth rates. Their towns are full of old people but here, our streets are teeming with children and youngsters. While they are looking for youngsters and children to assist their elders, here we are looking for elders to provide some guidance to our youngsters, who are even chanting that they are “Not Too Young To Rule.”

Loneliness is a growing problem in Japan and France. In Nigeria here, our problem is overcrowding and too much noise. In Abuja city centre, where most homes are two or three-bedroom flats, they are overflowing with squatters. Every youngster from our towns has a sister or auntie in Abuja that he wants to visit or spend the holidays with. In our towns and rural areas, the African extended family system ensures that almost every home is overflowing with people, eating from the same pot. Babies are being born every day, so grandmothers have their hands full washing faeces, shouting at toddlers, sweeping dirt, telling old tales, settling quarrels, enforcing old customs and endlessly preaching to brides to exercise patience in their husbands’ homes. Which loneliness are you talking about again?

In any case, tough though living conditions in Nigeria are today due to inflation and epileptic services, the prisons [or what we euphemistically call correctional centers] are far worse. Twenty years ago during a US tour, we were taken to visit a prison in Pennsylvania. It looked to me like a Three-Star hotel; the rules called for changing inmates’ bedsheets and towels every day and changing their under wears every other day. In contrast,

LESSONS OF THE ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASEFIRE

of sustained international oversight.

The international community has played a significant role in this conflict, with nations and organizations offering varying support and criticism. Diplomatic efforts to broker the ceasefire involved multiple stakeholders, including Egypt and Qatar. This highlights the importance of multilateral cooperation. However, the conflict has also deepened global geopolitical tensions as nations take sides based on strategic interests. For instance, the United States provided over $3.8 billion in annual military aid to Israel, while Iran continued to supply financial and military support to Hamas. This dynamic mirrors Cold War-era proxy conflicts, where superpowers supported opposing sides to advance their agendas, often at the expense of local populations.

Stability in the Middle East depends on sustained international support and efforts to mediate disputes. Influential nations and organizations must work collectively to ensure adherence to the ceasefire and facilitate long-term peace negotiations. Addressing underlying grievances and promoting economic development are vital for achieving lasting regional stability. What are some of the lessons, especially for Nigeria, from this conflict?

This conflict underscores the importance of military and technological strength (hard power} in international relations. Nations with advanced defence capabilities are better positioned to protect their sovereignty and influence global politics. For countries like Nigeria, this lesson highlights the need to invest in self-reliant defence systems and technological development. Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system, which intercepted over 90% of incoming rockets during the conflict, serves as a prime example of the strategic advantage provided by advanced technology. Mere proclamations of power, such as being “the giant of Africa,” are insufficient without tangible capabilities to back them up.

Alliances play a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of conflicts. Israel's strong relationships with the US and the UK provided significant resources and diplomatic support. Conversely, Palestine relied on allies such as Iran, Lebanon, and Syria. The power of alliances provides resources and influences international narratives and outcomes. For instance, the US vetoed numerous UN Security Council resolutions criticizing Israel, showcasing how

I once entered a prison in Sokoto to bail an inmate. He told me that the small loaf of bread I sent to him earlier that day, when he left it on the desk to go and wash his hands, someone grabbed and ate it! There was this clamour by some NGOs recently for the National Assembly to increase the daily food ration of prisoners. Assuming that if we do so, corruption will allow better food to get to the inmates, are we sure we will not create a situation where some hungry citizens might begin to prefer going to prison in order to have three square meals a day? Anyway, to everyone, his own problems. Right now we are not suffering from loneliness, but increasingly tough living conditions are stretching the African extended family system to breaking point. Who wants to have one hundred relatives, what young Nigerians call “my cousin brother” and “cousin sister,” when feeding the nuclear family alone, paying for school fees and medical bills is a big challenge? O Japan, here we come to meet you by another route.

Letter from the German Ambassador Sir,

I read your editorial “Rename White House to Black House” with keen interest, as I do with all of your articles. There was one statement that greatly irked me, however. You write: “Never mind all the other inflammatory things he [US President Trump] said during his press conference last week, […] threatening to cut off all support to Ukraine after the Western powers led by the US encouraged it into a war with Russia […].”

Though it is not the content matter of your editorial, it is important for me to set one thing straight: Russia attacked Ukraine.

alliances can shape international discourse. Building and maintaining strategic alliances is essential for nations navigating complex geopolitical landscapes. What strategic military relationships and partnerships has Nigeria built?

Strategic miscalculations can have severe consequences, as seen in this conflict. Hamas's potential underestimation of Israel's capabilities led to devastating losses, including the destruction of key infrastructure and the loss of high-ranking officials. This is a reminder that nations must avoid engaging in war or making threats unless they are thoroughly prepared for the repercussions. It is good that ECOWAS avoided any arms conflict with the member countries where military coups happened in the past few years. Governments must navigate both domestic and international priorities. Nigeria leaders must balance internal political dynamics with foreign policy objectives, ensuring their actions align with long-term national interests. For example, Israel's decision to escalate its military response was influenced by

Russia attacked Ukraine. The attack was unprovoked, unjustified and illegal. Russian President Putin first annexed Ukrainian territories under his control, then sent soldiers and tanks and missiles across the border to attack, causing terrible suffering for both the people of Ukraine but also for his own population. There is no way of justifying this aggression.

Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, in his op-ed in Daily Trust newspaper (7 January 2025) states: “[…] we define our sovereignty in the context of certain, key principles: our right to self-determination, our right to defend our autonomy and secure our borders; and responsibility to respect our obligations under international law.” The same rights should be accorded to the people of Ukraine. Consistent with these principles, Nigeria has repeatedly voted in the United Nations General Assembly for condemning Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Claiming that Ukraine was encouraged into a war is a such a horrific distortion of facts that I cannot remain silent. Neither was Ukraine encouraged to do anything, nor did it actively enter into a war. Ukraine is a sovereign nation that was unilaterally attacked. Let me at this point once again make it very clear: If Russia stops fighting, the war ends. If Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine ends. I would appreciate if this was understood when writing about international relations. Thank you.

•Annett Günther

Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria and ECOWAS

Comment: Frau Ambassador, I totally agree with you. Russia attacked Ukraine and gobbled up its territory.

instance, the failure of intelligence agencies to anticipate the scale of the October 7th attacks highlights the critical need for improved human intelligence. Nigeria must develop intelligence structures and systems that are robust and fit for purpose. Authoritarian regimes often heighten the risk of conflict through repression and electoral manipulation. African nations must prioritize democratic governance to reduce tensions and promote stability. Allowing popular mandates to triumph can help prevent the conditions that lead to unrest and violence. For instance, widespread protests in Sudan and Ethiopia have shown how repression can escalate into broader conflict. Similarly, the Arab Spring demonstrated how decades of authoritarian rule could culminate in widespread unrest and demands for democratic reform. The Nigerian government must resist any authoritarian tendencies to maintain peace and stability.

domestic political pressures, including public demand for security. We must strengthen the dynamism between public opinion, public demands, and public policies in Nigeria. History shows that all conflicts eventually end in negotiation. Diplomacy and dialogue should always be prioritized over war as the primary means of resolving disputes. War's human and economic costs are too significant to ignore, making peaceful resolutions the preferred alternative. For instance, the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland is a testament to the power of sustained dialogue in resolving deeply entrenched conflicts. With insurgency, banditry, terrorism and calls for secession plaguing Nigeria, the importance of negotiations and dialogues as the best means of conflict resolution must be in the fore.

While technology plays a crucial role in modern warfare, its limitations necessitate robust human intelligence. Accurate information and strategic insights are invaluable for ensuring national security and avoiding unnecessary conflicts. For

The ceasefire's success depends on addressing underlying political dynamics, such as shifts in regional leadership and changing global power structures. The most far-reaching benefit of this ceasefire is the avenue it opens for a broader Middle East peace. With the prospect of Trump's imminent return to power, the ceasefire rekindles the prospect of resuming the Abraham Accord, which he initiated. Israel can now seek a broader peace with Middle Eastern countries with Saudi Arabia as an anchor. Prosperity and mutual respect should now replace aggression and hostility. The prosperity and development which we see in UAE can now spread to Gaza, Lebanon and the entire region powered by Saudi capital and Israeli technology and entrepreneurship. The Israel-Palestine conflict serves as a stark reminder of the complexity of achieving lasting peace in deeply divided societies. The ongoing struggles highlight the need for innovative conflict resolution approaches beyond traditional methods. The global community has a moral and strategic responsibility to promote dialogue, ensure accountability, and support efforts toward lasting peace. The lessons from this conflict must be applied not only to the Middle East but to all regions grappling with similar challenges. Humanity can resolve such protracted conflicts through collective action and genuine commitment. Leaders and citizens must work together to prioritize peace over violence, ensuring a brighter and more equitable future for all.

End of the Road for Enyimba in CAF Confederation Cup

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Nigeria’s Enyimba FC ended their adventure in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup after they were beaten 3-1 by a weakened Zamalek side in their final Group D game in Cairo on Sunday evening.

The Aba Elephant who finished third in the group on five points lost out the runner up ticket to another Egyptian side Al Masry who simultaneously defeated Mozambican team Black Bulls by similar 3-1 score line in Port Said to end their campaign on nine points behind

Akpata: Nigeria Poised for Bigger Cricket Exploits at U19 Women's World Cup

President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), Uyi Akpata, believes the country’s participation at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup in Malaysia will surpass expectations, as a result of the investment the federation board has done in recent years.

Nigeria is among the 16 countries currently vying for honours at the second edition of the tournament which got underway in Malaysia on Saturday and will end on February 2.

Nigeria’s Junior Women’s YellowGreens are flying the country's flag in Group C alongside Samoa, New Zealand and South Africa.

Led by the former NCF National U-17 Championships prodigy, Lucky Piety, the Nigerian 15-player team is made up of other cricketers who were discovered in different age-grade competitions while seven of them have already featured for the women's senior national team, winning a historic bronze medal at the 2023 African Games in Ghana.

“We are here to announce ourselves to the world and make Nigeria proud," Akpata told NCF Media on arrival in Malaysia for the tournament.

"Our participation is on the back six to seven years of hardwork and deep grassroots developmental work. Some of the efforts even earned us global awards."

To reach the tournament, Nigeria pipped test nation, Zimbabwe to Africa's sole ticket during the qualifying series in Rwanda last September.

Building up to the tournament, Nigeria, despite being one of the four debutants put the world on notice with impressive displays in their test games, almost beating World No. 8 Pakistan before recording a seven-wicket win over the 14thranked Scotland.

These eye-catching performances

T20 World Cup in Malaysia

have drawn attention to the Junior Women’s Yellow-Greens and Akpata believes there is more to come from them at the World Cup.

“The girls know what is expected and the support from everyone back home will see us go far. I am confident in our abilities,” stressed the NCF Boss not known for empty boasts.

Nigeria's first game against fellow debutants Samoa was abandoned as a result of a wet outfield at the Borneo Cricket Ground in Sarawak, forcing a share of the points.

The team have since shifted their focus to the next game against New Zealand which comes up in the early hours of today (Monday, 3:30 am Nigerian time), with the hope of marking a memorable debut at the World Cup.

The top three teams from the four groups will proceed into the Super 6 stage where they will be drawn into two groups of six team and the top two from each group will play the semi-finals.

Nigeria Awarded Hosting Rights for 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships

Nigeria has made history by being awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 Commonwealth Senior and Veterans Fencing Championships, becoming the first African country to host this prestigious event.

The Commonwealth Fencing Federation (CFF) conditionally approved Nigeria's bid, with certain conditions to be met for the 2026 tournament.

This achievement follows Nigeria's successful hosting of the Fencing World Cup last year, the first time a Sub-Saharan African country hosted such an event. Over 10 countries participated in the World Cup hosted by Charter House Lagos, with Egypt and Saudi Arabia dominating.

Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation,

expressed his delight, stating, "We competed against Australia, a nation that has hosted the Commonwealth Championships three times and is among the most experienced globally. This achievement reflects the strength of our bid and Nigeria’s growing respect on the international stage."

He added, "Over 10 months, every aspect of our bid underwent thorough review, culminating in December’s final technical visit during our successful hosting of a Fencing World Cup. This event will likely be the largest in Nigeria’s sporting history, with an estimated 600+ athletes from over 30 countries."

Samuel continued, "This is the biggest news for the Nigerian fencing community.

runner away leaders Zamalek on 14 points.

All permutations were thrown into the waste bin after Zamalek without seven key players raced to two goals up in the first 49 minutes inside the Cairo International Stadium.

It was Mostafa Shalaby who set the tone of the goal feast for Zamalek with a header in the 29th minute and maintained the lead till the end of the half.

On resumption, it was goalkeeper Ani Ozoemena’s error in the 49th minute that gifted Seifeddine Jaziri the first of his two goals as he slotted the ball into an empty net.

However, Ifeanyi Ihemekwele pulled back one for Enyimba with a powerful shot in the vital area in the 57th minute. Jaziri however put the game beyond the reach of the Nigerian side with a master-class goal in the 87th minute.

Even if Enyimba had beaten

Zamalek, it still would have been a mission impossible as Al Masry with their fortunes in their hands got the job done in Port Said against Black Bulls.

After missing early minute penalty off Hassan Ali in the 15th minute, it was Fakhreddine Ben Youssef’s hattrick in the 22nd, 42nd and 45th minute at halftime that gave Al Masry the bragging right into the quarter finals.

The Mozambicans however

pulled one back in the 57th minute through their Nigerian forward, Rume Akporoh.

Enyimba’s exit from the CAF Confederation Cup caps another hopeless year for Nigerian club’s all continental club competitions after the earlier elimination of Remo Stars and Enugu Rangers in the Champions League contest and El-Kanemi in the Confederation tournament late last year.

Super Eagles Rock Europe With Goals

Simon, Ola Aina, Onuachu, Dessers, Lookman, all on targets

Super Eagles top players in European Leagues got on the scoresheets in their respective clubs at the weekend. It was their ways of telling Nigeria’s new Malian Manager, Eric Sekou Chelle, that he has more than enough firepower to pick from when the 2026 World Cup qualifiers resume next month against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Yesterday in the French Ligue 1, flying winger, Moses Simon, netted his fifth goal for FC Nantes to draw 1-1 at Saint Etienne.

Moses Simon gave his club the lead after just 14 minutes, before the home team drew level with four minutes left on the clock.

Nantes now have 17 points from 18 matches to be barely above the relegation zone.

In England, Ola Aina provided an assist and then produced a stoppage time goalline clearance for high-riding Nottingham Forest to beat Southampton 3-2 in the Premier League on Sunday evening fixture.

Ola Aina’s form gave Forest the

forgotten Super Eagles forward, Paul Onuachu. It was his first Premiership goal since switching to the English topflight from Belgium in February 2023.

Forest continue to be the surprise package of the Premier League season as they remain third in the standings with 44 points from 22 matches. Elsewhere in Europe yesterday, Cyriel Dessers netted a hat-trick and gave an assist for Rangers to win a cup tie and get one back at the boo boys who insist he is not good enough for the Scottish giants.

Rangers thrashed Fraserburg 5-0 to reach the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.

He opened scoring after 27 minutes, got his brace on 57 minutes, assisted for the fourth goal in the 74th minute, before he completed his hat-trick in stoppage time.

Earlier on Saturday, African Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman scored an almost impossible goal in Atalanta’s 2-3 defeat at home to Napoli.

Arsenal Triumphs at the Chivas Regal Watch Party

The energy was electric as Arsenal fans gathered for the highly anticipated Chivas Regal watch party on January 15. This event brought together football lovers for an evening of camaraderie, excitement, and celebration.

The night reached its peak as Arsenal emerged victorious in their face-off against Tottenham Hotspur. With every goal, the crowd cheered, creating an atmosphere that could rival the Emirates Stadium itself.

Leandro Trossard transformed the mood at the game, scoring the winning goal to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at home. Arsenal made a delightful comeback after their defeat to Manchester United by penalty in their last game. This win solidifies Arsenal’s promising position in the Premier League, fuelling dreams of a championship run.

Beyond the action on the pitch, fans were treated to an extraordinary

experience. The presence of popular media personality and Arsenal fan, Dadaboy Ehiz, added an extra layer of excitement. Attendees joined halftime games, shared their match predictions, and vied for limited-edition Chivas Regal merchandise. From lively football banter to shared celebrations, the night exemplified the spirit of the Arsenal community.

Arsenal fans left with smiles, stories, and a renewed sense of

pride in their team. The evening was a reminder that when we come together to cheer for what we love, the results are always spectacular. As fans raised their glasses of Chivas Regal, the essence of the event became clear: football is more than a game—it’s a bond that unites us. The Watch Party wasn’t just about a match; it was about creating memories, sharing laughter, and celebrating victories together.

Enyimba FC were beaten 3-1 by Zamalek of Egypt and failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the CAF Confederation Cup...yesterday in Cairo

Moses Simon scored his fifth French Ligue 1 goal as Nantes were held 1-1 Saint Etienne ...yesterday

Uyi Akpata...backs Nigeria’s Junior Women’s Yellow-Greens to make impact at the ongoing U19 Women’s

3-0 lead in the first half. However, in the second half Premier League rock bottom club

Southampton fought back and pulled back two goals. Southampton’s second goal was scored by another

Obi to President Tinubu

“ThehardshipinNigeriaistoomuch;howcantheordinarypeoplesurvive?Thewoman,whosells pepperbytheroadsidehastopayhugechargestogetherownmoney;howmuchisherprofit margin,andhowmuchwillremainafterpayingcharges?Nocountryisrunlikethat.Iwillwrite officiallytothePresidentonthisandstateallthesethings.These(PoScharges)aretoomuch; nocountryisrunlikethis"–LabourParty(LP)2023PresidentialCandidate,PeterObi,lamentsthe excruciatinghardshipinthecountry,towriteTinubuoverhighPoSchargesby the operators

MAHMUDJEGA

VIEW FROM THE GALLERY

When Prison Better Pass Home

ANigerian would have thought that a highly industrialised country such as Japan, with the world’s third largest economy, its name synonymous with technology and innovation, that produces the most cars, electronics and bullet trains, with glitzy shopping centers, with skyscrapers lining up the Tokyo and Yokohama skylines, is the last place on Earth where anyone would prefer to be in prison rather than stay at home.

But that was exactly what a CNN report at the weekend portrayed. A similar report is also to be found in several Western and Asian news sites. The CNN reporter who visited Tochigi Women's Prison, Japan’s largest women’s prison, stated, “The rooms are filled with elderly residents, their hands wrinkled and backs bent. They shuffle slowly down the corridors, some using walkers. Workers help them bathe, eat, walk and take their medication. But this isn’t a nursing home – it’s Japan’s largest women’s prison.”

Is Japanese criminal justice system so cruel that it sends to prison women so old that they shuffle along using walkers, cannot even eat or bathe without help, and

their diapers have to be changed for them?

The explanation gets more curious; many of them schemed to get themselves in prison in order to avoid staying at home, where they have no one to care for them.

That there are so many elderly people in

Japanese prisons is, on the face of it, not surprising since the country’s population is aging fast and elders form an unusually high percentage of the population. But that is not the only problem. Japan has one of the world’s highest life expectancies, but it also has one of the world’s lowest birth rates. It is a double whammo, if you ask a Nigerian; the elders are living very long lives but far fewer children are coming up to replace them. So, who will take care of grandparents and even great grandparents, when the diminishing proportion of youngsters are busy trying to live their own lives?

One of the inmates told the CNN reporter that, “Some people do bad things on purpose and get caught so that they can come to prison again.” The most common offence is shoplifting. While some of the elders steal from the shops in order to get something to eat, a high percentage of them shoplift in order to get caught and be sent to prison. Why because, in prison, “they get regular meals, free healthcare and eldercare, along with the companionship they lack on the outside.” A prison guard said, “There are people who come here because it’s cold, or because they’re hungry. Those who fall ill can get free medical treatment while they

DAKUKU PETERSIDE

BENEATH THE SURFACE

are in prison, but once they leave, they have to pay for it themselves, so some people want to stay here as long as possible.”

No wonder, the prison is only lightly guarded, with only one gate. Since no one is trying to escape, there is no need to erect high walls, barbed-wire fences or station guard dogs, not to mention armed prison guards. Why is it that in Nigeria, we have Medium Security Prisons such as Kuje and Ikoyi and also Maximum Security Prisons such as Kirikiri, and we spend billions to keep the inmates inside? Is it because life outside the prison in Nigeria, despite all the complaints about insecurity and high living costs, is more comfortable than life in many Japanese homes?

Japanese invented many things in their very long history but in actual fact, they did not invent this system of preferring to live in prison. During our primary school days, we heard stories of a woman in Birnin Kebbi who was so poor and lonely, she would enter the market in broad daylight, make sure that a Dan Doka [Native Authority policeman] was watching, then she will grab something from a stall. She will be

Continued on page 46

Lessons of the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

The Israel-Palestine-Hamas conflict is one of the most enduring and complex disputes in modern history. Its roots lie in centuries of territorial, political, and religious disagreements, making it a profoundly ingrained issue. The history of the conflict can be traced back to ancient disputes over the land, but it has taken on modern dimensions since the early 20th century, with competing national movements and the aftermath of colonial policies. This issue is not merely a local or regional matter; it resonates globally, influencing international relations and stirring emotions across continents. Despite varying perspectives, the central elements of this conflict are widely known, including debates over land, sovereignty, and the rights of the people involved.

The latest chapter of violence, which began on October 7th, 2023, marks another peak in this longstanding dispute. The toll of destruction and human suffering underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

The toll of the conflict has been staggering. In the past 15 months, at least 46,707 people in Gaza have been killed, which includes about 18,000 children. Many analysts and rights groups believe the actual number killed is far higher. Over a million people are displaced within Gaza, and the infrastructure is in shambles. Additionally, centuries of cultural and historical heritage have been lost, further eroding the identity of the affected communities with a broader impact on both local and global narratives.

The consequences of this conflict extend beyond Gaza. In neighbouring regions such as Iran and Lebanon, the spillover effects have led to further instability and casualties. Hezbollah’s involvement, for instance, has escalated tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, leading to clashes that have claimed dozens of lives. Iran and Israel have been in kinetic engagement, leading to fears of broadening escalations. The Houthi rebels in Yemen are not excluded from the conflict. The interconnected nature of Middle Eastern geopolitics means that unrest in one area often triggers broader regional tensions, creating a complex and difficult-to-resolve

cycle of violence.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and a hostage-for-prisoner exchange, marking the first pause in fighting in Gaza since November 2023. The initial phase involves Hamas releasing 33 Israeli hostages, including women, the elderly, and two children from the Bibas family, in exchange for Israel freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those serving life sentences. Israel will also partially withdraw its forces from the Netzarim corridor, which divides Gaza while maintaining a security buffer zone along Gaza's perimeter. This two-stage deal allows both sides to claim adherence to their respective demands but remains fragile, with Israeli officials insisting the war is not over and Hamas leadership potentially facing exile.

The second phase, set to begin 16 days after the agreement's implementation, focuses on the release of the remaining Israeli male hostages and captured soldiers. During this phase, Israel plans to redeploy forces along Gaza's border with Egypt, specifically in the Philadelphi corridor, while evacuating the Rafah Crossing. This move would mark a strategic shift, as Israeli Prime

Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously emphasized the importance of maintaining control in this area for national security. However, the ceasefire's success is fragile, depending on whether both sides adhere to the terms. There is a real potential for renewed hostilities if negotiations falter or conditions are unmet, highlighting the situation's fragility. Ceasefires in conflict zones like Gaza often fail to address the root causes of violence. Systemic issues such as military occupation, economic blockades, and widespread humanitarian crises often remain unaddressed. Both sides must take genuine steps toward peace to prevent these agreements from becoming temporary pauses in violence. This includes implementing international involvement and enforcement mechanisms, such as the United Nations observer missions, crucial to ensuring the ceasefire's success. The UN's role in monitoring post-conflict agreements in regions like Cyprus and the Balkans demonstrates the potential effectiveness

Jessie Yeung